A joint initiative bringing year-round agricultural infrastructure to climate-vulnerable provinces has earned national honors at the 2026 CSR Guild Awards in Mandaluyong City.

Sun Life Financial-Philippines Foundation, Inc. (Sun Life Foundation) was named a finalist in the Outstanding CSR Project in Environment category for its Food Shed Farming Enterprise, developed in collaboration with the World Wide Fund for Nature-Philippines (WWF-Philippines).

Organized by the League of Corporate Foundations—a network of corporations and corporate foundations driving corporate social responsibility across the country—the annual awards honor exceptional sustainability programs.

As of 2026, the joint venture has installed food sheds in over a dozen remote communities spanning Albay, Negros Oriental, and Surigao del Norte. The controlled structures enable year-round cultivation, protecting local agriculture from severe weather events while securing steady access to affordable, locally grown produce.

To ensure long-term stability beyond basic crop yields, the enterprise pairs physical farming infrastructure with economic support mechanisms:

• Year-round food production: Provides continuous yields to protect local supply chains from climate-driven disruptions.
• Economic empowerment: Generates sustainable livelihoods by giving residents direct access to healthy, locally sourced produce.
• Financial literacy integration: Conducts financial education programs and establishes community-managed savings and loans associations to support local micro-economies.

“This recognition inspires us to continue advancing environmental sustainability in ways that support and empower Filipinos,” said Joy Castillo, Chief Operating Officer of Sun Life Grepa Financial, Inc. and Sun Life Foundation President. “We are grateful to WWF-Philippines and our partner communities for sharing our vision of a brighter, more climate-resilient nation and working with us to create solutions that generate lasting impact.”

As the philanthropic arm of Sun Life Philippines—the nation’s first and longest-standing life insurance company—Sun Life Foundation focuses its investments on health, education, and environmental sustainability initiatives nationwide.