Sustainability is not just about protecting the environment. It is also about creating jobs, providing reliable services, using resources responsibly, and making decisions that benefit people and communities.
For the Aboitiz Group, these efforts begin with good governance. By putting transparency, accountability, and responsible leadership at the heart of its businesses, Aboitiz Group aims to make sustainability part of everyday decisions, not just a long-term commitment.
This was recently recognized by the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD) at the 2026 Golden Arrow Awards, where the active portfolio manager of the Group, Aboitiz Equity Ventures (AEV) and and its bank and financial services arm, UnionBank each received four Golden Arrows, while its power arm, AboitizPower earned three. The awards reflect the Group’s continued adherence to corporate governance standards.
As the world marks World Sustainability Day, Aboitiz highlights how these principles translate into practical benefits for people, from employment and essential services to education and environmental protection.
Through the integrated real estate arm of AEV, developments such as LIMA Estate in Batangas and West Cebu Estate in Cebu are home to businesses that collectively support around 100,000 jobs nationwide. These jobs help workers provide for their families while supporting local economies.
The estates also promote better use of resources. At LIMA Estate, its Sustainability Hub supports water reuse, composting, materials recovery, and renewable energy. In Cebu, Aboitiz InfraCapital’s Estate Water business operates a solar-powered deep well facility, while its Apo Agua bulk water facility in Davao City uses hydropower to support operations that supply treated water for distribution to more than one million residents.
Reliable electricity is another everyday need. AboitizPower continues to invest in renewable energy, adding 846 megawatts (MW) of new capacity over the past four years through Aboitiz Renewables. Its projects include the Calatrava Solar Power Plant in Negros Occidental. These efforts recently earned Aboitiz Renewables the Independent Power Producer of the Year award at the Enlit Asia Power & Energy Awards 2026.
The Group also helps connect people and businesses through its airports. Mactan-Cebu, Bohol-Panglao, and Laguindingan airports served 16.12 million passengers in 2025, supporting tourism, trade, and local businesses.
Alongside these services, Aboitiz is finding ways to reduce waste and give used materials another purpose through circularity.
Through Coca-Cola Europacific Aboitiz Philippines’ Tapon to Ipon program, used plastic bottles are collected for recycling. PETValue Philippines processes suitable bottles into materials for new beverage bottles, while Republic Cement recovers remaining materials, such as caps and labels, for use as alternative fuel in cement manufacturing.
This shows how businesses can work together to reduce waste and make better use of resources rather than simply throwing them away.
“For us, sustainability is about taking responsibility and being accountable for how we do business and the impact we have on people, communities, and the environment. It means making thoughtful decisions, using resources responsibly, and ensuring that our growth creates lasting value,” said Ginggay Hontiveros-Malvar, AEV Chief Reputation and Sustainability Officer.
“When responsibility and accountability guide our everyday decisions and operations, sustainability becomes part of how we do business, not just a commitment we make,” she added.
Beyond its businesses, the Aboitiz Foundation works with partners to help more Filipinos access education, jobs, and livelihood opportunities.
Through AuroraPH, the Foundation aims to bring solar power, internet connectivity, and digital learning tools to 300 last-mile schools, with work underway in more than 100 schools.
Through Elevate AIDA, the Foundation partners with Connected Women and local government units (LGUs) to help Filipino women gain digital skills and explore online work opportunities. Its AIDA Plus program, together with TESDA, LGUs, and other partners, extends digital skills training to more Filipinos.
The Foundation’s Future Leaders Scholarship Program has also supported more than 1,200 scholars since 2000, helping young Filipinos continue their education and prepare for future opportunities.
Environmental protection is another part of the Foundation’s work. Through CarbonPH, it partners with government agencies, communities, and private organizations to restore forests and protect watersheds. The 40-year initiative aims to restore approximately 71,000 hectares of forest landscapes and grow 10 million trees while supporting local livelihoods.
For Aboitiz, sustainability remains a work in progress. Challenges such as climate change, waste, and growing demand for essential services require continued investment, better solutions, and cooperation.
This World Sustainability Day, the Group reinforces a simple message: good governance and sustainability go hand in hand. Both matter most when they lead to responsible decisions and real benefits for people and communities.
