Blog Action Day: Corporate Social Responsibility
Earlier today I was barely listening to my Prodman(Production Management) professor’s lecture. My mind was somewhere else as he continued to speak in front. My daydreaming was halted when snippets of what he was saying caught my wandering attention. He was sharing a story (in relation to the outsourcing topic we were covering) regarding factories that were being built near residential areas. He talked about some factories which were in the Bel-Air area (I’m not sure how its spelled so correct me if I’m wrong) before, and these factories emitted soot which stuck to the residents vehicles. After some time, no matter how much polishing they did the soot just wont budge off. The residents complained and thus the Lopez’ changed it into a shopping mall.
It wasn’t the mention of malls that caught my attention. It was the degradation of the environment, as well as its people, which industrialization has caused. I am not against industrialization, because it does generate employment for many of our fellow Filipinos here in the country. However, I am very much against the way industrialization is destroying the once clean environment we enjoyed.
Looking at developed nations, you can see that they are very much aware of these issues and are actively supporting campaigns on finding ways to conserve, preserve and restore the natural resources which have been neglected and abused. On the other hand, once these transnational companies leave their homeland and start expanding on developing nations they seem to not care at all about the pollution they create.
These big companies will not act unless we start criticizing and asking them to start changing their ways. They must learn to give back to the community and to the environment. I took a class called Cosores (Corporate Social Response) and I learned a lot from it. Its something really basic yet companies (especially when fighting over profits and market share) tend to forget.
Don’t tell me we can’t do anything because we can. If you’ve already tried talking to them about the cause and effects of their actions and practices and still didn’t receive a positive response, take another jab at it and go hit them where it hurts. Then they’ll surely start to notice. If we want these companies to change we must talk to them in terms they understand. Boycott their products and buy from their competitors who practice their corporate social responsibilities. Once they see those balance sheets turning red, market shares declining and products not leaving the shelves, they’d start listening.
Each of us has an obligation to the environment. We must replenish what we take to ensure that the next generations can still enjoy and benefit from our surroundings just as we do today.
Celebrate the environment. Join the “Blog Action Day†
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Insurance and Life
I took a subject called Legalen (Legal Environment) as a part of my course requirements. It was a very interesting class for my professor had a knack for keeping the task active in the discussion, all the while instilling in our minds the concepts and the practical uses of the course without consciously knowing it. I remember that time he told us about one of his past students offering him insurance premiums. He discussed to the class the advantages of having an insurance. It was an interesting discussion because I was an insurance skeptic before. I didn’t really see the value of having one, but that afternoon changed my thoughts on it. I realized that insurance policies is one good way of keeping security. There are lots of insurance available such as life insurance, educational & retirement plans and auto insurance plans.
You really can’t say that you don’t need one because there are times when we are caught by surprise by events we did not anticipate. One time a couple who were my parent’s friends, died in a fire accident when their house burned down. They had 3 young children who survived the incident, and if their parents did not have insurance plans, they’d probably be having lots of financial support problems aside from the trauma they experienced when they lost both their parents. Another good example would be insurance coverage for cars. In college quite a lot of people have cars, and its often that I hear my friends and classmates talk about their car accidents every now and then. If they didn’t have automobile insurance, their parents would have been more furious plus they’d be shouldering all the costs of getting the car fixed. There would also be those whose cars have been stolen, and its not something new here in Manila. It would really hurt to have your brand new sports car stolen, an auto insurance would in a way be helpful in minimizing your loss.
I think its better to be safe than sorry. But then you shouldn’t just purchase any insurance plans that come your way. You should try and see which ones offer you the best rates and quotes possible as well as their reliability before availing their life insurance, educational & retirement plans and auto insurance plans.
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Defend your answer.
There are just some professors you will never forget even after some years have gone. You might have forgotten their names and maybe even their faces, but you don’t really forget the subjects they taught. Not necessarily because you learned anything from it, but because of the moments you and they shared. Precious moments where thoughts of strangulation and asphyxiation played morbidly on your mind, while you give them your close-up winning smile.
Thus, I will never…ever… forget my IntPhil (Introduction to Philosophy) professor. I think he enjoyed me quite well ahem, torturing me. Each time we had our long quizzes returned, I had a failing mark. Always 1 or 2 points away from passing. I don’t know why but he had this smirk on his face when he calls my name and hands me my paper. I believe my answers are just as good as my friends’, but he prefers the long and elaborate essays compared to my brief and concise answers. One time I tried doing it elaborately, still I failed.
I was seriously annoyed and worried that none of my efforts were meeting his requirements. For the finals, I reviewed all my notes all week, even to the point of memorizing each word. A week after the finals, came the dreaded CCD (Course Card Distribution Day). I was actually nervous, and it was quite obvious as I walked around in circles, anxious to know whether I made the cut or if I got cut.
When my turn came to enter the room, my very good friend Vicky, accompanied me because I was really nearing my very first nervous breakdown (and I was just 17 then…). So we enter, and lo! The smirk appears. I try my best to be calm, and utter, “Sir, did I pass?” for my distress was quite apparent. My tormentor smiles sardonically and says,
“What do you think? Defend your answer.”
I seriously wanted to twist his neck and forget about everything life has to offer. Then Vicky nudged me, distracting me from my enticingly morbid thoughts. I coughed and stared at the ebil professor for a few seconds before I graced him with the sweetest smile I can muster. Yes, even better than the sweet smiles one gives to the object of their affection and desires. Then I took the card and Vicky outside.
Did I pass? Lets just say, the students at Miguel Building at that time wondered if someone just won in the lottery.
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