From construction management to strategic procurement, Rommel Maglaya has been driven by the goal of building impact with integrity. In just over a year at Aboitiz InfraCapital, he’s delivered groupwide cost savings, empowered local communities, and helped drive award-winning digital transformation. Let’s learn more about what motivates this GT Storyteller to collaborate and innovate in his mission to uplift lives through infrastructure.
A Great and Transformative GT Morning to everyone here at Aboitiz InfraCapital, and to our Aboitiz Group family tuning in online! I’m truly excited to be here and share my journey with all of you today.
Before joining AIC, I spent six years in construction—managing sites, ensuring safety, and overseeing operations from the ground up. It was tough, hands-on work, but it taught me a valuable lesson: good infrastructure isn’t just about structures—it’s about people. Every plan executed well meant safer environments and stronger communities.
This experience planted a seed in me: I wanted to be part of something that went beyond building projects—I wanted to help build impact.
That drive carried over when I took my Master’s in Construction Management, where I discovered procurement. At first, I thought procurement was just about buying materials. But I soon realized it was far more—it’s about strategy, negotiation, and building partnerships that benefit both sides. It’s a discipline where you don’t just support projects—you help shape their success.
And that realization brought me to AIC, where I could use that skill set not only to deliver business value but also to contribute to something bigger—uplifting the communities around our projects.
One of the projects I’m proudest of is Group Procurement of end-user devices across the entire Aboitiz Group. We consolidated requirements from different business units—including international ones—and negotiated with vendors to lock in three-year unit prices. This protected us against inflation and global market shifts while generating 4.7% in savings across different brands for the group.
It wasn’t easy—coordinating across so many teams pushed us to truly act as OneAboitiz. But in the end, it proved how collaboration and strategy can deliver real results.
But beyond cost savings, what inspires me most is seeing our work uplift local communities—especially in Laguindingan and Bohol airports.
I remember walking under the sun in Laguindingan before turnover, going stall-to-stall with our team to meet local vendors. Some didn’t even believe we were serious when we invited them to work with us! But as we built trust and explained who AIC was, they became eager partners.
When we procured security services, we made sure to hire locally, giving opportunities to people in Cagayan de Oro and nearby towns. Seeing their gratitude reminded me why I chose this path: infrastructure is not just about facilities—it’s about creating jobs, supporting families, and strengthening local economies.
Staying true to our values is just as important. There was a time a vendor offered rates below government compliance. With guidance from management, we turned it down and gave what was proper. At AIC, integrity isn’t negotiable. We choose what’s fair, even when it’s harder.
On a personal note, moving to Laguindingan initially felt isolating. My family and friends were in Manila, and we’re a lean team spread across projects. But AIC’s culture made me feel at home. There’s always someone checking in—asking how you’re doing, offering help. It reminded me that beyond our work, AIC is a community too.
That support system fuels me. It’s what allows me to give my best at work and stay committed to what I believe in: making an impact through infrastructure that uplifts lives.
Beyond uplifting lives, innovation is at our core, and as a team, we’re always looking for the best and most efficient solutions. Early on, we noticed gaps in our processes—procurement wasn’t fully integrated and had room for improvement. Partnering with IT, we rolled out SAP, streamlining everything from audit trails to spend analysis. Within a year, AIC was recognized as one of the fastest SAP adoption rates in Southeast Asia. This milestone was further recognized through our win in the SAP Customer Excellence Award for Business Transformation and a 2nd Runner-Up placement in Finance Transformation across the region, with honors received in Singapore.. That was transformation in action, and it showed me how technology can power both efficiency and accountability.
As we push toward the end of GT2025, I’m excited to learn global best practices and bring them to our projects. I want to help AIC continue proving to the public that we live our mission every day.
Sometimes, I see comments online doubting what we do, and instead of discouraging me, it motivates me. I know the work we’re doing today will speak for itself because when we transform systems, empower local businesses, and invest in our communities, people will see that we are true to our word: we expand possibilities.
From walking airport stalls under the sun, to negotiating strategic deals, to digitizing our systems—my journey at AIC has shown me that every role, every effort, and every decision contributes to this bigger purpose.
I’m proud to be part of AIC. Proud of what we’re building. Proud of how we’re uplifting communities together. Thank you for letting me share my Great Transformation story, and let’s keep expanding possibilities!