Just in time for its celebration of its 42nd founding anniversary, the Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI), in partnership with Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU), turned over a PhP 18 million worth of molecular laboratory to the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) on January 9, 2021 in Bajada, Davao City. The facility shall address the growing need for COVID 19 testing, specifically in this region, which can run 200 samples each day.
Thousands of students, faculty and staff from five public schools in Metro Manila can now look forward to new handwashing facilities installed in strategic locations in their schools that will help them fight COVID-19 and other communicable diseases. League of Corporate Foundations (LCF) member and project sponsor, Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI), formally turned over five new 10-faucet hygiene facilities to Mataas na Paaralang Neptali A. Gonzales and Addition Hills Integrated School in Mandaluyong City, Kapitolyo High School in Pasig City, and Quezon City Science High School and Ramon Magsaysay (Cubao) High School in Quezon City on December 17, and on a virtual ceremony on December 29.
GT Foundation, Inc. (GTFI) and Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI) reached out to thousands of families affected by the onslaught of recent typhoons Rolly and Ulysses. Implemented under its disaster relief and response program “Helping Hands,” the donation amounted to PhP 6 million.
Mandaluyong City Mayor Carmelita “Menchie” Abalos and Metrobank Foundation head of Grants and Healthcare Unit Marievic Mariano distribute food packs to residents of Barangay Poblacion in Mandaluyong City during the kick-off of Metrobank and DZRH (Manila Broadcasting Corporation) Operation Tulong on May 19. Through a PhP 1.3 million donation, a 4-week distribution activities reached more than 19,000 residents from 14 beneficiary barangays.
Metrobank and GT Capital Holdings sustain support in curbing COVID-19 cases through a renewed partnership with GoNegosyo’s Project ARK, now focused on running pooled Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) testing. Coursed through Metrobank Foundation (MBFI), the companies’ corporate social responsibility arm, and the Ty family’s GT Foundation (GTFI), PhP4.5 million was donated to implement at least 3,000 runs of pooled testing for select individuals in Pasay City.
Sustaining its mission to aid the government in responding to the need for expanded testing for COVID-19 and for other emerging and re-emerging infections, the Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI) signs a memorandum of agreement with Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) for the construction of a fully equipped molecular laboratory with negative pressure at the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) in Davao City. MBFI donated an amount of PhP 18 million to construct the laboratory, capable of testing 200 samples per day for an 8-hour shift and with a result turn-around time of three operating days.
It is the same rallying cry that continues to inspire Secretary Carlito G. Galvez, Jr. as he takes on, perhaps, one of the biggest responsibilities in his storied career. He was appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte as the Chief Implementer of the National Task Force (NTF) in charge of overseeing the country’s National Action Plan (NAP) against the COVID-19 pandemic. This role also entails enforcing the policies issued by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases. This puts Sec. Galvez at the helm of the government’s operational arm in confronting and mitigating the impacts of the long-drawn health crisis.
Empowerment through dynamic partnerships has been at the heart of Metrobank’s anniversary for the many decades. This 2020, this rings true as it celebrates 58 meaningful years of being the people’s ally in progress. A total of PhP 30 million worth of grants was turned over to social development partners during its annual giving-back tradition, “Anniversary Grants Turnover Ceremony,” on September 4. To adhere to protocols, the event was held virtually attended by key officers and representatives from beneficiary organizations. Serving as Guest of Honor was Department of Education (DepEd) secretary Leonor Magtolis-Briones.
Through its program called Metrobank Art & Design Excellence-Community Aid and Relief for Emergency Situations or MADE CARES, MBFI aims to support 200 visual artists with a cash assistance worth PhP 5,000.00 each. MADE CARES is part of MBFI’s initiatives in reaching out to its stakeholders during this current health crisis.
GT Foundation, Inc. (GTFI) executive director Aniceto Sobrepeña and assistant executive director Nicanor Torres, Jr. sign a PhP1 million pledge of donation with Advancement for Rural Kids’ (ARK) CEO Ayesha Vera-Yu and trustee Philip Soliven to support their COVID-19 food relief initiative called “Feed Back.” The vegetable farming program will benefit 416 families from farming and fishing communities in Capiz and Palawan.
