For years, companies attain progress but still give back to the community.
One such notable group is the Ayala Foundation, created in 1961 and was then known as Filipinas Foundation Inc., founded by the visionary Joseph McMicking and his wife Mercedes Zobel-McMicking.
Filipinas Foundation Inc. advocates the need to “push the frontiers of knowledge and abolish poverty and privation in whatever form among the people of the Philippines.”
In 1990, FFI was renamed into Ayala Foundation Inc., to outline the responsibility and commitment of the Ayala group in creating a better society.
Fast forward to the present, the AFI carries on its vision for a better future—a land of productive, self-reliant and proud Filipinos.
Ayala Foundation Inc. has helped different communities around the country. From indigenous people to victims of typhoons, AFI’s aid extends further into the future of their beneficiaries.
Iraya-Mangyan Program
Started back in 1991, the Iraya-Mangyan Program is devoted to the education and skills’ training of the indigenous group in Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro.
For the Mangyans’ sustainable livelihood, Ayala Foundation provides the Talipanan community in the revival of its traditional weaving of beautiful and useful nito products.
With the help of different partners, Ayala Foundation also taught the Iraya-Mangyans dressmaking, electrical skills, masonry, agriculture and many others.
As of 2016, more than 280 families have been reached by the program and around P5.2 million of total sales of indigenous products have been sold.
Weaving girls of Palawan
Another program of the AFI is to rejuvenate the weaving prowess of the women in barangay Sibaltan in El Nido, Palawan.
In an effort to help level up the the ladies of Sibaltan’s craftmanship of buri bags and buri products, Ayala Foundation helped the women improve their product-making processes and then connected them to different local markets.
AFI also assisted the Sibaltan Heritage Council in their tourism initiatives.
Livelihood in Laguna
Since 2012, more than 107 hectares of land in Calauan, Laguna have been used for the Pasig River Rehabilitation Program and the relocation of families displaced by Typhoon Ondoy.
Rather than sulk from their misfortune, some 4,500 families of Southville 7 received aid from the Ayala Foundation, through its sustainable livelihood projects, that gave employment to citizens and enterprise to the family.
In partnership with the Makati Development Corporation, one of AFI’s biggest programs is the MDC Greens Project that constructed an ornamental plant farm which provided jobs for the people of Calauan.