The Atila Balgos Foundation was established in 1996 by the heirs in honor of the late Atila Balgos, former governor of the province of Capiz who died in 1991. The main thrust of the foundation is to continue the Balgos scholarship program of former Gov. Its bylaws mentions that its purpose is “to serve as an effective organization and vehicle for tapping available human, financial, and material
resources for the delivery of services and implementation of various programs and projects that would benefit the local communities in the City of Roxas and the Province of Capiz, especially the needy and disadvantaged sectors therein, along the areas of, but not limited to, education, health, livelihood, sports, housing, and environmental conservation and development. The first president of the foundation was Dr. Milagros Balgos, who was a former Provincial Health Officer, former Director of the Roxas Memorial Provincial Hospital, and at one point was also Vice Governor of the Province of Capiz. While the scholarship programs of the Atila Balgos Foundation was continuing, Dr. Milagros Balgos included cultural activities (compilations of native songs and dances of Capiz), as well as health programs (medical/surgical missions, and (in cooperation with the provincial government), ambulance boats in certain coastal municipalities. After the death of Dr. Milagros Balgos in 2007, Ms. Lourdes Balgos San Agustin took over as President of the Atila Balgos Foundation, and continued its scholarship programs. In September 2013, Dr. Abundio Balgos, former Associate Dean of the University of the Philippines College of Medicine, and former Vice Chancellor for Planning and Development of the University of the Philippines, Manila, took over the presidency of the Atila Balgos Foundation. Dr. Abundio Balgos is also President and CEO of a newly-built tertiary hospital in Roxas City, The Health Centrum. Upon assumption of the presidency, Dr. Abundio Balgos organized a strategic planning meeting which resulted in the following plans:
Short-term and Long-term Plans
1) Immediate needs/projects (within one year)
a) Review SEC documentary compliance (completed)
b) Review and revitalize the Atila Balgos Scholarship program (ongoing)
c) Apply for accreditation as NGO with Provincial and City Government
(done)
d) Apply for accreditation as not only tax exempt but also to be able to grant
tax exemption to donors (PCNC application being prepared)
e) Re-launch the Atila Balgos medal for academic excellence province-wide
instead of just the Don Felix Balgos Memorial High School (ongoing)
g) Search for former Atila Balgos scholars and medal awardees and
organize them into the ABFI Development Organization.
2) Short-term (within two to three years) plan
a) Establish livelihood programs in conjunction with Movement Disorder
Society and The Health Centrum (Panay, Pontevedra, Panitan, Roxas
City, Pilar, and Maayon)
1. Backyard vegetable garden
2. Backyard freshwater fish culture (tilapia and/or pantat)
3. Backyard free range chicken raising program
4. TESDA programs in cooperation with CAPSU
b) Establish fund-raising activities
1. Co-sponsor ACCP convention in 2015
2. Website for donations via internet
3. Fund-generating research activities
4. Creation of an endowment fund
c) Establish health assistance program for Roxas City and Panay indigents
as part of joint Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program of the
Atila Balgos Foundation and The Health Centrum Hospital, in
conjunction with
1. LGU funds
2. PCSO funds
3. 4 P’s program
4. Low cost group insurance program
5. Drug-assistance program
6. Year-round medical/surgical/dental missions in cooperation with
Capiznon sa Manila, UP-PGH Ugnayan ng Pahinungod , and other
NGO’s
3) Medium to Long-term plan (3 years and onwards)
a) Expansion of livelihood programs to include other towns
b) Building a business office/commercial building in Panay to house the
office of Atila Balgos Foundation, the Atila Balgos Museum, and to
have continuing income from office and commercial space rental. In the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan, the Atila Balgos Foundation Board of Directors has unanimously approved the creation of Task Force “Bulig Kasimanwa” which will not only serve as conduit for receiving and delivery of relief goods to the typhoon victims, but to launch and/or participate in shelter and housing repair/restoration, and early recovery livelihood programs for fishermen and farmers who were affected by typhoon Yolanda. In coordination with Capiznon sa Manila, ABFI was able to give out more than 2,000 relief packs containing water, canned goods, 3 kilos of rice, to typhoon victime in brgy. Culahao,Tambac Olotayan and Banica in Roxas City, and in Barangays Binantuan, Libon, Anhawon, and Bonga (sitio Lebanon) in the town of Panay, Capiz. The ABFhas received donations in cash and in kind from many donors such as Ugnayan ng Pahinungod of UP Manila, Maxicare, Vivian Lim, and many other donors. This has allowed the ABF to distribute at least 1,000 more relief good packs, this time with clothings and at least 450 tarpaulin sheets that the typhoon victims can temporarily put on their roofs or walls, in 3 sitios in Barangay Bantigue (Dungon, Lusod, and Baybay, the latter being the site of 10-feet high storm surge waves that killed at least seven people), Sitio Blas in Brgy. Butacal, and barangays , Pawa, and sitio Bulon Navitas, all in the municipality of Panay. Relief goods distribution of the ABFI is still ongoing, although we have now shifted to housing and fishing boat repair assistance, hopefully in collaboration with the Rotary and other civic clubs, and Habitat. The ABFI is now actively partnering up with various donors, as well as the UNDP representative chairing the Early Rehabilitation and Livelihood cluster of the international humanitarian group that is assisting the vicitims of Typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan.
