By Yvette Tan
Manila, Philippines – In spite of agriculture being one of the major drivers of the Philippine economy during the pandemic, threats to food security are a continuing challenge to some sectors of society. In recognition of this, Cargill Philippines, the local subsidiary of global food and agriculture corporation Cargill, has invested almost P20 M (US$400,000) in Covid-relief efforts, with the majority of the fund allocated to Food Security Intervention.
Echoing Agriculture Secretary William Dar’s sentiments emphasizing the need for the agriculture sector to unite and ensure access to affordable and nutritious food for Filipinos, Cargill Philippines President Sonny Catacutan likewise stressed the significance of food security in these trying times.
“As a business engaged in agriculture and food production, we are cognizant of our responsibility to keep the food supply chains going. Despite the restrictions brought about by the efforts to mitigate the effects of the pandemic on public health and safety, we have kept our operations going across all our business units. In addition to this, we also wanted to help as many communities as we can get access to the nourishment they need,” Catacutan said.
Cargill Philippines has reached over 370,000 direct beneficiaries through its own monetary and food donations and by partnering with organizations such as Rise Against Hunger and ABS-CBN’s Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation. Aside from Food Security Intervention, a portion of this fund was allocated for Health and Medicine, and Education.
Cargill Oil Mills Philippines Inc. (COMPI) provided 1,700 kilograms of rice to communities in Laguna and General Santos City.C-JOY, the company’s poultry meat production business, donated over 630-thousand pieces of eggs and 60-thousand live birds as a means of both livelihood and nutrition for its recipients.
In addition, as Cargill Philippines sought to create even more meaningful connections, the company partnered with Rise Against Hunger to purchase 300 food packs for the front-line health workers, and donated 1,800 kilograms of frozen chicken products through ABS-CBN’s Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation.
The company also donated relief goods consisting of various food and hygiene products to over 500 beneficiaries, as well as WiFi broadband kits for students at Food For Hungry Minds School, an educational charity that creates schools for disadvantaged children.
Cargill Philippines has been operating in the country for over 70 years now, providing food, agriculture, and industrial products and services. It operates five business units including Cargill Oil Mills Philippines, Cargill Animal Nutrition and Health, Cargill Food Ingredients and Bio Industrial Enterprise, Cargill Grains and Meal and C-JOY Poultry Meats Production.
“We remain committed to working with the Philippine government and the immediate communities we operate in. There’s no better time than now for all sectors to remain united as we weather the long-term effects of this pandemic on food security,” Catacutan added.
This is just one example of how Cargill is working with nonprofit and NGO partners around the globe to help address food security, health and safety needs and agriculture and food industry challenges due to the spread of COVID-19. In addition to monetary donations, we are collaborating with nonprofits around the globe to donate food, ingredients and other high-need products for those who are vulnerable during this pandemic. For example, Cargill has donated nearly 3 million pounds of food to food shelves and hunger relief efforts in local communities where our employees live and work. Cargill’s global and regional COVID-19 response is guided by its purpose to nourish the world in a safe, responsible and sustainable way
For more information, visit Cargill Philippines.
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