PEZA-MEZ Balik-Baterya Program Launching with PBSP, OMMC

PEZA-MEZ Balik-Baterya Program Launching with PBSP, OMMC

New-found partnership promises more ULABs, LRCs for the Visayas

In a unified call for environment protection, the Philippine Export Zone Authority-Mactan Economic Zone (PEZA-MEZ) and its locators formally sealed its commitment to support the Balik-Baterya Program by donating all its used batteries for the cause.

The commitment was sealed through an agreement signed between PEZA-MEZ and Balik-Baterya’s coordinators Oriental & Motolite Marketing Corporation (OMMC) and Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP).

  OMMC CSR Head Eman Ragaza, PEZA-MEZ CSR Head Engr. Rolando Patalinghug, PEZA-MEZ Environment, Health and Safety Chief Orlando Fuentes and PBSP Senior Program Officer Olive Jabido sign the MOA to signify PEZA-MEZ’s commitment to support the Balik-Baterya Program.

During the activity, PEZA-MEZ Department Manager of Operations Atty. Rufino San Juan IV assured PBSP and OMMC that the newfound partnership will continue to gather more locators to donate their used lead acid batteries to the program.

“With the help of the organizers, the very things we consider wastes like used batteries can help provide for the foundation of our children's future. This project may not be able to put back power into the used batteries, but the used batteries can put power in the minds of thousands of children,” he said.

“This (partnership) is a ‘solution within a solution’. The program enables us to address an environmental concern while helping us support better education for the schoolchildren. By having PRI and Motolite as partners, we know that our ULABs are properly treated and disposed of. Equally important, having PBSP with the program assures us of a sustainable and worthwhile development for the children,” PEZA-MEZ Environment, Health and Safety Officer Verna Luz Daño added.

 

 Motolite's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Head Eman Ragaza discussed into detail the Balik-Baterya Program to the locators that joined the forum, MOA signing and collection event.

 

Launched in 2006, the Motolite-PBSP Balik-Baterya Program intends to protect the environment through proper disposal and recycling of used lead acid batteries (ULABs) as well as improve the quality of learning among pupils.

ULABs donated by companies are bought by OMMC and the proceeds are used to fund the establishment of learning resource centers (LRCs), which take the form of mini-libraries that include a table, chairs and a bookshelf filled with books and supplementary instructional materials on basic academic subjects.

The signing of the MOA also marked the start of collection of used batteries donated by the 20 PEZA-MEZ locators.

The donation, worth more than 16 tons, could generate more than PhP 380,000.00, enough to fund for at least nine LRCs.

 Employees from Oriental and Motolite Marketing Corporation collect ULABs donated by locators of PEZA-MEZ for the Balik-Baterya Program. The batteries will be transported to Philippine Recyclers, Inc. for proper disposal and waste treatment. 

To make the program more sustainable, PEZA-MEZ plans to schedule quarterly collections for its locators in a year.

“This program focuses on the concerted effort among MEZ locators. No matter how small the amount of ULABs a locator commits for this program, when taken together, the difference these locators make to the environment and to the schoolchildren are much more significant,” Daño said.

Locators that already joined PEZA-MEZ for the Balik-Baterya Program include Accuform, Inc., Cebu Chip Connection, Cebu Iwakami Corporation, Euro-CB (Phils). Inc., Halsangz Plating Cebu Corp, HPOI Corporation, KGS Phils. Corp., Lear Corporation, Lexmark International Phils., Inc., MSM Cebu, Inc.,  NKC Mfg. Phils. Corp., Olympus Optical Products Philippines, Inc., SAWO Inc., Taiyo Yuden Phils., Inc., Philippine Tonan Corporation, Pacific Aeronautical, Inc., Philippines Light-Leather, Inc., Cebu Logitem, Inc., Ina Micro Opto Corp. and Toa Kiko Cebu Corporation.

For more photos of the PEZA-MEZ Balik-Baterya Launching, click on the 

following icons for the links:

PBSP promotes environmental education in 2011 reforestation caravan

PBSP promotes environmental education in 2011 reforestation caravan
Philippines Daily Tribune
June 18, 2011

The Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) promises a larger, more proactive greening event this 2011 as it introduces environmental education in its annual tree-planting activity.

In partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, PBSP kicks off the Cebu Hillylands Reforestation Caravan today, June 18, in sitio of Cantipla 2, barangay Tabunan, Cebu City.

PBSP targets to plant 15,000 seedlings on six hectares with more than 800 volunteers for the kickoff event. Aside from this, volunteers are encouraged to take part in various breakout activities during the kickoff.

This year, PBSP invited experts from the Philippine Biodiversity Conservation Foundation Inc. to discuss on the unique biodiversity of the Cebu Hillylands, as well as the components of Cebu’s forests. PBSP also partnered with the Cebu Ornithological Society, which will hold an exhibit on wildlife photography and discuss the mechanics of bird watching.

The Cebu Hillylands is a 28,300-hectare lot composed of five watershed and protected areas that span Central Cebu. It is the major source of potable water for Metro Cebu, as well as home to various endemic plant and animal species and subspecies.

Last year, with help from 3,700 volunteers from 100 companies, PBSP reforested more than 300 hectares with 40 native and endemic tree species.

The foundation hopes to increase participation of agencies, companies and individuals by bringing 5,000 volunteers to plant this year.

Companies and institutions that will join the kickoff on June 18 are the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Colorado Shipyard, KPMG, Dedon Cebu Manufacturing Corp., Halsangz Cebu Plating Corp., PLDT Co., TMX Philippines, Inc., The Islands Group, HPOI Corp., Fooda Saversmart Corp., Philippine Land Corp., Smart Communications Inc., Lexmark Research and Development Corp., Punongbayan and Araullo, The Freeman, Tabok Workers Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Cebu Ornithological Society, Lexmark International Philippines, Inc. and Philippine Guardians, Inc.

For the following Saturdays, Yamashin Cebu Filter Manufacturing Corp., Cathay Pacific Airways, Juanito King and Sons, Aboitiz and Co. Inc., Lexmark Research and Development Corp., Taiyo Yuden Philippines Inc., Lexmark International Philippines Inc. and Abag sa Kalikupan Inc. already committed to involve their employees to plant.

PBSP is inviting more companies to join the succeeding Saturdays of the reforestation caravan to meet its target to reforest at least 100 hectares of the Cebu Hillylands. Companies and individuals can participate in PBSP’s efforts by adopting a hectare for reforestation or by bringing employee volunteers on any scheduled Saturday of the annual caravan.

The reforestation caravan will run for 18 Saturdays until Oct. 15.

For more information, interested companies and volunteers may contact Malu Largo of PBSP at (032) 232-5283 or 232-5270 or via e-mail at MBLargo@pbsp.org.ph or pbspvro@pbsp.org.ph.

5,000 Heroes for 18 Saturdays

5,000 Heroes for 18 Saturdays

2011 Cebu Hillylands Reforestation Caravan

The Central Cebu Protected Landscape, also known as the Cebu Hillylands, remains Cebu’s treasured ecological birthright. It supplies potable water for Metro Cebu, silently spurring the island’s development forward. It stands as a treasured ecological heritage with a number of Cebu’s endemic species nesting in its coffers. With its rich resources, it continues to sustain the communities depending on it for their survival. 

However, this fragile structure also remains subjected to various man-made interventions hat only led to its degradation. Century-old native and endemic trees have been logged for their high-value timber. Large portions of the forest cover have been cleared for agricultural, residential and industrial purposes to support Metro Cebu’s development. Denudation drained the Cebu Hillylands’ aquifers as they could no longer hold water to sustain Cebu’s demand. In the Buhisan Reservoir, the amount of water has dropped down from 10,000 to 2,000 cubic meters as of 2009.

An adopted reforestation site in sitio Sayaw, a portion of the Cebu Hillylands

With this alarming rate of deforestation and water shortage, efforts to rebuild the Cebu Hillylands were made even more pronounced. This is how PBSP stepped into the picture in 1991 as it launched the Cebu Hillylands Development Program. An integral part of this program is the holding of the Cebu Hillylands Reforestation Caravan, where it enjoins volunteers from business, government, academe and civil society every year to plant tree seedlings in the denuded areas of the hillylands.

Due to PBSP’s efforts for almost two decades, it recently achieved the largest feat in reforestation as it was able to reforest more than 300 hectares with 40 native and endemic tree species with help from 3,700 volunteers from 100 companies.

Employee volunteers/planters from the 2011 Cebu Hillylands Reforestation Caravan

Moving forward. On June 18, more than 800 volunteers from various institutions planted 15,000 seedlings in sitio Cantipla 2 for the 2011 run of the reforestation caravan. Aside from planting tree seedlings, volunteers also took part in various breakout sessions to promote environmental education awareness. 

PBSP invited Lisa Pagbuntalan and Orlyn Orlanes-Roxas from Philippine Biodiversity Conservation Foundation, Inc. to discuss on the unique biodiversity of the Cebu Hillylands as well as the components of Cebu’s forests. 

Nilo Arribas, Jr., Godfrey Jakosalem, Dr. Clemn Macasiano and Marester Macasiano of Cebu Ornithological Society were also invited, who held an exhibit on wildlife photography and discussed the mechanics of bird watching.

PBSP aso aims to make this year's caravan more proactive by increasing its targeted participation of agencies, companies and individuals to 5,000.

 A representative from the Philippine Air Force tries to identify the endemic species and subspecies featured in the frames.

Companies and institutions who joined the kickoff include the Philippine Institute of  Certified Public Accountants, Dedon Cebu Manufacturing Corp., PLDT Co., TMX Philippines, Inc., The Islands Group, HPOI Corp., Fooda Saversmart Corp., SMART Communications, Inc., Lexmark Research & Development Corp., Cebu Ornithological Society, Lexmark International Philippines, Inc. and Philippine Guardians, Inc., Qualfon Philippines, Inc., the Philippine Air Force and Cebu Daily News.

For the following Saturdays, Yamashin Cebu Filter Manufacturing Corp., Cathay Pacific Airways, Juanito King & Sons, Aboitiz & Co., Inc., Lexmark Research & Development Corp., Taiyo Yuden Philippines, Inc., Lexmark International Philippines, Inc. and Abag sa Kalikupan, Inc. already committed to involve their employees to plant.

For more photos of the event, click on the following icons:

 

Green is in

Green is in 
The Philippine Star
June 21, 2011 

The Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) promises a larger, more proactive greening event this 2011 as it introduces environmental education in its annual tree-planting activity.

In partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, PBSP recently kicked off the Cebu Hillylands Reforestation Caravan in Sitio Cantipla 2, Barangay Tabunan, Cebu City.

PBSP targets to plant 15,000 seedlings on six hectares with more than 800 volunteers for the kickoff event.

This year, PBSP invited experts from the Philippine Biodiversity Conservation Foundation Inc. to discuss the unique biodiversity of the Cebu hillylands as well as the components of Cebu’s forests. PBSP also partnered with the Cebu Ornithological Society, which will hold an exhibit on wildlife photography and discuss the mechanics of bird watching.

The Cebu Hillylands is a 28,300-hectare lot composed of five watershed and protected areas that span Central Cebu. It is the major source of potable water for Metro Cebu as well as home to various endemic plant and animal species and subspecies.

Last year, with help from 3,700 volunteers from 100 companies, PBSP reforested more than 300 hectares with 40 native and endemic tree species.

Companies and institutions that joined the kickoff last June 18 were the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Colorado Shipyard, KPMG, Dedon Cebu Manufacturing Corp., Halsangz Cebu Plating Corp., PLDT Co., TMX Philippines, Inc., The Islands Group, HPOI Corp., Food Saversmart Corp., Philippine Land Corp., Smart Communications, Inc., Lexmark Research & Development Corp., Punongbayan & Araullo, The Freeman, Tabok Workers Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Cebu Ornithological Society, Lexmark International Philippines, Inc., and Philippine Guardians, Inc.

For the following Saturdays, Yamashin Cebu Filter Manufacturing Corp., Cathay Pacific Airways, Juanito King and Sons, Aboitiz and Co. Inc., Lexmark Research and Development Corp., Taiyo Yuden Philippines Inc., Lexmark International Philippines, Inc., and Abag sa Kalikupan Inc. already committed to involve their employees to plant.

The reforestation caravan will run for 18 Saturdays until Oct. 15.

For more information, interested companies and volunteers may contact Malu Largo of PBSP at (032)232-5283 or 232-5270 or via e-mail at MBLargo@pbsp.org.ph or pbspvro@pbsp.org.ph.

Tree-planting caravan kicks off

Tree-planting caravan kicks off 
By Candeze R. Mongaya
Cebu Daily News
June 19, 2011

Instead of waking up late on a Saturday morning, 16-year-old Amor Kris Sabay decided to do something different.

The  high school senior  of Liloan National High School discovered her green thumb as she joined 800 volunteers in welcoming the rainy season by planting native and endemic tree seedlings in sitio Cantipla, barangay Tabunan, in Cebu City.

“It’s a nice feeling to breathe  fresh air, unlike the usual city air,” she said  as she planted a narra tree seedling in the slopes of a six-hectare field in Tabunan.

The tree-planting activity kicked off the 2011 Cebu Hillylands Reforestation Caravan, an annual program of  the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) in the Visayas.

About 50 companies and other stakeholders joined the first of 18 Saturday mornings set aside for reforestation.

Volunteers are encouraged to plant trees in a designated area in Tabunan, which is part of the Central Cebu Protected Landscape also known as the Cebu Hillylands.

Seedlings of fruit-bearing trees  and vegetative plants for hedgerows were also distributed to participants.

Despite a downpour the day before, Saturday  was clear as groups of friends and co-workers traversed  rain-soaked slopes.

Sabay said she didn’t expect to enjoy the outdoor event  and being close to nature because she  had to wake up early and travel for an hour to reach the site.

“I look forward to doing this again,” she said after planting 20 seedlings.

Another volunteer, 32-year-old telecommunications engineer Edgar Alcarez, said he enjoyed the labor.

“It’s fulfilling, both emotionally and morally,” he said.

After the tree planting,  plates of  vegetable salad were passed around as  volunteers  munched on  lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes and bell peppers.

The annual reforestation caravan had a new twist.

After lunch, four break-out sessions  were held for mini-lectures on on wildlife conservation,  birdwatching,  wildlife photography and identifying native plants and trees.

Nilo Aribas Jr. ,  a bird photographer of the Cebu Ornithological Society,  shared his experiences in taking photos of birds since  2003.

He said birdwatching is a good  bonding activity for family and friends although  Cebu City has only a few parks with a thriving bird community.

Cebu is the habitat of two endemic species, the rare Cebu flowerpecker and the black shama or siloy, both found in the Tabunan forest and the forest of Alcoy town, south Cebu.

This year’s reforestation caravan  targets 5,000 volunteers to plant native and endemic trees like Cebu cinnamon, narra , talo-to, bayog, magpuno, pangaton, lanotan, toong and tagi lomboy  until October 15.

Forester Orlyn Orlanes-Roxas said native trees  would easily survive because they are in their natural environment.

“The aim of reforestation is to bring back the forest and biodiversity, so you also have to bring back the many native species,” she said  .

Malu Largo, program coordinator of the PBSP Visayas, said yesterday’s group alone  planted  8,000 seedlings in a six-hectare area. Last year’s PBSP tree planting had a survival rate of 95 percent for its seedlings.

PBSP promotes environmental education in 2011 reforestation caravan

PBSP promotes environmental education in 2011 reforestation caravan
The Daily Tribune
June 18, 2011

The Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) promises a larger, more proactive greening event this 2011 as it introduces environmental education in its annual tree-planting activity.

In partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, PBSP kicks off the Cebu Hillylands Reforestation Caravan today, June 18, in sitio of Cantipla 2, barangay Tabunan, Cebu City.

PBSP targets to plant 15,000 seedlings on six hectares with more than 800 volunteers for the kickoff event. Aside from this, volunteers are encouraged to take part in various breakout activities during the kickoff.

This year, PBSP invited experts from the Philippine Biodiversity Conservation Foundation Inc. to discuss on the unique biodiversity of the Cebu Hillylands, as well as the components of Cebu’s forests. PBSP also partnered with the Cebu Ornithological Society, which will hold an exhibit on wildlife photography and discuss the mechanics of bird watching.

The Cebu Hillylands is a 28,300-hectare lot composed of five watershed and protected areas that span Central Cebu. It is the major source of potable water for Metro Cebu, as well as home to various endemic plant and animal species and subspecies.

Last year, with help from 3,700 volunteers from 100 companies, PBSP reforested more than 300 hectares with 40 native and endemic tree species.

The foundation hopes to increase participation of agencies, companies and individuals by bringing 5,000 volunteers to plant this year.

Companies and institutions that will join the kickoff on June 18 are the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Colorado Shipyard, KPMG, Dedon Cebu Manufacturing Corp., Halsangz Cebu Plating Corp., PLDT Co., TMX Philippines, Inc., The Islands Group, HPOI Corp., Fooda Saversmart Corp., Philippine Land Corp., Smart Communications Inc., Lexmark Research and Development Corp., Punongbayan and Araullo, The Freeman, Tabok Workers Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Cebu Ornithological Society, Lexmark International Philippines, Inc. and Philippine Guardians, Inc.

For the following Saturdays, Yamashin Cebu Filter Manufacturing Corp., Cathay Pacific Airways, Juanito King and Sons, Aboitiz and Co. Inc., Lexmark Research and Development Corp., Taiyo Yuden Philippines Inc., Lexmark International Philippines Inc. and Abag sa Kalikupan Inc. already committed to involve their employees to plant.

PBSP is inviting more companies to join the succeeding Saturdays of the reforestation caravan to meet its target to reforest at least 100 hectares of the Cebu Hillylands. Companies and individuals can participate in PBSP’s efforts by adopting a hectare for reforestation or by bringing employee volunteers on any scheduled Saturday of the annual caravan.

The reforestation caravan will run for 18 Saturdays until Oct. 15.

For more information, interested companies and volunteers may contact Malu Largo of PBSP at (032) 232-5283 or 232-5270 or via e-mail at MBLargo@pbsp.org.ph or pbspvro@pbsp.org.ph.

Quiz Bee on disaster risk reduction and climate change set in Tomas Oppus

Quiz Bee on disaster risk reduction and climate change set in Tomas Oppus 
By ES Gorne
Philippine Information Agency
June 17, 2011

SOUTHERN LEYTE, June 17 (PIA) -- In time with its 42nd founding anniversary, Tomas Oppus will also conduct a quiz bee on disaster risk reduction and climate change on June 21 among its highlights in almost week-long celebration this year.

In close coordination with the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) consultants and Disaster Preparations in Southern Leyte thru SMS Technology project manager Jason Calva, Tomas Oppus will sponsor a quiz bee together with the participation of at least five secondary schools in the municipality, Disaster Action Team member Edmar Tambis said in a phone interview with Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Southern Leyte.

Tambis said the organizers will prepare a set of 10 easy questions and another set of difficult questions related to disaster risk reduction and climate change issues.

Meanwhile, still in Tomas Oppus, the founding anniversary will highlight on June 22 the conduct of jobs fair under the leadership of Mayor Agustin Rusca Escano, Jr., Tambis, who is also the Public Employment Services Officer (PESO) and tthe Information Officer designate added.

The jobs fair will open job orders for domestic helpers, various engineers, skilled and non-skilled professionals, cook, waiters, nurses, computer related works, among others, Tambis said.

The said job fair will be participated in by overseas agencies such as Mondial Overseas Agency, Uni-jobs Placement Agency, Pacific Mediterranean International Manpower Agency, ASCEND Agency, Phil Employ Services and Resources Agency, East West Placement Agency, NAPTRON and (3) local employers, all based in Tacloban City.

Tambis also reported that said jobs fair will be assisted by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) who will look into the livelihood opportunities, job matching, labor problems and others; the POEA will also provide orientation on overseas employment and Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) problems; the National Statistics Office (NSO) will authenticate for the live birth, CENOMAR certifications and others.

While the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) will facilitate for the issuance of new or renewal of clearances; the Philippine Regulation Commission (PRC) will authenticate for the licenses and the new and renewal and application for examinations; and the Bureau of Internal Revenue for the TIN application and tax payments.

Still no communication signals in key locations of So. Leyte

Still no communication signals in key locations of So. Leyte 
By Bong Pedalino
Philippine Information Agency
June 16, 2011

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, June 16 (PIA) -- In this age when everybody can be reached by either call or sms, it is surprising to know that there are still locations without communication signal.

In Southern Leyte, some areas that remained unreachable by the technology on communications are vital locations such as the tandem zipline at Agas-Agas, Sogod that promote high-end tourism and in San Ricardo at the southern tip of Panaon island. where disaster preparedness project is located.

Nedgar Garvez, Provincial Tourism Officer, in an interview over “Action Center” program this morning, reported that he already talked with the executive officer of Globe who promised to look into the matter and inform their central office about it.

Garvez said he also had a talk with a representative of Smart so these two private companies would really consider putting up a cell site at the Agas-Agas Adventure Park which has been attracting a steady stream of curious visitors since it opened two months ago, on April 15.

The facility which is touted as the longest zipline in the country at 880 meters, and the highest, has been operating quite well, but the primary concern for now was the lack of signal for texting or calling, more so on laptop internet connections.

As to the lack of signal for an SMS disaster preparedness project supported by Smart Communications, the company’s executives disclosed that this year a rollout of at least eight sites has been programmed to be undertaken, including the San Ricardo site.

This was learned in a recent dialogue held at Malitbog during the supervision mission visit of a top-ranking official of the World Bank (WB), which funded the project, and officials of the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), also a supporter of the pioneering undertaking.

In the dialogue, Smart acknowledged the deficiencies due to physical terrain but pledged to do all their best to provide the needed technical solutions as soon as their resources can be made available.

PAG-IBIG, PBSP ink accord for water system project to benefit upland sitio in Cebu City

PAG-IBIG, PBSP ink accord for water system project to benefit upland sitio in Cebu City 
Philippine Information Agency
June 15, 2011

CEBU CITY, June 15 (PIA) -- For years, inhabitants of this mountainous sitio have to walk for hours just to access water from a natural source. Today, residents of Sitio Sayaw in upland Barangay Tabunan, Cebu City can heave a sigh of relief with the construction of a new potable water system.

Over 30 households from mountainous Sitio Sayaw in Cebu City will now have improved access to water through the Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF) or Pag-IBIG Fund’s Potable Water System Project.

This project was made possible through an agreement between Pag-IBIG Fund Cebu South Branch and the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), which involves the establishment of a Level 2 potable water system in Sitio Sayaw, Tabunan, Cebu City.

PAG-IBIG, PBSP and the Sayaw Farmers Group signed the project MOA last June 2 at the PAG-IBIG Fund-WT Corporate Tower in Cebu Business Park, Cebu City. Signatories of the MOA were Pag-IBIG Fund Cebu Branch Officer-in-Charge and Department Manager III Rio Teves, PBSP Visayas Regional Operations Manager Jessie Cubijano and Sayaw Farmers Association President Ricardo Labora.

“As a financial institution that largely deals with housing projects, we know how important water is to every household,” Teves stated during the MoA signing.

The Pag-IBIG Potable Water System Project, worth P60,000.00, will take the form of spring boxes that collect water from springs and other natural water resources in upland areas and keep stored water safe from contamination. The project will allow for two distribution stations for the households within the area.

PAG-IBIG selected Sitio Sayaw as its community because of its difficult access to potable water and other basic social services. Sitio Sayaw is located approximately 10 kilometers from the Transcentral Highway, which is 25 kilometers away from the city proper.

“We are truly grateful to Pag-IBIG for this assistance. Now, we have a potable water facility we could call our own and the health of our children is secured,” Labora said.

Under the agreement, PBSP will serve as the implementing agency on the construction of the water system as well as take charge in the monitoring of the project.

“We want to make sure that our funds will go to projects that are more sustainable and our partnership with PBSP will ensure that these qualities are met,” Teves added.

The potable water system project signalizes Pag-IBIG Cebu’s commitment to adopt Sitio Sayaw as its community for its following Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives through the Pag-IBIG 1-4-3 Program, a flagship initiative of the institution aimed at funding long-term projects to adopted needy communities as its expression of corporate social responsibility.

Funds for the program, which was launched in January 2011, are obtained from P500 contributions of all Pag-IBIG employees.

The Pag-IBIG Fund is the country’s leading housing financial provider for three decades. In 2010, it remains to be one of the most profitable financial institutions having generated a revenue of P22.4 billion and assets worth P278 billion. To date, Pag-IBIG is operating nationwide with 35 branches and more than 17 extension offices.

Last year, the Pag-IBIG Fund through its Employees’ Labor Association also partnered with PBSP for a supplemental feeding program that benefited 60 children in Babag, a barangay identified by the Lapu-Lapu City government as having the highest population of malnourished children.

This is the first time, however, that Pag-IBIG embarked on a CSR program by permanently adopting a community, with its Cebu South Branch taking the lead.

Teves hopes that with the success of this project, other branches nationwide will follow suit or come up with their own sustainable projects applicable in their areas of jurisdiction.

“This is our way of saying thank you to our stakeholders. With projects like this, we make sure that our funds go to something more worthwhile, which leaves a lasting effect to our community,” Teves said.

Aside from the construction of the potable water system, Pag-IBIG is also set to take part in the 2011 Reforestation Caravan kickoff on June 2011. Organized by PBSP, this activity aims to reforest at least 100 hectares of the denuded Cebu Hillylands within the year.

Upland residents to benefit from Pag-Ibig water project

Upland residents to benefit from Pag-Ibig water project 
The Freeman-Community
June 12, 2011

More than 30 households from a mountainous sitio in Cebu will have improved  access to water through the Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF) or Pag-IBIG Fund’s Potable Water System Project.

This project was made possible through an agreement between Pag-IBIG Fund Cebu South Branch and Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), which involves the establishment of a Level 2 potable water system in sitio Sayaw, Tabunan, Cebu City. 

Pag-IBIG Fund Cebu Branch Officer-in-Charge and Department Manager III Rio Teves, PBSP Visayas Regional Operations Manager Jessie Cubijano and Sayaw Farmers Association President Ricardo Labora signed the MoA last June 2, 2011 which took place at Pag-IBIG Fund -WT Corporate Tower, Cebu Business Park, Cebu City.

“As a financial institution that largely deals with housing projects, we know how important water is to every household,” Teves stated during the MoA signing.

The Pag-IBIG Potable Water System Project, worth P60,000.00, will take the form of spring boxes that collect water from springs and other natural water resources in upland areas and keep stored water safe from contamination. The project will allow for two distribution stations for the households within the area.

Under the agreement, PBSP will serve as implementing agency on the construction of the water system as well as take charge in the monitoring of the project.

“We want to make sure that our funds will go to projects that are more sustainable and our partnership with PBSP will ensure that these qualities are met,” Teves added.

The potable water system project signalizes Pag-IBIG Cebu’s commitment to adopt sitio Sayaw as its community for its following CSR initiatives through the Pag-IBIG 1-4-3 Program, a flagship initiative of the institution aimed at funding long-term projects to adopted needy communities as its expression of corporate social responsibility.

Funds for the program, which was launched in January 2011, are obtained from P500 contributions of all Pag-IBIG employees.

The Pag-IBIG Fund is the country’s leading housing financial provider for three decades. In 2010, it remains to be one of the most profitable financial institutions having generated a revenue of P22.4 billion and assets worth P278 billion. To date, Pag-IBIG is operating nationwide with 35 branches and more than 17 extension offices.

Last year, the Pag-IBIG Fund through its Employees’ Labor Association also partnered with PBSP for a supplemental feeding program that benefited 60 children in Babag, a barangay identified by the Lapu-Lapu City government as to having the highest population of malnourished children.  

This is the first time, however, that Pag-IBIG embarked on a CSR program by permanently adopting a community, with its Cebu South Branch taking the lead.

PAG-IBIG selected Sayaw as its community because of its difficult access to potable water and other basic social services. Sitio Sayaw is located approximately 10 kilometers from the Transcentral Highway, which is 25 kilometers away from the city proper. For years, residents from the sitio have to walk for hours to access water from the source.

“We are truly grateful to Pag-IBIG for this assistance. Now, we have a potable water facility we could call our own and the health of our children is secured,” Labora said.

Teves hopes that with the success of this project, other branches nationwide will follow suit or come up with their own sustainable projects applicable in their areas of jurisdiction.

“This is our way of saying thank you to our stakeholders. With projects like this, we make sure that our funds go to something more worthwhile, which leaves a lasting effect to our community,” Teves said.

Aside from the construction of the potable water system, Pag-IBIG is also set to take part in the 2011 Reforestation Caravan kickoff on June 2011. Organized by PBSP, this activity aims to reforest at least 100 hectares of the denuded Cebu Hillylands within the year.

Lim granted authority to accept GSIS donations

Lim granted authority to accept GSIS donations
The Bohol Times
June 12, 2011

Tagbilaran Mayor Dan Lim has been given authority to accept the donation of road lots and open spaces from the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS).

The authority was granted to the mayor by the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) during the session Friday.

Resolution 66-11 authorized the mayor to accept the donations in behalf of the city government and to sign instruments and documents necessary to or in relation with the said authority.

The resolution, authored by Councilor Doni Piquero, covered the donation of road lots and open spaces at Lindaville Subdivision, Phase 1 from the GSIS.

According to the resolution, the GSIS is now finalizing the documents needed for the transfer and turn-over of the said lots and open spaces in favor of the city government.

Aside from the mayor and the city administrator, copies of the resolution will be furnished to the GSIS regional manager for information and appropriate action.

Earlier, the city council also approved a resolution authorizing Lim to enter into a memorandum of agreement with the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) for collaborative coastal resource management and governance of the city’s coastal resources.

The resolution, also authored by Piquero, noted that the Local Government Code of 1991 underscores the important role of local government units as a primary target for capacity-building programs for the conservation and management of its coastal and fisheries resources.

Piquero, an environmental lawyer before his election, pointed out that Republic Act No. 8550 also known as the Philippine Fisheries Code, likewise confers jurisdiction upon the municipal and city government for the development, management and conservation of fisheries and aquatic resources within their respective municipal or city waters.

“The filed of coastal management in the Philippines has matured from sector-based strategies to broader, integrated approaches with multi-sectoral collaboration institutionalized through various legislations and policy mechanisms,” the resolution noted.

It pointed out that Tagbilaran, a coastal local government unit with a complex mix of management issues and with industrial and tourism concerns, requires multi-sectoral arrangements and plans that are developed with the participation of appropriate national agencies, private stakeholders and the community as a whole.

Piquero described PBSP as a non-stock, non-profit, non-government organization committed to poverty reduction by promoting business sector leadership.

PBSP is implementing the project called “Linking Initiatives for Collaborative Coastal Resource Management and Governance (LINC-CRMG)” in Bohol and will be implemented in Tagbilaran.

The resolution said the city government, cognizant of the substantive and vital role that these private stakeholders and NGOs play in the conservation and proper management of coastal resources, also expresses its willingness to have PBSP as partner in the management and governance of the city’s coastal and fisheries resources.

The city’s planned partnership with the PBSP would facilitate exchange of information and expertise and would provide the needed technical and financial counterparts toward the common goal of coastal management and governance, the measure said.

Kids graduate from Veco's summer program

Kids graduate from Veco's summer program
Cebu Daily News
June 11, 2011

The Visayan Electric Company (Veco) management offered free Kaibigan summer programs on basketball, swimming and cooking to the children of Veco employees.

The one-month summer program was a venue where the children learned to create and develop their social skills.

Seven-year old Mary Chevel Modesto said the cooking class made her learn how to prepare home-cooked meals. Mary can now work in their kitchen with less supervision from her mom. Other graduates of the class were Jamela Valencia, Nina Marie Caberte, Mia Kyla Aniñon, Matthe and Kristine Mei del Castillo, Imma Mariagna Tejam, Xerian Cabansay, Sharina Gonzalez and Delorisce and Angela Coloyan.

In basketball, 11 year old Keneth Klein Bardilas, said basketball is the only sport that gives him the chance to become a Most Valuable Player. Bardilas he aspires to become junior varsity of their school.

Bardilas said “It’s not about winning or losing the game, but having fun with a new set of friends.” Bardilas graduated in the basketball clinic along with 17 others.

An upcoming swimming sensation, 10 year old Nikaclaire Cuizon said the summer swimming lesson has helped overcome her fear of deep water.

Other kids who graduated in swimming classes were Justin Keith Lambo, Mary Therese, Scarlet Therese and Sean Reichen Mission, Carl Xedric Cabansay, Crystal Joy Pajuay, Krisha Lyle Flores, Jeremy Eya and Andre Eric Ching.

Eleven children graduated in cooking, 18 in basketball and 10 in swimming.

Last May 21, the Veco Kaibigans and their dependents visited Veco’s Reforestation park in barangay Tabunan, Cebu City and the Mananga Watershed Reforestation site to show concern for Mother Earth.

In coordination with the Philippine Business for Social Progress, the eco-tour participants planted trees on a hillside of the park. They were also taught how to apply vermi compost on the planted tree sapplings.

The visit was the second of their annual ecological tour.

In the afternoon, the EcoTour brought the group to Buhisan Dam, which is maintained by the Metro Cebu Water District (MCWD). The MCWD representatives briefed them on the water treatment process.

The Cemex in Naga City, southern Cebu was their last stop. The group visited the cement factory’s ecological vegetable garden where vegetables are grown through natural farming using organic fertilizers.

Deal inked for water system project

Deal inked for water system project
Cebu Daily News
June 11, 2011

More than 30 households in a mountainous sitio in the city will have improved access to water through the Pag-Ibig Fund’s potable water system project.

The project was sealed with an agreement between Pag-Ibig Fund Cebu South Branch and Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), which involves the establishment of a Level 2 potable water system in sitio Sayaw, Tabunan, Cebu City.

Pag-Ibig Fund Cebu officer-in-charge and department manager III Rio Teves, PBSP Visayas Regional Operations manager Jessie Cubijano and Sayaw Farmers Association president Ricardo Labora signed the agreement last June 2 at the Pag-Ibig Fund -WT Corporate Tower, Cebu Business Park, Cebu City.

“As a financial institution that largely deals with housing projects, we know how important water is to every household,” Teves said during the signing.

The project, worth P60,000, involves spring boxes that will collect water from springs and other natural water resources in upland areas and keep stored water safe from contamination. The project will allow two distribution stations for the households within the area.

PBSP will implement the construction of the water system as well as monitor the project.

“We want to make sure that our funds will go to projects that are more sustainable and our partnership with PBSP will ensure that these qualities are met,” Teves added.

The potable water system project signals Pag-Ibig Cebu’s commitment to adopt sitio Sayaw through the Pag-Ibig 1-4-3 program, which aims to fund long-term projects of its adopted community as corporate social responsibility.

Sayaw has difficult access to potable water and other basic social services because of its remote location.

Funds for the program, which was launched in January 2011, are obtained from P500 contributions of Pag-Ibig employees.

For years, residents from the sitio have to walk for hours to access water from the source.

“We are truly grateful to Pag-Ibig for this assistance. Now, we have a potable water facility we could call our own and the health of our children is secured,” Labora said.

Aside from the construction of the potable water system, Pag-Ibig will also join the 2011 Reforestation Caravan kickoff on June 18.

Foundation promotes environmental education

Foundation promotes environmental education
The Freeman Community
June 9, 2011

Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) promises a larger, more proactive greening event this 2011 as it introduces environmental education as another component of its annual tree-planting activity.

In partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, PBSP will kick off with the Cebu Hillylands Reforestation Caravan on June 18 at sitio Cantipla 2, Cebu City. PBSP targets to plant 15,000 tree seedlings on six hectares with more than 800 volunteers for the kickoff event.

Aside from planting tree seedlings, volunteers are encouraged to take part in various breakout activities organized during the kickoff. For this year, PBSP invited experts from Philippine Biodiversity Conservation Foundation, Inc. to discuss on the unique biodiversity of the Cebu Hillylands as well as the components of Cebu’s forests. PBSP also partnered with the Cebu Ornithological Society who will hold an exhibit on wildlife photography and discuss the mechanics of bird watching.

PBSP is the largest corporate-led foundation in the country that leads the promotion and practice of corporate social responsibility. Since 1991, the Foundation has been organizing annual reforestation caravans with help from companies and other agencies to help recover the barren areas of the Central Cebu Protected Landscape or Cebu Hillylands.

The Cebu Hillylands is a 28,300-hectare lot composed of five watershed and protected areas that span Central Cebu. It is the major source of potable water for Metro Cebu as well as home to various endemic plant and animal species and subspecies.

Through its environmental efforts, PBSP was able to reforest more than 4,000 hectares of the Cebu Hillylands with more than 10,000 volunteers from 211 institutions planting more than 10,000,000 tree seedlings.

Last year, with help from 3,700 volunteers from 100 companies, PBSP reforested more than 300 hectares with 40 native and endemic tree species.

The Foundation hopes to further increase participation of agencies, companies and individuals by bringing 5,000 volunteers to plant this year.

To date, companies and institutions who will join the kickoff on June 18 include the Philippine Institute of  Certified Public Accountants, Dedon Cebu Manufacturing Corp., PLDT Co., TMX Philippines, Inc., The Islands Group, HPOI Corp., Fooda Saversmart Corp., SMART Communications, Inc., Lexmark Research & Development Corp., Cebu Ornithological Society, Lexmark International Philippines, Inc. and Philippine Guardians, Inc.

For the following Saturdays, Yamashin Cebu Filter Manufacturing Corp., Cathay Pacific Airways, Juanito King & Sons, Aboitiz & Co., Inc., Lexmark Research & Development Corp., Taiyo Yuden Philippines, Inc., Lexmark International Philippines, Inc. and Abag sa Kalikupan, Inc. already committed to involve their employees to plant.

PBSP is still inviting more companies to join the kickoff on June 18 and the succeeding Saturdays of the reforestation caravan to meet its target to reforest at least 100 hectares of the Cebu Hillylands.

Companies and individuals can participate in PBSP’s efforts by adopting a hectare for reforestation or by bringing employee volunteers on any scheduled Saturday of the annual caravan.

The reforestation caravan will run for 18 Saturdays until October 15.

Reforestation caravan kicks off June 18

Reforestation caravan kicks off June 18
Cebu Daily News 
June 9, 2011

The Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) promises a larger, more proactive greening event this 2011 as it introduces environmental education in its annual tree-planting activity.

In partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, PBSP will kick off the Cebu Hillylands Reforestation Caravan on June 18, Saturday in sitio Cantipla 2, barangay Tabunan, Cebu City.

PBSP targets to plant 15,000 seedlings on six hectares with more than 800 volunteers for the kickoff event. Aside from this, volunteers are encouraged to take part in various breakout activities during the kickoff.

For this year, PBSP invited experts from the Philippine Biodiversity Conservation Foundation Inc. to discuss on the unique biodiversity of the Cebu hillylands as well as the components of Cebu’s forests.

PBSP also partnered with the Cebu Ornithological Society, which will hold an exhibit on wildlife photography and discuss the mechanics of bird watching. The Cebu Hillylands is a 28,300-hectare lot composed of five watershed and protected areas that span Central Cebu.

It is the major source of potable water for Metro Cebu as well as home to various endemic plant and animal species and subspecies. Last year, with the help of 3,700 volunteers from 100 companies, PBSP reforested more than 300 hectares with 40 native and endemic tree species.

The foundation hopes to increase participation of agencies, companies and individuals by bringing 5,000 volunteers to plant this year.

Companies and institutions that will join the kickoff on June 18 are the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Dedon Cebu Manufacturing Corp., PLDT, TMX Philippines, The Islands Group, HPOI Corp., Fooda Saversmart Corp., Smart Communications, Lexmark Research and Development Corp., Cebu Ornithological Society, Lexmark International Philippines and Philippine Guardians Inc.

For the following Saturdays, Yamashin Cebu Filter Manufacturing Corp., Cathay Pacific Airways, Juanito King and Sons, Aboitiz and Co. Inc., Lexmark Research and Development Corp., Taiyo Yuden Philippines Inc., Lexmark International Philippines, Inc. and Abag sa Kalikupan Inc. already committed to involve their employees to plant. PBSP is still inviting more companies to join the kickoff on June 18 and the succeeding Saturdays of the reforestation caravan to meet its target to reforest at least 100 hectares of the Cebu Hillylands. Companies and individuals can participate in PBSP’s efforts by adopting a hectare for reforestation or by bringing employee volunteers on any scheduled Saturday of the annual caravan.

The reforestation caravan will run for 18 Saturdays until Oct. 15.

For more information, interested companies and volunteers may contact Malu Largo of PBSP at 2325283 or 2325270 or via e-mail at MBLargo@pbsp.org.ph or pbspvro@pbsp.org.ph.

Cathay Pacific helps Po-o Elementary get ready for new school year

Cathay Pacific helps Po-o Elementary get ready for new school year
Sun.Star Cebu
June 9, 2011

CATHAY Pacific’s (CX) vision is to be the world’s best airline. And an important part of being the best is to be a socially and environmentally responsible company. This is why one Sunday a few weeks ago saw the CX Cebu staff taking off to Olango island led by manager-Cebu, Camilla Taylor.

The ladies and gentlemen set off in time to meet the elementary students of Po-o Elementary School who eagerly wondered what was in store for them. And they were not disappointed.

The staff had prepared a children’s party for them, complete with food, games, and prizes. A big surprise was the appearance of a mascot, the first one to set foot on the island, according to the teachers, and so, the first time for most of the kids to see one. It was truly a treat for them to see the mascot dance and entertain them.

While all this was going on, half of the CX team were busy with another project for the school – the beautifying of the Grade 3 classrooms, which were badly in need of some coats of new paint. So behind the scenes, while the kids played, half of the team had the time of their life painting the classrooms in a bright new color!

Everything came together when the games ended and the painting was done in time for all the staff to gather and distribute clothes as well as notebooks, pencils, and pad paper to all the kids. Nothing could compare to the smiles on the kids faces as they came up to receive their packs of brand new school supplies.

CX hopes that with the new supplies and the new environment, the students will appreciate the importance of an education in making a better life for themselves and in moving the country forward. The youth are truly the future of the nation and the staff of CX ended the day knowing that they had made an important contribution to that future.

This project was made possible with the assistance of the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), which made the arrangements with the Po-o Elementary School.

More water for upland barangays

More water for upland barangays:

Pag-IBIG Fund signs agreement with PBSP for

construction of two potable systems

More than 30 households from a mountainous sitio in Cebu will have improved access to water through the  Pag-IBIG Fund’s Potable Water System Project.

This project was sealed through an agreement between Pag-IBIG Fund Cebu South Branch and Philippine PBSP, which involves the establishment of a Level 2 potable water system in sitio Sayaw of upland barangay Tabunan, Cebu City. 

The Pag-IBIG Potable Water System Project, worth P60,000.00, will take the form of spring boxes that collect water from springs and other natural water resources in upland areas and keep stored water safe from contamination. The project will allow for two distribution stations for the households within the area.

 From lower left - PBSP Visayas Regional Manager Jessie Cubijano, Sayaw Farmers Association President Ricardo Labora, Pag-IBIG Fund Officer-in-Charge and Department Manager Rio Teves and Pag-IBIG Fund Assistant Officer-in-Charge for Support Services Gloria Llenos sign the MoU for the water system   

"This is our way of saying thank you to our stakeholders. With projects like this, we make sure that our funds go to something more worthwhile, which leaves a lasting effect to our community," Teves said.

The potable water system project signalizes Pag-IBIG Cebu’s commitment to adopt sitio Sayaw as its community for its following CSR initiatives through the Pag-IBIG 1-4-3 Program, a flagship initiative of the institution aimed at funding long-term projects to adopted needy communities as its expression of corporate social responsibility. Funds for the program are obtained from P500 contributions of all Pag-IBIG employees.

Pag-IBIG selected Sayaw as its community because of its difficult access to potable water and other basic social services. For years, residents from the sitio have to walk for hours to access water from the source.

"We are truly grateful to Pag-IBIG for this assistance. Now, we have a potable water facility we could call our own and the health of our children is secured," Labora said.
 

For more photos of the event, click on the icon:

PBSP cites VECO’s support for ‘green’ project

PBSP cites VECO’s support for ‘green’ project
Philippine News Agency
June 6, 2011


CEBU CITY, June 6 – The Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP)-Visayas has recognized the support of the Visayan Electric Co. (VECO) Inc., Metro Cebu’s lone power utility, for its “Save the Buhisan Watershed” project.

VECO has become the single biggest donor of the project, with its P19.4 million donation in 2010 to fund a reforestation park project in the Central Cebu Protected Landscape (CCPL), where the Buhisan dam is situated.

In 2010, VECO and PBSP entered into a memorandum of agreement for the rehabilitation, protection and conservation of the CCPL and Mactan island.

The Buhisan Watershed and Forest Reserve (BWFR) is one of the five protected areas within the 29,062-hectare Central Cebu Protected Landscape.

The Buhisan dam of the Metro Cebu Water District in Barangay Buhisan in the hinterlands of Cebu City supplies water to Cebu communities.

The other four protected areas are Mananga and Kotkot-Lusaran Watershed and Forest Reserves, and Central Cebu and Sudlon National Parks, where VECO employees have been planting seedlings of Cebu’s native trees since 2009, even before the start of the reforestation park project.

The watershed project is Cebu’s response to the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to eradicate poverty and the worst forms of human deprivation by 2015.

WB hints expansion of SMS disaster preparedness project in So. Leyte

WB hints expansion of SMS disaster preparedness project in So. Leyte 
By Bong Pedalino
Philippine Information Agency
June 02, 2011

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, June 2 (PIA) -- A high-ranking official of the World Bank (WB) was so impressed with the status of a WB-funded project on disaster preparedness using the SMS technology in this province that he hinted at expanding its coverage.

Christopher Pablo, Senior Operations Officer of the global financing institution who is on a two-day supervision mission in this province, said last night in a press conference at Kinamot sa Abgao here that he was “happy to see progress of the project,” adding that he was under the “impression the project works.”

The Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the project “Strengthening Disaster Preparedness of Southern Leyte thru SMS Technology,” in the amount of P 10 Million in coordination with Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) and Smart Communications, was signed with Gov. Damian Mercado in September, 2010 and is good for two years.

“We put emphasis on disaster preparedness and help local governments in disaster management. Hopefully we will expand,” Pablo said.

As it is, the project has been pilot-tested in nine municipalities and the city of Maasin, with five pilot barangays every local government unit.

The nine towns included Malitbog, Bontoc, Libagon, Liloan, San Francisco, Pintuyan, San Ricardo, Saint Bernard, and Hinunangan.

On June 2, Pablo and his party is scheduled to visit Malitbog to see an actual demonstration on how the communication system is applied on a simulated distress call from a cellular phone in a concerned barangay to the computer info board in the town and the province, the quick relay of information intended for fast action and response on the part of concerned authorities.

Also during Wednesday nights’s news conference, Leilani Briosos McDonough, PBSP Project Director, disclosed that the project was on track based on the pre-determined timeline, even as he admitted some setbacks in January where the system was not yet in place at the height of the torrential rains pounding the province then.

Darwin Flores, Senior Manager of Smart Communications, said his company has been trying to figure out a solution on cell signal in some isolated places, and assured measures have been duly considered so this will not pose a hindrance to the success of the high-tech project.

Cebuano stude bags biz award

Cebuano stude bags biz award
By Jill B. Tatoy
Sun.Star Cebu
June 1, 2011

A student from Cebu won in an international business competition.

Mikhail Sean Redula Bellones, a business administration student of the Cebu Institute of Technology (CIT) University, came up with the best environment-friendly business proposal to win a category in the Business in Development (BID) Challenge Philippines, initiated by the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) and Citibank.

His partner in the project is Noel Christian Cruz, an entrepreneur from Northern Samar.

Bellones, 25, of Tabunok, Talisay City, is one of the only two students that made it to the final round in the competition. Cruz, on the other hand, owns a buy-and-sell business in Catarman, Northern Samar.

Entrepreneurs
The BID Challenge Philippines offers entrepreneurs the opportunity to develop and execute business plans that improve the living conditions of poor Filipinos. It encourages entrepreneurs to come up with innovative business concepts and provides mentoring in the implementation of the plan.

Cruz and Bellones’s business plan, Junk TV Reconditioned, was one of two proposals that received the Shell Green Enterprise Award. The other awardee is Leona Fe Edelloran’s Water Lily Bags.

Cruz and Bellones proposed to recondition television sets manufactured in the 80s and 90s so that these can be used again.

Bellones told Sun.Star Cebu in a phone interview that low-income households would find the reconditioned TV sets affordable.

Proud
Alexander Franco Delantar, dean of the college of commerce of CIT-University, said he is proud of Bellones.

“We were impressed by his achievement because this is something that not everyone can attain. He is the only Cebuano that got the award. This is something that our school is very proud of,” said Delantar.

Bellones will be graduating in March 2012.

While CIT University is known for its engineering program, he said he hopes that his recognition will build up the school’s business- and commerce-related programs.

The BID Challenge held the awarding of 2010 winners at Rockwell Center in Makati City last Monday.

Bellones received P75,000. He also entered into a memorandum of agreement with the BID to implement the Junk TV proposal.

BID began in the Netherlands. It was launched in the Philippines last 2006 by Manny Pangilinan.

The competition categories are businesses with impact on the bottom of the pyramid, Shell Green Enterprise Award and Citibank BID Challenge.