WINNING | SM turns sustainability programs into business value

Insider Spotlight

• People: Nearly 100,000 employees have completed SM Sustainability School
• Communities: Healthcare, financial education and inclusion programs gain recognition
• Next: SM Investments and SM Prime advance to a regional ESG competition
  
  
  
  

SM Group is putting sustainability deeper into its day-to-day operations, using employee training, community programs and customer-facing initiatives to turn responsible business practices into long-term value.

Driving the news

The group picked up six recognitions at the 2026 Inquirer ESG Edge Impact Awards, including Gold awards for SM Investments Corp.’s Sustainability School and SM Foundation’s Community Health Systems initiative.

SM Investments also received Silver for embedding diversity, equity and inclusion across recruitment, employee development, workplace policies and community engagement.

Why it matters

The recognitions highlight how one of the Philippines’ largest conglomerates is extending sustainability beyond environmental programs into workforce development, healthcare access, financial literacy and consumer choices.

"This recognition belongs to our people, who bring our values to life every day," said Frederic C. DyBuncio, president and chief executive officer of SM Investments in a statement. 

"Nearly 100,000 employees have completed our Sustainability School, helping make responsible business part of how we think, work and serve our customers and communities," DyBuncio noted.

Frederic C. DyBuncio

President and CEO, SM Investments

Zoom out

Other businesses within the group were cited for programs closer to their respective markets. SM Retail earned Silver in the Environment category for SM Green Finds, which helps shoppers identify products supporting more sustainable choices.

SM Prime won Gold in the Transformation category for its SM Waste-Free Future campaign, while BDO Foundation received Silver in Innovative Partnership for financial education programs, the company said in its Aug. 18 release.

The big picture

 Taken together, the initiatives show how SM is linking ESG priorities with operations across its retail, property, banking and social development footprint — from building employee capabilities to helping communities and consumers make more informed decisions.

The Inquirer Group of Companies organizes the ESG Edge Impact Awards to recognize contributions to environmental stewardship, social development and good governance in the Philippines.

What’s next 

As Gold awardees, SM Investments and SM Prime will represent the Philippines at the Asia ESG Positive Impact Awards in Malaysia in November, giving the group a regional platform for programs already being deployed across its businesses. —Princess Daisy C. Ominga| Ed: Corrie S. Narisma