BY: PMAJ Helen L Dela Cruz
With hearts that genuinely care and passion to serve the community beyond the call of duty, the Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI) headed by its Executive Vice President Mr. Philip U. Dy, together with the three alumni networks of the Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos, namely, the Network of Outstanding Teachers and Educators (NOTED) led by its President, University of the Philippines- Diliman Professor Emeritus Ernelea P Cao; Police Officers Responsible for Organizing, Transforming and Empowering Communities (PROTECT) spearheaded by PLTGEN Edgar Alan O Okubo, The Chief of the Directorial Staff of the Philippine National Police; and The Organization of Philippine Soldiers with Outstanding Leadership, Dedication, Integrity, Excellence and Responsibility to Society (TOPSOLDIERS) under the leadership of General Romeo S Brawner Jr., The Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, as well as with One Meralco Foundation and Donate Philippines, organized and steered a multi-sectoral outreach program dubbed as Guro, Pulis at Sudalo na may Galing, Puso at Sigagig (GPS2) in Pag- asa Island located in West Philippine Sea in the Municipality of Kalayaan, Palawan on April 20, 2024.
Pag-asa Island, the seat of the local governance of Kalayaan, is the largest island of the municipality, with an approximate land area of 32.7 hectares. It is 277 miles from Puerto Princesa City and 579 miles from Manila. Pag- asa is accessible by sea and air transportation. Pag-asa maintains law and order within its jurisdiction through collaboration between the Kalayaan Municipal Police Station, which serves as its primary local law enforcement agency, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). The island is comprised of 80 households with a total of 228 residents. The community has only a few small convenience stores (known as Sari-sari Stores). Similarly, there are a few households that sell poultry and pork meats which are highly dependent on replenishing stocks via military aircrafts and vessels that travel to Pag-asa Island. There are no banks and town markets in Pag-asa. Regarding education, the Pag-asa Integrated School has 79 students from kindergarten to grade 10 enrolled for SY 2023-2024. The island has a 2-bed capacity Municipal Health Center, with only one nurse and one attendant. Such a condition made Pag-asa the beneficiary of GPS2. The GPS2 outreach program covered free medical and dental consultations, including tooth extractions. Infants were administered free vaccinations, and residents were provided essential medicines, vitamins, and eyeglasses. Food packs, hygiene kits, solar kits, and slippers were also given to all residents. Teaching and learning kits were distribubted for all teachers and students. The outreach program benefitted 80 families, 228 residents, 107 uniformed personnel, 10 teachers, and 79 students on the island, but the aid did not end there.
With a burning desire to help the island, on November 15-16, 2024, the Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos, in collaboration with Donate Philippines, GT Foundation, One Meralco Foundation, Manila Water Foundation, Rotary Clubs of Camp Crame, Makati Metro, Makati F. Zobel and Rizal West, returned for the second leg of its GPS2 mission bringing with them high-impact projects to address the food supply, health, and educational needs of the community, The initiative benefitted 345 residents (15 teachers and 107 students) and 125 uniformed personnel.
Among the key activities which members of NOTED conducted is a mental health session for the 15 teachers of Pag-asa Integrated School. This session focused on promoting well-being and managing stress which is vital for educators in the remote island community. Additionally, the teachers received training in utilizing technology in teaching, book organization, and storytelling. On the other hand, the TOPSOLDIERS conducted self-defense training for all the learners, and a football clinic was also organized for the Pag-asa Football Team to promote teamwork and physical fitness. The group also distributed PE uniforms and sports equipment to encourage physical activity and well-rounded development among students.
The outreach program also prioritized addressing the community’s immediate health and well-being needs. The PROTECT and doctors and medical professionals from the PNP Health Service furthered the health initiative by conducting educational sessions on oral hygiene, organic farming, bare-hand CPR, basic first aid, and mental health sessions for the military and uniformed personnel. They also distributed family oral care packs. Volunteer doctors also led consultations for eye, ear, nose, and throat (EENT) care, ensuring that essential healthcare services reached even the most remote areas.
A heartfelt portion of the outreach included distributing Dr. George S.K. Ty’s Bags of Blessings, an initiative of GT Foundation of the Ty family, which provided food packages worth P1,000 each to 99 families and 101 military and uniformed personnel. Additional donations were 75 sacks of rice, solar flashlights, crutches, and walkers which were distributed to the families, teachers, and military and uniformed personnel in the island.
Recognizing the critical role of education, the program initiators also provided much- needed support to Pag-asa Integrated School. A multimedia room was established with donations of 31 boxes of books, four bookshelves, seven desktop computers, and five projectors; this was to enrich the learning environment for students and teachers.
Amidst the tension in the West Philippine Sea and the island’s remoteness, it is comforting for the islanders that caring hearts and hands of Kababayans reached out to them to bring service, peace of mind, and hope.
The Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos are ordinary people doing extraordinary things. They are Guro, Pulis at Sudalo na may Galing, Puso at Sigagig (GPS2) who believe that public service is not a mission but an advocacy; they are committed to educating, nurturing, serving, protecting, and defending the community, country, and sovereignty beyond the call of duty.