PSFI’s access to green energy, IP support initiatives get Anvil awards

Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc.’ (PSFI) initiatives in Palawan to provide inclusive help to its indigenous peoples (IPs) and bring forth access to green energy in far-flung island communities received silver awards in the 54th Anvil Awards recently held in Manila. Presented annually by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP), the Anvil recognized PSFI Palawan’s ISIP (Integrated Support to Indigenous People) and SINAG (Save, Invest, Nurture Access to Green Energy) with “Silver Anvil Awards” for helping address present-day issues with excellent professional skills, creativity, and resourcefulness. PSFI Palawan’s research, information, and communications officer Jeri Abenoja said Friday that January 30 was the second time both programs were recognized with the silver awards by the PRSP’s Anvil. They were received from the Anvil’s “Gabi ng Parangal” at the Marriot Grand Ballroom, Newport Boulevard, Pasay City, by former ISIP project officer Edilberto “Edong” Magpayo, SINAG project officer Antero “Yoyon’ Rebueno, and Aquino “Benny” Veran, PSFI’s program manager for Field Operations. “The awards are a recognition of all our passion and efforts, and they inspire us to do more, to power progress in Palawan,” Abenoja said. SINAG, which started in 2014, now has 3,316 beneficiaries. Abenoja said it is a community program that provides access to green energy so school children can study at night, basket and mat weaving that can be continued even after sundown, and support to local fisherfolk for storing catch of the day before they are transported to the marketplaces, among others. “SINAG also ensures sustainability through electric associations and providing electrical maintenance training. Such program goes back to the PSFI’s vision of enabling the disadvantaged to become productive and responsible members of the society,” he pointed out. The ISIP program, which also started in 2014, has a total of 2,022 beneficiaries, said Magpayo. He said it was recognized for its effort in “working and developing self-reliant communities of IPs”, which proves that there is a need

(L-R) SINAG project officer Antero “Yoyon’ Rebueno; PSFI program manager for field operations Aquino “Benny”Veran, and former ISIP project officer Edilberto “Edong” Magpayo with the “Silver Anvil Awards” during the Public Relations Society of the Philippines’ (PRSP) 54th Anvil Gabi ng Parangal on January 30, 2019, in at the Marriot Grand Ballroom, Newport Boulevard, Pasay City, Manila. (Photo courtesy of PSFI Palawan)