Firm involves residents in sustainable program
The sincere involvement of residents in sustainable development activities results into resilient communities and also strengthens the country’s economy.
This has been the goal of Genvi Development Corporation as it introduces its corporate social responsibility program "My Sustainable Cebu" which aims to empower people to become good stewards and responsible citizens in the society.
Genvi, the developer of Monterazzas de Cebu, is adopting four barangays --Guadalupe, Sapangdaku, Buhisan and Tisa --- near the premier residential enclave to educate the locals on disaster preparedness and to further preserve the environment and improve community life.
Barangay officials and purok leaders joined the company when it launched the program through a clean-up of Linap creek in barangay Banawa last Saturday.
CSR consultant Alfredo Arquillano, Jr. introduced the purok system which is a social organization method of bringing effective governance to the subvillage or purok level.
Arquillano applied this system in the municipality of San Francisco, in Camotes Island when he was still the town’s mayor and vice mayor.
The system that suggests practical solutions to societal needs is being taught in the four adopted barangays of Genvi, allowing puroks or sub-villages in those places raise funds for emergency purposes and other activities.
"Dako kaayo ning opportunity sa mga barangay ug purok," Arquillano told The FREEMAN. "Maong di gyod ni angay usikan."
Aside from the disaster risk reduction program, the system also implements the solid waste management for better sanitation and recycling activity and health programs in schools.
These initiatives are done using the money contributed by residents with the help of the private-public partnership, said Arquillano, who has been recognized by United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction for making communities resilient through the Purok System.
He is hoping other communities will eventually start sustainability efforts through the Purok System saying it has been proven effective in a barangay in Camotes when it had zero casualty when super typhoon Yolanda hit the Visayas last year.
The former government official also stressed the importance of educating people on their roles in the process of social development and the leadership skills of barangay officials.
"This is a legacy we wish to leave for the future generations ---sustainability," he added.
For his part, Dindo Perez, Genvi’s president and chief executive officer, said "Nindot kaayo kay karon aduna nay bunga atong tinguha. Hinaot nga mosamot kita og kadasig sa atong pag-amuma sa atong environment ug pagpahimutang sa mga butang ug kalihokan nga makaayo sab sa atong komunidad."
He also mentioned the United Nations has recognized their program as it sees the good results of partnership between the private and public sectors.
He added the UN is hoping for the success of the program as it is the first PPP in the country in field of disaster preparedness.