LIKE any corporation, both domestic and international, Clark Development Corporation (CDC) now under the leadership of Atty. Agnes Devanadera, former Energy Regulatory Administration chairperson, observes meticulously its corporate social responsibility toward communities beside and adjacent to it.
As such, it involves itself in projects promoting inclusive development of communities bordering the Clark Freeport Zone which hosts the CDC.
CDC is actively engrossed in promoting the health of particularly the Aeta population by leading the vaccination of over a thousand of them as part of its continuing immunization program in three barangays of Mabalacat City: sitio Moncayo in Barangay Calumpang and Baranays Marcos Village and Macapagal Village.
The services offered by CDC through its Corporate Social Responsibility program includes providing livelihood opportunities to the marginalized residents and vendors inside the Clark Freeport Zone, including the indigenous people (IPs) on how to be self-sufficient, effective workers and skilled technicians.
Further, CDC has established partnerships with the private sector in order to set up Kabuhayan Centers for the displaced CFZ workers and providing them gainful employment such as food delivery riders and the like.
It has ingrained in its mission to work for and with neighbor communities and not solely for profit and financial gain. Somehow, it sets aside portions of its earnings to assist residents in these adjacent areas. Such is the Corporate Social Responsibility of the Clark Development Corporation.
Other firms and business companies may also flex their CSR muscles in endeavors benefitting a majority of the people and not only for a few select individuals.
This is not difficult to achieve if the firms have the corporate conscience to share, There should be a balance between profits and civic sharing. If only all Philippine businesses, the big conglomerates especially can turn a kind eye to the less-privileged in our society, life becomes more bearable for most of us.
Still, the corporate social responsibility should be exercised by most, if not all, companies doing buainess or holding office in our country.