Social business is the business of caring. This was the opening
statement of Tony Meloto as he welcomed the participants of the Social Business
Summit, the first of its kind held not at a fancy hotel or a posh convention
center but on a sustainable community farm in Angat, Bulacan.
The choice of
venue is crucial in communicating the message that social businesses place a
higher premium on human relationships and empowerment of the poor rather than
mere profit.
A total of 520
participants signed-up for the event, which included 50 foreign delegates from
the United States, Australia, France, Singapore and the United Kingdom among
others. Forty brilliant minds are set to share their thoughts and expertise
about the summit's theme, which deals with the role of social business in
harboring inclusive growth in emerging Asian markets.
“Charity cannot
sustain development, nor can it end poverty. Social businesses can,” Meloto,
founder of Gawad Kalinga (GK), stated.
He sought the
support of the participants comprised of entrepreneurs, teachers, government
officials and advocates of social development.
Meloto insisted
that the Philippines must learn to achieve progress without leaving the poor
behind.
“Because if we
keep leaving the poor behind, growth will never be sustainable,” he explained.
These thoughts
were echoed by Stephen Groff, Vice President of Asian Development Bank. In his
speech, Groff pitched the idea that social business will herald in a brighter
future for the country.
“The
Philippines is ideal for social enterprises due to strong civil society and
people's organizations that can provide support, funding, and training,
especially when social businesses start their expansions,” said Groff.
He added that
the government needs to promote and fund social businesses, while banks should
provide special loans and other financial services to encourage social
enterprises.
These ideas
were concretized by the experiences of 2012 Enrst & Young's Entrepreneur of
the Year Jim Ayala as he shared how his company's solar-powered lantern
improved the lives of rural Filipinos who do not have access to electricity.
Meanwhile, former
Taguig Rep. Sigfrido Tinga proudly narrated how he decided to leave the world
of politics for a greater dream. Tinga claimed that the greatest lesson he learned
from Gawad Kalinga is that the poor should never be displaced in favor of
development.
Currently
working on introducing electric vehicles as alternatives to pollution- causing
jeepneys, he plans on employing and training drivers coming from GK communities
for such project. Tinga trusts that the strong formation program of the
organization will produce the most courteous Filipino drivers.
Other speakers
include Joey Concepcion of GoNegosyo, Fr. Javi Alpasa, S.J. and Mark Ruiz of
Hapinoy; and Anna Wilk of Gandang Kalikasan. All four speakers emphasized on
the primacy of dealing justly with workers as innovative and marketable
products can only be made possible through the talents of people.
The Social
Business Summit ran from October 2-5 at the GK Enchanted Farm in Bulacan. It was
an excellent opportunity for social entrepreneurs to exchange enterprising
ideas as well as explore opportunities for synergy so as to create businesses
that will empower the Filipino worker.
“We cannot be
just a nation of consumers or job seekers. We have no excuse to remain poor.
It's time for us Filipinos to define ourselves,” said Meloto whose vision is to
make the Philippines the Social Business Capital of the world. (PIA)
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