Leviste gives 'P6 B' to typhoon victims; US gives $1.5 M

Batangas 1st district Rep. Leandro Leviste has donated P6 billion in shares as well as cash from proceeds from the sale of his stocks in a firm that he had led to help underprivileged Filipino students and typhoon victims.

- By JOSE RODEL CLAPANO

Through the donated shares, Leviste’s Lingkod Legarda Leviste Foundation aims to generate at least an average of P1 billion per year for the next 50 years, to serve as a long-term fund to support education and disaster relief in the Philippines.

To date, Leviste has supported over 150,000 students through P1,000 allowance, school bags and school supplies.

Leviste has also distributed over one million relief packs to typhoon victims in Batangas, particularly in the 1st District, which covers Nasugbu, Lian, Calatagan, Tuy, Balayan, Calaca, Lemery and Taal.

He said he hopes his efforts can help break the cycle of poverty in districts like his own — the poorest in Batangas — by supporting the education of underprivileged students.

Leviste turned his focus to public service in 2024 after selling his controlling stake in SP New Energy Corp. (SPNEC) to Meralco for approximately P34 billion.