THE Uygongco Foundation Inc. (UFI), the corporate social responsibility arm of Iloilo’s homegrown La Filipina Uy Gongco Group of Companies, has celebrated ten years of giving back to communities in Iloilo, Guimaras and Capiz by renewing its pledge to the schools it has adopted.
UFI held a thanksgiving event and memorandum of agreement (MOA) signing on Feb. 22 at the Summer House Restaurant in Iloilo City Proper to vindicate its partnership with its adopted communities, as they hosted principals, educators and project coordinators from their partner institutions.
The Uygongco Foundation Inc. has assisted at least 16 schools in Iloilo City, Capiz, and Guimaras under the Department of Education’s Adopt-a-School Program. Among these adopted schools are A. Bonifacio Integrated School, Bo. Obrero Elementary School, Buntatala National High School, Fort San Pedro National High School, Hibao-an Elementary School, Jalandoni Memorial National High School, La Paz II Elementary School, Manuel L. Quezon Elementary School, N.J. Ingore, Elementary School, and Rizal Elementary School in Iloilo; Don Pedro Vasquez Memorial School, Jordan Central School, and Jordan National High School in Guimaras; and Aranguel Elementary School, Cabugcabug National High School, Pres. Roxas East Elementary School in Capiz.
Founded in 2009, Uygongco Foundation Inc. aims to develop host communities of the La Filipina Uy Gongco Group of Companies that are empowered, productive, and self-sustaining through education.
UFI offers financial assistance and counseling to “students at risk of dropping out” or pupils presented with very little opportunities to finish their elementary and secondary education. This program extends from the basic education level to tertiary education, supporting students of all ages in their pursuit of an education.
“We feel accomplished in not only that we have helped at least 16 public schools, its more on the impact and change we’ve brought to the lives of each of the students we’ve been helping,” UFI Executive Director Pia Paz Uygongco told Panay News.
“The UFI is not your typical corporate foundation that gives dole outs and facility donations, we want to be more involved step by step in the lives of these children,” she added. “To make sure they start with us, and also finish with us, succeed with us. We have thousands of kids already that we have helped with our ten years of service. They really attest that UFI has made a difference in their lives.”
Uygongco Foundation Inc.’s Financial Assistance Program for Basic Education (elementary and high school) provides the necessary aid and materials to children in 16 public schools. The Foundation issues basic needs, such as school supplies, bags, umbrellas, uniforms, shoes, socks, groceries with personal needs, and rice are given to the beneficiaries, allowing them to focus on their studies and giving them the opportunity to excel in school. In the tertiary level, the Foundation provides scholarship grants to high school graduates from public schools and to individuals who want to enroll in formal education or vocational technical courses. The scholarship covers tuition and other school fees.
The La Filipina Uy Gongco Group of Companies is a family business that produces flour, feeds and sugar, trades commodities, is in real estate and operates a mall. Having been blessed through the years, the company through its chairman, Dr. Alfonso Uy, and incorporators established the Uygongco Foundation Inc. to give back to its host communities, such as Iloilo City, Jordan, Guimaras, and President Roxas, Capiz as pilot areas./PN
