Category: News

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SM Group Earns Six ESG Edge Impact Awards for Responsible Business

The SM Group received six recognitions at the 2026 Inquirer ESG Edge Impact Awards, reflecting its commitment to creating long-term value through investments in people, communities, and responsible business practices.

SM Investments Corporation Recognized for Social Impact

SM Investments Corporation (SM Investments), the parent company of the SM Group, received two Gold awards under the Social category.

    • The SM Sustainability School, a group-wide learning program, was recognized for building sustainability knowledge and leadership among nearly 100,000 employees.
    • The Community Health Systems initiative of SM Foundation earned Gold for improving healthcare access in underserved communities.

SM Investments also received a Silver award for embedding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) across the employee experience — from recruitment and development to workplace policies and community engagement.

“This recognition belongs to our people, who bring our values to life every day,” said Frederic C. DyBuncio, President and Chief Executive Officer of SM Investments.

Other SM Group Companies Honored

    • SM Retail received a Silver award under the Environment category for SM Green Finds, which helps customers identify products that support sustainable choices.
    • SM Prime won Gold in the Transformation category for its Waste-Free Future campaign, advancing waste reduction efforts.
    • BDO Foundation earned Silver in the Innovative Partnership category for its financial education programs, empowering communities with financial literacy.

Commitment to Responsible Business

Together, these awards reflect SM’s belief that responsible business is integrated into the way the group operates—from developing its people and supporting communities to enabling customers to make informed, sustainable choices.

Organised by the Inquirer Group of Companies, the ESG Edge Impact Awards recognise organisations that make meaningful contributions to environmental stewardship, social development, and good governance in the Philippines.

As Gold awardees, SM Investments and SM Prime will represent the Philippines at the Asia ESG Positive Impact Awards in Malaysia this November, showcasing Filipino leadership in sustainability on the regional stage.

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SM Remains on Track to Cut Emissions by 40% by 2040

SM Investments Corporation, the parent company of the SM Group, said it remains on track to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2040, supported by investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and other initiatives across its businesses.

Speaking at a recent MUFG NOW Manila forum, “Pathways to a Sustainable Future: Opportunities and Challenges,” Timothy Daniels, consultant and head of sustainability and investor relations at SM Investments, said the company’s emissions reduction goal builds on years of investment in efficiency and renewable energy across the group.

“When we looked at our emissions, we identified where we could make meaningful reductions and developed a target supported by specific programs and investments. We wanted a goal that reflects what we can achieve based on actions we are taking today,” Daniels said.

“For us, sustainability helps reduce costs, improve reliability, and make our operations more resilient. It’s simply part of how we run the business.”

Across the group, SM has installed more than 200,000 solar panels on its properties, helping generate electricity and reduce dependence on grid power.

Carmen Copper Corporation’s floating solar facility at the Malubog Reservoir

Its mining subsidiary, Carmen Copper Corporation, operates a three-hectare floating solar facility at the Malubog Reservoir in Cebu. The facility’s 8,540 solar panels generate 4.99 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy that could potentially supply about 10% of the mine’s power needs.

SM has also expanded its renewable energy investments through Philippine Geothermal Production Company (PGPC), which operates geothermal steam fields in South Luzon.

Beyond its own operations, the group is helping support the country’s energy transition through BDO Unibank. To date, BDO has deployed approximately Php1.2 trillion in sustainable financing, including support for 71 renewable energy projects with a combined capacity of 6,165 MW.

Daniels noted that some of the largest emissions reductions will depend on the broader shift to renewable energy. While companies can improve efficiency, install solar panels, and use renewable power, progress also depends on the availability of renewable energy, transmission infrastructure, and grid development.

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50 Years of Finding Ways to Make Your Dreams Possible

BDO celebrates golden anniversary with a thanksgiving raffle

Financial milestones come in many forms. A first paycheck deposited into a savings account. The keys to a family’s first home. A small business finally opening. A child’s college fund is slowly growing. A retirement nest egg built over decades.

For 50 years, BDO has been a part of many of these stories. 

Growing with Filipino Dreams

Over five decades, BDO has grown alongside generations of Filipinos and the financial goals that matter to them. The young saver who opened a first account is now the parent saving for his child’s education. The entrepreneur who started with a small business went on to employ others. Families built homes, prepared for emergencies, planned for retirement, and passed on money lessons to the next generation.

Through all these milestones, one thing has remained constant: BDO’s commitment to find ways to help clients move closer to their goals. 

A Golden Thank You

As BDO marks its golden year, it is choosing to celebrate the people who helped shape its journey: its clients. It is also saying thank you in a way that gives customers even more reason to celebrate.

BDO is launching its 50th Anniversary Raffle, giving more than 250 customers the chance to win exciting prizes, including brand-new hybrid cars that help reduce fuel costs and emissions, along with SM Gift Passes for shopping.

To join, new clients can open a qualified account, register online once, and maintain the required balance for BDO Unibank or BDO Network Bank to earn raffle entries. Existing clients can also earn raffle entries by adding to their deposits and completing the one-time online registration.

The promo runs from August to December 2026 and features five raffle draws, with the fifth and final draw serving as the Grand Draw in January 2027 for eligible August to December participants.

 

Draw Raffle Prizes Eligible Period Raffle Draw Date
First Monthly Draw ·      50 winners of P5K SM Gift Passes August 1

to 31, 2026

 September 14, 2026
Second Monthly Draw ·      50 winners of P5K SM Gift Passes September 1

to 30, 2026

 October 14, 2026
Third Monthly Draw ·       1 winner of Toyota Ativ Hybrid Car

·       50 winners of P5K SM Gift Passes

 October 1

to 31, 2026

 November 14, 2026
Fourth Monthly Draw ·       1 winner of Toyota Ativ Hybrid Car

·       50 winners of P5K SM Gift Passes

 November 1

to 30, 2026

 December 14, 2026
Grand Draw ·       3 winners of Toyota Ativ Hybrid Car

·       50 winners of P5K SM Gift Passes

 August 1

to December 31, 2026

 January 14, 2027

 

The Next 50 Years

Fifty years is a long time, and much has changed in the way Filipinos manage money.

Transactions that once required a trip to the branch can now be completed online or through a mobile phone. Payments have become faster. Access to financial products has expanded. Customers today expect banking to keep pace with the way they live, work, and manage their money.

Financial dreams have changed, too. For one generation, success may have meant owning a home and securing a pension. Younger Filipinos today may be saving for travel, building an emergency fund, launching a side business or investing to gain more financial freedom. 

Tomorrow’s dreams may look different. And while the goals may change, the need for a trusted financial partner remains.

That is why BDO continues to evolve alongside its clients, finding ways to make banking simpler, more accessible, and more responsive to what they need today and what they hope to achieve tomorrow.

Because after 50 years, Filipinos are still dreaming. And BDO is still finding ways.

The promo runs from August to December 2026. To join, open a new BDO or BDO Network Bank account or top-up your existing account.

Register online here:  https://www.bdo.com.ph/forms/50th-anniversary-raffle-registration

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2GO Brings Cebu Business Community Together to Strengthen Connectivity for Tourism and Trade

2GO, the country’s leading integrated transportation and logistics provider, gathered members of the Cebu business community, industry experts, and policymakers for a strategic forum dedicated to leveraging stronger connectivity that can sustain the region’s momentum across trade, tourism, and economic growth.

In partnership with the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) and in coordination with the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) Region VII, 2GO hosted a dialogue with key regional stakeholders to discuss Central Visayas’ economic outlook and the vital role of modern supply chain networks in linking businesses to markets and travelers to key destinations.

“We want to hear your pain points and identify your areas of growth so we can co-create solutions together,” said 2GO Marketing Business Unit Head Ethel Concepcion, underscoring the company’s dedication to sustained dialogue and collaborations that enable long-term progress for regional trade and tourism sectors.

“When connectivity improves, businesses can move products faster and more efficiently. Tourism destinations become more accessible, supply chains build resilience, and new markets open,” said CCCI President Regan Rex King. “A stronger Cebu requires stronger connections, and those links begin with meaningful cross-sector alignment.”

The partnership reflects the shared commitment of 2GO and CCCI to foster a holistic economic framework. Through its expansive multimodal network, 2GO bridges trade routes across the Philippines while collaborating with local organizations to unlock regional opportunities.

Highlighting the region’s trajectory, DEPDev Region VII Assistant Regional Director Evelyn Nacario-Castro presented an outlook emphasizing Central Visayas’ transition toward a more diversified and interconnected economy. Ranked as the country’s fourth-largest regional economy in 2025, Central Visayas is advancing toward modernized transit and freight infrastructure, backed by 90 strategic high-impact projects (SHIPs) scheduled in 2027.

The forum held an executive panel titled “Strengthening Connectivity for Tourism, Trade, and Regional Growth,” featuring insights from King alongside 2GO leaders Francis John Chua (Travel), Faye Allonzo (Forwarding), and Sharon Musngi-Ngo (Sea Solutions).

With logistics playing a pivotal role in accelerating regional development, 2GO reaffirmed its commitment to deepening ties with commercial enterprises, government bodies, and trade groups to build reliable connections across Central Visayas.

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2GO Express and M Lhuillier Partner to Expand Nationwide Shipping Access

2GO, the leading shipping and logistics solutions provider in the Philippines, has officially partnered with M Lhuillier Financial Services, Inc. This collaboration aims to make logistics services more accessible, convenient, and closer to every Filipino.

The partnership was formalized during a contract signing ceremony in Cebu, establishing a foundation for a broader collaboration, with both parties planning to explore additional products and value-added services in the future.

As their initial offering, Pick-Up and Drop-Off (PUDO) services have been launched across M. Lhuillier’s extensive nationwide branch network. Starting on August 1, 2026, the service will initially be available to 2GO Express corporate clients, providing them with greater flexibility and accessibility in managing their shipping needs.

By leveraging M Lhuillier’s expansive branch network, customers will have access to significantly more locations for conveniently dropping off and collecting parcels. With branches operating nationwide—many of which are open seven days a week with extended hours—this partnership allows customers to transact beyond traditional office hours, including weekends.

Combined with 2GO’s trusted nationwide delivery network and logistics expertise, this collaboration enhances the overall customer experience by making shipping services more accessible where customers live, work, and conduct business.

“This partnership reflects our commitment to continuously improving the way we serve our customers,” said Ann Lago, 2GO Express Business Unit Head. “By combining our nationwide logistics capabilities with M Lhuillier’s extensive and easily accessible branch network, we are expanding customer touchpoints and making our services more convenient for businesses throughout the Philippines. This is just the first step in what we envision to be a long-term collaboration that will deliver even greater value to our customers.”

Kenneth Berangel added, “M Lhuillier has always been dedicated to bringing essential services closer to Filipinos through our nationwide branch network. Partnering with 2GO allows us to extend that commitment by providing customers with more accessible logistics solutions while laying the groundwork for future service innovations that respond to their evolving needs.”

This partnership brings together two organizations with complementary strengths—M. Lhuillier’s nationwide accessibility and strong community presence, and 2GO’s proven expertise in nationwide express logistics and delivery. Together, they create a more seamless shipping experience while expanding access to reliable logistics solutions across the country to support the growing needs of businesses and communities nationwide.

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SM’s data privacy efforts recognized anew at National Data Privacy Conference

SM remains committed to ensuring and maintaining in-depth data privacy standards as a core component of corporate governance.

SM Retail, the retail arm of the SM Group, was recently awarded the NPC Seal of Registration Compliance Excellence Award for the Private Sector by the National Privacy Commission (NPC) during the National Data Privacy Conference.

The NPC Seal of Registration Compliance Excellence Award recognises private-sector organisations that uphold transparency and accountability by visibly displaying their NPC Seal of Registration across their operations and digital touchpoints.

“We are grateful for this recognition from NPC. We understand how critical data governance is in maintaining customer trust and loyalty. This award reflects the collective effort of the different business units across SM Retail to strengthen data privacy compliance and awareness,” shared Jonathan Ng, President of SM Retail

SM Retail was also recognised as a finalist for Privacy Initiative of the Year, in recognition of the company’s significant efforts to further educate its employees through data privacy learning channels, modules, and learning sessions. These are key initiatives aimed at strengthening privacy awareness across the organization.

“These programs promote the responsible handling of personal data as part of everyday work using practical, retail-specific scenarios to make privacy more relevant and actionable for employees,” Ng further shared.

SM Retail’s Data Protection Officer (DPO) Leyson San Juan was also named a finalist for Data Protection Officer of the Year for the second consecutive year. These recognitions follow SM Retail’s Privacy Management Program Award win last year.

The awarding ceremony in Parañaque was held during the Privacy Awareness Week (PAW). PAW is an annual celebration dedicated to strengthening data privacy awareness and promoting responsible personal data processing in the Philippines.