|
Meralco takes part in 19th Provincial Jamborette in Batangas |
|
(In photo: Meralco employees receive a plaque of appreciation from Batangas Governor Vilma Santos (third from right), San Pascual Mayor Antonio Dimayuga (sixth from right) and Batangas Boy Scout Council leaders (fifth and seventh from right)).
|
As part of its commitment for youth advocacy, One Meralco Foundation and the Meralco Batangas Business Center supported the 19th Provincial Jamborette held at Bgy. Mataas na Lupa, San Pascual, Batangas on February 8-12, 2012. The 5-day event attended by 5,000 boy scouts and leaders from different districts of Batangas served as an avenue for the participating youth to learn and practice the values of teamwork, leadership, cooperation, commitment and service.
“We would like to instill these values in the minds and hearts of the youth early on, making them true men for God, their country, and their fellowmen,” One Meralco Foundation President Jeffrey O. Tarayao declares. (Article from One Meralco Foundation)
|
|
|
Globe strengthens environmental advocacy thru WWF-Philippines partnership |
|
Globe strengthens environmental advocacy thru WWF-Philippines partnership
Donates P1 M to Philippine Fund for Nature
Globe Telecom further strengthens its environmental advocacy through a partnership with World Wildlife Fund - Philippines, starting with a donation of P1 million to WWF’s Philippine Fund for Nature and a possible collaboration on eco-tourism using Globe GCASH.
Philippine Fund for Nature is designed to ensure long term growth of the WWF-Philippines wide range of projects directed towards preserving the country’s natural resources. WWF Philippines aims to establish a special endowment fund of P200 million for PFN.
“The major gift will not only help secure the financial sustainability of the organization but will also enable us to sustain in the long run our key projects which help conserve our biodiversity and help mitigate the impact of human footprint on our environment. More importantly, it will help assure that future generations will enjoy a living planet,” said Vicente S. Perez, WWF-Philippine Chairman in his letter to Globe President and CEO Ernest L. Cu.
The financial support is just the beginning of a partnership between Globe and WWF – Philippines. Aside from the P1 M donation, Globe through its Corporate Social Responsibility arm Globe Bridging Communities (BridgeCom) is closely working with WWF in developing GCASH Ecoturismo (GCASH for nature), a program that will harness the use of GCASH electronic cash transfer service for the promotion and facilitation of ecotourism-related customer spending in key local conservation and ecotourism sites.
“Globe is fully aware that the effects of climate change can impact our network directly as its implications to society and to the operations and growth of businesses are felt more than ever. This is why we continue to work hand-in-hand with various environmental organizations like WWF-Philippines in ensuring that we are able to protect our biodiversity. At the same time, we would like to tap our core services such as GCASH to directly help the community and environment conservation efforts around the Philippines,” said Rob I. Nazal, Head of Globe CSR.
GCASH Ecoturismo will be a valuable service in pristine but remote sites since it allows travelers to purchase goods and services as well as withdraw funds from participating GCASH outlets in the local communities where there are no Automated Teller Machines or credit card facilities.
According to WWF’s latest Living Planet Report, global biodiversity dropped by 30 percent from 1970 to 2007 while global carbon footprint increased by over 30 percent since 1998. In the latest United Nations’ World Risk Index, the Philippines ranked third among the most disaster-vulnerable countries worldwide behind Tonga and Vanuatu.
(article from Globe Telecom) |
|
The Rotary Club of Cubao East District 3780, in partnership with the Countrywide Technology Development Foundation and the Junior Chamber International Senate Philippines (Bantayog Chapter) awarded MFI Foundation "The Outstanding Philippines Leadership Excellence Award in Philanthropy (TOPLEAP Awards) in the Education Category". Representing MFI Foundation is its president, Col. Alejandro T. Escano.
The TOPLEAP Awards recognizes Filipinos who advocate social entrepreneurship, community and international volunteerism, corporate social responsibility, and charity grants/or services.
The awarding ceremony was held 20 January 2012 at the AFP Commissioned Officer Clubhouse of Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City. |
|
Metrobank Group’s Bags of Blessing benefits 10,000 families |
The Metrobank Group celebrated the 2012 Chinese New Year, through its annual “Bags of Blessing” (BoB) program aimed at providing underprivileged Filipino families with food packages consisting of rice, canned goods, milk, coffee, sugar, noodles, and a snack pack for children. Php 10 million-worth of food packages were given to selected 10,000 Filipino families in identified areas nationwide, including families that fell victim to last year’s natural calamities.
The program is being spearheaded by Metrobank, GT-Metro Foundation (GTMF) and the Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI) along with Global Business Power and Federal Land, Inc. This nationwide endeavor is also in close coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), which determined the names of the beneficiaries through the National Household Targeting System. It is in support of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program of the government. BoB is also supported by the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police.
Dr. Ty expressed his gratitude to His Excellency President Benigno Aquino III for the issuance of Presidential Proclamation No. 295 which includes for the very first time, the Chinese New Year celebration on January 23, 2012 (Monday) as a Special Non-Working Holiday.
“We thank the President for proclaiming the celebration of Chinese New Year as a holiday,” said Dr. Ty. “We believe that this is an important milestone in Philippines-China relations and will make the celebration more meaningful for the rest of the Filipino people,” he added. The declaration was made as an expression of the government’s solidarity with the Chinese-Filipino brethren who have been part of Filipino lives in many respects as a country and as a people.
“Last year’s Bags of Blessing was overwhelming as it allowed us to celebrate the Chinese New Year as an opportunity to share the fruits of our successes in the industry to our underprivileged Filipino brothers and sisters,” said MBFI president Aniceto Sobrepeña. “This year we are sustaining this tradition in our aim to assist the priorities of the government particularly in the delivery of basic social services to the people, “he continued.
Selected distribution sites in the National Capital Region included Manila, Pasig, Marikina, Quezon, Pasay, and Makati . Metrobank also mobilized its local branches and subsidiaries for the simultaneous distribution conducted last January 28 in the cities of Meycauayan (Bulacan), Batangas, Santiago & Cauayan (Isabela), Dagupan, Iloilo, Cebu & Toledo, Tacloban, Bacolod, San Jose (Antique), Davao, Zamboanga and Butuan.
* * * * *
The Metrobank Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of the Metrobank Group, was established by its chairman Dr. George S.K. Ty in 1979. With the theme, “Excel. Engage. Empower.” the Foundation has promoted a culture of excellence among Filipinos through its various programs, such as the Search for Outstanding Teachers, the Metrobank Art & Design Excellence, the Search for The Outstanding Philippine Soldiers, the Search for the Country’s Outstanding Policemen in Service, the Metrobank Math Challenge, College Scholarship Program and Excellence in Judiciary Program. It also supports social development projects through like-minded organizations that have sought to uplift the lives of disadvantaged groups and marginalized sectors in the society. “Converging to Inspire Change!” serves as the battle-cry of the Foundation. At 33 years, MBFI continues to uphold values of excellence and champion its chosen stakeholders and the rest of its communities. It aims to strengthen ties with institutional partners in both public and private sectors such that there will always be a venue to further honor those who are able to reach their highest potential. The Foundation remains steadfast in its commitment to remain a leader in corporate social responsibility by initiating and supporting leading edge programs that uplift the lives of our people and inspire the best in the Filipinos.
|
|
World Food Programme, Globe Telecom mobile cash transfer partnership now a benchmark for WFP operations worldwide |
|
The mobile cash transfer system which has been implemented by the World Food Programme (WFP) and Globe Telecom for disaster-affected communities in Metro Manila and Luzon now becomes a benchmark for other WFP operations worldwide.
“During the WFP global meeting of country directors in Switzerland, WFP Philippines was asked to present our experience in implementing the mobile cash transfer. This partnership and technology became a benchmark or model to other WFP operations around the world,” said Asaka Nyangara, WFP Deputy Country Director for the Philippines in a speech delivered during the Globe Bridging Communities Partners’ Night recently.
WFP has tapped Globe through its GCASH mobile technology platform for fast, secure and low-cost delivery of financial assistance to families severely affected by previous typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng. The innovative partnership which provides a mobile phone-based cash disbursement service under the WFP Cash-for-Work Programme is not only a first in the Philippines, but a first for WFP’s operations in Southeast Asia.
WFP is also looking at the possibility of implementing Cash-for-Work using Globe GCASH to help get communities devastated by Typhoon Sendong back on their feet as quickly as possible. Currently, WFP in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development, is conducting relief and early recovery operations in Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, and parts of Lanao del Sur while Globe has its own disaster relief operations such as Libreng Tawag, Libreng Internet, and relief goods distributions in the said areas.
Although the traditional means of providing Cash-For-Work assistance is through direct cash hand-outs, it lacks the well-designed control and monitoring mechanism of Globe GCASH that would ensure that the money will go to the intended beneficiary. Through Globe GCASH, money is transferred to the recipient’s cell phone via a text message. The amount can be claimed at any of 18,000 participating corner shops.
“We are very pleased with our partnership with Globe because they have allowed us to discover new and efficient ways of providing assistance to families and they have greatly supported our efforts to enhance the purchasing power of families for essential and complementary food items that would improve the overall food security and nutritional status of disadvantaged Filipinos,” said Nyangara.
He added: “Globe was prompt in responding to WFP’s request for collaboration and to our operational requirement. Throughout the project, Globe handled its responsibilities with professionalism but also with a view to improving their own services and meeting the needs of the poorest sectors of society.”
WFP is the world’s largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. In the Philippines, it has been working since 2006 in partnership with DSWD in assisting food-insecure communities in conflict-affected areas of Mindanao. In October 2009, WFP also launched an emergency operation to provide food relief and assistance to the victims of typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng in Metro Manila and Luzon.
To improve its efficiency in delivering assistance, WFP is testing different technologies that will help facilitate its increasing use of cash to address food security needs, thus, the decision to try Globe GCASH.
“WFP hopes to expand its use of Cash-for-Work to conflict affected areas in Central Mindanao and we would like to explore further innovations that may be suitable for the context there. WFP is also very excited about this growing partnership with Globe and we hope that we can continue to work together and discover more innovative ways to restore and rebuild communities,’ said Nyangara.
(article from Globe Telecom) |
|
|
