Ford Philanthropy, Ford Philippines Donate Ford Ranger to Gawad Kalinga to Support Nationwide Operations
Pedro Simoes, Managing Director of Ford Philippines (third from right); Mary Culler, President of Ford Philanthropy (rightmost); and Kent Primor, Director for Government and Corporate Affairs of Ford Philippines (leftmost), lead the official turnover of a Ford Ranger Sport to Gawad Kalinga represented by Chairman Luis Oquiñena (second from right), Head of Operations Jan Vincent Iriberri (second from left), and Executive Director Daniel Bercasio (third from left).
MANILA, Philippines, March 19, 2026 – Ford Philanthropy, the global philanthropic arm of Ford Motor Company, and Ford Philippines have donated a brand-new Ford Ranger to Gawad Kalinga (GK) to support its nationwide operations.
The Ford Ranger Sport 4×4, turned over during the launch of the Ford Building Together initiative at the GK Headquarters in Mandaluyong City, will help GK in transporting essential goods, supporting relief operations during disasters and emergencies, and enabling volunteers to reach more communities in need. The Ranger Sport 4×4 will serve as a reliable mobility partner for GK in reaching far-flung areas and provinces with its performance, efficiency, and superior off-road capability.
Ford Building Together is a global initiative that brings the full power of Ford to support the communities it serves by working alongside its expansive dealer network in communities across the country, sharing the skills and expertise of its employees through volunteering, and lending technology and vehicles to scale the services of its nonprofit partners.
The vehicle turnover and launch of Ford Building Together was led by Mary Culler, President of Ford Philanthropy, together with Pedro Simoes, Managing Director, Ford Philippines. During the turnover, Culler highlighted the collective power of Ford Philippines’ dealers, employees, volunteers, Clubs and owner groups, and partners in delivering support to the communities, which is the essence of Ford Building Together.
Mary Culler, President of Ford Philanthropy, delivers her opening remarks during the launch of the Ford Building Together initiative, underscoring the importance of partnerships in strengthening and supporting communities.
“Strong communities are built through strong partnerships,” Culler shared during the program. “By working closely with local leaders and volunteers, we are able to respond to urgent needs while helping create long-term opportunities for families.”
For his part, Simoes said, “Ford Building Together is more than a philanthropic effort. It’s about mobilizing our extensive dealer and volunteer network to lend a helping hand – from donation turnover, community development, mobility support to volunteerism – especially during challenging times.”
Driving Resilience Before and After Disasters
Ford Building Together brings under one platform the long-standing collaboration between Ford and GK, combining mobility, volunteerism, and community leadership to strengthen resilience before, during, and after crises.
A key pillar of the partnership is disaster preparedness through Operation Walang Iwanan. Ford has supported GK’s disaster response hubs in six regions, equipping them with Starlink mini-satellite internet, emergency tents, relief-grade waders, mobile kitchens, EcoFlow solar battery power, water filtration systems, and communication tools.
Between 2024 and 2025, these efforts supported more than 11,500 individuals affected by typhoons, fires, and earthquakes. Ford vehicles played a vital role in enabling volunteers to reach isolated communities and transport essential supplies when they were needed most.
Ford Philippines and Ford Philanthropy executives, together with Gawad Kalinga leaders, share a meal with children from the Gawad Kalinga community following the launch of Ford Building Together.
Investing in Healthier Communities
Beyond emergency response, the partnership continues to invest in long-term community development through Operation Better World.
Since 2015, medical and dental missions, health training sessions, and nutrition programs have reached more than 15,000 patients, trained over 1,100 community health champions, and mobilized more than 1,000 volunteers nationwide.
Through Kusina ng Kalinga, children in underserved communities receive regular nutritious meals that help them stay healthy and focused in school. This year, the initiative also expands to include READ, a 12-week reading support program for children in Bagong Silang, Caloocan who need additional help in literacy.
Strengthening Food Security with Sustainable Solutions
The event also marked the renewed collaboration with Scholars of Sustenance Philippines, a food rescue organization that redistributes surplus food from businesses to communities experiencing hunger.
The initiative supports both food security and sustainability by reducing food waste in Nueva Vizcaya while expanding access to nutritious meals for vulnerable families.
With Ford Building Together now serving as a unified platform for its community initiatives, Ford Philippines and Gawad Kalinga show how leadership and grassroots action can work hand in hand to address urgent needs while creating lasting impact and meaningful change.
Original Article: Ford Online
