The economy is opening abruptly, after years of lockdowns and slowdown of businesses. Undeniably, Small and Medium Enterprise (SMEs) have suffered the most from these slowdowns. Comprising more than 95% of the businesses in the country, the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) need all the help they can get to be on board, while putting sustainability on their road to resilience and recovery.
To discuss efforts, strategies, and interventions for boosted MSME recovery with the private sector, the 4th Sustainability Summit held on 22 November 2022 was held at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City, and via Zoom. The event gathered sustainability leaders and businesses to talk about their contributions in the recovery of MSMEs from the consequences of the pandemic.
Global Compact Network Philippines’ (GCNP) Chairperson Ms. Vickie Tan of Ayala Corporation opened the program and provided the overview of the Summit. Mr. Gustavo Gonzales, UN Philippine Resident Coordinator provided the opening plenary talk with a reminder that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) deadline is in 8 years and how the pandemic brought a slight regression of SDG accomplishments. To rescue this, adequate financing is needed through an established diversified framework. The framework would have to establish greater integration for stakeholders in finance and synergy across the public and private sectors.
Ms. Neha Das of the Senior Manager, Global Operations, Asia & Oceania at United Nations Global Compact discussed how the SMEs are being left behind on sustainability benchmarks despite being vital in elevating the economy. In 2021, the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) developed an SME strategy to close the gap for SME readiness.
After the plenary, the CEO SDG Forum with the title From Case Studies to Scaling-Up for Success and Impact was held. CEOs and COOs of participant companies, namely Mr. Cezar P. Consing, President & CEO, Ayala Corporation, Ms. Anna Lagon, Co-CEO and Chief Creative Officer, Bayo Manila, Inc., Mr. David Sutherland, Chair of the Board, International Care Ministries, Mr. Jesus C. Romero, Chief Operating Officer, Converge ICT Solutions, Inc., Mr. Jose Ma. K. Lim, Former CEO, Executive Adviser & Board Member, Metro Pacific Investments Corporation, Mr. Kais Marzouki, Chairman and CEO, Nestlé PH, and Ms. Karen Ong, CEO, Prestige Quality Paper Products Corporation shared their thoughts, vision, and experiences on their sustainability journeys and how their businesses provide support to MSMEs.
The afternoon sessions featured updates on the Private Sector Champions, the SDG Pioneers and the awarding of the SDG Awards.
Ms. Vickie Tan presented the Private Sector Champions Initiative and the 10-in-10 Agenda covered by the three pillars: Planet, People, and Prosperity. UNIDO Philippines aimed to address MSME vulnerabilities and challenges such as access to technology and financing through their support using digital transformation, economic diversification, and green resilient businesses.
Heads from the three pillars presented their achievements and plans which aimed to enable MSME transformation: Ms. Ana Hontiveros-Malvar of Aboitiz presented their Prosperity Pillar specific goals such as the increase of MSME annual income by 10%, and use of access, and use of digital knowledge platforms. This pillar would ensure upscaling and upskilling of MSMEs through enabling MSMEs and cooperatives with innovation and technology within 3-4 years, replicating Byaheng DigiSkarte; Ms. Melissa Vergel de Dios of PLDT discussed their Planet Pillar action plan, which is to address the plastic problem and promote circularity. Ms. Sharon Gulmatico of Morination Agricultural Products and head of the People Pillar presented their action plan on community-based zero hunger projects for farmers including baseline studies, food security models, health checks, and food distribution.
The winners of the First SDG Awards presented their winning projects. Ms Abelyn Evangelista of Globe Telecom presented their innovative apps which assisted their employees for daily check ins and self-assessment during the pandemic. Rondell Torres of Unilever presented their flagship program Misis Walastik, a plastic waste collection project joined by 400 community partners and thousands of households. As for the Prosperity winner, Unilever’s Kabisig Summit trained microretailers in e-commerce and banking. The Outstanding SME winner, BAYO is achieving zero carbon emissions through Community partnership programs with weaving communities in Cordilleras, farming communities, sericulture, moriculture, and organic cotton farming. Mr. Lago eloquently shared that we should “take advantage of being in sustainability even in the early stages, until it is the norm than an innovation; start with smaller steps until sustainability and circularity are addressed and become standard practice.”
The Summit also featured the SDG Pioneer Awardees to show the global initiatives on SDG goals related to the three pillars. Mr. Greg Welsh of Winya Indigenous Furniture, Australia under the Prosperity Pillar shared how they created employment opportunities and change for indigenous people around Australia with a dual focus on sustainability and resources and environment. Mr. Gabriel Tan of Guava Amenities, Singapore outlined their targets and accomplishments under the Planet Pillar. Having sustainability in a long-term mindset, they focused on the environmental impacts in the hospitality industry. Ms. Giulia Giuffre of Irritec, Italy presented their goals and achievements under the Planet Pillar. Irritec’s focus is on drip irrigation for sustainable agriculture with a circular economy model grounded in sustainable irrigation, efficient production, smart plastics, and correct product disposal.
The Summit concluded with the awarding of the 2nd SDG Awards where Nestle Philippines won the People and Planet categories, and Ove Arup was awarded the Prosperity category. Morination won the Outstanding SME Category.