Regional areas bright spots for SM
SM Investments Corp. (SMIC), the parent company of the SM Group, is beefing up investments in logistics through 2GO Group and Airspeed to help spur more economic activity in the provinces.
“There is a lot of potential especially in Luzon outside of the NCR (National Capital Region) as well as in Visayas and Mindanao where there is still a need to access modern trade. And it’s not just for our core businesses of retail, banking and property but also for our portfolio companies,” SM Investments president and CEO Frederic DyBuncio said.
“Logistics plays a crucial role in the delivery of goods and services to the people especially with increased economic action,” DyBuncio said.
2GO Travel serves Visayas and Mindanao with routes in key cities in the region. Interports are available from Cebu to Cagayan De Oro, Butuan, or Ozamis. 2GO’s strategic logistical hubs efficiently handle cold chain requirements for food shipments from VisMin to Manila and the rest of Luzon.
2GO has extended its Less than Container Load shipside services from Manila and Cebu to Iloilo, Zamboanga, Cagayan de Oro, and Puerto Princesa. 2GO’s comprehensive end-to-end solutions encompass transportation through a fleet of 3,000 couriers servicing inter-VisMin transfers.
Airspeed, for its part, is taking strategic steps to position its Cebu warehouse as a central point for its future growth. The company has planned to establish new hubs in key VisMincities, along with opening more kiosks and collaborations with service providers.
Bakeshop chain Goldilocks, part of SM’s portfolio investments, expanded further into the provinces with 40 percent of its new stores located in Visayas and Mindanao.
“We view the regions as a bright spot for growth with the diverse products and services that we offer to consumers. We believe that there’s so much more opportunities for us to be able to provide better services to the Filipino people in the regions,” Mr. DyBuncio said.
Empowering OFWs
PLDT Global Corp. and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to further strengthen their partnership with reintegration programs and services.
Under this agreement, PLDT Global will provide sustainable livelihood and skills development opportunities to support the reintegration program of the DMW, with the support of the PLDT-Smart Foundation (PSF), Smart Communications, Inc. alongside the rest of the MVP Group of Companies, and other partners.
DMW and PLDT Global will work together to implement a reintegration program for OFWs that could enhance their skills, knowledge, and competence, and facilitate their safe and productive reintegration into their communities.
PLDT Global’s OFW Family Livelihood Program will train returning OFWs or their beneficiaries to own and manage a brick-and-mortar version of TINBO (Tindahan ni Bossing) that will showcase products and services from PLDT, Smart, and other companies under the MVP Group. The program also provides the Smart Retailer Package, which includes a smartphone kit and marketing materials to help them boost and manage their sales. The DMW will also provide financial education, literacy, and entrepreneurial training to educate and help them grow their business.
Midea Ph earns Superbrands recognition
Midea Philippines recently earned its place in the prestigious 2024 list of Superbrands Philippines.
The brand was recognized for its quality excellence, technical expertise, and service reliability.
The Superbrands recognition is only offered to the most outstanding brands in their field that offer significant emotional and/or physical advantages to their customers ahead of their competitors.
With a decade of unwavering expertise, Midea Philippines, under Concepcion Midea Inc. Philippines, strongly commits to providing surprisingly friendly home solutions and services to Filipino families while upholding its values of passion, compassion, and excellence.
KodeGo bridges digital skills gap
KodeGo, a study now, pay later edutech platform from 917Ventures, has had more than 2,000 graduates, many of whom achieved meaningful employment opportunities with industry heavyweights including GCash and Accenture.
KodeGo provides accessible, comprehensive digital skills training programs that offer multiple courses including full-stack web development and virtual assistance.
“In an era defined by digitalization, the importance of digital skills across industries has become undeniable. KodeGo was developed to create more accessible and affordable opportunities for Filipinos to upskill themselves and strengthen their employability with advanced to intermediate digital skills,” said Ina Gervasio, KodeGo CEO.
KodeGo introduced a flexible payment scheme that includes a study-now-pay-later format while providing end-to-end career assistance and support for its students post-training. Each curriculum takes between two and 22 weeks to complete.
Lalamove celebrates 90.7 Love Radio’s anniversary
Lalamove Philippines paired up with 90.7 Love Radio’s “Feel Good Drive Thru” event for delivery partner drivers in Metro Manila, as part of the radio station’s celebration for its 49th anniversary.
About 150 delivery partners and riders from various ride-hailing and delivery platforms took part in the celebration of Love Radio’s 49th anniversary in Pasay City in February.
To symbolize the anniversary, the program started with fun games exclusively for 49 Lalamove partner drivers, wherein they received anniversary freebies from Love Radio and brand new Lalabags with a special edition “LALALove Radio” co-branded cover.
During the event, delivery partner drivers were able to drive through different booths where they received treats and discounts from Fuwa-Fuwa Bread, Goldmine Rice, Princess and Ron-ron Furniture, including Love Radio and Lalamove.
Drivers from other platforms were also welcomed in the Lalamove booth, with over 20 of them newly onboarded and aspiring Lalamove partner drivers who got a 50 percent cash deposit discount. At the same time, others enjoyed Lalamove merchandise as freebies.
Pueblo de Oro, partners champion women empowerment
Pueblo de Oro Development Corp. (PDO), the property development arm of the ICCP Group, in collaboration with the ICCP Group Foundation, Inc. (IGFI), as well as various local government units and civic organizations has developed programs aimed at enabling women to make meaningful contributions to their families and communities.
One such initiative is the Ganda Mo, Hanapbuhay Ko program oin partnership with IGFI, sister-company Science Park of the Philippines, Inc. (SPPI), and the Ang Hortaleza Foundation Inc. (AHFI). This program provides training in basic cosmetology to unemployed women in Batangas province.
The program has seen 30 graduates, five of whom are now employed overseas as nail technicians, showcasing the tangible impact of empowering women through skill-building.
PDO, SPPI, IGFI, and AHFI have expanded their partnership to introduce the Kabalikat sa Negosyo training sessions in Pampanga and Batangas provinces. These workshops equip unemployed mothers with essential entrepreneurial skills, fostering economic independence and sustainability within their communities.
In collaboration with the Odyssey Foundation,Inc. , PDO and its partners have conducted food safety seminars and provided training on running food cart businesses for unemployed women in Malvar, Batangas,
IBPAP appointment
The IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) announced the appointment of Celeste Ilagan as chief operating officer.
Bringing more than 25 years of extensive experience, Ilagan has been a key figure in shaping policies and regulatory frameworks to bolster the Philippine IT-BPM sector. Her prior role as IBPAP’s chief policy & regulatory affairs officer saw her at the forefront of engaging with policymakers and regulators, ensuring the sector remained adaptive and competitive amidst legislative and regulatory shifts.
Ilagan’s background includes a significant tenure with SPi Global and the Board of Investments.
