Rise Brighter PH

Sun Life Foundation Responds to Pandemic Challenges

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MANILA – The management of Sun Life Philippines through its philanthropy arm, the Sun Life Foundation has officially launched Rise Brighter PH program via a virtual presscon, Thursday (August 27, 2020). The webinar commenced by addressing two new programs that aims to alleviate the impact of the (Covid-19) pandemic on the Filipinos’ financial security and health. The virtual launch highlights the latest campaigns that are part of its CSR efforts and at the same time in commemoration of Sun Life’s 125th anniversary in the Philippines. It aims to assist the country rise to a brighter future. “.. these are long-term sustainable programs that will see them through to recovery,” Mr. Benedict Sison, CEO & Country Head, Sun Life Philippines and Chairman, Sun Life Foundation.

Rise Brighter PH program covers two projects namely: Sun Life Barangay Health Stations and Sun Pera-Aralan 2020.

Sun Life Foundation President Alexander Narciso said the project is rolling out to a broader segment. Data gathered from the feedbacks from the initial run of the projects has sustained their beneficiaries with its savings that they used to cope up with the lockdown.

“With more and more Filipinos experiencing the unprecedented effects of the pandemic, we at Sun Life felt compelled to do even more to help our kababayans rise above the challenges we are facing. After all, two of the most pressing concerns of today – financial security and health – are areas in which we can be of assistance. But more than that, it is simply the right thing to do. If we have the privilege to be comfortable in this crisis, we also have the responsibility to lend a hand to those in different circumstances,” he added.

Sun Life Barangay Health Stations. The project will focus on providing sustainable health care to the poorer sectors of society. Sun Life Foundation, in partnership with Health Futures Foundation, Inc., aims to provide an accessible sources of primary health care by constructing health centers. The pilot run initially targeted eight (8) 3rd to 5th class municipalities in Batangas.

The barangay-based services will impact to the community as a core to primary health care. It indicates a population not having an available facility that are accessible to them. Bulding barangay health stations requires a low amount of capitalization and operating cost. Likewise, the project will generate a long-term investment to support a higher number of communities. The first batch of recipients of this project were identified based on demographics are those that came from marginalized group or poorest of the poor with199 barangays that have no barangay health centers.

“In the Philippines, Barangay Health Stations serve as the most accessible sources of primary health care. However, there is a disparity in the number of barangays versus the number of existing health stations. As of March 2019, there are 42,045 barangays in the country, but the health stations listed by the Department of Health are only at 21,053 barangays. There is a gap of 21,053 more health stations. The Sun Life Barangay Health Stations aims to help fill that gap, and we are fortunate to have found a partner in Health Futures Foundation, Inc. for this initiative,” Narciso said.

This year, the eight Sun Life Barangay Health Stations built in different parts of Batangas will provide services to its community such as immunizations, medical consultation, and health information dissemination. Barangay health workers and health cluster leaders will also be given with adequate trainings to capacitate themselves to properly implement community-based health and wellness program.

The Sun Life Barangay Health Stations aim to benefit a total of 125,000 lives within the next five years. But also envision it to be a sustainable initiative that may benefit not just the present but also future generations.

Sun Pera-Aralan 2020. A behavior-based financial management program which aims to address financial insecurity and indebtedness among public school teachers. The program mediates the existing behaviors and experiences of public school teachers, making it more effective in helping them develop positive and practical daily money habits. Sun Pera-Aralan makes use of Peso-Sobre, a budgeting tool design to help teachers properly allocate their monthly salary into weekly funds. It aims to help them stretch their earnings until the next pay day, possibly with savings to spare.

The program also has a Facebook support group that encourages teachers to stay on track by connecting them with fellow teachers in the program and with volunteer Sun Life advisors and in partnership with AHA! Behavioral Design, Inc., who can provide further guidance.

What makes Sun Pera-Aralan different? The program embraces three (3) element that makes it unique:

• Behavioral program – put into practice what they have learn
• Takes into serious consideration the unique circumstances – once a month salary of the teachers
• Provides a simple tool – Peso Sobre, a budgeting tool and financial literacy

The pilot run happened last 2019 with around 10,000 public school teachers that yields positive results. The teachers were able to stick to their budget. “As such, they were able to make it through the next pay day without the need to borrow money. Some were even able to save! As a result, they had a surplus of funds during the quarantine.

Nakakataba ng pusong isipin na aming munting programa para sa mga guro ay nagbunga ng higit pa sa aming inaasahan. Kaya naman ganado kaming ulitin ito sa ngayong 2020, hanggang sa umabot sa 125,000 ang bilang ng mga gurong aming matutulungan, “ explained Narciso.

With Rise Brighter PH initiatives, life is brighter if we have a partner to rely on. “Filipinos can achieve financial security and live healthier lives. We want to send a beacon of hope that even during these times of uncertainty, a sustainable and brighter future is possible, and it is right ahead of us,” final word from Narciso.

Sun Life Foundation Launches RISE BRIGHTER PH

In line with the launched, Enchong Dee, the Sun Life Foundation ambassador for this year expresses his thoughts during the webinar, “I look forward to doing my share to ensure the success of the Sun Life Foundation’s programs. One of the things I’ve learned during the pandemic is how important it is for all of us to come together and help each other, for this is the only way we can rise above the challenges. For me, being an ally to Sun Life Foundation is definitely a step in that direction.”

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