More than 100,000 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), suppliers and partners are expected to benefitfiThis is taken from an online sustainability reporting course sponsored by SM Investments Corp. (SMIC) as transparency and sustainability disclosures become increasingly important to business operations.
In an e-mailed statement, SMIC said it has partnered with non-profit organization Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) to launch a free e-learning bridge course on sustainability reporting targeted at MSME owners, suppliers and business partners within its network.
The self-paced course introduces key concepts on sustainability and climate-related issues, the business value of sustainability reporting, and practical guidance on how small companies can begin to integrate these practices into their operations.
SMIC said it will make the courses available across its ecosystem of over 100,000 MSMEs, suppliers and partners.
“We want to go beyond the stories and deepen the understanding behind the data, empowering our colleagues in the industry – and now our MSME partners – to create real business value,” said Timothy Daniels, SM Investments Consultant and Head of Investor Relations and Sustainability.
The course was formally introduced during a recent workshop held for publicly listed companies in Taguig City.
Mr. Daniels said sustainability reporting has evolved as both a responsible business practice and a strategic tool for Philippine companies, noting that MSMEs account for more than 99% of registered businesses in the country.
Established in 1997, GRI develops sustainability reporting standards that are widely used by organizations globally to disclose their economic, environmental and social impacts.
GRI standards include universal, sector-specific and topic-based benchmarks designed to enhance transparency and stakeholder engagement.
“Through capacity-building programs like this, we extend sustainability beyond our own organization and help ensure it becomes a shared practice across industries,” Mr Daniels said.
SMIC has diversified interests in banking, property development and retail, with retail formats including supermarkets, department stores, specialty stores and minimarts.
SMIC reported a 6% rise in nine-month consolidated net income to P64.4 billion.
In the local market on Tuesday, SMIC shares closed at P700, down 0.78% or P5.50. , Beatriz Marie D. Cruz
