In recent years, Cebu Pacific, the Philippines’ leading carrier, has made sustainability and corporate social responsibility among its key strategic priorities. Its efforts were given a major boost now that CEB has been formally recognized as a member of the Philippine Business for Social Progress, the largest business-led social development non-governmental organization in the country.
PBSP Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan and trustee Marixi Prieto officially welcomed CEB, represented by Corporate Communications Director Charo Logarta-Lagamon, to its fold during the organization’s annual members’ meeting held on January 28, 2020, at the Makati Shangri-La hotel.
Established in 1970, PBSP’s mission is to promote sustainable development and reduce poverty. It aims to fulfill this vision by adopting a strategy dubbed “Collective Impact,” where the organization’s members pool their efforts to address complex social concerns, particularly in the areas of health, education, the environment, and livelihood. Through the PBSP’s Platforms for Collective Engagements (PLACEs), any member company can easily seek out and partner with other firms that have similar initiatives, programs, or beneficiaries to maximize their impact.
At the event, PBSP Executive Director Reynaldo Antonio D. Laguda stressed the importance of the members’ collaboration: “With your support and active participation, we can truly harness the full potential of the business sector collectively working together with other partners to directly address the roots of poverty and inequality.”
Before officially joining PBSP, Cebu Pacific had already engaged with the organization, such as in 2017, when CEB supported PBSP’s cargo airlift request during the Marawi siege, and more recently, answered the disaster relief call for those affected by the Taal Volcano eruption and Mindanao earthquakes. Last year, during the planning stages for CEB’s Fun for Little Juans Trick or Treat activity, a Pasay community was selected as the program’s beneficiary through the NGO’s help.
Now that it is fully fledged member of PBSP, CEB sees a greater impact for its programs directed towards environmental stewardship (Juan Effect in Siargao, Boracay, and Bohol), employee empowerment (Fun for Little Juans, Brigada Eskwela, tree-planting, coastal clean-up), and community engagement (UNICEF Change for Good, Cadet Pilot Program, humanitarian and disaster relief, book donations, Lakbay Aral, Youth Talk and sponsorships) as it aligns with other PBSP members to fulfill the vision for a more inclusive and socially progressive nation.
For more information on Cebu Pacific, visit cebupacificaircorporate.com
For more information on Philippine Business for Social Progress, visit www.pbsp.org.ph
