LOOK: Ayala group leads most advanced earthquake response simulation in PH
Ayala group’s disaster response teams led the first and the most advanced earthquake response simulation exercise in the country.
The three-day drill was held at Arca South in Taguig City, way ahead of the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, a global event led by United Nations to promote a global culture of risk-awareness and disaster reduction happening today.
Ayala’s earthquake simulation exercise aims to prepare the group’s disaster responders for the “Big One” or the 7.2 magnitude West Valley Fault earthquake as well as any kind of crisis that will endanger the safety of the public.
The simulation exercises include area assessment, search and rescue operations, and building restoration. These exercises seek to test the capability of the Ayala group in responding to a large-scale disaster and to assess the interoperability of several emergency operations centers within the group in a ground-zero scenario.
Apart from Ayala group emergency responders, the simulation exercise was also attended by representatives from PHIVOLCS, City DRRM Office of Taguig, BFP Taguig, Barangay DRRM Office of Bicutan, Philippine Army 525th Engineering Combat Battalion, and MMDA K9 Corps.
Maynilad replaces 224-km. of old pipes in Caloocan
West Zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services, Inc. (Maynilad) recently completed the replacement of a total of 224 kilometers of old, leaky, and undersized pipelines in Caloocan City.
The Php829-million pipe replacement project, which started in 2019, involved the total replacement of primary, secondary and tertiary pipelines in 20 Caloocan barangays. Some of these pipes are mostly 70 years old–installed even before the privatization of MWSS operations–and have already sprung leaks that cause low water pressure in the area.
Maynilad had to conduct the pipe replacement in measured phases over the course of several years so it could manage impact on traffic. This project has led to gradual improvement in water availability and pressure in the city, and also enabled Maynilad to recover approximately six million liters per day (MLD) of water.
The newly laid pipes were also wider in diameter, thus accommodating the higher water demand in the area with its now significantly bigger population.
Maynilad has allocated Php11 billion for pipe replacement projects from 2023 to 2027, to be done in various portions of its concession area. The company is replacing a total of 477.2 kilometers of old, leaky pipes within the period, in line with its program to upgrade the distribution system and reduce water losses.
Since the water company’s re-privatization in 2007, it has already replaced around 3,188 kilometers of old pipes–about the same length as the distance between Manila and Tokyo in Japan.
Standard Chartered partners with ePLDT VITRO
Standard Chartered, the oldest international bank in the Philippines, has partnered with ePLDT, PLDT’s ICT subsidiary, for its digital infrastructure, with an agreement to collocate in VITRO. VITRO is the country’s premier data center network with the largest and most hyperconnected data center sites.
Standard Chartered previously maintained its client-server and critical applications on-premises. The move to co-locate this digital infrastructure is based on ePLDT’s capability to support the bank’s stringent global colocation requirements as well as its track record and expertise in data center management and operations.
SCGS Manila covers strategic planning and business management supporting the business growth and shared services activities of the bank globally. It is the fifth business service center of the bank with other hubs in China, India, Malaysia and Poland.
VITRO has set the standards in providing world-class data center facilities in the Philippines. It has the largest data center footprint located in prime cities across the country with a service uptime of 99.99%. Early next year, its largest and first true hyperscale facility is set to go live in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, with a total power capacity of 50 MW.
MetroMart’s movie showing and grand prizes awarding
Winners of MetroMart’s “Lay’s, Camera, Action!” contest were treated to a movie showing of DC’s Blue Beetle at The Red Carpet PRemiere Theatre in Shangri-la Plaza Mall last September 24, 2023.
The program included trivia games and packages of Frito Lay’s products as prizes.
Grand prizes including a PS5, Nintendo Switch, and TCL 40" Android Digital LED TV were also awarded to the movie-going winners.
The Lay’s, Camera, Action! contest was run in partnership with PepsiCo Philippines from July to September 2023 on MetroMart. Customers may earn an e-raffle entry for qualifying purchases of participating Lay’s products across participating branches of AllDay Supermarket, Ever Supermarket, Landmark, MerryMart, Robinsons Supermarket, Super8, S&R Membership Shopping.
74 cadets complete training for SMC’s MRT-7 operations in 2025
Some 74 railway professionals under the cadetship program of San Miguel Corporation’s (SMC) Metro Rail Transit-7 (MRT-7) project recently completed their mandatory training under the Philippine Railways Institute (PRI), a vital step towards ensuring that the soon-to-be-operational mass transit system provides a seamless and enhanced commuting experience for countless Filipinos.
The Fundamental Training Course (FTC), which began in July, was structured to provide the cadets with specialized skills and expertise. This rigorous preparation aims to meet the high standards required to handle the sophisticated operations of the MRT-7, set to revolutionize urban transit in the country.
In July this year, SMC separately sent 40 cadets to Seoul to train under KORAIL, South Korea’s leading railway operator and the conglomerate’s technical partner. They completed their training in September.
SMC President and CEO Ramon S. Ang congratulated the cadets for completing the course under the guidance of PRI experts during the commencement exercise held at the SMC head office complex.
Speaking on behalf of Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista, Undersecretary Paul Yebra hailed the graduates for proving their worth as railway professionals, who are now certified to “safely operate these multimillion-peso” facility and equipment.
Of the 74 cadets who completed the FTC Cycle 7, 27 of them graduated from the railway engineering program of state-run Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP).
IABC PH partners with Makati Business Club for Triple “P” Awards
The International Association of Business Communicators Philippines (IABC PH) is pleased to announce its partnership with the prestigious Makati Business Club (MBC) for the upcoming Triple “P” Awards. This collaborative effort underscores the significance of communication in promoting sustainability and corporate social responsibility within the Philippine business landscape.
Through this partnership, members of the Makati Business Club will be actively encouraged to participate and submit their entries for the Triple “P” Awards. Additionally, they will have the opportunity to access industry-leading speakers and resource persons who can share their valuable insights on sustainability. MBC members will also be invited to nominate deserving individuals to become part of the Triple “P” Awards evaluators.
The Triple “P” ESG Awards aim to recognize companies that go beyond mere compliance and quantitative data. This prestigious platform provides businesses with an opportunity to share best practices and learn from industry leaders across various sectors.
IABC PH, in collaboration with Deloitte Philippines, has initiated the Triple “P” ESG Awards for People, Planet and Progress.
The Makati Business Club was organized by top businesses and executives in 1981 to engage with government and civil society on national issues. MBC also promotes trade and investment with the government, embassies, and foreign partners, and convene leaders and lead or administer projects in areas that need special attention.
Smart offers extra income with ‘Power Partner’ program
PLDT wireless subsidiary Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) is making it easier for Filipinos to earn extra income as it unveils ‘Power Partner’ program, an affiliate marketing program that offers commissions and rewards to members for every sale or subscription to Smart Prepaid, Smart Postpaid, and Smart Bro products and services generated through their online channels.
Smart’s ‘Power Partner’ program is now open to all small business owners, influencers, and freelancers with social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok. The program is also open to bloggers, media outlets, and other online publishers and content creators.
Approved ‘Power Partners’ may create or have their own unique affiliate links to promote on their online channels.
Each time someone makes a purchase or subscribes to Smart Prepaid, Smart Postpaid, or Smart Bro products and services using their unique affiliate link, Power Partners can earn up to 30% commission plus other incentives and rewards.
Aside from offering new income opportunities, the program also makes it easier for subscribers to avail of Smart Prepaid, Smart Postpaid, and Smart Bro products and services through their trusted ‘Power Partners’ online.
To join Smart’s affiliate marketing program and be a Smart ‘Power Partner,’ interested individuals and enterprises may apply at smart.com.ph/partners.
CEMEX PH in top quartile in the2022 S&P sustainability assessment
CEMEX Holdings Philippines, Inc. (CHP), a leading cement manufacturer in the Philippines, achieved a notable performance in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA) 2022, ranking in the 76th percentile of the construction materials industry.
This is the first time that CHP participated in the CSA, and it performed well several ESG dimensions, such as Talent Attraction and Retention, Occupational Health & Safety, Operational eco-efficiency, and Business Ethics. This is the first time that CHP participated in the CSA, ranking above industry mean for Environmental, Social, and Governance and Economic indicators.
The S&P Global CSA is an annual evaluation of the sustainability practices of over 10,000 companies around the globe, across different industries covering environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria. The CSA results are used to determine the composition and weighting of the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI), one of the most prestigious global benchmarks for corporate sustainability.
Meanwhile, CHP also released its 2022 Sustainability Report (SR) magazine titled “Shaping the Future.” The magazine is an offshoot of the 2022 Sustainability Report of CHP.
