Metrobank Group distributes bags of blessing to families in Cebu

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Tuesday, January 31, 2012

AS PART of the company's celebration of the 2012 Chinese New Year, the Metrobank Group of Companies gives back to society by donating P10 million worth of food packages to select 10,000 Filipino families in identified areas nationwide.

The project was a close collaboration among subsidiaries and affiliates of the Metrobank Group composed of the GT-Metro-Foundation (GTMF), Metrobank Foundation Inc. (MBFI), Global Business Power, Federal Land Inc. and participating Metrobank branches in the regions.

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Now on its second year, the "Bags of Blessing" program aims to share with underprivileged Filipino families the blessings that the Metrobank Group received in 2011 by donating food packages. Each family received P1,000 worth of food package composed of rice, canned goods, milk, coffee, sugar, noodles, and a snack pack for children.

(L-R) Nelson See, AVP/Area head-Visayas III; Dennis Lu, AVP/Cluster Sales head; Bags of Blessing Beneficiary Lorena Sumangdan; Brgy. Mambaling Councilor Edwil Banag-banag; Brgy. Capt. Rodolfo Estella; Andy Borres; Vicente F. Jandayan, FVP/Area head-Visayas II; and Emmeline Go, FVP/Regional Sales head-Visayas. (Contributed photo)

Metrobank Group chairman Dr. George S.K. Ty expressed his gratitude to His Excellency President Benigno Aquino III for the issuance of Presidential Proclamation 295, which declares for the very first time the Chinese New Year celebration on January 23, 2012 (Monday) as special non-working Holiday.

"We thank the President for proclaiming the celebration of Chinese New Year as a holiday," said Dr. Ty. "We believe that this is an important milestone in Philippines-China relations and will make the celebration more meaningful for the rest of the Filipino people."

The declaration was made as an expression of the government's solidarity with the Chinese-Filipino brethren who have been part of Filipino lives in many respects as a country and as a people.

"Last year's Bags of Blessing was overwhelming as it allowed us to celebrate the Chinese New Year as an opportunity to share the fruits of our successes in the industry to our underprivileged Filipino brothers and sisters," said MBFI president Aniceto Sobrepeña.

"This year we are sustaining this tradition in our aim to assist the priorities of the government particularly in the delivery of basic social services to the people, "he added.

This nationwide endeavor is in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), which determined the names of the beneficiaries through the "National Household Targeting System (NHTS)". This is also in support of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) of the government.

Beneficiaries also included those who were victims of natural calamities in the previous year.

To aid in the security, personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) also extended their support.

As one of the identified distributions sites, 500 families in Cebu City were assisted last January 28. The distribution was graced by Andy Borres, representative of Mayor Michael Rama; barangay captain Rodolfo Estella of Mambaling; barangay councilor Edwil Banag-banag; and DSWD representatives Lagrimas Lim and Maria Taping.

The distribution was made possible through the efforts of Metrobank-Visayas Area II & III headed by Emmeline D. Go, FVP/regional sales head; Vicente F. Jandayan, FVP/area head - Visayas II; Nelson G. See, AVP/area head - Visayas III; Dennis T. Lu, AVP/Cluster Sales head; Kay T. Malagar, SM/Cluster Sales head; Claro B. Cabaero, SM/Cluster Sales head; Nathaniel D. Go, SM/Cluster Sales head; and Visayas Area II & III branch heads, officers and staff.

The Bags of Blessing also assisted families from the cities of Manila, Pasig, Marikina, Quezon, Pasay, and Makati and other regional sites such as Meycauayan City, Bulacan; Batangas City; Santiago City, Isabela; Cauayan City, Isabela; Dagupan City; Iloilo City; Toledo City; Tacloban City; Bacolod City; San Jose, Antique; Davao City; Zamboanga City; and Butuan City. (PR)