Marcos Jr. visits AboitizPower-JERA training hub on its first anniversary

MANILA, Philippines —President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. visited the Global Technical Center of Excellence (GTCOE) on Monday, the learning facility’s first anniversary, as part of his tour of the LIMA Estate in Batangas on Monday. He was accompanied by Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, Energy Secretary Sharon Garin, Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos-Recto, US Ambassador Lee Hipton, UK Ambassador Sarah Hulton, and Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Sho Ono of the Embassy of Japan. They were welcomed by Aboitiz Power Corp. (AboitizPower) Chairman Sabin M. Aboitiz and other company officials, together with representatives from JERA. Launched on Sept. 8, 2025, the GTCOE serves as a hub for developing world-class technical talent across both companies to support the broader energy industry. READ: Marcos calls for job-focused education amid skills shortages Marcos commended AboitizPower and JERA for their accomplishments over the past year, highlighting the GTCOE’s role in developing well-rounded energy professionals. “The GTCOE is a fruit of the collaboration between JERA and AboitizPower. It is a platform for technical training and knowledge sharing, developing professionals in the power sector with strong technical expertise, leadership, adaptability, and interpersonal skills,” Marcos said. So far, the GTCOE has trained 2,000 participants from AboitizPower and JERA and developed capability opportunities for them. The GTCOE’s flagship Basic Operations & Maintenance (O&M) Program has produced 79 graduates, including the latest cohort of 13 AboitizPower and four JERA trainees. Beyond classroom learning, the GTCOE provides trainees with hands-on experience in operating power plants, including the GNPower Mariveles Energy Center (GMEC) and GNPower Dinginin (GNPD) power facilities in Bataan, as well as the Pagbilao Power Plant in Quezon. AboitizPower and JERA also continue to explore opportunities to broaden GTCOE’s reach through engagement with local universities, professional organizations, local government units, and other industry and institutional groups. “GTCOE reflects what can be achieved when organizations come together with a shared commitment to developing people and supporting the future of the energy industry. Beyond technical skills, it provides participants with opportunities to broaden their perspectives, learn from different experiences, and build relationships across borders,” Hisahide Okuda, JERA president, director, CEO, and COO, said. “These are capabilities that will become increasingly important as the energy industry continues to evolve. We are proud of the progress achieved in GTCOE’s first year and look forward to building on this foundation together with AboitizPower in the years ahead,” he added. AboitizPower Chairman Sabin M. Aboitiz pointed out that cross-organizational partnerships are important in equipping the energy workforce with the skills needed to shape the future of power. READ: AboitizPower, Jera launch training hub in Batangas “At the end of the day, GTCOE is about elevating Filipino skills and giving our people the capabilities to compete anywhere in the world. Through our partnership with JERA, we bring together knowledge, experience, and practical expertise — we learn from each other and get better at what we do. That kind of exchange builds more than technical capability; it builds trust,” Aboitiz said. Marcos said that the GTCOE’s accomplishments over the past year reflect the deepening bond between the Philippines and Japan, especially as the two countries marked 70 years of diplomatic relations. “Our accomplishments remind us of what is possible when we give our people the skills and the opportunities that they need. And so I call on our partners in the academe, in government, and industry, to continue opening more opportunities for Filipinos to learn and to develop their skills. Let us make training more accessible and responsive to the needs of our industries.”