“The commendations reaped by SMC are testaments to the Filipino workforce”
THE start of 2025 signals new beginnings most especially to newly minted professionals and fresh graduates eager to chart their career paths.
Figures from the Philippine Statistics Authority reveal that employment rate for Oct. 2024 was recorded at 96.1 percent or 48.16 million persons.
Unemployment rate was at 3.9 percent or 1.97 million unemployed. According to the Oct. 2024 Labor Force Survey wage and salary workers continued to account for the largest share of employed persons and, among wage and salary workers, those employed in private establishments remained to have the highest share at 78.2 percent or 49.9 percent of the total of employed persons.
Many employees seeking better opportunities and even new graduates have their “employer of choice.” Job seekers navigate towards companies where they envision meaningful work, career growth, appreciation and recognition for their efforts, fairness, community involvement, inspiring and strong leaders, among others.
The quality of leaders is essential in every organization. Employees look up to leaders to realize company goals and objectives. American author John C. Maxwell defines “A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way.”
There are many outstanding business leaders in our country who have made their imprint not only in their organizations but in the country as well. They have been working hand-in-hand with government to provide a nurturing environment for economic growth.
Among these leaders is San Miguel Corporation’s Chairman and CEO Ramon S. Ang. Shepherding SMC to become one of the biggest diversified conglomerates in the country was no mean feat.
SMC, now 134 years old, has become an employer of choice for many job seekers, drawn many qualified job candidates, the best and the brightest among them, and has established a reputation as an organization that provides great employee experience, benefits, and company culture.
With over 50,000 employees spread across its subsidiaries, the work force forms the heart and soul of SMC.
These employees undergo rigid screening to ensure qualified, skilled and experienced personnel are tapped to manage and run SMC’s business operations. Employees are given competitive compensation and benefit packages.
To ensure leadership continuity, SMC established succession planning programs for key positions. It adheres to existing labor laws and promotes a harmonious labor-management environment.
SMC has put in place programs to ensure open lines of communication. These programs are the Grievance Machinery, organization of Labor-Management Councils, organization of town halls for non-unionized employees, and speak-ups.
Aside from these, SMC cultivates the spirit of volunteerism among its employees by providing them with opportunities to participate in Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability programs. This also enables them to give back to the communities.
Through the years, SMC’s efforts to uplift the lives of its employees by providing them with opportunities to earn, learn, realize their potentials and at the same time maintain their health and well-being have earned accolades for the conglomerate.
Programs for employees are anchored on SMC’s guiding philosophy of “malasakit.”
“At San Miguel, malasakit—a genuine care for one another, our company, and our country—defines who we are. It’s what creates a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and inspired to do their best,” RSA said.
Recently, SMC was named as the most sought-after employer by online job listing platform JobStreet Philippines.
SMC is also in the list of Forbes Magazine’s World’s Best Employers in 2024, a recognition it also earned in 2023. It is ranked among the World’s Top Companies for Women 2024 and is included in Time Magazine’s list of the World’s Best Companies. At the 2021 Asia CEO Awards was the Employer of the Year.
The commendations reaped by SMC are testaments to the Filipino workforce. RSA had said: “It also shows that given the right training, motivation, support, and a sense of a higher purpose, the Filipino workforce is highly motivated, effective, dedicated, and therefore fulfilled in their work.”
Being recognized as one of the best employers makes SMC an attractive choice for job seekers to work for. With its various projects, SMC is generating employment opportunities to many Filipinos. It is unwavering in its commitment to create opportunities for growth and contribute to the nation’s progress.
( MTV, book author and publisher, is president and chief executive officer of Media Touchstone Ventures, Inc. and the president/executive director of the Million Trees Foundation Inc., a non-government outfit advocating tree-planting and environmental protection.)
