BIZZ FIZZ
BY RENE MARTEL

AN innovative project that will apply mobile phone SMS technology for disaster management has won at the 2009 Development Marketplace Competition organized by the World Bank.

The Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP)—together with its member-company, Smart Communications—developed the winning “Strengthening Disaster Preparedness of Southern Leyte through SMS Technology” project. PBSP Director Jazmin Gutierrez received the award in Washington, D.C., together with Smart consultant for Strategic Business Development Ramon Duremdes.

More than 1,770 proposals, which were aimed to attract innovative ideas on climate change adaptation, from 47 countries were submitted to the World Bank. Nine projects from the Philippines made it to the finals. Four of these Filipino entries, including PBSP’s project, were selected as the most creative and promising solutions to climate change-related problems.

“The World Bank gave PBSP a grant of $200,000 to develop and roll out the proposed information campaign on Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction [DRR],” explained Gutierrez.

“The grant will also enable PBSP to test multiple hazard risk assessment exercises. Smart will test an SMS-based system to gather, store and disseminate data to prevent and reduce risks associated with disasters,” Gutierrez added.

“This recognition will give Smart a chance to showcase how communications can play a vital role in empowering communities to prepare for and respond to disasters,” said Ramon Isberto, Smart Public Affairs Group head.

Southern Leyte has been identified as the pilot province for the project. In 2006, more than 1,000 people perished when a massive landslide buried the unwary village of Guinsaugon. Aid from donor agencies and corporations poured into Southern Leyte.

Among them was PBSP’s technical assistance in developing the master plan for the rehabilitation of Southern Leyte. As a result, Guinsaugon’s survivors have regained access to basic services and livelihood opportunities.

Southern Leyte is located within a Rift Zone and continues to be vulnerable to natural calamities. The PBSP and SMART project will help 50 barangays in 14 municipalities in Southern Leyte prepare for and respond to disasters.

Committed to poverty reduction, PBSP is the largest corporate-led social development foundation in the Philippines. It is the first of its kind in Asia leading the promotion and practice of corporate social responsibility (CSR).

More than 250 large, medium-scale and small businesses comprise PBSP and together they help the poor rise above poverty and become self-reliant. The group operates nationwide, with programs in education, health, sustainable livelihood, and micro, small and medium enterprise development implemented with partners and communities as empowered players.

Since its inception in 1970, PBSP has benefited 4.5 million Filipinos and assisted over 6,200 social development projects through more than P7 billion in grants and development loans.

Leading the way in the practice of corporate citizenship, PBSP has been influencing companies to integrate CSR into their core businesses, and advocating the application of business solutions to poverty.

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