Let’s pull together and help each other.
Do you know what amazes me during these difficult times? Seeing people, groups and, organizations step in to help. Reading and witnessing stories of heroism and compassion despite the challenging situation that we are in. Now more than ever, we need each other to survive this pandemic.
This is one of the reasons why I love the Sun Life Financial Philippines Foundation Inc. They are always quick to participate in the most pressing needs of Filipinos. Thus, when the COVID-19 pandemic started, they purchased medical supplies for hospitals and provided protective equipment to frontline teams. They have also donated to Project Ugnayan to provide food vouchers to vulnerable families. And, have also provided free life insurance to 3,000 health care workers. In addition, our global headquarters in Canada has donated funds to support impacted communities around the world.
Aside from that, Sun Life Financial Philippines Foundation Inc. launched yet another new project that is aimed to help the Filipinos through “Rise Brighter PH”. I was able to attend their virtual launch last week and got to know more about their amazing project.
Mr. Alex Narciso, the President, Sun Life of Canada (Philippines), Inc. stated
“Sun Life felt compelled to do even more to help our kababayans rise above the challenges we are facing. After all, two of the most pressing concerns of today – financial security and health – are areas in which we can be of assistance. But more than that, it is simply the right thing to do. If we have the privilege to be comfortable in this crisis, we also have the responsibility to lend a hand to those in different circumstances.”
Thus, Sun Life Foundation is launched Rise Brighter PH.
Rise Brighter PH
Is a part of Sun Life’s 125th anniversary in the Philippines, aims to help the country rise to a brighter future.
There are two projects under the Rise Brighter PH:
- Sun Pera-Aralan 2020
- Sun Life Barangay Health Stations
Sun Pera-Aralan 2020
is a behavior-based financial management program which aims to address financial insecurity and indebtedness among public school teachers. “Nakakalungkot sabihin na karamihan sa kanila ay lunod sa utang, pero ito ang katotohanan. Sa katunayan, dalawa o tatlong linggo pa lang matapos nilang makuha ang kanilang isang-buwang sweldo ay ubos na ito. Kaya naman kinakailangan pa nilang mag-hanap ng sideline para lang mapunan ang kanilang mga pangangailangan.” Mr. Alex Narciso, stated.
Sun Pera-Aralan makes use of Peso-Sobre, a simple and straightforward budgeting tool that helps teachers properly allocate their monthly salary into weekly funds. The program also has a Facebook support group that encourages teachers to stay on track by connecting them with fellow teachers in the program and with volunteer Sun Life advisors who can provide further guidance. Katuwang namin sa proyektong ito ang AHA! Behavioral Design, Inc., na siyang nag-disenyo ng programa.
Sun Life Foundation did an initial run last year and was able to help about 10,000 public school teachers who bore fantastic results. These teachers were able to show great improvements in how they budget their salary thus, they are planning to do a second run this year until they help 125,000 teacher.
Sun Life Barangay Health Stations
will focus on providing sustainable health care to the poorer sectors of society. The Barangay Health Stations serve as the most accessible source of primary health care in the Philippines However, there is a disparity in the number of barangays versus the number of existing health stations. As of March 2019, there are 42,045 barangays in the country, but the health stations listed by the Department of Health are only at 21,053 barangays. There is a gap of 21,053 more health stations. The Sun Life Barangay Health Stations aims to help fill that gap, and we are fortunate to have found a partner in Health Futures Foundation, Inc. for this initiative.
As of now, there are already 8 Sun Life Barangay Health Stations in Batangas. These health stations provide services such as vaccination, consultations, and providing basic health education to the community.
The Sun Life Barangay Health Stations aim to benefit a total of 125,000 lives within the next five years. The Sunlife Foundation envisions this to be a sustainable initiative that may benefit not just the present but also future generations.
It’s amazing how Sunlife reaffirms their commitment to their purpose, which is to help Filipinos achieve financial security and live healthier lives. “We want to send a beacon of hope that even during these times of uncertainty, a sustainable and brighter future is possible, and it is right ahead of us. At tulad ng inyong pag-suporta sa Sun Life Foundation sa mga nakalipas na taon, umaasa kaming muli niyong kaming tutulungan na maisakatuparan ang aming pangarap na mas maliwanag na bukas para sa ating mga kapwa Pilipino.” Mr. Alex Narciso, added.
Truly, the spirit of volunterism is strong among the Sunlife Employees just like what Sun Life CEO, Benedict Sison stated. ❤
