The needs—deeply entrenched, diverse and widespread—go far back and loom large even in the future. The solutions, especially those for communities, require an important ingredient: the participation of those in need of help.
Short-term remedies clearly do not suffice and eventually may be counterproductive. Dole-outs produce only temporary relief and deepen the dependence of recipients.
These basic realities make it imperative for economic enterprises seeking to help in society to have certain characteristics within themselves: sustained commitment and focus that will deliver the necessary long-term solutions.
Ayala has therefore chosen three points of focus, three pillars on which to continue and expand its exercise of corporate social responsibility.
Based on information from the ground–collected through formal and informal surveys, and matched with the company's innermost convictions–the selection puts strong and active emphasis on highly critical, long-term socioeconomic needs and issues:
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• Education
• Environment
• Entrepreneurship |
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Many Filipinos want things to improve and would work actively toward that end, but often they find their optimism tested by adversity. Nationwide, these seekers of a better life and future include young people that would work hard to acquire knowledge and skills to realize their utmost potentials; communities, groups and individuals that would do their share in conserving the environment; and communities, groups and individuals that would—given true opportunity—build their own livelihood.
The Ayala conglomerate as agent of change reaches out to these "change seekers" and engages their participation in development.
Other organizations join Ayala in these undertakings: its local and international business partners, government agencies, non-government organizations, academic institutions, business groups, suppliers, and the Ayala group's own employees who volunteer time and money with official encouragement. The partnerships transcend individual, parochial or business interests to work for a common agenda.
Consumers of Ayala services and products, too, through their support of Ayala's business undertakings, help sustain the group's socioeconomic developmental initiatives.
After more than a century and a half of involvement in Philippine socioeconomic development, Ayala has sharpened further its focus in the exercise of corporate social responsibility, and the accomplishments it has made are but realizations of a long-term vision.
