In a significant stride towards fostering peace, unity, and development in conflict-affected regions, the Ayala Foundation and the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) have forged a transformative partnership which represents a significant step forward in addressing the multifaceted challenges posed by local communist armed conflict, signaling a shared commitment to building resilient communities and promoting lasting peace.
A total of 1,002 survival kits from the Ayala Foundation through the League of Corporate Foundations were received by the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) for liberated conflict-affected areas in Samar during a turnover ceremony in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.
This engagement was headed by the Basic Services Cluster of the NTF-ELCAC through the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and League of Corporate Foundations (LCF).
Arnulfo Ferdinand Bajarin, NTF-ELCAC’s Director for Operations, commended the partnership, emphasizing its pivotal role in addressing local communist armed conflict, particularly in Samar. He highlighted the strategic alliance between the government and the private sector, underlining their collective commitment to fostering sustainable peace and development.
“The turnover of these survival kits underscores our unwavering dedication to fostering sustainable peace and development in our communities. Through strategic partnerships with organizations like Ayala Foundation and the League of Corporate Foundations, we are equipping our constituents with the tools they need to thrive despite the odds,” Bajarin said.
Bajarin emphasized the partnership and collective commitment between the government and private sector to sustaining the hard-earned peace and security in formerly conflict-affected areas.
“The kits are critical lifelines for communities navigating the consequences of conflict and bracing for natural calamities,” Bajarin said.
For his part, Ayala Foundation President Antonio Joselito Lambino II underscored their unwavering dedication to fostering sustainable peace and development in our communities.
This collaboration extends beyond immediate relief efforts; it represents a shared commitment to long-term resilience and prosperity. Antonio Joselito Lambino II, President of Ayala Foundation, echoed this sentiment, stressing the foundation’s enduring dedication to community development.
“As the Ayala group’s social development arm, we constantly seek opportunities for greater synergy and collaboration with our different business units. And as we celebrate Ayala’s 190th anniversary, we have a great opportunity to synergize, and make a difference in the lives of people,” stated Lambino, highlighting the importance of public-private partnerships in addressing pressing societal challenges and fostering resilience within communities,” he said.
“All these efforts are geared toward building resilient communities. The survival kits that you have today does not only represent every Ayala citizen’s willingness to collaborate for the greater good—it also represents our strong belief in making a difference in people’s lives,” Lambino added.
Meanwhile, Bajarin expressed confidence that the NTF-ELCAC-Ayala Foundation partnership would be strengthened and replicated to other groups from the private sector.
“Our collaboration signifies a commitment to more than just immediate relief efforts; it represents a dedication to fostering long-term resilience and prosperity in cleared barangays”, Bajarin said.
He said that the initiative marks a pivotal step towards fortifying the resilience of cleared barangays and ensuring the continuity of safe and peaceful lives within their communities.
“By extending a helping hand, we aim not only to alleviate present challenges but also to sow the seeds for sustainable development. Through strategic partnerships and community empowerment initiatives, we aspire to create a future where these areas can thrive independently, contributing positively to the overall well-being of our nation”, Bajarin said.
Bajarin also mentioned that the goal of providing aid is to create conditions for long-term development, not just short-term alleviation.
“The goal is to establish self-sustaining communities that benefit the nation’s general well-being through partnerships and community empowerment projects,” he said.
