08/02/2026
SEAOIL Foundation, Inc. (SFI) formally concluded last week its operations in the Municipality of Pilar, Sorsogon after ten (10) years of partnership with the Local Government Unit (LGU) on water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), zero open defecation (ZOD) and food security (Tugon sa Gutom Program).
SFI, in a formal exit meeting, thanked the Local Chief Executive, Hon. Dennis Reyes, and the former Mayor and now Municipal Administrator Carolyn Sy-Reyes for the support the LGU and its offices had extended to the Foundation in accomplishing the objectives of its programs.
The distribution of toilet bowls under its Water and Sanitation and Zero Open Defecation (ZOD) Program increased sanitation coverage from 48% in 2018 to 69% in 2020, benefiting approximately 18,500 individuals. Consequently, 17 barangays were declared and certified as Zero Open Defecation.
Under the Tugon sa Gutom Program, 865 households from 22 barangays were trained on sustainable agriculture and assisted in the establishment of family farms to improve household food access. Of these, 276 households were provided with agri-livelihood assistance for additional sources of income.
Exit meetings were also held with selected partner communities and national high schools whose agriculture training under the Technical-Vocational- Livelihood track was supported by the Foundation.
The Foundation thanked Barangay Captain Mario Almen and Principals Jessica Ascaño and Cherry Daco Luces and Gulayan sa Paaralan Coordinator Maria Asela Logia of the Calongay Elementary School for their support in the pilot testing and continuity of SFI's Tugon sa Gutom Program. Joining the exit meeting were Vice Mayor Celso Lao, Jr. and Barangay Captain Lilibeth Lagrosa Lao of Barangay Banuyo.
SFI also acknowledged the support of the Office of the Municipal Agriculturist (OMAg) headed by Danilo M. Ocmer Jr., as well as the Municipal Nutrition Office, represented by Shyramie Tuquero, and the Gender and Development Office, represented by Michael Ryan Literal, for their active collaboration throughout the implementation period.