ECOP strengthens ESG and Advocacy Agenda through Capacity Building and Leadership Engagement

by | Jun 27, 2025 | Info Notes

As part of its mission to empower employers and champion responsible business practices, the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) conducted a series of pivotal activities this June to advance its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) agenda and enhance its policy advocacy capabilities. These efforts form part of ECOP’s broader strategy to equip its leadership and Secretariat with the tools needed to respond to an increasingly complex policy environment. The activities were made possible with the valuable support of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Employers Activities Programme and the International Training Centre of the ILO (ITCILO) Employers Activities Programme.

Held on 17 June 2025, the Validation Workshop for the ESG Policy Framework and Baseline Study brought together members of the ECOP Secretariat, technical working groups, and the SDG Network to review the initial draft of ECOP’s ESG Policy Framework. The session also served as a platform to validate findings from the ECOP ESG Baseline Study, laying the groundwork for a more coherent and strategic ESG agenda. With stakeholder feedback now in hand, ECOP is moving forward with finalizing the framework, which will guide future advocacy, capacity-building, and service delivery efforts.

On 18 June 2025, ECOP conducted a Capacity Building Workshop on Policy Advocacy and Lobbying for members of its Secretariat as well as Secretariats from the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Philippine Exporters Confederation.  Facilitated by Mr. Sandro Pettineo of ITCILO, the training enhanced the Secretariat’s understanding of modern lobbying strategies, stakeholder engagement, and global trends shaping business sustainability. Participants also engaged in simulations and exercises that deepened their practical advocacy skills. The objective of the training is to enable the Secretariat to participate in emerging policy advocacy areas currently beyond the Confederation’s mandate, such as ESG, sustainable development, and digitalization.

The week-long series culminated with the Executive Session on Advocacy, Representation, and Lobbying for ECOP Officers on 19 June 2025. Attended by ECOP’s Board of Governors, Council of Leaders, Corporate Officers, and Chapter Presidents, the session focused on revitalizing the leadership’s role in strategic policy influence. With support from the ILO and ITCILO, the session also included discussions on governance, organizational culture, and onboarding for future ECOP leaders.

These activities form part of ECOP’s year-long 50th Anniversary celebrations, where ECOP’s commitment to professionalizing its advocacy efforts and strengthening its role as the unified voice of Philippine employers in the evolving business landscape is reaffirmed.

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Edgardo Lacson

Chairman of the Board

Edgardo G. Lacson is currently the Chairman of the Board of the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP), and Director of the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE). He was formerly President and Honorary Chairman of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI).  He was the President of ECOP from 2010 to 2016. Ed Lacson also serves as the President of various business firms, including MIS Maritime Corporation, Safe Seas Shipping Agency, Marine Industrial Supply Corporation, and EML Realty. He serves as Chairman of Metrostore Corporation, MIL Export Philippines, Beacon Environmental Management Services and Primelode, among others.

He is likewise Trustee of both the De La Salle Canlubang, Inc. and Philippine Petroleum Sea Transport Association (PHILPESTA), Managing Director of Link Edge, and a member of the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP), Philippine Interisland Shipping Association (PISA), and Makati Business Development Council (MBDC).

An alumnus of then De La Salle College and now De La Salle University where he earned his degree in Bachelor of Science in Commerce (BSC) Major in Accounting, Ed Lacson indeed through the years has expanded his horizons.

Edgardo Lacson serves as Honorary Chairman at PCCI. His previous business affiliations include the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC), Marine Chemical Corporation, VLK Traders Philippines, Inc., and Esso Standard Eastern.