Sun Life financial literacy, clean water drive get going

Sun Life Financial Philippines has launched a financial literacy campaign in Cebu, while extending its support for clean water sourcing in Isabela.

Philanthropy arm Sun Life Financial- Philippines Foundation Inc. teamed up with World Wide Fund (WWF) for Nature-Philippines to provide clean drinking water to farflung farming communities in Ilagan, Isabela.

With funding from Sun Life Foundation, WWF-Philippines spearheaded the construction of five spring boxes, which will collect, store, and distribute fresh water to the said communities.

The community members took part in building the spring boxes. Water quality tests were also conducted by WWF Philippines.

Prior to this, the residents of the communities had to walk four kilometers to get potable water from the natural springs. The men worked in the fields, so the task often fell on women and children.

“Sun Life Foundation champions sustainable solutions in all the advocacies we support, and this project is one such initiative,” Sun Life Foundation chairman of the board Riza Mantaring said. “We are proud to be WWF- Philippines’ partner, and we will continue to support projects that will offer a brighter life to Filipinos for generations to come.”

Meanwhile, life insurance arm Sun Life of Canada (Philippines) Inc. championed financial literacy with the help of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI).

Sun Life Sales Territory head for Manila 1 and Visayas Armand Santos said local businesses boost the economy in many ways – from increasing employment to making use of locally-produced goods.

“This is why Sun Life not only supports local businesses, but also champions financial literacy – because it is when Filipinos know how to manage their money that they are able to build their brighter future,” Santos added.

“We are set to open more sales offices here in Cebu, and are actively inviting Cebuanos to explore becoming a financial advisor as their very own business, so to speak” he shared. “Our financial literacy initiatives will also continue so that we could help more Cebuanos better understand how to manage their money and ultimately achieve financial freedom.”

Last year, Sun Life of Canada (Philippines) Inc. reported premium income of P32.8 billion, up from P30.7 billion in 2014.