Metrobank Foundation and GT Foundation Inc. of the Ty family awarded P45 million in development pledges and grants to 30 partners at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig on Sept. 4, 2024.
The initiative is part of Metrobank’s 62nd anniversary celebrations.
Under the theme “Engaging Partnerships, Empowering Communities,” the George S.K. Ty Grants turnover ceremony highlighted the collective commitment of development organizations to address key societal challenges. This year’s ceremony celebrated collaborative efforts in areas such as health promotion, access to quality education, livelihood development and disaster preparedness.
“For 45 years, we have instilled the essence of a heart that serves by highlighting our commitment to the nation’s well-being beyond just economic growth,” said Aniceto Sobrepeña, MBFI president. “We recognize that in empowering an entire nation, we must engage in partnerships to nurture communities, support societal progress, and deepen the contribution we can make to the greater good.”
This year’s MBFI and GTFI support to development partners will focus on addressing critical issues such as malnutrition, quality education, disaster preparedness and sustainable livelihoods.
MBFI teamed up with various organizations to tackle health challenges, including the Negrense Volunteers for Change Foundation and Caritas Manila.
These partnerships focus on nutrition and health programs that target malnourished children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers. Other key initiatives include the Roots to Shoots 2.0 program with Pilipinas Shell Foundation, addressing food insecurity in Camarines Sur and the W.A.S.H. for L.I.F.E. project in Basilan, a water source rehabilitation initiative in collaboration with Manila Water Foundation.
GTFI also extended support to ensure access to food through partnerships with organizations such as Advancement for Rural Kids to promote vegetable exchange programs, ensuring food security in rural areas and Planet Water Foundation to provide clean and potable water to communities in Baguio City through the installation of an Aqua Tower.
GT Foundation continues to strengthen its collaboration with Manila Doctors Hospital, supporting in-patient services and in-house surgical procedures for indigent patients. In addition, the CBCP Caritas Philippines Foundation’s augmentation program will deliver essential food items to 20 residential care facilities nationwide, ensuring vulnerable groups receive the care they need.
Meanwhile, Salamin sa Maliwanag na Bukas program, a GTFI flagship initiative, provides free eye check-ups and prescription glasses to public elementary students, addressing vision issues that can hinder learning. Another round of this initiative will be done, this time in partnership with ABS-CBN Foundation.
Education remains a top priority for both MBFI and GTFI. Through partnerships with institutions like De La Salle Araneta University, Manila Tytana Colleges, and Technological Institute of the Philippines, GTFI leads the GT Reformation and Educational Assistance Program (GT REAP), providing financial assistance and career opportunities for STEM students who are in their last academic year.
GTFI is also enhancing technical-vocational education through partnerships with Pampamilyang Paaralang Agrikultura Foundation, MFI Polytechnic Institute, Punlaan School, and the Toyota Motor Philippines School of Technology, empowering individuals with practical skills for meaningful employment.
MBFI, meanwhile, continues to support educational access for underprivileged students through its partnerships with Missionaries of the Sacred Heart Mission Office Philippines and Bakhita Canossa Foundation, providing financial assistance to cover school-related expenses beyond tuition.
The foundation also focuses on early childhood education in indigenous communities through Cartwheel Foundation’s Daloy ng Karunungan training series. In addition, World Vision Development Foundation’s Brigada Pagbasa program aims to unite education champions and supporters to contribute to nation-building by enhancing the reading skills of Filipino children.
In line with its commitment to livelihood development, MBFI has reinforced its partnership with Stairway Foundation to provide livelihood training and enterprise development to women and youth in a Mangyan indigenous community in Barangay Baclayan, Municipality of Puerto Galera in Mindoro. The program focuses on skills development in sewing and tailoring, helping diversify family income streams while fostering community resilience.
On the disaster preparedness front, MBFI supports Good Neighbors Philippines through the TRAILER project, which provides customized boat trailers and establishes a Boat Evacuation Team to assist fisherfolk in safely transporting boats to secure areas ahead of typhoons. This initiative enhances evacuation efforts and protects livelihood assets in Gigmoto, Catanduanes.
MBFI’s collaborative efforts extend to various organizations with special advocacies. Notable partnerships include the Masungi Georeserve Foundation, focused on reforestation and livelihood opportunities for indigenous communities, and the Union Church of Manila Foundation, promoting nutritional support for undernourished preschoolers in urban poor areas.
Other key partnerships include the DFA Ladies Foundation’s scholarship program, the Congressional Spouses Foundation’s BBM Cancer Care and Trauma Wing project at the AFP Medical Center and Senate Spouses Foundation’s socio-civic initiatives that aim to contribute to improved medical care and developmental initiatives, including “A Christmas in November,” the “Adopt a Barangay” program, and the surgical mission project which aims to benefit more than 1,200 individuals, among others.
Similarly, the Association of Women Legislators Foundation and Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce support various socio-civic projects that benefit marginalized groups as well as educational programs that further enhance mental health services, academic excellence, and cross-cultural exchanges.
Through these diverse collaborations, MBFI and GTFI continue to play a vital role in fostering sustainable development and strengthening the resilience of communities across the Philippines.
