Engineering leadership took center stage at the 3rd APM LEAD Conference & Exhibition, as participants explored how technical roles are evolving to meet broader business and sustainability goals.

AboitizPower Senior Manager for Reliability and Performance Management Jovinel Yambao, speaking in one of the breakout sessions, emphasized that engineers are no longer confined to maintaining systems—they are now expected to shape business strategy, enable operational resilience, and influence sustainability outcomes.

“We go beyond blueprints,” Yambao said. “We’re no longer just problem-solvers—we are change-makers, shaping business strategy and community impact.”

This call to action is particularly relevant as the Philippine energy sector shifts toward cleaner, more flexible systems. The transition to renewable energy, growing demands from data centers, and rising expectations for energy reliability have elevated the role of engineers from system operators to strategic decision-makers.

Yambao stressed the importance of soft skills—like emotional intelligence, communication, and business acumen—alongside technical know-how. “Engineers can easily read data from machines. But understanding people requires a different kind of skill—and empathy must be part of the job,” he said.

He also urged the industry to localize sustainability efforts. “It’s not just about going renewable,” he added. “We need to ask: what’s truly sustainable for our communities and operations?”

Closing his talk, Yambao encouraged organizations to mentor future engineering leaders and challenge them with roles beyond their current scope. “Stretch yourself, share knowledge, and prepare the next in line,” he said. “Leadership begins when you influence with impact.”

APM Lead 2025 was held from July 28 to 30, 2025 at SPACE at One Ayala in Makati City. The event gathered industry leaders, experts, and innovators from Southeast Asia. This year’s theme—Synergize: Creating Asset Value Through a Unified Approach to Finance and Plant Management—highlighted the importance of cross-disciplinary collaboration to achieve operational excellence, financial stability, and sustainable growth. The conference also delved into the dynamic interplay between financial oversight and operational demands, showcasing how synergy, rather than trade-offs, drives enduring value.

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