18 December 2009. Celebrating its 42nd Anniversary, the Philippine Board of Investments, the lead agency of the government in promoting investments in the country, bestowed unto selected BOI-registered companies its inaugural GUINOGULAN BOI Recognition Awards.
Guinogulan is an old Filipino word that literally means “the lord of golds.” It is considered the best grade of native gold in the pre-Hispanic era. Thus, the Guinogulan Awards, in essence, becomes apt in honoring corporations that had immensely contributed by way of investments and operations to the growth, stability and development of trade and commerce in the Philippines.
The awardees were standouts in terms of capital growth, revenue and employment, and their individual corporate social responsibility (CSR) agenda – which made the difference in the selection criteria.
RD Group of Companies, a global conglomerate based in General Santos City, South Cotabato, was among the three (3) companies awarded the Guinogulan Awards. From being a pawnshop in 1976 in General Santos City, the RD Group evolved into a multifaceted company that steadily grown into 44 subsidiaries and major divisions engaged in Fishing, Agri-business, Manufacturing, Processing, Banking, Pawning, Insurance, Real Estate Development, Hotels, and, Retailing of Hardware and Fishing Supplies. From operating mainly in the Philippines, it has made its mark in Papua New Guinea and Indonesia.
Recognizing that success rests on its employees, RD Group instituted its Corporate Employee Reward and Recognition System along with its responsible Corporate Governance that promotes transparency and coherence to business standards; executes control, compliance, and risk management; and utilizes appropriate technology as a catalyst of improving business operations.
The RD Group, likewise, pursued advocacy programs through its “HELP-ECO” activities focusing on Health, Education, Livelihood, Peace & Development, Environmental Advocacies, Cultural Development, and Outreach Programs focusing on areas where its companies operate and in some conflict areas around the Sarangani province. It also undertook ocean cleanup projects in Papua New Guinea.
