Corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives are shifting from one-time donations toward long-term, structured partnerships that are designed to address persistent gaps in healthcare and social services.
One such partnership is the social good collaboration between the Kapwa Ko Mahal Ko Foundation and the SM Foundation.
The collaboration supported the treatment of six-year-old Christian Cornelio, who was born prematurely at Fabella Hospital with an imperforated anus and other medical conditions.
According to his mother, Ritchelda Suclatan, the family was told a few days after his birth that surgery was necessary.
“Sobrang sakit po noong sinabi ng doctor na kailangan po siyang operahan,” she said. “Ipinakita po siya sa akin ng doctor, at nakita ko pong malaki po ang kanyang tiyan. Sinabi po ng doctor na hindi na po siya nakaka-dumi.”
“Nung una, nawalan po ako ng pagasa. Napatanong ako sa diyos, bakit ganito pa ang binigay sa akin. Pero noong lumapit po ako sa Kapwa Ko, Mahal Ko, nagkaroon po ako ng pagasa,” she added.
For six years, Christian lived with a colostomy bag. The condition disrupted both his health and education and exposed him to bullying from peers. Suclatan said the family struggled to cope, but eventually sought help from Kapwa Ko, Mahal Ko.
Founded in 1975, Kapwa Ko, Mahal Ko has assisted thousands of patients by linking them to donors and institutional partners. Through its partnership with SM Foundation, Christian was able to undergo surgery and has since recovered. He is now in Grade 1.
Connie Angeles, Executive Director of SM Foundation’s Health and Medical Programs and host of Kapwa Ko, Mahal Ko, said the collaboration proves that CSR initiatives can deliver broader impact when paired with NGOs: “When corporate foundations and NGOs pool resources, expertise, and networks, we are able to deliver healthcare that would otherwise be inaccessible to many families.”
“Cases like Christian’s show that collaboration is creating systems that provide long-term impact and equal opportunities for recovery. It also shines a light when patients are on the verge of giving up. Beyond financial help, we provide hope for a better life.” The collaboration seeks to close gaps in healthcare access, and as corporate initiatives continue to align with nonprofit programs, more patients will gain access to essential treatment. These partnerships generate ripple effects that strengthen communities and build a more hopeful tomorrow.
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