Guided by its Purpose, Mission and Values, snacking company Mondelez Philippines strives to champion diversity, equity, and inclusion for its colleagues, culture, and communities. To show support for the LGBTQIA community last Pride Month, the company participated in its first-ever Pride March and painted its second pedestrian crosswalk in rainbow colors in front of its office in Parañaque City in partnership with the city government Special Services Office.
Diversity is a Strength
Mondelez Philippines chooses to believe that it is stronger through its diverse, inclusive, and connected community. Celebrating 60 years in the Philippines, it acts by doing what is right and treating everyone with integrity and fairness, and creating a culture that fosters a true sense of belonging. As part of its global advocacy on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), the company participated in two Pride events this year to express its message of support for the LGBTQIA+ community.
One of the significant efforts was their participation in the recent Pride PH march held in Quezon City last June 24, where representatives and employees of the company marched alongside the community with the theme of “Love Laban,” as well as being one of the parade’s sponsors. This was the first time ever in the six-decade history of the company that it participated in a Pride March, a move that follows its strengthened culture of DEI internally.
In addition, the company partnered with the Parañaque City Special Services Office to paint a pedestrian crosswalk in front of their office along Sucat Road in rainbow colors. This is the second initiative of its kind after Mondelez Philippines partnered with the student organization UP Babaylan last year to paint their first rainbow crosswalk inside the University of the Philippines in Diliman.
Mondelez Philippines also hosted an employee mural painting activity in its Paranaque headquarters in an effort to promote an atmosphere of inclusivity and support for the LGBTQIA+ community.
“Mondelez Philippines will always be on the side of championing equality, no matter who you are. Diversity and inclusion are measures of how we stay true to our purpose to empower people to snack right; with the right snack, for the right moment, and made the right way,” said Mondelez Philippines Managing Director Aleli Arcilla, the first woman and Filipino company lead for the Company in almost 15 years.
“We are committed to being part of this movement of promoting DEI in the country, and that includes our own backyard,” added Arcilla.
Diversity and Empowerment In Every Bite
The company has made efforts to express its support for the LGBTQIA+ community and has implemented DEI initiatives in its company’s processes locally and globally, where a performance scorecard has been instituted for all business units emphasizing on women representation and LGBTQIA Council project implementation.
Globally, the company has already made significant strides in investing in a multi-year education program with the aim of building cultural competence for all employees since 2021. Additionally, the Company expressed that it is committed to enable 100% of its business units globally to have partnerships supporting locally relevant but underrepresented communities as well as to spend $1 Billion with minority and women-owned businesses by 2024.
In the Philippines, the company also prides itself in being the first country in its Southeast Asian business unit to have a gender-neutral rest room, a testament to its goal of providing safe spaces for its people and guests.
“This is only the beginning,” said Arcilla “Our commitment goes beyond just expressing our support, being an ally is a responsibility that entails tangible steps to building a more equitable world – and that means cultivating a bias-free and empowering workplace – a vision we plan on following through.”
