Japan signs four new grant contracts under GGP
In his message during the ceremony, Ambassador KOSHIKAWA affirmed that Japan continues to be Philippines’ devoted partner in improving the quality of life of Filipinos.
The four projects include the construction of a school building for Ilog Elementary School in the Municipality of Ilog, Negros Occidental; the project for construction of food processing training center in Bombon, Camarines Sur with a grant amount of USD 62,247 (PHP 3,644,620); the Project for procurement of transportation vehicle for street children center in Lipa City, Batangas, with a grant amount of USD 16,591 (PHP 971,428.57); and the fourth and last project is the procurement of water purification system for Barangay Mabato in Rosario, Batangas, with the grant amounting to USD 105,380 (PHP 6,169,999).
As the top ODA donor for the Philippines, the government of Japan launched the GGP scheme in the Philippines in 1989 to reduce poverty and help various communities engage in grassroots activities. The four projects signed are the newest addition to the 553 grassroots projects that have already been implemented by the GGP. Japan believes that these projects will strengthen the friendship between Japan and the Philippines and contribute to sustaining strategic partnerships between the two countries.
Chevron sponsors ScholaRun
Chevron Philippines Inc. (CPI), marketer of the Caltex brand of fuels and lubricants, together with its shared services center, Chevron Holdings Inc., sponsored the recent 9th AmCham Eat and Run ScholaRUN at the Liwasang Ulalim, CCP Complex, Pasay City.
The run-for-a-cause is an annual event by the American Chamber Foundation Philippines, Inc. (ACFPI) to help raise funds for its scholarship program.
ACFPI supports underprivileged youth through various development and education initiatives.
The scholarship enables students in high school, college, and vocational courses to fund their tuition fees and school supplies, and provides allowance and guidance all the way to their on-the-job training. At least 2,000 former AmCham scholars were able to finish their studies since the program started which Chevron has always supported.
About 175 employees from CHI and CPI joined the run in support of the AmCham Foundation’s cause. The event registered over 3,000 runners.
CSA Makati wins at Olympiad
Colegio San Agustin Makati’s team “The Golden Agila” was the over-all champion (Secondary School category) in the recently-concluded Southeast Asian Science Olympiad (SEASO) that was held from March 6 to 9 in Penang, Malaysia.
Among the countries that vied for the title this year were Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Vietnam. There were more than 20 groups, with only two groups coming from the Philippines: St. Louis University, Baguio City and CSA Makati. Representing CSA Makati were Grade 10 students Rafael Gozon Viterbo and Eunyou Park, together with Grade 12 students, Jodi Mariano and Lakan Fuentez.
The students were chosen by the STEM and Science coordinators and they underwent a rigorous training schedule in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics that began in October 2022.
The winning Golden Agila team members were given medals and a cash prize. They were also given the honor of displaying the Philippine flag during the awarding ceremony.
Malayan financial protection
For as low as P525 premium a year, small businesses can get financial protection of up to P50,000 against risks such as fire, burglary and housebreaking, personal accident, and physical loss of money inside the premises.
Negosyo Insure is a specially-designed insurance product that protects small entrepreneurs from unexpected mishaps and losses. The inexpensive insurance protection is offered by Malayan Insurance Co. Inc.
Paolo Abaya, president and chief executive officer of Malayan Insurance, said with Negosyo Insure, entrepreneurs are empowered to safeguard their business ventures.
Policyholders are covered with an accidental death benefit up to P50,000; total permanent disability due to accident benefit up to P50,000; disablement or dismemberment coverage up to P50,000; and medical reimbursement of P5,000. While fire cash assistance, burglary and housebreaking, and loss of money inside the premises benefits are up to P10,000 each.
Malayan Insurance made policy enrolments available online through the GCash app.
etaily boosts efficiency
etaily, a leading B2B eCommerce enabler in the Philippines, has successfully upgraded its system with Oracle NetSuite ERP’s offering through the Bureau of Internal Revenue Computerized Accounting System (BIR CAS). This marks a significant milestone in streamlining business processes, ensuring compliance with BIR regulations, and boosting efficiency without interrupting day-to-day operations.
With the integration of Oracle NetSuite ERP and BIR CAS, etaily is now empowered to make more timely revenue-driven strategies and decisions.
With the capabilities Oracle NetSuite ERP offers through BIR CAS, etaily is poised to boost its efficiency, compliance, and position as a leading B2B eCommerce enabler in the Philippines.
Access to capital financing for women-led biz
UBX, Women’s Business Council Philippines and SeedIn are intensifying their efforts to empower women-led enterprises and women entrepreneurs through democratized access to business financing.
UBX is the leading open finance platform in the Philippines, while WomenBizPH is the leading voice of women in commerce. SeedIn on the other hand is a mobile financing powerhouse
The three groups first entered into a partnership in 2022 to launch Women-to-Women (W2W) Investment and Lending Portfolio, a basket of financial assets that help empower Filipino women to become successful entrepreneurs. Beneficiaries are given access to financial tools such as investment products and credit lines for their business.
They will soon hold a caravan on financial literacy and loan responsibility, targeting micro, small, and medium enterprises that are led by women.
Through the W2W Investment and Lending Portfolio, UBX, WomenBizPH, and SeedIn are aiming to reduce gender-based disparity in business ownership and entrepreneurship.
Powered by UBX’s SeekCap, an online lending marketplace, W2W Investment and Lending Portfolio allows beneficiaries to request a loan for as low as P300,000 or invest in the portfolio for as low as P1,000.
Trend is your friend
TradeTalks Tutorial Series hosted by BDO Securities recently tackled the basics of technical analysis and understanding market trends titled “Trending Patterns.”
According to Bernhard Tsai, BDO Securities chief operating officer, market prices form patterns that create trends, and people almost always tend to react the same way when they see the patterns that had similarly formed in the past.
But a more viable game plan, however, is to identify the type of trends that are formed, and ride on them until such trend is reversed.
“Trends are confirmed by presence of volume. Volume has to be present so you’ll know there’s a demand for this stock,” Tsai said.
“Human psychology plays a key role in the stock market,” he added. “Whether it’s positive or negative news, the market discounts everything. As long as it’s already public information, it’s already reflected in the (share) price.”
Tsai advised to buy at the breakout point. A breakout refers to the price of a stock when it moves above a resistance area. Breakouts indicate the potential for the share price to start trending in an upward direction.
UD, mWell partnership
UnionDigital Bank (UD), the digital bank subsidiary of Union Bank of the Philippines, recently announced its partnership with the country’s first fully integrated and fully digital health and wellness platform, mWell.
UnionDigital Bank will provide mWell’s patients with a holistic health and financial wellness experience by integrating its banking services into mWell’s app. mWell and UnionDigital Bank will strive to make healthcare services more affordable by offering digital banking products, such as medical emergency loans and flexible payment terms, integrated within the mWell app.
“Joining forces with UnionDigital Bank is a major step towards improving the overall healthcare experience of our customers. It will bring a new level of convenience and support, enhancing our ability to deliver on our mission of empowering people to live their healthiest lives,” said Chaye Cabal-Revilla, president and CEO, mWell.
“Combining our expertise in digital banking and healthcare innovation, our partnership with mWell will enable us to offer cutting-edge solutions and seamlessly integrate our services into their app, making it easier for their customers to manage the financial aspects of their healthcare journey,” said Henry Aguda, president and CEO, UnionDigital Bank.
Hoop for a cause
The country’s largest private employer Concentrix successfully hosted a company-exclusive charity game with 12 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Legends in an epic battle with staff, the Concentrix All-Stars, in the Mall of Asia Arena.
The charity game called “Concentrix Cares: Hoop for A Cause” raised over P2 million in ticket sales from thousands of the company’s staff who also brought friends and family to the event. The entire proceeds were added to the Concentrix Cares Staff Pledge Donation Program, a ready fund raised by staff for fellow team member beneficiaries in need of additional financial support for medical, educational, and emergency reasons — all of which are on top of and supplemental to, company-provided funding and benefits.
Twelve PBA Legends who participated in the exhibition game to represent the PBA Foundation included cross-generation beloved basketball stars Allan Caidic, Jerry Codinera, Noli Locsin, Jonny Abarrientos, Marlou Aquino, Bal David, Gerry Esplana, Willie Miller, Rodney Santos, JayJay Helterbrand, Rico Maierhofer and Mark Pingris. The PBA Legends took down the Concentrix All-Stars basketball team in a 17-point lead, ending the game at 100 points versus the latter’s 83.
Freebie alert
Customers may receive all kinds of freebies with their orders in the Robinsons Supermarket Freebies Alert, exclusively via MetroMart, running from March 20 to April 12, 2023.
Customers just need to add to cart the Free Item of the day, and continue shopping at Robinsons Supermarket on the MetroMart app. These products include Nestlé Koko Krunch Cereal, Hershey’s Kisses Special Selection, KitKat Bites, Oreo cookies, Pringles chips, and toiletries or household items such as Safeguard soap, Cleene ethyl alcohol, Sanicare facial tissue, and so much more. A minimum spend of only P1,000 is required.
Customers can also maximize the discount deals with other ongoing promos of MetroMart such as the Payday Specials, running this March 31 to April 2.
