CLFI resonates with the call to adapt, align, and accelerate at the LCF 30th CSR Convention

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By Rhea Peñaflor

As a proud member of the League of Corporate Foundations (LCF), Cebuana Lhuillier Foundation, Inc. (CLFI) joined fellow corporate foundations, CSR units, government partners and civil society organizations in marking a milestone moment for responsible corporate citizenship.
LCF celebrated its 30th anniversary through its Annual CSR Convention held in Mandaue City, Cebu, an event that also carried historic significance as the first CSR-focused convention in the Visayas.

Held under the theme “Adapt. Align. Accelerate.”, the convention brought together stakeholders across sectors to reflect on how corporate social responsibility continues to evolve amid growing climate, social and economic risks.
Against the backdrop of recent natural disasters affecting Cebu and other parts of the Visayas, the discussions were grounded in urgency and relevance, with a strong focus on disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) and the role of business in strengthening community resilience.

A call for responsibility and collective action
The convention opened with a keynote address by Tony Lambino, president of Ayala Foundation, who set a reflective and forward-looking tone for the gathering.
He underscored that rebuilding after disasters must go beyond restoring damaged infrastructure.
Instead, he called on institutions to strengthen systems, partnerships and governance mechanisms that enable communities to recover more equitably and sustainably.

At the core of his message was the importance of responsibility, coordination and collective action.
He emphasized that building back better requires organizations to work together, align efforts and commit to long-term solutions that address the root causes of vulnerability rather than merely responding to its symptoms.

For CLFI, this perspective resonates deeply. As a foundation committed to its four key pillars — financial inclusion, inclusive education, disaster resilience and community development — CLFI recognizes that resilience is closely linked to people’s ability to access financial tools, build capabilities and participate meaningfully in recovery and development processes.

The corporate foundation advantage
The convention also highlighted the unique role corporate foundations play in advancing sustainable development.
The discussion examined how corporate foundations can move beyond short-term and reactive interventions toward long-term, systems-oriented approaches that deepen social impact and strengthen program sustainability.
Panelists emphasized the value of institutional continuity, strategic partnerships and the ability of corporate foundations to pilot models that can influence broader practice and policy.

Discussions likewise centered on cross-sector coordination, shared standards and ethical frameworks that enable more effective and responsible disaster response and recovery.

CSR, ESG and the expanding role of business
These conversations took place alongside a broader shift in how businesses approach responsibility and sustainability.
During the convention, LCF leaders highlighted how sustainability and ESG expectations are increasingly shaping business practices across supply chains.
As larger corporations strengthen sustainability reporting, small and medium enterprises are also being drawn into ESG conversations, even when formal reporting is not legally required.

This shift reflects a growing recognition that CSR is no longer a peripheral activity, but part of how businesses operate, manage risk and create long-term value.
For CLFI, this expanding view of CSR and ESG provides opportunities to strengthen community resilience by supporting inclusive and responsible business practices, particularly among microenterprises and small entrepreneurs who play a critical role in local economies.

Building a Visayas-wide CSR network
A key objective of the convention is the formation of a Visayas-wide CSR network that enables companies to collaborate more effectively with government, institutions and civil society organizations.
By sharing resources, expertise and lessons learned, the network aims to amplify ongoing CSR initiatives while encouraging more organizations to embed responsible practices into their core operations.

Discussions during the convention covered a wide range of interconnected priorities, including education, public health, financial inclusion, environmental protection, enterprise development and disaster preparedness.
These conversations reinforced the understanding that resilience is built not through isolated projects, but through coordinated and sustained action.

The program also highlighted concrete opportunities for engagement, including rebuilding initiatives that combine shelter support with skills training for disaster-affected families.
Such efforts reflect a growing emphasis on empowering communities not only to recover, but also to actively participate in rebuilding and supporting one another.

Aligned with CLFI’s mission and leadership vision
CLFI’s participation in the LCF CSR Convention reflects its commitment to adaptive, collaborative and future-ready development work, particularly in vulnerable and disaster-prone communities.
The convention’s call to adapt to emerging realities, align efforts across sectors and accelerate collective impact closely aligns with the vision of Cebuana Lhuillier President and CEO Jean Henri Lhuillier.

Under his leadership, CLFI continues to champion inclusive growth by removing financial barriers and strengthening financial capability.
The foundation views disaster resilience as inseparable from financial wellness, recognizing that preparedness and recovery depend on access to information, financial tools and supportive systems that enable individuals and communities to move forward with confidence.

Moving forward, together
As LCF marks three decades of advancing responsible corporate citizenship, the first CSR-focused convention in the Visayas served as both a celebration and a renewed call to action.
It reaffirmed the importance of working as a community, coordinating efforts and committing to systemic change in addressing increasingly complex social challenges.

CLFI was represented at the convention by former Executive Director Jonathan Batangan, newly appointed Executive Director Jo-Ann Tacorda and Programs and Development Manager Rhea Peñaflor, reflecting both continuity and renewed leadership.

As risks and uncertainties continue to evolve, CLFI remains committed to working with LCF and its members to adapt to change, align with shared purpose and accelerate impact in pursuit of a more resilient, inclusive, just and humane society.