In recent years, sustainability has become a familiar and urgent part of public discourse. We speak about climate targets, renewable energy, waste reduction and environmental reporting.
These conversations matter, especially for a country as climate-vulnerable as the Philippines. Yet, in focusing so much on systems and structures, we sometimes overlook a more fundamental truth: nothing is truly sustainable unless people are.
At its core, sustainability is about continuity, what can be maintained, strengthened and passed on. That continuity does not begin with policies or technologies.
It begins with individuals. A society where people are unhealthy, financially insecure, or socially disconnected will struggle to sustain even the best-designed initiatives. In this sense, the sustainability of things is inseparable from the sustainability of people.
Health is the most basic foundation. A person who is physically and mentally well is more productive, more engaged and better able to plan for the future. Poor health narrows choices and forces short-term decisions. When daily life is consumed by illness, fatigue, or stress, long-term thinking becomes a luxury.
But health does not exist in isolation. It is shaped by social and economic conditions: access to nutritious food, safe housing, education, healthcare and stable livelihoods.
I have personally seen how these factors intersect in very real ways. Individuals who lack opportunity often make choices dictated not by preference, but by necessity. Sustainability, therefore, cannot be separated from inclusion.
This is especially clear when it comes to economic stability. A person with steady income and basic financial security is better positioned to invest in their health, their education and their future. Financial stability allows people to move from survival to planning, from reacting to shaping their lives. Conversely, instability often leads to decisions that may be unavoidable in the moment, but unsustainable over time.
I have seen the impact of this firsthand through skills training and livelihood programs that focus not just on employment, but on dignity and long-term capability.
At Fair Training Center, for example, preparing individuals for work is not only about technical skills, it is also about confidence, discipline and giving people a real chance to improve their circumstances. When people are equipped to earn sustainably, the effects ripple outward to families and communities.
Social well-being is another critical pillar. People thrive when they feel connected, valued and supported. Strong families, trusted institutions and cohesive communities create resilience, whether in times of economic stress, health crises, or natural disasters. Social cohesion is often invisible, but its absence is deeply felt.
This understanding has also been reinforced by my exposure to large, diverse communities through the SM Group. Whether in retail spaces, workplaces, or community programs, one sees how access to services, opportunities and shared spaces can meaningfully improve quality of life.
When people feel included in growth, they are more likely to contribute positively to society and care for the environment around them.
Seen this way, sustainability is not only about protecting the future, it is about improving the present. It is about creating conditions where individuals can live healthier, happier and more financially stable lives.
When people are well, they make better decisions for themselves and for others.
The encouraging reality is that this kind of sustainability does not require grand gestures alone. It begins with small, practical actions—one person at a time.
For individuals, it means taking ownership of health, building sound financial habits and nurturing relationships. For institutions, whether businesses, training centers, or community organizations, it means recognizing that investments in people are long-term investments in sustainability.
And for society, it means broadening our definition of progress to include well-being, not just output.
A sustainable future is built not only by protecting forests, oceans, or infrastructure, but by enabling people to live better lives today. Healthy individuals form resilient families. Resilient families build strong communities. Strong communities sustain economies and the environment that supports them.
If sustainability is to endure, it must begin where it matters most: with people. One healthy, happy and financially stable person at a time.
Editor’s notes: The author is a social and sustainable development advocate and the Vice President and Head of Corporate Communications for SM Investments Corp.
