Pilmico Foods Corporation’s (Pilmico) Livelihood Kit Program is the firm’s flagship corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative that aims to help backyard farmers, bakers, and aspiring agribusiness entrepreneurs nationwide by providing them with the tools for a sustainable livelihood.
As the integrated agribusiness and food company of the Aboitiz Group, Pilmico stays true to the Group’s promise of advancing businesses and communities by extending assistance to those in need, such as Typhoon Odette survivors and African Swine Fever (ASF)-hit swine raisers in Mindanao. Paying it forward, the beneficiaries are doing the same thing by extending assistance to others and giving back to their own communities.
Cebu-Bohol livelihood beneficiaries give back
Bakery Livelihood Kit beneficiary Leonida Tambalo who hails from Bohol organized a feeding program for daycare students.
Last July, Pilmico partnered with the Aboitiz Foundation and the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. (RAFI) to donate livelihood kits to Typhoon Odette survivors in Cebu and Bohol as part of their “Padayon sa Pagbusay” (Paddle Unceasingly) program.
Several months later in November, these same beneficiaries conducted various feeding programs for kids and the less fortunate within their communities as a way of giving back. Leonida Tambalo, a Bakery Livelihood kit beneficiary from Ubay, Bohol, provided bread and juice to over 20 daycare students. Meanwhile, Teofista Apura, an Egg Machine kit beneficiary from Carcar City, Cebu, prepared lunch meals for more than 30 people.
According to Leonida and Teofista, these feeding programs were their simple way of expressing gratitude to their livelihood kit donors including Pilmico, the Aboitiz Foundation and RAFI, which supported them and continued sustaining their businesses.
Various beneficiaries from the CARAGA, Misamis Oriental and Lanao del Norte regions received livelihood kits to serve as alternative sources of income.
Aside from Typhoon Odette survivors, another sector that currently needs an extra boost are the swine raisers who are still recovering from the effects of ASF.
Pilmico, in partnership with the Aboitiz Foundation, extended livelihood kits to swine raisers in the Mindanao Region last September and October. Egg Machines and Quail Egg kits were distributed to 26 backyard farmers as an alternative source of income.
“Successful entrepreneurs are not built overnight, and the biggest factor in the success is the dedication of the owner. This livelihood is only the start, and we are hopeful that this livelihood will grow in the future. We, in Pilmico, guarantee to help the beneficiaries all throughout this journey. Mabuhay ang backyard farmers,” said Pilmico Regional Sales Manager Floreda Molina.
Ten beneficiaries received Egg Machine kits. Each kit includes 96 ready-to-lay hens, Pilmico feeds good for one month, a weighing scale and animal health products. Meanwhile, the 16 beneficiaries of the Quail Egg kits received 200 ready-to-lay quails, feeds good for one month and animal health products. Aside from these livelihood essentials, beneficiaries also have access to technical assistance provided by Pilmico.
Pilmico conducted a series of turnover ceremonies last September 21 for CARAGA beneficiaries, October 26 in Misamis Oriental, and October 29 in Lanao del Norte.
Cagayan de Oro City Veterinarian Dr. Perla T. Asis, DM, extended her gratitude to Pilmico, saying, “The City Veterinary Office appreciates the project of Pilmico to distribute these livelihood kits to the beneficiaries that would help them earn additional income. This project will be a good opportunity for the beneficiaries to recover from the loss brought by the ASF.”
