FAST Logistics Group, the Philippines’ leading logistics provider, urged governments and large corporations to adopt a “big brother” approach to help Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) transition to green logistics at an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) workshop in Vietnam.
FAST Logistics chief executive for logistics Manuel Onrejas Jr. represented the Philippines at the APEC Workshop on Promoting Green SMEs Logistics Service Providers, held in Hanoi from Sept. 29-30. He addressed representatives from APEC economies, including Vietnam, China, Indonesia, Malaysia and Chinese Taipei.
“Greening logistics cannot be done in isolation. It will take big brothers—large companies, governments, and multilateral institutions—working together to help small and medium enterprises make the shift,” Onrejas said.
“After all, what’s at stake is the survival of our planet, our shared home,” he said.
Onrejas outlined the difficulty of greening supply chains in the Philippines’ archipelagic context, citing high multimodal transport costs, port congestion and climate-related disruptions. He said these challenges make sustainability even more vital for long-term resilience.
In a session presenting case studies, Onrejas detailed FAST’s “Big Brother” model, which integrates small entrepreneurs and farmers into a professional logistics network. This enables SMEs to access services typically available only to multinational companies, such as proper packaging, insured shipments, and reliable delivery.
FAST also supports small trucking companies by helping them access bank loans, discounted fuel and tires, and regulatory compliance support. These partners are integrated into FAST’s transport systems, which include GPS tracking, AI-powered route planning, and a Transport Management System.
The company is working towards Net Zero by 2050 and has launched initiatives such as the Philippines’ first fully electric trucks, solar-powered charging stations, and renewable-powered warehouses. It has also introduced community-based logistics kiosks to consolidate SME shipments, reduce empty miles, and extend greener solutions to micro-entrepreneurs.
Onrejas cited partnerships with major corporations that have helped establish a renewable-powered mega distribution center and deploy electric vehicles and charging infrastructure.
“These partnerships prove that scaling green logistics is possible,” Onrejas said.
“But SMEs need the support of bigger players and institutions to overcome barriers like high upfront costs and limited demand for green solutions,” he said.
He called on APEC economies to sustain collaboration through virtual working groups, pilot projects and knowledge-sharing platforms to replicate successful models across the region.
“It truly takes a village to green SME logistics. With APEC as a catalyst, we can build sustainable and inclusive supply chains that uplift small businesses while protecting our planet,” he said.
