WFI manager Ronnel Golimlim (center) with the volunteers from WFI, Clark Marriott Hotel Serve 360, and PAF Air Defense Command pose with the recipients of “Para sa Batang Ayta” project at Sitio Villa Maria in Porac. All photos by Joann Manabat
MABALACAT CITY — Impelled by its strong corporate social responsibility, the Widus Foundation Inc. (WFI) took to the hinterland IP communities in five municipalities to hand over educational and health kits in several isolated day care centers.
A children’s right advocacy and social development project dubbed “Para sa Batang Ayta” was initiated by WFI, the corporate social development arm of Widus Group of Companies, along with Clark Marriott Hotel’s CSR arm Marriott Serve 360 in partnership with the Philippine Air Force Air Defense Command and in cooperation with the local government units and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples. Target of the project is a donation drive for 659 Aeta kids aged 3-5 years old.
To supplement the learning stage of the Aeta kids, WFI distributed educational toys and school supplies as well as vitamins and groceries to the IP communities in Bamban and Capas in Tarlac, Porac, Floridablanca, Mabalacat City, and Angeles City on February 24, 26, and March 2 to 5.
According to WFI manager Ronnel Golimlim, through their social welfare programs and constant communication with the LGUs, the “Para sa Batang Ayta” project pushed through with private-public partnership.
“Alam naman natin na sa ating society and communities, sila ang mga nasa laylayan dahil kulang na kulang ang services nila at malayo sila sa access of materials. Yan po ang thrust ng Widus Foundation, pumupunta kami sa malalayo na hindi pa napupuntahan. I think that’s the beauty of our partnership with the local governments dahil willing sila to support our initiatives,” said Golimlim.
“Isa sa mga critical foundation ng learning ay sa day care centers at karamihan sa kanila ang learning nila ay structured exercises at relationship sa mga bata dahil dun sila natututo. Pero dahil walang face–to–face, modules din ang kanilang ginagamit at nahihirapan ang mga magulang kaya nagbigay din tayo ng toys,” he added.
PAF civil military operations officer Jayson Geronimo said PAF continues to push for civil works through collaborative approach with the private sectors. Being proponents of peace, Geronimo noted, PAF also ensures the safety of communities through social development which is also important during this time of crisis.
“Gusto kasi namin ang collaborative approach. Naghahanap talaga kami ng pwede namin makasama dito at dahil doon nai-endorse sila ng NCIP Region 3 sa amin dahil kaya namin tugunan ang kakulangan nila ng manpower at vehicles,” said Geronimo.
“May ibang projects pa kami with them (WFI) at handa kaming tumulong para sa ating mga kababayan, with the impact of the pandemic, mas lalo na sa mga IP communities,” he added.
The WFI aims to maintain and extend its CSR programs to reach beyond the Aeta communities through different projects based on five major areas as its core responsibility: education, health, cultural heritage, environment, and community development.
“Point of entry namin itong project na ito sa mga IP communities since dahil dito mas lalo natin makikita kung ano yung mga talagang pangangailangan nila,” Golimlim shared. “As of today, marami kaming health programs gaya nung pagrenovate ng ibang rural health units as it will benefit all communities not just the Aeta communities.”
