Thumbs up for brighter futures. Gold Coin volunteers join the students and educators at Huangtian Primary School in Zhangzhou, China, to celebrate the sixth year of Project EduCare, reaffirming a shared commitment to expanding educational opportunities and empowering the next generation.
At Aboitiz Foods, creating shared value means growing together with the communities where it operates. Guided by its brand promise, Together We Nourish the Future, the company works with partners across sectors to develop initiatives that not only support local needs but also create opportunities that deliver lasting social impact.
From building capabilities and advancing community health to expanding access to education, Aboitiz Foods, through its subsidiaries, Pilmico Foods Corporation (Pilmico) and Gold Coin, supports programs that help strengthen communities while contributing to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).’
Strengthening partnerships, creating opportunities
In Iligan City, Philippines, Pilmico partnered with the Mindanao State University–Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) for the Baking Beyond Bars program. Building on the success of the Baking Behind Bars initiative for persons deprived of liberty (PDLs), the partnership equipped BJMP personnel with practical baking and food safety skills, enabling them to mentor future batches of PDLs and sustain livelihood training within the facility.
Quality Assurance Technical Supervisor Rodulfo Orong, who led the hands-on training, remarked, “If participants can share these skills with others, apply them to earn a livelihood, and continue learning beyond the program, then we’ve created something that lasts. That’s what being a Partner for Growth means to us.”
The program supports SDGs 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). Equipping BJMP personnel to train others extends the program’s reach and creates more opportunities for rehabilitation, livelihood generation, and successful reintegration into society.
Supporting community health
In Labuan, Malaysia, Gold Coin Sabah partnered with Sabah Flour & Feedmills Sdn. Bhd. and the Labuan Hospital Blood Bank to launch its first blood donation drive.
Supporting SDGs 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), the initiative brought together employees, volunteers, and healthcare professionals, recording more than 80 registered donors and 50 successful blood donations. Beyond providing lifesaving blood supplies, the initiative strengthened collaboration between Gold Coin, healthcare institutions, and the local community to support healthcare services.
Reflecting on the partnership, Mohamad Yusof, Health Officer of the Labuan Hospital Blood Bank, said:
“We are truly thankful for this joint partnership that made this blood donation campaign a success. We managed to meet more eager blood donors than we usually see! We look forward to more partnerships like this.”
Empowering tomorrow’s leaders
For the sixth consecutive year, Gold Coin Zhangzhou continued Project EduCare at Huangtian Primary School in Zhangzhou, China, reaffirming its commitment to expanding access to quality education (SDG 4). Recognizing that high-quality learning environments are essential to unlocking every child’s potential, the project helps address gaps in educational resources and supports students facing financial challenges.
The initiative provided classroom equipment, learning materials, sports and wellness resources, and financial assistance for an underprivileged student, directly benefiting nearly 80 students and teachers while strengthening collaboration with local educators and community leaders.
Expressing the school’s appreciation, Huangtian Primary School Head Zeng Wenxiu said:
“Thank you to the Gold Coin Group for your six years of assistance and support for Huangtian Primary School. I hope our students will carry this kindness, hold gratitude in their hearts, and move forward with optimism.”
As Aboitiz Foods continues to grow its footprint across Asia, the company remains grounded in its purpose and core values, driving impact through meaningful collaborations and initiatives. By combining the strengths of business, government, institutions, and local communities, Aboitiz Foods continues to create opportunities for shared progress that strengthen communities and build a more resilient food value chain.
FAQs:
- What is the “Baking Beyond Bars” initiative in the Philippines?
In Iligan City, Aboitiz Foods’ subsidiary Pilmico Foods Corporation partnered with the Mindanao State University–Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP). The program equips BJMP personnel with practical baking and food safety skills, so they can mentor persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) and support sustainable livelihood programs.
- How did Gold Coin contribute to community health in Malaysia?
Gold Coin Sabah collaborated with Sabah Flour & Feedmills Sdn. Bhd. and the Labuan Hospital Blood Bank to host its first blood donation drive in Labuan, Malaysia. The event brought together employees and healthcare partners, resulting in over 80 registered donors and 50 successful blood donations.
- How does Project EduCare make an impact in Zhangzhou, China?
For the past six years, Gold Coin Zhangzhou has been supporting Huangtian Primary School in Zhangzhou, China under Project EduCare – Aboitiz Foods’ corporate social responsibility program that promotes access to quality education. This year, Gold Coin Zhangzhou provided classroom equipment, learning materials, sports resources, and financial assistance to support nearly 80 underprivileged students and teachers in Huangtian Primary School.
- Which UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) did Aboitiz Foods’ programs support?
Aboitiz Foods, through its subsidiaries – Pilmico and Gold Coin – supported four specific UN Sustainable Development Goals in its recent initiatives:
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals (supported across all multi-sectoral collaborations)
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being (supported through blood donation drives)
SDG 4: Quality Education (supported through Project EduCare)
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities (supported through livelihood training for PDLs)
