Embracing DEI for shared prosperity

Business foundations are pushing for greater diversity, equity and inclusivity (DEI) practices by local companies to help more underrepresented people prosper along with them.

The League of Corporation Foundation’s (LCF) 2025 CSR Conference and Expo with the theme “Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity for Shared Prosperity” will share best DEI practices to boost corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives.

The LCF conference and exposition will have discussions, networking opportunities and actionable insights on integrating DEI into both CSR initiatives and overall business operations, officials of the group said at a press launch of the conference on 10 April.

LCF chair and Vivant Foundation Inc. (VFI) executive director Shem Jose Garcia said there’s a real need to “understanding the root causes of what stands in the way of diversity, what stands in the way of equity, what stands in the way of inclusivity.”

“The aim is to act as a channel so that prosperity is not just for the few, not just for the business owners, but for the whole of society,” Garcia said, adding that DEI should address challenges facing women, persons who are differently abled, senior citizens, indigenous people and people of various faiths and beliefs.

Expected to share their DEI success are LCF members VFI and Cebuana Lhuillier Foundation Inc. (CLFI). Both are patrons of education with VFI providing scholarships, educational facilities and course training. It sponsored a science laboratory building for Palawano youth which is currently under construction in Barangay Sta. Monica, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.

CLFI, meanwhile, is a major supporter of the Department of Education’s Alternative Learning System.

CLFI executive director Jonathan Batangan said DEI is embedded in Cebuana Lhuillier’s business and ecosystem by serving marginalized and vulnerable sectors.

“For example, in insurance, we actually promote inclusive insurance for the number of sectors being served. Before, there was no coverage specifically for women, for minors. So we came up with FemCare. We came up with MinorsProtect,” Batangan said.

For senior citizens, CLFI sponsored last 7 March food and entertainment for residents of the Grace Home for the Elderly in Quezon City. Its volunteers and the Cebuana Lhuillier mascot Ninong Ceb danced with Grace seniors.

The 2025 LCF CSR Conference and Expo will be held on 1 to 3 July at Dusit Thani Manila and Glorietta Activity Center in Makati City.