Month: July 2021

CAMP AGUINALDO, QUEZON CITY – The Armed Forces of the Philippines and Ayala Group of Companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen a long-standing partnership and bolster support to soldiers through the Saludo Sa Serbisyo program on Thursday, July 29.  

AFP Chief of Staff General Cirilito Sobejana signed the MOU on behalf of the AFP, while Ayala Corporation President & CEO Fernando Zobel de Ayala represented the Ayala Group.  

“The Saludo Sa Serbisyo program developed by the Ayala Corporation will be in full swing until 2026 and is a program that will absolutely aid in boosting the morale and in improving the lives of the men and women of the Armed Forces,” said General Sobejana.  

Saludo Sa Serbisyo is a needs-based program that gives uniformed personnel expanded access to the group’s products and services, enabling them to pick the best support they need in every key milestone of their lives.   

“The AFP and Ayala go a long way back. In 1939, Col. Joseph McMicking, a great pilot and our great grandfather, awarded the first McMicking Wings to the then Second Lieutenant Renato L. Barretto, a pilot cadet at the Philippine Air Force Flying School,” Zobel said.  

“Over the years and amidst several leadership transitions, our partnership strengthened; our friendship flourished. Both Ayala and AFP have demonstrated how impactful our actions can be—when we work in unity,” he added.  

The program provides offers on housing and vehicles, and it hosts a venue for financial education and livelihood training as well as health and wellness caravans. It also hopes to provide employment opportunities in various business units across the Ayala Group to AFP retirees and their qualified dependents.  

Earlier on the same day, a Ribbon Cutting was conducted to formally open the AFP-Ayala Corporation Caravan at the GHQ Canopy. It was attended by the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, J1 Major General Adriano S Perez Jr.; and General Emmanuel T Bautista (Ret), former AFP chief of staff and now a consultant at Ayala Corporation.  

The caravan featured Housing Assistance from Ayala Land and Health and Wellness Caravan courtesy of AC Health – Healthway, Generika, and MDC Medical Team. Several financial and investment opportunities were also offered by BPI, while AC Motors offered preferred rates on vehicles under the company’s umbrella of brands: Honda, Kia, Isuzu, Volkswagen, Maxus, and KTM.

Apart from “Saludo Sa Serbisyo,” Ayala Group also expresses its support to servicemen through its strong support to Hero Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides educational assistance to children of Filipino soldiers killed in action or totally incapacitated while in the line of duty.  

Ayala Corporation and Ayala Land each give a donation of P2.5 million yearly. The educational stipend from the foundation helps orphaned students pay for school-related expenses. With the help of the private sector, Hero Foundation has supported and served a total of 2,702 orphan scholars since 1988.  

The group also holds the annual Ayala Young Leaders Congress, where top youth and student leaders from across various sectors, religions, and provinces of the Philippines join a series of dialogues with business leaders and government officials. A total of 89 AYLC alumni come from the Philippine Military Academy and currently serve in different branches of service of the AFP.  

“As we continue our partnership moving forward, we remain committed to further ramp up our projects with the AFP and strengthen the bonds of friendship that we have nurtured over the years. We certainly look forward to having more joint initiatives with you in the near future,” Zobel noted. 

General Sobejana expressed his gratitude to the Ayala Corporation for their benevolence and generosity as both parties strive to provide cohesive, needs-based, and sustainable program for the troops and their dependents.

“Thank you for not forgetting our soldiers, who work tirelessly and put their lives on the line to protect the land and serve the Filipino people. You all have our utmost respect and admiration,” the AFP Chief said. 

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For more information:

YLA ALCANTARA
Head, Brand and Reputation Management
e-mail – alcantara.ypg@ayala.com

MANILA – Beyond boosting the private sector’s pandemic response, Ayala’s healthcare arm AC Health lives up to its goal of providing quality healthcare for all as it officially breaks ground for the construction of Healthway Cancer Care Center, the Philippines’ first dedicated specialty cancer hospital, on Thursday.  

Taguig City Mayor Lino Cayetano, Department of Health Secretary Francisco T Duque III, and Ayala Corporation President and CEO Fernando Zobel de Ayala led the facility’s ceremonial groundbreaking at the FTI Complex in Taguig City. 

With cancer being the second leading cause of death in the Philippines, the 100-bed Healthway Cancer Care Center is Ayala Group’s response to the Cancer Control Act (RA 11215), which gives the private sector the green light to create cancer specialty hospitals and clinics. In 2020 alone, over 150,000 cancer cases were recorded in the country. In the same year, 90,000 Filipinos succumbed to the dreaded disease.  

Once completed in July 2023, Healthway Cancer Care Center will be the first comprehensive, dedicated cancer hospital in the country, offering a complete range of cancer services from screening, diagnosis, treatment to post-cancer care. AC Health has partnered with Varian-CTSI, which provides clinical services and solutions to over 100 hospitals, clinics, and physician groups worldwide, in ensuring delivery of affordable yet high standards of cancer care in the country.  

“Cancer is a critical public health problem with an enormous impact on patients, the families, and the healthcare system at large. There is an urgent need to develop sustainable solutions. We need to increase awareness of the disease through patient education, improve the timeliness of diagnosis through rigorous screening programs, and minimize out-of-pocket cancer expenses through affordable cancer care,” said Fernando Zobel de Ayala, Chairman of the Board of AC Health. 

“We are optimistic that the enactment of the NICCA law and various cancer care initiatives of the DOH will help reduce the burden of the disease. Now more than ever, there is a need to provide better avenues for cancer patients to seek consultation and treatment. We are delighted that AC Health will be establishing the first specialized hospital for cancer in the Philippines,” DOH Sec. Francisco Duque III added. 

With the addition of Healthway Cancer Care Center, AC Health expands its healthcare portfolio alongside Healthway Clinics, Qualimed Hospitals, Generika Drugstores, IE Medica and MedEthix, and the HealthNow mobile app. 

#BrigadangAyala donates flu vaccines to the City of Taguig 

During the groundbreaking ceremony, Ayala Corporation, together with AC Health, turned over 1,000 doses of flu vaccine to Taguig City. The flu vaccine will serve to protect Taguig’s constituents against the infectious disease and its possible complications as the country focuses on beating COVID-19. 

“With the donation of the flu vaccines through the #BrigadangAyala, we are optimistic that we will be able to lessen the burden of influenza, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. We target to administer these vaccines for our priority beneficiaries namely, the Philippine National Police, Traffic Management Office, Barangay Health Workers, Bureau of Fire Protection and other frontliners,” said Mayor Lino Cayetano.  

“The Taguig City Government has always been an advocate in promoting healthcare for their constituents and many Filipinos in need. Their various programs, from cancer care initiatives to vaccination efforts, are a testament to their commitment to provide quality and accessible health services. The Ayala Group is delighted to support the City of Taguig in its efforts to protect the health of its constituents,” added AC Health President & CEO Paolo Borromeo. 

Aside from the donation of flu vaccines, AC Health has worked closely with the City of Taguig to augment their COVID-19 vaccination efforts for their constituents across the A1-A5 priority groups.  

At the onset of the pandemic, AC Health has been leading the Ayala Group’s COVID-19 response initiatives. It has worked closely with the DOH, IATF, and local governments to implement protocols across the group and spearhead key milestones, from setting up mega-isolation facilities and testing labs to securing vaccines for employees and other stakeholders. 

As of July 13, 2021, AC Health has already administered more than 193,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines to priority groups across LGUs, the Ayala Group, and partner companies. 

#BrigadangAyala is Ayala Group’s united contribution to serving people and communities nationwide. It is Ayala Group’s integrated response to its almost two century-old commitment to national development by doing various social development and corporate social responsibility initiatives—ranging from disaster relief and response, assistance for public education, championing of social enterprises, and public health advocacy, among others.  

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For more information:

YLA ALCANTARA
Head, Brand and Reputation Management
Ayala Corporation
e-mail – alcantara.ypg@ayala.com

CHACHI MORENO, M.D.
Strategy and External Affairs Manager
Zodiac Health Ventures, Inc
e-mail: moreno.fmm@achealth.com.ph

MANILA – As Rothlie Khy Vidal prepares for work each day, the Negros Polymedic Hospital nurse reminds herself that despite the country’s ongoing struggle against the COVID-19 pandemic, every day is a new blessing and a new beginning that gives us hope.

Rothlie is the only daughter of Sgt. Rolly P. Vidal, who was killed in action when she was only three years old.  She became a Hero Foundation scholar in 2012, and with the help of the foundation and its donors, she graduated from her BS Nursing course at the Saint Paul University Dumaguete in 2019 and is now a medical frontliner.

As part of Ayala Land Inc.’s (ALI) continued support for the Hero Foundation and its scholars, the company has turned over its annual donation of P2.5 million in cash as well as 600 COVID-19 vaccine doses to the foundation in connection with its Alagang AyalaLand program.  

Under the united effort of ALI’s Alagang AyalaLand and #BrigadangAyala, vaccine doses will be offered to 300 Hero Foundation scholars through the Ayala Vaccination and Immunization Program. A scholar who is 18 years old and above or one adult member of his or her immediate family may avail of a free COVID-19 vaccine.  

The Hero Foundation, which ALI has supported since its inception in 1988, is a non-profit organization that provides educational assistance to children of Filipino soldiers killed in action or totally incapacitated while in the line of duty. The educational stipend from the foundation helps augment their resources, allowing the children to finish their schooling and pay for other school-related expenses, such as uniforms, meals, transportation, and school supplies. 

Through the years, ALI has sustained its support for the Hero Foundation by providing annual monetary donations, and more importantly, by encouraging employee volunteers and other companies as well to share their time and talent with the orphans. Aside from these, ALI also offers internship and employment opportunities to the foundation’s scholars at various Ayala Land companies, and makes HERO donation boxes available at Ayala Malls nationwide. 

ALI’s commitment has helped to advance the Hero Foundation’s mission of providing educational subsidies, tuition fees, books, and other miscellaneous support to military orphans. The foundation, with the help of its corporate and individual donors in the private sector, has supported and served a total of 2,702 orphan scholars since 1988.  

“We hope to make a difference in the lives of the children of our soldiers through HERO Foundation, and will strive to further contribute to its mission of providing scholars with educational support as well as job opportunities when they graduate from school,” said ALI President and CEO Bernard Vincent O. Dy. 

Alagang AyalaLand is a broad community engagement program organized by the company to support COVID-19 response efforts, promote disaster preparedness, and create livelihood through social enterprises. It has recently offered its full support to local government efforts towards the efficient roll-out of the vaccination program in the country. Its various developments, such as Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Circuit Makati, and South Park Center, among others, were utilized as vaccination centers by their LGUs, in collaboration with the COVID-19 Inter-Agency Task Force and the Department of Health.  

#BrigadangAyala is Ayala Group’s united contribution to serving people and communities nationwide. It is Ayala Group’s integrated response to its almost two century-old commitment to national development by doing various social development and corporate social responsibility initiatives—ranging from disaster relief and response, assistance for public education, championing of social enterprises, and public health advocacy, among others. 

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For more information:

YLA ALCANTARA
Head, Brand and Reputation Management
Ayala Corporation
e-mail – alcantara.ypg@ayala.com

SUZETTE NAVAL
Manager, Corporate Communications
Ayala Land, Inc.
e-mail – naval.suzette@ayalaland.com.ph

MANILA — Does helping communities in the wake of a typhoon end with distributing relief goods? 

The Ayala Group, through #BrigadangAyala, believes in sustaining efforts that will assist communities on their way to recovery. This is why through Ayala Foundation and AC Energy, #BrigadangAyala is initiating a livelihood training program for two communities in Cagayan province, as a way to help families find new and sustained sources of income, especially when disaster strikes. 

Powered by a partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Ayala Foundation and AC Energy are starting a disaster resiliency program through livelihood. The program will provide training for a total of 300 mothers or heads of families affected by Typhoon Ulysses (international name Vamco), which slammed Luzon in November last year.  

An initial 50 mothers from the towns of Lal-lo and Buguey, Cagayan, will be trained in cookery and baking and pastry skills. The remaining 250 participants will go through the training during the remainder of the year. The training will be under the Mobile Training Program of TESDA, and will also cover the towns of Amulung, Solana, Enrile, Baggao, and Alcala. 

“Inaasahan ko na magkaroon ako ng sariling bakeshop para makatulong sa pamilya ko. Thank you kasi sa mga ganitong programa malaking tulong ito para sa amin, tapos lalo na ngayon pandemic, hindi mo alam kung saan, hirap naman kasi mag-apply kung saan saan so mas okay na yung magkaroon ka ng sarili mong business para mabuhay,” said Narlyn Dazo, one of the beneficiaries from Lal-lo.  

“Masaya tsaka excited ako kasi gusto ko talagang ituloy yung negosyo ko kasi maraming pamilya na umaasa sa akin. Inaasahan ko na madadagdagan yung kaalaman ko tungkol sa negosyo,” added Judith Domingo, another beneficiary from Lal-lo.  

Sec. Isidro Lapeña, Director General of TESDA said, “TESDA is truly grateful to the entire Ayala Group of companies as we work together to provide the needed assistance to calamity-affected communities and help them rebuild their lives through employment and livelihood opportunities.”

Considered one of the more destructive typhoons to hit the country in recent years, Ulysses slammed many parts of the country, particularly northern Luzon. Still reeling from the devastation wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic and a string of previous typhoons, many communities in Luzon, particularly the Cagayan Valley region, had to face massive flooding and loss of property and livelihood. Based on estimates, Typhoon Ulysses resulted in damages amounting to roughly PhP20.3 billion. 

“This partnership with AC Energy and TESDA for a disaster resilience program in Cagayan is in keeping with our efforts to align with the needs of stakeholders, focusing on interventions that make the most impact in the lives of people,” said Ruel Maranan, President of Ayala Foundation. “As Ayala Foundation celebrates its 60th anniversary, we affirm our faith in the Filipino as we all stand resilient in the face of challenges.” 

“It is our privilege to serve the communities of Cagayan, together with Ayala Foundation, TESDA, and the rest of the Ayala Group,” said Eric Francia, President and CEO of AC Energy. “Initiatives such as these show that helping communities become self-sustaining and resilient in the face of disasters is also good for business, community development, and our shared goal of building the nation.” 

The Ayala Group was among the first private groups to mobilize relief operations in Cagayan. With Ayala Foundation taking the lead, the Ayala Group provided emergency relief support for 1,800 families or 9,000 individuals in Cagayan. This support came in the form of food packs, installation of Libreng Tawag and WiFi stations in evacuation sites, and delivery of essential medicines to the Provincial Health Office. In a show of synergy, Ayala Foundation, AC Energy, Globe Telecom, Bank of the Philippine Islands, Generika, and the Ayala Multi-Purpose Cooperative came together for the relief operations. 

The group also provided support for learners and teachers in Cagayan, who are currently adapting to the new normal of education. Public school students and teachers from the towns of Lal-lo and Buguey received transistor radios, face masks, and Globe Home Prepaid WiFi kits. 

#BrigadangAyala is Ayala Group’s united contribution to serving people and communities nationwide. It is Ayala Group’s integrated response to its almost two century-old commitment to national development by doing various social development and corporate social responsibility initiatives—ranging from disaster relief and response, assistance for public education, championing of social enterprises, and public health advocacy, among others. 

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For more information:

YLA ALCANTARA
Head, Brand and Reputation Management
Ayala Corporation
e-mail – alcantara.ypg@ayala.com

IRENE MARANAN
Head – Corporate Communications and Sustainability
AC Energy
e-mail – maranan.is@acenergy.com.ph

CELERINA AMORES
Senior Director, Corporate Communications
Ayala Foundation, Inc.
e-mail – amores.cr@ayalafoundation.org

July 15, 2021 – BPI Foundation, the social development arm of BPI, formalized today its partnership with Ayala Land, Inc. (ALI) to further enhance its BPI Sinag program by providing market access for social enterprises (SEs).

Now on its 7^th year BPI Sinag, a comprehensive development program aimed at nurturing and stimulating growth to the budding SE sector, inked a strategic partnership with Ayala Land and joined the group-wide #BrigadangAyala initiatives for greater impact.

“Through ALI’s Alagang AyalaLand program, our Sinag SEs can avail of free leasable space for three months to one year in any Ayala Malls nationwide, subject to certain minimum conditions,” said BPI Foundation Executive Director Owen Cammayo. “This mutually beneficial partnership will surely spark business opportunities for both parties as the SEs attract new markets to the Ayala Malls.”

The top 10 winners of this year’s BPI Sinag Spark business challenge will win cash grants of up to P300,000, experience MBA-like virtual training sessions, and receive free leasable space in Ayala Malls, inclusive of the maintenance fees for common areas for a maximum of 10 square meters for the first three months.

According to the Social Enterprise Landscape in ASEAN 2018 report by the USAID, there are estimated to be over 160,000 SEs in the country, most of them cooperatives. Many social enterprises in the Philippines help their beneficiaries by providing employment within their communities. Outside Metro Manila opportunities are relatively untapped and starting to attract new generation SEs.

However, even before COVID-19, the SE sector has already been trying to overcome several obstacles like lack of access to finance, a lack of effective impact measurement mechanisms, and low public awareness.

“Most SEs are part of the micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) sector, which is considered one of the main drivers of economic development in many countries, including the Philippines,” said BPI President and CEO TG Limcaoco. “With the ongoing pandemic, our commitment to help this very important sector recover and survive remains intact. Supporting the growth of MSMEs is key in building a financially inclusive and sustainable Philippines.”

“This partnership with BPI is perfectly aligned with Alagang AyalaLand. While the BPI Sinag project would identify and nurture budding social enterprises, we in Ayala Land will provide the spaces in our malls lease-free to the most promising of these enterprises,” said Ayala Land Inc. President and CEO Bobby Dy. “This reflects our commitment and synergy in the Ayala Group, especially when our hope is to provide opportunities for our fellow Filipinos.”

“We recognize the importance of providing a vibrant environment for social enterprises to flourish and make further impacts on society,” added Department of Trade and Industry Regional Operations Group Undersecretary Blesila Lantayona. “While a legal framework for social enterprises is yet to be institutionalized, DTI commits to provide interventions in sustaining the MSME development including our social enterprises so as to generate more employment and to give better lives to millions of Filipinos.”

Over the years, BPI Sinag has supported over 180 SEs from various industries, including healthcare, food and beverage, education, energy, technology, agriculture, and manufacturing, among others.

“Aside from the network and learning opportunities, we have awarded almost P20M worth of cash grants to our Sinag SEs aimed to boost their enterprise and further uplift the lives of the communities they serve and operate in,” Cammayo added. “This year, we will inject another P2M in cash into the ecosystem, provide the SEs access to invaluable mentoring sessions, MBA-like crash courses and premium marketplaces.”

The application period is extended to July 23, 2021 to enable more SEs to join. Interested applicants may check the complete eligibility requirements via https://bpifoundation.org/page/bpi-sinag/.

#BrigadangAyala is Ayala Group’s united contribution to serving people and communities nationwide. It is Ayala Group’s integrated response to its almost two century-old commitment to national development by doing various social development and corporate social responsibility initiatives—ranging from disaster relief and response, assistance for public education, championing of social enterprises, and public health advocacy, among others.

For more information:

YLA ALCANTARA
Head, Brand and Reputation Management
Ayala Corporation
e-mail – alcantara.ypg@ayala.com

ARCHIE NICASIO
Head, Stakeholder Relations Management
Bank of the Philippine Islands
e-mail – aenicasio.bpi@gmail.com

In appreciation for medical frontliners, Globe and its partners support Ayala Group’s #BrigadangAyala by providing WiFi kits, entertainment packages, grocery, medical supplies, insurance vouchers, and cash support to three public hospitals.

UP-Philippine General Hospital (PGH), National Children’s Hospital (NCH), and Tondo Medical Center (TMC) will each receive 50 Globe MyFi devices with free 9 GB valid for 7 days for its medical frontliners. In addition, the hospitals will receive a cash donation of P500,000.00 from Ayala Corporation through Ayala Foundation, plus funds raised through Globe Rewards and GCash.

The hospitals will also receive smart TVs with Globe Home Prepaid WiFi with 10 GB data valid for 7 days to be installed in COVID and cancer wards and other patient areas such as the Emergency Room and Out-Patient Department.

“As a conglomerate, one of Ayala’s core strengths is its diversity, which has been quite evident in the group’s holistic response to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said John Philip Orbeta, Ayala Corporation’s Chief Human Resources Officer. “Through Brigadang Ayala, we are once again banking on our diversity to make an impact to the lives of the communities we serve.”

Globe Business customers have also contributed to this worthy advocacy by providing gift packs to the medical frontliners. Meanwhile, Generika provided 500 immunity booster packages for PGH frontliners. Century Pacific Food Inc. shared 500 nutrient-rich food packages for NCH staff and patients. PureGo provided 500 PureGo discount vouchers worth P200 to TMC employees. GCash likewise provided GInsure package with Covid and Dengue coverage for 3 months for 500 frontliners of TMC.

When the pandemic started, Globe supported PGH Medical Foundation Inc. and nine (9) other hospital beneficiaries through Globe Rewards by raising P41M through the help of its customers. Fundraising for PGH has continued to date. Globe Rewards provided a digital avenue for concerned Filipinos to quickly donate funds to these hospitals. PGH alone has received over P22 million worth of essential COVID and pediatric cancer supplies since 2020.

“This contribution is Globe’s way of saying thank you for their continued service and sacrifice. We know that these connectivity devices will help them in sharing their struggles and triumphs with their families and make it easier for them to take care of their patients,” said Ernest Cu, Globe President and CEO.

“We are always forging ahead to provide solutions that will not only help our frontliners in their daily battles but also help the majority of Filipinos adapt and thrive in our new reality. Globe will continue to scale its digital solutions and connectivity efforts to get our country back on track,” he added.

#BrigadangAyala is Ayala Group’s united contribution to serving people and communities nationwide. It is Ayala Group’s integrated response to its almost two century-old commitment to national development by doing various social development and corporate social responsibility initiatives—ranging from disaster relief and response, assistance for public education, championing of social enterprises, and public health advocacy, among others.

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For more information:

Yla Alcantara
Head, Brand and Reputation Management
Ayala Corporation
e-mail – alcantara.ypg@ayala.com

Yoly C. Crisanto
SVP, Corporate Communications
Globe Telecom, Inc.
e-mail – gtcorpcomm@globe.com.ph

MANILA, July 8 – Ayala’s healthcare arm, AC Health, has administered over 125,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine since the first batch arrived in the Philippines late February. To date, the group has worked to inoculate members of priority groups across LGUs, the Ayala Group, and partner companies.

“AC Health will remain committed to supporting the country’s vaccination efforts and will continue to strengthen our partnerships with our LGUs and private sector partners, in order to vaccinate at the requisite scale and speed and to help achieve our nation’s goal of achieving herd immunity at year-end. We are proud to leverage the full strength of our network, with Healthway and QualiMed leading site operations and vaccine administration, and HealthNow functioning as our vaccine management platform to meet our goal of administering 1 million doses within 2021,” said Paolo Borromeo, AC Health President and CEO.

In June, AC Health began inoculating Ayala Group employees through partnerships with the LGUs of Makati, Parañaque, Quezon City, Taguig, and Sta. Rosa, who provided government-procured vaccines to the group’s economic frontliner (A4) population in June. This week, AC Health also launched its vaccination program to employees with Moderna vaccines, the first tranche of the 1 million doses Ayala secured via tripartite agreements with the government.

AC Health has also partnered with LGUs to augment their vaccination for constituents across A1-A5 priority groups. In line with the Ayala Group’s commitment to the Ingat Angat initiative, AC Health committed to deploy its Healthway and QualiMed teams and have made available vaccination sites across the Greater Metro Manila Area. Some of which include supporting Makati’s COVID-19 vaccination drive thru site, Taguig’s PNP vaccination day, and Sta. Rosa’s ceremonial vaccination for healthcare workers, among others.

This month, AC Health will launch its COVIDShield program, serving hundreds of companies, including large multinationals, other conglomerates, BPOs, manufacturing firms, and other private sector partners who have entrusted the group for their own vaccinations. The program which has combined the extensive resources of QualiMed, Healthway, and HealthNow to offer an end-to-end COVID-19 vaccination program, and complements public sector efforts to vaccinate majority of Filipinos by the end of the year.

“The success of our fight against COVID-19 will not rest on one player alone, but will depend on the collective efforts across the public and private sectors. As we strengthen our partnerships, we greatly encourage our employees and our fellow Filipinos to be vaccinated for their protection, as well as for the protection of their families, colleagues, and communities. In doing so, we will help drive our country’s economic recovery safely and responsibly,” he added.

At the onset, AC Health has been leading the Ayala Group’s COVID-19 response initiatives. It has worked closely with the DOH, IATF, and local governments to implement protocols across the group and spearhead key milestones, from setting up mega-isolation facilities, testing labs to securing vaccines for employees and other stakeholders.

#BrigadangAyala is Ayala Group’s united contribution to serving people and communities nationwide. It is Ayala Group’s integrated response to its almost two century-old commitment to national development by doing various social development and corporate social responsibility initiatives— ranging from disaster relief and response, assistance for public education, championing of social enterprises, and public health advocacy, among others.

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For more information:

Yla Alcantara
Head, Brand and Reputation Management
Ayala Corporation
e-mail – alcantara.ypg@ayala.com

Janelle Panganiban
Strategy and External Affairs Specialist
Ayala Healthcare Holdings, Inc.
e-mail – panganiban.jms@achealth.com.ph

MANILA, July 9, 2021 – Ayala Group’s public infrastructure arm, AC Infra, allows communities to help themselves to thrive despite the challenges of the pandemic by addressing their immediate needs through #BrigadangAyala.   

AC Infra integrates and complements the efforts of its road-toll business, Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway (MCX), and Entrego, it’s logistics arm to address the most pressing needs of partner communities – access to food, healthcare, and education. 

Giving Hope to the Forgotten  

Since 2017, Ayala companies have been helping residents of Brgy Poblacion in Muntinlupa.

Informal settlers, comprising mostly of families of prison inmates or People Deprived of Liberty (PDL), line the stretch of MCX. One of the settlers, Melanie Balansag, has been taking on various jobs and selling kakanin for the last 15 years as her family awaits the release of her husband, a PDL.    

In partnership with the Philippine Jesuit Prison Service (PJPS), MCX has been supporting scholarships and other education-related initiatives in Brgy. Poblacion and the New Bilibid Prison community. Melanie’s daughter is among the beneficiaries. 

“Napakalaking tulong po para sa amin ang ibinabahagi ng programa upang makamit ng aking anak ang kanyang pangarap,” Melanie said. “Mahirap man ang sitwasyun ngayun ngunit ako bilang ina ay patuloy na gumagabay at sumosuporta sa aking anak upang hindi masayang ang pagkakataon nya na maging scholar ng PJPS at MCX/Ayala.”  

Since 2017, MCX has contributed over P1.2 million for scholarships and other education-related initiatives of Brgy. Poblacion and the New Bilibid Prison community.   

Empowering the Youth Leaders  

Another meaningful partnership was built between Brgy. Poblacion’s Southville 3 Youth Council lockdown (SV3YC) and MCX during the height of the lockdown. SV3YC has been very passionate in reaching out to struggling families especially during the pandemic.

With MCX and AC Infra pledging support, youth leaders from Brgy. Poblacion quickly got to work and spearheaded the drive that provided 200 mothers with milk and vitamins for their kids and 400 Tricycle and Drivers’ Association members with food packages. 

On July 7, some AC Infra, MCX, and Entrego employees teamed up to set up a community pantry-inspired project with the local government of Brgy. Poblacion.

Volunteers from MCX, Entrego, and Brgy. Poblacion work together to distribute food packs to Muntinlupa residents who are struggling the most during the pandemic – no work no pay workers, PWDs, senior citizens

“Bilang mga Youth Leader mas nagkakaroon po kami ng pag-asa dahil ang mga organisasyong gaya ng MCX ay patuloy na nagtitiwala at kasama namin humahakbang para sa pagbangon mula sa pandemya,” said Kenneth Mugar, Southville 3 Youth Council President. 

MCX has allocated over P1.9 million since 2017 to support the communities around it. “At MCX, we don’t only work for efficient toll operations, we also strive to improve the lives of the communities surrounding our toll road, that includes Brgy. Poblacion and the Bureau of Corrections. I am personally very happy to see the next generation of leaders enthusiastically working with us to accomplish the same goal – to improve the lives of our partner communities. We are very thankful for the support that the LGUs (Barangay Poblacion and Muntinlupa City) have been giving us since MCX started operations,” said Joseph Canlas, MCX Senior Operations Manager. Volunteers from MCX, Entrego, and Brgy. Poblacion works together to distribute food packs to Muntinlupa residents who are struggling the most during the pandemic – no work no pay workers, PWDs, senior citizensMCX has allocated over P1.9 million since 2017 to support the communities around it. “At MCX, we don’t only work for efficient toll operations, we also strive to improve the lives of the communities surrounding our toll road, that includes Brgy. Poblacion and the Bureau of Corrections. I am personally very happy to see the next generation of leaders enthusiastically working with us to accomplish the same goal – to improve the lives of our partner communities. We are very thankful for the support that the LGUs (Barangay Poblacion and Muntinlupa City) have been giving us since MCX started operations,” said Joseph Canlas, MCX Senior Operations Manager.

Community Pantry for Riders    

Meanwhile, AC Infra’s logistics arm Entrego has also launched Kalingang Ka-Entrego, a community pantry-inspired initiative where riders can freely take the food supply they need for the day.  

Wilson Balingbing, a single parent and pioneering rider of Entrego, is one of the beneficiaries of Kalingang Ka-Entrego. “Nakakapagod ang maging rider ngayong may pandemic. Pero hindi na bale dahil worth it naman ang appreciation na natatanggap ko kay Entrego simula noon hanggang ngayon,” he said.  

Another proud Entrego rider is Norman Caspillo, whose earnings as a delivery partner enable him to send his child to a private school and build a home for his family. “Dahil sa Entrego, napaaral ko po ang aking anak sa private school…nakabili po ako ng lote na mapatayuan ng bahay…dahil sa Entrego, nagbago ang buhay ko.”  

On July 8, Kalingang Ka-Entrego will start deploying food items to its 5 hubs in NCR and Rizal, providing around 500 riders and warehouse workers with their basic necessities. The program aims to expand beyond food provisions and plans to donate pre-loved gadgets to children of select riders so they can continue learning online.  

Through the Ayala Vaccine and Immunization Program (AVIP), Entrego riders and warehouse workers are set to be vaccinated against COVID-19 this year. “In Entrego, we consider our riders and our warehouse workers as our economic frontliners. We are very grateful for the work they put in, day in and day out, all throughout the country. Our commitment is to create opportunities to support them the best way we could, during the pandemic and even beyond,” said Rene Almendras, Entrego Chairman

#BrigadangAyala is Ayala Group’s united contribution to serving people and communities nationwide. It is Ayala Group’s integrated response to its almost two century-old commitment to national development by doing various social development and corporate social responsibility initiatives—ranging from disaster relief and response, assistance for public education, championing of social enterprises, and public health advocacy, among others. 

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Yla Alcantara
Head, Brand and Reputation Management
Ayala Corporation
e-mail – alcantara.ypg@ayala.com

Joseph Quesada
Director for Sustainability, CSR, and PR
AC Infrastructure Holdings Corp. (AC Infra)
e-mail – quesada.jam@acinfra.com.ph

Nash Sudario
Sr. Corporate Communications & Sustainability Staff
AC Infrastructure Holdings Corp. (AC Infra)
e-mail – sudario.jnt@acinfra.com.ph

6 July 2021 – A police lieutenant who did not think twice about breastfeeding a crying baby she found in Barangay Old Capitol Site, Quezon City. A police corporal from Iloilo who distributed face shields and grocery items for people in her community, from the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic up to the present. An off-duty sergeant from Negros Oriental who helped evacuate a PWD from his burning house.

These are just two of the 17 awardees of the inaugural Pulis Magiting X Pinoy Magiting Awards, a joint program of Ayala Foundation and the Philippine National Police. Initially launched in six regions nationwide, Pulis Magiting X Pinoy Magiting kicked off with the announcement of the awardees and the signing of the agreement.

Launched at the Philippine National Police Headquarters in Camp Crame on July 6, Pulis Magiting X Pilipinong Magiting recognizes uniformed personnel who demonstrate the virtue of “kagitingan”—  courage or valor—in the performance of their role, or even beyond the call of duty. Each awardee is chosen based on how they have shown a clear love of the country and their local communities, by serving with integrity, honesty, and honor.

As part of Ayala Foundation’s Maging Magiting advocacy program that promotes love of country, Pulis Magiting X Pilipinong Magiting recognizes 15 to 20 police officers every month who show their pride in being Filipino by doing good and doing right, showing the different ways to express kagitingan in everyday life.

The initial six participating region included the National Capital Region, Calabarzon, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Northern Mindanao, and Davao Region. The simultaneous awarding also coincided with the start of the PNP Community Relations Month.

Each Pulis Magiting X Pilipinong Magiting awardee receives a certificate of appreciation, a cash award from GCash, and gift certificates from Chooks-to-Go.

“Maraming mga pulis ang tumutupad sa kanilang tungkulin nang buong katapatan, pero laging nababaon ito dahil sa kalokohan ng iilan,” said Police General Guillermo Eleazar, Chief of the Philippine National Police. “Ang masaklap, parang sinukuan na rin ang iba ng pagkukuwento ng kabutihan ng mga kasama natin. Panahon na para muli nating ikwento at ipagmalaki ang kagitingan ng mga pulis.” (Many police officers perform their duty with integrity, but this fact is often buried under the misbehavior of a few. Worse, it seems as if we have given up telling the stories of the good cops within our ranks. It is now time to tell and take pride in the stories of our heroic cops.)

Said Ruel Maranan, President of Ayala Foundation: “In celebration of our 60^th anniversary, Ang Pulis Magiting X Pilipinong Magiting ay isang proyektong nabuo dahil sa paniniwala at pagkakaisa ng business sector at ng civil society, na kapag kinilala mo ang kabutihan ng mga pulis, pipiliin nilang maging magiting, at gagawin nila ang tama para sa kapwa at bayan.” (This project was formed through the cooperation of the business sector and civil society, knowing that if you recognize the goodness of police officers, they will choose to be heroic, and they will do what is right for their neighbor and the country.)

Pulis Magiting X Pilipinong Magiting counts the Ayala group of companies, GCash, and Chooks-to-Go as its major business sector partners and is actively encouraging other members of the private sector to show support.

This project also kicks off the Ayala Group’s #BrigadangAyala community initiatives for the whole month of July. #BrigadangAyala is Ayala Group’s united contribution to serving people and communities nationwide. It is Ayala Group’s integrated response to its almost two century-old commitment to national development by doing various social development and corporate social responsibility initiatives—ranging from disaster relief and response, assistance for public education, championing of social enterprises, and public health advocacy, among others.

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For more information:

Yla Alcantara
Head, Brand and Reputation Management
Ayala Corporation
e-mail – alcantara.ypg@ayala.com

Celerina Amores
Senior Director, Corporate Communications
Ayala Foundation
e-mail – amores.cr@ayalafoundation.org

Paul de Guzman
Senior Manager, Corporation Communications
Ayala Foundation
e-mail – deguzman.js@ayalafoundation.org