Lopez-led First Gen re-elects board
Chua, Morales and Habito are independent directors of the company.
First Gen stands is the country’s leading clean and renewable energy (RE) provider with an installed capacity of at least 3,639 megawatts. These include the largest array of power plants running RE resources — geothermal, hydro, solar and wind — with 1,622 MW of total installed capacity. Other First Gen power plants, with 2,017 MW of additional installed capacity, run on natural gas, considered the cleanest form of fossil fuel.
During the annual meeting, First Gen bared its program to expand its total installed capacity to 13,000 MW by year 2030. Of this target capacity, roughly 7,500 MW will come from new RE projects.
FDA assists small businesses
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) director general Dr. Samuel Zacate recently met with Tuguegarao Mayor Maila Ting-Que to discuss the upcoming signing of a memorandum of agreement for the Bigyan-Halaga, Bangon Micro, Medium and Small Enterprises (BBMSME) Program.
The BBM MSME program aims to assist local entrepreneurs by raising their awareness and teaching them good manufacturing practices, enabling them to adhere to the technical and safety requirements of the FDA.
“The FDA recognizes the specific needs of small and medium businesses. It supports entrepreneurs, encourages the establishment of MSMEs and ensures their continued viability and growth,” said Zacate. “We sustain the FDA’s mission, quality policy, and objectives.”
These objectives include ensuring the FDA’s monitoring and regulatory coverage over establishments and products under its jurisdiction; enhancing industry and consumer confidence in the regulatory system; and helping achieve economic growth and development by promoting fair trade practices and sound regulatory foundation for domestic and international trade.
While in Tuguegarao, Zacate joined First Lady Marie Louise Araneta Marcos at the launch of her LAB for ALL Caravan at the Cagayan Coliseum.
The program provided free medical consultations to about 4,800 patients. Close to 400 prescription glasses were distributed post-eye examinations, and over 500 patients had dental work done. More than 5,000 laboratory tests were completed, covering various areas such as blood chemistry, hematology, minor surgeries, and medications.
Xinyx Design unveils UNLOCKED 2024
Xinyx Design, a leading integrated circuit design engineering firm, announced the second iteration of UNLOCKED, an innovations pitching contest designed to stimulate creative thinking and innovation in the academic community.
UNLOCKED is a key initiative under Xinyx’s Campus Connect program, which aims to bring awareness of the Philippines’ microchip design capabilities, promote IC Design as a career path, and showcase Xinyx’s commitment to enabling a vibrant innovations ecosystem in the Philippines.
Undergraduate students nationwide studying Electronics Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Computer Engineering are invited to submit their ideas to have the chance to present their innovative ideas to a panel of industry experts and investors. With a focus on addressing ongoing challenges that our cities face, the second year of UNLOCKED aims to continue its theme, “From Problems to Possibilities: Building Tomorrow’s Cities Today.”
On top of the chance for their ideas or inventions to get picked up by an investor, prizes are available for the Top 3 student groups. The grand winner gets P70,000 while first and second runners-up will win P20,000 and P10,000, respectively.
Deals at Honda
Feel the thrill of getting a Honda as Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) offers exciting discounts this month.
With HCPI’s “Feel the Thrill, Seize the Deal” promo, get as much as P120,000 savings on a Honda Civic V, CR-V V, HR-V V or BR-V S from June 1 to 30.
The Civic V Turbo Honda SENSING is currently up for a P120,000 discount and low monthly amortization of P29,263, accelerate greatness on the road.
The CR-V V Turbo CVT is priced at P2.100 million but customers can get P100,000 discount with low monthly amortization rate of P38,820 if purchased within the month.
Priced at P1.649 million, HR-V intenders are P100,000 closer to getting the first HR-V with turbo engine since the Honda HR-V V Turbo CVT Honda SENSING is discounted this month of June.
Honda BR-V is made more affordable for less than P1.15 million as Honda offers P65,000 off for the BR-V 1.5 S CVT this month.
Other offers include free one-year periodic maintenance service, special all-in downpayment and discounted accessories.
Toyota breaks ground for new dealership
Toyota Motor Philippines broke ground for Toyota Tugbok, Davao.
This is the third Toyota dealership in Davao.
Toyota Tugbok, Davao will be a 3S dealership offering sales of Toyota vehicles, after-sales services, and spare parts. The dealership will feature a modern design that will create an inviting atmosphere and provide the best quality service.
In photo (from left) TMP officials Elijah Marcial, Lyna Garcia, and Masahiro Haoka; Toyota Cagayan de Oro Inc. (TCO) chairman Peter Lim Lo Suy; TMP EVP Jing Atienza, Tugbok Proper barangay captain Wilfredo Anfone, TMP president Masando Hashimoto, TCO president Betty Lu, Toyota Davao City Inc. (TDC) chairman Boyet Lim, TCO executive Nancy Ramirez, TDC president Denise Lim, TCO executive Eric Uy, and TMP VP Jeff Matsuo.
Visa reinvents the card
Visa will roll out starting later this year new products and services.
These include:
0 Visa Flexible Credential which will allow a single card product to toggle between payment methods. Now people can easily set parameters or choose whether they use debit, credit, “pay-in-four” with Buy Now Pay Later or even pay using rewards points all via the same, single Visa credential.
0 Tap to Everything which will introduce new ways to “tap” on a mobile device such as Tap to Phone, Tap to Confirm, Tap to Add Card and Tap to P2P;
0 Visa Payment Passkey Service which enables a consumer to verify and authenticate their identity, and authorize online payments, with a quick scan of their biometrics like their face or fingerprint using authentication tools made available on their devices.
0 Data Tokens where Visa will offer a new way for people to control their data and receive better shopping experiences, powered by AI.
Saipo built a community via TikTok Shop
Saipo, known for its line of clean, cruelty-free, and vegan skincare products, tapped TikTok Shop to transform the business and build a tightly knit community around their brand.
Through engaging content and interactive live streams, founders Bella Madamba and Ludwig Tayona were able to communicate directly with their audience, sharing the story behind Saipo and the benefits of their products.
Direct feedback from customers allowed Saipo to continuously refine its products and services.
Through this platform, Saipo experienced a notable 78 percent increase in average monthly sales compared to the previous year. Short videos exhibited a significant 122 percent month-over-month growth, while live streams saw a substantial 508 percent surge.
