About the programme

The specific focus of the project in the Philippines is to intervene in supply chains of the food industry. Food products from the Philippines represent 14 per cent of the Philippines exports to the EU and the flows for these products have been growing rapidly in recent years. Linking, as it does, to agricultural value chains, this sector contributes to the livelihood of over 10 million people employed in agriculture, hunting, forestry and fishery.

The Philippines has introduced a wide array of policies in the area of responsible business conduct (RBC), but implementation has had limited success, with decent work deficits common in supply chains, including in food production.

The projects activities aim to address these deficits by increasing government and private sector understanding of the nature and potential benefits of responsible business conduct in the area of labour rights and environmental standards. Activities will take place at the national and provincial level.

Principles and guidelines

As a platform for this work, the project is based on internationally agreed principles and guidelines on corporate responsibility, principally the OECD’s Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and the ILO’s Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy. Using these and other tools it will, through a combination of research, outreach, policy advocacy and training it will promote smart, sustainable and inclusive growth in this and other industries in the Philippines.

Expected results

The project has a number of specific objectives, including:

• Ensuring that investors and businesses have a better understanding responsible behaviour CSR/RBC through documenting and disseminating best practices, case studies, tools, and lessons learned.
• Enhancing participation of businesses operating in the Philippines to environmental protection, decent working conditions, and the respect of human rights.
• To create and support a policy environment conducive to promoting responsible conduct.
• To increase dialogue on the challenges and opportunities that responsible business conduct present for workers, businesses and the nation.

Corporate and Social Responsibility (CSR) and Responsible Business Conduct (RBC) are ways in which enterprises consider the impact of their operations on society. They are rooted in the UN principle that businesses have a responsibility to uphold and protect human and labour rights, even in environments where there are gaps in the relevant national law. Through CSR and RBC, firms affirm their principles and values in their internal and external methods and processes. The Responsible Supply Chains in Asia programme believes that CSR/RBC are an integral part of corporate management that can help businesses manage risk, promote inclusive growth and ensure decent work in international supply chains.

For more about the programme’s activities, please visit our regional programme overview.