The League of Corporate Foundations (LCF) is set to host the 2025 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Conference and Expo from July 1 to 3 at Dusit Thani Manila and Glorietta Activity Center in Makati City. This year’s event will focus on the growing importance of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) as key components of sustainable business practices. LCF aims to help empower companies to embed these values deeply into their operations, creating positive social impact while driving innovation.
With the theme “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity for Shared Prosperity,” the 2025 CSR Conference and Expo will bring together corporate and industry leaders, civil society, government representatives, community partners, and the general public for insightful dialogue and collaboration on DEI integration in business and social responsibility initiatives. The event is the culminating activity of CSR Week, a nationwide celebration of corporate citizenship and social good, further amplifying the call for inclusive and impactful action across sectors.
Attendees can look forward to engaging panel discussions, interactive exhibits, and thought-provoking keynotes. The program will cover a wide range of topics, including DEI leadership, inclusive education, climate resilience, and the role of technology in driving community development. Speakers and panelists will include sector leaders from across the private sector, civil society, and government.
Key highlights include a keynote session titled “Shared Prosperity, Shared Responsibility: The DEI Mandate in Nation-Building” by Senator Risa Hontiveros, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, and closing remarks by Karen Davila, UN Women National Goodwill Ambassador.
Plenary discussions will explore:
- The Intersection of Financial Inclusion & Resilience: Protecting the Vulnerable and the Marginalized Sectors in the Philippines
- Integrating Mental Health for Diverse Populations into CSR Initiatives: Strategies and Impact
- Diversity in Creativity
- Empowering Informal Economies
- Green Cities, Equal Futures: Urban Ecology and Social Justice in Action
- Shaping an Inclusive Future: Transforming Education for Vulnerable Learners with Foundations
“This event is a unique platform for businesses of all sizes to engage in meaningful conversations on CSR, share best practices, and collaborate on innovative solutions to social challenges,” said Shem Jose Garcia, chairperson of LCF and executive director of Vivant Foundation, Inc. “Through DEI, we’re not just promoting fairness, we’re driving inclusive innovation and sustainable progress.” He added that this includes intentional efforts to ensure the inclusion of under-represented groups, particularly women, LGBTQIA+, people with disabilities, senior citizens, and indigenous people and people of various faiths and beliefs, and others.
Recognizing Excellence in CSR
The 2025 CSR Conference will coincide with the 2025 LCF Guild Awards, which recognize the outstanding CSR initiatives, organized by LCF members, that have significantly impacted local communities. Additionally, the 2025 Medal of Recognition will be awarded to non-member organizations that have demonstrated exceptional impact across thematic areas such as Arts and Culture, Disaster Resilience, Education, Environment, Enterprise Development, Financial Inclusion, and Health.
“Over the years, the Guild Awards and the Medal of Recognition have become benchmarks of excellence in the CSR space,” said Jonathan Batangan, executive director of Cebuana Lhuillier Foundation, Inc. “These recognitions serve as a testament to the transformative power of purpose-driven programs across the country.”
LIFE Program Spotlight: Empowering Communities
A key highlight of the CSR Expo is an update on LIFE (LCF’s Initiative for Food Security, Nutrition, and Empowerment) program. Designed to address child malnutrition, LIFE brings together nutrition support, livelihood training, much needed tools and facilities and local capacity-building. It aligns with the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) and is currently being implemented in Basilan, in partnership with the provincial government and key stakeholders.
“We are excited to spotlight the strides that we have made in advancing LIFE in Basilan and we are excited to elicit even more support from various groups so we can collaborate.” said Austere Panadero, the LCF trustee, and president of Zuellig Family Foundation, who oversees the inititative.
Philip Dy, LCF trustee and executive vice-president of Metrobank Foundation, shared: “LIFE is testament to what is possible when businesses and communities collaborate toward shared goals.”
LCF’s 2025 CSR Conference and Expo is a call to action for the business sector to embrace purpose-driven growth, amplify its social impact, and help build a more inclusive and equitable future for all Filipinos.
The 2025 CSR Conference and Expo is co-presented by Cebuana Lhuillier Foundation, Inc. and co-organized with Metro Pacific Investments Corporation Foundation, Inc., and The SM, Henry Sy, and Felicidad T. Sy Foundations, Inc. It is also made possible through the support of BPI Foundation, Inc., Manila Water Foundation, Inc., Metrobank Foundation, Inc., Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc., and Vivant Foundation, Inc., with special thanks to Energy Development Corporation, Inc., Lopez Group Foundation, Inc., and Jollibee Group Foundation, Inc. LCF also thanks Ayala Foundation, Inc., BDO Foundation, Inc., and Citizen of the World Philippines Foundation, Inc. and acknowledges Aboitiz Foundation, Inc., (Don) Antonio O. Floriendo Sr. Foundation, Inc., Gokongwei Brothers Foundation, Inc., ICTSI Foundation, Inc., Ronald McDonald House Charities, SEAOIL Foundation, Inc., Security Bank Foundation, Inc., Toyota Motor Philippines Foundation, Inc., Unilab Foundation, Inc., and Zuellig Family Foundation, Inc. for their support. These and other partners help foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing on sustainability and inclusivity.
The CSR Conference will take place from July 1 to 3 at Dusit Thani Manila, while the CSR Expo will be held on July 1 and 2 at the Glorietta Activity Center in Makati City. For registration and program details, visit: https://2025csrconferenceandexpo.my.canva.site
LCF, whose members are operating and grant-making corporate and family foundations from around the Philippines, is the country’s leading network for fostering environmental, social and governance driven initiatives.