Sustainability, Simplified: A Personal Take on BDO’s Virtual Learning Workshop

SUSTAINABILITY IN FOCUS: A Virtual Learning Workshop for Bloggers

Sustainability often feels like a buzzword -- big, abstract, and sometimes intimidating. But during Sustainability in Focus, a virtual workshop hosted by BDO for bloggers last December 03, I learned that sustainability can be simple, relatable, and rooted in everyday life. And more importantly, it’s something every Filipino can participate in.

Understanding the Foundations: SDGs in Everyday Life

First Speaker: Ms. Elle David (Communications Officer, UP-CIFAL)

Our first speaker, Ms. Elle David of UP-CIFAL Philippines, gave us a clear and grounded walkthrough of the history, pillars, and principles of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

She highlighted the 5 Pillars of the SDGs: People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace, and Partnership, showing how sustainability isn’t just about the environment. It’s about balanced development that supports human dignity, stable communities, economic growth, and ecological protection all at once.

What I appreciated the most was how she connected the SDGs to where we are today.

According to the Sustainable Development Report 2025, the Philippines is among the fastest-improving countries, climbing from rank 98 to 87 with a +8.6 point increase since 2015

It’s proof that progress is happening, but it also shows how much more we can still do.

And that “more” doesn’t always require sweeping, policy-level interventions. Sometimes, it’s as simple as:

Bringing reusable bags
Conserving water
Buying local produce
Choosing to bike or walk when possible

These small habits were also highlighted in Ms. Malou Talosig-Bartolome’s presentation as examples of everyday sustainable actions we can all adopt.

BDO’s Role: Sustainability in Action, Not Just in Words

Second Speaker: Ms. Marla Garin-Alvarez (First Vice President and Sustainability Officer, BDO Unibank)

The second speaker, Ms. Marla Garin-Alvarez, took us behind the scenes of how BDO integrates sustainability across the organization. And if you’ve ever wondered whether corporate sustainability is just marketing, this part of the workshop answers that directly.

BDO’s Sustainability Framework states:
We seek to achieve resilience by incorporating sustainability in the way we do business and in everything we do -- from making business decisions to assessing relationships to creating products.

This wasn’t presented as a slogan but a strategy backed by concrete, measurable work:

1. Renewable Energy Financing

BDO has funded 63 large-scale renewable energy projects nationwide, generating 2,679 MW of clean energy -- equivalent to removing over 1 million cars off the road yearly.

2. Blue Financing for Water and Ocean Protection

BDO’s Blue Bond financed projects that significantly increased access to clean water and improved wastewater treatment efforts, benefiting households, companies, and hospitals across Luzon.

3. Social and Sustainable Financing

From agriculture to microfinance to clean transport, BDO’s financing supports sectors that directly improve Filipino livelihoods.

4. Global Recognition

BDO continues to receive regional and international awards for responsible finance, governance, and ESG -- validations that their efforts create real-world impact beyond PR or branding.

These numbers matter because they address a crucial sustainability issue today: greenwashing -- when companies claim to be sustainable but fail to back it up with evidence.

In fact, we must learn how to spot greenwashing and what questions to ask:

Is there proof?
Is sustainability part of the company’s strategy?
What standards or frameworks guide them?
What measurable impact can they show?
Are they accountable and transparent?

BDO’s detailed reporting directly addresses these questions, making it clear their sustainability work is anchored on systems, not slogans.

Communicating Sustainability Responsibly

Third Speaker: Ms. Malou Talosig-Bartolome (Columnist and Diplomatic Correspondent, Business Mirror)

The last speaker, Ms. Malou Talosig-Bartolome, reminded us that sustainability communication comes with responsibility -- especially on social media, where many Filipinos learn new habits or ideas.

She emphasized the C–2R approach:

Clarity – Explain concepts simply
Relatability – Use everyday examples
Responsibility – Fact-check, cite sources, avoid misleading claims

This part resonated deeply with me as a blogger / content creator. It’s a reminder that every post we share can influence someone else’s understanding -- or misunderstanding -- of sustainability.

And this is why I’m grateful for opportunities like this workshop where it equips us with accurate information that we can share meaningfully and responsibly.

What’s Next for Us?

Me during the Q&A

If there’s one key takeaway from this workshop, it’s this:
Sustainability doesn’t start with sweeping reforms -- it starts with awareness and small, consistent habits.

Most Filipinos are already practicing sustainability without realizing it:

conserving water
using reusable bags
choosing local
reducing waste

And when individuals become aware of the impact of these habits, they can scale, inspire, and influence others whether at home, in workplaces, or online.

Seeing BDO commit to sustainability at a corporate level reinforces the idea that change happens from both the top and the grassroots.

As someone given the chance to attend this workshop, I’m happy to play my part -- by learning, by practicing, and by spreading awareness responsibly through my platforms.

Because big change begins with small steps. And we can all take one today.