PEZA officially launches e-SuRGE platform

The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), in partnership with TechShake and Zeroboard Inc., officially launched the PEZA e-SuRGE platform today at Seda Nuvali in Santa Rosa, Laguna, marking a major step in digitalizing sustainability reporting for PEZA-registered enterprises.

PEZA e-SuRGE transforms the agency’s Sustainability Reporting Guide for Exporters (SuRGE) into a streamlined digital reporting system powered by the Zeroboard platform.

SuRGE serves as PEZA’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting framework based on Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards, helping exporters align with global sustainability standards and stakeholder expectations.

“Across the world, investors, customers, regulators, and business partners are placing greater value on transparency, accountability, and responsible business practices. For exporters, sustainability reporting is no longer optional,” PEZA Deputy director general Emmanuel Cortero said in the opening remarks during the event.

“This is why PEZA, in partnership with the Global Reporting Initiative, or the GRI, developed the Sustainability Reporting Guide for Exporters, or SuRGE.” He added.

Mr. Cortero said that the initiative to digitize SuRGE enables enterprises to collect, manage, monitor, and disclose sustainability-related information more efficiently and effectively.

“By simplifying data management and reporting processes, e-SuRGE makes ESG reporting more accessible, reliable, and actionable for businesses at every stage of their sustainability journey.” He said.

Through the initiative, PEZA, Zeroboard, and TechShake will collaborate to promote ESG reporting education, support pilot implementations, strengthen sustainability reporting practices, and foster cross-border cooperation between Philippine and Japanese stakeholders.

Zeroboard Inc. business development and customer success manager Remi Wyszinki said during the introduction on e-SuRGE that the goals of this project are to make it easier for registered business enterprises (RBE) to manage, organize, and disclose ESG metrics, to help PEZA with easier analysis of ESG metrics, and to improve Zeroboard’s system to fit the needs of RBEs and PEZA.

The project also aims to build a stronger ecosystem for sustainable business practices within PEZA economic zones.

The PEZA e-SuRGE initiative is subsidized by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). — Kaizzer Angela Marie V. Manuba