Through our upstream and downstream business units, Chevron is partnering to improve the social and economic well-being of communities where we operate. We support funding for basic human needs, education, small business development and environmental projects.
Basic Human Needs
Chevron's commitment of $30 million to the Global Fund will help the Tropical Disease Foundation in its fight against tuberculosis in the Philippines. The foundation will receive $5 million over the next three years.
Chevron is the primary sponsor of the Caltex Good Roots, an agro-forestry program aimed at preserving the environment by sharing technology with farming communities in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte; Lobo, Batangas; and Pugo, La Union and Baguio City. So far, at least 794 farming families have benefited from the program. More than 505,000 fruit and forest tree seedlings have been planted.
Education and Training
At Chevron, we believe that education is an important factor in the economic growth and well-being of the communities in which we work.
- We offer high school and college scholarships to financially challenged, academically gifted students. After two decades, the program has helped 615 youths graduate.
- In partnership with Don Bosco School, we support vocational and technical skills training for out-of-school youths. Of the program's 180 graduates, 82 percent are employed or work for themselves.
- We support the Sa Pagbasa, May Pagasa – a literacy program that helps 1,800 first-grade students in Tiwi's 25 villages.
- We help the newly formed Educational Enhancement for Public School Students, which caters to primary and secondary students with learning difficulties.
- We support the Marcellin KAPATID (Sibling) Program, a skills training project in Gensan that trains out-of-school youths in welding and the repair of motorcycles and small engines.
Our Caltex Fund Street-to-School Program was launched in 1999 in partnership with more than 20 nongovernmental organizations. The nationwide program provides financial assistance for shelter, skills training and livelihood programs to former street children and other youths in need. The Caltex Fund has helped build dormitories for street children in the cities of Muntinlupa, Davao and General Santos.
Through the Caltex Fund Livelihood Program, we help finance programs that allow young people to gain skills that will help expand their job opportunities. Caltex supports a project in Makati that trains migrant youths in baking and marketing. The Caltex Loaves and Fishes Bakery in General Santos City was created in partnership with the Marcellin Foundation to help troubled youth. Barely a year in operation, this program now has added three new bakeshops.
Our main volunteer effort is the Caltex Mentor Program Drive to Literacy. Chevron employees volunteer in public schools, teaching classes in reading, mathematics, science and computer proficiency.
Chevron employees also volunteer to help the Brigada Eskwela (School Brigade), which, in partnership with the Philippine Department of Education, supports maintenance of public school classrooms.
Enterprise Development
Chevron supports programs that assist small businesses and offer training in agriculture, fisheries and home industries.
We partner with private groups to build a strong agri-based program for micro-enterprises in Tiwi and Mak-Ban. We provide seed capital to help women's groups, fishermen and villagers develop small businesses using products that abound in their areas. Some of the enterprises include sales of arts and crafts and virgin coconut oil, coconut rope twining, a weaving project, ceramic pottery, and a cassava agri-business project.
We also joined local governments in Tiwi in a resource management program for 12 coastal villages. This project works to protect Tiwi coastlines by planting mangrove trees. It also promotes seaweed production as an alternative livelihood for coastal communities. The project grew in 2007 when wives of fishermen began producing seaweed extract for use in local noodles production.
Caring for the Environment
Chevron Philippines is a founding member of the Philippine Eagle Foundation Inc., which helps protect and preserve this endangered national treasure and its habitat. We donated cryogenic equipment for the breeding program. Our annual donation supports other foundation operations.
We support Project Seahorse – a Chevron Conservation Award winner – which worked in the rich Visayan seas of the Philippine islands. We are funding a two-year effort to conserve and promote the sustainable management of resources in the endangered Danahon Bank Double Barrier Reef.
Chevron Geothermal is a member of the Renewable Energy Coalition that supported the Renewable Energy Act approved by Congress. The act became law in December 2008, creating a level playing field for renewable energy sources such as geothermal, hydropower, wind, solar and biomass. The law also supports the Philippines' goal of energy security and sustainable development.
Updated: March 2009