Automakers' CSR projects recognized, receive SPMJ 'Driven To Serve' awards

Twelve outstanding corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects of local automotive makers and distributors were recognized last April 10 in the 3rd Driven To Serve Awards of the Society of Philippine Motoring Journalists (SPMJ).

The Driven To Serve (DTS) award recognizes CSR projects that impact community development, transform people’s lives through education and training, help make roads safe, and contribute to preserving the environment. For three years now, SPMJ evaluates the CSR programs of the local car makers and distributors for those four categories. The awards aim to encourage auto companies to continue their CSR programs, and to inspire more companies to invest time and money to spreading good deeds. This year, the auto companies and their projects which were recognized by the DTS were:

For projects in community development: the Gold award was given to Toyota Motor Philippines for its Medical and Surgical Outreach Program which has given free medical treatment and surgical procedures to thousands of indigent patients in the communities where their facilities stand.

Recognized with the Silver DTS awards were Ford Motor Group Philippines, Nissan Motor Philippines and Mitsubishi Motor Philippines. The CSR programs were Ford’s Operation Better World, a global initiative; Nissan’s Hygiene Awareness Program; and Mitsubishi’s Support for Marawi Rehabilitation Program.

For education and training, two automakers — Toyota and Ford — were given the gold awards. Toyota’s CSR project for this category is its Automotive Education Program; while Ford’s project is the Automotive Technician Scholarship Program.

The Silver Driven To Serve Awards were given to Isuzu’s TESDA Auto Mechanic Training Center and to Nissan’s Youth Leadership Training program. For its efforts in preserving the environment, the Gold award was given to Toyota for its rehabilitation of the riparian zone of Quiatoit River in Batac City. The silver award went to Nissan’s installation of 100 rainwater catchments.

For road safety, the Gold DTS awards were bagged by Volkswagen Philippines for its Child Safety Initiative Campaign; and Ford’s Driving Skills for Life project.

The DTS panel of judges is composed of six distinguished persons representing the private sector, government service, and the academe. They are: Edgardo Gapuz Lacson, chairman of the Employers Confederation of the Philippines; Segio Ortiz-Luiz, president of the ECOP; Marites Tejero Dagdag, president of the South East Asia region Clorox Company; Dante M. Lantin, former assistant secretary of the Department of Transportation; Enrique Da Rosa, veteran marketing practitioner and university lecturer; and Romulo S. Quimbo, Jr., head of Communication and Stakeholder Management of the Metro Pacific Tollways Group and NLEX Corp.

SPMJ, a 17-year-old organization, is composed of broadcast, print and digital media motoring journalists. Its founding chairman is Rey Butch Gamboa of STV. Its other projects are the Early Warning teaching modules and the SPMJ Forum.