Month: June 2019

Porac, Pampanga — In ceremonial turnover rites held last June 29, 2019 followed by outreach activities in an evacuation center in Porac, Pampanga, the Ayala group and its partners completed a series of relief activities as part of its commitment to helping families severely affected by the 6.1-magnitude earthquake that struck the province on April 22.

To officially close out its two-month assistance efforts in the province, Ayala officials, led by Ayala Foundation President Ruel Maranan, ceremonially turned over donations consisting of construction materials to House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and outgoing Pampanga Governor Lilia Pineda at the Laus Group Event Centre in San Fernando, Pampanga.

Tasked to supervise the distribution of the construction materials for qualified families, the Provincial Engineers’ Office (PEO) had received the donations in the Pampanga’s Sindalan warehouse in full last May.

“On behalf of the Province of Pampanga, I extend my heartfelt gratitude for the construction materials (plywood, corrugated GI sheets, deformed bars) and other in-kind assistance you have selflessly extended in aid to the recovery of our people displaced because of the incident,” said Governor Lilia Pineda.

Aside from helping build and rebuild homes destroyed by the earthquake, Ayala has also conducted at least three outreach activities from April to June for affected communities. The first activity was held on April 26 in Floridablanca, in partnership with Manila Water Foundation, Clark Water, and the Apl.de.Ap Foundation, and reached 800 Aeta families. The second relief activity was held on May 4 in the Katutubo Village in Porac and served 300 Aeta families.

Another outreach activity reached affected families who are still in an evacuation center in Sitio Pangaranan, Bgy. Babo Pangulo in Porac, Pampanga. The June 29 outreach program was conducted by Ayala Foundation together with Manila Water Foundation, Apl.de.Ap Foundation, with additional donations of medicines from Generika.

“Ayala believes in sustained efforts to help improve lives,” says Maranan. “Our initiatives in earthquake-affected areas in Pampanga reflect our commitment to building resilient communities.”

“Ayala believes in sustained efforts to help improve lives. Our initiatives in earthquake-affected areas in Pampanga reflect our commitment to building resilient communities,” Ayala Foundation President, Ruel Maranan, said during a courtesy call to House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Pampanga Governor Lilia Pineda last June 29, 2019 at the Laus Group Event Centre in San Fernando, Pampanga to formally close a two-month Pampanga relief effort conducted by the Ayala group and its partners to extend assistance to the families severely affected by a 6.1 magnitude earthquake that struck the province last April 22. In coordination with the LGU, construction materials were distributed to assist in the repair and rebuilding efforts while outreach activities were conducted from April to June helping over 1,600 affected families.
 
(L-R) – Joy Sanciangco (Ayala Land), Vice-Governor/Governor elect Dennis Pineda, Ruel Maranan (President, Ayala Foundation), Governor/V-Governor elect Lilia Pineda, Former President & House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Boogz Baffrey of Manila Water.

Contact Information
 

Ayala Foundation
Celerina Rosales – Amores
Corporate Communications
Email: amores.cr@ayalafoundation.org

Ayala Corporation
May Florentino
Corporate Communications
Email: florentino.mpp@ayala.com.ph

Makati, Philippines – June 4, 2019 To Ayala Corporation (Ayala) Chairman & CEO Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, the Future of Work in Asia Pacific is not just about new jobs, new skills, and new ways to work and learn. It is ultimately about motivating employees through purpose-driven work and driving productivity towards inclusive growth.

“Infusing our organizations and our people’s jobs with a deeper and higher purpose should be part and parcel of any discussion about the Future of Work,” Zobel said. He noted that today’s times “are challenging us to adopt a refreshed approach to enterprise—one that fully responds to the critical underserved needs of society, while at the same time enables the creation of value. This would allow our organizations to generate meaningful impact and imbue a higher purpose in people’s work, which would lead to increased productivity and engagement.”

As the first Philippine company to join the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, Ayala has aligned its strategies with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) through the Ayala Sustainability Blueprint. This is a group-wide plan specifically designed to support the achievement of the UN SDGs by 2030, and to enable Ayala to tangibly contribute to three pillars where its businesses can generate the most significant and lasting impact. These are: access and inclusivity, productivity and competitiveness, and responsible growth and innovation. Through its sustainability blueprint, Ayala is able to institutionalize the creation of meaningful work that would channel its employees’ talents towards positive change, and ultimately, accelerate inclusive growth.

“As we continue these conversations and prepare for the future as individual companies and as a community of enterprises, let us keep in mind an important matter: we also have to create and offer purpose-driven work to our various teams. I believe that [if] we can properly harness technology, properly harness innovation, and properly harness meaningfulness, we will certainly contribute to a more progressive Philippines and Asia Pacific,” Zobel concluded.

As a region known for its low-cost and low-skilled labor, Asia Pacific will likely be facing socio-economic challenges and a growing number of workers displaced by automation and digitization. However, by harnessing, technology, innovation, and meaningfulness, Ayala believes that these developments could also introduce significant opportunities for a future workforce that is inclusive and positively impactful.

PHOTO CREDIT: Asia Society
“As we continue these conversations and prepare for the future as individual companies and as a community of enterprises, let us keep in mind an important matter: we also have to create and offer purpose-driven work to our various teams. I believe that [if] we can properly harness technology, properly harness innovation, and properly harness meaningfulness, we will certainly contribute to a more progressive Philippines and Asia Pacific,” Zobel said at the J.P. Morgan-Asia Society One Step Ahead Series last June 4, 2019 at Makati City.

Contact Information
Ayala Corporation
May Florentino
Corporate Communications
Email: florentino.mpp@ayala.com.ph

Bonifacio Global City, Philippines – The Ayala group onboarded some 120 students from 15 universities nationwide at the 11th Ayala Group Summer Internship Program (AGSIP) last June 3, 2019 at the Globe Tower. AGSIP taps the best and brightest students for its annual 6-week learning program under the different companies in the Ayala group.

This year’s batch was selected among thousands of applicants who underwent a stringent screening process conducted by the Ayala Group’s Talent Network. Student applications were received online and were assessed based on academic performance, skill sets and involvement in non-scholastic programs. Only applicants in the top 15% of their respective schools made the initial cut. Those who qualified then went on to be interviewed to determine their interest in Ayala, their culture fit as well as their aspirations.

“I hope AGSIP will be of greater personal value to you—the opportunity to learn from the network you will establish with mentors and fellow students,” said Renato Jiao, Globe’s Head for Human Resources, who led the opening ceremonies.

During the internship, students are assigned project-based initiatives which have direct impact to business performance. Mentoring is also an essential part of the program where huddles with leaders from their assigned Ayala companies are scheduled for weekly guidance and coaching. Regular interaction sessions are conducted to provide opportunities to integrate learning and to facilitate networking among the participants.

According to 20-year-old Anica Sarmiento, an incoming 4th year student from the Ateneo de Manila University taking up Management Economics, “Coming into this [program], I expect to be challenged… [Ayala has] actual projects for us with specific success indicators that we need to meet. I’m excited about that… and being in a company that I actually really look up to and feel strongly about makes it even better for me.”

This year, AGSIP has set the bar even higher by launching the first Ayala Group Intern’s Innovation League (AGi²Le). It aims to give the interns the opportunity to come up with game changing ideas and pilot their innovation projects. The teams with the best ideas will be in a unique position to pitch their projects to the Ayala group before the end of their internship. Project categories may fall under New Business and Product, Technology/Systems and Processes. The winning AGi²Le team will enjoy a cash prize, an international immersion with an Ayala partner (a global tech company), and potential employment offers from within the group.

“The Ayala of today is very different from the one that existed a decade or two ago. We need to reinvent ourselves to stay relevant among our customers and [the] communities we serve. And who better to look for reinvention than from people your age? This internship gives you a chance to contribute towards our reinvigoration,” said Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, Chairman and CEO of Ayala Corporation, as he welcomed AGSIP Batch 2019.

The participating interns represent UP-Diliman, Ateneo de Manila University, University of Sto. Tomas, De La Salle University, University of Asia and the Pacific Polytechnic University of the Philippines, FEU Institute of Technology, and MAPUA, among others. The very first AGi²Le awarding ceremony is set to happen on July 12, 2019.

“The Ayala of today is very different from the one that existed a decade or two ago. We need to reinvent ourselves to stay relevant among our customers and [the] communities we serve. And who better to look for reinvention than from people your age? This internship gives you a chance to contribute towards our reinvigoration,” Ayala Corporation Chairman and CEO Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala said in his welcome remarks to the participants of the 11th Ayala Group Summer Internship Program (AGSIP). AGSIP is Ayala’s internship program that taps the best and brightest students from across 15 universities nationwide for a 6-week learning program under the different companies in the group.

Contact Information
Ayala Corporation
May Florentino
Corporate Communications
Email: florentino.mpp@ayala.com.ph

Makati, Philippines – June 3, 2019 Ayala Chairman & CEO Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala shared his thoughts on the future of business, and how companies must continue to evolve amidst disruption. Ayala’s progressive leader discussed the group’s digital transformation journey in response to these changing times, noting that institutions are at risk of falling behind if they are not able to transform.

“Companies that do not innovate are in danger of becoming irrelevant,” said Zobel. “We need to be proactive in finding gaps in our current systems and areas ripe for transformation, and we need to act swiftly, even if it means we have to be the ones disrupting ourselves.”

Recognizing the need for continuous innovation within the group, Zobel noted that the “innovation mindset” is what fuels the Ayala’s ongoing digital transformation. This consists of five key components which would collectively allow Ayala to further improve operational efficiency, make better strategic decisions, and improve the customer experience. These include both digital and non-digital initiatives to transform existing businesses; investments in new business models and technologies to make services more convenient and accessible for Filipinos; a more deliberate effort in venture investing through the establishment of a new US$150m ACTIVE Fund; the launch of AC Analytics as the group’s center of excellence for data and analytics; and various initiatives to upskill and empower the group’s talent base.

On the urgency of innovation, Zobel said, “Here in the Philippines, there seems to be a pervasive mindset that industries may be slower to change or that disruption will hit us gradually… [However] you’ll see these changes are happening here as quickly as they are anywhere else. If one doesn’t accept that, then you really have a good chance of being left behind.”

Such changes are already taking place in Ayala, as its companies gear up to disrupt themselves. Globe Telecom, for example, is forecasting its future business by harnessing the power of big data and mobile technology to better understand its customers and their needs, particularly in the retail space. Secondly, the Bank of the Philippine Islands is transforming its business to make its banking services more insightful, instant, intelligent, informative, and interactive. Lastly, in the logistics space, Entrego, Ayala’s technology-driven logistics solutions provider under AC Infrastructure, aims to stay ahead of the curve by investing in infrastructure, automation, and software to create the capacity to meet its growing consumer demand.

As exhibited by these changes, Ayala remains fully committed to its digital transformation as announced at its Annual Stockholders’ Meeting last April 2019.

“Here in the Philippines, there seems to be a pervasive mindset that industries may be slower to change or that disruption will hit us gradually… [However] you’ll see these changes are happening here as quickly as they are anywhere else. If one doesn’t accept that, then you really have a good chance of being left behind,” Zobel said at the 2019 BusinessWorld Economic Forum.

He was joined at the event by other Ayala executives:
Peter Maquera, Senior Vice-President, Enterprise Group, Globe Telecom, Inc., spoke on “How Big Data & Mobile Technology are Shaping the Future of Retail”
Constantin Robertz, President, Entrego, spoke on “Smart Delivery Solutions and the Future of Logistics”
Noel Santiago, Chief Digital Officer, Bank of the Philippine Islands, spoke on the “Digital Transformation of a Traditional Bank”

Contact Information
Ayala Corporation
May Florentino
Corporate Communications
Email: florentino.mpp@ayala.com.ph

Geneva, 03 June 2019 – Ayala Corporation (Ayala) has today joined nearly 200 forwardthinking companies as the newest member of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD).

Ayala is one of the Philippines’ largest and most diversified conglomerates. Through its leadership in real estate, financial services, water and telecommunications, the company has set the pace for inclusive growth – by building sustainable communities, widening access to financial services, improving connectivity and providing clean water to Filipinos throughout the country.

The group also has emerging enterprises in infrastructure, energy, industrial technologies, healthcare and education, positioning it to play a vital role in crossing geographic, economic and social orders to bring progress to all.

In addition to its sustainability initiatives, Ayala’s commitment to nation-building is reinforced by the social and cultural programs of its Ayala Foundation. The foundation helps improve lives through programs in education, youth leadership, sustainable livelihoods, and arts and culture.

Established in 1834, Ayala has grown to now employ close to 45,000 people across the Philippines.

“We are excited to be part of WBCSD and together with like-minded global institutions, work towards alleviating some of the development challenges our society faces today through sustainable businesses,” Ayala Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala said. “WBSCD’s vision is very much aligned with our own at the Ayala group as we increasingly integrate our country’s most pressing issues such as social and economic inclusivity, innovation and infrastructure development, and climate resiliency into the core of our business strategy and products and services,“ Mr. Zobel noted.

WBCSD is a global, CEO-led organization of over 200 leading businesses working together to accelerate the transition to a sustainable world. Its member companies come from all business sectors and all major economies, representing a combined revenue of more than USD $8.5 trillion and with 19 million employees. WBCSD is uniquely positioned to work with member companies along and across value chains to deliver high-impact business solutions to the most challenging sustainability issues.

“WBCSD is delighted to welcome Ayala as our newest member. Ayala’s leadership in sustainability is a beacon to large conglomerates across the world, showing how financial results can be integrated with wider impacts on people and societies. We look forward to working with Ayala to deepen their impact and help effect transformational change across the systems of our world” said WBCSD President and CEO Peter Bakker.

By connecting with WBCSD’s network of forward-thinking businesses across a variety of sectors, Ayala can make an even wider impact on global corporate sustainability.

Contact Information
Ayala Corporation
May Florentino
Senior Manager, Corporate Communications
Email: florentino.mpp@ayala.com.ph

World Business Council for Sustainable Dev’t.
Felicity Glennie-Holmes
Manager, Communication
Email: glennie-holmes@wbcsd.org