SMART targets 1.5M trees planted by 2010
The News Today - Online Edition
August 23, 2010
Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) is close to hitting its target of planting over 1.5 million seedlings and mangrove propagules under a three-year tree planting agreement inked in 2008 with parent company Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) and the PLDT-Smart Foundation together with Japan’s NTT DOCOMO, Inc.
Smart has already planted some 425,750 of the 995,000 seedlings targeted for 2010 alone. Sites include the Marikina Watershed in NCR; Bulacan, Batangas, Palawan, Subic, Marikina, Pampanga,and Camarines Sur in Luzon; Bohol, Iloilo, Bacolod, Cebu, Siquijor, Guimaras, Kalibo, Roxas, and Antique in Visayas; and Misamis Oriental, Cagayan de Oro, Zamboanga, Sarangani in Mindanao.
“Our program partners and employee-volunteers continue to be instrumental in our campaign to increase the country’s forest cover. Since 2008, they have been helping us surpass our yearly targets,” said Smart Public Affairs Group Head Ramon R. Isberto.
Tree Planting
On the first year of the agreement, Smart surpassed its target of 150,000 by planting some 167,000 seedlings and propagules in close to 10 provinces nationwide. The following year, the company stepped up its tree planting campaign to exceed its target of 350,000 for a total of 363,000 seedlings.
In each site, Smart is closely in partnership with the local offices of government agencies that include the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP), and non-government organizations like the Corporate Network for Disaster Response (CNDR), and the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) to ensure proper implementation of the tree planting program.
Smart and its partners not only plant trees but also conduct activities that benefit the communities in the area.
In Norzagaray, Bulacan, Smart helped its partner Dumagat community to establish the Norzagaray-Dumagat Multi-Purpose Cooperative, which oversees its seedling nursery. The Dumagats not only provide the seedlings needed for SMART’s reforestation program at the Ipo Dam, but also earn a living from the care and maintenance of the seedlings planted in the area.
Smart also conducted a mangrove planting activity in Barangay Cagsao in Calabanga, Camarines Sur in support of the community’s disaster-preparedness and risk-reduction efforts under the Project Strengthening Assets and Capacities of Communities and Local Governments for Resilience to Disasters (ACCORD) led by the Corporate Network for Disaster Response (CNDR).
The telco provided the community with the mangrove propagules to be planted along the coastline, as well as other materials needed for the project. Employee-volunteers and partner groups also lent a hand in the series of planting activities.
Smart has been working with community partners in increasing forest cover since 2004 under Kabalikat, its corporate social responsibility program and community service program.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Public-private partnership
Public-private partnership
By Ernesto Hilario
Business Mirror, Opinion
August 16, 2010
That the Philippines will be unable to meet the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals, particularly primary education for all and improved access to maternal health, isn’t surprising. The warning comes from the top UN official in the country, and it’s based on the fact that poverty incidence in the Philippines has even increased, from 30 percent in 2003 to 33 percent in 2006. I doubt if the poverty level has gone down in the last four years of the Arroyo administration.
While the government has the primary responsibility to look after the welfare of those who live on the margins of society, it simply cannot do the job alone. The best efforts of the government in reducing poverty have not been good enough, because systemic corruption keeps already- scarce resources from reaching those who need help the most.
I worked for a nongovernment organization (NGO) network in the early 1990s and we launched socio-economic projects in the different regions, although on a very limited scale. Our projects were funded mostly by foreign donors. The Philippine NGO community prided itself on being the most dynamic during that time; I don’t know if that distinction is true until today. But on hindsight, I don’t think we made even a dent on the poverty level. We emphasized the empowerment of the poor so that they can take firm steps toward standing on their own two feet. But you can only do so much when resources are very limited and you’re working under an ideological framework that frowned on piecemeal socioeconomic reforms.
With the NGO sector hobbled by economic and political constraints, it is the private sector that’s in a better position to help the government fight poverty. Foundations belonging to the Philippine Business for Social Progress and other similar groups have been able to launch bigger socioeconomic projects because of corporate support. But I hope the top 1,000 corporations would allocate a higher percentage of their annual income to social-development projects.
The government, business and civil-society groups must unite and grapple with the problem of poverty. While it is correct to exert pressure on the government to do everything possible to combat poverty, the private sector and civil society must share the burden. To uplift the poor from wretched conditions and abolish absolute poverty in this country in the near future, we need to forge a strong public-private partnership.
By Ernesto Hilario
Business Mirror, Opinion
August 16, 2010
That the Philippines will be unable to meet the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals, particularly primary education for all and improved access to maternal health, isn’t surprising. The warning comes from the top UN official in the country, and it’s based on the fact that poverty incidence in the Philippines has even increased, from 30 percent in 2003 to 33 percent in 2006. I doubt if the poverty level has gone down in the last four years of the Arroyo administration.
While the government has the primary responsibility to look after the welfare of those who live on the margins of society, it simply cannot do the job alone. The best efforts of the government in reducing poverty have not been good enough, because systemic corruption keeps already- scarce resources from reaching those who need help the most.
I worked for a nongovernment organization (NGO) network in the early 1990s and we launched socio-economic projects in the different regions, although on a very limited scale. Our projects were funded mostly by foreign donors. The Philippine NGO community prided itself on being the most dynamic during that time; I don’t know if that distinction is true until today. But on hindsight, I don’t think we made even a dent on the poverty level. We emphasized the empowerment of the poor so that they can take firm steps toward standing on their own two feet. But you can only do so much when resources are very limited and you’re working under an ideological framework that frowned on piecemeal socioeconomic reforms.
With the NGO sector hobbled by economic and political constraints, it is the private sector that’s in a better position to help the government fight poverty. Foundations belonging to the Philippine Business for Social Progress and other similar groups have been able to launch bigger socioeconomic projects because of corporate support. But I hope the top 1,000 corporations would allocate a higher percentage of their annual income to social-development projects.
The government, business and civil-society groups must unite and grapple with the problem of poverty. While it is correct to exert pressure on the government to do everything possible to combat poverty, the private sector and civil society must share the burden. To uplift the poor from wretched conditions and abolish absolute poverty in this country in the near future, we need to forge a strong public-private partnership.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Little red school
Little red school
Sun.Star Baguio
August 15, 2010
The Coca Cola Foundation, in partnership with the Philippine business for social progress and in cooperation with the Jaime V. Ongpin foundation, turned over to the province of Benguet, municipality of Tublay and the Department of Education three multi-grade classrooms it named as Little Red Schoolhouse.
The building was given as a donation for students of Daclan and Ambassador as there used to be only one "kubo" multi grade classroom and a borrowed structure used by the day care, kinder and grades 1 and 2.
The donation was done after various schools in the province were affected by typhoon Pepeng that devastated this part of the country in October 2009. The classroom is built with a comfort room inside and is provided with a water tank for the comfort of the students.
With the multi-grade classroom "Little Red Schoolhouse", the students which are now up to grade three, presently occupies the area level for one classroom. For the years to come when the pupils will already be in grades five and six, they will no longer have to walk for kilometers to reach the nearest school because it can accommodate up to grade 6.
The turnover was attended by about 68 pupils, together with the parents, community members, Mayor Ruben Paoad, Governor Nestor Fongwan, JVOFI President Reynaldo Bautista Sr, Department of Education representatives, Philippine business for social progress officers and representatives and the Coca Cola Foundation led by its president Ma. Cecilia Alcantara. (Alex Yan)
Sun.Star Baguio
August 15, 2010
The Coca Cola Foundation, in partnership with the Philippine business for social progress and in cooperation with the Jaime V. Ongpin foundation, turned over to the province of Benguet, municipality of Tublay and the Department of Education three multi-grade classrooms it named as Little Red Schoolhouse.
The building was given as a donation for students of Daclan and Ambassador as there used to be only one "kubo" multi grade classroom and a borrowed structure used by the day care, kinder and grades 1 and 2.
The donation was done after various schools in the province were affected by typhoon Pepeng that devastated this part of the country in October 2009. The classroom is built with a comfort room inside and is provided with a water tank for the comfort of the students.
With the multi-grade classroom "Little Red Schoolhouse", the students which are now up to grade three, presently occupies the area level for one classroom. For the years to come when the pupils will already be in grades five and six, they will no longer have to walk for kilometers to reach the nearest school because it can accommodate up to grade 6.
The turnover was attended by about 68 pupils, together with the parents, community members, Mayor Ruben Paoad, Governor Nestor Fongwan, JVOFI President Reynaldo Bautista Sr, Department of Education representatives, Philippine business for social progress officers and representatives and the Coca Cola Foundation led by its president Ma. Cecilia Alcantara. (Alex Yan)
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Cebu, Bohol fisherfolk undergo training on seaweeds farming
Cebu, Bohol fisherfolk undergo training on seaweeds farming
Cebu Daily News
August 14, 2010
The MCPI Corp. is helping more fishermen tap other areas of lucrative marine market by teaching them how to produce high-quality seaweeds.
Some 24 fishermen of the SECAFEE Integrated Development Cooperative underwent a three-day training on integrated seaweeds farming recently at MCPI's Ocean Farming and Research Center in Danajon Reef, Bien Unido, Bohol.
The project is in partnership with the German Development Service/Deutscher Entwicklungsdienst (DED), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP). It is sponsored by MCPI, BFAR and DED's Strategic Corporate-Community Partnerships for Social Progress (SCOPE) program, which runs for two years. The training was provided for the fishermen and farmers of Dalaguete town, southern Cebu and Guindacpan and Calituban, Bohol.
German consultant for SCOPE Janina Wohlgemuth said, “The goal of the project is to generate a long-term alternative source of income for the people in those three towns.”
The project also aims to establish cooperation between the farmers and MCPI in the long run, so that the farmers will have a secure market for the seaweed they are going to plant.
Wohlgemuth added, “An additional outcome of the training is the protection of the environment. It discourages dynamite and cyanide fishing present in the area as these fishing practices also affect the seaweed farms. Additionally, the seaweed farms serve as a habitat for many marine species.”
The training, which was conducted by MCPI and BFAR, taught fishermen basic fishery laws and the economics of seaweed production and market prospects of the seaweed industry. Hands-on training on setting up a seaweed farm and on treating diseases infecting seaweeds was also provided.
“We are very thankful for the training because we have learned how to manage and take care of the seaweeds technically. Though most of us already know how to plant the seaweeds, we still lack the knowledge on certain technical aspects like disease prevention and the proper harvesting and drying of seaweeds,” SECAFEE cooperative chairman Leo Escala said.
MCPI and DED will further assist the fisherfolk in setting up a 2.5-hectare seaweed farm which will expand to eight hectares after three planting cycles.
Some of the harvested seaweeds will be given to the Dalaguete farmers and other PBSP-supported farmers in Bohol so they can start their farms in the next planting cycle. A second part of the harvested seaweeds will be used to grow the farm in Guindacpan and the rest will be sold to MCPI.
Cebu Daily News
August 14, 2010
The MCPI Corp. is helping more fishermen tap other areas of lucrative marine market by teaching them how to produce high-quality seaweeds.
Some 24 fishermen of the SECAFEE Integrated Development Cooperative underwent a three-day training on integrated seaweeds farming recently at MCPI's Ocean Farming and Research Center in Danajon Reef, Bien Unido, Bohol.
The project is in partnership with the German Development Service/Deutscher Entwicklungsdienst (DED), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP). It is sponsored by MCPI, BFAR and DED's Strategic Corporate-Community Partnerships for Social Progress (SCOPE) program, which runs for two years. The training was provided for the fishermen and farmers of Dalaguete town, southern Cebu and Guindacpan and Calituban, Bohol.
German consultant for SCOPE Janina Wohlgemuth said, “The goal of the project is to generate a long-term alternative source of income for the people in those three towns.”
The project also aims to establish cooperation between the farmers and MCPI in the long run, so that the farmers will have a secure market for the seaweed they are going to plant.
Wohlgemuth added, “An additional outcome of the training is the protection of the environment. It discourages dynamite and cyanide fishing present in the area as these fishing practices also affect the seaweed farms. Additionally, the seaweed farms serve as a habitat for many marine species.”
The training, which was conducted by MCPI and BFAR, taught fishermen basic fishery laws and the economics of seaweed production and market prospects of the seaweed industry. Hands-on training on setting up a seaweed farm and on treating diseases infecting seaweeds was also provided.
“We are very thankful for the training because we have learned how to manage and take care of the seaweeds technically. Though most of us already know how to plant the seaweeds, we still lack the knowledge on certain technical aspects like disease prevention and the proper harvesting and drying of seaweeds,” SECAFEE cooperative chairman Leo Escala said.
MCPI and DED will further assist the fisherfolk in setting up a 2.5-hectare seaweed farm which will expand to eight hectares after three planting cycles.
Some of the harvested seaweeds will be given to the Dalaguete farmers and other PBSP-supported farmers in Bohol so they can start their farms in the next planting cycle. A second part of the harvested seaweeds will be used to grow the farm in Guindacpan and the rest will be sold to MCPI.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
PBSP business forum series slated in Davao
PBSP business forum series slated in Davao
PIA News Agency
August 10, 2010
Davao City (10 August) - The Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) has invited micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to attend its 2010 Enterprise Development Forum Series to be held in Manila, Cebu and Davao.
The Davao-leg of the forum will be on Tuesday, Aug. 10, 1:00-5:00 pm, Orchid Room, Apo View Hotel, Davao City. The Manila series was held last July 27 at the Dusit Thani Hotel, Makati City, while the Cebu series was on August 4 at the Crown Regency Hotel, Cebu City.
This year's theme is "Responsible Business for MSMEs: Practical Approaches Towards an Eco-Friendly Business". Invited keynote speaker is internationally recognized policy advisor, environmental planner and consultant, Mr. Elmer Mercado, EnP, who will share his insights and experiences in implementing environmental sustainability initiatives for MSMEs. As a response, eco-friendly innovations of selected clients and/or PBSP member companies will be featured as testimonies where guests can draw inspiration from in employing their own environment sustainable undertakings.
During the forum, Volunteer Advisers of PBSP's Business Advisory Program (BAP) will also be given recognition for their invaluable contribution in the growth and development of BAP-assisted MSMEs. PBSP new Chief Executive Advisor, Klaas Oreel, on his first public engagement for the foundation, will spearhead the recognition of the 26 volunteers deployed across the country during the previous year.
BAP delivers business advisory services thru the assistance of Filipino volunteer experts to help MSMEs improve their business. It is among PBSP's response to the clamor for job creation by promoting MSME development.
Since 2003, BAP has generated 669 jobs across the country, nearly half of which are women. 115 of its assisted MSMEs had also demonstrated improvements in their business performance levels such as increase in sales and profits, new markets and products developed, improved operation efficiency and additional investments.
The forum is designed to be a common venue for learning, information dissemination, business-to-business (B2B) networking among MSMEs, financial institutions, and other business development service providers. It is part of the Enterprise Development Program of PBSP.
PBSP is the country's largest corporate-led social development foundation leading the promotion and practice of corporate citizenship. It has been influencing companies to integrate social responsibility into their core businesses, and advocating the application of business solutions to poverty. PBSP operates nationwide with projects in education, health, sustainable livelihood and enterprise development, the environment and disaster rehabilitation. (PIA)
PIA News Agency
August 10, 2010
Davao City (10 August) - The Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) has invited micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to attend its 2010 Enterprise Development Forum Series to be held in Manila, Cebu and Davao.
The Davao-leg of the forum will be on Tuesday, Aug. 10, 1:00-5:00 pm, Orchid Room, Apo View Hotel, Davao City. The Manila series was held last July 27 at the Dusit Thani Hotel, Makati City, while the Cebu series was on August 4 at the Crown Regency Hotel, Cebu City.
This year's theme is "Responsible Business for MSMEs: Practical Approaches Towards an Eco-Friendly Business". Invited keynote speaker is internationally recognized policy advisor, environmental planner and consultant, Mr. Elmer Mercado, EnP, who will share his insights and experiences in implementing environmental sustainability initiatives for MSMEs. As a response, eco-friendly innovations of selected clients and/or PBSP member companies will be featured as testimonies where guests can draw inspiration from in employing their own environment sustainable undertakings.
During the forum, Volunteer Advisers of PBSP's Business Advisory Program (BAP) will also be given recognition for their invaluable contribution in the growth and development of BAP-assisted MSMEs. PBSP new Chief Executive Advisor, Klaas Oreel, on his first public engagement for the foundation, will spearhead the recognition of the 26 volunteers deployed across the country during the previous year.
BAP delivers business advisory services thru the assistance of Filipino volunteer experts to help MSMEs improve their business. It is among PBSP's response to the clamor for job creation by promoting MSME development.
Since 2003, BAP has generated 669 jobs across the country, nearly half of which are women. 115 of its assisted MSMEs had also demonstrated improvements in their business performance levels such as increase in sales and profits, new markets and products developed, improved operation efficiency and additional investments.
The forum is designed to be a common venue for learning, information dissemination, business-to-business (B2B) networking among MSMEs, financial institutions, and other business development service providers. It is part of the Enterprise Development Program of PBSP.
PBSP is the country's largest corporate-led social development foundation leading the promotion and practice of corporate citizenship. It has been influencing companies to integrate social responsibility into their core businesses, and advocating the application of business solutions to poverty. PBSP operates nationwide with projects in education, health, sustainable livelihood and enterprise development, the environment and disaster rehabilitation. (PIA)
PBSP business forum here today
PBSP business forum here today
Sun.Star Davao
August 10, 2010
Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) invited micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Davao Region to attend its business development forum in Davao City Tuesday.
The activity is part of PBSP's 2010 Enterprise Development Forum series, which was also held in Manila and Cebu.
The Davao-leg of the forum is slated at orchid Room of the Apo View Hotel, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The Manila series was held last July 27 at the Dusit Thani Hotel, Makati City, while the Cebu series was on August 4 at the Crown Regency Hotel, Cebu City.
This year's theme is "Responsible Business for MSMEs: Practical Approaches Towards an Eco-Friendly Business."
Invited keynote speaker is internationally recognized policy advisor, environmental planner and consultant Elmer Mercado, EnP, who will share his insights and experiences in implementing environmental sustainability initiatives for MSMEs.
As a response, eco-friendly innovations of selected clients and/or PBSP member companies will be featured as testimonies where guests can draw inspiration from in employing their own environment sustainable undertakings.
During the forum, volunteer advisers of PBSP's Business Advisory Program (BAP) will also be given recognition for their invaluable contribution in the growth and development of BAP-assisted MSMEs.
PBSP new chief executive advisor, Klaas Oreel, on his first public engagement for the foundation, will spearhead the recognition of the 26 volunteers deployed across the country during the previous year.
BAP delivers business advisory services through the assistance of Filipino volunteer experts to help MSMEs improve their business. It is among PBSP's response to the clamor for job creation by promoting MSME development.
Since 2003, BAP has generated 669 jobs across the country, nearly half of which are women. Around 115 of its assisted MSMEs had also demonstrated improvements in their business performance levels, such as increase in sales and profits, new markets and products developed, improved operation efficiency and additional investments.
The forum is designed to be a common venue for learning, information dissemination, business-to-business (B2B) networking among MSMEs, financial institutions, and other business development service providers. It is part of the Enterprise Development Program of PBSP.
Sun.Star Davao
August 10, 2010
Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) invited micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Davao Region to attend its business development forum in Davao City Tuesday.
The activity is part of PBSP's 2010 Enterprise Development Forum series, which was also held in Manila and Cebu.
The Davao-leg of the forum is slated at orchid Room of the Apo View Hotel, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The Manila series was held last July 27 at the Dusit Thani Hotel, Makati City, while the Cebu series was on August 4 at the Crown Regency Hotel, Cebu City.
This year's theme is "Responsible Business for MSMEs: Practical Approaches Towards an Eco-Friendly Business."
Invited keynote speaker is internationally recognized policy advisor, environmental planner and consultant Elmer Mercado, EnP, who will share his insights and experiences in implementing environmental sustainability initiatives for MSMEs.
As a response, eco-friendly innovations of selected clients and/or PBSP member companies will be featured as testimonies where guests can draw inspiration from in employing their own environment sustainable undertakings.
During the forum, volunteer advisers of PBSP's Business Advisory Program (BAP) will also be given recognition for their invaluable contribution in the growth and development of BAP-assisted MSMEs.
PBSP new chief executive advisor, Klaas Oreel, on his first public engagement for the foundation, will spearhead the recognition of the 26 volunteers deployed across the country during the previous year.
BAP delivers business advisory services through the assistance of Filipino volunteer experts to help MSMEs improve their business. It is among PBSP's response to the clamor for job creation by promoting MSME development.
Since 2003, BAP has generated 669 jobs across the country, nearly half of which are women. Around 115 of its assisted MSMEs had also demonstrated improvements in their business performance levels, such as increase in sales and profits, new markets and products developed, improved operation efficiency and additional investments.
The forum is designed to be a common venue for learning, information dissemination, business-to-business (B2B) networking among MSMEs, financial institutions, and other business development service providers. It is part of the Enterprise Development Program of PBSP.
Bizmen vow to be eco-friendly
Bizmen vow to be eco-friendly
By Aileen Garcia-Yap
Cebu Daily News
August 10, 2010
Recognizing their need to transcend “business and personal interestests,” about 50 individuals and eight civic and business groups pledged to adopt eco-friendly, socially responsible and human resource oriented practices in yesterday’s One Cebu Business and Sustainability Summit.
They signed a two-page “call to action” at the Cebu International Convention Center in Mandaue City after listening to a series of talks on how to conduct responsible and sustainable business.
Led by Mandaue Mayor Jonas Cortes, they vowed to “incorporate new specific sustainable business practices and use environmentally friendly technology” in daily operations.
The mayor and representatives of the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), Cebu Business Club, Rotary Club of Cebu, Cebu Leads Foundation, Aboitiz Equity Ventures and Cebu Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce said the move was a “response to our country’s call for transformation and private volunteerism.”
Some 400 participants from local government units in Cebu, Bohol, Iloilo and Manila joined in the summit.
Summit speakers including former environment secretary Elisea Gozun and lawyer Alex Lacson, author of “12 Little Things Every Filipino Can Do To Help Our Country” urged the participants to start reviewing their business processes and reduce carbon emission which worsens climate change that is affecting economic activities.
Gozun said that last year’s typhoon Ondoy and Peping affected 2.6 percent of the gross domestic product.
“There are four direct impacts of climate change that will have a threat to business which includes increase in rainfall, rising sea levels, increase in temperature and extreme weather conditions which includes very strong typhoons,” she said.
“We have seen how those two typhoons have affected us last year.”
Gozun said that renewable energy, which would reduce “carbon footprints” and make the environment and business sustainable, is not yet accessible and feasible in some areas due to lack of government regulation.
Exporter Pete Delantar said the export industry is ready to use renewable energy.
“There is a very huge market for green products at around $600 billion but how can we say that our product is green if we don’t even have the guidelines yet?” Delantar asked.
Erramon I. Aboitiz, chief executive officer of Aboitiz Power agreed.
He said some companies like San Fernando Electronics like San Fernando Energy and Davao Light have opted for renewable energy but other firms “need clear guidelines.”
Aboitiz, who was among the speakers, said that the Department of Energy should prioritize making renewable energy accesible.
“I don’t know if they are waiting for open access before they can implement the Green Energy Option,” Aboitiz said.
Other summit speakers included Maria G. Goolsby of Union Bank of the Philippines, Gawad Kalinga’s Antonio Meloto Jr., Emmanuel Aligada of Globe Telecom, Felino Palafox Jr. – an architect who talked about urban planning, Brad Reddersen of Stranova and Yolanda Ong of Campaigns Group.
Meanwhile, in line with President Benigno Aquino III’s thrust towards active private-public partnerships, Eric Ng Mendoza, head of the MCCI that organized the event said that they will push for more projects with the Mandaue City government.
Mendoza said he is eyeing a partnership with Union Bank which has a book donation program and the University of Cebu through its owner Augusto Go.
He said Go promised to support MCCI.
The One Cebu Business and Sustainability Summit 2010 is part of MCCI’s Mandaue Business Movement that Mendoza describes as the beginning of a sustainable business revolution.
“Through the summit and other projects, we hope to influence and encourage actions from others until all will do their own share,” Mendoza said.
By Aileen Garcia-Yap
Cebu Daily News
August 10, 2010
Recognizing their need to transcend “business and personal interestests,” about 50 individuals and eight civic and business groups pledged to adopt eco-friendly, socially responsible and human resource oriented practices in yesterday’s One Cebu Business and Sustainability Summit.
They signed a two-page “call to action” at the Cebu International Convention Center in Mandaue City after listening to a series of talks on how to conduct responsible and sustainable business.
Led by Mandaue Mayor Jonas Cortes, they vowed to “incorporate new specific sustainable business practices and use environmentally friendly technology” in daily operations.
The mayor and representatives of the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), Cebu Business Club, Rotary Club of Cebu, Cebu Leads Foundation, Aboitiz Equity Ventures and Cebu Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce said the move was a “response to our country’s call for transformation and private volunteerism.”
Some 400 participants from local government units in Cebu, Bohol, Iloilo and Manila joined in the summit.
Summit speakers including former environment secretary Elisea Gozun and lawyer Alex Lacson, author of “12 Little Things Every Filipino Can Do To Help Our Country” urged the participants to start reviewing their business processes and reduce carbon emission which worsens climate change that is affecting economic activities.
Gozun said that last year’s typhoon Ondoy and Peping affected 2.6 percent of the gross domestic product.
“There are four direct impacts of climate change that will have a threat to business which includes increase in rainfall, rising sea levels, increase in temperature and extreme weather conditions which includes very strong typhoons,” she said.
“We have seen how those two typhoons have affected us last year.”
Gozun said that renewable energy, which would reduce “carbon footprints” and make the environment and business sustainable, is not yet accessible and feasible in some areas due to lack of government regulation.
Exporter Pete Delantar said the export industry is ready to use renewable energy.
“There is a very huge market for green products at around $600 billion but how can we say that our product is green if we don’t even have the guidelines yet?” Delantar asked.
Erramon I. Aboitiz, chief executive officer of Aboitiz Power agreed.
He said some companies like San Fernando Electronics like San Fernando Energy and Davao Light have opted for renewable energy but other firms “need clear guidelines.”
Aboitiz, who was among the speakers, said that the Department of Energy should prioritize making renewable energy accesible.
“I don’t know if they are waiting for open access before they can implement the Green Energy Option,” Aboitiz said.
Other summit speakers included Maria G. Goolsby of Union Bank of the Philippines, Gawad Kalinga’s Antonio Meloto Jr., Emmanuel Aligada of Globe Telecom, Felino Palafox Jr. – an architect who talked about urban planning, Brad Reddersen of Stranova and Yolanda Ong of Campaigns Group.
Meanwhile, in line with President Benigno Aquino III’s thrust towards active private-public partnerships, Eric Ng Mendoza, head of the MCCI that organized the event said that they will push for more projects with the Mandaue City government.
Mendoza said he is eyeing a partnership with Union Bank which has a book donation program and the University of Cebu through its owner Augusto Go.
He said Go promised to support MCCI.
The One Cebu Business and Sustainability Summit 2010 is part of MCCI’s Mandaue Business Movement that Mendoza describes as the beginning of a sustainable business revolution.
“Through the summit and other projects, we hope to influence and encourage actions from others until all will do their own share,” Mendoza said.
Green partners needed
Green partners needed
By Katlene O. Cacho
Sun.Star Cebu
August 10, 2010
A strong partnership between the public and the private sectors is needed to address today’s environmental problems, a former secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said in a business summit yesterday.
“Taking action in addressing climate change requires collective action. It is a shared responsibility,” said Elisea Gozun, one of the speakers at the One Cebu Business and Sustainability Summit held at the Cebu International Convention Center.
Gases
In her presentation before Cebu’s industry leaders, Gozun reported the Earth is experiencing a “global fever,” an increase in temperature due to the increased emission of greenhouse gases caused by the increasing number of vehicles, industries; and emission of methane from livestock manure, among others.
The increased emission of greenhouse gases, Gozun said, has resulted in an erratic climate resulting in an increase in rainfall, rise of sea levels, increase in temperature and extreme weather. These have triggered natural calamities like landslides, floods and stronger typhoons.
“Excessive heat in particular has caused drops in production,” she said, noting that the recent El Niño weather phenomenon has affected the marine and agriculture production and livelihood of farmers, especially in the key agricultural cities of the country.
Gozun reported that the 2009 typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng, which claimed properties and lives, particularly in the Luzon area, resulted in economic losses equivalent to 2.6 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).
GDP refers to the amount of goods and services produced by a country.
Recommendations
Among the steps Gozun recommended for adoption by industries is the increase in energy and water efficiency, shift to the use of renewable energy, promotion of the low carbon lifestyle among employees, greenhouse gas accounting, rehabilitation of forests, tree planting, and the incorporation of green measures in the supply chain.
She said local government units should also pass ordinances requiring malls and subdivisions yet to be constructed to have rainwater catchment facilities in their plans.
“Being eco-efficient is good for the triple bottom line,” she said.
The triple bottom line or TBL is an expansion of the business framework that takes into account the social and environmental aspects aside from the economic aspect of the business.
By Katlene O. Cacho
Sun.Star Cebu
August 10, 2010
A strong partnership between the public and the private sectors is needed to address today’s environmental problems, a former secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said in a business summit yesterday.
“Taking action in addressing climate change requires collective action. It is a shared responsibility,” said Elisea Gozun, one of the speakers at the One Cebu Business and Sustainability Summit held at the Cebu International Convention Center.
Gases
In her presentation before Cebu’s industry leaders, Gozun reported the Earth is experiencing a “global fever,” an increase in temperature due to the increased emission of greenhouse gases caused by the increasing number of vehicles, industries; and emission of methane from livestock manure, among others.
The increased emission of greenhouse gases, Gozun said, has resulted in an erratic climate resulting in an increase in rainfall, rise of sea levels, increase in temperature and extreme weather. These have triggered natural calamities like landslides, floods and stronger typhoons.
“Excessive heat in particular has caused drops in production,” she said, noting that the recent El Niño weather phenomenon has affected the marine and agriculture production and livelihood of farmers, especially in the key agricultural cities of the country.
Gozun reported that the 2009 typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng, which claimed properties and lives, particularly in the Luzon area, resulted in economic losses equivalent to 2.6 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).
GDP refers to the amount of goods and services produced by a country.
Recommendations
Among the steps Gozun recommended for adoption by industries is the increase in energy and water efficiency, shift to the use of renewable energy, promotion of the low carbon lifestyle among employees, greenhouse gas accounting, rehabilitation of forests, tree planting, and the incorporation of green measures in the supply chain.
She said local government units should also pass ordinances requiring malls and subdivisions yet to be constructed to have rainwater catchment facilities in their plans.
“Being eco-efficient is good for the triple bottom line,” she said.
The triple bottom line or TBL is an expansion of the business framework that takes into account the social and environmental aspects aside from the economic aspect of the business.
Monday, August 09, 2010
Traders urged to become ‘eco-friendly’
Traders urged to become ‘eco-friendly’
Manila Bulletin
August 8, 2010
CEBU CITY (PNA) — An environment planner and consultant has urged Cebu’s micro, small and medium-sized entrepreneurs (MSMEs) to take on practical approaches to be eco-friendly to become more globally competitive in the market.
Elmer Mercado, an environment planner and consultant in a forum conducted by the Philippine Business of Social Progress (PBSP) at the Crown Regency Hotel, this city, said being eco-friendly is good not because it is fashionable but it is good for the business, for the market and for the bottom-line.
He was in Cebu to share his insights and experiences in implementing environmental sustainability and initiatives for MSMEs.
He said that in achieving the “triple bottom-line” (TBL), an expansion of business framework that considers the social and environmental aspect aside from the economic aspect of the business is helpful in making the business sustainable.
"It is viable even without spending because there are business processes that we are doing that involve increasing human resource productivity, increasing profit margins and maximizing resources,” he said.
The TBL approach, he said, can help bring back earnings to the community.
He said that it typically brings back by contributing to the growth of the community such as education and facilities.
Paying the community right will help them improve their production of raw materials.
Mercado reported that there is a need for eco-friendly business to comply with the law and to respond to market pressure, competition, public health and sanitation concern, shift of lifestyle and marketing strategy or niche.
“There is an increasing global demand of environment-friendly products and companies see this as a challenge and opportunity,” Mercado said.
Manila Bulletin
August 8, 2010
CEBU CITY (PNA) — An environment planner and consultant has urged Cebu’s micro, small and medium-sized entrepreneurs (MSMEs) to take on practical approaches to be eco-friendly to become more globally competitive in the market.
Elmer Mercado, an environment planner and consultant in a forum conducted by the Philippine Business of Social Progress (PBSP) at the Crown Regency Hotel, this city, said being eco-friendly is good not because it is fashionable but it is good for the business, for the market and for the bottom-line.
He was in Cebu to share his insights and experiences in implementing environmental sustainability and initiatives for MSMEs.
He said that in achieving the “triple bottom-line” (TBL), an expansion of business framework that considers the social and environmental aspect aside from the economic aspect of the business is helpful in making the business sustainable.
"It is viable even without spending because there are business processes that we are doing that involve increasing human resource productivity, increasing profit margins and maximizing resources,” he said.
The TBL approach, he said, can help bring back earnings to the community.
He said that it typically brings back by contributing to the growth of the community such as education and facilities.
Paying the community right will help them improve their production of raw materials.
Mercado reported that there is a need for eco-friendly business to comply with the law and to respond to market pressure, competition, public health and sanitation concern, shift of lifestyle and marketing strategy or niche.
“There is an increasing global demand of environment-friendly products and companies see this as a challenge and opportunity,” Mercado said.
Saturday, August 07, 2010
Cebu traders urged to become ‘eco-friendly’
Cebu traders urged to become ‘eco-friendly’
Balita
August 7, 2010
CEBU CITY, Aug. 7 – An environment planner and consultant has urged Cebu’s micro, small and medium-sized entrepreneurs (MSMEs) to take on practical approaches to be eco-friendly to become more globally competitive in the market.
Elmer Mercado, an environment planner and consultant in a forum conducted by the Philippine Business of Social Progress (PBSP) at the Crown Regency Hotel in Cebu City, said being eco-friendly is good not because it is fashionable but it is good for the business, for the market and for the bottom-line.
He was in Cebu to share his insights and experiences in implementing environmental sustainability and initiatives for MSMEs.
He said that in achieving the “triple bottom-line” (TBL), an expansion of business framework that considers the social and environmental aspect aside from the economic aspect of the business is helpful in making the business sustainable.
"It is viable even without spending because there are business processes that we are doing that involve increasing human resource productivity, increasing profit margins and maximizing resources,” he said.
The TBL approach, he said, can help bring back earnings to the community.
He said that it typically brings back by contributing to the growth of the community such as education and facilities. Paying the community right will help them improve their production of raw materials.
Mercado reported that there is a need for eco-friendly business to comply with the law and to respond to market pressure, competition, public health and sanitation concern, shift of lifestyle and marketing strategy or niche.
”There is an increasing global demand of environment-friendly products and companies see this as a challenge and opportunity,” Mercado said.
He said buyers examine closely the supply chain management and production of companies before they get them as suppliers. “Buyers want to know if your company adheres to eco-friendly business operations.” (PNA)
Balita
August 7, 2010
CEBU CITY, Aug. 7 – An environment planner and consultant has urged Cebu’s micro, small and medium-sized entrepreneurs (MSMEs) to take on practical approaches to be eco-friendly to become more globally competitive in the market.
Elmer Mercado, an environment planner and consultant in a forum conducted by the Philippine Business of Social Progress (PBSP) at the Crown Regency Hotel in Cebu City, said being eco-friendly is good not because it is fashionable but it is good for the business, for the market and for the bottom-line.
He was in Cebu to share his insights and experiences in implementing environmental sustainability and initiatives for MSMEs.
He said that in achieving the “triple bottom-line” (TBL), an expansion of business framework that considers the social and environmental aspect aside from the economic aspect of the business is helpful in making the business sustainable.
"It is viable even without spending because there are business processes that we are doing that involve increasing human resource productivity, increasing profit margins and maximizing resources,” he said.
The TBL approach, he said, can help bring back earnings to the community.
He said that it typically brings back by contributing to the growth of the community such as education and facilities. Paying the community right will help them improve their production of raw materials.
Mercado reported that there is a need for eco-friendly business to comply with the law and to respond to market pressure, competition, public health and sanitation concern, shift of lifestyle and marketing strategy or niche.
”There is an increasing global demand of environment-friendly products and companies see this as a challenge and opportunity,” Mercado said.
He said buyers examine closely the supply chain management and production of companies before they get them as suppliers. “Buyers want to know if your company adheres to eco-friendly business operations.” (PNA)
Friday, August 06, 2010
PBSP granted 40M euros to combat tuberculosis
PBSP granted 40M euros to combat tuberculosis
By Aileen Garcia-Yap
Cebu Daily News
August 6, 2010
The new executive director of the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) expressed his desire to work with the health department in the use of 40 million euros or P23.7 billion granted by a Switzerland-based humanitarian organization for the PBSP's anti-tuberculosis program.
“We have a huge grant from the Global Fund for our tuberculosis program. That amounts I think to 40 million euros which we will have to spend responsibly until 2011,” PBSP head Rafael C. Lopa said on Wednesday.
“This can be a project which we can coordinate closely with the Department of Health.”
Lopa spoke at the Crown Regency Hotel and Towers during a forum promoting eco-friendly practices among small and medium enterprises.
Lopa, former executive director of the Ninoy Aquino Foundation and a cousin of President Benigno Aquino III, cited coordination on the use of the Global Fund grant among the ways the PBSP can engage the government in line with President Aquino’s thrust to fight poverty and corruption.
“We can work closely with the different government agencies and try to see how we can help. We can compliment their efforts in many programs that will help alleviate poverty,” Lopa said.
In its website, the Global Fund describes itself as “a unique global public/private partnership dedicated to attracting and disbursing additional resources to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.”
Lopa also said that the PBSP should continue to help the Department of Education build classrooms to address shortage in public elementary and high schools.
Lopa, who was in his first visit to Cebu as PBSP head, said that while Mr. Aquino encouraged private-public sector partnerships in line with investments, such partnerships can also be applied in the advocacies of non-government organizations (NGOs) like PBSP.
Lopa explained that he asked for the President's permission before he agreed to be the executive director of the country's biggest NGO.
“He (Mr. Aquino) said yes and made it perfectly clear to everyone that relatives should keep away from government, which means that my post here will not in anyway place PBSP in special favor with the President,” Lopa said.
He added that he will still play a role in the Ninoy Aquino Foundation as its president.
“I see this more as an opportunity to layout platforms for development outside of government,” Lopa said of his position in the PBSP.
“This is an opportunity for people who want to help, to offer what they can for the country.”
The PBSP is the largest corporate-led NGO in the Philippines founded in the early 1970s.
Across the country, it implements developmental programs guided by the principle of “helping people help themselves.”
By Aileen Garcia-Yap
Cebu Daily News
August 6, 2010
The new executive director of the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) expressed his desire to work with the health department in the use of 40 million euros or P23.7 billion granted by a Switzerland-based humanitarian organization for the PBSP's anti-tuberculosis program.
“We have a huge grant from the Global Fund for our tuberculosis program. That amounts I think to 40 million euros which we will have to spend responsibly until 2011,” PBSP head Rafael C. Lopa said on Wednesday.
“This can be a project which we can coordinate closely with the Department of Health.”
Lopa spoke at the Crown Regency Hotel and Towers during a forum promoting eco-friendly practices among small and medium enterprises.
Lopa, former executive director of the Ninoy Aquino Foundation and a cousin of President Benigno Aquino III, cited coordination on the use of the Global Fund grant among the ways the PBSP can engage the government in line with President Aquino’s thrust to fight poverty and corruption.
“We can work closely with the different government agencies and try to see how we can help. We can compliment their efforts in many programs that will help alleviate poverty,” Lopa said.
In its website, the Global Fund describes itself as “a unique global public/private partnership dedicated to attracting and disbursing additional resources to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.”
Lopa also said that the PBSP should continue to help the Department of Education build classrooms to address shortage in public elementary and high schools.
Lopa, who was in his first visit to Cebu as PBSP head, said that while Mr. Aquino encouraged private-public sector partnerships in line with investments, such partnerships can also be applied in the advocacies of non-government organizations (NGOs) like PBSP.
Lopa explained that he asked for the President's permission before he agreed to be the executive director of the country's biggest NGO.
“He (Mr. Aquino) said yes and made it perfectly clear to everyone that relatives should keep away from government, which means that my post here will not in anyway place PBSP in special favor with the President,” Lopa said.
He added that he will still play a role in the Ninoy Aquino Foundation as its president.
“I see this more as an opportunity to layout platforms for development outside of government,” Lopa said of his position in the PBSP.
“This is an opportunity for people who want to help, to offer what they can for the country.”
The PBSP is the largest corporate-led NGO in the Philippines founded in the early 1970s.
Across the country, it implements developmental programs guided by the principle of “helping people help themselves.”
'Eco-friendly tack on business gives MSMEs competitive edge'
'Eco-friendly tack on business gives MSMEs competitive edge'
By Katlene O. Cacho
Sun.Star Cebu
August 6, 2010
Cebu's micro, small and medium sized entrepreneurs (MSMEs) are being encouraged to take on practical approaches to be eco-friendly to become more globally competitive in the market.
“Being eco-friendly is good not because it is fashionable but it is good for the business, for the market and for the bottom-line,” said Elmer Mercado, an environment planner and consultant in a forum conducted by the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) last Wednesday at the Crown Regency Hotel.
He was in Cebu to share his insights on and experiences in implementing environmental sustainability initiatives for MSMEs.
He said that in achieving the “triple bottom-line” (TBL), an expansion of business framework that considers the social and environmental aspect aside from the economic aspect of the business is helpful in making the business sustainable.
“It is viable even without spending because there are business processes that we are doing that involve increasing human resource productivity, increasing profit margins and maximizing resources,” he said.
The TBL approach, he said, can help bring back earnings to the community.
He said that it typically brings back by contributing to the growth of the community such as education and facilities. Paying the community right will help them improve their production of raw materials.
Mercado reported that there is a need for eco-friendly business to comply with the law and to respond to market pressure, competition, public health and sanitation concern, shift of lifestyle and marketing strategy or niche.
“There is an increasing global demand of environment-friendly products and companies see this as a challenge and opportunity,” Mercado said.
He said buyers examine closely the supply chain management and production of companies before they get them as suppliers. “Buyers want to know if your company adheres to eco-friendly business operations.”
For MSME’s to become an eco-friendly business, one practical way is to work within existing operations systems.
“Environmental initiatives can be done with existing operations. About 40 to 50 percent of eco-friendly actions are within the existing operations,” Mercado said, citing 3Rs (reuse, reduce and recycle) and 5S (sorting, straightening or setting in order, sweeping, standardizing, and sustaining the discipline) as examples.
He said the companies can also introduce technology, equipment and system to start an eco-friendly business, although this might mean new investment cost.
By Katlene O. Cacho
Sun.Star Cebu
August 6, 2010
Cebu's micro, small and medium sized entrepreneurs (MSMEs) are being encouraged to take on practical approaches to be eco-friendly to become more globally competitive in the market.
“Being eco-friendly is good not because it is fashionable but it is good for the business, for the market and for the bottom-line,” said Elmer Mercado, an environment planner and consultant in a forum conducted by the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) last Wednesday at the Crown Regency Hotel.
He was in Cebu to share his insights on and experiences in implementing environmental sustainability initiatives for MSMEs.
He said that in achieving the “triple bottom-line” (TBL), an expansion of business framework that considers the social and environmental aspect aside from the economic aspect of the business is helpful in making the business sustainable.
“It is viable even without spending because there are business processes that we are doing that involve increasing human resource productivity, increasing profit margins and maximizing resources,” he said.
The TBL approach, he said, can help bring back earnings to the community.
He said that it typically brings back by contributing to the growth of the community such as education and facilities. Paying the community right will help them improve their production of raw materials.
Mercado reported that there is a need for eco-friendly business to comply with the law and to respond to market pressure, competition, public health and sanitation concern, shift of lifestyle and marketing strategy or niche.
“There is an increasing global demand of environment-friendly products and companies see this as a challenge and opportunity,” Mercado said.
He said buyers examine closely the supply chain management and production of companies before they get them as suppliers. “Buyers want to know if your company adheres to eco-friendly business operations.”
For MSME’s to become an eco-friendly business, one practical way is to work within existing operations systems.
“Environmental initiatives can be done with existing operations. About 40 to 50 percent of eco-friendly actions are within the existing operations,” Mercado said, citing 3Rs (reuse, reduce and recycle) and 5S (sorting, straightening or setting in order, sweeping, standardizing, and sustaining the discipline) as examples.
He said the companies can also introduce technology, equipment and system to start an eco-friendly business, although this might mean new investment cost.
Thursday, August 05, 2010
Water as shared value for business and society
Water as shared value for business and society
Malaya Business Insight
August 5, 2010
A report from the Asian Development Bank showd that as of year 2002, some 699 million people in the Asia-Pacific region had no access to safe drinking water (Asia Water Watch 2015 published jointly by the Asian Development Bank, UNDP, UNESCAP and the World Health Organization in 2006). The report mentioned that the Philippine water use and water supply situation has actually regressed—that is, as more and more Filipinos need water in rural and urban areas, water supply is actually decreasing. In the next few years, the Philippines could be facing a water crisis with tragic consequences just as what residents in Metro Manila have had a glimpse last month.
The recent Creating Shared Value (CSV) forum held at the New World Hotel discussed how corporations could work with government, NGOs and other stakeholders in ensuring water for both urban and rural communities.
The forum sought to encourage corporations to invest in business strategies, practices and programs that are not only profitable but are also catalysts for social progress. Mark Kramer, CSV forum’s main speaker, said: "Creating shared value means policies and practices that enhance the competitiveness of a company while simultaneously advancing economic and social conditions in the communities in which it operates."
Arjun Thapan, special senior advisor to the president on infrastructure and water of the Asian Development Bank, said that the ADB is encouraging the private sector and government to invest in water, specifically targeting the poorest areas, where people need water and sanitation most urgently.
ADB has also done a cost-benefit analysis, proving that investing in water will result in tremendous returns.
Essentially, every dollar spent on water and sanitation for the poor, six dollars are generated.
"Here’s the big picture. Even if we only invest to meet the minimum requirement set by the United Nations for providing water and sanitation to the world’s poor—known as Millennium Development Goal (MDG) Target 10—the economic benefits will amount to $54 billion.
If we exceed MDG Target 10 and invest in water, sanitation, together with piped-in water to houses, sewage and partial water treatment for all, around $241 billion in economic benefits are generated.
"More simply, if we invest $8 billion annually in water and sanitation to meet Target 10, we get an annual return of $54 billion in economic benefits. If you think about it, very few other business investments result in such a high rate of return," Thapan said.
Thapan also clarified a few things about the efficient use of water. He said that in reality, the inefficient use of water that results in wasted resources and shortages is not primarily the fault of corporations and households.
The major contributor to dwindling water supply—in the Philippines and other countries—is agriculture. More precisely, the inefficient use of water in the agricultural sector.
"The Philippines has a low rating when it comes to the efficient use of water in its agriculture sector. Both the government and the private sector can work together to improve that efficiency.
The efficient use of water in agriculture ensures not only water supply but food supply as well," said Thapan.
Since coffee is an agricultural product, Nestlé Philippines is doing its part in ensuring the efficient, safe, responsible, sustainable and ecologically sound use of water, according to Edith de Leon, SVP and head of Corporate Affairs, Nestlé Philippiens.
"Nestlé has practiced CSV long before the term was invented—since it was founded 140 years ago, in fact.
The efficient, safe and sustainable use of water is actually one of the pillars of the Nestlé CSV approach.
The other two are nutrition and rural development. We have several programs that ensure efficient, sustainable and responsible water use," said de Leon.
De Leon pointed out that Nestlé is implementing the Sustainable Agricultural Initiative (SAI) and the Coffee-Based Sustainable Farming System (CBSFS).
These programs teach farmers coffee-growing methods that improve the quantity and quality of their coffee beans in the most environment-friendly and sustainable way.
"Nestlé agronomists teach farmers to construct catch basins in their farms—essentially these are ponds designed to catch and store rainfall for use as irrigation.
These ponds can also be used in raising fish for extra income.
At the coffee roasting facility, water used in cleaning and processing coffee beans is recycled.
Sustainable agriculture promoted by Nestlé even goes beyond efficient water use," she said.
Nestlé Philippines in partnership with the Asian Development Bank, the Philippine Business for Social Progress and the Asian Institute of Management RVR Center for Social Responsibility organized the CSV Forum to encourage corporations, government and other society stakeholders to embrace CSV as a catalyst for social progress.
Malaya Business Insight
August 5, 2010
A report from the Asian Development Bank showd that as of year 2002, some 699 million people in the Asia-Pacific region had no access to safe drinking water (Asia Water Watch 2015 published jointly by the Asian Development Bank, UNDP, UNESCAP and the World Health Organization in 2006). The report mentioned that the Philippine water use and water supply situation has actually regressed—that is, as more and more Filipinos need water in rural and urban areas, water supply is actually decreasing. In the next few years, the Philippines could be facing a water crisis with tragic consequences just as what residents in Metro Manila have had a glimpse last month.
The recent Creating Shared Value (CSV) forum held at the New World Hotel discussed how corporations could work with government, NGOs and other stakeholders in ensuring water for both urban and rural communities.
The forum sought to encourage corporations to invest in business strategies, practices and programs that are not only profitable but are also catalysts for social progress. Mark Kramer, CSV forum’s main speaker, said: "Creating shared value means policies and practices that enhance the competitiveness of a company while simultaneously advancing economic and social conditions in the communities in which it operates."
Arjun Thapan, special senior advisor to the president on infrastructure and water of the Asian Development Bank, said that the ADB is encouraging the private sector and government to invest in water, specifically targeting the poorest areas, where people need water and sanitation most urgently.
ADB has also done a cost-benefit analysis, proving that investing in water will result in tremendous returns.
Essentially, every dollar spent on water and sanitation for the poor, six dollars are generated.
"Here’s the big picture. Even if we only invest to meet the minimum requirement set by the United Nations for providing water and sanitation to the world’s poor—known as Millennium Development Goal (MDG) Target 10—the economic benefits will amount to $54 billion.
If we exceed MDG Target 10 and invest in water, sanitation, together with piped-in water to houses, sewage and partial water treatment for all, around $241 billion in economic benefits are generated.
"More simply, if we invest $8 billion annually in water and sanitation to meet Target 10, we get an annual return of $54 billion in economic benefits. If you think about it, very few other business investments result in such a high rate of return," Thapan said.
Thapan also clarified a few things about the efficient use of water. He said that in reality, the inefficient use of water that results in wasted resources and shortages is not primarily the fault of corporations and households.
The major contributor to dwindling water supply—in the Philippines and other countries—is agriculture. More precisely, the inefficient use of water in the agricultural sector.
"The Philippines has a low rating when it comes to the efficient use of water in its agriculture sector. Both the government and the private sector can work together to improve that efficiency.
The efficient use of water in agriculture ensures not only water supply but food supply as well," said Thapan.
Since coffee is an agricultural product, Nestlé Philippines is doing its part in ensuring the efficient, safe, responsible, sustainable and ecologically sound use of water, according to Edith de Leon, SVP and head of Corporate Affairs, Nestlé Philippiens.
"Nestlé has practiced CSV long before the term was invented—since it was founded 140 years ago, in fact.
The efficient, safe and sustainable use of water is actually one of the pillars of the Nestlé CSV approach.
The other two are nutrition and rural development. We have several programs that ensure efficient, sustainable and responsible water use," said de Leon.
De Leon pointed out that Nestlé is implementing the Sustainable Agricultural Initiative (SAI) and the Coffee-Based Sustainable Farming System (CBSFS).
These programs teach farmers coffee-growing methods that improve the quantity and quality of their coffee beans in the most environment-friendly and sustainable way.
"Nestlé agronomists teach farmers to construct catch basins in their farms—essentially these are ponds designed to catch and store rainfall for use as irrigation.
These ponds can also be used in raising fish for extra income.
At the coffee roasting facility, water used in cleaning and processing coffee beans is recycled.
Sustainable agriculture promoted by Nestlé even goes beyond efficient water use," she said.
Nestlé Philippines in partnership with the Asian Development Bank, the Philippine Business for Social Progress and the Asian Institute of Management RVR Center for Social Responsibility organized the CSV Forum to encourage corporations, government and other society stakeholders to embrace CSV as a catalyst for social progress.
Kids in 2 Bohol barangays get school supplies
Kids in 2 Bohol barangays get school supplies
Cebu Daily News
August 04, 2010
More than 300 schoolchildren in the far-flung barangays of Bohol received school supplies from The Bellevue Manila as part of the company's corporate social responsibility program last June 25.
The outreach activity was in support of the Department of Education’s Brigada Eskwela campaign.
The Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) and the Bohol Integrated Development Foundation, Inc. helped distribute the school supplies, which included paper pads, pencils and sharpeners to the grade school pupils of Malitbog Elementary School in barangay Malitbog, Dagohoy town and Caluasan Elementary School in barangay Caluasan, San Miguel town. The teachers also received bags.
The beneficiaries were children of marginal farmers assisted by the PBSP. The PBSP identified the two schools to have the highest percentage of dropouts.
Most pupils of thes two schools missed their classes because they had to help their parents.
“The assistance to these pupils is a great help since most of them used their school supplies from the previous year so their parents can save money,” said Malitbog Elementary School Principal Zozima Ampoloquio.
Aside from the school supplies, PBSP also built Learning Resource Centers in the two schools, with funding from Motolite's Balik Baterya program. BSP is currently implementing the Bohol Poverty Reduction Program in the nine municipalities of Bohol, including Dagohoy and San Miguel.
Cebu Daily News
August 04, 2010
More than 300 schoolchildren in the far-flung barangays of Bohol received school supplies from The Bellevue Manila as part of the company's corporate social responsibility program last June 25.
The outreach activity was in support of the Department of Education’s Brigada Eskwela campaign.
The Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) and the Bohol Integrated Development Foundation, Inc. helped distribute the school supplies, which included paper pads, pencils and sharpeners to the grade school pupils of Malitbog Elementary School in barangay Malitbog, Dagohoy town and Caluasan Elementary School in barangay Caluasan, San Miguel town. The teachers also received bags.
The beneficiaries were children of marginal farmers assisted by the PBSP. The PBSP identified the two schools to have the highest percentage of dropouts.
Most pupils of thes two schools missed their classes because they had to help their parents.
“The assistance to these pupils is a great help since most of them used their school supplies from the previous year so their parents can save money,” said Malitbog Elementary School Principal Zozima Ampoloquio.
Aside from the school supplies, PBSP also built Learning Resource Centers in the two schools, with funding from Motolite's Balik Baterya program. BSP is currently implementing the Bohol Poverty Reduction Program in the nine municipalities of Bohol, including Dagohoy and San Miguel.
Tuesday, August 03, 2010
Integrated initiatives vs poverty
Integrated initiatives vs poverty
Journal Online
August 3, 2010
Poverty and environment are so interlinked that as the state of the environment diminishes, poverty directly increases and vice versa. It is imperative, therefore that these two areas, being of social and economic concern, be treated jointly.
Yet, the common practice at present is to treat them separately. At the national level, there’s principally Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for environmental concerns and National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) for poverty. At the local government levels-whether province, municipality, city and barangay-environmental officers are hardly ever focused on the impact on the poor of environmental developments.
Though historically the Philippines has been richly endowed with natural resources, today the level of poverty is so much higher than its neighbors which had much less in natural resources to start with. Moreover, our natural resources are reaching critical levels - e.g. our seas are so depleted that the fisherfolks now constitute the poorest sector.
Next to fisherfolks, farmers are the next poorest with forest and agricultural lands being converted to residential and commercial properties, leaving farmers without land to till and make productive for their basic needs.
In the private sector, there are corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects that exceptionally, are focused on the environment but in the long run also benefit the poor. A clear case is the establishment of marine sanctuaries supported by coastal resorts in the areas near them. A specific example is that of the resorts in Mactan. In the 1980s, the Bohol Strait between Mactan and Cebu on the northwest and Bohol on the southeast was devastated because of dynamite fishing. In the 1990s, with technical assistance from USAID, a marine sanctuary was established on the small island called Gilutungan. By mid-2000s, the corals and fishes came back to life, so much so that the fisherfolks became passionate protectors of the marine sanctuary. Moreover, marine life in the sanctuary gave birth to eco-tourism. Downstream livelihoods like pumpboat services, dive instructors, tour guides, food and souvenir sales thrived.
Based on the success of Gilutungan, a similar project was initiated in 2004 off the coast of Olango Island, directly across Mactan Shangrila. Today the same poverty/environment (P/E) benefits are enjoyed by the hotels and the local community. Marine ecology greatly improved, making the hotels more attractive to tourists and the locals benefiting economically from the richer fish harvest and tourism activities.
There are a number of similar poverty/environment successes in other sectors like the Community-Based Forestry Management (CBFM) initiative of DENR started in the 1980s and the technological assistance to farmers by the Department of Agriculture. It is imperative that these successful cases be identified and up-scaled. It is also strategically critical, for these initiatives to gain access to financing, that they be integrated into the planning protocols of NEDA on the national level and the DILG, which is mandated to mentor local governments, for local government units. NEDA and DILG can facilitate the integration of poverty and environment initiatives at the planning stage of DENR, NAPC and other relevant agencies.
For the private sector, business and industry associations such as the Philippine Business for Social Progress, the Philippine Business for the Environment and the Management Association of the Philippines can assist in the scaling-up and integration of P/E initiatives.
I concede that much awareness-raising must first be done. I count on the commitment of United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) that their program “to support governments to increase their financing and implementation of pro-poor environment outcomes through mainstreaming environment issues in planning and financing processes” will help poverty and environment initiatives to take a deeper root in the Philippines.
(Grace Favila is Adviser to the Board of the Philippine Business for the Environment and Vice President of the Philippine Pollution Prevention Roundtable.)
Journal Online
August 3, 2010
Poverty and environment are so interlinked that as the state of the environment diminishes, poverty directly increases and vice versa. It is imperative, therefore that these two areas, being of social and economic concern, be treated jointly.
Yet, the common practice at present is to treat them separately. At the national level, there’s principally Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for environmental concerns and National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) for poverty. At the local government levels-whether province, municipality, city and barangay-environmental officers are hardly ever focused on the impact on the poor of environmental developments.
Though historically the Philippines has been richly endowed with natural resources, today the level of poverty is so much higher than its neighbors which had much less in natural resources to start with. Moreover, our natural resources are reaching critical levels - e.g. our seas are so depleted that the fisherfolks now constitute the poorest sector.
Next to fisherfolks, farmers are the next poorest with forest and agricultural lands being converted to residential and commercial properties, leaving farmers without land to till and make productive for their basic needs.
In the private sector, there are corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects that exceptionally, are focused on the environment but in the long run also benefit the poor. A clear case is the establishment of marine sanctuaries supported by coastal resorts in the areas near them. A specific example is that of the resorts in Mactan. In the 1980s, the Bohol Strait between Mactan and Cebu on the northwest and Bohol on the southeast was devastated because of dynamite fishing. In the 1990s, with technical assistance from USAID, a marine sanctuary was established on the small island called Gilutungan. By mid-2000s, the corals and fishes came back to life, so much so that the fisherfolks became passionate protectors of the marine sanctuary. Moreover, marine life in the sanctuary gave birth to eco-tourism. Downstream livelihoods like pumpboat services, dive instructors, tour guides, food and souvenir sales thrived.
Based on the success of Gilutungan, a similar project was initiated in 2004 off the coast of Olango Island, directly across Mactan Shangrila. Today the same poverty/environment (P/E) benefits are enjoyed by the hotels and the local community. Marine ecology greatly improved, making the hotels more attractive to tourists and the locals benefiting economically from the richer fish harvest and tourism activities.
There are a number of similar poverty/environment successes in other sectors like the Community-Based Forestry Management (CBFM) initiative of DENR started in the 1980s and the technological assistance to farmers by the Department of Agriculture. It is imperative that these successful cases be identified and up-scaled. It is also strategically critical, for these initiatives to gain access to financing, that they be integrated into the planning protocols of NEDA on the national level and the DILG, which is mandated to mentor local governments, for local government units. NEDA and DILG can facilitate the integration of poverty and environment initiatives at the planning stage of DENR, NAPC and other relevant agencies.
For the private sector, business and industry associations such as the Philippine Business for Social Progress, the Philippine Business for the Environment and the Management Association of the Philippines can assist in the scaling-up and integration of P/E initiatives.
I concede that much awareness-raising must first be done. I count on the commitment of United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) that their program “to support governments to increase their financing and implementation of pro-poor environment outcomes through mainstreaming environment issues in planning and financing processes” will help poverty and environment initiatives to take a deeper root in the Philippines.
(Grace Favila is Adviser to the Board of the Philippine Business for the Environment and Vice President of the Philippine Pollution Prevention Roundtable.)
Monday, August 02, 2010
PBSP's Reforestation Caravan Updates
Since its kickoff on June 19 at Sitio Cantipla, Tabunan, Cebu City, more and more companies are joining the Cebu Hillylands Reforestation Caravan. PBSP thanks the following companies and associations that helped us save the earth every weekend:
July 24, 2010
Euro-CB (Philippines), Inc.
Virginia Foods, Inc.
MSM Cebu
July 25, 2010
Ernesto Yu Foundation
July 31, 2010
Lexmark R&D
QUALFON Philippines, Inc.
Asiatown IT Park
The Cebu Hillylands Reforestation Caravan is PBSP's flagship program which aims for the protection of the Central Cebu Protected Landscape (CCPL), Metro Cebu's major source of potable water and the conservation of Cebu's ecological heritage.
Sunday, August 01, 2010
MCPI conducts training on seaweed farming to Bohol, Cebu fisherfolk
MCPI conducts training on seaweed farming to Bohol, Cebu fisherfolk
August 1, 2010
The Freeman-Region
MCPI Corporation is helping more fishermen tap other areas of the lucrative marine market by teaching them how to produce high-quality seaweeds.
As such, 24 fishermen of the SECAFEE Integrated Cooperative underwent a three-day training on integrated seaweeds farming recently at MCPI's Ocean Farming and Research Center in Danajon Reef, Bien Unido town of Bohol.
The project is in partnership with the German Development Service/Deutscher Entwicklungsdienst (DED), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP).
It is sponsored by MCPI, BFAR and DED's Strategic Corporate-Community Partnerships for Social Progress (SCOPE) Program, which runs for two years.
The training was provided for the fishermen and farmers of Dalaguete, Cebu and Guindacpan and Calituban towns in Bohol.
German Consultant for SCOPE Janina Wohlgemuth explains: “The goal of the project is to generate a long-term alternative source of income for the people in those three towns. Most of them are fisherfolk and with decreasing fishing yields, they are finding it harder and harder to provide for their families.”
The project also aims to establish cooperation between the farmers and MCPI Corporation in the long run, so that the farmers will have a secure market for the seaweed they are going to plant.
Wohlgemuth added: “An additional outcome of the training is the protection of the environment. It discourages dynamite and cyanide fishing present in the area as these fishing practices also affect the seaweed farms. Additionally, the seaweed farms serve as a habitat for many marine species.”
Seaweed has become one of the most sought-after products in the market mostly for its extract, carageenan, which is mainly used in the food processing industry. Currently, MCPI imports high quantities of seaweed from Malaysia and Indonesia to meet its demand.
The training conducted by MCPI and BFAR taught fishermen basic fishery laws and the economics of seaweed production and market prospects of the seaweed industry.
“We are very thankful for the training because we have learned how to manage and take care of the seaweeds technically. Though most of us already know how to plant the seaweeds, we still lack the knowledge on certain technical aspects like disease prevention and the proper harvesting and drying of seaweeds,” says Leo Escala, chairman of the cooperative.
MCPI and DED will further assist the fisherfolk in setting up a 2.5-hectare seaweed farm which will expand to eight hectares after three planting cycles.
Some of the harvested seaweeds will be given to the Dalaguete farmers and other PBSP-supported farmers in Bohol so they can start their farms in the next planting cycle. A second part of the harvested seaweeds will be used to grow the farm in Guindacpan and the rest will be sold to MCPI.
“We at DED will continue to accompany the cooperation between MCPI and SECAFEE to ensure that all parties fulfill what they committed so that the project becomes a success,” Wohlgemuth adds. (PR)
August 1, 2010
The Freeman-Region
MCPI Corporation is helping more fishermen tap other areas of the lucrative marine market by teaching them how to produce high-quality seaweeds.
As such, 24 fishermen of the SECAFEE Integrated Cooperative underwent a three-day training on integrated seaweeds farming recently at MCPI's Ocean Farming and Research Center in Danajon Reef, Bien Unido town of Bohol.
The project is in partnership with the German Development Service/Deutscher Entwicklungsdienst (DED), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP).
It is sponsored by MCPI, BFAR and DED's Strategic Corporate-Community Partnerships for Social Progress (SCOPE) Program, which runs for two years.
The training was provided for the fishermen and farmers of Dalaguete, Cebu and Guindacpan and Calituban towns in Bohol.
German Consultant for SCOPE Janina Wohlgemuth explains: “The goal of the project is to generate a long-term alternative source of income for the people in those three towns. Most of them are fisherfolk and with decreasing fishing yields, they are finding it harder and harder to provide for their families.”
The project also aims to establish cooperation between the farmers and MCPI Corporation in the long run, so that the farmers will have a secure market for the seaweed they are going to plant.
Wohlgemuth added: “An additional outcome of the training is the protection of the environment. It discourages dynamite and cyanide fishing present in the area as these fishing practices also affect the seaweed farms. Additionally, the seaweed farms serve as a habitat for many marine species.”
Seaweed has become one of the most sought-after products in the market mostly for its extract, carageenan, which is mainly used in the food processing industry. Currently, MCPI imports high quantities of seaweed from Malaysia and Indonesia to meet its demand.
The training conducted by MCPI and BFAR taught fishermen basic fishery laws and the economics of seaweed production and market prospects of the seaweed industry.
“We are very thankful for the training because we have learned how to manage and take care of the seaweeds technically. Though most of us already know how to plant the seaweeds, we still lack the knowledge on certain technical aspects like disease prevention and the proper harvesting and drying of seaweeds,” says Leo Escala, chairman of the cooperative.
MCPI and DED will further assist the fisherfolk in setting up a 2.5-hectare seaweed farm which will expand to eight hectares after three planting cycles.
Some of the harvested seaweeds will be given to the Dalaguete farmers and other PBSP-supported farmers in Bohol so they can start their farms in the next planting cycle. A second part of the harvested seaweeds will be used to grow the farm in Guindacpan and the rest will be sold to MCPI.
“We at DED will continue to accompany the cooperation between MCPI and SECAFEE to ensure that all parties fulfill what they committed so that the project becomes a success,” Wohlgemuth adds. (PR)
Saturday, July 31, 2010
MCPI conducts training on seaweed farming
MCPI conducts training on seaweed farming
Manila Bulletin
July 31, 2010
MCPI Corporation is helping more fishermen tap other areas of the lucrative marine market by teaching them how to produce high-quality seaweeds.
Twenty-four fishermen of the SECAFEE Integrated Development Cooperative underwent a three-day training on integrated seaweeds farming recently at MCPI's Ocean Farming and Research Center in Danajon Reef, Bien Unido, Bohol.
The project is in partnership with the German Development Service/Deutscher Entwicklungsdienst (DED), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP). It is sponsored by MCPI, BFAR and DED's Strategic Corporate-Community Partnerships for Social Progress (SCOPE) Program, which runs for two years.
The training was provided for the fishermen and farmers of Dalaguete, Cebu and Guindacpan and Calituban, Bohol.
German Consultant for SCOPE Janina Wohlgemuth explains, “The goal of the project is to generate a long-term alternative source of income for the people in those three towns. Most of them are fisherfolk and with decreasing fishing yields, they are finding it harder and harder to provide for their families.”
The project also aims to establish cooperation between the farmers and MCPI Corporation in the long run, so that the farmers will have a secure market for the seaweed they are going to plant.
MCPI and DED will further assist the fisherfolk in setting up a 2.5-hectare seaweed farm which will expand to eight hectares after 3 planting cycles. Some of the harvested seaweeds will be given to the Dalaguete farmers and other PBSP-supported farmers in Bohol so they can start their farms in the next planting cycle. A second part of the harvested seaweeds will be used to grow the farm in Guindacpan and the rest will be sold to MCPI.
Wohlgemuth added, “An additional outcome of the training is the protection of the environment. It discourages dynamite and cyanide fishing present in the area as these fishing practices also affect the seaweed farms. Additionally, the seaweed farms serve as a habitat for many marine species.”
Manila Bulletin
July 31, 2010
MCPI Corporation is helping more fishermen tap other areas of the lucrative marine market by teaching them how to produce high-quality seaweeds.
Twenty-four fishermen of the SECAFEE Integrated Development Cooperative underwent a three-day training on integrated seaweeds farming recently at MCPI's Ocean Farming and Research Center in Danajon Reef, Bien Unido, Bohol.
The project is in partnership with the German Development Service/Deutscher Entwicklungsdienst (DED), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP). It is sponsored by MCPI, BFAR and DED's Strategic Corporate-Community Partnerships for Social Progress (SCOPE) Program, which runs for two years.
The training was provided for the fishermen and farmers of Dalaguete, Cebu and Guindacpan and Calituban, Bohol.
German Consultant for SCOPE Janina Wohlgemuth explains, “The goal of the project is to generate a long-term alternative source of income for the people in those three towns. Most of them are fisherfolk and with decreasing fishing yields, they are finding it harder and harder to provide for their families.”
The project also aims to establish cooperation between the farmers and MCPI Corporation in the long run, so that the farmers will have a secure market for the seaweed they are going to plant.
MCPI and DED will further assist the fisherfolk in setting up a 2.5-hectare seaweed farm which will expand to eight hectares after 3 planting cycles. Some of the harvested seaweeds will be given to the Dalaguete farmers and other PBSP-supported farmers in Bohol so they can start their farms in the next planting cycle. A second part of the harvested seaweeds will be used to grow the farm in Guindacpan and the rest will be sold to MCPI.
Wohlgemuth added, “An additional outcome of the training is the protection of the environment. It discourages dynamite and cyanide fishing present in the area as these fishing practices also affect the seaweed farms. Additionally, the seaweed farms serve as a habitat for many marine species.”
PBSP celebrates corporate citizenship
PBSP celebrates corporate citizenship
For the corporate sector, July was a busy month – and it was not over profit or selling. In celebration of CSR month, companies of all sizes partnered with Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), the largest corporate-led foundation in the country, to express their social responsibility.
In the Visayas, various companies partnered with PBSP to help plant mangroves and indigenous trees, provide school supplies and share their expertise – all to help communities build self-reliance.
Education support from The Bellevue Manila
More than 300 public school pupils from the remote barangays of Bohol received school supplies donated by The Bellevue Manila. PBSP and the Bohol Integrated Development Foundation, Inc. helped distribute paper pads, pencils and sharpeners to the children of Malitbog's and Caluasan's farmers,
Through the Cebu Hillylands Reforestation Caravan, PBSP is getting more people involved in the movement to save one of Cebu's major water and ecological resource. Since its kickoff on June 19, increasing number of companies have dedicated their Saturdays to either adopt a hectare for reforestation or send their employee volunteers to plant more trees.
The Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Ernesto Yu Foundation, Petron Corp., Dumaguete City Development Bank, QUALFON Philippines, Inc., DMC Busa Printers, Yamashin Filters Cebu Mfg. Corp., Cebu Dynamic Youth, MSM Cebu, Inc., EURO-CB (Philippines), Inc. and Virginia Foods, Inc. helped PBSP plant more than 17,000 tree seedlings In Cantipla, Cebu City.
Employees from Asiatown IT Park and members from the USC Lion's Club are also slated to join the caravan on July 31 and August 1.
The reforestation caravan runs from June 19 to September 25.
Organic farm tour with Bridges Town Square
Gaining more viable returns is also about bringing the market closer to your products. With Bridges Town Square and PR Works Cebu, PBSP organized a tour for print media representatives and Cebu's top bloggers to visit assisted farms with organically grown products.
The tour showcased Sudlon's salad crops and Tabunan's “pinakbet” ingredients, which can be directly bought in Bridges Town Square's Kumprahan Supermerkado.
Kumprahan Supermerkado is the first of its kind that allows farmers to sell directly to its consumers on a rent-free space, eliminating the middlemen and allowing farmers to sell their products for better returns.
Seaweeds training by MCPI
Twenty-four fishermen from Cebu and Bohol are now getting into the lucrative production of high-quality seaweeds with help from MCPI Corporation. The company recently held a training on integrated seaweeds farming for the fishermen at MCPI's Ocean Farming and Research Center in Danajon Reef, Bien Unido, Bohol.
The three-day training taught fishermen how to properly grow and harvest seaweeds as well as prevent diseases which may result to poor harvests. As part of the training, the fisherfolk will receive assistance in setting up a 2.5-hectare seaweed farm which will expand to eight hectares after three planting cycles.
The project, which is also in partnership with the German Development Service/Deutscher Entwicklungsdienst (DED) and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), aims to help to provide an alternative source of livelihood in the marine market as well as decrease the number of seaweeds imported from India and Malaysia. It is sponsored by MCPI, BFAR and DED's Strategic Corporate-Community Partnerships for Social Progress (SCOPE) Program.
Cathay Pacific showed that spending a weekend getaway on an island paradise can also be an opportunity to help out. While visiting the scenic island of Olango, Lapu-lapu City, employees from Cathay Pacific Cargo Philippines, U-Freight Philippines, Vascor Cebu, Centurion Security Agency, TGC, Kwe, DHL and YAS spent their time planting 1,000 mangrove trees with the grade one pupils of POO Elementary School.
Cathay Pacific Manager Camila Taylor, Centurion Security Vice President for Finance Jasmine Pages and DHL Vice President for the Visayas and Mindanao JC Cergneux led their employees in distributing school bags, notebooks, pencils, sharpeners and crayons to the pupils and engaging in story-telling with the children.
“We are very happy that they really spent their time to come to our school and give school supplies for my child. Now I can save more money to spend for his other needs,” said Cheryl Fernandez, 28, mother of 6-year-old Rainier.
Aside from the school supplies, the employees also sent personalized greeting cards for the children to encourage them to study hard.
Coffee table book on CSR
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is defined at its best through PBSP's coffee table book entitled “A Better Life, Stories of Corporate Social Responsibility.”
“A Better Life,” the first book published in the country dedicated to corporate social responsibility (CSR), features the CSR milestones of PBSP’s operations in the Visayas in the areas of livelihood and enterprise, education, health, and the environment. It also honors the projects of 32 Philippine companies, which makes the book a valuable resource material for companies, CSR practitioners, civil society, academe and individuals who wanted to know more about helping communities through CSR.
Each copy of “A Better Life” is P2,550.00, inclusive of 12% VAT, and is exclusively sold at PBSP's Visayas Regional Office in Cebu City.
Employee Volunteers Give
Aside from participating in various events, companies and employee volunteers are also helping build better lives through online giving. PBSP has joined Global Giving, an online platform that connects donors to project beneficiaries worldwide. Through the Global Giving site, employees and officers of various companies are pooling their online donations for the construction of more mini dams in Bohol.
The online campaign, which aims to raise $4,000.00 for the construction of six more mini dams, will end on July 31, 2010.
All these examples show how more businesses are working with PBSP to expand their role in society. Beyond CSR Month ends, PBSP works all year to engage more corporate citizens to help create better lives by participating in its roster of developmental projects. For more details, interested companies may contact PBSP through (032) 232-5270 and 232-5283 or send an email to pbspvro@pbsp.org.ph.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Asian Forum on CSR 2010 Moves to Kuala Lumpur
Asian Forum on CSR 2010 Moves to Kuala Lumpur
July 28, 2010
ACN Newswire
Manila, July 28, 2010 - (ACN Newswire) - The 9th annual Asian Forum on Corporate Social Responsibility (AFCSR) will now take place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Conference Dates remain the same-October 21 and 22, 2010.
The Asian Institute of Management Ramon V. del Rosario Center for Corporate Social Responsibility (AIM-RVR Center), principal host of the conference, moved the AFCSR 2010 from Beijing to Kuala Lumpur.
"The most important learning is that it really takes time to secure the necessary permits to conduct an event in China. It is a slow process that starts with forming good relations and partnerships with reputable Chinese organizations. They are serious about organizations they partner with and take time to reconcile their goals with who they partner with. I believe we are making excellent headway in this regard," said Prof. Felipe B. Alfonso, Vice-Chairman of AIM's Board of Trustees.
Recognized as being the largest and most significant conference on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in Asia, the 2009 conference recently concluded in Manila with 494 delegates. 473 delegates attended in Singapore in 2008, and 550 delegates attended in Ho Chi Minh City in 2007. For this year, over 500 business executives and other CSR stakeholders from more than 30 countries are expected to attend the conference in Kuala Lumpur.
The AFCSR in Kuala Lumpur aims to highlight innovative programs and best practices in CSR by corporations operating in Asia and to promote CSR as a key strategy in addressing social needs and concerns; to showcase corporate innovation in CSR in Asia and among Asian firms; to promote new thinking and standards on CSR as a strategy; and to build a network of CSR practitioners across Asia. The event is extremely well-supported and attended not only by senior business executives from Asia, but also by major NGOs throughout the Asian region.
The 2010 Asian Forum is presented by the AIM Ramon V. del Rosario Center for Corporate Social Responsibility and co-presented by the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) and Intel as Strategic Partners.
AFCSR's notable partners include: ActionAid International Vietnam, ASEAN Foundation, Asia Pacific Philanthropy Consortium, Asia Society, Baltic Management Development Association (BMDA), Business Ethics Institute of Malaysia, Business in the Community-UK, Center for Development and Integration - Vietnam, Center for International Business Ethics (CIBE), Centre for Social Markets - India, Community Business - Hong Kong, Confederation of Asia-Pacific Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Council for Better Corporate Citizenship - Japan, EFMD, Euro-China Centre for Leadership and Responsibility at China-Europe International Business School (ECCLAR at CEIBS), Globally Responsible Leadership Initiative (GRLI), Habitat for Humanity International, Indonesia Business Links, International Business Leaders Forum, Kenan Institute Asia, League of Corporate Foundations - Philippines, Makati Business Club, Management Association of the Philippines, Management Institute for Social Change - Malaysia, National Center for Sustainability Reporting - Indonesia, Philippine Business for Social Progress, Population and Community Development Association of Thailand, PPM Institute of Management - Indonesia, Responsible Business Initiative - Pakistan, Singapore Compact for CSR and The American Chamber of Commerce in the People's Republic of China.
CHANGE OF DEADLINES: With the move of the Asian Forum on Corporate Social Responsibility (AFCR) 2010 to Kuala Lumpur, the Early Bird Rate is also extended up to September 17, 2010 for registrations.
There will be extension on the deadline for the entries of the Asian CSR Awards to August 31. Companies may enter as many projects as they wish in one or more of these categories: Best Workplace Practices, Concern for Health, Environmental Excellence, Poverty Alleviation and Support and Improvement of Education.
For additional information on AFCSR, please visit the AFCSR website at www.asianforumcsr.com for conference updates.
Read more.
July 28, 2010
ACN Newswire
Manila, July 28, 2010 - (ACN Newswire) - The 9th annual Asian Forum on Corporate Social Responsibility (AFCSR) will now take place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Conference Dates remain the same-October 21 and 22, 2010.
The Asian Institute of Management Ramon V. del Rosario Center for Corporate Social Responsibility (AIM-RVR Center), principal host of the conference, moved the AFCSR 2010 from Beijing to Kuala Lumpur.
"The most important learning is that it really takes time to secure the necessary permits to conduct an event in China. It is a slow process that starts with forming good relations and partnerships with reputable Chinese organizations. They are serious about organizations they partner with and take time to reconcile their goals with who they partner with. I believe we are making excellent headway in this regard," said Prof. Felipe B. Alfonso, Vice-Chairman of AIM's Board of Trustees.
Recognized as being the largest and most significant conference on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in Asia, the 2009 conference recently concluded in Manila with 494 delegates. 473 delegates attended in Singapore in 2008, and 550 delegates attended in Ho Chi Minh City in 2007. For this year, over 500 business executives and other CSR stakeholders from more than 30 countries are expected to attend the conference in Kuala Lumpur.
The AFCSR in Kuala Lumpur aims to highlight innovative programs and best practices in CSR by corporations operating in Asia and to promote CSR as a key strategy in addressing social needs and concerns; to showcase corporate innovation in CSR in Asia and among Asian firms; to promote new thinking and standards on CSR as a strategy; and to build a network of CSR practitioners across Asia. The event is extremely well-supported and attended not only by senior business executives from Asia, but also by major NGOs throughout the Asian region.
The 2010 Asian Forum is presented by the AIM Ramon V. del Rosario Center for Corporate Social Responsibility and co-presented by the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) and Intel as Strategic Partners.
AFCSR's notable partners include: ActionAid International Vietnam, ASEAN Foundation, Asia Pacific Philanthropy Consortium, Asia Society, Baltic Management Development Association (BMDA), Business Ethics Institute of Malaysia, Business in the Community-UK, Center for Development and Integration - Vietnam, Center for International Business Ethics (CIBE), Centre for Social Markets - India, Community Business - Hong Kong, Confederation of Asia-Pacific Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Council for Better Corporate Citizenship - Japan, EFMD, Euro-China Centre for Leadership and Responsibility at China-Europe International Business School (ECCLAR at CEIBS), Globally Responsible Leadership Initiative (GRLI), Habitat for Humanity International, Indonesia Business Links, International Business Leaders Forum, Kenan Institute Asia, League of Corporate Foundations - Philippines, Makati Business Club, Management Association of the Philippines, Management Institute for Social Change - Malaysia, National Center for Sustainability Reporting - Indonesia, Philippine Business for Social Progress, Population and Community Development Association of Thailand, PPM Institute of Management - Indonesia, Responsible Business Initiative - Pakistan, Singapore Compact for CSR and The American Chamber of Commerce in the People's Republic of China.
CHANGE OF DEADLINES: With the move of the Asian Forum on Corporate Social Responsibility (AFCR) 2010 to Kuala Lumpur, the Early Bird Rate is also extended up to September 17, 2010 for registrations.
There will be extension on the deadline for the entries of the Asian CSR Awards to August 31. Companies may enter as many projects as they wish in one or more of these categories: Best Workplace Practices, Concern for Health, Environmental Excellence, Poverty Alleviation and Support and Improvement of Education.
For additional information on AFCSR, please visit the AFCSR website at www.asianforumcsr.com for conference updates.
Read more.
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Taiyo Yuden Philippines plants 10K seedlings at Buhisan
Employees of Taiyo Yuden Philippines planted 10,000 native and endemic tree seedlings on a four-hectare site in Toong, Cebu City.
The activity is led by their EMR Director Koichi Iguchi, General Managers Toshihiko Uemura and Akira Takahashi, Assistant General Manager Keiichi Kimura, and EMs Shozaburo Kanai, Satoshi Miyamae, Toshiaki Nakano, and Koji Taketome.
Taiyo Yuden Philippines has been a partner of PBSP for its reforestation efforts since 2001. The company will continue to adopt four hectares for reforestation every year until 2015.
Veco employees plant trees with PBSP
More than 70 employees of the Visayan Electric Company (Veco) planted 12,500 seedlings over five hectares of the Buhisan Watershed and Forest Reserve.
This activity is in partnership with the Visayas Regional Office of PBSP.
In 2010, Veco also partnered with PBSP for a five-year reforestation park project in the Cebu Hillylands. The Veco Refo Park Project aims to plant 1 million trees over 540 hectares of the Cebu Hillylands.
Art 'N' Nature's Venus Genson is Woman Entrepreneur of 2012
Congratulations to Ms. Venus Genson for bagging the Women Entrepreneur award for her trailblazing feats in social entrepreneurship and community development through Art 'N' Nature Manufacturing Corporation.
The award is one of the citations given during the recently capped Entrepreneur of the Year Philippines 2012 awarding ceremonies.
Ms. Genson is also the president of the Venus Group of Companies, a member company of PBSP.