“The dignity of man is best respected by helping him realize his hopes and by sharing with him the burden of his fears.”In the words of our founder, Don Ramon Aboitiz.

The Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. (RAFI) marks its 59th year of service to communities in Cebu. In the light of the recent disasters that struck the province, we reaffirm our commitment to bring hope, relief, and rehabilitation to affected communities. At the core of the Foundation are its values of service, God-centeredness, integrity, and respect. These values ground our work, especially in moments of crisis and calamity.

RAFI draws inspiration from the example of Don Ramon Aboitiz. He lived through the Second World War and supported the homeless and the less fortunate during that time. He helped communities rebuild and recover. His philosophy remains alive in the Foundation today. RAFI stands with communities and shares the weight of the challenges that communities face that follow every disaster.

RAFI’s Relief Operations Over the Years

1976

• RAFI helped form the Cebu Integrated Relief Committee (CIRC) after Typhoon Didang. The CIRC was composed of representatives of the government and the private sector. The effort, however, lasted only during Cebu Governor Eduardo Gullas’ term.

1988

• It launched its first major relief operations after Typhoon Yoning, repairing 1,300 damaged homes and supporting 8,000 survivors with USAID support.

1990

• In response to the devastation of Typhoon Ruping, RAFI was tapped by the Cebu City Government as lead agency in relief and rehabilitation work. 
• RAFI also led a fundraising drive, and provided relief packs to 3,419 families with the help of USAID.
• On the same year, RAFI joined relief operations after the Northern Luzon earthquake, extending help beyond Cebu.

1991

• It responded to the Ormoc flood after Typhoon Uring. Under “Operation Ormoc”, it built 4,200 relocation housing units for survivors, installed health and sanitation facilities, and provided professional trauma management services.

1998

• When El Niño affected Cebu, RAFI and Aboitiz Foundation aided 5,964 households in 12 Cebu municipalities with food and agricultural support.

2006

• After the Guinsaugon landslide in St. Bernard, Southern Leyte it co-implemented “Tabang: St. Bernard, Leyte”, raising funds for educational and psychosocial assistance to affected students and suvivors.

2013

• RAFI responded to two major disasters: the Bohol earthquake and Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan).
• RAFI aided 8,876 earthquake-affected families in 136 barangays across Bohol.
• In response to Super Typhoon Yolanda, RAFI provided food and water to 88, 769 families, distributed shelter kits, and helped rebuild schools and daycare centers to support long-term recovery.

2020

• RAFI responded to the COVID-19 pandemic. RAFI distributed food relief packs and hygiene kits across Cebu and nearby islands, including support for street dwellers, and stranded individuals. It also provided PPE for frontliners and offered transportation assistance.
• It also installed “hunaw” stations, partnered government and private partners to set up COVID isolation centers, and supported free ambulance services and blood donation drives.

2021 – 2022

• Super Typhoon Odette hit Cebu in late 2021. In response, RAFI provided immediate relief to more than 210,000 families, distributing relief packs, drinking water, and shelter kits. 
• It also provided psychosocial support to more than 4,218 individuals including children and first responders.

2025

• RAFI is currently responding to two closely-occurring disasters that struck Cebu: the magnitude 6.9 earthquake and Typhoon Tino.
• To aid earthquake survivors, RAFI distributed 37,057 food and non-food items and provided psychological first aid to 1,146 individuals with the Wellbeing Cluster. It is currently delivering emergency relief for typhoon-affected communities, while continuing recovery and rehabilitation support for earthquake survivors.

Paddling Forward

RAFI continues to support communities in Cebu in times of peace and in times of disaster. This Foundation Day marks another year of service and steadfast commitment. We paddle forward in the face of adversity. We remain present for the community and remain anchored in the work of helping Cebu rise back up again.