12 PH companies hailed for ESG initiatives in regional awards
For leading sustainability initiatives in Southeast Asia, 12 Philippine companies from diverse industries were recognized in the recently held Asia ESG Positive Impact Awards held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, last Nov. 6.
Organized by the Star Media Group, the event sought not just to award firms from Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines for embodying environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles, but also to inspire industry-wide transformation and share regional best practices on promoting sustainability.
The companies in contention had previously emerged as the gold winners of the ESG awards in their respective countries, including the Philippine Daily Inquirer’s ESG Edge Impact Awards in the Philippines, The Star’s ESG Positive Impact Awards in Malaysia, and KG Media’s Lestari Awards in Indonesia, and now advanced to the regional stage.
The Philippine awardees were Energy Development Corp. (First Gen-EDC), Far Eastern University (FEU) Alabang, Ayala Land Inc., Tata Consultancy Services Inc., MR. DIY Philippines, ACEN Corp., Asia Society for Social Improvement & Sustainable Transformation (Assist), Insular Life Assurance Company Ltd., Globe Telecom Inc., Jollibee Food Corp., Coca-Cola Europacific Aboitiz Philippines, and Bank of Philippine Islands.
Tata Consultancy
During the awards night, Tata Consultancy Services Inc. took home four awards, the most out of all the Philippine firms, which included a gold in the good health and well-being category for its TCS Clark International Animo Marathon.
Held annually at Clark Global City in Pampanga, the event raises funds for local environmental causes such as the Upper Clark Watershed project and the La Salle Botanical Gardens in Alviera at Porac.
Tata Consultancy also bagged silver awards in the diversity, equity and inclusion; talent management; and innovative partnership categories. It was recognized for programs such as the TCS Sustainathon 2023: Empowering women in STEM, Fresco Play—“Learning Anytime, Anywhere, Any Device,” and goIT or Go Innovate Together.
In a statement to the Inquirer, Tata Consultancy said it was most proud of its goIT program, which equips underprivileged Filipino youth with critical skills for the digital economy and helping those in underserved communities pursue STEM education.
“TCS’ ESG journey is rooted in our long-standing commitment to ethical responsibility, transparency, and sustainable value creation. Our efforts are driven by the belief that businesses must benefit not only stakeholders but also the wider community and the planet,” the company said.
“What drives us is the belief that technology and innovation can create opportunities for inclusive growth, improve lives, and protect the environment,” it added.
First Gen-EDC
First Gen-EDC, meanwhile, received a gold award in the renewable energy category for its Tongonan Geothermal Power Plant, one of the longest-running geothermal power plants in the Philippines and a source of clean, reliable renewable energy for 40 years.
“We are grateful for this award not only because it is for our company but more so because it recognizes our valuable contribution to protecting the environment, as we power our growing economy with clean, renewable 24/7 geothermal energy,” said Allan Barcena, assistant vice president and head of corporate support functions at First Gen-EDC.
The firm also bagged a silver award in biodiversity conservation for its Binhi program, which seeks to protect forests and ensure the future of threatened native species.
FEU-Alabang
FEU Alabang likewise received two accolades, earning bronze in biodiversity conservation and gold in energy efficiency, with the university recognized for being the first academic institution in the Philippines to earn an EDGE certification and also shifting to 100-percent renewable energy last year.
“In the academic sphere, sustainability principles are embedded in research, innovation projects, and student-led advocacy—from renewable energy solutions and smart technologies to biodiversity awareness campaigns,” said FEU Alabang executive director, engineer Remelita Avenido.
“These efforts reflect FEU Alabang’s holistic approach to building a learning ecosystem that not only nurtures future innovators but also safeguards the planet for generations to come,” she added.
ASSIST
Another Philippine company, ASSIST, won gold in the human rights and labor standards category with its Annakko: Our Children, Our Future program. The initiative seeks to promote education over the exploitation of children in northern Luzon farming communities, where the youth are forced into hazardous work due to poverty.
“It is a privilege for ASSIST to be recognized at the inaugural Asia ESG Positive Impact Awards, winning gold for the human rights and labor standards category for our child labor protection program, ANNAKKO,” said Francis Macatulad, the firm’s director for programs.
“As our region continues to grow, it is imperative that organizations place people and the environment at the heart of their ESG strategies for long-term sustainability,” he added.
Globe
Meanwhile, Globe Telecom Inc. bagged the gold award in the good health and well-being category for large companies. The telecommunications firm was cited for its Hapag Movement, which sought to end involuntary hunger and ensure a child’s right to grow and thrive.
“It was a very challenging time because when it started, it was within the pandemic period in 2021. So, that in itself is already challenging. But what made it easier is our partnership with our implementing partners,” said Apple Evangelista, head of sustainability and social responsibility at Globe.
BPI
Another gold winner was the Bank of Philippine Islands (BPI), who won in the transformation category for its decarbonization and digitization initiatives.
In particular, the bank was cited for initiating the world’s first energy transition mechanism, the first sustainable development finance program in the Philippines, and for implementing “Phygital,” or physical and digital initiatives to make banking more accessible to underserved Filipinos.
“When you look at the standards that BPI follows, we have a lot of innovations that are based on global standards,” said Jo Ann Bueno-Eala, vice president and head of sustainability office at BPI. “[We are the] most multiawarded bank in sustainability. That is because the standards we follow are very high.”
MR. DIY
MR. DIY Philippines received a silver award in the diversity, equity, and inclusion category for its pilot internship program for neurodiverse students, where the company partners with special learning institutions to provide their interns meaningful workplace exposure.
“This program is dynamic. It’s two-way. We learn from them, they learn from us,” said Choppy Mamigo, PR and communications assistant manager for MR. DIY Philippines. “We learn from them on how to accept them. And, of course, know their triggers and how to handle them.”
Jollibee
Another silver award was given to Jollibee Food Corp., this time for supply chain management. The fast-food company was cited for its Farmer Entrepreneurship program, which helps transform smallholder farmers into agro-entrepreneurs.
Ayala Land
Meanwhile, Ayala Land Inc. got bronze in the waste management category for its Circularity program: Loop in Action. The firm was cited for its sustainability efforts on waste diversion, circular economy practices and environmental management.
“At Ayala Land, we believe circularity is essential to resilience and sustainable development. We’re committed to scaling up our programs by integrating even more recycled materials into our projects, and forging new partnerships to close the loop throughout the value chain,” said Mabel Reyes, corporate sustainability manager at Ayala Land Inc.
ACEN Corp.
In the relations with local communities category, ACEN Corp. was awarded bronze for its initiatives in San Marcelino, Zambales, which involved constructing infrastructure that improves connectivity and travel time for the indigenous peoples living in remote barangays, as well as providing them better access to education, health care, and economic opportunities.
“The challenge is to really engage the community, because at first they can be skeptical about the project. So, we built that genuine connection. We really stayed on the ground. It’s more than just listening to them. It’s creating a collaboration and bringing their trust also,” said Via Ramos, external affairs regional manager for Central Luzon at ACEN.
Insular Life
Insular Life Assurance Company Ltd. (InLife), on the other hand, got bronze in the talent management category for its PLN Icon Plus Human Capital Transformation program. This initiative seeks to champion a learning culture while fostering career growth and personal development for company employees.
“InLife is honored to be recognized as a bronze winner for talent management at the inaugural Asia ESG Impact Awards 2025. Competing among the best from Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines, this honor affirms our standing as one of the best companies to work for in Asia,” said InLife chief sustainability officer Noel Andres Perdigon.
“Through our award-winning Grow InLife Talent Management Program, we continue to nurture a culture of growth, learning, and purpose—empowering the very heart of our operations, our people, to serve Filipinos toward a lifetime for good,” he added.
Coca-Cola
Finally, Coca-Cola Europacific Aboitiz Philippines Inc. got a bronze award for innovative partnership, recognizing its Tapon to Ipon program where the firm initiated the collection of post-consumer clear PET plastic bottles.
