Cemex director among world’s 100 Most Impactful CSR Leaders

Executive Director of CEMEX Philippines Foundation Executive Director Chito Maniago was named among world’s CSR leaders whose projects made the most impact.

Maniago’s efforts to lead the global cement manufacturer’s nationbuilding programs in the Philippines recently paved the way for him to be named as one of the “100 Most Impactful CSR Leaders (Global Listing)” conferred annually by the World CSR Committee. This year’s ceremony was held in Taj Lands End, Mumbai, India.

“Corporate social responsibility is not just about being catalysts for change. It’s about going the extra mile to pursue inclusive and sustainable growth. Beyond presence, there is impact. And the measure of our impact as an organization will be the positive legacy we leave,” said Maniago, who is also the Director for Corporate Communications and Public Affairs at CEMEX Philippines.

The World CSR Committee follows a rigorous selection criterion that assesses how individuals and organizations successfully align business and overall CSR strategy; employ innovative thinking and creativity, as well as strategic perspective and building collaborative relationships; showcase personal credibility, integrity and ethics; incorporate ethical values; their involvement in communities; how they promote protection of the environment, and encourage cooperation among stakeholders.

“Receiving this award is both fulfilling and humbling, for it shows the achievements of not just one person, but all responsible citizens within CEMEX and our stakeholders who are heroes espousing social change in their own right,” said Maniago.

Maniago launched CEMEX Philippines’ umbrella corporate social responsibility program dubbed “Build the Nation Together” as the Executive Director of its social arm for over six years and being a member of CEMEX’s Global Communications, Public Affairs and CSR Network core team based in Mexico.

The campaign, recognized both locally and globally by various sustainability and award-giving institutions, focuses on several critical areas of CSR such as environmental stewardship, education, skills and livelihood, health and safety, and community empowerment.

To encourage collective effort and a pay-it-forward system, employees of the company help implement various social initiatives through an employee volunteerism program called H.E.R.O. or Help, Engage, Reach Out which was also initiated by Maniago back in 2012.

“At CEMEX, it is our battle cry in the field to always be of service to others. Our goal is to use our resources to transform peoples’ lives, such as that of our workforce, contractors, and the communities where we operate, so that they can lead the life that they want and help others do the same,” said Maniago. (BCM)