PLDT, in partnership with the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), launched a project that adopts the Food Always In The Home (FAITH) principle for Marikina Watershed communities. The pilot partner for the project is the Nagkakaisang Samahang Magsasaka sa Barangay Calawis (NASAMASABACA ) based in Sitio Binayoyo, Barangay Calawis, Antipolo City.
The project aims to provide a continuous source of healthy food for the community to help ensure food security especially in these difficult times. By adopting a 500-square meter parcel of land for gardening, the project will help ensure an abundant supply of vegetables for members of the community. Additionally, the project includes the installation of a five-bin vermicompost facility to support the communal garden.
According to PLDT Community Relations Head Katherine P. Diaz De Rivera, PLDT’s partnership with the PBSP has opened countless opportunities for growth. “Our partnership with PBSP has resulted to a number of programs that has helped enrich the lives of Filipino people. These programs include nationwide education interventions, health and hygiene programs, and livelihood projects that have proven critical especially during this pandemic. This year, we adopted the FAITH principle, which we hope will help communities in the Marikina Watershed have an abundant supply of food in times of emergency. This will ensure long-term food security starting from the grassroots level and eventually, across the country as well,” Diaz De Rivera said.
"Hunger, malnutrition and food insecurity are issues that the project intends to address in the Marikina Watershed, where we have been operating for the last 10 years. We are grateful for the support that PLDT provides since PBSP first adopted the Marikina Watershed as one of its collective impact sites. NASAMASABACA is one of our seven partner farmer organizations in the area, all of whom have been working harder after Typhoon Ulysses damaged their crops last November. Thank you, PLDT," said PBSP OIC-Director for Operations Kristine Rivadelo.
The project also shouldered the start-up capital by providing the community with the necessary gardening tools and farm inputs, including vegetable seeds/seedlings and fertilizers. Alternative livelihood options will also be introduced as part of the project.
Funds from PLDT's support to the Motolite-PBSP Balik Baterya Program were allocated to implement the Marikina Watershed food security project. The Motolite-PBSP Balik Baterya Program aims to properly dispose of used lead acid batteries (ULABs) by collecting them from businesses and individuals who share in this sustainable advocacy and recycling them. Proceeds from the program are used to support various corporate social responsibility projects of different businesses and corporations
