(L-R) Maria Elise D. Veloso, Jollibee Group Sustainability Director; Atty Roel S. Espiritu, Maynilad Water Services Inc. Division Head for Quality, Sustainability and Resiliency; Melissa V. Vergel de Dios, PLDT and SMART Communications First Vice-President and Chief Sustainability Officer; Agnes C. de Jesus, First Philippine Holdings Chief Sustainability Officer.

MANILA, Philippines, December 1, 2023 – The Jollibee Group joined other industry leaders in a panel discussion at the “ESG Symposium on Accelerating SDGs Through Sustainable Business Practices” held last December 1, 2023, hosted by the Stakeholders Chamber, alongside the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA). The ESG Symposium brought together various stakeholders, from Government, Regulators, Corporations, the Academe, Non Government Organizations, and Civil Society Organizations, to promote understanding, develop ownership, and facilitate the emergence of well-aligned partnerships for the achievement of the SDGs.

Jollibee Foods Corporation Sustainability Director Elise Veloso moderated the panel discussion, which discussed “Integrating ESG into Corporate Strategy, Including Best Practices and Lessons Learned”. The panel delved into the practicalities of embedding ESG principles into business strategies, exploring challenges, successes, and key learnings from each organization. “At JFC, with 18 brands in 34 countries, our ‘Joy for Tomorrow’ sustainability agenda provides a unified framework for seamless and effective ESG integration across our business”, she said.

The ESG Symposium also featured a diverse array of experts and discussions. Academic experts delved into ESG Fundamentals and their alignment with the SDGs. Government representatives from Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) provided insights into the evolving ESG Regulatory Landscape. Meanwhile, representatives from civil society organizations like Asian NGO Coalition for Agrarian Reform and Rural Development (ANGOC), E-Net Philippines, Philippine Rural and Reconstruction Movement (PRRM), and Positive Youth Development Network contributed valuable perspectives on the Role of Civil Society in Advancing the ESG Agenda.

(L-R) Judith V. Gondra, Assistant Director of the NEDA-Governance Staff; Maria Elise D. Veloso, Jollibee Group Sustainability Director; Atty Roel S. Espiritu, Maynilad Water Services Inc. Division Head for Quality, Sustainability and Resiliency; Melissa V. Vergel de Dios, PLDT and SMART Communications First Vice-President and Chief Sustainability Officer; Agnes C. de Jesus, First Philippine Holdings Chief Sustainability Officer. Atty. Reverie Pure G. Sapaen, Director of the NEDA-Governance Staff and Head of the SC-SDG Secretariat.