Corporate Roundup: October 7, 2024

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I.E. Medica expands

In a significant step toward expanding its operational capabilities, I.E. Medica proudly hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for its new warehouse. 

Together with the new warehouse being built, the screening for a Level 1 Authorized Economic Operator Certification is also in place. 

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I.E. Medica officials at the groundbreaking ceremony.
I.E. Medica officials at the groundbreaking ceremony.

The facility will play a key role in supporting the company’s long-term vision of increasing efficiency and enhancing its supply chain solutions. Located in Cavite Technopark, the new warehouse will serve as a cornerstone in streamlining distribution, accommodating the growing demand for the products, and preparing for future business opportunities. 

I.E. Medica, a pharmaceutical importer and distribution company, was founded in 2007 by Vasant Salian and Monaliza Salian. Growing its portfolio with over 500 Certificate of Product Registration (CPRs) in various therapeutic areas, the company has been dedicated to providing innovative, affordable, and high-quality healthcare solutions to Filipinos.
Since 2019, Ayala Healthcare Holdings Inc  has invested in I.E. Medica as a part of its efforts to expand its pharma portfolio and elevate the healthcare landscape in the Philippines. 

With construction underway, the warehouse is expected to be fully operational by 2026. 

Once completed, it will support an expanded inventory, streamline the process from receiving to quality assurance, and ensure faster and more efficient dispatch. 

Globe wins Best Network Reliability Solution at 5G Core Awards

Glob has been recognized for having the Best Network Reliability Solution at the 5G Core Summit Awards, hosted by leading tech market insight firm Informa Tech. 

The award recognizes the mobile operator that “has achieved exceptional stability and reliability in its network infrastructure” and “demonstrates excellence in maintaining high performance across diverse regions, understanding and meeting user expectations, and minimizing downtime,” according to the awards website. 

Gerard Ortines, Globe VP, Core Network Planning and Engineering; Vangie Lampa-Alvarez, Globe AVP, Core Network Planning; and Roberto Kompany, principal analyst at Omdia.
Gerard Ortines, Globe VP, Core Network Planning and Engineering; Vangie Lampa-Alvarez, Globe AVP, Core Network Planning; and Roberto Kompany, principal analyst at Omdia.

The recognition is a nod to Globe’s pioneering efforts to build up its 5G network, with its outdoor coverage reaching 98.45 percent in its capital region and 94.19 percent in key cities across its two other major island groups, Visayas and Mindanao, as of June 2024. 

Earlier this year, Globe became the first Philippine telco to deploy End-to-End (E2E) Network Slicing Function of 5G Standalone (SA), the most advanced 5G technology, paving the way for a range of applications, including high-bandwidth activities such as video streaming, virtual reality, and Internet of Things (IoT). 

“This recognition affirms our efforts to invest in 5G technology and make it more accessible to our customers. 5G holds great promise as digital adoption in the Philippines continues to accelerate, and our goal is to have our network ready for when the market is ready to fully utilize the benefits of 5G,” said Joel Agustin, Globe Head of Service Planning and Engineering. 

The awards were held during the 5G Core Summit (5GCS) in Dubai, where Globe announced its groundbreaking advancements in building a highly stable and resilient 5G core network, ensuring unparalleled service continuity for its customers.

Converge keeps Three Golden Arrow rating

Converge ICT Solutions Inc. sustained its outstanding corporate governance practice, receiving the Three Golden Arrow Award at the 2024 Golden Arrow Awards held at Marriott Manila recently.

Presented by the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD) annually, the Golden Arrow Awards range from 1-Arrow Recognition up to Five-Arrow recognition and are based on the company’s rating on the Asean Corporate Governance Scorecard (ACGS). 

Laurice Esteban-Tuason receives the Three Arrows award trophy on behalf of the company, showcasing its continued commitment to adhere to the highest standards of corporate governance.
Laurice Esteban-Tuason receives the Three Arrows award trophy on behalf of the company, showcasing its continued commitment to adhere to the highest standards of corporate governance.

The ACGS measures companies’ corporate governance performance in the areas of facilitating the rights and the equitable treatment of shareholders, how they relate to their different stakeholders, ensuring transparency and accountability through timely disclosure of material information, and how the board guides the company strategically, monitors the management, and ensures the board’s accountability to the company and the shareholders. 

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“We continue to strive to improve our Corporate Governance rating in all areas of governance, allowing Converge to steadily underscore matters that we can improve on, amid the policy and business environment we have today,” said Laurice Esteban-Tuason SVP and corporate compliance and data protection officer.

In the period under review, Converge made strides to strengthen its corporate governance policies and practices; the company reported zero incidents of customer data breaches for 2023, exhibiting the robust oversight and control of its Data Privacy and Corporate Governance teams.  

BDO breaks gender barriers in leadership

At BDO Unibank, women make up 75 percent of the total workforce and 58 percent of senior management. 

To empower all employees, particularly women, to reach new heights in their careers, BDO offers skills enhancement programs, with female employees representing 65 percent of participants in the management development program and an impressive 88 percent in the officer development program. 

Evelyn Salagubang, BDO SVP and head of Human Resources, emphasizes the importance of this inclusive approach. “When we have diverse voices at the table, we create policies that resonate with everyone. It’s about building an environment where every employee, regardless of gender, has the opportunity to grow and succeed,” she shares.

BDO’s commitment to equal opportunity ensures that all employees, particularly women, are not just part of the team but are actively encouraged to achieve their full potential. This inclusive culture is reflected in the significant presence of women in leadership and decision-making roles, underscoring the Bank’s dedication to breaking down barriers that often hinder women’s career advancement.

BDO’s commitment to an inclusive and empowering workplace has earned it significant recognition, including being named the Philippines’ Best Employer Brand at the LinkedIn Talent Awards 2024. This accolade highlights the Bank’s substantial investment in creating a workplace where everyone is valued and supported in their professional journey. 

MediaDonuts by Aleph partners with Pinterest

 MediaDonuts by Aleph is announcing a sales partnership that will expand Pinterest’s digital advertising solutions to Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, and South Korea.

As a leading visual search and discovery platform with over half a billion global monthly active users*, Pinterest has become one of the top destinations for brands trying to reach customers looking to shop.

Matt Hogle, VP of Global SMB Sales at Pinterest, commented: “We’re excited to expand Pinterest’s ads business into seven new markets via our partnership with Aleph. For the first time, brands in these markets will be able to reach millions of Pinterest users who come to the platform with a passion for discovering new ideas and the commercial intent to bring those ideas to life.” 

MediaDonuts is the newest member of the Aleph family of brands. Aleph and Pinterest recently announced an expansion of their partnership across 11 new markets in LATAM, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.

“We’re delighted to expand our partnership with Pinterest to help advertisers connect with customers looking to be inspired and shop on the platform,” said Pieter-Jan de Kroon, managing director at MediaDonuts by Aleph. “The ability to advertise on Pinterest in these markets will unlock a great opportunity for brands and retailers to reach new customers.”

PET bottle collection and recycling efforts

Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines, Inc. (CCBPI) has signed a Memorandum of Agreement to formalize its partnership with the City of Naga and its community partners. As part of this collaboration, CCBPI provided a baling machine to support the city’s PET bottle collection and recycling initiatives. 

(From left)  during the signing: Alfredo. Gatongay of the Independent Component City Agriculture and Fishery Council of Naga, Annielen  Panerio, GM of the CamSur Multipurpose Cooperative, Naga City Mayor Nelson Legacion, CCBPI VP for Corporate & Regulatory Affairs Juan Lorenzo Tañada, chairperson of RAFC Region 5 Bernadette delos Santos, and chief of PMED and RAFC Bicol Regional executive officer Aloha Gigi Bañaria.
(From left)  during the signing: Alfredo. Gatongay of the Independent Component City Agriculture and Fishery Council of Naga, Annielen  Panerio, GM of the CamSur Multipurpose Cooperative, Naga City Mayor Nelson Legacion, CCBPI VP for Corporate & Regulatory Affairs Juan Lorenzo Tañada, chairperson of RAFC Region 5 Bernadette delos Santos, and chief of PMED and RAFC Bicol Regional executive officer Aloha Gigi Bañaria.

The partnership underscores the shared commitment of Coca-Cola, the local government, and partner communities to fostering a collective effort toward creating a circular economy for recyclable plastic packaging in Naga. Central to the effort is the CamSur Multipurpose Cooperative, which leverages its network of over 7,000 members to execute the collection initiatives for post-consumer clear PET plastic bottles within the city. The Regional Agricultural and Fishery Council Region 5 will help oversee the project implementation to ensure that the collection efforts are seamlessly integrated into the community’s needs.

The goal is to ensure that all collected clear PET plastic bottles, regardless of brand, are diverted to PETValue Philippines, the country’s first facility dedicated to bottle-to-bottle recycling. PETValue employs advanced technologies to transform fully recyclable post-consumer plastic packaging into new food-grade recycled PET (rPET) bottles. This facility is a joint venture between CCBPI and Indorama Ventures, a global sustainable chemical company.

Jollibee Group given two ESG Business Awards

The Farmer Entrepreneurship Program (FEP), a joint initiative by Jollibee Group and the Jollibee Group Foundation Inc. (JGF), received two awards at the ESGBusiness Awards 2024 for its impactful contributions to the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in the Philippines.

FEP won the ‘Entrepreneurship Development Program Award,’ recognizing its commitment to supporting aspiring entrepreneurs and cultivating an entrepreneurial ecosystem. It also secured the ‘Social Welfare Award’ forensuring the well-being and basic needs of vulnerable populations, protecting them against risks and hardships, and promoting social and economic stability. 

This marks the first time the Jollibee Group Foundation (JGF) has been recognized by ESGBusiness, underscoring its dedication to sustainability and fostering equitable futures.

FEP is an agro-entrepreneurial and leadership program that aims to educate smallholder farmers on innovative farming technologies and entrepreneurship so they can adopt sustainable farming methods, increase their productivity, and gain higher incomes.

To date, FEP has accredited 30 farmer groups, comprising 1,400 farmers. Collectively, these farmers have supplied 11 million kilos of fresh vegetables to Jollibee, generating sales of P500 million.

PLDT, Smart, DTI strengthen collaboration

PLDT Inc. and its wireless unit Smart Communications Inc. bolster collaboration with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), accelerating the digital transformation of micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) across the Philippines.

To date, over 30,000 small businesses and cooperatives across the country have been trained on technology-based solutions through the PLDT Group’s capacity-building programs, helping drive business growth and resilience.

“One of PLDT’s main goals is to help build a stronger, more inclusive economy for all Filipinos. This is why we work closely with the DTI to help small businesses reap the benefits of new and emerging tools, maximize their income, and secure themselves in the digital world,” said Manuel V Pangilinan, chairman and CEO of PLDT and Smart.

Since 2023, PLDT and Smart, in collaboration with DTI, have led the eBiznovation program to equip local enterprises with digital skills, helping them expand market presence and boost productivity. Small businesses in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao have benefitted from training in cybersecurity, digital platforms, e-commerce, and social media marketing.

One notable success is Abbie Ricohermoso, owner of Josefina’s Homemade Food, who saw a 500 percent profit increase and became a top seller on TikTok Shop, after joining the program. Her story highlights the transformative impact of digital tools on small businesses.

In celebration of MSME month in July, the PLDT Group’s corporate business arm, PLDT Enterprise, in collaboration with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), launched MSME Day, a nationwide roadshow designed to help business owners embrace digitalization.

Earlier this year, PLDT, Smart, and Maya Philippines announced their collaboration with DTI to support the Tindahan Mo, e-Level Up Mo Sari-Sari Store Advancement Program, which provides free webinars to over a million mom-and-pop store owners. This initiative teaches store owners how to grow their capital using digital products like Smart e-load.

UnionBank hailed AI Pioneer 

This year’s LinkedIn Talent Awards named Union Bank of the Philippines’ (UnionBank) Human Resource Group an AI Pioneer underscoring the significance of investing in upskilling and empowering people to thrive in the digital era.

“As the leader in the digital transformation of banking here in the Philippines, UnionBank has a strong commitment to being at the forefront of technological advancements, integrating it into our products, services and operations for a seamless customer experience, but also making sure our workforce is equipped with the digital skills they need to keep up with the ever-changing technological landscape,” said UnionBank Chief Human Resource Officer, Michelle Rubio.

The LinkedIn Talent Awards celebrate companies and organizations that excel in developing, engaging, and transforming their workforce, giving employees a competitive edge. These awardees are recognized for their exceptional employee performance and the meaningful impact they create for their stakeholders.

UnionBank was conferred the AI Pioneer Award, which is given to companies that invest in AI training and development programs to increase the percentage of AI-skilled employees. UnionBank was able to surpass the global industry average in AI skills penetration, demonstrating its visionary approach to talent development and ensuring employees have an edge to perform at a global industry level.

City Savings Bank, a subsidiary of UnionBank, was also recognized at the same awards, receiving the esteemed Best Employer Brand accolade in the category for companies with fewer than 1,000 employees. The award recognizes organizations that prioritize the cultivation of a robust employer brand to effectively connect with their audience and foster meaningful engagement.

Landers partners with Paywatch

Landers Superstore has partnered with Paywatch to enhance its employee benefits program by introducing Earned Wage Access (EWA)  as a key offering.

 This partnership makes Landers the first supermarket in the country to implement EWA, also known as on-demand pay.

Landers launched the EWA) program at its Central Office, Otis, and Alabang branches during the pilot phase. 

The EWA program gives employees access to a portion of their wages before payday, providing greater financial flexibility to manage daily expenses and emergencies, while reducing reliance on short-term loans. 

“Our employees are the cornerstone of Landers’ success,” said Reynald Lapan, chief human resources officer of Landers. “By offering on-demand pay, we aim to ease the burden of unexpected financial challenges, allowing our staff to focus on delivering exceptional service.”

Pru Life UK expansion

Pru Life UK inaugurated seven new general agency offices. 

With four new agencies in Metro Manila and three in the Mindanao region, Pru Life UK now operates over 170 general agencies and branches and continues to grow its network of more than 42,000 digitally empowered agents. 

This move strengthens the company’s presence in strategic locations, enabling the company to better serve the diverse needs of over 1.8 million Filipino families.

The establishment of these new offices reflects Pru Life UK’s commitment to addressing financial inclusion gaps, particularly in Mindanao which remains to be among the most financially excluded regions in the country. 

FEU hosts US students

Far Eastern University (FEU), through its International Relations Office (IRO), reinforced its dedication to international collaboration by hosting a three-week Study Abroad Program of De Anza College, USA. Its aim was to introduce the Philippines’ enriching cultural and educational experiences to students from outside the country, thus bridging global gaps and fostering international understanding.

FEU-IRO hosted 15 students and 2 faculty members from the US college to experience life in the Philippines through guided cultural tours, diverse lectures, and community engagement activities. 

FEU’s extensive network of global partnerships, now including 43 universities, indicate its commitment to enhancing education and promoting global citizenship. The Study Abroad Program with De Anza College exemplified this commitment by offering international students valuable cultural experiences and academic enrichment.

During the first day, participants of the exchange program were given a guided tour of the FEU Manila campus, the country’s largest Art Deco complex and a recognized National Cultural Treasure by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

As part of their community engagement activities, the students visited the Gawad Kalinga headquarters, attended lectures on Philippine indigenous peoples, and met with Aeta communities in Pampanga. FEU planned these activities with the intention of deepening the US students’ understanding and appreciation of Philippine communities, to help enhance cross-cultural knowledge and skills essential in a globalized world.

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