MESSAGE FROM
OUR CHAIRMAN

CESAR A. BUENAVENTURA

Approaching our 40th year in service to the Filipino people, we looked back at our programs and where we started in 1982, from our humble and modest beginnings, we have grown into a foundation that has helped the lives of millions of Filipinos. Aside from leveraging on the success of our pioneer programs such as Sanayan sa Kakayahang Industriyal (SKIL) and Movement against Malaria (MAM), which has garnered international acclaim and support from the Global Fund, we continue to create program that address the current needs of our fellow Filipinos and expanded our activities to more rural areas amidst the on-going pandemic.

It is my fervent hope that as we move forward, we continue to find ways to help uplift the lives of the most vulnerable members of society and ask, what more can we do to lead our fellow Filipinos to a better, brighter, and peaceful tomorrow.

MESSAGE FROM
OUR PRESIDENT

LORELIE Q. OSIAL

We have firmly stayed on course because we know that what we do makes a positive difference to our consumers, stakeholders, communities where we operate, and our economy – thus, our country.

This ethos is echoed in the endeavors that we do through our social development arm, Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI). The Foundation has not only continued to carry out Pilipinas Shell‘s social investment programs in support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), it has taken a step further by crafting Inputs to Impact Journey, its five-year strategy to better operate in the new normal.

This mindset to thrive and not just survive a crisis marks PSFI’s journey of almost 40 years of sustaining initiatives in enabling the disadvantaged to become productive, responsible and empowered members of Philippine society and in helping strengthen Philippine community systems. Despite the numerous restrictions, we strengthened our connections with the communities that we serve. Not only did we continue to deliver on our regular social investment programs, but we also launched initiatives to help alleviate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. To date, we have spent over PHP150 million for our COVID-19 response activities, which has benefited close to 800,000 Filipinos. PSFI, in partnership with different organizations, provided around 523,000 meals to frontline workers. Additionally, our different classes of business (COBs) also initiated COVID-19 response programs not only for their indigent beneficiaries, but also for their business partners, extended workforce, and customers.

In 2021, we helped build brighter communities. We lit up a four-kilometer stretch within the Batangas-Lobo National Highway with solar powered street lights, which we expect will help reduce the probability of road accidents. We also delivered over 350 solar lamps to families across 10 provinces that were affected when Super Typhoon Odette (Rai) battered the Visayas, Mindanao, and parts of Luzon in December last year.

We continued providing learning opportunities for our scholars. We’ve on- boarded 5 new Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) college students under the Shell-PhilDev program, and 60 new high school and college students under the Shell Tabangao Ladies Circle (STLC) and the Shell Employees Dependent Scholarship Program (SEDSP). We’ve also trained over 300 students and 55 teachers on STEM problem-solving skills through Shell NXplorers.

We are proud that Shell LiveWIRE, a global program we launched in the country in 2020, continues to help local technology and community enterprises remain strong and competitive during these difficult times through mentorship and coaching. Last year, we supported over 200 individuals on entrepreneurship skills training, and helped establish and sustain 40 businesses and enterprises.

The success of Ani Para sa Bayani dictates that we continue helping our farmers and fisher folk increase their livelihood income, while providing nutritious food to frontliners and vulnerable communities. We helped 250 farmers earn P2.4 million from the sale of their produce last year.

Much more is detailed in the report regarding our impact on our communities, given PSFI’s broad scope of social development programs that promote nutrition and food security; health, sanitation, and safety; education and skills development; access to energy; livelihood and enterprise development; and environmental stewardship.

Behind the numbers, of individuals, families and communities that continue to benefit from our programs, are the human stories and lived experiences. For this, we thank all PSFI staff, partners, and stakeholders who stay dedicated to our goals.

We have touched the lives of millions, and with PSFI, we can continue to make an impact that matters on many more as together, we continue to keep moving the Filipino Forward.

MESSAGE FROM OUR
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

SEBASTIAN C. QUINIONES, JR.

2021 is the year we were sought to truly embrace the new normal. The pandemic was no longer new, giving us the nudge to recalibrate our ways of working. We became more focused and used this time to reflect on our strategies and see how we will be able to further contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) more efficiently and effectively, thus the realization of PSFI’s 2021-2025 Strategy: Inputs to Impact Journey.

Anchoring on this, we continue to explore ways to strengthen our journey by the incorporation and measurement of environmental, social and governance investments in our programs, as well as integrating climate change into our activities.

As we approach our 40th year in service, it is with pride that we say that each year has always been eventful and impactful because of the dedication of our partners and beneficiaries, and the blessed hands of the entire PSFI workforce.

We foresee many more changes in our future, but one thing for certain is that PSFI will continue its work to make these changes positive and meaningful. Sama-samang pagtulong, sabay-sabay na pagsulong. Let us all help move the Filipino Forward.

THE PROGRAMS:

COVID-19 Response

Ani Para Sa Bayani

Andam (Ready) Kagayan

Tropical Storm Maring Response

Super Typhoon Odette Response

The Philippines is among the most disaster-prone countries in the world. According to PAGASA, more tropical cyclones (TC) enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) than anywhere else globally. An average of 20 TCs enter the region each year, with around eight to nine crossing the country1. Coupled with the pandemic, the effects of these natural disasters have been amplified – with everyday Filipinos bearing the brunt of the impacts. As these issues recur and persist, PSFI continuously shows up for its communities. Our programs seek to bring much-needed relief to benefit those affected in the short- and long-term.

PSFI applied learnings from previous programs and structured the disaster response process from three pillars: 1) working within our fenceline communities, 2) assessing the needs and situation, 3) aligning with and securing funding support from the Shell companies, and 4) tapping into our partner organizations.

The first pillar involves PSFI working within existing operation sites, mainly allocating resources in these areas. We also consider areas with Shell service stations. Second, PSFI assesses the needs of communities through engagements. We then align with the Shell companies to secure funding support. Lastly, PSFI coordinates with partners already present in areas to efficiently provide relief.

Through our disaster response process, we have been able to pool resources and help thousands of Filipinos weather the storm. For instance, Pilipinas Shell provided relief goods such as food, drinking water, and hygiene kits to nearly 7,000 families affected by Super Typhoon Odette. Through the collective efforts of PSFI, the Shell Companies in the Philippines, and partner organizations such as DZRH, BCYF, the University of Cebu, Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF), and Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), we were able to reach communities in Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Bohol, Tacloban, Southern Leyte (Liloan), Palawan, Cabadbaran, Surigao, Siargao, and Dinagat Island.

We also facilitated relief operations for the residents of Shell-GK Libjo after Typhoon Rolly, the 7th most destructive storm to hit the Philippines (as of November 2020), devastated the area. We provided nutritious family food packs and hygiene kits to 79 households as advocates for health, safety, nutrition, and food security.

To face the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic, PSFI employed a crisis response and management framework that focused on connecting communities – creating a system wherein all parties benefit. To develop agricultural communities, PSFI sourced goods from Rizal, Palawan, and Camarines Sur farmers to provide fruits and vegetables locally purchased from farmers and cooperatives for Filipino frontliners through “Para sa Bayani,” a project that bridges medical frontliners and the agricultural sector. Around 38.66 tons of vegetables and 12.47 tons of rice were distributed, generating Php 2.42 million for the farmers. PSFI is ready to assist communities in times of need. In Tagbilaran, one of our focus areas, PSFI swiftly conducted a relief operation that assisted 700 household barangays situated along with the coastal areas.

To face the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic, PSFI employed a crisis response and management framework that focused on connecting communities – creating a system wherein all parties benefit. To develop agricultural communities, PSFI sourced goods from Rizal, Palawan, and Camarines Sur farmers to provide fruits and vegetables locally purchased from farmers and cooperatives for Filipino frontliners through “Para sa Bayani,” a project that bridges medical frontliners and the agricultural sector. Around 38.66 tons of vegetables and 12.47 tons of rice were distributed, generating Php 2.42 million for the farmers.

PSFI is ready to assist communities in times of need. In Tagbilaran, one of our focus areas, PSFI swiftly conducted a relief operation that assisted 700 household barangays situated along with the coastal areas.

THE PROGRAMS:

Anibong and Yolanda Recovery and Rehabilitation Program (ARRP)

Bayanihan Para Sa Pangkabuhayan (BPSB)

Gas Mo Bukas Ko (GMBK)

Response to Communities Under Emergencies (RESCUE)

Sanayan sa Kakayahang Industriyal (SKIL)

Shell LiveWIRE (SLW)

Tagbilaran Sustainable Development Program (TSDP)

Unlad sa Pasada (USP)

Sustaining Progress

Two years later, the COVID-19 pandemic still affects everyday Filipinos the most. Despite the supposed economic recovery, uncertainties still stem from this crisis – leaving many in dire need of decent livelihood opportunities. While the country experienced the lowest unemployment rate at 6.5% in November 2021, the Philippine Statistics Authority reported that this inched up to 6.6% three months later.

Regardless of fluctuations in the national economy, there are still more than three million jobless Filipinos. If not unemployment, the pandemic pushed people towards low-quality or unstable jobs.

As the local economy remains volatile, PSFI stands firm in equipping the Filipinos’ resilience with skills that would allow them to achieve their full potential. Different issues require different approaches, which is why we assess communities to cater to the unique needs of our beneficiaries.

We conduct programs executed in the short and long term so that we can address both urgent and systemic livelihood issues. In recent years, our Response to Communities Under Emergencies (RESCUE) project focused on aiding communities during natural disasters and other events like fires and accidents. Over the course of the pandemic, RESCUE set out to help frontline workers, health services, enterprises, students, and others who have been severely affected. PSFI helped protect beneficiaries from the economic shocks resulting from lockdown by providing resources like farming equipment and materials, as well as training and learning materials for food production, livelihood, and COVID-19.

Pilipinas Shell was founded to provide training that would enable Filipinos to find decent livelihood opportunities. Shell LiveWIRE (SLW) was established as a flagship program to address this, branching off into other projects to address diverse needs. The SLW Community Enterprise Development program focused on capacitating enterprise-minded members of the community to promote self-reliance and develop their overall potential. For instance, we tapped into the solo parents’ group in Macabalan, Cagayan de Oro to assist them in their livelihood by providing courses such as Food Processing.

The SLW program in partnership with Connected Women had a similar rationale, targeted to specifically empower women. We conducted the Elevate AIDA Training Program with Connected Women, training participants from grassroots communities to learn data labeling and annotation skills. This year, we implemented the Shell LiveWIRE Acceleration Program again to support and reach more local enterprises and tech start-ups nationwide.

Our programs aim to spark change that cascades into opportunities that create long-term impacts. Sanayan sa Kakayahang Industriyal (SKIL), Gas Mo Bukas Ko (GMBK), and Unlad sa Pasada (USP) are interconnected programs that capacitate beneficiaries through scholarships for technical- vocational training and other free educational programs. The SKIL Program has extended opportunities to out-of-school youths, with 34 scholars from Cagayan de Oro completing their training in December 2021 and endorsed 28 scholars in Talim for a TESDA scholarship. We further supported training by donating various tools and equipment such as multi-functioned welding machines, grinders, and old PSFI vehicles.

GMBK and USP are modified SKIL programs that were created in collaboration with the Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation (PSPC) Retail Group. GMBK is aimed at our retail stations’ staff, also sponsoring their technical-vocational training to enhance their skills for better economic opportunities. Our scholars come from different cities in the country, namely Dasmariñas, Manila, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, Batangas, and Santa Rosa. The USP program is an extension of GMBK, which aims to give back to jeepney drivers and other public utility drivers (PUV) who are loyal members of the “Pepeng Pasada Club” or the Shell Go + a PSPC-Retail group’s loyalty program. PSFI so far has 35 USP scholars from different cities enrolled at the St. Mutien College – Entrep.Nation, which provides online training on basic entrepreneurship for our beneficiaries.

We understand that some communities need more focused assistance. Anibong and Yolanda Recovery and Rehabilitation Program (ARRP) and Tagbilaran Sustainable Development Program (TSDP) are long- term, integrated, and strategic programs for Anibong, Tacloban City, and Tagbilaran City respectively. ARRP is a social development program that concentrates on disaster relief and resiliency for those affected by Typhoon Yolanda. The projects launched within this program are SLW, SKIL, beach forest rehabilitation, the construction of housing units, and the Gulayamanan project. Under Gulayamanan, we set up a community garden at the relocation site to improve the community’s access to fresh produce.

TDSP was initially launched in 2006-2012 to expand livelihood, environment, and health and safety initiatives in Tagbilaran. We reintroduced TDSP in 2021 with a sustainable long-term approach – aligning with the City’s vision of enhancing socio-economic development and community resilience. While previous programs were successful, PSFI is dedicated to the sustainable development of this community. As with Tagbilaran, we are devoted to our beneficiaries’ lasting growth.

THE PROGRAMS:

Brigada Eskwela

Shell-PhilDev Scholarship Program

Shell Employees Dependent Scholarship Program (SEDSP)

Shell NXplorers

Shell Tabangao Ladies Circle (STLC)

Enactus Philippines

Learning Amid Adversity

The Philippines is experiencing an education sector crisis as one of the five countries in the world that have not resumed on-site learning since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The disparity between students’ access to technology has proven to be a major roadblock in continuing education, as many do not have the resources they need to consistently participate in online learning.

On the other hand, the country’s fight against COVID-19 continued throughout 2021, with several waves of infection dampening chances for children to safely return to schools. Education and the economy were both disrupted as activities throughout the country were brought to a halt. Unemployment meant parents would have further difficulty in funding the studies of their children.

The overall lack of stable access to education coupled with the absence of social interactions between fellow students and teachers comes with its own detriments, such as lower literacy rates, higher dropout rates, and negative effects on mental well-being, according to UNICEF.

PSFI’s programs aim to close this widening gap in learning accessibility by making quality education more available to individuals around the country— even during the pandemic—through capacity building, financial assistance, and the provision of supplementing tools and equipment needed for learning.

Currently, the Shell Tabangao Ladies Circle (STLC), Shell-PhilDev scholarship program, and Shell Employees Dependent Scholarship Program (SEDSP) are able to deliver the funding support that students need to pursue their education. PSFI’s Brigada Eskwela, on the other hand, equips schools with the tools they need to create a productive learning environment.

STLC and the Shell-PhilDev scholarship programs provide deserving students in basic and higher education with both capacity-building opportunities and financial assistance. The programs engage scholars through events and interactive platforms where the personal development of students is encouraged through mentorship and guidance from the Shell and PSFI community.

STLC was established originally as a non-profit organization with its own scholarship program. Through a Memorandum of Agreement signed in March 2021, STLC scholars were turned over to PSFI to ensure continued support for its current 47 scholars.

SEDSP also gives educational grants to children of Shell companies in the Philippines (SciP) employees as part of the company’s commitment to the welfare of its people and their families. Dependents of regular employees who meet the program qualifications are awarded financial assistance in their school of choice. Here, PSFI serves as the main conduit in ensuring the delivery and oversight of the support provided by SciP.

Enactus Philippines is a program where PSFI served as an active constituent both in its programs and the Board of Trustees, supporting their global program which encouraged college-level students to develop innovative projects that aim to improve the livelihood capacities and opportunities of their communities. The country winners of this program were set to take part in the global pitch challenge in the US, but due to the pandemic constraints and quarantine issues, PSFI had to resort to conducting the pitches online. Despite this, seven groups were able to develop astounding innovative solutions to their community problems.

In going beyond providing for the material needs of our scholars, PSFI also encourages creative and critical thinking through our global STEM program, NXplorers. It is a workshop-based program centered on the food-water- energy nexus that promotes the pursuit of further education in the sciences.

PSFI also launched other initiatives in response to the needs of schools and students during the pandemic. We provided five elementary and three high schools from TALIM with necessary supplies such as hand wash, hand sanitizer, and disinfectant concentrate by Simply Care of SIMCO to support the new normal mode of education. They also received sets of Portable Media Library by Knowledge Channel, containing videos, teaching aids, and other valuable media production that will supplement their learning. In line with this, we conducted technical training regarding the use of the Portable Media Library for the 54 teachers and the school principal.

In Pasacao, PSFI also donated printers, copy paper, Wi-Fi modems, learner’s kits, books provided by National Book Store, and hygiene kits to over 300 teachers and 6,000 students in 20 public schools.

THE PROGRAMS:

Global Fund HIV Grant – Philippine Response to Optimize Testing, Empowered Communities, Treatment and Sustainability (HIV PROTECTS)

Movement Against Malaria (MAM)

BiyaHERO (Be-a-Hero) Road Safety Program

TAKEDA Patient Assistance Program (TPAP)

Building Up Better, Healthier Lives Now more than ever, access to healthcare has become a growing concern across the country as individuals and families around the world faced the COVID-19 pandemic. Communicable diseases such as tuberculosis have long plagued the Philippines, which has been ranked as the 8th leading cause of death in the country as of 2018. With the novel coronavirus, better measures must be taken and institutions must be strengthened to better protect Filipinos.

Capacity-building, funding, and overall improvements to regional healthcare were cited by the Oxford Business Group as necessary for uplifting the current state of health and safety in the country. Doing so will not only help us better cope with COVID-19 but also prepare for and prevent future diseases and health crises.

As the COVID-19 pandemic has shown, capacity-building programs must be balanced with immediate action. During the COVID-19 surge in the first quarter of last year, PSFI, in partnership with Shell Philippines Exploration B.V. (SPEX) and the Department of Energy, donated 3,500 antigen COVID test kits to Rizal Province. This improved the capacity of the site to detect cases, isolate individuals, and prevent further transmission.

We also supported the three-day National Vaccination Drive in Palawan, by providing meals to 750 medical staff of the vaccination team and volunteers. PSFI also provided 860 Shell items as part of the raffle draw for Palaweños after their vaccination to encourage the local communities to get vaccinated. This was conducted in seven sites simultaneously, in partnership with the City Government of Puerto Princesa, UPAA, AMOS TARA Community Center, UP PALAWEÑOS, JCI, Rotary Club of Puerto Princesa, and Palawan State University.

PSFI has done its part through its focus on health and safety programs that touch lives globally. One of these is the Global Fund HIV Grant – Philippine Response to Optimize Testing, Empowered Communities, Treatment and Sustainability (HIV PROTECTS), of which, PSFI is a Principal Recipient. With this grant, PSFI implements key activities and interventions under the 2020-2022 Philippine Health Sector HIV Strategic Plan. Currently, this is implemented in 301 sites across 11 regions in the country.

The Movement Against Malaria (MAM) program, which aims to establish community-based solutions against Malaria, has been funded by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM), Malampaya Joint Venture Partners, and Shell Foundation International. We also conducted community medical missions and distributed equipment to barangays in need, particularly in Tabangao, Ambulong, Libjo, San Isidro, and Malitam. These initiatives make use of studies that identify the particular needs of the respective beneficiaries.

To promote accessible and affordable healthcare, the Takeda Patient Assistance Program (TPAP) covers the costs of patients’ full course of treatment for certain medications. They are also provided with personalized treatment plans that allow them to optimize their treatment benefits.

Beyond our health programs that address diseases that greatly impact populations, PSFI also continued the conduct of its Road Safety program, BiyaHERO or Be-a-Hero that develops community volunteers into becoming Road Safety Mentors. These mentors promote and practice road safety for pedestrians, commuters, and drivers, aiming to increase awareness and reduce accidents in their respective communities.

THE PROGRAMS:

Shell Training Farms (STF)

Integrated Farming Bio-Systems (IFBS)

Roots to Shoots (RTS)

Palawan Eco-Agro Park (PEAP)

Nutrition and Food Security Amid the Pandemic The Philippine food inflation rate reached 6.2% in March 2021. According to the Social Weather Stations, one in five Filipinos did not have enough food on their table in 2020, which is double the record before the pandemic. About 22 million Filipinos suffer from food insecurity and are not able to produce sustainable meals, therefore resulting to chronic undernutrition. With the periodic lockdowns imposed due to COVID-19 and the typhoons that flooded areas of the country, farmers are left with washed-out farms and skyrocketing food prices.

To alleviate the current nutrition and food insecurity exacerbated by the pandemic, PSFI strengthened its Shell Training Farms (STF) by intensifying its technology adoption through the various demonstration modules and maximizing agricultural skill extension programs. This allows farmers to cultivate competitive and environmentally sound practices for sustainable farming that enhances the country’s food security. As part of STF’s Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund Program, a program under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, 225 farmers trained in producing high-quality inbred rice, seed certification, and farm mechanization. The training activity was held in San Antonio, Bombon, Camarines Sur at the Shell Training Farm.

Inspired by the community pantries that mushroomed throughout the country in early 2021, PSFI launched “Tabang sa Balangay” in partnership with the Naval Forces West (NFW) Civil Military Operations Unit (CMOU), Brgy. Irawan LGU, and ACE Extreme. The program aimed to encourage and uplift the poor and marginalized sectors heavily affected by the pandemic. The community pantry initiative delivered food packs, fruits, and vegetables to 160 Indigenous People (IP) families in Brgy. Irawan, Puerto Princesa City. The 240 kilos of assorted fresh produce were provided by farmer communities from Brgys. Cabayugan and Tagabinet, who were displaced tourism frontliners who found alternative livelihood in farming through PSFI’s programs. Integrated Farming Bio-Systems (IFBS), a capacity-building program, was also conducted to train farmers on appropriate farming technologies. These promote sustainable crop production and animal agroforestry, converting farm wastes into bio-organic fertilizers with bio-organic fertilizers microbial inoculants, and farm entrepreneurship. A total of 391 graduates were trained on IFBS through the Omasenso sa Kabuhayan program under the flagship Angat-Buhay program of the Office of the Vice President of the Philippines. We also conducted upskilling training and donated various equipment and materials to 16 farmer groups.

As a multi-stakeholder, multi-sectoral initiative that focuses on nurturing children in the earliest stages of their development, the Roots to Shoots program aims to improve the nutritional and food security status in pilot municipalities within Camarines Sur through integrated nutrition. The Roots to Shoots initiative draws three elements of health and nutrition: food security and livelihood (FSL), water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), and education and gender empowerment in a community-based approach. Among the milestones reached by this initiative under the FSL component are the 450 home gardens established with a consolidated harvest of more than 6,000 kilograms, seven community gardens established with a consolidated yield of around 650 kilograms, and three school gardens supported. The WASH component also achieved the construction of 17 hand hygiene stations, the rehabilitation of Bombon Water District, and the construction of 42 individual toilets facilities at Bombon and Pasacao, among others.

The Palawan Eco-Agro Park (PEAP) was established in 2019 as a sustainable training, demonstration, and information center of agricultural and entrepreneurial opportunities for the growing economy and fragile environment of Palawan. It aims to assure nutrition and food security in El Nido and nearby municipalities through farm operations. To supplement the farm’s objectives, the El Nido Food Terminal Project was launched in 2021.

THE PROGRAMS:

Carbon Sink Program (CSP)

LiveWIRE Ecobrick Project

Turismo at Negosyo Dulot ng Ingat Kalikasan  (TANDIKAN)

Tagbilaran Sustainable Development Program (TDSP)

Support to Tubattaha Reefs and Natural Park

Support to Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR)

Ridge to Reef Program

Resilient Communities for Inclusive Growth Climate change is a global concern. At the heart of this concern is the Philippines, the most vulnerable country to the climate crisis, according to the Institute for Economics and Peace in 2019. The changes in the country’s climate patterns result in extreme weather conditions that cause longer and more severe droughts, threats to biodiversity and food security, public health risks, and endangerment of women and indigenous peoples.

Motivated by our commitment to building communities resilient to the changes and impacts caused by climate change, PSFI implements the LiveWIRE Ecobrick Project – a program aimed to protect the environment from further pollution and support the Cagayan de Oro’s waste management directive. In partnership with the Macajalar Wharf Porter’s Association, it collects and repurposes plastic waste from communities to create alternative construction materials, focusing on alleviating environmental concerns and providing livelihood opportunities for the members of the community. The EcoBrick Hub in Brgy. Macabalan is central to this program. PSFI demonstrated the capabilities of the EcoBrick Hub in the Oro BEST Expo 2.0, promoting sustainability through using Ecobricks as a durable and eco-friendly alternative construction material that reduces plastic waste.

Through our reintroduced Tagbilaran Sustainable Development Program (TSPD), we are able to develop a more strategic and long-term approach to building a resilient community by expanding initiatives on livelihood, environment, and health and safety in Tagbilaran City, Bohol. PSFI worked closely with relevant stakeholders such as Shell companies in the Philippines, the local government unit, and barangay local government units in furthering our causes in the City. We planted 1,000 mangroves in Brgy. Taloto, Tagbilaran City, donated 15 material recovery facilities to each barangay, and conducted a bio-composting training. Through TSDP, we build a more sustainable environment for future generations by promoting and performing best conservation practices in our worksites and neighboring communities.

We believe that the best solutions are holistic and interconnected, creating a local economy that creates value throughout. Under the Ridge to Reef Program, PSFI adopted a 3.2 hectare coastal area in Brgy Bonbon to outplant 8,000 mangroves and supported the Northern Mindanao District of the Philippine Coast Guard by participating in their coastal clean-up and mangrove planting activity.

Turismo At Negosyo Dulot ng Ingat KAlikasaN (TANDIKAN) program also exemplifies this systems thinking approach in creating solutions and improving the local community’s quality of life. TANDIKAN has been addressing the problems and challenges of environmental degradation and inadequate employment and livelihood opportunities in Palawan since 2015. The program primarily aims to support Community-Based Sustainable Tourism (CBST) sites in Palawan by closely working with the local governments and communities. We continue to mentor and empower ten community-based sustainable tourism sites in Puerto Princesa and in the Municipality of El Nido.

In particular, PSFI has been working closely with the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park (PPSRNP) to develop the Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR) while conserving the site as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This involves Communication, Education, and Public Awareness (CEPA) initiatives and capacity-building activities, ensuring that current and future generations have a balanced relationship with the environment.

TANDIKAN has supported various community tree planting activities such as Love Affair with Nature or Pista y ng Cagueban (or Feast of the Forest) which are led by the community or the local government units. A total of over 3,700 assorted trees either mangrove or fruit trees were planted. We remain steadfast in our commitment to building climate change-resilient communities as it is crucial in achieving inclusive growth.

The Carbon Sink Program also serves as one of PSFI’s immediate actions on climate change while promoting sustainable livelihood and environmental awareness. The program contributes to climate change mitigation through forestation efforts. PSFI also provided local farmers with livelihood training, enabling them to collaborate and register with DOLE as a farmers’ organization. We strive to create comprehensive environmental programs that also positively impact communities socially and economically.

THE PROGRAMS:

Save, Invest, Nurture Access to Green

  Energy and Technologies (SINAG)

The World Bank Global Electrification Database shows that in 2019, approximately 95.6% of Filipinos have access to electricity. However, a study by the Asian Development Bank Institute (ADB) shows that while supplying electricity to the cities, rural areas are being left behind. Despite the improvement of access to electricity in the country, the growing demand for electricity still remains. The Philippines is still suffering from energy insecurity and supply remains to be relatively scarce. There is an exponentially growing demand for electricity, although the supply is relatively scarce. Power outages are fairly frequent and the electricity rate is comparatively high.

Through Save, Invest, Nurture Access to Green Energy and Technologies (SINAG) or the Access to Energy (A2E) project, PSFI provides affordable, cleaner, and more efficient energy in far-flung areas. In 2014, we started supplying sustainable and community-based microgrid access to power for off-grid sites in Palawan by maximizing the use of available renewable energy sources in the area, such as solar, wind, and hydro. In partnership with the local government unit of San Vicente, Palawan, PSFI inaugurated the Casoyan Hybrid Microgrid Power System that benefitted 140 households.

PSFI also empowers the beneficiaries of SINAG A2E by training them to maintain and operate the facilities independently. The project has made significant impacts on the local communities and environment, and was recognized by the CSR Guild Awards in 2021 as an Outstanding CSR Project for the Environment category. The CSR Guild Awards has documented ten generator sets decommissioned and 283 kerosene lamps put off in 2020 alone. Through SINAG, at least 5,628 kg of CO2 emissions were reduced from these decommissioned generator sets. Since its launch in 2014, SINAG has eliminated the use of around 800 kerosene lamps and has had 35 diesel generators decommissioned – resulting in cleaner and fresher air in the seven communities we’ve worked with.

PSFI aims to provide reliable and clean energy to more areas in need. Through our continuing efforts, we hope to empower communities and individuals to reach their full potential.

In 2021, we continued and expanded our programs for our host communities despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, such as in Tacloban, Tagbilaran, and Pasacao. For instance, we executed various programs and activities under the Anibong and Yolanda Recovery and Rehabilitation Program (ARRP) in Tacloban City such as LiveWIRE, SKIL, Gulayamanan, BiyaHero, Ani Para sa Bayani, deploying additional teacher fellows, establishing a beach forest, and constructing more housing units and an EcoBrick Hub. ARRP was implemented to respond to the devastation caused by Typhoon Yolanda in the City. Eight years later, PSFI has created a strong relationship with the communities and continues to work with them.

We implemented and resurfaced programs for communities in Tagbilaran and Pasacao. PSFI implemented the Tagbilaran Sustainable Development Program, which encompassed mangrove planting, waste management programs, and BiyaHero. In Pasacao, we focused on conducting Nutrition and Food Security programs such as the Shell Training Farms and Roots to Shoots (RTS) projects.

Since its inception, the Foundation has championed proper education and helped individuals even in finding livelihood opportunities. In 2021, Shell hired eight additional Shell-PhilDev scholar alumni – who we supported throughout their undergraduate studies.

While collaborating has always been key to PSFI’s overall strategy, the past two years underscored the importance of forming and leveraging partnerships to overcome adversity and deliver quality programs. This is particularly important in providing disaster relief, where we need to respond urgently. During the disaster response to Typhoon Odette, we worked with Benita and Catalino Yap Foundation (BCYF) and the Cordillera Career Development College (CCDC) to identify the needs of communities – allowing us to assist 91,270 individuals.

PSFI has made it a priority to provide our farmers with the support they need and deserve. We have launched programs such as Roots to Shoots and continued the operations of Shell Training Farms, including the Palawan Eco-Agro Park, to aid them throughout, from training farmers to marketing their produce. We partnered with the Ayala Foundation, an established farmers federation, and the El Nido LGU for the El Nido Food Terminal Project, which serves as a venue for farmers to sell local products and reach communities in El Nido and surrounding areas. To improve our farmers’ access to information, PSFI worked with Chektec to introduce the OkCheck mobile application. This allowed them to undergo PSFI’s training on the application, helping them acquire sustainable farming methods and solutions to farm cultural management and operations challenges. Overall, our programs aim to capacitate our farmers to improve their quality of life.

We aim to empower women through our programs, especially in providing decent livelihood opportunities. Through the Shell LiveWIRE program, PSFI and Connected Women partnered to spearhead the Elevate AIDA Training Program. This TESDA-accredited program focuses on training women in artificial intelligence and data annotation (AIDA). This allowed us to reach communities and support women from Tacloban, Calapan, Pasacao, and Tagbilaran.

Before the pandemic, we have already been facing national health concerns. The HIV epidemic is among those, as the country experienced a 174%-rise in incidence between 2010 and 20171 . The Philippines has the fastest growing HIV epidemic in the western Pacific, made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic as the surge of infections shot up by 54% from 2020 to 2021 alone2. With the support of The Global Fund, PSFI launched the Philippines Response in Optimizing Testing, Empowered Communities, Treatment, and Sustainability (PROTECTS) Program to support persons living with HIV (PLHIV) and their families through various projects. In its first year, the HIV PROTECTS Grant has been implemented in 301 sites across 11 regions in the country.

Improving our operations means that we can serve Filipino communities better. Our Input to Impact Strategy has been a major milestone, which will guide our efforts in the next five years to make the most impact. We improved our virtual communication to better reach partners and operation sites and launched the PSFI website to enhance transparency and spotlight the inspiring stories of our communities. These improvements contribute to a holistic system – which ripples into empowering Filipinos and creating lasting change.

PSFI has made it a priority to provide our farmers with the support they need and deserve. We have launched programs such as Roots to Shoots and continued the operations of Shell Training Farms, including the Palawan Eco-Agro Park, to aid them throughout, from training farmers to marketing their produce. We partnered with the Ayala Foundation, an established farmers federation, and the El Nido LGU for the El Nido Food Terminal Project, which serves as a venue for farmers to sell local products and reach communities in El Nido and surrounding areas. To improve our farmers’ access to information, PSFI worked with Chektec to introduce the OkCheck mobile application. This allowed them to undergo PSFI’s training on the application, helping them acquire sustainable farming methods and solutions to farm cultural management and operations challenges. Overall, our programs aim to capacitate our farmers to improve their quality of life.