The Nursing Scholarship Program supports nursing students from Culion, Palawan—many from katutubo (indigenous) communities—who face serious barriers to higher education. Even in state (public) schools, the annual cost of about ₱250,000 (about $4,000) is unrealistic for many families in a community where stable income is limited. The scholars return to serve the community and strengthens long-term healthcare access as we advance the Cabulihan clinic project.

In Sitio Cabulihan, we are establishing a dried fish processing facility to create sustainable income for families. We have secured space for production from a 3.5 hectare land donation, and the Archdiocese has pledged to support distribution. This project will create jobs, boost economic stability, and empower the local fishing industry.

The Scholarship program empowers students, mostly katutubo, from disadvantaged backgrounds  to escape poverty through education and service. Each graduate commits to returning to Culion to serve their community. Scholars also pledge to sponsor two future scholars, ensuring the program’s benefits expand across generations.

Our Cabulihan Clinic Project will build a small medical and dental clinic in Sitio Cabulihan to bring basic care closer to families in remote communities. Although Culion has a hospital in the town proper, travel from Cabulihan is costly (about ₱80 one way / ₱160 round trip), which can delay check-ups, dental care, and follow-up visits for families without regular income. By creating a local clinic, we can support more regular medical and dental missions, improve access to early and preventive care, and provide a stable “home base” where scholars—trained in nursing, dentistry, and other healthcare fields—can return to serve their community after graduation.

In Sitio Pinutukan degradation of the watershed has disrupted water access and agriculture for Katutubo farmers. Extreme droughts and slash-and-burn farming methods have strained the land.Our project seeks to restore this watershed, supporting sustainable agriculture and building long-term resilience for the community.