In these unstable times, the need for Business Continuity Management has never been more evident.  The tense political atmosphere, brewing economic problems, and natural and manmade disasters have made the corporate world take a second look at the viability of having its own Business Continuity Plan (BCP).  But while company IT managers make a strong case for implementing BC, higher level executives often fail to see the need for it, often lulled to a sense of false security when the chaos of the times has receded.

As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives, ePLDT has joined with other business leaders to form the Business Continuity Managers’ Association of the Philippines.  BCMAP brings together professionals aiming to shed light on what Business Continuity and Disaster recovery really means – and what having one entails for a company and the people it serves.

As an affiliate of the Business Continuity Institute, a global organization with over 5,000 members in 90 countries, BCMAP provides members a venue in which to share business continuity strategies and provide assistance in achieving and maintaining standards compliance.  It also fosters cooperation and coordination among different industries and sectors in coming up with Business Continuity solutions that can sufficiently address their needs.

BCMAP also provides a forum in which to discuss the impact of ever-present risks to businesses.  Its recent members’ meeting, entitled “Expecting the Unexpected’ and hosted by premier IT company ePLDT, featured relevant discussions on disaster preparedness and business continuity planning for emergency scenarios.

Photo shows ePLDT Vice President for Sales & Marketing Jessica Powell (2^nd from right) with the rest of the BCMAP directors: (from left) Mel Cabodil of IBM, Tony Grageda of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Gina Viay of Metrobank, Dick Africa of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Henry Widjaja of the Asian Development Bank, Cherry Ann Cruz of Land Bank of the Philippines, Jaycee dela Cruz of the Philippine Charter Insurance Corporation, and Chito Africa of Citibank.