Cotabato Light, BPDA and Aboitiz Foundation Partner to Advance Sustainable Community Development in BARMM

COTABATO CITY, PHILIPPINES (October 20, 2026) — Guided by the Aboitiz Group’s commitment to driving change for a better world, Cotabato Light & Power Company (Cotabato Light), together with the Aboitiz Foundation, Inc., signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Bangsamoro Planning and Development Authority (BPDA) to advance sustainable, community-driven development across the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

The MOU signing was highlighted by a ceremonial graduation for 20 beneficiaries comprising Batch 1 of the Virtual Assistant (VA) Training under the AIDA Plus Program. The initiative, designed to foster digital inclusion and economic empowerment, equip digital and technology skills, opening pathways to remote work, employment, and sustainable livelihoods.

This strategic partnership aligns Aboitiz CSR initiatives with BARMM’s long-term growth priorities, focusing on five key areas: CSR and community development, capacity building, consumer awareness, digital inclusion, and environmental stewardship. Grounded in creating shared value, the joint programs will deliver targeted support in education, health, livelihood skills development, electrical safety, energy conservation, disaster resilience, and environmental protection.

Under the agreement, BPDA will provide policy guidance and help facilitate regional stakeholder coordination to ensure programs reach high-priority communities. Cotabato Light and the Aboitiz Foundation will lead program planning, execution, and resource allocation, helping local beneficiaries build resilient, self-sustaining futures.

Highlighting the importance of public-private synergy, BPDA Director General Engr. Mohajirin T. Ali stated:

"As the coordinating agency for inclusive planning and investment programming, BPDA recognizes that collaboration and engagement with the Private Sector is indispensable. The energy and power utilities sector, represented today by Cotabato Light, is a cornerstone of development—providing the foundation for industrial growth, modernization, and improved quality of life for our communities.

The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) alongside the graduation ceremony is clear proof that through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, we contribute not only to human skills development but also to opening up opportunities for employment and livelihood. This is a concrete example of cooperation between the government and the private sector to promote a more inclusive economy in the Bangsamoro."

Director General Ali also extended his appreciation to key institutional partners, including Cotabato Light, the Aboitiz Foundation, TESDA Region 11, Ring Circle BPO, BPDA team members, and the 20 graduating AIDA Plus VA trainees who embody the immediate impact of these capability-building efforts.

Through this collaboration, Cotabato Light, the Aboitiz Foundation, and BPDA reaffirm their shared dedication to co-creating sustainable, empowered communities and advancing a resilient, inclusive Bangsamoro region.