For 43 years, Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI) has been more than a partner in progress. It has been a steady hand in times of crisis. This August, we honor the Natibker spirit of the communities we serve. In Ilocano, Natibker means strong, unyielding, and steadfast in the face of challenges. It is the spirit that fuels resilience and recovery, and the partnerships that make them possible.
In July 2025, Typhoon Emong tore through La Union, leaving over 71,000 families reeling. Floodwaters swallowed homes, power lines collapsed, and more than PHP 1 billion in agriculture and infrastructure was lost. For many, the nights were long, dark, and uncertain.
PSFI, together with Shell Pilipinas Corporation, and local barangay leaders, acted without hesitation. From July 25 to August 1, we reached 202 displaced families in Barangays Poro, San Agustin, Canaoay, and Catbangen, bringing more than just supplies, but hope.
We provided:
- Supplementary meals for over 1,000 evacuees in three shelters
- Gallons of safe drinking water in containers
- Basic hygiene kits to protect health in overcrowded spaces
Our teams braved flooded roads and long queues to secure provisions. In the shelters, we listened to urgent needs such as sleeping mats and high calcium milk for elderly evacuees and blankets for families sleeping on bare floors, and responded the same day.
During that time, Shell Poro Terminal opened its remaining power supply to the community, allowing families to charge their phones, reach loved ones from afar, and stay informed with vital emergency updates.
On July 31, 230 cleaning packs and 230 gallons of mineral water were distributed to evacuation sites and the Shell Poro Terminal. Even Shell staff and security guards impacted by the storm received rice and water to support their recovery.
This is the heart of PSFI’s mission: no community left behind. We work shoulder to shoulder with local leaders and volunteers, turning compassion into action, and action into lasting hope.
As we celebrate 43 years, we carry forward the same commitment that has guided us since day one, to stand with the Filipino people in every challenge, every rebuilding, and every triumph. This is what it means to be Natibker.
