CLARK FREEPORT — “Their projects have not only provided immediate assistance but have also empowered our community towards self-sustainability.”
Thus, a grateful IP teacher Lina Sanchez cited Hann Foundation for being a catalyst in the continuing transformation of her Aeta community in Sitio Mabilog, Bamban, Tarlac.
Sanchez made her pitch for Hann Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of Hann Philippines, Inc., a leading developer in integrated luxury resort industry, during the Discuss Wid Us forum of the Central Luzon Media Association-Pampanga Chapter at the Widus Hotel. Held on Aug. 8., the forum was in celebration of the United Nations’ International Day of the Indigenous Peoples Month on Aug 9.
With Sanchez in the panel were Louis Genesis A. David of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples-Central Luzon, and Ronnel Golimlim, manager of Hann Foundation.
“Our mission is to provide opportunities for communities in need and to address their specific requirements by identifying root causes and co-creating solutions with our beneficiaries,” said Golimlim, a registered social worker, noting the foundation’s commitment to a “circular approach,” ensuring that their interventions create a cascade of positive impacts.
Since its inception as the former Widus Foundation, the Hann Foundation Inc. has coordinated and implemented projects impacting various aspects of community life among the IPs.
Among these are:
- A partnership with the Provincial Government of Tarlac to provide construction skills training and employment opportunities in select communities, as well as the integration of alternative learning systems in Sitio Malasa.
- The construction of a daycare center in Barangay Nabuclod, Floridablanca, Pampanga.
- The provision of educational materials to Aeta students in Bamban, Tarlac.
- The Ayta Youth Agricultural and Cultural Project, promoting social awareness and inclusivity through collaborations with NCIP and the Department of Agriculture.
- The solar light drive in Bamban, Tarlac.
Hann Foundation has likewise contributed to the rehabilitation of Ospital Ning Angeles, improving health services for residents through upgraded computer systems; the renovation of Rural Health Unit 2 in San Roque, Bamban, Tarlac, enhancing healthcare delivery for indigent families; and donated health kits and wheelchairs to augment community healthcare.
It also undertakes relief operations during calamities to ensure community support during crises.
Current projects include plans to renovate the Sitio Mabilog daycare center and establish a sustainable livelihood training center, aimed at fostering continuous development in the area.
“The beauty of Hann Foundation’s work is that they directly engage with our communities, understanding their specific needs and aspirations before implementing projects,” said NCIP’s David, noting that the foundation’s approach ensures that the initiatives are genuinely beneficial and aligned with the community’s goals.
