Insider Spotlight
The program, developed with the Global Reporting Initiative, was unveiled during a sustainability training workshop for publicly listed companies at SMX Aura in Taguig.
It is positioned as a practical entry point for MSMEs that are increasingly affected by global disclosure and sustainability requirements, even if they are not directly regulated.
Why it matters
MSMEs account for about 99.5 percent of operating businesses in the Philippines and form the backbone of corporate supply chains.
As sustainability reporting shifts from a niche practice to a business expectation, smaller enterprises risk being left behind due to limited resources and technical know-how.
By offering the course for free, SM is helping reduce that gap and prevent sustainability standards from becoming a barrier to participation in major value chains.
The big picture
The initiative reflects how sustainability expectations are cascading from large, publicly listed companies to their suppliers and partners.
This announcement, detailed in a press release outlining the launch and partnership, signals a proactive approach by SM to prepare MSMEs early for frameworks such as GRI and the emerging standards of the International Sustainability Standards Board.
“It’s not just about producing reports and documentation,” said SM Investments consultant and head of Investor Relations and Sustainability Timothy Daniels.
“We want to deepen understanding beyond the stories and behind the data, to empower our colleagues in the industry and now our MSME partners to create real business value.”
By the numbers
SM works with more than 100,000 MSMEs across its value chain, giving the program the potential to influence sustainability practices at scale.
Participants will gain foundational knowledge of sustainability and climate-related concepts, understand the benefits of reporting, and learn how to begin applying these practices in day-to-day operations.
What they’re saying
“When we first introduced GRI in the Philippines, who helped us? It was SM,” said Dr. Allinnettes Go Adigue, head of the ASEAN Regional Hub of GRI.
“They supported us in spreading the word. Within a few years, compliance grew rapidly. With committed partners from the private sector, we can continue supporting your sustainability journey.”
What’s next
SM will sponsor the self-paced online course while GRI supports distribution through its platform partners. For SM, the effort reinforces a long-term strategy of embedding sustainability across its ecosystem rather than limiting it to corporate reporting. — Princess Daisy C. Ominga | Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
