Shell helps Yolanda-affected fishermen

MANILA, Philippines - Shell companies in the Philippines (SciP) continue to provide support to the survivors of Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) through valuable livelihood assistance for the rehabilitation of affected families, and mobilization of SciP-wide volunteerism activities.

The social investment arm of Shell, the Pilipinas Shell Foundation Inc. (PSFI), collaborated with the San Antonio Formation and Enhancement Center (SAFEC) to facilitate a rehabilitation program for the affected fishermen of Barangay Macatunao in the municipality of Concepion, Iloilo. Shell donated P2 million to help the affected fishermen get back on their feet through the procurement of 133 fishing boats. This is Shell’s contribution to SAFEC’s “Adopt-a-Fisherman” project, which aims to donate 9,000 boats to registered fishermen in Northern Iloilo.

Aside from the boats, Shell also provided 160 solar lamps for use of the fishermen, the barangay day-care center, and the community church. The solar lamps comprise the initial batch of 2,000 Stiftung solar lamps Shell has procured for distribution to Typhoon Yolanda survivors, as part of its advocacy of developing new energy sources and providing energy access to far-flung areas.

A total of 380 family packs assembled from in-kind donations collected and repacked by Shell volunteers were also distributed.

“It’s a big help, because our resources are limited,” said SAFEC executive director Teresa Chan of the partnership between the non-profit organization and Shell. “Once the fishermen have their fishing boats, it’s going to be sustainable. That’s all they want, to have their fishing boats back, so they can start rebuilding their lives.”

SAFEC also values the support of the power, energy and gas technology leader in strengthening their credibility and capability to carry out projects and partnerships, and engaging more people to support their cause.

“This project aligns with what Shell is trying to do — restoring what was lost, which is the people’s livelihood,” affirmed Roberto Kanapi, vice president for communication of Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation. “We hope that we can all move forward, and in a small way, Shell can help in rehabilitation.”