Pasay City – Guided by its mantra of eco-zoning the Philippines towards inclusive and sustainable development, the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) officially launched the Sustainability Reporting Guide for Exporters (SuRGE) last 13 May 2025 at its Head Office.
The SuRGE framework is a result of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), signed in March 2022, between PEZA and the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and supported by the Swiss Embassy and the Swiss Confederation's State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).
PEZA Director General Tereso O. Panga said, “In line with our government’s commitment of embracing a green economy, SuRGE reinforces PEZA’s broader initiatives towards creating a smarter and sustainable business environment for investors and our people.”
Launch Ceremony of the SuRGE Template, attended by PEZA Officials, Experts, and PEZA RBEs
L-R (Center): Special Consultant of AnimoLabs – DLSU Science Foundation, Inc. Mr. Federico Gonzalez, GRI Country Manager Katreena Pillejera, Deputy Head of Mission of the Swiss Embassy Céline Fürst, PEZA Director General Tereso O. Panga, DDG for Operations Vivian S. Santos and DDG for Policy and Planning Anidelle Joy M. Alguso
The SuRGE Framework
SuRGE is a pioneering initiative in sustainability reporting for non-publicly listed companies operating in ecozones. It serves as a cornerstone in PEZA’s push to integrate sustainability into economic zone operations and align with Industry 4.0 priorities.
With three years in development, the SuRGE framework was created with guidance from academic and industry partners including AnimoLabs Technology Business Incubator and through in-depth consultation with RBEs and key institutions.
L-R: PEZA DDG for Operations Vivian S. Santos, GRI Country Manager Katreena Pillejera, Deputy Head of Mission of the Swiss Embassy Céline Fürst, Director General Tereso O. Panga, Special Consultant of AnimoLabs – DLSU Science Foundation, Inc. Mr. Federico Gonzalez, DDG for Policy and Planning Anidelle Joy M. Alguso, Acting MISCPG GM Rowena T. Naguit, IPD OIC DC B Philip Radin
PEZA, which accounts for a significant portion of the country’s foreign direct investments and approximately 60% of annual exports of goods and services, is uniquely positioned to lead sustainable development within the Philippine industrial landscape. The voluntary adoption of the GRI standards by PEZA locators supports the Philippines’ broader commitments to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) metrics, and Equity, Inclusivity, and Diversity (EID) frameworks.
“More than a compliance mechanism, SuRGE has evolved into a practical, forward-thinking guide for exporters to communicate their sustainability impacts, challenges, and progress. It is a roadmap for transformation—one that enables businesses to achieve sustainable growth while upholding social responsibility, environmental stewardship, and ethical excellence,” noted DG Panga.
Implementation Stage
The SuRGE framework will roll out in phases, beginning with a Pilot Stage from 2025 to 2026. During this initial implementation, 20 to 50 manufacturing RBEs, primarily among PEZA’s top exporters to the US and EU, will be invited to participate. This pilot stage will assess the effectiveness of the reporting form and test the “comply or explain” approach—where RBEs may voluntarily submit their sustainability reports or provide reasons for non-submission. These justifications will be analyzed to enhance policy and develop support mechanisms, such as targeted training programs.
PEZA Deputy Director General for Policy and Planning Anidelle Joy M. Alguso discussing the Implementation Stage of SuRGE
Complementing the rollout is a capacity-building workshop, where participating RBEs will undergo training on sustainability fundamentals and reporting. A signed commitment form will ensure full participation, and external partners may be tapped as resource experts.
From 2026 to 2027, the program will scale up and be based on pilot feedback where SuRGE will be recalibrated as necessary, and training will expand to include more RBEs and possibly other sectors beyond manufacturing.
PEZA together with Private Sector partners will analyze submitted data to identify gaps and apply improvements to the SuRGE framework. These insights will guide future decisions and further the agency’s commitment to sustainable development.
The rollout of the SuRGE framework marks a major step in embedding sustainability into economic zone operations through structured reporting and capacity-building. As part of its broader climate agenda, PEZA is complementing this initiative with strategic partnerships aimed at enabling measurable environmental impact and the conduct of strategic trainings to empower locators as well as its own employees on sustainable business practices. One such partnership is the new agreement with Engr. Richard Michael Dimagiba as supported by former DTI Undersecretary Ed Sunico who will be PEZA’s sustainability champions. Both of whom are vaunted sustainability experts who have implemented high impact programs in the private sector.
L-R: PEZA DDG for Policy and Planning Anidelle Joy M. Alguso, DG Tereso O. Panga, Engr. Richard Michael Dimagiba, and former DTI Undersecretary Ed Sunico during the signing of the consultancy services agreement
Under the agreement, Engr. Dimagiba will share his expertise to help PEZA consolidate, develop, and implement its Sustainability Framework aligned with ESG principles. Key deliverables include the creation of the PEZA Sustainability Framework, support for GRI-based sustainability reporting for PEZA and its registered business enterprises (RBEs), assistance in planning the 2026 PEZA Sustainability Awards, and the delivery of ESG-related training through the PEZA Academy. The consultant will also support RBEs in ESG reporting and manage GRI report submissions. The engagement will conclude with the submission of a PEZA Sustainability Playbook and an Executive Report that will set the proper course for the implementation of future sustainability initiatives of the agency.
DG Panga delivering his remarks during the SuRGE launch ceremony
As President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. aptly emphasized, “We can never lose sight of our responsibility to the future. The economic agenda cannot and will not ever be incompatible with our climate change agenda”.
Echoing this national directive, DG Panga reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to sustainability, stating “First and foremost, we want to protect the environment for our future generations! We at PEZA want to be an example to the world that industrial growth can be achieved without a negative impact to communities and the areas within and around the ecozones. With shifting global market demands, sustainability and adaptability are no longer optional—they are critical for long-term resilience and success. To future-proof our industries and remain globally competitive, we embrace green technologies, reduce our ecological footprint, and ensure full alignment with our national climate goals as we further strengthen our goal of a more inclusive and sustainable Philippines.”
###