UnionBank and OML Philippines donate solar-powered lamps to Sitio Bangca-Bangcaan, Gordon Heights
By: Neil Nepomuceno
UnionBank has partnered with One Million Lights Philippines (OML) to provide solar lamps to families in Brgy. Gordon Heights, a community in Zambales that lacks access to electricity.
The project aims to improve the safety of these families by reducing their reliance on kerosene lamps, which are harmful to both the environment and human health, and a threat to household safety.
Representatives from OML Philippines, along with the volunteers from UBP’s Human Resources Group, and the bank’s Fintech Subsidiary, UBX participated in the outreach program.
The volunteers received a warm welcome from the locals after a 1.5KM hike from the base of a mountain up to Sitio Bangca-Bangcaan, Brgy. Gordon Hills, Olongapo City. The volunteers brought solar-powered lamps for 110 beneficiaries, and some school supplies for their children. The program started with a short introduction from OML and UnionBank, followed by a detailed tutorial on how to operate the solar lamps.
Jobe Pascual, OML Philippines’ Program Officer, expressed his opinions with the results of the event saying, “It was really nice because in the past, we were the ones conducting the orientation and tutorials, but now, there was a lot more interactions with the community since the volunteers are handling the tutorials.”
Jobe also commended UnionBank’s Financial Literacy talk by describing it as “comprehensive, and easy to understand.”
Camille Vergara, UnionBank’s Corporate Sustainability Officer, was also pleased with the outreach program saying, “It was really great! I really love that we were able to do a financial literacy workshop for them. I think it really tied everything together. I enjoyed seeing and hearing them talk about their dreams! I hope that we get to engage this community more in the next few years to see how they’re doing.”
The funds for the activity came from the proceeds that UnionBank gathered from its Bank Anniversary merchandise sale last January. This also marked the second outreach activity between UnionBank and OML. In July 2023, UnionBank sent donations to OML’s outreach efforts in Sitio Tralala and Sitio Bangca-Bangcaan
The activity is part of UnionBank’s Corporate Social Responsibility program, GoBeyond Communities, and the bank’s commitment to social responsibility. By partnering with OML, UnionBank continues to make a positive impact on the lives of the beneficiaries.