Metrobank Foundation inks memorandum of agreement with four social development partners on disaster response

Written by Laarnie Luna on November 28, 2023. Posted in Disaster Response, Media, News, Press Release

Photo shows (L-R) Metrobank Foundation president Aniceto Sobrepeña, Alagang Kapatid Foundation executive director Menchie Silvestre, Philippine STAR vice president Jay Sarmiento, Caritas Manila priest-in-charge Fr, Ricardo Valencia, RMN Foundation vice president Enrique Canoy and corporate communications assistant Andy Canoy, and MBFI executive vice president Philip Francisco Dy

Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI), together with Alagang Kapatid Foundation, Inc., Caritas Manila, RMN Foundation, Inc., and Philippine STAR Operation Damayan signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) on 28 November 2023 in Makati City for the implementation of a three-year response intervention program to address disaster vulnerability in economically disadvantaged communities in the Philippines through the formation of the MBFI Disaster Response Task Force.

Under MBFI’s Management of Emergencies and Natural Disasters (MEND), the Disaster Response Interventions program aims to provide assistance to affected and displaced population during a disaster event. The agreement provides the partner organizations with manpower and financial support for their disaster response and operations.

MBFI’s partners have been mobilizing assistance in the form of family food packs, shelter repair kits, and other non-food Items to help affected populations during disasters. Some of the organizations have been partnering with MBFI since the onslaught of Typhoon Yolanda in 2013.

Additionally, through MBFI’s disaster response and volunteerism program Helping Hands, Metrobank personnel nationwide, including its volunteerism arm Purple Hearts Club (PHC), has been an instrumental help for the conduct of disaster response operations by helping with distribution, coordination, data gathering and situational analysis during an onset of a disaster.

Led by MBFI president Aniceto Sobrepeña and executive vice president Philip Francisco Dy, the ceremonial MOA signing welcomed Alagang Kapatid Foundation executive director Menchie Silvestre, Caritas Manila priest-in-charge Fr, Ricardo Valencia, Philippine STAR vice president for sales and marketing Jay Sarmiento, RMN Foundation vice president for operations Enrique Canoy and corporate communications assistant Andy Canoy.

“Our presence today, in the spirit of shared advocacy, symbolizes our dedication to fostering a culture of resilience, where individuals and communities can come together to face the inevitable uncertainties of the future. We dream, not only of a responsive society, but a country that is prepared, and a nation that understands the scientific basis of disaster risk reduction and management,” shared MBFI president Sobrepeña in his welcoming remarks.

MBFI president Aniceto Sobrepeña giving his welcoming remarks

“As disasters do not recognize borders, I believe we should do the same. We must foster collaboration at all levels and sectors – both with local and national, both with public and private, and both with LGUs and our citizenry. By working together, sharing resources, and learning from one another, we can build a community that is resilient and adaptive in the face of any challenge,” he added.

The program is aligned with the national agenda on disaster risk reduction and management, specifically RA 10121: “Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Act of 2010,” that encourages private sector participation in providing response during emergencies and engaging in programs that strengthens the country’s institutional capacity for DRRM.

On the same day of the ceremonial signing, a collaborative dialogue with the program partners to discuss how to enhance support for disaster response and preparedness was conducted. Challenges experienced during disaster response operations, best practices in disaster preparedness, and opportunities in risk reduction were part of the conversation.
With the formalization of MBFI Disaster Response Task Force, the speedy assistance to the affected communities will pave the way to a more resilient community and better national disaster response. MBFI, PHC, and the implementing partners are committed to continuing this mission by supporting the government efforts in providing timely assistance during occurrence of emergencies, particularly in the most vulnerable communities.