Pilipinas Shell Foundation Inc. pays tribute to partners

 MANILA, Philippines - Pilipinas Shell Foundation Inc. (PSFI) thanked its many partner organizations in helping them fuel innovative empowerment programs that transformed the lives of more than six million Filipinos over the past 30 years.

“PSFI is what it is today because of you. I stand here before you to pay tribute to all of you,” said Cesar Buenaventura, PSFI founder and first country chairman of the Shell Companies in the Philippines. “I feel honored and very proud to see the fruits of what was then a small beginning to what it is today.”

PSFI recently celebrated its 30th anniversary by paying tribute to various partner institutions that supported their social development programs. These programs include: leadership enhancement and attitude development; technical, vocational and agricultural skills development, training and employment; health care and services; sanitation and safety; livelihood and entrepreneurship development; and environmental stewardship.

 “The partnerships we made over 30 years helped PSFI realize its mission — to empower people by letting them take charge of their lives,” said Edgar Veron Cruz, current executive director of PSFI. “They have helped build bridges between economic and social spheres, allowing communities to mobilize themselves and take ownership of these programs.

Among the institutions PSFI has partnered with are the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Western Philippines University, Department of Health (DoH), and The Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund). These partnerships leverage on the expertise and resources of these institutions that blend with the foundation’s innovative programs.

What PSFI’s Partner Organizations Say

TESDA is a primary partner of PSFI in the implementation of the Sanayan sa Kakayahang Industriyal (SKIL), a program that trains out-of-school youth in technical courses like structural welding, automotive mechanics, and refrigeration. “SKIL is a visionary program that has helped thousands of youth by opening doors of opportunities to them,” said Irene Isaac, TESDA deputy-director general for Sectoral Technical, Vocational and Educational Training (TVET).

The Western Philippines University is PSFI’s partner organization in the implementation of Sanayan sa Kakayahang Agrikultura (SAKA), a program aimed at boosting the agriculture sector’s productivity. “SAKA advocates organic farming to advance farm productivity and management,” explained Dr. Elsa Palao-Manarpaac, Western Philippines University president. “It is one of the strengths of the university. In Palawan, SAKA is Shell,” she added.

From harnessing technical, vocational and agricultural skills of community members, PSFI also campaigns for healthcare and services.  At the forefront of these programs are its implementing partners DoH and the Global Fund.

 “We at DoH have always been lucky to find partners but our collaboration with PSFI ranks among the more significant partnerships we have,” said DoH Undersecretary Teodoro Herbosa. “PSFI is one organization that has shown how social responsibility can be properly conducted.”

 “The success of PSFI is rooted in the foundation’s strong ethics of professionalism and humility,” said Global Fund portfolio manager Qi Cui. The Global Fund’s grant supports the Movement against Malaria (MAM) program which covers 40 provinces and nine cities across the country. MAM has secured Phase 2 of the Consolidated Grant, assuring the continuance of its health campaign and services towards achieving the national goal of a malaria-free Philippines.

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