Joining forces against hunger
SariSuki has partnered with ACEN, the listed energy platform of the Ayala Group, to improve local food security and sustainability while providing livelihood opportunities to local communities.
Through this alliance, they launched the Agro-Circularity in Renewable Energy (ACRE) program, which aims to increase yields by 50 percent above the national average of eight tons per hectare using a strategic farm-to-market approach.
Under this alliance, SariSuki will implement a vertically integrated supply chain process that allows the online platform to collaborate with farmers in effectively managing multiple stages of the production process, from cultivation of crops to distribution and retail. ACEN will provide land starting with its Ilocos Norte wind farms, for SariSuki to cultivate crops and engage farmers within ACEN’s host communities.
The initial phase kicked off within ACEN’s Conservation Estate in Ilocos Norte, aiming to cultivate six or more different types of crops this year depending on land suitability. The focus will be on produce such as chili, cucumber, lemongrass, including exportable produce such as ube, pineapple, cashews, among others. Farmers will also be advised to plant SariSuki’s top-selling vegetables in the market, provided they match the land based on soil testing.
As part of the ACRE program, SariSuki will also train at least 30 farmers from ACEN’s host communities to become “Agripreneurs.”. The training will focus on proper farming techniques including crop planning, uniform protocols, and integrating technology into farming practices.
Palawan Group wins at ABF Fintech and Retail Awards 2024
Palawan Group of Companies was honored with three awards at the recent Asian Banking and Finance (ABF) Fintech and Retail Banking Awards. These awards are the Financial Inclusion Award and the New Fintech Product Award for PalawanPay at the ABF Fintech Awards, and the Finance Company Inclusion of the Year at the Retail Banking Awards.
The ABF Retail Banking & Fintech Awards are the foremost recognition program for Asia’s banking and finance industry. These awards celebrate top performers for their innovative solutions, breakthroughs, dedication, and exceptional customer service, which have redefined industry standards.
The ceremony was held at the Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre in Singapore on July 4, gathering over 100 banks, finance, and fintech companies, along with 400 C-Level executives and senior finance and banking officers from across Asia.
A standout among Palawan Group’s accolades is the New Fintech Product Award, bestowed upon PalawanPay, lauded for its seamless fund transfers, efficient bill payments, quick e-loading, and reliable integrated QRPH scan-to-pay feature.
Materiality in architecture to be tacked at lecture
Educator, historian, architect, designer, and curator Edson Cabalfin, Ph.D. examines the concept of materiality in architecture in a free public lecture on July 18.
The talk is inspired by the works of Heidi Bucher, a groundbreaking Swiss artist of the international neo-avant-garde, and her exploration and interrogation of materials.
Organized by the Museum of Contemporary Art and Design, of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB), the discussion investigates on how architecture manifests beyond the physical form, with themes such as the dematerial, immaterial, and the transmaterial.
“Materials form part and parcel of how architecture and the built environment are constructed and generated,” Cabalfin stated.
“Materiality as a concept in architecture is connected not only to the actual materials and physical objects that constitute buildings, but also includes the varying modes of how architecture is experienced and imagined,” he added.
Cabalfin is the inaugural associate dean for Faculty Affairs in the School of Architecture at Tulane University in New Orleans, USA. He concurrently serves as director of the Social Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship Program and Associate Professor (Tenured).
The talk is free and open to the public.
It will be held on Thursday, July 18, 2024 at 3 p.m.
It will be conducted at the 8th Floor Learning Commons of the Benilde Design + Arts Campus, 950 Pablo Ocampo Street, Malate, Manila.
Interested participants may register through tinyurl.com/Materiality-in-Architecture.
DOST, Packworks partner for AI-powered sari-sari stores
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) funded Packworks, a Filipino startup that offers a business-to-business (B2B) fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) marketplace for sari-sari stores, to leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) aimed at equipping over 1.3 million sari-sari stores nationwide with data-driven inventory management tools to enhance business growth.
A P3.5-million research funding from the DOST- Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD) Startup Grant Fund (SGF) Program will support Packworks’ P1.5 million allocation to develop a machine-learning-powered precision marketing model, offering sari-sari stores customized recommendations on sellable items and promotions from Packworks’ FMCG partners.
The SGF Program aims to support technology-based startups by transforming early-stage technologies into market-ready products. Now in its second cycle, the program continues to foster innovation across various sectors, including sustainable industries, education, creative industries, data-driven technologies, climate change, and productivity enhancement tools. Since July 2022, DOST has supported 123 startups in the country through the SGF program.
“Through this AI-powered model we will develop in partnership with DOST, we aim to equip small entrepreneurs with data-driven insights and targeted strategies for enhanced business success and expansion,” said Packworks chief data officer and project lead Andoy Montiel.
The AI-powered capability will be launched as an in-app service on Packworks’ Sari.PH Pro app and is expected to benefit its network of over 270,000 sari-sari stores across the Philippines.
Bayad, Bohol Water tie-up
Bayad has sealed a partnership with Bohol Water Utilities Inc., a water utility provider widely present in Tagbilaran City.
Under the partnership, Bayad will be able to accept Bohol Water payments through its company-owned and franchised payment centers.
Leveraging on its “Pay Anywhere” stance, Bayad is keen to further extend Bohol Water payment services through its mobile application – Bayad App, it’s web application – Bayad Online, as well as its MSME agents, partner establishments and leading e-wallet players in the Philippines.
Bangko Kabayan honored
Bangko Kabayan has been named the ‘Best MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises) Development Bank in the Philippines’ for the second year in a row at the prestigious International Finance Awards.
This recognition underscores the bank’s essential role in fostering economic growth and entrepreneurship across the nation.
This repeat recognition underscores the bank’s dedication to financial inclusion and sustainable development.
Bangko Kabayan’s strategic initiatives have been instrumental in empowering MSMEs, which are considered the backbone of the Philippine economy. The bank’s comprehensive suite of financial products and services, including accessible loan programs and tailored advisory services, have significantly enhanced the growth and resilience of small businesses.
Empowering start-ups
PLDT Enterprise, the corporate arm of PLDT, in collaboration with PLDT’s Innovation Laboratory, PLDT Innolab, reaffirmed its commitment to fostering innovation and supporting start-ups at the Tech Planter in the Philippines 2024 Demo Day, held at the Frassati Building, University of Santo Tomas.
The event provided a platform for emerging start-ups to present their groundbreaking technologies and solutions aimed at addressing important social issues through science and technology.
During the event, PLDT Enterprise awarded Filrobotics Technologies Inc., led by founder Anthony James Bautista, PhD, with the “Best Use of Technology Award” for their development of the AGROTIS Navigation System, an autonomous navigation system for agricultural machinery designed to improve the working conditions of Filipino farmers.
Filrobotics Technologies will benefit from a one-year use of PLDT Innolab’s co-working laboratory, providing them with the space and resources to further develop their technology.
PLDT Innolab is a world-class facility designed to create opportunities with start-up partners, focusing on research, next-generation product development, and innovation. By giving start-ups the opportunity to innovate, PLDT Enterprise welcomes next generation technologies to support businesses in their growth and transformation.
Tech Planter, initiated by Leave a Nest, is a global platform that supports start-ups in various regions, including the Asean. The program in the Philippines aims to solve deep social issues using science and technology-rooted innovations.
This year’s Demo Day brought together nine finalists and six invited teams for Lightning Talk sessions
SBF sponsors eyeglasses for students
Security Bank Foundation Inc. (SBFI) formally launched its Adopt a Pupil for Eyeglasses program during Security Bank’s 73rd anniversary People’s Fair last month.
The new initiative allows bank employees to sponsor at least one pair of eyeglasses for public school elementary students with eyesight problems.
The new program came to be after SBFI discovered numerous students were struggling with reading and learning due to poor eyesight during its teacher training program.
During the bank’s two-week fair, SBFI promoted other ways to give back. Employees were invited to donate to the Regalo Mo, Kinabukasan Ko (RMKK) scholarship fund, which supports the education of Bank agency personnel and their children, including guards, messengers, janitors, and other support staff. The fund provides scholarships to 120 students across elementary, junior high, senior high and college levels, annually.
Additionally, employees were invited to participate in SBFI’s flagship Build a School, Build a Nation program. SBFI started sign-ups for volunteers to help paint a school building to be donated in Mabalacat City, Pampanga in September. To date, SBFI has donated783 classrooms in 79 cities/municipalities across the country.
PHINMA Foundation new leadership
The PHINMA Foundation Inc. (PFI) has announced its new leadership as it celebrates 35 years of making lives better for Filipinos.
The PFI Board of Directors has appointedNicole del Rosario-Serafica as the Foundation’s new president. She succeeds Roberto Laviña, who will now serve as PFI chairman.
Laviña replaces Oscar Hilado, now the chairman emeritus who will continue to provide guidance and inspiration to the Foundation.
PFI also announced the appointment of Grace Purisima and Eolani Osorio as its new treasurer and controller, respectively. Ron Ranier Reyes will serve as PFI’s executive director effective August 1.
Completing the PFI team are program managers Mary Elaine Lora and Jeng Mungcal and junior accounting manager Blessy Caspe.
