MANILA – Two Filipino companies and a conglomerate – DMCI Holdings, Inc., Semirara Mining and Power Corp. (SMPC), and SM Investments Corp. (SMIC) – have been named among the 380 companies across 11 sectors included in the 2021 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index (GEI).
The SMIC, which was counted in the index in 2020, was included in this year’s index for scoring at or above a global threshold established by Bloomberg to reflect a high level of disclosure and overall performance across the framework’s five pillars.
“We are pleased to be recognized again and likewise extend our appreciation to Bloomberg. We believe in upholding equal opportunities for our people that promote a better workplace,” SMIC president and chief executive officer Frederic DyBuncio said in a statement Thursday.
The GEI brings transparency to gender-related practices and policies at publicly listed companies, increasing the breadth of environmental, social, governance (ESG) data available to investors.
The comprehensive, transparent GEI scoring methodology allows investors to assess company performance and compare across industry peer groups.
The reference index measures gender equality across five pillars: female leadership and talent pipeline, equal pay and gender pay parity, inclusive culture, sexual harassment policies, and pro-women brand.
The 2020 GEI included 325 companies headquartered across 42 countries and regions.
DMCI Holdings and SMPC chairman and chief executive officer Isidro Consunji said they recognized the value and contributions of women across the DMCI group of companies.
“They occupy key positions in our Board, management, and workforce. With our companies’ inclusion in the GEI, we hope to provide more women with the opportunities and support they need to reach their full potential,” Consunji said in a separate statement.
Bloomberg chairman Peter Grauer said, “The companies included in the 2021 GEI are expanding the ESG data universe to include gender-related data that investors are demanding today. Their commitment to disclosure is making the business case for inclusion, and driving transparency in the markets.”
Through disclosure of gender-related metrics using the GEI framework, the firms included in the 2021 GEI have committed to providing a comprehensive look at their investment in workplace gender equality and the communities in which they operate, raising the bar of what should be expected from other companies within the same industry. (PR)
