‘Atletang Ayala’
The Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub, a premier destination for athletes, integrates an Olympic- size pool, track and field and a sports science laboratory.
The recently-launched Ayala Center for Excellence in Sports (ACES) has announced the creation of the Atletang Ayala program designed to provide holistic support to the country’s Olympic hopefuls.
Under the Atletang Ayala program, participating Ayala Group companies will provide full-salaried employment opportunities at part-time hours to Filipino national athletes training for the 2022 Asian Games and the 2024 Olympics.
This arrangement will allow the athletes the flexibility they need to fulfill their grueling training and competition requirements while receiving a steady income. Athletes selected for the program will also be given free access to the world-class training facilities of the Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub.
ACES has partnered with De La Salle University to offer free enrollment in a selection of courses for Atletang Ayala athletes who wish to continue their education.
The Atletang Ayala program will be launched after it has identified eight athletes for its inaugural class. All applicants are required to be members of the pool of national athletes in their national sports associations that are competing in medal sports at the 2024 Olympics.
Quarantine-free arrival in Singapore
Cebu Pacific (CEB) said fully vaccinated travelers from the Philippines may now travel to Singapore for leisure starting March 3 and that they no longer need to quarantine upon arrival, following the extension of the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) to the country by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore.
Beginning March 3, all CEB flights from Manila to Singapore have been approved as VTL flights. These flights are for fully vaccinated guests only.
Passengers must be able to present upon check in either VaxCertPH or International Certificate of Vaccination and negative result of Antigen Rapid Test or PCR test, taken within 48 hours before the flight from a DOH-accredited testing center.
Travelers are urged to continue checking with the Singapore government for the latest updates.
Ninja Van supports SMEs
The importance of digital adoption and a more customer-focused approach for businesses in a growing digital economy was highlighted at DIGeCONOMY 2022, the first-ever digital summit held by tech-enabled express logistics company, Ninja Van Philippines.
Speakers and industry leaders from the public and private sectors provided their expertise on operationalizing customer-focused services for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and their customers.
Ninja Van Philippines executives also gave an in-depth look at how the company is putting more focus on customer needs to provide logistics excellence, customer satisfaction, and a Todo Hustle, No Hassle service that helps SMEs navigate the evolving e-commerce landscape and maximize opportunities from the country’s robust digital economy.
The company highlighted its services that include NinjaChat, an AI-powered social messaging platform where customers can track their parcels, get automated delivery notifications, and chat with a live agent regarding their concerns and inquiries anytime and anywhere. Ninja Van also supports its customers through informative and helpful avenues like the Ninja Blog and Ninja Van Masterclass, and Ninja Direct where it assists sellers with their procurement challenges from supplier sourcing to customs clearance.
With its Hassle-free Service Resolution where shippers can resolve parcel issues faster and with ease. It has put multiple touchpoints for shippers; increased its response time to just within 24 hours and resolution of non-delivery issues such as refund, damaged items, and pick-ups within 72 hours; and set up email status notifications to notify shippers of every step of the escalation and resolution process.
Knowledge Transfer Program updates
East-West Seed commits to providing intensive training and exposure of smallholder farmers in the Philippines to profitable and sustainable cultivation techniques through its East-West Seed Knowledge Transfer Program (EWS-KT).
EWS-KT was established to improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in less-developed areas by creating opportunities for income generation, development of competitive agri-input markets, and the increase of the availability of safe-to-eat and affordable vegetables for consumers in rural areas.
EWS-KT supports the government’s National Crop Diversification program by implementing various projects that focus on crop diversification, one of which is the Sa Palay at Gulay, May Asenso, Hanapbuhay, Oportunidad at Nutrisyon.
EWS has also partnered with Deutsche Gesellschaft fí¼r Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and Nestle Philippines in 2019 to scale up the implementation of an integrated coffee-vegetable farming systems in Bukidnon.
EWS has also partnered with Deutsche Gesellschaft fí¼r Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH and Franklin Baker Company of the Philippines to distribute seeds, fertilizers, and other farm inputs to 350 coconut farmers in Laguna, Quezon, and Camarines Norte.
To date, the EWS-KT program has been able to provide over 540,000 farmers and home gardeners access to online tools and digital training modules
Buy now, pay later
SM has partnered Atome to introduce buy now pay later checkout counters.
Shoppers at initially five SM department stores in Manila – SM North Edsa, SM Makati, SM Megamall, SM Mall of Asia and SM Southmall – will be able to split their purchases into three, zero-interest payments upon checkout at a dedicated counter inside the shopping mall. To pay, users first have to download Atome’s app and register an account, before selecting Atome as the checkout payment option. Atome will also be available at five other SM department stores in Manila – SM Cubao, SM Fairview, SM Sucat, SM San Lazaro, SM Grand Central.
Atome launched in the Philippines in October 2021, partnering with over 100+ online and offline retailers.
AboitizPower supports Fire Prevention Month
In this photo from 2019, a fire inspector from the Bureau of Fire Protection teaches Visayan Electric team members how to properly use a fire extinguisher.
AboitizPower and its business units express support for National Fire Prevention Month in March.
The company’s distribution utilities Visayan Electric and Davao Light as well as Cotabato Light and the Enerzone Group are at the forefront of promoting fire safety in the group as this is also often linked to electrical safety.
With around one million customers within its franchise areas, the AboitizPower Distribution Utilities endeavor to educate the public on the importance of keeping their homes and workplaces safe from faulty electrical wiring-related risks.
“The observance of fire safety should be everyone’s concern not just for one month every year, but for every waking moment. On our part, we make sure that our facilities and operations are on par with the standards in the Fire Safety Code. We also welcome opportunities to partner with the BFP and local fire brigades to raise awareness and improve capabilities within our host communities,” said Richard Cruz, AboitizPower vice president.
TELUS PH takes home 6 Anvils
TELUS International Philippines (TIP) was recognized for its exceptional 2021 employee-directed public relations and communication campaigns at the virtual Gabi ng Parangal Awards Ceremonies held by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP).
TIP received six Anvil Awards and a nomination for Company of the Year Award.
TELUS International Philippines’ caring and diverse company culture has been cited as a key reason that employees stay with the company and deliver above and beyond when it comes to customer service.
“The six Anvil Awards we won today are feathers of pride in our cap, and a testament to the effectiveness of our creative and innovative team member-directed campaigns that build and represent our strong corporate culture. We thank the PRSP organization and its Board of Judges for continuing to celebrate our work through the Anvil Awards,” said Pia Gajasan, communications senior manager for Asia-Pacific at TELUS International.
Foundation completes 3rd school building
Security Bank Foundation Inc. (SBFI) turned over its third school building in Tuguegarao City last December 22.
The two-story, 10-classroom school building was received by the Tuguegarao West Central School.
As of December 2021, SBFI has already donated 24 classrooms in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan. In 2019, SBFI turned over two-story, eight-classroom school building in Annafunan Elementary School and two-story, six-classroom school building in Pallua Elementary School.
Since 2011, SBFI has been implementing its Build a School, Build a Nation Program to provide additional classrooms for public schools in areas where Security Bank operates, complementing it with major repair support, teachers training, and other learner support interventions.
Despite the pandemic, the SBFI sustained the program in preparation for the eventual resumption of face-to-face learning delivery, which has already resumed in various parts of the country.
SBFI has built 701 classrooms in 123 schools in 69 cities and municipalities, a fitting celebration of Security Bank’s 70th anniversary.
PLDT Enterprise boosts tourism
PLDT Enterprise has partnered with the provincial government of Camarines Norte to support its bid to bolster its tourism industry and promote the Daet Centennial Wharf as the next leisure capital in the region.
Through PLDT Enterprise’s r wide range of digital solutions, the municipal government will be able to ramp up its initiatives to attract businesses and travelers and promote its tourist destinations.
PLDT Enterprise has turned over 200 Mbps of enterprise broadband to the municipality’s Centennial Wharf and has also inaugurated a new fiber facility to support the delivery of high-speed internet.
PLDT Enterprise has been assisting municipal and local government units all over the Philippines in its equipping industries and bridging the gap for their constituents in far-flung areas.
