Metrobank Group Marks 64 Years Of Service With P75 Million Grants For Nation-Building

As Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. (Metrobank) celebrates its 64th anniversary, Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI) and GT Foundation, Inc. (GTFI) reaffirm their commitment to giving back through the annual George S.K. Ty Grants Turnover Ceremony, supporting organizations whose work creates meaningful change in Filipino communities.

Anchored on the theme “Growing Together, Transforming Futures,” the ceremony held on Sept. 4 at the Grand Hyatt, Boniface Global City highlights how partnerships create opportunities and strengthen communities. It brings together organizations working in education, health, livelihood, disaster management, and community development, reflecting the continuing commitment of MBFI and GTFI to nation-building.

This year, MBFI and GTFI will provide a total of P75 million to 35 social development partners, strengthening initiatives that uplift lives, empower communities, and contribute to nation-building.

MBFI president and GTFI executive director Philip Francisco Dy said the Foundations’ work is rooted in understanding the realities communities face and investing in areas where they can create meaningful impact.

“Through our work on the ground, we continue to hear and see the realities that communities face every day – from families seeking better access to healthcare and nutrition, and learners studying in overcrowded classrooms or struggling with basic reading skills, to farmers and fisherfolk working hard to earn a living while facing barriers to productivity and income, and communities striving to prepare for increasingly frequent and complex disasters,” Dy said.

He noted that these challenges are interconnected and reflect deeper issues affecting the country’s long-term development.

“These are not isolated concerns. Addressing challenges of this scale requires more than good intentions. It calls for strategic investments, innovative solutions, and a willingness to act where the need is greatest,” Dy said.

At MBFI and GTFI, Dy stressed, responding to these realities means being purposeful about where resources and partnerships can create the greatest impact.

“As these challenges grow more complex, our response must be just as purposeful. This is why we continue to invest in areas where we believe we can create the greatest impact – and work with partners who share our commitment to uplifting lives and building stronger, more resilient communities.”

Metrobank Foundation: Advancing shared growth through partnerships

As the corporate social responsibility arm of the Metrobank Group, Metrobank Foundation (MBFI) carries forward the Group’s commitment to making a meaningful difference in the communities it serves. Through partnerships with organizations on the ground, MBFI supports initiatives that address community needs and create meaningful, lasting impact.

Its work focuses on health, education, livelihood, and disaster management, alongside strategic partnerships that respond to emerging opportunities and evolving community needs. Through these efforts, MBFI helps uplift lives, strengthen communities, and build resilience.

Through its 2026 grants, MBFI continues this commitment by working with partners whose expertise and community presence help turn shared goals into meaningful action – creating opportunities for people and communities to grow together and build better futures.

Under health, MBFI will support programs that promote better nutrition, improve access to quality healthcare, and provide medical and surgical assistance to underserved individuals and communities. Its partners are Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines, through its Medical Assistance Program for indigent patients with major medical cases; St. Luke’s Medical Center Foundation, through its Medical Social Service Program providing access to quality healthcare for underserved patients; Manila Doctors Hospital, through its Surgical and Inpatient Social Services Program; and the International Institute of Rural Reconstruction, through an 18-month initiative that strengthens household nutrition through sustainable home gardens.

In education, MBFI will support initiatives that address learning gaps, strengthen foundational literacy and numeracy, and expand access to safe and conducive learning environments, particularly in underserved communities. Partners include the Department of Education and Friends of Hope, which will support the construction of nine classrooms in selected Last Mile Schools in Bukidnon; Khan Academy Philippines, which will provide a two-year math learning program for high potential senior high school learners preparing for math-intensive courses; Binhi English Literacy Foundation, which will provide a six-month literacy program to strengthen learners’ English reading and comprehension skills; and World Vision Development Foundation, which will implement a reading support program that equips teachers, parents, and caregivers with strategies to help children improve their reading and learning skills.

For livelihood, MBFI will support programs that create sustainable income opportunities, strengthen local enterprises, and build economic resilience. In partnership with the Department of Agriculture and the Municipal Government of San Manuel, Tarlac, MBFI will support a 10,000-bag capacity Onion Cold Storage Facility designed to reduce post-harvest losses, improve farmers’ incomes, and strengthen the onion supply chain. The Negrense Volunteers for Change Foundation will support families displaced by Typhoon Tino through the La Carlota Livelihood Project, while the Yellow Boat of Hope Foundation will strengthen fisherfolk livelihoods through its Adopt-A-Fisherman Project.

Under disaster management, MBFI will partner with the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF) on the PDRF Innovation and Experience Hub, a dynamic space for research, innovation, learning, and collaboration that helps communities become better prepared and more resilient to disasters.

Beyond its core thrusts, MBFI will also pursue strategic partnerships that respond to emerging opportunities and address specific community needs. These include the Sarangani Housing Project with Tanging Yaman Foundation; the Echoes of Hope special education teacher training program with Sergia Esguerra Memorial Foundation (Philippine Institute for the Deaf); scholarship programs with the DFA Ladies Foundation, International Bazaar Foundation, and Congressional Spouses Foundation; socio-civic and developmental initiatives with the Senate Spouses Foundation; the Koopreneur and Damayan Programs with Asiapro Foundation; and the Health, Medical and Food Assistance Program with Tahanan ng Pagmamahal Children’s Home.

GT Foundation: Advancing the Ty family’s legacy of giving back

For GT Foundation, giving back is a commitment carried forward by the Ty family and inspired by the vision of its founder, Dr. George S.K. Ty. Its work is anchored on legacy, education, access to health, and development of communities, through which GTFI partners with organizations to create opportunities, uplift lives, and strengthen communities.

This year, GTFI will support initiatives that expand educational opportunities, develop industry-relevant skills, improve access to healthcare, and respond to community needs across the country.

Under education, GTFI supports diverse pathways for young Filipinos to complete their education, develop relevant skills, and prepare for meaningful opportunities.

Through the GT Youth for Excellence and Service (GT YES), GTFI supports deserving incoming college students through degree completion. Its 2026 partners are Adamson University, Colegio de San Juan de Letran, Technological Institute of the Philippines, and University of the Philippines Diliman.

Meanwhile, the GT Reformation and Educational Assistance Program (GT REAP) provides scholarship assistance to college students in their final academic year who face financial challenges that may hinder them from completing their degrees. Established in 2022, GT REAP has supported 359 students to date. In 2026, GTFI will provide 100 new scholarship slots in partnership with Adamson University, Colegio de San Juan de Letran, De La Salle Araneta University, Lyceum of the Philippines University-Cavite, Manila Tytana Colleges, and Technological Institute of the Philippines.

GTFI also continues to support technical-vocational education through the GT Scholarship for Technical-Vocational Education Program (GT STEP). The program provides deserving young Filipinos with industry-relevant skills and training that can lead to meaningful employment and sustainable livelihoods. Its partners are Don Bosco ONE TVET Philippines, MFI Polytechnic Institute, and Toyota Motor Philippines School of Technology.

Beyond its scholarship programs, GTFI works with partners that provide diverse pathways to learning and opportunity. Through the Alay Kapwa Education Program of CBCP Caritas Philippines, more than 250 Grade 12 students from the Visayas and Mindanao will receive educational assistance to help them complete senior high school. Defending Family Values Foundation will provide college scholarships to deserving students in Metro Manila from their first through fourth year, while Fr. Al’s Children Foundation, Inc. will support 100 Grade 12 scholars from Girls Town and Boys Town.

GTFI will also support Pamulaan Center for Indigenous Peoples Education, providing 25 Indigenous young women pursuing Community-Based Eco-preneurship with knowledge and practical skills they can apply in their communities. Meanwhile, Passerelles Numeriques Philippines will provide 70 deserving students with scholarships to pursue an Associate Degree in Computer Technology, major in Software Development, preparing them for opportunities in the digital and technology sector.

Under access to health, GTFI seeks to make essential healthcare services more accessible to those who need them most. Through Tebow CURE Children’s Hospital, the Foundation will support surgery and rehabilitation for 60 children with repairable deformities, helping improve their mobility, independence, and quality of life.

GTFI will also partner with Aid to the Church in Need Philippines for the construction of the Pro-Cathedral of Sto. Tomas de Villanueva Parish Church in Lanao del Norte, which serves as the seat of the Prelature of Marawi. The project will help provide a place of worship and gathering for the local community.

“We’d like to thank the Metrobank Foundation and GT Foundation, and all the people who made this possible, for bringing us together. At a time when many of us feel frustrated, feel hopeless, and struggle to remain optimistic, it is meaningful to have everyone in one room—to see the good things that are happening in our country, and to remind ourselves once again that a better trajectory for our country is positive,” said Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto, who served as guest of honor during the event.

Honoring a legacy of service

The George S.K. Ty Grants Turnover carries forward the legacy of Dr. George S.K. Ty, founder of the Metrobank Group, whose vision was anchored on excellence, integrity, service, and a deep commitment to nation-building. Through Metrobank and its foundations, this vision continues to find expression in initiatives that create opportunities and uplift Filipino communities.

The annual ceremony reflects this enduring commitment by recognizing and supporting organizations that dedicate their work to addressing community needs and creating meaningful, sustainable change. It also underscores the important role of partnerships in turning shared aspirations into tangible impact.

For MBFI and GTFI, the grants are more than financial support. They are an investment in the people and organizations working on the ground, strengthening their capacity to advance their advocacies and helping communities move toward more resilient and sustainable futures.

As Metrobank celebrates its 64th anniversary, the annual George S.K. Ty Grants Turnover reaffirms a commitment that continues year after year: to grow together, transform futures, and carry forward Dr. Ty’s vision of making a meaningful difference in Philippine society.