PBSP joins NGO Fair

PBSP AT UST – PBSP interns (from left) Devin Swan, Riccardo Stanco, and Nina Laenen with Thomasians at the PBSP booth.

Hundreds of Thomasians eagerly trooped to the booth of Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) during the annual Non-Government Organization (NGO) fair last September 17-18 at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) to know more about its programs and sign up for volunteering activities.

Students were oriented on PBSP’s flagship programs in the health, education, environment, livelihood (HEEL) sectors as well as its Project New Dawn campaign to help in the long-term rehabilitation efforts of Typhoon Yolanda survivors in the Visayas, and the Inclusive Business Imperative initiative which integrates the poor in a company’s value chain.

Titled “Be Involved: NGO 2014,” the event which gathered over 20 local and international NGOs at the UST Plaza Mayor aimed to expose the youth to the NGOs’ diverse advocacies which could broaden their involvement in social responsibility.

“The NGOs will help cater to their interests and give them avenue to contribute to society in anyway possible.” said Krystyna Nicole Feliciano, vice-president for external affairs, Faculty of Arts and Letters Student Council.

PBSP’s Corporate Affairs team shared the foundation’s advocacies through fun-filled activities and games. They also identified the various events where Thomasian students can volunteer to gain a rewarding experience in the social development sector. Students also expressed themselves in the PBSP freedom wall where they wrote their statements and personal advocacies.

“The freedom wall specifically, gave the students the chance to express their willingness to volunteer and participation. The memory game was fun and I also heard good feedback as the cards lay on the floor, it attracted the students to be oriented by the NGO,” Feliciano added.

Participating NGOs in the event included Amnesty International, Ibon Foundation, Greenpeace, World Vision and Yabang Pinoy.