Corporate foundations and business organizations across Metro Manila and Cebu are undertaking significant operational and budgetary changes to maintain their disaster relief initiatives following a series of recent calamities that have struck the Philippines.
Budgetary Challenges in Disaster Response
League of Corporate Foundations (LCF) Executive Director Celine Santillan revealed that managing funds for disaster response continues to be a major challenge for corporate foundations. While companies typically set aside annual budgets for corporate social responsibility, including disaster relief, these allocations often prove insufficient when multiple disasters strike consecutively.
"Companies have disaster or calamity budgets, but when something hits, they have to go back to their parent companies and ask for more," Santillan explained. She added that many organizations are now seeking additional support from buyers, consumers, and employees to address urgent community needs.
Businesses Grappling with Consecutive Disasters
LCF Chairperson Shem Jose Garcia, who oversees CSR operations at Vivant Corporation, shared his company's experience with back-to-back disasters. Vivant had initially used only a small portion of its annual disaster-relief budget, but the recent earthquake consumed the entire allocation.
When Typhoon Tino struck soon after, the company was forced to pause its medium-term rebuilding plans. "We had to redirect funds that were reserved for long-term rehabilitation because the immediate needs after the storm were overwhelming," Garcia stated.
To manage the situation, Vivant pulled additional resources from other business units and divided rebuilding funds across the current and upcoming fiscal year. "We'd love to say we have unlimited resources, but the reality is that we have to juggle budgets when disasters happen one after another," he added.
Cebu Businesses Show Resilience Despite Losses
In Cebu, many enterprises suffered significant damage themselves yet continued to support relief efforts. Mark Anthony Ynoc, president of the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry, expressed admiration for companies that helped others despite their own substantial losses.
He highlighted factories in Mandaue City, including textiles and paint manufacturers, that experienced unusually severe flooding. "Many of our members were badly affected, yet they still reached out to the community," Ynoc said, noting that the Chamber must also address donor fatigue among its members.
Employee-led initiatives continue to play a crucial role in disaster response. Jessie Cubijano, Executive Director of Primary Structures Educational Foundation Inc., explained that while their core CSR program focuses on education and scholarships, disaster relief has become a natural extension of their work, particularly given their construction expertise.
Their disaster response program began twelve years ago during Typhoon Yolanda in 2013, when employees initiated a project to adopt and rebuild an entire community—a model they maintain today. In response to the latest disasters, the group delivered food and water to Northern Cebu and prepared skills-training programs for affected households.
Although the recent typhoon delayed their program rollout, the foundation remains committed to rebuilding homes and providing construction-related skills training for livelihood purposes. Demonstrating their dedication, the organization has canceled its upcoming Christmas celebration, redirecting the entire budget to help reconstruct homes for families affected by the disasters.
Recent assessments from the Cebu Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office indicate that approximately 15,000 families across ten local government units lost their homes—far beyond what CSR groups can address alone. Nevertheless, corporate foundations emphasize that assisting even a portion of these families can create meaningful impact.
Looking ahead, the business community is preparing for the Disaster Resilience Convention scheduled for February 4-5, 2026, at Maayo Hotel in Mandaue City, where broader discussions on these crises will take place. The League of Corporate Foundations' two-day CSR convention typically attracts around 150 participants in Metro Manila, but organizers are managing expectations for the Cebu event, hoping to gather at least 120 participants daily.
Despite budget constraints and operational challenges, corporate foundations and businesses affirm their commitment to providing immediate relief and supporting long-term recovery in communities devastated by consecutive calamities.
