SM Foundation launches KSK Batch 261 in Gerona, Tarlac Meralco energizes health center for Rizal mountain community

fetal dopplers, and blood pressure monitors. In addition, OMF donated 100 school kits for students of the Laiban Integrated School in the community.

“This initiative led by our own Meralco employees signifies our commitment to empower not just our customers but also residents in remote communities. With the help of our government and private sector partners, Meralco aims to energize and support more communities and continue powering the good life for every Filipino,” Meralco Senior Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer Ferdinand O. Geluz said.

Tanay Mayor Rafael “Lito” A. Tanjuatco welcomed the assistance provided by Meralco, saying: “Rest assured that the municipality of Tanay together with our rural health unit and medical workers will work together to ensure that your good donation will be used for the benefit of the community since we all believe that light is life.”

SM Foundation’s Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan (KSK) Batch 261 was recently launched at the Farmers Training Center, Brgy Tagumbao, Gerona, Tarlac with 25 farmerparticipants. The KSK program, also known as KSK on Sustainable Agriculture Program aims to promote agri-entrepreneurship, community empowerment, food security and technology enhancement. This batch’s trainor is Emma Tolentino, a KSK graduate from Tarlac’s first batch. Jhen Lizardo of SM Foundation serves as project lead.

Among those who attended the program launch were SM Foundation AVP for Outreach, Cristie Angeles; SM City Tarlac Mall Manager, Engr. Darrel Ramos; Techinical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Tarlac Provincial Director, Leonardo Tabamo; Department of Social Welfare and

Development (DSWD) Tarlac, Eugene Lopez, Project Development Officer II; Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Tarlac Science Research Specialist 1, Dhannize Mae Pili; Local Government Unit of Gerona; Tagumbao Brgy. Captain, Pacifico Asuncion; Acting Municipal Agriculturist, Revilyn Yadyadoc; Social Welfare Officer 1, Nino Angelico Antonio; and St. Isidore the Farmer Learning Center President, Romeo Cordova, SM Foundation’s partner school for Tarlac site.

The KSK program of SM Foundation provides a holistic approach to farmers training. Participants not only learn farming techniques but are given capacity building, financial literary lessons as well, access to market linkages and values formation seminars. In pursuit of a more sustainable program, SM Foundation strongly encourages participants to share and replicate their learnings within their communities.

RESIDENTS of a mountain community in Rizal have started benefitting from better medical services after the Manila Electric Company (Meralco), through its corporate social development arm, One Meralco Foundation (OMF), energized a health center in the municipality of Tanay.

The project involves a three-kilowatt peak (kWp) solar photovoltaic (PV) system for the Barangay Laiban health center, which caters to the basic medical needs of over 3,000 residents of the community, including members of the Dumagat Tribe.

The new solar facility powers crucial medical equipment for improved delivery of health services in the community. Health care workers can now use nebulizers for those with respiratory ailments, and fetal dopplers for prenatal care. In addition, the health center is now sufficiently lit and ventilated

CONSTRUCTION STARTS ON

NEW DBD DASMARINAS

CHURCH BUILDING. Day by Day

Jesus Ministries Dasmarinas Cavite for a more conducive environment for both medical workers and patients.

Pastor Lawrence Sarmiento led the groundbreaking ceremony on July 2, 2023 to officially start the construction of the new DBD Dasmarinas, Cavite church building in Barangay San Agustin 2, Dasmarinas, Cavite. Present during the ceremony were DBD Jesus Ministries Project CANA committee members Dr. Toti Baylon, Engr. Elmer Bacomo, Christopher Batuhan, Engr. Leo Cristobal, Aries Ferrer, Lorie Quilaton and Engr. Charles Siringan.

Installed by Meralco’s solar power subsidiary Spectrum, the solar PV system donation to the barangay was made possible through a fundraising led by Meralco employees from Customer Retail Services Group.

Alongside the energization, Meralco also conducted a medical mission for the residents of Barangay Laiban with the help of volunteer doctors from the Department of Health, Tanay Municipal Health Office, and Marikina Valley Medical Center. The medical mission the Meralco

Meralco employees donated medicines and medical equipment such as nebulizers, and higher price, as they prioritize the health benefits it offers.

The energization of rural health centers is among the initiatives of OMF under its community electrification program which also covers off-grid public schools, low-income households in the Meralco franchise area, water access, and agricultural and livelihood programs.

“One Meralco Foundation will continue to take steps to make electricity access available to more underserved communities and help make basic services such as healthcare closer to as many as possible,” OMF President Jeffrey O. Tarayao said.

As the social development arm and corporate foundation of Meralco, OMF is committed to spreading the light to underserved communities across the country through sustainable social responsibility programs that have lasting impact.

THE demand for healthier food options is on the rise, driven by an increasing number of health-conscious consumers. According to a survey by Food Industry Asia, eight out of ten Filipino consumers are becoming more health conscious and would prefer healthier food choices as long as they are tasty.

This growing awareness of the importance of a healthy diet presents a substantial market opportunity for unique, tasty, and nutritious crops like East-West Seed’s hybrid Morado F1 purple sweet waxy corn.

With its vibrant color, anthocyanin content, sweetness, and potential to increase income, Morado presents an enticing opportunity for Filipino farmers.

Morado can provide farmers with a consistent income opportunity throughout the year as it is suitable to be planted all year round. It is also an early-maturing corn variety. Farmers can harvest within 60 to 62 days after planting, enabling them to sell their produce to the market sooner.

Morado stands out not only for its vibrant purple hue but also for its ear quality. The kernels are soft, tender, and stay sweet even two days after harvest.

"Every week, we plant one to two kg of Morado to ensure a continuous supply," says Mike. This consistent planting approach enables him to meet the growing demand for this unique crop and capitalize on its market potential. Mike also shared that it is easy to grow Morado. He proudly mentions, "From my experience, Morado has a high germination rate at around 95 percent. It is also strong against diseases."

The uniqueness and versatility of Morado also opens up various marketing avenues for farmers like Mike. He shares, "Morado can be sold to processors of corn coffee, fresh markets or directly to consumers."