The partnership is part of Okada Manila’s Okada Green Heart program, under its Talent & Community pillar, which aims to foster long-term, inclusive development.
On May 22, 2025, Okada Manila representatives visited the SEED campus at Gawad Kalinga’s Enchanted Farm in Cavite for a community immersion and ceremonial scholarship fund turnover—highlighting a shared commitment to rural development through education, enterprise, and agricultural innovation.
Agri-entrepreneurship
SEED Philippines is known for its inclusive agri-entrepreneurship model, which trains youth to build rural enterprises that combat poverty, reduce food insecurity, and revitalize farming communities. Okada Manila said it aims to broaden access to transformative education by supporting more student scholars.
“We are proud to support programs that cultivate long-term, measurable value for both people and the planet,” Kenji Sugiyama, managing director and CSR committee member of Okada Manila, said in a statement. “Through our partnership with SEED Philippines, we are investing in young changemakers who can help transform their communities through sustainable farming, innovation, and social entrepreneurship.”
The scholarship program has already supported graduates from Bacolod and Leyte who, during their training, successfully established six farms. Since then, these scholars have gone on to build careers in local government agriculture departments, non-profit organizations, and higher education.
Planting seeds for the future of farming
“This milestone partnership with Okada Manila reminds us that meaningful change begins when we come together for a shared purpose,” said Mark Lawrence Cruz, director of SEED Philippines. “Together with Okada Manila, we live out the mission of ‘Walang Iwanan.’ No idle land, no idle people.”
One beneficiary, 27-year-old Jodel Sanchez from Iloilo, expressed his gratitude: “Thank you to Okada Manila for helping support the scholars of SEED Philippines. We, the youth, will be the next generation of farmers to help revive agriculture in our country.”
‘Balik Baterya’ funds education
The scholarships are partially funded through proceeds from Okada Manila’s Balik Baterya partnership with Motolite, a recycling initiative for used lead-acid batteries (ULABs). In 2024, this program generated ₱1.034 million from 32,340 kilograms of batteries, with ₱502,880 directly allocated to SEED Philippines and the remaining ₱532,000 to the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP).
As Okada Manila continues to strengthen its commitment to community-driven sustainability, its collaboration with SEED Philippines sets a powerful example of how corporate social responsibility can lead to real, lasting impact.
Through education and empowerment, the seeds of change are already taking root, Okada Manila said. —Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
