Manulife Philippines is focusing on its Impact Agenda community investments, including reforestation with Haribon Foundation, new learning centers with Gawad Kalinga, and expanded financial literacy sessions with Corazon Sanchez Atayde Memorial Foundation (CSAMF). Strategic partnerships with non-government organizations has enabled meaningful programs such as this to empower health and well-being, drive inclusive economic opportunity, and accelerate a sustainable future for Filipinos. This progress has allowed Manulife to scale its initiatives to support more beneficiaries and communities.
15,000 seedlings donated to Haribon’s Forests for Life Movement
The Philippines lost over 150,000 hectares of primary forest from 2002 to 2020. Manulife and Haribon Foundation have partnered to promote rainforest restoration and native tree forestry. Manulife has donated 15,000 seedlings of native trees, such as tibig, kamagong, banaba, and white lauan, to create a healthy environment for wildlife and local communities. Haribon Foundation Chief Operations Officer Anna Varona emphasizes the collective effort needed to safeguard the environment and innovate sustainable solutions.
New Peso Smart hubs, food sufficiency training for families, and mural paintings with Gawad Kalinga
Manulife has established three Peso Smart Learning Centers in Mandaluyong, Taguig, and Butuan, in partnership with Gawad Kalinga. These centers provide free computers and internet access to students, cater to remote schooling needs, and offer after-school activities. Manulife also provides training support to 300 families on organic agriculture through Gawad Kalinga’s Community Food Farms program. The Peso Smart Hubs also feature mural paintings by Filipino landscape architect AG Saño, Gawad Kalinga officers, and Manulife employees. The partnership aims to support Filipino communities, empower youth, and foster a culture of caring and sharing, fostering selfless service and nation-building.
Peso Smart x RecoveREADS reached more students nationwide with CSAMF
Manulife has also expanded its Peso Smart x RecoveREADS financial education partnership with CSAMF by rolling out the program to seven public elementary schools this school year: Buting Elementary School, Ilugin Elementary School, and San Miguel Elementary School in Pasig; Pembo Elementary School in Makati; Guisad Valley National High School in Baguio; Gubat Elementary School in Albay, and Dao Elementary School in Tagbilaran. This latest expansion delivered Peso Smart x RecoveREADS to 350 students in these cities — plus special sessions for parents and teachers — by providing learning kits with activity journals based on Manulife’s Peso Smart modules. Since 2020, the program has taught the basics of saving, budgeting, and investing to students, teachers, and principals in public elementary schools in Metro Manila and various provinces in the country.
The Peso Smart x RecoveREADS program has been instrumental in scaling literacy initiatives, empowering students, parents, and teacher volunteers. Manulife’s Peso Smart program won an Award of Merit for Corporate Social Responsibility at the 19th Philippine Quill Awards and was a finalist in the Excellence in Corporate Social Responsibility category at the 2022 Marketing Excellence Awards. Since its inception, Peso Smart has produced over 2,000 graduates. Manulife aims to support the transition to a net zero economy, reduce carbon emissions, and provide nature-based solutions to preserve the planet. The company’s commitments include achieving net zero financed emissions by 2050 and scaling carbon-focused forestry and CO2 sequestration investments over five years.
