Telco giant PLDT Inc. is doubling down on its commitment to sustainability—taking a more active role in the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) as it looks to drive real impact on issues like climate change, gender equality, and economic inclusivity.
The company, led by its chairman and president Manny V. Pangilinan, recently earned a seat on the Board of Trustees of the Global Compact Network Philippines (GCNP), a local chapter of the UNGC composed of 65 member organizations as of March 2025.
In its newly released 2024 Annual and Sustainability Report, PLDT outlines how it has been aligning its strategy with the UNGC’s Ten Principles covering human rights, labor, environment, and anti-corruption. The company also shared progress on its Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)-aligned initiatives.
“Amid shifts in the global landscape, sustainability remains to be a key area of focus for us locally, and especially for PLDT, as we remain vulnerable to climate change and continue to navigate through societal challenges, such as inequality and the digital divide,” said Melissa Vergel de Dios, PLDT and Smart’s Chief Sustainability Officer.
“By way of strategy, sustainability will continue to help us manage various risks, innovate, and unlock value-creating opportunities for the business,” she added.
PLDT has been actively engaging in GCNP-led dialogues to localize the UNGC’s “Forward Faster” initiative—an effort that accelerates the private sector’s role in solving today’s most pressing challenges — gender equality, living wages, climate resilience, access to water, and sustainable finance.
To walk the talk, PLDT has invested in building up its internal know-how. The company has sent employees to global learning programs like the Climate Ambition Accelerator and the SDG Innovation Accelerator for Young Professionals. These initiatives are helping sharpen PLDT’s sustainability strategies from the inside out.
