The Filipino sense of volunteerism came alive once again late last year when tropical storm “Sendong” ravaged the booming Cagayan de Oro-Iligan corridor in Northern Mindanao.

Government and the private sector—made up of big businesses and individual households alike—were quick to lend helping hands in any way they could for the recovery from the effects of the typhoon, which had killed over a thousand people.

One of the quickest on the scene to facilitate the delivery of relief goods and to organize search and rescue efforts was the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), the country’s leading organization for corporate charity work.

“Sendong had brought profound sadness to many of us,” says PBSP chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan at the group’s recent annual meeting.

CEBU CITY, Cebu, Philippines – Gandang Kalikasan Inc. (GKI), a social enterprise company disclosed that it will partner with Cebu-based non-government organizations to maximize the wastage of processed mango, particularly mango skin and seeds, for the requirement of its Mango Butter skin moisturizing product. GKI President Anna Meloto-Wilk said the company is currently in talks…

Resounding their call to unite Philippine businesses in the fight against poverty, the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) celebrated their 41st year with the theme “Harnessing business solutions against poverty”. Now 252 members strong, PBSP remains steadfast in their focus on strengthening the corporate social responsibility programs of their member businesses and integrating them into the core of their business operations.

“We recognize that the problems of poverty are immense and therefore require big solutions,” says PBSP chairman Manny V Pangilinan. And for the past year, PBSP’s programs have gained more support, giving them the opportunity to fortify their strategy in creating long-term programs that targets the reduction of poverty as well as other pressing crises widespread in the country.

PBSP recognized its new member companies during the 41st Foundation Day Celebration last January 24, 2012 at the InterContinental Hotel, Makati. In photo are PBSP Trustee Pedro Roxas; PBSP Chairman, Manuel V Pangilinan; Accenture, Incorporated, Country Manager, Lito Tayag; All Transport Network, Country Sales and Marketing Manager, Dexter Yu; F.R. Sevilla Industrial and Development Corporation,…

Widespread poverty. Environmental degradation. Mounting basic education needs. Devastating public health crises.

These are just some of the overwhelming problems confronting the Philippines that no one sector can ever hope to solve on its own, not the government and not just one company in the private sector, no matter how much money or resources it has at its disposal.

Given the gravity of these concerns, individual, sporadic, and short-term programs are just not enough to create a real and lasting impact on health, basic education, environment, and livelihood or poverty reduction.

Concerted and targeted efforts by the government, private corporations, individuals, and civil society organizations both here and abroad, however, have a significantly better chance of making a serious dent into these debilitating woes.

This has been PBSP’s experience over the past 41 years having spearheaded efforts to harness the collective strength of corporate Philippines and find revolutionary business solutions to society’s daunting ills.

The year 2011 was not any different, with members significantly increasing their contribution to our programs carefully designed to improve the state of basic education; lower the incidence of diseases such as tuberculosis; mitigate risks of disasters and climate change; and provide adequate jobs to more Filipinos.

In the aftermath of Tropical Storm “Sendong”—with its staggering death toll now nearing 1,500 and the affected families now numbering 113,000—appeals for more support have led to cancellation of parties and to a call to turn cash for fireworks into cash for the victims, many of whom were left with nothing.  All of us, let’s heed this call.

As a victim myself of Typhoon “Ondoy” in 2009, I know that our country’s bayanihan spirit is alive and well. When disaster strikes, even the poor are willing to donate what they can because, as many of them explained, they too were once victims and the help did come. Many are willing to volunteer—like the psychologists who flew into Cagayan de Oro and Iligan at their own expense—just because their services are needed.

When government resources are stretched beyond limit in times of disaster, the private sector often responds to fill in the gaps. The three pillars of “better disaster response” have always been government, civil society and business. And if they can achieve even better coordination, develop efficient systems and agree on needed protocols, then the resultant synergy will help save more lives. Achieving such synergy is also extremely important in “leveling up” our disaster preparedness and this must become our shared New Year’s resolution.

When I was asked what Makati Business Club (MBC) was doing for Cagayan de Oro and Iligan, my usual answer was that our members were already doing what they needed to do through either the Corporate Network for Disaster Response (CNDR) or the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP). This best illustrates an important aspect of the needed synergy. In the business community, we must work through existing networks already set up for disaster response. No need to reinvent the wheel. No sense in going solo. Together we achieve greater—and the needed—impact.

Unlike their horrific experience at the height of Tropical Storm Sendong, the unexpected came across as much more pleasant this time for survivors staying at the West City Central School in Barangay Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City.

The surprise came in the form of an impromptu mini concert by Filipino-American hip-hop artist and Smart brand ambassador apl.de.ap of The Black Eyed Peas (BEP).

apl.de.ap, who is in the country for his annual Christmas visit, willingly participated in efforts to cheer up the survivors and boost the efforts of volunteers helping in relief efforts in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Sendong.

He gave a heartfelt performance in what must have been a first for the international rap artist – singing in a covered basketball court on a stage crowded by people and boxes of relief goods to an audience that was a far cry from BEP’s crowd of well-dressed, young hiphop enthusiasts.