On November 24, 2025, Malampaya Foundation Inc. (MFI) was formally recognized as a National Kabalikat Awardee by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) for its exemplary and sustained contribution to the advancement of Technical-Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in the Philippines.
The prestigious recognition affirms MFI’s longstanding commitment to expanding access to quality skills training for out-of-school youth, underemployed adults, fisherfolk families, and women in underserved coastal and rural communities.
Nearly Two Decades of Empowering Filipino Workers
Since 2007, MFI has trained more than 25,000 individuals through a comprehensive and inclusive skills development program designed to bridge education-to-employment gaps. The Foundation delivers its training through both in-center and community-based modalities, ensuring that geographically isolated and disadvantaged communities are not left behind.
Training programs cover a diverse range of trades, including both traditionally masculine- and feminine-oriented occupations, with select scholars receiving high-quality tools and starter kits to support immediate employment or entrepreneurial pursuits upon graduation.
This holistic approach has produced measurable and sustained impact.
Strong Employment Outcomes and Income Gains
Since 2012, MFI has recorded an employment and application rate averaging 80–90 percent among its trainees—an indicator of both industry relevance and program effectiveness.
Graduates who secure local employment earn an average starting salary of approximately ₱24,000 per month, equivalent to around 200 percent of the 2025 poverty threshold as defined by the Philippine Statistics Authority. For many beneficiaries coming from low-income households, this represents a transformative leap in financial stability.
Beyond local employment, numerous graduates have progressed to overseas work opportunities, achieving income levels up to 300 percent higher than local pay scales. These advancements not only uplift individual families but also contribute to local economies through remittances and reinvestment in communities.
Sustained Economic Mobility and Livelihood Growth
MFI’s impact extends beyond immediate employment. Data from program monitoring shows that scholar-graduates experience continued income growth from three to four years onward through sustained employment, career progression, and expanded skills competencies.
For those who pursue self-employment, the training provides enhanced technical proficiency, enabling them to:
- Establish small enterprises
- Generate supplemental income
- Diversify household livelihoods
- Build long-term career pathways
The Foundation’s initiatives have been particularly significant for fisher families seeking alternative or supplementary sources of income, as well as for women and youth aspiring to stable employment.
Strengthening Human Capital and Community Development
Beyond individual beneficiaries, the ripple effects of MFI’s training programs are evident at the community level. Graduates often pass on acquired skills to family members and peers, multiplying the impact of each training cycle. The visibility of successful trainees has also sparked heightened interest among unemployed community members to pursue technical education.
By enhancing human capital, the Foundation contributes to broader community resilience, local productivity, and inclusive economic growth.
A Partnership for National Development
The National Kabalikat Award recognizes institutions that actively partner with TESDA in strengthening the country’s TVET ecosystem. For MFI, the honor represents both recognition and renewed commitment.
Through sustained collaboration with TESDA and local stakeholders, Malampaya Foundation Inc. continues to invest in skills that empower individuals, uplift families, and drive community development—demonstrating that technical education remains a powerful pathway out of poverty and toward long-term prosperity.
