Metrobank turns over P20-M grant to 17 NGOs

MANILA, Philippines - Metrobank Foundation Inc. officially turned over last Friday P20 million in grants to its partners for the implementation of various projects in education, visual arts, and healthcare.

Aniceto Sobrepeña, president of Metrobank Foundation, said the organization aims to help the country achieve the Millennium Development Goals of eradicating extreme poverty and hunger, achieving universal primary education, reducing child mortality, and improving maternal health.

Sobrepeña said 17 of the organizations Metrobank Foundation is partnering with have MDG-related projects, while another 20 would be assisted for their education-related projects.

He added that eight partner organizations have healthcare projects, while four would be assisted for their visual arts-related initiatives.

 “We are also supporting organizations for their advocacy of good governance and peace and security, as well as those organizations who provide livelihood training programs and assist women and children in the Bangsamoro,” Sobrepena said.

Meanwhile, the Metrobank Group through the Metrobank Foundation and the GT-Metro Foundation have also consolidated their efforts and resources in helping those affected by the earthquake that struck Visayas late last year and those displaced by Typhoon Yolanda.

Their efforts include the turnover of 500 boats worth P10 million to fishermen living in communities affected by Yolanda. Sobrepeña said about 160 boats have been distributed in Cebu, Eastern Samar, and Iloilo to date.

There would also be three barangay health stations with birthing facilities to be constructed in Palo, Leyte, and in Mercedes and Guian in Eastern Samar.

The Metrobank Group has also allocated another P20 million for the construction of new school buildings in Leyte and Samar.

The group, through Federal Land, has also set aside P15 million for the construction of 100 Gawad Kalinga houses in Capiz and Iloilo.

 “While we admit that efforts to rebuild and improve the affected communities are far from over, we remain hopeful that this task will strengthen our resolve as a people, that we are willing to fight our way through whatever crisis, and that we all look forward to a brighter Philippines,” Sobrepeña said.

The ceremony coincided with Metropolitan Bank and Trust Company’s (Metrobank) celebration of its 52nd anniversary. The annual turnover of grants has been a tradition of the bank to “give back to the community” through the provision of funds for legitimate non-government organizations and foundations.