PUNLA Kabuhayan
PHINMA Energy Corporation
“As of 2016, PHINMA Energy has organized 12 active livelihood groups supporting 117 households and implementing their own community-proposed livelihood. These initiatives are results of intensive community integration and mapping, and were started with the communities’ own strengths and skills.”
INTRODUCTION
PUNLA, or Progressive Undertakings for Nation-Building and Life-Enhancing Advocacies is PHINMA Energy’s response to the needs of our partner communities for a more appropriate and sustainable development. We used the term “punla” or seedlings to emphasize our commitment to empowering communities based on their roots and realities, nurturing them to become more self-reliant towards development.PUNLA Kabuhayan (Livelihood) starts from PHINMA Energy’s belief in the potential of our partner communities to participate and contribute to the economic growth of the country. PHINMA Energy assists communities in exploring livelihood opportunities and creates enabling mechanisms for our partners to achieve their dreams and aspirations.
FRAMEWORK AND STRATEGY
In implementing PUNLA Kabuhayan, we start by building the core of leaders and implementers on the ground. This phase involves social integration with the community to learn its various dynamics including the opportunities and vulnerabilities on the ground. Data gathered is used as reference to come up with the program that fits the realities of the community. We then create the strategy with the community and implement the livelihood plan based on the agreed responsibilities from individuals and partners. Collaboration has been a key strategy as various service providers and local government units have played a role in making this program successful.In the entire process, we use a bottom-up and participatory approach because we believe that sustainability starts from the ownership of the community focusing on their already existing strengths and capabilities. PHINMA Energy comes in as facilitator and catalyst to create enabling mechanisms for the community to make them realize their dreams and aspirations.
ACHIEVEMENT AND IMPACT
As of 2016, PHINMA Energy has organized 12 active livelihood groups supporting 117 households and implementing their own community-proposed livelihood. These initiatives are results of intensive community integration and mapping, and and were started with the communities’ own strengths and skills.We have also established 2 livelihood centers in the provinces of La Union and Guimaras which have been community hubs for social empowerment. The center in Guimaras, in particular, supports the growing tourism industry in the island as tourist arrivals increased by 68% in the entire province since the construction of our wind turbine facility in the area.
FUTURE DIRECTION
PUNLA Kabuhayan is a dynamic program, constantly evolving depending on the needs of the communities. Given this reality, PHINMA Energy will remain steadfast in its commitment to promote social empowerment to prepare and empower communities. We believe that PUNLA can create a ripple-effect to positively influence our two other advocacies for community development: social welfare and community resiliency.Our dream is to see our partner communities realize their dreams. It is our hope to witness our “punla” grow into strong and resilient trees capable of providing shade and protection for others.
PHINMA Energy Corporation, formerly known as Trans-Asia Oil and Energy Development Corporation, is an integrated power solutions company in the Philippines engaged in power generation and electricity supply, renewable energy, and resource exploration and development.
