LGBTQ+ at AboitizPower
In commemoration of Pride Month, Aboitiz Power Corporation (AboitizPower) affirmed their support for diversity and inclusivity in the workplace by participating in the Pride Festival at the Quezon Memorial Circle over the weekend.
AboitizPower employees joined some 110,000 attendees to raise awareness, promote respect, and celebrate the individuality of LGBTQ+, all while practicing a culture of excellence and high performance.
The festival — which involved a Pride March and a Pride Expo for organizations, businesses and sponsors — was organized by Pride PH, the widest national Pride network of Philippine LGBTQIA+ organizations and individuals.
Prior to the march, the company held a “#BetterTogether: Uniting Perspectives, Empowering Change” forum in their BGC office where AboitizPower Chief Human Resources Officer MaLu A. Inofre announced the release of the company’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) policy, that will take effect on June 26, 2023.
“This policy reflects our drive to create a more inclusive and equitable workplace where diversity thrives, equity is upheld, and everyone feels a sense of belonging,” Inofre said in her speech. “It provides clear guidelines, attracts top talent, fosters employee engagement, fuels innovation, enhances customer relations, and aligns with our social responsibility.”
According to Inofre, AboitizPower acknowledges the uniqueness of each team member with regards to their physical characteristics, talents, perspectives, sexual orientation and preference, marital status, socio-economic standing, and experiences, among others. But instead of being causes of unwanted division, the company recognizes the potential of a workforce wherein each one is respected and empowered, and a culture of unity is cultivated.
“We believe that a diverse and inclusive workforce is crucial to our purpose of driving change for a better world,” the policy states.
“Let’s continue to foster an environment where everyone feels safe, respected, and empowered to bring their A-game. Embrace empathy, actively listen, and challenge biases that hinder progress,” AboitizPower President and CEO Manny Rubio remarked during the forum.
(From left) MaLu A. Inofre of AboitizPower provides insights during the “#BetterTogether: Uniting Perspectives, Empowering Change” forum, along with RJ Barrete from the Philippine Business Coalition for Women Empowerment and Chris Eugenio of Philippine Financial & Inter-Industry Pride.
In the same event, guest speakers shared overcoming biases and prejudices, as well as what it means to be an ally of the LGBTQIA+ community.
“Allyship has actual roots to our Filipino core values of pakikipagkapwa tao (fellowship), pagkakaisa (unity), bayanihan (sense of community), pagkakaibigan (friendship), and pamilya (family). Allyship appeals to our common humanity. It appeals to our core goodness and graciousness that drives us to be there for one another despite our differences,” said Chris Eugenio, a board of trustee for the local non-profit, Philippine Financial & Inter-Industry Pride.
“We commend what you’re already doing at AboitizPower, the fact that you’ve taken the step to codify your DEIB policy,” Eugenio added. “I see a lot of commitment from leadership, so that’s already a plus… Please do not rush this. Just enjoy the journey of becoming a more inclusive organization.”
“Aside from having a workplace that accommodates all, regardless of gender and sexual orientation, I dream of a workplace wherein everyone can thrive and be given equal opportunities,” explained RJ Barrete, program manager for the Philippine Business Coalition for Women Empowerment (PBCWE). “Cultural change is not inspirational but rather it is something that is observed in organizations.”
The Better Together Series is a series of talks aimed to improve the knowledge and appreciation of AboitizPower team members on the concepts and challenges relating to sustainability or environmental, social, and corporate governance or ESG.