Over 7,000 families in areas severely affected by Typhoon Odette were provided aid by Canada-based Sun Life Financial, Inc. (SLF), Sun Life Philippines (Sun Life), and Sun Life Financial-Philippines Foundation, Inc. (Sun Life Foundation) through its implementing partner ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation, Inc. (ALKFI).
Relief efforts to help alleviate the effects of the storm’s aftermath came in food aid packages, which were distributed through Sagip Kapamilya, ALKFI’s emergency humanitarian assistance program. Despite the logistical difficulties due to the severe damage to road networks and communications, the program successfully served 2,500 families in Surigao, 2,500 families in Cebu, and 2,333 families in Bohol.
Meanwhile, apart from the disaster relief efforts in the Vis-Min regions, post rehabilitation works also continue in the Northern regions of the country, which suffered from Tropical Storm Maring in October last year. Sun Life Foundation, in partnership with the World Wildlife Fund, is supporting the creation of food shed farms in provinces within the region to provide a sustainable food source for the locals. The project will benefit the municipalities of Isabela, Calatrava, and La Castellana in Negros Occidental; as well as Manjuyod in Negros Oriental.
All these programs were initiated in conjunction with the Sun Life Foundation’s Annual Gift-Giving project in the Legacy of Light Village, its adopted community in the ALKFI’s relocation project in Laguna called Bayan Ni Juan. Noche Buena packages were distributed to a total of 152 families
The project was also extended to Sun Life Foundation’s adopted communities. Noche Buena packages were likewise given to 200 families In Tumana, Malanday, Marikina as well as 225 families in Brgy. Panganiban, Gubat, Sorsogon.
“The last two years have been difficult for all of us because of the pandemic, and this was further compounded by the calamities that struck us hard so close to the holiday season,” says Benedict Sison, CEO and Country Head of Sun Life Philippines and Chairman of the Sun Life Foundation. “We hope that our humble contribution shows them that despite all the trials, there is hope for brighter days ahead.”
Know more about Sun Life and the Sun Life Foundation by visiting, https://www.sunlife.com.ph/en/about-us/.
