Del Monte Foundation as a trailblazer of the ZEP2030 Movement

Del Monte Foundation, Inc. (DMFI) is the corporate social responsibility arm of Del Monte Philippines, Incorporated. For the past 25 years, DMFI has implemented various programs geared towards the improvement of education, livelihood, health, and environment in the effort of creating happy and healthy families in sustainable communities in the province of Bukidnon.

In 2017, DMFI joined the Education Cluster of the Zero Extreme Poverty Philippines PH 2030 (ZEP2030) and volunteered as a Local Convenor for the town of Sumilao. Ms. Bella Quimpo, DMFI Executive Director, shares that Sumilao remains to be “one of the most underserved communities. Parang naiiwanan.”

Barangay Kulasi, the poorest barangay in Sumilao, was selected as the ZEP2030 pilot barangay of DMFI and the Municipal Government under the leadership of Mayor Jose Antonio Villo. DMFI worked hand in hand with the Barangay Council and conducted the Poverty Probability Index (PPI) survey among 113 households, followed by a Family and Community Visioning (FCV) workshop. From these, DMFI and the community were able to identify appropriate interventions that align with the needs of the people of Kulasi, complementing the barangay development plan in place. These include: skills training for the women to augment the income of their families, partnering with the LGU for the provision of sanitary toilets for 56 families, and provision of additional facilities for schools and day care centers such as tables and chairs, playground equipment, and supplementary learning aids, including books and toys to help children develop their motor skills.

As a Local Convenor for the ZEP2030 Movement, Ms. Quimpo believes that DMFI’s commitment is over and above implementing interventions that are focused on education or on their own programs alone. The Foundation recognizes that the needs of the families are multi-faceted, and it takes more than one organization and more than one thematic cluster to fully resolve the hindrances to reach a level of self-sufficiency. Currently, DMFI is also collaborating with Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines, Inc. for the provision of a level 2 water system which will benefit 154 households in Barangay Kulasi.

From one pilot barangay, DMFI has now completed the PPI survey and Family and Community Visioning workshops in seven other barangays in Sumilao. Together with the LGU-Sumilao, they have been able to gather the various stakeholders of the municipality for the presentation of the consolidated Community Development Plan of the eight barangays and match the resources of the stakeholders with the identified needs. They plan to expand ZEP2030 to three more municipalities in Bukidnon by the year 2020. Together with this expansion, they hope to build and strengthen the convergence with other partners and stakeholders in the province.