Disaster risk reduction strategies vital in building a sustainable future
Hans Sy, chairman of the Executive Committee of SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SMPHI) emphasized the importance of investing in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) strategies for a disaster-resilient society during the convocation program of the Asian Institute of Management’s Executive Master Class in Disaster Risk and Crisis Management (EMDRCM).
“As we journey towards a disaster-resilient society, we continue to invest in prevention, preparedness and collaborative crisis management response, all critical components of DRR strategy,” Sy said in his speech to the incoming EMDRCM students.
Sy’s expertise, involvement, and contributions in DRR made him the first Filipino member of the United Nations ARISE global board, the private sector alliance for disaster risk reduction.
“From a country’s development perspective, DRR is vital to building a more equitable and sustainable future… We are one in pursuit of resilience. The responsibility does not lie with the government alone. It is a concern for everyone including citizens like you who will be empowered to make decisions for the civil society as a whole,” Sy said.
As a staunch advocate of disaster resilience in the private sector, he ensured that SM has been taking great strides in reducing the company’s environmental impact through sustainable plans for its malls. SM has been investing 10 percent of its mall capital expenditure towards disaster risk resilient research and construction.
Sy encouraged the students on this exciting and challenging path that they are about to take. “Let us continue to learn, to innovate, to look for ideas and solutions, and to follow our sense of purpose… Let us keep DRR advocacy close to our hearts and continue to help and care for one another to make the world a better, safer, and happier place,” he concluded.
Ayala plans further investments to fight COVID-19
The Ayala Group, led by its healthcare unit, Ayala Healthcare Holdings, Inc. (AC Health), has committed to further increase its efforts to support the government in the fight against COVID-19, during a meeting with IATF officials.
On July 25, the AC Health group, led by Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala and Fernando Zobel de Ayala, welcomed DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III, DND Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, IATF Chief Implementer Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., IATF Chief Treatment Czar Usec. Bong Vega, Laguna Gov. Ramil Hernandez, and Dr. Rabindra Abeyasinghe of the WHO to Qualimed Sta. Rosa for a tour of the hospital and a discussion of Ayala’s COVID-related initiatives and various collaboration efforts with the government.
As of June 30, the Ayala Group and AC Health have provided much needed COVID-related support to the government and the general public, with over P9 billion allocated for COVID-19 initiatives, including construction and upgrade of treatment and quarantine facilities like the World Trade Center We Heal As One facility, the Philippine Red Cross testing lab and 7 RT-PCR laboratories across the country. Swabbing booths for the government’s four mega swabbing centers and NAIA terminals were also provided. Monetary and in-kind donations were allocated for testing kits, RPT machines, PPEs, among others.
Throughout the crisis, AC Health has maintained operations of their FamilyDOC primary care clinics, Healthway multi-specialty clinics, and Generika drugstores. It has also led to the conversion of Qualimed Sta. Rosa into a COVID-19 referral hospital, and has already capacitated 4 accredited COVID-19 laboratories located at the Tropical Disease Foundation (TDF) and Qualimed hospitals at Sta. Rosa, Laguna, San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan, and Iloilo City, Iloilo.
Testing equipment were also donated to the University of Cebu Medical Center (UC Med) and Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC).
To further support the government, AC Health plans to double the capacity of TDF.
Qualimed Sta. Rosa led by Dr. Edwin Mercado has been able to screen nearly 3,000 suspect cases and has admitted over 100 confirmed cases since the beginning of March.
AC Industrials manufacturing platform Integrated Micro-Electronics Inc. (IMI) has brought in the Ventura CPAP ventilator, a low-cost non-invasive ventilator, for Philippine use. The Ventura was developed by IMI’s United Kingdom-based subsidiary, Surface Technology International. The Ventura is now manufactured in IMI’s Laguna complex and once certified locally, will make available an additional 10,000 ventilators for the country.
Meanwhile, Globe Telecom’s 917Ventures and AC Health’s Vigos Ventures are also collaborating to create HealthNow, an all-in-one health app that will offer video consultations, medicine delivery, and clinic appointment booking, to be launched in August.
Manila gov’t, Globe Business assist public schools with data plans
The city government of Manila will be providing public school students with free access to online learning platforms under Globe’s BatangMaynilaSurf Plans.
Globe T also gave 11,000 LTE pocket mobile WiFi devices to the city for its public school teachers, as they prepare for the blended learning programs to be set by the Department of Education (DepEd).
Globe Business’ BatangMaynilaSurf data plan is specifically engineered to help students focus on their school activities and gain a virtual space that keeps them safe from the health risks caused by COVID-19. The custom-built plan allows students to access school-related websites and applications only. The plan is also already pre-activated upon distribution, with Globe refreshing the data allocation monthly through its Load Up platform.
Aside from being a trusted provider of digital solutions, Globe continues to work with local government units to build cell sites across the country. These towers, which are responsible for amplifying communication signals, enable individuals and businesses to gain better connectivity.
Prime Global Finance, partner in ECQ
Prime Global Finance Corp. (PGFC) continues to support entrepreneurs and business owners in re-starting and expanding their businesses keeping its doors open even amid the pandemic. PGFC offers its clients a wide array of financial products and services that are essential to a growing business. It likewise provides other ancillary services which includes; life and non-life insurance brokerage, exempt commercial papers and real estate properties for sale.
The company said it has several advantages versus the traditional sources of financing via its robust approach in its credit evaluation process, affordable financing schemes and its digital platform that makes the entire application processes seamless and a stress-free experience for its customers. This is coupled with sufficient advisory plus tailor fitted financing packages that matches the cash flow requirements of its borrowers.
PGFC is headed by Dr. Rolando Hortaleza and Dr. Rosalinda Hortaleza as its chairman and chief executive officer and vice chairperson, respectively.
