Aboitiz Foundation Ramps Up CSR 2.0 Initiatives In 2015

The Aboitiz Foundation, the corporate social responsibility (CSR) arm of the Aboitiz Group, stepped up its programs and projects in 2015 as it rolled out more CSR 2.0 initiatives in education, enterprise development, environment, and health and well-being versus the previous year.

Starting 2015, the Aboitiz Foundation began implementing its CSR 2.0 projects, seeking to go beyond mere one-time dole-outs (CSR 1.0). Under CSR 2.0, the Aboitiz Foundation began executing community projects that are more sustainable to beneficiaries, and are aligned to the operations of Aboitiz business units, specifically in the flagship industries of power, banking, food, land development, and infrastructure.

As of end-2015, the Aboitiz Foundation’s allotment for CSR 2.0 projects grew to P40 million, a 235% increase from P17 million in 2014. This means that of the Aboitiz Foundation’s P251 million budget this year, 16% went to CSR 2.0 projects, versus a 7% budget share in 2014.

As the Department of Education’s largest private partner in education, the Aboitiz Foundation invested the largest portion of its budget here, developing 25 technical vocational high schools and 10 special science elementary schools, constructing 40 Silid Pangarap kindergarten classrooms for the Aklat, Gabay, Aruga tungo sa Pag-Angat at Pag-asa (AGAPP) Foundation and building 17 regular classrooms. A total of 3,302 scholars also benefited from scholarships distributed nationwide.

Aside from education, the Aboitiz Foundation was also active in enterprise development, providing P46.2 million worth of projects that benefited 4,517members of partner organizations last year. In addition, the Aboitiz Group remains on track to planting six million trees by 2020 after ending 2015 with 3.8 million trees planted groupwide, a part of which was planted under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ National Greening Program.

For health and well-being, the Aboitiz Foundation conducted several medical, dental, and optical missions in various communities nationwide that benefited 15,780 patients. In addition, it also assisted families affected by major disasters last year through various relief efforts and re-powering activities.

“Thanks to the efforts of our team members and our partners, we were able to shift a bulk of our CSR interventions in 2015 from CSR 1.0 to CSR 2.0. Through these projects, we aim to empower our beneficiaries to pursue their aspirations. We will continue to partner with communities to promote inclusive growth through education and capability-building programs, in line with our mission to help people help themselves,” said Sonny Carpio, Aboitiz Foundation Chief Operating Officer.