SMC leads 7 Philippines firms in Forbes top employers list

MANILA, Philippines — Seven Philippine companies, led by diversified conglomerate San Miguel Corp. (SMC), have been included in this year’s roster of the World’s Best Employers by Forbes magazine.

SMC ranks the highest among Filipino firms on the Forbes 2024 list at No. 89.

As one of the country’s largest employers, SMC had a direct workforce of 53,184 employees as of the end of 2023.

“For each job created within the San Miguel ecosystem, many additional jobs are generated through suppliers, distributors, retailers and other business partners. At present, we have more than 100 major facilities in the Asia-Pacific region,” SMC said.

Meanwhile, Ayala Corp., the country’s oldest conglomerate, is ranked 273rd on the list of 850 firms.

Two companies in the banking and financials services industry – Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. and Land Bank of the Philippines – are at No. 415 and No. 454, respectively.

Taipan Lucio Tan’s LT Group Inc. is ranked 694th, while the Century Pacific Group of the Po family is 701st.

“We are deeply humbled to be included on Forbes’ World’s Best Employers list, alongside companies whose workplace cultures and achievements greatly inspire us. An engaged workforce is essential in creating shared value and driving positive impact. We see it as our responsibility to create a culture that fosters growth, sparks purpose and promotes teamwork,” Century Pacific Food Inc. president and chief executive officer Ted Po said.

Completing the Filipino companies on the 2024 Forbes World’s Best Employers list is Alliance Global Group Inc., the listed conglomerate of tycoon Andrew Tan.

Overall, topping this year’s list is Microsoft, followed by Alphabet at No. 2 and Samsung Electronics at No. 3.

Completing the top 10 are Adobe, BMW Group, Delta Air Lines, Airbus, IKEA, Lego Group and IBM.

The Forbes’ list is based on independent surveys conducted globally with over 300,000 employees across more than 50 countries in partnership with market research firm Statista.

Forbes said the respondents were asked whether they would recommend their company to family or friends.

They were also asked to rate their companies based on such criteria as salary, talent development and remote work options.

Forbes said participants could also rate companies they knew through their own industry knowledge and through friends and family members who have worked there.