On the third day of the Social Development Week 2021, the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) highlighted four (4) projects and partnerships that incorporated its inclusive response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Firstly, Kristine Rivadelo, Officer-in-Charge Director of Operations, gave an overview of PBSP’s key efforts, one of which was the Bayanihan Musikahan. Led by National Artist for Music, Ryan Cayabyab, it was an online campaign to raise funds and help vulnerable groups and communities. The campaign was able to serve food packs to 150,000 families and personal protective equipment (PPE) to 50 public hospitals and quarantine centers.

Secondly, Arnyl G. Araneta, Program Manager, narrated that in 2010, PBSP was selected by the Philippine Country Coordinating Mechanism as the Principal Resident for the Global Fund Grant for Tuberculosis  worth USD 129M. Because of the pandemic in 2020, countries were allowed to allocate 10% of the grant budget for COVID-19 response control and to contain the virus’s effects on the Tuberculosis (TB) program. Thus, PBSP:   

1. Procured 11 Gene Xpert 16-placer machines and repurposed 57 Gene Xpert 4-placer for COVID-19 testing;

2. Procured and installed 21 units of COVID-19 RT-PCR Test equipment;

3. Procured and distributed 160,000 Xpert SARS COV cartridges;

4. Provided hazard pay to all project staff; and

5. Procured and ensured continuous supply of PPEs in TB treatment and diagnostic facilities as well as for community-based health workers.

In 2021, the Global Fund awarded PBSP with additional funding amounting to USD 23M for COVID-19 response.

Now on its 7^th year with over 1,300 beneficiaries, Accenture Philippines’ Near Hire Training (NHT) program is a 15-day training program that aims to improve the communication, computer navigation, and critical thinking skills, and self-confidence of its participants. The program objective hopes to make them competent and marketable in the business process outsourcing and information technology industries. The company also wants to provide more job opportunities during the pandemic. Khairon Niza M. Magundacan, Corporate Citizenship and Corporate Social Responsibility Manager, stated that trainings are ongoing and can be accessed via the Near Hire Training Program Facebook page.

Lastly, Jai Catacio, President of the Samahan ng Nagkakaisang Pamilya ng Pantawid (SNPP), introduced her organization with membership composed of 4Ps parent leaders and beneficiaries in Regions 1-10. With the aid of PBSP and SNPP, more than 80,000 members in Metro Manila, Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite, and Laguna received food pack donations last March 2020.

PBSP values collaboration and welcomes potential partnerships. It continues to champion the idea of diverse organizations coming together to solve a complex social problem.

To synthesize the presentations, PBSP’s President and CEO Reynaldo Antonio D. Laguda shared insights on collaboration, partnership, and leveraging. He stressed that the call for an end-to-end delivery model for collaborative corporate citizenship becomes louder in the New Normal.

He elaborated on the value of empowering communities to articulate and participate, of NGOs leveraging partnerships and embracing the entrepreneurial mindset, and of businesses committing to social responsibility and shared value.

Watch the full session here: