To our friends from the International Labor Organization Country Office for the Philippines and to my distinguished colleagues from the House of Representatives, a productive good afternoon to all!

Being the Chairperson of the House Committee on Labor and Employment, I would like to express my gratitude to ILO-Philippines for espousing this significant and timely subject relating to corporate social responsibility which plays an integral part in the development and enrichment of our country’s economy and people. 

By definition, Corporate Social Responsibility or CSR is a type of self-regulating business that helps a company be socially accountable—to itself, its stakeholders, and the public.  Corporate social responsibility companies are cognizant of the impact they are having on all aspects of society, especially with an aim to improve communities, the economy and the environment.  

Moreover, Corporate Social Responsibility is multi-dimensional which covers a whole gamut of activities such as human rights; labor and employment practices such as training, diversity, gender equality and employee health and well-being;  environmental issues such as biodiversity, climate change, resource efficiency, life-cycle assessment and pollution prevention;  combating bribery and corruption;  community involvement and development, including volunteerism and the integration of disabled persons and marginal groups in CSR activities;  consumer interests; and privacy, among others.  Such activities are indispensable for the growth of a country’s economy and for the progress of sustainable development.

Corporate Social Responsibility is also linked to the promotion of Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs). According to the Center for International Relations and Strategic Studies (CIRSS), working with the private sector and development partners is necessary to promote sustainable development. The Philippine Government has learned that financing and integrating global goals into the country’s development plan are crucial in the implementation of sustainable development goals. The Pantawid Pamilya Program and the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) illustrate, among others, national community-driven development programs, empowering the communities to improve their lives. 

The private sector participation through public-private partnerships and corporate social responsibility can valuably contribute on achieving sustainable development. Low public expenditure, particularly on social services and poverty reduction programs, have been concerns for decades due to limited public sector funding capacity. Hence, the possibility of tapping the private sector as partners in development programs can be worth examining. 

Furthermore, on September 25, 2015, the Philippines’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations has identified thirteen (13) from the seventeen (17) sustainable development goals which are listed as broad priorities in the FAO’s 2030 Agenda. It includes: 1) No poverty, 2) Zero hunger, 3) Gender Equality, 4) Clean Water and Sanitation, 5) Affordable and Clean Energy, 6) Decent Work and Economic Growth, 7) Reducing Inequality, 8) Responsible Consumption and Production, 9) Climate Action, 10) Life below Water, 11) Life on Land, 12) Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, and 13) Partnerships for the Goals. Currently, the Philippines is working on these goals. Slowly but surely, we are moving towards the direction of realizing the objectives of corporate social responsibility to improve the lives of our fellow Filipinos and to increase the Philippine economy’s growth and development. 

Pursuing Sustainable Development Goals require an ambitious approach that gets everyone behind the goal of leaving no one behind. Involving the different stakeholders today in a very concrete way, will determine the attainment of the said Sustainable Development Goals.  

With the given facts, I strongly encourage that we should work together and act as one and enjoin our aspirations to help our beloved country in crafting significant social legislations, reaching full potential of good governance, business and entrepreneurship, public and private partnership, public programs and projects, society and environment. 

Again, I would like to commend the ILO-Philippines for making us a part of this endeavor and I hope that, at the end of the day, this technical webinar would give us a more profound knowledge and understanding of the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility, its different international policy instruments, and its valuable benefits and merits to our country’s economic growth. 

Thank you and Good afternoon!