RP firms among top 30 in Asian sustainability rating

MANILA, Philippines - Two Philippine companies, Petron Corp. and Ayala Land Inc., made it to the top 30 in the 2009 Asian Sustainability Rating (ASR) report released by CSR Asia.

This is the first year that Philippine companies were included in the regional survey, which covered 200 companies. The companies surveyed were the 20 largest companies in terms of market capitalization listed on stock markets in Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Malaysia, Pakistan, Singapore and Thailand.

Australian and Indian companies were the top performers in the corporate social responsibility (CSR) survey which ranked the largest companies in 10 Asia Pacific Markets in terms of their disclosure of corporate governance, codes and policies; CSR strategy and communication; marketplace and supply chain; workplace and people; environment; and community and development.

ANZ Banking Group of Australia received the highest rating in the survey with a disclosure score of 98 percent. Another Australian firm, BHP Billiton, ranked second with a score of 95.1percent, while Indian company Tata Consultancy Services placed third with 90.2 percent.

Petron Corp., which ranked 26th, was the highest-scoring Philippine company, with a score of 70.6 percent. Ayala Land Inc. meanwhile, ranked 29th, receiving a mark of 65.7 percent. Other Filipino firms that made it to the top 100 are Manila Electric Co., ranking 72nd with a score of 45.1 percent; San Miguel Corp., placing 77th with 44.1 percent; Ayala Corporation, ranked 85th with a score of 41.2 percent; Energy Development Corp. ranked 91st and scoring 39.2 percent, followed closely by SM Investment Corp. at 95th with 38.2 percent and by Globe Telecom at 97th with 37.3 percent.

The research was led by CSR Asia, the leading provider of information, training, research and consultancy services on sustainable business practices in Asia. Chairman of CSR Asia, Richard Welford said “Results of this year’s survey are encouraging with more companies demonstrating that they recognize the need to be more transparent and accountable for their social and environmental impacts.”

In the Philippines, the survey was conducted by EON, the Stakeholder Relations Firm. EON harnesses communication strategies to promote trust-based, mutually beneficial relationships between organizations and their stakeholders. As an industry pioneer, EON is also taking the lead in elevating the discussion on CSR in the country among business organizations and other sectors particularly on the importance of engagement and communications in CSR practice.

EON Managing Director Junie Del Mundo says, “The inclusion of the Philippines in the Asian Sustainability Rating is another pioneering endeavor of EON in partnership with CSR Asia that aims to encourage excellence and promote best practices in CSR in the country.”