BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Victorias Milling Company was recently included in the top 10 women-led firms across 55 countries by the Corporate Women Directors International (CWDI), a US-based non-profit organization.
VMC landed second among four publicly-listed Philippine firms that landed in the top 10 in a field of almost 3,000 countries by CWDI that ranked firms to gather a baseline data on women covering leadership positions, a statement from the company said.
VMC President Minnie Chua said this recognition is “a validation of the company’s conscious choice in putting women in leadership roles,” after CWDI cited the company for having 71 percent top executive positions held by women.
Chua is the first female president of the company that recently celebrated their 102nd anniversary. A graduate of St. Joseph School – La Salle and the University of St. La Salle, she also holds the position as VMC Board Vice-Chairperson and Chief Operating Officer (COO).
This feat, to have many women holding key positions, is among company’s thrust to promote diversity, equity and inclusivity in an otherwise perceived male-dominated industry, VMC also said.
“VMC is committed and very proactive in enlisting women as part of our workforce and we hope to achieve a balance that will lead to a more equitable and productive company,” Chua said.
For a manufacturing company, utilizing mostly engineering jobs, VMC has 40 percent upper management positions held by women, 20 percent holding middle management positions and 31 percent holding unit head positions.
CWDI said that only 143 out of the 2,994 publicly listed companies surveyed have a woman sitting as their chief executive.
Other Philippine firms recognized were SSI Group, Inc. led by Zenaida Tantoco that topped the ranking with women holding 80 percent of its key positions, Filinvest Development Corporation and Robinson’s Retail Holdings, Inc.*
