At a gathering held at the Sheraton Manila Hotel, leaders from hospitality, retail, and advocacy sectors laid down plans to deepen collaboration among businesses, NGOs, and government agencies toward a more responsible and transparent food value chain.
Scaling impact for the next decade
Founded by Pristine Solutions, the movement began as a grassroots effort to promote organic practices, ethical sourcing, and traceable supply chains. Now, its focus is on scaling measurable impact.
“Our goal for the next decade is to make sustainability more achievable for all by helping more organizations adopt responsible practices,” said Christian Schmidradner, founder of Pristine Solutions and initiator of the Philippine Sustainability Movement.
“We aim to continue creating tangible impact for communities, people, and the planet.”
The anniversary summit featured immersive discussions and experience rooms highlighting organic transformation, plastics reduction, animal welfare, and ESG integration within the hospitality and retail sectors.
Embedding sustainability in daily operations
A key highlight was the launch of PYC Foods and One World Deli’s ESG and Sustainability Framework, designed to embed environmental and social accountability in everyday food operations.
“Trust and traceability are now at the heart of how we build food businesses,” said Roscila Anne Baylon, head of nutrition and wellness at PYC Foods. “Through our ESG program, we ensure what we serve is not only safe and nutritious, but also responsibly sourced and transparently produced.”
Organic movement and global alignment
Representing the global organic community, Alexandra S. Castillo, Philippines Coordinator for Promotions and Market Linkages at Naturland e.V., emphasized that organic farming forms the foundation for resilient food systems.
“Organic is one of the ways sustainability can be achieved,” she said. “At Naturland, we equip farmers, support businesses in meeting standards, and empower consumers to make responsible choices.”
The event also supported the “European Organic: Nurturing Every Juan” campaign, led by Naturland with support from the European Union, to expand awareness and accessibility of certified organic products in the Philippines.
A decade of collaboration
Over the past 10 years, the movement has rallied businesses, hotels, restaurants, and advocates toward responsible food production. Looking ahead, it aims to scale its influence nationwide, building resilient, accountable, and transparent food systems rooted in collaboration and shared responsibility. —Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
