BDO Unibank’s Corporate Social Responsibility

Corporate Social Responsibility

We develop and implement programs to address the needs of the underserved and contribute to solving social problems

BDO Foundation was founded in 2008 as the corporate social responsibility arm of BDO Unibank, the largest bank in the country.

A non-stock, non-profit organization, the foundation develops and implements programs to address the needs of the underserved and contribute to addressing social problems. It also serves as the channel for BDO’s outreach and giving back initiatives.

We are an active member of the NGO community. BDO Foundation is duly accredited by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and Philippine Council for NGO Certification (PCNC). We are also a member of the Association of Foundations (AF) and League of Corporate Foundations (LCF).

Recognition from these agencies and organizations is significant as it affirms the foundation’s status as a non-profit organization that meets standards of good governance, program relevance and effectiveness, sound financial management, credibility, transparency and accountability. The accreditation and recognition also pave the way for greater collaboration between the foundation, donors and government agencies. It enables us to do our work more effectively.

BDO Foundation’s initiatives fall under two program pillars: (1) disaster response, rehabilitation and rebuilding; and (2) financial inclusion.

Disaster response, rehabilitation and rebuilding

BDO Unibank’s wide branch network all over the country gives us the capability to conduct relief operations immediately after a calamity. Leveraging on the volunteerism of branch officers and employees, BDO Foundation provides food packs, and in some cases, even hygiene kits and school supplies. In areas where there is no BDO presence, the foundation partners with church groups and other NGOs operating in the affected areas.

The rehabilitation and rebuilding work depends on the needs of the affected communities, but BDO Foundation gives priority to health centers or rural health units. Depending on the need and the presence of partners, the foundation also builds classrooms for public schools and housing units for affected families. In the past, the foundation was able to mobilize employee donations that were used to fund the construction of community centers and multi-purpose halls, and support livelihood projects.

Financial inclusion

Through its financial inclusion pillar, BDO Foundations hopes to make financial education and financial services more accessible to people, especially the underserved. Under this pillar, BDO Foundation has two main programs: (1) financial literacy or financial education, and (2) capability-building for small entrepreneurs.

The flagship program for financial education is BDO Foundation’s partnership program with the Department of Education (DepEd) and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). 

Dubbed the Financial Literacy Program for Schools, the initiative supports DepEd’s efforts to strengthen financial literacy in its K-12 curriculum and provide financial literacy education for its teaching and non-teaching personnel. It also contributes to the pillar on Financial Education and Consumer Protection of BSP’s National Strategy for Financial Inclusion.

Part of the program is the deployment of financial literacy videos produced by BDO Foundation in collaboration with DepEd and BSP. These videos, accompanied by discussion guides and lesson plans developed by DepEd master teachers, are designed to make lessons on financial management engaging and compelling for students and teachers.

By sharing lessons on financial responsibility with educators and the Filipino youth, we hope to promote financial inclusion, contribute to the development of a financially literate citizenry and support nation-building.

In partnership with SM Foundation under its Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan program, BDO Foundation also extends its financial education program to fruits and vegetables farmers who participate in the said training program.

The financial literacy or financial education program will soon be expanded to overseas Filipino workers and their families as well as the uniformed and civilian personnel of the Philippine Army.

The capability-building program for small entrepreneurs is a partnership initiative with One Network Bank (ONB), a rural bank of BDO. The program focuses on building the small entrepreneurs’ capabilities in business development and management, financial management and market linkages.