In Pasacao, Camarines Sur, progress is taking root in everyday spaces such as homes, gardens, and community gatherings, where caregivers and families are building healthier and more secure futures together.
Throughout 2025, the Roots to Shoots (RTS) Program of Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI), in partnership with Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI), implemented a series of community-driven initiatives focused on improving child nutrition, strengthening food security, enhancing financial capability, and expanding livelihood opportunities.
Empowering Caregivers, Improving Child Nutrition
At the heart of the program is the commitment to give children a healthier start in life.
Eighty-three undernourished children were enrolled in Positive Deviance Hearth (PDH) sessions, a community-based approach that equips caregivers with practical and culturally appropriate feeding practices. Through hands-on learning and peer support, caregivers applied improved nutrition strategies directly at home.
As a result, 52 children successfully reached the target weight gain of at least 900 grams or achieved normal nutritional status. The remaining children continue to receive regular monitoring and support, with caregivers sustaining the practices they have learned.
Beyond the numbers, the sessions strengthened awareness among parents on the importance of proper nutrition, responsive caregiving, and consistent growth monitoring. These practices can be sustained beyond the duration of the program.
Growing Food Security Through Shared Spaces
Food security efforts under RTS took shape through the establishment of community and school gardens. These are shared spaces where families and community members grow, harvest, and learn together.
The gardens provide access to fresh and nutritious vegetables while also serving as practical learning hubs for sustainable agriculture. They foster a sense of ownership, cooperation, and shared responsibility within the community.
To extend these benefits to households, home gardening trainings were conducted in Barangays Sta. Rosa Del Sur and Cuco, engaging 18 caregivers across two batches. Participants gained hands-on skills in vegetable production, garden planning, and crop care. These skills enable families to supplement their food needs and reduce daily expenses.
Strengthening Financial Confidence
Recognizing that resilience also depends on financial stability, RTS supported caregivers in building essential financial skills.
A Financial Literacy Training held at the Camarines Sur Institute of Fisheries and Marine Sciences (CASIFMAS) engaged 17 caregivers in sessions on budgeting, saving, and responsible financial decision-making. These skills help households better manage limited resources and prepare for unexpected needs.
To support organized community enterprises, members of the Solong Nanay at Tatay Association (SONATA) participated in a two-day Financial Management and Bookkeeping Training. Ten participants developed practical skills in cash flow monitoring, record-keeping, and basic accounting. This strengthens transparency and accountability in their operations.
Expanding Livelihoods and Leadership
Building on these foundations, RTS supported community members in developing sustainable livelihood opportunities.
On November 28, a Community-Based Livelihood Grant was awarded to the Solong Nanay at Tatay Association (SONATA) of Barangay Sta. Rosa Del Sur. Composed of 47 solo parents, including three caregivers from the RTS Program, the group is working to improve household income through a shared enterprise grounded in inclusivity and collective effort.
To reinforce their capacity, SONATA members participated in a Leadership Skills Training in partnership with DSWD Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) staff. The session strengthened their skills in leadership, teamwork, and organizational management, enabling them to more effectively manage their enterprise.
Further supporting entrepreneurial development, 30 caregivers and community members joined the Sanayan sa Kakayahang Pangangalakal (SKP) training. The session introduced participants to basic business planning, customer engagement, and income management, equipping them to pursue and sustain small-scale enterprises.
Sustaining Community-Led Progress
Across these initiatives, a common thread emerges. Change is most meaningful when it is owned by the community.
Through Roots to Shoots, caregivers are not only gaining knowledge and resources. They are also building confidence, strengthening support systems, and taking active roles in shaping their families’ futures.
Together, PSFI and MBFI continue to support pathways where improved nutrition, financial stability, and sustainable livelihoods reinforce one another. These efforts lay the foundation for long-term resilience in Pasacao.
