OFR special awards
The Philippine Retailers Association presented the 2023 Outstanding Filipino Retailers (OFR) Special Awards to Ayala Malls, Robinsons Malls, and SM Supermalls for demonstrating unwavering support to retailers during the pandemic.
These special awards serve as a recognition of their exceptional dedication and efforts to provide a safe and conducive environment for retailers to continue operating and serving their customers amids unprecedented circumstances.
GSIS, DICT embrace digital transformation with data sharing pact
State pension fund Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) today signed a Data Sharing Agreement marking a significant milestone in their shared commitment to drive digital innovation forward.
The Data Sharing Agreement, in compliance with the Data Privacy Act of 2012 and guidelines set by the National Privacy Commission, aims to facilitate the exchange of data between DICT and GSIS for the development of application programs that will improve the delivery of efficient and quality services to GSIS stakeholders.
Under the agreement, GSIS and DICT will collaborate in the digitalization initiatives which may involve the sharing of personal information of GSIS members and pensioners. This fosters a secure and trustworthy data-sharing environment for both agencies, while ensuring their accountability and responsibility in protecting the GSIS stakeholders data.
Both organizations have appointed dedicated Data Protection Officers who will implement safeguards to ensure the confidentiality and integrity of the shared information.
During the pension fund’s 86th anniversary program held on May 31, the President praised GSIS for accomplishing a 95% digitalization rate in members’ transactions particularly through the mobile application GSIS Touch and GSIS Wireless Automated Processing System (GWAPS) kiosks.
DICT also cited GSIS as the pioneering agency to embrace E-governance through its GSIS Touch and GSIS Guide to Transactions and Processes (GTAP).
Water reuse
West Zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services Inc. recently signed an agreement with the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) on the reuse of the company’s treated wastewater for the Clean and Green Project of the agency in Pasay City. The water company pledged to provide, free of charge, the treated effluent of its Pasay Water Reclamation Facility (WRF) for purposes strictly limited to the watering of ornamental plants along major and secondary thoroughfares; flushing of government facilities, roadways, center islands, barriers, plant boxes, and underpass walls; and firefighting activities. Maynilad will provide volumes that are available per day, as the availability of treated wastewater is dictated by the facility’s treatment capacity. The treated effluent complies with the General Effluent Standards set by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Present during the signing of memorandum of agreement were (from left) Pasay City Fire Marshall Superintendent Mariano Taguiam, District Fire Marshall-Bureau of Fire Protection District 3 Senior Superintendent Flor-Ian Guerrero, Maynilad COO Randolph Estrellado, and Maynilad Corporate Affairs and Communication head Marie Antonette De Ocampo.
Tulong kay Nanay
PLDT, its wireless unit Smart Communications Inc. and its social outreach arm PLDT-Smart Foundation (PSF) recently delivered aid, through the ‘Tulong kay Nanay’ program of Generations–Home, also known as ROHEI Foundation, a non-profit organization on a mission to end the orphan crisis in the Philippines through families.
PLDT and Smart, through their ‘Buy Local’ farm-to-market initiative, donated 35 sacks of 25kg rice, which were locally sourced from partner farming communities, to ‘Tulong kay Nanay’ to benefit pregnant mothers in need. Some of these donations were also directed to the children and mothers of Generations–Home’s partner organizations Grace To Be Born and Adonai Home.
Apart from immediately addressing hunger, PLDT and Smart also provided sustainable livelihood opportunities to chosen nanays to help jumpstart their small business. Goods were sourced from an agro-based MSME that PLDT and Smart are currently supporting through its BuyLocal Bazaar project with TikTok Shop.
This initiative helps underscore the mission of PLDT, Smart, and PSF to help women and children in need, especially the vulnerable and marginalized, leaving no one behind.
2GO team at IRONMAN 70.3 Subic Bay
2GO is the official logistics partner of IRONMAN events in the Philippines. As with its previous support in the Davao leg, 2GO transported large-ticket paraphernalia, including bikes, race equipment, race bibs, singlets, merchandise, and exhibition materials to Subic. Photo shows the athletes of the 2GO Tri relay team participating in IRONMAN Subic.
Complete cashback
Security Bank Complete Cashback Platinum Mastercard offers a P3,000 The Travel Club e-gift certificate as a welcome offer to cardholders upon meeting the required minimum single or accumulated spend of P80,000 within 60 calendar days upon approval of the card.
On top of the welcome gift, cardholders get the following benefits: up to 5 percent guaranteed cashback/rebates on everyday shopping; secure online shopping through Mastercard E-Commerce Purchase Protection and eligibility to entertainment, shopping, wellness, and accommodation promos.
Applications received until July 31 will be eligible for these offers.
TCL AsPac launch
TCL, the world’s TOP 2 TV brand and TOP 1 98-inch TV brand, recently unveiled its latest multi-category products for the Asia Pacific market at an exclusive launch event in Bangkok.
From stunning picture quality with its 2023 C Series Mini LED and QLED TVs, to FreshIN air conditioner and a slew of innovative and stylish appliances to enable a healthier and more convenient lifestyle.
The brand is proud to be the No. 1 TV brand in Australia, and the No. 2 TV brand in the Philippines, Myanmar and Indonesia. In other key markets, such as Thailand, TCL announced they are rapidly rising up the ranks, testament to its commitment to providing millions of APAC customers with the innovative technology solutions they deserve.
A pioneer and a leader of Mini LED technology, TCL introduced its latest generation technology to audiences in APAC. The C845 is the newest addition to TCL’s Mini LED TV line-up, with more local dimming zones at work providing infinite contrast dimensions, high efficiency and wide luminous angle Mini LEDs to achieve the highest brightness levels to date.
LinkedIn bridges skills gaps
Financial services players such as BDO Unibank, Inc. (BDO), Maya, China Bank, and Security Bank (SBC) are partnering with LinkedIn, the world’s largest professional network, to enhance their hiring processes to attract top talent, invest in large-scale workforce upskilling, and develop internal frameworks to identify and bridge skills gaps.
LinkedIn Learning, LinkedIn’s intelligent learning platform, has seen busy activity over the past three years from professionals and business leaders in the Philippines’ financial services industry, with the number of learners (2.3x) and time spent on learning (2.1x) increasing by over two-fold from April 2020 to March 2023.
Security Bank (SBC)’s employees nationwide have been very engaged learners, viewing more than 11 million course videos on LinkedIn Learning in 2022. Last year, SBC built a “Capability Framework” to address workforce skill gaps, starting with their leadership team.
Maya said leveraging LinkedIn Learning enables it to keep pace with in-demand skills while LinkedIn Talent Insights allows it to comprehensively understand emerging skill requirements and market demand.
BDO said responsiveness and strong accountability are attributes it looks for to cultivate a culture of innovation balanced with risk mitigation and good governance in response to the changing times. China Bank for its part prioritizes cybersecurity and has deployed regulatory courses such as data privacy and operational risk management. Its multigenerational workforce is upskilling by taking these courses and more through LinkedIn Learning.
OMF energizes island school
The One Meralco Foundation (OMF) recently energized an off-grid public school on the island of Liwagao in the municipality of Caluya in Antique in a bid to empower students with access to digital learning materials for their education.
The project involves a 1-kilowatt peak (kWp) solar photovoltaic (PV) system for the Lim Elementary School, which can be reached via a four-hour boat ride from mainland Antique.
The new solar facility will power crucial equipment that will provide lighting and ventilation to create a more conducive learning environment for students. It will also significantly contribute to the delivery modes for learning given that equipment such as printers, laptops, and televisions can now be used by both teachers and students.
Just recently, OMF also energized another island school in Antique, the Sibolo Elementary School located in Sibolo Island, which caters to 145 students who are under the care of seven teachers. The project also involved the installation of a 1kwP-portable solar PV system.
To date, a total of seven schools in Antique have been energized by OMF since 2015, benefitting more than 1,200 students and 46 teachers.
The energization of off-grid public schools is an initiative of OMF under its community electrification program which also covers low-income households in the Meralco franchise area, rural health centers and barangay health stations, water access, and agricultural and livelihood programs.
Top performers recognized
The Ageas Group recognized Eighteen delegates from the Philippines for their outstanding performance at the Ageas APEX Convention in Pattaya, Thailand from May 11 to 14.
A total of 1000 delegates from other countries were in attendance.
The Ageas APEX Convention is a recurring event that acknowledges outstanding achievement by all Ageas partnerships across Europe and Asia. It is also a development opportunity as delegates get to hear from world-renowned financial speakers. This includes the likes of 54-year veteran Tony Gordon, an MDRT member for 46 years and a Top of the Table member for 45 years.
Eric Feng, a top financial influencer who extended his charisma and experience across continents, spoke as a keynote speaker at the event. Ian Green, the MDRT Foundation’s Platinum Knight, was also a special guest speaker.
From Gordon’s “Success Is a Choice” to Green’s “The Success Plan,” lectures and workshops were packed with insightful conversations. In addition to learning, participants were treated to a fantastic Great Gatsby party and a Red-Carpet Gala Night.
