Stories of inspiration

Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI) and BPI Foundation, Inc. (BPIF) formally inked collaboration to help address agricultural challenges in Leyte, Leyte 

BPIF Trustee Mary Catherine Elizabeth P. Santamaria and PSFI Executive Director Sebastian Quiniones, Jr. signing the Memorandum of Agreement for the AgrElevate program.

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.

 

#PilipinasShellFoundation #FilipinoForward #KasamaLahat 

Related stories:

BiyaHERO Program: Road Safety for Community Empowers Batangas Volunteers

The BiyaHERO Program: Road Safety for Community is empowering Batangas volunteers to become champions of safer roads. Through training sessions led by the Batangas City TDRO and supported by PSFI, parents, educators, and local leaders gained knowledge on traffic laws, road safety practices, and community-based solutions. With new mentors ready to cascade learnings across TALIM barangays, BiyaHERO strengthens the call that road safety is a shared responsibility and a collective journey toward protecting lives.

Planting for the Future: 3rd Mangrove Planting Held in Barangay Bagong Silang

The coastline of Barangay Bagong Silang in Palawan came alive as Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI), together with partners and nearly 200 participants, planted 200 Pagatpat mangroves in its 3rd Mangrove Planting Activity. With the theme “Bakawan ay ating Palaguin, Kaagapay ito ng Buhay Natin,” the event highlighted the vital role of mangroves in protecting marine life, sustaining fisherfolk livelihoods, and strengthening communities against climate change.

How Razzel Nailed Her Studies and Dreams with the STEP Scholarship

When the pandemic threatened her studies, STEP scholar Razzel Mores created a path forward. She learned nail artistry, started serving classmates and friends, and grew Nailed It by Raz using savings and debut gifts. The business helped pay tuition and household bills. PSFI’s STEP scholarship, the LEAD workshop, and OJT at Shell Import Facility Tabangao deepened her skills and character. Fresh from graduation, Razzel is determined to find stable work while expanding her enterprise and saving for a future nail studio that will inspire others.

From Promissory Notes to Promises of Hope: Julianne’s Journey to Healing Others

At 22, Julianne Leonardo’s journey to becoming a nurse was marked by resilience. Every exam meant submitting a promissory note because her family could not afford tuition. Just when she was about to give up, the Medical Scholarship Program of PSFI and BCFI gave her the lifeline she needed.

Today, Jullien is a proud Nursing graduate preparing for the board exam, with a bigger dream of becoming a compassionate doctor who brings healthcare closer to communities in need.