Stories of inspiration
Powering the People:
PSFI inaugurates Micro-Grid Hybrid Power System in Brgy. Maytegued, Palawan
Nov 10, 2020
Barangay Maytegued is one of the islands of the municipality of Taytay in Palawan. It is home to about 700 people who has had no access to a stable and reliable source of energy since it’s been inhabited.
According to Florence, one of Maytegued’s community leaders, majority of its 166 households depend only on one barangay generator that provides 3-4 hours of unstable electricity at night.
“It’s definitely not enough for all of us here”, she says.
Elementary school teachers assigned in the island also share their personal accounts of challenges teaching in an off-grid school. Grade 4 teacher, Ardel, had to go through the grueling process of going back and forth to be able to charge his laptop on solar power just to be able to teach his lesson for the day, “at this grade, technology is already vital in my curriculum”. Sharing a similar sentiment, Kindergarten teacher, Jasmin, says “we felt like we had no right to push the students to stay put in classrooms or take home assignments because without lighting and ventilation, children aren’t placed in comfortable situations enough to study”. Jokingly, Jasmin says, “our electricity used to be so unstable that it seemed like we were always celebrating Christmas at night while lights kept going on and off!”
After tedious assessment processes by experts and continuous consultations with the off-grid community, Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI) found premise to explore working with Maytegued in building stronger and more sustainable socio-economic opportunities for its people, through its Access to Energy (A2E) Program.
On February 4, 2020, PSFI inaugurated the Maytegued Micro-Grid Hybrid Power System, a solar and wind power system that will now serve as the community’s main source of electricity. This system is able to generate 24/7 reliable and clean energy service for the island, directly connected to 86 households, where 70 solar home systems were distributed.
The project will be directly operated by the Maytegued Electric Association, a group consisted of residents that are connected to the grid. To ensure the proper maintenance and sustainability of the system, leadership and technical trainings have been conducted, as well as continuous mentoring by professionals.
The association will be collecting membership fees and monthly payments based on the power consumption of each household, monitored through meter readings. These revenues will be allocated to the maintenance and scaling up of operations.
Today, residents of Maytegued are not only more comfortable, but are able to bring in better access to livelihood opportunities and basic education.
For teachers, simply the access to a printer has reduced their workload by a huge percent. “We used to do all our visual materials and lesson plans manually (handwritten). Now that preparations are so much easier, we are able to focus on our students more”, says Teacher Jasmin.
Reflecting on the predicament of students who travel 2-3 kilometers to school each day, teachers are pleased to know that the children are heading to classrooms where proper ventilation and lighting is available– a place where they can feel comfortable enough to learn. “We are so grateful to Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI). You have no idea how much you are helping us and the children. We promise to take care of it.”
During the inauguration, PSFI Executive Director, Sebastian Quiniones Jr., ensures the community that the organization is committed to working together with Brgy. Maytegued in moving forward, and hopes that the project will serve as their “enabler” for further developments and sustainability.
Related stories:
Mapping Hope: Geotagging Fish Aggregating Areas for Fisherfolk in Cagayan de Oro
Fisherfolk in Cagayan de Oro, together with PSFI and government partners, identified safe sites for payaos—fish aggregating devices that boost fish stocks, secure livelihoods, and promote sustainable fishing for future generations.
43 Years of Transforming Lives: Nurturing Young Minds to Transform Communities
Through Shell’s global program NXplorers, PSFI is planting seeds of change by equipping young Filipinos with tools in problem-solving, systems thinking, and collaboration. From tackling food security in farming towns to creating sustainable energy solutions in schools, NXplorers empowers students and teachers to turn knowledge into lasting community impact—proving that dunong, once shared, continues to grow and transform lives.
43 Years of Transforming Lives: Honoring Bravery in the Fight Against Malaria
In 1999, Palawan faced one of its deadliest threats: malaria. What began as the Kilusan Ligtas Malaria (KLM) program soon grew into the Movement Against Malaria (MAM)—a nationwide fight led by communities, health workers, and partners who embodied the spirit of maiseg, or bravery.
Today, with 60 provinces declared malaria-free, we celebrate not only the milestones but also the courage, compassion, and collaboration that continue to save lives.
43 Years of Transforming Lives: The PSFI Poster That Changed Mario’s Life
In 1983, Mario Dimaano was a young student from Batangas struggling to pay for school while working as a jeepney conductor. One day, he spotted a Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI) poster about the Sanayan sa Kakayahang Industriyal (SKIL) Scholarship—an opportunity that changed his life.
Through SKIL, Mario studied at TESDA’s Basic Machine Shop program, gaining skills and hope for a brighter future. Despite challenges, he persevered with tibay—a Batangueño word for strength and resilience—and eventually built a stable life abroad for his family.
Today, his story reflects PSFI’s 43-year mission to empower communities, nurture resilience, and create opportunities for generations to come.
43 Years of Transforming Lives: Advancing Health for All
For 43 years, Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI) has lived its mission of safeguarding life. Rooted in the Chavacano word Vida, we continue to protect health, nurture resilience, and uplift communities nationwide.
Through programs like PBSR, PROTECTS, and PROTECTS UPSCALE, PSFI has expanded HIV services across the country—advancing human rights in Zamboanga, opening the first community HIV center in Palawan, and strengthening local responses in Batangas.
More than a program, PSFI’s HIV response is a lifeline that safeguards life, health, and hope.
Lighting the Way Forward: PSFI, PhilDev, and Shell Empower Future Leaders Through 5-Day Leadership Camp
From August 4 to 8, 2025, Shell, PhilDev, and Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI) hosted a five-day leadership camp in Manila for Shell-PhilDev scholars. The program blended mentoring, skills-building, and sessions on AI, diversity, and energy transition, preparing scholars to lead with purpose.
With guidance from Shell leaders and PhilDev mentors, scholars left the camp with knowledge, courage, and a stronger community—ready to shape a more sustainable future for the Philippines.