A year ago, I had the pleasure of sharing this night with most of you during the awarding ceremonies for the Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos. We celebrated the inspired brilliance of our teachers, soldiers, and police—outstanding Filipinos who have roused in us the passion to serve our nation in the manner of heroes, by doing extraordinary things in a most ordinary way.
Tonight though, the celebrations take on a more profound note as we honor Metrobank’s fifty years of excellence in banking and corporate social responsibility. In its half century of service, Metrobank has delivered a solemn promise that goes beyond the usual fiduciary relationships between banks and their clients. “You’re in good hands,” is a pledge that your bank has delivered over the years, and as one of the most durable pillars of the Philippine banking industry, you continue to raise the bar of excellence by providing our people with the means to achieve their dreams.
By being an avenue that the Filipino people can access funding—be it through lending schemes for groups or individuals, or projects that benefit the less fortunate—Metrobank has been the key to Filipino families realizing tangible hopes. It would take more than me to enumerate the number of people who can now boast of homes, businesses or an education, with the bank’s help.
In my official duties in housing and the OFW sector and housing, which the President has kindly entrusted to me, I have seen the critical role that our financial institutions play in helping us advance our development agenda. In the housing sector, we need to build 3.6 million homes for Filipino families by 2016, not to mention relocating our countrymen who are situated in areas susceptible to disaster such as waterways and fault-lines. These homes also need to be built according to standards formulated to mitigate the effects on the environment. The OFW front, meanwhile, is embattled with issues of protecting our fellow Filipinos seeking employment abroad, from being preyed on by illegal recruiters, as well as continually seeking dialogues with destination countries to ensure that their dignity is upheld and the fruits of their labors are secured.
Ito po ang mithiin ng nakararami sa ating mga kababayan. Ang ating pamahalaan ay walang pagod na nagsisikap upang makamit natin ito, ngunit magiging ganap lamang ang ating adhikain kung sama-sama tayong magtutulungan – ang pribadong sektor, people’s organizations, LGUs at ang national government.
Sa gitna nitong lahat, nais ko pong pasalamatan ang Metrobank sa kanilang taospusong tulong sa mga kababayan natin hindi lang dito sa Pilipinas, kundi pati na yaong nasa ibayong dagat.
In many areas where our Global Filipinos are present, Metrobank is there to provide them with safe and secure services so that their hard-earned cash be invested and grow. Your understanding of people’s needs have led to services, which seek to minimize the hassles and constraints that they encounter as they work to approach their aspirations. Closer to home, projects such as faster and more efficient money-transfer services for the remittances of our kababayans abroad, and low interest rates for housing loans, are only a few examples that clearly display your institution’s responsiveness to the challenges of the present.
These evolutions and revolutions are more than just adjustments in your marketing strategies and business plans. They reveal a spirit that was built into the organization, a culture that was nurtured by those who gave the bank its first breath. If your 50 years have been marked by excellent banking services, philanthropy, and an unwavering commitment to better serve its customers, then we have Dr. George Ty to thank for all that the bank has become.
Just as a father takes pride in seeing his children grow to become adults of good name and with a deep sense of honor, perhaps it is my dear friend George who is most proud tonight of all that Metrobank has hurdled and accomplished in five decades. And we pay tribute to him and his tireless efforts over half a century to ensure that the institution that began as his enterprise, would prosper as a true financial partner of every Filipino.
As we look to the future, I see nothing but great things for this bank. As you relish seeing your next 50 years unfold, I have no doubt that your clients and your country shall remain “in good hands.”
Congratulations on your 50th year. I wish you nothing but more success.
Mabuhay kayo!