De La Salle University Dasmarias

College of Liberal Arts and Communication

Communication and Journalism Department

CSR EXPO 2015

Submitted to:
Sir Marco Polo

Submitted by:
MATE (Move, Advocate, and Transform Entities)
ASOR, Amec Juliam M.
CLEMENTE, Niel John G.
GOMEZ, Izael G.
NIMENO, Nica Veron B.

Date of Submission:
July 13, 2015
I.

Executive Summary

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The paper sought to discuss first, the overview of the selected companies and
their CSR programs/projects, wherein the companies were chosen based on the criteria
set by the professor. For the CSR programs/projects, these are events and activities
conducted and practiced by the respective corporations/organizations that are in line
with the values and goals of Corporate Social Responsibility or CSR, which is to Give
back and serve.
Furthermore, this paper also aims to provide the profile of the resource persons
of each chosen company that help the group to accomplished their task, wherein they
answered the following set of questions:

What is CSR for them?

Why did they choose to do this kind of CSR activity?

How did the campaign help the different publics of the company?

What challenges and difficulties did they face in implementing the CSR project?
How did they address it?

How they got involved with the company?

What is the role of PR in their organization and in the CSR project?

Lastly, the paper aims to share the group and individual insights about the
activity. In this part, theyll be sharing their over-all impression about the activity, the
project that they would like to propose and implement if ever. They will also discuss their
experiences, learning and even their comments and suggestions for the betterment of
the event.
II.

Story behind MATE

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Initially, the members would like to highlight Public Relations for the name of the
group by thinking of something that starts with letter P and R. They thought of using
Prism, Protg and Prodigy. But as they brainstorm even more, they had realize why
not give importance to teamwork and collaboration, because in a company/organization,
youre not working alone, it is not only about yourself, it is about the people around you
and those you are serving, just like what they say about CSR, it is for the common
good or the general welfare of the people.
They thought something related to the terms together, association, group and
the likes. They come up with teammate, however it sounds too clich so they
shortened it into Mate which is according to Merriam Webster Dictionary it means
associate or companion. And with a touch of creativity, they give meaning to every
letter which turns Mate into MATE or Move, Advocate and Transform Entities.
Move, drove by the idea of action speaks louder than words the group would like
to encourage the people to take action and actively participate with programs.
Advocate, to further promote and support the programs/projects, the ideas and
principles of truth, transparency and excellence in service. Lastly, Transform Entities,
where entities refers to something that exists separately, the group aims to motivate and
set as an inspiration by touching the hearts of the people and to make a difference.

III.

Chosen Companies and their CSR Projects- Profile of Resource Person

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Aboitiz Foundation

The Aboitiz Foundation is the corporate foundation of the Aboitiz Group.

Established in 1998, it continues to pursue its mission to help people help themselves,
implementing corporate social responsibility interventions especially in communities
where Aboitiz companies operate. The foundation focuses its efforts on education,
enterprise development, and environment but also carries out projects on health and
well-being, as well as disaster preparedness and response (www.aboitizfoundation.org)
Theyve been 26 years in service, so for them CSR is simply their way of giving
back to the people, the people that help them last that long and the people who are the
reason why are they here. And just like other corporations, they also faced challenges
particularly when it comes to finances, according to them that is their major problem
every year but despite of that, it doesnt stop them to pursue their goals and continue
what they started.

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As for their CSR projects, they have this so-called Triple E: Environment. As
part of their sustainability commitment, they continuously roll out environment initiatives
that are consistent with the groups planet bottom line. They have this program called
A-Park where they are planning to have 9 million planted trees by 2020. They also have
environmental facilities like the Cleanergy Park where it is surrounded by rare and
diverse ecosystem comprised of mangrove forests, coral reefs, fish sanctuary etc.
Cleanergy Center, an educational facility that uses AVP, interactive displays and tour to
raise environmental awareness and energy education. Another interesting activity is
their Green Fashion Revolution, a fashion competition that features environmentallyfriendly couture.
Education.The goal of its education program is to achieve universal public
education by continuing to establish and develop schools for special science and
technical vocational education that promise a better learning environment. They also
grant scholarships and financial assistance to students from all levels who excel in
academics but financially unstable. The last E is Enterprise Development. The goal of
this program is to improve community livelihood and employment opportunities.
The group interviewed Ms. Alexis Trixia Amnace. She is the Project Officer for
Scholarship. Shes just been in a year in the foundation and with that period of stay she
noticed that they need more Public Relations officer in order for their company to be
known. In her opinion, PR and having a skilled and people-oriented PR officer will be an
asset to the company, transactions will somehow be smooth and interactive.

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Energy Development Corporation (EDC)

Energy Development Corporation (EDC), one of Lopez Groups power

generation companies established in 1976 is a pioneer of providing geothermal energy
for three decades of business viability. It accounts for more than 60% of the installed
geothermal capacity of the country and the plants contributing to the power generation
are located in the provinces of Leyte, Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, Bicol and
North Cotabato. The vision of EDC is one where they are constantly driven by desire to
be the leader in providing clean renewable energy while uplifting the lives of the people
around them. HELEn Program is EDCs private sector-led contribution to the national
governments efforts to enable inclusive growth. The Community Partnerships Program
(CPP) is the proof of their strong commitment in realization of their vision. By prioritizing
health, education, livelihood, and the environment in their partner communities, they
ensure that efforts are fulfilled, with wealthy, educated, and wealthy communities living
in a safe environment in areas where we operate. Partnerships with the host
communities are aligned with United Nations Millennium Development Goals on
eradicating extreme poverty and hunger, achieving universal primary education, and
ensuring environmental sustainability.

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EDC, being one of the pioneers in providing geothermal energy to the country by
harnessing the earths heat as contribution to the countrys security has tapped
communities as active partners for nation-building. More than three decades it aims to
realize this vision and pushes through every year, becoming more than a reality with the
aid of partner communities as the living proof to the relentless desire for progress.
In order to strengthen the vision of EDC, they prioritize management, use core values
and core competencies, and listen to stakeholders.
Health. EDC focuses on all out wellness of partner communities by providing the
everyday means of healthy living through investing for enhancement of local health
centers accessibility by putting up infrastructures and putting up effective systems in
place especially in remote upland communities, and contributes to long-term solutions
addressing the health needs of stakeholders. EDC also has 28 Barangay Emergency
Response Teams (BERT) that have been trained by competent EDC Emergency
Response Teams (ERTs) on disaster-response action plans at local level. This is the
proof that EDC is building a healthy community by boosting awareness and improving
preparedness for natural or man-made emergencies. Partner communities are given
ways to respond promptly in times of emergencies especially because time is important.
Education. Since EDC emphasizes that education is an asset that serves as
strong and stable foundation for the future to break the cycle of poverty, they are
opening avenues to quality education which is equally proportioned to bringing the
youth closer to their dreams. CAREERS or College Admission Review and Readiness
project helps top graduating students of partnered high schools to prepare for university

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entrance exams through a six phase program. The phases include the facilitation of
application process, review for entrance exam, link to scholarships, providing guidance
in registration and enrolment, monitoring and mentoring college life, and giving
guidance in employment process. This project has been proven to be successful since
numerous college students pass the admission exams of the top universities. This is
sustainable cycle wherein the alumni serve as an inspiration to aspiring leaders so that
youth will strive to become future leaders and professionals in their communities.
Livelihood. In building a sustainable livelihood, self-reliance is the key. The spirit
of enterprise is instilled and developing skills needed for business. Partner communities
are given access to resources that they can tap so in order for them to proceed,
relevant science-based knowledge and skills on agro-forestry farming and mangrove
reforestation are transferred to them to provide means to harness natural sources in
their areas.
EDC supervised livelihood modules for partner associations and cooperatives to
operate as business enterprise. Vegetation plantations are some of the projects where
enhanced production systems have been developed to add value to their product. This
is strengthened by responsive marketing strategy to their maximize earnings. Livestock
development in pasture lands, merchandising, and ecotourism are the other projects.
Because of their enhanced capabilities, many cooperatives now have access to funding
from partner banks. Since finance needs to be managed properly, farmer associations
and cooperatives are taught simple bookkeeping and basic financial management,
complemented with values on accountability and responsibility.

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Environment. Keeping the community healthy and educated prospers because

of stable and sustainable livelihood which is one of our missions to build strong and
resilient communities especially for the future generations. BINHI Tree for the Future
Project is the first comprehensive private sector-led reforestation program that follows a
four module approach: tree for the future, tree for life, tree for food, and tree for leisure.
This approach preserves trees, regenerates, produces alternative sources of livelihood
and turns geothermal sites into tourist sites. The said project prioritizes the rescue of
endangered native trees and production of more seedlings so they serve as future
mother trees for seed production. Every region in the country is given a chance to be
part of preserving the local tree diversity. The trees that were planted started to bear
fruits together with seeds and Vegetative Materials Reproduction (VMR) has already
propagated thousands of cuttings. These activities prove that there is still a solution to
the vanishing tree environment.
The group interviewed Ms. Diane Terte, an enterprise developmental specialist of
EDC. She has been in the corporation for four years and she said that the company has
been successful in targeting to serve the livelihood, financial and marketing sector of
society with the use of their strategies, governance, communication, and engagement
that are holistic in approach and are based on the communities needs in order to
achieve its main goal: to maintain sustainability. Ms. Terte also says that behind the
successes of the EDC, it always faces a challenge in sustaining the budget that will be
allotted for programs every year. Another problem for EDC that comes usually is the
formation of the mindset of cultural minorities because these people are stuck with

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different beliefs and practices; hence, EDCs system will have difficulty in teaching their
way to different cultures.

Metrobank Foundation

On January 8, 1978, The Metrobank Foundation was formed by Metrobank

Group founder and Chairman Dr. George S.K. Ty, with the belief of committing to the
idea that leadership in business implied leadership in community as well. For Metrobank
Group, it was very clear that every private corporation had social responsibilities and the
more successful the corporation; the greater were its responsibilities to the community.
From its inception, the foundation continues to strengthen Metrobanks relationship to its
publics through creating various programs and projects for the development of different
sectors of the society such as health care, education, culture, and more.
Metrobank Foundation focuses its different CSR activities to the main motto of
the organization which is Excel. Engage. Empower. The said motto guides Foundation
in expressing their gratitude to their stakeholders by transforming the society into

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something that is united by a shared goal which is to sustain human development and
nation-building. Guided by the main motto of Metrobank Foundation, their CSR activities
are as follows:
Excel. Metrobank Foundation conducts different recognition programs to
acknowledge the effort of the people and professionals who excels in particular fields. In
the field of education, there is Search for Outstanding Teachers (SOT) which
recognizes the countrys top educators; another is Metrobank-MTAP-DepEd Math
Challenge which is the most widely participated math competition for elementary and
high school students nationwide. Metrobank gives honor also to the Filipino soldiers and
police officers by acknowledging the outstanding ones through giving awards. In the
field of Journalism, there is Journalists of the Year which has an aim to celebrate and
honour excellent Filipino journalists for their contribution to the development of the
nation. Metrobank gives importance also to Filipino artistry and creativity through MADE
(Metrobank Art & Design Excellence) which is an annual competition in painting,
sculpture, interior design, and architecture.
Engage. Metrobank Engages itself by providing the people a grants program that
extends financial-assistance to socio-civic, non-government organizations as well as
government agencies in the areas of education, healthcare, and the arts. Metrobank
Foundation provides also healthcare that offers a wide scope of social services such as
subsidies for in-house patients in hospital, outreach programs, and health-related and
research-based interventions in adopted communities for the people to be more
engaged and actively support the foundation itself. The foundation engages itself also in

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calamity assistance by actively responding to emergency and relief operations for

affected Filipinos in times of natural calamities.
Empower. To empower the people especially the youth, Metrobank creates
scholarship programs such as Metrogold Scholarship Program (MSP) and Metrobank
Foundation Professorial Chairs Program which has an aim to provide financial
assistance to underprivileged but academically deserving students for their tuition fees
and semestral allowances.
MATE interviewed a resource person from Metrobank Foundation which is Miss
Michelle T Ong, one of the program assistants under the Grants and Healthcare Unit.
She mainly highlighted that Metrobank Foundation focuses on providing programs for
human development and of course, the excellence among the people. She also shared
to us that funding is still one of the major difficulties that she encountered in the
foundation because of its limited resources and financial help given by the main
proponent which is the Metrobank Group. At the end of the interview, she concluded
that Public Relations is one of the important factors in CSR because PR let the
programs and projects conducted by the foundation be more exposed and be more
known among the people of the society.

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Rapplers Move.PH

Rappler is a well-known news source that reports a variety of news ranging from
sports to entertainment. Rapplers corporate social responsibility entitled Move.PH
encourages communities to bring about change by the use of stories that can influence
people to act. Under the news websites Move.PH launched a collaborative platform
called Project Agos which aims to inform people about the upcoming typhoons, giving
them a heads-up, telling people where the nearest evacuation area is, and post typhoon
information.
Worried having to give birth at the time of a strong typhoon and nowhere to go?
Well, Project Agos has a convenient way of notifying authorities about your distress call.
Project Agos Alert Map - by filing a report and notifying your distress signal at
AGOS.RAPPLER.COM government agencies such as The Philippine National Police

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(PNP) or even The Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office are notified of your
need for help, also civic organizations like The Philippine National Red Cross can also
be notified. These are some of the organizations Rappler partner with to ensure the
safety and no harm comes to each and everyone of us.
Curious of how the application works? These are the steps to notify the said agencies
and organizations:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

On your browser type AGOS.RAPPLER.COM

Click on the report button
Identify if it is a Flood Report, a Rescue Alert, or an Info Alert
Elaborate your problem and give your location by typing in the comment box
By clicking submit report your distress call is instantly mapped.

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IV.

Group Insight
Since its the groups first time to attend a CSR expo, we were excited to meet

people from different corporations and their respective CSR projects. It is a good way
for us to learn their different expertise because it will let us hear their experience in
working in a company that is involved in different CSR activities.
Our group found the CSR expo fascinating in a way that the resource people
from the companies gave us an overview on what they do and how did they
conceptualize different activities related to CSR. It was also a learning experience which
was fun and at the same time useful. This experience made us realize that learning is
more interesting when it does not limit you to the four corners of your classroom.
If we were given a chance to join a CSR project, majority of us would choose to
be part of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). We have seen that UNDP
is a global network for development which means it covers a wide scope in advocating
change and connects the countries to knowledge, experience, and resources for the
improvement of life. It particularly gives expert advice and training to those who belong
to developing countries and increased emphasis to the lesser developed nations.
To sum it up, CSR expo 2015 materializes its theme collaborate, sustain, and
revolutionize since all companies and the community are dependent on each other
because each of them have their contribution for the improvement of the society. One
company cannot solely work on its own for the betterment of the society as a whole;

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thus, this only shows that CSR activities are effective only if the corporate entities build
a good human relationship with the community.

V.

Individual Insights

AMEC JULIAM M. ASOR

June 30, 2015 - Is the 4th day of the League of Corporate Foundations CSR
EXPO comprises of activities such as opening of exhibits and talks from different
experienced practitioners. Mr. Jose Solomon B. Cortez, one of the speakers of the said
event emphasized corruption. In his talk, corruption does not just affect taxpayers but
companies as well. Corporations have difficulties in expanding and have doubts of
setting businesses in the Philippines fear of bankruptcy.
Aside from talk booths from several corporations and companies are visited.
First on our list was Rappler that has its Move.PH, under its CSR is its Project Agos
which aims to notify people of an upcoming typhoon. Though the next company we
visited does not exactly have a CSR but its project aims to benefit those in need such
as kids; Canvas showcases its arts by the use of stories. CBN Asias Operation Blessing
humanitarian project aims to help isolated and financially challenged communities in the
Philippines. By donating you can help the organization execute its programs such as
Healthcare, providing clean water, disaster response, and livelihood. You can also be a
volunteer in the said project. Lastly, The Aboitiz Foundation pursues its mission to help
people by focusing its efforts on education, enterprise development, and environment.

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NIEL JOHN G. CLEMENTE

It was June 30, the day that marked my first exposure trip as a senior student
taking Public Relations as my course track; it was also my first time to attend a CSR
seminar. The event was organized by League of Corporate Foundations (LCF) and this
years theme is Collaborate, Sustain, Revolutionize. Since its my first time to attend
such seminar, my overall impression is that it is a great event. I feel very privileged.
Notable speaker and delegates, informative discussions, interactive and fun booths are
all present.
Most of the corporation that we talked to said that CSR is all
about giving back; it is about inspiring others and encouraging
them to actively participate in projects that are aiming for the
economic and social development. If I will be given a chance to
take part in one CSR project, I would probably choose the projects
of United Nations Development Programme. UNDP-Philippines
supports the countrys efforts to achieve the Updated Philippine
Development Plan 2011-2016 and fulfill its commitment in
achieving the MDGs.
If I will suggest and implement a project, it will be to protect the rights of the cultural
minorities and heritage. I will propose activities such as cultural exhibit, shows and even
community service/mission to the different tribes in the country. I want to extensively

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advocate and focus on the preservation and promotion of the art and tradition of the
Philippines.
IZAEL G. GOMEZ
Last June 30, 2015, we had our exposure trip wherein we attended the League of
Corporate Foundations CSR Expo 2015 and listened to the speeches made by the
speakers of ASEAN on their view on corruption and take on the topic. I was intrigued
with the speakers especially the last speaker Gerard Forlin, a barrister of Cornerstone
Barristers in London, Maxwell Chambers in Singapore, and Denman Chambers in
Sydney who made his talk on the topic without preparing a Powerpoint presentation.
Local problems are global problems, Forlin highlighted these words after explaining
that any problem how big or small it is, it should be given attention and be solved
immediately in order to prevent the worsening of the scenario.
We were to interview four companies which were based on instructions given to
us by our professor and we have interviewed Rappler, Energy Development Corporation
(EDC), Aboitiz foundation Inc., and Metrobank Foundation Inc. The group that reeled in
my attention was that of EDC. My goal is to be an agent of change in the society and in
order to fulfill this, I will serve the public in the near future by being part of the
Community Partnership Program of EDC which is involved in prioritizing HELEn (Health,
Education, Livelihood, and the Environment) because these sectors are really affected
almost every day of our lives. The CSR Expo 2015 has been exciting for me since its
the first time I have encountered the event wherein 50 companies presented and
explained their plans and actions for the society but I was expecting more for time given

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to us for exploring and interviewing all the other CSR projects. The venue is really
attractive since it took place in one of the high-end and unique malls in the Philippines SM Aura Premiere.
NICA VERON B. NIMENO
It is our privilege to attend the opening of CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility)
Expo 2015 last June 30, 2015. The said expo was organized by League of Corporate
Foundations and has an aim to promote the benefits of conducting CSR activities while
highlighting this years theme for CSR Expo which is Collaborate. Sustain.
Revolutionize. I think, this event is a good way of learning CSR because we had the
chance to interact and to communicate with different people that are already working in
the industry of CSR and even Public Relations & Corporate Communications. This is
also a good experience for us in a way that we became more expose to the reality of
working in the field related to Corporate Communications by observing and interviewing
different people & experts on how the system of CSR works.
If I will be given an opportunity to participate in any CSR project, I would be glad
to be part of UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) because this particular
NGO focuses its goal in supporting human development in various ways such as
eradicating poverty, achieving universal education, etc. (see United Nations Millennium
Development Goals). Assuming that I am already part of UNDP, I want to specifically
focus on providing children (especially those who are belong to below poverty line) the
education that they need by teaching them first how to read and count numbers and as
time goes by, UNDP will provide them classrooms and facilities that would be helpful for

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their learning experience. Scholarships for high school and college would also be
offered to those children who show their never ending interest in studying and learning.
All in all, CSR Expo 2015 mainly highlighted the importance of conducting CSR
projects and activities not only for the benefit of the corporation itself but also of the
stakeholders that one corporation has. CSR is a way of one company to give back on
what the society has entrusted to them. To be able to have a successful CSR projects,
one company must know the importance of having appropriate Public Relations
strategies and tools. Thats how CSR works. Without PR, CSR is nothing.