Aboitiz Group fosters inclusive economic growth; drives progress in ABAC’s commitment

With steadfast commitment to comprehensive economic and sustainable development, the Aboitiz Group steps up its strategies to advocate and drive progress in ABAC’s theme of Equality, Sustainability, and Opportunity. By incorporating these principles into their operations and initiatives, Aboitiz is actively contributing towards a more prosperous ASEAN region.

As the Philippines looks forward to hosting the ABAC 3 meeting in Cebu, the Aboitiz group acts as a key driver in advancing the shared goals of equity, sustainability, and opportunity. The invaluable expertise of Aboitiz President and CEO, and ABAC PH member Sabin Aboitiz, contribute significantly to the Aboitiz Group’s endeavors and enhance the alignment between ABAC’s vision and the strategies.

Sabin Aboitiz demonstrates the Aboitiz Group’s unwavering commitment to sustainability. The focus on exploring the viability of Nuclear Energy via Small Modular Reactors highlights the Group’s interest in advancing clean and efficient energy sources, aiming to reduce carbon emissions and mitigate climate change. Additionally, the integration of Climate Risk Scenarios underscores the Group’s proactive approach to understanding and addressing the potential risks and challenges posed by climate change.

“At Aboitiz, we believe that businesses have a crucial role to play in promoting equity, sustainability, and opportunity,” Aboitiz Group President and CEO Sabin Aboitiz said. “Through our collective efforts, we are committed to making a positive impact on society and fostering a better future for all,” he added.

Apart from being the pioneer of renewable energy in the Philippines with 1249.17MW of total net sellable renewable energy capacity, AboitizPower, the energy arm of the Aboitiz Group, has shown commitment in promoting equity and inclusion within the company. Testament to that is the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) program which aims to push the envelope further in creating a safe and welcoming workplace for all. The DEIB program includes the establishment of resource networks for LGBT+, women at work, and “special life” team members, which include single parents and differently-abled workers.

Group wide, Aboitiz also implements several initiatives that further celebrates diversity and maintain an inclusive workplace. Among them are info sessions and people stories for Women’s Month, Pride Month, and Mental Health Month. Aboitiz also recognized the significance of showcasing the demographics within its workforce. The company boasts a balanced representation of male and female team members, fostering an environment that values gender equality and provides equal opportunities for all.

Aboitiz Equity Ventures, AboitizPower, and Aboitiz InfraCapital are also proud member companies of the Philippine Business Coalition for Women Empowerment, a nonprofit organization advocating for workplace gender equality. Aboitiz understands that the overall success of the company also depends on the individual success of the team members. And by creating a culture where everyone feels valued, respected, and included, the Aboitiz group makes sure that no one is left behind on the journey towards progress.

Furthermore, the Aboitiz-led UnionBank of the Philippines plays an important role in the group’s digitalization path. Driven by its dedication to “Tech-Up Pilipinas” and fostering widespread economic growth, UnionBank remains unwavering in its assurance that nobody, be it its clients, employees, or fellow citizens, will get left behind.

Environmental stewardship also lies at the core of Aboitiz’s efforts, as the company actively pursues envi- ronmentally responsible practices and solutions that meet the sustainable development goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations. Aboitiz Equity Ventures (AEV), the holding company of the Aboitiz Group, has placed sustainability at the forefront of its business strategy. The Aboitiz Cleanergy Park, which is located at the tip coast of Punta Dumalag, Matina Aplaya, Davao City, is a huge part of Aboitiz’s sustainability efforts. The eight-hectare biodiversity park serves as a haven for migratory and local birds, various mangrove species, a pawikan rescue center facility and a nesting ground for critically endangered sea turtles.

By partnering with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Aboitiz continues to live out its sustainability efforts by also spearheading the protection and rehabilitation of the Boracay Wetland No.4. As a linear urban park, the Boracay Wetland will offer a range of recreational activities that incorporate eco-friendly tourism designs, ensuring minimal environmental impact.

IT’S UP...

FROM 2 go Duterte, 3%; Manny Pacquiao, 2%; Robin Padilla, 1%; Isko Moreno Domagoso, 1%; Bongbong Marcos, 1%; Imee Marcos, 1%; Sandro Marcos, 1%; Others, 4%; and unspecified names, 1%.

VP Sara, who also sits as education secretary, expressed her gratitude to the Filipinos for the survey ratings, however, emphasized that she was not yet considering the national elections in 2028.

She is currently in Brunei attending the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) Council. She is the council’s president.

REP. ... FROM 3

Pulong.

In January this year, Rep. Pulong personally asked the private sector to broaden job opportunities for senior citizens who are still able to work, to help them meet their financial needs while continuing to contribute to the country’s post-pandemic economic growth.

To encourage private firms to hire seniors, Rep. Pulong, together with Benguet Rep. Eric Yap and ACT-CIS Partylist Reps. Edvic Yap and Jeffrey Soriano, filed a bill further increasing the amount of tax incentives for private entities employing elderly citizens.

Under House Bill 2384, the amount of additional tax deductions from gross income entitled to private firms employing seniors is increased from 15 percent of the total amount paid as salaries and wages to 25 percent “regardless of whether the income tax return was filed under the itemized deduction or optional deduction system.”

CITY ... FROM 3 SINGLE...

FROM 2 into the picture because that’s irreversible.)

Gatchalian described the first 1,000 days from pregnancy until lactation as a “crucial period.” He said studies showed that stunting already happens by the time some children reach daycare.

“Irreversible na. Ang paradigm shift natin... attacking the problem sa first 1,000 days,” the DSWD chief said.

“Yung nasa sinapupunan pa siya, wala pa tayong ganoon ka-aggressive na programa and if I may boldly stay, it is going to be in this administration that we are going to tackle even before they get into the facilities,” he said.

(It’s already irreversible by then. Our paradigm shift is attacking the problem in the first 1,000 days. Starting at nutrition from the womb, we have no program as aggressive as that yet.)

About 1 in 5 Filipino children aged 0 to 23 months old and 28.7 percent of children below 5 years old are stunted, Health Secretary Ted Herbosa said.

He said his agency aims to halve these figures by 2028 or the end of the Marcos administration.

“If you want a human capital na magtatrabaho and they are intelligent, they will pass school, you really need to feed them well during their early life years kasi dun yung growth and development na kailangan nila,” Herbosa said.

The pilot run of the food stamp program aims to cover 1 million poorest families, the Department of Social Welfare and Development earlier said. Target beneficiaries will receive food credits worth P3,000 to purchase a select list of food commodities from DSWD-accredited local retailers, added the agency.

NUGGETS... FROM 7 DAVNOR... FROM 3

dressing communist insurgency. The whole-of-nation approach addresses the root cause of insurgencies, internal disturbances and tensions, and other armed conflicts and threats by prioritizing and harmonizing the delivery of basic services and social packages by the government, facilitating societal inclusivity, and ensuring active participation of all sectors in the society in the pursuit of the country’s peace agenda.

Jubahib also lauded the Duterte administration’s creation of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTFELCAC) under EO 70, which aims to address the core issues and concerns “that have fueled dissent and discontent among our poorest of the poor that has been the breeding ground for exploitation and recruitment by the CPP-NPANDF communist terrorist organization.”

“Tungod sa NTF-ELCAC mao ni ang susi nga adunay pagsinabtanay ang gobyerno ug ang katawhan, especially in the people living in the far-flung barangays. Klaro kaayo nga ang good governance maoy exact words para mahuman ang atong problema sa insurgency,” Jubahib said.

The celebration carries the theme “Celebrating Insurgency-free Davao del Norte: Sustaining the Gains for Progress and Long-lasting Peace.”

The activity was also graced by Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, Davao del Norte First District Representative Pantaleon Alvarez, military officials, officials from the regional office of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG 11), and former rebels. By Maya M.

Padillo

cific duties and functions of the RDANA Team. The overall coordinator, represented by the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) chief or their authorized representative, organizes and deploys multiple RDANA Teams as necessary. The lead agencies for families/individuals affected, agricultural damage, infrastructure damage, poultry and livestock affected, and emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases are assigned to assess the impacts and damages in their respective areas of responsibility.

To ensure timely reporting, the RDANA Team must submit their assessment report to the City Mayor through the CDRRMO within 24-72 hours after a disaster occurs. It will serve as the basis for evaluating the need to declare a state of calamity for a particular barangay or the entire City of Davao. Suppose the magnitude of the disaster causes considerable damage to lives and properties.

In that case, the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) will convene and recommend the state of calamity declaration to the City Council.

EO 15 also states that all expenses to support the activities of the Davao City RDANA Team will be funded by the Office of the City Mayor and/or the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (DRRM Fund).

Implementing the EO 15 Series of 2023 is expected to strengthen Davao City’s disaster response capabilities and facilitate a more efficient and coordinated approach to assessing damages and addressing the immediate needs of affected communities. By establishing the RDANA Team, the city aims to mitigate the disasters’ impact and ensure the safety and well-being of its residents.

half-time despite going 1-for15 from 3-point range, the worst-ever NBA Finals shooting half from beyond the arc.

A Murray jumper gave Denver an 81-76 lead with 6:43 remaining while the Heat began the fourth quarter hitting only 2-for-14 from the floor and going scoreless for more than five minutes.

Butler, who had struggled all night, sank back-to-back 3-pointers and made three free throws after a controversial foul on Denver’s Aaron Gordon was upheld on video review.

Butler and Jokic traded hoops and Butler followed with two free throws to give Miami an 89-88 lead.

Bruce Brown answered with a rebound basket to put Denver ahead 90-89.

“Those last three or four minutes felt like a scene out of a movie,” Spoelstra said. “Two teams in the center of the ring throwing haymaker after haymaker.

“It will probably rank as our hardest, competitive, most active defensive game of the season, and it still fell short.”

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope stole a pass by Butler and sank two clutch free throws with 24 seconds remaining to give Denver a 92-89 edge.

“For me it was all about defense,” Caldwell-Pope said. “We’ve got to get stops. Defense was going to win us a championship. I always told them that.”

Butler missed a 3-pointer, Brown grabbed a rebound for Denver and then made two free throws to seal the victory with 14 seconds remaining.