SM enables sustainable communities
SM through the SM Green Finds program will launch a collaboration project with social enterprises to emphasize the significance of circularity.
The project is aligned with the SM group’s thrust of upholding environmental stewardship and sustaining a green culture.
Under the SM Green Movement, the group-wide, multi-year sustainability campaign of the SM group focused on the environment, the SM Green Finds aims to make it easier for consumers to choose green. The initiative promotes products that are eco-friendly, made from natural and local ingredients and support local communities while also helping empower MSME partners in their own green practices.
The SM Green Finds x The Tarp Project is the recent campaign of SM Finds – a collaboration with known social entrepreneur ZarahJuan. The project aims to create beautiful bags out of used tarpaulins from the SM Store.
Used tarpaulins are repurposed and given new life through assistance from Persons Deprived of Liberty in Quezon City, tasked with cleaning and cutting the tarpaulins.
Local bag artisans from Bulacan then print and assemble the bags.
The tote bags and pouches from this initiative will be available at SM Store Makati, SM Store Aura, SM Store Megamall, SM Store MOA, and SM Store North EDSA.
Maynilad receives int’l award for sustainability reporting
West Zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services Inc. was conferred a Bronze award under the Asia’s Best Sustainability Report — Private Company category of the 9th Asia Sustainability Reporting Awards.
The award reinforces Maynilad’s commitment to high quality reporting of its sustainability performance and its progress in addressing key sustainability issues.
“This recognition is a major accomplishment for companies like Maynilad that focus on sustainable growth. We aim for transparency in disclosing our social, governance and environmental performance, and this award confirms that we are on the right track,” said Roel Espiritu, Maynilad chief sustainability officer.
Sustainability reporting enables companies to assess and communicate their sustainability performance, manage risks, build trust with stakeholders, and align their business strategies with stakeholder expectations. High quality sustainability disclosures not only provide a competitive advantage but also contribute to improved financial outcomes and broader access to capital.
Educators, learners flourish from PLDT, Smart-backed DLP
The Central Visayan Institute Foundation Dynamic Learning Program (CVIF DLP) motivates students to become independent learners.
Developed by Dr. Christopher Bernido and his wife, the late Dr. Maria Victoria Bernido, and supported by PLDT and Smart, the crisis-resilient teaching strategy had been the lifeline for both students and teachers at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“A key component of the CVIF DLP is the Learning Activity Sheet which simplifies complex concepts into manageable bits. Students are required to copy the CVIF DLP LAS to help them understand the lessons better. This is aligned with the Department of Education’s ‘MATATAG’ agenda in improving the country’s basic education,” said Stephanie Orlino, AVP and head of Stakeholder Management at PLDT and Smart.
The CVIF DLP highlights PLDT and Smart’s commitment to inclusive and equitable quality education through Information and Communications Technology, content, pedagogy, and capacity building to ensure that there is #NoLearnerLeftBehind. This initiative is also aligned with the UNSDG 4 on ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education for all.
Franchise Expo opens
Franchise Asia Philippines 2024 International Franchise Expo opened on April 12 at the SMX Convention Center Manila.
With the theme, “Explore. Expand. Excel” the expo gathers the best and brightest franchising concepts in Asia and showcases over 700 franchise brands.
Guest of honor Mark Villar (first row, 4th from left), incumbent Senate Committee Chair on Trade, Commerce, and Entrepreneurship, delivered the keynote message at the opening rites. Joining Villar are the PFA board officers and guests (1st row, from left) Franchise Asia Philippines 2024 International Franchise Expo Chairman Robert Trota, president and CEO of Max’s Group, Inc.; Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Royal Thai Embassy in Manila Tull Traisorat; PFA president Joseph Tanbuntiong (Jollibee Foods Corp.); PFA Chairman Sam Christopher Lim (FrancorpPhilippines); Representative Wilson Lee (AGRI Partylist); Tourism Promotions Board COO Maria Margarita Nograles; PFA vice chair and FAPHL 2024 International Expo ways and means committee chair Ma. Alegria Sibal Limjoco; (2nd row, from left) FAPHL2024 overall chair Joey Garcia, (Conti’s/ Wendy’s/ Masuma); GCash B2B growth marketing head Kathryn Cruz; PLDT Enterprise VP Chet Alviz; Sang Seung Man Deputy Chief of Mission & Consul General, Embassy of the Republic of Korea; Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Enunina Mangio; SM Supermalls senior VP for marketing Joaquin San Agustin; FAPHL expo co-chairman Joey Alvero (Potato Corner); EGSI VP Joel Aguada; (3rd row, from left) GCash head of distributive trade Mark Mamaril; Miss Globe 2nd Runner Up 2023 Anna Valencia Lakrini; Bb. Pilipinas 1st Runner Up 2023 Katrina Anne Johnson; and Malaysian Embassy deputy head of mission Fareed Zakaria.
Bayanihan spirit in action
Pilmico, through its pet food brands Maxime, Woofy, and Tommy, donates over 4,200 bags of pet food to various animal shelters nationwide.
Since 2023, Pilmico has regularly donated cat and dog food to their partner shelters as part of their “Project Hero” initiative.
This program partners with animal shelter organizations to encourage pet adoption nationwide. From December 2023, Pilmico’s pet food brands have donated over 4,200 bags which have reached various regions nationwide, including Tarlac, Metro Manila, Cebu, Iligan, and other areas.
With the help of Pilmico’s partner shelters, its pet food donations have reached more locations and fed thousands of stray animals.
These include Biyaya Animal Care for Puerto Princesa, Palawan; Noah’s Ark Dog and Cat Shelter for Antipolo, Iligan Stray Feeders for Cagayan De Oro.
PayMongo is Most Innovative Payment Facilitator in PH
PayMongo, a pioneering Fintech focusing on digital financial services solutions, was recognized as the Most Innovative Payment Facilitator at the Visa’s SME Excellence Awards.
PayMongo CEO Jojo Malolos said the recognition not only underscores the company’s commitment to empowering digital Filipino entrepreneurs but also highlights its unique approach in revolutionizing the market.
“This award reaffirms our dedication to fostering the growth of the digital economy, particularly among MSMEs. Our tailored products and services cater to their specific needs, amplifying their potential for success,” Malolos said.
Central to PayMongo’s innovation is its integration of Visa’s Rapid Seller Onboarding (RSO) into its platform, streamlining the process for SMEs to embark on their digital journey.
“The Visa RSO integration has been transformative, enabling us to offer the fastest turnaround time in the industry. It simplifies technology and processes, empowering merchants to fully embrace digital entrepreneurship,” Malolos added.
PayMongo stands as the inaugural recipient of Visa’s recognition for the most innovative payment facilitator in the Philippines which a testament to its commitment to addressing economic inequality through fintech.
Malolos also highlighted PayMongo’s proactive adoption of Visa’s Installment Solutions that empowered merchants to accept payments directly from partner banks through their online channels, further enhancing accessibility and convenience for businesses and consumers alike.
PLDT Enterprise strengthens partnership with Kalibo Cable
PLDT Enterprise announced the expansion of its partnership with Kalibo Cable Television Network Inc., providing advanced data center solutions and dedicated connectivity for businesses in Aklan and other areas in Visayas.
This collaboration underscores PLDT Enterprise’s commitment to support the digital transformation and business continuity of its clients through state-of-the-art technology.
Since 2011, PLDT Enterprise has been a trusted partner of Kalibo Cable Television Network, Inc., the first and only cable provider in the region to offer Triple Play services. Building on this strong foundation, the partnership took a leap forward with Kalibo Cable Television Network, Inc.’s adoption of VITRO Internet Exchange (VIX) and colocation services from VITRO Inc., the data center subsidiary of PLDT’s ICT arm, ePLDT, a move that exemplifies their mutual commitment to innovation and excellence in service delivery.
“Our expanded collaboration with Kalibo Cable is a testament to our commitment to delivering high-performance environments for our clients’ critical IT infrastructure,” said Mitch Locsin, FVP and head of Enterprise and International Core Business at PLDT and Smart. “With our Colocation and Metro E-Line services, we are setting new standards for reliability, scalability, and security in digital infrastructure.”
Kalibo Cable Television Network, Inc.’s decision to leverage VITRO Inc.’s Colocation services was driven by the need for a secure, scalable, and cost-effective solution to support their growing IT infrastructure demands.
Palawan extends payment choices
Palawan Group of Companies, has partnered with TrueMoney, the premier provider of innovative payments and financial services in Southeast Asia.
With PalawanPay, the fastest-growing e-wallet, and a user base of over 17 million subscribers, the Palawan Group of Companies is poised to bolster and enhance its network of over 25,000 authorized branches, agents, and money shop outlets in response to the growing number of app users.
This collaboration empowers Palawan sukis to conduct hassle-free cash-in transactions into their PalawanPay e-wallets in any of TrueMoney’s 20,000 centers nationwide. Through cashing in, PalawanPay customers can seamlessly access a wide variety of fast, safe, and secure transactions such as money transfers, bill payments, e-load purchases, QRPH code scanning for payments and purchases, pawn renewal, and ProtekTODO microinsurance.
This initiative affirms Palawan’s brand promise of providing “mura, mabilis at walang kuskos balungos na serbisyo” (affordable, fast, and hassle-free services) to its loyal sukisand expanding consumer base.
“We aim to expand the accessibility of cash-in outlets for our customers. Our partnership with TrueMoney is essential in meeting the evolving needs of our sukis and our growing customer base. At Palawan, we are committed to enhancing accessibility, providing convenience, and ensuring hassle-free transactions for our sukis,” said Lisa-Lou Castro Sabado, Cash Management Solutions Director of Palawan Group of Companies.
