PBSP: The business of uplifting lives

MANILA, Philippines - Times have changed. In an era of great social awareness, people have become more conscious of their impact on others and their environment. The same holds true for businesses.

Whereas in the past, companies were focused solely on making profits and outsmarting the competition, businesses today have begun devoting their resources to charitable and humanitarian activities. More than harnessing resources from communities to produce and sell products or services, companies are now striving to give back to the community where they thrive through various projects that directly improve citizens’ well-being.

These are not singular philanthropic endeavors designed to create an image of benevolence for an entrepreneur but sustainable programs of like-minded organizations and individuals who believe in socially responsible entrepreneurship.

Composed of over 250 small-, medium-, and large-scale enterprises, the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), which was founded back in 1970, is the largest business-led social development organization in the country that is committed to poverty reduction. It advocates stronger corporate citizenship with the aim of supporting inclusive national development. As it grows in relevance with social awareness on the rise, PBSP member companies continue to look into more ways to become more socially responsible, as well as to include emerging enterprises in its fold.

Milestones

During PBSP’s recent annual membership meeting, chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan and executive director Rafael Lopa reported PBSP’s gains and accomplishments for the past year centered on four cornerstone areas, namely: Health, Education, Environment, and Livelihood and Enterprise Development (HEEL), as well as its key fundraising campaign, called Project New Dawn.

Lopa also presented PBSP and its member-companies’ pioneering efforts in poverty eradication through its inclusive business approach, which involves all business activities wherein a company integrates the base-of-the-pyramid segment of the economy into its value chain as suppliers, distributors, consumers, or employees – in such a scale as to create shared value. The goal is to move the base-of-the-pyramid segment out of poverty by providing them with more opportunities to earn as well as access to relevant resources and affordable goods and services.

One program launched under the inclusive business approach is the inclusive agri-business program in Mindanao, which integrates the supply chain of small farmers to large companies invested in cacao, coffee, oil palm, cassava, and seaweed.

PBSP chairman Manny Pangilinan (right) holds a plaque of appreciation from a student of Bayanan Elementary School Main in Muntinlupa City. She and fellow students gave a heartwarming performance for the business community during PBSP’s annual membership meeting at the Makati Shangri-La. With them in photo is keynote speaker Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle. STAR

PBSP chairman Pangilinan said, “As we find excitement in the opportunities coming our way, we also needed to temper our enthusiasm and address the challenges to our absorptive capacity. As such, we are undertaking an organizational transformation process to make us more efficient and effective in responding to the new scaled-up challenge of addressing these systemic problems.”

He added that PBSP needs to recruit new expertise while retooling its current teams that have demonstrated unquestionable dedication in the past several years. He also recognized the need to revisit ways the management can better engage with members and offer them new value propositions for their investments and generous patronage in the foundation.

“You can be assured that we will tirelessly work to make the most of your social investments.  We can do no less for the trust and confidence you have given us.  Moreover, we also know that our best is what our people deserve,” Pangilinan said.

‘Go to the peripheries}

PBSP also gave due recognition to its former trustees and introduced seven new member-companies.

Former trustees given a special plaque of recognition for the distinguished service to the organization were Mariels Almeda-Winhoffer, president and general manager, IBM Philippines Inc.; Ben Chan, chairman, Suyen Corporation; Peter Cowan, chairman and CEO, Unilever Philippines Inc.; and Ramon Del Rosario Jr. president and CEO, PHINMA Inc.

Subsequently, seven new member-companies, namely, Bali Oil Palm Produce Corp. CATS Motors Inc., Leighton Contractors, Monocrete Construction Philippines Inc., Philippine Seven Corporation, PGA Cars Inc., and The NET Group Real Estate Management, were warmly welcomed to PBSP’s family of socially responsible business enterprises.

Highlighting the celebration was the inspiring keynote speech of Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, who echoed what Pope Francis told fellow cardinals in a pre-conclave meeting in Rome in 2013. “Go to the peripheries, to the margins, and experience the unique joy of encountering the poor,” Tagle said.

Giving context to Pope Francis words, Cardinal Tagle added, “Going to the margins may not guarantee conversion. Thus, it’s not just important to go the peripheries; one has to decide what to do there and how you will let the peripheries affect you. In our personal encounter with the poor, we must make them feel that they matter.”

He also stressed the importance of including the poor in businesses, calling it “a theological imperative”.

He asked business leaders present if there are poor, disabled, and marginalized people employed in their businesses. He challenged them to hire more of the underprivileged, saying, “Put the poor in the heart of business and development. Let the inclusion of the poor permeate your business enterprise. For when we include the poor, we become enriched.”

The gathering commenced with a poignant tribute by a school choir from Bayanan Elementary School in Muntinlupa City – one of PBSP’s beneficiaries. They sang in gratitude for the immense help and support extended by the organization, not just to their school but to all beneficiaries who are now living under improved conditions, bigger opportunities, and with greater hope for a better future.

It was a fitting testimonial and glaring proof that indeed, PBSP, is in the business of uplifting lives.