Metro Pacific Foundation Helps Aeta Communities

Metro Pacific Investments Foundation Inc. (MPIF), the corporate social responsibility arm of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC), has distributed 60 commuter cycles to an Aeta community in Sapang Uwak, Porac, Pampanga as part of its partnership agreement with like-minded groups that help affected IP communities in the country.

Photo Insert: Passion Powered by Cycling – MPIF representative Program Manager Allen P. Basa (3rd from left) accepts the donation of 60 commuter bikes from the 1st Philippine Cycling Festival organizers, IGEM Managing Director Christian Alacar (2nd from right), and Neo Zigma Marketing Head Josephine Santos (3rd from right) for its Puhunang Pangkabuhayan program for alternative livelihood, to benefit the Pinatubo Eco-Adventure and Cultural Enclave Katutubong Anak ng Mount Pinatubo (PEACE KAMP).

MPIF received the 60 commuter cycles in a turnover event last June 5 via a beneficiary partnership with the organizers of the 1st Philippine Cycling Festival, Neo Zigma Cycle Corporation and Interval Gear Events Management (IGEM).

“Our goal to uplift the lives of Filipinos is more within reach if we engage in meaningful partnerships with organizations that share our purpose,” MPIF President Melody del Rosario said, adding that commuter cycles were for the Pinatubo Eco-Adventure and Cultural Enclave Katutubong Anak ng Mount Pinatubo (PEACE KAMP) through its Puhunang Pangkabuhayan program for alternative livelihood.

MPIF created Puhunang Pangkabuhayan with the purpose of becoming a sustainable alternative livelihood program for the benefit of out-of-work individuals and income-generating people's groups by providing the essential instruments to get them back on their feet.

MPIF and PEACE KAMP intend to collaborate on alternative livelihood options that will produce long-term benefits for the community, with the goal of alleviating the challenges encountered by vulnerable and marginalized sectors.

PEACE KAMP was founded to address the lack of opportunity and poverty faced by the Aetas of Sapang Uwak, who, like other rural communities, are impacted by the effects of conflict, volcano eruptions, and neglect.

As of June of last year, Puhunang Pangkabuhayan had distributed over 110 alternative livelihood tools to localities in Batangas, Oriental Mindoro, Surigao del Norte, and Pangasinan, including bicycles, sewing and edging machines, pocket Wi-Fi units, and load retailing kits.

The collaboration between Neo Zigma and IGEM for Puhunang Pangkabuhayan is in line with Gabay Kabuhayan, one of the MVP Group's Gabay Advocacies for a Sustainable Philippines. It also aligns with MPIC's attempts to contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), including Goal 1: No Poverty and Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals.

This collaboration strengthens MPIF's role as the largest catalyst for a Sustainable Philippines, aiming to enhance people's lives in the country by delivering critical services and mobilizing advocacies that improve the quality of life of all Filipinos.

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