GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines — Recovery goes beyond rebuilding homes—it also means restoring hope, strengthening communities, and helping families prepare for the challenges ahead.
This was the shared mission of Globe, Ayala Foundation, and the WeAreAyala Business Club (WAABC) Davao as they joined forces to support 1,300 families affected by the recent earthquakes in General Santos City and Sarangani Province.
Under Globe’s #GlobeOfGood initiative, volunteers delivered relief packs to residents of Barangay Ligaya in General Santos City and Alabel, Sarangani. But the outreach extended far beyond the distribution of essential supplies, offering programs that promoted emotional well-being, digital awareness, and community resilience.
To help residents navigate the growing risks of online fraud during emergencies, Globe conducted digital literacy sessions through its #SeniorDigizen program. Parents and senior citizens learned practical ways to identify online scams, spot misinformation, verify digital content, and protect themselves from cyber threats.
Young survivors also received much-needed emotional support through Project Aruga, a psychosocial intervention led by volunteer psychologists from General Santos City. Through storytelling, games, art activities, and guided group interactions, children were encouraged to express their feelings, process their experiences, and gradually regain a sense of normalcy after the disaster.
A total of 110 volunteers from Globe, Ayala Foundation, Makati Development Corporation, and various Ayala Group companies participated in the relief mission, demonstrating the impact of collective action during times of crisis.
“Challenging times reveal not only the strength of communities but also the compassion of those willing to help,” said James Lopez, Globe’s Head of External Affairs for Mindanao and Chairman of the WeAreAyala Business Club Davao.
“We are grateful to work alongside our partners and volunteers in bringing meaningful assistance to affected families and helping communities rebuild stronger together.”
Barangay Ligaya Captain Rolando E. Tapel welcomed the initiative, saying the assistance arrived when many families were still recovering from the earthquake’s impact.
“Daghang salamat sa tabang sa Ayala Group nga ang among barangay sa GenSan ang napili para sa food packs. Dako kaayo ning tabang para sa amoa. Nagpasalamat ko sa mga volunteers nga nagpasiugda niini. Salamat gayud!”
(“We are deeply grateful to the Ayala Group for extending assistance to our barangay. The food packs have greatly helped our residents, and we sincerely appreciate the volunteers whose dedication made this outreach possible.”)
For Ayala Foundation, recovery efforts are most effective when they combine immediate assistance with long-term community support.
“Disaster recovery is not just about responding to urgent needs,” said Cenen Milan Jr., Lead and Senior Manager for the Corporate Citizenship and Volunteerism Program at Ayala Foundation. “It’s about empowering communities to regain confidence, strengthen local support systems, and become more resilient against future challenges.”
Lopez added that the WeAreAyala Business Club continues to demonstrate how collaboration across the Ayala Group can create lasting social impact.
“When employees come together with a shared purpose, we are able to extend support that goes beyond emergency response and contributes to the long-term recovery of communities.”
The initiative reflects Globe and the Ayala Group’s continuing commitment to creating meaningful change—not only by providing immediate relief, but also by helping communities heal, recover, and become more resilient in the face of future disasters.
For more information about Globe and its community initiatives, visit www.globe.com.ph.