Dr. George SK Ty, chairman of Metrobank Group, opens the “Bags of Blessings 2016” (BoB), the annual gift-giving activity of the Metrobank Foundation (MBFI) and GT Foundation (GTFI), in Imus City, Cavite. (Photo: Raymond A. Sebastián)
IMUS City, Cavite, Feb. 8, 2016 – Two sister private foundations have taken on Pope Francis’ challenge to “go to the peripheries” by kicking off on Monday the first leg in a series of gift-giving activities to some 10,000 families nationwide.
“With the recent visit of Pope Francis to the country, this project has received an added inspiration in the Holy Father’s call for mercy and compassion to our brothers and sisters in need,” said CBCP President Archbishop Socrates B. Villegas of Lingayen-Dagupan in a statement.
Continuing tradition
Dubbed “Bags of Blessing” (BoB), the project was spearheaded by the Metrobank Foundation (MBFI) and GT Foundation (GTFI) in keeping with a tradition of paying it forward and giving back to those in need by donating Php 10 million for the purchase of food items.
“I wholeheartedly endorse this BoB 2016 project of MBFI and GTFI as they continue to realize their commitment to help the needy,” added Villegas, expressing joy that the foundations are once again undertaking this project.
Now on its fourth year, the BoB 2016 opened with at least 500 families at St. Edward’s Integrated School in Imus City and coincided with the start of Chinese New Year.
‘Bags of Blessing’
Each of the beneficiaries receive a bag of food items worth Php 1,000, containing five kilos of rice, coffee, sugar, and noodles, among others.
A brainchild of Chairman Dr. George SK Ty, the ongoing activities are a product of a collaboration with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) and arch/dioceses who helped with the selection of beneficiaries in target areas across the country.
Coordination is also carried out with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Moreover, employees of the Metrobank Group are volunteering their time and energy to help make this series of gift-giving a success.
From Cavite, the “Bags of Blessings” is set to continue until Feb. 20, and will be hosted by parishes in the National Capital Region (NCR), Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. (Raymond A. Sebastián / CBCP News)
