.5-M desks eyed for public school pupilsBy Tarra Quismundo
Philippine Daily Inquirer
August 30, 2011
Seven years before her death, Corazon Aquino started to build yet another legacy in the spirit of people power.
As Filipino students faced another year of learning under a tree instead of a classroom, on the floor instead of seated on a chair, the former President gathered business leaders to find a solution.
The response was a project that brought close to 24,000 school desks to some 120 public schools from 2002 to 2007.
Last week, the Ninoy and Cory Aquino Foundation (NCAF) and the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) revived the program as lack of resources continued to hobble the country’s public schools.
“I am sure you have made mom very happy again,” Viel Aquino-Dee, an Aquino daughter and now NCAF trustee, said of the project that would use the Internet, among others, to reach donors here and abroad.
“I am very hopeful that all Filipino schoolchildren will soon be spending their formative years in a more conducive learning environment,” Dee said at the launch in Makati City.
Target
This time, the project aims to make a dent in the 5-million shortage in the public school system’s seating capacity, said Rafa Lopa, executive director in both NCAF and PBSP.
The goal is to bring some 486,303 seats to 2,523 public elementary and high schools in the country’s poorest provinces, mainly those in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
“We need to provide a platform where each individual (can contribute) however small it may be, (but) if put together, can really effect a lot of change,” Lopa said.
He said PBSP and NCAF wanted to reach out to individual donors this time, adding that the project mainly depended on “the usual suspects” in corporate sponsorship in its first outing during Cory Aquino’s time.
“The reason why we put this platform is also to mobilize many people who want to give. You’ll be surprised actually that many people want to help but they don’t know how. And I think it’s important to be able to communicate that this is one way for them to actually do so,” Lopa said.
Online facility
Donors may log on to www.igivebacknow.pbsp.org.ph, an online facility powered by Union Bank and managed by PBSP, to give their share either through credit card, debit or other convenient payment
“This is in the spirit of people power, and President Noy has also mentioned that everybody has to do their share,” Lopa said.
“The launch of this digital platform for individual and corporate giving is indeed a very welcome development as it could further scale up this very important school desk project named after my mother to complement many other classrooms construction projects,” Dee said.
NCAF and PBSP have long been involved in the education advocacy and are running a program to build some 10,000 public school classrooms.
Government figures show that the public school system is short by at least 60,000 classrooms to reach the ideal ratio of one classroom for 45 students.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Monday, August 29, 2011
Watershed, river plan sought
Watershed, river plan sought
By Candeze R. Mongaya
Cebu Daily News
August 29, 2011
Much work lies ahead for Cebu province if it wants to resolve its flooding and water supply problems.
Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma said this as he called on local government officials and stakeholders to draft a comprehensive water management and flooding plan to protect Cebu’s river basins and ensure the sustainability of province’s water supply.
The Central Cebu River Basins Management Council (CCRBMC) which Palma co-chairs will map plans using an ecosystems approach to river management that considers interdependent factors like forest cover and socio-economics.
According to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Central Visayas (DENR-7), Cebu province has the most number of confiscated forest products in the region this year with 126.64 cubic meters worth of wood valued at P792,758.00.
About 270 cubic meters of forest products were seized by the agency from January to July 2011 with an estimated worth of P1.4 million.
Palma said the Cebuanos should take an active part towards protecting their river basins, watersheds and forests.
“Everything is inter-related. When people are concerned and aware and will do something to solve the problem, something can be done. We need to understand the importance of water and how it can be sustainable,” Palma told Cebu Daily News in an interview.
Palma said a proper management plan is crucial to protect Cebu’s river basins in order to solve Cebu’s water woes.
In a pastoral letter last July 21, Palma called on the Cebuano flock to participate in the management and sustenance of the river basins.
“We need to actualize an action-reflection-action praxis towards integrated water resources management,” the 61-year-old prelate said.
Palma lamented what he said was the Cebuanos’ failure to be sensitive and conscientious to the water crisis.
“Complacency has no room for a long overdue homework. Cooperation and collaboration will be effective if each one understands their role and can undertake responsibility for their specific function,” Palma said.
Soccoro Artiaga, executive director for Cebu Uniting for Sustainable Water (CUSW) said raising awareness among communites is important to keep watershed development and river basin protection projects sustainable.
Artiaga and other CUSW members along with the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) led the resource and land use planning for the Buhisan watershed last week.
“We need to train the communities in watershed management and development planning and we should also be aware of the issues and concern from the community,” Artiaga told Cebu Daily News.
She said they discussed such issues as the protection of the watersheds from illegal cutters, the siltation due to lack of forest cover, planting native tree species and the hunting of endemic animals.
Among the native tree species found in Buhisan Watershed are nara, lumbang, tipolo, talu-tu and lagdub.
Artiaga said the communities weren’t consulted on the policies that were later adopted for watershed areas.
“The communities also need to feel a sense of ownership in protecting the watershed areas,” Artiaga said.
In Bohol, about 121.19 cubic meters of forest products valued at P324,376.08 were seized while Negros Oriental apprehended 19.79 cubic meters of forest products worth P271,906.07.
Most of the forest products seized were lumber, flitches, timber, log, squared timber, boat keel, firewood, logbolts, charcoal, tanbark and poles.
They were confiscated from the port areas of Tagbilaran and Talibon in Bohol, Argao, Carmen, Toledo City and Cebu City, Ayungon and Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental and in Siquijor.
Regional DENR-7 Executive Director Maximo O. Dichoso said the forest products lacked transportation documents and were mis-declared in violation of the country’s Forestry Code.
Dichoso said transport documents are important to determine the reduction of forest cover where the trees were cut down and ensure a control mechanism on the unauthorized movement and disposition of contraband forest products.
By Candeze R. Mongaya
Cebu Daily News
August 29, 2011
Much work lies ahead for Cebu province if it wants to resolve its flooding and water supply problems.
Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma said this as he called on local government officials and stakeholders to draft a comprehensive water management and flooding plan to protect Cebu’s river basins and ensure the sustainability of province’s water supply.
The Central Cebu River Basins Management Council (CCRBMC) which Palma co-chairs will map plans using an ecosystems approach to river management that considers interdependent factors like forest cover and socio-economics.
According to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Central Visayas (DENR-7), Cebu province has the most number of confiscated forest products in the region this year with 126.64 cubic meters worth of wood valued at P792,758.00.
About 270 cubic meters of forest products were seized by the agency from January to July 2011 with an estimated worth of P1.4 million.
Palma said the Cebuanos should take an active part towards protecting their river basins, watersheds and forests.
“Everything is inter-related. When people are concerned and aware and will do something to solve the problem, something can be done. We need to understand the importance of water and how it can be sustainable,” Palma told Cebu Daily News in an interview.
Palma said a proper management plan is crucial to protect Cebu’s river basins in order to solve Cebu’s water woes.
In a pastoral letter last July 21, Palma called on the Cebuano flock to participate in the management and sustenance of the river basins.
“We need to actualize an action-reflection-action praxis towards integrated water resources management,” the 61-year-old prelate said.
Palma lamented what he said was the Cebuanos’ failure to be sensitive and conscientious to the water crisis.
“Complacency has no room for a long overdue homework. Cooperation and collaboration will be effective if each one understands their role and can undertake responsibility for their specific function,” Palma said.
Soccoro Artiaga, executive director for Cebu Uniting for Sustainable Water (CUSW) said raising awareness among communites is important to keep watershed development and river basin protection projects sustainable.
Artiaga and other CUSW members along with the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) led the resource and land use planning for the Buhisan watershed last week.
“We need to train the communities in watershed management and development planning and we should also be aware of the issues and concern from the community,” Artiaga told Cebu Daily News.
She said they discussed such issues as the protection of the watersheds from illegal cutters, the siltation due to lack of forest cover, planting native tree species and the hunting of endemic animals.
Among the native tree species found in Buhisan Watershed are nara, lumbang, tipolo, talu-tu and lagdub.
Artiaga said the communities weren’t consulted on the policies that were later adopted for watershed areas.
“The communities also need to feel a sense of ownership in protecting the watershed areas,” Artiaga said.
In Bohol, about 121.19 cubic meters of forest products valued at P324,376.08 were seized while Negros Oriental apprehended 19.79 cubic meters of forest products worth P271,906.07.
Most of the forest products seized were lumber, flitches, timber, log, squared timber, boat keel, firewood, logbolts, charcoal, tanbark and poles.
They were confiscated from the port areas of Tagbilaran and Talibon in Bohol, Argao, Carmen, Toledo City and Cebu City, Ayungon and Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental and in Siquijor.
Regional DENR-7 Executive Director Maximo O. Dichoso said the forest products lacked transportation documents and were mis-declared in violation of the country’s Forestry Code.
Dichoso said transport documents are important to determine the reduction of forest cover where the trees were cut down and ensure a control mechanism on the unauthorized movement and disposition of contraband forest products.
Revival of school chairs project marks launch of donation website
Revival of school chairs project marks launch of donation website
August 29, 2011
Newsbytes Philippines
The recent re-launch of a school chairs project in honor of former President Cory Aquino also marked the unveiling of a donation website aimed at soliciting funds from Filipinos inside and outside of the country.
PBSP executive director Rafael Lopa speaks during the recent launch of iGiveBackNow as Viel Aquino-Dee and former Ambassador Bienvenido Tan Jr. listen.
The Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), a non-profit organization whose member companies include some of the country’s biggest corporations, unveiled the online giving facility recently at a simple launch event in Makati City.
The donation website, iGiveBackNow, is separate from the PBSP’s website and is hosted by UnionBank.
The online facility incorporates a number of features, including a dashboard to monitor collection information, guidance for Paypal, Facebook, and Twitter set-up to facilitate local and global donations, mobile text donation, GCash, and Smart Money to make the process easier.
The online giving facility will start off with the President Corazon C. Aquino School Desk Project as the primary beneficiary. The project is being re-launched nine years after it ended in 2007 and nine years after it began in 2002.
After providing desks and chairs to various schools from Iloilo to Basilan and Maguindanao, the project would now be targeting at least 486,303 seats for around 2,523 public elementary and high schools nationwide, mostly in the poor provinces of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
The project aims to benefit more than 5 million Filipino students who lack school desks and chairs, squatting on the floor, or sitting on one-slab benches inside their makeshift classrooms.
From 2002 to 2007, the school desk project was able to grant at least 23,259 school desks to around 120 public schools nationwide. PBSP spearheaded the project through Ambassador Bienvenido Tan, a former chairman of its board of directors.
August 29, 2011
Newsbytes Philippines
The recent re-launch of a school chairs project in honor of former President Cory Aquino also marked the unveiling of a donation website aimed at soliciting funds from Filipinos inside and outside of the country.
PBSP executive director Rafael Lopa speaks during the recent launch of iGiveBackNow as Viel Aquino-Dee and former Ambassador Bienvenido Tan Jr. listen.
The Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), a non-profit organization whose member companies include some of the country’s biggest corporations, unveiled the online giving facility recently at a simple launch event in Makati City.
The donation website, iGiveBackNow, is separate from the PBSP’s website and is hosted by UnionBank.
The online facility incorporates a number of features, including a dashboard to monitor collection information, guidance for Paypal, Facebook, and Twitter set-up to facilitate local and global donations, mobile text donation, GCash, and Smart Money to make the process easier.
The online giving facility will start off with the President Corazon C. Aquino School Desk Project as the primary beneficiary. The project is being re-launched nine years after it ended in 2007 and nine years after it began in 2002.
After providing desks and chairs to various schools from Iloilo to Basilan and Maguindanao, the project would now be targeting at least 486,303 seats for around 2,523 public elementary and high schools nationwide, mostly in the poor provinces of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
The project aims to benefit more than 5 million Filipino students who lack school desks and chairs, squatting on the floor, or sitting on one-slab benches inside their makeshift classrooms.
From 2002 to 2007, the school desk project was able to grant at least 23,259 school desks to around 120 public schools nationwide. PBSP spearheaded the project through Ambassador Bienvenido Tan, a former chairman of its board of directors.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Business fills shortages in school resources
Business fills shortages in school resourcesBy Tarra Quismundo
Philippine Daily Inquirer
August 28, 2011
Aiming to help provide schools what government can barely afford, the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) has partnered with imaging company Epson to bring learning resources to public schools in Batangas.
PBSP said it was partnering with Epson CARES [Contribution to the Advancement and Restoration of Environment and Society] to build 11 Learning Resource Centers in Lipa City and fill gaps in critical school resources.
The joint undertaking, part of PBSP’s multipronged approach to help government address school resource shortages, aims to bring desks, tables, books and other school supplies to beneficiary schools.
The project will benefit an estimated 5,503 students and some 94 teachers, PBSP said in a statement.
“This project should really be replicated because more underserved public schools are still in need of such help from the business sector,” said PBSP project officer Maria Kristia Bueno.
The partnership launched the program this month with the hand-over of library sets to San Salvador Elementary School, which has some 334 students, and Pangao Elementary School, where some 665 students are currently enrolled.
Epson president Osamu Koshiishi led hand-over rites at the schools earlier this month. Epson had funded its school supplies donation through proceeds from an earlier recycling program that collected used lead-acid batteries, PBSP said.
“[We are] so glad that Epson has a heart to raise the academic status of our youth,” said Pangao Elementary School principal Erlinda Tiquio in accepting the donation.
Other beneficiary schools of the PBSP-Epson program include Abundio, Santo Toribio, Bugtong na Pulo, San Benito Pagolingin Bata, Rizal, Malitlit-Anangi and Malagundlong Elementary Schools and Teodoro M. Kalaw Memorial School.
Long involved in the education-for-all campaign, PBSP also partnered earlier this year with the Department of Education for the construction of up to 10,000 classrooms to help reduce the shortage of more than 60,000 rooms.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
August 28, 2011
Aiming to help provide schools what government can barely afford, the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) has partnered with imaging company Epson to bring learning resources to public schools in Batangas.
PBSP said it was partnering with Epson CARES [Contribution to the Advancement and Restoration of Environment and Society] to build 11 Learning Resource Centers in Lipa City and fill gaps in critical school resources.
The joint undertaking, part of PBSP’s multipronged approach to help government address school resource shortages, aims to bring desks, tables, books and other school supplies to beneficiary schools.
The project will benefit an estimated 5,503 students and some 94 teachers, PBSP said in a statement.
“This project should really be replicated because more underserved public schools are still in need of such help from the business sector,” said PBSP project officer Maria Kristia Bueno.
The partnership launched the program this month with the hand-over of library sets to San Salvador Elementary School, which has some 334 students, and Pangao Elementary School, where some 665 students are currently enrolled.
Epson president Osamu Koshiishi led hand-over rites at the schools earlier this month. Epson had funded its school supplies donation through proceeds from an earlier recycling program that collected used lead-acid batteries, PBSP said.
“[We are] so glad that Epson has a heart to raise the academic status of our youth,” said Pangao Elementary School principal Erlinda Tiquio in accepting the donation.
Other beneficiary schools of the PBSP-Epson program include Abundio, Santo Toribio, Bugtong na Pulo, San Benito Pagolingin Bata, Rizal, Malitlit-Anangi and Malagundlong Elementary Schools and Teodoro M. Kalaw Memorial School.
Long involved in the education-for-all campaign, PBSP also partnered earlier this year with the Department of Education for the construction of up to 10,000 classrooms to help reduce the shortage of more than 60,000 rooms.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Foundations launch school desk project
Foundations launch school desk projectBy Tarra Quismundo
Philippine Daily Inquirer
August 23, 2011
MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine Business for Social Progress and the Ninoy and Cory Aquino Foundation on Tuesday launched a program aimed at filling a shortage of desks in the country’s public schools.
Reviving an advocacy of the late former President Corazon Aquino, the two groups relaunched their School Desk Project, this time tapping the Internet to reach as many donors from around the country and overseas.
Called iGiveBackNow, the project hopes to encourage individuals to contribute what they can toward filling the shortage of desks, currently estimated at five million.
Through the website www.igiveback.pbsp.org.ph, donors may give a one-time donation or regular donations via credit card, PayPal, Globe G-Cash, Cebuana Lhuiller and Western Union.
The project aims to deliver close to 500,000 monoblock desks within two years to some 2,500 public elementary and high schools nationwide, mostly in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
August 23, 2011
MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine Business for Social Progress and the Ninoy and Cory Aquino Foundation on Tuesday launched a program aimed at filling a shortage of desks in the country’s public schools.
Reviving an advocacy of the late former President Corazon Aquino, the two groups relaunched their School Desk Project, this time tapping the Internet to reach as many donors from around the country and overseas.
Called iGiveBackNow, the project hopes to encourage individuals to contribute what they can toward filling the shortage of desks, currently estimated at five million.
Through the website www.igiveback.pbsp.org.ph, donors may give a one-time donation or regular donations via credit card, PayPal, Globe G-Cash, Cebuana Lhuiller and Western Union.
The project aims to deliver close to 500,000 monoblock desks within two years to some 2,500 public elementary and high schools nationwide, mostly in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
Friday, August 19, 2011
RAFI, 10 partners back Young Minds Academy
RAFI, 10 partners back Young Minds Academy
Cebu Daily News
August 19th, 2011
The Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) entered into an agreement with six civil society organizations and four local government units for Young Minds Academy (YMA) Season 5, RAFI’s youth leadership and citizenship development program.
The agreement was signed together with the YMA scholars last Aug. 2 at the Bryant George Hall of the Eduardo Aboitiz Development Studies Center (EADSC) of RAFI.
Among the project partners are the Fellowship for Organizing Endeavors Inc., Philippine Business for Social Progress, Gawad Kalinga, Mag-uugmad Foundation Inc., Kadasig Parents Association Inc., Lihok Pilipina Foundation Inc., Cebu City and the municipalities of Consolacion, Liloan and Cordova.
These project partners will guide the different teams of YMA scholars in developing a community project and will serve as co-implementing partner should the project of their assigned team qualify for funding.
RAFI may directly co-implement some of the qualified projects through its Integrated Development unit and RAFI Micro-finance.
Since last March, the scholars underwent learning sessions on character and leadership building, creative thinking, social development, research, participatory project development, thematic input sessions, community exposures and immersion.
Each team of scholars was assigned to develop a project addressing issues and concerns related to poverty and social welfare, the season 5 theme.
The project sites were identified by the project partners.
“As we upscale and innovate in YMA, we also make the engagement of our partners more meaningful,” said Evelyn Nacario-Castro, executive director of EADSC.
This is the first time that RAFI engaged project partners in the entire project development process of the YMA scholars.
The project partners will also manage the grant of P100,000 that RAFI will give to qualified projects.
YMA, run by EADSC, is sponsored by City Savings Bank and UnionBank of the Philippines.
For more information about YMA, contact 418-7234 local 110 and look for Mel Yan.
Cebu Daily News
August 19th, 2011
The Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) entered into an agreement with six civil society organizations and four local government units for Young Minds Academy (YMA) Season 5, RAFI’s youth leadership and citizenship development program.
The agreement was signed together with the YMA scholars last Aug. 2 at the Bryant George Hall of the Eduardo Aboitiz Development Studies Center (EADSC) of RAFI.
Among the project partners are the Fellowship for Organizing Endeavors Inc., Philippine Business for Social Progress, Gawad Kalinga, Mag-uugmad Foundation Inc., Kadasig Parents Association Inc., Lihok Pilipina Foundation Inc., Cebu City and the municipalities of Consolacion, Liloan and Cordova.
These project partners will guide the different teams of YMA scholars in developing a community project and will serve as co-implementing partner should the project of their assigned team qualify for funding.
RAFI may directly co-implement some of the qualified projects through its Integrated Development unit and RAFI Micro-finance.
Since last March, the scholars underwent learning sessions on character and leadership building, creative thinking, social development, research, participatory project development, thematic input sessions, community exposures and immersion.
Each team of scholars was assigned to develop a project addressing issues and concerns related to poverty and social welfare, the season 5 theme.
The project sites were identified by the project partners.
“As we upscale and innovate in YMA, we also make the engagement of our partners more meaningful,” said Evelyn Nacario-Castro, executive director of EADSC.
This is the first time that RAFI engaged project partners in the entire project development process of the YMA scholars.
The project partners will also manage the grant of P100,000 that RAFI will give to qualified projects.
YMA, run by EADSC, is sponsored by City Savings Bank and UnionBank of the Philippines.
For more information about YMA, contact 418-7234 local 110 and look for Mel Yan.
Housing confab
Housing confab
Manila Standard Today
By Isah V. Red
August 18, 2011
The 2nd National Convention of the Organization of Socialized Housing Developers of the Philippines (OSHDP) and Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) to be held on Aug. 25-26, is topbilled by guests and resource persons assured to make it a convergence of multi-sectoral stakeholders in search of low-end housing solutions.
With the Holiday Inn Hotel, Clark Freeport Philippines, Pampanga as venue, the two-day convention targets the active multi-stakeholder participation, not only of government housing agencies, the private real estate practitioners, but also of the local government units, the commerce and trade groups, according to Engineer Jefferson S. Bongat, OSHDP national president.
President Benigno S. Aquino III has been invited to keynote the opening of the convention, with Vice President Jejomar C. Binay expected to lead guests on the second day.
The first plenary session opens with Economic Planning Sec. Cayetano Paderanga to give an overview of the role of housing under the government’s development blueprint, the Philippine Development Plan 2011-2016.
This early the following speakers for Day 1 have confirmed their attendance: Atty. Miguel B. Varela, chairman emeritus of the Phil. Chamber of Commerce and Industry(PCCI), to speak on “The PCCI as Partner of Government in Sustaining Housing Delivery;” Interior Sec. Jesse M. Robredo, “Local Government Units’ Role in Support of Socialized and Low-Cost Housing;” BIR Dep. Com. Nelson M. Aspe, “Tax Incentives to Socialized and Low-Cost Housing;” Land Registration Authority Dep. Administrator Robert Nomar V. Leyretana and LARES president Delfin T. Hallare, Jr., “Computerization of Land Titling Process.”
For his part, Atty. Christopher Ryan T. Tan, OSHDP vice president and overall convention chairman, reported that Day 2 opens with a Panel Discussion with heads of government housing agencies on initiatives to ensure an enabling policy environment and program implementation impetus to socialized housing.
The Panel of resource persons include: Atty. Antonio M. Bernardo, Commissioner and CEO, Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board; Atty. Darlene Marie B. Berberabe, president and CEO, Home Development Mutual Fund; Ma. Ana R. Oliveros, president, Social Housing Finance Corporation; Atty. Chito M. Cruz, General manager, National Housing Authority; Atty. Manuel R. Sanchez, president, Home Guaranty Corporation; and Joseph Peter S. Sison, president, National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation.
Special Guest of Honor and Luncheon Speaker is Vice President Jejomar C. Binay, concurrent Chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council.
Rounding up the list of afternoon speakers are Senator Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., Chairman Committee on Housing and Urban Development, “Updates on Legislative Agenda for Housing;” Guillermo C. Choa, president, Property of Friends, “How Developers Adapt to Limitations in Funding for Housing;” Dr. Nathaniel von Einsiedel, chairman, CONCEP, “Innovative Construction Techniques in Socialized Housing;” Benedict Balderrama, National Coordinator, PHILSSA, and Rafael C. Lopa, PBSP Executive director and Rene Fortuno, director, both on “Success Stories in Cooperative/Corporate Housing.”
Manila Standard Today
By Isah V. Red
August 18, 2011
The 2nd National Convention of the Organization of Socialized Housing Developers of the Philippines (OSHDP) and Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) to be held on Aug. 25-26, is topbilled by guests and resource persons assured to make it a convergence of multi-sectoral stakeholders in search of low-end housing solutions.
With the Holiday Inn Hotel, Clark Freeport Philippines, Pampanga as venue, the two-day convention targets the active multi-stakeholder participation, not only of government housing agencies, the private real estate practitioners, but also of the local government units, the commerce and trade groups, according to Engineer Jefferson S. Bongat, OSHDP national president.
President Benigno S. Aquino III has been invited to keynote the opening of the convention, with Vice President Jejomar C. Binay expected to lead guests on the second day.
The first plenary session opens with Economic Planning Sec. Cayetano Paderanga to give an overview of the role of housing under the government’s development blueprint, the Philippine Development Plan 2011-2016.
This early the following speakers for Day 1 have confirmed their attendance: Atty. Miguel B. Varela, chairman emeritus of the Phil. Chamber of Commerce and Industry(PCCI), to speak on “The PCCI as Partner of Government in Sustaining Housing Delivery;” Interior Sec. Jesse M. Robredo, “Local Government Units’ Role in Support of Socialized and Low-Cost Housing;” BIR Dep. Com. Nelson M. Aspe, “Tax Incentives to Socialized and Low-Cost Housing;” Land Registration Authority Dep. Administrator Robert Nomar V. Leyretana and LARES president Delfin T. Hallare, Jr., “Computerization of Land Titling Process.”
For his part, Atty. Christopher Ryan T. Tan, OSHDP vice president and overall convention chairman, reported that Day 2 opens with a Panel Discussion with heads of government housing agencies on initiatives to ensure an enabling policy environment and program implementation impetus to socialized housing.
The Panel of resource persons include: Atty. Antonio M. Bernardo, Commissioner and CEO, Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board; Atty. Darlene Marie B. Berberabe, president and CEO, Home Development Mutual Fund; Ma. Ana R. Oliveros, president, Social Housing Finance Corporation; Atty. Chito M. Cruz, General manager, National Housing Authority; Atty. Manuel R. Sanchez, president, Home Guaranty Corporation; and Joseph Peter S. Sison, president, National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation.
Special Guest of Honor and Luncheon Speaker is Vice President Jejomar C. Binay, concurrent Chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council.
Rounding up the list of afternoon speakers are Senator Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., Chairman Committee on Housing and Urban Development, “Updates on Legislative Agenda for Housing;” Guillermo C. Choa, president, Property of Friends, “How Developers Adapt to Limitations in Funding for Housing;” Dr. Nathaniel von Einsiedel, chairman, CONCEP, “Innovative Construction Techniques in Socialized Housing;” Benedict Balderrama, National Coordinator, PHILSSA, and Rafael C. Lopa, PBSP Executive director and Rene Fortuno, director, both on “Success Stories in Cooperative/Corporate Housing.”
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
NGO in Cebu inks agreement with civil society, LGUs for youth dev't program
NGO in Cebu inks agreement with civil society, LGUs for youth dev't program
Philippine Information Agency
August 17, 2011
CEBU, August 16 (PIA) -- The Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) inked a partnership agreement with six civil society organizations and four local government units for the project development phase of the Young Minds Academy (YMA) Season 5.
With the YMA scholars and the project partners they signed the agreement recently at the Bryant George Hall of the Eduardo Aboitiz Development Studies Center (EADSC). YMA is RAFI's youth leadership and citizenship development programs.
Since March 2011, the YMA scholars underwent learning sessions on character and leadership building; creative thinking and social development; research and participatory project development; thematic input sessions, community exposures, and immersion.
These allowed each team of scholars to develop projects that address issues and concerns related to poverty and social welfare, the YMA season 5 theme.
The project partners in concurrence with RAFI identified the project sites for the scholars to work on with.
EADSC executive director, Evelyn Nacario-Castro said this is the first time that RAFI engaged project partners in the entire project development process of the YMA scholars.
The project partners will also manage the grant of not more than Php 100T that RAFI will give to qualified projects. YMA, run by EADSC, is sponsored by City Savings Bank and UnionBank of the Philippines, Castro stated.
“As we upscale and innovate in YMA, we also make the engagement of our partners more meaningful,” Castro added, RAFI has always worked with internal and external partners in delivering the various components of YMA.
Partners of the program are the Fellowship for Organizing Endeavors (FORGE) Inc., Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), Gawad Kalinga, Mag-uugmad Foundation Inc., Kadasig Parents Association Inc. (KAPAI), Lihok Pilipina Foundation Inc., Cebu City, and the Municipalities of Consolacion, Liloan, and Cordova.
They will guide the different teams of YMA scholars in developing a community assets or needs-based project model and will serve as co-implementing partner should the project of their assigned team be qualified for funding.
RAFI may also directly co-implement some of the qualified projects through its Integrated Development unit and RAFI Micro-finance. For more information about YMA, please contact 418-7234 loc. 110 and look for Mel Yan. (PIA-7/MBCNewman & RAFI)
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Del Rosario dares businessmen to get involved in public education
Del Rosario dares businessmen to get involved in public education
By Lydia C. Pendon
The Daily Guardian
August 16, 2011
ONE of the country’s top businessmen and trader has hurled a challenge to the business community to get involved in elementary and high school education by helping provide accessibility and quality education to those who can barely afford to go to school.
Ramon R. del Rosario Jr., president and chief executive officer of Phinma Corporation, owner of Phinma-University of Iloilo here, said that private business in Manila and Iloilo could partner with the government in providing better education and upgrade the National Achievement Test (NAT) mean percentage score of 40, 44, 47 in science, math and English in Iloilo City’s elementary and secondary education.
The topnotch businessman disclosed that the country needs 120,000 new classrooms for public education and that the private sector could also help enhance and subsidize the training needs of teachers to improve teacher’s quality.
Del Rosario was a major speaker during the 1st Iloilo City Business Summit with the topic “World Class Education Towards Entrepreneurship spearheaded by the Iloilo City government and the Iloilo City Trade and Investment Promotions Board.
Aside from several business corporations he headed, del Rosario is currently chairman of the National Museum of the Philippines, the Makati Business Club, Philippine Business for Education (PBEd), Philippines-US Business Council, Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA). co-Chairman of the National Mission Council of de la Salle Philippines, Chairman of the Board of Advisers of the Ramon V. del Rosario Sr. Center for Corporate Social Responsibility at the Asian Institute of Management, Vice chairman of Caritas (Manila) and member of the Board of Trustees of Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), Synergeia and the PinoyME Foundation.
He is the sole private sector representative in the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) of the Philippine government.
By Lydia C. Pendon
The Daily Guardian
August 16, 2011
ONE of the country’s top businessmen and trader has hurled a challenge to the business community to get involved in elementary and high school education by helping provide accessibility and quality education to those who can barely afford to go to school.
Ramon R. del Rosario Jr., president and chief executive officer of Phinma Corporation, owner of Phinma-University of Iloilo here, said that private business in Manila and Iloilo could partner with the government in providing better education and upgrade the National Achievement Test (NAT) mean percentage score of 40, 44, 47 in science, math and English in Iloilo City’s elementary and secondary education.
The topnotch businessman disclosed that the country needs 120,000 new classrooms for public education and that the private sector could also help enhance and subsidize the training needs of teachers to improve teacher’s quality.
Del Rosario was a major speaker during the 1st Iloilo City Business Summit with the topic “World Class Education Towards Entrepreneurship spearheaded by the Iloilo City government and the Iloilo City Trade and Investment Promotions Board.
Aside from several business corporations he headed, del Rosario is currently chairman of the National Museum of the Philippines, the Makati Business Club, Philippine Business for Education (PBEd), Philippines-US Business Council, Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA). co-Chairman of the National Mission Council of de la Salle Philippines, Chairman of the Board of Advisers of the Ramon V. del Rosario Sr. Center for Corporate Social Responsibility at the Asian Institute of Management, Vice chairman of Caritas (Manila) and member of the Board of Trustees of Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), Synergeia and the PinoyME Foundation.
He is the sole private sector representative in the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) of the Philippine government.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
PEZA-MEZ inks partnership for Balik-Baterya program
PEZA-MEZ inks partnership for Balik-Baterya program
The Freeman
August 10, 2011
In a unified call for environment protection, the Philippine Export Zone Authority-Mactan Economic Zone (PEZA-MEZ) and its locators has commited 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 coordinators Oriental and Motolite Marketing Corporation (OMMC) and Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) in a forum held recently at the PEZA-MEZ session hall of Mactan Economic Zone 2, Basak, Lapu-Lapu City.
In attendance were PEZA-MEZ Department Manager of Operations Atty. Rufino San Juan IV, PEZA-MEZ CSR Head Engr. Rolando Patalinghug, OMMC CSR head Eman Ragaza, PBSP Visayas Regional Office Senior Program Officer Olive Jabido and 20 locators that already committed to join PEZA-MEZ for the cause coined 'Batteries for the Earth, Batteries for the Future Project'.
In his speech, Atty. San Juan assured PBSP and OMMC that the newfound partnership will continue to gather more locators to donate their used lead acid batteries (ULABs) 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 Philippine Recyclers Inc. 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.
Launched in 2006, the Motolite-PBSP Balik-Baterya Program intends to protect the environment through proper disposal and recycling of 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 agreement 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, enough to fund for at least nine LRCs.
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 even more significant," Daño said.
Locators that joined the program include Accuform Inc., Cebu Chip Connection, Cebu Iwakami Corp., Euro-CB (Phils). Inc., Halsangz Plating Cebu Corp., HPOI Corp., KGS Phils. Corp., Lear Corp., Lexmark International Phils. Inc., MSM Cebu Inc., NKC Mfg. Phils. Corp., Olympus Optical Products Philippines Inc., SAWO Inc., Taiyo Yuden Phils. Inc., Philippine Tonan Corp., Pacific Aeronautical Inc., Philippines Light-Leather Inc., Cebu Logitem Inc., Ina Micro Opto Corp. and Toa Kiko Cebu Corp.
Tuesday, August 09, 2011
SoLeyte Disaster Mgmt. Office to enlist teachers in SMS early warning
SoLeyte Disaster Mgmt. Office to enlist teachers in SMS early warning
By ES Gorne
Philippine Information Agency
August 9, 2011
MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte (PIA) -- The Provincial Disaster Management Office (PDMO ) in Southern Leyte will soon enlist the school teachers in the SMS technology in disaster reponse particularly in sending out alerts during inclement weather.
To properly guide the teachers on determining whether to allow the children to come to school especially during inclement weather by sending them the official weather forcasts of PAG-ASA via text messaging, Jason Calva, head of “Strengthening Disaster Preparedness thru the SMS technology project” reported during the “Action, Solusyon, Inisyatibo” radio program over DyDM this morning.
Calva said he hopes to gain the cooperation or support of the school teachers to become actively involved in the early warning during unpleasant weather conditions hence it will aide them to give proper notifications to schoolchildren.
That the schoolteachers in the province will be among the registered moblie users that will be recipient to the text messaging alerts thru the PDMO.
Earlier PDMO had coordinated with the “warning agencies” of the government, such as the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), the Red Cross, Provincial Engineer’s Office (PEO), Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), Department of Health (DOH, Philippine Information Agency (PIA) and the provincial environment office, to avail the disaster preparedness thru SMS technology, Calva said.
He shared that during the last visit of Chis Pablo, the World Bank (WB) representative, together with executives of Smart Communications and the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), it was already established an infoboard system of centralized broadcasting using text to registered mobile users has worked quite well.
The project, funded by the WB and supported by Smart and PBSP, was a pilot undertaking In the Philippines since September 2010 for two years, and the success here would mean this will be replicated in other provinces of the country, and in Vietnam, Calva informed. (opt/PIA SoLeyte/esg)
Aboitz plants 35T seedlings in nationwide tree planting
Aboitz plants 35T seedlings in nationwide tree planting
The Freeman
August 8, 2011
Team members of Aboitiz Group companies planted an estimated 35,000 seedlings in different areas nationwide during their annual simultaneous tree planting last July 23.
In Cebu, more than 500 volunteers braved the muddy and sloping terrain in Barangay Pung-ol Sibugay in Cebu City to plant approximately 17,000 seedlings of indigenous trees on a nine-hectare land.
Other sites of the tree planting included Laguna, Rizal, Compostela Valley, Agusan del Norte, Manila, Subic, Davao, Albay and Maguindanao.
“We do not only plant trees for the sake of planting. We plant indigenous trees that support and complement local flora and fauna and support a healthier ecosystem … Remember that every seedling we plant is a gift to our planet and to our future generations. We create a better world with every tree that we plant,” said Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc. (AEV) President and CEO Erramon Aboitiz, who attended the Cebu leg of the activity.
Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) Executive Director Rafael Lopa, who was present in the activity, said, “We are dedicated to the reforestation of critically denuded protected watersheds in the country as a strategy to combat climate change and to reverse the loss of natural resources. We will engage in more integrated watershed management projects … and continue partnering with you in the business community.”
The Aboitiz Group and PBSP have been partners in implementing various social development projects.
The volunteers came from the following Aboitiz Group companies: AEV; AboitizPower; Pilmico Foods Corp.; Pilmico Animal Nutrition Corp.; Union Bank of the Philippines; City Savings Bank; Davao Light & Power Company, Inc.; Cotabato Light & Power Company; Visayan Electric Company, Inc.; Mactan EnerZone Corp.; Balamban EnerZone Corp.; Aboitiz Land Inc.; Cebu Industrial Park Developers, Inc.; Metaphil International; Therma Marine Inc.; Aboitiz Jebsen; SN AboitizPower; Hedcor, Inc.; APRI; and Aboitiz Foundation, Inc.
Volunteers from Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc., Aboitiz Future Leaders Business Summit, Banilad Night High School, and Aboitiz Race To Reduce runners also took part in the event.
The simultaneous tree planting is part of AEV-Sustainability Team’s Aboitiz Passion for Reforest and Agroforest to Keep (APARK), a Group-wide biodiversity enhancement program that seeks to plant 3 million trees nationwide by the year 2015.
“Since we began our simultaneous tree planting two years ago, I am pleased to inform you that our partners have reported a 90% - 95% survival rate for trees we planted in Aloguinsan in 2009 and in Barangay Sayaw last year,” Aboitiz said.
The Freeman
August 8, 2011
Team members of Aboitiz Group companies planted an estimated 35,000 seedlings in different areas nationwide during their annual simultaneous tree planting last July 23.
In Cebu, more than 500 volunteers braved the muddy and sloping terrain in Barangay Pung-ol Sibugay in Cebu City to plant approximately 17,000 seedlings of indigenous trees on a nine-hectare land.
Other sites of the tree planting included Laguna, Rizal, Compostela Valley, Agusan del Norte, Manila, Subic, Davao, Albay and Maguindanao.
“We do not only plant trees for the sake of planting. We plant indigenous trees that support and complement local flora and fauna and support a healthier ecosystem … Remember that every seedling we plant is a gift to our planet and to our future generations. We create a better world with every tree that we plant,” said Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc. (AEV) President and CEO Erramon Aboitiz, who attended the Cebu leg of the activity.
Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) Executive Director Rafael Lopa, who was present in the activity, said, “We are dedicated to the reforestation of critically denuded protected watersheds in the country as a strategy to combat climate change and to reverse the loss of natural resources. We will engage in more integrated watershed management projects … and continue partnering with you in the business community.”
The Aboitiz Group and PBSP have been partners in implementing various social development projects.
The volunteers came from the following Aboitiz Group companies: AEV; AboitizPower; Pilmico Foods Corp.; Pilmico Animal Nutrition Corp.; Union Bank of the Philippines; City Savings Bank; Davao Light & Power Company, Inc.; Cotabato Light & Power Company; Visayan Electric Company, Inc.; Mactan EnerZone Corp.; Balamban EnerZone Corp.; Aboitiz Land Inc.; Cebu Industrial Park Developers, Inc.; Metaphil International; Therma Marine Inc.; Aboitiz Jebsen; SN AboitizPower; Hedcor, Inc.; APRI; and Aboitiz Foundation, Inc.
Volunteers from Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc., Aboitiz Future Leaders Business Summit, Banilad Night High School, and Aboitiz Race To Reduce runners also took part in the event.
The simultaneous tree planting is part of AEV-Sustainability Team’s Aboitiz Passion for Reforest and Agroforest to Keep (APARK), a Group-wide biodiversity enhancement program that seeks to plant 3 million trees nationwide by the year 2015.
“Since we began our simultaneous tree planting two years ago, I am pleased to inform you that our partners have reported a 90% - 95% survival rate for trees we planted in Aloguinsan in 2009 and in Barangay Sayaw last year,” Aboitiz said.
Summit to focus on innovative entrepreneurship
Summit to focus on innovative entrepreneurship
By Mia A. Aznar
Sun.Star Cebu
August 8, 2011
Innovative entrepreneurship will be the focus for the day-long One Cebu Business and Sustainability Summit tomorrow, with professors from the Ateneo Graduate School of Business among the resource speakers.
The business summit, which is one of the activities of the Mandaue Business Month, will feature Enrique Soriano III, who will discuss current challenges of family businesses.
Soriano, who is chairman of the marketing cluster of the Ateneo Graduate School of Business, is a senior consultant of Wong+Bemstein Business Advisory Group and was Group CEO of the Belo Medical Group, a statement from the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry stated.
As a professor, his focus is to help family businesses succeed and to educate on the need to utilize comprehensive and integrated approaches for the benefit of a family business system. He often does workshops and advisory work on family succession in business strategy in countries such as the United States, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam and China.
His colleague Jorge Wieneke III will discuss building an entrepreneurial character.
Wieneke, who is considered a veteran in the food industry, is known for conceptualizing and expanding Potato Corner.
He considers creating entrepreneurs out of the Filipino majority as his advocacy, with the “ultimate goal” of making Filipinos self-sufficient and proud of their own.
He was one of the founding members of the Association for Filipino Franchisors Inc.
He teaches entrepreneurship at the Center for Continuous Education of the Ateneo de Manila while providing mentoring and consultancy, business development and marketing for food businesses, goods and services.
Andrew Hodges of Microsoft Asia will also speak on innovations for better governance while Go Negosyo Foundation executive director Mon Lopez will discuss The Go Negosyo Quest.
Out of the box
Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s vice president for infrastructure, housing and construction, Eric Cruz, will speak on innovative public-private partnership, while Donald Lim of the McCann World group will talk about out-of-the-box marketing.
Participants of the summit will also learn the story of Human Nature from Dylan Wilk of Gawad Kalinga, and the MyShelter Foundation from its executive director Illac Diaz.
Philip Tan, vice chairman of the Visayas executive committee of the Philippine Business for Social Progress, will also explain how to do innovative corporate social responsibility.
Held in partnership with the Cebu Provincial Government, the summit will be held at the Cebu International Convention Center.
By Mia A. Aznar
Sun.Star Cebu
August 8, 2011
Innovative entrepreneurship will be the focus for the day-long One Cebu Business and Sustainability Summit tomorrow, with professors from the Ateneo Graduate School of Business among the resource speakers.
The business summit, which is one of the activities of the Mandaue Business Month, will feature Enrique Soriano III, who will discuss current challenges of family businesses.
Soriano, who is chairman of the marketing cluster of the Ateneo Graduate School of Business, is a senior consultant of Wong+Bemstein Business Advisory Group and was Group CEO of the Belo Medical Group, a statement from the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry stated.
As a professor, his focus is to help family businesses succeed and to educate on the need to utilize comprehensive and integrated approaches for the benefit of a family business system. He often does workshops and advisory work on family succession in business strategy in countries such as the United States, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam and China.
His colleague Jorge Wieneke III will discuss building an entrepreneurial character.
Wieneke, who is considered a veteran in the food industry, is known for conceptualizing and expanding Potato Corner.
He considers creating entrepreneurs out of the Filipino majority as his advocacy, with the “ultimate goal” of making Filipinos self-sufficient and proud of their own.
He was one of the founding members of the Association for Filipino Franchisors Inc.
He teaches entrepreneurship at the Center for Continuous Education of the Ateneo de Manila while providing mentoring and consultancy, business development and marketing for food businesses, goods and services.
Andrew Hodges of Microsoft Asia will also speak on innovations for better governance while Go Negosyo Foundation executive director Mon Lopez will discuss The Go Negosyo Quest.
Out of the box
Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s vice president for infrastructure, housing and construction, Eric Cruz, will speak on innovative public-private partnership, while Donald Lim of the McCann World group will talk about out-of-the-box marketing.
Participants of the summit will also learn the story of Human Nature from Dylan Wilk of Gawad Kalinga, and the MyShelter Foundation from its executive director Illac Diaz.
Philip Tan, vice chairman of the Visayas executive committee of the Philippine Business for Social Progress, will also explain how to do innovative corporate social responsibility.
Held in partnership with the Cebu Provincial Government, the summit will be held at the Cebu International Convention Center.
Saturday, August 06, 2011
Group "helps teachers teach"
Group "helps teachers teach"
By Maria Corazon Madera
The Freeman
August 6, 2011
CEBU, Philippines - While a common concern is the welfare of the students, a non-government multi-sectoral organization is focusing its efforts on helping the country’s teachers.
The Coalition For Better Education (CBE), according to Dr. Regina Galigao of the University of the Visayas College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), has helped her deal with students more effectively and invoked in them a desire to give time for community service programs.
CBE was first convened in 2001 by the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI), Aboitiz Group Foundation Inc. (AGFI) and the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) in cooperation of Cebu Normal University (CNU).
It is composed of different education stakeholders like students, faculty, government and parents. It is also a collaboration of faculty members from both public and private schools.
Its 279 members undergo trainings to improve their teaching methods and assessment of students thru lectures and discussions.
They also hold conferences and seminars such as on the use of technology like websites, where teachers can get something new to offer to students.
Nancy Tampus, a faculty member of Basak Night Highschool and a member of Global Filipino Teachers (GFT), said the group has improved them and empowered them as teachers.
CBE Executive Director Luchi Flores told The FREEMAN that they are celebrating their 10th Founding Anniversary at Radisson Blu Hotel. The celebration is highlighted by trainings aimed at helping students to increase passing rates especially in rural schools.
CBE also conducted a job fair at the SM Ground Floor.
By Maria Corazon Madera
The Freeman
August 6, 2011
CEBU, Philippines - While a common concern is the welfare of the students, a non-government multi-sectoral organization is focusing its efforts on helping the country’s teachers.
The Coalition For Better Education (CBE), according to Dr. Regina Galigao of the University of the Visayas College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), has helped her deal with students more effectively and invoked in them a desire to give time for community service programs.
CBE was first convened in 2001 by the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI), Aboitiz Group Foundation Inc. (AGFI) and the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) in cooperation of Cebu Normal University (CNU).
It is composed of different education stakeholders like students, faculty, government and parents. It is also a collaboration of faculty members from both public and private schools.
Its 279 members undergo trainings to improve their teaching methods and assessment of students thru lectures and discussions.
They also hold conferences and seminars such as on the use of technology like websites, where teachers can get something new to offer to students.
Nancy Tampus, a faculty member of Basak Night Highschool and a member of Global Filipino Teachers (GFT), said the group has improved them and empowered them as teachers.
CBE Executive Director Luchi Flores told The FREEMAN that they are celebrating their 10th Founding Anniversary at Radisson Blu Hotel. The celebration is highlighted by trainings aimed at helping students to increase passing rates especially in rural schools.
CBE also conducted a job fair at the SM Ground Floor.
Balik-Baterya Program gets boost
Balik-Baterya Program gets boost
Cebu Daily News
August 6, 2011
In a unified call for environment protection, the Philippine Export Zone Authority-Mactan Economic Zone (PEZA-MEZ) and its locators sealed its commitment to support the Balik-Baterya Program by donating all its used batteries for the cause.
The PEZA-MEZ and Balik-Baterya coordinators Oriental and Motolite Marketing Corporation (OMMC) and Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) signed an agreement during a forum held recently at the PEZA-MEZ session hall of Mactan Economic Zone 2, in barangay Basak, Lapu-Lapu City.
Present at the signing were PEZA-MEZ’s department manager of operations lawyer Rufino San Juan IV, corporate social responsiblity (CSR) head engineer Rolando Patalinghug, OMMC CSR head Eman Ragaza, PBSP Visayas Regional Office senior program officer Olive Jabido and the 20 locators.
In his speech, lawyer San Juan assured PBSP and OMMC that the 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 as 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 Philippine Recyclers Inc. and Motolite as partners, we know that our used lead acid batteries (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.
Launched in 2006, the Motolite-PBSP Balik-Baterya Program aims to protect the environment through proper disposal and recycling of 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, such as mini-libraries that include a table, chairs and a bookshelf filled with books and supplementary instructional materials on basic academic subjects.
The signing of agreement also marked the start of collection of used batteries donated by the 20 PEZA-MEZ locators.
The donation of more than 16 tons of ULABs, which could generate more than P380,000, is enough to fund for at least nine LRCs.
To make the program more sustainable, PEZA-MEZ plans to schedule quarterly collections for its locators in a year.
Locators that joined the program include Accuform Inc., Cebu Chip Connection, Cebu Iwakami Corp., Euro-CB (Phils). Inc., Halsangz Plating Cebu Corp., HPOI Corp., KGS Phils. Corp., Lear Corp., Lexmark International Phils. Inc., MSM Cebu Inc., NKC Mfg. Phils. Corp., Olympus Optical Products Philippines Inc., SAWO Inc., Taiyo Yuden Phils. Inc., Philippine Tonan Corp., Pacific Aeronautical Inc., Philippines Light-Leather Inc., Cebu Logitem Inc., Ina Micro Opto Corp. and Toa Kiko Cebu Corp.
Cebu Daily News
August 6, 2011
In a unified call for environment protection, the Philippine Export Zone Authority-Mactan Economic Zone (PEZA-MEZ) and its locators sealed its commitment to support the Balik-Baterya Program by donating all its used batteries for the cause.
The PEZA-MEZ and Balik-Baterya coordinators Oriental and Motolite Marketing Corporation (OMMC) and Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) signed an agreement during a forum held recently at the PEZA-MEZ session hall of Mactan Economic Zone 2, in barangay Basak, Lapu-Lapu City.
Present at the signing were PEZA-MEZ’s department manager of operations lawyer Rufino San Juan IV, corporate social responsiblity (CSR) head engineer Rolando Patalinghug, OMMC CSR head Eman Ragaza, PBSP Visayas Regional Office senior program officer Olive Jabido and the 20 locators.
In his speech, lawyer San Juan assured PBSP and OMMC that the 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 as 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 Philippine Recyclers Inc. and Motolite as partners, we know that our used lead acid batteries (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.
Launched in 2006, the Motolite-PBSP Balik-Baterya Program aims to protect the environment through proper disposal and recycling of 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, such as mini-libraries that include a table, chairs and a bookshelf filled with books and supplementary instructional materials on basic academic subjects.
The signing of agreement also marked the start of collection of used batteries donated by the 20 PEZA-MEZ locators.
The donation of more than 16 tons of ULABs, which could generate more than P380,000, is enough to fund for at least nine LRCs.
To make the program more sustainable, PEZA-MEZ plans to schedule quarterly collections for its locators in a year.
Locators that joined the program include Accuform Inc., Cebu Chip Connection, Cebu Iwakami Corp., Euro-CB (Phils). Inc., Halsangz Plating Cebu Corp., HPOI Corp., KGS Phils. Corp., Lear Corp., Lexmark International Phils. Inc., MSM Cebu Inc., NKC Mfg. Phils. Corp., Olympus Optical Products Philippines Inc., SAWO Inc., Taiyo Yuden Phils. Inc., Philippine Tonan Corp., Pacific Aeronautical Inc., Philippines Light-Leather Inc., Cebu Logitem Inc., Ina Micro Opto Corp. and Toa Kiko Cebu Corp.
Cebu river basin council formed
Cebu river basin council formed
By Hazel F. Gloria
Manila Standard Today
August 6, 2011
CEBU CITY—The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has gathered a multi-sectoral group to form the Central Cebu River Basins Management Council as a driver for economic growth.
“This partnership with local executives of Cebu, national government agencies, and other stakeholders is proof that the DENR is serious and relentless in the pursuit of our mandate for an integrated watershed management as a national strategy,” said Maximo Dichoso, DENR Region 7 executive director.
He cited the overarching concern of Cebuanos over access to water as a key factor in health, social welfare, and economic progress.
Dichoso said water supply for domestic, industrial and agricultural use was showing increased salinity in lowland urban aquifers.
The morandum of cooperation of 37 representative sectors called for rehabilitation, protection and conservation of the river basins, recognizing that “the process of and Integrated Water Resources Management promotes the coordinated development and management of water, land and related resources.”
The memorandum signing was led by Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, Talisay City Mayor Socrates Fernandez, Toledo City Mayor Aurelio Espinosa, and Danao City Mayor Ramon Durano Jr.
“We will seek the endorsement of the Regional Development Council-7 for support and in order to strengthen the organization also,” Dichoso said.
They were joined by Asturias Mayor Alan Adlawan, Balamban Mayor Ace Stefan Binghay, Compostela Officer-in-Charge and Department of Interior and Local Government-7 Regional Director Pedro Noval Jr., Consolacion Mayor Teresa Alegado, Liloan Mayor Vincent Duke Frasco.
Participating agency heads included Metro Cebu Water District general manager Armando Paredes; Agriculture-7 regional executive director Leo Cañeda; Health-7 regional director Susana Madarieta; DPWH-7 director Pedro Herrera Jr.; TESDA-7 director Rosanna Urdaneta; NIA-7 director Diosdado Rosales; BFAR-7 head Andres Bojos; and lawyer Cesar Olaer, finance department.
The advocacy groups were represented by William Granert of Soil and Water Conservation Foundation Inc.; Jose Gapas, Mag-uugmad Foundation; Renato de Rueda, Cebu Biodiversity Conservation Foundation; Rafael Lopa, Philippine Business for Social Progress; Joy Caceres, Environmental Legal Assistance Center; Evelyn Castro, Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc.; Fe Walag, University of San Carlos-Water Resources Center; Fr. Mar Alingasa; Cebu Uniting for Sustainable Water executive director Socorro Atega; and Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Samuel Chioson.
By Hazel F. Gloria
Manila Standard Today
August 6, 2011
CEBU CITY—The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has gathered a multi-sectoral group to form the Central Cebu River Basins Management Council as a driver for economic growth.
“This partnership with local executives of Cebu, national government agencies, and other stakeholders is proof that the DENR is serious and relentless in the pursuit of our mandate for an integrated watershed management as a national strategy,” said Maximo Dichoso, DENR Region 7 executive director.
He cited the overarching concern of Cebuanos over access to water as a key factor in health, social welfare, and economic progress.
Dichoso said water supply for domestic, industrial and agricultural use was showing increased salinity in lowland urban aquifers.
The morandum of cooperation of 37 representative sectors called for rehabilitation, protection and conservation of the river basins, recognizing that “the process of and Integrated Water Resources Management promotes the coordinated development and management of water, land and related resources.”
The memorandum signing was led by Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, Talisay City Mayor Socrates Fernandez, Toledo City Mayor Aurelio Espinosa, and Danao City Mayor Ramon Durano Jr.
“We will seek the endorsement of the Regional Development Council-7 for support and in order to strengthen the organization also,” Dichoso said.
They were joined by Asturias Mayor Alan Adlawan, Balamban Mayor Ace Stefan Binghay, Compostela Officer-in-Charge and Department of Interior and Local Government-7 Regional Director Pedro Noval Jr., Consolacion Mayor Teresa Alegado, Liloan Mayor Vincent Duke Frasco.
Participating agency heads included Metro Cebu Water District general manager Armando Paredes; Agriculture-7 regional executive director Leo Cañeda; Health-7 regional director Susana Madarieta; DPWH-7 director Pedro Herrera Jr.; TESDA-7 director Rosanna Urdaneta; NIA-7 director Diosdado Rosales; BFAR-7 head Andres Bojos; and lawyer Cesar Olaer, finance department.
The advocacy groups were represented by William Granert of Soil and Water Conservation Foundation Inc.; Jose Gapas, Mag-uugmad Foundation; Renato de Rueda, Cebu Biodiversity Conservation Foundation; Rafael Lopa, Philippine Business for Social Progress; Joy Caceres, Environmental Legal Assistance Center; Evelyn Castro, Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc.; Fe Walag, University of San Carlos-Water Resources Center; Fr. Mar Alingasa; Cebu Uniting for Sustainable Water executive director Socorro Atega; and Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Samuel Chioson.
Taking it from the birds
Taking it from the birds
By Erma M. Cuizon
Sun.Star Cebu
August 6, 2011
CONCERN about nature and our world goes back before Christ.
Like in the Middle East in what Arabs called the Arab Agricultural Revolution in the 8th century, there was concern. Up to the modern times, there was the Great Smog in 1952 that affected London and killed 4,000 people, there was concern.
So now, how come it has taken us so long to do something about our environment? Do we need more natural disasters for us to worry (or do something) about our abuse of the ecosystem, asks one environmentalist.
Nilo Arribas, Jr. is a member of a group called Wild Birds Club of the Philippines who helps neighbors and the public realize the range of our environmental problem, from the point of view of birds.
He grew up in a small city in Mindanao as a boy who expected his parents to give him caged birds as gifts to make him happy.
As a boy, he never realized that the alimokon (brown fruit dove) inside the cage was unhappy. As with other birds, a caged one would have just the right colors, it jumped or flew gracefully in its wild life, it was a living toy for a small boy, or it was a friend for him, but a trapped friend. Then Arribas would later realize the bird was unhappy in his trap of a cage.
Arribas is a member of the wild birds club, which started as a small group of friends in Manila who’d come together for coffee along Roxas Blvd. to watch birds fly by for an hour or more. Then the club organized guided bird tours to the mudflats, like where the Mall of Asia is now, like in places where the sea and river meet, or mangrove areas.
But why care about birds?
In a world without birds, who’d eat insect pests and weed seeds? Some birds are scavengers, helpful in the problems of basura in the city. They also help pollinate flowers and other plants, moving seeds from one place to another and propagating trees in their own way, away from the mother tree, flushing the natural surroundings over and over again into lush growths of greens.
And they give us food, of course, like the chickens and ducks.
But the most interesting thing about birds is the story of bird migrants, which travel across the world annually like you haven’t done, not even on a plane, to cross from the cold countries in the northern hemisphere during winter, to Japan, passing by (to stay a few weeks or a month, or more months) the Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary in Mactan, Cebu.
A photo exhibit put up last July at SM Cebu was probably one of its kind; an exhibit of migratory bird photos photographed by bird lovers. It opened with words from poet Simeon Dumdum, Jr., author of “If I Write You This Poem, Will You Let It Fly,” which is a book of poems on 129 kinds of birds in our life.
The exhibit was undertaken by the Philippine Business for Social Progress, MDR Microware Sales Inc., SM City Cebu, Pacific Online Systems, Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. and the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines.
Has your grandma seen a photo exhibit of birds with bird-loving amateur photographers as participants? Not photos of tamsi (sun bird) nor goryon (sparrow) but Chinese egrets, Asiatic dowitchers, plovers, sandpipers and others of the world-traveling kind. The migratory birds come once a year to refuel and stay away from the winter and keep warm in Olango Island until it is time to go back to their nesting grounds in China, Siberia, or Alaska.
And again, the thought is simple. You could let it hit you as easily as the tamsi hums, as the sayaw dances, or the manatad swoops. God gave us his creation for us to take care of it and we get what we deserve if we don’t.
So now, shouldn’t we take it from the birds?
By Erma M. Cuizon
Sun.Star Cebu
August 6, 2011
CONCERN about nature and our world goes back before Christ.
Like in the Middle East in what Arabs called the Arab Agricultural Revolution in the 8th century, there was concern. Up to the modern times, there was the Great Smog in 1952 that affected London and killed 4,000 people, there was concern.
So now, how come it has taken us so long to do something about our environment? Do we need more natural disasters for us to worry (or do something) about our abuse of the ecosystem, asks one environmentalist.
Nilo Arribas, Jr. is a member of a group called Wild Birds Club of the Philippines who helps neighbors and the public realize the range of our environmental problem, from the point of view of birds.
He grew up in a small city in Mindanao as a boy who expected his parents to give him caged birds as gifts to make him happy.
As a boy, he never realized that the alimokon (brown fruit dove) inside the cage was unhappy. As with other birds, a caged one would have just the right colors, it jumped or flew gracefully in its wild life, it was a living toy for a small boy, or it was a friend for him, but a trapped friend. Then Arribas would later realize the bird was unhappy in his trap of a cage.
Arribas is a member of the wild birds club, which started as a small group of friends in Manila who’d come together for coffee along Roxas Blvd. to watch birds fly by for an hour or more. Then the club organized guided bird tours to the mudflats, like where the Mall of Asia is now, like in places where the sea and river meet, or mangrove areas.
But why care about birds?
In a world without birds, who’d eat insect pests and weed seeds? Some birds are scavengers, helpful in the problems of basura in the city. They also help pollinate flowers and other plants, moving seeds from one place to another and propagating trees in their own way, away from the mother tree, flushing the natural surroundings over and over again into lush growths of greens.
And they give us food, of course, like the chickens and ducks.
But the most interesting thing about birds is the story of bird migrants, which travel across the world annually like you haven’t done, not even on a plane, to cross from the cold countries in the northern hemisphere during winter, to Japan, passing by (to stay a few weeks or a month, or more months) the Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary in Mactan, Cebu.
A photo exhibit put up last July at SM Cebu was probably one of its kind; an exhibit of migratory bird photos photographed by bird lovers. It opened with words from poet Simeon Dumdum, Jr., author of “If I Write You This Poem, Will You Let It Fly,” which is a book of poems on 129 kinds of birds in our life.
The exhibit was undertaken by the Philippine Business for Social Progress, MDR Microware Sales Inc., SM City Cebu, Pacific Online Systems, Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. and the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines.
Has your grandma seen a photo exhibit of birds with bird-loving amateur photographers as participants? Not photos of tamsi (sun bird) nor goryon (sparrow) but Chinese egrets, Asiatic dowitchers, plovers, sandpipers and others of the world-traveling kind. The migratory birds come once a year to refuel and stay away from the winter and keep warm in Olango Island until it is time to go back to their nesting grounds in China, Siberia, or Alaska.
And again, the thought is simple. You could let it hit you as easily as the tamsi hums, as the sayaw dances, or the manatad swoops. God gave us his creation for us to take care of it and we get what we deserve if we don’t.
So now, shouldn’t we take it from the birds?
Friday, August 05, 2011
PEZA locators donate used batteries, fund mini-libraries
PEZA locators donate used batteries, fund mini-libraries
By Fayette C. Riñen
Philippine Information Agency
August 4, 2011
CEBU CITY, August 4 – Twenty locators at the Philippine Export Zone Authority-Mactan Economic Zone (PEZA-MEZ) in Lapulapu City, Cebu donated more than 16 tons of used batteries to support the project dubbed ‘Balik Baterya’ Program that aims to establish learning resource centers (LRCs) for poor children, and at the same time to protect the environment.
An initiative of the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) and Oriental & Motolite Marketing Corporation (OMMC), the program is a unified call for environmental protection through proper waste disposal and recycling of used lead acid batteries (ULABs) as well as improve the quality of learning among pupils by establishing LRCs.
ULABs donated by companies are bought by OMMC and the proceeds are used to fund the establishment of 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 more than 16 tons of used batteries donated by the PEZA-MEZ locators could generate more than P380,000 which is enough to fund at least nine LRCs, the PBSP said.
The donation on the other hand, was made possible through a memorandum of agreement signed between the PEZA-MEZ and program coordinators PBSP and OMMC in a forum held recently at the PEZA-MEZ session hall.
“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,” PEZA-MEZ Department Manager of Operations Atty. Rufino San Juan IV said.
PEZA-MEZ Environment, Health and Safety Officer Verna Luz Daño on the other hand, 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.”
The signing of the MOA also marked the start of collection of used batteries donated by the 20 PEZA-MEZ locators as the newfound partnership expressed hopes that other locators will follow suit. While to make the program more sustainable, the latter plans to schedule quarterly collections for its locators in a year, this is learned.
“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.
The Motolite-PBSP Balik Baterya Program was launched in 2006.
Pres. Aquino meanwhile, placed emphasis on environment and education as priority thrusts of his administration.
The said forum was attended by PEZA-MEZ Department Manager of Operations Atty. Rufino San Juan IV, PEZA-MEZ CSR Head Engr. Rolando Patalinghug, OMMC CSR Head Eman Ragaza, PBSP Visayas Regional Office Senior Program Officer Olive Jabido and 20 locators that already committed to join PEZA-MEZ for the cause coined ‘Batteries for the Earth, Batteries for the Future Project.’(PIA 7-Cebu with Reggie Marie Barrientos of PBSP)
By Fayette C. Riñen
Philippine Information Agency
August 4, 2011
CEBU CITY, August 4 – Twenty locators at the Philippine Export Zone Authority-Mactan Economic Zone (PEZA-MEZ) in Lapulapu City, Cebu donated more than 16 tons of used batteries to support the project dubbed ‘Balik Baterya’ Program that aims to establish learning resource centers (LRCs) for poor children, and at the same time to protect the environment.
An initiative of the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) and Oriental & Motolite Marketing Corporation (OMMC), the program is a unified call for environmental protection through proper waste disposal and recycling of used lead acid batteries (ULABs) as well as improve the quality of learning among pupils by establishing LRCs.
ULABs donated by companies are bought by OMMC and the proceeds are used to fund the establishment of 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 more than 16 tons of used batteries donated by the PEZA-MEZ locators could generate more than P380,000 which is enough to fund at least nine LRCs, the PBSP said.
The donation on the other hand, was made possible through a memorandum of agreement signed between the PEZA-MEZ and program coordinators PBSP and OMMC in a forum held recently at the PEZA-MEZ session hall.
“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,” PEZA-MEZ Department Manager of Operations Atty. Rufino San Juan IV said.
PEZA-MEZ Environment, Health and Safety Officer Verna Luz Daño on the other hand, 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.”
The signing of the MOA also marked the start of collection of used batteries donated by the 20 PEZA-MEZ locators as the newfound partnership expressed hopes that other locators will follow suit. While to make the program more sustainable, the latter plans to schedule quarterly collections for its locators in a year, this is learned.
“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.
The Motolite-PBSP Balik Baterya Program was launched in 2006.
Pres. Aquino meanwhile, placed emphasis on environment and education as priority thrusts of his administration.
The said forum was attended by PEZA-MEZ Department Manager of Operations Atty. Rufino San Juan IV, PEZA-MEZ CSR Head Engr. Rolando Patalinghug, OMMC CSR Head Eman Ragaza, PBSP Visayas Regional Office Senior Program Officer Olive Jabido and 20 locators that already committed to join PEZA-MEZ for the cause coined ‘Batteries for the Earth, Batteries for the Future Project.’(PIA 7-Cebu with Reggie Marie Barrientos of PBSP)
Thursday, August 04, 2011
Firms join hand in Balik Baterya Project
Firms join hand in Balik Baterya Project
Sun.Star Cebu
August 3, 2011
NKC Manufacturing Philippines Corp., a manufacturing company in Mactan Economic Zone 2, Basak, Lapu-Lapu City recently partnered with the joint Balik Baterya Project of Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) and Oriental and Motolite Marketing Corporation (OMMC).
Used lead-acid batteries (ULABs) were disposed through the joint project in order to properly recycle the hazardous lead content of these batteries.
Motolite will then donate a financial amount to PBSP for the equivalent scrap value of the disposed batteries.
The partnership of NKC and PBSP will use the proceeds for the joint Basic Education Project, which covers donation of books to a public elementary school in Lapu-Lapu.
The project will also provide trainings for teachers to enhance their skills.
Last June, NKC anti-pollution committee headed by Edmond Ouano, who also serves as the company's environmental officer, disposed about 2,000 kilos of used batteries for recycling.
Sun.Star Cebu
August 3, 2011
NKC Manufacturing Philippines Corp., a manufacturing company in Mactan Economic Zone 2, Basak, Lapu-Lapu City recently partnered with the joint Balik Baterya Project of Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) and Oriental and Motolite Marketing Corporation (OMMC).
Used lead-acid batteries (ULABs) were disposed through the joint project in order to properly recycle the hazardous lead content of these batteries.
Motolite will then donate a financial amount to PBSP for the equivalent scrap value of the disposed batteries.
The partnership of NKC and PBSP will use the proceeds for the joint Basic Education Project, which covers donation of books to a public elementary school in Lapu-Lapu.
The project will also provide trainings for teachers to enhance their skills.
Last June, NKC anti-pollution committee headed by Edmond Ouano, who also serves as the company's environmental officer, disposed about 2,000 kilos of used batteries for recycling.
Wednesday, August 03, 2011
Trader dares business community to provide education
Trader dares business community to provide education
By Lydia C. Pendon
Sun.Star Iloilo
August 2, 2011
ONE of the country's top businessmen challenged the business community in Iloilo City to provide accessible and quality education to those who can barely afford to go to school.
Ramon R. del Rosario Jr., president and chief executive officer of Phinma Corporation and owner of Phinma-University of Iloilo, said private businesses in Manila and Iloilo could partner with the government in providing better education and in upgrading the National Achievement Test (NAT) mean percentage score in Science, Math and English in Iloilo City's elementary and secondary education.
Del Rosario said the country needs 120,000 new classrooms for public education and that the private sector could also help enhance and subsidize the training needs of teachers to improve teaching quality.
He lauded the efforts of city Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog and assured that Phinma will be active with limitless business opportunities for the city.
"Phinma affirms commitment and access to quality education in a developing [the] city [that] seeks better quality of life for its people. Phinma offers no frills education but right facilities and learning materials that will expand higher education," del Rosario said.
Aside from several business corporations he headed, del Rosario is currently chairman of the National Museum of the Philippines, the Makati Business Club, Philippine Business for Education, Philippines-US Business Council, Philippine Educational Theater Association.
He also is the co-chairman of the National Mission Council of de la Salle Philippines, chairman of the Board of Advisers of the Ramon V. del Rosario Sr. Center for Corporate Social Responsibility at the Asian Institute of Management, vice chairman of Caritas (Manila), and member of the Board of Trustees of Philippine Business for Social Progress, Synergeia and PinoyME Foundation.
By Lydia C. Pendon
Sun.Star Iloilo
August 2, 2011
ONE of the country's top businessmen challenged the business community in Iloilo City to provide accessible and quality education to those who can barely afford to go to school.
Ramon R. del Rosario Jr., president and chief executive officer of Phinma Corporation and owner of Phinma-University of Iloilo, said private businesses in Manila and Iloilo could partner with the government in providing better education and in upgrading the National Achievement Test (NAT) mean percentage score in Science, Math and English in Iloilo City's elementary and secondary education.
Del Rosario said the country needs 120,000 new classrooms for public education and that the private sector could also help enhance and subsidize the training needs of teachers to improve teaching quality.
He lauded the efforts of city Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog and assured that Phinma will be active with limitless business opportunities for the city.
"Phinma affirms commitment and access to quality education in a developing [the] city [that] seeks better quality of life for its people. Phinma offers no frills education but right facilities and learning materials that will expand higher education," del Rosario said.
Aside from several business corporations he headed, del Rosario is currently chairman of the National Museum of the Philippines, the Makati Business Club, Philippine Business for Education, Philippines-US Business Council, Philippine Educational Theater Association.
He also is the co-chairman of the National Mission Council of de la Salle Philippines, chairman of the Board of Advisers of the Ramon V. del Rosario Sr. Center for Corporate Social Responsibility at the Asian Institute of Management, vice chairman of Caritas (Manila), and member of the Board of Trustees of Philippine Business for Social Progress, Synergeia and PinoyME Foundation.
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