MANILA, Philippines, June 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Vantage Foundation has mobilised local employees to support humanitarian relief efforts following the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck offshore Sarangani in the southern Philippines on 8 June 2026.
According to figures reported by the Philippine Office of Civil Defense and cited by the Associated Press on 12 June, the earthquake left 46 people dead and 38 missing, injured at least 688 people, displaced more than 45,000 residents, and damaged over 12,600 homes across affected communities. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology confirmed that the earthquake occurred at 7:37 am at a depth of 33 kilometres.
In response to the disaster, Vantage Foundation mobilised local employees to support relief activities in General Santos City and surrounding affected communities. Working alongside local partners and community organisations, Vantage representatives helped prepare and deliver emergency supplies directly to families affected by the earthquake.
Based on publicly available information reviewed at the time of publication, Vantage Foundation's response involved direct participation by local employees, alongside financial and logistical support for affected communities. Team members travelled to General Santos City, Alabel and Malapatan to deliver essential supplies and assist relief efforts on the ground.
"Our priority is to help affected families access practical assistance during this deeply challenging period," said Alex Samson, Country Manager for The Philippines representing Vantage Foundation. "Our local colleagues are present in the affected communities, helping to deliver essential supplies and support families facing the immediate consequences of the earthquake. We believe meaningful humanitarian action requires not only resources, but also direct engagement with the communities we serve."
The Mindanao earthquake response marks the latest chapter in Vantage Foundation's continuing commitment to humanitarian assistance and community development.
Since its establishment in the United Kingdom in 2023, the Foundation has supported the Starlight Child Care Project in Sydney, Australia, community food assistance in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the #TradeForHope women's empowerment initiative in Indonesia, and joint emergency relief following the Tai Po Level 5 fire in Hong Kong in 2025.
Across these initiatives, Vantage Foundation has sought to work closely with local communities and partner organisations to address immediate needs while contributing to longer-term social impact. The Foundation's continued involvement in humanitarian relief, community welfare, and empowerment programmes reflects a sustained approach to social responsibility, with each initiative building on its commitment to creating meaningful and lasting positive change.
As relief efforts continue in Mindanao, Vantage Foundation remains focused on supporting local recovery and helping affected communities access essential assistance. Further updates on the supplies distributed, communities reached and overall impact of the initiative will be shared as information becomes available.
For updates on the relief effort and Vantage Foundation's wider community initiatives, please visit https://www.vantage.foundation/
About Vantage Foundation
Vantage Foundation is an independent charitable organization launched at the McLaren Technology Centre in the UK in 2023. The foundation has partnered with organisations worldwide, including Grab Indonesia, the iREDE Foundation in Nigeria, Teach for Malaysia, and Instituto Claret in Brazil, to drive impactful social initiatives.
For more information, please visit www.vantage.foundation
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Vantage Foundation Provides Swift Humanitarian Relief Following Mindanao Earthquake in the Philippines
Vantage Foundation Provides Swift Humanitarian Relief Following Mindanao Earthquake in the Philippines
HONG KONG, June 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- PT Mekar Investama Teknologi (MEKAR), an Indonesian sustainable finance company, has earned three international recognitions at the FinanceAsia Awards 2026 and the WRISE Volare Awards 2026, reinforcing its position as one of Southeast Asia's emerging leaders in impact-driven finance and highlighting the growing international recognition of its integrated ecosystem model.
"These recognitions reflect MEKAR's commitment to redefining productive financing by creating tangible, real-world impact," said Pandu Aditya Kristy, Chief Executive Officer of PT Mekar Investama Teknologi.
At the FinanceAsia Awards 2026, MEKAR was named Winner - Best Strategic Initiative - Nonbank Financial Institutions (Indonesia) and received Highly Commended – Biggest Sustainable Impact - Nonbank Financial Institutions (Indonesia). On the same day, MEKAR was also honoured as Best Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Ecosystem Platform at the WRISE Volare Awards 2026, recognising its innovative ecosystem approach to sustainable finance.
The awards recognise MEKAR's evolution beyond conventional digital lending into an integrated ecosystem that connects financing with productive sectors, creating measurable economic, social, and environmental value.
Unlike traditional financing models, MEKAR has developed the MEKAR Ecosystem, bringing together interconnected business initiatives across financing, agriculture, renewable energy, and food sectors to support the long-term growth of Indonesia's real economy. Through this integrated approach, financing becomes more than access to capital; it becomes a catalyst for productivity, resilience, and sustainable development.
A cornerstone of this ecosystem is Multi Micro Agriculture Financing (MMAF), an integrated financing model that combines productive financing with agronomic assistance, satellite-based land monitoring, market access, and ecosystem partnerships. By connecting capital directly to agricultural production, MMAF improves financing quality while helping farmers increase productivity, restore underutilised land, and strengthen long-term income sustainability.
To date, MEKAR has disbursed more than IDR 2.4 trillion in productive financing while maintaining a 98% repayment rate. The company supports growth across productive sectors, including agriculture, MSMEs, and waste-to-energy initiatives, while expanding access to inclusive finance. More than 80% of its borrowers are women-led MSMEs, underscoring MEKAR's commitment to financial inclusion and economic empowerment. Through its waste-to-energy initiatives, MEKAR also advances circular economy practices by converting agricultural and wood waste into value-added renewable energy.
As MEKAR continues to expand its ecosystem, the company is strengthening collaboration with regional investors, strategic partners, and industry stakeholders. These international recognitions reinforce MEKAR's growing role in advancing sustainable finance and open new opportunities for cross-border collaboration, particularly across Singapore and Greater China.
"We believe financial inclusion should go beyond providing access to capital—it should strengthen productive sectors, empower communities, and drive sustainable economic growth. Through the MEKAR Ecosystem, including sustainable agriculture and waste-to-energy initiatives, we are contributing to Indonesia's real economy while creating long-term value for society and the environment. These awards inspire us to continue expanding our ecosystem and strengthening collaborations with partners across Indonesia and the region. We also look forward to working with regional and international partners who share our vision of accelerating sustainable finance and creating lasting impact across Asia," Pandu Aditya Kristy added.
Looking ahead, MEKAR will continue to scale the Multi Micro Agriculture Financing (MMAF) model, strengthen strategic partnerships, and leverage technology to accelerate sustainable finance across Indonesia. Through its integrated ecosystem approach, MEKAR aims to expand regional collaboration while continuing to connect finance with the real economy and contribute to a more inclusive and sustainable future across Asia.
About PT Mekar Investama Teknologi
PT Mekar Investama Teknologi (MEKAR) is an Indonesian financial technology company committed to advancing sustainable finance and financial inclusion through productive financing. Through the MEKAR Ecosystem, the company connects financing with agriculture, waste-to-energy, and food sectors to create measurable economic, social, and environmental impact while supporting the long-term growth of Indonesia's real economy.
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MEKAR Earns Three International Recognitions for Advancing Sustainable Finance and Indonesia's Real Economy
