Aboitiz ramps up infra push to help boost economic growth
The Aboitiz Group is ramping up efforts to develop much-needed infrastructure projects, which will help sustain the country’s economic growth in the wake of the global health crisis.
Aboitiz InfraCapital, the infrastructure arm of the Group, aims to create “purpose-driven” infrastructure, in line with the goal of driving change for a better world by advancing business and communities. Following the introduction of a fresh brand identity that reflects the group’s goal to become the country’s top-of-mind infrastructure solutions late last year, Aboitiz InfraCapital has set its sights on the expansion and the hypergrowth of its businesses.
The company aims to further grow its business in the coming years by proactively participating in project opportunities in the industrial development, water, digital infrastructure, and transport sectors. Despite its young history, Aboitiz InfraCapital is committed to further invest in new projects that will bolster progress and economic growth. This is fueled by the company’s optimism that the economy will sustain its recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, as demand for more infrastructure solutions emerges.
Doubling footprint in Economic Estates
After a solid 2021 performance, Aboitiz InfraCapital is all set to follow through with expansion and operation projects this year. The company seeks to more than double the footprint of its Economic Estate developments in Batangas and Cebu as well as introduce sustainability and smart city features. Most recently, LIMA Estate became the first industrial park to achieve the pilot BERDE (Building for Ecologically Responsive Design Excellence) District Certification with a 5-star rating, the highest rating Philippine Green Building Council (PhilGBC) awards to developments. PhilGBC certifies Districts based on their commitment to sustainable development, including the contribution of projects to health and well-being, community engagement, and economic opportunities. The next phase of expansion for its Economic Estates in Lipa-Malvar, Batangas, and Balamban, Cebu is in the works, as the company targets to add 240 hectares of property in total and spur economic activity in its areas by generating 92,000 jobs combined.
Diversifying into telco infra
Aboitiz InfraCapital is also building up the portfolio of its digital infrastructure business with leading global private markets firm Partners Group. It formed a joint venture with Partners Group in April last year to establish a telecommunications infrastructure platform called Unity Digital Infrastructure Inc. Unity aims to be a one-stop service provider for mobile network operators’ passive telecommunications tower infrastructure needs. It also recently acquired Aboitiz InfraCapital’s Small Cells Poles Business to expand its complementary service offerings. Unity has completed tower sites across the country, and is targeting approximately 1,000 combined macro towers and small cells operating sites by the end of the year.
Providing sustainable water solutions
Aboitiz InfraCapital is also advocating for better water resource management to ensure water security for years to come, in line with its goal to provide Filipinos with sustainable water solutions. Aboitiz InfraCapital’s water businesses, which include Apo Agua Infrastructura Inc. and LIMA Water Corp., are working towards data-driven, innovative, and green solutions, such as utilizing a water-energy nexus concept and creating a Smart Water Network that integrates water facilities into intelligent systems. Through Apo Agua Infrastructura Inc., the company is undertaking the Davao City bulk water supply project and is introducing the pioneering water-energy nexus concept to the country for the first time. Tapping the Tamugan river as its surface water source, the project’s water treatment facility will be powered by renewable energy sourced from a two-megawatt run-of-river hydroelectric power plant. Water will be fed through the project’s 65- km pipeline purely by gravity. Once operational, the project will provide over 300 million liters of safe water per day to more than one million Davaoeños. LIMA Water, on the other hand, has been working towards adopting a Smart Water Network wherein its water facilities turn into interconnected and intelligent systems.
More airport, construction projects
Aboitiz InfraCapital has also been actively pursuing airport projects, submitting to the government a number of unsolicited proposals for regional air gateways. It has been granted original proponent status for its unsolicited proposals for the operations, maintenance, and expansion of the new Bohol- Panglao International Airport in September 2018 and the Laguindingan Airport in February 2019. The company has also submitted an unsolicited proposal for the Bicol International Airport. Supporting the Aboitiz Group’s infrastructure push is another unit in charge of the construction business called Aboitiz Construction. This year, Aboitiz Construction is looking into expanding its operations in heavy industries and adding more infrastructure projects to their roster. For heavy industries, the company is set to complete the installation of the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) for AboitizPower’s Therma Marine Inc. in Davao de Oro this year to provide an additional 49 megawatts and support the Mindanao grid once completed.
As part of its innovation initiatives, Aboitiz Construction is one of the first construction companies in the country that started the automation of equipment, which will ensure the accuracy and efficiency of construction operations. Aboitiz Construction is currently the main contractor for the land development of the second phase of LIMA Estate’s industrial expansion. The expansion will accommodate new businesses in the area and can generate 22,000 job opportunities. It is also the subcontractor for the construction of the JG Summit Philippines Inc.’s Stage 1 and expansion project of a petrochemical plant. By the end of 2022, the company is set to complete one of its biggest projects to date, which is the construction of a 26,000 square meter warehouse and office buildings for a logistics giant in Parañaque City.
#OneAboitiz mindset
Embodying the #OneAboitiz mindset, Aboitiz Construction has been partnering with other businesses in the Aboitiz Group to pursue projects that fulfill the mission of advancing business and communities. The #OneAboitiz mindset is about harnessing the cross opportunities within the group, creating complete ecosystems for valued customers. This mindset energized the Group to aspire to provide food, water, power, banking services, and build a sustainable community for many Filipinos. #
