“A bond of heroes for change.”
Buklod means ‘bond that brings people together’ and Bayani in today’s context means ‘someone who is not infallible who takes action for positive change and puts others or the greater good before one’s self interest’.
23 February 2024 – The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and the Buklod Bayani Coalition (BBC) joined forces on 20 February 2024 to combat red tape and promote ease of doing business in the Philippines. The three groups signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) at Camp Crame, solidifying their commitment to a collaborative approach that streamlines government processes and fosters economic growth.
The partnership highlights the essence of the “ease of doing business” (EODB) in building a strong foundation for an impact (environmental, social, governance — ESG) economy and the role of BBC as ecosystem developer in the Philippines.
through our partnership with We Lead Impact Singapore (WLI), represented by Alfie Othman and Jie Rong and the Anti-Redtape Authority (ARTA).
(L-R) ARTA Sec. Ernesto V. Perez, Former Senator Joey Lina (also Buklod Bayani Deputy Secretary General), Buklod Bayani Secretary General Bobby Alvarez, LtC. Jover Tutanes (Ret.), Dr Din A Mabanta (BBC Executive Director), Jie Rong and Alfie Othman (WLI)
Mr. Roberto A. Alvarez, Jr. delightfully shares stories about how the Street Watch and Hotline 117 was able to help make communities safer, and inspired the Rotary Club of Makati Central (RCMC) Foundation to carry the torch further enjoining more stakeholders to create practical solutions. Seated beside him are (L-R) DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos, ARTA Secretary Nes Perez, and PCCI President, Mr. George Barcelon.
Conversations about relevant issues happen naturally when people come together,” Mr. Roberto A. Alvarez, Jr., president of the RCMC Foundation shares insights with DILG Secretary Benhur C. Abalos, Asian Development Bank’s Andrew Clinton, and fellow Rotarian, Atty. Melo Mendoza.
RCMC Foundation hosted the forum that brought leaders from the business community, civil society, and relevant government agencies to discuss practical ways of working together and resolving issues that affect them.
Buklod Bayani is a private sector-led business assistance platform that facilitates inquiry, referral, and conflict resolution, enabling new and existing businesses to become inclusive and sustainable.
DILG Secretary Benhur C. Abalos, gladly shares the services that are offered by his office which, together with the services offered by other government and non-government organizations, can be accessed through the Buklod Bayani directory. Also in this photo are former senator and DILG secretary, Atty. Joey Lina, Mr. Roberto Alvarez, Jr., and Anti-Red Tape Authority Secretary Ernesto Perez.
“Many ask me, ‘Why the Rotary?’ and ‘Why the Navy Seals?’ I tell them we have to start from somewhere. When we act on a goal, others who share the same will follow. Buklod Bayani is a growing coalition.”
Mr. Roberto A. Alvarez, Jr., president of RCMC Foundation and chairperson of the NAVSOCOM Multi-Sectoral Advisory Board (MSAB), shares that common goals are discovered and acted upon when conversations start.
Buklod Bayani’s very own Roberto “Bobby” A. Alvarez, Jr. received the Normandy Honor for Peace with the Earth at the Ramon Magsaysay Center on 19 April 2023. The France-based Normandy Chair for Peace, in cooperation with the Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development, Asia-Pacific Center for International Law, International Council for Environmental Law, and University of Hawaii, recognized and thanked key actors whose good stories inspire climate action. The global gratitude was presented by Pascal Buleon, Lye Lin Heng, United Nations Environment Programme’s Georgina Lloyd, Emilie Gaillard, and David Forman to Bobby, with his wife, Claire, for significantly reducing carbon emissions in real estate development.
Normandy, France reminds us of the heroes of World War II. Today, it honors modern day heroes. Roberto “Bobby” Alvarez, Jr., with fellow honorees of the Normandy Honor for Peace, Myrna Feliciano and former justices of the Supreme Court, Gov. Presbitero Velasco, Jr., Lucenito Tagle, and Adolfo Azcuna, and special guest, former Ombudsman, Conchita Carpio-Morales. Rather than focusing on short-term earnings, Bobby considered environmental investments that deliver long-term value for the people and the planet. In accordance with the Buklod Bayani, the heroes of today make the deliberate, purposeful, and most difficult decisions.
We can achieve much more when we are together than when we are alone.
Make things easy. Make things happen. Make a difference.
