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Surviving what seems to be an insurmountable worldwide crisis takes courage but leading an organization through it while helping your fellowmen along the way requires committed and compassionate leadership. For Megaworld Foundation President Dr. Francisco C. Canuto, the pandemic was an opportunity to impact and uplift Filipino lives more than ever.
Just several weeks after the eruption of Taal Volcano that displaced tens of thousands of families, the Philippines was faced with the virus widespread in March 2020. Dr. Canuto immediately organized a COVID-19 response “Mega Malasakit” which in the native language means “great genuine care for others”.
Despite transportation challenges due to community quarantine restrictions, the Foundation started delivering meals right away to at least 1,000 health, local government unit, and military frontliners within Taguig, Pasig, Pasay, Quezon City, and Manila. Populous hospitals received disinfectant supplies and several of their health workers have been benefitting for a year now from the bicycles distributed to them. Dr. Canuto also enjoined relief outreaches to some of the poorest and most remote barangays, whose sources of income became even more limited. 700 children and elderly, who were both advised to stay indoors, were also given face masks and month-long supply of multivitamins.
Being its flagship program, Megaworld Foundation ensured its support to 1,000 scholars as they transitioned into online learning for two years now. Aside from shouldering their academic needs, Dr. Canuto conceptualized digital initiatives and trainings to make their home quarantine more meaningful.
But it doesn’t stop there. He also took the extra mile to help students in off-grid provinces. Megaworld Foundation created partnerships to provide a furnished container van classroom library in Quezon Province and printers for educational modules of students in Bulacan, Benguet, Nueva Ecija, and Rizal. Motorized boats, originally purposed for ferrying children to school, now transport educational modules to the shorelines of Sulu, Basilan, Bulacan, and Sorsogon. And just recently, Dr. Canuto ordered over a thousand pairs of slippers for Aeta and Marinduqueno students who used to walk barefoot.
In 2021, Dr. Canuto established Megaworld Foundation’s first livelihood program “Stitches to Riches” training women to sew and help their families make ends meet. In 2022, this was followed by another sustainable project “Bubbles and Dreams” which taught mothers to make and market cleaning products.
Dr. Canuto’s heart for the people has inspired those around him. Megaworld employees took part in helping 4,000 of their fellowmen “Rice Together” through community pantries organized by the Foundation. Their fervor for volunteerism was also seen when they continued to advocate eco-conservation thru the Foundation’s E-planting. Indeed, the aftermath of the pandemic was devastating but it pushed Megaworld Foundation, under Dr. Canuto’s helm, to stand firmer on its commitment to brave the new normal with its countrymen.
Accreditations
In 2007, the same year Dr. Canuto was appointed as President, Megaworld Foundation was accredited by the Philippine Council for NGO Certification (PCNC). Three years after, the Foundation was also certified by the Department of Social Welfare Development (DSWD). In the present, the Foundation has been awarded with 5-year and 3-year accreditations respectively.
Awards
Since 2020, 93 international and local awards have been conferred to the Foundation recognizing its unrelenting efforts and contributions to social progress. Dr. Canuto was also recognized as one of the “100 Most Impactful CSR Leaders in the 2017 global listing by CMO Asia for his passion and compassion in lending a helping hand.
Professional Background
In 2018, Dr. Canuto was conferred a Doctor in Business Administration (Honoris Causa) by Polytechnic University of the Philippines for being an outstanding alumnus who showcased great accomplishments in his field. Along with his charitable endeavors, Dr. Canuto serves as Senior Vice President and member of the Executive Committee of Megaworld, and holds various directorships in the companies of Alliance Global Group, Inc., one of the top conglomerates in the Philippines.
Nomination Title: Leadership with a Heart: Dr. Francisco C. Canuto
