Ayala Group mobilizes volunteers as earthquake response efforts expand across
South Cotabato and Sarangani
The Ayala Group, through Brigadang Ayala, mobilized 150 volunteers across General
Santos City and Sarangani to carry out relief assistance, psychosocial support, school
safety assessments, and other recovery efforts. The response followed the magnitude
7.8 earthquake that struck off the coast of Mindanao on June 8, devastating communities
across Southern Mindanao.
Within 24 hours of the earthquake, Ayala Foundation deployed volunteers to distribute
relief packs to families in Purok Balite, Barangay Lagao, General Santos City. Working
closely with the City Social Welfare and Development OAice (CSWDO), local government
units, and partners including Globe, MDC, the Philippine Army, and local organizations,
the Foundation also conducted rapid assessments to identify priority needs in affected
communities.
Ayala Foundation and the We Are Ayala Business Club (WAABC) Davao mobilized more
volunteers on June 16 to support expanded relief and recovery operations in South
Cotabato and Sarangani Province.
The ongoing Brigadang Ayala operations provided relief food packs to around 6,500
individuals in Barangay Ligaya, General Santos City and Barangay Kawas, Alabel,
Sarangani.
“Brigadang Ayala’s disaster response combines immediate relief with volunteerism,
including skilled expertise — supporting LGUs together with local communities and
partners to address urgent needs while helping lay the groundwork for recovery and
resilience,” said Tony Lambino, President of Ayala Foundation.
Volunteers also provided psychosocial support and community resilience initiatives
designed to address the longer-term impacts of the disaster.
Project Aruga-Gensan providing psychosocial support for kids
Through Project Aruga, a psychosocial intervention initiative for children in evacuation
areas, volunteers from the Psychology Community of General Santos came together to
support more than 100 children affected by the earthquake. Volunteers ran activities
designed to help children process their experiences, restore a sense of safety, and
support their emotional well-being following the disaster.
Adults from affected communities likewise participated in Psychological First Aid
sessions designed to help them cope with the emotional impact of the earthquake, while
vulnerable families attended anti-scam awareness sessions by Globe to learn practical
tips on avoiding fraud during the recovery period. Volunteer engineers from MDC also
conducted assessments of school buildings to identify structural concerns and support
safer learning environments.
MDC Engineers assisting Gensan LGU’s OBO checking diCerent government buildings in the area
The response mobilized volunteers from across the Ayala Group, including Alveo, Avida,
Ayala Land, Ayala Land Premier, BPI, Globe and MDC. The operation was further
strengthened through partnerships with the Philippine Coast Guard, Sultan Kudarat State
University ECE students, the General Santos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and
DZMM.
For many volunteers, the effort was deeply personal. Queenie Miranda-Asensi, Human
Resources Officer of MDC Mindanao and a native of General Santos City, joined the relief
mission to support communities in her hometown.
“Volunteering for Brigadang Ayala reminds me that even small acts of service can make
a big difference in people’s lives. Being able to help communities in my hometown during
a difficult time made the experience even more meaningful,” she shared.
“We are grateful to every volunteer across the Ayala Group and every partner who showed
up with care, compassion, and discipline. Our commitment is to keep working alongside
affected communities in Mindanao, supporting them as they recover and rebuild with
dignity and hope,” said Paolo F. Borromeo, Ayala Corporation Chief Social Infrastructure
Officer.
As communities continue to recover, Brigadang Ayala remains committed to working
alongside local partners, volunteers, and affected families to support rebuilding efforts
and strengthen community resilience.
Individuals and organizations who wish to support ongoing relief and recovery efforts may
donate at http://donate.ayalafoundation.org.
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About Brigadang Ayala
Brigadang Ayala is a collaboration platform across the Ayala Group, composed of the
WeAreAyala Business Clubs (WAABC) and its core partners — Ayala Corporation, ACEN,
Ayala Land, BPI, and Globe. Through the platform, volunteers and resources are
mobilized to support disaster resilience efforts and other social impact initiatives.
About Ayala Foundation
As the socioeconomic development arm of the Ayala group of companies, Ayala
Foundation is committed to building thriving communities towards shared prosperity in
the Philippines.
Ayala Foundation implements programs under the following pillars: Community
Development, Leadership Development, and Arts and Culture. In support of these pillars,
the Foundation runs a Corporate Citizenship and Volunteerism platform that provides
opportunities to 60,000+ Ayala Group employees and its partners for meaningful sociocivic action and helps enhance community resilience through disaster preparedness and
response measures. The Foundation is also making Big Bets on Early Childhood and
Digital Education to address the Philippine learning crisis.
