Ayala Group to strengthen presence in Mindanao region

By RUEL V. PELONE

TO strengthen its commitment in building progressive development of Mindanao, the Ayala Group has reintroduced itself with the launch of “Accelerating The Future With Our SMEs” on Monday (December 5, 2016) at the Centrio Mall in Cagayan de Oro City.

Former Cabinet Secretary Rene Almendras, now AC Infra president and CEO, said the Ayala Group has rebranded its emerging businesses––the AC Energy, AC Infra, AC Health, AC Education, AC Industrials, and AC Automotive.

In a press conference, Almendras told reporters that Ayala is also planning to bring to Mindanao its healthcare services called “FamilyDoc.”

Ayala has also ventured into the education business by putting up an Affordable Private Education Center (APEC) schools.

The Ayala Group, the oldest conglomerate, has a long-standing presence across diverse industries, and such initiative maintained its prime position to help address some of the country’s pressing development challenges by reinforcing its ties with its partners.

Aside from the ongoing construction of 4x138 megawatt thermal facility in Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte, Almendras said the company is planning to construct another power plant in Mindanao. He, however, did not elaborate.

“Today, the Ayala group has taken a more deliberate approach to integrating the needs of a wider ecosystem into our business plans and it is evident in the strategic direction that we have taken over thg past five years,” said Ayala Corporation Chairman and CEO Jaime Zobel de Augusto de Ayala in a press statement, adding, “we diversified into sectors that are going through important social and economic transformation and are critical to sustaining our country’s economic progress—hard infrastructure through power and transport and social infrastructure through healthcare and education,”

This philosophy has served the Ayala group and all of its stakeholders well, and has been a key driver of its shared success, which is underpinned by three principles that guide its decisions and actions, the statement said.

“Where others see challenges, we see potential; and across our group of companies, we are driven to find better ways to address the many needs of customers, hinged on our commitment to improving the lives of the communities we serve,” Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala said.

Improving more lives

Over the years, the Ayala group has partnered with several businesses—be it small or established—to extend its positive impact to more communities. It has also empowered groups and individuals to fulfill their dreams with the help of its different products and services, aiming to provide them with opportunities for a better quality of life.

“In recent years, we have adopted a more imaginative approach to business and created platforms where social issues are integrated into, and made central—not merely adjacent—to business strategy. We pursued sectors with astounding gaps in capacity, accessibility, quality, and affordability that are critical for our countrymen,” President and COO Fernando Zobel de Ayala said.

In supporting SMEs, the Ayala group has shown its commitment through specialized services. Thelfe include BPI’s Family Ka-Negosyo Loan, Globe’s SME arm Globe myBusiness, and many other services that cater to the needs of micro, small and medium businesses.

“These services were created with a vision of empowering aspiring entrepreneurs to take full charge of their day-to-day operations and move towards success. We are focused on understanding your business needs and designing innovative solutions that will help you grow your enterprise,” said Rogong.

The Ayala Corporation recognizes how integral partnerships such as these are in propelling this shared vision forward. Ayala remains driven in strengthening these and other partnerships, and believes in the principle that it is through collaboration that people can bring around inclusive growth, and accelerate the future of those whom the company serves.

Accelerating the future

At present, BPI, Globe, Ayala Land, Manila Water, and IMI have established track records of reinventing and helping drive the growth of these industries. They have developed solid brands that cemented the company’s strong reputation of integrity, reliability, and resilience and strengthened the great level of trust that its stakeholders place on the Ayala brand.

“Across the Ayala group, we are fueled by a singular passion to help improve the lives of people and of communities. And even as we do this at every turn, we can still do more. Across our firms, we believe that we can accelerate the future for everyone, helping each one dream and actually enjoy a better life,” Fernando Zobel de Ayala said.

These emerging businesses will take on a unified brand identity henceforth. They will be renamed AC—AC Energy, AC Infra, AC Health, AC Education, AC Industrials, and AC Automotive. Together, they will further bolster innovation, synergy and dynamism for the Ayala group.