Sustainable investments for a sustainable future
The SM Group emphasized the importance of sustainable investments in fostering a greener future at a recent forum organized by the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA).
“At SM, we believe that securing a better future for generations to come hinges on our commitment to innovative solutions and projects that embody sustainability principles. Sustainable investments play a crucial role in this endeavor,” said Jessica Bianca Sy, lead executive for Design, Innovation and Strategy of SM Prime Holdings, Inc. and SM Development Corp.(SMDC).
As the group aligns its investments with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Sy highlighted that investment decisions at SM prioritize Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors, focusing on pursuing investments that conserve nature.
SM’s initiatives address key environmental issues including climate change, pollution, deforestation, energy efficiency, and waste management.
SM is committed to reducing its environmental footprint while fostering economic growth. The group has adopted renewable energy solutions, sourcing 25 percent of its electricity from renewable sources and recycling 14.2 million cubic meters of water in 2023. SM Prime Holdings, Inc., the property arm of SM, managed 165.7 million tonnes of waste last year, with 92.7 million tonnes properly disposed of, 13 percent recycled, and 5 percent composted.
Through SM Cares, a division of SM Foundation, Inc., the company engaged over 17,000 volunteers in the International Coastal Clean-up 2023, removing 100,432 kilos of trash from 15 malls nationwide. This effort reinforces SM’s dedication to a greener future and a culture of volunteerism.
In an effort to further protect flora and fauna, SM, through Hamilo Coast, its premier resort development, declared three of its 13 coves–namely Santelmo, Etayo, and Pico De Loro are recognized as marine protected areas.
SM Prime integrates rigorous ESG+R (Environmental, Social, Governance + Resiliency) principles into its sustainable initiatives. “While ESG principles are well-known, ‘R’ stands for resiliency, guiding our investments to address climate risks and enhance disaster preparedness,” Sy explained. Currently, at least 10 percent of SM Prime’s capital expenditure is allocated to sustainable and resilient designs, including science-based solutions to mitigate natural disaster impacts on properties.
Sy said SMDC prioritizes climate resilience in home development. In 2022, the company achieved at least 50 percent renewable energy usage, with 12.67 megawatts of solar panels installed in homes.
JTI Ph opens new Las Pinas branch
JTI Philippines formally inaugurated its new Las Pinas branch last August 2.
Leading the ribbon-cutting ceremony was JTI general manager John Freda (4th from left) assisted by (from left) Regional Sales director-GMA Carlo Capistrano, Market Supply Chain director Roald Johann Yap, special guest Sen. Mark Villar, People & Culture director Ari Wisnubroto and Sucat area sales manager Jesseruel Magat.
The new branch is now JTI’s largest in the Greater Manila Area, employing 134 sales and office staff out of the company’s overall Philippine team of around 5,500 people and is located in Almanza Uno, Las Pinas City.
This is the first branch in the country to benefit from the company’s comprehensive branch plan, aimed at streamlining operations and enhancing working conditions, underscoring JTI’s commitment to quality and excellence.
Each of JTI’s 38 branches nationwide will undergo a similar facelift in the coming years.
Converge joins Asean Circular Economy Business Alliance
Converge ICT Solutions, Inc. has become the first Filipino company to join the private sector-led Asean Circular Economy Business Alliance (ACEBA) that seeks to promote business action towards the adoption of circular economy strategies and practices in the southeast Asian region.
During the launch of the ACEBA held in Jakarta, Indonesia last month, Converge joins 11 other companies and organizations in the Asean, including Thailand, Indonesia, and Cambodia, in pledging support for the Alliance and encourage business action on circular economy and to contribute to the achievement of the Asean Circular Economy Framework.
Joining the launch virtually, the Converge team was led by its VP and head of Corporate Communications & Public Relations Jay-Anne Encarnado and VP and head of Supply Chain & Logistics Jeremy Gatpo.
“Converge as a leading fiber internet service provider in the Philippines has always made it a priority to embed sustainable practices into our operations. To this end, we actively promote a circular economy as we aim to reduce our solid waste to landfill to zero by 2030,” said Encarnado in her message at the launch event.
“We have shifted to 100 percent renewable energy for our two data centers. We have also launched a #CountdowntoZeroWaste campaign in 2022 that called for the refurbishment of our old modems and targeted used tarpaulin materials, plastic bottles, and electronic waste. These are just some of the programs that we hope contribute in promoting circularity,” Encarnado added.
Zero tolerance
PLDT Inc. and its wireless unit Smart Communications Inc. continue to conduct workplace engagements to help prevent cases of gender-based sexual harassment (GBSH) and ensure the safety and welfare of their employees.
Through training sessions, PLDT and Smart provide employees with an orientation on the different forms of GBSH, relevant laws and supporting company policies, and established mechanisms for incident reporting, investigation, corrective actions, and penalties for violations.
PLDT and Smart uphold a zero-tolerance stance towards any form of discrimination and harassment in the workplace, in line with their policies on the handling of GBSH cases, human rights, and diversity and inclusion (D&I). The Group maintains compliance with anti-GBSH laws and engages in necessary dialogues with the government and like-minded entities to further enhance labor practices.
Supplementing these, PLDT and Smart implement parallel campaigns, workshops, and consultations that aim to cultivate an inclusive culture and promote a happy space for all their employees and student interns. The Group also continues to monitor performance and align with global reporting benchmarks in line with gender equality and D&I.
Citi records a 41- win haul at Euromoney awards
The Euromoney Awards for Excellence recognized Citi as the world’s best digital bank and world’s best investment bank in the emerging markets.
Citi has won a record of 41 global, regional and local market awards from Euromoney, a leading global financial markets magazine, at its annual Awards for Excellence that recognizes the best in banking across key areas that are most important to a bank’s key stakeholders, clients, board and executive management teams. The period of consideration for the awards was the 2023 calendar year.
In its 29th edition, the Euromoney Awards for Excellence recognized Citi as the World’s Best Digital Bank and the World’s Best Investment Bank in the Emerging Markets.
Citi also received multiple regional and local market awards including Asia’s Best Bank for Financing, Asia’s Best Investment Bank, Africa’s Best Investment Bank, CEE’s Best Investment Bank, Central America and Caribbean’s Best Investment Bank, Africa’s Best Bank for Transaction Services, Middle East’s Best bank for Transaction Services, Asia’s Best Digital Bank, Best International Bank in Kazakhstan, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Pakistan, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, Best Investment Bank in Ireland, Turkey, Romania, Argentina, Korea, Taiwan, Best International Investment Bank in Denmark, Italy, Sweden, India, UAE, Best Bank for Corporates in Brazil, Hong Kong and The Bahamas, Best Bank for Diversity and Inclusion in China, Malaysia, Vietnam, and The Philippines, Brazil’s Best Bank for Corporate Responsibility, Best Bank and Best Bank for ESG in Costa Rica, and Bahrain’s Best International Islamic Bank.
Citi won the award for Philippines’ Best Bank for Diversity and Inclusion.
Citi was recognized for its longstanding commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) that aims to build an equitable and inclusive culture.
Citi was also recognized as Asia’s Best Investment Bank and Asia’s Best Bank for Financing.
Globe joins clampdown on fraudsters
Globe has stepped up its collaboration with law enforcement authorities to go after scammers, as it continues its crackdown against fraud.
This has led to significant wins, including the arrest and prosecution of suspects.
“Financial fraud is a serious crime that undermines trust in businesses and hurts the economy. Globe will continue to vigilantly monitor fraudulent activities and actively assist authorities in prosecuting these unlawful acts to the full extent of the law,” said Froilan Castelo, Globe’s General Counsel.
Globe is committed to sustaining its collaboration with authorities to ensure that fraudsters are held accountable for their actions.
The company continues to enhance its fraud detection and prevention strategies to provide a secure environment for its customers and stakeholders.
Next generation emergency response
The Philippine National Police (PNP) will now be better equipped to handle and respond to emergencies, natural disasters, human induced incidents and other distress calls very soon.
The E911 (Emergency 911) National Office through its executive director Francis Fajardo has facilitated the trial of a cutting edge, next generation 911 system by the PNP that will provide it with world-class emergency response capabilities like that used in the US and Europe.
The system is provided by Next Generation Advanced 911)/NGCS, the global innovator of the emergency calling technology and leader in next generation emergency communications worldwide.
The state of the art NGA 911 call handling system will let the PNP respond to distress calls and provide emergency response in unprecedented speed with accurate pinpointing of location.
NG911 is a digital, internet protocol (IP)-based system that will replace the analog 911 infrastructure that’s been around for decades. The call handling system that will be trialed by the PNP will include the hardware, software, data and all the procedures and policies that relate to answering every emergency request for help.
Emergency number services will be enhanced by creating a faster, more resilient system that allows digital information (e.g., voice, photos, videos, text messages) to flow seamlessly from the public, through the 911 network and eventually, directly to first responders.
Morong, Rizal is the first municipality in the country and in Southeast Asia to harness NGA 911’s next generation advanced technology. Alaminos, Pangasinan, Cagayan De Oro City and Cebu City will soon also have their next generation emergency response command centers in place.
`Do You Hear The People Sing?’ raises P10M
Newport World Resorts President and CEO Nilo Thaddeus Rodriguez hands over a Php 10 million check donation to Upskills+ Foundation Founder Jane Walker.
There was an outpouring of love and support for international and Philippine theatre artists who headlined Do You Hear The People Sing? concert.
Newport World Resorts brought back the long-running tribute show for Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schí¶nberg, the creators of award-winning musicals Miss Saigon and Les Misérables, as a fundraising event held on August 2 and 3. By the time the performers made their final bow at curtain call, a total of P10 million had been raised for the beneficiary communities of Upskills+ Foundation.
Proceeds from the show will be used to construct a multi-purpose building to serve over 5,000 individuals relocated from Tondo to the resettlement area in Naic, Cavite. The facility will offer essential services, including a clinic, a kitchen and bakery, livelihood training rooms, computer classrooms, and a sports center.
GSMI legal team joins GC Powerlist
The Office of the General Counsel of Ginebra San Miguel Inc. (GSMI), maker of the world’s largest-selling gin, has been named as one of the Legal 500’s GC Powerlist Philippines Teams 2024, a prestigious listing of the country’s premier in-house legal teams.
Globally respected research firm Legal 500, through its GC Powerlist series, acknowledges in-house counsels in the Philippines who have harnessed their legal expertise to drive their organizations’ success strategically. This
recognition highlights the outstanding work of GSMI’s in-house counsel in driving the company’s growth and success through legal excellence, adaptability, and innovation.
