Month: October 2022

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Members News

Security Bank Foundation supports over 1,000 scholars

For many Filipinos, education is seen as key to poverty alleviation; however, getting a degree is a challenge for those with financial problems.

This includes Jeffrey Baluyut a 23-year-old who graduated from Junior High School in 2017. While he hoped to continue his education, he had to work to help his family with their daily needs. Three years later, he had a child, and his life became more financially challenging. He still dreamed of continuing his studies by completing a technical vocational (TechVoc) course. He believed that with a national certificate, he could land a better job and provide a better future for his family.

Through his determination, he pursued his dream by enrolling at Don Bosco Academy Pampanga. Luckily, he was awarded with a Security Bank Foundation, Inc. (SBFI) TechVoc scholarship.

The scholarship was made possible through a partnership with Security Bank clients Motech Automotive Educational Center and Sambon P&E Philippines. SBFI provided on-the-job training (OJT) allowance while the two clients offered their premises for the OJT of 16 Don Bosco technical vocational students for five months.

“Dahil sa scholarship, nakakapag-focus na ako sa pag-aaral lalo na at may binubuhay na ako na pamilya. Malaking tulong din ang nakuha kong OJT allowance. Ngayon ay nakapasa ako sa NCII at ako’y lubos na nagpapasalamat sa panginoon at sa Security Bank Foundation,” shares Jeffrey.

Since 1993, SBFI has provided scholarships for 1,156 scholars who are Security Bank employees, agency personnel, or their children, underprivileged technical vocational students, or underprivileged college students in eight partner universities.

Going beyond monetary support

SBFI also provides soft skills training particularly to college scholars, in partnership with the Bank’s training arm, SB Academy.

Sesenio Laganga III, an SBFI scholar who is the son of a janitor assigned to Security Bank recently graduated cum laude with a BS Marketing Management degree from New Era University.

“Beyond the financial assistance for my studies, I am grateful for the personality and professional development trainings I enjoyed as a scholar. I also feel blessed to land a career opportunity in Security Bank,” says Sesenio.

Sesenio joined Security Bank in September 2022 as a branch teller in Quezon City.

SBFI is proud to have helped 165 college scholars—30 have achieved Latin honors and four are currently employed with Security Bank. SBFI also works closely with the Bank’s talent attraction team in offering career opportunities for graduated college scholars, including internship opportunities while they are still studying.

Under its Regalo Mo, Kinabukasan Ko fundraising program, SBFI conducts various internal activities to sponsor the cost of scholarships for agency personnel such as janitors, messengers, drivers, and security guards. Fundraising activities include fun games and concerts for a cause.

Security Bank employees can also adopt scholars for a year or even spend learning hours in exchange for scholarship program donations. For school year 2022-2023, SBFI supports the education of 422 scholars.

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Security Bank pledges 10,000 trees at the La Mesa Watershed

Security Bank Corporation, together with its Corporate Social Responsibility arm, Security Bank Foundation Inc. (SBFI), has committed to plant 10,000 seedlings at the La Mesa Watershed over the next five years, contributing to reforestation efforts that began in 1999.

To kick off the five-year commitment, Security Bank employees planted 2,000 seedlings of Lago and Malapapaya trees at the watershed. This was in partnership with the ABS-CBN Foundation’s Bantay Kalikasan Program, which has been serving the community in protecting one of the biggest sources of clean water in Metro Manila.

The La Mesa Watershed is the largest rainforest in Metro Manila and the region’s major source of potable water. The activity involved more than 200 employee volunteers and generated 1,600 volunteer hours. SBFI was also honored to be this year’s top private donor for La Mesa Watershed reforestation.

“We know and understand that protecting the environment is critical to uplifting the quality of lives. Our commitment represents 45% of the La Mesa Watershed’s remaining area for reforestation. By planting these seedlings, we will help increase the country’s forest cover, offset carbon emissions that affect global warming, prevent flooding, and ensure the cleanliness of Metro Manila’s water supply,” said Melissa Aquino, Trustee and Corporate Secretary of SBFI.

The commitment to plant 10,000 trees in five years will be complimented by environmental education efforts, which is also in line with the Bank’s education advocacy. This will be led by Security Bank’s Sustainability Unit.

“Security Bank Foundation’s adoption of 25 hectares of the La Mesa Watershed for five years is proof of their long-term commitment to protecting and preserving the environment; the ABS-CBN Foundation is honored to be a partner in their advocacy,” said Joal Ascalon, Head of Bantay Kalikasan Program.

Prior to the tree-planting event, SBFI and Security Bank’s Sustainability Unit conducted virtual learning session with employees on the importance of climate change, the Bank’s sustainability efforts, and how employees can contribute to achieving the Bank’s sustainability goals.

“At Security Bank, we are determined to build a society that values sustainability and the protection of our natural resources to ensure the future of the coming generations. Through this landmark project with the La Mesa Watershed and the ABS-CBN Foundation, we are one step closer in fulfilling the reforestation target set for La Mesa,” says Nikki Lizares, Sustainability Head at Security Bank.

Apart from its five-year commitment, SBFI continues to support education through its flagship program, Build a School, Build a Nation: The Classrooms Project where new classrooms are built to address infrastructure shortage.

To know more about the Bank and SBFI’s sustainability and corporate social responsibility initiatives, visit www.securitybank.com/sustainability or Security Bank’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Securitybank.

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Members News

Security Bank Foundation provides learning resources in Ilocos Region

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, LA UNION – Security Bank Foundation, Inc. (SBFI), the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm of Security Bank Corporation, augmented its support for the Department of Education (DepEd) by equipping schools in the Ilocos region with much-needed learning resources for school year 2022-2023.

SBFI donated eight Knowledge Channel Portable Media Libraries (PMLs) and 306 Makeroscopes (keychain microscope sets) to eight SBFI Classrooms Project beneficiary schools in Ilocos Region which were received by DepEd Region I Director Dr. Tolentino Aquino.

“While at first we were worried as to how to jump start classes given our region’s situation, we are thankful that Security Bank Foundation’s donation allows for learning to continue within or outside the four walls of the classroom,” says Dr. Aquino.

The learning resources will allow students to learn offsite if there are limited classrooms. Students can also enrich their knowledge through the home videos and experiment at home with the portability of keychain microscopes.

The Knowledge Channel PMLs are external hard drives containing over 1,500 Knowledge Channel-developed video lessons, e-games, and e-session guides aligned with the Department of Education K-12 curriculum.

The beneficiaries are: Ayusan-Paoa Elementary School (Vigan City, Ilocos Sur) Balatong Integrated School (Laoag City, Ilocos Norte), Dagupan City National High School (Dagupan City, Pangasinan), Ilocos Norte National High School (Laoag City, Ilocos Norte) Ilocos Sur National High School (Vigan City, Ilocos Sur), Lingsat Integrated School (San Fernando City, La Union), San Fernando North Central School (San Fernando City, La Union), and Vigan Central School (Vigan City, Ilocos Norte).

The Makeroscopes, invented by Filipino engineer Jeremy De Leon, are keychain microscopes attached to mobile device front cameras to enable the viewing of microscopic samples up to x265 zoom. Each set comes with sample slides of animal and plant cells. The schools that received the keychain microscopes were Dagupan City National High School, Ilocos Norte National High School, and Ilocos Sur National High School.

SBFI’s provision of learning resources is part of its holistic approach to provide access to quality education through its flagship program, the Build A School, Build A Nation: The Classrooms Project.

“Our program was designed to have a holistic approach. Security Bank Foundation would finance the construction of the classrooms. The Department of Education and the Local Government Units would provide various counterpart support. Our academic institution partners, the Ateneo de Manila University and De La Salle Philippines, would design training and support programs that will help improve the teaching expertise of the teachers and subsequently, the academic performance of the students,” says Rafael F. Simpao, Jr., SBFI Chairman.

To learn more about SBFI’s initiatives and how you can help a scholar, visit www.securitybank.com/sustainability or Security Bank’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/SecurityBank.

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Members News

Security Bank Foundation supports Brigada Eskwela, donates learning resources in Davao Region

DAVAO CITY, PHILIPPINES – Security Bank Foundation, Inc. (SBFI), the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm of Security Bank Corporation, responded to the call of the Department of Education (DepEd) to provide multi-sectoral support for the opening of classes through the agency’s Brigada Eskwela initiative.

SBFI supported the DepEd Brigada Eskwela regional kick-off week by turning over Knowledge Channel Portable Media Libraries (PMLs) and 306 Makeroscopes (keychain microscope sets) to 11 SBFI Classrooms Project beneficiary schools in the Davao Region.

“True partners are those who come and immediately heed the call. We thank Security Bank Foundation for being a true partner of the region as it provided innovative and digital learning resources for our students,” says DepEd Region XI Director Dr. Allan G. Farnazo.

SBFI’s initiative to donate learning resources in Davao Region complements its flagship program, Build A School, Build the Nation: The Classrooms Project. The 11 beneficiary schools were recipients of SBFI’s classroom donation since program inception in 2011. Aside from new classrooms, SBFI provides major repair support, regular training for teachers and principals, and other learner support interventions.

“We focused our advocacy on education because we believe that education is the greatest equalizer in life. It will give every person the opportunity to succeed, no matter what his or her social and economic background may be,” says Rafael F. Simpao, Jr., SBFI Chairman.

The Knowledge Channel PMLs are external hard drives containing over 1,500 Knowledge Channel developed video lessons, e-games, and e-session guides aligned with the Department of Education K-12 curriculum.

The schools that received portable media libraries were: Catalunan Pequeño Elementary School (Davao City), Crossing Bayabas National High School (Davao City), Davao City National High School (Davao City), Digos City National High School (Digos City, Davao Del Sur), JV Ferriols Elementary School (Davao City), Matina Central Elementary School (Davao City), Panabo Central Elementary School-SPED Center (Panabo City, Davao Del Norte), Panabo National High School (Panabo City, Davao Del Norte), Ramon Magsaysay Central Elementary School (Digos City, Davao Del Sur), Tagum National Trade School (Tagum City, Davao Del Norte), and Visayan Village Central Elementary School (Tagum City, Davao Del Norte).

The Makeroscopes, invented by Filipino engineer Jeremy De Leon, are keychain microscopes attached to front cameras of mobile phones to enable the viewing of microscopic samples up to x265 zoom. Each Makeroscope set comes with sample slides of animal and plant cells. The schools that received the keychain microscopes were Davao City National High School, Digos City National High School, and Panabo National High School.

To learn more about SBFI’s initiatives and how you can help a scholar, visit www.securitybank.com/sustainability or Security Bank’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/SecurityBank.

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Members News

More than 1,250 TELUS International Philippines Volunteers Extend Support to DepEd’s Brigada Eskwela

Manila, Philippines, October 1, 2022 – TELUS International Philippines (TIP), a leading digital customer experience (CX) innovator that designs, builds and delivers next-generation solutions for global and disruptive brands, including AI and content moderation, recently held its 15th annual TELUS Days of Giving (TDOG), supporting the Department of Education’s (DepEd) Brigada Eskwela program, where volunteers renovate and clean public schools for the upcoming school year. This is the eighth consecutive year TIP has supported the program.


Empowered by the company’s “we give where we live” philosophy, more than 1,250 volunteers, including TIP employees from the six TIP sites in Metro Manila and their family members, helped transform 52 classrooms at Tondo High School in Metro Manila in support of the Department of Education’s (DepEd) Brigada Eskwela program. Volunteers also built four temporary classrooms to address the school’s classroom shortage. “We owe the success of our TELUS Days of Giving to our team members who have shown their tremendous support and dedication, and who have invested tens of thousands of volunteer hours since 2014 to refurbish and renovate public schools across the region. By keeping the Filipino spirit of bayanihan alive, their presence today enabled us to transform Tondo High School into a vibrant, conducive learning environment through volunteer activities such as painting classrooms and hallways, painting mural designs in staircases, chair refurbishment, gardening and landscaping, and the construction of makeshift classrooms. This is a meaningful way for our team members to share their time and effort, in giving back to the communities where we live and work,” said Rajiv M. Dhand, Regional Vice-President for Asia Pacific at TELUS International.

Since 2014, TIP’s support of DepEd’s Brigada Eskwela program has helped more than 40,000 grade school and high school students across Metro Manila.


“With Filipino youth and students set to return to the classrooms in November 2022, we wanted to make sure schools are ready to welcome these students back by providing resources and our team member volunteers’ helping hand,” said Warren Tait, Brand, Marketing and Facilities Vice-President at TELUS International.


In addition to helping schools through DepEd’s Brigada Eskwela program, TIP is also committed to empower Filipino youth through company initiatives, including the company’s internship program for IT students in partnership with schools called ‘Code Your Career,’ and several CSR activities including the creation of e-learning modules, translating children’s books to local dialects, providing training on anti-bullying online, and raising funds for school kits and learning modules.

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About TELUS International Philippines TELUS International Philippines, Inc. is a leading Philippines-based provider of digitally-enabled customer experience and business process solutions and is a proud member of the global TELUS International family. Today, TELUS International Philippines has six sites strategically located throughout Metro Manila, and two new sites in Iloilo, which supports some of the world’s top brands.


About TELUS International TELUS International (NYSE & TSX: TIXT) designs, builds and delivers next-generation digital solutions to enhance the customer experience (CX) for global and disruptive brands. The company’s services support the full lifecycle of its clients’ digital transformation journeys, enabling them to more quickly embrace next-generation digital technologies to deliver better business outcomes. TELUS International’s integrated solutions span digital strategy, innovation, consulting and design, IT lifecycle including managed solutions, intelligent automation and end-to-end AI data solutions including computer vision capabilities, as well as omnichannel CX and trust and safety solutions including content moderation. Fueling all stages of company growth, TELUS International partners with brands across high growth industry verticals, including tech and games, communications and media, eCommerce and fintech, banking, financial services and insurance, healthcare, and travel and hospitality.


TELUS International’s unique caring culture promotes diversity and inclusivity through its policies, team member resource groups and workshops, and equal employment opportunity hiring practices across the regions where it operates. Since 2007, the company has positively impacted the lives of more than one million citizens around the world, building stronger communities and helping those in need through large-scale volunteer events and charitable giving. Five TELUS International Community Boards have provided $4.8 million in funding to grassroots charitable organizations since 2011. Learn more at: telusinternational.com

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Members News

BDO Foundation helps communities hit by Karding

In line with its disaster response advocacy, BDO Foundation immediately extended assistance to disaster-affected Filipinos in provinces placed under a state of calamity due to Super Typhoon Karding. The corporate social responsibility arm of BDO Unibank organized relief operations for more than 12,000 families from 45 barangays in Aurora, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Quezon and Zambales. The initiative was made possible by volunteers from BDO and BDO Network Bank branches, non-governmental organization Ako Ang Saklay, partner parishes and social welfare offices. Volunteers visited underserved communities and distributed relief packs containing food, rice and drinking water to affected families.

About BDO Foundation

BDO Foundation is the corporate social responsibility arm of BDO Unibank. Founded in 2008, the foundation aims to contribute to nation-building by addressing the needs of underserved sectors of society through its disaster response and financial inclusion advocacies. Supported by the BDO Unibank community and in partnership with local government units and non-governmental organizations, BDO Foundation mounts relief operations, rehabilitates rural health units, constructs school buildings, implements financial education programs and undertakes COVID-19 response programs across the country. Its corporate citizenship initiatives have been recognized at the Retail Banking Awards of Asian Banking & Finance magazine and Asia Responsible Enterprise Awards of Enterprise Asia. For more information, visit www.bdo.com.ph/foundation/home, e-mail bdo.foundation@bdo.com.ph or call 8840-7000 local 36046.

BDO Foundation, Inc.

10th Floor BDO Corporate Center Ortigas

12 ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center

Mandaluyong City 1550