Inclusive, sustainable growth continues to be a priority for the Aboitiz Group as it commits to helping the nation achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDG), specifically Goals 5 (Gender Equality) and 10 (Reduce Inequality).
In a recently concluded webinar entitled “#EmpoweredASEANWomen: Resilient and Thriving in an Equitable and Inclusive Economic Community,” hosted by the ASEAN Women Entrepreneurs Network (AWEN), Ana Margarita “Ginggay” Hontiveros, Vice President for Reputation Management of Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc. (AEV), presented the great strides and initiatives the Group has made in terms of workplace gender equality (WGE) under its OneAboitiz Sustainability Framework.
AWEN brings together women in private sector organisations, as well as endorsements from women’s ministries and agencies, in order to help champion women’s economic empowerment by ensuring their proactive engagement in providing inputs to the design, development, and implementation of regional strategies and policies in progressively fostering gender mainstreaming and women business empowerment across the ASEAN region.
Hontiveros represented the Aboitiz Group during the webinar, where she shared how the Group operationalises its OneAboitiz Sustainability Framework by centering diversity, inclusion, and workplace gender equality in all of its business units.
“In Aboitiz, we define sustainable development as inclusive growth that carefully looks into the dimensions of ESG. We are committed to a mindset that views sustainability not as a cost of doing business but as a way of doing good business. Our OneAboitiz Sustainability Framework is the foundation that allows us to sharply focus on the three key areas where the ESG dimensions are present,” Hontiveros said.
One of the programs rolled out by the Aboitiz Group to support diversity and inclusion is the REMIX program. REMIX is the Group’s approach to ensuring the company adapts and thrives in a new diverse workforce—diverse in terms of generations, genders, and the like. In addition to employee-led initiatives and discussions within the REMIX program, the Group also conducts e-learning sessions about the Anti-Sexual Harassment and Safe Spaces Act at the workplace, ensuring that all team members, and especially women team members, are empowered and equipped with information.
Hontiveros also celebrated the numerous women in leadership positions across the Aboitiz Group: Ana Aboitiz-Delgado, Executive Vice President and Chief Customer Experience Officer at Union Bank of the Philippines and a member of the AEV Board; Joanne De Asis, AEV Independent Director; Cosette V. Canilao, President and Chief Executive Officer of Aboitiz InfraCapital, Inc.; Susan V. Valdez, AEV Chief Human Resource and Chief Corporate Services Officer; and Maribeth Marasigan, Aboitiz Foundation President and Chief Operating Officer.
The Aboitiz Group, Hontiveros shared, continues to contribute to the ASEAN’s Action Agenda through its human capital development and capacity building programs that empower its women team members and team leaders. It is also enhancing its gender equality policies and strategies to close the gender pay gap among its business units. Outside the Group, Aboitiz continues to strengthen its partnerships and work with the United Nations Global Compact Philippines to invest in programs that provide enabling environments for women-owned micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
In closing, Hontiveros quoted Sabin M. Aboitiz, president and chief executive officer of the Aboitiz Group, highlighting the role of diversity and inclusion in today’s workplace: “The Aboitiz Group is committed to building and nurturing a culture where our team members are celebrated for their individuality and diversity. As an equal opportunity employer, we are an innovative company that embraces a progressive culture—one that recognizes team members as valued drivers of organizational success.”
