MDFI’s commitment to social responsibility began with Mary Marsman’s initiative to build schools and provide healthcare for miners’ children in the Cordillera Region. Recognizing education and medical care as essential to a thriving community, MDFI has laid a strong foundation for long-term development, ensuring even remote areas have access to quality learning and vital health services.
Believing in the power of education, MDFI has, since 1969, awarded over 1,200 scholarships to students in business, agriculture, pharmacology, theology, journalism, and tourism, supporting learners from high school to master’s degrees. The foundation also introduced a non-formal education model, empowering individuals who had not completed high school with a second chance at learning. Additionally, MDFI funded professorial grants at the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), initially for pharmacology and later shifting to agriculture and tourism to align with the company’s evolving industries. In 1982, MDFI’s commitment to knowledge-sharing led to the publication of the Guidebook on the Proper Use of Medicinal Plants, a widely distributed resource that earned the prestigious Anvil Award.
Zaira C. Gallardo
“…The unwavering support of your foundation has been truly transformative. I owe it all to the generosity and belief you placed in me. Your scholarship not only relieved the financial burden that comes with pursuing my education but also served as a constant source of motivation and encouragement. Knowing that I had the support of The Marsman-Drysdale Foundation behind me, I was driven to excel in my studies and strive for excellence in all aspects of my life. To the Marsman-Drysdale Foundation, Inc. and my family… my heart is filled with sincere gratitude for the countless opportunities and continuous support you have provided in my academic pursuit for almost 10 years.”
Rexamy Ann G. Sabio
“Today, I stand before you with a heart full of gratitude and a sense of accomplishment that words cannot fully express. I am deeply honored to have the opportunity to thank The Marsman-Drysdale Foundation Inc. for their unwavering support and belief in all of us scholars’ academic journey. With the foundation’s generosity and commitment to our education, it has played an instrumental role in shaping our now brighter futures.”
Dannie Jane I. Alcoseba
“Opting for a government university to minimize costs, the foundation’s generous financial support extended beyond tuition fees, covering various other expenses such as projects, lodging, and personal needs. Their assistance even allowed me to contribute a portion back to my parents. Without this invaluable aid, I would have likely been a working student, struggling to balance academics and part-time work. However, thanks to the foundation’s support, I could wholeheartedly focus on my academic journey throughout the four years of college”.
Dedicated to providing healthcare where it’s needed most, MDFI has been conducting annual medical and dental missions since 1999 in underserved areas of Davao del Norte, Davao de Oro, and beyond. These initiatives offer free medical consultations, medicines, and professional healthcare services, reaching 2,500 individuals in the first year alone. Today, MDFI conducts at least 12 missions annually, serving over 25,000 individuals and improving health outcomes while bringing hope to communities with limited access to medical care.
Recognizing the importance of childhood nutrition, MDFI launched a Feeding Program in 1999, initially benefiting 240 malnourished children in Polomok, South Cotabato, and later expanding to Davao del Norte and Davao de Oro. More than just meals, the program empowered mothers with knowledge on preparing nutritious food, child development, and infant care. Previously, these same communities received support through a 1998 Rice Distribution Program, which helped farming families recover from the El Niño crisis. Thanks to MDFI’s efforts, nearly 5,000 children have received proper nourishment, with local barangays earning recognition for reducing malnutrition rates.
Our Core Values, S.E.R.V.E.S., spell out what we stand for and how we serve:
- Servant Leadership
- Empowerment
- Responsibility
- Values Driven
- Excellence
- Stewardship
Committed to improve the quality of life of the poor and the needy, primarily in communities where the Marsman Drysdale Group operate.