www.pbsp.org.ph
JULY 2009
I n t h i s i s s u e
Foundation Updates
Member Company Highlights
Regional 8th Asian Forum on Corporate Social Responsibility Innovations for the Base of the Pyramid in Southeast Asia
Water projects featured on Mercury TV
Petron scholars now in 2nd year
National Tipid-Sulit Pinas! - Talk ‘N Text enterprise program with PBSP PBSP teaches CSR concepts and principles MCs take a closer look at Rizal
People2People
Featured Donor: Levi Strauss Foundation
New Member: Bioessence
On your Calendar
Luzon PLDT-SMART Foundation builds e-learning center in Pampanga Visayas Employee-volunteers help save Cebu’s watershed
Foundation Updates REGIONAL 8th Asian Forum on Corporate Social Responsibility On November 19 to 20, the 8th Annual AFCSR will be held in Manila.
Asian CSR award for PBSP PBSP received the Special Achievement Award on September 19, 2003 during the 2nd Asian CSR Forum held in Bangkok, Thailand. The award honored PBSP’s contribution to the promotion and development of CSR in the Philippines and for setting the standard in the Asian region. It also recognized PBSP’s more than three decades of work in establishing proven and sustainable models of business social responsibility.
With the theme Sustaining CSR in Difficult Times: How business can benefit and why it still makes business sense, the conference will include plenary sessions, an expo on company CSR programs, field visits to innovative CSR program sites, and workshops. The highlight is the Asian CSR Awards, the premier awards program on CSR. PBSP members and CSR partners are encouraged to send their entries to the following categories: best workplace practices, concern for health, environmental excellence, poverty alleviation, and support for education. More info at http://www.asianforumcsr.com/. >> top
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Innovations for the Base of the Pyramid in Southeast Asia “I love crises. My company was borne from a crisis.” -- Cecilio Pedro, President and CEO, Lamoiyan Corporation (a PBSP member) Such was how Dr. Pedro began his message to micro, small and medium-scale entrepreneurs at the PBSP Enterprise Development Forum, Innovating Business in Challenging Times. Formerly an aluminum tube maker, Dr. Pedro was forced to close shop and retrench 100 workers because of a shift in product packaging by his major clients. A year later, Lamoiyan Corporation was founded. Today, Hapee toothpaste, Lamoiyan’s most famous product, is the industry leader in children’s toothpaste and commands about 20% of the toothpaste market. Dr. Pedro provided concrete ways by which MSMEs could turn crises into business opportunities. “There are so many (opportunities). You simply have to open your eyes,” he said, providing inspiration to the more-than-expected-number of attendees at the forum. The event was co-presented by IBoP Asia Project, a partnership between Canada’s International Development Research Centre and the Ateneo School of Government. IBoP also supported the development of a casebook which features concrete results of PBSP’s business advice to MSMEs catering to the bottom of the pyramid (BoP). A sharing session is planned for Southeast Asia. >> top
NATIONAL Tipid-Sulit Pinas! – Talk ‘N Text enterprise program with PBSP Talk ‘N Text launched its Tipid-Sulit Pinas! Advocacy – a campaign that encourages ingenuity and perseverance among Filipinos. Talk ‘N Text found a partner in PBSP, whose Business in Development (BiD) Challenge inspires enterprising Filipinos to create profitable businesses with social impact or social relevance. The partnership will help madiskarteng Pinoys through provision of start-up capital, business coaching, investor connections, and a chance to represent the country in the International BiD Challenge in the Netherlands. PBSP is looking for more supporters to add to this powerhouse list: Talk ‘n Text, Citi Philippines, Nestlé Philippines, Shell, and OikoCredit (Netherlands). Join the BiD Challenge! Spread the word to your MSME contacts. Forward Newsbytes. Visit www.pbsp.org.ph! >> top
PBSP teaches CSR concepts and principles Companies gained a deeper understanding of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and corporate citizenship (CC) concepts and principles through PBSP’s CC101: Corporate Citizenship Appreciation Course held recently. 2
Want to know more about strategic ways to express corporate citizenship? Ways to benchmark your CC practices? Contribute to the United Nations Millennium Development Goals? Contact pbsp@pbsp.org.ph! Share this Newsbytes issue with other companies! >> top
MCs take a closer look at Rizal Filipino artwork and cuisine… export-quality Philippine products…good CSR practices - all make up an enriching CSR site visit for PBSP member-companies. Representatives from Shell Philippines, Holcim Philippines, Sagittarius Mines, and Bioessence enjoyed a daylong visit to PBSP sites – enterprises where the Business Advisory Program (BAP) volunteer advisers are deployed - in Rizal. First stop was CD Handicrafts in Angono, which is assisted by BAP in product development. The group was impressed, not only with CD Handicrafts’ designs, but also with its initiative to provide livelihood opportunities to the community. Next on the list was the famous Balaw-Balaw Foods, which serves Filipino delicacies like fermented shrimp and adobong itik. BAP assists the enterprise through financial management advising. A hearty lunch at the Balaw-Balaw Restaurant, which has a mini-museum showcasing Angono art works, was truly satisfying. The final stop was the One Town One Product (OTOP) Island Fair at SM Megamall, where new designs from BAP’s Rizal Houseware and Holiday Décor Cluster were launched – an idea that came about through BAP’s assistance in product development. Eight MSMEs from Rizal, including CD Handicrafts, showcased their products through PBSP and SM’s support. Our CSR is alive in people’s lives! Experience PBSP’s CSR university! Visit our sites! Contact pbsp@pbsp.org.ph. >> top
LUZON PLDT-SMART Foundation builds e-learning center in Pampanga PLDT, Smart Communications, and PBSP Chairman Manuel V Pangilinan recently inaugurated a state-of-the-art e-learning center in San Vicente Central School, Apalit, Pampanga. PLDT-SMART Foundation took care of costs of the building construction, while PBSP provided the equipment, peripherals, and furnishing, and monitored the construction of the building. SMART Communications will train teachers on integrating ICT in their teaching methods. The center also enjoys a one-year free Internet subscription from PLDT. Being a community center, the facility will also extend its services to the wider Apalit community through trainings for out-of-school youth, and disaster prevention monitoring, among others. >> top
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VISAYAS Employee-volunteers help save Cebu’s watershed More than 200 employees and individuals planted 8,000 seedlings of indigenous tree species to help save the Tabunan Forest. Volunteers, including PBSP Visayas Regional Excom members Jose Levi Villanueva (FVP, UnionBank) and Eileen Mangubat (Publisher, Cebu Daily News) joined the kick off of a three-month long tree planting caravan organized by PBSP, Kantipla Ecosystems Enhancement and Protection KEEP Foundation, and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Tabunan Forest is part of the Central Cebu Protected Landscape, home to critically endangered Cebu cinnamon tree, the Cebu Black Shama and Cebu Flowerpecker. According to Global Trees Campaign, there were only 57 Cebu cinnamon trees in Tabunan in 2004. PBSP, its partners and the community then started reforesting Tabunan. By 2005, 691 species of the Cebu cinnamon tree were found, although only 20 were considered mature. We need companies and volunteers to reforest 2,500 hectares more and help 3,500 families in the Cebu hillylands. Make the PBSP difference! Contact us at pbsp@pbsp.org.ph. >> top
Member Company Highlights Water projects featured on Mercury TV The next time you buy medicines from any Mercury Drug branch, you just might catch infomercials of the company’s water project on its Mercury TV. The infomercials tell of how beneficiaries’ lives have become better now that they have access to water. There’s Tinig in Muntinlupa whose savings from the water project are used to improve its community, and even to buy Christmas gift packs for everyone. Tinig has become a model community for PBSP’s STEP UP integrated poverty reduction program. Also, there’s the farming village of Estaca in Dagohoy, Bohol. The community is now assured of a steady access to clean and safe drinking water. Through PBSP, Tinig and Estaca are two of the communities which Mercury Drug has provided access to clean water for. >> top
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Petron scholars now in 2nd year Some 300 scholars of the Petron Tulong Aral Program are now in their second year in high school. Since last year, these students have been receiving educational assistance from Petron Foundation and its partner, Land Bank of the Philippines. The educational assistance includes school supplies, uniform, school shoes and transportation allowance. The scholars also participate in a communications skills training, helping enhance their life skills. Petron actively involves the scholars’ parents through seminars from the Department of Social Welfare and Development. The program is implemented through PBSP.
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People2People Featured Donor: Levi Strauss Foundation “More than 25 years ago, Levi Strauss & Co. was the first company to not only acknowledge HIV/AIDS, but also to apply significant resources towards its eradication.” In 2002, the Levi Strauss Foundation partnered with PBSP in conceptualizing the HIV/AIDS in the Workplace Program, a pioneer program at that time. The PBSP-developed program was adopted by many companies, including PBSP member Central Azucarera Don Pedro, Inc. (CADP). CADP Group Corporation eventually won the 2007 Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria award for its HIV/AIDS in the Workplace Program. http://www.gbcimpact. org/itcs_node/4/530/program_summary/177 Levi Strauss Foundation also entrusted to PBSP its Donor-Advised Fund, which provided grants to community-based enterprises. Levi Strauss renews its ties with PBSP through a recent grant for the Paliparan III Community Enterprise and Health Project. The Paliparan I and II Projects in Cavite were initiated by First Philippine Holdings Corporation, a PBSP member. >> top
New Member: Bioessence Bioessence, an advocate of health and beauty, is the newest member of PBSP. The company offers skin care, slimming and spa services.
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Opened in 1994 with a three-bed clinic in Davao City, Bioessence now has over 20 branches nationwide - a proof that dreaming big and hard work are key ingredients for success. Bioessence provides an answer to today’s stressful lifestyle as it continues its commitment to promote wellness in the country. PBSP’s membership has grown to 248!
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On your Calendar NAGA CITY, August 12 PBSP CSR Caravan 2009 Launch of Bicol Rehabilitation and Poverty Reduction Program Magdalena Hall, Crown Hotel, Naga City, 8:00am - 5:00pm CEBU CITY, August 19 Enterprise Development Forum Visayas in collaboration with the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce Jose Enrico Gandionco of Julie’s Franchise Corp. will challenge MSMEs to think innovatively. Casino Espanol, 1:00-5:00 pm. DAVAO CITY, August 26 Enterprise Development Forum Mindanao ALBAY CITY, August 26 Lung Month Celebration USAID/TB LINC to generate public and private support for tuberculosis prevention and control. Albay in Bicol is a TB LINC priority site. NATIONWIDE, August 30 Deadline of submission of entries The Bid (Business in Development) Challenge Philippines is an annual business plan competition. Viable ideas are matched with potential investors. Visit www.bidnetwork.org/philippines MAKATI CITY, October 7 14th Festival of Trees and Flowers Fundraising event to benefit school children in Basilan and Maguindanao. Celebrations! A floral fashion show featuring Manila’s top designers. Coorganized by PBSP and Makati Garden Club. MAKATI CITY, November 19-20 8th Asian Forum on Corporate Social Responsibility Learn today’s best practices in CSR through workshops, plenary sessions, expositions, and field visits led by a team of CSR experts and industry leaders. >> top
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