Advocate for safe water named Social Entrepreneur 2009
Gemma N. Bulos, Founding Director of A Single Drop for Safe Water (ASDSW), was cited for bringing her advocacy to raise awareness on water issues to the Philippines and named Social Entrepreneur in the recent Entrepreneur Of The Year Philippines 2009 awards banquet. Presenting her the award were Ms. Vivian Gee (left), The Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship’s Head of Asia and Ms. Maria Angela Villalba (right), Executive Director of Unlad Kabayan Migrant Services Corporation and Social Entrepreneur 2007. Ms. Bulos was presented the Social Entrepreneur award for creating a service that addresses the challenges faced by Filipino communities, helps solve complex social problems and benefits the marginalized and the poor. ASDSW has helped start over 40 water projects all over the country which help communities and households build their own clean water systems designed to last a lifetime.
The Entrepreneur Of The Year was founded in the United States by professional services firm Ernst & Young in 1986 to recognize the achievements of the most successful and innovative entrepreneurs worldwide. In 2001, Ernst & Young expanded the program and launched the World Entrepreneur Of The Year awards. In the Philippines, the SGV Foundation, Inc. established the Entrepreneur Of The Year in 2003. Supporting the program as co-presenters are the Department of Trade and Industry, Ateneo Graduate School of Business, Development Bank of the Philippines, Philippine Business for Social Progress, Philippine Stock Exchange, and the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship.
Program sponsors are SAP Philippines, William J. Shaw Foundation, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, Universal Motors Inc. Official airline is KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, operating on behalf of the Air France-KLM Group in the Philippines. Media sponsors are BusinessWorld and the ABS-CBN News Channel. Banquet sponsors are Globe Business, Philex Mining Corporation and Victorinox.
