The Small Enterprises Research and Development Foundation (SERDEF) yesterday entered into an agreement with the Benita and Catalino Yap Foundation (BCYF) to work together in initiatives pertaining to entrepreneurship education and research in social entrepreneurship.
The memorandum of understanding was signed by SERDEF president Paterno V. Viloria and BCYF executive vice president J. Anton Yap.
The BCYF is a foundation that focuses on innovative solutions for volunteerism; education; citizenship, sustainability and social responsibility (CSR); and social enterprises. It has an Institute for Social Enterprise and Development that aims to develop young entrepreneurs committed to social change and economic development.
SERDEF Chair Nelia T. Gonzalez, who delivered the opening remarks, noted the congruence between the two institutions’ objectives, as she underscored the projects being undertaken by SERDEF in creating an enterprising society, particularly in entrepreneurship education at all levels – from the early grades to college.
Dr. Viloria affirmed that the “newly-minted partnership between these two like minded organizations will further bring the nation a step closer to the ideal of growth not for its own sake but targeted growth that includes all sectors of society, especially those at the base of the pyramid.”
Mr. Yap, on the other hand, underscored that the CSR 3.0 (citizenship, sustainability and social responsibility) principle, which is one of the BCY’s “3 pillars,”should be adopted not only in the corporate but also in the individual or personal level. This is why the Foundation advocates education anchored on CSR, he added.
Mr. Yap also mentioned ties that had previously existed between the two foundations. His father and BCYF founder and chairman Antonio S. Yap was among the early members of SERDEF in the 1970s.
The elder Yap also attended the signing of the agreement.
Others who were present during the event were Noreen Marian Bautista of the BCYF Institute for Social Enterprise and Development; and Dr. Herminia R. Fajardo, Serenidad F. Lavador, Benigno Ricafort, Gloria D. Canela and Myrna R. Co of the SERDEF.