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The telecom giant said aligning with international sustainability frameworks can help deepen transparency and strengthen investor confidence, while encouraging Philippine companies to integrate sustainability into long-term business strategies.
The big picture
The SEC recently announced the local adoption of sustainability and climate-related disclosure standards developed by the IFRS Foundation’s International Sustainability Standards Board.
The move aims to align Philippine reporting practices with global benchmarks and improve comparability for investors evaluating ESG performance.
PLDT chief sustainability officer Melissa Vergel de Dios highlighted the company’s commitment to support the evolving ESG reporting landscape during the inaugural episode of the “Sustain-A-Buzz” podcast hosted by the Philippine Sustainability Reporting Committee.
In a statement, Vergel de Dios said sustainability has long been embedded in PLDT’s strategy and is driven by the company’s broader purpose and stakeholder priorities.
“Everything begins with purpose. Once you define it, you start seeing what truly matters to your stakeholders—and that becomes your roadmap,” she said.
Why it matters
The SEC’s adoption of ISSB standards is expected to strengthen sustainability and climate-related disclosures among Philippine listed firms, a move seen as key to attracting investors increasingly focused on ESG transparency.
PLDT has been reporting on its sustainability journey since 2016, ahead of the mandatory disclosure requirement for Philippine listed companies.
Its disclosures align with international frameworks including the Global Reporting Initiative Standards, Sustainability Accounting Standards Board, the Ten Principles of the United Nations Global Compact, Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures, and GSMA ESG Metrics for Mobile.
The company was also the first Philippine firm to support the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures, which underpins the SEC’s adoption of IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards S1 and S2.
What they’re saying
“As we support the SEC in localizing global standards, and as we strengthen inclusion of sustainability and climate-related disclosures in our financial statements, we hope to ultimately encourage more companies and investors alike to support adoption responsible business practices that positively impact society and the Planet,” said PLDT senior vice president, chief financial officer, and chief risk management officer Danny Yu.
What’s next
PLDT continues to advance sustainability initiatives that promote digital inclusion, climate action, human rights, and strong corporate governance.
The company has also secured back-to-back inclusion in S&P Global’s Sustainability Yearbook for 2025 and 2026, placing it among top-performing companies globally in corporate sustainability. —Princess Daisy C. Ominga | Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
