AYALA Corp. Chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala called on the Philippine business community to embrace sustainable and inclusive growth by aligning business strategies with long-term environmental, social and technological goals.
Speaking at the 56th Finex Conference on Friday, JAZA, as he’s known in corporate circles, explained that sustainability and climate action, diversity and inclusion, and digital transformation are shaping the future of businesses.
Highlighting the urgency of climate action, he said: “We have no choice but to confront these realities head-on.”
He reaffirmed Ayala’s commitment to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, an integral aspect of the conglomerate’s sustainability strategy aimed at mitigating climate change while fostering economic growth.
The Philippines, one of the countries most vulnerable to climate-related disasters, has greatly suffered from intense weather disturbances.
JAZA announced the early closure of a coal-fired power plant under the Energy Transition Mechanism, which aims to expedite Ayala’s shift to renewable energy. He noted this would not only reduce carbon emissions but also facilitate job creation for affected workers.
“Our path forward is clear,” he said, “we must continue decarbonizing our operations while ensuring we create new opportunities for the communities that depend on us.”
He likewise gave an update on the Ayala Group’s efforts in diversity, equity and inclusion, framing these initiatives as both a moral obligation and a catalyst for innovation. Companies that embrace inclusivity are better positioned to thrive in today’s competitive landscape, he said. “By fostering a more inclusive environment, we unlock the full potential of our workforce.”
To reinforce this commitment, he disclosed that Ayala has revised its human resource policies to promote diversity and equity, implementing mentorship programs and enhanced benefits for underrepresented employees. The conglomerate has also been integrating advanced technologies to enhance efficiency and customer experience.
Ayala’s approach to artificial intelligence (AI), analytics and digital technologies is to enhance the capabilities of its workforce, allowing them to leverage technology to perform better, rather than being replaced by automation, he said.
“Rather than replace people with machines, we aim to harness technology to enhance what our people can do,” he stressed.
The use of AI is central to transformation, he said, citing the finance-technology platform, GCash, and the use of customer credit scores using nontraditional metrics.
“GCash uses AI to calculate customer credit scores, simplifying the credit and loan process, and ensuring that customers will have access to the most relevant financial products,” he expounded, adding that a global banking leader like JP Morgan Chief Executive Officer Jamie Dimon has taken a keen interest in GCash’s model of using AI to enhance financial inclusivity.
“During his recent visit to our Ayala offices, he lauded the initiative of offering a fresh perspective on how financial services can be made more accessible to underserved markets,” JAZA said.
Shares of Ayala Corp. on Friday grew by P18.50, or 2.66 percent, to close at P715.00 apiece amid the 1.07-percent rise for the benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index.
Be the first to comment