Business Solutions against Poverty: 41 Years of PBSP

During the annual membership meeting and foundation day celebration, held recently at the InterContinental hotel, PBSP unveiled their impressive achievements from the past year. PBSP exceeded many of their program targets, primarily because of the P2.15B in funds for fiscal year 2011. The fund was spent in the organization’s PlaCEs (Platforms for Collective Engagements) strategy which focuses on critical issues on health care, education, environment and sustainable livelihood.

Among PBSP’s key achievements are building 109 classrooms and repairing 203 more, scholarships for more than 22,000 students, training 6,144 public and private health care providers trained in DOTS (Directly Observed Treatment Services) funded by The Global Fund for TB Phase 1 and TB LINC Year 5, reforesting 604 critical watersheds and 25 mangrove areas, generating 9,027 new jobs through their livelihood programs and provision of business development services of 81 medium, small and micro-enterprises (MSMEs).

PBSP also introduced their 19 new members and paid tribute to former PBSP trustee Ma. Luisa Perez-Rubio whose invaluable contribution to the organization paved way for what it is today.

United States ambassador to the Philippines, His Excellency Harry Thomas Jr., served as the night’s keynote speaker, commending PBSP for the work that they have been doing to promote corporate citizenship.

“Business solutions help unleash potentials; the potential inherent in a land rich in soil, beautiful beaches, abundant minerals in the ground and most importantly, the potential inherent in every human being. And once that potential is unleashed, I believe we’ll all be well in our way in eliminating poverty,” Ambassador Thomas says.

With a brighter outlook for the year ahead as well as stronger member companies and partners, PBSP is looking forward to continuing their programs, enlightened by the hope for a better future for Filipinos. – Don Jaucian

 

Published in the Philippine Star, 31 January 2012