Board members and officers of Metrobank Foundation, Inc. and GT Foundation, Inc. lead this year’s George S.K. Ty Grants Turnover with 28 development partners on Sept. 5.

As part of Metrobank’s 60th anniversary celebration, its corporate social responsibility arm Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI) and the Ty family foundation GT Foundation, Inc. (GTFI) turned over PhP35 million worth of development grants to 28 development partners during the George S.K. Ty Grants Turnover on September 5.

The theme for this year’s giving-back tradition, “Engaging Partnerships, Empowering Communities,” showcases the value of collaboration and social involvement to develop solutions towards addressing gaps across sectors and thrusts such as health, education, arts & culture, and livelihood.

“Combining the knowledge and expertise of partners on the ground with the right resources from both public and private institutions, we can reinforce the active participation of the beneficiaries in the decision-making process of programs meant for them. This is key to the sustainability of the initiatives that our beneficiaries have control, responsibility, and ownership of their development,” said MBFI president and GTFI executive director Aniceto M. Sobrepeña.

In a video message, Vice President and Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sara Z. Duterte congratulated Metrobank for its “accomplishments marked by excellent people-centered engagements and community empowerment that stands out as a source of inspiration, hope, and light for others.”

“Collaboration and involvement will define our future. Together, let us listen closely to the heartbeat of our people and our communities in need, lift them up with hope and optimism, and create a caring, loving nation for everyone, especially our children,” she added.

Coursed through MBFI and GTFI, this year’s assistance was given to development partners that provide holistic interventions to basic humanitarian and social services to communities nationwide.

Sustaining Health and Nutrition

File Photo: Metrobank Foundation and Caritas Manila distribute food packs and vitamin supplements to 100 pregnant and lactating mothers in July.

To reinforce the organization’s contributions to address hunger and food security, MBFI partnered with Food for the Hungry Philippines to support their supplemental feeding program for 120 malnourished school children and nutrition education for their guardians within four months; Negrense Volunteers for Change Foundation, Inc. to fund the daily supplemental feeding of 138 malnourished children of the farmer members of Bukidnon Organic Farmers Association and neighboring sitios for 180 days; and Caritas Manila to provide daily supplemental feeding, vitamins supplementation, and urban gardening for 100 pregnant and lactating mothers for 180 days.

MBFI, once again, supported World Vision Development Foundation’s Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) in Schools program that will construct five (5) 10-faucet handwashing facilities in Bohol, Misamis Occidental, Zamboanga del Norte, and North Cotabato.

Another program supported by MBFI under its Health thrust is the World Surgical Foundation’s “Surgeries Accessible to the Vulnerable.” It aims to provide indigent patients suffering from neglected surgical diseases access to free and quality surgical care.

GTFI, for its part, will continue to aid the Metrobank Group’s premiere healthcare ally, Manila Doctors Hospital, particularly its in-patient and six in-house surgical programs for indigent patients.

Ensuring Equitable Education

File Photo: Metrobank Foundation turnovers school equipment and radio to partners from the Department of Education in 2021.

To sustain support for the learning continuity of students under the Project TEACH or “Taking-up Education Access Challenges with a Heart” program, printers, copiers, and risograph machines will be donated by MBFI to 34 schools nationwide in partnership with the Department of Education. Furthermore, 216 radios and 216 thumb drives will also go to 18 public schools in Nueva Vizcaya.

MBFI also supports the Network of Outstanding Teachers and Educators (NOTED)—the alumni organization of the Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipino teachers. In particular, for their NOTED Caravan 2022 which will provide equipment and supplies to 17 schools and relevant teacher training programs for public schools in nine areas nationwide.

Meanwhile, the grant support to the Philippine Foundation for Science and Technology will cover the sponsorship of 300 chemistry laboratory boxes for teachers attending the “Teaching Science Through Interactive Approaches” workshop. This aims to address the learning recovery program of DepEd as both students and teachers go back to the face-to-face mode of learning and teaching.

MBFI, through the Bakhita Canossa Foundation, will also grant non-tuition support to 11 senior high school and college students under the “Advocacy on Youth Development Program” towards school completion.

On the other hand, GTFI will continue to ensure holistic opportunities are made available for deserving youth to prepare for sustainable employment. Under its Scholarships for Technical-Vocational Education Program (STEP), financial support will be extended to 150 students taking-up Electromechanics training program at DualTech Training Center; 135 students taking-up Machine Repair and Maintenance training program at Don Bosco Technical School; 20 students taking-up General Automotive Servicing Training Course at the Toyota Motor Philippines School of Technology; and 24 students taking-up Hospitality and Culinary Arts at Punlaan School.

The family foundation is also committed to supporting the tuition of 24 academically performing but financially-challenged 4th-year college STEM learners at Adamson University and Technological Institute of the Philippines; 30 nursing students from the Metrobank Group’s educational affiliate Manila Tytana Colleges; and 10 college students under the University of the Philippines Engineering Research and Development Foundation’s roster of scholars.

Enriching Creative Industries

For Dr. Ty, art contributes to people’s higher awareness of what is important and essential in life. To him, art serves to inspire and enlighten people, enabling them to contribute to nation building. He saw art as a beautiful expression of a people’s creativity, spirit and culture. His pioneering work in corporate philanthropy in the arts ushered opportunities for young artists to develop their practice, and for the public to gain an appreciation for the role of art in nation building.

Architectural renders of “The M” at Taguig City courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum of Manila Foundation, Inc.

Serving as one of the highlights of this year’s grants turnover, both MBFI and GTFI support “The M,” one of the country’s leading art spaces for contemporary and modern art. Through an endowment fund, the foundations are contributing in the re-opening of the museum’s doors at Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City.

Furthermore, MBFI also supported the Department of Foreign Affairs – Foreign Service Institute’s publication of “Bantugang Sugbuanon,” a Cebu-focused art book; the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ production of the Thirteen Artist Award’s printed and online exhibition publications; and the educational scholarship of two Metrobank Art & Design Excellence competition national finalists under Artletics’ Linangan Art Residency.

Creating Sustainable Livelihood Opportunities

File Photo: Metrobank Foundation supports International Care Ministries’ program in training and mentoring families in 2020.

MBFI renewed its partnership with Good Neighbors Philippines, Inc. and the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation, Inc. to contribute in the livelihood restoration and improvement of some fisher folks in province of Bohol. The grant assistance shall provide seven (7) boats, fishing gear, and financial and capacity-building training for the beneficiaries affected by the onslaught of typhoon Odette.

Another program supported is International Care Ministries’ “Transform and Prevail” which aims to introduce an integrated poverty solution to communities with low socioeconomic status. The grant will benefit 259 families from seven identified communities in Iloilo and General Santos City.

Connecting Communities

Lastly, MBFI extended special grants to social development organizations focusing on the promotion of inclusive opportunities for marginalized communities. Among them is the Laura Vicuña Foundation for their center-based programs in Quezon City and Palawan; 10 child protection communities; three (3) TechVoc education and training centers; and other initiatives to combat all forms of exploitation against the youth.

To cap if off, MBFI also donated to the Senate Spouses Foundation, Inc. in support of their “A Christmas in November” program benefitting 180 children who were abandoned and orphaned; “Adopt a Barangay” for 1,000 residents; and “Back to School Program” which will benefit 120 school learners. Likewise, another development assistance wen to the Congressional Spouses Foundation, Inc. to support their livelihood program.

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