Capital One Philippines creates ripples of change to empower communities

Teachers, students and Capital One Philippines volunteers cheer after the Water Tower was built at the Kiling Elementary School in Sariaya, Quezon. This will provide clean drinking water to protect the community from water-borne diseases and help ensure their health and wellness. Children were also taught the importance of hand hygiene to protect them from diseases.

International Volunteerism Day serves as a global reminder of the power of collective action. At Capital One Philippines, this is more than just a celebration—it’s a reflection of the company’s year-long commitment to building stronger, healthier communities through the dedicated efforts of its associates.

To commemorate International Volunteerism Day this year, Capital One Philippines conducted week-long activities such as the water tower deployment at Kiling Elementary School in Sariaya, Quezon, which brings the total to 78 water towers deployed; educational sessions at Alabang Elementary School in Muntinlupa; and a heartfelt year-end celebration at Sto. Tomas Elementary School in Biñan, Laguna.

Throughout 2024, Capital One Philippines has touched more than 356,000 people through its unwavering commitment to social responsibility, achieving significant milestones such as donating over 416,000 meals in collaboration with Rise Against Hunger, deploying 28 water towers across the Philippines through Planet Water Foundation to provide clean drinking water to underserved areas, and producing 13 graduates under the Contact Center Readiness Program (CCRP) which transforms underprivileged young adults into digitally-enabled and customer-centric global professionals through an engagement and mentorship program in partnership with Tuloy Foundation. To date, CCRP has helped 99% of 150 program graduates gain employment in the IT-BPM industry, with 105 of them hired at Capital One Philippines.

For Capital One Philippines Director and Head of Strategy and Community Kaneth Santiago, the impact of volunteerism extends far beyond immediate results. She said, “Each donation, volunteer hour, and conversation creates a ripple effect that extends far beyond our initial intention. This year, we received more than 49,000 donations, which have been directed to support key beneficiaries like Haven for Children, Haven for Women, Alabang Elementary School and disaster-stricken areas. Each of these partners play a vital role in addressing pressing community needs and our contributions have enabled them to reach their objectives,” Santiago added.

Volunteerism at its Finest
Through these efforts, Capital One Philippines continues to embody the spirit of “Investing for Good,” ensuring that volunteerism remains at the heart of its culture.

“Volunteering holds a special place in my heart because I understand what it feels like to be in need. This experience has taught me how powerful it is to be there for others and offer the support they need. Helping others not only creates a positive impact in their lives but also allows me to pay forward the kindness I received during my own time of need. It helps me find a deep sense of fulfillment and gratitude,” said one associate

“Our drive is to be a force for good not just for customers and associates, but also to the communities around us. There’s joy in meeting people who believe in the importance of our mission and commitment of delivering clean drinking water to a community – a resource so fundamental that most of us have taken it for granted but unfortunately, not everyone has easy, reliable access to,” said Capital One Philippines Head of Country Raoul Teh.

“When you volunteer, you’ll find that you both give and gain something. You’ll gain a sense of pride and connection that carries through to everything you do. Together, our small acts can ripple outward, creating waves of change that impact communities, families, and future generations. Let’s keep building these connections and making a difference, one step at a time,” added Capital One Philippines Head of Global Operations and President Sara Murphy.

Whether through the deployment of water towers, donation drives, or personal acts of kindness, Capital One Philippines proves that even the smallest actions transform lives and communities.