CSR and the role of business for sustainable peace and inclusive development

"Follow the law, do no harm, pay your taxes, be a good neighbor."

These are the basic principles espoused by STEAG State Power Inc. (SPI) during the first-ever regionwide forum on Corporate Social Responsibility organized by the National Economic Development Authority - Region 10 at the Chali Beach Resort in Cagayan de Oro City on 23 October 2019.

NEDA identified SPI to speak and advocate for heightened private and public sector partnership in promoting sustainable peace and inclusive economic growth citing the company's vibrant and comprehensive CSR programs and projects as a model and worth emulating by. 

The activity was attended by cabinet officials led by National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon and Communications Secretary and Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security for Northern Mindanao (CORDS-10) Martin Andanar, as well as provincial and other local government executives, military officials, regional lines agencies and business leaders from different provinces and cities of Region 10.

In sharing SPI's CSR experience, SPI's spokesperson Jerome Soldevilla underscored the elevated role of business in helping address a wide array of development concerns in Mindanao through the practice of sound and ethical business governance, care for people, mitigating and managing social and environmental impact, and creating more value to various stakeholders.