MAGSAYSAY Volunteers Answer Heroes’ Call for Ocean Conservancy
One hundred forty volunteers from across MAGSAYSAY answered the heroes’ call of preserving the ocean and marine lives by joining the world’s largest volunteer cleanup effort – the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) – held on September 21 at the Baseco Beach in Tondo, Manila.
Anchored to the theme “Bayanihan Para sa Karagatan” (Battle for Trash-free Manila Bay), the 34th ICC brought together volunteers from 100 countries to collect trash in coastlines, stir an environmental consciousness, and improve the quality of life. The Philippines is a consistent participant that has gained a popularity of having the most number of volunteers.
With the support of Homer Foundation, Inc. (HFI) and the Health, Safety, Environment and Security (HSES) Department, MAGSAYSAY has been joining ICC for five years now, rallying volunteers composed of employees, seafarers, cadets, family members and stakeholder volunteers including Magsaysay Multipurpose Cooperative (MAGCOOP), PeopleServe Pilipinas and the foundation’s recipients, such as the Magsaysay Chorale.
Besides being involved in the shipping industry where the ocean is the lifeline, MAGSAYSAY’s love for the ocean runs deep. “It is in our desire to open up opportunities for our MPs to realize their personal and shared aspirations -- that is to be empowered, engaged and make a significant difference in the lives of others,” said HFI Executive Director Alfonso “Jong” Pablo, Jr. Jong He also emphasized that having a volunteer engagement activity creates an atmosphere of fulfillment that could also contribute to workforce productivity. He added, “The impact of volunteerism, as an engagement strategy, goes a long way and can help us Attract, Retain and Motivate employees.”
Meanwhile, for the volunteers, ICC is a meaningful and relevant alternative weekend activity. For instance, Reynar Cerezo (OneStop Logistics Solutions, Inc.) was happy to spend his Saturday morning picking up litters in Baseco knowing that it will help the community. Participants from Magsaysay Shipping and Logistics Editha Montero and Ruschel Reyes, on the other hand, found the activity as a fresh way of reaching out to fellow MPs. “It was really a great experience! We met and bonded with people in our organization, and it made us even happier to meet new friends from outside the organization.”
New employee Diane Charmaine Manabat (National Marine Corporation) who joined the company in July, likewise, summed up the experience as a great opportunity. “I am very passionate about (the) environment, and I felt lucky that Magsaysay brings the opportunity to support closer to me. It impressed me more that more than a good employer, Magsaysay has a good heart and the passion for the environment and the community, not just with this coastal cleanup but as well as with its strong campaign to Zero Harm.”
“Zero harm to environment in the present time is like a David and Goliath battle -- there is a need for us to start somewhere, big or small, we have to fight. And we’re united here because we live with the same values. We Care is not only about helping our fellows, but it also about taking care of the planet. We will stand and we will fight to the achieve the Zero Harm to the environment, and we do not delay – we start today,” said HSES Manager Roberto “Toy” Yabut.
MAGSAYSAY is proud of its bayanis (heroes), individuals who embody our core value of “We Care” through volunteerism. “We thank you for all your hard work, for devoting your time, your effort and energy in helping out. We know that this is rewarding and we are proud of what our MPs can do,” said Jong.
Anchored to the theme “Bayanihan Para sa Karagatan” (Battle for Trash-free Manila Bay), the 34th ICC brought together volunteers from 100 countries to collect trash in coastlines, stir an environmental consciousness, and improve the quality of life. The Philippines is a consistent participant that has gained a popularity of having the most number of volunteers.
With the support of Homer Foundation, Inc. (HFI) and the Health, Safety, Environment and Security (HSES) Department, MAGSAYSAY has been joining ICC for five years now, rallying volunteers composed of employees, seafarers, cadets, family members and stakeholder volunteers including Magsaysay Multipurpose Cooperative (MAGCOOP), PeopleServe Pilipinas and the foundation’s recipients, such as the Magsaysay Chorale.
Besides being involved in the shipping industry where the ocean is the lifeline, MAGSAYSAY’s love for the ocean runs deep. “It is in our desire to open up opportunities for our MPs to realize their personal and shared aspirations -- that is to be empowered, engaged and make a significant difference in the lives of others,” said HFI Executive Director Alfonso “Jong” Pablo, Jr. Jong He also emphasized that having a volunteer engagement activity creates an atmosphere of fulfillment that could also contribute to workforce productivity. He added, “The impact of volunteerism, as an engagement strategy, goes a long way and can help us Attract, Retain and Motivate employees.”
Meanwhile, for the volunteers, ICC is a meaningful and relevant alternative weekend activity. For instance, Reynar Cerezo (OneStop Logistics Solutions, Inc.) was happy to spend his Saturday morning picking up litters in Baseco knowing that it will help the community. Participants from Magsaysay Shipping and Logistics Editha Montero and Ruschel Reyes, on the other hand, found the activity as a fresh way of reaching out to fellow MPs. “It was really a great experience! We met and bonded with people in our organization, and it made us even happier to meet new friends from outside the organization.”
New employee Diane Charmaine Manabat (National Marine Corporation) who joined the company in July, likewise, summed up the experience as a great opportunity. “I am very passionate about (the) environment, and I felt lucky that Magsaysay brings the opportunity to support closer to me. It impressed me more that more than a good employer, Magsaysay has a good heart and the passion for the environment and the community, not just with this coastal cleanup but as well as with its strong campaign to Zero Harm.”
“Zero harm to environment in the present time is like a David and Goliath battle -- there is a need for us to start somewhere, big or small, we have to fight. And we’re united here because we live with the same values. We Care is not only about helping our fellows, but it also about taking care of the planet. We will stand and we will fight to the achieve the Zero Harm to the environment, and we do not delay – we start today,” said HSES Manager Roberto “Toy” Yabut.
MAGSAYSAY is proud of its bayanis (heroes), individuals who embody our core value of “We Care” through volunteerism. “We thank you for all your hard work, for devoting your time, your effort and energy in helping out. We know that this is rewarding and we are proud of what our MPs can do,” said Jong.
