The Pag-unlad at Paglago ng Pamayanan or PUNLA is one of NLEX Corporation’s flagship community development programs to equip organizations with the necessary knowledge and skills to help improve their enterprise.
Brgy. 171, Bagumbong Persons with Disabilities Association Inc. from Caloocan City was recognized as the NLEX PUNLA Grand Enterprise in an awarding ceremony held last September 18, 2024 in Clark, Pampanga.
“Sobra-sobrang pasasalamat po sa Diyos at sa NLEX! Iyong napanalunan po namin na cash grant ay napakalaking bagay upang matulungan po namin iyong mga kapwa namin na nangangailangan na may kapansanan. Magiging daan po ito upang mas marami sa kanila ang mabigyan namin ng hanap-buhay,” said Dalia Barredo after their team received the Grand Enterprise title.
Launched on March 22, 2024, NLEX collaborated with the Partnership of Philippine Support Service Agencies, Inc. (PHILSSA), a social development organization focused on community development. They trained 60 participants from 12 small but promising enterprises in a four-session training program, which ran until May.
After the training, the top five enterprises, Makabagong Agrikultura ng Dinalupihan Marketing, Corp., CAT – Employees Dependents Producers Coop., Balanga Agrarian Reform Beneficiary MPC., Vizal Sto. Nino Rice and Livestock Farmers Association and Barangay 171 Bagumbong Person with Disability Association Inc., were selected based on specific criteria. They were awarded seed money to implement their enhancement plans and underwent coaching and mentoring sessions from June to August.
PUNLA winners were selected after a thorough evaluation by an esteemed panel composed of Angat Pinas Executive Director Raphael Martin Magno, Foundation for a Sustainable Society (FSSI) Executive Director Sixto “Dodo” Macasaet, and NLEX Corporation President and General Manager J. Luigi L. Bautista.
Vizal Sto. Nino Rice and Livestock Farmers Association and Balanga Agrarian Reform Beneficiary Multi-Purpose Cooperative (BARB-MPC) were chosen as runners-up, Central Azucarrera De Tarlac Employees Dependents’ Producers Cooperative (CAT EDPC) placed 3rd, Makabagong Agrikultura ng Dinalupihan Marketing Cooperative (MA-DMC) secured the 2nd place spot, and Brgy. 171 Bagumbong Persons with Disabilities Association Inc. was declared as this year’s Grand Enterprise.
“It was a very difficult decision. Ako po ay napabilib dahil natunghayan ko ang kanilang naging accomplishments at pagsisikap na maisakatuparan ang kanilang mga enhanced enterprise plan. We are optimistic that this is the beginning of an even greater success for these organizations now that they have the means to elevate their businesses. Our commitment does not end here. May mga programa pa rin tayong naka-line up next year upang sila ay masuportahan to “future-proof” their businesses and achieve their goals,” Bautista remarked.
PHILSSA’s Interim National Coordinator, Rosemarie “Tootsie” Herrera, also shared an emotional message, addressing the participants. “Damang dama ko ‘yong saya ng ating mga enterprise. We have witnessed their journey towards growth and we’re confident that whatever happens, magagamit nila ‘yong natutunan nila. Binigyan sila ng PUNLA ng motibasyon na mapaunlad ang kanilang negosyo, mapaunlad ang kakayahan ng kanilang miyembero habang tumutulong sa pagkalinga sa kalikasan,” she said.
The enterprises received from NLEX cash grants as prizes that they can use to develop and sustain their businesses. FSSI, recognizing the exceptional potential of these enterprises, pledged additional cash grants.
“Very aligned ang NLEX PUNLA sa ginagawa ng FSSI na pagtulong sa mga enterprise. Tingin namin mahalaga itong mga capacity-building program sa pagpapabuti ng estado ng mga maliliit na negosyong ito and that is what made us decide to support this program also,” said FSSI’s Macasaet.
Over the years, NLEX has been dedicated to helping its host communities achieve a better quality of life, not only through infrastructure projects but also through programs that enhance their knowledge, skills, and overall well-being. Other initiatives include the NLEX Barangay Security Watch and the Barangay Responders and Advocates of Violence-Free Environment (BRAVE), which are newly launched skills enhancement programs aimed at strengthening community security by teaching selected participants discipline, self-defense, and emergency response skills that they can apply and share within their communities.
NLEX Corporation is a subsidiary of the Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC), the toll road arm of the Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC).