DigiPlus Foundation turns over P1.5M aid to Cebuanos during Sinulog 2026

DigiPlus Foundation committed P1.5 million in post-disaster assistance to Cebu City residents during the recently concluded Sinulog 2026 celebration, reaffirming its support for communities recovering from disasters that hit the province in 2025.

The foundation, formerly known as BingoPlus Foundation, said the assistance was rolled out through its Sidlak sa Komunidad initiative, which formed part of the broader Sidlak Sinulog activities co-presented by BingoPlus during the annual festival. The program drew its name from the Cebuano word sidlak, meaning radiance or light, symbolizing hope and resilience among Cebuanos.

Under the initiative, DigiPlus Foundation provided recovery support to 50 families and five students affected by disasters in Cebu City last year.

“Marami sa amin ang nawalan ng pag-asa. And the only organization na tumulong sa aming pamilya sa nagdaang bagyo ay ang DigiPlus Foundation. So, this is a healing for us to keep moving. A healing for us to keep going and we have no idea kung wala ang DigiPlus Foundation hindi kami makapag-start, we don’t know where to ask help,” said beneficiary Peter Pineda, whose home was severely damaged by last year’s calamities.

“To DigiPlus Foundation, maraming salamat from the bottom of our hearts. Because of you, we have reason to move forward. Maraming salamat!” he added.

The assistance was delivered through the foundation’s BayanihanPLUS Program. Aside from financial aid for families who suffered total property loss, DigiPlus Foundation awarded scholarship grants to five students under the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. Each scholar will receive P100,000 to help support their education.

“The families we touch represent the very reason why we do what we do,” said DigiPlus Foundation Executive Director Angela Camins-Wieneke. “Through initiatives like this, we aim to extend meaningful support where it is most needed and stand with communities as they recover and move forward.”

The P1.5 million assistance adds to the foundation’s earlier disaster response efforts in Cebu, which totaled ₱8 million following the 6.9-magnitude earthquake, Typhoon Tino and other calamities that struck the province starting October 2025. According to the foundation, its relief, recovery and employee-focused assistance programs have reached 12,636 families, or an estimated 63,185 individuals.

During Sinulog 2026, DigiPlus Foundation also showcased its WishPLUS Program at Plaza Independencia. Through a Wish Tree booth, festival-goers were invited to share personal, family or community aspirations, with selected wishes for livelihood recovery granted.

“Dahil po sa tulong na binigay ng Digiplus Foundation at BingoPlus kasama ko sila sa pag-ahon ng aking mga pangarap,” said WishPLUS beneficiary Niño Algar, who received a livelihood package.

The foundation said its Sinulog initiatives underscore its long-term commitment to supporting communities not only during celebrations but also during times of crisis, as it continues programs focused on education, resilience, health care and inclusive empowerment.