In the spirit of the Holidays, financial institutions and private corporations, including banks have resumed their annual gift giving activities as part of their efforts to give back to the Filipino society.
Bankers Association of the Philippines managing director Mr. Cesar O. Virtusio said the annual charity activities of the member banks have been going on for the longest time.
Just last week, the BAP donated 200 sacks of rice for the victims of heavy flooding that swamped the municipalities of Eastern Samar. The bank organization extended assistance to seven affected municipalities in the province: Maslog, Jipapad, Arteche, Oras, Dolores, Can-avid and Taft.
“With the assistance of responsive congressional officials and government agencies, affected areas in the province are instantly identified and help was immediately extended. This shows that public and private partnership does not only work efficiently in business but more importantly on social and civic activities,” Virtusio explained.
“We hope that somehow we have helped ease the condition of families affected by this calamity especially this holiday season to let them experience a warm Christmas everyone deserves,” he continued. .
Virtusio added that with the growing number of members, the leading banking organization of the country will be able to reach out to more communities to help more families and individuals who are in need.
“Member banks have various initiatives to adopt a community; this way banks are able to touch lives of different people across all walks of life one community at a time,” he said.
Aside from distribution of goods, Virtusio said that the gift giving activities of the banks extend to providing training and livelihood programs for different communities.
The BAP, in partnership with the BSP and various organizations, has been active in several literacy programs targeting OFW beneficiaries to help them protect and enrich earnings of their loved ones working abroad.
“When people are trained, they make their source of income sustainable. And it gives individuals the opportunity to rely on themselves to support their families in the long-run,” he explained.
Virtusio said the gift giving activities among its members actually happens all year round. “Our members do not only share their time and resources for charity works but there are also regular programs for education, health and the environment.” Specific activities of the banks are available in their respective websites.
He added “we, therefore, would like to take this opportunity during the Christmas season to also express gratitude to our members and stakeholders for continuously extending support to many Filipino communities in more ways than one.” He is very positive that the member banks will continue with similar gift giving activities in the coming more years.
“Moving ahead, it is also our objective to help empower more Filipinos as we adopt a vision of financial inclusion as a major agenda for the Philippine banking industry,” Virtusio said.
