![](/archive/assets/8236ff50c1201399cb6ea343.jpg) Community Engagements # Community _Engagements_ ## Building thriving farming communities through _partnership, livelihood and education_ Our farm in Rizal, Palawan was built with the Indigenous Peoples Community who are our partners and hosts. Through daily work on the farm, our Partner Farm Program and Gabay Kalinga Foundation, we invest in the communities who make our work possible. In 2025, Gabay Kalinga Foundation's programs reached 1,928 people directly, and more than 1,000 tappers from Palawan communities work on our farm. ### In This Section Lionheart invests in local communities through partnership, livelihoods and our foundation. - [Indigenous Peoples Partnership](#partnership) - [Partner Farm Program](#partner-farms) - [Gabay Kalinga Foundation](#foundation) - [Next Generation of Farmers](#next-generation) Since 2015 ## Indigenous Peoples _Partnership_ In 2015, we signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Indigenous Peoples of Rizal, Palawan, and opened our first nursery. In 2016, the partnership received government approval and we planted our first palm. Today we have planted more than 600,000 coconut palms in partnership with the Indigenous Peoples Community. We see the Indigenous Peoples of Palawan as our partners and hosts. Their traditional elder structure is part of how we are organized, and we use it for dialogue, conflict resolution and decision-making, so that indigenous ways of life are kept and respected. In Rizal, where poverty incidence was high, we offer at least minimum wage, social services, pensions and health insurance to virtually the entire host community. ![Lionheart and Indigenous Peoples leaders signing the Memorandum of Agreement in Rizal, Palawan](/archive/assets/b49ccac25c5f8cd86e272d4f.jpg) > “\[Lionheart\] contributes to the attainment of protected area management goals by providing livelihood opportunities to local communities.” Palawan Dreams Southern Palawan ## Partner Farm _Program_ Our Partner Farm Program brings neighboring coconut farmers in southern Palawan into the same sap and quality system as our own farm, so their sap can reach the same buyers. ![Christian Eyde Moeller greeting a partner farmer among the coconut palms](/archive/assets/689a3cbf0b21d4b309b951ee.jpg) Economic Growth ## Growing the _Local Economy_ We are one of the largest employers in Palawan Province, and our growth creates work for businesses around us. ### Jobs in Rizal Employment is the most direct way we improve livelihoods. In 2025 we had 937 direct employees and more than 1,000 active tappers, with tapper earnings about twice the regional minimum wage. We add value to the sap here in Rizal, so the jobs stay here too. ### Local Suppliers Making our bio-organic fertilizer raises demand for local raw materials, and local entrepreneurs supply our construction, catering and vehicle maintenance needs. ### Beyond Palawan We plan to bring the Palawan model to new partner farms in Zamboanga del Sur, Leyte and Misamis Oriental, with support from the Philippine Coconut Authority, the Department of Trade and Industry and local government units. ![Gabay Kalinga Foundation](/archive/assets/2cfeab4eca407bf45b3db34e.png) ## Gabay Kalinga _Foundation_ Our non-profit partner for the communities around our farm. It runs programs in three areas. [Visit Gabay Kalinga Foundation](https://gabaykalinga.com) ### Education Learning programs that open doors to better opportunities for children and adults. ### Livelihood Skills training and support for small enterprises, so families can build income of their own. ### Community Development Projects planned with the community, so development serves local needs. ### 2025 in Numbers 41 students in tutorial classes in remote sitios, 397 reached by the Book Caravan, 21 backyard gardening communities, 1,379 reached by Mission from the Heart and 20 program partners. In April 2025, 32 local artisans formed the Balingasag-Dipanga Handicraft Association. ## Stories _From the Community_ [ ![](/archive/assets/2afa6cec4889b525c999a43c.png) ### Where Will the Next Generation of Farmers Come From? Our CEO took the case for agricultural transformation to students at Far Eastern University. April 30, 2026 More ](/blogs/press-releases/where-will-the-next-generation-of-farmers-come-from-lionheart-farms-ceo-brings-case-for-agricultural-transformation-to-feu-students)[ ![](/archive/assets/fe4d8ae2988b20911c5aadd5.jpg) ### How to Tap Coconut Nectar (Sap) Sustainably? The daily work of the tappers who start our day before sunrise. February 2025 More ](/blogs/stories/how-to-tap-coconut-nectar-sap-sustainably) ### Our Partners - ![Province of Palawan](/archive/assets/e57c16a9ad7ede89aa0002f5.png "Province of Palawan") - ![Municipality of Dr. Jose P. Rizal, Palawan](/archive/assets/e66563652648c170402f9ae5.png "Municipality of Dr. Jose P. Rizal, Palawan") - ![Department of Agriculture](/archive/assets/cb4da86ed429e6c2962a738d.png "Department of Agriculture") - ![Department of Trade and Industry](/archive/assets/08ee1873f3fc17259dba317d.png "Department of Trade and Industry") - ![Palawan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office](/archive/assets/c6cbdb484a4d44bc6c35f8f1.png "Palawan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office") - ![Western Command, Armed Forces of the Philippines](/archive/assets/65871662f42ced04f4158f03.png "Western Command, Armed Forces of the Philippines") - ![3rd Marine Brigade](/archive/assets/4b7fbbee3746b4b444e50c9a.png "3rd Marine Brigade") - ![18th Special Forces Company](/archive/assets/a68bcd1ca9a7ec57af835d8b.png "18th Special Forces Company") - ![Special Forces Battalion (5)](/archive/assets/413adf99084fb0bc9fcf7ac5.png "Special Forces Battalion (5)") - ![Matatag](/archive/assets/c1625c748fb5559533df7359.png "Matatag") - ![1703rd Community Defense Center](/archive/assets/ae7ebc75d335b5b0c3c5d6e5.png "1703rd Community Defense Center") - ![Field and Liaison Office West, AFP Reserve Command](/archive/assets/f4ab9b98451ca1cc9043d971.png "Field and Liaison Office West, AFP Reserve Command") - ![Tactical Operations Wing West, Philippine Air Force](/archive/assets/48750ba35213b555836eee21.png "Tactical Operations Wing West, Philippine Air Force") - ![Tactical Operations Group Palawan South](/archive/assets/84865aeaf56e31764bd5acd3.png "Tactical Operations Group Palawan South") - ![Tactical Operations Wing Reserve Northern Luzon](/archive/assets/65e8dbf3a86d4d3b9300db1a.png "Tactical Operations Wing Reserve Northern Luzon") - ![570th Air Base Group](/archive/assets/1f4b8bc575c6c344f36ec7c0.png "570th Air Base Group") - ![Camp Ricarte Station Hospital](/archive/assets/08c18aa8b84a0d1161092aa3.png "Camp Ricarte Station Hospital") - ![Camp Ricarte Dental Dispensary](/archive/assets/56c5d8d9252b0800184f29c7.png "Camp Ricarte Dental Dispensary") - ![Naval Station Apolinario Jalandoon Dental Dispensary](/archive/assets/1be77f4a70a7f53c00ea46c2.png "Naval Station Apolinario Jalandoon Dental Dispensary") - ![Palawan Precious Life Foundation](/archive/assets/335096ae7762a22edf0de564.png "Palawan Precious Life Foundation") - ![Smiles for Everyone Foundation Philippines](/archive/assets/6de4da5a048c3bdea3d0e366.png "Smiles for Everyone Foundation Philippines") - ![Philippine Business for Social Progress](/archive/assets/930caa704e62545b60dd9fa0.png "Philippine Business for Social Progress") - ![Arugang Pinoy](/archive/assets/1ab3f33ce3a9f9f51f1bed1e.png "Arugang Pinoy") - ![Alagang Barangay](/archive/assets/fb16ae1f36d778d6900279d1.png "Alagang Barangay") - ![JCI Manila](/archive/assets/190a4eb4142949c8a5a0ef5e.png "JCI Manila") - ![JCI Puerto Princesa Oil](/archive/assets/8b009dfceacfc285d7558eea.png "JCI Puerto Princesa Oil") - ![Danida Market Development Partnerships](/archive/assets/b7e78c904ed32e945d9d168f.png "Danida Market Development Partnerships") - ![Gan Advanced Osseointegration Center](/archive/assets/cc1ce0bb43402a8c40f5b6c9.png "Gan Advanced Osseointegration Center") - ![IVO](/archive/assets/439dda3f620340c455c4c885.png "IVO") - ![Boss EM](/archive/assets/a1a8bd29c6459d16e9d5f63c.png "Boss EM")