The focus group discussion (FGD), facilitated by international child rights organization Terre des Hommes Netherlands (TdH NL), highlighted the perspectives of participants aged 13-26 on how corporate sustainability initiatives impact their lives and communities.
During the FGD, 12 ESG topics from PLDT and Smart’s sustainability roadmap were presented, covering areas such as digital inclusion, environmental management, and stakeholder care.
Priority issues
Participants prioritized three key issues: child protection, cybersecurity and data privacy, and climate-related risk management.
“Companies should care about people who use their services. Their services should be designed to ensure safety while also providing a good user experience,” one participant emphasized.
Another participant added, “Businesses must act responsibly and avoid contributing to issues like child labor. They should focus on making the country better.”
These insights reinforced the importance of embedding empathy, accountability, and community-focused design into corporate practices. The youth also highlighted the need for companies to integrate customer feedback into their strategies, particularly during crises.
Most active end-users
Melissa Vergel de Dios, PLDT and Smart’s chief sustainability officer, noted the company’s commitment to fostering collaborations with child rights organizations like TdH NL.
“At PLDT and Smart, we continue to recognize children as among our most active end-users and as key stakeholders in communities where we operate. Through collaborations with child rights organizations like TdH NL, we look forward to expanding our feedback mechanisms and having more of these consultations with children on emerging ESG issues and on how we could further generate positive impact on the lives of young people today,” said Vergel de Dios.
TdH NL’s executive director Gráinne Le Fevre echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the value of partnerships in addressing issues like child exploitation and ensuring a safer world for children.
Building sustainable future
The consultation forms part of PLDT’s and Smart’s participation in TdH NL’s 2024 Children and Youth Summit. It aligns with the company’s broader mission to empower communities and address pressing ESG issues in the Philippines, where over 30 percent of the population comprises children below 15 years old.
As the FGD concluded, youth participants were encouraged to champion sustainability in their advocacy efforts, particularly in promoting environment-friendly solutions to mitigate climate change impacts.
By recognizing children as vital stakeholders, PLDT and Smart demonstrate their dedication to building a sustainable future that prioritizes safety, inclusivity, and resilience. —Ed: CSN
