Aboitiz Group and GCNP strengthen support for post-pandemic recovery of MSMEs
The Aboitiz Group further strengthened its commitment to support the post-pandemic recovery journey of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the Philippines, through its strong and proactive participation in the Global Compact Network Philippines (GCNP). The GCNP is the local entity of the United Nations Global Compact that is tasked with aligning and championing Philippine sustainability initiatives on an international level through policy proposals, sustainability advocacies, and accessible initiatives.
Ana Margarita “Ginggay” Hontiveros, Vice President for Reputation in Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc. (AEV) represents the Aboitiz Group and sits on the Board of Trustees of GCNP. In the recently-held General Assembly and election of Board Members, GCNP recognised that the Philippine economy has yet to surmount the business challenges brought about by the pandemic. With its election of new board members, GCNP aims to inject the group’s initiatives with new insights and thought leadership that will help the country align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and further develop a sustainable business landscape in the Philippines.
Aboitiz Group leads the Private Sector Champions (PSC) under the “Prosperity” pillar that directly benefits the Filipino MSME sector. The PSC focuses on financing, supply chain sustainability, business continuity management, diversification, and market access in support of the “10-in-10 Business Agenda for MSME Recovery and Resilience” promoted by the GCNP.
Speaking at the GCNP General Assembly, Hontiveros emphasized the vital role leaders play in ensuring an equitable, sustainable, and inclusive business landscape for Filipino MSMEs. “The most important decisions that businesses can make today to benefit MSME recovery and resilience in the country is improving business value chain inclusions. By doing so, we can expand the market access of MSMEs and create more opportunities for them to thrive,” she said. As an example, Hontiveros cited the benefits of focusing on agriculture-based solutions, which she says can aid MSME recovery while also helping to address natural resources scarcity and food insecurity.
The Aboitiz Group recognizes the interconnectedness of the 17 SDGs and the importance of addressing different Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) concerns in order to achieve the SDGs. As a strong advocate for the SDGs, the Group integrates action-based initiatives into #OneAboitiz Sustainability Framework. To highlight, AboitizPower has set to grow its renewable energy portfolio to 4,600MW over the next 10 years, with a goal of a 50:50 balance between its renewable and thermal capacities by 2030, which aims to address the pressing concerns of Climate Change (SDG 13) and access to renewable and affordable energy (SDG 7). The AboitizPower renewable energy journey is part of the Group’s larger climate transition strategies that work to lower greenhouse gas emissions of the company.
Meanwhile, the Aboitiz Group also continues to promote decent work and economic growth (SDG 8) through its participation in the 10-in-10 business agenda and enterprise development programs linking communities to entrepreneurship, capital and market access.
Hontiveros’ holdover in the board selection is joined by the newly-elected GCNP board members, Ma. Vicki Tan of Ayala Corporation (re-elected), Dr. Hian Ho Kua of Manila Doctors Hospital (re-elected), Maria Luz ‘Yayu’ Javier of Philippine Marketing Association (re-elected), June Cheryl Cabal-Revilla of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (newly elected), and Dennis Montecillo of International Care Ministries Foundation (newly elected). Hontiveros brings to the GCNP Board her decades-long expertise in sustainable development and is a direct link to the sustainability initiatives of the Aboitiz Group.
Visit www.sustainability.aboitiz.com to learn more about the Aboitiz Group’s sustainability initiatives.
