Christmas Cards Artworks Showcase

This Yuletide season, PBSP will showcase
100 Christmas-inspired artworks
by young Visayan artists.

And these timeless artworks can be yours!

Since 1991, the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP)
has collected numerous artworks and produced thousands
of Christmas cards to raise funds for the reforestation
of the Cebu Hillylands - Cebu's source of water.

Be with us this December 6 to 8, 2007
at The Northwing at SM City Cebu

(Entrance 8 Hallway, Upper Ground Floor, fronting Swiss Gear)
The opening will be this December 6 at 2:00 P.M.

For more information, you may reach the PBSP Visayas Regional Office
at +6332 2325270 or 2325283. Please look for Olive or Malu.

Art inspires.
Nature inspires.
Christmas inspires.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

See all the Christmas cards artworks at
www.pbsp-christmascards.blogspot.com

ADVISORY

Dear PBSP Members, Partners and Friends,

Good day!

We are currently updating the PBSP Visayas blog. This is in line with our goal to better inform you about the latest activities and engagements of the foundation, as well as to keep you posted on emerging priorities that PBSP is looking into. This is also in preparation for the celebration of PBSP’s 20th Year in the Visayas this coming February 20, 2008.

Kindly email your comments or suggestions to Jessie at jmcubijano@gmail.com. We hope that the PBSP Visayas blog will be part of your daily habit. Have a nice day!

Sincerely,
The PBSP Visayas Regional Office Team

Sibunag Seaweeds Project Launched

(Left. The guests and beneficiaries during the launching. Right. The billboard during the unveiling.)

“Hope floats after the oil spill disaster”.

This was the general feeling when the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) and its partner, the Trans Asia Oil and Energy Development Corporation, launched the Sibunag Seaweed Farming Project last June 1, 2007. This was done in the Municipality of Sibunag, Province of Guimaras.

The project is a part of the Guimaras Area Resource Management Program (GARMP), which is PBSP’s response to the August 11, 2006 MT Solar 1 oil spill disaster in the province. PBSP with its member companies aim to help the affected communities have access to livelihood opportunities. One of these companies is the Trans Asia Oil, which is a subsidiary of the Phinma Group of Companies, an active PBSP Member Company, based in Makati City, Philippines.

On May 31, 2007, one day before the launching, PBSP met the community leaders of the five participating coastal barangays in the Municipality of Sibunag, namely: Bubog, San Isidro, Alegria, Sebaste and Sabang, which was also co-facilitated by the Municipal Agriculture Office of Sibunag. During this orientation attended by more than 30 beneficiaries and guests, the Sibunag Municipal Agriculture Officer, Mr. Paciano Opelario, welcomed everybody and encouraged the beneficiaries to participate actively. Mr. Danilo Cerence, Manager of PBSP Visayas, discussed the project briefly.

(Left. Consulting the beneficiaries during the site selection. Right. During the project orientation.)

Further, PBSP, through its Technical Officer, Mr. Rey Oliver Perez, conducted a basic orientation on the farming practices or monoline seaweed farming. There was an open forum conducted which discussed various issues pertaining to the project.

To close the one-day orientation, Engr. Arlon Menchavez, Plant Superintendent of Trans Asia Oil, Guimaras Plant, thanked the beneficiaries for their involvement and challenged the stakeholder to implement the project to the best of their ability.

The following day, June 1, 2007, the project was officially launched, attended by more than 50 beneficiaries and guests.

PBSP, with Trans Asia Oil and the Municipality of Sibunag signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the five participating barangays, for their participation on the Sibunag Seaweeds Project. Engr. Danilo Panes, Vice President of Trans Asia Oil and Engr. Arlon Menchavez, Trans Asia Oil Guimaras Plant Superintendent, were present. Also represented were the government line agencies, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Agriculture, Department of Trade and Industry, the Guimaras Provincial Planning and Development Officer (PPDO), and the representative of the Mayor of Sibunag, Councilor Fe Segovia.

(Left. During the MOA signing with participating barangays. Right. Engr. Panes giving his speech.)

Engr. Panes delighted the guests with his speech saying his hopes for more progressive communities now with the seaweed projects. The Mayor’s representative delivered a rousing speech saying how glad the Municipality is to have received such assistance from Trans Asia Oil and PBSP. Engr. Corpuz, Guimaras PPDO delivered a short but inspiring message to the farmers. Mr. Rebecca De la Cerna, the Senior Provincial Agriculturist, delivered the closing message by telling the history leading towards the organization of the Sibunag Seaweeds Growers Federation.

Part II of the project launching was held in Brgy. Sabang, Sibunag. Guests and beneficiaries traveled to the coastal site where the project billboard was unveiled led by Engr. Panes of Trans Asia Oil. Afterwards was a ceremonial planting of seaweeds on a monoline and representatives from the participating beneficiaries placed the monoline on the sea. This showed how the project is being done.

(During the ceremonial seaweeds planting; with community leaders and guests.)

Beneficiaries and the local officials appreciated the successful two-day activities, as they consider the project a blessing after the oil spill tragedy that could help the affected communities generate additional income.

(The monoline launched to the sea after the ceremonial planting.)

The 19th PBSP VAMM

The Philippine Business for Social Progress - Visayas Regional Office is celebrating its 19th Visayas Annual Membership Meeting (VAMM) on February 21, 2007, at the Casino Espanol de Cebu.

The theme for the 19th VAMM is "Breaking Barriers" in reference to PBSP Visayas' various efforts in implementing projects aimed to integrate efforts to improve the quality of education in the country, and the various responses for disaster stricken areas. In doing these, PBSP Visayas envisions to break the barriers that hinder people from achieving prosperity and would give people ravaged by disasters a chance of a better life.

The Keynote Speaker for the 19th VAMM is Secretary Jesli Lapus of the Department of Education. He will also be the Guest of Honor during the opening and ribbon cutting ceremonies of the Education Expo and the Best of Visayas Exhibit, after the VAMM.

The BoV & Education Expo

The Philippine Business for Social Progress is inviting everybody to come and join the opening of the BEST OF VISAYAS (BoV) EXHIBIT and the EDUCATION EXPO, on February 21, 2007, at two o'clock in the afternoon at the SM City Trade Hall.

The BoV is a trade fair that gathers all PBSP assisted cooperatives, community-based organizations and micro-enterprises. Target participation of 33 coops, groups or enterprises from Bohol, Cebu, Guimaras, Iloilo, Samar and Southern Leyte.

The Educatio Expo is an education fair that provides marketing opportunities for education institutions e.g. pre-schools, elementary schools, high schools, colleges, universities and distance learning. This is also a fund-raising activity for the Coalition for Better Education (CBE). (CBE, convened by PBSP, RAFI & AGFI is a consortium of business, government, academe & civil society working for the improvement of the country’s education.) The Education EXPO is co-organized by the Coalition for Better Education (CBE).

Both activities will run from February 21, 2007 to February 25, 2007.

Everybody is invited to come and visit the booths!

New Member Companies of PBSP

Six new Visayas-based Member Companies have been recruited by the Visayas Regional Office of PBSP. These companies will be acknowledged and given their plaque of memberships during the 19th VAMM on February 21, 2007, at the Casino Espanol de Cebu. These are:

PASAR CORPORATION (ISABEL, LEYTE)

BRILLIANT METAL CRAFT (CEBU CITY)

JJ's SEAFOODS VILLAGE (TAGBILARAN CITY, BOHOL)

THE BOHOL BEE FARM

LIGHT & SHADE PHOTOGRAPHY

and the ROYAL OAKS INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF CEBU

The Launching of the SLRP Livelihood & Basic Services Projects

The PBSP Visayas Regional Office has launced the Southern Leyte Rehabilitation Program's LIVELIHOOD & BASIC SERVICES PROJECTS, last February 16, 2007, in St. Bernard, Southern Leyte. In attendance were various donors, local government officials, media (ABS-CBN & GMA 7), PBSP Officers, and the members of the New Guinsaugon Village Homeowners' Association (NGVHOA).

The Blessing of the New Guinsaugon Village's Livelihood and Productivity Center, dedicated to the survivors of the Guinsaugon Landslide. The building is funded by the Angelo King Foundation.

Giving of Certificates of Scholarship of Children's Hour to one of the 56 survivors (13 for this school year 2005-2006) for the Guinsaugon landslide. In photo are: Mr Tim Olarte, VP for the Visayas of the Development Bank of the Philippines, donor to Children's Hour; Mayor Maria Lim; Vice Mayor Felix Lim; Mrs Margarita Hopkins, President of the Congress of Visayan Organizations in Hawaii, donor to Children's Hour; and Mr Bong Esguerra of Children's Hour.

Groundbreaking of Citigroup Foundation/United Way International project, a four classroom building in the relocation site of the New Guinsaugon Village Homeowner's Association in Brgy. Magbagacay, St. Bernard, Southern Leyte. In photo, with shovels, L-R: Mr Tommy Yap, VP of Citibank and Member of the PBSP Visayas Executive Committee; Vice Mayor Felix Lim; Mayor Maria Lim; Mr Lito Baylan, President of the New Guinsaugon Village Homeowners' Association.

Other Pictures and Updates will be uploaded soon.

Secretary Jesli A. Lapus is Keynote Speaker of the 19th VAMM

Secretary Jesli A. Lapus of the Department of Education has accepted PBSP's invitation to be the Keynote Speaker for PBSP's 19th Visayas Annual Membership Meeting (VAMM). The VAMM will be on February 21, 2007, 11:00 A.M. at the Casino Espanol de Cebu.

Secretary Lapus is an apt choice for the Keynote since PBSP's theme for the 19th VAMM is "Breaking Barriers" which means that projects of PBSP on education and poverty reduction are aimed at breaking the barriers that hamper marginalized sectors to attain prosperity.

Secretary Lapus has a very illustious career in government and private sector. During the 19th VAMM, he will be introduced by Ms Eileen G. Mangubat, Member of the PBSP Visayas Executive Commitee and Publisher of the Cebu Daily News. The following is the full text of the introduction:

"AS SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, SECRETARY LAPUS HEADS NOT ONLY THE BIGGEST DEPARTMENT WHICH ACCOUNTS FOR ABOUT 30% OF THE ENTIRE PHILIPPINE BUREAUCRACY, BUT HE ALSO ASSUMES THE RESPONSIBILITY OF ADDRESSING WHAT IS WIDELY-CONSIDERED THE EXISTING EDUCATION CRISIS IN THE COUNTRY.

SECRETARY LAPUS IS THE EPITOME OF EXCELLENCE IN VERSATILITY. PRIOR TO SERVING FOR THREE TERMS AS A MEMBER OF THE PHILIPPINE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE, HE WAS PRECOCIOUS AS A TOP PROFESSIONAL MANAGER IN THE PRIVATE AND IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR. ACKNOWLEDGED FOR HIS COMPETENCY AND ADVOCACY, HE MOVED FROM A LUCRATIVE LIFE IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO DISTINGUISHEDLY SERVE IN THE CABINETS OF THREE PRESIDENTS (AQUINO, RAMOS AND ARROYO).

A CPA, MBA AND DPA, AND OTHER POST GRADUATE STUDIES FROM HARVARD UNIVERSITY; INSEAD, FRANCE; BITS, SWEDEN, AND U.C.L.A IN THE U.S.A.

SECRETARY LAPUS WAS ORIGINAL CORE FACULTY OF THE ASIAN INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT’S MASTERS IN DEVELOPMENT MANAGEMENT PROGRAM. HE HAS TAUGHT FOR MANY YEARS AT THE ATENEO DE MANILA UNIVERSITY, MARYKNOLL COLLEGE AND HAS CONDUCTED EXECUTIVE TRAINING COURSES IN INDONESIA AND MALAYSIA. "

Invitation to the PBSP 19th VAMM

The Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) Visayas Regional Office has sent invitations to 250 Member Companies, Non Member Companies, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Academe, Local Government Units and other partners to the 19th Visayas Annual Membership Meeting, on February 21, 2007, at the Casino Espanol de Cebu.

PBSP Supports Guimaras!

In response to the oil spill that happened in Guimaras in August 2006, the Philippine Business for Social Progress - Visayas Regional Office, pledged to support the affected families with the following initiatives:

1.Contribute to the attainment of the Goals of the Provincial Government of Guimaras by presenting PBSP’s rehabilitation response.

2.Mobilize and coordinate the support coming from PBSP member companies, CSR partners and local and international donor agencies for livelihood rehabilitation and other projects.

3.Interface and work with the Provincial Government, Local Government Units and other Government Line Agencies of Guimaras in implementing the livelihood rehabilitation program.

4.PBSP will propose its ARM framework in the implementation of the rehabilitation and poverty reduction program in Guimaras ARM.

5.PBSP will build the capabilities of local peoples organizations and non-government organizations.

The livelihood rehabilitation program that PBSP developed was then called the GUIMARAS AREA RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM (GARMP). The GARMP aims to ensure the economic survival of 4,019 affected fishing families in 25 barangays from the Municipalities of Nueva Valencia, Sibunag and San Lorenzo, thru the implementation of sustainable livelihood projects .

PBSP-SMC Feeding Program in Brgy. Tayud

The Visayas Regional Office (VRO) of the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), in collaboration with the Coalition for Better Education (CBE), held a joint feeding and medical mission activity in Barangay Tayud, Consolacion, Cebu. This was one of the three SMC Project Access communities, which is also CBE's adopted barangay under its iN.CUBE Project. The area is also VRO's beneficiary community of the Project i.BUILD.

The activities were held at the grounds of Tayud Elementary School. PBSP tapped SMC's food division which provided for the "pospas" good for 300 pre-school and school-age children of Tayud; while CBE brought in the South Western University's College of Medicine, Pharmacy, MedTech, Dentistry, Optometry and Nursing to provide free medical, dental, and optical check-ups. Further, free medicines and blood typing for almost 500 residents of the barangay were given and done.


During the opening program, a MOA was also signed between SWU and Tayud LGU formalising the partnership and making SWU's extension program exclusively for Tayud. Significantly also, Mr. Bryan Perilla, Supervisor of the San Miguel Foods Corporation, committed to support other activities of the barangay. Ms. Girlie Garces, VIXCOM member and SMC's Communications Officer, also graced the occasion and even volunteered to distribute the "pospas" to the children.

The said activity is a concrete example of the interplay/collaboration of the Business-Goverment(DepEd)-LGU-Academe-NGOs linkage.

Lexmark Supports PBSP's Upland Project

PBSP and Lexmark International Philippines signed a Memorandum of Agreement for a partnership for the reforestation costs, environment related project implementation, institution building to BUKID Multi Purpose Cooperative (MPC), The BUKID MPC is an assisted cooperative of PBSP's Cebu Watershed Management Program (CWMP). This project is a part of the enterprise support to include abaca production to the upland farmers who are members of the BUKID MPC.

The photo above during the MOA signing: From right: Mr. John F. Domingo, Chair of PBSP Visayas Executive Committee (VIXCOM) and President of Magellan Veneer Corporation; Mr. Paul Flutty, President of Lexmark International Philippines; & Ms. Eileen Mangubat, Member of PBSP VIXCOM & Chair of PBSP's Hillyland Committee and Publisher of Cebu Daily News.

Cebu Business Fights Poverty Through CSR

PBSP hosted the “Freedom from Poverty: Cebu Business Fights Poverty Through Corporate Social Responsibility.” The luncheon corporate event was held at the Casino Español De Cebu last August 2, 2006 and was attended by 62 people coming from 35 companies and CSR partner organizations.

During the forum, Mr. Jose Levi Villanueva of the UnionBank, Chair of the PBSP Visayas Executive Committee and Member of the PBSP Visayas Executive Committee, presented the poverty reduction and corporate social responsibility thrusts of PBSP Visayas.

The keynote speaker of the event Ms. Yolanda V. Ong, Group Chairperson of Campaigns & Grey, showcased the moral and practical and aspects of engaging in CSR. She also emphasized the importance of strategically communicating the CSR initiatives of companies and advocacy works of various organizations.

The corporate gathering was opened with the performance of the "Pandanggo sa Ilaw" by the dance troupe of the Cebu State College of Science and Technology. Towards the end, the attendees joined the PBSP Board and staff in lighting the candles as expression of support to CSR.

One of the milestones of the Forum was the show of interest of some non-member companies to implement CSR into their core business. There were also inquiries by some non-member companies on how to become a member of PBSP, to which this is being followed up by PBSP staff.

The 2006 Reforestation Campaign

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

PBSP and the Smart Schools Program

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

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

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

Partners in Learning in Cebu

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

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

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

Bohol Governor Aumentado Speaks at the MDG Forum in Tagbilaran City

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

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

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

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

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

Briefing the PBSP Member Companies in Cebu

“FREEDOM FROM POVERTY!”
Cebu Business Fights Poverty through Corporate Social Responsibility
August 2, 2006, 11:00 A.M. – 2 :00 P.M.
Casino Espanol de Cebu, Ranudo St., Cebu City

Objectives:

• CSR appreciation of MCs and NMCs and at the same time adapt to PBSP’s brand of CSR.
• Participation of at least five (5) of the 10 new member companies in any of the Visayas working committees.
• At least (5) new member companies supportive to PBSP’s various CSR projects.
• Recruitment of 10 new Visayas-based member companies.

Invitees:

• Prospective member companies;
• PBSP Member Companies;
• Members of the PBSP Visayas Regional Executive Committee; and the
• Membership Committee

Concept & Theme:

• Filipiniana, to create a nationalistic ambiance;
• Promote PBSP as a modern day expression of Bayanihan/Pakikipagkapwa;
• The dance troupe of Cebu Normal University will be invited to perform Pandanggo sa Ilaw (light to evoke hope amidst adversity /symbolize PBSP’s role in poverty reduction