Shore It Up! recognized at CSR Guild Awards
Metro Pacific Investments Foundation (MPIF)’s `Shore It Up!’ 15th year of championing environmental conservation initiative has been honored at the 2024 CSR Guild Awards by the League of Corporate Foundations (LCF).
The initiative titled “Enlarging Our Blue Footprint for Philippine Marine Biodiversity Conservation,” was awarded the distinction of Most Outstanding Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Project in Environment for its sustainable impact.
The CSR Guild Awards, a recognition program of LCF, honors foundations and corporations for exceptional CSR initiatives. SIU’s award signifies its holistic and multidimensional approach to marine conservation, addressing various aspects of environmental protection and community engagement.
Melody del Rosario, president of MPIF, reiterates the importance of such initiatives, stating, “As a country increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, we must take decisive action. Shore It Up!, is committed to creating real change through conservation and restoration efforts, education, sustainable tourism, livelihood diversification, and fostering essential partnerships. Our goal is to build a sustainable and resilient environment for future generations.”
Shore It Up!’s 15th anniversary was marked by a focused initiative aimed at significantly enhancing marine biodiversity conservation across the Philippines. Some of the key projects included impactful projects such as sustaining the UNESCO World Heritage Site Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, rehabilitating the Mangrove Center in Del Carmen post-Typhoon Odette, hosting of a Multisectoral Forum for environmental issues, and formalizing partnerships with local government units like Mabini, Batangas for marine conservation programs.
SIU’s remarkable impact over the past 15 years includes the establishment of 3 mangrove centers, the protection of 5,263 hectares of mangroves, partnerships with 13 local government units, collaboration with 464 partner organizations, safeguarding 102,083 hectares of Ramsar sites, engaging 1,034 scuba divers, 2,600 runners, 86,902 volunteers nationwide, 2,800 junior environmental scouts, 48 marine guardians, and 6 mangrove eco-guides.
Empowering vulnerable learners through education
SM Foundation, Inc. (SMFI), the corporate social responsibility arm of the SM Group, has been pivotal in advancing social good and fostering positive change in the communities it serves.
SMFI’s education programs place particular focus on serving learners from vulnerable communities. Its partnership with government, particularly in the Department of Education’s Adopt-A-School Program, aims to address crucial infrastructure needs and classroom deficits.
“To date, in collaboration with the DepEd, SMFI has built and turned over 108 school buildings and 366 classrooms, benefiting 18,300 students,” said Deborah Pe-Sy, executive director of SM Foundation.
SM Foundation’s scholarship program has, over the years, empowered thousands of scholars to break the cycle of poverty and pursue their dreams through education.
“SMFI’s scholarship program serves as a catalyst for change, not only supporting scholar-beneficiaries but also breaking the intergenerational cycle of poverty. Over the years, SMFI’s efforts have empowered 4,214 scholars who have successfully graduated with the assistance of our college scholarship program,” Pe-Sy said.
SMFI has streamlined its college scholarship application process, to ensure nationwide accessibility and efficiency. Applications are communicated through both traditional and digital media, while scholarship applications, exams, and interviews are now conducted online for faster processing. A dedicated digital platform enables seamless submission of grades and necessary documents, ensuring smooth processing of tuition and allowances.
Upon graduation, SMFI also organizes exclusive job fairs in collaboration with SM Group’s HR departments, opening diverse career opportunities.
MaxiLife inaugurates new office at Robinsons Summit Center
MaxiLife inaugurated its new office at the Robinsons Summit Center in Ayala avenue, Makati City last June 10.
Lance Gokongwei, MaxiLife co-founder and chairman of the board, in his speech said the new office will enhance the company’s ability to provide tailored life insurance solutions and exceptional service.
The new office is designed to foster a conducive work environment that empowers employees and enhances customer experience. MaxiLife was recently certified as a Great Place to Work® for the second time in its second year of commercial operations.
Giant Eng Bee Tin hopia spotted at MOA
Eng Bee Tin is preparing to celebrate the country’s first National Hopia Day.
From July 19 to 21, Eng Bee Tin is hosting a three-day event at the MOA Music Hall. The fun-filled festival features big surprises, promos, and exciting activities dedicated to all hopia lovers.
Kicking off the activities is the display of the augmented reality video featuring a gigantic hopia roaming SM Mall of Asia (MOA) as well as larger-than-life photos of a giant Hopia atop MOA buildings and reflected off the glass windows of the SM MOA Arena.
Isuzu Cebu unveils newly renovated IOS dealership
Isuzu Cebu opened its newly renovated IOS dealership facility just in time for the official introduction of the Isuzu D-MAX in the Visayas region. The refreshed dealership now boasts a striking new black and red front fascia design, representing a bold and dynamic era for Isuzu in the city.
Established in 2015, Isuzu Cebu features an expansive eight-car showroom capable of showcasing even their heavy-duty truck models. The facility also includes ten service bays, two of which are dedicated truck bays, spreading across a 5,000 sqm lot located at A. Soriano avenue, Cebu City. The recent IOS renovation has transformed the dealership into a more inviting and conducive environment for customers, enhancing their sales and service experience
The renovations have enhanced both the exterior and interior, creating a more spacious setting that supports a faster flow of transactions and a customer-centric approach to business. A more prominent tower sign now stands along the main avenue, serving as a landmark in the automotive row for Ayala owned dealerships, which operates all Isuzu dealerships in the Cebu and Bohol regions.
Alongside the opening of the newly renovated IOS dealership, Isuzu Cebu also hosted the Isuzu D-MAX Mall Tour and 4×4 Action Playground from July 5-7 at SM Cebu Seaside.
VFS Global inaugurates new center
To offer an enhanced visa application submission experience to Schengen visa applicants in Manila, Philippines, VFS Global, the world’s largest visa outsourcing and technology services specialist for governments and diplomatic missions worldwide, inaugurated the newly relocated state-of-the-art Joint Visa Application Centre in Manila providing visa services to 10 countries – Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Switzerland, and The Netherlands.
Applicants who wish to submit their visa applications for the above listed Schengen countries, will have to first book an appointment online to submit their applications.
Applicants can choose from a range of optional and additional services to enhance their overall visa application submission experience. The Visa At Your Doorstep service allows visa applicants to submit their applications from the comfort of their home or office; the Premium Lounge service offers a personalized and comfortable environment at the centers for submitting applications, while the Prime Time service allows the flexibility of submission and passport collection beyond normal working hours. Other services include Form-filling Assistance, SMS Alerts, Courier Service, and Personal Assistance service, among others.
The newly relocated state-of-the-art Joint Visa Application Centre is located on the 6th floor, of the Makati Circuit Corporate Center Tower Two, AP Reyes St. Brgy. Carmona, Theater Drive Circuit Makati, Makati City.
Lalamove launches #DeliveryHeroKoTo
Small businesses are invited to celebrate the extraordinary efforts of Lalamove partner drivers through the #DeliveryHeroKoTo initiative.
To participate, they can simply post a screenshot of their Favorite Driver from the Lalamove app on their Facebook or Instagram account, detailing good driver qualities — like being on time, delivering with care, and being respectful — performed by a Lalamove partner driver.
Ten lucky Favourite Drivers will receive ₱10,000 in cash with a grocery or gadget package, while ten Lalamove users will be awarded ₱5,000 worth of Lalamove wallet credits.
