Aboitiz Foundation, Connected Women partner with DILG to upskill women in tech
The Aboitiz Foundation, Connected Women, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Tuesday, July 18, in support of the Foundation’s initiative to upskill women in artificial intelligence and data annotation (AIDA) under its Elevate AIDA program.
The MOU was signed by DILG Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos, Jr., Aboitiz Group president and chief executive officer (CEO) Sabin M. Aboitiz, Aboitiz Foundation president and COO Maribeth L. Marasigan, and Connected Women co-founder Ruth Yu-Owen.
Witnessing the ceremonial signing were AEV chief Reputation and Sustainability officer Ginggay Hontiveros-Malvar, DILG undersecretary Margarita Gutierrez, Philippine Commission on Women executive director Atty. Kristine Yuzon-Chaves, Isabela City, Basilan mayor Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman, Toledo City, Cebu mayor Marjorie Perales, and Connected Women CEO Agnes Gervacio.
Elevate AIDA is a collaborative initiative between the Aboitiz Foundation and Connected Women with the aim of providing women economic empowerment through comprehensive digital training, tools, and employment opportunities in the growing digital economy. The partnership with the DILG is a significant milestone in accelerating and scaling the program, with the DILG supporting Elevate AIDA through the identification and endorsement of Local Government Units (LGUs) in support of the LGU’s Gender and Development (GAD) programs.
As the Aboitiz Group undergoes its Great Transformation to become the Philippines’ first Techglomerate, they are harnessing the power of technology and embracing a renewed entrepreneurial mindset to foster positive transformations in society.
Globe Business Masterclass for Microfinance
To help the microfinance sector tap into the vast and diverse market of 59 smartphone users and 47.73 million using digital payment platforms, Globe Business hosted a masterclass that gave microfinance institutions powerful insights and knowledge on digital marketing.
In a recent two-hour webinar, representatives from pawnshops, insurance, lending, and digital payments businesses came together to learn from seasoned experts about digital marketing.
The online event, the first of three masterclasses for the finance industry, was a collaboration with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), Philippine Marketing Association, the Certified Digital Marketer, and association partners such as Microinsurance MBA Association of the Philippines, Inc. and Fintech Alliance PH.
Among the industry experts who shared their knowledge on marketing strategies that aim to upskill the participants, were Next Layderos, Director for PR and communications at the Philippine Marketing Association; Raphael Bariso, Chief Synergy Officer for the MullenLowe TREYNA Group; Jos Ortega, chairman and CEO of Havas Ortega
To help interested microfinance institutions in jumpstarting their digital marketing journey with the right digital solutions, Globe Business offers exclusive yet limited free business consultation to members of Upstart, a Loyalty Program for MSMEs, wherein they are granted one-on-one consultations with industry experts to guide them towards achieving their business goals.
WRMO as ally for the water sector
Maynilad Water Services, Inc. (Maynilad) President and CEO Ramoncito S. Fernandez called the Water Resource Management Office (WRMO) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources “a valuable ally” of the water sector in furthering its goal of improving water services.
Besides promoting synergies among the various government agencies involved in water, Fernandez said the water concessionaires now has the WRMO to help in getting its concerns prioritized.
Fernandez noted that in the way of doing business today, water concessionaires are often the ones who must give way to road or rail projects–rather than the other way around–even if doing so will involve the realignment of existing underground infrastructure and disrupt water service for customers.
With this development, Maynilad is optimistic that it can facilitate the implementation of its capital expenditure projects that are essential to enhancing service reliability, including those that will help to mitigate the effects of El Niño. The company vows to deliver its Php163 billion water and wastewater Capex projects from 2023 to 2027.
Maynilad is the largest private water concessionaire in the Philippines in terms of customer base. It is a concessionaire of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) for the West Zone of the Greater Manila Area.
foodpanda initiatives to empower partner vendors, support MSME growth
Leading online food and grocery platform foodpanda recently unveiled a new lineup of products and initiatives designed to bolster its support for partner vendors.
The latest products and tools were announced during the company’s recent partner vendors summit, named “CRAVE: Creating Relationships and Advancing Vendor Experiences.” The grand event not only served as a platform for underscoring foodpanda’s commitment to forging strong bonds with its partners, but also celebrated the success and achievements of these businesses.
foodpanda Philippines commercial director Luis Antonio Yanga expressed enthusiasm about hosting the summit and connecting with their partner vendors. “At foodpanda, we believe in fostering meaningful relationships with our partners. We are eager to share the innovative initiatives and remarkable products we have for them so that together, we can drive progress and revolutionize the online food delivery industry.”
Payo spearheads initiative to promote greener package delivery
Payo, the country’s leading E-commerce enabler, transforms local logistics industry practices with the recent introduction of electric vehicle cargo tricycles to the fleet of its sister company Agila Logistics and Delivery Express (Agila). With this, Payo is among the pioneering companies that use electric vehicles for deliveries, reducing the sector’s carbon emissions.
Payo is known to provide E-commerce solutions to various local and international brands, helping them serve more Filipino customers. To ensure that products and goods reach their destinations, Agila plays a crucial role in Payo’s operations and has been using traditional motorcycles and vans powered by fossil fuels.
In 2022, Payo started employing various sustainable measures and initiatives to promote environmentally-friendly logistics solutions. These include the integration of bike deliveries and switching to biodegradable delivery pouches. Now among the first companies to make the sustainable switch, Payo is procuring electric vehicles that will be part of and soon replace Agila’s fuel-powered delivery fleet.
While there is still a lot of work to be done, Payo is doing its part and hopes to build a more sustainable logistics landscape by replacing its last mile delivery vehicles for the long term.
