Public-private pact seeks safer business districts in southern Metro Manila

The Ayala Group and the Philippine National Police Southern Police District have formalized a partnership aimed at strengthening public safety and security in major business districts across southern Metro Manila.

The partnership was sealed through the signing of a memorandum of understanding on 27 January, involving members of the Ayala Group Corporate Security Council and the Southern Police District, along with police chiefs from Makati, Taguig, Pasay, and Parañaque.

Signatories from the Ayala Group included security heads from ACEN, Ayala Land’s Ayala Property Management Corp., Bank of the Philippine Islands, Globe Telecom, and the Makati Development Corp.

The agreement formalized a long-standing collaboration between the Ayala Group and the Southern Police District in key commercial areas in the southern metro, which host several Ayala-developed malls, residential and office complexes, parks, and mixed-use developments.

“At Ayala, we firmly believe that security is fundamental to resilience and sustainable growth. The safety of our people, our assets, and the communities where we operate is not only a corporate responsibility but a shared obligation that requires close and continuous collaboration with our public sector partners,” said Ayala Corp. Managing Director and Head of Security Management Ret. Gen. Manny Bautista, who also chairs the Ayala Group Corporate Security Council.

Southern Police District Director Police Brig. Gen. Randy Arceo underscored the importance of public-private cooperation in ensuring safety.

“Public safety works best when the public and private sectors work together… Our reach and effectiveness increase when we align with partners who invest in prevention and rapid response,” Arceo said.

Under the agreement, the Ayala Group and the Southern Police District will coordinate on operational security measures in business districts, including joint patrols, public safety campaigns, information sharing, and collaboration in crisis response and crowd management.

The initiative aims to improve incident response times, strengthen crime prevention and deterrence, and ensure safer environments in high-foot-traffic business areas across southern Metro Manila.