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Smart teams up with SM Cares to boost e-waste collection program

Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) teamed up with SM Cares to encourage more Filipinos to properly dispose their electronic waste for a better world.

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Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) teamed up with SM Cares to encourage more Filipinos to properly dispose their electronic waste for a better world. 

Shoppers can bring their old gadgets — like mobile phones, chargers, computer wires, earphones, and other e-waste — to the collection hubs at SM Supermalls nationwide. To encourage customers to support the program, Smart will raffle off 22 units of the Smart Bro prepaid pocket WiFi devices to those who will participate in the Live Smarter Challenge at designated areas until May 22, 2021.

Last month, Smart launched its “Live Smarter for a Better World” campaign which puts the spotlight on its long-running community partnership and corporate social responsibility programs to inspire Filipinos to commit to “personal revolutions” to generate lasting positive impact to society.

“We are happy to have partnered with SM Cares as we enable people to pursue their passions and purpose, especially for the environment,” said Jane J. Basas, SVP and Head of Consumer Wireless Business at Smart. 

She further underscored that big and small efforts can contribute to making a better world, highlighting the importance of Smart’s network and services in keeping Filipinos connected and empowered. “This is the driving force that has kept us going. It has always been in our DNA to serve and improve the lives of Filipino people—not just our customers,” Basas added. 

Meanwhile, SM Supermalls, through the SM Cares Program on Environment, launched its Electronic Waste Collection (EWC) Program earlier this year.  

“This is just the beginning of our series of CSR programs with Smart, as we join hands in creating a better world for Filipinos. We at SM are committed to continuously look for ways and means to better care for the planet and to support the communities where our malls are present, including addressing the growing problem of e-waste,” said Liza B. Silerio, VP – Corporate Compliance Group of SM Supermalls.

Smart Communities

Smart is also continuously enabling communities with technology, particularly education and livelihood, with two of its corporate social responsibility programs: School-in-A-Bag and “Buy Local, Buy Smart.” 

The School-in-a-Bag is designed to provide access to technology, connectivity, content, and a disaster-resilient pedagogy even for schools in remote areas without electricity. Each water-resistant backpack carries a laptop and pocket WiFi for the teacher and 10-20 tablets for the students, all pre-loaded with interactive, multimedia content accessible even if offline.  

Meanwhile, the “Buy Local, Buy Smart” initiative enjoins employees of PLDT, Smart, and its sister companies to buy their produce directly from local farming communities. By providing a sure and direct market for their produce, Smart is helping small-scale farmers earn more. Through the program, a sustainability fund for farmers is also established. For every purchase of rice from store.cropital.com, up to Php100 goes to funding their next planting cycle.  

Smart’s other initiatives also include building a culture of disaster resilience among communities with its #SafePH campaign, enhancing tourism through digital innovation with its Digital Tourism efforts, and preserving nature through mobile and communications technologies with its various environmental protection programs.

Smart’s environmental stewardship programs are aligned with the company’s commitment to helping the Philippines attain the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG #13: Climate Action.

For more information, visit https://smart.com.ph/Pages/betterworld

Ethical Biz

Canon Marketing Philippines leads Brigada Eskwela to help prepare Lagro High School for new school year

Beyond the physical improvements, the initiative reflected the collaboration and community spirit that Brigada Eskwela represents each year.

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Canon Marketing Philippines recently led faculty, students, and employee volunteers at Lagro High School for this year’s Brigada Eskwela, helping prepare classrooms ahead of the opening of classes.

The activity brought together Canon employees and the school’s student council to repaint and refresh classrooms, creating a more welcoming environment for returning students. Beyond the physical improvements, the initiative reflected the collaboration and community spirit that Brigada Eskwela represents each year.

Volunteers worked side by side through a morning of paint-streaked shirts, teamwork, and meaningful conversations, all toward a common goal: classrooms where students feel motivated to learn and grow.

Canon Marketing Philippines also donated printers to support the school’s teaching and administrative needs, reinforcing the company’s commitment to empowering educators and students through technology.

“Our participation in Brigada Eskwela reflects Canon’s Kyosei philosophy of living and working together for the common good,” said Anuj Aggarwal, President and CEO of Canon Marketing Philippines. “We believe education plays a vital role in shaping communities, and through simple but meaningful initiatives like this, we hope to help create better learning environments for students and teachers alike. Kyosei is most meaningful when experienced through collective action and genuine care for others.”

Through initiatives like Brigada Eskwela, Canon Marketing Philippines continues to strengthen its corporate social responsibility commitment by supporting communities and contributing to spaces where people can learn, connect, and thrive.

Canon is a multibillion-dollar company with one of the most extensive product lines of digital imaging devices. 2020 marks the company’s 35th consecutive year it has been ranked among the top five U.S. patent holders and the 16th consecutive year it has been ranked first among Japanese companies for the number of U.S. patents granted. It continues to enrich lives through technological innovation.   

Guided by its commitment to its Kyosei philosophy of living and working together for the common good, Canon provides total imaging solutions to improve personal and professional lives. The brand ranks as one of the top 20 brands in the region according to a 2018 study conducted by Campaign Asia-Pacific and Nielsen thanks to its strong reputation on performance and good corporate citizenship.   

Canon Marketing (Philippines), Inc. has offices spread across the Philippine archipelago supported by its vast network of authorized service centers. Recognitions and awards received include the Corporate Award and Gold Bagwis Seal of Excellence for providing distinctive service to customers.    

Canon Marketing Philippines reaffirms its dedication to sustainability, integrating eco-friendly practices across all its operations and product lifecycle, striving for a greener future for generations to come.    

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Ethical Biz

Climate change is reshaping how companies do business

Ccompanies exposed to higher climate change risks are deliberately reducing their reliance on a small number of major customers. Instead, they are spreading sales across a broader customer base as a way of managing risk.

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Climate change is not only disrupting supply chains and asset values, it is also quietly reshaping companies’ choice of business partners.

New research based on nearly two decades of data from thousands of US-listed firms shows that companies exposed to higher climate change risks are deliberately reducing their reliance on a small number of major customers. Instead, they are spreading sales across a broader customer base as a way of managing risk.

The study, published in Business Strategy and the Environment, finds clear evidence that climate risk is driving this strategic shift, rather than simply coinciding with it. Firms facing greater exposure to extreme weather, climate-related disruption, or regulatory transition risk are less likely to concentrate revenue among a handful of large buyers.

Amplifying shocks

Authors Dr Eric Boahen, Dr Cuong Nguyen and Thi Thuy Trang Nguyen found this behaviour is particularly pronounced among firms with strong corporate social responsibility performance, higher levels of innovation, and heavy investment in physical assets such as plants and infrastructure. These firms appear to recognise that customer concentration can amplify climate shocks.

“What this evidence shows is that climate risk is no longer abstract or future-facing. It is shaping everyday business decisions in the here and now,” said Dr Boahen, Cluster Lead for Accounting, Finance and Economics at the University of East London.

“Boards and executives are not just thinking about emissions or disclosure. They are quietly rethinking who they depend on for revenue. When climate shocks can hit firms and their biggest customers at the same time, relying too heavily on a small number of clients becomes a strategic vulnerability.”

The research draws on real-world behaviour observed across almost 4,800 firms over a 17-year period.

Why it matters

For investors and lenders, the study highlights customer concentration as a potential blind spot in climate risk assessment. Companies with diversified customer bases may be better insulated against earnings volatility, financing stress, and supply-chain disruption.

For boards and regulators, the findings point to customer structure as a governance issue. Persistently high customer concentration in climate-exposed regions may signal weaknesses in risk management.

“Climate resilience is not just about where assets are located or how much carbon a firm emits,” Dr Boahen said. “It is also about how exposed a company is through its commercial relationships. Customer concentration is now a climate issue, whether companies label it that way or not.”

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Maxim Cebu drivers extend help to communities affected by natural disaster

Driver-partners of Maxim Cebu extended humanitarian aid to communities affected by the recent natural disaster, delivering water and rice to the damaged area and donating blood at the local hospital.

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In the first days of October, driver-partners of Maxim Cebu extended humanitarian aid to communities affected by the recent natural disaster, delivering water and rice to the damaged area and donating blood at the local hospital.

The assistance reached about a hundred families in Bogo City, who had taken refuge in temporary shelters set up at Cebu Provincial Hospital Bogo City and Bogo Gymnasium. The supplies were transported in Maxim’s trucks, but since the road leading to the shelters had been destroyed, the task of delivering the goods was taken on by driver-partners using more mobile vehicles – motos.

A total of 62 Maxim driver-partners took part in distributing relief goods to those in need. Together, they delivered more than 500 kilograms of rice, 200 packs of biscuits, and around 100 bottles of water. The campaign was jointly sponsored by the company and its partners, who were eager to help the affected residents during this difficult time.

The following day, a group of driver-partners visited Vicente Sotto Hospital to donate blood. More than 60 victims of the earthquake had been admitted to the hospital, which, subsequently, left the medical facility with critically low blood supplies. Seventy-two driver-partners donated approximately 35 liters of blood, while their colleagues in Lapu-Lapu City followed with 30 more donors, contributing nearly 15 liters. All donations will be used to treat the patients injured by the earthquake.

To further support recovery efforts, Maxim Cebu also organized a street cleanup to help mitigate the disaster’s aftermath. From 5 to 8 a.m., the company’s team cleared debris and helped restore order in the affected zone. This initiative not only improved the local environment but also reinforced Maxim’s commitment to supporting local communities in times of crisis.

Building on these humanitarian efforts, Maxim–Angeles Pampanga will also hold a blood donation activity at the Mabalacat LGU this coming October 30, continuing the company’s advocacy of helping communities in need and promoting volunteerism among its driver-partners.

“This earthquake has become a grave challenge for our communities, and it is at a time like this when we must stand together,“ said Poliran Christopher Landong, Head of Maxim Cebu. “Maxim and our driver-partners are doing everything we can to support the people, be it street cleanups, blood donations, or whatever else that is needed. We are a team, and only by staying united can we overcome major difficulties.”

This effort is one of the many social initiatives launched by Maxim Rides & Food Delivery and its driver-partners. It marks another important step in community support, showing that Maxim’s partners are always ready to come together when lives are at stake.

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