Ford Philippines commemorates Global Caring Month with six community activities

In September, Ford Philippines marked Global Caring Month with an impressive showcase of community engagement. This annual event saw the active participation of over 150 Ford and dealer employees who generously contributed more than 1,260 volunteer hours. The initiatives, which spanned across multiple locations and focused on diverse aspects of community welfare, made a substantial impact on the lives of many.

One of the standout collaborations during Global Caring Month was with the Gawad Kalinga (GK) Foundation. On September 8, Ford Philippines and Ford Iloilo dealer employees joined forces to pack and donate farm produce to communities in need. The beneficiaries, comprising over 800 families in GK villages in Metro Manila and Lambunao in Iloilo, received baskets brimming with fresh vegetables. This act of generosity not only bolstered their nutrition but also contributed to their overall well-being.

On September 15, more than 50 employees from Ford Philippines and various Ford dealers rolled up their sleeves for a tree-planting initiative, partnering with the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP). This event, which took place in Antipolo City, resulted in the planting of 1,875 seedlings of native and fruit-bearing trees. Importantly, this endeavor wasn't limited to environmental conservation alone; it provided an additional source of income for farmers and members of the Malayang Samahan ng mga Katutubo ng Antipolo City (MASAKA) Inc. and Dulhogan Peoples Association, who served as beneficiaries and partners in monitoring and maintaining the reforestation sites.

Simultaneously, another tree-planting project was underway in Cebu in collaboration with PBSP, featuring the enthusiastic participation of over 30 employees from Ford Philippines, Ford Cebu, and Ford Talisay dealers. This effort took place on September 16 and led to the planting of more than 5,000 seedlings of native and fruit-bearing trees in the Buhisan Watershed Forest Reserve in Cebu. These combined tree-planting activities constituted a significant part of Ford's commitment to planting 20,000 trees in 2023, which will cover 12 hectares of reforestation sites in Marikina Watershed in Rizal and Buhisan Watershed in Cebu. Furthermore, these initiatives underscored Ford Philippines' unwavering dedication to environmental conservation as a longstanding partner of PBSP in its environmental programs.

In recent years, Ford has solidified its commitment to environmental responsibility through partnerships such as the Balik-Baterya Program with Motolite and PBSP. This initiative focuses on recycling batteries, with the proceeds directed toward supporting PBSP's watershed rehabilitation program.

As a fitting conclusion to their celebration of Global Caring Month, nearly 30 employees from Ford Philippines and Ford Cainta paid back-to-back visits to the Anawim Lay Missions Foundation and Mother of Mercy Home of Elderly & Abandoned. The volunteers not only offered their time and effort but also donated essential supplies to the elderly beneficiaries. This heartwarming gesture was conducted in collaboration with the AMCHAM Foundation.

Josie Gonzalez, Director of Government and Corporate Affairs at Ford Philippines, expressed her gratitude to all the volunteers and NGO partners, emphasizing their vital role in the successful execution of the community programs during this year's Global Caring Month. She emphasized Ford's commitment to making a meaningful difference in the lives of beneficiaries and communities through initiatives focused on environmental protection, health and nutrition, sustainable community development, and education. This year's Global Caring Month celebration was among the most significant, reflecting Ford's dedication to creating positive and lasting impacts.