As 2016 closes, CSR practitioners from across the Aboitiz Group gathered once again for the year-end review of processes and projects. Following are some key takeaways from the presentations.
AFI Structure and Governance
Maribeth Marasigan – FVP and Chief Resource Officer, Pilmico
- New Aboitiz Foundation structure and the creation of a new communication team will take advantage of the many good CSR stories to share; maximizing digital technology and “doing good by telling it well”
- 2017 plans include: 1) Strategic planning with Aboitiz Foundation board to include review of its mission and vision; 2) Revisiting team structure, reorganize and re-tool the team to build internal capability, giving operations managers an active role in providing guidance to the BUs
- Develop better programs and projects with greater social impact
- Simplify and automate process and improve systems
On Education
Jowelle Ann Cruz – Education Manager, Aboitiz Foundation
- Maintaining a grade of 2.0 or equivalent is required for college and 88% for high school scholars
- Providing probationary status to give scholars a chance to recover from grade deficiency
- Transferring to private schools is now allowed for senior high school levels
- No recruitment of new college scholars for SY 2016 and 2017; recruitment will start 2018
On Sustainability
Gloidan Papas – Sustainability Manager, Aboitiz Equity Ventures
- New ideas for tree planting events and carbon sequestration projects are very much welcome
- Pawikan campaign has received a total of PHP878,436 in donations and still accepting; plans and future enhancements to the park are upcoming
- Race to Reduce 2.0 shifts emphasis to individual team effort with the key message of “the little things we do create a better world”
On Enterprise Development and Health & Well Being
Jennifer Sabianan – Enterprise Development & Micro-Finance Manager, Aboitiz Foundation
- All microfinance projects are now done through CARD but Aboitiz Foundation still directly handles capacity building for cooperatives
- After 6 months of implementation, the Aboitiz Foundation-Card partnership has reached 1,267 of clients with a collection rate 100%
- On health and well-being, Aboitiz Foundation to focus on WASH (Water Sanitation and Health) and guide BUs in the conceptualization and implementation of such projects
- Also, disaster preparedness initiatives are conducted with WeatherPhilippines
The Care Package high-energy biscuits
Crystal Jimeno – Trading Manager, Pilmico Foods Corporation
- Product is an example of innovation
- The Care Package is an efficient answer to malnutrition and disaster relief; also good for feeding programs
- A box of 70 packs costs PHP2,450
- In relation to our disaster relief, stocks will be made available in strategic areas nationwide (clustering) and will be funded by Aboitiz Foundation
Digital Disruption & Aboitiz Foundation
Jojo Guingao – FVP Digital Management, Aboitiz Equity Ventures
- Every industry will be disrupted by 2020
- Challenge is how to anticipate to make sure new technologies will not disrupt our business
- Key imperatives: 1) Build a digital culture; 2) Lead with transformative projects; 3) Improve digital maturity level (tell stories and be digital savvy); and 4) Data as heart of transformation (i.e. the importance of analytics, everything must be measured)
- Call to Action: 1) Communicate your stories on social media; 2) Engage your stakeholders; and 3) Involve digital in your campaign initiatives