Globe takes on hunger in PH with Hapag Movement
Telecommunications giant Globe Telecom Inc. has taken bold strides to combat involuntary hunger in the Philippines through its flagship program, the Hapag Movement—a multi-faceted initiative aiming not just to feed the hungry, but to address the root causes of hunger.
The Hapag Movement provided food packs to vulnerable communities, equipped individuals with income-generating skills and educated families on proper nutrition.
Since its establishment in 2022, the initiative has leveraged Globe’s technologies and influence to encourage various stakeholders to bring positive change to hunger hotspots across the Philippines.
By the end of 2024, the Hapag Movement had already exceeded its four-year target of feeding 100,000 families—nourishing more than 120,000 families nationwide. From food-insecure individuals, it had also produced over 4,000 livelihood training graduates.
The Hapag Movement’s interventions have reached and transformed individuals and families in various contexts. It has gone from urban locations like Quezon City and Cabadbaran City to countryside locations like Borongan and Basilan.
The Hapag Movement won gold in the “Good Health and Well-being” category of the inaugural Inquirer ESG Edge Impact Awards, which announced its winners in 15 categories on Sept. 5, 2025.
Organized by the Inquirer Group of Companies, the event recognized exemplary corporate projects in the Philippines that upheld environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles.
Winners were selected by an independent panel of judges with expertise in a wide range of fields, such as sustainability, economics, human rights and business.
Serious problem
Hunger is a serious and persistent problem in the Philippines, whose impacts can ripple through generations.
An SWS survey revealed that 16.1 percent of Filipinos–about 4.6 million households–experienced involuntary hunger in the second quarter of 2025. Of that number, 3.3 percent experienced “severe hunger,” or went hungry often or always.
Hunger undermines national development because it lowers worker productivity and raises healthcare costs. For children, the consequences can include stunted growth, wasting and developmental impairments. Nutritional deficiencies may also lead to sickness, even death.
The 2024 Global Hunger Index ranked the Philippines 67th out of 127 countries, underlining the urgent need for systemic solutions and broad-based action. The country’s poorest showing was in child stunting.
Power in partnership
From the outset, Globe recognized that fighting hunger couldn’t be done alone. Through the Hapag Movement, it has cultivated an ecosystem of collaborators across sectors—from businesses and civic groups to digital communities and everyday citizens.
Globe’s key partners for the Hapag Movement are Ayala Foundation, Tzu Chi Foundation, Scholars of Sustenance Philippines, Project PEARLS, Rise Against Hunger Philippines, World Vision Philippines and the UN World Food Programme. Each organization plays a distinct role – whether mounting sustainable feeding programs, promoting nutrition awareness, conducting livelihood and skills training, or offering tech-voc scholarships.
For its part, Globe has made it easy for Filipinos all over the world to support the Hapag Movement by enabling donations through GCash, GlobeOne, and international fundraising channels. Millions of Globe users also donated their Globe Rewards to the cause.
Globe ran donation drives and hosted farmers’ markets, among others, to engage its employees with the Hapag Movement. It also facilitated volunteer programs for partner organizations, mobilizing nearly 2,000 employees.
The Hapag Movement has secured help from the Rotary Club of Makati Business District, Kyani Philippines Inc., SMAC, and leading players from the local fine dining scene. It has also forged innovative partnerships: collecting good quality surplus food for feeding programs, providing nutrition education, raising funds in collaboration with foodies, K-Pop fandoms, and other subcultures.
Inspiring action
Following its victory at Inquirer ESG Edge Impact Awards, Globe will now represent the Philippines at the Asia ESG Positive Impact Awards 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Winners will be announced on Nov. 6.
It will compete against winners at Malaysia’s Lestari Awards and Indonesia’s ESG Positive Impact Awards, organized by Star Media Group and KG Media, respectively. Inquirer, Star and KG are part of the Asia ESG Positive Impact Consortium, a regional alliance that promotes sustainable growth.
While international recognition is an honor, Globe’s larger aim is to inspire action. It wants to draw attention to the Hapag Movement as a scalable strategy to address a worldwide concern.
Hapag Movement belongs to “Globe of Good,” a master brand that brings together Globe’s ESG programs. It encompasses initiatives in digital inclusion, climate action and community upliftment.
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