Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI) and BPI Foundation, Inc. (BPIF) formally inked collaboration to help address agricultural challenges in Leyte, Leyte
PSFI joins BPIF in implementing its Farm-to-Table program—Agricultural Services to Elevate Farmers towards Sustainable Food Security and Livelihood (AgrElevate)—to address pressing challenges facing farmers and fisherfolks in Leyte, Leyte. The 2-year project will provide support that encompasses capacity development, sustainable livelihood, market support, and financial literacy.
Before formalizing the agreement, the PSFI AgrElevate team visited farmers and fisherfolk communities in four barangays in Leyte: Bgy. Ugbon, Bgy. Calaguise, Bgy. Tinocdugan, and Bgy. Kawayan. The visits revealed problems of the communities, including low farm productivity, lack of alternative livelihood, limited knowledge in management, and low selling prices, on top of the high transport cost of goods. In response, PSFI and BPIF agreed to proceed with the initiative. Both foundations held an Inception Meeting immediately after the MOA signing to discuss their initial plans for the project.
Mary Catherine Elizabeth P. Santamaria, Trustee of BPI Foundation, and Sebastian Quiniones, Jr., Executive Director of Pilipinas Shell Foundation, served as the main signatories. Also present to witness the signing are BPI Foundation Associate Director Juvylyn S. Reniva; Melanie P. Magbuhos, BPIF Program Manager for Farm-to-Table; Benrick Dulay, BPIF Program Coordinator for Farm-to-Table program; Sherwin Yap, PSFI Program Director; and Maria Pamela S. Castro, PSFI Senior Program Manager for Nutrition and Food Security.
Leyte, a 4th-class municipality situated in the northernmost part of Leyte Island, stands as one of the most economically disadvantaged provinces in the country. With a long history of empowering smallholder farmers and enhancing fisherfolk livelihoods, PSFI brings its expertise in sustainable agricultural practices and community enterprise development to the region.
Inspired by its aspiration, “Kasama Lahat sa Pag-unlad,” BPI Foundation, a staunch advocate of financial wellness in underserved communities, helps build self-reliant and sustainable families through enterprise development and livelihood, financial education, and financial inclusion.
Through the AgrElevate initiative, like-minded organizations BPIF and PSFI endeavor to carry out tailored agriculture and aquaculture interventions to boost the livelihood of the marginalized sector by equipping them with sustainable sources of food and income, ultimately contributing to the overall well-being of the local population.
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