ABS-CBN Foundation, Inc. (AFI) signed a memorandum of agreement with BingoPlus Foundation, Inc. (BPFI), the corporate and social development arm of Digiplus Interactive Corp. The partnership is set to amplify disaster management through AFI’s Sagip Kapamilya program.
In her speech, AFI’s Managing Director Roberta Lopez-Feliciano admired the bayanihan spirit ignited during disasters, including the recent Typhoon Carina.
“During disasters, it’s like all barriers just collapse. We’re not BingoPlus Foundation, we’re not ABS-CBN Foundation; we’re just Filipinos reaching out to other Filipinos to help. It’s a way of realizing that there’s always hope and that our country will always be full of people trying to help others.” Lopez-Feliciano further expressed optimism about upscaling the scope of the partnership, particularly in livelihood initiatives.
Ahead of the official signing, BPFI employees joined the relief operations for the 1,000 families affected by the typhoon in Barangay Sta. Elena, Marikina City. This early involvement reflected the depth of the commitment and readiness of both organizations to collaborate.
Mary Andrea De Vera, an employee of BingoPlus SM Marikina Branch shared her experience as a first-time volunteer in a relief operation, “Gusto namin makatulong sa ibang tao. Wala kaming ibang gustong ibigay kundi kasiyahan.”
Meanwhile, BPFI’s Executive Director, Angela Camins-Wieneke, highlighted how this partnership can help AFI in terms of mobilizing immediate disaster relief, investing in capacity building, and enhancing disaster preparedness and recovery.
“It is critical for us at Bingo Plus Foundation to be able to work with organizations that can deliver the support that we are very much willing to provide to the communities. Apart from immediate relief efforts, we’re also looking forward to working with AFI in terms of recovery and rebuilding [people’s] lives when they go back to their homes,” shared by Camins-Wieneke.
BPFI’s sentiments align with those expressed by ABS-CBN Foundation Sagip Kapamilya Program Head Marcel Riñon, who also highlighted the program’s plans to conduct disaster management training to enhance community preparedness.
The joining of hands between AFI and BFPI aims to not just add but multiply the good through the bayanihan spirit that unites Filipinos in times of need.