PRESIDENT Aquino doesn’t believe the “Occupy Wall Street” movement in the United States would prosper in Asia, including the Philippines, since many of its corporations are actively exercising corporate social responsibility (CSR).

At the 10th Asian Forum on Corporate Social Responsibility on Wednesday night, Mr. Aquino said it is now a “difficult time, globally, to be the head of a corporation, given that corporations seem to be portrayed as the bad guys in this latest global economic and social crisis,” but such is not the case in Asia.

“While, of course, there will always be exceptions, here in our region, corporations—especially the ones more active in their humanitarian endeavors—are generally seen in a positive light,” he said.

The President said the positive perception is partly because many Philippine and Asian corporations have been actively engaged in CSR activities.

“Many, if not all, of you present here today have made the conscious decision to play a greater role in the communities in which you do business. Realizing that you do not live and work in a vacuum, you have done your best to help ensure that the people living in the societies in which you operate are given the chance to live a more dignified life,” he said.

He cited some of the companies being honored that night, such as Pfizer Thailand, which has extended micro-credit loans to people afflicted with HIV so that they can be productive and “ultimately overcome the hardships and the stigma that their sickness burdens them with.”

He also cited The Link Management for managing to “turn a fading public market into one that does not pose health or safety risks to the people making use of it, and one that actually bolsters the local economy,” and Citi Pakistan and Double A which have helped alleviate poverty in their respective communities.

The President said CSR “is, at the bottom line, an investment: in an empowered consumer and professional base, in a more equitable world, and in the future of humanity.”

“Corporations can do this simply by being aware—by being observant of what’s going on around them, and by acting promptly on the concerns of the people,” he said.

 “Now, more than ever, corporations and governments alike must continue to address the yearnings of the people: social justice, accountability and inclusive growth,” Mr. Aquino said.

“We must foster the attitude of giving back, and of always remembering that the growth of companies—that the growth of economies—rely, in essence, on the empowerment of the people. No one must be left behind,” he said.