Sun Life Foundation and WWF Philippines Scale Up Food Security and Climate Resilience Program in Surigao del Norte

Manila, Philippines (April 2026) – Sun Life Financial-Philippines Foundation, Inc. (Sun Life Foundation), in partnership with World Wide Fund for Nature-Philippines, recently launched a Food Shed Farming Enterprise project in Surigao del Norte, bolstering efforts to promote food security and climate resilience in the province.

 

The project will build four new food sheds in Barangay Julio Ouano, Pungtod, Ombong, and San Pedro in Alegria, benefiting 120 rice farmers and 600 residents. The sheds, which are constructed using sustainable materials, utilize highly replicable climate-adaptive farming technologies like composting, rainwater harvesting, and natural pest and disease control to produce food. The aim is to improve access to locally produced, affordable, and nutritious food in remote and low-income communities, provide sustainable agriculture-based livelihoods, and enhance resilience against challenges posed by climate change.

 

The project also features capacity-development activities aimed at enhancing financial wellness, including access to basic financial literacy and the formation of savings and loans groups.

 

This initiative marks the latest chapter in the collaboration between Sun Life Foundation and WWF-Philippines, which previously built five food sheds in Del Carmen, Surigao del Norte. The collaboration also constructed nine sheds in Sto. Domingo in Albay, Manjuyod in Negros Oriental, and Burgos in Surigao del Norte, through additional funding from Sun Life’s global headquarters.

 

“We are proud to expand our partnership with WWF-Philippines in bringing sustainable food solutions to more communities across the Philippines,” said Joy Castillo, President of Sun Life Foundation. “This new project demonstrates our shared commitment not only to building healthier and more climate-resilient communities but also to promoting environmental sustainability.”

 

“This collaboration goes beyond building food sheds: it is about enabling communities to take control of their food systems in a way that is sustainable and climate-resilient,” said Chrisma Salao, WWF-Philippines Director for Conservation Programs. “By equipping farmers with the right tools, knowledge, and support, we are helping ensure that even the most remote communities have access to affordable and nutritious food while strengthening their capacity to face climate impacts.”

 

As the philanthropic arm of Sun Life Philippines, the country’s first and longest-standing life insurance company, Sun Life Foundation is committed to building a brighter future for Filipinos through education, health, and environment programs.

Prudence Foundation and UNICEF Philippines Partner to Protect Children from Climate-Related Health Risks

Taguig City, Philippines,  31 March 2026 – Prudence Foundation, the community investment arm of Prudential plc, and UNICEF Philippines have launched a new partnership to help protect children and communities in the Philippines from the growing health impacts of climate change.

Through the REACH programme, the collaboration aims to strengthen health and social protection systems so they can better respond to climate-related risks such as extreme heat and air pollution that disproportionately affect children.

REACH, which stands for Resilience, Environment, and Child Health – Strengthening Health and Social Protection Systems in the Philippines, will support efforts to develop climate-adaptive primary health care systems, strengthen preparedness and response to heat stress and air pollution, and enhance shock-responsive social protection mechanisms for vulnerable families.

The programme will be implemented by UNICEF Philippines in partnership with the Department of Health, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Climate Change Commission, and local government units in Metro Manila and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

With support from Prudence Foundation, the community investment arm of Prudential plc, and Pru Life UK, the programme highlights the importance of strengthening resilience for children and communities faced with increasing frequency and intensity of climate risks.

“As the community investment arm of Prudential plc, Prudence Foundation focuses on building climate and health resilience through long‑term, collaborative solutions. Our partnership with UNICEF Philippines under the REACH programme reflects this commitment, supporting stronger health and social protection systems to better protect children from climate‑related health risks,” said Nicole Ngeow, Executive Director of Prudence Foundation.

Sanjay Chakrabarty, President and Chief Executive Officer of Pru Life UK, said:

“Climate change is increasingly affecting the health and wellbeing of children and communities across the Philippines. Through the REACH programme, we are supporting efforts to strengthen systems that protect children from climate-related health risks such as extreme heat and air pollution. By working with UNICEF and government partners, we hope to help build stronger and more resilient health and social protection systems that can better safeguard children today, and in the future,” added Chakrabarty.

Kyungsun Kim, UNICEF Representative to the Philippines, highlighted the partnership’s significance in addressing the stakes for children:

 “For children whose bodies are still growing, climate change can quickly become a health emergency. Protecting them requires climate‑adaptive, shock‑responsive systems, and strong partnerships. Through REACH, our work with the Prudence Foundation shows how government, civil society, young people, and the private sector can deliver solutions where they matter most. UNICEF mobilises private sector partners as advocates for child rights and responsible business, helping build a more resilient future for every child in the Philippines.”

Children are particularly vulnerable to environmental and climate-related health risks due to their unique needs and reliance on healthcare systems, clean air, and safe environments. Strengthening these systems will help ensure that communities are better prepared to respond to climate-related shocks and protect children’s health and wellbeing.