Masa Florenda Small Water Impounding Project (SWIP) is located in Barangay San Andres, Balungao, Pangasinan.  Constructed in 1992, it was built in cooperation with the Bureau of Soils and Water Management and has been serving the needs of the area for more than 20 years.  It was also rehabilitated by the Provincial Government of Pangasinan.   However, there are portions which need to be removed, rehabilitated, and replaced with new structure to maximize its potential and use.

Topographic survey was conducted to gather data. On the agronomic evaluation, paddy rice production has been practiced since then in the area. Study also shows that for the first and second cropping season, supplemental irrigation is a must to produce high yield for the 50- hectare area and will benefit 30 farmers. Proper water management is necessary to optimize use of impounded water. The sharing of produce (fish and palay) between the land owners of pond area and the farmers must be observed.

The study establishes both technical and economic feasibility and benefits of the rehabilitation.

The proposed improvements include the following:

• replacement of steel gate valve (30 cm dia.) in order to regulate/control the use of impounded water;
  
• construction of concrete drainage canal on the abutments to address gullies along the downstream and upstream face of the dam which will cause the collapse and over topping of the embankment;
  
• rehabilitation of existing concrete canal which includes removal and replacement of cracked concrete canal, replacement of canal walls and floors;
  
• concrete lining of the existing seven hundred fifty (750) meter trapezoidal earth canal with 40 cm. base, 40 cm. high concrete hollow blocks
  
• construction of ten (10) meter-long concrete flume. The canal foundation of this ten meter portion of the canal is already scoured and given the difficulty to backfill the foundation, it is a safe alternative to construct a flume;
  
• construction of five (5) division boxes along the 750 meter lined canal to have efficient distribution systems.
  

December 2012 and January of this year saw TYKFI in partnership with the Department of Education-Leyte Division, Asia Brewery, Inc., and Tanduay Distillers, Inc. Tacloban Sales Office in a food assistance project reaching out to some 5,000 pupils in various public schools of Leyte. They variously received reusable bags, t-shirts, food items, and cases of the health drink Ginger Roots Brew of Asia Brewery, Incorporated.

Typhoon Yolanda (international name Haiyan) was an exceptionally powerful tropical cyclone that brought devastation to areas of Southeast Asia, particularly the southern part of the Philippines in early November.

Tacloban appeared to bear the brunt of the cyclone, which is recorded as the deadliest in the country with close to 6,000 fatalities in this city and its neighbouring areas.  It is also the strongest storm recorded at landfall and unofficially the fourth strongest in terms of wind speed.  

The devastation and the victims it left in its trail shocked the world, with many nations, individuals, international and local celebrities, NGOs, and the government rushing to provide assistance and hope towards surviving and then rebuilding lives and livelihood.

The Tan Yan Kee Foundation’s HOPE Caravan went to action immediately to launch Relief Operation for the victims and survivors of typhoon “Yolanda”, with Chairman Lucio C. Tan personally going to the area.  A number of companies of the Lucio Tan Group also suffered from the destruction of Yolanda.

Together with partner companies and organizations, Dong-A Pharma Phils., Inc., Philippine Airlines,  TJ Trucking,  Fo Guang Shan Foundation, Inc., Delta Volunteer Fire Brigade, and Tanduay Distillers, Inc. and Sales Office- Tacloban City, HOPE Caravan was able to reach some 5,000 families in the following cities/municipalities:

Location (City/Municipality)       No. of family-recipients
Tacloban City                                     1,253
Palo                                                        1,718
Tanauan                                               776
Tolosa                                                   761
Alangalang                                         492
Total                                                      5,000

Immediate needs right after the storm that were brought by HOPE Caravan included 15,015 liters of bottled water; 1.234 tons of crackers; 2.49 tons of cheese; 12,000 liters of milk; 0.5 tons of noodles; 14,300 medicines and medical supplies; 1 ton of blankets.To assist in other areas of operation, the Caravan also brought 2,000 pieces of body bags.  

The Foundation also flew 200 victims out of Tacloban to temporary shelters in Metro Manila and took care as well of flying to Tacloban government officials and dignitaries.

The Tan Yan Kee Foundation is exploring further possibilities for rebuilding affected areas and families. 

In succeeding outreach efforts to victims of Yolanda, HOPE Caravan in partnership with FoGuang Shan Foundation provided some 5,000 families in the towns of Tolosa, Tanauan, Palo, and Tabontabon tents, clothes, and cooking utensils. TYKFI provided various medicines and supplies through the Philippine Army. It also brought medical missions to Brgy. Holy Child II in  Alangalang, Leyte.

The Lucio Tan Group of Companies, including PNB Life Insurance, Inc. and the University of the East supported efforts with cash donations. Foreign donors, through Macroasia Corporation, Goodwind Development Corporation (Guam) gave cash donation and Singapore Foods (Singapore) provided 764 cases (22,920 pouches) of food items.  Through Asia Brewery, Inc. 4,032 cases (145,152 tetra packs of milk) were donated by Green Spot Co. Ltd. (Thailand).