An enduring leader in responsible stewardship

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives have long surpassed as a trend and now has become an essential component for businesses, as they are seen to carry the potential of delivering positive impact to communities.

An exemplary in such efforts, the MVP Group of Companies keeps breaking new ground in social impact. MVP Group’s dedication to social impact is essential to the group’s role not only as a leader in the business scene, but also in building a better future for its people and the planet.

For years, the MVP Group, and Manuel V. Pangilinan himself, has been well-known as a big supporter of positive and social change. The group emphasized the importance of conducting businesses for good through stewardship programs and CSR initiatives that reap national growth and development.

The MVP Group’s CSR footprint can be seen through organizations such as Metro Pacific Investments Foundation, Inc. (MPIF), Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF), and the CSR arms of the companies under the MVP Group, where Mr. Pangilinan takes the lead in delivering the group’s contributions to sustainable development.

Conserving the environment

The group has been actively responding to the call for conserving the environment and mitigating the effects of climate change, as seen in its notable initiatives.

Leading the charge is MPIF, through its flagship program, Shore It Up!, which covers initiatives such as planting trees and mangroves and installing artificial reefs, among others.

More importantly, the foundation worked on marine projects, including sustaining the Tubbatha Reefs Natural Park, hosting multisectoral forums that tackles environmental issues, forming partnerships with the government for marine conservation programs, and rehabilitating the Mangrove Center in Del Carmen.

Recognizing the sustainable impact the project brought, Shore It Up! was then recognized at the 2024 CSR Guild Awards by the League of Corporate Foundations (LCF) as the Most Outstanding Corporate Social Responsibility Project in Environment.

Geared towards reforestation and protecting coastlines, the PBSP is in partnership with many conservation and protection programs that focus on tree-planting activities. Last year, a total of 5,000 mangrove trees were planted in Batangas aimed to fight climate crisis and reduce flooding and erosion.

In the area of solid waste management, PBSP, with its commitment to lead the business sector to environmental stewardship, has partnered with the Oriental and Motolite Marketing Corp. (OMMC) in a flagship program called the Balik Baterya Program. This program is designed to provide a platform for the private sector to responsibly dispose of used-lead acid batteries.

Sustainable power in remote areas

The Philippines is shifting towards renewable energy sources to reduce its reliance on coal power generation and move towards cleaner and eco-friendly options that lessens environmental impact.

In line with this transition, Manila Electric Company (Meralco) has developed an electrification program through One Meralco Foundation (OMF), the corporate social responsibility arm of Meralco. The program allows the company power and electrify thousands of Filipino households and businesses by adopting solar power technologies, providing them with more efficient and reliable electricity. According to the company’s annual report, Meralco has brought power to 75,000 low-income households and 300 remote public schools across the country.

Furthermore, as part of its commitment to bringing electricity to isolated communities, Meralco has also introduced solar rooftops and microgrid solutions. Because solar power produces lower fuel consumption, it is becoming the more eco-friendly and affordable option for both consumers and industries alike.

According to Meralco, these solar rooftops have been instrumental in powering up numerous establishments, including public, private, and educational institutions. In particular, Meralco focused on installing PV cells in 245 public schools located in remote areas of the country. These schools were then connected to the internet, equipping them with learning tools, including laptops and other multimedia learning tools. Recently, the program has powered 15 schools in Masbate and Samar, benefiting 175 teachers and 4,489 students.

Bringing greater value in educational programs

Moreover, Meralco believes that powering schools, alongside providing better educational tools and empowering students to grow and expand their skills and learning, is a crucial step towards achieving an energy-secured future.

With its commitment to create venues for learning in the electric power industry, Meralco’s Energy Education Program, developed in 2015, has continued equipping teachers with educational tools on energy conservation awareness and responsible energy consumption.

In the water sector, meanwhile, Maynilad, the largest water provider in the Philippines, is also doing its part to promote environmental practices, such as proper water management within schools.

Last year, Maynilad’s educational program and campaign has successfully taught 2,500 high school students and visited 36 high schools across different cities teaching students on proper wastewater management and sanitation practices. Since its development in 2016, Maynilad had produced modules on wastewater education for 166 schools. With this initiative, Maynilad is taking proactive steps in educating young people on the importance of environmental responsibility for a more sustainable future.

Also ensuring better quality of education, MPIF, in partnership with Mano Amiga, grants 30 student scholarships, covering school expenses, miscellaneous fees, and other activities. Established in 2011, this program, the Annual Excellence Fund, is designed to make a more significant impact on children and ensure they receive the quality education that they deserve.

With the goal of providing more educational opportunities to learners, the foundation has also worked to provide schools with inclusive and disaster-resilient classrooms. The Classroom Construction Support Program increased access to education by providing more classrooms for students. This program is a continuous collaborative effort between the government of Australia, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and the Department of Education (DepEd). Through this partnership, a total of 302 classrooms were built in disaster-prone locations, enhancing their capacity to accommodate more students.

Uplifting healthcare services

Providing better access to healthcare services among Filipinos is another key area where MVP takes initiative.

For instance, in many years, PBSP has been a key player in tuberculosis (TB) control management in the Philippines. Focusing on reducing TB cases, the ACCESS TB project, funded by the Global Fund, is offering comprehensive quality TB care to Filipinos. This project expands access to healthcare centers, providers, and treatment services.

Adding to the continued medical assistance for Filipinos, Alagang Kapatid Foundation, the CSR arm of MediaQuest-led TV5, seeks to provides more access to medical and social services to Filipinos. Among its initiatives includes blood donation drives across different cities, distribution of medicine supplies, and free doctor consultations, among others.

Disaster response and resilience

Another notable effort by the MVP Group is their response to climate disasters, especially given the heavy toll of natural disasters in the Philippines. Particularly, the group’s telecom companies are stepping up to help individuals to stay connected.

PLDT is actively helping communities through its Disaster Resilience Advocacy, equipping communities with disaster preparedness and emergency skills, providing communication aid, and facilitating access to information for agencies and government units.

As of March 2024, in efforts to further prepare communities from disasters, the group distributed 56 Ligtas Kits to local government units (LGUs) that are prone to disasters and trained 52 LGUs on emergency communications. They have also put up 88 emergency calling stations, distributed 21, 615 relief aid to affected communities, and has partnered with the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation to improve the early warning system for tsunamis in the Philippines.

PLDT, alongside its mobile service subsidiary Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart), has journeyed to different typhoon-affected communities distributing emergency kits, hygiene and sleeping kits, food, relief packages, water, medical services, and communication tools.

Recognizing the importance of communication during disasters and emergencies, under its advocacy of #SafeandSmart Philippines, Smart has been leveraging network and technology to ensure continuous network resilience, availability of communication services, mobile solutions, and activities. In times of disasters, Smart provides emergency alerts, emergency services, including free calls, load, and charging services, and even satellite phones to help people stay safe and connected. This initiative is designed to help local communities and government units in providing swift response and relief assistance to help communities mitigate disaster risk.

Further strengthening disaster resiliency in the country, the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF) is leading the private sector’s initiatives for disaster risk reduction and management in the country. It designs and implements programs related to community resilience and recovery, as well as promote education and progress in disaster management.

Some of the foundation’s recent accomplishments include receiving over US$2 million in grants and donations from various local and international partners in 2022. These funds were used to carry out disaster response initiatives, implement development programs, and provide assistance to more than 3.5 million people through emergency preparedness projects.

In addition to climate-resilient initiatives, MPIF is extending a helping hand to Filipinos affected by the calamities. MPIF’s recovery projects are focused on improving livelihoods, ensuring food security and climate resilience, and promoting environmental sustainability and disaster resilience.

Following the disastrous aftermath of Super-Typhoon Odette in 2021, the group, along with MVP and his other companies, has raised a total of P30 million, which was used for relief efforts to affected communities.

This year, the foundation is continuing its efforts to support post-Odette recovery programs, with the goal of complete recovery and rebuilding these affected communities. — Angela Kiara S. Brillantes