The LCF Guild Awards was the highlight of the League of Corporate Foundations Expo that ran for four days. It was an event where a network of the largest operating and grant-making organizations practicing CSR in the Philippines gathered. In its program, keynote speakers and representatives from prestigious foundations share the highlights of their socially relevant activities, including profitable innovations that advocate better livelihood and well-being for people.
Considering the vast number of CSR projects initiated by various conglomerates, the League of Corporate Foundations (LCF) awarded the best and most beneficial projects at the conclusion of the four-day event. The AboitizGroup won an award for the BESTBus project implemented in late 2020. The awards given by LCF were categorized into specific aspects that corporate social responsibility addresses.
In partnership with the city government of Davao, the Aboitiz Group with AboitizPower unit Davao Light and Power Company (Davao Light), GET Philippines, and QEV Technologies in Spain launched the BEST Bus project ー the first fully electric, free-ride shuttle service in Mindanao, making Davao among the first pilot cities in the country.
The project makes use of environmentally sustainable electric-charged mini buses across the country to aid in promoting green practices and improving mass transit in central business districts. The buses used for the project are powered by lithium-ion batteries and are able to travel up to 100km before running out of charge. During the first year of implementation, the BESTBus has shuttled over 166,000 passengers and completed at least 14,000 trips, helping Filipinos in their daily struggle of commuting. On average, each bus renders 14hours of service a day to transport as many people as possible.
Starting from Davao City in Mindanao and replicated by the Manila local government, the project encourages the riding public to choose sustainable options in their lifestyle, as this sector largely contributes to green house gas emissions. The 100 percent electric bus is not only eco-friendly but also comfortable for people with disabilities (PWDs), senior citizens, and pregnant women.
Aboitiz’s BESTBus hits two birds with one stone, as it addresses the concerns of both transportation and climate change. Moreover, serving as a stepping stone for a large-scale change, the project is easily replicated indifferent cities, making it an accessible solution that meets social needs of ordinary people. PR with photos
BESTBus is 100 percent electric, air-conditioned, and PWD-friendly
Aboitiz Foundation headed by its President and COO Maribeth L Marasigan (3rd from left) receives
the award for the 2022 Most Outstanding CSR Project in Environment category from the League of
Corporate Foundation Guild Awards.
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