Ayala vows sustained investments in Philippines

Marking 50 years as a listed company

MANILA, Philippines — Ayala Corp. has reaffirmed its commitment to continue pouring massive investments into the country as the Philippines’ oldest conglomerate marked 50 years of being publicly listed.

The group has committed to deliver better value to stakeholders through more efficient businesses, disciplined investment and global partnerships that strengthen its ability to contribute to the country’s development.

Speaking at the bell-ringing ceremony at the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) yesterday, Ayala chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala said he and the rest of the conglomerate remain confident in the country’s prospects amid these turbulent times.

“We have and will continue to invest significantly as a group, and together with our partners here and overseas, to expand the economy and enhance the quality of life of Filipinos,” Zobel said.

“Ayala will always remain a partner in building a country where everyone thrives,” he said.

Ayala was listed on the Manila and Makati Stock Exchanges, the predecessors of the PSE, on Nov. 8, 1976.

“Indeed, much has changed since 1976. We have experienced profound political transitions, financial crises, technological change and a global pandemic. Today, we are likewise experiencing a confluence of several challenges across the economic and geopolitical spheres,” Zobel said.

“It is my hope that private enterprise, the public sector and institutions such as the PSE would be able to work much more closely together to ensure that dynamism and vibrancy of our capital markets continue,” he said.

Zobel acknowledged that the company would not have reached its 50th listing anniversary milestone without the contributions that public ownership has provided over the past half-century.

He said being a listed company has allowed Ayala to benefit from the perspectives of a broad stakeholder base.

“Shareholders who question our assumptions and strategy, independent directors who challenge our decisions and analysts who examine our performance. We welcome these engagements as it has made us much better and more grounded as an institution,” he said.

Zobel said the public listing has also allowed Ayala to participate meaningfully in developing the Philippine capital market.

“Through the Philippine Stock Exchange, the savings of individuals and institutions can become productive investments. A person setting aside money for retirement can participate in the growth of enterprises that employ people, support suppliers and provide services across the country,” Zobel said.

“It is for this reason that we are proud to see several of our companies listed on the PSE, and which together account for over 18 percent of the PSE index,” he said.

Ayala president and CEO Bong Consing, meanwhile, said the group is looking ahead to what it can do over the next 50 years, assuring the public that Ayala would remain guided by its values, while transforming its companies, operating efficiently and investing with discipline.

“We cannot know exactly what Ayala will look like then, but we are clear about how we intend to move forward. We will look for opportunities where building a good business can help address the country’s pain points,” Consing said.

“We will also be more deliberate about making our businesses work better together. For example, in the communities we develop, we can bring health care, financial services, connectivity and cleaner transport closer to where people live and work,” he said.

Consing said Ayala continues to attract leading global partners whose capital, technology, expertise and international networks strengthen execution and business performance.

He said these relationships support sustainable returns while bringing capabilities and better services to the Philippines.

To mark 50 years as a publicly listed company, Ayala has committed P20 million to advance social infrastructure across health care, education, skills development and community development.

Through the Group’s Alagang Ayala programs, the commitment will support 50 medical missions through AC Health, scholarships for 50 students across iPeople schools and 50 young women from financially disadvantaged backgrounds pursuing college degrees through the U-Go program.

It will also support skills training for 50 professionals through the Private Sector Jobs and Skills Corp., which helps address workforce skills gaps.

Another 50 Indigenous community partners will benefit from Ayala Foundation’s Mindoro Community Development Program, which links sustainable livelihoods with biodiversity and forest protection and strengthens the communities that depend on its forests.

Additional support will go to CENTEX, Ayala Foundation’s public elementary education initiative, and the Bangsamoro Young Leaders Program, which equips young leaders to advance community projects that address local needs and support peace and development.

Consing said these efforts help Ayala respond to the country’s changing needs while expanding opportunities for Filipinos.

“We want the breadth of our group to translate into greater value for the people we serve,” he said.