AS the Philippines continues to grapple with challenges around poverty, inequality and social cohesion, the business sector has an increasingly important role in building a more inclusive society. Companies are not just engines of economic growth but also critical stakeholders that can shape culture, empower communities and enable human flourishing. Businesses can help create a more equitable and sustainable future for all by leveraging their resources, expertise and influence.

Inclusion goes beyond traditional corporate social responsibility programs and philanthropy. It requires integrating social impact into the core business strategy and operations. This means examining the entire value chain — from sourcing raw materials to distributing finished products — and identifying opportunities to engage underserved communities as suppliers, employers, distributors and customers.

For example, social enterprises like Rags2Riches and Human Nature have built successful brands by partnering with urban poor communities and showcasing their artisanal talents to a wider market. These companies provide sustainable livelihoods and skills training to marginalized groups while delivering high-quality products to conscious consumers. Large companies like Jollibee have also made inclusive business a priority by localizing their supply chain and providing entrepreneurship opportunities to small farmers and distributors across the country. These companies showcase the business case for an inclusive approach by intentionally extending economic opportunities to the margins.

Building an inclusive business also requires confronting barriers and biases within the organization itself. Do recruitment policies and workplace cultures make the company accessible and welcoming to people of diverse backgrounds — be it socioeconomic status, gender, ethnicity or disability? Inclusivity training and exposure programs can help build empathy and cultural competence across the workforce. Mentorship and leadership development pipelines are also critical to ensure diversity is reflected at all levels of the organization, including the boardroom. When employees feel valued and supported, they are more likely to bring their full selves and best ideas to work, driving innovation and productivity.

Even traditional business practices may need to be re-examined through an inclusivity lens. Does the company's marketing promote aspirational but unhealthy standards of beauty and success? Are there hidden biases in the credit scoring algorithm used to evaluate loan applications? Detecting and reforming such practices requires humility, openness to change and engagement with affected stakeholders.

Beyond their own operations, businesses can also lead by advocating for more inclusive social and economic policies. Executives can lend their credible voice to promoting reforms around affordable housing, accessible education, universal health care and other public goods that expand opportunities for all. The pandemic has highlighted the vulnerabilities of the Filipino workforce — from the unsafe working conditions of factory workers to the lack of protection for informal laborers. Business leaders must go beyond the short-term bottom line and push for policies that create a more humane and sustainable economy. This includes supporting initiatives like the Magna Carta for the Poor, which seeks to enshrine the right to food, housing, health care and other basic needs in law.

Of course, transforming business into a genuine force for inclusion will not be easy. It challenges companies to reevaluate their purpose and realign their priorities for the long haul. It requires investing in new capabilities, partnerships and ways of working. It may also involve short-term trade-offs and tough conversations with stakeholders who are resistant to change. But for businesses that embrace this challenge, the rewards are also great — a chance to build authentic brands, access to untapped markets, and engage employees around a meaningful mission.

Ultimately, building an inclusive society is not just a job for government or civil society. It is a shared responsibility that requires the active participation of the private sector. Businesses have the scale, resources and ingenuity to drive systemic change and create value for all stakeholders. Businesses can help create "a rising tide that lifts all boats" by enlarging the circle of opportunity and enabling every Filipino to live with dignity and reach their full potential. And in so doing, they may just find new ways to thrive and grow in an uncertain world.

Adrian Mabalay is a faculty member of De La Salle University's Management and Organization Department. You may reach him at adrian.mabalay@dlsu.edu.ph.