Tag: healthcare access

Sun Life Foundation Advances Environmental and Social Causes with Key Initiatives

Sun Life Financial-Philippines Foundation, Inc. (Sun Life Foundation) continues its commitment to environmental sustainability and community health development through a series of impactful initiatives. These include a new mangrove conservation project, a tree planting drive in La Mesa Watershed, and the turnover of Barangay Health Stations in Central Luzon.

As the philanthropic arm of Sun Life Philippines, the Foundation continues to focus on initiatives that address health, education, and environmental sustainability. The Foundation’s recent activities further underscore its role in fostering community-driven solutions that promote long-term resilience. “Each step we take contributes to the greater good. If a small step makes a difference, imagine the impact our concerted effort will have not just in the present but for generations to come,” said Sun Life President Alex Narciso, emphasizing the importance of collective action.

Mangrove Conservation Initiative in Eastern Visayas
Sun Life Foundation enhances mangrove conservation in Samar and Biliran

In a bid to support environmental preservation, Sun Life Foundation has launched the Integrated Mangrove Citizen Science and Sustainable Livelihood Initiative in partnership with the ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation. The project, which covers sites in Samar and Biliran, aims to empower local communities with sustainable livelihoods while improving mangrove conservation efforts. According to Kristine Dianne Millete, Executive Director of the Sun Life Foundation, “Protecting mangroves is more important than ever given their role in mitigating the impacts of climate change. We hope that this project will empower communities to actively care for mangroves while sustainably reaping the benefits these ecosystems provide.”

Tree Planting Activities at La Mesa Watershed
PRESS RELEASE [FINAL] - Sun Life Foundation champions environmental sustainability, plants 3,000 trees at La Mesa Watershed

Furthering its commitment to environmental sustainability, Sun Life Foundation, with the support of over 200 volunteers, organized tree planting activities at the La Mesa Watershed, one of Metro Manila’s last remaining large forests. A total of 3,000 seedlings were planted in collaboration with Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation (ASSIST). In her remarks, Kristine Dianne Millete emphasized, “It’s crucial to conserve and protect nature, especially here in Metro Manila where pollution, climate change, and monsoon rains greatly impact the quality of life of millions. Through annual tree plantings, we hope to help in building a more sustainable, climate-resilient, and livable city.”

Expansion of Barangay Health Stations in Central Luzon
Sun Life Foundation Turns Over Four New Barangay Health Stations in Central Luzon

In an effort to enhance healthcare access in underserved regions, Sun Life Foundation has officially turned over four new Barangay Health Stations (BHS) in Tarlac and Nueva Ecija. This initiative, in partnership with Health Futures Foundation, Inc., aims to provide primary healthcare services and health education, particularly in remote communities. Sun Life Foundation President Alex Narciso remarked, “The Sun Life Barangay Health Stations program aims to empower residents and aid in building healthy, resilient, and thriving communities. Having a health station helps eliminate distance as a barrier to forging a brighter future.”

Through its multifaceted programs, Sun Life Foundation not only champions environmental sustainability but also plays a crucial role in enhancing the quality of life in the communities it serves. These initiatives reflect the Foundation’s ongoing dedication to improving public health, protecting natural resources, and supporting local communities in line with its core values of social responsibility and sustainability.

Details provided in recent press release.

Generika Drugstore and Ayala Foundation Launch Scholarship Program to Empower Future Pharmacists

Generika Drugstore, in partnership with Ayala Foundation Inc. (AFI), has introduced the Enrollment to Employment Scholarship Program, designed to support aspiring pharmacists and address the growing demand for healthcare professionals, particularly in underserved areas. The initiative aims to provide deserving students with the opportunity to complete their education and pursue careers in pharmacy, with the potential to give back to their communities.

One of the scholarship recipients, Micaella Abedejos from Davao City, is pursuing a pharmacy degree to help her grandmother manage multiple medications. Her experiences inspired her to pursue a career in pharmacy, seeing it as a way to empower people through education and proper healthcare management.

“Whenever I come home from school, my grandmother would ask me about her medications, and being able to explain it to her made me happy,” Micaella said. “This inspired me to share my knowledge about her medications because I didn’t want her taking them without knowing what they were for. I felt motivated to help and make a difference.”

Despite financial challenges, Micaella’s academic excellence and determination earned her a place in the scholarship program, which is specifically designed for students in need of support to complete their studies.

Atty. Yet Abarca, President and CEO of Generika Drugstore, emphasized the critical role of pharmacists in delivering accessible healthcare, especially in areas where drugstores often serve as the primary healthcare resource.

“This is really a milestone for us as we embark on this program with Ayala Foundation. Central to our promise of ginhawa is the pharmacist. We take pride in our network of friendly and knowledgeable pharmacists who are at the core of delivering our ginhawa promise to the communities that we serve,” Abarca said.

Inspiring Stories from Scholars

Three other aspiring pharmacists also shared their experiences as beneficiaries of the scholarship program.

Elizabeth Montano from Bacoor, Cavite, was driven to pursue pharmacy after helping her father recover from a stroke. She found herself fascinated by the complexity of the medications and saw pharmacy as a way to ensure patients’ safety.

“Ang dami pong kailangan na skills. Hindi lang po sa memorization, sa pag-intindi rin po, at sa pakikipag-usap sa mga tao. Kasama po lahat ‘yun,” she said. “Nag-aaral po ako nang mabuti, para as a future pharmacist, masisiguro po nating safe ang patients natin.”

Maureen Concon of Davao City, whose family relies on a small sari-sari store for income, felt immense relief after being selected for the program.

“Parang nabawasan ‘yung worries ko financially kasi I no longer have to ask my parents for an allowance. It also lessens the worries of my parents,” Maureen said.

Another scholar, Hannah Menor from General Trias, Cavite, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity the scholarship provided to her family.

“Sobrang natuwa po ako kasi po ginusto ko po talagang maka-help sa family namin regarding sa finances. Sobrang thankful lang po talaga ako kay Lord for this opportunity,” she shared.

Pathways from Employment to Entrepreneurship

Antonio Lambino II, President of Ayala Foundation Inc., highlighted the long-term potential for scholars to advance their careers, noting that Generika Drugstore’s network opens doors not only to employment but also to entrepreneurship.

“Opening up slots for pharmacy scholars in key Generika Drugstore business locations makes a lot of sense, not just as a business solution but also as support for local community value,” Lambino said. He also emphasized the value of the scholarship-to-employment track, which gives Generika access to talented pharmacy students while fostering human capital in local communities.

The program aims to ensure that scholars not only complete their studies but also gain access to meaningful careers within the Generika Drugstore network, where they can directly impact communities by providing affordable, quality healthcare.

One inspiring example is Riza Asombrado, NCR Area Operations Manager of Generika Drugstore, who started her career as a pharmacist nearly two decades ago. Over the years, she realized her work’s broader impact on the community.

“I thought my role as a pharmacist was limited to reading prescriptions, dispensing medicines, and managing inventory. However, joining Generika made me realize the broader impact that I could have in this profession,” Asombrado said.

Supporting and Uplifting Communities

Gino Guinto, Chief Operations Officer of Generika Drugstore, described the scholarship program as a vital part of Generika’s mission to uplift communities.

“We at Generika Drugstore are truly excited about this program—this is the very first scholarship initiative we’ve launched, and it’s something close to our hearts,” Guinto said.

As part of Ayala Healthcare Holdings, Inc. (AC Health), Generika Drugstore remains committed to providing Filipinos with access to affordable, quality healthcare while empowering the next generation of healthcare professionals.

Details provided in a recent press release.