HAPPY PRIDE: (from the left) Visayan Electric President and GM Engr. Mark Anthony Kindica; Accounts Receivable Specialist Boneville Manatad, LGBTQIA+ rights advocate Atty. King Perez; and Visayan Electric Legal Affairs Manager Atty. Ernie Villarin during the DEIB forum at Visayan Electric.
By Kirstein Pilongo
In celebration of Pride Month, Visayan Electric reaffirmed its commitment to fostering a progressive workplace by organizing a specialized learning session dedicated to decoding DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging) last June 24.
The forum featured LGBTQIA+ rights advocate Atty. King Anthony Perez, who discussed his knowledge and expertise on SOGIESC (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Gender Expression, and Sex Characteristics), focusing on basic concepts and the common challenges faced by the community.
Moving beyond theory, the event opened up a vital dialogue on allyship, providing the team with actionable insights on how to build a more harmonious, inclusive corporate culture.
Adding a personal perspective to the discussion, Boneville Gae Manatad from Visayan Electric’s Revenue Management Department shared her inspiring journey of navigating societal norms and finding the confidence to embrace her lived identity.
“It is our goal to make our Kaibigans feel accepted, safe, loved, and valued,” said President and General Manager Engr. Mark Anthony Kindica during his welcome remarks.
By actively embracing individual differences, Visayan Electric is not only strengthening its internal community but also powering a more equitable and brighter future for all stakeholders.