Honoring Edong’s Journey of Service and Resilience in Palawan
For nearly ten years, Edong Magpayo has been a steady and compassionate presence in PSFI’s programs in Palawan. Since October 2014, he has worked closely with farmers, fisherfolk, indigenous peoples, and youth, helping bring projects to life, nurturing livelihoods, and protecting the environment. As he closes this chapter in October 2025, his story is one of service, resilience, and deep love for community.
Mga aral na hindi ko makakalimutan ay ang tuluyang paglugar sa mga komunidad lalo na sa ating mga kapatid na katutubo na ipinakita ang simple subalit masaya at payak na pamumuhay sa kanilang lugar.
A Journey Across Programs
Edong’s decade with PSFI spanned both Upstream and Downstream initiatives. He played a key role in programs such as:
- Integrated Support to Indigenous People (ISIP)
- Turismo At Negosyo Dulot ng Ingat Kalikasan (TANDIKAN)
- Save, Invest, Nurture and Access to Green Energy and Technology (SINAG)
- Integrated Farming and Biosystems (IFBS)
- Response to Communities Under Emergencies (RESCUE)
And in the Downstream:
- Shell LiveWIRE
- Sanayan sa Kakayahang Industriyal (SKIL)
- Community Assistance and Services (CAS)
- BiyaHero
- RESCUE
Each program, for him, was more than a project. It was an opportunity to build trust and see resilience firsthand.
Lessons That Shape the Future
Beyond the programs, it was the people who left the deepest impression on Edong. Their strength and simplicity taught him humility and purpose.
These lessons now guide his next chapter. Having acquired a small piece of land, he dreams of cultivating it, raising livestock, and running a modest store. The entrepreneurial mindset he gained from PSFI’s Shell LiveWIRE program continues to inspire him.
A Passion for the Environment
Among all his experiences, TANDIKAN remains closest to Edong’s heart. Its focus on forest and mangrove conservation aligned perfectly with his personal advocacy.
“Ang hindi ko malilimutan na karanasan ay ang programang TANDIKAN dahil sa usapin ng pangangalaga at pagprotekta ng kalikasan dahil isa ito sa aking personal na adbokasiya at pasyon noon pa.”
He fondly recalls planting mangroves in Puerto Princesa and El Nido, where conservation efforts became both a shield against climate change and a boost for eco-tourism.
Overcoming Challenges
Edong’s service was not without trials. A mild stroke tested his strength, but with PSFI’s support he was able to recover while ensuring the continuity of the programs he cared for. This resilience, much like the communities he served, remains his most enduring trait.
Nakaranas man ako ng mild stroke ay hindi ito naging hadlang upang maitawid ang programa na aking hinahawakan, at nagpapasalamat ako sa PSFI dahil nagkaroon man ako ng ganitong uri ng karamdaman ay kumuha pa sila ng aking pansamantalang kahalili upang magpatuloy ang programa.
A Legacy That Will Endure
As Edong now steps away to focus on his healing and begin new dreams, he leaves behind a legacy that will always be remembered at PSFI. For nearly a decade, he has been more than a colleague. He has been a guide, a partner, and a friend to the communities he served. Every program carried out, every family reached, and every seedling planted carries with it his dedication and compassion.
“Iyan talaga ang balik-balikan ko, at lubos ang pasasalamat ko na naging bahagi ako ng PSFI,” he says with gratitude.
Edong leaves behind not just completed projects, but a living legacy etched in the people and places he helped transform. His resilience, hope, and unwavering service will continue to inspire long after he has moved on to his next chapter.
Maraming salamat, Edong. Your story will always be part of PSFI’s story, and you will always remain part of the PSFI family.
