Bridging Hunger and Waste: A Call for Sustainable Food Systems in the Philippines

Food insecurity remains a critical concern in the Philippines. According to a recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey conducted from March 15 to 25, 2025, around 27.2% of Filipinos experienced involuntary hunger, highlighting a troubling disconnect between food availability and access. This pressing issue becomes even more disconcerting when juxtaposed with the country’s alarming level of food waste. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) 2024 Food Waste Index Report revealed that the Philippines wastes approximately 2.95 million tonnes of food annually—equating to about 26 kilograms per capita.

The Food Waste Index takes into account food and its inedible parts that are discarded by households, food services, and retail sectors. Globally, households contribute the most to food waste—60% or 631 million tonnes—followed by food services at 28%, and retail at 12%. Beyond the humanitarian implications, food waste also severely impacts the environment, contributing significantly to greenhouse gas emissions and exacerbating climate change.

Recognizing the urgent need to address this imbalance, the Zero Summit organized by Scholars of Sustenance (SOS) Philippines brought together stakeholders to discuss sustainable and inclusive solutions. SOS is a food rescue foundation committed to recovering high-quality surplus food and redistributing it to vulnerable communities. Their mission is clear: no one should go hungry while edible food is thrown away.

Sustainability as a Corporate Imperative

At the heart of the summit’s opening session was a compelling keynote message from Gino Riola, Chief Marketing Officer of Allianz PNB Life (AZPNBL). As a long-standing partner of SOS, AZPNBL has embedded sustainability into its core operations. Riola emphasized that sustainability should not be treated as an external initiative or a marketing gimmick but as an integral part of an organization’s identity and strategy.

“Sustainability strategies must be grounded in a company’s core purpose and values,” Riola said. He encouraged businesses to align their sustainability efforts with the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) framework, citing the triple bottom line of People, Planet, and Profit. According to Riola, authentic and actionable sustainability initiatives are the ones that directly support an organization’s long-term mission. “Hindi pwedeng puro palabas lang—there must be substance behind the effort, or else it won’t be sustainable.”

AZPNBL’s support for SOS Philippines goes beyond financial aid. Since 2023, the company has hosted food drives, organized volunteer activities, and even donated a rescue truck that helps transport recovered food to communities in need. These efforts reflect Allianz’s global focus on climate action and are locally manifested through reduced carbon footprints, responsible operations, and an upcoming move to a green-certified building in Makati.

Partnerships that Drive Purpose

Rachel Marie Q. Luna, Country General Manager of SOS Philippines, highlighted the role of partnerships in amplifying their advocacy. “Our mission can only reach its full potential through partnerships. They allow us to extend our reach, act faster, and serve more people,” she said. Thanks to collaborative efforts, SOS Philippines has already surpassed its year-to-date goal, serving over 2.5 million meals.

Luna emphasized that food rescue is not merely an act of charity, but a structural transformation toward a circular food system. “We turn excess into access, waste into worth, and scarcity into shared abundance,” she shared. By redistributing food that would otherwise end up in landfills, SOS creates a tangible bridge between surplus and need—a model of sustainability that is both compassionate and practical.

She also recognized the importance of action-driven partners like Allianz. “We are here today because of those who walk the talk—who give not just with their resources but with their time, their innovation, and their conviction that change is possible.”

A Vision for Tomorrow

The contrast between food insecurity and food waste in the Philippines is a call to action for both the public and private sectors. It illustrates the need for systemic solutions that go beyond short-term aid and aim for long-lasting impact. The partnership between Allianz PNB Life and SOS Philippines serves as a shining example of how organizations can transform corporate social responsibility into meaningful, mission-driven work.

As Riola stated, “Allianz is committed to sustainability—not just in protecting the future of its clients, but in ensuring the planet is ready for tomorrow.” This philosophy is echoed by the tangible results on the ground: meals delivered, food saved, and hope restored.

Ultimately, solving food insecurity in the Philippines requires a multi-sectoral approach—where government policies, corporate responsibility, and community engagement work hand in hand. And as SOS Philippines and its partners have shown, when purpose, compassion, and strategy align, sustainable change is not only possible—it is inevitable.