Manila: Aboitiz Equity Ventures (AEV) has remained largely unaffected by the recent United States tariff policy, with its businesses focusing on the domestic market shielding it from direct impacts. In a virtual briefing Monday, AEV chief financial officer Jose Manuel Hilado said the company does not anticipate significant effects on its businesses, although it remains cautious of broader risks stemming from global trade tensions.
According to Philippines News Agency, "So far, based on our initial assessment, because AEV is primarily focused in the local markets, we don't think that there will be any direct effect on our business," Hilado said. "And in general, the Philippines is not really an exporting country, so we don't expect much direct impact," he added, noting that the company will continue to monitor developments to assess potential risks.
AEV subsidiaries, which span energy, banking, food, and infrastructure, are focusing on expanding their operations to drive the company's growth in the coming years. In the same briefing, AEV's energy arm Aboitiz Power Corp. shared the company's clean energy expansion plan, supporting its goal to achieve a 50-50 renewable-thermal energy mix by 2030.
"Aboitiz Power continues to play an active role in the Philippine energy transition. In 2024, we energized a number of clean energy assets, including the 159-megawatt (MW) Laoag solar, 173-MW Calatrava solar, 45-MW Armenia solar, and the 17-MW Tiwi binary geothermal," AboitizPower president and chief executive officer (CEO) Danel Aboitiz said. He added that construction has also begun on several renewable and energy storage projects, including the 212 MW-peak Olongapo Solar, the 89-MWp San Manuel Solar, the 58.5-MW Camarines Sur Wind Power Project, and the 20-MW Bay, 8-MW Magat, and 20-MW Binga Battery Energy Storage System.
Another AEV subsidiary, Union Bank of the Philippines, will continue its investments in digital transformation to enhance customer experience. Meanwhile, Aboitiz Foods is advancing its expansion plans, according to its president and CEO Tristan Aboitiz. "We're studying expansions in East Malaysia in 2025, and this will entail us building out an integrated feed-to-farm business model together with a joint venture partner in that country," he said. He shared that the company is currently refurbishing farms in Tarlac province to support sow repopulation initiatives in the Philippines, aiming to boost feed production and strengthen growth.
In the infrastructure sector, Aboitiz Land, Inc. and Aboitiz InfraCapital, Inc. continue to expand their footprint through key developments, including the two-phase expansion of Laguindingan Airport in Cagayan de Oro and efforts to attract more locators to their industrial zones.
