MANILA – Officials of Sun Life Philippines and Sun Life Foundation highlighted the need for ensuring one’s physical and financial health to address the challenges brought about by the pandemic.
During the virtual launch of the “Rise Brighter PH” program Thursday, Sun Life Philippines chief executive officer and country head Benedict Sison said the program aims to provide financial literacy and management to public school teachers, and to construct health centers in the poorest areas in the country, initially to eight third- to fifth-class municipalities in Batangas.
“We have seen Filipinos rise above trials many times over and we are confident that together, we will prevail,” he said.
The program has two areas namely the Sun Pera-Aralan 2020, a financial management program for public school teachers, and the Sun Life barangay health stations.
The Sun Pera-Aralan is already in its second year of implementation. It benefited about 10,224 public school teachers last year.
During the virtual launch, Sun Life Foundation president Alex Narciso said they have received feedback from the beneficiaries that they were able to save because of the program and these savings are what they used during the lockdown.
“They were able to properly budget their salaries and stick to it. As such, they were able to make it through the next few days without the need to borrow money,” he said.
Narciso said these projects aim to “help Filipinos achieve lifetime financial security and live healthier lives.”
“Moreover, may it give them hope that despite the challenges we’re currently facing, a brighter future is still on the horizon,” he added.
Also, Sun Life Foundation executive director Tin Millete, during the same briefing, said the eight health centers is the initial batch under the program since this is part of the company’s 125th year celebration.
She said they aim to have 125,000 beneficiaries under this program in the next five years. (PNA)
