Balanga City, Bataan — From beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) to empowered backyard farmers, that was the transformation achieved through the Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan (KSK) Sustainable Agriculture Program spearheaded by SM Foundation Inc., in partnership with various government agencies and SM City Bataan.

This goal materialized on 4 July 2025, when 107 participants from Bataan completed a 14-week agricultural training program under the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office 3. The graduation ceremony was held at SM City Bataan.

According to SM City Bataan Public Relations Officer Paula Gayeta, the graduates hailed from the towns of Orion and Pilar and were identified as 4Ps beneficiaries.

Gayeta noted that the DSWD’s Sustainable Livelihood Program collaborated with SM Foundation to help ensure livelihood continuity. The graduates are also set to receive Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) certifications in Agricultural Crops Production NC II.

The hands-on agricultural training sessions were held at D’Planners Training Center Inc., where participants engaged in farming demonstrations and on-ground learning.

Susan Hernandez, chief of the Promotive Services Division, said the graduates will now be eligible to benefit from various Sustainable Livelihood Program initiatives that could help them launch their own agribusinesses.

As part of their graduation activities, the new farmers were given a guided tour of SM Supermarket, exposing them to retail operations—from product quality and packaging to supply chain management. This practical experience aimed to align their production with real market demands and prepare them for sustainable income opportunities.

Gayeta emphasized that the success of the program was made possible through the joint efforts of SM Foundation and government agencies such as the DSWD, TESDA, Department of Agriculture, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Science and Technology, and the local governments of Orion and Pilar.

“SM Foundation’s Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan continues to make a lasting impact nationwide by equipping farmers with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in today’s competitive agricultural sector,” she said. “With every graduating batch, the program strengthens its commitment to promoting food security, inclusive growth, and sustainable rural development.”