Tagbilaran City achieved another important milestone in the field of entrepreneurship as evidenced by the successful signing of a Memorandum of Agreement that will bring more progress to the city. 

Tagbilaran City was able forged a pact with Pilipinas Shell Foundation Inc. (PSFI) through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on Jan. 27, 2023 held at the City Tourism Information Center. The agreement is eyed to help more Tagbilaranons to engage in entrepreneurship.

Reports say that the partnership will support the entrepreneurial development program of Tagbilaran City in a sustainable and innovative livelihood project by upcycling used tarpaulins.

A Tagbilaran-based women’s group, the Tagbilaran City Garments Manufacturing Association is among the first beneficiaries of the support coming from PSFI.

City Mayor Jane Yap thanked PSFI for the livelihood opportunity given to women beneficiaries in the city.

Shell President and Chief Operating Officer (CEO) Lorelei Quiambao Osial said that she and her company are optimistic about the results arising from the partnership between the city and the foundation backed by one of the major players in the petroleum industry.

“Projects like these are a blessing. We need like-minded people who will help us move our company’s ideals toward nation-building. We want to add value to the society and here we have that opportunity by working with women,” Osial emphasized.

The PSFI was established in 1982 as the “social arm” of the Shell Companies in the Philippines. 

It is a non-profit organization that works to uplift the lives of the most vulnerable sectors in the Philippines.

It focuses on 6 key areas which are: livelihood, education, health, safety, environment, and nutrition and food security.

Moreover, grant funds coming from PSFI were distributed at the sidelines of the event.

The Tagbilaran Youth Souvenir Manufacturers (TYSM) received a P75,000 grant from PSFI. The group, which is composed of out-of-school youth in Tagbilaran, received the grant to be used for a livelihood project.

Another group which received a grant is the Dampas Women’s Organization. This organization received a grant of P100,000 from PSFI.

The Hugpong Kababay-an sa Lower Cogon Association (HKLCA), Inc. also received a grant of P 100,000 from PSFI.

The Kalipi Upcycling Resource Entrepreneurs (KURE) obtained a grant of P120,000 while the Tagbilaran City Garments Manufacturers Association (TCGMA) received a grant of P 130,000.

All of the groups which received grants from PSFI decided to use the funds given to them for respective livelihood programs.