Beyond the news, a drive for change
Today, the Philippine Daily Inquirer celebrates its 40th anniversary. This milestone is a celebration not just of four decades of agenda-setting as one of the nation’s voices, but of a deeper, four-decade commitment to making a real, lasting difference in the lives of Filipinos.
The Inquirer’s narrative is one of action. Through the Inquirer Foundation, the Inquirer has channeled its influence beyond the newsroom by championing “solutions journalism” and being an active community builder, focused on youth empowerment and an equitable, sustainable future for Filipinos.
The Inquirer Foundation has launched a number of impactful advocacies designed to address the fundamental needs of Filipinos:
INQskwela
Launched in 2019, the INQskwela program responds to educational gaps and challenges by integrating news content into lesson plans, to help promote literacy and critical thinking among students.
Since 2019, INQskwela has empowered over 200,000 learners and strengthened education in 322 schools nationwide through partnerships with local governments. This 2025, we continue to raise the quality of education and opportunity for the youth by holding journalism workshops in partner schools and welcoming students and teachers to visit the Inquirer newsroom and engage with our editors.
Inquirer Read-Along
This year, the Inquirer leveraged key partnerships to deliver valuable literacy and life lessons through its read-along program. The foundation partnered with Philippine Airlines to highlight women and girls’ empowerment, and launched the children’s book “Fly with HER.”
For digital safety, the program also collaborated with the Department of Justice’s Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking to teach children about responsible and safe internet use. The session featured the storybook “Ang Paglalakbay ni Tala,” developed by read-along partners PLDT and Smart.
Inquirer Journalism Scholarship Program
In partnership with AboitizPower, the Inquirer Journalism Scholarship Program expanded its support for aspiring journalists. Three students from the University of the Philippines—Andre Esguerra, Lau Bacia, and Jaemie Talingdan—were awarded scholarships, which include stipends, book allowances, communication support, and lodging for two academic years. They also completed their on-the-job training with Inquirer and will be joining the Inquirer’s editorial team upon graduation.
Internship, immersion program
In 2025 alone, the Inquirer welcomed 80 student interns from universities nationwide. They were assigned to different departments and were given tasks and responsibilities to help hone their skills and improve their competencies.
ESG special section
The Inquirer’s commitment to advancing sustainability has evolved into a strategic, long-term advocacy for Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) excellence. The Inquirer translates its role as a media institution into a collective movement for community development and global responsibility.
The Inquirer is a founding member of the Asia ESG Positive Impact Consortium, a pioneering cross-border alliance with media powerhouses Star of Malaysia and KG Media of Indonesia. This collaboration is championing ESG recognition on an international stage, collectively amplifying positive impact and raising greater awareness across Southeast Asia.
The partnership has been instrumental in championing ESG recognition on an international stage. Launched in 2025, the Gold winners of the inaugural Inquirer ESG Edge Impact Awards advanced to the regional Asia ESG Positive Impact Awards this year.
At the regional competition, 12 Philippine companies from diverse industries were recognized: 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 the Philippine Islands.
This unified initiative collectively amplifies positive impact, sets regional benchmarks, and raises greater awareness across Southeast Asia. The second Inquirer ESG Edge Impact Awards call for submission of entries is set to open in January 2026.
Also, through this ESG Initiative, the Inquirer ESG Connect platform was formed, creating a community that shares insights and informed discussions on critical sustainability issues such as climate action, gender equality, and sustainable energy.
In 2025, ESG Connect was able to host four important discussions on women’s leadership in diversity, equity, and inclusion; community-led conservation; corporate responsibility in community health; and adaptive energy systems.
Proactive force
The Inquirer is not just chronicling the country’s progress; it is working to be to an active contributor to it.
“The Philippine Daily Inquirer’s four-decade journey demonstrates that the ultimate purpose of a media organization is not just to hold those in power accountable, but also to actively build up the community it serves. Our focus on ESG, supported by our foundation’s initiatives and partnerships, reflects a renewed mission: to transition from simply reporting facts to becoming a proven, proactive force dedicated to establishing environmental stewardship, social equity, and responsible governance—“the very pillars required for a sustainable future for all Filipinos,” said Connie Kalagayan, executive director of Inquirer Foundation and associate director for Corporate Affairs.
“We are very grateful for the support of all our partners and we commit to continue our mission to empower the youth, and rally the country toward building itself for the better,” Kalagayan stressed.
As the integrated Philippine Daily Inquirer looks toward the next chapter with Inquirer.net, it remains steadfast in its mission. Its legacy confirms that it is more than just an influential media organization; it is a dedicated partner of the Filipino citizenry, driven to make a significant difference to the nation in the last 40 years.
By harnessing the power of the Filipino story, the Philippine Daily Inquirer works to help shape a robust, more sustainable Philippines.
