DigiPlus, BingoPlus Foundation give ₱37M aid to families of Typhoon Kristine casualties in largest relief effort to date

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In response to the devastating impact of Typhoon Kristine, BingoPlus Foundation, the social development arm of DigiPlus Interactive, formally distributed ₱37 million in financial aid to families affected by Typhoon Kristine. In the wake of 148 confirmed casualties nationwide, at least ₱250,000 was committed to each bereaved family, as a symbol of compassion and support for their journey to recovery. The initiative started with 39 bereaved families during a turnover ceremony on November 10, at Talisay New Municipal Grounds in Batangas and will continue in several parts of the country. This pledge will continue to support affected families in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

First Lady Lisa Araneta-Marcos, alongside DigiPlus Interactive Chairman Eusebio Tanco and DSWD Undersecretary Pinky Romualdez, personally handover financial aid to families affected by Typhoon Kristine in Batangas. This forms part of the Php37 Million pledged by DigiPlus Interactive in support, especially for the recovery of bereaved families of 148 casualties nationwide.

First Lady Louise “Liza” Araneta-Marcos, Department of Social Welfare and Development Undersecretary Pinky Romualdez and DigiPlus Chairman Eusebio Tanco were joined by Batangas Governor Hermilando Mandanas, Batangas Vice Governor Mark Leviste, Talisay Mayor Nestor Natanauan, Bacolod Mayor Albie, BingoPlus Foundation COO Celeste Jovenir and local leaders and community members to personally hand over the financial aid. The event highlighted the Foundation’s mission to multiply the good by extending meaningful support to Filipinos in their time of greatest need.

Typhoon Kristine, one of the year’s most devastating storms, left a trail of destruction across South Luzon, with severe flooding and landslides resulting in significant loss of life and damage to property. Talisay, particularly impacted by landslides in Batangas, is one of the focus areas of the Foundation’s relief efforts as the entire province was declared in a state of calamity.

DigiPlus extends its largest relief effort to date, underscoring its dedication to resilience and meaningful impact. Through BingoPlus Foundation, the company’s commitment stands as a beacon of resilience and compassion in times of crisis.

“The BingoPlus Foundation exists to provide more than financial aid; it is about creating hope, resilience, and real change,” said DigiPlus Interactive Chairman Eusebio Tanco. “The work of the BingoPlus Foundation is a true reflection of our belief in giving back without holding back, of reaching out to lift up those in need, and of multiplying the good in every way possible.”

The provision of financial assistance builds on BingoPlus Foundation’s prior support initiatives for Typhoon Kristine victims. In collaboration with the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s National Resource Operations Center (DSWD NROC), the Foundation provided cavans of rice, benefiting at least 750 families, and mobilized volunteers to help repack and distribute critical supplies for affected provinces.

With a mission to “multiply the good” in the heart of communities, BingoPlus Foundation joins hands with the DSWD in delivering financial aid and livelihood assistance to families affected by Typhoon Kristine, starting with nearly 40 families bereaved due to a landslide in Talisay, Batangas.

In partnership with the National Resource Operations Center of the DSWD and ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya, BingoPlus Foundation provides essential relief to families affected by Typhoon Kristine in Isabela, Aurora, Camarines Norte and other provinces.

Together with ABS-CBN Foundation’s Sagip Kapamilya, BingoPlus Foundation also extended support to 1,000 families impacted by Typhoon Kristine in Isabela, Aurora, Pangasinan and Quezon. These immediate actions underscore the Foundation’s dedication to its resilience pillar, showcasing its commitment to making a difference when communities need it most.

“The BingoPlus Foundation stands by our communities not only with aid but with resilience, unity, and hope,” said Tanco. “In moments like these, our commitment to making a difference is stronger than ever.”

Since its inception, the Foundation has allocated over ₱100 million across projects nationwide, addressing urgent community needs through healthcare, livelihood programs, and educational grants. Through partnerships with local and national organizations, the Foundation has established PLUS Centers in Negros, Cebu, and General Santos, creating resource hubs designed to empower communities by offering critical resources such as health programs, livelihood support, and skills training. Each center is a lasting symbol of the Foundation’s commitment to sustainable community development.

BingoPlus Foundation adds the “Plus” in health and livelihood initiatives in General Santos

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In line with its commitment to improving community health and livelihood, BingoPlus Foundation, the social development arm of DigiPlus Interactive, has successfully completed a series of initiatives in General Santos, under its KalusuganPLUS and KabuhayanPLUS programs. These efforts aim to address critical public health challenges while empowering vulnerable communities with sustainable economic opportunities.

KalusuganPLUS: Sanitation facilities benefit 3,000 residents

In a series of turnover ceremonies in September 2024, BingoPlus Foundation handed over five sanitation facilities in the barangays of San Isidro, Ligaya, Tinagacan, Calumpang, and Bawing. These essential facilities are expected to benefit nearly 3,000 residents, addressing a long-standing gap in access to clean water and proper sanitation. Notably, the barangay of Bawing is home to Badjao communities, which have historically faced challenges in accessing clean water and sanitation.

BingoPlus Foundation’s KalusuganPLUS and KabuhayanPLUS programs reach 3,000 residents in General Santos

This effort is in line with the Philippine Approach to Total Sanitation (PhATS), a nationwide initiative that promotes improved hygiene and sanitation practices, contributing to the achievement of local government units' (LGU) Zero Open Defecation (ZOD) campaign. PhATS emphasizes sustainable sanitation practices to prevent waterborne diseases and improve overall public health.

This initiative is particularly critical in the SOCCSKSARGEN region, where only 73.8 % of families have access to basic sanitation facilities, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority Annual Poverty Indicators Survey (March 2023). As lack of hygiene practices persist in some rural areas, this imposes a significant health risk in the region, which has also seen a return in polio cases. The newly built facilities address this gap, and BingoPlus Foundation is playing a pivotal role in safeguarding public health in one of the country’s most underserved areas. ​

BingoPlus Foundation turns over sanitation facilities to five barangays across General Santos City. (Turnover ceremonies were attended by the representatives of the local government unit of General Santos City, city health officers, members of the communities, and the BingoPlus Foundation team.

Lack of sanitation facilities and proper hygiene practices in underserved communities result in significant health risks, further impacting financial stability due to medical expenses and inability to work.

KabuhayanPLUS: Training Center welcomes graduates

Beyond health, BingoPlus Foundation is also empowering marginalized sectors through its livelihood programs. In partnership with Barangay San Isidro, the Foundation celebrated the graduation of the first batch of trainees from its Dressmaking and Tailoring Training Center, which opened last June. The center is now serving its second batch of trainees, and applications will be open for Batch 3 through the barangay.

BingoPlus Foundation attends the graduation ceremony of the first batch of sewing and tailoring livelihood graduates in Brgy. San Isidro, General Santos City; L-R: BingoPlus Program Manager, Paul Tamayo; Brgy. San Isidro Chairman, Edward Frederick Yumang; BingoPlus Foundation Executive Director, Angela Camins-Wieneke; and DOLE’s Livelihood Development Specialist, Rexzairel C. Baing

Graduates are able to produce various products and design creations for their livelihood. Right photo credit: JV Sacramento, livelihood member

Part of the PLUS Centers for Livelihood network, this center collaborates with TESDA to provide NC II Certification in dressmaking, equipping participants—many of whom are solo parents and women—with valuable skills for employment or entrepreneurship. The program provides an alternative source of income and a sustainable livelihood for many in the community, fostering entrepreneurship and economic growth in the region.

Celeste Jovenir, DigiPlus Vice President for Investor Relations and BingoPlus Foundation COO, shares, “BingoPlus Foundation’s mission goes beyond providing aid; we’re here to uplift communities facing the toughest social challenges, from health and sanitation, to livelihood, in General Santos and beyond. Through KalusuganPLUS and KabuhayanPLUS, we’re empowering individuals to rise above their circumstances and build a future full of hope and opportunity."

Empowering Communities: BingoPlus Foundation kicks off Barangay Bigayan Program

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BingoPlus Foundation, the social development arm of Digiplus Interactive Corp, continues to multiply the good with the launch of the Barangay Bigayan Program as part of efforts to uplift lives and contribute to a digitally-advanced and resilient Philippines.

The BingoPlus Foundation hands over a public tricycle to District 2 in Lemery, Batangas 

The Barangay Bigayan Program provides immediate support for target sectors and long-term capacity-building investments across four pillars: Technology Education, Accessible Healthcare, Community Resilience, and Responsible Digitalization.

Multiply the Good

Barangay Bigayan kicked-off at Barangay District 2, Lemery, Batangas where BingoPlus Foundation handed over a public tricycle. The tricycle serves as vital transportation support for senior citizens, pregnant women, parents with young children, and persons with disabilities, providing easier access to local health and daycare centers. It is also used for evening security checks, ensuring the safety of residents.

The tricycle transports target sectors during the day and aids in security checks at night.

Meanwhile, BingoPlus Foundation joined in the fun at Barangay Pitogo in Taguig City during their Foundation Week celebration where the foundation provided ambulance services and critical support to the community. Nearly 50 senior citizens and the local health center received a grant comprising wheelchairs, nebulizer kits, blood pressure monitoring kits, and glucose monitoring kits. This donation has made accessible healthcare a reality for the elders of Barangay Pitogo

Fun and safety go hand-in-hand as BingoPlus Foundation supports Barangay Pitogo’s Foundation Week with medical services. 

Nearly 50 senior citizens receive a grant of medical equipment to assist in making healthcare more accessible.

BingoPlus Foundation aims to “multiply the good” by partnering with the public sector in bringing needed services, equipment and infrastructure closer to communities.

“With collaborative efforts with our local community partners, we are looking forward to making a lasting impact through addressing pressing needs of the communities we serve through the Barangay Bigayan Program,” said Andy Tsui, President of DigiPlus Interactive and Chairman of BingoPlus Foundation.

For 2024, DigiPlus Interactive Corp. allocated over P100M to support BingoPlus Foundation’s various projects and initiatives that provide support to important causes under its key pillars.

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About BingoPlus Foundation

BingoPlus Foundation is the social development arm of DigiPlus Interactive Corp, one of the fastest growing digital entertainment companies in the country. BingoPlus Foundation aims to multiply the good to its partner communities through technology education, accessible healthcare, community safety and resiliency, and responsible digitalization. For more information, visit https://digiplus.com.ph/bingoplus-foundation/.