The Philippines has topped the World Risk Index (WRI) for three consecutive years, ranking as the most disaster-prone country globally, and is second in East Asia and the Pacific when climate risk is viewed from a child’s perspective, UNICEF reported.
Amid these alarming figures, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and UNICEF urged Philippine companies to put children’s rights at the heart of corporate sustainability and governance strategies.
In their joint baseline study, Investingin the Future: Why Do Children Matter in the Public Listed Companies Sustainability Reports, they found that children’s rights are rarely addressed in the sustainability reports of over 80 publicly listed firms in the country.
These concerns are often absent in due diligence and stakeholder engagement processes, despite children and pregnant women being among the most vulnerable to climate shocks. The study noted that 85 percent of companies failed to mention these groups in their environmental risk reporting.
The findings further revealed that companies tend to recognize children’s rights only when directly impacted, when regulations demand it, or when advanced reporting frameworks are in place.
UNICEF Philippines chief of private sector fundraising and partnerships Carmen Gonzalez Ortiz said integrating children’s rights is a “win-win” for both companies and the government.
“Businesses promote sustainable practices to achieve their triple bottom line, while government investments in children help build an equitable and sustainable future for generations to come,” she said.
SEC Commissioner Rogelio Quevedo echoed this, stressing that publicly listed companies are in a unique position to drive transformation.
“By integrating children’s rights and business principles into corporate sustainability strategies, it helps eliminate exploitative practices, promote family-friendly policies, and foster environments where children can thrive,” he said.
