Photo courtesy of Hyundai Pre

Educating the public about the concept of biodiversity is a crucial long-term initiative for creating proactive steps towards protecting and sustaining the country’s natural resources.
Last April 29, 2012, Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI), official distributor of Hyundai in the Philippines, recently strengthened its on-going partnership with the Gawad Kalinga Center for Social Innovation (GK-CSI) at the Quirino Grandstand, Manila. In its advocacy to edify the public, especially students, with sound plans to safeguard the environment, HARI committed to support GK in the construction of the Center for Green Innovations which will rise in GK’s pioneering Center for Social Innovation, Enchanted Farm, in Angat, Bulacan. Said center will house a 100-seat venue for seminars or “green camps” to educate the youth into becoming responsible stewards of our natural resources. Educational materials will also be available within the facility to provide references and innovative ideas during lectures and discussions on conserving our natural heritage.

“Hyundai and Gawad Kalinga are working together to provide new avenues for learning how to save the planet. Through the Hyundai Center for Green Innovations, our stakeholders can share their passion for the environment,” said HARI President and CEO Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo. “It is from partnerships like this that hope springs for a sustainable future--a future that can be lived and enjoyed by the next generations.”

HARI and its 39-strong dealership network has been a staunch ally of GK through vehicle donations, the construction of SIBOL schools and GK Villages, and disaster relief efforts. Through the GK-CSI, which aims to develop youth leaders capable of initiating and nurturing small and medium enterprises at grassroots level, HARI has brought this partnership in nation-building to a new level. Moreover, the rise of the Hyundai Center for Green Enterprise in a GK-CSI site signifies Hyundai and GK’s shared commitment to build not just thriving but eco-friendly communities.

The MOA signing with GK was held during the Second Hyundai RUN for a Cause last April 29, 2012. On its second year, the free fun run launched HARI’s key priority projects for 2012-2013 with its partner CSR organizations via eight causes, each color-coded to signify HARI’s advocacy and involvement in different nation-building endeavors: green (environment), gray (social entrepreneurship and countryside development), red (education), orange (community development through health), yellow (Filipino heritage and pride), blue (road safety and responsible car ownership), purple (youth development through sports), and pink (women and children’s rights protection).