By Carla Mortel Baricaua
The second day of the Manila Bulletin’s Sustainability Forum was a lively meeting of corporate leaders who engaged in meaningful discussions covering the urgent need for innovation in industries and infrastructure (SDG 9) and the creation of sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11). The talk sessions underlined these topics chosen from the United Nations Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs) that are aimed to eradicate poverty by 2030. The forum encouraged the corporate leaders to share information and practices for sustainable partnerships and projects under the theme: “If not now, when? Addressing the Urgency to go Sustainable”.
The opening program was marked by the keynote speech delivered by Quezon City Mayor Josefina ‘Joy’ Belmonte, who proudly declared climate action as a priority in her 14-point agenda of governance.
“As early as a few months into office, we became the first local government to declare a climate emergency, institutionalized through a city council resolution. This became the cornerstone of our aggressive pursuits, empowering us to mobilize resources to address climate change. This bold step also justified the allocation of as much as 13 percent of our annual budget, specifically for undertakings that address climate-related issues. Moreover, this declaration paved the way for us to pass an ordinance to create a Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability Department. Again this makes us the first city in the country to have done so. This department serves as a lynchpin for driving action across all levels of our city, ensuring a whole-of-society approach in pursuing resilience and sustainability,” said Belmonte. She then enumerated the many programs under the Enhanced Local Climate Change Action Plan 2021 to 2050 of the city.
In his presentation, Chief Executive Officer of NEO, Raymond Rufino emphasized that greening the residential sector plays a crucial role in climate change and that business should embrace the sustainability direction. He also defined green buildings as having the key aspects of promoting the health and wellness of clients, a Net Zero target, and resiliency that can withstand the shocks and hazards of today. He also introduced the Philippine Green Building Council, an initiative of business leaders in the promotion of green building education and advocacy.
Believing that sustainability should be accessible to all, Arthaland Corporation Senior Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer Oliver L. Chan shared in detail their efforts beyond their properties and talked about the Green Schools project. Utilizing their resources, they built the first EDGE-certified public school in the country. The school building was erected and donated to the Don Vicente Memorial Elementary School in Cebu City. Four more public schools in Cebu are in the pipeline to be repaired and improved for a more sustainable operation. Chan also invites students who are aspiring to be green building professionals to join Arthaland’s Professional Green Building Training.
“For Acer, we create tangible and intangible social values for a better future and this is where our sustainability efforts come in,” shared Antony Gob, the Senior Manager for Consumer & Gaming Products of Acer Philippines Incorporated. “The framework for our sustainability efforts includes integrated sustainable governance, pioneering green innovation, and comprehensive sustainable impact.” Then he introduced the Vero Green products, an innovative addition to their product line that utilizes sustainable materials, green packaging and energy-saving features. He also mentioned their community engagement efforts such as mounting campaigns, tree-planting activities, and the Green Mark concert in ACER Day 2022.
Citing the potential of the country to be one of the largest economies by 2050, Jaime Z. Urquijo, Chief Sustainability and Risk Officer of Ayala Corporation, discussed why sustainability is important in the Philippine context and outlined how the Ayala Corporation embraces sustainability and its implementation to their business strategies and business models. “We believe that the corporate sector has a big role to play to enable the growth of the country,” said Urquijo. “We are into long-term value creation and creating viable and inclusive businesses; businesses that enable people to thrive.” He then cited Ayala companies’ sustainability efforts in urban development, financial inclusion, basic services, connectivity, and renewable energy generation.
The speakers and Prof. Rogelio Alicor Panao, Associate Professor, College of Social Sciences and Philosophy then exchanged views during the panel discussion.
Dixie Atienza-Ilustre, the Inspiration and Communication Manager of IKEA Philippines, told the audience how the company provided sustainable livelihood through its partnership with the social enterprise Rags2Riches (R2R). With regular income and work for the R2R team, artisans, and sewing studio, the company was able to positively impact families from urban poor communities. “We want to bring our range to the sustainability action,” said Ilustre. “We want them to grow with us.”
Zoe Chi, Vice President of J&T Express, shared the company’s corporate social responsibility efforts by citing their role in the country’s COVID-19 response where they headed programs such as the J&T Community Pantry and Ayuda. She also added their close coordination with LGUs, engagement with communities, and their support for environmental causes through coastal cleanups and tree-planting activities.
Don Ubaldo, First Vice President for Filinvest Townships of Filinvest Alabang Incorporated said, “It is important that we the developers contribute to the global movement of conservation through intentional urban planning to ensure that there are enough resources left for the future generation.” To this end, he shared the company’s experiences and learning in greening the future and showed actionable models and best practices in creating cities. He proudly stated that their township developments are inspired by nature and marked by connection through technology, energy efficiency, and smart mobility.
As one of the remaining green spaces in Metro Manila, the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman campus affirms its commitment to the environment and sustainability, as shared by Professor Carmela Española of the UP Biodiversity Committee of the UP Diliman. In her discussion, she cited the major campus-wide activities aimed at protecting the landscape and its rich biodiversity. She also mentioned the administration’s native trees policy and guidelines for tree planting as well as the establishment of the Task Force Solid Waste Management and the Diliman Environmental Management Office.
Panelist Edna Co, Professor and former Dean of the National College of Public Administration and Governance, then joined the panel of speakers and gave her remarks.
To cap the forum, Chancellor Edgardo Carlo L. Vistan II, the University of Philippines Diliman, in his closing remarks said, “The forum is not only aligned with our sustainability agenda but also allowed our students, faculty, and staff to engage with counterparts from the public sector, industry, and non-governmental organizations on various thrusts. The goal is for everyone, even from our speakers and reactors, to learn and impart knowledge, views, and best practices on sustainability… and I believe we have achieved this.”
Staged at the Malcom Hall in the University of the Philippines Diliman, the Sustainability Forum 2023 is co-presented by IKEA Philippines, Ayala Corporation, and ACEN Corporation, and supported by major partners such as Aboitiz Infracapital Inc., Aboitiz Power Corporation, Acer Philippines Inc., Arthaland Corporation, Coca-Cola Philippines, Filinvest Alabang Inc., Megaworld Hotels and Resorts, NEO, PH Global Jet Express Inc., SM Investments Corporation, The Ascott Limited, and Watsons. The University of Philippines Diliman participates as the forum’s academic institutional partner.