One way by which corporations perform their social obligations is through initiating projects aimed at improving the lives of the less fortunate. Although it is easier to simply hand out cash donations or packages of goods to the needy, some companies opt for the more challenging task – that is, to make a big difference in the lives of people.

This is what Ginebra San Miguel Foundation, San Miguel Corporation’s social development arm, has remarkably accomplished in two of the barrios in Bago City, Negros Occidental. The Distileria Bago, Inc. (DBI) Community Development Project succeeded in teaching rural folks within the immediate vicinity of the SMC distilling facility “how to fish” rather than “giving them fish” to eat.

The Works
The project kicked off in 1998 with a survey designed to capture the socioeconomic profile of the residents of Barangays Calumangan and Taloc to serve as basis for the blueprint of the community development project.

Camille Buenaventura, manager of the Corporate Affairs Office-Social Development Desk, said the project was formally launched in May 1999 with a three-pronged strategy which revolved around community organizing and capability building, basic social services, and environmental protection.

Resistance, Acceptance
Despite the noble purpose of the project, implementers encountered, in the beginning, resistance from the people, especially from Barangay Taloc. DBI’s operation had posed an environmental threat to the community when waters from where community folks get their source of living had been previously contaminated by a leak in one of the pipes of the plant facility. This made it hard for DBI employees handling the project to elicit positive reception from the people as what was a beneficial offer was perceived as harmful by the community people.

But the DBI team involved in the program never gave up on their goal. Driven by the belief that they were working for a noteworthy cause, they worked double time consulting and conducting dialogues with the leaders of the community. They even went as far as bringing the people to other host/beneficiary communities of the Foundation to show that the project was not a mere façade of a dubious scheme. Eventually, community members realized that the project would provide genuine assistance and thus became more cooperative.

On the other hand, in Barangay Calumangan where the population is mainly composed of residents relocated from the current site of DBI, the project was an expected gesture of SMC/DBI’s concern for the dislocated community. People were excited and interested when the project was being prepared and were consistently supportive.

Accomplishments
Under the supervision of Gerry Casas, the Community Relations Assistant in charge of overseeing the progress made by the host communities, the goals of the project were realized beyond expectations.

In Barangay Taloc, the program helped to strengthen a fisherfolk organization known as Asosasyon sang Imol nga Mangingisda sang Taloc Baybay (AIMATABA). Since its inception in 1998, the organization has grown to 110 members and has undergone training ranging from leadership and skills training, strategic planning, project development, health awareness, basic services, and environmental protection. With the help of the training, AIMATABA members have already started their own projects, financed by the livelihood programs initially sponsored by DBI. One of these is the support for the educational need of elementary students. They have already produced elementary school graduates and are currently supporting 56 students. The project is partly financed by selling mugs with the inscription, “Gugma mo, Edukasyon ko” (Your Love, My Education). In the near future, they are planning to extend their support to high school students.

The lending program of the organization was designed to assist the members in their business ventures. It was a product of the Capital Build Up program where members pool a portion of their income together with the seed money initially given by DBI. To ascertain the continuity of the lending program, the organization has to make sure debtors will be able to pay back their loans. It has designed a “rescue package” or alternative activity for the members who cannot pay their debts in case of unforeseen circumstances. It could either be through paid engagement during regular coastal clean-ups or through several other income-generating projects under the supervision of the organization.

The AIMATABA has also developed its institutional foundations. They regularly conduct meetings such as annual assessments, project planning, and hold training to further develop the competencies they acquired from their previous training. They have built their multi-purpose hall and have currently opened their day care center for the education of children below six years old. They were able to modernize their fishing equipment and have raised capital for the improvement of their main source of livelihood. The sailboats previously used by the fishermen have been upgraded by the organization to motorboats, allowing fishermen to stay longer in the open sea. They also were able to open a consumer store, which has commodity prices lower than outside stores. And they were able to raise funds for other projects they plan to implement. Last year, the reported income of the organization was P 48,000.

In Barangay Calumangan, the organization named Mahogany, Santan, Malunggay, and Cherry Blossom Multi-Purpose Cooperative was the main recipient of the assistance. The name of the organization was taken from the different puroks where the members of the organization live. With the current membership of 75 individuals, it has already been duly recognized by the Sangguniang Barangay as an established cooperative. It is also a member of Cooperative Development Council of Bago City. The members are required to give a P2,000 capital share as a member of the organization. Just like Brgy. Taloc, it has also undergone training as an initial step of the project. They were also able to send elementary students to school through fund-raising activities such as selling gift tags and cards made by the children themselves. Brgy. Calumangan also has their own lending program that assists the organizations’ members.

More Competent Societies
Together with other communities assisted by Ginebra San Miguel Foundation in Negros Occidental, Barangays Calumangan and Taloc constituents are also given opportunities to socialize in yearly activities hosted by DBI. Most popular of these are the Krismasinadya, a Christmas party celebration and the Hinampang, their official sports fest. The competitions in these activities range from dancing (ballroom, group and solo performance), singing (duets, solo, and choral competitions), and interpretative presentations during the Krismasinadya season and popular sports during the Hinampang celebration. These activities served as the bridge between communities which were once adversarial to one another.

The DBI Community Development Project has empowered the community folks with a sense of confidence and knowledge that now enable them to conduct with ease their affairs with commercial and government institutions. Whereas before, they suffer from ignorance – not knowing how to transact business with banks – they now boast of owning checking accounts and having representation in the local city government’s council. Although most of the members lack the privilege of securing a formal education, they have become adept at handling business transactions and preparing comprehensive project proposals.

How the folks in these two barangays have been changed for the better by a well-planned, private sector-led community development project is truly a remarkable achievement. San Miguel Corporation – through its subsidiary – once more was able to successfully demonstrate good corporate citizenship. And as the company continues to uphold its commitment to help build communities, the country can expect a future with more sustainable societies.