AboitizPower (PSE ticker symbol: AP) continued its commitment to corporate social responsibility in the first three months of the year, spending a budget of P80.9 million (mn), the bulk of which was spent for education development initiatives.

Through its various generation and distribution subsidiaries, and in partnership with the Aboitiz Foundation, Inc., AboitizPower spent P67.9 mn for its education programs for the first quarter of 2012, nearly 60 percent of the P117 mn worth of projects invested by the company for the same cause in the whole of 2011.

"Education is of primary importance to the Aboitiz Group. We are firm believers that the youth will shape the future of our nation. We have extended our hand to help the government by putting up school facilities and other tools needed by today's youth," AboitizPower president and CEO Erramon I. Aboitiz said.

Education initiatives include construction of school buildings, donation of computers and armchairs, scholarship grants,  distribution of school supplies, and teacher training, among others.

Aside from Education, AboitizPower’s community efforts span four other program components: Enterprise Development, Primary Health and Child Care, Environment and Corporate and  Other Donations.
 
Under Enterprise Development, AboitizPower focuses on the social and economic development needs of less privileged communities both within and outside the areas where the company operates.  It forges ties with business partners to ensure a more successful implementation of sustainable projects fit for the various needs of its beneficiaries. First quarter projects include livelihood programs, entrepreneurial initiatives, small enterprise financing models, and many others.

AboitizPower also continued to pursue primary health programs, spending P4 mn in the first quarter for dental, optical and medical missions, and donation of equipment to healthcare centers.

The company spent P3 mn for corporate projects such as gifts giving, peace and order programs, outreach activities, and footbridge repairs while P5.3 mn was invested in the area of Sustainable Environment under AboitizPower's 5 sustainability pillars, Rejuvenate Nature, Reduce, Re-use/Recycle, Renewable Energy and Recharge Communities.

AboitizPower launched in the first quarter its Cleanergy school tour program, aimed to enlighten students and teachers’ on how we can make better daily lifestyle choices that can help preserve the environment.

"Our first quarter CSR numbers show AboitizPower’s commitment to the continuous growth of various local communities, which are, in turn, instrumental in the further development of our national economy," Aboitiz said.

About AboitizPower
AboitizPower is the holding company for the Aboitiz Group’s investments in power generation, distribution, retail and power services.  It is a major producer of Cleanergy, its brand for clean and renewable energy in the Philippines with several hydroelectric and geothermal assets in its generation portfolio and also has non-renewable power plants located across the country. The company owns distribution utilities that operate in high-growth areas in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. For more details, please visit: www.aboitizpower.com and www.cleanergy.com.ph

About The Aboitiz Foundation
The Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. is the concrete manifestation of the Aboitiz Group’s strong commitment to corporate social responsibility.  Guided by its mission, Helping People Help Themselves, the Foundation addresses social and economic development needs of less privileged communities and members of society in areas where Aboitiz companies operate.  The Foundation acts primarily through chosen programs in education, enterprise development, primary health and child care, and the environment, in order to improve the quality of life of its beneficiaries.  For more details, please visit: www.aboitizfoundation.org.