Images of the 20th VAMM - Part 2

Fight corruption, poverty

Sun Star Cebu
February 21, 2008

COMPANIES in Cebu must fight corruption and assist marginalized sectors as part of their respective corporate social responsibility (CSR) program.

“You must undertake systematic advocacies by partnering with other stakeholders in resolving issues, like corruption, by actively shaping up regulations to guide the industry,” Nileema Noble, United Nations (UN) resident coordinator, told members of the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP).

While many companies have included education, health and nutrition in their CSR programs, Noble urge local business stakeholders to strongly lobby for regulations to fight corrupt practices, even within private institutions, as corruption has “severely affected” the Philippine economy.

Noble was keynote speaker during the PBSP 20th Visayas Annual Membership Meeting held at the Casino Español de Cebu yesterday.

Noble said the UN is willing to partner with PBSP in fighting poverty, and promoting corporate citizenship and leadership in CSR in the private sector.

MDG's

She said the UN has partnered with private organizations to realize the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which aims to reduce poverty and human deprivation by 2015.

“We are willing to work for a win-win situation with PBSP,” Noble said.

In her speech, she said PBSP has to establish more private-public partnerships to be able to implement more projects related to education, reproductive health and maternal deaths.

She also urged local businesses to launch a collective effort to scale up each other’s best CSR practices.

Noble said local businesses must now consider opening more business opportunities for those belonging to the “bottom of the pyramid,” which she described as a market of full potential but is generally under-utilized.

“These poor consumers usually pay far more than high-end consumers for basic commodities yet the quality of their goods and services are substandard,” she said.

Human terms

“CSR is doing business on humane terms. There should be a shift from business enterprise to duty bearers, from consumers to claim holders, from profit to human development,” Noble stressed.

PBSP Visayas executive committee chair Jose Antonio Aboitiz said the organization will undertake more CSR projects on business empowerment alongside community development, in line with the theme of this year’s annual membership meeting which is: “20/20: Looking Ahead.”

PBSP is a private, non-profit foundation dedicated to promoting business sector commitment to social development and poverty alleviation. It was organized in 1970 and was launched locally in 1988.

It has 235 member companies nationwide and at least 100 have operations in the Visayas region, covering different sectors like oil firms, real estate, malls, food and beverage, banks and telecommunications, among others.

Since 1987, PBSP Visayas has implemented 1,279 projects worth more than P453 million that benefited more than 41,000 households. (MMM)

PBSP in the Visayas' Coffee Table Book Project

Inspire us with your CSR story!

A Better Life
Stories of Corporate Social Responsibility

The PBSP in the Visayas Coffee Table Book Project
Millions of Filipinos have realized the dignity of life because of the tireless commitment of Philippine business to human development. The breadth of assistance cascaded to many underprivileged communities is remarkable. Through this book, PBSP celebrates the lives that became better and looks forward to brighter years ahead.

A Better Life, Stories of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a celebration of PBSP’s 20 years of meaningful presence in the Visayas. It is also a testament to
Philippine business’ CSR.

The dimensions of the coffee table book are 9 x 12 inches (landscape) and 9 x 24 inches when spread. There are over 200 pages. Proceeds of the coffee table book will be used for PBSPs reforestation projects in the Cebu Hillylands and Olango Island.

Share your CSR Story through A Better Life!

Cebu Flower Pecker Sponsor
PhP 100,000

* One spread (2 pages) in the coffee table book
dedicated for the corporate sponsor's CSR story

* One hectare reforestation site in the Cebu Hillylands
or Olango Island in the name of the sponsor

* Recognition of the sponsor in the 20 yearlong activities
of PBSP in the Visayas in 2008

* Ten (10) copies of the coffee table book

* Involvement of the corporate sponsor's employees in
volunteering activities in the Cebu Hillylands and Olango Islands

* For sponsorship confirmations received before
February 18, 2008, corporate sponsor's logo shall be
included in the 20th Visayas Annual Membership Meeting VAMM)
advertising supplements through the Philippine Daily Inquirer
and Cebu Daily News on February 20, 2008

Cebu Black Shama Sponsor
PhP50,000

* One page in the coffee table book dedicated
for the corporate sponsor's CSR story

* Recognition of the sponsor in the 20 year long activities
of PBSP in the Visayas in 2008

* Five (5) copies of the coffee table book

* Involvement of the corporate sponsor's employees in
volunteering activities in the Cebu Hillylands and Olango Islands

* For sponsorship confirmations received before
February 18, 2008, corporate sponsor's logo shall be
included in the 20th VAMM advertising supplements
through the Philippine Daily Inquirer and
Cebu Daily News on February 20, 2008

The Cebu Flower Pecker and Cebu Black Shama are endangered bird species only found in the Cebu Hillylands. The reforestation of the Cebu Hillylands will help ensure the survival of these fragile birds.

The 2008 Advertising Supplement Campaign

February 20, 2008 is PBSP's 20th Year in the Visayas celebration. Be part of the occassion by sponsoring our advertising supplements in the Philippine Daily Inquirer and Cebu Daily News. Your sponsorship will reforest the Cebu Hillylands, Cebu source of water, and the Olango Island, the stopover site of migratory birds from China, Japan and Siberia.

Egret Sponsorship Package:
PhP 25,000.00

* Inclusion of the corporate sponsor's logo
in the 20th Visayas Annual Membership Meeting (VAMM)
advertising supplements through the Philippine Daily Inquirer
and Cebu Daily News on February 20, 2008

* Half a hectare reforestation site in the
Cebu Hillylands or Olango Island
in the name of the sponsoring company

* Recognition of the sponsor in the 20 yearlong
activities of PBSP in the Visayas in 2008

* Involvement of the corporate sponsor's employees
in volunteering activities in the Cebu Hillylands
and Olango Island

Plover Sponsorship Package
PhP 15,000.00

* Inclusion of the corporate sponsor's logo
in the 20th VAMM advertising supplements through
the Philippine Daily Inquirer and
Cebu Daily News on February 20, 2008

* Recognition of the sponsor in the 20 yearlong
activities of PBSP in the Visayas in 2008

* Involvement of the corporate sponsor's employees
in volunteering activities in the Cebu Hillylands
and Olango Island

The Egret and the Plover are just two of the over 50 species of migratory birds that stop over in Olango Island every year. These birds travel from as far as China and Japan to escape the bitter winter. They feed on marine invertebrates and plants found along Olango’s shores. They are very much part of the food chain and PBSP’s environmental conservation efforts in Olango Island helps ensure the survival of the migratory birds.

Philippine Business for Social Progress

Visayas Regional Office

4/F PLDT Building, Juan Luna Ave. Mabolo, Cebu City 6000 Philippines

Tel. No. (+6332) 232-5270 232-5283 231-9426 Fax No. (+6332) 232-5286

The Members of the PBSP Visayas Executive Committee, Fiscal Year 2007-08

The Members of the PBSP Visayas Executive Committee (VIXCOM)

Fiscal Year 2007-08:

Sitting, from left:

1. Mr. Jose Levi S. Villanueva, Vice Chairman

Union Bank of the Philippines

2. Ms. Madeira R. Vestil

SGV & Co.

3. Mr. Jose Antonio Miguel Y. Aboitiz, Chairman

PILMICO Foods Corporation

Standing, from left:

4. Mr. Tomas S. Yap

Citi Philippines

5. Ms. Melanie C. Ng

Ng Khai Development Corporation

6. Mr. Rito Apas

Petron Corporation

7. Mr. Philip N. Tan

Wellmade Motors Development Corporation

8. Ms. Eileen G. Mangubat

Cebu Daily News

9. Mr. Hernando O. Streegan

Rhine Marketing Corporation

10. Ms. Romelinda C. Garces

San Miguel Corporation

11. Mr. N. Tolentino Gallares

First Consolidated Bank

12. Atty. Hidelito S. Pascual

Organization Performance Associates, Inc.

Not in the picture:

13. Ms. Marissa N. Fernan

SM Investments Corporation

14. Mr. Rogelio Q. Lim

East Asia Utilities Corporation

15. Mr. Ricardo G. Santiago

PASAR Corporation

Join us in our 20th VAMM!

The 20th VISAYAS ANNUAL
MEMBERSHIP MEETING

Theme:
20/20: Looking Ahead

Date & Venue:
February 20, 2008 . 11AM - 2PM
Salon de España, Casino Español de Cebu, Cebu City

Keynote Speaker:
MRS. NILEEMA NOBLE
Resident Coordinator
United Nations

20 Years Photo Exhibit
The Northwing at SM City Cebu
February 20- 25, 2008
Opening is on February 20 at 2.30PM

See you there!

PBSP exhibits Christmas inspired artworks at SM City's The Northwing

100 Christmas-inspired artworks adorned The Northwing at SM City Cebu last December 6-9, 2007. PBSP further expanded its 17-year old Christmas Cards Fund Campaign by selling the artworks that inspire the Christmas cards annually produced by the foundation. The timeless artworks were created by Visayan students who have participated in PBSP’s Christmas Cards Design Contest.

To date, PBSP’s Christmas Cards Fund Campaign has generated over P2 million, planting over 200,000 trees in the Cebu hillylands, Metro Cebu’s water source. Meanwhile, PBSP’s partnerships with the business sector, government and people’s organizations have reforested 4,000 hectares of the Cebu Hillyland’s 30,000-hectare expanse.

For more information about the Christmas Cards Fund Campaign, visit www.pbsp-christmascards.blogspot.com. For a closer look at the artworks, you may drop by Sandee’s at The Northwing at SM City Cebu or the PBSP Visayas Regional Office located at the 4th Floor of PLDT Building, Mabolo, Cebu City.




Ms. Marissa N. Fernan, Vice President of SM Prime Holdings, Inc. and member of the PBSP Visayas Executive Committee (VIXCOM), together with Mr. Jose Antonio Y. Aboitiz, Chief Finance Officer of Pilmico Foods Corporation and Chairman of the VIXCOM, opened the artworks exhibit.


Internationally reknowned Mandaue City School for the Arts Children's Choir serenanded the exhibit opening with classic Christmas carols and home-grown Christmas songs.



The exhibit centerpiece, a 10-foot Christmas tree adorned with PBSP Christmas cards, was provided by Premium Concepts. The furniture and scupltures that sprawled in the The Northwing's hallway were provided by Tabok Worker's Multi-Purpose Cooperative and Cebu Eastern Furniture Producers Multi-Purpose Cooperative (CEFPMPC). The two organizations are PBSP assisted furniture exporters.




The hardwood frames that enacase the artworks were done by CEFPMPC. The sturdy metal frames that support the artworks were provided by Ad Venture.

Rotarians spread joy in Olango

Singapore-based members of the Rotary and Rotaract Club visited Olango Island last December 14, 2007. The team was led by Mr. Philip Tan, Chair of the Rotary Club Cebu West and Member of the PBSP Visayas Executive Committee.

The trip to Olango was part of the Rotarians exposure to various Metro Cebu communities. They provided school supplies to the pupils of Candagsao Elementary School. They also planted mangroves in San Vicente.

Olango Island is one of the three priority ecosystems of PBSP’s Metropolitan Cebu Area Resource Management Program. The other two focus areas are the Cebu Hillylands and the highly urbanized communities in Metro Cebu. PBSP’s agenda in Olango are environmental rehabilitation, access to basic services such as health and water, and economic empowerment of the fisher folks.

PBSP partners with PEZA for the Buhisan watershed rehabilitation

PBSP sealed an agreement with the Philippine Export Zone Authority (PEZA) for the Buhisan Watershed Integrated Development Program on December 7, 2007. The other parties of the engagement are the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD), Cebu Uniting for Sustainable Water (CUSW) and Visayas Millennium Development Goals (MDG) Business and Environment Cluster led by Lexmark International Philippines.

Buhisan is one of the five watersheds within the Central Cebu Protected Landscape. It is one of MCWD’s major water sources. MCWD, in turn, supplies half of Metro Cebu’s household and industrial water requirement.

Buhisan was identified as a priority site of the Business and Environment cluster because of its prime importance to Metro Cebu’s development. The Buhisan Watershed Integrated Development Program aims to revitalize the degraded watershed through conservation and education or advocacy campaigns.

Specifically, the program focuses on: ecology and biodiversity conservation; economic empowerment of the families living in Buhisan; health and sanitation; ecological governance and law enforcement; eco-cultural tourism development; and information, communication and education.

The MDG is a covenant ratified by 189 member states of the United Nations (UN) to eliminate poverty and worst forms of human deprivation in 2015. PBSP, as the UN and the Philippine government’s partner, is tasked to rollout the MDG among the members of the private sector. PBSP created four Business and the MDG clusters so that private sector response is more strategic. These are the Business and Poverty, Business and Health, Business and Education, and Business and Environment.