Boats for Samar, Cebu folk turned over

MANILA, Philippines - The Metrobank Group continues to provide support to the survivors of Yolanda through livelihood assistance. Metrobank Foundation (MBFI), the Group’s corporate social responsibility arm, is giving 500 fishing boats to Yolanda-affected fishermen, amounting to P10 million.

Recently, a total of 111 fishing boats were given to fishermen in Balangiga, Eastern Samar and Bantayan Island and Daanbantayan in Cebu. More boats will be distributed in these areas, as well as in Iloilo and Leyte.

“We need to bring back what they lost, especially if it is their means of living. These fishing boats will enable them to truly rebuild their lives,” said Metrobank Foundation president Aniceto Sobrepeña. “The spirit of bayanihan lives as we see different sectors of society converge for this noble cause. Our partners come from civil society, the military and from the communities themselves,” he added.

MBFI partnered with credible non-government organizations for this project, namely: Yellow Boat of Hope Foundation, Bantayan Back to Sea Project, Negrense Volunteers for Change, and TOPSOLDIERS, the alumni organization of Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Philippine Soldiers.

“I saw for myself the resiliency and ingenuity of the Filipino spirit. They converted damaged refrigerators into fishing boats in order to put food on the table. They showed us that while they are boat-less, they are not hopeless nor are they totally helpless. This is why we should not give up on them. Let us continue to bring them hope and give back their boats, so they can send their kids back to school,” said Anton Mari Lim, founder of Yellow Boat of Hope Foundation.

The donation of fishing boats is a component of the Metrobank Group’s Helping Hands Rehabilitation Program on livelihood, education and health. Disaster-resilient classrooms and barangay health stations will also be constructed in identified Yolanda-affected areas.

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The Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI) was established on January 8, 1979 by Dr. George S. K. Ty, sixteen (16) years after he founded the Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company (Metrobank). As the corporate social responsibility arm of the Metrobank Group, the Foundation implements various programs in education, visual arts and healthcare and maintains an active and dynamic partnership with other organizations that likewise provide services for the underprivileged sectors of society and remains equally responsive to emergency and relief operations for affected Filipinos in times of natural calamities in the Philippines and in Asia. Among the Foundation’s flagship programs are the Metrobank Art & Design Excellence (MADE), Search for Outstanding Teachers (SOT), The Outstanding Philippine Soldiers (TOPS), Country’s Outstanding Police Officers in Service (COPS), Search for Journalists of the Year (JOY), Metrogold Scholarship Program (MSP), and Metrobank-MTAP-DepEd Math Challenge (MMC).  MBFI also spearheads the celebration of the National Teachers’ Month (NTM) held from September 5 to October 5 of every year since 2008. The Foundation also implements the Fellowships for International Understanding Program in partnership with selected international organizations and diplomatic missions. It also supports programs aimed at educating the citizenry on public-interest issues through research and lectures given by the distinguished chair holders of the Metrobank Foundation Professorial Chair Lectures, established by the Foundation in partnership with reputable educational institutions. MBFI is also the principal owner of the Manila Doctors Hospital (MDH), one of the leading centers of wellness in the country. The Foundation recently celebrated its 35th year with the theme, “Launching Dreams” serving as its beacon in the next five (5) years. It shall continue to Excel, Engage, and Empower, but this time even more conscious in supporting the various sectors of the Philippine community in pursuing their individual and collective dreams -- for an educated workforce, for accessible medical care, for outstanding professional careers, and for a responsible and enlightened citizenry. Through the Foundation’s recognition and social development programs, it shall continuously strengthen and assist Filipinos in their endeavors, raising their abilities and improving  their way of life, inspiring and uplifting their spirits, so that one day, they may be empowered enough to know reality of their dreams.