Dow Works with Gov’t, NGOs and Academic Partners to Meet Sustainability Challenges in the Philippines

Efforts are part of the Company’s broader strategy to provide innovative solutions that tackle global challenges and create positive change

Forty employees from The Dow Chemical Company, representing 25 sites in 16 different countries, departed for Cebu on September 3 to join NGOs, social entrepreneurs, universities and government agencies to address pressing local challenges. Employees focused their efforts on six distinct projects that seek to advance access to clean water, increase production of high-quality food crops and support product commercialization, among other challenges.

“When you bring together Dow’s incredibly diverse talent and expertise with dedicated NGO, government and academic partners, it creates the perfect formula for addressing critical societal needs,” said Andrew N. Liveris, Dow Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “This type of collaboration demonstrates Dow’s commitment to redefine the role of business in society. It is the Human Element at its best.”

Projects and Partners

Employees are spending one week in Cebu, a fitting culmination to efforts that began in April with the six teams collaborating on the following local solutions:

1. Establish proper branding, marketing, and packaging solutions for pork and milk products to make them competitive within the mainstream market, without compromising affordability for the organization’s current urban poor partners. (Partner Organization: All R Up[Pagtambayayong Foundation, PFI])

2. Develop global linkages and networks with foreign universities and organizations to improve the professional employability of graduates of the agricultural programs, as well as develop partnerships with various industries for collaborative research and product development. (Partner Organization: Cebu Technological University)

3. Promote the production and commercialization of dried food products that are acceptable to local and export market consumers, through the development of a hybrid (solar and boiler) dryer. (Partner Organization: Department of Science and Technology Region 7)

4. Educate farmers on techniques to increase the production of high-quality crops, reduce post-harvest loss, and support their financial literacy. (Partner Organization: Lamac Multi-Purpose Cooperative)

5. Increase access to sufficient and affordable safe water to 50 households of Sitio Kabatbatan, on the Buhisan Watershed, for their personal consumption and to boos their ornamental plant production, which is the basis of their livelihood. (Partner Organization: Philippine Business for Social Progress)

6. Develop recommendations for funding sources and methodologies to assess the water quality and quantity of Tinago Creek, as a pilot for subsequent river rehabilitations throughout the city of Cebu. (Partner Organization: University of San Carlos School of Engineering)

Dow’s Leadership in Action

These projects are part of Dow’s commitment to Global Citizenship, its Leadership in Action (LIA) program and the Company’s 2025 Sustainability Goals, specially Dow’s pledge to cross-sector collaboration in order to advance a sustainable planet society.

“Dow is keen to work closely with these local organizations to make real and positive changes to the Filipino communities that will benefit from this year’s Leadership in Action program,” said Roberto Batungbacal, Country Director, Dow Philippines. “We are here to see these projects to completion by carefully crafting solutions for each of the projects that will ensure a long-term inclusive growth on the local communities.” he added.

Dow’s work in the Philippines supports its strategy in the Asia Pacific region, where the company is growing its presence and impact. Beyond the tangible business benefits, however, are the intangibles gained by the employees who participate: leadership development, changed perspectives and new insights into how people, products and skills can impact our world. While striving with others to deliver social benefit and business value, the Dow leaders become visionaries for new business opportunities and improved global citizenship.

“The talent and passion of Dow employees can have a lasting impact on the strength of communities around the world, and Leadership in Action has proven very effective in realizing that potential.” said Rob Vallentine, director of Dow Global Citizenship and president of the Dow Chemical Company Foundation.

To date, 159 employees have participated in LIA, working with 29 NGOs to benefit communities near Accra, Ghana, Addis Adaba, Ethiopia and Surabaya, Indonesia.

Follow this year’s journey on the web or via Twitter at @DowCorps and #DowLeads.