FPIP visit
Pascual (center) receives warm greetings from Batangas Governor Hermilando Mandanas (left) and Puno (right) during a round table discussion on July 17 at the FPIP in Santo Tomas City, Batangas.
Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual acknowledged foreign investors for their continuing confidence in the Philippines and vowed to continue supporting efforts by the private sector to attract more investments.
Speaking at a round table forum at the First Philippine Industrial Park in Sto Tomas, Batangas, Pascual said companies from around the world like Collins Aerospace (United States), the Philippine Manufacturing Company of Murata, Brother Industries Philippines (Japan), and Dyson Electronics PTE (United Kingdom) have found a welcoming home for their manufacturing activities in FPIP and are thriving despite the challenging geopolitical environment.
Pascual urged FPIP locators to help the government invite their suppliers and contractors to locate in the Philippines and contribute to the development of manufacturing ecosystems, particularly in industries that are part of the DTI’s Strategic Investment Priorities Plan (SIPP).
Pascual also commended FPIP for its “significant contribution to the industrial and economic landscape of the Philippines, “ and cited its thrust towards sustainable and responsible economic growth.
At the same forum, FPIP president Francis Giles Puno thanked Pascual and the Marcos Administration for having an open door and open minds when discussing issues important to investors. Puno also thanked Batangas Governor HermilandoMandanas for his support for Philippine industries.
Located in Sto Tomas and Tanauan, FPIP is the leading industrial park in the country, hosting billions of dollars in exports with over 150 locators providing 70,000 jobs.
Globe Business holds ‘Breakthrough’ webinar series
With the roll-out of the National Strategy for Financial Inclusion and the introduction of Open Finance frameworks, Globe Business has taken a pioneering step to position itself as a leader in digital enablement for the finance sector.
This initiative was showcased in “Breakthrough: A Web Series Introducing a World of Financial Possibilities,” which aims to bring cutting-edge financial technologies to the forefront of business operations and strategy.
The first part of the series was designed to educate financial service institutions on the concept of Open Finance and its potential benefits for their businesses. The second webinar, slated later this month, will focus on fintech, improving backend efficiencies, leveraging CX to grow customer base, and building business resilience through cybersecurity.
The webinar addresses specific needs of diverse subsegments within the finance sector, including banking and non-banking institutions, cooperatives, microfinance, insurance, and pawnshops.
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PwC Ph opens learning hub
Isla Lipana & Co./PwC Philippines on Wednesday launched its Learning and Experience Hub, a pioneering facility that combines education, employment and community engagement.
Located at PUP BPO Center, next to the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) main Manila campus, this groundbreaking initiative sets a new benchmark in bridging the gap between academia and the industry, creating unparalleled opportunities for students and communities.
The hub is the first of its kind in the industry. It offers paid internships to tertiary-level students from various academic backgrounds, including accountancy, engineering, computer science and business.
Students will gain hands-on experience relevant to their academic tracks while working under the guidance of seasoned professionals in PwC’s assurance, advisory or tax lines of service.
The facility is also equipped with modern AV equipment, a Zen garden and a courtyard that is conducive to both work and study. It can accommodate up to 200 individuals and will host training programs led by PwC Philippines’ Learning & Development team.
Future prospects and broader impact
The program will initially be available to PUP students, and then expand to include students from other colleges and universities. The firm aims to onboard 150 to 200 students by the end of 2024.
PLDT, Smart open bigger opportunities for PWDs
PLDT and Smart, together with ATRIEV and supported by NORFIL Foundation, and Voice Philippines, in collaboration with the Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) of the municipality of San Miguel, Bulacan upskilled local entrepreneurs who have disabilities or those who care for persons with disabilities, in what is seen to foster economic self-sufficiency.
“PLDT and Smart leverage on technology to empower persons with disabilities to participate in their communities’ economic activities. Digital innovations like social media, online marketplaces and digital wallets provide convenient platforms to facilitate business transactions,” said Stephanie Orlino, AVP and Head of Stakeholder Management at PLDT and Smart.
The eight-day DBBT course helped participants start their own businesses or scale up existing enterprises. It included sessions on basic social media marketing, capital sourcing, product pricing and costing, branding and identifying target market, content creation and financial literacy. To help participants explore digital payment solutions, the module also introduced them to Maya, the Philippines’ top digital bank and omni-channel payments processor.
