Connect with us

Ethical Biz

Epson, WWF-Philippines utilize urban gardening to help address food crisis, waste management

Epson partnered with WWF-Philippines to conduct an urban gardening workshop for the global technology leader’s employees. Facilitated by WWF-Philippines Sustainable Food Systems Project Manager Monci Hinay, the workshop aimed to educate attendees on the practice, and showcase how people in urban spaces can benefit from urban gardening and sustainable food systems.

Published

on

Urbanization continues to profoundly shift the face of Philippine towns and cities. With the lack of ample crop production areas and more people migrating from rural to urban zones, primary availability and access to food are      severely impacted. In fact, over 3.9 million Filipino families continue to experience involuntary hunger due to food inaccessibility.

Epson has always held a strong commitment to sustainability and protecting the environment, not only in its products but also in its initiatives that enrich communities. More recently, the company has shifted more focus to enabling the circular economy through upcycling and breathing second life to used materials. To spur its commitment into action, Epson continually partners with like-minded organizations such as World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines to further its eco-initiatives and contributions to a greener future.

Strengthening Epson’s sustainability initiatives through urban gardening

Earlier this year, Epson partnered with WWF-Philippines to conduct an urban gardening workshop for the global technology leader’s employees. Facilitated by WWF-Philippines Sustainable Food Systems Project Manager Monci Hinay, the workshop aimed to educate attendees on the practice, and showcase how people in urban spaces can benefit from urban gardening and sustainable food systems.

Throughout the workshop, Epson employees learned about what urban gardening entails, such as what kind of crops work best depending on the time of the year. Participants learned in-depth tips and the basic steps of urban gardening: starting from site selection, seed sowing and seedling care, container selection, transplanting, water fertilizer, and pest control. Participants also learned how to kickstart their gardening journey: from concocting their own natural pest control to utilizing companion planting.

Understanding the basics of urban gardening

According to WWF-Philippines, the practice of urban gardening addresses one of the key pillars of food security, access to food, as well as the growing issue of household waste management. The method involves growing produce in portable and modular planters, in areas where agricultural spaces are not typically available, such as cities and urban centers. Urban gardening enables the cultivation of crops in compact areas and vertical structures, akin to hydroponic technology at a more affordable cost.

Additionally, urban gardening combats another growing problem: single-use plastics and plastic pollution. The practice gives life to potential waste products such as old plastic bottles, conveniently turning them into miniature planters that can fit in any space.

“What we’re doing right now is part and parcel of the solution because as we speak, a lot of our fellow Filipinos are experiencing hunger and malnutrition,” said Hinay. “We hope more people start to practice urban gardening and pass these methods forward so that we, as a community, can begin to address these growing issues surrounding food and food security.”

The urban gardening workshop, while highly informative and engaging, is just the first step in addressing the food crisis from an individual level. Epson, together with WWF-Philippines, hopes to roll out more eco-initiatives to educate and inspire individuals to practice the method and embrace their roles as stewards of sustainability.

“Our efforts and eco-initiatives represent our simple contribution to Epson’s global environmental goal of becoming a pioneering company that employs its effective, compact, and precise technologies to achieve a sustainable future,” said Masako Kusama, President and Director of Epson Philippines. “We are glad for our growing partnership with WWF-Philippines, and all the opportunities that will help put our commitment to sustainability into practice.”

Ethical Biz

FedEx Cares helps 2,400 Filipino students start the school year healthier

This initiative is part of FedEx Cares, the company’s global community engagement program, and aims to improve the health and well-being of Filipino students ahead of the upcoming school year.

Published

on

Federal Express Corporation (FedEx), one of the world’s largest express transportation companies, collaborated with international non-profit Feed the Children to address health challenges by donating hygiene kits to 2,400 grade school children from fishing and farming communities in Bohol and Zamboanga del Norte.

This initiative is part of FedEx Cares, the company’s global community engagement program, and aims to improve the health and well-being of Filipino students ahead of the upcoming school year. A total of 14 FedEx employees supported the effort by assembling and delivering the kits, which include soap, shampoo, face towels, toothbrush and toothpaste – helping children maintain proper hygiene and stay focused on their education.\

Beyond providing essential supplies, the program promotes lasting behavior change through school-based orientation sessions in 11 schools, encouraging consistent, daily hygiene practices among students. Studies show that handwashing with soap can reduce diarrheal diseases by up to 30% and acute respiratory infections by up to 20%, underscoring the importance of early education and access to basic hygiene tools. Oral health remains a growing concern, with the Philippine Dental Association reporting that 72% of Filipinos suffer from tooth decay, with school-aged children among the most affected, making it a leading cause of school absenteeism.

“At FedEx, we believe that access to basic hygiene is fundamental to a child’s ability to learn and thrive. Through this initiative, we are not only delivering essential supplies but also fostering healthier routines and stronger foundations for learning,” said Maribeth Espinosa, managing director, FedEx Philippines. “By providing hygiene kits and health education, we aim to create a lasting impact and empower Filipino children to stay in school and reach their full potential.”

Since 2023, FedEx has worked with Feed the Children to deliver resources that support the needs of more than 5,000 children across the Philippines.

Continue Reading

Ethical Biz

AXA Philippines mobilizes over 2,000 employees nationwide to support communities through volunteerism

This year’s celebration underscored the company’s belief that they can achieve more meaningful change when they work as one, while marking a shift toward long-term partnerships that empower communities to grow sustainably.

Published

on

AXA Philippines, one of the largest and fastest-growing insurance companies in the country, reaffirmed its commitment to create lasting social impact through AXA Week for Good (AWFG) 2026, bringing together over 2,000 employees nationwide under the theme “AXA on a Mission: Together We Move Forward.”

This year’s celebration underscored the company’s belief that they can achieve more meaningful change when they work as one, while marking a shift toward long-term partnerships that empower communities to grow sustainably.

“When our employees come together, the impact multiplies. This year, we’re investing more into partnerships that can help communities thrive in the long run. We wanted volunteerism to go beyond participation and become part of a sustained journey with our partners through livelihood initiatives, skills sharing, and learning and sustainability programs,” said Sharon Hernandez, Chief Human Resources Officer of AXA Philippines.

From Volunteerism to Sustainable Community Development

A key milestone of this year’s AWFG is the continued development of the Medinilla Café, a livelihood project in Siniloan, Laguna that grew from AXA’s tree-planting and forest restoration efforts last year in collaboration with Fostering Education and Environment for Development Inc. (FEED). Through the first-ever “Declutter for a Purpose” initiative, AXA employees raised cash donations by selling preloved items to help sustain the café’s operations and create livelihood opportunities for local residents. The unsold goods will be donated to partner communities to extend the initiative’s impact and minimize waste.

Building on the success of AXA Forest, the company is also expanding support to community gardens in partnership with Project PEARLS, a non-profit organization with a mission to help the poorest of the poor children have a better life by giving them PEARLS: Peace, Education, Aspiration, Respect, Love and Smiles through education, empowerment, nutrition, nourishment, and healthcare. The partnership aims to help improve food security and create potential income sources for families.

Learning That Inspires Action

Throughout the week, employees also deepened their understanding of social and environmental challenges through the “Impact for Action Podcast Series,” featuring experts and nonprofit partners who shared practical insights on literacy, sustainability, disaster preparedness, workplace safety, circular economy practices, and environmental stewardship.

Partner organizations included BINHI English Literacy Foundation, FEED Inc., Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation (ASSIST), Humble Sustainability, Upstyle, The Soilmate Collective Inc., and AXA Foundation. The series also highlighted volunteer opportunities that extend beyond AWFG, encouraging year-round engagement.

Employees Turning Everyday Actions into Lasting Impact

Additionally,  employees participated in a range of hands-on activities over the course of the week.  An “e-Waste Collection Drive” promoted responsible disposal by collecting used electronic devices for refurbishment or recycling, with proceeds benefiting Project PEARLS.

Meanwhile, remote volunteers contributed through “Learning Buddies,” creating reading activity sheets for young learners, and “Love in Every Bite,” sharing nutritious, budget-friendly recipes with partner communities.

AXA Week for Good is the flagship annual celebration of AXA Hearts in Action, the company’s global employee volunteering program. With a focus on community partnerships, this year’s AXA Week for Good continues to show the impact of collective action, through volunteerism, skills sharing, and supporting livelihood initiatives, reflecting the company’s commitment to helping protect what matters and build more resilient communities.

For more information about AXA Philippines and its community initiatives, visit www.axa.com.ph

Continue Reading

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.

Published

on

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.    

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Advertisement

Like us on Facebook

Trending