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Philippines
Thursday, March 28, 2024

GMA’s ‘Corporate Social’ bill hurdles 3rd reading

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A recently passed measure authored by Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo urges corporations and business groups to enhance their social responsibility and contribute more in nation building.

Arroyo’s House Bill 9061 or the proposed “Corporate Social Responsibility Act” was approved on third and final reading by a unanimous vote.

Arroyo’s bill urges companies to take part in this measure, and the Department of Trade and Industry shall recognize and reward business organizations for outstanding, innovative, and world-class CSR-related services, projects and programs.

Arroyo, a former Trade secretary, said her bill extended endorsements and encouragements to corporations, which are candidates for recognition in international award-giving bodies for their initiatives.

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Arroyo’s bill, which recognizes the vital role of the private sector in nation building and thus, shall urge its active participation in fostering sustainable economic development and environment protection in the country.

“It is observed that many corporations and other business organizations have shown very little care for the welfare of the society, community where they operate, and the natural environment around them. Their sole purpose is to maximize their respective returns on investment totally disregarding the impact of their activities on customers, employees, shareholders, communities and environment,” Arroyo said.

To this end, the measure provides that these business organizations, whether foreign or domestic, shall be encouraged to observe corporate social responsibility in their operations.

The bill defines CSR as the commitment of a business to contribute on a voluntary basis to sustainable development by working with relevant stakeholders to improve their lives in ways that are also good for business, sustainable development agenda, and the society.

In particular, CSR-related activities shall include (a) charitable programs and projects, (b) scientific research, (c) youth and sports development, (d) cultural and educational promotion, (e) services to veterans and senior citizens, (f) social welfare, (g) environmental sustainability, (h) health development, (i) disaster relief and assistance, (j) socialized and low-cost housing, and (k) employee and worker welfare.

The bill mandates local government units, where the activities shall be conducted, to provide the necessary assistance to business organizations to accomplish their CSR-related programs and projects.

Meanwhile, these corporations shall be required to submit the list of their CSR activities as part of their annual or regular report to the DTI, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Department of Finance.

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