Draft - CSR EXPO Article

Hybrid CSR Conference and EXPO Strikes the Path for the FUTURE of the Philippines and the Filipino People The 20th CSR Conference and EXPO, hosted and organized by the LEAGUE of CORPORATE FOUNDATIONS (LCF), showcased the next generation of hybrid events. Having successfully implemented a fully online 19th CSR Conference in EXPO in 2021, the League is back with a hybrid 4day conference and EXPO. More than [final figures to follow] delegates have gotten together to learn, network, and collaborate in the conference’s online thematic morning sessions from July 4 to 7, 2022. Internationally known speakers, esteemed members of the government, and academe graced this momentous occasion.

This year’s theme was “Creating the Future We Need: Striking the Path During a Period of Transition”.

The Conference and EXPO was crafted to explain and contextualize global uncertainties such as climate change, global warming, economic instability, inaccessible health care, and the challenges that come with the post-COVID19 pandemic and how can actors, especially those in the Philippine business community COLLABORATE to address it.

The online conference was opened by Keynote Speaker, Helle Bank Jørgensen - CEO & Founder of Competent Boards; and author of the bestselling book, “Stewards of the Future: A Guide for Competent Boards”.

In photo: Jørgensen while giving her online presentation using FLOOR, a video conference hosting platform

She was joined by reactors Lorelie Quiambao-Osial, President and CEO of Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation, Country Chair, Shell companies in the Philippines; and Richard B. Tantoco, President and COO of the Energy and Development Corporation.

In photo: Quiambao-Osial as a reactor to Jørgensen’s presentation

In photo: Tantoco as a reactor to Jørgensen’s presentation Thematic sessions discussion during the conference was delivered by industry leaders including Dr. Rodel D. Lasco, 2007 co-winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. Session themes are as follows: Education, Disaster Resilience, Environment, Health, Enterprise Development, and Financial inclusion.

The event was capped with an in-person event at the Blue Leaf Event Pavilion, Taguig City, Philippines.

It was attended by nearly 200 individuals composed of LCF members, government officials, media, the academe, and other civil society stakeholders.

Eduardo G. Bobier, Deputy Governor of the (Corporate Services Sector) Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, concluded the conference with the remark that “LCF does not only stand for League of Corporate Foundations but most aptly fitting to be called LCF for its Love and Care for the Filipinos.”

In photo: Eduardo G. Bobier, Deputy Governor of the (Corporate Services Sector) Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas This was followed by a signing of a Memorandum of Agreement between the LCF and the National Resilience Council (NRC), to harmonize their efforts in their work to capacitate and make communities more resilient and equipped to face natural and human-made disasters.

L-R: NRC, President - Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga, and LCF, Chair – Sebastian C. Quinones, Jr.

Two new LCF members were also welcomed, Malampaya Foundation, Inc. and TATA Consultancy Services – which brings the LCF membership to 93!

L-R: Malampaya, Finance and Administrative Manager- Ronald Bustos and TATA Consultancy Services, Human Resources Head - Arijit Roy The in-person event highlight is the 3rd CSR GUILD Awards– an annual recognition program for outstanding CSR projects, programs, collaborations, and other initiatives that have sustainable impact to the communities and institutions served. The awards acknowledge outstanding projects, programs, collaborations, and other initiatives within a given period as collectively decided by the member organizations of LCF by casting their respective votes.

The Guild Awards is a reminder for CSR practitioners to continuously identify challenges and to create innovative solutions to address them.

This year, there were 20 organizations vying for eight Awards. This year's jury are the following: Dr. Richard de Leon, Mary Judaline Flores-Partlow, Ebb Hinchliffe, Felix Tonog, and Dr. Mary Margaret Que. Here are the winners:

Outstanding CSR Project in Arts and Culture: “Ayala Museum Virtual Field Trip” by Ayala Foundation Inc.

Outstanding CSR Project in Disaster Resilience: “Bayan Tanim!

MPIF promotes food security during the pandemic” by Metro Pacific Investments Foundation, Inc.

Outstanding CSR Project in Education: Project “Renewable Energy for Livelihood and Youth (RELY)” by Vivant Foundation, Inc.

Outstanding CSR Project in Enterprise Development: “SUCCEED Program” by Unilab Foundation

Outstanding CSR Project in Environment: “BEST Bus (Business for Environmentally Sustainable Transportation)”

by Aboitiz Foundation, Inc.

Outstanding CSR Project in Financial Inclusion: “Breakthrough”

by BPI Foundation, Inc.

Outstanding CSR Project in Health: “Medical Auxiliary Specialized Services (MASS) Program” by Primary Structures Educational Foundation, Inc.

Outstanding CSR Collaboration Project: “LCFWinS: Lingap Eskwela sa Pandemya” by Manila Water Foundation, Inc.

Dr. Alfredo E. Pascual, Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry during his closing Keynote speech, called for a proactive pursuit of a “prosperous and collectively resilient” Philippines by working together and making sure that nobody will get left behind.

In-photo: Secretary Pascual delivering his closing keynote Sebastian C. Quiniones, Jr., LCF’s Chair, and Executive Director of the Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. responded to Secretary Pascual’s call with a reminder and challenge charged with hope, bayanihan style; LCF’s promise is to not let the Philippines fail– by paving a way forward, side by side. No one gets left behind– walang iwanan.

The Chair also reminded everyone to embody the ideals of the Philippine National Anthem, “Lupang Hinirang”. He encouraged the alab ng puso or the fervor to serve the Filipino people burn intensely.

He also said that all capable actors that can affect positive change must live for the country by letting selfishness or the kami-kami attitude die.

In-photo: LCF Chair raising a toast The recently concluded CSR Conference and EXPO is a testament to the vital role of diverse yet collective impact to make the country better for the Filipino people.

The online EXPO was joined by 44 exhibitors.