Cagayan de Oro City — In in its aim to strengthen  public private relations and widen support to community development, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) awards Certificate of Accreditation to UNIFRUTTI Foundation Inc., after having satisfactorily complied with the qualification requirements of a legitimate Civil Society Organization (CSO) pursuant to the Joint Resolution of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and Commission on Audit (COA) entitled “Guidelines for Accreditation of CSOs as Implementing Entities of Government or Public Funds”. The accreditation covers the Livelihood and Community Development for Indigenous People for three years from issuance unless suspended or revoked prior to its expiration.

The UNIFRUTTI Foundation Inc. (UFI) is the corporate social responsibility arm of the Unifrutti Group Philippines, a Mindanao based conglomeration of agricultural operations prim banana, which started around the Davao Region in 1992, and gradually expanded into Bukidnon, Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur. Unifrutti has the distinction of being able to operate in culturally sensitive areas (IP communities) as well as in conflict zones like Maguinanao and Lanao del Sur in ARMM, and even in places outside of ARMM where the NPA’s are actively operating. The foundation also offers scholarship and livelihood programs and support environmental and peace related programs.

“UFI considers itself very privileged to be qualified by the DSWD as a legitimate civil society organization, as an implementing agency of government or public fund.  It commits to wholeheartedly support the DSWD’s Livelihood and Community Development for Indigenous People”, says Eduardo Bullecer, President and Director of UFI.

Written by Jamila M. Taha, DSWD