Workplace equality has been a perennial issue for businesses but many companies have made significant strides to ensure that positions are filled based on merit. Aboitiz Power Corporation (AboitizPower) highlighted the importance of being an equal opportunity employer that evaluates based on merit and performance as opposed to sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other status during the launch of the “Census on Women in Executive Leadership Teams in Philippine Publicly Listed Companies,” an initiative spearheaded by the Philippine Women’s Economic Network (PhilWEN) and the Philippine Business Coalition for Women Empowerment (PBCWE).
The census found that from 2020 to 2022 the number of women in executive leadership teams in Philippine publicly listed companies increased to 40 percent. In AboitizPower, women comprised 37 percent of executive leadership and 35 percent of the managerial pool.
“We follow the principles of meritocracy wherein we put the right people in the role where they fit. Selection and promotion are based on merit and open competition, and we reward those who deliver,” said AboitizPower SAVP for Talent Attraction Corinne Patron. “In talent management, equal opportunity for development, upskilling, and promotion is given to all regardless of gender.”
“The power industry is still generally seen as a male-dominated industry, making it more attractive to male talents and not so much on the female demographics,” Patron added.
The company has carried out programs to show that anyone can succeed in what is widely seen as a man’s industry. These include information campaigns such as POWERTalk and BABAEngineer.
POWERTalk is a platform that showcases employee experiences, including testimonies on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB), while BABAEngineer, a portmanteau of the words “babae” or woman and “engineer” is an integrated marketing campaign that showcases the company’s female engineers who help operate its power plants and power distribution facilities.
The company has also implemented several initiatives to provide equal benefits to all its employees. In 2019, AboitizPower launched its Diversity and Inclusion campaign, which aims to raise awareness, promote respect, and celebrate the individuality of minorities, all while practicing a culture of excellence and high performance. This paved the way for the development of a DEIB policy in 2023.
It also also started including domestic partners, whether common-law or same-sex, as beneficiaries in its HMO coverage for employees, supporting and valuing all forms of families and relationships.
“This proactive step enhances the well-being of our LGBTQ+ team members and their families, sending a powerful message that AboitizPower values and respects diverse family structures,” AboitizPower Talent Attraction Manager Francis Cruz said.
“These initiatives are part of our broader strategy to create a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and supported. AboitizPower is dedicated to leading by example in promoting inclusivity and well-being for all team members,” he added.
