MANILA - Two Philippine companies, Petron Corp. and Ayala Land, Inc., made it to the top 30 of a yearly report ranking Asian firms on their corporate social responsibility or CSR projects.

This is the first time that Philippine companies were included in the regional survey, which covered 200 companies.

Firms in the 2009 Asian Sustainability Rating were the largest in terms of market capitalization listed on stock markets in Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Malaysia, Pakistan, Singapore and Thailand.

Petron, which ranked 26th, was the highest-scoring Philippine company, with a score of 70.6%. Ayala Land meanwhile, ranked 29th, receiving a mark of 65.7%.

Other Filipino firms that made it to the top 100 are Manila Electric Co., ranking 72nd with a score of 45.1%; San Miguel Corp., placing 77th with 44.1%; Ayala Corp., which ranked 85th with a score of 41.2%; Energy Development Corp. at 91st and scoring 39.2%; SM Investments Corp. at 95th with 38.2%; and Globe Telecom, Inc. at 97th with 37.3%.

Australian and Indian companies were the top performers in the CSR survey which ranked the largest companies in 10 Asia-Pacific markets in terms of their disclosure of corporate governance, codes and policies; CSR strategy and communication; marketplace and supply chain; workplace and people; environment; and community and development.

ANZ Banking Group of Australia received the highest rating in the survey with a disclosure score of 98%. Another Australian firm, BHP Billiton, ranked second with a score of 95.1%, while Indian company Tata Consultancy Services placed third with 90.2%.

The research was spearheaded by CSR Asia, a provider of information, training, research and consultancy services on “sustainable business practices” in Asia.

“Results of this year’s survey are encouraging with more companies demonstrating that they recognize the need to be more transparent and accountable for their social and environmental impacts,” said Richard Welford, chairman of CSR Asia.

In the Philippines, the survey was conducted by EON, which specializes in “stakeholder relations.”

EON Managing Director Junie Del Mundo said the inclusion of the Philippines in the Asian Sustainability Rating should “encourage excellence and promote best practices in CSR in the country.”