4

Ways to Improve Business Practices

Guided by the Philosophies, Belief
System and Filipino Values
for Business Ethics and Social Responsibility
Senior High School (ABM)
Quarter 2 / Week 7

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 FOREWORD

This self-learning kit will serve as a guide and will give

you basic knowledge about the business practices
guided by the classical philosophies, belief system and
Filipino values in which shall help in the improvement in
our current business practices applied in the business
organization.
In this learning kit the students will gain knowledge in
identifying the business practices that can be used and
applied in a business organization. This knowledge is very
important for the ABM students in which it helps them to
generate their own business practices applicable to a
specific business situation.
What Happened?
This section contains pre-activities like review of the
prior knowledge and a pretest on what the learners have
learned in their previous discussions.
What You Need to Know? (Discussion)
This section contains the discussion about business
practices guided by the classical philosophies, belief
system and Filipino values which also contains specific
reminders in generating new ways to improve these
business practices.
What Have I Learned? (Evaluation/Post Test)
The exercises contained in this section are
guaranteed to build comprehension, skills, and
competence with regards to the topic. These will also
serve as a diagnostic tool to identify the learners’ areas of
strengths and difficulties.

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 OBJECTIVES:
K: Identify business practices guided by classical philosophies,
belief system and Filipino values;
S: Generate ways to improve business practices guided by
classical philosophies, belief system and Filipino values; and
A: Follows the important guidelines in creating and improving
business practices that can be used and applied in a
business.
organization

I. WHAT HAPPENED

REVIEW

Early philosophies, belief system and some of our Filipino values has
been a part of us, in which some has been an important heritage and legacy
that makes us who we are. Despite of it that our technology is in a fast pace
of advancement, we simply do not forget, and even these early philosophies
became the basis and foundation of the current business ethics that we
have. The religion that molded our culture that made us different among
anyone, and those Filipinos values that made our culture more unique.

These three are very important aspects in the foundation of our

business ethics, which will be one of the bases in making our code of ethics
which shall be passed unto our constituents within the business organization.

For today’s lesson, we will travel back in time and review the classical
philosophies, belief system and Filipino values that stood firm as one of our
foundations of our business ethics.

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PRE-TEST:

Direction: Read and analyze each item and choose the letter of the correct
answer.

1. It is a technique of reciprocity of debt of gratitude to others within the

family circle or primary group, sometimes unlimited in nature, emotional
rather than financial or rational.
A. Filial Piety B. Padrino suki
C. Utang na Loob D. Amor Propio
2. One of the Filipino values which is used to indicate procrastination – the
action of delaying or postponing something.
A. Padrino suki B. Mañana habit
C. Utang na Loob D. Amor Propio
3. One of the Filipino values in which we are taught to become respectful
individuals. This is mainly due to the influence of Christianity that tells us to
honor both our parents and our elders.
A. Filial Piety B. Padrino suki
C. Utang na Loob D. Amor Propio
4. “Dare to disagree” this is a classical philosophy of ___________.
A. Plato B. Socrates
C. Aristotle D. Confucius
5. The Golden Rule is a well-known principle of ___________.
A. Plato B. Socrates
C. Aristotle D. Confucius
6. It is one of the Filipino values wherein ______ is a phrase Filipinos use
most often. It can mean “living it all up to God”, “come what may”,
“whatever will be will be”, and the list goes on.
A. Filial Piety B. Padrino suki
C. Bahala na D. None of these are correct
7. What can entrepreneurs learn from Socrates?
A. Socratic Method is a way of thinking that allows individuals to define
their own purpose for learning and explore this purpose through open-
minded questioning of what they hold to be true.
B. Entrepreneurs can find value in Socratic Method because they, too,
are bombarded by assumptions based on what others and they
themselves believe to be the best plan of action for pursuing a business
idea.
C. Entrepreneurial Learning or the acquisition of knowledge necessary for
creating a business venture is built around the constant questioning

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 and testing of these assumptions theories about what we hold to be
true for validity.
D. All of the above
8. Some Filipino values can be integrated and promoted in business
practices and some should be avoided to prevent problems.
A. True
B. False
9. Governments and organizations need to build the best systems to let
humans fulfil their natural drives.
A. False
B. True
10. In creating a business policy and business practices, always make it
simple and understandable to all employees.
A. Yes
B. No

II. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

DISCUSSION

GENERATE WAYS TO IMPROVE BUSINESS PRACTICES GUIDED BY THE

PHILOSOPHIES, BELIEF SYSTEM OR FILIPINO VALUES

Before we can generate ways to improve business practices, let us

identify and review first the philosophies, belief system and Filipino values that
we will use as a guide for us to choose which practices should be integrated
and used as one of our best practices within the business organization.

Classical Philosophies

1. Dare to disagree by Socrates – One of the important lessons particularly in

business which was given by the great Socrates was that we must also “dare
to disagree” when we see that an organization is going in the wrong path.
Simply walking along with the crowd, doing malpractices that has become
already a norm since everyone is doing it. Socrates made this principle that
we must dare to disagree and we must question our higher authorities when
the goal of the organization is not anymore doing its responsibilities according
to its mission and vision. That is what our current business ethics originated as
to where we upheld integrity in all our duties and responsibilities. The
foundation of what we now practice as “fairness, accountability and
transparency”.

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2. Let People Seek Fulfillment by Aristotle – This classical philosophy is one very
important aspect that we have in our current business ethics. He based his
ethics on a psychological theory of human nature, insisting that we are
naturally virtuous, rational, social and happiness-seeking. Governments and
organizations need to build the best systems to let humans fulfil their natural
drives. In short Aristotle’s philosophy suggests that all employees will work
harder for you and perform better if you give them task which they find
meaningful and morally worthwhile. And employees will also perform better if
you treat them good, they will be motivated to work for you. Your employees
will also be more motivated if you give them the opportunity to feed their
natural curiosity through learning opportunities. This could be in a form
vocational training, team building and etc.

3. Confucian values by Confucius – This classical philosophy is an important

foundation of what our current business ethics are made. Most of the code of
ethics currently used by different organizations still even use these classical
philosophies to promote trustworthy and honesty, compassion to society as
well as the environment, proper business etiquette etc. An example to this, is
the current code of ethics for government employees in the Philippines
(Republic Act No. 6713).

Belief System

1. Christian belief system – this belief system is one of the important

foundations in our current business ethics. Like in the Christian belief system, it
has been said that honesty is already practiced in early times based on the
old testament (Prov. 3:32) and which also contains laws and injunctions
about the fair treatment of employees, e.g. Leviticus 19:13; Deuteronomy
25:13-15.

Another best description of belief system applied in business practices

which can be seen already in some companies and even in the government
employees is doing a prayer before working in the morning for their own
employees for them to provide a sense of comfort and peace that they may
start their day working with positivity and focus.

2. Buddhism’s “Noble Eightfold Path” – This belief system can be best

integrated in business ethics since the principles behind this belief promotes
the avoidance of vices such as greed, envy, hatred and anger. In Buddhists
perspective, all of these vices bring suffering. Thus, the Four Noble truth has
been created which charts the method for attaining the end of suffering,
known to Buddhists as the “Noble Eight-fold Path”. Which is a great

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philosophy to maintain the employees within the organization and will lead
them toward righteousness and success.

Filipino Values

The Filipino Values System is composed of a set of values that

Filipinos considers important, like collective ideologies, moral ethics,
etiquette and cultural and personal values that are promoted by its
society. Some Filipino values can be integrated and promoted in business
practices and some should be avoided to prevent problems.

Values that are Integrated In Business Practices

1. Family Orientation - This Filipino value is an important cultural heritage here

in the Philippines since we promote a family centered nation. The Filipino puts
a great emphasis on the value of family and being close to one’s family
members. This value can be applied in our busines practices to enable our
employees within the organization to care for our respective families. One
good example of this is usually promoted during “family day”, a special day
to offer our employees a time for their respective families. This is also good
practices in a business organization when the whole organization considers
every employee as a family since we promote the value of family, all of the
employees are cared for which would make the employees contented feel
cared.

2. Filial Piety – An important Filipino value to respect our elders. Since we

value family orientation, caring for our elders is also a distinct feature which
can be applied in our business practices to give special care for our
customers particularly elders.

3. Suki System (loyal customers) – This value is rooted primarily when two
people who agree to become regular customer and supplier which can be
good in business since we can build trust between to customers and
promotes alliance between companies.

4. Pakikisama/ Pakikipagkapwa Tao (loyalty) – This Filipino value can also be

used as one of the business practices since this promotes good relationship
within the business organization.

This Pakikipagkapwa Tao is also a value that is favorable to

entrepreneurship because it is against any form of exploitation of another.
Basically, entrepreneurship is a practical translation of one’s pakikipagkapwa
tao because the work is to provide things and services of value to others to

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improve their standards of living. The entrepreneur that has pakikipagkapwa
tao does not cheat his customers by overpricing or under weighing his goods;
nor undercut his competitors by underpricing or maligning them, nor maltreat
his workers by underpaying or overworking them; nor cheat the government
by avoiding or evading taxes. At the same time, other Filipinos who benefit
from fruits of the entrepreneur will give him back his share. Customers pay,
competitors play fair, and workers demonstrate malasakit over the business. If
pakikipagkapwa tao developed well, it should promote and uphold the
vision of entrepreneur (Aler 2013).
5. Delicadeza (Daintiness) – This Filipino value which denotes proper decorum
or strict adherence to what’s right, moral or ethical, is a value that has been
already practiced which also referred to as “professionalism”. It is an ethical
value practiced by employees within the business organization to stay
professional at all times. This Filipino value is very important since conflict of
interest and biases are best avoided to adhere what is morally right.

Values that Should be Avoided in Business Practices

1. Bahala Na (Trust in God)- This Filipino value can be indicated as somewhat

important especially in businesses where owners believe in higher beings and
would seek intervention for the business to prosper. However, some sees it
negatively as a form of avoidance of responsibility. It may also cause boil
down to laziness as a trait for entrusting everything to the higher being and
neglecting responsibilities in promoting your business activities. Some may see
it as just as an excuse from their personal responsibility. It is like admitting the
lack a sense of control, which means that they do not believe they have the
power to control change in their lives.

2. Ningas Cogon (flame blaze/ Combustion) – This Filipino value is one of the
worst values that we Filipino have in which we tend to show enthusiasm over
a project or activity in the beginning then lose interest over a period of time.
This Filipino value should be avoided and reiterated to all employees within
the business organization to avoid laziness and continuity of the
organizational plan should be promoted.
3. Padrino System (Patronage) – This Filipino value should also be avoided
since this has been the source of many controversies and corruption. Padrino
system in business may have a negative effect as dealings and financial
obligations to government such as taxes may be influenced between the
business owner and the government official. Padrino System in the Filipino
culture, business industry and politics is the value system where one gains
favor, promotion, exemptions or political appointment through family
affiliation (nepotism) or friendship (cronyism), as opposed to one's merit.

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4. Mañana Habit (Procrastination) – This Filipino value should also be avoided
as business practices since this habit has made Filipinos become lazy and less
efficient in doing task.

IMPORTANT GUIDELINES IN GENERATING AND IMPROVING BUSINESS PRACTICES

GUIDED BY CLASSICAL PHILOSOPHIES, BELIEF SYSTEM AND FILIPINO VALUES

1. Use business practices that has a positive impact in your business

organization which promotes the mission and vision of the company or
the business organization.
2. You can indicate a business policy that avoids the negative practices
that can create inefficiency at work.
3. Develop business practices that promotes Corporate social
responsibility which caters the good welfare of its employees and all
the stakeholders outside the company.
4. In creating a business policy and business practices, always make it
simple and understandable to all employees.
5. Use a Suggestion box. Gathering feedback from employees is very vital
for any company to enjoy consistent improvement and a workplace
suggestion box is a great tool for achieving this, especially if it’s an
anonymous one.
6. Be open to changes to adapt in the fast-changing norms of the
society.

ACTIVITY 1: CASE STUDY

A famous manufacturing company provides jobs for many people in

Negros Oriental where employment is not easy to find. The company
decided to open up in a small town for the reason that it could find cheaper
workers there and workers tend to be loyal to the company due to the jobs it
provides. The company’s vision is to provide the people on Negros the quality
home products to improve the life of each Negrense. But the town has
developed a reputation in which Padrino system and corruption is practiced.
Since the manufacturing company is famous, as one of the leading
companies in the field, they will tend adapt to the current environment and
generate ways to improve their current situation using different business
practices.

Requirement:

1. Prepare your best business practices guided by classical philosophies,

belief system and Filipino values as explained in the discussion that can

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 be applicable in the current business situation. Prepare at least 5
business practices. (5 points each)

Rubrics for Activity 1:

Rubric: Business Ethics

Above Mastery Mastery of Grade Approaching Novice
Level Standards Mastery

Scoring Criteria 4 3 2 1
Clearly Communicates the Attempts to Does not clearly
Communicates communicates the ethical communicate communicate the
the ethical ethical scenario/dilemma the ethical ethical
scenario/ scenario/dilemma and emphasizes scenario/dilemm scenario/dilemma
dilemma and emphasizes some points using a but weakly and is missing
most or all major pertinent facts and emphasizes or is pertinent facts and
points using details missing pertinent details
pertinent facts and facts and details
details
Broad, content Adequate, content Limited content Very limited content
Uses content specific specific vocabulary specific specific vocabulary is
specific vocabulary is used is used correctly in vocabulary is used during the
vocabulary correctly some portions of used during the presentation. The
throughout the the presentation presentation. vocabulary is not
entire presentation The vocabulary used in the correct
may not be used context
in the correct
context
Researches and Fully researches Adequately Partially Does not research or
identifies and addresses all researches and researches and minimally researches
company/ company policies addresses most addresses some and addresses very
employee policies that may impact company policies company few or none of the
for the business his/her response to that may impact policies that company policies
the scenario his/her response to may impact that may impact
the scenario his/her response his/her response to
to the scenario the scenario
Applies business Fully conveys the Adequately Partially conveys Minimally conveys or
practices guided ethical decision- conveys the ethical the ethical does not convey the
by classical making model decision-making decision-making ethical decision-
philosophies, used and fully model used and model used and making model used
belief system and supports the use of adequately partially supports and does not support
Filipino Values this model using all supports the use of the use of this the use of this model
facts and details this model using model using using most facts and
from the scenario. most facts and some facts and details from the
details from the details from the scenario
scenario scenario
Fully justifies his/her Adequately justifies Partially justifies Minimally justifies
Justifies his/her decision and his/her decision and his/her decision his/her decision and
decision response to the response to the and response to response to the
scenario and fully scenario and the scenario and scenario and does
supports this adequately adequately not supports this
decision using all of supports this supports this decision using details
the details and decision using most decision using and facts from the
facts from the of the details and some of the scenario, the law,
scenario, the law, facts from the details and facts and an ethical
and an ethical scenario, the law, from the decision-making
decision-making and an ethical scenario, the model
model decision-making law, and an
model ethical decision-
making model

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EVALUATION/POST TEST:

Multiple choice / Essay. Choose the letter of the correct answer and justify
your answer with a short explanation (5 points correct answer and 5 points if
correct justification) .

1. The story of Mang Eugenio Ventura, an extraordinary cab driver, went viral
in the social media when a passenger spread the good word about him
not rejecting passengers (despite heavy traffic in Metro Manila) and
declining tips and saying that he is already contented with his earnings for
the day. Apart from being honest, he is the jolly type – he just laughs off
the congestion on the main roads of the city. He got featured in an
episode of the TV program “Mission Possible”. Which classical philosophy is
shown in the scenario?
A. Dare to disagree by Socrates
B. Let people seek fulfillment by Aristotle
C. Confucian values by Confucius
D. None of these are correct

Justify your answer. _____________________________________________

2. Mr. Fabillar millionaire was one’s peasant. When he was young, he

experienced what its like to be poor. Now he is now one of the great
persons serving as an inspiration to other entrepreneurs. And one of his
principles and beliefs that amazed the community was his avoidance
such vices, such as greed, envy, hatred and anger, derive from this
ignorance and concentrated on his insight and goal towards
righteousness and success. Which belief system does it clearly describe?
A. Islam B. Judaism
C. Buddhism D. Christianity

Justify your answer. _____________________________________________

3. Jude is a successful entrepreneur. His deeds in business where focused

on making sure that fairness among his vendors exercise always to all its
customers are to avoid future problems. One of his favorite’s principle is
“do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Which belief
system / classical philosophy does it clearly describe?
A. Christianity B. The Golden Rule
C. Hinduism D. Eight-Fold Path

Justify your answer. _____________________________________________

4. The Human Resource Department is conducting an interview for the new
applicants for the posted position in your company. According to your
source, the HR Department head is choosing employees regardless of the

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 credentials and skills they have as long as the employee is someone close
to him. What Filipino values does the scenario describes?
A. Amor Propio B. Padrino System
C. Manana Habit D. Utang na loob
What business practices should you make to avoid this scenario?
__________________________________________________________________________

5. In a bank you noticed an old lady came to the counter to withraw her
lumpsum pension and approached the teller silently. And one think you have
observed and was amazed how the employees accomodated the old lady.
Starting from the counter to the guards it self and accompanied her till she
reached to the pedicab waiting outside. What Filipino Values is described in
the scenario?
A. Family Orientation B. Pakikipag kapwa
C. Pakikisama D. Filial Piety

Would you apply it in your company? Justify your answer.

__________________________________________________________________________

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ESSAY RUBRICS

Level of General Approach Comprehension

Achievement
Exemplary •Addresses the question. •Demonstrates an accurate
(5 pts •States a relevant, justifiable and complete
quizzes) answer. understanding of the
•Presents arguments in a question.
logical order. •Backs conclusions with
data and warrants.
•Uses 2 or more ideas,
examples and/or arguments
that support the answer.
Adequate •Does not address the •Demonstrates accurate
(3 pts question explicitly, although but only adequate
quizzes) does so tangentially. understanding of question
•States a relevant and because does not back
justifiable answer. conclusions with warrants
•Presents arguments in a and data.
logical order. •Uses only one idea to
support the answer.
•Less thorough than above.
Needs •Does not address the •Does not demonstrate
Improvement question. accurate understanding of
(2 pts •States no relevant answers. the question.
quizzes) •Indicates misconceptions. •Does not provide evidence
•Is not clearly or logically to support their answer to
organized. the question.
No answer (0
pts)

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 DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF NEGROS ORIENTAL

SENEN PRISCILLO P. PAULIN, CESO V

Schools Division Superintendent

JOELYZA M. ARCILLA, EdD

Assistant Schools Division Superintendent

MARCELO K. PALISPIS, JD. EdD.

Assistant Schools Division Superintendent

NILITA L. RAGAY, EdD

Assistant Schools Division Superintendent
CID Chief

ROSELA R. ABIERA
Education Program Supervisor – (LRMS)

ELISA L. BAGUIO,EdD
Education Program Supervisor – (MATH)

MARICEL S. RASID
Librarian II (LRMDS)

ELMAR L. CABRERA
PDO II (LRMDS)

SALVADOR G. AGUILAR JR.

Writer

CHRISTY BLEZEILLE L. POCONG

Lay-out Artist
_________________________________

ALPHA QA TEAM
RICKLEOBEN V. BAYKING
LITTIE BETH S. BERNADEZ
MERCYDITHA D. ENOLPE
RONALD TOLENTINO

BETA QA TEAM
RICKLEOBEN V. BAYKING
LITTIE BETH S. BERNADEZ
GIL S. DAEL
MARIA SOLEDAD M. DAYUPAY
MARIA ACENITH D PASTOR
JEE LIZA T. INGUITO
MERCYDITHA D. ENOLPE
RONALD G. TOLENTINO

ENHANCEMENT TEAM
KRISTA MARIE P. ALMOGEN
MARIA ACENITH D. PASTOR
CHERYL R. SECHICO

DISCLAIMER

The information, activities and assessments used in this material are designed to provide accessible learning
modality to the teachers and learners of the Division of Negros Oriental. The contents of this module are carefully
researched, chosen, and evaluated to comply with the set learning competencies. The writers and evaluator were clearly
14to substantiate this material. All content is subject to copyright
instructed to give credits to information and illustrations used
and may not be reproduced in any form without expressed written consent from the division.
 REFERENCES

Aler, R. 2013. Positive Values of a Filipino Entreprenuer. Retrieved:

https://www.scribd.com/document/156717279/Positive-Values-of-A.
[Accessed on November 1, 2020]

Britannica n.d. Norm Definition. Retrieved:

https://www.britannica.com/topic/norm-society. [Accessed on
November 2, 2020]

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 SYNOPSIS AND ABOUT THE AUTHOR

ANSWER KEY
This Self-Learning Kit (SLK) PRETEST
is purposely made for the PRETEST
1. C 6. C
grade 12 student particularly 2. B. 1. C 7. D 6. C
may vary
3. A 2. B. 8. A 7. D
the business practices guided
Note: Justification of answers
4. B 3. A 9. B.8. A
by the classical philosophies, 5. D 4. B 10. A 9. B.
3. C
5. D 10. A
belief system and Filipino
2. C 5. D.
1. B 4. B
values in which shall help in ACTIVITY CASE STUDY
EVALUATION/POST TEST
ACTIVITY
ANSWERS MAYCASEVARY STUDY
the improvement in our ANSWERS MAY VARY
ANSWERS MAY VARY
current business practices EVALUATION ACTIVITY CASE STUDY
1. B EVALUATION
4. B
applied in the business 2. C 1. B5. D. 4. B
organization. 3. C 2. C 5. D.
10. A 5. D
3. C
In this learning kit the
9. B. 4. B
Note: Justification of answers
8. A 3. A
students will gain knowledge in Note:
may Justification of
vary 7. D 2. B.
identifying the business answers 6. C 1. C
may vary
practices that can be used PRETEST
and applied in a business
organization. This knowledge is
very important for the ABM
students in which it helps them
to generate their own business
practices applicable to a
specific business situation.
AUTHOR

Salvador G. Aguilar Jr graduated from Villaflores

College with a Bachelor of Science in Commerce
Major in Management Accounting and also taken
Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education degree
major in Social Science as his secondary course. His 8
years of experience working in a private financial
institution and his experience in accounting where he
passed NC III bookkeeping assessment helped him
teach ABM subjects competently within his 2 years of
teaching at Manjuyod National High School – Senior
High.

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