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:

PSFI Holds GLang Session on SOGIESC to Promote Inclusive Workplaces at LCF CSR Expo

As part of the 2025 League of Corporate Foundations CSR Expo, Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. hosted GLang: Understanding SOGIESC a Step Toward Inclusive Workplaces—a powerful learning session that brought together advocates, experts, and development practitioners to deepen conversations on gender inclusion in the workplace. The event aligned with the Expo’s theme of “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity for Shared Prosperity,” reinforcing PSFI’s commitment to building safe, respectful, and inclusive environments for all.

Pathways to Progress: SKIL Scholars Seize Career Opportunities in CDO

Held at Robinsons Cagayan de Oro, the Kalayaan Job Fair offered over 2,800 job opportunities from 39 companies, helping bridge PSFI’s SKIL scholars from training to employment. With 70 applicants hired on the spot, the event marked a meaningful celebration of Independence Day through youth empowerment and livelihood access.

PSFI Gathers Scholars for Transformative LEAD Workshop

PSFI, in partnership with Bloomberry Cultural Foundation, gathered 79 scholars for the LEAD Workshop—an interactive training that built leadership, collaboration, and purpose among future professionals in nursing, allied health, and STEM. The workshop featured dynamic sessions, cross-disciplinary learning, and inspiring messages from academic partners, all reinforcing PSFI’s commitment to empowering youth through education and servant leadership.

Hope Flows in Sitio Burog: Avegail’s Story

For years, Avegail Salta’s family endured hours of waiting and long walks just to fetch water from a single deep well. Now, hope flows freely in Sitio Burog as clean water brings healthier days and a renewed sense of empowerment to the community.

Clean Beginnings: Deep Well Inauguration Brings Hope and Health to Sitio Burog

A deep well water system has brought clean, safe water to 127 Ayta Mag-antsi households in Sitio Burog, Tarlac, marking a major milestone for the Roots to Shoots (RTS) program. This collaborative project strengthens health, hygiene, and nutrition in the community and signals the beginning of expanded WASH efforts in the region.

John Carlo’s First Mission: A Scholar’s Way of Giving Back

As a first-time volunteer, STEP scholar John Carlo Alvarez found purpose in giving back to his hometown through the REACH medical and dental mission. What began as a day of service became a heartfelt journey of gratitude, community, and a lifelong commitment to helping others.