Manila, Philippines – Continuing its mission to champion the LGBT+ contribution in Philippine business, the Philippine LGBT Chamber of Commerce –– the country’s inter-industry organization of businesses of, by, and for the LGBT+ in the Philippines, hosted its very first General Membership Meeting in 2021.
During the event which was attended by business people, advocates, allies, and members of the LGBT+ community, the Chamber Chair Ronn Astillas revealed the three core programs the Chamber is pursuing: ChamberTLKS (Thought Leadership and Knowledge Sharing), ChamberSEAL (Standard of Equality and Acceptance for LGBT+), and ChamberLEADS (Leadership Excellence and Action for Diversity in Society).
“We are clear with what needs to be done: what we want is to continuously promote diversity, equality, and inclusion in the workplace,” said Astillas. “We also want to recognize best practices across sectors and economies, and likewise champion LGBT+ leadership in business. These three core values are what the Chamber wants to pursue.” Previous and upcoming endeavors by the Chamber, such as its landmark research work the Philippine Corporate SOGIE Diversity & Inclusiveness Index, the Philippine Governance SOGIE Diversity & Inclusiveness Index, and the Philippine LGBT+ Media Representation Index, will be incorporated under these umbrella programs –– along with other activities. The event featured as its keynote speaker Erasmo Sánchez Herrera, the director of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) Global, the international division of United States-based organization NGLCC. Herrera stressed in the event that “having a connection with your local LGBT chamber of commerce is key for SMEs to embrace more diversity, and educate themselves about the issues”.
As a possible cooperation initiative, NGLCC will share best practices to develop and enhance the Chamber’s own certification programs, based on NGLCC’s extensive experience from 2002 (when the organization was founded) up to present. Currently, NGLCC has certified more than 1,600 LGBT-owned businesses and works with 300 international organizations. NGLCC’s certification program allows LGBT-owned businesses to participate in corporate and public procurement opportunities in the United States.
Meanwhile, Chairman and CEO of the Caper Group and Filipino gay professional Edgar Allan Caper, as guest speaker in the event, highlighted his takeaway from navigating the corporate world as a member of LGBT+ community. “We want to encourage everyone to be their true selves. We will make sure that we will help each other,” Caper noted. “What’s good is that we’re in the business sector, and we have more influence in making a change.” Also present in the meeting was Ryan Evangelista, country director of Chamber partner organization the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE), who was enthusiastic about how the Chamber is paving the way for global diversity and inclusion with its work.
“[CIPE’s] initiatives help to advance thematic work on areas such as economic empowerment, anti-corruption in governance, trade facilitation, ethical and responsible investments, infrastructure, and procurement transparency, freedom of information, business association strengthening, regional economy, and gender inclusivity and diversity.
“We’re very proud and honored to work with the Philippine LGBT Chamber of Commerce to support both its organizational programs, including capacity in advocacy and outreach, in conjunction to its development of a comprehensive governance index that supports a better policy environment for diversity and inclusion in our country.”
During the event, Harold Gomez, the Employee Community Lead for the Asia-Pacific PRIDE group of Chamber member company Zendesk, a global customer service software company listed with the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), spoke about the many programs they have launched within their company to ensure diversity and inclusion. Their efforts have paved the way for the company to be recognized as one of the Best Places to Work for LGBTQ+ Equality by global organization Human Rights Campaign.
The achievements of Zendesk, together with the efforts of other member companies and professionals of the Chamber, were centered in a primary goal which Astillas highlighted in the end of his speech:
“The bigger picture should always be connected to the smallest member of society. Whatever we do, we must lift up those who have little in life.”