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ALL TRANSPORT NETWORK JOINS PBSP IN MARIKINA WATERSHED REFORESTATION ATN employees planted 625 seedlings of Cupang, Narra, and Dungon. MOVEMENT TO REFOREST THE DENUDED AREAS OF THE MARIKINA WATERSHED took another step forward through Adopt-a-Hectare Tree Planting Activity in Sitio Binayoyo, Barangay Calawis, Antipolo City.       Filipino-owned freight forwarding company, All Transport Network (ATN) teamed up with the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), the biggest corporate-led foundation, in a long-term program to transform the degrading forest of the Marikina Watershed areas into a densely green landscape.       Approximately 60 ATN employees garbed in working suits planted 625 seedlings of Cupang, Narra, and Dungon.       "Just as we want our company to be sustainable, we want the country where we live in to be sustainable as well," ATN CEO Mary Lou Teano-Estrada said.       Meanwhile, the Marikina Watershed Initiative is originally launched by the Philippine Disaster Recovery Foundation (PDRF) last year. This was after Typhoon Ondoy destroyed thousands of properties and resources in 2009.       PBSP, PDRF's proactive partner in the initiative, aims to contribute to the reforestation of 9,520 hectares of the 28,000 hectares of the watershed by 5 to 10 years. Hence, the denudation was regarded as the main reason for massive flooding. Maria Kristia Bueno, PBSP project officer.       According to Maria Kristia Bueno, PBSP project officer, "Awareness of the program is increasing but there is still in need of more support from private sectors to immediately achieve our goal to save and protect the watershed."       Like ATN, interested companies can also give back to nature by supporting Adopt-a-Hectare or Adopt-a-Nursery project through a partnership with PBSP.       Aside from helping in the reforestation effort, these packages also provide alternative income to farmers living in the communities surrounding the watershed. These farmers are the primary manpower behind maintaining the implementation of activities.       The Adopt-a-Hectare Tree Planting Activity is ATN's environmental involvement to celebrate its 25th anniversary. Also, the freight company recently participated in PBSP's Brigada Eskwela which benefited Bagong Silangan Elementary School in Quezon City.                                                                                                                                   - Grace Muncada (photos courtesy of PBSP) *** *** INTERNATIONAL YOUTH DAY MARKS DECADE OF PARTNERSHIP FOR BASILAN KIDS IN CELEBRATION OF INTERNATIONAL YOUTH DAY, the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) and Philippine American Life and General Insurance Company (Philam Life) recently signed the Memorandum of Agreement to implement the Aid for Basilan Children (ABC) Project.       The ABC Project is now a decade-old partnership between the largest corporate-led foundation and the largest life insurance company in the Philippines. This is to support the education of less-fortunate children in the Basilan Island.       Through this project, beneficiary students are provided with scholarships, books, and school supplies to assist them in their education.       The ABC project also helps improve the students' capacity for learning through a parent-teacher training, nutrition program, and better school facilities.       Moreover, this corporate social initiative is realized to keep the students in classrooms. Some of the reasons why they drop out of school are poverty, poor health, and disruptions in community life.       Originally, the ABC project is to provide assistance for the primary education of the Basilan children. Since the scholars have performed very well in their academics, it was decided that the project should be extended up to the scholars' secondary education.       Philam and PBSP are still open for future partnerships that will increase the financial assistance given to the scholars for tertiary level education.       PBSP is a non-profit organization that focuses in the development of education, health, livelihood, and environment. By targeting these four key areas, it aims to reduce poverty in the country.                                                                                                                                                               - Grace Muncada PBSP TB PROJECT LAUNCHES PHOTO CONTEST PHILIPPINE BUSINESS FOR SOCIAL PROGRESS, with the support of the Global Fund TB Project recently launched a photo contest entitled "To Be Free is To Be TB-Free" during a Photographers' Forum on Tuberculosis (TB) held at the College of Saint Benilde Hotel and International Conference Center. The photo contest aims to increase awareness on TB to more individuals through compelling yet positive images. Prof. Cecilia S. Angeles gives the forum some usefil tips on telling a story through photography.       Various photography groups as well as freelance photographers who attended the event were oriented on basic information on TB emphasizing the fact that TB is curable and that it is not to be dreaded.       Prof. Cecilia S. Angeles, a photography professor and an active member of the Federation of Philippine Photographers Foundation (FPPF) also gave some pointers on Advocacy Photography and encouraged participants on how through images, the photographers can tell stories and messages to spread awareness on the disease.       PBSP is the principal recipient of the Global Fund TB Grant in the Philippines. The Global Fund promotes global public-private partnership dedicated to attracting and disbursing additional resources to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. "To Be Free is To Be TB-Free" photo contest is open to all amateur and professional photographers. Up close and personal: Prof. Cecilia S. Angeles answers individual questions.       Aside from cash prizes, photos of winners and select participants will be included in a photo exhibit/caravan and photo book. Deadline of submission of entries is on August 19. For full contest rules, please visit www.pbspgftb.org.                                                                                                                            - Jerome Trinona (Photos courtesy of PBSP) ********* ********* ********* PBSP Intro      1      2      3      4      5      6      7      8      9      10      11      12      13      14