Ayala member companies go full force in CSR initiatives

CEBU, Philippines — The We Are Ayala Business Club (WAABC-Cebu) commits to strengthen its influence in Metro Cebu by mobilizing all Ayala Corporation member companies to actively participate in corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs and collaborative customer support initiatives.

Now led by Seda Ayala Center general manager Gwendolyn Dela Cruz, WAABC-Cebu is preparing for advocacy programs fostering customer-support, employee synergy activities, and community engagements.

“We aim to fortify our presence in Cebu through a unified commitment to making a positive impact on the community and fostering joint efforts that go beyond business boundaries,” said Dela Cruz, who was formally inducted recently by Ayala Corporation managing director and public affairs head, and former Department of Energy (DOE) secretary Jose Rene D. Almendras.

“We are all link to each other and part of a community. We will continue to spearhead projects, activities and advocacies for the Cebuanos that will help enhance our engagement with our customers, our colleagues and the public,” Dela Cruz said.

Last month, WAABC-Cebu kicked off 2024 with its signature event dubbed “BisaYala & Passion City Fair,” showcasing Ayala Corporation member companies products and services to the Cebuano market.

“Looking back, WAABC has been here since 1995. The last 29 years we have witnessed many men and women of the Ayala Group growing this organization and establishing a strong presence in the industry. Our Purpose is always for the Greater Good and foster Customer Support, Employee Synergy and Community Engagement. These three pillars encompasses who we are in our Ayala Business Club. The power of working together and having supportive Ayala companies in WAABC gives us the opportunity to connect with people, organizations and achieve more and make a difference. It is really all about connecting people and organizations for that Greater Good to achieve our purpose,” added Dela Cruz.

She highlighted the strong collaboration within WAABC during the pandemic and Super Typhoon Odette. With the leadership of her predecessor, Globe’s Patrick Gloria, each member contributed their resources, fostering a collective effort to assist one another and the communities in navigating the challenges, particularly in the face of power outages and water shortages.

This year, Dela Cruz said WAABC will introduce more programs for the organization and communities in Cebu in close coordination with Ayala Foundation, to celebrate Ayala Corporation’s 190th anniversary.

In April 2022, Ayala Corporation’s Fernando Zobel de Ayala visited Cebu to formally re-introduce the WAABC to Cebuano community showing the Group’s commitment to Cebu and strengthening employee-synergy among its member companies.

In addition to engaging with the executives and employees of Ayala Group member companies in Cebu, Zobel convened with the Cebuano business community. During these interactions, Zobel underscored the Group’s commitment to support business and corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives in Cebu as the local economy undergoes a reset following the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and typhoon Odette.

WAABC-Cebu are composed of businesses under the Ayala Corporation, such as Globe Telecom, Bank of the Philippine Island (BPI), Seda Hotels, Ayala Land Inc., AyalaMalls, Ayala Foundation, Honda Cars, Isuzu, Makati Development Corporation, Ayala Property Management Corporation, Generika Drug Stores, konsultaMD, Air21, among others.