The Cebu-based company received the Three-Golden Arrow recognition for the second consecutive year at the ASEAN Corporate Governance Scorecard (ACGS) Golden Arrow Awards 2026, conferred by the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD).
The recognition places Vivant among publicly listed Philippine companies recognized for their adherence to corporate governance standards, including shareholder protection, transparency, accountability and ethical business practices.
Governance discipline
“Earning three Golden Arrows a second time tells us that good governance at Vivant is a discipline we keep, not a target we reach once,” said Vivant corporate secretary Atty. Maila G. de Castro in a statement.
“We credit this to our Board, our leadership, and every Vivant employee. The trust our shareholders and partners place in us is something we are committed to protecting and earning every year. As we grow, we aim to continually raise our standards,” she added.
The 2026 recognition marks Vivant's fifth consecutive year of receiving a Golden Arrow distinction.
The company earned One-Golden Arrow in 2022, Two-Golden Arrow in 2023 and 2024, and Three-Golden Arrow in 2025 and 2026.
Vivant CEO Arlo G. Sarmiento emphasized the importance of governance in businesses requiring substantial capital investments and long-term commitments.
“In energy and water, we build assets meant to serve communities for decades, so every decision we make today has to hold up over the long term,” Sarmiento said.
Governance standards
The ICD confers Golden Arrow recognition on companies scoring at least 75 points in the ACGS assessment, which evaluates adherence to the Philippine Code of Corporate Governance and internationally recommended governance practices.
The assessment covers equitable treatment of shareholders, stakeholder relations, disclosure of material information and board accountability.
Beyond governance, Vivant was included in Forbes Asia's Best Under A Billion list in 2026, its second appearance after 2020.
The annual list recognizes 200 top-performing small and midsized publicly listed companies across the Asia-Pacific region.
Vivant also received Great Place to Work certification for 2023–2024 and 2025–2026, alongside employer recognition from HR Asia and the Asia CEO Awards in 2025.
These distinctions reflect the company's emphasis on governance, business performance and workplace practices as it pursues long-term growth. —Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
