Metrobank Foundation brings hope, aid to Pag-asa residents

MANILA, Philippines — Metrobank Foundation Inc. (MBFI) together with the three alumni networks of the Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos spearheaded and organized a multisectoral outreach program on Pag-asa Island in the municipality of Kalayaan in Palawan on April 20.

This initiative benefitted 80 families, 223 residents, 107 uniformed personnel, 10 teachers, and 83 students of Pag-asa Island, situated within the West Philippine Sea.

The outreach activity is under the Guro, Pulis, Sundalo na may Galing, Puso at Sigasig (GPS2) program, envisioned by MBFI on November 2018 during its 40th year, together with the three alumni networks of the Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos; namely, the Network of Outstanding Teachers and Educators (NOTED), the Organization of Philippine Soldiers with Outstanding Leadership, Dedication, Integrity, Excellence and Responsibility to Society (TOPSOLDIERS), and the Police Officers Responsible for Organizing, Transforming and Empowering Communities (PROTECT). The program is supported by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

In continual celebration of its 45th anniversary with “A Heart that Serves” theme, MBFI brought the GPS2 program to Pag-asa Island to bridge hope and assistance to the island residents facing difficulties with access to basic needs and services. MBFI believes that a heart that serves is exemplified through commitment to reaching and empowering the unreached.

To help address the health care needs of the residents in an island that is 520 kms northwest of Puerto Princesa, free medical and dental consultations were conducted in partnership with Donate Philippines. Infants were administered with free vaccinations, and residents were provided with essential medicines, vitamins and eyeglasses.

As access to learning supplies and tools becomes a challenge to Pag-asa island residents, learning kits containing pencils, papers, notebooks, plastic envelopes, folders, rulers, protractors, crayons and clay sets were provided to the students.

The teachers received pens, markers, highlighters, expanding envelopes and reams of papers.

All island residents were also given slippers and food packs while military and uniformed personnel received solar torches, solar flashlights and toiletry kits to aid in their night patrols around the island.