The Metrobank Group led by Chairman Arthur Ty poses in a group photo with the grantees of the George S.K. Ty Grants Turnover last 29 August 2023.

The Metrobank Foundation Inc. (MBFI) and the Ty family foundation GT Foundation Inc. (GTFI) have turned over P40 million worth of development grants to 32 development partners at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig today, 29 August 2023, as part of Metrobank’s 61^st Anniversary.

Under the theme “Engaging Partnerships, Empowering Communities,” the George S.K. Ty Grants Turnover celebrates the strong collaboration among development organizations with the collective goal of empowering communities to address challenges, especially in the areas of health, education, arts, culture, and livelihood.

“Our contributions will benefit individuals nationwide, but the work doesn’t stop there. Our story doesn’t end there. We must recognize that our role extends beyond implementing projects. It’s not enough that we follow the trends; we must also be committed to shaping them. In a rapidly changing world, we need to think “business unusual,” MBFI President Aniceto M. Sobrepeña said.

This year’s assistance from MBFI and GTFI to development partners will support interventions that would address malnutrition, ensure access to quality education, empower creative communities, and promote sustainable livelihoods, among others.

Boosting Programs to Improve Health and Counter Malnutrition

MBFI has partnered with Pilipinas Shell Foundation Inc. to expand the latter’s Roots to Shoots Program, a three-year comprehensive initiative against malnutrition that will tackle the nutrition, water access, sanitation, and livelihood needs of 345 parents/caregivers and their children in Pasacao, Camarines Sur. On the other hand, MBFI has also locked arms with Food for the Hungry Inc. in continuing to address the issue of malnutrition in eight barangays in Eastern Visayas, targeting 110 beneficiaries composed of parents and school children.

MBFI has partnered with the International Institute of Rural Reconstruction to set in motion their sustainable and healthy food system through the provision of seeds and equipment and establishment of diversified home gardens for food self-sufficiency that would benefit 250 families with pregnant and lactating women in Guinayangan, Quezon.

Meanwhile, GTFI has partnered with Save the Children Philippines to address the growing incidences of malnutrition in Matuguinao, Samar as well as with Communities for Alternative Food Ecosystems Initiative (CAFEi) in imparting knowledge and skills on food trade, food preparation practices, and food consumption to 100 families in Cebu City and Northern Cebu.

Clean and potable drinking water is the priority of Planet Water Foundation in its partnership with GTFI, focused on deploying a water filtration system, while simultaneously implementing its hygiene education program to 1,800 individuals in Quezon Province.

The family foundation has also renewed a partnership with Cure Philippines in providing physical and spiritual care for 60 Filipinodiatric patients with repairable deformities in Davao City. Likewise, GTFI will continue to aid the Metrobank Group’s premiere healthcare ally, Manila Doctors Hospital.

Through assisting indigent patients confined in the Hospital and in-house, surgical programs for patients requiring surgical interventions such as cataract surgery, removal of goiter, uterine tumors, gallbladder stones, and repair of hernia.

Ensuring the Future of the Youth and Education Through Financial Means

GTFI struck a partnership with De La Salle Araneta University in providing scholarships in select programs such as BS Accountancy, BSBA Financial Management, BS Hospitality Management, BS Tourism Management, and BS Computer Engineering.

Additionally, the family foundation sustained agreements with Dualtech Training Center Foundation, Inc. and Don Bosco Technical Institute of Makati, Inc. to offer technical vocation scholarships for 100 students for Electromechanics, and 100 students for Automotive, Mechatronics, and Computer Servicing, respectively; Toyota Motor Philippines School of Technology is also a partner of GTFI in supporting 60 students that will undertake General Automotive Job Training Course.

As part of its continuing partnership since 2020, GTFI turned over to Fr. Al’s Children Foundation its support for their scholarship program that benefits qualified students, targeting junior high school students from Boystown and Girlstown in Manila.

The family foundation is also committed to supporting the tuition of 15 academically performing but financially challenged 4th-year college STEM learners at the Technological Institute of the Philippines; 12 first-year BS Nursing students from the Metrobank Group’s educational affiliate Manila Tytana Colleges; and 10 first-year college students under the University of the Philippines Engineering Research and Development Foundation’s roster of scholars.

GTFI will also provide support for Caritas Philippines in implementing its Alay para sa Karunungan Educational Assistance Program (AK-EAP), where 250 Junior High School students in Mindanao will benefit through skills training for future employment.

Meanwhile, MBFI is partnering with Edukasyon.ph, whose EDGE Teacher Training Program aims to educate 100 public school teachers on how to strengthen their students’ skills in vocabulary, comprehension, and speaking.

MBFI’s partnerships around the education pillar have also prioritized student health and welfare, as it works with RMN Foundation for the construction of handwashing facilities in Region III, Region IV, CARAGA, and BARMM as well as with Virlanie Foundation for the implementation of Walk Your Way to School, which promotes the integration of street children in the formal education system.

Preserving Art Legacy by Empowering Creative Communities

The late Metrobank Group founder George S.K. Ty’s love for the arts lives through the legacy of contributing to organizations that promote the practice of art in the country. MBFI has pledged support to 23 Sampaguita Artists Collective in promoting local artistry and its relevance to society through the Sining Eskinita: Salimisim art festival in Baguio City.

Also, MBFI has forged partnerships with other provincial art organizations such as Anakbanwa Creative Residency Project, which held its first regional Galila Arts Festival as venue for creative communities in the province. Another example is the Naga City’s People Council, which is also supported by MBFI as it held the Rigmat Arts Fest with the goal of establishing a creative network and cultural exchanges in the local art scene in Naga City.

Maintaining Cultural Identity Through Sustainable Livelihood

The foundation’s belief in equal livelihood opportunities has led to a stronger partnership with Good Neighbors International Philippines in creating livelihood opportunities for 26 women and 100 households in Bohol through capacity building workshops on entrepreneurship, financial management, and literacy; Community Crafts Association of the Philippines Inc. has also been given support for its initiative in developing the capacity of grassroots women weavers in Ibajay, Aklan to establish an enterprise of handcrafted products that can be sold nationwide.

Hand in Hand with Partners for Change

Other than organizations and foundations from the sectors of health, education, arts, and livelihood, MBFI has maintained partnerships with special organizations such as the Senate Spouses Foundation Inc., which will hold surgical and medical missions, apart from relief operations during times of disaster. The same is true for the Congressional Spouses Foundation Inc., which MBFI will support as it holds a National Livelihood Trade Fair to showcase the finest local products from various parts of the country.

Meanwhile, the DFA Ladies Foundation Inc., the International Bazaar Foundation Inc., and the Zonta Club of Mandaluyong San Juan will implement their respective scholarship programs that cater to deserving students across various levels.

Lastly, the Masungi Geopark Project of the Masungi Georeserve will get support through MBFI’s partnership. The project aims to reforest and rewild 3,000 hectares of abused forests in some parts of Metro Manila.

Tags: 2023 News