Not only for profits, but also human rights should be deeply considered in the operation of the country’s businesses, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) said.

In a statement, the CHR said it is now working with business companies to encourage them to strike a balance in their operations towards their partners, employees and the environment.

It said it is propelled by the Business and Human Rights Guiding Principle issued by the United Nations (UN).

The UN’s Guiding Principle contains three chapters or pillars -- protect, respect and remedy. The pillars “define the concrete, actionable steps for governments and companies to meet their respective duties and responsibilities to prevent human rights abuses in company operations and provide remedies if such abuses take place.”

"We’re just influencing the management to shift the view of the business, not only for profit, but also human rights-based approach to business," said CHR Chairperson Richard P. Palpal-latoc.

The UN guiding principle is all about addressing the negative impacts being made by business activities today and how incorporating human rights can help prevent and improve their practices, Palpal-latoc said.

He explained that the UN guiding principle is similar to an "audit" where they check all levels of the value chain, such as suppliers, labor rights, and the environment.

For now, Alaska Corporation has volunteered to be the CHR's pilot corporation, Palpal-latoc said as he expressed hope that more corporations will follow suit and adopt a human rights-based approach on their businesses.

When asked what would encourage businesses to work with them, Palpal-latoc explained that the UN guiding principle can help identify issues before they become an actual problem.

"Our theory here is -- kapag mas maliit ang issue, mas maliit ang problema (the smaller issue you have, the smaller your problem will be)," he said.