President Benigno Simeon Aquino III confers the BPSP Pioneers Tribute award to PBSP Board of Trustees member and Ponderosa Farms Chairperson Ma. Luisa Perez-Rubio during the 40th Foundation of the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) at the Grand Ballroom, Dusit Thani, Makati City Tuesday night January 25, 2011. Other awardees are Washington Sycip, Ambassadors Howard Dee, Jose Soriano and Bienvenido Tan, Jr., Sixto Roxas III, and Don Emilio Abello (posthumous). PBSP is the largest corporate-led social development foundation in the Philippines. Committed to poverty reduction, PBSP is the first of its kind in Asia leading the promotion and practice of corporate social responsibility (CSR). It comprises of more than 260 large, medium-scale and small businesses. PBSP was established in 1970, during a period of national and economic unrest. Fifty Filipino businessmen pledged to set aside 1% of their companies' net income before taxes to pursue poverty reduction programs. Through the Foundation, the business community's pool of resources would create a difference in the lives of the poor. Since its inception, PBSP has benefited 4.5 million Filipinos and assisted over 6,200 social development projects through more than PHP 7 billion in grants and development loans. In the photo are (Photo by: Pancratio Francisco/ Malacaņang Photo Bureau) |
