MGen sustains education campaign through OMF’s Balik-Eskwela project
Leading power generation company, Meralco PowerGen Corporation (MGen), and its subsidiaries continued its commitment to sustainably support quality education in its host communities through One Meralco Foundation, Inc.’s (OMF) Balik-Eskwela Project. Education as a strategic community development pillar has been a focus of the Company through various initiatives since 2021.
Last September 2023, MGen employees, from its Global Business Power Corporation (GBP) subsidiaries, assembled and distributed more than 300 backpacks filled with essential school supplies and hygiene kits for kindergarten to Grade 3 students. The initiative reached Labne Elementary School in San Miguel, Bulacan; Sitio Malalim Elementary School in Baras, Rizal; E. Pesa Elementary School in Bongabon, Nueva Ecija; and Caridad Ibaba and Caridad Ilaya Elementary Schools in Atimonan, Quezon.
The impact of the Balik-Eskwela project was evident during the turnover ceremonies, where students joyfully received their school bags filled with notebooks, papers, pencils, and sanitation kits. Marivic Velasco, school principal of Sitio Malalim Elementary School, emphasized the crucial role of partners like MGen, OMF, and Rex Bookstore in fulfilling their mission to guide students towards a brighter future.
In addition to school supplies, MGen collaborated with Rex Bookstore, Inc., a renowned player in the educational publishing industry, to donate over 8,000 textbooks worth more than Php 1 million. This initiative is part of Rex Bookstore’s “Para sa Bata, Para sa Bayan” campaign, which aims to make books accessible to every learner.
The Balik-Eskwela project not only contributes to the education of underprivileged children but also fosters a sense of community. As the initiative gains momentum, it is set to become a cornerstone of the company’s broader efforts to make a positive impact on the communities it serves.
Fast Track by RUSH business acceleration program boosts SME Sales by 62%
RUSH Technologies, a frontrunner in digital business solutions, reached a groundbreaking achievement for its Fast Track Business Acceleration Program, with participating merchants experiencing a staggering 62% growth in sales.
This milestone underlines the program’s effectiveness in boosting the capabilities and readiness of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) for the digital economy and signifies RUSH’s dedication to fostering a thriving business environment.
Fast Track by RUSH is designed to aid and educate budding entrepreneurs in their journey towards sustainable business success, covering essential areas such as branding, digital marketing, customer engagement, and financial management. It transcended traditional learning, providing a platform for real-time business advancement and networking opportunities.
From August to October, over 100 representatives from 40 brands engaged in the program at The Globe University in Mandaluyong. Participants enjoyed access to RUSH’s comprehensive eCommerce solutions at a reduced cost, coupled with free educational tracks led by industry experts that focused on practical and actionable strategies.
This blend of technological support and expert-led learning, in collaboration with The Hapag Movement and other partners, has been instrumental in the digital transformation of these SMEs, steering them towards significant business growth.
Applying their learnings in their respective businesses, participating merchants saw a 62% sales growth between September and November.
Bayad makes a mark at the 2023 Singapore Fintech Festival
Bayad president and CEO – Lawrence Y. Ferrer presents a massive potential on advancing the global digital economy by bridging international businesses and Filipinos overseas through its bills payment services.
Bayad, the biggest and widest multi-channel payment platform in the Philippines, showcased its commitment to advancing financial technology and expanding its global presence at the 2023 Singapore Fintech Festival.
The highlight of Bayad’s participation was the thought-provoking presentation by President and CEO Lawrence Y. Ferrer, where he shared valuable insights on the pivotal role of bill payments in catalyzing digital economic growth.
In his presentation titled “Fueling Progress: Bill Payments as the Catalyst for Digital Economic Growth,” Mr. Ferrer emphasized the importance of bill payments in the Philippines and its significant contribution to the country’s economy.
Currently, the Philippines ranks as the largest recipient of money remittances in Southeast Asia, 3rd in Asia, and 4th globally, with the World Bank predicting continued growth in remittances.
Now with a massive ecosystem, Bayad has evolved into the premier bill payments aggregator, serving over 3,000 biller brands from both public and private sectors, covering a wide range of services, including electric and water utilities, telecommunications, government contributions, airline booking payments, loans, e-loading, e-wallet top-ups, toll RFID loading, insurance, memorial and more.
Bayad’s participation in the 2023 Singapore Fintech Festival marks a significant step toward its mission of empowering individuals and businesses with seamless and convenient bill payment solutions, both domestically and internationally.
Visa accelerates support for small and micro businesses across APEC and globally
Visa and Visa Foundation recently made several announcements related to their ongoing commitment to support small and micro businesses (SMBs) across APEC and the world. First, Visa Foundation is pledging $100 million to support underserved and women-led SMBs in APEC economies over five years. Visa announced it has exceeded its three-year goal of digitally enabling 50 million SMBs globally by June 2023 and has now helped nearly 67 million SMBs. To deepen its support for global SMBs, Visa launched a new initiative to further accelerate digital enablement of underserved SMBs in the United States and developing economies with an initial focus on APEC economies including Indonesia, Mexico, Peru, Philippines, and Vietnam. Visa and Visa Foundation made these announcements as part of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum Economic Leaders and CEO Summit hosted by the United States in the City of San Francisco.
Visa’s partnerships with e-wallets in the Philippines, such as Maya and GCash, have also benefited SMBs by providing more modes of payment that are beneficial to both businesses and consumers. Wallets serve as a crucial conduit for greater financial inclusion to reach populations that may not have access to traditional banking services.
Visa’s 50 million SMB digital enablement milestone is just one piece of its and Visa Foundation’s ongoing commitment to help small and micro businesses thrive.
LausGroup brings the magic of Christmas to children
Christmas spirit is in the air as Pampanga-based conglomerate LausGroup of Companies (LGC) conducted a lights-on ceremony last October 6 at the LausGroup Complex in Pampanga. Staying true to its mission in pushing for inclusive countryside development, the LGC community reached out and celebrated with the Children’s Joy Foundation — a non-profit organization dedicated to helping and protecting children through residential and community-based support programs to achieve their dreams.
Smiles were all around as the kids from the Children’s Joy Foundation were treated to an exclusive ride around LGC’s Peugeot dealership, accompanied by the group’s vice president and executive director, Carisa A. Laus. The children also excitedly received their advance Christmas presents from CEO and Chairman Lisset Laus-Velasco and the rest of the Laus family.
In addition to kicking off the holiday season, Laus-Velasco sees the Lights On Ceremony’s return as an example of the LausGroup’s longstanding commitment to the local community, collaborating with David Mallari Lantern Makers — Pampanga-based artisans who designed the event Christmas tree and the array of traditional Pampanga parols adorned in Olympic colors to recognize athletes who uphold the nation’s honor and promote good sportsmanship.
PLDT Global enhances cooperation with OWWA for OFW welfare and empowerment
Committed to forging meaningful connections for Filipinos worldwide, PLDT Global Corporation (PLDT Global), the international arm of the Philippines’ largest integrated telco, PLDT Inc. (PLDT), is cultivating collaboration with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to empower and advocate for the welfare of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
This collaboration enables PLDT Global to serve as OWWA’s partner in providing services to OFWs through access to OWWA Hotline 1348 and digital services on TINBO (Tindahan ni Bossing).
Powered by PLDT Global, TINBO is the one-stop marketplace that enables Filipinos around the world to buy load, send food gift vouchers, healthcare PINs from mWell, and even gaming PINs for their families in the Philippines. They can acquire a Smart virtual number (SVN) through TINBO, enabling them to receive OTPs from their e-wallets and e-banks in the Philippines like Maya. TINBO also provides access for a convenient and secure online bills payment from abroad to their Philippine utilities, send e-gifts, medicines, and other digital services while outside the Philippines.
PLDT Global and OWWA are exploring programs to help OFWs reintegrate into the community and enhance their income through livelihood opportunities, upskilling sessions, grants, and other initiatives to improve their quality of life upon their return home.
Following his meeting with PLDT officials, OWWA Administrator Arnell Ignacio expressed optimism about the partnership with PLDT.
PLDT remains actively engaged in supporting government-backed digitalization initiatives like GoDigital Pilipinas (GDP), a movement under PSAC, aiming to narrow the digital divide through digital literacy and build a sustainable digital ecosystem.
Moreover, PLDT continues to boost government initiatives to make services more accessible through apps like the eGovPH Super App, offering local and national services, LGU services, healthcare assistance, and e-payments, among other functions.
Philex Mining bags Best Forest Award
Philex Mining Corporation, one of the oldest and largest gold and copper producers in Southeast Asia, was recently given the Best Mining Forest 2023 Award, Exploration Category, in ceremonies held during the Awards Night and Testimonial Dinner of the 69th Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference of the Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association (PMSEA) at the CAP-John Hay Trade and Cultural Center, Baguio City. On hand to receive the award was Engr. Ricardo S. Dolipas II (2nd from left), Philex vice-president for Padcal Operations and resident manager, from presenters, left to right: Atty. Juan Miguel T. Cuna, undersecretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources; Annie G. Dee, PMSEA Director; and Engr. Marcial H. Mateo, chief of Mine Safety, Environment and Social Development division of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau. This is the fourth time Philex has received the award in the said category.
