MPIF’s Shore It Up! 15-Year Journey Lauded At 2024 CSR Guild Awards

Metro Pacific Investments Foundation (MPIF)'s flagship program, Shore It Up!, celebrated 15 years of championing environmental conservation, as it was honored recently at the 2024 CSR Guild Awards by the League of Corporate Foundations (LCF).

15 years of protecting the environment. Led by its president, Melody del Rosario (Middle), the MPIF Shore It Up! team was recognized as the Most Outstanding Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Project in Environment at the LCF’s Guild Awards 2024.

The program’s 15th Anniversary initiative, "Enlarging Our Blue Footprint for Philippine Marine Biodiversity Conservation," was awarded the distinction of Most Outstanding Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Project in Environment for its sustainable impact.

The CSR Guild Awards, a recognition program of LCF, honors foundations and corporations for exceptional CSR initiatives. SIU’s award signifies its holistic and multidimensional approach to marine conservation, addressing various aspects of environmental protection and community engagement.

Melody del Rosario, President of MPIF, reiterated the importance of such initiatives, stating, "As a country increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, we must take decisive action. Shore It Up! is committed to creating real change through conservation and restoration efforts, education, sustainable tourism, livelihood diversification, and fostering essential partnerships. Our goal is to build a sustainable and resilient environment for future generations."

Shore It Up!’s 15th anniversary was marked by a focused initiative aimed at significantly enhancing marine biodiversity conservation across the Philippines.

Some key projects included sustaining the UNESCO World Heritage Site Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, rehabilitating the Mangrove Center in Del Carmen post-Typhoon Odette, hosting a Multisectoral Forum for environmental issues, and formalizing partnerships with local government units like Mabini, Batangas for marine conservation programs.

These efforts aimed to strengthen the resilience and health of marine and coastal ecosystems through active restoration and protection efforts while simultaneously promoting sustainable economic opportunities for local communities.

By providing training and support for eco-tourism and sustainable fisheries, Shore it Up! ensures that conservation efforts are not only environmentally sound but economically viable for the community.

Additionally, SIU focused on increasing awareness and participation through targeted educational campaigns and community engagement efforts.

SIU’s remarkable impact over the past 15 years includes the establishment of 3 mangrove centers, the protection of 5,263 hectares of mangroves, partnerships with 13 local government units, collaboration with 464 partner organizations, safeguarding 102,083 hectares of Ramsar sites, engaging 1,034 scuba divers, 2,600 runners, 86,902 volunteers nationwide, 2,800 junior environmental scouts, 48 marine guardians, and 6 mangrove eco-guides.

Aligned with Gabay Kalikasan, one of the MVP Group’s Gabay Advocacies for a Sustainable Philippines, Shore It Up! actively supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 14: Life Below Water, Goal 15: Life on Land, and Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals.