The 1st Invitational Golf Tournament of the “Alay Gabay Para sa Maginhawang Buhay “ (Providing mobility support for a better life) Project held last December 5-6, 2009 at Kalsangi Golf Course in Polomolok, South Cotabato raised a gross collections of P1.24M from event sponsorship and player registrations. The said tournament, aimed at raising funds to help differently-abled persons (DAPs), was participated by 79 golfers from different parts of the country.
For every P20,000.00 raised, five (5) differently-abled persons will be given opportunities for a better life and enhance their access to basic social services.
United Nations General Assembly defined differently-abled persons (DAPs) as those “unable to ensure by himself/herself, wholly or partly, the necessities of a normal individual and/or social life, as a result of deficiency, either congenital or not, in his/her physical or mental capabilities.”
“Alay Gabay Para sa Maginhawang Buhay” Project is a benevolent undertaking between Dole Philippines, Inc. and Mahintana Foundation, Inc. through the support of Wheelchair Foundation, Inc. of the United States of America.
A total of 280 wheelchairs were already distributed to selected DAPs belonging to low-income families last November 2009 in the municipalities of Tampakan (3), Polomolok (67), Tupi (1), Sto. Nino (28), Norala (16), Banga (17), Lake Sebu (14), Surallah (35), Tboli (26), and Tantangan (21) in South Cotabato province and in Koronadal City (52).
![Mr. Rolando Maliwat, Dolefil Finance Director tees off at Hole No. 1.](https://web.archive.org/web/20100426001241im_/http://www.mahintana.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/p2-300x238.jpg)
Mr. Rolando Maliwat, Dolefil Finance Director tees off at Hole No. 1.
“Dolefil is doing this project to provide mobility support to the differently-abled persons in our communities. After our successful partnership with the provincial local government unit of South Cotabato, it is time to share this noble endeavor with our friends and the group of suppliers,” Mr. Kevin Davis, General Manager of Dolefil said in his message during the Awarding Ceremony held Sunday afternoon at Kalsangi Club House.
“Our company is very happy and thankful for giving us the opportunity to help out in your outreach project,” said Mr. Edwin Baseleres of HB Fuller. HB Fuller is among the 65 companies, including Dole Japan Ltd, which joined in this charitable endeavor.
The other companies which supported the event are: DC Tech Micro Services Inc, Unified Eng’g and Skilled Workers Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Marubeni-Itochu Steel Inc., Nippon Steel Corp, DHL , Fiesta Appliance Center, Genpack/Appscor/RD Realty, International Chemical Ind., Inc., Kaleb Industries, Inc., KLT Fruit Inc, Land Bank of the Philippines, Materials Solutions,Inc., MED PRIX Drug Distributor, Pilipinas Kao Inc., RSP Pharma Distribution, SKF Philippines Inc, Time Saver Trading & Printing Services – DCO, Winch Construction & Engg Services, Solid Shipping Lines, Hapag Lloyd Philippines Inc., Sarangani Resources Corporation, Rotary Club of Koronadal Zone 3A District 3860, United Laboratories, Inc., Femjeg Security and Allied Service, Profood International Corp., Zetryl. Chem Phils., Inc. , Twin-Circa Marketing, Chemix Trading Corporation, Machtrach, APL Co. Pte. Ltd., Marianas Express Line Philippines Inc., Premiere Adhesives, Ma. Aussielita L. Lit, Rafols Machine Shop, DECCO, Jomaray Pulp Packaging Industries, Harveytec Davao Corp., Farb, Banco De Oro, Sarangani Pal Regular Team, Rotary Club of Gen. Santos City, HL Trading Company, Inc., SAFI, Seth Engineering, Monark, Stanfilco, Deco Machine Shop Inc, Hytruck Machineries Philippines Inc, Komark International, Itochu Metals Corp -Non-Ferrous Raw Materials Group – Raw Materials Division, Tradex Asia Limited, Shuwa Kaiun Kaisha, Ltd., PLDT-Smart, RCBC, Petron, Rovy/Vercide Engineering Works, Inc., and Zagro.
![A young golfer tees off before the tarpaulins of major event sponsors at Hole No. 9.](https://web.archive.org/web/20100426001241im_/http://www.mahintana.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/p3-300x208.jpg)
A young golfer tees off before the tarpaulins of major event sponsors at Hole No. 9.
Exciting giveaways and prizes, which include souvenir items and various appliances, were also given to player participants upon registration and during the Awarding Ceremony.
“Since this is the first, there will be second and third,” Mr. Davis added in his message anticipating more companies to participate in the future “Alay Gabay” golf tournaments and raise more funds to benefit a larger number of differently-abled persons in several communities.