From its kick-off last February 11, 2021 to celebrate Chinese New Year, GT Foundation, Inc. (GTFI), together with Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI), successfully completed this year’s Bags of Blessing (BOB) through a series of distribution across 33 sites nationwide. Following health and safety protocols and physical distancing measures, a total of 18,000 families exchanged their issued vouchers into goods at select supermarkets in their localities and organized distribution activities in select parishes.

GT Foundation, Inc. and Metrobank Foundation, Inc. kept the tradition of gift-giving alive with Bags of Blessing even amid the pandemic. In the photos are beneficiaries receiving their food packages at supermarket in the City of Manila which served as one of the distribution sites in NCR.

These beneficiaries were carefully chosen in partnership with the National Secretariat for Social Action (NASSA)/Caritas Philippines to contribute to the national goal to curb hunger and alleviate the impact of the pandemic on people’s lives. Through these specially packaged goods, the 9th year of the program saw an increase in the number of underprivileged Filipino families assisted. To date, BOB has assisted almost 100,000 families or approximately 500,000 individuals in 182 sites nationwide.

“Masayang masaya ako sa natanggap ko bilang isa sa mga benepisyaryo. Sa mga sponsor po nagpapasalamat kami. Ang masasabi ko sa kanila, sana hindi sila magsawang tumulong at magbigay ng kasiyahan sa tao (I’m very happy with what I received as one of the beneficiaries. We are grateful to the sponsors. What I want to say is that I hope they will not tire of helping and bringing joy to people),” said Cecilia Suguitan, beneficiary from City of Manila.

Some teachers, police officers, and soldiers, in partnership with the Department Education, Philippine National Police, and Armed Forces of the Philippines, also received goods as a fitting tribute to recognize their efforts during the crisis.

One of the teacher beneficiaries expressed her gratitude for receiving a food package. “Maraming salamat po sa biyayang ipinagkaloob ninyo sa aming mga kaguruan. Making tulong ito sa aking pamilya lalo na’t mag-isa lang akong naghahanapbuhay sa aming pamilya. Sana marami pa kayong matulungan at mabigyan ng Bags of Blessing (Thank you very much for the blessing that you’ve given to us teachers. This is a huge help to my family especially since I’m the only one working in our household. I hope that you’ll be able to help and give Bags of Blessing to more people,” shared Mary Joy De Vera.

The network of Metrobank branches from the identified sites made the distribution possible with branch managers acting as action officers, ensuring on-time claiming of goods, implementation of safety measures, and accounting of beneficiaries together with NASSA/Caritas Philippines local coordinators.

Marlon Lazaro Antolin NASSA/Caritas Philippines Coordinator, emphasized the significance of sustaining a culture of reaching out and paying-it-forward. “I feel humbled to be part of this endeavor. I believe that its success goes beyond the last day of distribution. We should take this opportunity to engage our beneficiaries and impart with them, in our brief encounters, the values of gratefulness and giving forward. We are all gifted to give. It will not stop from receiving the Bags of Blessing but we should be part of a fruitful cycle of giving,” he said.

Meanwhile, Ellen Reyes, Head of Metrobank Biñan Branch, revealed what this initiative means to her as one of this year’s Bags of Blessing Metrobank action officers. “Me and my colleagues are always excited to serve and participate in this activity. This is one of the many ways for us to give to our community, a simple way of sharing our service for these worthy activities. This year, I’m grateful to be chosen as one of the Metrobank action officers who will assist in the coordination, turnover of vouchers, monitoring of BOB activities,” she said.

The sites this year were: Manila; San Juan; Caloocan; Quezon City; Parañaque; Navotas; Valenzuela; Makati; Taguig; Malabon; Pasay; Pasig; Mandaluyong; Muntinlupa; Las Piñas; Marikina; Pateros in NCR including Baguio City; Antipolo City; Balanga City, Bataan; San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan; Batangas City; the cities of Bacoor, General Trias, and Imus in Cavite; the cities of Biñan, San Pedro, Santa Rosa in Laguna; Iloilo City; Cebu City; Mandaue City; Lapu-Lapu City; and Davao City.

The Bags of Blessing is the brainchild of the late Metrobank Group founder and chairman Dr. George Ty Siao Kian. It is inspired by the traditional exchange of ang-pao, a red packet containing cash meant to deliver best wishes, favorable fortune, and good energy. Instead of cash-giving, specially designed red bags containing P1,000 worth of food packages are distributed to indigent families.

The program received an Award of Excellence in the recent 18th Philippine Quill Awards by the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Philippines and a Silver Anvil in the 56th Anvil Awards by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines.

Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI), together with the League of Corporate Foundations (LCF) and Manila Water Foundation, Inc. (MWF), turnover a Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facility to Subay Elementary School at Talim Island, Cardona, Rizal on Feb. 17. This is part of MBFI’s PhP2.7 million donation to the “#LCFWinS: Lingap Eskwela sa Pandemya” program that aims to construct 10 WASH facilities and distribute 2,000 hygiene kits to 20 schools nationwide.

To protect the health, safety, and well-being of students, teachers, and personnel in this time of pandemic, the Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI) has partnered with the League of Corporate Foundations (LCF) for its #LCFWinS: Lingap Eskwela sa Pandemya Program. Through, a PhP2.7 million donation, 10 WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) facilities were constructed in select public schools made possible through the efforts of Manila Water Foundation.

From December 2020 to February 2021, 10-faucet hygiene facilities were turned over to Mataas na Paaralang Neptali A. Gonzales and Addition Hills Integrated School in Mandaluyong City; Fortune Elementary School and Fortune High School in Marikina City; Kapitolyo High School in Pasig City; Quezon City Science High School and Ramon Magsaysay (Cubao) High School in Quezon City; Dita Elementary School in Sta. Rosa City, Laguna; and Subay Elementary School and Sampad Elementary School in Cardona, Rizal. An estimated 31,000 learners shall benefit from these facilities including teachers and school personnel.

For ease of access for small children and PWDs, each hand hygiene facility comes with 10 faucets distanced at one-meter and can be operated with a foot pedal. Signages about COVID-19 precautionary measures, proper handwashing, and proper toothbrushing are also posted in the facility.

“Investing in proper hand hygiene facilities that is modified in compliance with the government health and safety protocols is a valuable intervention for increasing pandemic preparedness for the safe return of the students as well as the school personnel and the parents,” said MBFI president Aniceto Sobrepeña.

“Proper handwashing and hygiene habits will indeed be a key in ensuring the health and safety of our children, not just in schools but even in our homes. We hope to make that valuable contribution in promoting a sustainable proper hand hygiene culture in the Philippines even beyond the COVID-19 pandemic,” he added.

With the new facility, Addition Hills Integrated School Principal Gigi Bullanday said that this prompted their school to improve on their health and safety protocols. “Babaguhin po natin ang aming protocol. Hindi lang po magse-spray ng alcohol ang aming visitors, parents and stakeholders—lahat po ng aming guests, ire-require po naming maghugas ng mga kamay bago pumasok sa school. Para naman po safe tayong lahat (We will change our protocol. We will not only require our visitors, parents, and stakeholders to sanitize with alcohol but to also wash their hands before entering the school. This is so we can all be safe.),” she said.

Apart from sponsoring the constructions of the hygiene facilities, 2,000 hygiene kits were also distributed to another 10 schools namely Manggahan Elementary School in Pasig City; Bulihan Elementary School in Malolos, Bulacan; Tawiran Elementary School in Obando, Bulacan; San Nicolas Elementary School in Agoo, La Union; Caingin Elementary School in Sta. Rosa City, Laguna; Ayala Central School and Catalina Vda. de Jalon Memorial School in Zamboanga City; and Bayanihan Elementary School, Luyan Elementary School, and Sixto Babao Elementary School all in Davao City.

The kits contain items such as soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, washable face mask, vitamin C pads, and disinfecting alcohol. These will be distributed to school children from low-income families.

“Despite the fact that there are no face-to-face classes today and probably until the end of the school year, we chose to forge ahead with a future in mind. Hand washing needs to be the new norm. And if you want to encourage and drive this behavior, we need to provide the means to make this happen,” said LCF Chairperson and Aboitiz Foundation President and COO Maribeth Marasigan.

“LCFWinS: Lingap Eskwela sa Pandemya is a demonstration of our collective effort and impact – working together to create the enabling environment and the right conditions for good hand hygiene in schools. Let us continue advancing WASH for all communities for a healthier and safer Philippines,” MWF Executive Director Reginald Andal added.

Said donation is part of the consolidated almost PhP322 million contribution of Metrobank and GT Capital Holdings to fund and support efforts to combat the pandemic and help those in need under its “Helping Hands” program. To date, the financial assistance has covered the purchase of personal protective equipment for healthcare and security frontliners; donation of RT-PRC testing kits to select government hospitals; facilitation of antibody rapid testing and pooled testing to local government units; construction of 10 molecular laboratories; support for “Project Ugnayan” led by the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation; distribution of meals and food packs to underprivileged families; creation of an amelioration program for visual artists; in-kind donations of learning materials and equipment to geographically-isolated schools; provision of laptops and tablets for students; and donation of 30 units of Toyota Vios to Department of Health, among others.

The Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI) bagged the Top Division Award for its 40th anniversary celebration “Puso at Sigasig” in the recent 18th Philippine Quill Awards. The Top Division Award was chosen among entries which received the Quill Award of Excellence under the Communication Skills Category. Under this category, awardees are recognized for their demonstrated technical skills such as writing, editing, design, and multimedia production, combined with innovation and creativity.” Organized by the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Philippines, the Philippine Quill Awards is a showcase of bright ideas, groundbreaking concepts, marvelous executions, and resounding results. The 18th Philippine Quill Awards was held virtually last March 25, 2021.

“Puso at Sigasig” is a milestone occasion that highlights the corporate social responsibility fetes of MBFI. The anniversary celebration was also an expression of MBFI’s gratitude to the people and institutions that have turned its vision and mission into a successful organization that contributes a significant impact on social development.

Two other communication tools— “Service with a Heart: Metrobank Foundation 2018 Annual Report” and “Beyond Excellence” 2019 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos Souvenir Program”—received the Quill Awards of Excellence. “Service with a Heart” highlights inspirational and empowering stories of ordinary individuals who share its goal of nation-building. The 2018 edition is a fitting tribute to every person who devote their heart to serve others and put emphasis on the untamable Filipino character that enables us to rise again to the challenges of turbulent times. It was also nominated for the Top Division Award.

“Beyond Excellence,” on the other hand, is a publication that features a creative collection of the professional narratives and life stories of the 10 awardees of the 2019 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos. Going beyond the basics of a traditional post-event brochure, the souvenir program seeks to uphold the prestige of the recognition program by creating a timeless keepsake for its intended audiences, something they can turn to as a reminder that public service exemplars are not a dying breed.

Other recipients of the Quill Award of Excellence are “2019 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos” and “COVID Comms 2020: The Metrobank Group and GT Capital Holdings Response to Contribute to Combating COVID-19.”

The “2019 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos” is a career-service award for exemplary public servants in the academe, military, and police sectors. In 2019, 10 exemplary Filipinos consisting of four teachers, three soldiers, and three police officers were hailed as Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos. They join the distinguished roster of 665 awardees honored by MBFI since 1985.

“COVID Comms 2020” showcases the Metrobank Group’s and GT Capital Holdings’ response in addressing the identified needs on the ground by targeting the most vulnerable sectors affected by COVID-19. The response also complements the efforts of the government and other stakeholders.

Meanwhile, GT Foundation, Inc. (GTFI)’s “Bags of Blessing 2020: #BeyondFestivityGenerosity” also won the Quill Award of Excellence. This annual gift-giving program initiated in 2011 by the late Metrobank Founder Dr. George Ty Siao Kian is held in celebration of the Chinese New Year. Php 10 million worth of food items was distributed to 10,000 identified beneficiaries in 25 cities and municipalities across the country.

Two other programs— “UNLEASH: 2019 Metrobank Art and Design Excellence (MADE)’s 35th Anniversary Celebration” and “Metrobank Foundation Fellowship in Public Service (FPS)”—received the Quill Award of Merit. “UNLEASH” is a two-day celebration of artistic excellence. It also highlighted the role of MADE as a key player in the arts scene through the MADE Awarding and Exhibition and Art Exploration Lecture Series, as well as showcase its appreciation for its patrons through the Vernissage 2019.

The Metrobank Foundation Fellowship in Public Service, on the other hand, is a program created in 2017 to provide a platform for the Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos to share and propagate their best practices and innovations. These achievements must have resulted to positive change or addressed sectoral or societal issues.

MBFI has been winning the Philippine Quill Awards since 1985. To date, it has won 71 Quill Awards of Excellence and Merit for its various public relations programs and tools. In 2015, MBFI has received the Top Communication Management Award for its relief and rehabilitation response for survivors of Typhoon Yolanda.

Court of Appeals Associate Justice Maria Filomena Singh delivers her lecture at Supreme Court En Banc Session Hall. She highlights the role of judicial education & training towards the timely and effective administration of justice in the country.

The Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI) and Philippine Judicial Academy (PhilJA) conferred this year’s Metrobank Foundation Professorial Chair in Law to Court of Appeals Associate Justice Maria Filomena D. Singh during the 17th Metrobank Foundation Professorial Chair on March 5, 2021 at the Supreme Court En Banc Session Hall, City of Manila. She is the first-ever female chairholder in the program’s 19-year history.

Associate Justice Singh presented a paper entitled “Wielding the Sword: The Role of Judicial Education in the Administration of Justice.” She highlighted in her lecture the crucial role of judicial education and training in the swift and efficient delivery of justice.

Associate Justice Singh (3rd from left) was awarded the Metrobank Foundation Professorial Chair in Law after her lecture at the Supreme Court En Banc Session Hall. Joining her in the photo are Senior Associate Justice Estela Perlas-Bernabe (3rd from right), Associate Justice Amy Lazaro-Javier (2nd from right), PhilJA chancellor Adolfo Azcuna (rightmost), PhilJa vice chancellor Mariano Del Castillo (leftmost), and MBFI program officer Rahib Abdullah (2nd from left).

Participants were comprised of Supreme Court (SC), Court of Appeals, Sandiganbayan and Court of Tax Appeals justices, lawyers from SC and appellate courts, PhilJa officials, MBFI representatives, and institutional partners who joined the session live and online via Zoom.

Her paper “advances the thesis that judicial education and training, in tandem with broad institutional reform, is a keen weapon to cut case delay and court congestion.” In this context, she underscored the importance of timely and effective adjudication to regain the public’s trust and confidence in the judiciary—through the continuous learning and capacity-building of judges who are the immediate representatives of justice in the country.

“Now more than ever, the public’s confidence in the judiciary is crucial if the third branch of government is to fulfill its role as the last bastion of right and justice. Integral to resurrecting such public confidence is inspiring belief in our judicial officers. The line between ethics training and public trust is straight but long. Nevertheless, we must not hesitate to take the first step,” Singh emphasized.

To this end, she recommended three (3) crucial pathways that the Philippine Judiciary can embark on towards the collective pursuit of “delivering justice real time”: 1) Training and assessment to enhance the judges’ performance of the dual role of being adjudicators and administrative managers; 2) Promoting the culture of immersion and peer-mentoring among judges; and 3) calling for increased budget allocation to implement said measures.

Meanwhile, MBFI President Aniceto Sobrepeña reiterated the shared hope of the participating institutions. “The title of the lecture alone evokes a potent image and delivers a strong message. We hope that the lecture will further equip us with possible strategies as we consistently strive to enhance judicial education in the country. This can only be done if we set to the task, as aptly put, of wielding our swords well, for the public.”

A joint undertaking between MBFI and PhilJA, the professorial chair seeks to promote capacity-building and excellence in the judiciary and legal education through the delivery of timely and comprehensive discourses by seasoned legal practitioners.

Associate Justice Singh joins esteemed professorial chairholders such as Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta (2019), Court of Appeals Associate Justice Japar Dimaampao (2018), Retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Romeo Callejo (2017), Retired Court of Appeals Associate Justice Magdangal de Leon (2016), Retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Jose Vitug (2014), Supreme Court Associate Justice Marvic Leonen (2009) and Retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Adolfo Azcuna (2007).

Metrobank Foundation likewise recently provided support to the Judicial Integrity Board (JIB) in its inaugural lecture given by Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta. The Supreme Court has recently reintroduced the JIB as part of Peralta’s Ten-Point Program. It aims to further strengthen the Judiciary by focusing on key areas namely efficiency, integrity, security, and service.

Cabinet Secretary and Task Force Zero Hunger (TFZH) chairman Karlo Nograles led the turnover of 1,000 meals to Municipality of Guiguinto, Bulacan Mayor Ambrosio “Boy Cruz and Vice Mayor Eliseo Santos. Joining them are representatives from the Metrobank Foundation, Inc. and McDonald’s Philippines.

Metrobank, through its corporate social responsibility arm Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI), joins the Task Force Zero Hunger’s Pilipinas Kontra Gutom (PKG), aimed at ending massive hunger by 2030. Sustaining previous donations made to provide food for underprivileged families most affected by the pandemic, Metrobank contributed additional 50,000 meals to provide sustenance for the average-earners and poorest of poor.

An amount of more than PhP 2.5 million was coursed through Ronald McDonald’s House Charities (RMHC) Philippines for its McDonald’s Kindness Kitchen (MKK) program. The donation completes the target to provide over 100,000 meals to 50 cities and municipalities in the National Capital Region(NCR), Regions I, II, III, IV-A, V, VI, VIII, XI, and XII, including the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

To date, Metrobank, together with PKG and MKK has turned over almost 105,000 meals since November 2020. The distribution of meals will continue this month in Davao City, Tacloban and Palo, Leyte, and Antipolo, Rizal.

Led by Cabinet Secretary and Task Force Zero Hunger Chairman Karlo Nograles, PKG aims to address the problems on hunger and food security in the country especially during these times of crisis. A multi-sectoral movement, PKG is also committed to respond to the needs of communities during calamities and disasters through an efficient, systematic, and resilient relief operations. With the support of partner private institutions and non-government organizations, PKG shall ensure the availability and accessibility of food supplies, distribution of adequate nutrition to beneficiaries, and prompt assistance during crisis.

Photos above show the distribution of meals to the Municipalities of Mexico, Sta. Ana, and Arayat Pampanga; Municipalities of San Pedro and Biñan, Laguna; and Malabon City.

As one of PKG’s founding private sector members, MBFI president Aniceto Sobrepeña said, “We in the Metrobank Group seek to carry on our mission to uplift the lives of underprivileged Filipinos, especially now as our nation faces a long-drawn pandemic. Along with our partners from RMHC Philippines and Task Force Zero Hunger, we have made it our target to feed over 100,000 individuals in 50 cities and municipalities nationwide. Indeed, challenging times call for acts for solidarity and compassion. We are in the middle of a difficult period that demands kind thoughts and caring actions in equal measure.”

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Metrobank has been in the front lines in feeding poor families in the country. An amount of PhP 2 million was first donated to RMHC during the height of the enhanced community quarantine in March 2020. While another PhP 2 million was turned over during Metrobank’s Anniversary Grants Turnover in September last year. Through these donations, 80,000 meals were provided to individuals living in NCR as well as in Cebu and Davao provinces.

The 2019 Annual Report of the Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI) “Puso at Sigasig” was nominated for the Platinum Anvil in the recent 56th Anvil Awards. Taking home the Gold Anvil, the annual report adopted MBFI’s 40th founding anniversary theme “Puso at Sigasig (Heart & Zeal).” It curated stories of extraordinary kinship and mentorship among its featured stakeholders and highlights the values of heart & zeal as its foundation to shine a light on opportunities that expand access, provide recognition, and demonstrate possibilities of a better future for all.

Organized by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP), the Anvil Awards is considered as the Oscars of public relations industry in the Philippines. The Anvil symbolizes excellence in public relations and is awarded by distinguished multi-sectoral jury to outstanding public relations programs and tools. The Gabi ng Parangal was held virtually on February 19, 2021.

Meanwhile, two (2) digital public relations programs both received the Silver Anvil. “#MADEatHome: Art Education Online” was launched in 2020 as a platform to sustain the art thrust of MBFI while the annual Metrobank Art and Design Excellence (MADE) painting and sculpture competitions were deferred due to the pandemic. To adapt to the changing times, MBFI launched “#[email protected]” to amplify the use of digital media for its art education track. Contents and webinars organized were highly received by the followers of MADE social media page.

The “2020 Metrobank-MTAP-DepEd Math Challenge (MMC) [email protected] Campaign” on the other hand, was designed to become an online learning environment for math enthusiasts. MBFI saw the need to revamp the existing MMC social media platform to sustain and scale its objective of awakening greater interest in mathematics among elementary and junior high school students. The results of the [email protected] campaign have borne fruit to a real disruption: it has successfully sustained and awakened the interest and participation of a more captive at-home audience in learning mathematics.

Meanwhile, GT Foundation, Inc. (GTFI), received the Silver Anvil for the “Bags of Blessing (BOB) 2020: #BeyondFestivityGenerosity.” A brainchild of the late Metrobank founder and chairman Dr. George Ty Siao Kian, BOB is a gift-giving program that is celebrated every Chinese New Year. BOB brings together employees of GT Capital Holdings and Metrobank Group of Companies, as well as institutional partners to participate in the legacy to sustain a culture of “Paying it forward” through the distribution of 10,000 bags of items worth PhP 1,000 to 10,000 indigent families in 25 sites nationwide. With this year’s public relation thrust of #beyondfestivitygenerosity, the program values volunteerism, social responsibility, and cultural connectivity among the volunteers and its beneficiaries.

MBFI has been winning Anvil awards since 1985. To date, it has won 92 Anvil awards for its various public relations programs and tools, including the much-coveted Grand Anvil gaining the record as the first corporate foundation to win a back-to-back Grand Anvil (2009 and 2010) and 2 Platinum Anvils (2015 and 2016) in the history of the award-giving body.

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.

The virtual ceremony was attended by MBFI trustee Alfred Ty; MBFI president Aniceto Sobrepeña; Department of Health (DOH) undersecretary Leopoldo Vega; Davao City vice mayor Sebastian Duterte; Davao City Health Office assistant head Dr. Marjorie Colas (to represent Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio); SPMC OIC Medical Center chief Dr. Ricardo Audan; SPMC chief administrative officer Atty. Oscar Mata; AdDU president Fr. Joel Tabora, SJ and AdDU executive vice president Jeremy Eliab. An actual turnover and blessing ceremony was held onsite.

“Today’s occasion marks another milestone in our response to contribute to our country’s continuing efforts to mitigate the impact of the pandemic. Our appreciation to our institutional partners for their unwavering commitment to make this project a reality from the time we formally signed the MOA last year,” expressed Ty in his message.

“The inauguration of this molecular laboratory is a manifestation of our commitment to continuously serve as an institution that readily responds to the needs of society during catastrophic events and health crises such as this ongoing pandemic,” he added.

Situated at SPMC’s compound, the facility’s testing capacity will have a turn-around time of three (3) operating days from Monday to Saturday. It was established following all applicable laws, including the standards of the DOH, Food and Drug Administration, and other applicable regulatory agencies and accredited by the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine.

To date, MBFI has supported the construction and equipping of 10 molecular laboratories in the country amounting to a total of PhP61 million. These include the largest molecular laboratory capable of detecting COVID-19 and other contagious diseases at the former Philippine Red Cross Headquarters in Port Area Manila. MBFI also supported the “Test, Trace, and Treat” Network through the Ayala Healthcare Holdings, Inc., the healthcare arm of the Ayala Group, in building seven Biosafety Level 2 modular laboratories in Qualimed hospitals. Another molecular laboratory was inaugurated at the Manila Doctors Hospital through a donation from GT Foundation—the Ty family foundation.

Said donation is part of the consolidated PhP308 million contribution of Metrobank and GT Capital Holdings to fund and support efforts to combat the pandemic and help those in need.

The financial assistance has covered the following: purchase of personal protective equipment for healthcare and security frontliners; donation of RT-PCR testing kits to select government hospitals; donation of antibody rapid test kits through GoNegosyo’s Project ARK; support for “Project Ugnayan” led by the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation; distribution of meals and food packs to underprivileged families; financial assistance to different stakeholders through amelioration programs; provision of equipment to learners and schools; construction of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene facilities in schools; donation of Toyota Vios to DOH, among others.

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.

GT Foundation and Metrobank Foundation, through its disaster response program “Helping Hands,” donate relief assistance worth PhP6 million to 60,000 individuals hardly affected by typhoons Rolly and Ulysses. Photo shows Metrobankers in South Luzon branches distributing food, water and hygiene kits to residents of Lopez, Quezon on November 19, 2020.

It is expected that a total of 60,000 individuals from hardly hit-provinces of Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Quezon, Batangas, Rizal, Isabela, and Cagayan, including Marikina City were to be given packed meals and relief goods.

From November 19 to 26, Metrobank branches in South Luzon were mobilized to distribute relief composed of rice, noodles, canned goods, water and hygiene kits—all packaged in reusable pails. They were able to assist 400 families from Lopez, Quezon and Lucena, City; 400 families from Lobo, Batangas and Batangas City; and 800 families from Guinobatan, Albay. Relief distribution will take place in the coming days to assist 700 families in Camarines Norte and 500 families in Camarines Sur.

On the other hand, the same assistance was rolled-out by the Metrobank North Luzon Branches from November 20 to 25 assisting 600 families in Cauayan City and Ilagan City, Isabela, and 600 families in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan.

GTFI and MBFI also provided financial support for a soup kitchen implemented by Manila Broadcasting Company DZRH’s Operation Tulong. The first round of the feeding activity was conducted in Virac and Bato, Catanduanes from November 10 to 16.

Portions of the donation were also coursed through Philippine STAR’s corporate social responsibility arm Operation Damayan, Alagang Kapatid Foundation, RMN Foundation, Operating Blessing Foundation Philippines and the Philippines National Police’s food bank.

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. GTFI president Alfred Ty led a virtual coordination meeting with GoNegosyo founder and Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion and Pasay City mayor Imelda Calixto-Rubiano on October 13 to discuss the initiative.

The pooled testing will compliment the local government’s efforts to screen micro and small entrepreneurs like carinderia and sari-sari store owners, public wet market tenants, and tricycle and jeepney drivers.

Earlier this year, MBFI and GTFI donated PhP10 million to purchase and distribute 22,220 antibody rapid test kits to the cities of Pasig, San Juan, Santa Rosa in Laguna, General Trias and Imus in Cavite and Lucban in Quezon. The kits were used to identify active COVID-19 cases and to determine recovered patients as potential donors for plasma therapy.

The donation is part of the consolidated PhP270 million contribution of the group to fund and support efforts to combat the pandemic and help those in need. The financial assistance has covered the following: construction of 10 molecular laboratories; purchase of personal protective equipment for healthcare and security frontliners; donation of RT-PRC testing kits to select government hospitals; support for Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation’s “Project Ugnayan;” implementation of feeding interventions to underprivileged families; installation of handwashing facilities to schools; provision of laptops and tablets to educators and learners; distribution of equipment for the reproduction of modules and learning materials; support the livelihoods of various communities and donation of 30 units of Toyota Vios to DOH for the mobility of healthcare frontliners and local government hospitals, among others.

GT Foundation and the Catholic Church, through the National Secretariat for Social Action (NASSA)/Caritas Philippines sign agreement for 2021 Bags of Blessing (BOB). GT Foundation, Inc. (GTFI) and the NASSA/Caritas Philippines signed a partnership agreement for the conduct of the 2021 Bags of Blessing through a virtual signing of Memorandum of Agreement on October 27, 2020.

The ceremony was led by GTFI executive director Aniceto M. Sobrepeňa and NASSA/Caritas Philippines national director Most Reverend Jose Colin M. Bagaforo, D.D. Joining them were GTFI deputy executive director Nicanor L. Torres, Jr., GTFI assistant executive director Irene D. Labitad, NASSA/Caritas BOT vice chair Bishop Gerry Alminaza and NASSA/Caritas BOT member Bishop Honesto Ongtioco.

Bags of Blessing is a GTFI-led nationwide gift-giving activity initiated by the late Metrobank Group Chairman Dr. George Ty Siao Kian. It is held every Chinese New Year as a way of sustaining the tradition of sharing prosperity among thousands of indigent families nationwide. In 2021, the program will also seek to provide aid to the hardest hit sectors during the COVID-19 pandemic. It will reach out to 18,000 family beneficiaries through the distribution of food items in 33 sites nationwide.