MANILA, PHILIPPINES, January 7, 2025 – PLDT Inc. (PLDT) recently participated in the “UPIC Investor Insights: PSE Listed Company Showcase”, a knowledge-sharing session hosted by mobile trading platform and stock brokerage firm Luna Securities in collaboration with the University of the Philippines Investment Club (UPIC), a non-profit academic organization that promotes the development of its members’ financial skill sets.
Keen to spread its advocacy on sustainability to various audiences including future leaders of business, PLDT addressed a group of university students eager to explore the stock market. PLDT discussed an emerging practice in the financial community where investors include a sustainability lens in addition to traditional metrics in their investment decision making. A growing number of fund managers are building their portfolios to include companies that have recognized the importance of sustainability.
In her presentation, PLDT First Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer Melissa V. Vergel de Dios talked about the fundamentals of corporate value propositions, investment strategies, and the growing importance of sustainability in the global business and investment landscape. She elaborated on the company’s approach towards embedding sustainability in business operations, citing several initiatives that incorporated environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations.
“Sustainability is not just a supplementary component of our strategy; it is a business imperative and an opportunity to create shared value. By embedding environmental and social considerations into our business decisions, we are not only future-proofing our operations but also driving long-term growth and meaningful impact.”, explained Vergel de Dios.
PLDT’s sustainable business practices include the implementation of energy efficiency projects that simultaneously reduce costs and carbon emissions, as well as the adoption of Artificial Intelligence applications that enhance network management and customer service while also upskilling workforce, among others. The company’s significant investments in fixed and wireless networks that help narrow the country’s digital divide also serve as a cornerstone for its long-term value creation and competitive edge in the ever-evolving telecommunications landscape.
Aspiring to be the regional industry leader in sustainability, PLDT continues to participate in knowledge exchange sessions to share best practices and engage with its stakeholders on ESG issues and solutions. The company leverages its leading technology and pursues strategic collaborations with like-minded entities to continuously enhance its ESG performance and scale up impact of initiatives that support a digital, inclusive, and resilient future.
