Aboitiz Group advances inclusion as women reshape workforce

Insider Spotlight

• Women now make up about 40 percent of Aboitiz Group workforce
• Near gender parity achieved at Aboitiz Equity Ventures corporate level
• Female participation rising in traditionally male-dominated sectors
• Inclusion positioned as a long-term business and ESG strategy
  
  
  

The Aboitiz Group is accelerating efforts to embed gender inclusion across its businesses, with women taking on a more prominent role not just in corporate functions but increasingly in technical and operational fields.

Women account for roughly 40 percent of the conglomerate’s workforce as of 2025, reflecting sustained progress toward a more balanced organization. 

The shift underscores how companies are rethinking talent strategies, recognizing women as key contributors to growth across diverse industries. 

Why it matters

Historically male-dominated sectors such as power, infrastructure, and food production are seeing a gradual but meaningful increase in female participation. 

This signals a broader evolution in workplace culture, where inclusion is no longer peripheral but central to competitiveness and innovation.

At the center of this effort is Aboitiz Equity Ventures, which has reached near gender parity at the corporate level through a deliberate, multi-year push to build an inclusive leadership pipeline. 

This reflects how the group is institutionalizing inclusion as part of its long-term strategy rather than treating it as a standalone initiative, the company said in a release.

Zoom in

UnionBank and Aboitiz Land have long benefited from strong female representation, but the more notable shift is happening within the Group’s operational core. 

Women are increasingly entering engineering, plant operations, and logistics—roles that directly influence productivity and business outcomes.

What they’re saying

“For us, advancing sustainability is about connecting three things: business performance, environmental responsibility, and human development,” Ginggay Hontiveros-Malvar, first vice president and chief reputation and sustainability officer of AEV and president of Aboitiz Foundation, said in a statement.

“Building internal ESG capability allows us to future-proof the business and deepen the trust we hold with our stakeholders,” she added.

Between the lines

Aboitiz is aligning workforce inclusion with its broader ESG agenda, treating diversity as a strategic asset. Investments in leadership development and equitable workplace policies aim to ensure women not only participate—but advance and lead.

The bottom line

As Aboitiz transforms into a techglomerate, women are reshaping the workforce from within—strengthening both business resilience and the push for a more inclusive Philippine economy. — Princess Daisy C. Ominga | Ed: Corrie S. Narisma