The 2006 Reforestation Campaign

"When the rains start falling, signaling the start of the planting season, it's the time to head for the hillsides to plant trees in Cebu.

But the skies were clear and bright on yesterday (July 1, 2006) providing an ideal canopy for volunteers who joined the kickoff of the 2006 Reforestation Caravan of the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP)."

Those were lifted from the Cebu Daily News (page 2) on its July 2, 2006 issue, where CDN, being a PBSP member company, came in full force, like they always do, to participate in the refo caravan.

Ms. Eileen Mangubat, Chair of PBSP Hillyland Sub-Committee and Member of PBSP Visayas Executive Committee (VIXCOM), gave a very enthusiastic speech about the essence of planting trees in the Cebu Hillylands.

Mahogany Seedlings, jackfruit and cacao were planted in the slopes of barangay Magsaysay, Balamban town by more than 200 employee-volunteers of PBSP member companies (9), friends and CSR partners (7).

Other most notable groups who joined were: Bigfoot Asia Pacific Foundation, FEP Printing, East Asia Utility, Fairchild, SMC-Cebu Beverage Packaging Plant, Cosmos Bottling Corp., SMC-Magnolia, GA Sattelite Ventures, Wellmade Motors, USC- Water Resource Center, SMC Foods, FCB Mandaue, and the ERUF.

This refo caravan commences the 2006 Reforestation Campaign of PBSP, which will culminate on the last Saturday of September 2006, through "Tindak-Tanum". This wil involve PBSP member companies and friends along with bicycle enthusiasts trooping up to the reforestation site. Details will be informed later. For more information, the PBSP VRO staff would be happy to accomodate inquiries at Tel. Nos. +63-32-2325283.

PBSP and the Smart Schools Program

PBSP, in partnership with SMART Communications, Inc., has partnered to implement the Smart Schools Program.

Recent turn-over of new Smart Learning Resource Centers under the Smart Schools Program were done last July 11, 2006 at the Paril National High School and the Lusaran National High School.

These two schools were the first recipients for Cebu City. Those who attended the turn-over ceremonies were Cebu City-North District Councilors, Dr. Christopher Alix and Edwin Jagmoc Sr., graced the event together with the Assistant Superintendent of Deped Cebu City Division, Dr. Josephine Abadia; Public Schools Division Supervisor, Mr. Rey Lañete; Paril Brgy. Capt. Eliseo Jopia; Division ICT Coordinator, Mr. Tom Pastor. Smart Communications, Inc., was represented by Atty. Ma. Jane Paredes and Ms. Menchie Quiñal. PBSP was represented by Ms. Mae Monjas, Ms. Olive Jabido and Ms. Edith Desabelle.

Partners in Learning in Cebu

The Philippine Business for Social in partnership with Microsoft Philippines, are implementing the Partners in Learning (PIL) program being undertaken by Mircosoft worldwide. In the Philippines, the PIL's major goal is to integrate Information and Communications Technology (ICT) into the public schools' curriculum.

Here in the Province of Cebu, PBSP conducted four simultaneous training on Digital Literacy. With the support from the DepEd Cebu Province Division, the trainings were conducted to the Carmen National High School, Dalaguete National High School, Bantayan National High School, and the Ocaña (Carcar) National High School. These simulataneous trainings were done last July 7-8, 2006.

The photos below were the participants from the Carmen National High SChool.

Bohol Governor Aumentado Speaks at the MDG Forum in Tagbilaran City

The Philippine Business for Social Progress conducted the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and CEO Forum - Phase 2 in Tagbilaran City, Bohol, on July 4, 2007, at the Bohol Tropics Resort Hotel in Tagbilaran City.

There were 27 participants from various business enterprises, 11 participants from the government, and 6 participants from PBSP's partners, for a total of 44 participants. The guest of honor on this affair was Governor Erico Aumentado of the Province of Bohol.

On his speech, Governor Aumentado said: "...from 52.9% poverty incidence in the Province of Bohol, we have reduced it to 29%. Thanks to all the forces helping us including PBSP... its Area Resource Management Projects in Bohol has been ongoing in the hinterlands in some areas where we have high incidence of poverty. I wish to report to PBSP that in those area, we have liberated our people from the clutches and fears of insurgency. Thanks to you and thanks to PBSP. A big hand for PBSP..."

The Philippines is a member-estate of the MDGs, which has been initiated by the United Nations. The aim of the MDG is to eradicate poverty by 2015. In doing so, PBSP takes the lead in the business sector's response for the MDGs. Thus the business sector has pledged to support four clusters of MDGs: Environment, Education, Health and Poverty.

For Bohol, the Governor encouraged the business sector to support the projects on potable water system in the Municipality of Sevilla and the Caruod Watershed in northern Bohol. PBSP on the other hand, encouraged the companies present to support the projects of the Bohol ARM.