In a position to help: Moving Bridge Foundation and Arla Foods give back to Sagay

[Editor’s note: The city of Sagay, Negros Occidental has been experiencing trying times even before the COVID-19 pandemic hit them so Moving Bridge Foundation, together with Arla Foods Philippines, are making sure that extra help will reach them, too. Below is their story.]

MANILA, Philippines  – “It is better to have the power to give than to receive.” – Winston Churchill

Everyone knows the old adage: Extraordinary times ask for extraordinary actions. But for the residents of Sagay, Negros Occidental, where Moving Bridge Foundation is most active, extraordinary times are their normal; until COVID-19 became a pandemic.

Founded in August of 2019, Moving Bridge Foundation is a non-profit organization that aims to build a strong humanitarian effort for the indigent locale of Sagay, by a local of Sagay. 

Elbridge J. Gutierrez, Founder and CEO of Moving Bridge Foundation, has firsthand experience of growing up and living in Sagay, which is why he has made it his mission to uplift his kababayans by providing livelihood opportunities, feeding programs, school constructions and giving back to the community through other means.

When the pandemic ravaged through the country, Moving Bridge Foundation acted swiftly, mobilizing people and funds to complement the efforts of the LGU. According to finance coordinator and Board of Trustees member, Princess J. Gutierrez, the foundation has already provided more than 1,500 sacks of rice, worth roughly P3M, which were turned over to barangay officials in Sagay City, its neighboring city, Escalante and even in Davao City; where it is being overseen by CEO of PSGTC and Moving Bridge Foundation Board of Trustees member, Peter L. Salvadico with distribution being handled by a motorcycle service center,  Motopit and automotive service center, Autopit.

Believing in the foundation’s vision, Arla Foods Philippines, a farmer-owned cooperative and world’s largest organic dairy producer, headed by Senior General Manager, Jens Christian Krog Nielsen has provided the foundation with the equivalent of 144,000 liters of quality organic milk products at cost to be distributed as part of the P8M fund released by Moving Bridge Foundation.

Project manager for Sagay and Escalante efforts, Division of Sagay City school principal, Rene M. Encabo says that he is very thankful to have a true-blooded Sagaynon and Escalantehanon Chairman such as Mr. Gutierrez who continues to provide generous support not only during these trying times but also whenever they need him. Assisting Mr. Encabo in Sagay and Escalante are public school teachers and personnel, Luigi Tubiera, Josephus Ibañez, and Herne Gutierrez. Rounding up the core group responsible for the effort is rice supplier Fortune Tan and Romil Eren of Linya Enterprise Inc.

Seeing the benefit of being in a position to help, Ben Berdin, CEO of Redbin Communications and Brand Solutions, Inc and Moving Bridge Foundation Board of Trustees member said, “We become the luckiest people in the world when helping others becomes part of our job.”

The foundation is also making moves to help out the frontliners in NCR.

If you would like to donate to Moving Bridge Foundation, please call or e-mail Sly D. Alba, Administrative and Corporate Services Head at numbers (049) 5429075 or 09173163479. – Rappler.com

Moving Bridge Foundation is a non-profit organization. The organization aims to aid and assist the general welfare and livelihood of communities; support the development, growth and preservation of communities; and other assistance to individuals and organizations in creating sustainability for the benefit of the community.