The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), in partnership with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), has launched a new reporting framework aimed at enhancing sustainability transparency among exporters. The Sustainability Reporting Guidelines for Exporters (SuRGE) were officially launched on 13 May.
Voluntary ESG Framework for Export-Ready Enterprises
The SuRGE sustainability guidelines were developed through a 2022 collaboration between PEZA and GRI. While voluntary, the framework positions exporters to meet global ESG expectations more effectively.
“More than a compliance mechanism, SuRGE has evolved into a practical, forward-thinking guide for exporters to communicate their sustainability impacts, challenges, and progress,” said PEZA Director General Tereso Panga.
Strengthening Global Market Access Through Sustainability
SuRGE’s rollout is especially timely as global markets such as the United States and European Union impose more stringent sustainability requirements for exporters. According to PEZA Deputy Director General for Policy and Planning Anidelle Joy Alguso, SuRGE will help RBEs align early with international standards.
“So, aligning early with these standards helps prepare our RBEs for long-term market access, particularly to these major markets, and even Japan and other countries that are already starting to dictate or require sustainable reporting…” Alguso said.
The guide also supports PEZA’s broader goals of promoting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), eco-industrial development (EID), and ESG integration in export zones.
“We recognise that business models have evolved—and with changing market trends, sustainability and adaptability have become non-negotiable for long-term success,” Panga added.
Pilot Programme Targets Key Exporters
The pilot implementation of SuRGE, scheduled from 2024 to 2026, will focus on 50 volunteer manufacturing RBEs exporting to the US and EU. The manufacturing companies will undergo capacity-building programmes and submit voluntary sustainability reports aligned with international benchmarks.
PEZA also plans to scale the programme to cover domestic suppliers and high-impact sectors beginning in 2026, particularly those facing new local or international sustainability mandates.
Attracting Responsible Investment
SuRGE is also expected to support the Philippines’ goal of becoming a preferred location for responsible and sustainable investment.
“This positions the country as a hub that supports responsible investment and sustainable industrialisation,” Alguso explained. She added that the initiative may encourage high-quality FDIs, especially from jurisdictions requiring ESG compliance across the supply chain.
A Voluntary Start with Inevitable Momentum
While SuRGE is currently voluntary, the direction is clear. The Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission is set to mandate sustainability reporting for listed companies by 2026, and PEZA expects broader adoption as global buyer expectations shift.
“We really have no choice, especially if the buyers will start demanding for it,” Panga noted in a media interview.
Supported by the Swiss Embassy and De La Salle University’s Animo Labs, SuRGE prepares Filipino exporters to thrive in a sustainability-driven market by aligning with international best practices and anticipating ESG regulatory changes.