The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) ASEAN and the Philippines Department of Trade & Industry (DTI) have completed the pilot phase of the Sustainable Practices and Reporting Kickoff (SPARK) programme.
This initiative is designed to enhance sustainability practices among Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the Philippines, which make up an estimated 70 million businesses across ASEAN, employing 85% of the workforce and accounting for nearly a fifth of the region’s exports.
The SPARK programme is designed to foster sustainable business practices among MSMEs by improving their sustainability reporting and operational impact assessment capabilities. The programme involved 15 SMEs and 23 microenterprises, focusing on activities that enhance their resilience and competitiveness through better sustainability practices.
During the programme participants engaged in three plenary sessions and benefited from one-on-one coaching sessions with experts from various regulatory bodies such as the Philippines Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), the Central Bank of the Philippines (BSP), and DTI Region 4a, covering vital topics like the integration of sustainability into business operations, financing mechanisms for sustainable projects, and effective environmental impact management.
Notable speakers included Jo Ann Eala, Vice-president and Head of Sustainability of the Bank of the Philippine Islands, who discussed integrating sustainability practices into business operations, and Marla Garin-Alvarez, Vice President and Head of the Sustainability Office at BDO Unibank, who explored financing options available for sustainable initiatives.
The initiative is part of a larger five-year project titled ‘Embedding Sustainability in the Value Chain of MSMEs.’ Future plans for the project include implementing a ‘train-the-trainers’ program for DTI staff and a series of workshops on digital reporting with STACS ESGpedia, enhancing the overall impact and reach of the program.
Katreena Pillejera, Country Manager for the Philippines, GRI ASEAN said, “Engaging MSMEs in sustainable business practices is a huge challenge yet a huge opportunity. This ambitious collaboration with the DTI aims to use the power of sustainability reporting to reach more MSMEs and build their understanding of the value that comes from understanding their impacts. Through the SPARK programme we are off to a great start, and we look forward to putting the learning from the pilot into practice, which can not only benefit Filipino MSMEs but also provide valuable insights that apply to business in the wider region and beyond.”
Emma Asusano, Director, DTI Bureau of Small and Medium Enterprise Development (DTI-BSMED) noted, “By embracing sustainability, MSMEs can improve their operational efficiencies, reduce costs, and open doors to new markets that demand responsible business practices. More importantly, they can contribute to a broader national and global agenda for sustainable development, positioning themselves as key drivers of economic progress and social equity. In this sense, sustainability is not just a goal but a pathway to enduring success for MSMEs.”