In 2017, Aboitiz Foods launched Project Silk that trains thousands of yellow corn farmers in Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Oriental and Tarlac on improving production and marketing of their crops. The successful initiative benefited more than 2,800 farmers throughout the years by helping them increase their sales by more than 1,500 percent to P48.36 million.
The training in financial literacy, bookkeeping, cooperative leadership and agribusiness management enhanced the farmers’ competency in operating their corn business and building competitiveness.
Project Silk also facilitated partnerships that further strengthened the farmers’ capabilities and expand business opportunities. They now operate agri-supply stores, cassava chip lines, vulcanizing shops and lending services to have income beyond farming.
In 2022, Aboitiz Foods also launched its Adopt-A-City program that strengthened a community’s disaster resilience by advancing science-based tools and solutions, engaging multiple stakeholders, and promoting inclusive governance systems that help the city prepare for, adapt to, and recover from climate and disaster risks.
The company adopted Iligan City and raised its resilience score to 84.38 percent from a near-zero baseline and helped it win a Gawad KALASAG Fully Compliant Award, the country’s highest honor for disaster preparedness.
Project Silk and Adopt-A-City demonstrate how Aboitiz Foods’ values of integrity, teamwork, innovation and responsibility translate into real impact on the ground. The American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (AmCham) took notice of the impactful programs and bestowed the company with honors during its 2nd Corporate Social Impact (CSI) Awards on 19 November.
Aboitiz Foods’ food and agribusiness company in the Philippines, Pilmico Foods Corporation (Pilmico), received the highest honor, the Impact Excellence Award, for Project Silk, distinguishing it as the most outstanding and transformative program among all Gold Awardees from the 2025 cycles.
Project Silk also won the Gold Award for the Economic Empowerment and Livelihood Development category, while the Adopt-A-City Program earned the CSI Silver Award for Community Impact and Civic Engagement.
“We are profoundly inspired by these recognitions, which affirm Aboitiz Foods’ core belief: that creating lasting value must extend beyond the company to nourish the future of the communities we work with,” said Pamela Lynne Liwag, Aboitiz Foods’ assistant vice president for brand & reputation management. “Our CSR initiatives are far more than just giving back; they embody our commitment to making a transformative, meaningful impact by cultivating a more sustainable future for generations to come.”
Co-presented with the United States Embassy in the Philippines, this year’s AmCham CSI Awards carried the theme “Stronger Together for People, Planet and Progress,” honoring organizations that exemplify leadership in community empowerment, sustainability and inclusive progress across six award categories.