2025

Social Science & Medicine

Corporate social responsibility as a commercial determinant of health: A case study of the alcohol industry in the Philippines

Alcohol and drugs

In this article, Gianna Gayle Amul, Senior Adviser at FORUT and Non-Resident Research Fellow at the School of Government, Ateneo de Manila University (Philippines), examined the framing and perceptions of alcohol industry corporate social responsibility in the Philippines.

Highlights:

  • The alcohol industry in the Philippines has framed corporate social responsibility through two lenses: those that form its intrinsic corporate interests and those socially constructed norms it has chosen to co-opt.
  • Based on corporate interests, the alcohol industry frames corporate social responsibility as a public relations tool to manage reputation, risks, and negative impact, as well as an investment strategy.
  • Based on co-opted norms, the alcohol industry frames corporate social responsibility as contribution to development, nationbuilding and public service.
  • Policymakers must consider regulating the marketing of alcohol corporate social responsibility initiatives. This will help to mitigate and manage conflicts of interest and safeguard policies from industry influence.

Recommended citation:

Amul, G. G. H. (2025). Corporate social responsibility as a commercial determinant of health: A case study of the alcohol industry in the Philippines. Social Science & Medicine, 380, 118169. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2025.118169

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