The Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) is refreshing its leadership lineup with executives from the technology and energy sectors, as it looks to strengthen the private sector’s role in tackling the country’s development challenges.
Leo Capinpin, country general manager and technology leader of IBM Philippines, and Emil Andre Garcia, president of Vivant Corporation, have joined PBSP’s board of trustees, bringing with them experience in technology, workforce development, energy, infrastructure and regional business.
The appointments also signal a changing mix of expertise within the organization, whose members have long provided business resources and leadership to programs addressing education, employment, environmental sustainability and community resilience.
Capinpin brings more than 25 years of experience at IBM, where he has held leadership roles covering business strategy, sales and technology. His experience in financial services and IT infrastructure adds a technology and digital-economy perspective to PBSP’s board.
IBM Philippines is also a founding member of PBSP and has worked with the organization on education and workforce initiatives. Its collaboration on programs such as IBM SkillsBuild and P-TECH has focused on helping young Filipinos develop skills for future careers.
Garcia, meanwhile, assumes the board seat representing PBSP members in the Visayas and will chair the organization’s Visayas Regional Committee.
His appointment comes at a time when energy, infrastructure and climate resilience are becoming increasingly intertwined with regional development. Vivant has been a PBSP member since 2009 and has worked with the organization on environmental projects, including reforestation initiatives in Cebu.
Garcia heads both Vivant Corporation, a publicly listed Cebu-based holding company with interests in energy and water, and Vivant Energy Corporation. His portfolio covers investments and operations in conventional and renewable power generation, electricity distribution and retail electricity.
Garcia succeeds Jose Antonio “Tonio” Aboitiz, who is stepping down after 18 years representing Davao Light and Power Company Inc.
PBSP credited Aboitiz with playing a sustained role in the organization’s governance and development work. He chaired both the Visayas Regional Committee and the Audit and Risk Management Committee and supported relief efforts for communities affected by typhoons and flooding.
He was also involved in the Olango Challenge, an annual open-water swimming event that raised funds to build schools for students on Olango Island.
Aboitiz’s departure closes another chapter in the long-standing relationship between PBSP and the Aboitiz Group, a founding member that has partnered with the organization on corporate citizenship and environmental programs, including the Aboitiz A-Park and rehabilitation efforts for Cebu’s Buhisan Watershed Forest Reserve.
PBSP also recognized Aileen Judan-Jiao, who represented IBM Philippines on the board from 2018 to 2026. She served as chair of the Human Resources and Retirement Committee and helped advance the organization’s work with IBM on education and employment initiatives.
The leadership transition comes as businesses face growing pressure to contribute beyond traditional corporate philanthropy, particularly in areas such as workforce readiness, climate resilience and inclusive economic growth.
For PBSP, the arrival of leaders from two sectors at the center of those shifts provides an opportunity to bring fresh business perspectives to its development agenda—while retaining the institutional experience built by long-serving trustees.
With Capinpin and Garcia joining the board, PBSP is entering its next phase with technology, energy and regional leadership playing a larger role in how Philippine businesses can contribute to social progress.
(MAIN PHOTO: Leo Capinpin, country general manager and technology leader of IBM Philippines (left), and Emil Andre Garcia, president of Vivant Corporation).