PNoy thanks PBSP's support for his government

President Benigno Aquino III might have been two and a half hours late for his appointment with the officers and members of the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) Tuesday, but still he was received warmly. The cordial welcome was not only because Aquino once worked for the PBSP, a business sector-based non-government organization, but more importantly because its members understood the need for him to attend to the victims of a bus bombing that happened just a block away, some hours earlier. Five were killed and 13 others were injured when an improvised explosive device exploded inside a Newman Goldliner bus in Makati on Tuesday afternoon. (See: Bus blast death toll now 5; victims' kin cry out for justice) In his speech during the 40th anniversary of PBSP held at Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati City, Aquino thanked his former organization for its participation and commitment in working for social change and in embracing the idea of corporate social responsibility to uplift the lives of marginalized sectors. The President worked for PBSP after the assassination of his father, Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. Aquino noted that PBSP quickly responded when, in his State of the Nation Address in July last year, he called on all Filipinos to join in the fight to reduce poverty in the country. PBSP is playing a vital role not just as an economic driver but also as catalyst for positive changes, he added. “[PBSP] took the discipline that you need to run a corporation and to apply that discipline to the projects to various disadvantage communities," he added. In return, the President said, his administration “will continue to operate under the banner of transparency and accountability, under daylight, under the guidance of his parents that gave birth to the freedom and democracy that our people currently enjoy." Together with Manuel Pangilinan, PBSP chairman of the board of trustees, Aquino presented plaques of recognition to pioneer members of PBSP, namely: Washington Sycip of the accounting firm SGV, Sixto Roxas III, Jose M. Soriano Jr. of Atlas Consolidated Mining, and Don Emilio Abello (posthumous) of Meralco. The President also presented plaques of recognition for active service to Ambassador Bienvenido Tan Jr. of Philippine Tobacco and Modern Glass, and to Ma. Luisa Perez-Rubio. PBSP, established in 1970, is the country’s oldest and largest business group engaged in social development programs. As a corporate-driven development foundation, it is considered a pioneer in Asia in corporate citizenship and social responsibility practices. PBSP claims it has raised P5.2 billion, benefited 6.4 million Filipinos, and assisted over 6,500 social development projects such as in education, health, sustainable livelihood and micro, small and medium enterprise development, farmland area resource and coastal resource management, disaster coordination and risk reduction and caring for the rainforests and watersheds.—JV, GMANews.TV