SCG employees volunteer support for 'Sharing The Dream'

Volunteer work is a huge leap from the daily desk job of credit officer Jackson Saw. Here, he along with other volunteers visited different schools in Calumpit, Bulacan. They had a variety of tasks – set up visuals and materials, check on the scholars’ performance from the previous semester, and many more. Nevertheless, it somehow gave him a very good feeling. “It’s tiring, but rewarding,” he noted.

Jackson is among the many volunteer employees of Thai-based Siam Cement Group (SCG) corporate social responsibility (CSR) program named ‘Sharing The Dream’. He works with the United Pulp and Paper Co. (UPPC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of SCG. Together with Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), the program assists financially-challenged second year high school students to complete their education. A PBSP survey reports a large attrition rate among students at this level. Thus the project helps sophomores finish their studies and become noteworthy community members.

Volunteer employees assist SCG implement its program’s goals, one of which is to improve their scholars inside and outside the school through the “Life Skills” workshop. Held in the five partner schools in Calumpit – namely Iba, Sta. Lucia, Caniogan, Calumpit and Frances HS, the workshop inspires students to develop good decision-making skills and build self-esteem.

‘Sharing The Dream’ indeed provides SCG employees like Jackson, the opportunity to help others. “It was a good opportunity to help, and see first-hand how the world really looks like,” shared this 32-year old who has been with UPPC for two years now.

Jackson was a volunteer during the Scholarship Camp last May when SCG met some of its 200 scholars together with their parents. The visit across Calumpit schools is Jackson’s third volunteer work.

UPPC human resources officer Manuel D. Mascardo meanwhile has a rich variety of volunteer efforts under his belt. Active with church-related programs like Sunday schools, bible studies, and an outreach ministry, he has joined the company’s community relations programs like medical-dental missions, municipal peace and order programs, etc. He offered his assistance and extra time for the ‘Sharing The Dream’ project “to contribute meaningfully to the noble program” and “to let these students feel God’s faithfulness and love to them through this program of our company, SGS-UPPC.”

“Most often, companies would prioritize return of investments (ROI), business growth, and compliance to government requirements, etc. I feel proud that our company tries to be a responsible corporate neighbor of the community and a responsible corporate citizen of the country through different programs for the community,” said Manuel, who has been with UPPC since 1990.

Manuel admired how the students are dedicated to have a better future through education. “They believe education will make their lives different. It was sad to know that sometimes, a student is forced to skip classes just because he could not submit his school project, which would cost him about P30.00. Some of these students are willing to work as housemaids just to finish even high school,” he said.