Coca-Cola Philippines recognized as one of the top Socially Responsible Companies in

Asia
ByBusinessMirror October 16, 2019

Coca-Cola Philippines was honored by the Asia Corporate Excellence and Sustainability Awards
(ACES) as one of the Top Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Advocates in Asia because of
their unwavering commitment to sustainable business operations in the Philippines.

The Top CSR Advocates award is presented to companies that place genuine attention to the
needs and wellbeing of all its stakeholders as concretized by initiatives that focus on community
engagement, environmental protection, and social empowerment.

In today’s mindful and socially-aware world, the success of a company is not solely measured by
sales and profits but also by its purpose. Now, more than ever, companies are taking on the
responsibility to give back and create a positive impact in society, as its consumers, employees,
and stakeholders look to them for real action against some of the world’s pressing issues.

Among the companies striving to make a difference is Coca-Cola, one of the world’s leading
beverage giants. In the Philippines, Coca-Cola continuously ingrains sustainability and corporate
social responsibility (CSR) in its development, focusing on the long-term and ensuring that they
grow the right way as a business through various programs and initiatives that uplift communities
and safeguard the environment.

The Coca-Cola system in the Philippines takes on a multi-faceted approach to its sustainability
framework, focusing on various pillars including Waste, Water, Women empowerment, and more.

The Company’s most recent efforts have been towards their World Without Waste vision—a
commitment to collect and recycle the equivalent of 100% of its product packaging by 2030. To
drive its advocacy in the Philippines, Coca-Cola has mapped out a plan to boost the waste
management system in the country. In this circular economy model, its packaging goes full-
circle, transformed into recycled PET bottles or other useful products. Collection systems and
recycling efforts implemented with the aid of public and private partners across multiple
communities in the country, and an investment in an advanced first PET bottle recycling facility
are some of the main initiatives to take its World Without Waste vision further.

Still on the path of environmental protection, the Company also practices responsible water
stewardship, understanding the value of water for their business and for life. At present, the
company has gone beyond its initial goal of 100% water replenishment to 124%. Its operations
have cut down water consumption by 27% from 2014 to 2018, saving an equivalent of 5.27
billion liters of water, and have recovered, treated, and returned more than 17.5 million liters of
wastewater since 2014.
Continuation..

Beyond its operations, Coca-Cola also instituted the Agos program to provide communities with
access to water and protects watersheds. Through the Agos Ram Pump, a technology that
elevates water to far-flung communities, around 215,000 members of 210 Agos sites in 49
provinces now have access to this valuable resource. In Marawi, Agos was able to bring a mobile
potable water plant that served more than 500,000 gallons of safe drinking water to families and
students.

Community and people-centered in all that they do, Coca-Cola also created a program for the
street-smart women who drive 90% of the Company’s local business – the sari-sari store
owners. Through the Sari-Sari Store Training and Access to Resources (STAR) program, these
women are provided skills training, peer mentoring, and access to resources to grow their
businesses. Present in 16 regions and 68 provinces, the STAR program has impacted the lives of
over 150,000 women.

In an Impact Report done by the Company in 2017, it was discovered that 97% of the
STARpreneurs found the training useful and 98% of them applied their learnings to their
business. After the program, 65% of the trainees felt confident of their future financial stability.

Throughout each step of the way, from the way they create beverages that refresh and cater to
the needs of its customers, to the way they provide economic growth for those who help deliver
and sell their products to more Filipinos, to the way they take care and grow the communities
they serve, Coca-Cola strives to do good, go beyond what is expected them, and take all
Filipinos who also strive for more further with them in their journey.

Activity 2. Asking Questions

What are the three initiatives done by the Coca-Cola Company
to create a positive impact to the society

1. The company's most recent efforts have been focused on

their World Without Waste vision, which calls for the collection
and recycling of 100% of its product packaging by 2030. As
part of its advocacy in the Philippines, Coca-Cola has devised
a strategy to improve the country's waste management
system. In this circular economy model, its packaging is
recycled into PET bottles or other useful products, completing
the circle. Collection systems and recycling efforts
implemented with the help of public and private partners
across multiple communities across the country, as well as an
investment in an advanced first PET bottle recycling facility,
are some of the main initiatives to further its World Without
Waste vision.

2. Furthermore, the company engages in responsible water

stewardship, recognizing the importance of water to their
business and to life. Since 2014, Coca-Cola operations have
reduced water consumption by 27%, saving 5.27 billion liters
of water and recovering, treating, and returning more than
17.5 million liters of wastewater. Thanks to the Agos Ram
Pump, a technology that elevates water to far-flung
communities, around 215,000 members of 210 Agos sites in
49 provinces now have access to this valuable resource. In
Marawi, Agos was able to establish a mobile potable water
plant that provided over 500,000 gallons of safe drinking
water to families and students.

3. Coca-Cola created a program for the sari-sari store owners,

who are community and people-centered in everything they
do, and who drive 90 percent of the Company's local
business. The Sari-Sari Store Training and Access to
Resources (STAR) program provides these women with skills
training, peer mentoring, and resources to help them grow
their businesses. Over 150,000 women in 16 regions and 68
provinces have benefited from the STAR program. According
to the Company's 2017 Impact Report, 97 percent of
STARpreneurs found the training to be beneficial, and 98
percent applied what they learned to their businesses. After
completing the program, 65% of the trainees felt confident in
their future financial security.
Mind mapping
Fill in the circles with social issues in your community that needs
to be addressed.

Improper
Waste
Disposal

Poverty and
Drug
Homelessne
addiction
ss

Social
Responsibilities

Hunger Malnutrition

Violence Water
against Irrigation/Fl
women and oods
child

Add Another 3 social responsibility here:

 Gender inequality
 Unemployment
 Lack of access to education