Phoenix offers free antibacterial car treatment
Motorists can now avail of free antibacterial car treatment at participating Phoenix stations as the company reinforces its thrust for safer and more convenient drives amid the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic.
For every P1,000 worth of fuel purchase using its recently launched contactless payment option, the customer gets one complimentary antibacterial car treatment e-voucher via the Limitless app where Phoenix is one of the partner merchants.
“As some members of the community are compelled to go out despite the risks, we are finding more ways to adapt to the new normal and assist our customers in going about their day in a safer and more convenient manner. With this complimentary antibacterial treatment, we urge our customers to make use of the contactless payment facility in our retail stations as it offers more safety and convenience, and remind everyone to remain cautious,” said Phoenix Petroleum president and chief operating officer Henry Fadullon.
InLife banks on a fully-digital platform, online payment
capability to service customers
Banking on a highly-developed digital backbone, Insular Life (InLife) fuses several technological breakthroughs to sell insurance policies and service customers’ needs, especially during this pandemic.
It recently launched the Virtual Business Enabler (ViBE) platform which allows InLife financial advisers (FAs) to complete insurance selling without any face-to-face interactions with the client.
“ViBE is a multiplatform system hinged on digital tools and innovative procedures,” said InLife senior executive vice president and chief distribution officer Raoul Littaua.
Whereas in a regular insurance sales cycle, the FA and the client meet face-to-face with the FA securing a physical signature from the client attached to the application, now, with ViBE, clients are able to sign their policies electronically and pay for their dues digitally or through online bank transfer.
InLife also announced that payments for new policies may now be made through policyholders’ mobile phones or gadgets using their Mastercard or VISA credit/debit cards.
Called the New Business Bills Presentment, transactions through the said channels may be made without physically swiping the cards.
Once the payment is successfully done, the customer receives an acknowledgment of the payment transaction via SMS/email. The policy is then delivered to the policyholder via the Customer Portal.
Aside from ViBE and the New Business Bills presentment, the InLife store via www.inlifestore.com.ph is now available. Its new renewable term plan for critical illness, Prime Care and the Prepaid emergency care cards of InLife subsidiary, Insular Health Care, may now be purchased through the InLife Store.
Prime Care is a yearly renewable term insurance that gives a lump sum amount and pays a monthly cash allowance for 30 months if the insured is diagnosed with any of the covered critical illnesses. In case of total and permanent disability, it gives an additional lump sum amount on top of the cash allowances. Should the insured pass away while receiving the monthly cash allowances, all unpaid cash allowances are given to the beneficiary/ies.
Globe myBusiness delivers a cloud-based educational system
for Rosemont Hills Montessori College
Globe myBusiness has partnered with Rosemont Hills Montessori College in implementing remote and flexible education through an innovative Learning Management System (LMS).
“Cloud-based education is a standard in the new normal, and the systems provided by Globe myBusiness is one way to ensure that online education within our institution proceeds as planned,” shares Yvonne Rosales Montilla, President of Rosemont Hills Montessori College. “With this partnership, Rosemont Hills Montessori College will bring classes to the cloud for the school year 2020 – 2021.”
The institution secured Brightspace LMS licenses for 500 students. This online platform promotes collaboration and communication among students, staff, and teachers. With it, educators can design courses, create teaching materials using multimedia content, and measure progress through quizzes and surveys.
The system can also track attendance, present the class list, send updates and announcements to students. It facilitates the processes of teaching and learning while staying safe at home. Additionally, it keeps all the essential files in one place and makes it easier to track the progress of each student.
Through Brightspace learning management system, Rosemont Hills Montessori College is now equipped with the appropriate tools needed to make learning in this pandemic possible. Teachers can design and implement instruction in a differentiated method to keep students engaged.
Binalot adjusts to the new normal
Adapting to the new normal, Binalot has implemented a number of measures including providing shuttle services so that its crew need not take public transport to avoid the risk of COVID infection.
Stores are thoroughly sanitized at the start of the day.
Impermeable plastic barriers have been set up at the counters to protect both crew and customers who are also required to wear face masks. Tables and chairs have been arranged to adhere to social distancing protocols.
Binalot has chosen to adjust to the situation from the very start of the community quarantine and has maintained some outlets open to focus on delivery of meal pledges for medical and non-medical frontliners.
Binalot is also available via Grabfood and Lalafood .
Mastercard hikes contactless payments limits
Mastercard has increased the transaction limit for contactless payments made through credit cards in the Philippines from P2,000 to P5,000 starting July 17, as this mode of payment has become pervasive following the new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
Mastercard continues to support partners and customers as more face-to-face transactions are expected to happen, according to Rowell Del Fierro, country manager for the Philippines.
Citing the recent Mastercard Impact Studies, a survey about the effects of COVID-19 on 10 markets in Asia Pacific, most respondents in the Philippines are cautious about COVID-19 infection and are turning to digital alternatives when it comes to their purchasing experiences.
Around 40 percent of Filipino respondents have indicated that they are using contactless payments such as mobile wallets, and contactless credit and debit cards, more than ever. In line with reducing contact points and staying in the safety of their homes, Filipinos are also relying on online shopping and delivery services.
Of the surveyed consumers in the Philippines, 40 percent reported that they have been relying on home delivery services for both food and groceries.
Consultations via KonsultaMD surge
The telehealth unit of Globe Telecom Inc. registered a 450-percent jump in the number of consultations in April versus early this year.
KonsultaMD is a 24/7 subscription-based telehealth service.
The Department of Health (DOH) earlier tapped KonsultaMD and other telehealth providers to help augment the DOH hotlines for a limited time by providing free telemedicine advice to individuals who need non-emergency medical assistance. Thirty volunteer doctors in the DOH Healthcare Warrior Program also lent their services to KonsultaMD last month.
DOH, together with the National Privacy Commission (NPC) has also released a joint memorandum circular recognizing the use of telemedicine in responding to the COVID-19 crisis and encourages traditional healthcare providers to adopt the practice in situations such as the current national emergency where quarantine protocols are in place.
KonsultaMD is composed of licensed Filipino doctors who give advice on primary care, first-aid, health and wellness, nutrition, mental health, and even provide prescriptions and interpretation of lab results. These services are delivered via calls to the hotline – 78880 via Globe/TM mobile phone or (02) 77988000 via landline or through the KonsultaMD mobile app which allows video consultation.
KonsultaMD is operated by Global Telehealth, Inc., a joint venture of 917Ventures, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Globe, and Mexico’s Salud Interactiva. Adspark is also a portfolio company under 917Ventures, the largest corporate incubator in the Philippines.
AMLC accredits CISI professional assessment suite
The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) has recently recognized and accredited the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI) to conduct an anti-money laundering e-learning and training program for capital markets, banking, and finance professionals in the Philippines.
The CISI Anti-Money Laundering/Combating the Financing of Terrorism Professional Assessment (AML/CFT) is an online certificate designed for practitioners who need to comply with the annual AMLC requirement for training. In this program, it will no longer be necessary for individuals to attend third-party centers for instruction and testing as this can be done online at any time of the day or night.
The program gives an overview of the current AMLC/CFT legislation and regulation, enabling firms and individuals to demonstrate compliance with the government-mandated AMLA training requirements and international standards. The modules are specifically tailored to those working in banks, money-service businesses/pawnshops, and those regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
CISI is the largest and most widely respected professional body for the securities and investment profession in the United Kingdom and in a growing number of financial centers globally.
