Sustainability isn't just about trees or oceans.  At its heart, it is about people.  It means  making sure families, communities and everyday lives continue to thrive.

The story of retired Navy commander Juphet Navida and Saludo sa Serbisyo reminds us of this.  His journey is more than a career shift. It highlights the social side of sustainability, where communities and organizations work together to improve lives and ensure that well-being does not end when service does.

Returning to civilian life after more than two decades in uniform is never easy. Years of long deployments, rigid routines and the constant responsibility of keeping others safe can leave servicemen feeling unprepared for what comes next. When Navida finally hung up his uniform, he faced a familiar question many uniformed personnel ask themselves: How do you start over after service?

Like many before him, Navida tried to “re-enter” a world that had moved on. His goals were modest. He wanted stability and, perhaps most important, more time with his family. An opportunity came when a colleague introduced him to Saludo sa Serbisyo, an Ayala Corporation program that helps soldiers, police officers, firefighters, jail officers and Coast Guard personnel prepare for life after service.

Through a weeklong training, Navida learned practical skills—how to improve his curriculum vitae, build a LinkedIn profile and understand how the private sector works. These may sound basic. But for someone who had spent decades in the military, they were crucial steps. Soon after, he secured a position at the Ayala Corporation headquarters.

The transition was gradual but steady. Navida carried over the discipline, leadership, and sense of purpose shaped by years of service, this time applied in a civilian setting. For the first time in years, he found a better balance between work and family life.

Saludo sa Serbisyo is Ayala Corporation’s main program to support uniformed personnel. Over the years, it has partnered with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine National Police and Bureau of Fire Protection to help improve the well-being and quality of life of their members.

Now in its 10th year, the program has helped over 10,000 servicemen and women. Its support ranges from healthcare benefits through Healthway and Generika to financial literacy programs with BPI. It has also connected people to jobs in Ayala companies, including renewable energy firm ACEN.

More than employment or career transitions, Saludo sa Serbisyo is about people. It shows the human side of sustainability—ensuring that those who served the nation are not left behind once they return to civilian life. For Navida, this meant guidance and support in building a meaningful new chapter outside the military.

By focusing on inclusion, the program helps strengthen family ties, reduce stress, and empower communities. It recognizes that earning a living and living well should go together.

Ayala Corporation also understands the value that uniformed personnel bring—leadership, discipline, and strategic thinking. Through training and access to opportunities, Saludo sa Serbisyo helps servicemen adjust to civilian life, allowing people like Navida to thrive beyond the uniform.

His journey shows that sustainability is strongest when it puts people first. By caring for those who have served, programs like Saludo sa Serbisyo help ensure that communities continue to grow and remain resilient. Sustainability, after all, is not only about protecting the environment or driving green growth. It is also about making sure people can move forward and live meaningful lives—today and for generations to come.