1st Inquirer ESG awards: Spotlight on PH firms championing sustainability
From clean energy and water management to digital literacy and community development, Philippine companies are proving that business success and social responsibility can go hand in hand.
That commitment took center stage at the first Inquirer ESG Edge Impact Awards held on Sept. 5, which honored organizations that have made significant, impactful strides in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices.
Held at the Inquirer Media Resource Plaza in Makati, the awards brought together publicly listed companies, large enterprises, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and academic institutions whose projects reflect the growing movement toward sustainability in the Philippines.
“This platform goes beyond recognition,” said Atty. Rudyard Arbolado, chief operating officer for Inquirer Print, in his keynote. “It is a catalyst for positive change—showcasing how projects here in the Philippines are creating real and lasting impact in our communities.”
Wider push
The inaugural awards recognized organizations across the ESG categories, with top honorees advancing to the Asia ESG Positive Impact Awards later this year in Malaysia.
The awards are part of a wider push by the Asia ESG Positive Impact Consortium (A-EPIC), a partnership among the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Malaysia’s Star Media Group, and Indonesia’s KG Media. Formed in 2024, the consortium aims to make sustainability a cornerstone of business and community life across Southeast Asia.
A-EPIC focuses on three pillars: education, engagement, and community-building—all essential to embedding ESG values in corporate strategies and public awareness.
“Through A-EPIC, we have created a platform where best practices can be shared across borders,” said Katrina Dalusong, director for group sales. “The goal is to make ESG not just a concept but a lived reality—something that shapes how companies operate and how communities thrive.”
Since its launch, the consortium has rolled out editorial features, forums, and workshops on ESG topics ranging from renewable energy and conservation to gender equality and education. The Philippine leg, ESG Edge, has published in-depth reports, hosted expert panels, and now celebrates its first set of Impact Awards winners.
Profit with purpose
This year’s Inquirer ESG Edge Impact Awards honored corporations, MSMEs, and one academic awardee for critical sustainability projects in various sub-categories under the broad ESG umbrella.
Gold winners in the Environment category included Energy Development Corp. for its 15-year regenerative journey to restore ecosystems, Ayala Land Inc. for its circularity program, Jollibee Foods Corp. for energy efficiency, Filinvest REIT Corp. for achieving 100-percent renewable energy in office properties, FEU Alabang for biodiversity conservation, water management, and energy efficiency, and Maynilad Water Services Inc. for its Non-Revenue Water Reduction Program, which cut water losses by 39 percent and promoted sustainable water management practices.
In the Social category, notable programs included ACEN Corp.’s social initiatives for indigenous communities in Zambales, Globe Telecom’s Hapag Movement addressing hunger, Bricolage Philippines Inc. for its Pilot Internship Program for Neurodiverse Students that helps create pathways for youth on the autism spectrum, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) for digital literacy and talent development initiatives such as the TCS Sustainathon and Fresco Play, and ASSIST Asia for its ANNAKKO project, promoting human rights and labor standards among underserved communities.
On the Governance front, Aboitiz Power Corp. got the top nod for its “Transforming Energy for a Better World” program. Likewise honored in Other ESG Categories were Jollibee Foods Corp. for its farmer entrepreneurship program under Sustainable Supply Chain Management, and Coca-Cola Europacific Aboitiz for “Tapon to Ipon,” a partnership promoting a circular economy, under Innovative Partnership.
The evening’s grand winners were Tata Consultancy Services for MSMEs and ACEN Corp. for publicly listed companies (PLCs), recognized for their outstanding ESG programs that combine innovation, community impact, and measurable sustainability outcomes.
“These awards celebrate not just outcomes but also leadership,” said Dalusong. “They show that change begins when companies align profit with purpose.”
Local efforts, regional reach
A unique feature of the ESG Edge Impact Awards is its link to the Asia ESG Positive Impact Awards, where national winners from the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia will compete at the regional level.
Gold awardees from the Philippine leg—except in water management and governance categories not included in other countries’ competitions—will present their initiatives to Southeast Asian judges on Oct. 14.
The culminating event, the Asia ESG Summit and Awards Gala Night, will be held in Malaysia from Nov. 5 to 7, providing a platform for dialogue among policymakers, businesses, and sustainability advocates from across the region.
Media’s role
“We want local innovations to gain regional visibility,” said Dalusong. “When best practices are shared, everyone wins. Businesses learn from each other, and communities benefit from ideas that have worked elsewhere.”
The awards also underscore the role of journalism in shaping the ESG conversation. A 2024 Unesco report described quality journalism as “foundational to accountable democratic governance,” linking it to transparency, public engagement, and sustainable development.
“For the Inquirer Group, telling ESG stories is part of our mission,” said Arbolado. “By amplifying these initiatives, we help build a collaborative community—one that encourages companies to step up and take responsibility for their impact on people and the planet.”
Through A-EPIC, the Inquirer and its partners have committed to using their combined reach of 123 million people across Southeast Asia to educate, engage, and mobilize audiences around ESG issues.
Organizers hope that recognition from the awards will encourage companies to set higher sustainability targets and collaborate across sectors. Over the next year, A-EPIC plans to expand its programs with more workshops, editorial campaigns, and networking events, leading up to the 2025 Asia ESG Summit.
“The journey doesn’t end with an award,” said Dalusong. “It’s about building momentum so that ESG principles become standard practice, not just for big corporations but also for MSMEs that form the backbone of our economy.”
Measure of excellence
For the attendees, the awards were both a celebration and a call to action. Whether through clean energy projects, digital inclusion programs, or community partnerships, Philippine companies are demonstrating that sustainability is a new measure of business excellence—one that connects local action to regional and global impact.
“True success is inseparable from responsibility,” Arbolado told the audience. “Progress and purpose must always go hand in hand.”
