PBSP and member-companies held a series of fora for post-Yolanda strategy

The Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) held a series of dialogues between the private and public sectors on disaster management strategies after the onslaught of Typhoon Yolanda, and on other possible areas of public-private partnerships.

The first dialogue was conducted during PBSP’s 43rd Annual Membership Meeting and Inclusive Business Forum, which was moderated by InterAksyon.com’s Roby Alampay. Among the panelists were Office of the Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery (OPARR) Undersecretary Danilo Antonio; Finance Undersecretary and National Treasurer of the Philippines Rosalia De Leon; and Mayor Sandy Javier of Javier, Leyte. 

“Corporate goodwill and support, especially the willingness to help were abundantly evident but even as the business sector tirelessly tried to bridge the gaps of what the government and aid funding were unable to provide — we at PBSP are acutely aware of the scale of the needs and challenges to building higher and better – our infrastructure, our schools, hospitals, homes, and livelihood,” PBSP Executive Director Rafael Lopa expressed.

In response, OPARR Undersecretary Antonio said that the business sector should “engage with the government”. “It’s going to have to be private-sector driven; not just the funding but the management and implementation and monitoring mechanisms,” Antonio said.

Usec. Rosalia De Leon explained that “the job is not anymore on relief operations but now on moving forward and that means rebuilding the economy and giving more livelihood to the people.” She also stressed the importance of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) approach especially in preparing for the effects of natural disasters.

Representing the affected cities, Mayor Sandy Javier shared that Javier, Leyte had lower casualties because they prepared. Javier also appealed to the business sector on the opportunities available to rebuild the economy of the affected areas.

Through these fora, PBSP wants to challenge the business sector to be further involved through core business interventions and collective efforts. Reinforced by OPARR, PBSP and its 250 large, small and medium-scale member-companies is set to continue with its strong support in the areas of health, education, environment, and livelihood and enterprise development that are being undertaken for the rehabilitation and recovery of the 171 cities and municipalities affected by Typhoon Yolanda.

A Business Forum on the Post-Yolanda Rehabilitation Plan entitled Business Rebuilding Lives, where PBSP is at the forefront with its Visayas Regional Center was held during PBSP’s 26th Visayas Annual Membership Meeting last March 26, 2014 at the Casino Español de Cebu, Cebu City.

This article was also published at the PBSP website:

http://www.pbsp.org.ph/news/pbsp-and-member-companies-hold-series-of-fora-for-post-yolanda-strategy/