Meet Nestlé PH Name First Set of IdeaNation Champions!

Nestlé Philippines in partnership with the Department of Agribusiness Management and Entrepreneurship of the University of the Philippines-Los Baños (UPLB) has launched the Net Zero IdeaNation, a program where ABME10 (Foundations of Entrepreneurship) students were challenged to ideate innovative business concepts and solutions centered on Nestlé Philippines’ three net zero focus areas.

 

From 90 teams, 18 were selected to advance to the Net Zero IdeaNation Grand Finals that was held virtually on July 15, 2022. Before this, the finalists first underwent a mentoring session led by experts from Nestlé Philippines to help them further develop and polish their ideas for the pitching competition that took place from July 13 to 14.

 

In the end, three teams were named as the first set of IdeaNation Champions.

The University of the Philippines Los Baños, together with Nestlé Philippines, celebrates youth innovation with its Net Zero IdeaNation competition

 

The Coffee Cubes concept of Team Cris’ Angels, composed of Aneka Abarrientos, Mahonri Alquisalas, Justine Faith Deverla, Angel Vi Manong, Ma. Jhoanna Zapico, clinched the 2nd runner-up award.  Their product offers the beloved Filipino commodity, coffee, in a compact, travel-friendly form, which comes in 100% plastic-free packaging. This aims to uphold sustainable material packaging and reinforce coffee plantations in the Philippines.

 

BayanBiogas, a community-based generation of sustainable and alternative LPG from manure and food waste, bagged the 1st runner-up award. This concept by Crizza Rodolfo, John Jayme, Justine Zamora, Ashley Anyayahan, and Roque Banzon aims to fuel the community through more affordable and eco-friendly resources while promoting solid waste management.

 

Arianne De Goma, Neel Farson Angeles, Carmila Villaseran, Eljon Geroleo, Veronica Parreño, whose initials form their team name ACENV, emerged as the very first IdeaNation Champion. From the crisis of increasing gas prices experienced by the nation these days, their concept takes off by combining solar power and electric vehicles that delivery riders can utilize as a more sustainable and economical alternative to motors.

 

Aside from the champions, Nestlé Philippines has selected Hijo Hija Enerhiya! as the team with special citation for their concept about innovative playgrounds and parks that can generate electricity through tiles and equipment with built-in Piezoelectric Transducers. The innovation is conceptualized by Abbey Jimenez, Mariellen Silab, and  Leara Varquez.

 

“This partnership with UPLB was an avenue to help mold future entrepreneurs who prioritize social responsibility, critical thinking, and innovation by providing them a platform to come up with solutions that help address climate change and first-hand industry knowledge through the mentoring sessions,” said Jose “Joey” Uy III, SVP and Head of Corporate Affairs of Nestlé Philippines. “When it comes to mitigating our environmental challenges, innovation is really important. We, as organizations and as individuals, must explore new ways to become more sustainable for the sake of our planet and the future generations.”

 

“It is fulfilling to witness our students get involved in our shared journey towards Net Zero through innovations that will be beneficial to the world. We are grateful that this partnership with Nestlé Philippines has brought them beyond the four walls of our classroom and beyond the screens of their devices,” said Prof. Chip de Guzman, from the UPLB DAME-College of Economics and Management.

 

Through initiatives like the Net Zero IdeaNation and Klimathon: Our Race Towards a Net Zero Reality, Nestlé Philippines continues to empower the youth in embracing their crucial role in ensuring a greener, more livable future in the planet they will inherit.

Nestlé PH turns over materials recovery facility in Lipa City

The growing solid waste management (SWM) problem in the Philippines can be attributed to factors such as improper waste disposal, inefficient waste collection, and the lack of disposal and recycling facilities in many cities and municipalities. While the solid waste collection rate varies across the country—ranging from 40 percent to 85 percent, it’s still evident how a sizeable portion of uncollected trash end up in the environment. In fact, out of the 2.7 million tons of plastic waste that the Philippines generates annually, an estimated 20 percent of these seep into the ocean.

 

Helping to shape a waste-free future as a top priority, Nestlé Philippines, one of the country’s largest food and beverage manufacturers, is tackling solid waste, especially plastics, with a holistic approach. The company is developing the packaging for the future, increasing collection and recycling efforts, and driving new behaviors and understanding through solid waste management (SWM) education. 

Ribbon cutting and turnover of Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) in Brgy. Bagong Pook from Nestlé Philippines led by Lipa Batangas City Mayor, Mayor Eric B. Africa, Nestlé Lipa factory Manager, Eric Angulo,  Nestlé Sustainability Lead, Christine Ponce-Garcia, Nestlé Public Affairs Executive Atty. Degee Anastacio, City Environmental and Natural Resources Office, Kap. Lope Lina with the local barangay functionaries and barangay officials of Brgy. Bagong Pook.

In its latest initiative, Nestlé PH turned over a new materials recovery facility (MRF) in Barangay Bagong Pook in Lipa City, as part of its program to support the construction of MRFs in barangays. The turnover was attended by Lipa City Mayor Eric Africa, barangay officials and residents, officers from the City Environment and Natural Resources Office, and company representatives.

 

MRFs are essential for more efficient collection, segregation and recycling of wastes. As mandated by R.A. 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, each barangay or cluster of barangays in the country is required to establish an MRF. 

 

According to the Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DENR), and the National Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWMC), only 35 percent of barangays nationwide have MRFs. The lack of an MRF is one of the challenges that barangays face in implementing their SWM programs. 

 

Mayor Africa congratulated Barangay Bagong Pook officials and residents during the turnover. “My wish is for everyone to work together to maintain this structure so you can maximize its purpose for your barangay. Not only will this help the environment, it’s also a way to encourage discipline among residents and to learn more about the importance of proper waste segregation and recycling,” he said.

 

“Our old MRF was already too small to accommodate all the recyclable materials from our barangay. This new MRF is a great help because it can lessen the volume of waste we currently deliver to the city,” said Lope Lina, barangay chairman of Bagong Pook. “Our aim is that alongside our existing collection and recycling programs, this MRF will enable us to become a model barangay for solid waste management.”

 

“At Nestlé PH, it is important that we partner with local government units or LGUs in addressing solid waste management problems. We explore different opportunities for plastics to be recyclable in the country.  Through the construction of this MRF, the community will be able to generate value through recycling and reduce the volume of plastic waste that goes to the landfill and oceans,” said Christine Ponce-Garcia, Sustainability Lead of Nestlé PH.

 

Nestlé Lipa Factory Manager Eric Angulo underscored the long-term partnership between the company and the barangay: “During our presence of 30 years in this community, we have formed a strong bond with its residents. We have been there for each other through thick and thin, especially in times of calamities and crises. Today, we sincerely hope that this MRF will help Barangay Bagong Pook to better manage their solid waste.”

 

Among its SWM milestones, Nestlé PH is the first multinational fast moving consumer goods company in the country to achieve plastic neutrality, recovering the equivalent amount of plastic it puts out in the market. From August 2020 to May 2022, it collected 48 million kilos of plastic waste. Another of its initiatives is the development and rollout of SWM education modules that reaches grades 1-10 students in 20,000 public schools nationwide under the Nestlé Wellness Campus program. Recently, DENR, NSWMC, and Nestlé PH also launched the No Time To Waste: Climate Change and SWM Talks for officials of LGUs and government agencies, and community leaders.

 

Nestlé Philippines is committed to help shape a waste-free future with plastic waste as a top priority

Solid waste management (SWM) is one of the most pressing environmental challenges in the world today. In the Philippines, 18 million tons of waste are generated every year; the country is the third biggest source of solid waste in Southeast Asia and the third largest contributor to ocean plastic pollution worldwide.

 

Given this reality, Nestlé Philippines is committed to help shape a waste-free future with plastic waste as a top priority. Pursuing a leadership role, it is the first multinational fast-moving consumer goods company in the country to achieve plastic neutrality, recovering volumes of plastic equivalent to what it puts out in the market in its packaging. Nestlé PH has collected 48 million kilos of plastic waste from August 2020 to May 2022. It has also transitioned to the use of paper straws for its locally manufactured ready-to-drink products, becoming the first food and beverage manufacturer in the country to do so.

 

Alongside developing more sustainable packaging and delivery innovations, and increasing collection and recycling initiatives, Nestlé PH is focusing on driving new behaviors and understanding through SWM education. It has produced the country’s first SWM education modules to be rolled out in 20,000 public schools nationwide, with separate modules for parents, teens and communities.

Most recently, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the National Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWMC), and Nestlé PH conducted the first leg of the No Time To Waste: Climate Change and SWM Talks attended by employees of local government units (LGUs)  and government agencies, SWM officers, and community leaders. Attendance of close to 700 participants exceeded expectations, indicating increasing awareness and interest in environmental issues. 

 

“Sa pamamagitan ng ating webinar ngayong umaga, layunin na makapagbahagi ng kaalaman at tools kagaya ng social media cards, presentations at mga posters upang epektibo nating maiparating sa ating komunidad kung paano ang tamang pagtatapon ng basura. Malaki ang papel ng mga komunidad sa pagtugon sa mga problemang ating kinakaharap,” said DENR Undersecretary for Finance, Information Systems and Climate Change Atty. Analiza Teh.

 

(Today’s webinar aims to provide LGUs additional knowledge and tools such as social media cards, presentations and posters that they can use to effectively educate their communities about proper solid waste management. These communities play a key role in finding a solution for our solid waste management problems.)

 

The DENR, NSWMC and Nestlé PH developed five modules for the webinar series: Module 1 - What does waste have to do with climate change and the environment; Module 2 - Climate change and R.A. 9003; Module 3 – Action planning for solid waste management; Module 4 – How to design a materials recovery facility and addressing limitations with alternative steps; and Module 5 - A citizen’s guide to proper waste management. The modules were discussed by Mr. Dave Albao, Executive Director of the Philippine Reef and Rainforest Conservation Foundation, and Mr. Robert Guevara, Vice President of the Philippine Alliance for Recycling and Material Sustainability (PARMS).

 

NSWMC Vice Chairman Crispian Lao emphasized the key role of education and collaboration to achieve an efficient and effective SWM system: “We need to educate the youth and integrate it in the curriculum. More importantly, we need to educate the local government units from the cities and municipalities down to the barangays. Collaboration is equally important and here, we would like to thank Nestlé for developing these modules that can be a good tool for LGUs not only to learn but to implement a SWM system for their communities.”

 

Nestlé PH Chairman and CEO Kais Marzouki said: “We recognize that partnering with other stakeholders is imperative. Our collaboration with the DENR and the NSWMC enables us to help empower consumers and communities to do their share in practicing effective solid waste management and in particular tackling plastic waste.  We welcome our cooperation with local government units in extending education on these pressing environmental concerns.”      

 

The No Time To Waste: Climate Change and SWM Talks will be presented across the country, with webinars in the Visayas and Mindanao to be conducted in the vernacular.

Nestlé Philippines named as one of the top workplaces in Asia by the ACES Awards

In time for the celebration of its 110th year presence in the country, Nestlé Philippines was recently named as one of the top workplaces in Asia by the Asia Corporate Excellence & Sustainability (ACES) Awards. This distinction is given to companies that “take on a people centric approach and demonstrate strong commitment towards employee empowerment and enrichment.”

 

Today, Nestlé prides itself with a highly engaged and diverse team of 5,000 individuals, unified by its shared purpose of delivering Good food, Good life all over the country. Its brands are some of the country’s leading and most trusted today, and have become staples in every Filipino household. 

 

As a community that comes together with a shared purpose, its people drive the strength of its brand, the quality of products, and the impact of its work. Nestlé cultivates an inclusive and collaborative environment that empowers people and teams to shape a happier, healthier future for individuals and families, for communities and for the planet. 

 

A force for Good in Diversity 

In its drive for diversity and inclusion, Nestlé has actively created programs that foster a workplace culture that generates equal opportunities for everyone, where people are treated with dignity and respect. Through its evolving workplace policies, Nestlé employees enjoy flexible work arrangement options and maternity protection for women as well as expanded benefits eligibility for employees in same gender and common law partnerships.

 

Its deliberate actions and strategic approach towards gender balance acceleration the past years have resulted in increased representation of women in management positions and key business critical positions. Nestlé’s global monitoring also affirms no significant pay gap exists between men and women at Nestlé.  

 

As a people-inspired company, respect and trust are the greatest strengths of Nestlé. The organization places high value on the unique perspectives that people bring to the team, which sharpen performance and drive the business. 

 

Asia Corporate Excellence & Sustainability Awards (ACES) recognizes Nestle Philippines, Inc. (NPI) as the Top Workplace in Asia. In the photo, NPI SVP and Head of HR Mitzie Antonio, and NPI Chairman and CEO, Kais Marzouki.

A force for Good in Well-being 

As an organization committed to offering good nutrition, Nestlé applies the same duty of care for the health and overall well-being of the people behind its products to nurture the best ambassadors for Good food, Good life. Through its advanced health and wellness programs, employees are supported across life stages with above-industry standard medical coverage and interventions focused on holistic health. 

 

Nestlé Philippines’ response to the pandemic for its employees has been remarkable. Beyond flexible work arrangements and workplace safety protocols, it increased focus on mental health and equipped people managers on mental first aid as the first line of support for employees. The company continues to encourage employees to seek mental health assistance through the Employee Assistance Program hotline.  

 

A force for Good in Talent Development 

Nestlé prides itself in attracting, retaining and developing talented people driven to be a force for Good. Through the years, the company has consistently demonstrated high employee engagement and kept attrition rates at remarkably low rates versus the industry standard.  

 

Through Nestlé’s presence in almost every country in the world, Nestlé Philippines continues to bring local talent to the global stage with over 37 Filipino expats leading teams in different markets across the globe. 

 

As one of Nestlé’s key markets, Nestlé Philippines is an excellent training ground that provides holistic development opportunities for individuals across all career stages. It also takes pride in being local-led, with over half of its current executive committee composed of Filipinos and mostly home-grown talent from the company’s Management Trainee Program.   

 

With a proud heritage built over 110 years for the Filipino families, Nestlé celebrates the people behind its iconic brands and products and commits to nurture a culture of Good to keep its employees inspired and engaged to fulfill their purpose and help others fulfill theirs.  

 

Nestlé Philippines, as a Kasambuhay for the Environment, places great importance on solid waste management education

Environmental awareness is the first step towards living sustainably. For us to make effective lifestyle changes and better choices for the planet, we must know more about the problem and understand what steps we can take as individuals and a nation to be part of the solution.

 

So, how do we do this? We can begin by doing our own research. The internet has enough resources to walk us through the current climate situation and how we can lessen our impact to the environment. We can also learn more about sustainable organizations and companies to support and how we can be part of their cause.

Nestlé Philippines, as a Kasambuhay for the Environment, places great importance on solid waste management education. Throughout the month of September, it held a series of webinars that discussed how consumers can practice a more sustainable lifestyle and become environmental Kasambuhays themselves.

 

“We believe in the power of education to inspire and encourage people to take the necessary steps to live more sustainably. Knowing how leads us to take action,” said of Nestlé Philippines Chairman and CEO Kais Marzouki.

Facilitated by Ms. Anna Oposa, Executive Director and Chief Mermaid of Save Philippine Seas SPS), the webinars featured simple and easy ways for parents, young professionals, and students to practice low waste living and responsible solid waste management in their homes and communities.

Attendees learned 3 ways different ways to do more together from home: low-waste ways to cut down on consumption, proper waste segregation and composting!

 

Here are just some of the topics that were covered:

 

Be a waste watcher

Before we’re able to reduce the waste that we consume (plastics, especially), we must first assess the amount of waste we produce and what mostly make up the contents of our trashcans. Ms. Oposa recommended using templates such as SPS’ Waste Watch Report Card to keep track of what products and items we usually use and dispose and assess what we can lessen or replace moving forward. You can download a copy of this on Nestlé’s website.

 

Practice low-waste habits

Throughout the sessions, the attendees were able to learn tips and tricks to reduce their plastic waste consumption. These are as simple as buying in bulk when doing the groceries to cut the amount of plastic packaging, opting to purchase products that are more sustainable and eco-friendly, and using reusable alternatives to plastics, among others.

 

Segregate your waste

Segregation plays a big part in diverting plastic waste away from the environment because this creates higher value for plastics and gives them a higher chance for recovery and recycling. There are three main categories of waste: recyclables, biodegradable, and residuals. For recyclables and residuals with potential for recycling, it’s important to make sure that the items are clean and dry before dropping off to collection points to make the recycling process much easier.

 

When it comes to their journey towards a more sustainable lifestyle, Ms. Oposa advised the attendees to aim for progress, not perfection. “When we aim for perfection, there’s a tendency for us to get overwhelmed and when we get overwhelmed, parang nagkaka-analysis paralysis tayo and we don’t know how to act from there. But if we aim for progress, we can focus on one or two things first, do it well and consistently, and before you know it, it’s part of your lifestyle already. You just keep doing it and then you'll see other people doing it as well. We are all multiplying our environmental practices,” she said.

Different groups from parents, professionals and the youth attended the webinars to learn more about how we can do more together for the planet.

 

As the largest food and beverage company in the country, Nestlé Philippines recognizes its responsibility to take a leading role in tackling the plastic waste crisis. The company’s ambition is for all Nestlé packaging to be 100% recyclable by 2025 and to reduce its virgin plastic use by 1/3 by 2025. It is also committed to collect and process the equivalent amounts of plastics used in its packaging so that these do not end up in the environment. This year, Nestlé Philippines is celebrating its first full year of plastic neutrality, having collected and diverted from oceans and landfills over 27,000,000 kilos of plastic from August 2020 to July 2021 which is equivalent to the amount of plastics it put out into the market.

 

There is much more to be done to protect the planet from waste, especially plastic waste. Just like Nestlé Philippines, consumers can also be plastic neutral in their own ways. Nestlé has provided education resources as well as information on collection points. To download solid waste management modules, you can visit Nestle’s website. After segregating your waste at home, collect and drop off your plastics at any of these plastic collection points across the country to have them processed or recycled. You can also help in building Nestlé’s list of these collection points by visiting rplr.co/PlasticDropPH. We can #DoMoreTogether and be a #KasambuhayForTheEnvironment.

 

Nestlé Philippines has launched its vaccination program called “YOU CALL THE SHOTS #WeGotYour Vax”

Pursuing the protection of health in and out of the workplace amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Nestlé Philippines has launched its vaccination program called “YOU CALL THE SHOTS #WeGotYour Vax” covering all employees, their qualified dependents, and business partners. 

The program, administered based on government priority guidelines, highlights personal responsibility in caring for one’s health while underscoring Nestlé Philippines’ commitment to support vaccination efforts across the country, in solidarity with the recovery program of the national government.

Earlier in the year, the company had implemented several vaccine awareness campaigns including:

-        Know Your Vax – a series of talakayans or discussions in the form of employee webinars with Dr. Anna Lisa Ong Lim, of the Department of Health Technical Advisory Group;

 

-        Just the Vacts – a series of COVID-19 facts to promote credible vaccine resources on vaccine safety;

 

-        I Call the Shots – a series of employee testimonials on why they have chosen to be vaccinated, starting with the company’s own doctors and leaders.

This vaccination initiative in the private sector is part of "A Dose of Hope," a program led by Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship and Go Negosyo Founder Joey Concepcion, which brings together the private sector, the national government, and pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca for the nation's multi-sectoral strategy to beat COVID-19.

Through its partnership with GoNegosyo, International Container Terminal Services Inc.- Foundation (ITCSI Foundation), and local government units, Nestlé Philippines is now actively vaccinating employees at all its work locations. By the first of week August, at least 80% of its workforce will have already received at least the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. 

“(Nagpabakuna ako) para maproteksyunan ang sarili ko, ang mga mahal ko sa buhay, pamilya, ganun na rin ang mga kasama sa trabaho,” said Jim Malangis, president of the Nestlé Cabuyao Factory Workers Union.

[Translation:  I got vaccinated to protect myself, my loved ones and family, and my colleagues at work.]

“Alam natin na laganap pa ang COVID-19 sa labas, pero kailangan natin magpatuloy na magtrabaho sa planta,” according to Alex Ular, a supervisor and the first vaccine recipient at the factory.

[Translation:  COVID-19 continues to be widespread outside, but we need to keep working in the factory.] 

“As a microbiologist, I think it is my responsibility to share sa community what the benefits of being vaccinated are,” noted Matthew Santos, a quality assurance analyst.

“Vaccines are so important in the fight against COVID-19. This is why the implementation of our vaccination program has such a high priority. We recognize that the vaccines help prevent serious illness even if we do get sick,” stated Nestlé Philippines Chairman and CEO Kais Marzouki.  

Nestlé Philippines partners with various organizations to achieve and sustain Plastic Neutrality

Nestlé Philippines has achieved a fresh milestone in tackling plastic waste as it completes its first year of plastic neutrality, the first multinational fast-moving consumer goods company in the country to do so. 

Since August 2020, the company has collected, co-processed, and diverted from the environment over 27,000 metric tons of plastic waste, slightly above the volume of used plastic in the packaging that it has put out in the market over the past year.

Nestlé Philippines partners with various organizations to achieve and sustain Plastic Neutrality. Following its first year of being plastic neutral, it believes that it can do more by working together with its employees, consumers and other stakeholders.

 

The milestone comes as Nestlé Philippines marks its 110th year in the country, determined to intensify its initiatives towards a waste-free future, with a commitment to make its packaging, including plastics, 100% recyclable or reusable by 2025. Additionally, it commits to reduce a third of virgin plastic use within the same time frame. More specifically, Nestlé Philippines will reduce its use of virgin plastics by 1,100 metric tons in 2021 and is continuously looking for more sustainable packaging through its research centers globally.

The Philippines is the third largest source of ocean plastic worldwide. Nestlé continues to accelerate its initiatives to address plastic waste holistically in the country across three focus areas: (1) developing the packaging for the future, through packaging and delivery innovation and plastic reduction; (2) helping to shape a waste-free future through increased collection and recycling; and (3) driving new behaviors and understanding through solid waste management education.

"As a food and beverage manufacturer with a major presence in the country, we are called upon to be at the forefront in confronting urgent issues that our planet faces. Our vision, which we are working hard to realize, is that none of our packaging, including plastics, ends up in landfills, in oceans, seas, and rivers. A few years ago, we identified plastic neutrality as a major step forward for us as a company and it is our most important environmental milestone to date. The way has been full of challenges, requiring significant investments and a learning curve as we acquired experience. But we have demonstrated that it can be done, and it is viable. We are grateful to our partners including Republic Cement, CEMEX Holdings Philippines, and Plastic Credit Exchange for enabling us to become plastic neutral," said Nestlé Philippines Chairman and CEO Kais Marzouki.

 

With its partners, Nestlé Philippines is collecting plastic waste from local government units and communities in different parts of the country. The waste is co-processed in cement kilns, a waste management method by which waste materials are processed at a very high temperature. This breaks down complex materials into simpler compounds and the energy or mineral content of wastes are completely recovered and utilized in the process of producing cement. Emissions from the process are filtered and monitored in compliance with standards of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

 

Looking to the future, Mr. Marzouki said the company is advocating the passage of legislation that will put in place an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme for plastic waste. EPR is a comprehensive policy approach in which a manufacturer's or importer's responsibility for a product is extended to the post-consumption stage of its life cycle.

Nestlé also co-developed solid waste management modules for schools and also created condensed materials for teens and parents which have been endorsed by the National Solid Waste Management Commission

 

To do more together, Nestlé Philippines is encouraging consumers to become a Kasambuhay for the Environment. They can start by visiting Nes.tl/KasambuhayForTheEnvironment where they can access solid waste management modules developed for parents and teens, and learn about the waste cycle, proper segregation, recycling, and more. The website also lists locations where they can drop off their plastic waste for recycling, including Nestlé-sponsored collection points at SM Mall of Asia, SM North Edsa, and SM Fairview, among other sites.

To further its commitment to the planet, Nestlé launched the Isabuhay sa Bahay challenge which aims to encourage its 5,000 strong employees how to live a more sustainable lifestyle for the good of the planet

 

"At Nestlé Philippines, we are deeply committed to attaining our environmental goals, consistent with our vision of a waste-free future. As we have been in the Philippines for 110 years, we want to leave a legacy, anchored on our respect for the future and coming generations, that includes effectively caring for the planet," Mr. Marzouki said.

Nestlé Philippines joined the LGBT+ community’s celebration of Pride Month in June

Upholding its pursuit of diversity and inclusion by providing equal opportunities for everyone, and building a workplace in which all people are treated with dignity and respect, Nestlé Philippines joined the LGBT+ community’s celebration of Pride Month in June with the determination to foster an even more diverse and inclusive culture within its ranks.

“Nestlé’s values are rooted in respect - for ourselves and for others, for diversity, and for the future.  Diversity and inclusion are a foundation of our strength as an organization,” said Nestlé Philippines Chairman and CEO Kais Marzouki.

Acting on its commitment to give life to diversity and inclusion, Nestlé encourages its employees to “Bring your whole self to work” through education and awareness building, while creating a work environment that cultivates respect through its programs and policies.

 

Early in 2020, Nestlé Philippines was one of the first markets to launch the implementation of the Nestlé Gender-neutral Parental Support Policy that provides a more supportive and nurturing environment for new parents. The policy enforces gender equality and diversity, recognizing today’s diverse family structures:  biological or adoptive parents, including same-sex partners, single parents, and legal guardians. With the enhanced policy, the company is one of the first to extend paid parental leave to same-sex partners in the country.

Similarly, the company’s medical program for dependents, as well as other family-related benefits, support common-law and same-sex partnerships.

In the Philippines, all of Nestlé leaders have been trained in unconscious bias and sexual harassment prevention.  The company has also launched a mandatory e-learning course, “Diversity and Inclusion at Nestle: the LGBT+ Community,” which focuses on fostering inclusion for the LGBT+ community, and forms part of an expanding diversity and inclusion learning curriculum.

 

Nestlé Philippines is a member of Philippine Financial & Inter-Industry Pride, a collaborative, voluntary and non-profit community of practice for equal opportunity employers and inclusive business organizations in the country.

 

As part of Pride Month, Nestlé Philippines held a forum called #TogetherwithPride Inclusion Talk, which tackled awareness of sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sexual characteristics (SOGIESC), and allyship, more specifically supporting equality and the rights of the LGBT+ community in the workplace, with Christopher Eugenio of Philippine Financial & Inter-Industry Pride. Inspirational coming out stories were shared by Bem Uychinco, H2R Global Transition Manager of Nestlé Business Services and Johann Ang, Senior HR Business Partner of Nestlé Philippines.

Nestlé Philippines engages in continuous efforts to make the workplace more inclusive by reviewing its policies and practices in its entire value chain, and fulfilling its role in influencing and inspiring society to be more inclusive.

Nestlé Philippines is proud to support the Pilipinas Kontra Gutom Movement

Hunger and malnutrition are among the most urgent concerns of Filipinos, heightened by the COVID-19 pandemic. A survey by the Social Weather Stations found that 20.9 percent or 5.2 million Filipinos experienced hunger from May to July 2020, the highest recorded since September 2014.

 

In addressing this challenge, Task Force Zero Hunger (TFZH) has initiated Pilipinas Kontra Gutom (PKG), a national and multi-sectoral movement against hunger composed of government agencies, non-profit organizations, and private companies from different industries. The program aims to reach one million Filipinos by 2022 and end hunger in 2030 by implementing the following work streams: ensuring food availability and accessibility, securing nutrition adequacy, and providing assistance for farmers and fisherfolk. 

         Nestlé agronomist conducting training for farmers under the Nescafé Plan

Nestlé Philippines is the private sector co-lead of work stream #1 – food availability and accessibility – through its NESCAFÉ Plan, with the vision to elevate farming as a dignified, sustainable profession.  Government partners for work stream #1 are the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Agrarian Reform, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and the Department of Trade and Industry.

Within PKG, Nestlé Philippines through its NESCAFÉ Plan will provide mentorship in agricultural technology and training to farmers, with the NESCAFÉ Better Farming Practices helping them improve the quality and quantity of their coffee yields using more sustainable and profitable methods. 

 

The NESCAFÉ Plan is a global initiative that helps ensure a sustainable supply of quality green coffee. Through it, coffee farmers are provided access to superior quality plantlets, technology transfer via training, a support network of agronomists, and strategically located buying stations close to coffee areas so farmers can sell directly to Nestlé.

Fourth from left is Sec. William Dar - Secretary of Department of Agriculture, who led the National Food Security Summit with the theme “Food for today and beyond: transforming Philippine Agriculture”. During the closing ceremony, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles presented Pilipinas Kontra Gutom with support from the private sector including Nestlé PH.

“Nestlé Philippines is proud to support the Pilipinas Kontra Gutom Movement. In line with one of PKG’s thrusts focusing on farming assistance, we want to make coffee farming a sustainable livelihood for our local farmers in the economic, environmental and social aspects.  With the NESCAFÉ Plan, they can learn about the best available technologies and techniques that seek to elevate coffee farming from subsistence to agripreneurship, enhancing their quality of life,” said Nestlé Philippines Chairman and CEO Kais Marzouki.