Mercedes L. Vargas, President of the Lopez Group Foundation, Inc. spoke at the GRI 2018 Summit, last Oct. 8 with this years theme, “Together towards a Sustainable Philippines”
Her topic was “Family Business and Foundations, A Force for Sustainable Development ” where she discussed how the Lopez family and their businesses practice Sustainable Development. Vargas started by talking about how the Lopez family and their businesses have survived several calamities and disasters in the past but have always sought new opportunities to survive. Vargas stressed, “…That at each juncture we endured and adapted, seeking new opportunities to survive.”
These lessons were carried forward to the next generation of the Lopezes and was deeply imbedded into the DNA of the Lopez family and shaped the mission, vision and values of Lopez companies and foundations today.
“Today the company faces a new challenge, which is climate change. In response to this the Lopez Company has made a difficult but strategic decision Not to invest in Coal for the long term,” added Vargas.
The Lopez companies are taking steps towards a better world, hence their companies have taken the sustainable path with each one contributing its share towards climate stability guided by the GRI protocols in varying levels of competence.
Vargas ended her talk by stating. “For the Lopez Group, Corporate Social Responsibility is so integrated into our business strategies, it is difficult to tell where the business ends, & foundation work begins.”
