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CRAFTING A CSR VISION FOR THE PHILIPPINES
Message of EDC President Paul A. Aquino
CSR Expo 2009 Day 1 Luncheon Plenary
“We need CSR now, more than ever” This is the CSR rhetoric we have been hearing a lot. Yet the CSR “talk” does not seem to match the CSR “walk” that we all should be doing.
What is labelled CSR by one company may differ from another company’s CSR initiatives. It seems that CSR’s rhetorical harmony is becoming an operational diversity. And these seemingly patchy efforts make us ask an important question: Do we need a unifying CSR vision for the country? My answer, of course, is a resounding YES.
The Philippine Business Sector has a strong tradition of responsible attitudes, the origin of what we now call corporate citizenship. The Philippine Government has a poverty alleviation program, and recently an environmental agenda. The United Nations is urging member countries to join the efforts in meeting the targets set out in the Millennium Development Goals.
Given all these contexts, I can definitely say that the situation is ripe for us to set our very own national CSR vision. European countries, as we speak, are now integrating their CSR national policies to make the European Union the “pole of excellence in CSR.”
To contextualize this presentation on CSR vision, let me just delve on the elements of a social vision. A social vision is viewed as “a source of inspiration and clear decision-making criteria.” It provides a clear picture of what lies ahead, and outlines what the business sector—as the dynamo that runs the country’s economy—wants to be known for socially.