Covid-19 response

Para Sa Bayani
(For our Heroes) is a consolidation of PSFI’s various efforts for today’s brave heroes from our frontliners who continue to work hard in healing the sick, to the Filipino citizenry who, staying at home is helping flatten the curve.
At the onset of the community quarantine, Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI) together with its partners, started Para sa Bayani, a campaign that consolidates efforts to help in various fronts— from grassroots and fenceline communities, to local businesses, to health frontliners. Para sa Bayani has three embedded sub-components: Ani Para sa Bayani, Proteksyon Para sa Bayani and Tulong Para sa Bayani.
This is a report of what we have accomplished together


Ani Para Sa Bayani
Providing healthy and nutritious food to frontliners and food insecure communities while supporting the livelihood of farmers and fisherfolk
PSFI avidly promotes safe, sustainable, and environmentally sound agricultural systems that would strengthen the food security of the country. Its support started even before the pandemic began, and has continued during this difficult time. The Ani Para Sa Bayani program is the perfect conduit for PSFI to procure essential fresh produce from
Keeping an ear close to the ground, the PSFI staff has received positive feedback from project partners. Clarisse Atienza, coordinator of the Vegetable Caravan by Cordillera Farmers and a project partner, remarked, “Malaking tulong na po yung nabibili niyo. Makakasigurado na po tayo na may next cycle ng pananim ang farmers na hindi nila kailangan utangin.” Instead of letting the fresh produce go to waste because of transport concerns during the ECQ, the program provided a viable option to make it a win-win situation for everyone, from farmers to frontliners. Another project partner, Frontline Feeders Philippines, posted an appreciation message on their social media page: “This is a story of hope, teamwork and love – from farm to the tables of our frontliners. Again, we thank Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. for your enormous support. Thank you also to one of our kitchen partners 121 Restaurant for preparing these warm bowls of carrot soup and sautéed veggies for our frontliners in East Ave Medical Center! Truly, the spirit of Bayanihan lives on through our modern heroes.”

Proteksyon Para Sa Bayani
Providing frontliners with the appropriate protective equipment while supporting the livelihood of daily wage workers.
PSFI has partnered with Batangas State University – LIKHA FabLab to produce face shields and retainers for respiratorsfor the use of hospital staff and frontline offices in Batangas province. It donated 3D printers to increase production of the needed PPEs and these printers could also be used by students as learning equipment when classes eventually resume. LIKHA FabLab Center Head Engr Louie Villaverde said, “Maraming salamat po talaga sa donation n’yo na printers. Mas mabilis po makakapagbigay sa mga hospitals and frontliners dahil mas madami na po ang nagpiprint kahit limited lang ang workforce. In the near future po, malaking tulong din po ito sa mga students ng Batangas State University.”


As for the facemasks, more than 2,000 pieces were turned over to Shell Tabangao. Michelle Benjamin, CP Focal, PSPC Tabangao, remarked, “Our GM, Jan Peter Groot Wassink, requested to order facemasks to be given to refinery contractors and workers in line with the government’s policy on wearing facemasks. Since we have been partnering with SIBBAP for sewn products, it’s great to connect this order with available resources in the community.” On the other hand, Alona Casao, one of the SIBBAP sewers who worked from home, said, “Nagpapasalamat pa rin po ako at ako ay nakapanahi ng facemask kahit nasa bahay. Kahit papaano ay nadagdadg din po sa aming pang gastos sa araw-araw.”


Tulong Para Sa Bayani
Providing and transporting basic necessities to shell fence line communities in need.
One of the first pandemic relief operations was held in March in Pasacao, Camarines Sur. This is in response to the request of the Pasacao LGU to provide assistance for the indigent families of the community. Basic food items—such as rice, sardines, canned meat, coffee, noodles, and biscuits—were delivered and distributed among 1,000 families initially. During the activity, safety protocols were strictly observed like social distancing and wearing face masks.
PSFI also donated perishable food, such as vegetables and dressed chicken to the Municipality of Taysan, Batangas, and Batangas Medical Center (BatMC) in Batangas City. Municipal Mayor Grande Gutierrez reached out to the PSFI staff and shared, “Maraming salamat sa inyo at naalala ninyo ang Taysan kahit walang case (ng COVID-19) dito. Pinananatili namin ang kaligtasan ng aming lugar pero madami naman ang nagugutom dahil hindi naman makapagtrabaho. Salamat sa inyo!” In behalf of the BatMC Employees Multipurpose Cooperative, Chairperson Monina Mendez said, “Salamat po, lagi kaming may gulay. Sa ngayon po ay hindi lamang frontliners ang nakakakain dahil dito, pati na rin po mga bantay.”
