Corporate Social Responsibilty

In Fuji Xerox Gawad Kalinga Village

Skyscrapers, shopping centers, and luxury hotels line the streets of the Makoti district of downtown Manila, the Philippines' capital city. In stark contrast, just thirty minutes by car from Fuji Xerox Philippines' headquarters in Makoti, is Taguig City. When passing the city's upscale residential zones, a bleak scene of tin- roofed shanties and narrow alleys suddenly appears.

Fuji Xerox Gawad Kalinga (GK) Village,completed in December 2007, is located in a Taguig slum area. It comprises 30 homes and a two -story multipurpose hall. The homes house 3Lj families, with 120 residents in total. Groups of four homes share a communal kitchen and bathing facilities.

Here, the alleys serve as playgrounds for frolicking children supervised by smiling mothers and the elderly. As reflected in their tranquil expressions, life is now much better for the local residents. Previously, they were always under pressure of being evicted since they built their shanties on the city's property without permission. They were virtually isolated from surrounding neighborhoods and had to tolerate an environment rampant with violent crime and drunken street fights. Now, however, the scene is quite different with the establishment of the Fuji Xerox GK Village, which showcase newly built homes and a multipurpose hall that serve as community facilities.

The first floor of the Fuji Xerox Gawad Kalinga Village multipurpose hall serves as a daycare center, while the second floor is utilized as a computer training facility. One parent, Medy Austria, notes that she can now leave her children at the daycare center in the morning and work on her needlecraft. Above all, Medy is happy that her children can now attend school. Before, many families could not affo rd the cost of textbooks; therefore, their children were deprived of an all-important education.

The multipurpose hall is also open to local residents and other nearby GK Villages. Local volunteers regularly visit the facility to teach children how to use the computers. Companies that support other GK Villages in the same area donated the computers. Many children learning at the hall exclaim enthusiastically that they want to work using computers in the future. The multipurpose hall has truly become a hub where children can pursue their dreams and aspirations

 

Children learning computer applications at the multipurpose hall

 

 

When People Regain Honor and Dignity They Become Independent

"Gawad Kalinga," from which the village gets its name,means,"to give care" in Pilipino. The Gawad Kalinga Project is a self-sufficiency promotion project for slum communities launched by a Catholic organization, Couples for Christ. This project espouses for municipalities to provide residential rights in village construction zones, for local residents to participate in construction work, and for businesses to cover construction material costs and provide volunteers for construction work.

It is the organization's policy to respectfully decline one- off dona tions. In 2006, the Gawad Kalinga Community Development Foundation and its then-representative founder, Antonio Meloto, received the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Community Leadership, which is widely regarded as the Asian equivalent of the Nobel Prize.
"For me, the most important thing is for people on the fringes of society to regain their honor and dignity as human beings," explains Meloto in describing the goals of the foundation's activities. "When people are hungry, have no place to live, and feel they have been cast aside by society, they become desper ate and violent. However, when they meet someone who cares about them, and who wor k s with them to build their own houses, they begin to strive on their own to lead better lives. For example, men who once never worked more than two days a week have now star ted working five days or more per week.I t's crucially important that people living in slum areas feel that someone really cares about them."

Antonio Meloto, Co-founder of Gawad Kalinga

 

 

 

Fuji Xerox Philippines Meets Gawad Kalinga: Activities that  Foster a Sense of Unity Within Fuji Xerox Philippines

In 2006, former Fuji Xerox Philippines president, Romerico Serrano, found himself troubled by the downturn in the company's business performance and declining employee morale. During a search for community programs that would foster a stronger sense of unity within the company through employee participation, he came across the Gawad Kalinga Project and immediately decided to get involved.
In August 2006, the Fuji Xerox Philippines

 

Foundation made a 2.6 million yen (1,325,000 Philippine pesos) contribution to Gawad Kalinga. The groundbreaking ceremony for the GK Village Project took place in October, with Taguig Mayor Sigfrido Tinga in attendance. "Build Days" were held more than 30 times on Saturdays with Serrano and nearly 20 percent of Fuji Xerox Philippines' employees participating as volunteers. The project was completed in December 2007 and handed over to local residents.The company set up a Project Committee in September 2006. The Committee's duties ranged from internal communications to recruiting volunteers, guiding employees to the worksite, arranging lunches and beverages and al.locating work duties for more than 30 volunteers on each Build Day."At times, we had so many volunteers that we had to send some off to work at other village construction projects," chuckles Waldo Rodriguez, a Fuji Xerox GK Village voluntary caretaker, who supports local residents on a daily basis.
"Fuji Xerox Philippines went beyond conventional support." Meloto said in appreciation. "It stands out in terms of the sheer number of volunteers, and the fact that it placed importance on education and built the multipurpose hall."

 

 

 

Changed Awareness Created a Sense of Unity

Each Monday after the Build Day, the Fuji Xerox Philippines Project Committee put up posters throughout Fuji Xerox Philippines' workplace to keep employees up-to-date on the progress of the project construction work. Photos of the president and executive officers all smudged with wet cement and paint particularly pleased employees. In the process of working toward a common goal through teamwork, the company's employees regained their sense of pride and solidarity.

Employees who initially had no interest in the project also became involved.
They became increasingly aware of how fortunate they are to have a stable job and life. Some employees were inspired by the slum residents becoming more independent as the construction work proceeded, and felt a need to become more independent in their own lives. Furthermore, many employees took their children to the Build Days as an educational opportunity to see the wider society they live in. In terms of Fuji Xerox Philippines business, multinational companies and giant Philippines­ based firms accounts for nearly 25 percent of Fuji Xerox Philippines' total sales revenue. The remaining 75 percent is generated through businesses with small- and medium-size local companies. Fuji Xerox Philippines executives who have participated in the Build Days, frequently mentioned that if more people in the slum areas participate in economic activities,they will eventually set up their own businesses and pay taxes. Then the economy will thrive at the national and local levels and companies like Fuji Xerox Philippines will enjoy stronger growth. Through Fuji Xerox Philippines' participation in this project, it will develop a long-term perspective on it's contributions to society.

 

One of the posters put up by the Fuji Xerox Philippines Project Committee

 

 

Closer Community Ties

Gawad Kalinga actively encourages naming villages after companies that provide funding and volunteers for residents see visitors, they will understand that their Village is a model, and their appreciation toward Fuji Xerox Philippines will increase. This will help deepen Fuji Xerox Philippines' ties to the village community and enhance mutual trust. Both slum residents and participating companies must merit from the GK project. Otherwise, it will not be sustainable." "After working together with Fuji Xerox Philippines at the GK Project, our mutual trust strengthened considerably, and the village construction, which helps to foster corporate brand recognition. "I recommend that companies Fuji Xerox Philippines has become our indispensable partner," explains Joel G. Santos, vice-president of a local firm, who voluntarily supervises 16 Gawad Kalinga Villages in three cities including Taguig. "When we share the same values through the Gawad Kalinga Project, we can help improve Philippine society. Unless the Philippine society improves, our own businesses will not expand. We see Fuji Xerox Philippines as a solid,trustworthy partner that can pursue its contemplate participating in Gawad Kainga visit the Fuji Xerox Village as an outstanding model," says Meloto. "When business operations and social action programs together."

Joel G. Santos

 

 

Taking Social Contributions to the Next Level

Now that the construction work is finished and the multipurpose hall is fully operational, Fuji Xerox Philippines is exploring the next stage of involvement.

"We are doing business in the Philippines, a country that faces a tremendous challenge of eradicating poverty," says Iwao Abe, Fuji Xerox Philippines president since 2008, in stressing his own determination. "For Fuji Xerox Philippines' sustainable growth, it is essential that we nurture employees who are sensitive to local needs and able to translate those needs into action."

Although FX GK Village residents' quality of life may have improved, many of their current jobs are day jobs on construction sites and other forms of labor.

"To help citizens in these districts find stable employment, Fuji Xerox Philippines is open to the possibility of using the multipurpose hall to start a training program for adult education and the development of other occupational skills," explains Abe. demonstrating his own mettle in an enthusiastic tone. " We want to think about community development together and be members of a strong team that transcends all barriers. If we can continue to be part of a proud team, I believe Fuji Xerox Philippines will become a company solidly grounded in the Philippine society. As its president, Iam determined to assume a leadership role in these activities."
A time capsule has been buried in the common plaza area of the Fuji Xerox Village. It contains Fuji Xerox Philippines' Mission Statement as well as a copy of the letter of understanding exchanged with Gawad Kalinga. Fuji Xerox Philippines and GK expect that collaboration of this kind among companies, communities, and local government will spread to other communities and lead to the realization of society-wide sustainable development.

Iwao Abe, President of Fuji Xerox Philippines

 

 

Third-Party Opinion

Taguig has become a model city for Gawad Kalinga, since Taguig now has more villages than any other city in the Philippines. Last year, the World Bank listed Taguig as the Philippines' most business­ friendly city. However, as a citizen born in this city, Icould not tolerate the gap between the rich and poor. My strong displeasure drove me to put behind my career as a businessman and run for mayor. I consider it my mission to not only help Taguig maintain its status as a business­ friendly community, but also provide better homes for citizens living in our slum districts. When Taguig first decided to form an alliance with Gawad Kalinga, Fuji Xerox Philippines was the first to tender a request to participate. Fuji Xerox Philippines never once asked what benefits it would gain in return for participation. It took a look at our community, held discussions with us, and made a decision to participate on its own.Fuji Xerox Village is an excellent model. Whenever we hear about other companies exploring the idea of becoming involved in Gawad Kalinga Projects, we simply tell them to visit the Fuji Xerox Village. Ihope that Fuji Xerox widely publicizes its Gawad Kalinga activities both in the Philippines and in Japan, to inspire more companies to participate in the project.

 

Sigfrido R. Tinga, Taguig Mayor

 

At The Height of ONDOY

Fuji Xerox Philippines proactively assessed the damage and began servicing units, bringing each customer back into operation.

 

“After Typhoon Ondoy, I really thought we will not be able to print or copy for our customers. Now I know better. With Fuji Xerox, I never need to worry.”
-Ms. Penny Icatlo Branch Manager, National Bookstore, Q Plaza, Cainta

 

“Prints, layouts and working drawings are critical to our operations. Typhoon Ondoy or any other calamity will not stop BF Metal in making sure that our operations are running. Fuji Xerox is truly a partner, anytime.”
-Mr. Erick Arines Group Purchasing & Logistics Manager, BF Metal Corp., Ortigas Extension, Cainta

 

Your Partner, Anytime

 

Housing Projects

In January 2007, Fuji Xerox Philippines employees worked together to build 27 houses and a 3 storey multi-purpose building for the poorest of the poor located in Taguig, Manila. Having partnered with Gawad Kalinga and the local government of Taguig, the employees worked during Saturdays and transformed into masons, painters, carpenters, and helpers.

The houses were completed and formally turned over to the beneficiaries in simple ceremonies in December 2007.  The project allowed employees to share their time and talent with the marginalized members of society. The Fuji Xerox Philippines volunteer employees are truly a model of responsible corporate citizenship.

 

A second phase of the project is now being conceptualized and that is to help enable the beneficiaries to channel their talents, time and potential into productive activities. This in turn will provide a source of livelihood and, in the long-term, build their self-esteem and self-worth.

 

Fuji Xerox Philippines also has a Xerox Club comprised of employees tasked to initiate and execute projects aimed at developing the spiritual, cultural and physical wellness of the employees. The Xerox Club conducted a fund-raising drive in December 2007 and they were able to raise funds, groceries and toys (for Christmas gift giving to needy children). The donations were given to charitable institutions while the funds were used to buy wheelchairs and donated to the handicapped.