Zonta Club of Laguna champions education, sustainability and youth empowerment

With a firm belief in education and community development, the Zonta Club of Laguna, Philippines, continues to lead impactful initiatives that empower youth, protect the environment and strengthen public infrastructure.

One of the club’s major achievements is the construction of a four-story, eight-classroom school building at Southville 3A National High School, made possible through collaboration with JCI Damas De San Pedro, the Office of Hon. Ann Matibag, San Antonio Barangay leadership and international partners like the China Foundation for Peace and Development. The project addresses the urgent need for more classrooms in the area and reflects Zonta’s commitment to providing better learning environments for Filipino students.

In support of sustainability, the club also launched a solar-powered water system in Elvinda, San Pedro City. The initiative provides the community with a clean and eco-friendly water source, demonstrating how renewable energy can support basic needs while promoting environmental responsibility.

To empower young people beyond academics, the club helped organize MAMBA Cup 2024, a basketball tournament for players under 39 years old. In partnership with the Congressional Office of Hon. Ann Matibag and all 27 Sangguniang Barangay of San Pedro City, the event brought together teams across the city to compete in San Pedro’s most beloved sport. With cash prizes and strong community support, the tournament promoted sportsmanship, camaraderie and healthy competition while encouraging youth to pursue sports as a potential pathway to scholarships and personal growth.

In celebration of Women’s Month, the club also hosted a large-scale event for solo parents, distributing ₱3,000 in aid to 1,000 individuals and awarding 67 Asenso Mobile Business carts. The program also included TESDA training for 200 participants in massage and pastry-making, helping to build sustainable livelihoods and financial independence.

In a collaborative environmental effort, Zonta Laguna organized “Women Grow the Future”, a multi-club tree planting drive focused on preserving the Sierra Madre region. The activity emphasized the vital role women play in climate action and ecological preservation.