‘CSR A GOOD BUSINESS PRACTICE’
Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) Visayas executive committee chairman Jose Antonio Aboitiz says their organization is not limited to big companies
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) can be good for business.
It gives employees opportunities to give projects that bring a positive impact to the environment, livelihood, and other socially-responsible initiatives to a community, said Jose Antonio Aboitiz, Visayas executive committee chairman of the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP).
Aboitiz said companies that pursue projects with a social conscience can inspire its workforce to excel in their work, knowing that besides profit, they are in a company that also puts a premium on the welfare of the community they are serving.
“CSR is a good business practice. It builds a better reputation for the company,” he said.
PBSP Visayas is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. It has about 70 member companies and organizations.
Aboitiz clarified that the organization isn’t limited to big corporations; they too welcome small businesses to join them.
He said PBSP can help companies fulfill their requirements such as on environmental compliance. The organization also helps engage employees in the spirit of volunteerism, especially among the millennials who want more than the paycheck from their company, as they too want to feel they are making an impact on the community.
“We can help you fulfill the CSR projects you may have in the community that you operate,” said Aboitiz.
“The mainstreaming of CSR is probably PBSP’s most enduring legacy. PBSP in the Visayas certainly helped bring this about. Many companies learned how to do it through our engagements. Many other foundations learned from our system,” he added.
Thirty years ago, PBSP was instrumental in saving Cebu’s watersheds, which were on the brink of socio-economic stagnation. With the help of the Cebu City Government, the group led the direct involvement of the business sector on the rehabilitation of the watersheds by planting trees and giving out livelihood programs to support the community.
Now, Cebu boasts of hillylands with a sustainablly managed program. From planting trees, the organization’s programs have evolved into health, education and livelihood.
PBSP trustee and treasurer Pedro Roxas, meanwhile, challenged the organization’s relevance in today’s age of technology disruption and competition of funds where foundations, corporations and non-government organizations execute similar projects in the same communities.
Aboitiz sees this competition as a good thing, saying this shows how CSR is creating positive ripples in the society.
He said they will remain committed to strengthen the private sector engagement to fight poverty and uplift the lives of the community through sustainable solutions. /