Sun Life Foundation teaches teachers how to save, plans health centers in Batangas

Sun Life Financial-Philippines Foundation, Inc. (Sun Life Foundation), the philanthropy arm of Sun Life Philippines, is responding to the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic with a program that promotes financial security and health.

Dubbed “Rise Brighter PH,” the program will consist of Sun Pera-Aralan 2020, a financial management program specifically created for public school teachers, and Sun Life Barangay Health Stations which will serve as accessible sources of primary healthcare to be built in poor and distant municipalities. Each program aims to touch 125,000 lives in the next five years.

“As Sun Life Philippines marks its 125th anniversary this year, Rise Brighter PH is our way of honoring our lifetime partnership with the Filipino people and letting them know that we remain at their side in these trying times,” said Sun Life Philippines CEO and Country Head Benedict Sison who is also Chairman of the Sun Life Foundation. “We have seen Filipinos rise above trials many times over, and we are confident that together, we will prevail.”

Sun Pera-Aralan 2020

Sun Pera-Aralan 2020 is a behavior-based financial management program which makes use of the Peso Sobre tool in helping public school teachers manage their budget, extend their salary until the next pay day, and eventually lessen indebtedness. The program also provides access to volunteer Sun Life advisors whom they can consult for free, as well as a Facebook community where they can share experiences and find inspiration in their fellow teachers. 

Initially mounted last year, Sun Pera-Aralan has proven effective in helping public school teachers handle their finances. Reports gathered from the initial batch consisting of 10,224 public school teachers showed that they were not only able to budget better, but even had surplus funds at their discretion when the lockdown was implemented early this year.

This 2020, Sun Pera-Aralan will be implemented in public schools in (areas) with the help of AHA Behavioral Design, Inc. and in coordination with the Department of Education.

Sun Life Barangay Health Stations

Meanwhile, with the importance of health care coming to light amid the pandemic, Sun Life Foundation, in partnership with Health Futures Foundation, Inc., will also endeavor to provide basic services to the poorer sectors of society through the Sun Life Barangay Health Stations.

A total of eight Sun Life Barangay Health Stations will be constructed throughout Batangas within the year. Each will provide curative services, as well as preventive and promotive initiatives such as immunizations, consultations, follow-ups and health lectures. A community-based health and wellness program will also be established, while local health personnel like barangay health workers and health cluster leaders will be provided relevant training so they can efficiently sustain the barangay health station.

“The Sun Life Foundation’s projects are anchored on our company’s purpose, which is to help Filipinos achieve lifetime financial security and live healthier lives. We earnestly hope that helping fulfill these needs, Rise Brighter PH will empower beneficiaries in their journey towards recovery,” said Sun Life of Canada (Philippines), Inc. and Sun Life Foundation President Alex Narciso. “Moreover, may it give them hope that despite the challenges we’re currently facing, a brighter future is still in the horizon.”