PBSP inducts 8 new members

Cebu Daily News
First Posted 08:23:00 02/23/2008

AT least eight new member-companies were added into the roster of the Visayas chapter of the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) Visayas chapter, a private and non-profit organization that promotes the advocacy towards corporate social responsibility.

“Member-companies are the lifeblood of PBSP because they volunteer their resources for worthy causes,” said Jose Levi S. Villanueva, PBSP Visayas membership committee during the induction of new members held on Wednesday at the Casino Español de Cebu.

The new members are A.B. Soberano International Corp., Cebu Graphicstar Imaging Corp., Cebu Northwinds Hotel, Julie's Franchise Corp., Professional Placement and Recruitment Agency, Recovery House, Shangri-la's Mactan Island Resort and Spa and Valiant Bank of Iloilo.

Villanueva said the PBSP-Visayas started in 1970 with only 50-member companies. Now, its membership has grown to 236. The member-companies are required to allot a portion of their income for social development.

The new members signed a commitment of support that states, among others, as a “private enterprise, by creatively and efficiently utilizing capital, land and labor, generates employment opportunities, expands the economic capabilities of our society and improves the quality of our national life.”

The new members said that PBSP “shall be private enterprises’ social development arm dedicated to the empowerment of the poor and self-reliance of communities.”

During the annual meeting, a coffee table book entitled “A Better Life” was also launched.

The book introduced by Cebu Daily News publisher Eileen Mangubat is composed of success stories of PBSP member-companies, including Cemex, Penshoppe and Juanito King and Sons.

PBSP Visayas executive committee chairman Jose Antonio Y. Aboitiz also announced the group's plan to launch a race across Hilutungan Channel as part of the celebration of Environment Month.

He said the activity will also be participated by the Philippine Olympic swim team. Editorial Assistant Ma. Bernadette A. Parco