Author: League of Corporate Foundations

On October 9, 2024, the Liveable Cities Philippines hosted an impactful event focusing on Food Security and (Mal)nutrition. The event brought together leaders in agriculture, nutrition, and community development, with insightful contributions from various resource speakers. Among them was East-West Seed Foundation‘s Executive Director, Ms. Ma. Elena P. van Tooren, who spoke on improving food security and nutrition through shortening the vegetable supply chain.

The East-West Seed Foundation’s mission is to increase appreciation, availability, and consumption through sharing of knowledge on vegetable production and health benefits. Through community-based programs like VeggiEskwela, Gulayamanan and VeggieSapat, EWSF helps communities across the Philippines secure their food sources and improve family nutrition.

Other resource speakers highlighted complementary strategies aimed at addressing food security and malnutrition:

• Mr. John Echauz, Convenor and Chairman of the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Business Network Philippines, emphasized the role of innovative solutions in advancing the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition, working toward a well-nourished country.
• Mr. Henry Sison, Chief Farming Officer of Agro-Digital PH, introduced a platform that links small-scale farmers directly to markets, ensuring they can thrive by reaching broader audiences and delivering quality produce.
• Mr. Jomar Fleras, Executive Director of Rise Against Hunger Philippines, discussed global partnerships that combat hunger by connecting communities with vital resources through the support of international NGOs and health organizations.
• Ms. Celerina Amores, Senior Director for Corporate Citizenship and Volunteerism at the Ayala Foundation Inc., highlighted efforts in the Planting for Productivity (P4P) and Food for Work programs, which strengthen regional food security through partnerships with local stakeholders.
• Ms. Jirah Asa Sideco, Nutrition Program Coordinator of Quezon City, presented the city’s pioneering Calories Labeling Policy, which has positioned Quezon City as a leader in Southeast Asia for innovative nutrition initiatives.

Collaborative Action Toward a Food-Secure Future

The event reinforced the need for multi-sectoral collaboration to address the challenges of food security and malnutrition. Through collective efforts, the Liveable Cities Lab on Food Security and (Mal)nutrition highlighted how leaders in agriculture, nutrition, and community development are creating meaningful change. Their contributions will continue to stand out as a model for empowering the community and promoting sustainable food systems in the Philippines, complementing the broader initiatives, and all are working together to create a healthier, more resilient Philippines.

When typhoon Julian (Krathon) hit the country including the Ilocos Region, many of our compatriots were devastated in the province of Ilocos Norte. Some of the affected areas were submerged in floods and their livelihoods were affected.

In aid, the RMN Foundation along with its radio station iFM 99.5 Laoag conducted an ‘Oplan Tabang’ relief operation in partnership with the Metrobank Foundation on October 10-11, 2024 to deliver aid to affected families from twenty-one (21) barangays of the following areas in the province:

Municipality of Paoay, Ilocos Norte

Brgy. Nalasin

Brgy. Paratong

Brgy. San Agustin

Brgy. San Roque

Batac City, Ilocos Norte

Brgy. Aglipay

Brgy. Biloca

Brgy. Cangrunaan

Brgy. Caunayan

Brgy. Dariwdiw

Brgy. Nalupta

Brgy. Quiling Sur

Laoag City, Ilocos Norte

Brgy. 3 Nuestra Señora del Rosario

Brgy. 4 San Guillermo

Brgy. 7-A Nuestra Señora del Natividad

Brgy. 7-B Nuestra Señora del Natividad

Brgy. 30-B Santa MariaBrgy. 36 Araniw

Brgy. 37 Calayab

Brgy. 38-A Mangato East

Brgy. 38-B Mangato West

Brgy. 42 Apaya

Two thousand (2,000) families received food packs containing rice, biscuits, instant coffee, and canned meatloaf. The Laoageños also received hygiene kits from the DSWD through the local government of Laoag City.

The beneficiaries who received the aid were very grateful. The Municipal Government of Paoay, City Government of Batac, and City Government of Laoag also extended their thanks to the RMN Foundation, Metrobank Foundation, and iFM 99.5 Laoag for the assistance provided to their residents.

On behalf of the RMN Foundation, many thanks to the Metrobank Foundation, IFM 99.5 Laoag for the support and help to make the Oplan Tabang relief operation successful.

We are also grateful to the Municipal Government of Paoay, City Government of Batac, and City Government of Laoag for their support during the relief operations.

The onslaught of Typhoon Enteng has left portions of Naga City in Camarines Sur submerged in floodwater even days after its impact. Responding to its call for help, LCF member BDO Foundation, with the help of BDO Network Bank, donated six rescue boats for the barangays of Naga through the Angat Buhay Foundation. 

The boats will help rescuers provide aid to flooded households and support Angat Buhay’s goal of improving the barangay’s capacity for disaster response efforts.

“We hope that these rescue boats enhance the capacity of the ones in the frontline and help them safeguard affected families in times of natural calamities,” shared BDO Foundation president Mario Deriquito. Apart from its commitment to disaster response, the foundation also puts importance to building long-term resilience in vulnerable communities.

Through the Home Empowerment Learning Program (HELP), Joy~Nostalg Foundation empowers Filipinos with knowledge on financial literacy, responsible homeownership, housing loans, and Filipino values. 

Over 70 aspiring homeowners and sellers gathered at the foundation’s Grand HELP Day to gain valuable insights into financial literacy, responsible homeownership, and the Filipino values that strengthen families. The event was further enriched by Pag-IBIG representatives, who provided a comprehensive guide to housing loans, ensuring participants left with a clear path toward achieving their homeownership dreams.

Check out their video here.

Security Bank Foundation, Inc. (SBFI) facilitated a training session on the Singapore Math method for elementary school teachers in its beneficiary schools in Visayas and Mindanao. The session took place during Year 2 of the Mentoring Future Leaders for Nation-Building training program.

During the training session, which took place in Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu on July 15-19, 2024, teachers were taught how to use images, manipulatives, and storytelling to enable students to visualize abstract mathematical concepts. The training methods employed on teachers included the use of:

• A balancing toy to understand balancing of equations
• Number lines to illustrate odd and even numbers
• Stories of animals to teach the concepts of sorting, sequencing, addition, subtraction, and problem solving. 

Teachers were also trained to use the “Prompt, Probe, and Wonder Why technique”  in challenging students’ critical thinking skills. The training session ended with teachers presenting a Math concept using the Singapore Math method to see if they can apply in a real-life classroom setting the strategies they have learned during the session.

At the end of the session, the teachers received training certificates and a set of teaching aids that include manipulatives, an equalizer (the balancing toy), cat puzzles, fraction tiles, and a chart.

The training session was facilitated by Ng Swee Fong, a former Associate Professor of Mathematics at the National Institute of Education in Singapore.  Throughout the training, Ng emphasized that “as a teacher, you may understand the math concepts and know the answers, but if you cannot properly communicate your thoughts in precise terms that all children will understand, then you will never be effective as a teacher.” 

The session ended with a call from SBFI Chairman Rafael Simpao, Jr., who discussed learnings from the Year 2 program, teaching methodologies, and plans to help improve students’ proficiencies in mathematics and English.

To learn more about SBFI’s programs and how you can contribute, visit www.securitybank.com/foundation.

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MANDALUYONG CITY, PHILIPPINES – BDO Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of BDO Unibank, championed its commitment to disaster response by providing aid to coastal communities affected by the MT Terra Nova oil spill. In partnership with non-governmental organizations Angat Bataan Damayan and Ako Bakwit as well as the Civil Military Operations Group of the Philippine Navy, the foundation distributed food packs to more than 4,400 families in Bataan and Cavite. In line with its disaster response advocacy, BDO Foundation consistently leads efforts to support areas impacted by typhoons, earthquakes, fire and other calamities. MT Terra Nova, carrying 1.4 million liters of industrial fuel oil, capsized 3.6 nautical miles east of Lamao Point in Limay Town, Bataan.

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About BDO Foundation

BDO Foundation is the corporate social responsibility arm of BDO Unibank. Founded in 2008, the foundation contributes to nation-building by addressing the needs of various sectors of society through programs in the areas of financial inclusion, disaster response, rehabilitation and rebuilding. 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 and implements financial education 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 http://www.bdo.com.ph, 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