Aquino cites business foundation's role in uplifting lives of the poor
U.S. News Agency
January 27, 2011
President Benigno S. Aquino III thanked all the officers and members of the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) for their social commitment and active participation in creating a meaningful social change and embracing the idea of true corporate social responsibility in uplifting the lives of the marginalized sectors.
Addressing the 40th annual membership meeting and foundation day celebrations of the PBSP with the theme: “Celebrating 40 Years of the Great Philippine Merger for Social Development,” the President hailed its officers and members for their continued assistance to provide relief and seek solutions to reduce, if not eliminate, the long-decade problem of poverty.
“To the Philippine Business for Social Progress, thank you for proving me right. Thank you for your social commitment and for actively participating in uplifting the lives of the vulnerable sectors of our society,” the Chief Executive said in his speech at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati City.
The President noted that the PBSP is very important for him because he worked in the organization after the assassination of his late father, Senator Benigno Aquino Jr.
“PBSP was not naive. PBSP took a realistic view of what needed to be done to accomplish its goal. It took the discipline that you need to run a corporation and to apply that discipline to the projects to various disadvantage communities,” he said.
The President pointed out that PBSP responded without hesitation when he called upon all Filipinos in his first State of the Nation Address in July last year to make a commitment and participate in the fight to reduce poverty in the country.
As a private sector, he said, PBSP plays a vital role on his call not just as an economic driver but also as catalyst for positive changes in the lives of the Filipinos.
In exchange for their continued partnership to the government, the President assured them that his administration “will continue to operate under the banner of transparency and accountability, under daylight, under the guidance of his parents that gave birth to the freedom and democracy that our people currently enjoy.”
Meanwhile, Manny Pangilinan, PLDT chair and PBSP chairman of the board of trustees, presented to the President the organization’s symbolic renewal of commitment and support to the administration’s development agenda.
Afterwards, the President presented the plaques of recognition to the pioneer members of PBSP, namely: Washington Sycip of the accounting firm SGV, Sixto Roxas III, Jose M. Soriano Jr. of Atlas Consolidated Mining, and Don Emilio Abello (posthumous) of Meralco.
The President also presented plaques of recognition for active service to Ambassador Bienvenido Tan Jr. of Philippine Tobacco and Modern Glass, and Ma. Luisa Perez-Rubio, respectively.
The recognition in creating impact to uplift the lives of the Filipinos was given to Angelo King Foundation for the 200th building they built.
PBSP, the country’s oldest and largest business group into social development, is a pioneer in Asia as a corporate-driven development foundation. Since its establishment in 1970, PBSP has been involved in corporate citizenship and social responsibility practices.
In the past 40 years of existence, PBSP has raised P5.2 billion, benefited 6.4 million Filipinos, and assisted over 6,500 social development projects such as in education, health, sustainable livelihood and micro, small and medium enterprise development, farmland area resource and coastal resource management, disaster coordination and risk reduction and caring for the rainforests and watersheds.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Citibank donates school chairs to Davao schools
Citibank donates school chairs to Davao schools
By Mai Gevera
Philippine Information Agency
January 27, 2011
DAVAO CITY, Jan. 27 (PIA)--- Two public schools in Davao City get 321 chairs each from Citibank/Citigroup as its way of helping the Department of Education (DepEd) fill in gaps in school equipment.
Matina Aplaya Elementary School and A. Mabini National High School in Davao City have been chosen as recipients of school chairs from Citibank.
Matina Aplaya Elementary School needs 410 school chairs with only 575 serviceable chairs at the moment. The school caters mostly indigenous children belonging to the Sama Badjau tribe who resides in the shoreline area of Matina Aplaya. Presently, the school has a total enrolment of 1,223 students and are being served by 33 teaching personnel.
Most of the students enrolled at Apolinario Mabini National High School (AMNHS) belong to poor families whose livelihood ranges from construction workers, laborers, vendors, drivers, and some are employed as workers in public and private offices.
Presently, the school has a total enrolment of 1,347 students being served by 34 teaching personnel. With 23 classrooms, AMNHS has 1,072 school chairs to meet the seating needs of the students.
Investing in educational infrastructure, Citigroup has chosen to invest in the children’s future. Citigroup’s history in the Philippines dates back to 1902 when the International Banking Corporation established a branch in Manila and another one in Cebu in 1904.
One of the largest foreign commercial bank in the country in terms of customers, assets, revenues, employees and domestic franchises, Citigroup has been consistently ranked as among the top commercial banks in the Philippines.
The company has been involved in various corporate endeavors since becoming a member of the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) in 1971, mostly in education. Livelihood, community development, micro credit, health, social services, culture and arts.
PBSP is a private non-profit foundation dedicated to promoting the business sector’s commitment to social development. Organized in December 1970 by 50 of the country’s prominent business leaders, PBSP has since grown to become the nation’s largest business-led social development foundation. (PIA XI/Mai Gevera)
By Mai Gevera
Philippine Information Agency
January 27, 2011
DAVAO CITY, Jan. 27 (PIA)--- Two public schools in Davao City get 321 chairs each from Citibank/Citigroup as its way of helping the Department of Education (DepEd) fill in gaps in school equipment.
Matina Aplaya Elementary School and A. Mabini National High School in Davao City have been chosen as recipients of school chairs from Citibank.
Matina Aplaya Elementary School needs 410 school chairs with only 575 serviceable chairs at the moment. The school caters mostly indigenous children belonging to the Sama Badjau tribe who resides in the shoreline area of Matina Aplaya. Presently, the school has a total enrolment of 1,223 students and are being served by 33 teaching personnel.
Most of the students enrolled at Apolinario Mabini National High School (AMNHS) belong to poor families whose livelihood ranges from construction workers, laborers, vendors, drivers, and some are employed as workers in public and private offices.
Presently, the school has a total enrolment of 1,347 students being served by 34 teaching personnel. With 23 classrooms, AMNHS has 1,072 school chairs to meet the seating needs of the students.
Investing in educational infrastructure, Citigroup has chosen to invest in the children’s future. Citigroup’s history in the Philippines dates back to 1902 when the International Banking Corporation established a branch in Manila and another one in Cebu in 1904.
One of the largest foreign commercial bank in the country in terms of customers, assets, revenues, employees and domestic franchises, Citigroup has been consistently ranked as among the top commercial banks in the Philippines.
The company has been involved in various corporate endeavors since becoming a member of the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) in 1971, mostly in education. Livelihood, community development, micro credit, health, social services, culture and arts.
PBSP is a private non-profit foundation dedicated to promoting the business sector’s commitment to social development. Organized in December 1970 by 50 of the country’s prominent business leaders, PBSP has since grown to become the nation’s largest business-led social development foundation. (PIA XI/Mai Gevera)
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Pangilinan shelves plan to acquire broadsheet for now
Pangilinan shelves plan to acquire broadsheet for now
By Paolo Montecillo
Philippine Daily Inquirer
January 26, 2011
MANILA, Philippines -- Business executive Manuel V. Pangilinan has shelved plans to acquire a controlling stake in the daily broadsheet Philippine Star for now as his group focuses his energies on growing other media assets.
Speaking at the sidelines of the Philippine Business for Social Progress’ (PBSP) 40th anniversary celebration in Makati on Tuesday, Pangilinan said talks with the Philippine Star have been put on hold for now.
“We’re not looking at it at the moment,” he told reporters when asked if the group would still push through with the deal.
In 2009, Pangilinan was reportedly planning to buy an 87.5-percent stake in the Philippine Star Group, which runs the country’s second most-read broadsheet.
Owned and published by Philstar Daily Inc., the Philippine Star group was founded in 1986 by veteran journalists Max Soliven, Betty Go-Belmonte and Art Borjal.
Pangilinan, in his private capacity, has long been a minority stockholder in Philippine Star, holding about 10 percent.
The deal was reportedly worth P4.8 billion, but never pushed through. Instead Pangilinan-led Associated Broadcasting Corp. (ABC) television network chose to acquire a 10-percent stake in the Philippine Daily Inquirer, the country’s leading English broadsheet.
ABC, which runs television station TV5, is owned by the group’s media investment arm, MediaQuest Holdings—a subsidiary of the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) Beneficial Trust Fund.
The group aims to turn TV5 into the country’s leading television station in five years’ time. To do this, the company is expected to spend as much as P10 billion to improve its facilities and expand its reach.
Aside from ABC, MediaQuest also owns National Broadcasting Corp., Cignal Digital TV and a minority stake in BusinessWorld Publishing Corp.
Pangilinan is the chairman of PLDT, which is owned by Hong Kong’s First Pacific Co. Ltd. together with Japan’s NTT DoCoMo.
Pangilinan also chairs First Pacific unit Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC), which has interests in local industries such as infrastructure, healthcare, power distribution and generation.
By Paolo Montecillo
Philippine Daily Inquirer
January 26, 2011
MANILA, Philippines -- Business executive Manuel V. Pangilinan has shelved plans to acquire a controlling stake in the daily broadsheet Philippine Star for now as his group focuses his energies on growing other media assets.
Speaking at the sidelines of the Philippine Business for Social Progress’ (PBSP) 40th anniversary celebration in Makati on Tuesday, Pangilinan said talks with the Philippine Star have been put on hold for now.
“We’re not looking at it at the moment,” he told reporters when asked if the group would still push through with the deal.
In 2009, Pangilinan was reportedly planning to buy an 87.5-percent stake in the Philippine Star Group, which runs the country’s second most-read broadsheet.
Owned and published by Philstar Daily Inc., the Philippine Star group was founded in 1986 by veteran journalists Max Soliven, Betty Go-Belmonte and Art Borjal.
Pangilinan, in his private capacity, has long been a minority stockholder in Philippine Star, holding about 10 percent.
The deal was reportedly worth P4.8 billion, but never pushed through. Instead Pangilinan-led Associated Broadcasting Corp. (ABC) television network chose to acquire a 10-percent stake in the Philippine Daily Inquirer, the country’s leading English broadsheet.
ABC, which runs television station TV5, is owned by the group’s media investment arm, MediaQuest Holdings—a subsidiary of the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) Beneficial Trust Fund.
The group aims to turn TV5 into the country’s leading television station in five years’ time. To do this, the company is expected to spend as much as P10 billion to improve its facilities and expand its reach.
Aside from ABC, MediaQuest also owns National Broadcasting Corp., Cignal Digital TV and a minority stake in BusinessWorld Publishing Corp.
Pangilinan is the chairman of PLDT, which is owned by Hong Kong’s First Pacific Co. Ltd. together with Japan’s NTT DoCoMo.
Pangilinan also chairs First Pacific unit Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC), which has interests in local industries such as infrastructure, healthcare, power distribution and generation.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Business united for 10,000 Bohol farmers
Business united for 10,000 Bohol farmers
PBSP and Angelo King Foundation turn over
technology center to BIDEF for sustainable agriculture
Public-private partnerships (PPPs) came in full force once again as three large organizations strengthened their involvement in helping more than 10,000 Bohol marginal farmers improve their income and productivity.
This January, Angelo King Foundation, Inc. (AKFI) and Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) with the Bohol Integrated Development Foundation, Inc. (BIDEF) and the Province of Bohol turned over a multi-purpose building that will serve as training center on sustainable agricultural production.
The turnover was attended by PBSP Executive Director Rafael Lopa, AKFI Board of Trustee Joaquin Sy, Provincial LGU Affairs Coordinator Reynaldo Gacayan and BIDEF President Fr. Victor Bompat at Brgy. Malitbog, Dagohoy, Bohol.
Local officials, BIDEF board of trustees, cooperatives and beneficiary farmers also attended the event.
The BIDEF Technology and Livelihood Center will assist farmers by providing them with the technology on organic farming technology, specifically the practice of vermiculture which the provincial government is also pushing for.
At present, PBSP, in partnership with BIDEF, has implemented programs and projects for the marginal farmers in the municipalities of Carmen, Dagohoy, San Miguel, Danao, and Trinidad. With the new center established, these programs will be expanded to other adjacent and rice-producing municipalities such as Pilar, Sierra Bullones, Batuan, Bilar, and Loboc for three years.
In his speech, Sy said that the turnover of the center serves as testimony to what public service can contribute for the development of the country.
“We believe that through our simple and humble collaboration, we can empower people and transform lives and together, we shall promote and nurture partnerships by sharing growth and prosperity at the local level,” he added.
For 20 years, AKFI has partnered with PBSP, which has put together 204 MPCs all over the country. In Bohol, 10 multi-purpose centers have already been established by AKFI through PBSP in the province of Bohol.
Sy added that AKFI committed to provide additional assistance to establish more multi-purpose centers this year.
For his part, Lopa said: “Napakahalaga pong hanapin natin ang ating kanya-kanyang mga role sa pagbabagong dapat mangyari dito sa ating bayan. Kaya sa amin, napakahalaga nitong mga partnership na ganito para mas makarating ang benepisyo sa mas maraming kababayan natin.”
Public-private partnerships
Forging partnerships with local organizations is an ideal way of getting the business sector more involved in the reduction of poverty in the country, Lopa said.
PBSP is the first of its kind in Asia that strongly promotes of corporate citizenship. It operates nationwide, with programs in education, health, sustainable livelihood, micro, small and medium enterprise development, and the environment implemented with partners and communities as empowered players in development.
One of PBSP’s major thrusts is poverty reduction, which is also closely corresponds to the development
thrust of the provincial government, specifically its HEAT Bohol Program.
“It’s PBSP’s vision to bring the business sector together with the communities in all over the country,” he added.
Lopa cited that for the past 40 years, the business sector through PBSP has rolled out PhP 5.2 billion worth of projects all over the country with 5.1 million beneficiaries. This contribution was made possible with the partnership of PBSP to other local organizations.
In the Visayas, PBSP is reaching out to the poverty groups such as small lowland farmers, marginal upland farmers, sustenance fisherfolk, urban poor and disadvantaged sectors such as children and youth. For Bohol, PBSP has been partnering with BIDEF and the Province of Bohol for its flagship programs on poverty reduction.
In behalf of Gov. Chatto, Gacayan extended his gratitude to AKFI and PBSP for assisting the government in its poverty reduction efforts.
“We understand that these people have better dispositions in life, and yet these people are here to help the farmers of Malitbog. Ampingan ni namo ang gihatag sa PBSP ug Angelo King, and we hope that you will continue to assist the provincial government in helping the Boholanos”, he said.
“This is an opportunity to help out what basically is a new spirit of people wanting to do something, of people wanting change. This is what we can do to really help not only the government and the president but also the country as a whole,” Lopa shared.
PBSP and Angelo King Foundation turn over
technology center to BIDEF for sustainable agriculture
Public-private partnerships (PPPs) came in full force once again as three large organizations strengthened their involvement in helping more than 10,000 Bohol marginal farmers improve their income and productivity.
This January, Angelo King Foundation, Inc. (AKFI) and Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) with the Bohol Integrated Development Foundation, Inc. (BIDEF) and the Province of Bohol turned over a multi-purpose building that will serve as training center on sustainable agricultural production.
The turnover was attended by PBSP Executive Director Rafael Lopa, AKFI Board of Trustee Joaquin Sy, Provincial LGU Affairs Coordinator Reynaldo Gacayan and BIDEF President Fr. Victor Bompat at Brgy. Malitbog, Dagohoy, Bohol.
Local officials, BIDEF board of trustees, cooperatives and beneficiary farmers also attended the event.
The BIDEF Technology and Livelihood Center will assist farmers by providing them with the technology on organic farming technology, specifically the practice of vermiculture which the provincial government is also pushing for.
At present, PBSP, in partnership with BIDEF, has implemented programs and projects for the marginal farmers in the municipalities of Carmen, Dagohoy, San Miguel, Danao, and Trinidad. With the new center established, these programs will be expanded to other adjacent and rice-producing municipalities such as Pilar, Sierra Bullones, Batuan, Bilar, and Loboc for three years.In his speech, Sy said that the turnover of the center serves as testimony to what public service can contribute for the development of the country.
“We believe that through our simple and humble collaboration, we can empower people and transform lives and together, we shall promote and nurture partnerships by sharing growth and prosperity at the local level,” he added.
For 20 years, AKFI has partnered with PBSP, which has put together 204 MPCs all over the country. In Bohol, 10 multi-purpose centers have already been established by AKFI through PBSP in the province of Bohol.
Sy added that AKFI committed to provide additional assistance to establish more multi-purpose centers this year.
For his part, Lopa said: “Napakahalaga pong hanapin natin ang ating kanya-kanyang mga role sa pagbabagong dapat mangyari dito sa ating bayan. Kaya sa amin, napakahalaga nitong mga partnership na ganito para mas makarating ang benepisyo sa mas maraming kababayan natin.”
Public-private partnerships
Forging partnerships with local organizations is an ideal way of getting the business sector more involved in the reduction of poverty in the country, Lopa said.
PBSP is the first of its kind in Asia that strongly promotes of corporate citizenship. It operates nationwide, with programs in education, health, sustainable livelihood, micro, small and medium enterprise development, and the environment implemented with partners and communities as empowered players in development.
One of PBSP’s major thrusts is poverty reduction, which is also closely corresponds to the development
thrust of the provincial government, specifically its HEAT Bohol Program.“It’s PBSP’s vision to bring the business sector together with the communities in all over the country,” he added.
Lopa cited that for the past 40 years, the business sector through PBSP has rolled out PhP 5.2 billion worth of projects all over the country with 5.1 million beneficiaries. This contribution was made possible with the partnership of PBSP to other local organizations.
In the Visayas, PBSP is reaching out to the poverty groups such as small lowland farmers, marginal upland farmers, sustenance fisherfolk, urban poor and disadvantaged sectors such as children and youth. For Bohol, PBSP has been partnering with BIDEF and the Province of Bohol for its flagship programs on poverty reduction.
In behalf of Gov. Chatto, Gacayan extended his gratitude to AKFI and PBSP for assisting the government in its poverty reduction efforts.
“We understand that these people have better dispositions in life, and yet these people are here to help the farmers of Malitbog. Ampingan ni namo ang gihatag sa PBSP ug Angelo King, and we hope that you will continue to assist the provincial government in helping the Boholanos”, he said.
“This is an opportunity to help out what basically is a new spirit of people wanting to do something, of people wanting change. This is what we can do to really help not only the government and the president but also the country as a whole,” Lopa shared.
Friday, January 21, 2011
PBSP turns over learning centers to public schools
PBSP turns over learning centers to public schools
Philippine News Agency
January 16, 2010
The Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), in partnership with Angelo King Foundation Inc. (AKFI), had just turned over the Technology and Livelihood Center to the Bohol Integrated Development Foundation Inc. (BIDEF) for their beneficiaries in Barangay Malitbog, Dagohoy.
PBSP Program Coordinator for Bohol Aurelio Salgados Jr. said AKFI’s assistance is intended to improve the productivity and income of the marginal farmers of Bohol.
Salgados said AKFI anchors their programs on the adage “give someone fish and you feed him for a day but teach someone to fish and you feed him for a lifetime”.
A total of 10 multi-purpose centers have already been established by AKFI through PBSP in the province of Bohol, said Salgados.
AKFI committed to provide additional assistance to establish more multi-purpose centers this year.
Fr. Victor Bompat, president of BIDEF, officiated the blessing of the technology center, while the turn-over ceremony was attended by AFI president Teddy Kingsu, AFI Board of Trustees member Joaquin Sy, PBSP Executive Director Rafael Lopa.
Governor Edgar Chatto was represented by LGU Affairs Coordinator Dodong Gacayan.
Local officials, BIDEF BOT, cooperatives and beneficiary farmers also attended the event.
The guests in the turn-over ceremony included Evelyn Del Rosario, senior manager for Community Relations and Public Affairs; Noly Cayabyab, CSR head of Oriental and Motolite Marketing Corporation; Emmanule Ragaza of Oriental and Motolite Marketing Corporation; PBSP Executive Director Rafael Lopa; Jessie Cubijano, OIC of PBSP Visayas Regional Office; and Salgados.
One of PBSP’s major thrusts is poverty reduction which is aligned with the development thrust of the provincial government.
It is a way of implementing PBSPs vision of leading the business sector and get them involved in the reduction of poverty in the country, embedding the principle of Public-Private Partnership (PPP).
In the Visayas, PBSP is reaching out to the poverty groups such as small lowland farmers, marginal upland farmers, sustenance fisherfolk, urban poor and disadvantaged sectors such as children and youth.
PBSP also identified the provinces of Cebu, Samar, Iloilo and Bohol as priority areas for development interventions.
These provinces will implement flagship programs on sustainable livelihood and enterprise development, education, health and environment protection.
PBSP also aligns its development framework with the provincial government’s HEAT Bohol.
PBSP has been helping the province of Bohol since 1990s through its Bohol Area Resource Management Program (Bohol ARM).
At present, PBSP pursues programs and projects in the municipalities of Carmen, Dagohoy, San Miguel, Danao, and Trinidad.
It will be expanded to the other adjacent and rice-producing municipalities of Pilar, Sierra Bullones, Batuan, Bilar, and Loboc.
Philippine News Agency
January 16, 2010
The Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), in partnership with Angelo King Foundation Inc. (AKFI), had just turned over the Technology and Livelihood Center to the Bohol Integrated Development Foundation Inc. (BIDEF) for their beneficiaries in Barangay Malitbog, Dagohoy.
PBSP Program Coordinator for Bohol Aurelio Salgados Jr. said AKFI’s assistance is intended to improve the productivity and income of the marginal farmers of Bohol.
Salgados said AKFI anchors their programs on the adage “give someone fish and you feed him for a day but teach someone to fish and you feed him for a lifetime”.
A total of 10 multi-purpose centers have already been established by AKFI through PBSP in the province of Bohol, said Salgados.
AKFI committed to provide additional assistance to establish more multi-purpose centers this year.
Fr. Victor Bompat, president of BIDEF, officiated the blessing of the technology center, while the turn-over ceremony was attended by AFI president Teddy Kingsu, AFI Board of Trustees member Joaquin Sy, PBSP Executive Director Rafael Lopa.
Governor Edgar Chatto was represented by LGU Affairs Coordinator Dodong Gacayan.
Local officials, BIDEF BOT, cooperatives and beneficiary farmers also attended the event.
The guests in the turn-over ceremony included Evelyn Del Rosario, senior manager for Community Relations and Public Affairs; Noly Cayabyab, CSR head of Oriental and Motolite Marketing Corporation; Emmanule Ragaza of Oriental and Motolite Marketing Corporation; PBSP Executive Director Rafael Lopa; Jessie Cubijano, OIC of PBSP Visayas Regional Office; and Salgados.
One of PBSP’s major thrusts is poverty reduction which is aligned with the development thrust of the provincial government.
It is a way of implementing PBSPs vision of leading the business sector and get them involved in the reduction of poverty in the country, embedding the principle of Public-Private Partnership (PPP).
In the Visayas, PBSP is reaching out to the poverty groups such as small lowland farmers, marginal upland farmers, sustenance fisherfolk, urban poor and disadvantaged sectors such as children and youth.
PBSP also identified the provinces of Cebu, Samar, Iloilo and Bohol as priority areas for development interventions.
These provinces will implement flagship programs on sustainable livelihood and enterprise development, education, health and environment protection.
PBSP also aligns its development framework with the provincial government’s HEAT Bohol.
PBSP has been helping the province of Bohol since 1990s through its Bohol Area Resource Management Program (Bohol ARM).
At present, PBSP pursues programs and projects in the municipalities of Carmen, Dagohoy, San Miguel, Danao, and Trinidad.
It will be expanded to the other adjacent and rice-producing municipalities of Pilar, Sierra Bullones, Batuan, Bilar, and Loboc.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
PNoy to grace PBSP's 40th gala
PNoy to grace PBSP's 40th gala
By Jose Rodel Clapano
The Philippine Star
January 18, 2011
MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino will grace the 40th anniversary gala dinner of the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), whose members include the country’s top corporate leaders and chief executive officers, in Makati on Jan. 25.
PBSP media relations officer Mitchel Confesor said the gala event will topbill chairpersons and CEOs of more than 200 PBSP member-companies all over the country and members from the international donor community.
Confesor said PBSP chairman Manny Pangilinan will lead four other trustees in presenting the symbolic renewal to Aquino on their commitment to the national development agenda, primarily in PBSP’s four pillars or key areas.
“The four trustees will act as the PBSP board champions of the four focus areas of health, education, livelihood and enterprise development, and the environment. PBSP, the nation’s oldest and largest business group into social development, is the first of its kind in Asia as a corporate-driven development foundation. Since 1970, PBSP has been the country’s pioneer in corporate citizenship and social responsibility practices,” she said.
Confesor said for four decades, the PBSP was able to deliver more than 6,400 projects worth a total P5.2 billion, benefiting and uplifting the lives of at least 5.1 million Filipinos.
She added that in the past 40 years, PBSP has been at the forefront of poverty reduction initiatives as well as social development programs on health, primarily on tuberculosis, and on basic education, particularly in facilitating the provision of textbooks, tables and armchairs, and school buildings.
“Other PBSP initiatives have included programs on small business advisory and livelihood enterprise development as well as on the environment, including farmland area resource and coastal resource management, disaster coordination and risk reduction, and caring for the rainforests and watersheds.”
Confesor also cited that between 2009 and 2010, PBSP’s corporate membership contribution alone grew as much as 46 percent.
She said the PBSP is the recipient of over 43 million euros or more than P2.5 billion from the Global Fund to fight tuberculosis in the country.
The PBSP is set to honor during the Jan. 25 gala its pioneers, namely Washington Sycip, Sixto Roxas III and Ambassadors Howard Dee, Jose M. Soriano and Emilio Abello Sr. (posthumous), considered the father of green energy in the country.
Ma. Luisa Perez-Rubio and Amb. Bienvenido Tan Jr. will be recognized for their active service, while Angelo King will be feted with an audio-visual tribute.
Among those who pioneered PBSP in 1970 were Sycip of accounting firm SGV, Roxas, Andres Soriano Jr. of San Miguel Corp., Soriano of Atlas Consolidated Mining, Dee of pharmaceutical firm United Laboratories, Bienvenido Tan Jr. of Philippine Tobacco and Modern Glass and Abello of Manila Electric Co.
Another PBSP pioneer in 1970 was Shell Philippines executive Luzio Mazzei, the Venezuelan national who was crucial in arranging an exchange visit between Philippine business leaders and the head of the Venezuelan foundation Dividendo Voluntario para la Comunidad, which became the model for PBSP.
After the PBSP pioneers’ visit to Venezuela, the executive director of Dividendo was invited to the Philippines to share his knowledge and expertise.
PBSP pioneers, inspired by the 1963 Dividendo model from a group of Venezuelan industrialists, would later adopt the member contribution of one percent of business income before tax for programs on corporate social responsibility.
Under the plan, member companies would pledge one percent of their net income before tax for social development work. Of this, 60 percent would be given to the foundation and the remaining 40 percent they would retain for their own social development activities.
Within PBSP’s first year alone, member-companies increased from 50 to 137. By mid-2010, PBSP peaked at a membership of 263.
By Jose Rodel Clapano
The Philippine Star
January 18, 2011
MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino will grace the 40th anniversary gala dinner of the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), whose members include the country’s top corporate leaders and chief executive officers, in Makati on Jan. 25.
PBSP media relations officer Mitchel Confesor said the gala event will topbill chairpersons and CEOs of more than 200 PBSP member-companies all over the country and members from the international donor community.
Confesor said PBSP chairman Manny Pangilinan will lead four other trustees in presenting the symbolic renewal to Aquino on their commitment to the national development agenda, primarily in PBSP’s four pillars or key areas.
“The four trustees will act as the PBSP board champions of the four focus areas of health, education, livelihood and enterprise development, and the environment. PBSP, the nation’s oldest and largest business group into social development, is the first of its kind in Asia as a corporate-driven development foundation. Since 1970, PBSP has been the country’s pioneer in corporate citizenship and social responsibility practices,” she said.
Confesor said for four decades, the PBSP was able to deliver more than 6,400 projects worth a total P5.2 billion, benefiting and uplifting the lives of at least 5.1 million Filipinos.
She added that in the past 40 years, PBSP has been at the forefront of poverty reduction initiatives as well as social development programs on health, primarily on tuberculosis, and on basic education, particularly in facilitating the provision of textbooks, tables and armchairs, and school buildings.
“Other PBSP initiatives have included programs on small business advisory and livelihood enterprise development as well as on the environment, including farmland area resource and coastal resource management, disaster coordination and risk reduction, and caring for the rainforests and watersheds.”
Confesor also cited that between 2009 and 2010, PBSP’s corporate membership contribution alone grew as much as 46 percent.
She said the PBSP is the recipient of over 43 million euros or more than P2.5 billion from the Global Fund to fight tuberculosis in the country.
The PBSP is set to honor during the Jan. 25 gala its pioneers, namely Washington Sycip, Sixto Roxas III and Ambassadors Howard Dee, Jose M. Soriano and Emilio Abello Sr. (posthumous), considered the father of green energy in the country.
Ma. Luisa Perez-Rubio and Amb. Bienvenido Tan Jr. will be recognized for their active service, while Angelo King will be feted with an audio-visual tribute.
Among those who pioneered PBSP in 1970 were Sycip of accounting firm SGV, Roxas, Andres Soriano Jr. of San Miguel Corp., Soriano of Atlas Consolidated Mining, Dee of pharmaceutical firm United Laboratories, Bienvenido Tan Jr. of Philippine Tobacco and Modern Glass and Abello of Manila Electric Co.
Another PBSP pioneer in 1970 was Shell Philippines executive Luzio Mazzei, the Venezuelan national who was crucial in arranging an exchange visit between Philippine business leaders and the head of the Venezuelan foundation Dividendo Voluntario para la Comunidad, which became the model for PBSP.
After the PBSP pioneers’ visit to Venezuela, the executive director of Dividendo was invited to the Philippines to share his knowledge and expertise.
PBSP pioneers, inspired by the 1963 Dividendo model from a group of Venezuelan industrialists, would later adopt the member contribution of one percent of business income before tax for programs on corporate social responsibility.
Under the plan, member companies would pledge one percent of their net income before tax for social development work. Of this, 60 percent would be given to the foundation and the remaining 40 percent they would retain for their own social development activities.
Within PBSP’s first year alone, member-companies increased from 50 to 137. By mid-2010, PBSP peaked at a membership of 263.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Learning center for Bohol poor
Learning center for Bohol poor
Manila Bulletin - Visayas Newsbits
January 17, 2011
TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Philippines (PNA) – The Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), in partnership with Angelo King Foundation Inc. (AKFI), had just turned over the Technology and Livelihood Center to the Bohol Integrated Development Foundation Inc. (BIDEF) for their beneficiaries in Barangay Malitbog, Dagohoy.
PBSP program coordinator for Bohol Aurelio Salgados Jr. said AKFI’s assistance is intended to improve the productivity and income of the marginal farmers of Bohol.
Salgados said AKFI anchors its programs on the adage “give someone fish and you feed him for a day but teach someone to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.”
Manila Bulletin - Visayas Newsbits
January 17, 2011
TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Philippines (PNA) – The Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), in partnership with Angelo King Foundation Inc. (AKFI), had just turned over the Technology and Livelihood Center to the Bohol Integrated Development Foundation Inc. (BIDEF) for their beneficiaries in Barangay Malitbog, Dagohoy.
PBSP program coordinator for Bohol Aurelio Salgados Jr. said AKFI’s assistance is intended to improve the productivity and income of the marginal farmers of Bohol.
Salgados said AKFI anchors its programs on the adage “give someone fish and you feed him for a day but teach someone to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.”
Monday, January 10, 2011
PHILIPPINES SHOULD ADDRESS POVERTY FIRST – MVP
PHILIPPINES SHOULD ADDRESS POVERTY FIRST – MVP
The Manila Times
January 9, 2011
FOR Manuel “Manny” V. Pangilinan, eradicating poverty should be Job No. 1 for every Filipino. But to be successful, more people should help not just in civic projects but also in government programs that invite partnerships with private businesses.
Pangilinan, who is sometimes referred to by his initials MVP, is one of the top business chief executives in the country, probably also in Asia. He heads many of the largest corporations in the Philippines, like the telecommunications giants Smart and the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. And his business interests extend beyond telecommunications: to media with the Associated Broadcasting Co. (TV5); to utilities with the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco); and to infrastructure development and management with First Pacific Tollways Corp.
He spoke to The Manila Times in his capacity as chairman of the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), a social development foundation founded in 1970 by 50 of the country’s most prominent leaders at the time. PBSP will be celebrating its 40th anniversary this month.
“Our principal foe, really, is just one word. It’s poverty,” he told The Times.
“My belief has always been [that] a lot of the social ills—crime, et cetera—could be solved if people were better off economically,” he said.
According to Pangilinan, fighting poverty could make a dent against corruption, the primary target of President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino 3rd. In the May 10, 2010 elections, the President’s campaign slogan tagged corruption as the cause of poverty in the Philippines.
He explained that PBSP was involved in many programs, not necessarily on those addressing corruption, but rather those that were focused on its root causes.
PBSP has programs in 65 provinces across the Philippines, with numerous projects in area resource management, education infrastructure, public health, environmental protection and others.
Pangilinan was particularly keen on education and livelihood programs, which he said were enablers against poverty.
Poverty incidence in the Philippines when PBSP was founded, according to its website, was about 40 percent.
The general trend is that poverty is on the decline.
Poverty decreased by 1.4 percent a year between 1991 and 2003, according to the Philippines Progress Report on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 2010, which was updated just last October. The MDGs are a set of goals and related targets aimed at eradicating extreme poverty—the number of those living on less than $1 or $2 a day—around the world.
In the Philippines, however, poverty incidence remained high at 32.9 percent as of 2006, which was the latest figure available. But the incidence rate was higher than three years earlier when it was at 30 percent, the report said.
Pangilinan admitted to feeling frustrated that poverty incidence remained high despite the efforts of the PBSP, which has grown to include 180 companies in the Philippines that also work with the public sector, nongovernment organizations and other civil society groups.
“Yeah [it’s frustrating],” he told The Times. “But what do you want us to do? Pack up our bags and leave?”
“You’ve got to keep trying until it finally goes away,” he added.
More help needed
Pangilinan seemed to take pride in what the PBSP does, but most of its work has been done quietly over the last 40 years. And he wanted to change that.
“Maybe in the past that was OK,” he said. “In today’s world, in a way you have to beat your own drums.
And from the public-exposure standpoint, we’re trying to get PBSP better known, not so much to claim credit, but really to promote PBSP in a way that enables us to raise more money.”
There have been substantial amounts given to the organization’s programs, but more was needed for greater impact, he explained.
“The fact of the matter is, the majority of funding for PBSP, at least during my time as chairman, has been foreign, which is typical of capital sourcing anyway even for corporations and governments,” he said.
On average, PBSP gives P400 million annually in grants and donations, but local membership funding is only at P70 million, Pangilinan explained. The balance comes from abroad, he added.
For instance, Pangilinan cited a PBSP project helping Filipinos with tuberculosis that received a significant grant—more $70 million from foreign sources like the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and The Global Fund, an international public-private partnership dedicated to fighting HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.
To implement the program, PBSP worked with the Department of Health, an arrangement that Pangilinan described as a good example of public-private partnership.
The Philippines ranks ninth out of 22 countries with high-burden tuberculosis, according to USAID, citing a 2009 report of the World Health Organization (WHO).
The agency added that some 100 Filipinos die daily from the disease, although significant gains have been made in detection and treatment.
Acknowledging the big amount given to the tuberculosis program, Pangilinan said that the fight against poverty could make greater progress if the Philippines received funding of that magnitude for other concerns, such as malaria, dengue, and even building classrooms.
In the national government budget for 2011, the Department of Education was allotted money to build 14,000 new classrooms, which is 10 percent of the current needs, according to an earlier report in The Times.
Not just money
Money, although important, is not everything.
Equally important was a long-term commitment to end poverty, Pangilinan told The Times.
“To make a dent on poverty in this country, in any country, it has got to be long-term. It’s a long-term commitment,” he said.
“It just won’t go away,” he added. “Even if you give away money to everybody, it won’t go away in one day.”
Pangilinan encouraged more companies to get involved in corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects, and he added that there were many organizations doing good work—but that the PBSP was different.
“The thing about PBSP is it’s trying to employ the discipline of business into CSR. That’s the distinctive characteristic of PBSP. We’re not just another foundation that’s trying to do social work,” he said.
He added that more businesses could also answer the government’s invitation to help in infrastructure development, such as the Public Private Partnership (PPP), the centerpiece program of President Aquino.
Referring to the President, Pangilinan said, “He deserves all the help we can give him.”
“I think he’s very well-intentioned,” he also told The Times. “I have no doubt he’s an honest person. So I wish him well.”
As for PBSP, Pangilinan said, “We just have to be more focused. But we [also] need to be bigger, because the size of the poor in the country is large.”
“Like PBSP, I’ve always believed that in your life, if you could just change for the better one individual’s life, you’ve done OK. So if do if you do it for more than one [person], that would be great,” he said.
He said that helping others was not just for large multinationals or for successful people, although he added that one must be financially healthy in order to give.
But he added, “No matter how poor you are, if you could change somebody else’s life for the better, that’s OK.”
The Manila Times
January 9, 2011
FOR Manuel “Manny” V. Pangilinan, eradicating poverty should be Job No. 1 for every Filipino. But to be successful, more people should help not just in civic projects but also in government programs that invite partnerships with private businesses.
Pangilinan, who is sometimes referred to by his initials MVP, is one of the top business chief executives in the country, probably also in Asia. He heads many of the largest corporations in the Philippines, like the telecommunications giants Smart and the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. And his business interests extend beyond telecommunications: to media with the Associated Broadcasting Co. (TV5); to utilities with the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco); and to infrastructure development and management with First Pacific Tollways Corp.
He spoke to The Manila Times in his capacity as chairman of the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), a social development foundation founded in 1970 by 50 of the country’s most prominent leaders at the time. PBSP will be celebrating its 40th anniversary this month.
“Our principal foe, really, is just one word. It’s poverty,” he told The Times.
“My belief has always been [that] a lot of the social ills—crime, et cetera—could be solved if people were better off economically,” he said.
According to Pangilinan, fighting poverty could make a dent against corruption, the primary target of President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino 3rd. In the May 10, 2010 elections, the President’s campaign slogan tagged corruption as the cause of poverty in the Philippines.
He explained that PBSP was involved in many programs, not necessarily on those addressing corruption, but rather those that were focused on its root causes.
PBSP has programs in 65 provinces across the Philippines, with numerous projects in area resource management, education infrastructure, public health, environmental protection and others.
Pangilinan was particularly keen on education and livelihood programs, which he said were enablers against poverty.
Poverty incidence in the Philippines when PBSP was founded, according to its website, was about 40 percent.
The general trend is that poverty is on the decline.
Poverty decreased by 1.4 percent a year between 1991 and 2003, according to the Philippines Progress Report on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 2010, which was updated just last October. The MDGs are a set of goals and related targets aimed at eradicating extreme poverty—the number of those living on less than $1 or $2 a day—around the world.
In the Philippines, however, poverty incidence remained high at 32.9 percent as of 2006, which was the latest figure available. But the incidence rate was higher than three years earlier when it was at 30 percent, the report said.
Pangilinan admitted to feeling frustrated that poverty incidence remained high despite the efforts of the PBSP, which has grown to include 180 companies in the Philippines that also work with the public sector, nongovernment organizations and other civil society groups.
“Yeah [it’s frustrating],” he told The Times. “But what do you want us to do? Pack up our bags and leave?”
“You’ve got to keep trying until it finally goes away,” he added.
More help needed
Pangilinan seemed to take pride in what the PBSP does, but most of its work has been done quietly over the last 40 years. And he wanted to change that.
“Maybe in the past that was OK,” he said. “In today’s world, in a way you have to beat your own drums.
And from the public-exposure standpoint, we’re trying to get PBSP better known, not so much to claim credit, but really to promote PBSP in a way that enables us to raise more money.”
There have been substantial amounts given to the organization’s programs, but more was needed for greater impact, he explained.
“The fact of the matter is, the majority of funding for PBSP, at least during my time as chairman, has been foreign, which is typical of capital sourcing anyway even for corporations and governments,” he said.
On average, PBSP gives P400 million annually in grants and donations, but local membership funding is only at P70 million, Pangilinan explained. The balance comes from abroad, he added.
For instance, Pangilinan cited a PBSP project helping Filipinos with tuberculosis that received a significant grant—more $70 million from foreign sources like the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and The Global Fund, an international public-private partnership dedicated to fighting HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.
To implement the program, PBSP worked with the Department of Health, an arrangement that Pangilinan described as a good example of public-private partnership.
The Philippines ranks ninth out of 22 countries with high-burden tuberculosis, according to USAID, citing a 2009 report of the World Health Organization (WHO).
The agency added that some 100 Filipinos die daily from the disease, although significant gains have been made in detection and treatment.
Acknowledging the big amount given to the tuberculosis program, Pangilinan said that the fight against poverty could make greater progress if the Philippines received funding of that magnitude for other concerns, such as malaria, dengue, and even building classrooms.
In the national government budget for 2011, the Department of Education was allotted money to build 14,000 new classrooms, which is 10 percent of the current needs, according to an earlier report in The Times.
Not just money
Money, although important, is not everything.
Equally important was a long-term commitment to end poverty, Pangilinan told The Times.
“To make a dent on poverty in this country, in any country, it has got to be long-term. It’s a long-term commitment,” he said.
“It just won’t go away,” he added. “Even if you give away money to everybody, it won’t go away in one day.”
Pangilinan encouraged more companies to get involved in corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects, and he added that there were many organizations doing good work—but that the PBSP was different.
“The thing about PBSP is it’s trying to employ the discipline of business into CSR. That’s the distinctive characteristic of PBSP. We’re not just another foundation that’s trying to do social work,” he said.
He added that more businesses could also answer the government’s invitation to help in infrastructure development, such as the Public Private Partnership (PPP), the centerpiece program of President Aquino.
Referring to the President, Pangilinan said, “He deserves all the help we can give him.”
“I think he’s very well-intentioned,” he also told The Times. “I have no doubt he’s an honest person. So I wish him well.”
As for PBSP, Pangilinan said, “We just have to be more focused. But we [also] need to be bigger, because the size of the poor in the country is large.”
“Like PBSP, I’ve always believed that in your life, if you could just change for the better one individual’s life, you’ve done OK. So if do if you do it for more than one [person], that would be great,” he said.
He said that helping others was not just for large multinationals or for successful people, although he added that one must be financially healthy in order to give.
But he added, “No matter how poor you are, if you could change somebody else’s life for the better, that’s OK.”
Wednesday, January 05, 2011
S. Leyte gov: Evacuate disaster-prone areas
S. Leyte gov: Evacuate disaster-prone areas
Cebu Daily News
January 05, 2010
St. Bernard, Southern Leyte — Dismayed over the loss of lives due to flash floods and landslides, Southern Leyte Gov. Damian Mercado has ordered the provincial disaster management office to evacuate or make forced evacuation of residents in disaster-prone areas if needed.
Five children—three from St. Bernard town, one from Tomas Oppus town and another from Sogod town—were killed Sunday at the height of incessant rains in Southern Leyte.
The fatalities were Maria Fatima Discaryal, 5, and her brother Rodel, 1; Jordan Lakipon, 3; Ricabelle Montederamos, 10; and Patrick Pelaez, 11.
The bodies of the Discaryal siblings were found Sunday while that of Lakipon was found 9 a.m. Monday buried in mud just near their house in Barangay Bolod-Bolod, St. Bernard. The three were killed Sunday when a portion of the nearby mountain crashed into the houses of the Discaryal and Lakipon families who were neighbors.
Two others were reported to have drowned in Southern Leyte on Sunday—Montederamos, who was crossing a flooded rice field in Maanyag village, Tomas Oppus town, and Pelaez of Pancho Villa village in Sogod town who was crossing a river.
"This was the result of the people's hardheadedness," Mercado told the Inquirer on Monday when asked why there were casualties although several early warning systems have been installed in various areas and the experience of the Guinsaugon tragedy.
The governor said he has instructed all mayors and the PDMO to make the necessary evacuation and to use the police to force those who insist staying in their homes to leave.
In a separate interview Monday, PDMO chief Efledo Hernandez said early warning devices have been installed in all disaster-prone areas, including the village where the children were killed.
“In fact they were already told to evacuate a day earlier before the disaster,” said Hernandez, adding that they have implemented forced evacuations in some disaster prone-areas.
After the Guinsaugon tragedy, the province have been cited for its risk mitigation programs particularly St. Bernard whose Mayor Rico Rentusa have been invited for several speaking engagement on disaster in other countries.
Last year, the province's 11 municipalities were beneficiaries of risk reduction projects using SMS by Philippine Business for Social Progress.
Cebu Daily News
January 05, 2010
St. Bernard, Southern Leyte — Dismayed over the loss of lives due to flash floods and landslides, Southern Leyte Gov. Damian Mercado has ordered the provincial disaster management office to evacuate or make forced evacuation of residents in disaster-prone areas if needed.
Five children—three from St. Bernard town, one from Tomas Oppus town and another from Sogod town—were killed Sunday at the height of incessant rains in Southern Leyte.
The fatalities were Maria Fatima Discaryal, 5, and her brother Rodel, 1; Jordan Lakipon, 3; Ricabelle Montederamos, 10; and Patrick Pelaez, 11.
The bodies of the Discaryal siblings were found Sunday while that of Lakipon was found 9 a.m. Monday buried in mud just near their house in Barangay Bolod-Bolod, St. Bernard. The three were killed Sunday when a portion of the nearby mountain crashed into the houses of the Discaryal and Lakipon families who were neighbors.
Two others were reported to have drowned in Southern Leyte on Sunday—Montederamos, who was crossing a flooded rice field in Maanyag village, Tomas Oppus town, and Pelaez of Pancho Villa village in Sogod town who was crossing a river.
"This was the result of the people's hardheadedness," Mercado told the Inquirer on Monday when asked why there were casualties although several early warning systems have been installed in various areas and the experience of the Guinsaugon tragedy.
The governor said he has instructed all mayors and the PDMO to make the necessary evacuation and to use the police to force those who insist staying in their homes to leave.
In a separate interview Monday, PDMO chief Efledo Hernandez said early warning devices have been installed in all disaster-prone areas, including the village where the children were killed.
“In fact they were already told to evacuate a day earlier before the disaster,” said Hernandez, adding that they have implemented forced evacuations in some disaster prone-areas.
After the Guinsaugon tragedy, the province have been cited for its risk mitigation programs particularly St. Bernard whose Mayor Rico Rentusa have been invited for several speaking engagement on disaster in other countries.
Last year, the province's 11 municipalities were beneficiaries of risk reduction projects using SMS by Philippine Business for Social Progress.
Davao ICTSI scholar bags 3rd place in nat’l science competition
Davao ICTSI scholar bags 3rd place in nat’l science competition
By Danny Escabarte
Philippine Information Agency
January 5, 2011
DAVAO CITY, Jan. 5 (PIA) -- Reymond Tayone, senior high school student of Davao City National High School and an ICTSI Scholar, bag the 3rd Place in national science competition during the 6th National Biotechnology Week celebration held recently at the National Office of the Department of Education in Pasig, Metro Manila.
Entitled “Bioethanol Production from Banana Stalk Using Cow’s Rumen Fluid for Cellulose Degradation,” the science investigatory project hurdled through different competitions from different levels before winning third place in the national contest.
“We won first placer in school, division level and regional competitions in Davao Region before we tried our luck to compete in Manila,” Reymond said. “The project’s aim among others is to help find alternative source of fuel that is not destructive to humans and the environment”, Raymond added.
Besides promising usage at home and in the industry, Ethanol has positive contribution to daily life, Raymond also disclosed. Among these were: ethanol is renewable and raw materials abound in the surroundings, it is environment-friendly, it is clean fuel and when mixed with other fossil fuel; can help clean engine that reduces smoke emission among vehicles.
The project can be replicated in a bigger level, Raymond said. “In Davao Region for example, where big banana plantations are found, we can collect all the banana stalks which companies consider as wastes and turn them into ethanol using cow’s rumen fluid in the process”, he said.
Reymond Tayone is one of the 21 scholars in Mindanao being supported by the International Container Terminal Services Incorporated or ICTSI. Aside from Davao City National High School, two other schools were also being assisted namely: Misamis Oriental General Comprehensive High School (MOGCHS) in Cagayan de Oro City and General Santos City High School. The educational assistance project for the 21 high school students is being implemented by the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP). (PBSP-MRO/PIA-Caraga)
By Danny Escabarte
Philippine Information Agency
January 5, 2011
DAVAO CITY, Jan. 5 (PIA) -- Reymond Tayone, senior high school student of Davao City National High School and an ICTSI Scholar, bag the 3rd Place in national science competition during the 6th National Biotechnology Week celebration held recently at the National Office of the Department of Education in Pasig, Metro Manila.
Entitled “Bioethanol Production from Banana Stalk Using Cow’s Rumen Fluid for Cellulose Degradation,” the science investigatory project hurdled through different competitions from different levels before winning third place in the national contest.
“We won first placer in school, division level and regional competitions in Davao Region before we tried our luck to compete in Manila,” Reymond said. “The project’s aim among others is to help find alternative source of fuel that is not destructive to humans and the environment”, Raymond added.
Besides promising usage at home and in the industry, Ethanol has positive contribution to daily life, Raymond also disclosed. Among these were: ethanol is renewable and raw materials abound in the surroundings, it is environment-friendly, it is clean fuel and when mixed with other fossil fuel; can help clean engine that reduces smoke emission among vehicles.
The project can be replicated in a bigger level, Raymond said. “In Davao Region for example, where big banana plantations are found, we can collect all the banana stalks which companies consider as wastes and turn them into ethanol using cow’s rumen fluid in the process”, he said.
Reymond Tayone is one of the 21 scholars in Mindanao being supported by the International Container Terminal Services Incorporated or ICTSI. Aside from Davao City National High School, two other schools were also being assisted namely: Misamis Oriental General Comprehensive High School (MOGCHS) in Cagayan de Oro City and General Santos City High School. The educational assistance project for the 21 high school students is being implemented by the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP). (PBSP-MRO/PIA-Caraga)
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