PBSP and HUREDA-PMAP organize executive briefing on religious diversity

An executive briefing entitled "Promoting Religious Diversity in the Mindanao Workplace" was conducted as a special session during the 2nd Human Resource Congress organized by the Human Resource Developers Association - People Management Association of the Philippines (HUREDA-PMAP) SoCSKSarGen Chapter on May 3, 2007 at the Sydney Hotel, General Santos City.

The session was held to provide participating companies from the areas of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos City with enough information on how they can implement workplace policies and practices that foster religious diversity. The company experience of La Frutera, Inc. was presented, proving that it makes good business sense to accept, welcome and value every worker regardless of his/her religious affiliation.

The second conduct of Course 1 of the Learning Course on Religious Diversity will be on May 31, 2007 in General Santos City. For more details please email PBSP-CCC Project Officer Elaine Roxas or call her at 527-3748

Canadian envoy graces 1st SME Forum in Davao

The Foundation, together with the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) through the Business Advising Program (BAP) of Canadian Executive Service Organization (CESO) held the 1st SME Partners Forum held at the Davao Convention and Trade Center in Davao City on April 26, 2007 with the Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines Peter Sutherland as guest speaker.

The SME Forum became an opportunity for business and industry players to appreciate their potential contribution as partners in helping micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) grow and prosper in Mindanao. The Ambassador and other CIDA officials interacted with the forum participants and discussed the significance of business advising program (BAP) in developing MSMEs in the area. "Parallel Paths to Success", a documentary highlighting the results achieved by the BAP was also launched during the event.

BAP is a program designed to assist MSMEs gain access to business advising services essential to its growth. The Corporate Volunteers for Enterprise Development (CVED), a CIDA-funded program established by PBSP and CESO, employs the BAP mechanism by matching volunteer corporate advisers that provide strategic business advice to Filipino entrepreneurs.