Social Enterprise . . . A contradiction?

by Carlos Arnaldo

By definition enterprise seeks to earn profit, otherwise such an endeavour could risk failure and bankruptcy. Social enterprise attempts to use the gains of business to share its benefits with the community and improve the community.  One would almost think these concepts are contradictory in the sense that any portion spent on social benefits might reduce the ultimate gains. But if a community cannot share in the benefits of enterprise, this could also result in inferior performance in the business, ill feelings and  disloyalty.

Hon. Secretary Fortunato de la Peña making a point.

Enderun teamed up with the Benita and Catalina Catalino Yap Foundation to organize its third forum on Social Enterprise July 30 at Enderun Colleges, McKinley Hill, gathering together a number of social entrepreneurs from a variety of business and social backgrounds.

The Enderun Forum on Philippine Social Enterprise brought together Hon. Fortunato de la Peña, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology; Hon Peter Enabia, Representative of 1st District Misamis Oriental;  Antonio S. Yap, Founder and Chairman of the Benita and Catalino Yap Foundation;  Major General Fernando Mesa, Mayor of Alabat Island and his assistant; Dr. Edgardo Rodriguez, President of Enderun Colleges.

The forum reviewed recent developments in social enterprise:

* recycling of containers to create low cost living habitations

* cooperation with coffee growers to make new brews,

* marketing backpacks and ladies’ bags from tribal fabrics

* increasing coconut farmers’ income by processing coco sugar and coco syrup in Alabat Island, Quezon, presented by Mayor Fernando Mesa.

Following this successful forum on social enterprise and its many ideas and projects, Enderun Colleges is planning a September forum on the development of island economies, like Alabat, and would welcome island mayors who have developed similar  projects. Islands perhaps like Polillo off the coast of Infanta, Quezon? Camiguin north of Cagayan de Oro? Olutanga at the southern tip of Zamboanga? Talim in Laguna de Bae? Marinduque? Romblon? Masbate? Mindoro? Siquijor?

Enderun Colleges seeks to develop cooperative projects in the coming forum on development of small islands.