Globe, Gawad Kalinga create nation of builders

MANILA, Philippines - When one is out to change the world one project at a time, the challenge is always how to make the impact sustainable and long-lasting.

Helping step up the poverty alleviation efforts of Gawad Kalinga, leading telecommunications company Globe Telecom scales the partnership to provide sustainable livelihood opportunities to residents of GK Villages in various parts of the country in an effort to make this underserved sector a significant partner in nation-building.

“Globe continues to do its share in building a resilient Philippines with programs toward initiating sustainable efforts like providing livelihood opportunities. Together with our long-time partner Gawad Kalinga and their social enterprises, we are doing our best to create a wonderful world of possibilities by helping them discover and nurture their potentials,” said Martha Sazon, senior vice president, Globe MyBusiness.

Globe myBusiness provides small and medium businesses with in- novative, customizable products, services and solutions such as internet connectivity for social enterprises at the GK Enchanted Farm in Angat, Bulacan.

Globe MyBusiness helped leapfrog the implementation of the Gawad Kalinga Workers Association (GAWA), an organization that combines values formation and skills development to ensure that the informal sector will be given a chance to earn a living either on their own or by serving the community.

GAWA is also a response to the huge demand for build activities and other services within and outside GK communities.

Since its conception in July 2013, GAWA was able to conduct 42 forums that produced 2,268 graduates, with more to follow.

“GAWA was conceptualized as early as October 2012 but due to lack of capital, among other factors, it was held off. Fortunately, with funding from Globe, GK was able to push through with the program. GK has long dreamt of helping spur an economy that leaves no one behind. With the underprivileged as the new middle class, they also become builders of the Philippine economy versus victims of it,” said GK executive director Jose Luis Oquinena.

One major accomplishment of the program was the establishment of the GAWA Build Teams that helped GK bring to completion projects that have demanding timelines or are in areas where support is much needed such as the housing projects in Zamboanga City; Tanay, Rizal; Rio Tuba, Palawan; and in different parts of Leyte.

Aside from training the GK residents, GAWA also assists in finding jobs for the graduates. A number of them are now employed as on-call housekeepers, drivers, sewers of janitorial services uniform, home main- tenance, spa/massage attendants, cable network installers, among others.

Globe actively supports social enterprises, micro-entrepreneurs, and local producers through its sustainable livelihood advocacy. By providing technology, training, and market access, the company hopes to promote inclusive growth in bottom-of-the-pyramid communities.