Culion Foundation, Inc.

Culion Foundation, Inc. is a non-stock, non-profit social development organization that aims to improve the quality of life of Filipinos through public health and community development. It is registered with the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Department of Health and accredited by the Philippine Council for NGO Certification. It is a member of the Association of Foundations and the National Leprosy Advisory Board. CFI was founded on June 9, 1976 by Father Javier M. Olazabal, SJ and Don Jose Ma. Soriano, Sr. It was named after Culion Island in Palawan, which was once designated as a leper colony, the largest in the world. During the initial years, the Foundation focused on leprosy management in the island community. It made remarkable gains using a holistic approach encompassing multiple drug treatment, psychosocio-economic wellbeing, social reintegration, research and community development. Leprosy was finally eliminated in Culion in 1999 and today, no new cases have been reported. Drawing inspiration from firsthand experience, community-based leprosy control was replicated in various sites. Today, CFI has moved into new advocacies and expanded its mission recognizing the country’s burden of communicable diseases. It envisions to be a strong pillar of support to the country’s health system. On its 40th year, CFI strengthens its work on Neglected Tropical Diseases. It reinvigorates its involvement in the development efforts of the Municipality of Culion, where CFI started its work. Moreover, it ventures into new programs especially those that address public health from a holistic perspective and the relationship between health and environment. VISION: For all Filipinos to attain a better quality of life with the highest levels of human development. MISSION: To help build the country’s capacity to deal with various challenges to human development, primarily the prevention and control of communicable diseases and other health problems.