By Alexander Villafania
MAKATI CITY, METRO MANILA—In a quest to find the best concepts to solve social problems, a group of private-sector foundations have launched Project Pagsulong, a joint effort that encourages youth entrepreneurs to come up with socially-relevant business ideas.
Project Pagsulong was created through a partnership with Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT), RFM Foundation, and The Outstanding Students of the Philippines Alumni Community (TOSP-AC).
With cash prizes totaling P1 million, Project Pagsulong aims to start off as a means for other major companies to support young entrepreneurs whose ideas can help the poor.
The project is open to young adults, 18 to 30 years old who can form a team of three to five members. Regardless of their economic status or educational levels, the teams have to send a business proposal that can serve a social concern.
The proposal must have independent operation and should not be involved in other organization, be it local or foreign entity. These ideas must also have not won in any other contest.
Entries will be judged according to their social impact, innovation, feasibility, and team management and leadership.
The winning entry will receive P500,000, while the second and third place winners will get P300,000, and P200,000, respectively. A special prize called People’s Choice would get P100,000.
Pam Asis-Layugan, TOSP-AC Chairperson said Project Pagsulong is a means to draw attention to tap good ideas from young entrepreneurs in hopes that it would encourage other youth to contribute their talent and time for social projects.
There are many youth programs that go unnoticed largely because these operate in small but sustainable scale, said Jonathan de Quiroz, product manager for PLDT KaAsenso.
He hopes that through Project Pagsulong, other programs will be established to support similar activities in the Philippines.
Deadline of application is on August 31, 2012.
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