Aboitiz Foods livelihood programs support 200 families in PH, Malaysia

Aboitiz Foods helps create sustainable livelihoods by providing technical support and sharing valuable knowledge on basic business management. (Photo from Aboitiz Foods website)

Integrated food and agribusiness company Aboitiz Foods has provided sustainable livelihood programs to more than 200 families in the Philippines and Malaysia as part of efforts to support sustainable local food systems.

“Our investments in programs designed for farmers, micro-entrepreneurs, and indigenous communities aim to create a more resilient and equitable food system not just for those working today, but for future generations as well,” Aboitiz Foods president and CEO Tristan Aboitiz said in a statement on Monday.

“By scaling these partnerships, we’re creating shared value—stronger communities, and a more sustainable food and agribusiness ecosystem in the various markets we serve,” he added.

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Aboitiz Foods said grant-based livelihood kits were given to beneficiaries in the Philippines, ranging from bakery to poultry and livestock packages through its flagship corporate social responsibility (CSR) program the Pilmico Livelihood Kits.

Each bakery kit consists of flour bags, an oven, a baking rack and other various baking equipment while machine kits include Pilmico Feeds, various animal health products, and 192 ready-to-lay hens.

Aside from providing a gilt package with two high-quality breed gilts, Pilmico Feeds and animal health products, technical training was also provided to generate additional income and build sustainable livelihoods.

Aboitiz Foods, through its subsidiary Pilmico and the Aboitiz Foundation Inc., has partnered with the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) to uplift agrarian reform beneficiaries and agrarian reform beneficiary organizations nationwide since 2017.

To date, more than 1,093 beneficiaries have benefited from this program.

It also partnered with Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. – Microfinance (RAFI-MFI) to further empower micro-entrepreneurs in the Visayas and Mindanao regions. This entails the distribution of livelihood kits, access to capital, and essential business development support.

The partnership has empowered 28 beneficiaries with 10 gilts, 54 egg machines and five bakery packages as of writing.

In Malaysia, the firm collaborated with Global Peace Foundation Malaysia to support the Orang Asli community in Pahang by building chicken coops, providing chicks and feed, and offering technical training in farm management.

The initiative, which also includes educational programs for children, has helped 40 Orang Asli families.

“These partnerships demonstrate our belief in creating sustainable opportunities, and we are excited to scale these initiatives across the region wherever they can make a meaningful impact,” Aboitiz said.