Foundation Gives Hope for Communities in South Luzon

South Luzon is home to various IP groups and communities. Much of its landcape has been continuously hit by natural disasters and their lives have been heavily affected. The folks from DigiP|us, through their social arm Bing0P|us Foundation knew they needed not just material help, but livelihood that could be sustainable. Bicol region always has been in the typhoon's path and recovery after takes time.

Folks from the foundation took time and visited these communities in Manalansay in Oriental Mindoro to get them units of solar lights and solar powered generators so farmers from local organizations would be able to have power in these far flung areas. These are used to light up their homes, power houses that produce handicrafts that provide livelihood for these IP's for years now. Their kids also need it to study, have education and provide power for their phones and communicate with others if needed.

Mothers like Ms. Gayot who want to teach their kids and study at home didn't have these lights in order to help with their studies. This is the first time they've had an opportunity to receive needed resources like these, in over 20 years that they lived there.

In the Bicol region, the foundation provided financial assistance to several affected families of Typhoon Christine, even those in Cam Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, Catanduanes group of islands and Masbate. They have pledged over 37 Million Pesos for it since November 2024. They did it with the help of government agencies such as DSWD in Region 5 and has benefited 74 families in these areas. Over 250K of it will go to house repairs and help affected children in need of education, those orphaned too. This certainly gives hope to those who live in these communities, and this foundation is just starting.

Legarda Pushes for Women's Hand at Disaster Risk Efforts

Change has been happening but more has to be done. In the midst of a huge typhoon today, it is but a good time to see how women play a huge role in disaster risk reduction. Honorable Senator Loren Legarda puts emphasis on how their roles whether lead or not, can actually spark change in the management of it.

At the Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction, she says "It is important that women have access to resources, training and education to make sure it becomes a reality. This includes those who are marginalized, whether women, girls or those with disabilities in the region. The countries in these areas have to have systems in place to warn people early, evacuation plans, and even recovery if needed be.. with everyone participating."

Her efforts on pushing for legislation that promote gender equality, the Clean Air Act, plus the Magna Carta for Women and the PDRRM act would help promote and protect them in times of disasters in the country. This puts policy making procedures include women as a requirement. Women's role in all these aspects remain important, to hopefully, also put their needs forward, without prejudice, in any decision that has to be made. 

It just makes total sense.

Foundations Address Hunger, Sanitation Needs in Eruption Stricken Areas

There is still prevalent hunger in the country and we have to address it. Aside from that, there is a deep concern about sanitation especially when the uneventful things happen. Recently, BingoPlus Foundation took initiative in bringing in over a thousand groceries, food packs and sanitation kits for evacuees in Negros Occidental because of the eruption of Mount Kanlaon. This was done with local government officials of La Castellana and the Nikki Cares Foundation. 

This was in support of the First lady's "Lab for All" medical program where BingoPlus Foundation organized volunteers and logistics in a medical mission for a little over 8000 indigents in the region. They also did this for those in General Santos City, giving 500 folks needed flu vaccines specifically in Purok Mapailubon, plus necessary sanitation facilities to be utilized by different barangays in the area.

They also launched and funded a Dressmaking Training Center for residents of San Isidro, together with their government partners TESDA and DOLE. This is through their KabuhayanPLUS livelihood program which has several projects across the country. This is part of their Barangay Bigayan initiatives which addresses community issues whether it is for service, health and infrastructure needs. They are also moving to put in something for emergency preparedness rather than just doing post disaster responses. This is why DigiPlus President Andy Tsui wants to do in every emergency they have to go to. This is their vision for BingoPlus Foundation which he heads.