MAP inducts new set of officers
‘Relevant leadership’ to guide Board of Governors this year
RENE D. ALMENDRAS, the president and chief executive officer (CEO) of AC Logistics Holding Corp. and Public Affairs Group Head of Ayala Corp. (AC), takes on the role of leading the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) for 2024 with his election as its 76th president.
Mr. Almendras also serves as senior managing director of AC. He is a board director of the following companies within the Ayala Group: AC Energy and Infrastructure, Light Rail Manila Holdings, Inc., Entrego, Air 21 Holdings, Inc., and its subsidiaries.
Mr. Almendras has vast experience in both the private and public sectors.
He spent 13 years with the Citibank group where he started as a management trainee and landed his first CEO position as president of City Savings Bank of the Aboitiz Group at the age of 37.
In 2011, he was recognized by the World Economic Forum (WEF) as a Sustainability Champion for his efforts as president of Manila Water Co., Inc. (MWCI). During his stint as its president and COO, MWCI received multiple awards and was recognized as one of the Best Managed Companies in Asia, Best in Corporate Governance, one of the Greenest Companies in the Philippines, and hailed as the world’s Most Efficient Water Company.
As a public servant, Mr. Almendras served in various high-level positions: namely, Secretary of Energy, Cabinet Secretary, and Secretary of Foreign Affairs.
In June 2016, he was awarded the Order of Lakandula, Rank of Gold Cross Bayani, a Presidential award and the highest honor given to a civilian by the
Republic of the Philippines. The award was former President Benigno S.C. Aquino III’s recognition of the exemplary service of Mr. Almendras during the former’s administration.
Joining Mr. Almendras in MAP’s Board of Governors this year are KPMG R.G. Manabat & Co. Vice-Chair and Chief Operating Officer Emmanuel P. Bonoan (Vice-President), HSBC Philippines Treasurer and Head of Markets and Securities Services Maria Corazon D. Purisima (Treasurer), GCash President and Chief Executive Officer Martha M. Sazon (Assistant Treasurer), and CEO Advisers, Inc. Partner Karen V. Batungbacal (Secretary).
Du-Baladad and Associates (BDB Law) Founding Partner and Chief Executive Officer Benedicta DuBaladad; Center For Excellence in
Governance Vice-Chair Rex C. Drilon II; PLDT, Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer Alfredo S. Panlilio; and P&A Grant Thornton Founder Benjamin R. Punongbayan are also named as MAP’s governors this year.
AC Chair Jaime Gusto Zobel de Ayala led the induction during MAP’s 76th Inaugural Meeting last Jan. 18 at the Shangri-La, The Fort in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.
BECOMING RELEVANT LEADERS
Along with the induction of officers, MAP also revealed its theme for the year, “Relevant Leadership for a Progressive Philippines,” which will guide the business group’s activities in the coming months.
“By being relevant, we not only raise up ourselves, but more importantly, we
raise others up. I believe the present call for all of us, our organizations, our businesses, are to be relevant to the times, to the community, to the nation, and to the environment,” Mr. Almendras said in his inaugural address.
“In navigating the complexities of an ever-evolving domestic and global landscape, embracing relevant leadership in business and government is not just an option but now a necessity and a continuous journey towards a progressive future,” the MAP President added.
In line with this theme, Mr. Almendras added, MAP will pursue five thrusts: Member Engagement; Country Competitiveness; ESG and Shared Prosperity; Innovation, Technology and Digitalization; and Investing in the Youth.
The MAP President added that the Board of Governors will work with the 21 MAP committees, which shall be grouped according to the aforementioned main thrusts.
Messrs. Almendras and Bonoan will lead the Member Engagement group. The Country Competitiveness group will be headed by Mr. Almendras and Ms. Purisima. Mr. Drilon and Ms. Sazon will head the ESG and Shared Prosperity group. Mr. Panlilio and Ms. Sazon will handle the group on Innovation, Technology and Digitalization; while Misses Batungbacal and Purisima and Mr. Al Panlilio will lead the group on Investing in the Youth.
Moreover, the five thrusts seek to address the top seven concerns revealed by a survey MAP conducted among its members in the 4th quarter of last year. These concerns are: Corruption, Ease of Doing Business, Economy, Agriculture, Cybersecurity, Education, and Climate Change.
On being given a new role to fulfill in the business community, Mr. Almendras said: “It is a privilege, but much more a challenge, to be serving this prestigious group of women and men, full of talent, skill, and capability, but more so committed to do good, to do what is right for a better nation.”
Concluding his address, Mr. Almendras looks forward to the valuable support and active participation of every MAP member, particularly the Board as well as the chairs and vice-chairs of the committees.
“In addition to all the successes and significance here present, may we invite all of you to join us. Let us all share in the aspiration to be relevant leaders that are committed to a better future for the generations to come,” he said.