Manila, Philippines – April 23, 2025 — Sustainability experts, government representatives, and private sector leaders gathered at Dusit Thani Manila for the 2nd Philippine Sustainability Now Forum, centered around the theme, “Adapting Sustainability Compliance and Practices for Modern Day Practice.” Among the key supporters was ECC International (ECCI), as a partner and panelist during discussions on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) and green business strategies.
Organized by the Italian Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines, in collaboration with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Philippines, Philippine Energy Efficiency Alliance Inc. (PE2) and the Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines, Inc. (SEIPI), the event highlighted the urgency of aligning with sustainability mandates while exploring practical ways for organizations to adopt and scale green practices.
Navigating ESG in Practice: Reflections from Panel Discussion 3
One of the forum’s most anticipated sessions, Panel Discussion 3: ESG & Green Business, brought together voices from across industries to share real-world experiences in applying ESG principles.
Engr. Sandra Tormon-Chu, Chairperson of the Association of Electronics and Semiconductor for Safety and Environmental Projection and Plant Engineering (AESSEP) and Chairperson of Toshiba Information Equipment (Phils.), Inc., drew from her 20 years in regulatory and environmental management. She emphasized the importance of persistence in developing sustainable programs, particularly when initial efforts do not yield immediate results.
“It’s not perfect, but the key is consistency,” she explained. “We need to be creative and innovative every time. When a project doesn’t work, we don’t stop after one attempt—we innovate again.”
Her insights were echoed by Mr. Pek Hoong Chong, Chief Technology Officer of SteelAsia, who emphasized that ESG implementation should be tailored to a company’s specific context and capabilities.
“There are many criteria in the ESG framework, but in my opinion, a company needs to find that sweet spot—that opportunity that works for them,” Mr. Chong shared. “Yes, it’s challenging, but once you find that way, you have to keep doing it and never stop improving.”
Adding a broader systems perspective, Karthik Subburaman, Practice Lead for Sustainability at ECCI, discussed how ESG efforts must be approached across different layers—from internal clarity to ecosystem support.
“Sustainability starts with clarity—knowing what truly matters. Organizations must focus their ESG efforts from where the impact is real,” He noted. “But lasting change needs more than intent—it needs an ecosystem. For the Philippines to move forward, we need bold collaborations, a critical shot in the arm.”
Encouraging Collaboration for a More Sustainable Business Landscape
The forum served as a platform not only for dialogue but also for cross-sector collaboration—one that highlights the growing relevance of sustainability compliance, green business innovation, and ESG reporting in the Philippine context.
For ECCI, participating in the event was an opportunity to exchange insights with peers and support ongoing conversations around sustainable transformation in the region.“These discussions are crucial in helping organizations of all sizes explore what sustainability means in their own operations,” shared by Karthik. “It’s not about doing everything at once—but about taking consistent steps with a clear focus on long-term value.”
