BEST PRACTICES ON SOCIAL PROTECTION

ATTY. DULCE BLANCA T. PUNZALANMember, Women’s Business Council of the Philippines; UP Women Lawyers Circle

President & COO, FilBamboo Exponents Inc.Executive Director & Proprietor, Crea 8 Innov 8 Marketing

Branch Operator, Human Nature-Quezon City & Paranaque branchesCountry Representative (Philippines), International Sustainable Development Enterprise, Ltd. (ISDELCO)

Musical Director/ Choirmaster/ Bandleader (Kawayan 7 Modern Bamboo Band- Philippines, KeyNotes Chorale & Band and Gawad Kalinga Tatalon Performing Arts & Anklung Ensemble)

ASEAN Regional Conference of Senior Officials on Sharing of Good Practices in Social Protection for Women in Enterprise Development

(December 4 to 5 , 2014 – Dusit Thani Hotel, Makati City)

BEST PRACTICES ON SOCIAL PROTECTION

1. Promoting women to managerial, senior leadership and decision making roles, recruiting and retaining more women than in the past, increasing the amount of career development opportunities provided to women and creating an environment in which such actions listed above are carried out more easily than in the past (e.g. actions that enable women to return to their careers following maternity & childcare leave).

2. Promoting gender sensitivity, just wages and benefits legally mandated, occupational safety and health standards and general labor standards, knowledge and awareness about women’s rights (included in the Employees’ Handbook), additional medical/dental/ health benefits for employees through Caritas Health Shield Program, poverty reduction, hunger mitigation, sustainable livelihood and development (90% of its 6,300 registered dealers are women), advocacy orientation, capacity building, financial mentorship, inclusive growth for poor and marginalized communities. Crea 8 Innov 8 Marketing also  launched the “Kasambahay Program”. By encouraging Kasambahays to sell natural and organic products, the discounts or commissions become their extra income.

BEST PRACTICES ON SOCIAL PROTECTION

3. Innovation and Integration; Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation and Environmental Sustainability through natural & organic eco-friendly products, technology, processes and local supply chains.

4. Crea 8 Innov 8’s endeavors have benefited environmental causes, PWDs, cancer/spinal patients, indigent children/youth/senior citizens, urban/rural/farming communities, church ministries, peacebuilding initiatives, victims/survivors of armed conflict/calamities, feeding programs, medical missions, health care, disaster relief & rehabilitation, rebuilding of calamity affected communities, etc.

5. Crea 8 Innov 8 Marketing also has linkages with like minded-individuals and local, national and international institutions and organizations (public & private).

As a wholesaler and retailer of Filipino-made natural and organic personal care and home care products, CREA 8 INNOV 8 MARKETING has been creating many different types of opportunities for women while facilitating sustainable development of partner-communities. Since its establishment in October 2009, women have played a prominent role in its operations and currently two of the company’s executive/managerial positions are held by women. The sole proprietorship has over 6,300 registered dealers and about 90% of those dealers are women.  Furthermore, Crea 8 Innov 8 Marketing’s affiliate organizations (Human Nature, Filbamboo Exponents Inc and Mandaluyong Packaging Industries Inc.) have a majority of women on their boards of directors and several women among their top leadership.

Atty. Dulce Punzalan (Crea 8 Innov 8 Exec. Director/Proprietor & HN-PQ branch operator);Melou dela Cruz (marketing director; Melody Legaspi (cashier) received the Human Nature Branch of the Year 2011 Plaque from HN co-founder /Creative Director Camille Meloto & HN global ambassador Rachel Grant. In 2010, Dulce’s Quezon City Branch won the Branch of the Year award.

Located in the cities of Paranaque & Quezon (National Capital Region) in the Philippines, Crea 8 Innov 8 promotes gender sensitivity, just wages and benefits, and an environment that is friendly to women and children. It is very active in sustainable livelihood and development, inclusive growth for poor and marginalized communities, innovation and integration, and environmental sustainability.

For instance, Human Nature (HN), whose UP Village Quezon City and Paranaque branches are owned and operated by Crea 8 Innov 8 Marketing, is a “pro-Philippines, pro-poor, pro-environment” social enterprise that combats poverty and promotes environmental protection through eco-friendly products, technology, processes and local supply chains.

Human Nature Parañaque Branch Feeding Program Beneficiaries

Sagip Session & Feeding in GK Kaingin

December 1 & 8, 2012

Human Nature Parañaque Branch donated 70 children toys in our

“Sagip Christmas Party 2012” for 3 GK Villages of Parañaque City namely GK AYA Multinational

Village, GK SPI Springer Village and GK Innerwheel Rainbow

Village.

July 6, 2013 HN-PQ Concept Store Launch & Awarding of “Artistic Hearts for Nationbuilding” to celebrity dealers Mark Escueta (HN-PQ branch) of RiverMaya & international awardwinning actress Angeli Bayani (HN-UP Village QC branch)

On October 1, 2014, Crea 8 Innov 8 Marketing was awarded a Certificate of Compliance (COC) on General Labor Standards and Occupational Safety and Health Standards by Department of Labor & Employment (DOLE) Secretary Rosalinda D. Baldoz (lower left photo). Aside from the statutory benefits (SSS, Pag-ibig/ HDMF, Philhealth, leaves, etc.), Crea 8 Innov 8’s employees are also covered by the Caritas Health Shield Program.

Crea 8 Innov 8’s endeavors have benefited environmental causes, PWDs, cancer/spinal patients, indigent children/youth/senior citizens, urban/rural/farming communities, church ministries, peacebuilding initiatives, victims/survivors of armed conflict/calamities, feeding programs, medical missions, health care, disaster relief & rehabilitation, etc. Crea 8 Innov 8 has achieved many positive outcomes from supporting opportunities for women and returning its profits to society for the greater good.

Over 1.7 million peoplevolunteered for the 2014

Gawad Kalinga BayaniChallenge (GKBC) from April 9 to June 12 in several provinces

for the rebuilding of communities and ecosystems

affected by super typhoon Yolanda/ Haiyan.

The joint team of Crea 8 Innov 8 Marketing/ Human Nature-UP Village/ GK Tatalon Performing Arts Choir/ K7 Modern Bamboo

Band & En Praxis actively participated in this historic &

fruitful endeavor.

Pope Francis gave a special Papal blessing for all the participants of

GKBC 2014. He will visit the Philippines on January 15-19,

2015.

SUMMARY OF GAWAD KALINGA BAYANI CHALLENGE 2014 ACTIVITIES & VOLUNTEERS FOR THE REBUILDING OF COMMUNITIES & ECOSYSTEMS IN PROVINCES AFFECTED BY

SUPER TYPHOON YOLANDA/ HAIYAN

Crea 8 Innov 8 Marketing has received recognition from various organizations, including the Department of Agrarian Reform for its lecture-presentation for Women’s Month (March 2010); the Philippine Women’s University; the Council of Deans and Heads of Nutrition and Dietetics (CODHEND) and the Association of Nutrition Action Officers of NCR, Inc., National Nutrition Council-National Capital Region. The firm also received awards for Best Industry Practice (Filbamboo/Human Nature) in Climate Change Adaptation & Mitigation 2013 from the Climate Change Commission and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce & Industry; Human Nature Branch of the Year Awards in 2010 & 2011;  Gawad Kalinga Bayani Challenge, Apex Global/ECCI for the 2013 ASEAN Corporate Sustainability Summit, Businessworld, Mindanao State University College of Agriculture/ TESDA-Lanao del Sur/SPEED Philippines Inc. , University of the Philippines as well as Certificates of Appreciation & Plaques of Recognition from many other distinguished local, national & international organizations.

CREA 8 INNOV 8 MARKETING is included in the Healthcare Category of the “Directory of Outstanding ASEAN Small and Medium Enterprises 2015” which was officially launched on Nov. 24, 2014 in Siem Reap, Cambodia during the Public-Private Dialogue for the Post-2015 ASEAN Strategic Action Plan for SME Development (2016-2025). The Directory is “categorized into 12 priority integration sectors, namely agro-based/processed food, automotive, transportation, logistics services, electrical and electronic equipment, e-ASEAN/ ICT, fisheries, healthcare, rubber-based, textile/apparel, tourism and wood-based products, among others.” 800 SMEs from 10 ASEAN member-states are listed in the said publication.

Crea 8 Innov 8 Marketing was likewise featured in the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)’s Policy Partnership on Women and the Economy (PPWE) Nov. 2014 Report entitled “50 Leading Companies for Women in APEC”. “This project is funded and overseen by its initiator, Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). The project is also supported by several co-sponsoring economies, including the Philippines. Crea 8 Innov 8 Marketing was among the companies selected for efforts including promoting women to managerial, senior leadership and decision making roles, recruiting and retaining more women than in the past, increasing the amount of career development opportunities provided to women and creating an environment in which such actions listed above are carried out more easily than in the past (e.g. actions that enable women to return to their careers following maternity & childcare leave).” 48 exemplary companies were selected from 14 APEC member-economies: Australia, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, USA and Vietnam. The 26th APEC Joint Ministerial Statement on Nov. 8, 2014 in Beijing, China mentioned in Paragraph 64: “We recognize the role of public-private collaboration in promoting women’s leadership, and we welcome the 50 Leading Companies for Women in APEC report and encourage economies to share and disseminate best practices of these companies domestically.”

Human Nature: “Spread the Goodness”Gandang Kalikasan Inc. ( established in November 2008) was the brainchild of Gawad Kalinga (GK) volunteers Anna Meloto-Wilk, her husband Dylan Wilk and her younger sister Camille Meloto. The company produces Human Nature (organic and natural personal care products that are 100% Philippine made and 100% free from harmful chemicals).

Guided by the principles of being “pro-Philippines, pro-poor and pro, environment”, Human Nature is a SOCIAL ENTERPRISE that uses the Direct Selling Business Model and focuses on a triple bottomline :

DOING GOOD: Creating a significant, positive impact to the Filipino farming communities as a direct result of our business

DOING RIGHT: Engaging appropriate technology and products, full legal compliance, world-class quality standards, environment-friendly practices

DOING WELL: Achieving optimal, sustainable profitability instead of simply maximized profitability

Human Nature products are available in the Philippines, as well as in the USA, Canada, Singapore, Malaysia and UAE.

PRO Philippines

Currently, 100% made in the PhilippinesEnvisions 100% sourced in the Philippines– We formulate only with

ingredients that can be grown locally

– We would only resort to importing resources if there is no local availability

PRO PoorGoal: Provide livelihood to Gawad Kalinga residents and poor farming communities. Currently, we employ GK residents from nearby communities in Quezon City and provide fair living wage more than the minimum wage required by law. We also make sure to provide our warehouse staff with full benefits and overtime pay to promote dignity of work.

Most of our warehouse employees are GK leaders who spearheaded projects in their respective GK communities. Because we didn't want their jobs in Human Nature to take away all their time devoted to serving their community, Human Nature recently implemented a rule that they get one day a week off to continue their involvement in GK activities.

Fair Trade: Buy at fair prices from community-based suppliers, even above-market prices to support community development100% of profits from our #1 product go to the poor. Substantial part of all other profits is also donated to GK and to develop community farms nationwide

PRO PoorGoal: Provide livelihood to Gawad Kalinga residents and poor farming communities. Currently, we employ GK residents from nearby communities in Quezon City and provide fair living wage more than the minimum wage required by law. We also make sure to provide our warehouse staff with full benefits and overtime pay to promote dignity of work.

Most of our warehouse employees are GK leaders who spearheaded projects in their respective GK communities. Because we didn't want their jobs in Human Nature to take away all their time devoted to serving their community, Human Nature recently implemented a rule that they get one day a week off to continue their involvement in GK activities.

Fair Trade: Buy at fair prices from community-based suppliers, even above-market prices to support community development100% of profits from our #1 product go to the poor. Substantial part of all other profits is also donated to GK and to develop community farms nationwide

PRO EnvironmentUsing natural, organic products instead of toxic chemicalsPromoting organic farming and showing it can work for farmersCatalogues printed on 100% recycled paper using mineral-based ink

The seeds that were planted are starting to bear fruit for the citronella farmers of Barangay Kanapawan in Labo, Camarines Norte. After 20 months of supporting the citronella enterprise of KMMBK and Philippine Federation for Environmental Concern (PFEC), Human Nature has turned over P972,694.94, 100% of all profits from Bug Spray from Oct-Dec 2010, to invest in community development programs which will provide a sustainable enterprise, keeping a whole barangay out of poverty for good. Representatives of KMMBK identified Health and Education as primary community concerns and Human Nature has responded to this by agreeing to provide renovations for their elementary school, additional textbooks and supplies for their students as well as working on a health program.

One Heart for One Community is Human Nature and KMMBK's the common dream of growing the supply and demand for our farmers' produce, so that they can be empowered to provide for themselves the quality of life farmers from others countries enjoy.

THE PHILIPPINE FEDERATION

FOR ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN

Lemongrass Farming Community Traditional sugarcane families grouped

together to form Mambugsay Essential Oil Producers Association(MEOPA)

Partnered with Alternative Indigenous Development Foundation Inc (AIDFI) that aids development of agricultural communities and organic farming

Yield of 1 hectare of rice per year = Php40k-Php50k vs Yield of hectare of organic lemongrass per year = Php500k

Last January 26, 2012, Human Nature provided a Php 300,000 grant to AIDFI that will help increase their lemongrass oil production to another farm in Sitio Ananggue in Murcia, Negros Occidental. The next stage of this partnership is expansion in GK Victorias and GK Talisay both in Negros Occidental. Instead of just helping one community at a time, our goal is to develop multiple farms that will grow an industry for Philippine essential oil & extracts.

Human Nature teamed up with one of the biggest names in beauty and environmental awareness - Miss Earth - and Beauty Bar, the country's premier source for beauty & personal care brands. Working with Miss Earth's 2010 Philippine title-holders and Beauty Bar, Human Nature launches CommPassion, a lipstick campaign seeking to build a dream for the passion fruit farming community in Mindanao.

Human Nature is committed to helping the GK Pueblo Antonio community in Catigan, Davao to produce world-class quality passion fruit seed oil by giving back 100% of the profits from the sale of each Passion Fruit Hydrating Mineral Lipstick to fund the development of a processing facility so it can expand its livelihood into the higher-value, more sustainable processing of passion fruit seed oil. This program will remain in place until the facility is fully funded. Human Nature also commits to purchase the oil at a fair trade price and find ways to incorporate the oil in upcoming product lines.

MOTHER BONIFACIA RODRIGUEZ FOUNDATION, INC./ TALLERES DE NAZARET (TdN) is a social enterprise of the Siervas de San Jose.

TdN harmonizes prayer and faith, advocacy, values formation, skills training and capability building, financial management, socio-economic impact, fair trade practices, physical/ intellectual/spiritual/socio-economic growth and empowerment of primary stakeholders (unemployed single or married women from poor communities, female students, out of school youth & sheltered girls), management & motivational rewards, social responsibility, respect & care for creation, and diversification of products (food, apparel, uniforms, liturgical vestments, eco-bags, laptop/notebook cases, etc.).

Talleres’ mottos are “Dignidad, Solidaridad, Calidad (meaning: “Dignity, Solidarity, Quality”) and “Trabajo, Fe, Amor” (meaning: “Work, Faith, Love”).

The international congregation of the Siervas de San Jose has missionary communities in 14 countries (Philippines, Spain, Italy, United States, Cuba, Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, Chile, Zaire, Papua New Guinea and Vietnam).

The Talleres de Nazaret had its historical and spiritual roots in Spain. Its foundress was Bonifacia Rodriguez Castro. She was the eldest of six children (only two reached adulthood) and was born on June 6, 1837 in Salamanca, Spain to an artisan family. Her parents (Juan and Maria Natalia) were devout Catholics. The “taller” or tailoring shop of her father was the first thing she sees upon birth. At the age of 13, she learned to be a cordmaker. Her father died when she was 15 years old, so she helped her mother support the family. “The need to work in order to live shapes early on her solid personality, experiencing in her own body the hard conditions of the woman worker of the age: exhausting work schedule and meager pay.”

As a changemaker and visionary, Mother Bonifacia faced many humiliations, rejection, disdain and calumnies during her lifetime. She was canonized as Saint Bonifacia by Pope Benedict XVI on October 23, 2011.

Talleres de Nazaret has a socio-economic dimension because it develops the skills and capabilities of the poor, unemployed and marginalized women and youth who acquire knowledge, self-esteem and dignity in work, thus preventing them from falling into all kinds of exploitation, prostitution, drug addiction, domestic violence, theft, etc. Talleres collaborates with government agencies & institutions in technology transfer, product development, packaging, management training and marketing assistance. It has branches in Quezon City, Mandaluyong, Cavite, Iloilo, Silay and Cebu.

TdN- Philippines was established in 1986 with a Php 10,000 capital and 3 manual sewing machines.

TdN is a certified member of the World Fair Trade Organization. Below is the list of fair trade practices adhered to by Talleres de Nazaret:

Awareness of Fair Trade Practices - copy of the labor code exists, fair trade principles are included in the written and/or expressed mission, vision, values of the institution; orientation of employee benefits/salaries and office rules/guidelines exists; mechanism for complaints and grievances exist; mechanism for promoting fair trade practices among its employees exists.

Fixed Wages – wages approximate average rate for similar occupations or minimum wage; wages are regularly paid in full and properly documented; deductions from wages are done with the agreement of the worker; wages are paid in cash or check and not in kind; legally mandated benefits are present and given on time; working hours with ample rest; flexible working hours. Piece or Pakyaw Rate – per piece rate approximates the average for the industry sector within the community; TdN offsite workers are “paid by the inch” depending on the complexity of the designs sewn and embroidered on the liturgical vestments.

Benefits Legally Mandated (applicable to permanent employees) and otherbenefits - vacation leave (15 days) and sick leave (10 days); medical benefits (Philhealth and a savings account for health); sickness and disability benefits; 13th month bonus, mid year & Christmas bonus, retirement pay. Workers also receive a transportation allowance of P500 a month and a rice allowance of P500 a month. 

Cooperative Workplaces – Talleres conducts meetings and consultations with workers on matters concerning company policy, plans and procedures; there is a Coordinating Team composed of 2 SSJ nuns and 7 workers which oversees the operations, management, customer service, values formation, equipment maintenance and other concerns; workers are allowed to join associations, cooperatives or similar organizations that promote their rights and welfare; the institution provides an atmosphere conducive to the social, physical, intellectual, and emotional development of the workers; workers are informed about the performance of business and the organization’s plans.

Working Conditions and Safety – working hours in a workplace other than home should not exceed 40 hours a week; the workplace provides sufficient light, ventilation and comfort; trainings are conducted on potential hazards and on the safe use of equipment and materials; accidents are recorded, and appropriate measures are taken to prevent a repetition of such accidents; the worksite and lavatories are kept clean; the production process is not hazardous to health; the eating area is separated from the production area; first-aid medicines and firefighting equipment are available and accessible for use; corporal punishment, verbal abuse, and mental or physical coercion are not used as disciplinary measures.

Child Labor and Gender – child labor (14 years old and below) is not allowed; married women are allowed two months of paid maternity leave and married men are allowed five working days of paternity leave; there is no manifestation or record of sexual harassment inside and outside the workplace; there is no prejudice in hiring, training or promotion.

Management and Motivational Rewards – recognition and incentives are given for outstanding achievements and long, quality service; reasonable arrangements are made for children‟s care while their mothers are at work; programs, activities and incentives that promote family values and participation are in place.

Environment Sustainability – the production process and the materials used do not pollute the environment and are not hazardous; production does not involve banned natural raw materials, chemicals, endangered species, or resources; the production process and the sourcing of materials do not involve illegal means; a recycling program is in place; measures are in place to ensure that resources (water, energy, materials) are observed and wastage is minimized or eliminated.

Fair Trade Pricing – there is transparency in pricing; unreasonable competition in pricing among fair trade practitioners/producers is avoided; the social premium generated from fair trade is used to improve working conditions and the community.

Financial and Technical Support – financial and technical capability-building measures are in place. 

Respect for Cultural Identity – equal work opportunities for workers from cultural minorities; respect for cultural practices.  Public Accountability – willingness to show practices to fair-trade- aligned groups; willingness to open books to authorities; business registration   Voluntary Benefits Extended – productivity/performance bonus, housing benefits, mechanism for loans (housing, salary, emergency, etc.), training program for capability building; clothing allowance; merits/awards received for community service; mechanism for training and compensation of OJT (on-the-job training) students.

Empowerment of Primary Stakeholders Through the Mother Bonifacia Workers’ Credit Cooperative (MBWCC) and Membership in the National Confederation of Cooperatives (NATCCO)

In 1995, the Mo. Bonifacia Credit Cooperative (MBWCC) was established by 36 TdN workers (who contributed P 3,000 each) with an initial capital of over P100,000. It provides credit services for educational, livelihood, hospitalization & providential needs, savings and house & lot loans. As of 2010, MBWCC has 255 active members and assets of P 3,001,784.36. Family members of TdN workers can also be cooperative members. The MBWCC is fully managed by the workers.

The Year 2010 Net Surplus of P118,863.33 was allocated and distributed to the reserve fund, education and training fund, federation dues (MBWCC is a member of National Confederation of Cooperatives or NATCCO), community development fund, optional fund, interest on share capital payable and patronage refund payable. NATCCO is the largest federation of co-ops in the Philippines (1.6 million individual members from various co-op federations and 406 rural & urban co-ops) and has local development partners (such as the Land Bank of the Phils, Development Bank of the Phils, Foundation for a Sustainable Society Inc., Western Union, BancNet & PLDT SME Nation) as well as foreign affiliations: International Cooperative Alliance (Geneva, Switzerland), Association of Asian Confederation of Credit Union (Bangkok,Thailand), Proxfin, Desjardins Development International (Canada), Aflatoun Child Savings International (Netherlands), Asian Women in Co-operative Development Forum (AWCF), the Rabobank (Netherlands); Bank IM Bistum Essen (Germany); Cordaid, ICCO, Agriterra, Oikocredit, Swedish Cooperative Center, and CHF International.

Challenges , Issues & Recommendations /Actions Taken on Social Protection for Women In Enterprise Development

Challenges & Issues:*Lack of coverage of informal workers

*Low coverage of formal sector private sector workers (self employed, domestic helpers, OFWs, etc.)

*Inadequate benefits for the elderly (especially after retirement)*Continuous need to improve investment earnings of the reserve funds

*Women’s access to finance/credit facilities*Growing sources of vulnerability (health risks, life cycle risks, household economic

risks like rising food prices, social risks, and climate change/ disaster risks)*Loss of employment due to pregnancy or time taken for childcare

*Discrimination (e.g. inheritance, land ownership), “widow’s loss of assets to late husband’s family; dependence on good will of children/family members”

Recommendations & Actions Taken:*Updating of Membership Records/Posting of Contributions

*Updating of Gender-Disaggregated Database on “poverty rates, programme coveragw, income, nutritional status, access to health & education, employment

conditions”*Enabling access to insurance, climate resiliency, microfinance, credit and promoting savings; intra-household resource

allocation*Childcare support for working mothers, school feeding programs/after school

training, promote investments in women’s and children’s & health, nutrition and education (scholarships)

*Social pension schemes based on non-contributory transfer payments esp. to women’s old age security

*Legislation & Political Will in Adopting & Implementing Gender-Specific/Gender-Sensitive Policies/Programmes/Governance

“The fastest way to change society is to mobilize the women of the world.” -- Charles Malik, former President of the United Nations General Assembly

“There is no higher religion than human service…to work for the common good is the greatest creed.” - Dr Albert Schweitzer

“Success is not about having a lot but about making the most of what you have. But success alone however will not necessarily make you fulfilled or happy. It is how you share your achievements with others to make their lives better that will. This is called greatness. It is about living life with a purpose beyond self and family." - Tony Meloto

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