Consunji, MVP firms land in gender equality index

Four Philippine-listed firms, including those led by the Consunji family and tycoon Manuel V. Pangilinan, landed in the 2023 Bloomberg Gender Equality Index.

The companies were the Consunji family conglomerate DMCI Holdings Inc. and its energy and coal mining subsidiary Semirara Mining and Power Corp; Pangilnan-led electricity distribution giant Manila Electric Co.; and financial services firm Manulife Financial Corp.

The four companies were among 484 global firms showing their commitment to transparency in gender data reporting.

“By publicly releasing detailed, consistent and comparable gender-related data, the companies included in the Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index are setting a new standard for data reporting,” according to Bloomberg.

The companies were from 11 sectors and 45 countries with a total market value of $16 trillion.

Member companies represented a variety of sectors, including financials, technology, and utilities.

The full list includes iconic names such as global financial services firm Citigroup Inc., consumer conglomerate Colgate Palmolive Co., aircraft maker The Boeing Corp. and Yum! Brands, the fast food group that operates KFC and Pizza Hut.

In a joint statement on Wednesday, DMCI and Seminara said this was their third consecutive year to be included in the Bloomberg Gender Equality Index.

“Diversity and representation matter. When different voices and perspectives are included in the conversation, companies benefit from a wider range of ideas and insights,” said Isidro Consunji, who is chair and CEO of DMCI and Semirara.

Bloomberg includes publicly traded companies in the index if they meet the criteria and have a score above the established global threshold.

The companies are scored on five major areas: leadership and talent pipeline, equal pay and gender pay parity, inclusive culture, anti-sexual harassment policies, and external brand. Companies with a market value of at least $1 billion are qualified to be included in the index.

“DMCI and Semirara submitted a social survey created by Bloomberg, in collaboration with subject matter experts globally,” DMCI said in the statement.

“Those included on this year’s index scored above a global threshold established by Bloomberg to reflect disclosure and the achievement or adoption of best-in-class statistics and policies,” it added.