How Aboitiz Foundation is building stronger communities across the Philippines
‘Our philosophy has shifted from simply doing CSR to being a good neighbor.’
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‘Our philosophy has shifted from simply doing CSR to being a good neighbor.’
Designed with flexibility in mind, Elevate AIDA enables participants to bring their children to training sessions, removing barriers to workforce participation for more women.
AuroraPH equips last-mile schools with clean energy, internet connectivity and digital learning tools to help improve learning outcomes in underserved communities.
ABOITIZ Foundation works with people’s organization in Cebu to restore forests and build more resilient communities through CarbonPH.
More than 2,400 women trained for digital jobs, 84 last-mile schools energized, 1,200 scholars supported, and a 40-year commitment to restore over 71,000 hectares of forest landscapes — Aboitiz Foundation is demonstrating how strategic partnerships can scale impact beyond what any single organization can achieve.
Working alongside government agencies, local governments, academe, communities, development organizations and private sector partners, the Aboitiz Foundation is expanding opportunities in education, livelihoods and climate action through programs designed not only to address immediate needs, but to deliver measurable, long-term outcomes under the OneAboitiz Sustainability framework.
“Over the years, the role of Aboitiz Foundation has evolved alongside the changing needs of the communities we serve. Today, we see ourselves as a development partner, working with communities to improve education, strengthen livelihoods, create sustainable sources of income and build long-term resilience," said Aboitiz Foundation president Ginggay Hontiveros-Malvar.
“Our philosophy has shifted from simply doing CSR to being a good neighbor. We measure success not by the projects we deliver, but by the communities that are stronger, more self-reliant, and better prepared for the future because of our partnership," Hontiveros-Malvar added.
Creating pathways to quality jobs
Partnerships have transformed the Aboitiz Foundation’s digital livelihoods initiatives from pilot programs into nationwide workforce development platforms.
Launched with Connected Women, Elevate AIDA (Artificial Intelligence and Data Annotation) has grown from 60 trainees during the pandemic to more than 2,400 digitally competent and job-ready women trained across the country as of July 2026.
Building on this momentum, the Aboitiz Foundation partnered with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority to launch AIDA Plus, equipping Filipinos with in-demand skills in virtual assistance, data analytics, cloud accounting and digital content creation. The program has already trained more than 1,000 learners.
Working with local government units and other implementation partners has enabled wider deployment nationwide, resulting in a 97 percent graduation rate, with more than 680 graduates now employed. Together, these collaborations support the Aboitiz Foundation’s long-term goal of helping create 300,000 digital jobs.
Expanding access to quality education
Aboitiz Foundation’s education initiatives similarly demonstrate how partnerships can unlock greater impact.
Working with the Department of Education, Huawei, Starlink, GivePower, ING, the Okada Foundation and Aboitiz business units, AuroraPH has energized 84 last-mile schools since its launch in 2024. The initiative has brought solar power, internet connectivity, digital learning tools, and teacher training to schools serving more than 4,800 students, over 400 teachers, and approximately 24,000 community members in geographically isolated areas.
Aboitiz Foundation is working toward expanding AuroraPH to 100 last-mile schools, while measuring success through improved literacy, stronger learning outcomes and better educational access.
Partnerships with leading higher education institutions have also enabled the Aboitiz Foundation’s Future Leaders Scholarship Program to support more than 1,200 scholars since 2000, with 273 scholars currently enrolled across the University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University, University of Santo Tomas, Mapúa University, Benguet State University and Pampanga State Agricultural University.
To help build the country’s digital talent pipeline, the Aboitiz Foundation also established a $10 million endowment with the Asian Institute of Management, supporting 290 students pursuing graduate studies in data science and producing more than 160 graduates.
Beyond financial assistance, the Future Leaders Scholarship program combines leadership development, mentorship, internships across the Aboitiz Group, volunteer opportunities, and learning experiences that prepare scholars to lead in business, government, academe, and the nonprofit sector.
Advancing climate resilience at scale
Aboitiz Foundation is likewise leveraging partnerships to deliver long-term environmental outcomes through CarbonPH, the Aboitiz Group’s first landscape-scale, nature-based climate initiative.
Implemented with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, local government units, and Archeda Japan, CarbonPH represents a 40-year commitment to restore more than 71,000 hectares of degraded landscapes in Cebu through forest restoration, watershed protection, biodiversity conservation, sustainable livelihoods, and satellite-enabled environmental monitoring.
By combining the strengths of government, communities, civil society and the private sector, Aboitiz Foundation is scaling solutions that create lasting social and environmental impact.
“We wanted to make sure that the programs that we were doing would be sustainable and that the communities would be more involved in terms of stewardship,” Hontiveros-Malvar said.
