Globe leans into people-first resilience amid fuel and energy volatility

As global fuel supply constraints and rising energy costs continue to ripple across markets, Philippine telco giant Globe Telecom is sharpening its focus on resilience – placing employees at the centre of its response alongside network stability and business continuity.

The company’s latest measures move beyond infrastructure to encompass workforce support, customer needs, and community engagement, designed to keep operations steady while ensuring employees remain equipped to navigate external pressures that increasingly affect both work and daily life.

At the heart of this strategy is a unified framework that connects operational readiness with people-focused initiatives. While Globe continues to reinforce its network through fuel continuity plans – securing up to six days of supply for critical facilities – it is also accelerating energy efficiency efforts and expanding renewable energy usage, now powering roughly 30% of its network.

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But the company is equally focused on the human impact of these macroeconomic shifts.

“Resilience is not just about keeping the network running. It is about making sure our people can keep going,” said Renato “Ato” Manuel Jiao, Globe chief HR officer. He emphasised that as the business responds to fuel volatility, equal weight is placed on how these pressures affect employees, with support systems evolving to help them adapt with confidence.

For employees, rising fuel costs have translated into tangible workplace changes. Globe has reduced required onsite work from three days to two for eligible roles, alongside introducing more flexible working hours. These adjustments are complemented by expanded shuttle services, company carpooling, and sustainable mobility initiatives, including EV charging infrastructure and EV-friendly car plans.

Such shifts are not only operational but behavioural. At the frontline, teams are witnessing how economic pressures are reshaping customer expectations.

Darlene Mape, senior manager at Globe’s SM North EDSA store, noted a clear pivot towards value-driven decision-making among consumers.

“As a manager, I have observed a shift in customer behaviour driven by rising fuel costs and inflation. Customers are becoming more budget-conscious, prioritising essential services and lower-cost promotions. There is a stronger focus on affordability and value, reflected in the increased number of inquiries about more economical options. We are emphasising more on strengthening value-driven offerings to sustain overall business performance,” Mape said.

Meanwhile, employees in corporate roles are experiencing the benefits of increased flexibility. Maxilyn Tan, lead expert for architecture and engineering at Globe’s information systems group, highlighted how hybrid arrangements are easing cost pressures without compromising productivity.

“The shift from 3 to 2 onsite days has really helped ease the impact of rising transport costs, especially with added support like extended shuttle services and flexible work hours. Working from home allows me to be more productive. I’m able to focus on closing Jira tickets and completing development work without the added strain of commuting. With tools like Google Meet, collaboration still feels seamless, making it easy to stay connected while balancing deliverables,” Tan said.

Across its more than 6,000-strong workforce, Globe is tailoring arrangements based on location and operational requirements, with teams adopting onsite, hybrid, or remote models. Additional measures – including access to open office spaces during remote workdays and structured hybrid systems – aim to sustain productivity while supporting employee wellbeing.

Behind these measures is a broader inflection point in the Philippines, where an escalating energy crisis – driven by fuel supply disruptions and import dependence – is reshaping how companies operate and how consumers prioritise spending. Previously, experts told MARKETING-INTERACTIVE that brands are now being judged less on messaging and more on their ability to deliver practical, everyday value.

As external pressures mount, service reliability becomes table stakes, while how companies support their people takes on greater significance.

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