Month: September 2019

Makati, Philippines – September 27, 2019 Ayala President & COO Fernando Zobel de Ayala believes that tourism is one key sector that could unlock unprecedented benefits for the Philippines. Sustainable tourism could further induce economic growth and create meaningful impact for the country’s environment and local communities.

 “I would like to believe that both the country and our many domestic and foreign tourists now have a renewed sense of responsibility for our fragile ecosystem. Beyond preserving our destinations for their aesthetic and environmental appeal, sustainable tourism holds tremendous potential to responsibly unlock economic value,” Zobel said in his address to members of the academe, industry and government at the recently held Ayala-UPSE Economic Forum.

In 2018 alone, the Philippines welcomed an all-time high of 7.1 million international visitors. Tourism also contributed to P2.2 trillion to the economy, equivalent to 12.7% of GDP. The sector also supported 5.4 million jobs or 13% of the country’s total employment. With more meaningful investments, the Philippines could reach the 10 million visitor milestone within the next few years. However, Zobel equally stressed that “Any initiative on developing an area should always integrate and address the interests of the environment and the local communities.”

At Ayala, estate development plans reflect these considerations. For example, Ayala Land’s (ALI) Carbon Forest Program is designed to absorb and store carbon in six project sites covering some 587 hectares of land. The program protects and restores early secondary growth forests in swamplands, wetlands and inland location across the country. Lio Tourism Estate in El Nido has 48 hectares of these forests.

On the sociocultural and economic aspects, ALI continues to partner with the El Nido community by sourcing from them local resources for its operational needs. Some 70% of ALI’s El Nido employees also come from the community.  An internship program trains them to be the next generation of sustainable tourism leaders.

“Tourism is seen as an easy, sustainable solution to provide coastal communities with alternative sources of income. Advocates believe that ecotourism simultaneously encourages community residents to become active stewards of the local coastal ecosystems,” said Dr. Ramon A. Alampay, Ph.D., Associate Professor at the UP Asian Institute of Tourism and a guest speaker at the forum.

Alampay focused on the critical role communities play as agents in the care and keeping of the mangroves in coastal towns where these are typically overlooked as an ecotourism centerpiece. Moreover, mangroves act as a natural coastal defense, preventing soil erosion and flooding. They are effective carbon sinks, capable of removing up to four times more carbon in the atmosphere, compared to tropical forests. They maintain water quality, enhancing the breeding ground for wildlife and protecting biodiversity. He emphasized the need for ecosystem-based approaches toward coastal conservation and sustainable tourism development.

Singapore – September 5, 2019 Ayala Corporation (Ayala) Head of Group Risk Management and Sustainability Unit Maria Victoria Tan was included among Asia’s Top Sustainability Superwomen, an annual listing of exceptional female sustainability leaders in the region. Only 27 women from 11 countries were chosen out of 126 nominations from 20 countries across Asia. These “Sustainability Superwomen” were selected by an international jury, who reviewed nominees’ contributions in leading change through sustainability strategies and initiatives both within and outside of their organizations. Asia’s Top Sustainability Superwomen is a non-profit project initiated by CSRWorks International, Singapore’s most trusted name in sustainability consulting, training and thought leadership.

Among her other accomplishments in the Ayala group, Tan was instrumental in formulating the Ayala Sustainability Blueprint that was launch in April 2019. The blueprint is a long-term, group-wide plan specifically designed to support the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) by 2030. It enables Ayala to tangibly contribute to areas where its businesses can generate the most significant and lasting impact. Ultimately, it aims to bridge the Filipino to 2030, where Ayala sees him rooted in a safe, secure, sustainable, inclusive, and progressive country.

“At Ayala, it is necessary for our companies to be sensitive to the needs of our communities, which helps us determine our business models and methods and work toward our sustainability goals… This drive for sustainability is meant to ensure that Ayala’s businesses not only create value but leave a meaningful impact in the communities where we serve,” said Ayala CFO and Chief Sustainability Officer Jose Teodoro K. Limcaoco. (taken from FTSE press release)

The 2019 List was announced by Global Reporting Initiative’s (GRI) CEO Tim Mohin, and Ásthildur Hjaltadóttir, GRI’s Chief of Network Engagement and Regional Implementation Officer, who were Guests of Honor at the Asia Sustainability Reporting Summit’s networking cocktail reception in Singapore. They presented Superwoman Certificates as a mark of honor to the Sustainability Superwomen attending the event.

Rajesh Chhabara, managing director of CSRWorks International, said, “We’re delighted to see Asia’s Top Sustainability Superwomen go from strength to strength. These women have led the way on sustainability and diversity throughout Asia. We hope that by celebrating their numerous achievements we will inspire more women to become future sustainability leaders.”

Sustainability continues to shape the Ayala group, which first formally aligned its businesses with the UN SDGs in 2016, and became a founding member of the UN Global Compact Network Philippines in 2017. It also became the first Philippine member of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development in 2019.