PASAR’s other business is social responsibility

AUSEFUL guide to corporate social responsibility is for businesses to adopt particular sustainable development goals, according to the chief executive officer (CEO) of the Leyte-based Philippine Associated Smelting and Refining (PASAR) Corporation.

Adam Purkis, President and CEO of PASAR, shared this thought during the recently held CSR EXpo organized by the League of Corporate Foundations(LCF), which coincided with the latter’s 20th anniversary celebration, at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel in Makati.

Located in the town of Isabel, Leyte, PASAR is the only copper smelter and refinery in the Philippines and the first in Southeast Asia. Glencore, one of the world’s largest global diversified natural resource companies, is its major shareholder.

PASAR is also a leader in the processing and exporting of refined copper and precious metal by-products such as gold and silver. The company strictly adheres to environmental laws and promotes sustainable development programs in host communities.

A much-awaited portion during the conference where Purkis spoke was the topic on “CEO’s Thoughts on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Role of Business Sectors”.

The LCF, which celebrated 20 years of advocating and promoting the strategic practice of CSR among its members, has collectively affirmed to support the SDGs adopted by the United Nations with the end goal of helping eradicate global poverty and inequality in the next two decades.

In his talk before business leaders, CSR practitioners, academicians, public officials, and representatives of around 80 of the country’s largest operating and grant-making corporate foundations, Purkis underscored the need for the business sector to develop a network of support organizations in the event of future national disasters.

“We stand alongside LCF in leveraging the significant coverage it has with businesses across the country for more active participation especially in the aftermath of calamities,” Purkis said.

During the panel discussion, Purkis recalled the contribution made by PASAR Foundation, Inc. (PFI), the company’s CSR arm, in augmenting logistical and humanitarian aid during the aftermath of super-typhoon Haiyan, known as Yolanda in the Philippines.

Yolanda was one of the world’s strongest tropical cyclones ever recorded which caused the deaths of more than 7,000 people after devastating parts of at least 36 provinces in nine regions in the country.