Nestlé Welcomes New Batch of Scholars

Chairman and CEO John Miller and EXECOM Members Gid Manuel, Edith de Leon, Peter Noszek, and Sandra Puno with the new batch of Nestlé scholars

Twenty-three new scholars have joined the roster of qualified employee children enjoying the benefits of the Nestlé Scholarship Program, now on its 14th year.


This brings to 393 the total of Nestlé Scholars today, with the most number coming from MAO (39%), followed by Cabuyao and Cagayan de Oro (22% each), Lipa (12%), and Pulilan (5%). The number of scholarship slots allotted to each site is based on the ratio and proportion of each site’s manpower count according to employee level.

The new scholars from MAO, Cabuyao, Lipa and Pulilan were awarded their Nestlé Scholarship certificates in simple ceremonies held at the Nestlé Center training rooms on June 1, 2010. Chairman and CEO John Miller, assisted by Corporate HR Director Gid Manuel, Finance & Control Director Peter Noszek, Communications Director Sandra Puno, and Corporate Affairs Director Edith de Leon, presented the certificates to the new scholars and their parents.

In his message, Chairman and CEO John Miller underscored how the Nestlé Scholarship Program demonstrates the value that NPI gives to education. “Although you are very young, you have already exhibited the passion for education,” John told the new batch of scholars. “The most important gift you will ever receive is education. As Nestlé scholars, you are role models, the future leaders of the Philippines. Well done to each and everyone of you.”

John also lauded the parents of the scholars. “Congratulations, parents. You are role models as well.”

The event also marked the first time that the Nestlé Scholarship Program awarding ceremony was held at a central location for all Luzonbased work sites. Corporate Learning & Development Head Mitzie Antonio explained, “We decided to have just one awarding for all Luzon-based worksites here at MAO to allow our new scholars and their parents the opportunity to meet our EXECOM.”

CDO held its Nestlé Scholarship Program awarding ceremony on June 26 at the factory. Grade 5 student Hendrich Namoca, son of Pulilan HR Executive Hope Namoca, led the opening prayer where he thanked the Lord “for giving us the best parents who always guide us in everything we do, showing us love and support.”

In her closing prayer, Grade 2 student Angela Paderes, the 7-year old daughter of Cabuyao Factory’s Ethel Paderes, thanked the Lord for the blessing, and urged fellow scholars to “study well to make our parents proud of us.”

Employee-parent representative from Sales Control, Joy Ginez, mother of new scholar Isabelle Beatriz, expressed her gratitude to the Nestlé family for the recognition given to employees’ children through the program. “This is a concrete example of Creating Shared Value. Rest assured that your investment in our scholars is an investment for their future.”

Started in 1996, the Nestlé Scholarship Program recognizes the academically outstanding children of Nestlé employees, in order to inspire and motivate them to continue to excel in their studies. Once awarded, the scholarship is renewable every year, provided the student-scholar maintains an annual Grade Point Average of 85% or its equivalent, with no failing marks or incomplete grade in any subject. The employee-parent of the scholar must likewise be of good standing in the Company, with no records of unexcused absence, violation of the rule on tardiness, and suspension.

Nestlé scholars in grade school and high school get a company assistance of PhP 16,000 annually, while college and vocational scholars receive a yearly assistance of PhP 25,000.

“We welcome the new batch of Nestlé scholars, and wish them all the best as they strive to continue to excel in the school year 2010-2011. We hope that our Nestlé scholars will serve as an inspiration to students out there to value their education and study hard to achieve excellence,” Gid said.

SOURCE: Nestle Family Balita (June 30, 2010)

Nestlé Cabuyao Factory Signs New CBA

Cabuyao Factory management and union formally signed a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on July 7 at Bellevue Hotel in Alabang, a significant move towards the manufacturing facility’s realization of its vision to become the lighthouse factory of Nestlé Philippines, Inc. (NPI).


NPI Chairman and CEO John Miller hailed the new CBA as one of the most important achievements of the Company this year. “The new CBA serves as a symbol of how industrial relations should be managed. My vision is that in years to come the relationship between the union and management will be seen as the ‘gold standard’ against which other companies measure their own industrial relations.”

John said he was impressed by the speed with which the agreement has been reached. “I believe this is truly a win-win for all stakeholders as it speaks of two parties keen to engage and find a common ground. But more than anything, I have been deeply struck by the spirit in which the negotiations have been conducted, which is one that has been characterized by mutual respect, trust and openness.”

Noting the atmosphere that prevailed in Cabuyao in the recent past, John added, “Ultimately it is the goodwill that men hold in their hearts that will determine the strength of any agreement. I believe that the foundations that we are laying today are solid and built upon a wealth of goodwill. We all have an important role to play in ensuring that our great Company goes from strength to strength, so that we can deliver on our commitment to our consumers and our customers, namely the delivery of affordable, healthy, nutritious quality products, wherever, whenever and however they choose to consume them.”

Nestlé Cabuyao Workers Union (NCWU) President Jojo Agustin thanked his fellow officers and colleagues for tirelessly working towards improving the welfare of the members, which eventually led to the CBA signing. “I would like to thank management for granting us the new CBA benefits, and more importantly, for recognizing the existence of the newly formed union and for the respect and trust that it has bestowed on us. Rest assured that we, the union officers, will work hard to represent our constituents and raise their concerns to management. In the course of working together, we know that there will be difficult conversations and differing points of view from various stakeholders, but you have our commitment that all these will be done within the context of principled dialogue, trust, and respect.”

Earlier, after signing the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on May 14, 2010, NCWU Vice President Rico Magat, representing the union officers, wrote to Zone AOA Managing Director Frits van Dijk to express the union’s gratitude to Nestlé management for the “successful and historical CBA event.”

“Being part of the CBA union panel, I would say that the Management panel brings a lot of understanding and insight of what a CBA should and should not be all about,” Rico wrote. “We hope that the next CBA will be repeated as it has been concluded, with a lot of listening, a lot of talking, a lot of discussion, laughing, shaking hands, eating, and peaceful and principled ending. With this, we have inspired not only Nestlé Philippines but also the whole world that anything can be achieved through peaceful dialogue and with common minds for a better Nestlé Cabuyao Factory! The Company has displayed once again the genuine concern for its employees. Rest assured that better performance and utmost quality to our work will be done. The Associates of Cabuyao Factory are grateful!”

In his response, Mr. van Dijk cited the union and NPI as a whole for a job well done. “You can well understand that I was particularly pleased to receive this e-mail. Having been very much part of Cabuyao’s history since the mid-80s, this is a very rewarding message.”

Mr. van Dijk also acknowledged the efforts of HR Director Gid Manuel and Cabuyao Factory Manager Craig Thomas. “My thanks to both of you, who I know have been instrumental in getting to this stage, and to all others members of the Nestlé family who were involved. Let us not forget to learn from the past and avoid a build-up of negative elements over time. I wish you success in bringing Nestlé Cabuyao to new heights in the years to come.”

In his message during the CBA signing, Factory Manager Craig Thomas shared how pleased he was that both the union and management panels did not only have the conclusion of the CBA as their goal during the negotiation; rather, both panels were mindful of preserving the harmonious working relationships and the spirit of respect for each other. “The way forward is to honor the contract, but more importantly, to continue collaborating to make Cabuyao Factory a lighthouse factory. While concluding the CBA is indeed a milestone, this also signals the beginning of a new challenge and the unfolding of a new chapter, which will require greater effort and collaboration as we gear for our future success.”

Cabuyao Site HR Head Jun Corpus, who welcomed both panels during the formal CBA signing, cited the highlights of the factory’s transformation journey and acknowledged the role of the Samahang Ugnayan, an association made up of employees who raised concerns during communication meetings and helped execute employee relations programs in the days prior to the certification of the new union as the exclusive bargaining representative. The NCWU was unanimously elected as the sole and exclusive bargaining unit in Cabuyao Factory during the certification election held on January 29, 2010. This led to the CBA negotiations that started in March 2010.

“At the heart of the richness of goodwill that characterizes the new industrial relations climate is a very principled and professional union that believes in dialogue and proactive cooperation as well as in taking care of its constituents,” Jun said.

Led by its president Jojo Agustin, the union panel was composed of vice-president Rico Magat, secretary Angel Solano, treasurer Edgardo Austria, auditor Ed Guevarra, and board members Dexter Castillo, Patrick de Guzman and Resty Conde. The management panel, on the other hand, was headed by its chairman, QA Head Rico Opena, with members composed of Site HR Head Jun Corpus as spokesperson, and line managers and supervisors who acted as resource on shop floor concerns namely, Frank Reyes, Mar Atienza, Manny Alzona, Toto Demonteverde, Dave Velez, and Archie Valencia.

“The future looks very bright for Cabuyao Factory,” beamed Technical Director Campo van Beek. “Over the past few years, Nestlé has kept full trust and confidence in the capabilities of the Cabuyao factory and its people, and we have continued to invest heavily in equipment, infrastructure, and last but not least, in the people of Cabuyao. Even as I speak today, we are engaged in three multi-million dollar projects to upgrade the facilities of Cabuyao Factory, and we are hiring new employees to cope with the increasing volume that we need to produce. We are ready for the future, and Cabuyao is on its way to become one of the top factories in the world.”

SOURCE: Nestle Family Balita (July 30, 2010)

Nestle Opens Its 1st Ever Day Care Center

Nestlé Philippines, Inc. (NPI) has unveiled its newest addition to support its Life Balance Program— the CERELAC CARE (Children’s Activity, Recreation, and Education) Center located at Lower Level 1 of the Nestlé Center in Rockwell. 

Inaugurated on October 6, 2008 by Chairman and CEO Nandu Nandkishore, HR Director Gid Manuel, and Chairman of Little Dipper Learning Center Ed Travis, the CERELAC CARE Center provides a venue where children can participate in developmentally appropriate cognitive, physical, social, and emotional activities right at the workplace, while giving employees the opportunity to enjoy quality time with their children during break times at the office. 

Guests from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) graced the inauguration and ribbon-cutting of Nestlé’s first ever day care center. F&C Director Peter Noszek, Liquid Beverages BEM Afnan Ashan, CERELAC CMM Nicola Mayuga, and CHUCKIE CMM Kristy Tesoro also participated in the opening ceremony. 

The CERELAC CARE Center is a child-friendly facility with a number of amenities, such as a rubberized play area with lots of educational materials, giving kids an area to work off their high energy levels, essential in honing their motor skills. Several books, computers, and other learning tools are also available to nurture every child’s cognitive growth. The Center also offers the comforts of home away from home: a nap area with sleeping mats, a baby changing area, restroom and a common shower area for convenience. The Center features the CHUCKIE Fun Room, which can be enclosed for special kiddie functions or learning activities like reading and educational entertainment. 

According to HR Director Gid Manuel, the Company understands the importance of the early years in the development of a child’s values and self-esteem, and is a firm believer that children learn a lot through self-discovery and play. “We recognize that through all these, it is important to nurture the relationship between parent and child. The CERELAC CARE Center gives employees the opportunity to practice responsible parenting during their children’s formative years,” Gid explained. 

An open house was held from October 6 to 10, 2008, so employees’ children could try the facility and experience the fun learning activities offered by the day care center. 

The CERELAC CARE Center offers two sets of class programs for employees’ children aged 2-6 years old. Parents can enroll their children to the half day morning or afternoon classes for PhP2,000 per month, or to whole day classes at PhP4,000 per month. Classes are from Mondays to Fridays.  “The enrollment is good for one school year, which started on November 3, 2008 and will end in March 2009,” volunteered HR Specialist for Employee Relations Marese de Vera, adding that there are now 12 children enrolled. School year next year starts in June, which is aligned with the normal school year. 

Nestlé has partnered with The Little Dipper Learning Center (LDLC) for the regular class programs. LDLC offers a unique program that incorporates technology with the arts as a way to growth and development for young children. It offers a wide range of learning experiences for children, introducing them to a wide variety of interactive settings, helping them discover valuable learning that suit learning styles (visual spatial, auditory, aesthetic, etc.). While the LDLC’s program through the CERELAC CARE Center does not aim to compete with existing pre-school institutions, it does provide quality early child care development programs for employees’ qualified dependents.

SOURCE: Nestle Family Balita (November 15, 2008)

GMA Inaugurates NBS (with former Chairman and CEO Nandu Nandkishore)

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo formally inaugurated the Nestlé Business Services (NBS) AOA on February 29, 2008 in simple ceremonies held at the NBS offices in Meycauayan, Bulacan. 

NPI Chairman and CEO Nandu Nandkishore and NBS AOA Head Craig Connolly welcomed the President, who was joined by Trade & Industry Secretary Peter Favila, the Swiss Ambassador Peter Sutter, and members of the local government led by Bulacan Governor Joselito Mendoza, Congresswomen Reylina Nicolas and Lorna Silverio, Congressman Pedro Pancho, Meycauayan City Mayor Joan Alarilla, and members of the City Council of Meycauayan City. Key NPI executives joined DNK in welcoming the President, led by Finance & Control Director Peter Noszek, Corporate Affairs Head Bin Antonio, Incoming Corporate Affairs Head Edith de Leon, Head of Legal Belen Caberte, Director of Communications Noy Dy-Liacco, HR Director Gid Manuel, Outgoing SCM Head Robert Vallender, and HR Director for Zone AOA Nigel Isherwood. 

After cutting the ceremonial ribbon, President Arroyo toured the NBS facilities where Craig and NBS Employee Services Head Fritz Adorable briefed her on the professional services to be rendered by the NBS. A new corporate entity of the global Nestlé Group, the NBS will serve as the shared service center for financial and employee service needs of Nestlé companies in Zone AOA (Asia, Oceania and Africa). Countries to be served by NBS include the Philippines, Malaysia/Singapore, Indonesia, Indochina, Australia and New Zealand. The entity’s financial services will include account payables and receivables as well as accounting operations, while its employee services will cover payroll, HR administration, time management and benefits administration. 

Nandu said that the establishment of NBS in the country, which was announced in August 2007, is a concrete expression of the Nestlé Group’s long-term confidence and commitment to support the continued economic growth of the country. He noted that a number of countries had been considered as possible sites for NBS, with the Philippines finally selected because of talent availability and cost efficiency. “This decision recognizes our world-class capabilities in financial and employee services, and will allow us, yet again, to showcase Filipino competence. We are happy that through the NBS, we are able to help spur economic growth in the country,” he said. 

NBS is designed to deliver best-in-class office support at competitive service levels and costs to Nestlé companies in the region. The Nestlé Group has successfully implemented the shared service model in Europe and the Americas, resulting in maximized cost effectiveness, efficiency, and higher quality of financial and employee service transactions. 

“NBS AOA centralizes the financial and employee service requirements of various Nestlé companies in Zone AOA at one location, in the Philippines. We expect this shared service setup not only to deliver cost efficiencies, but to also allow Nestlé companies to

focus more on their core business, which is generating demand,” Craig shared during the briefing with the President.

NBS AOA is located at the same site in Meycauayan where Nestlé Philippines’ North Distribution Center operates as the Company’s largest and most modern distribution center in the country.  “We chose Meycauayan as the NBS site because the area is underdeveloped from a BPO standpoint. This will allow us to recruit local talent, control turnover, and deliver on our commitments,” Craig explained.

He said that financial and employee services transactions are being taken over by NBS progressively, starting with Nestlé Philippines which completed the transition of its financial services by end of 2007,

and its employee services this month. A total transition of all Nestlé companies in-scope in the Zone is expected by end of 2008. 

NBS AOA now has a complement of 200 professionals with finance and HR expertise, with its manpower expected to grow close to 450 by end of 2008, almost all of whom will be Filipinos. “A major reason why we chose the Philippines as the site for the NBS AOA Shared Service

Centre is the availability of local talent, with an impressive number of graduates generated by the Philippine educational system. We view this as a key strength that will allow us to drive success for NBS AOA,” Craig said.

SOURCE: Nestle Family Balita (March 15, 2008)