Partners for efficiency
The Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) turned over 500 desktop computers to the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) to help streamline and digitalize government services.
The desktop computers will be distributed to 166 local government units (LGUs) to help automate their business permit and licensing systems, promote ease of doing business and contribute to developing the country’s competitiveness.
Each of the LGUs will receive three desktop computer units that can be used to set-up their Electronic Business One-Stop Shops (eBOSS) to ensure red-tape free and more convenient business registration–from application to approval of permits.
In attendance during the ceremonial turnover recently were 27 LGUs in Batangas, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Quezon and Rizal that are among the beneficiaries of the project.
This initiative supports the “Paspas Pilipinas Paspas” project of ARTA which aims to improve bureaucratic efficiency, one of the priority areas under the government’s 8-point socioeconomic agenda.
SMC signs agreement on NBEX
San Miguel Corp. and the Batangas provincial government represented by Governor Hermilando Mandanas signed the joint venture agreement for the P44.77-billion Nasugbu-Bauan Expressway (NBEX) project in a ceremony held at the Balayan Government Center.
SMC president and CEO Ramon S. Ang was officially named adopted son of Batangas at the ceremony.
Digi-palengke in Pasig
PLDT’s wireless unit Smart Communications Inc. powers the ‘digi-palengke’ initiatives of Maya across the National Capital Region (NCR), starting with Pasig City to make it easier for consumers and merchants to embrace digital payments, just like flower store owner Jhojane Ramos.
A Maya user for several years now, they have also opened that payment option in their flower store for clients who prefer to pay through the app.
For newly activated Maya merchant KC Nueva, one QR code for digital payments enables them to keep track of their income better.
To date, Maya has enabled over 800,000 QR Ph Maya merchants in 96 percent of the country’s cities and municipalities.
Smart has boosted Pasig City’s network to provide fast and reliable mobile connectivity to Pasigueño customers.
First Bitcoin Island Retreat
Boracay is set to play host to bitcoin and venture capital leaders from around the world at the first-ever Bitcoin Island Retreat from March 27 to 29.
Pouch.ph CEO Ethan Rose, lead organizer of the Bitcoin Island Retreat, announced the list of speakers includes HCM Capital founder and managing partner Jack Lee, Mimesis Capital founder, CEO and CIO Louis Liu, former Sequoia Capital crypto investor Augie Ilag, and Lightning Ventures general partner Mike Jarmuz.
Other speakers are Florin Hilbay, former solicitor general and current Silliman University College of Law dean; Elijah Tan, VP at Coins.ph; and Albert Buu, founder and CEO of Vietnam-based bitcoin-only startup Neutronpay.
Fighting breast cancer
East West Banking Corp. held a number of activities for its employees to raise awareness about breast cancer, and how to fight back through detection to prevention.
EastWest employees rallied to raise funds for breast cancer detection and prevention of the beneficiaries of Philippine Foundation for Breast Care Inc. (PFBCI), also known as Kasuso.org. This was done through the launch of the very first Magenta Race — a virtual run/walk and cycle for breast cancer. The choice of magenta, a deeper shade of the pink that is associated with cancer awareness, wishes to express EastWest’s deeper commitment to this cause.
A total of 145 employees took part in the EastWest Magenta Race, with 94 joining the run/walk, and 51 joining the cycle race. Each participant registered and paid for a Magenta Race dri-fit shirt, and part of its proceeds were collected as donations to PFBCI.
The EastWest Magenta Race ended with the first placer receiving a trophy and limited-edition merchandise. The other top ten placers received Magenta Race medals and merchandise.
The Bank also partnered with MediCard, EastWest’s health insurance provider to educate the Bank’s employees about breast cancer detection and treatment. Together, they conducted a “Breast Cancer Awareness Talk Webinar” which aimed to answer important questions about breast cancer.
Security Bank recognized
Security Bank Corp. was recognized by UK-based financial magazine, Retail Banker International (RBI) at the 2023 RBI Asia Trailblazer Awards for Excellence in Employee Engagement.
According to RBI, “Security Bank’s win at the 2023 RBI Asia Trailblazer Awards demonstrates the company’s agility, innovation, and commitment to excellence. The company’s efforts to keep employees engaged in the new normal sets it apart from the competition, making it a true trailblazer in the industry.”
The journal recognized the Bank for its efforts to engage employees by promoting a fast feedback platform through the usage of data analytics and employee surveys. The Bank’s learning and development arm also ensured the continued education and upskilling of Security Bankers with platforms such as LinkedIn Learning and LearnSpace.
Before the pandemic, capturing the employee pulse was tedious and time-consuming, taking at least a quarter to analyze employee sentiments, to address this pain point, the Bank capitalized on data science by onboarding a powerful tool that changed how to listen to the voice of employees, Glint. Because of the investment in a robust and effective data analytics tool, it was able to lay the groundwork to building a sustainable work environment anchored on the voice of Security Bank employees.
Replanting of 100K coconuts
With the goal to replant 100,000 coconut seedlings in Bohol, Cargill, CARE Philippines and local partners kick off the RISE Coco (Recovery Intervention for Severely Affected Coconut Farming Communities of Bohol by Super Typhoon Odette) project with a commemorative tree-planting ceremony in Brgy. Cabanugan, municipality of San Isidro.
Around 100 coconut seedlings were carefully selected from the farmer-managed nursery in the barangay and were planted during the ceremony. These were part of over 20,000 coconut seed nuts and seedlings propagated and prepared for planting across 10 nurseries in partner farming communities in San Isidro, Calape, Catigbian and Loon municipalities. The remaining seed nuts will be consolidated in the coming months, with propagated seedlings to be planted at the coconut farms of partner farmers to reach the 100,000-tree mark by the end of the year.
The RISE Coco project focuses on rehabilitating 700 hectares of coconut farms by replacing the damaged coconut trees in farms managed by 1,000 farming households from the four municipalities in Bohol.
Suyen partners with Atome
Suyen Corp. has partnered with Atome, Asia’s leading buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) brand, to offer flexible zero-interest payment options across its 20-plus retail brands operating in the Philippines. Overall, the retail company’s partnership with Atome covers 600-plus physical retail outlets of Suyen’s key brands throughout the country and all their online platforms.
Suyen Corp.’s brands include Bench, Human, and Kashieca. It also operates franchise businesses for many international brands, such as Cotton On, Aldo, Charles & Keith, Jo Malone, Mothercare, American Eagle, and La Senza.
Shoppers at all physical stores under Suyen can now shop and check out with Atome’s deferred payment schedule at zero interest.
To pay, users download Atome’s app and register an account, before selecting Atome as the checkout payment option.
The Atome Philippines mobile app is available on the App Store and on Google Play.
Fintech Week
UnionDigital Bank (UD) president and CEO Henry Aguda participated in a panel discussion on embedded finance Fintech Week Tel Aviv, held from March 13 to 15.
At the panel discussion titled The Embedded Value: Hear the successful use case stories of embedded finance. How can other sectors benefit from embedded solutions?” On March 14, Aguda shared success stories and use cases on significant advancements made in embedded banking in the Philippines. His presentation focused on the digital bank’s leadership in this domain, emphasizing how it is revolutionizing the financial sector.
Aguda highlighted the importance of embedded finance in providing personalized services, faster transactions, and enhanced functionality for the user.
Embedded finance involves integrating financial services at the source of the transaction without additional interactions with a traditional financial institution.
Smart champions mobile teachers
Alternative Learning System (ALS) educator Gretchen Linaac is among the mobile teachers of the Department of Education – Division of Cagayan de Oro who have partnered with Smart Communications Inc. for their education advocacy.
Through the School-in-a Bag — a portable digital classroom, and the CVIF-Dynamic Learning Program (CVIF-DLP) teaching pedagogy, Linaac has been able to implement the ALS program in multi-grade classrooms and make technology more accessible to learners.
The PLDT group champions Gender Equality through digital inclusion and shared value programs that enable and empower women.
“Women teachers like Ms. Linaac have played a huge part in our advocacy to ensure that no learner is left behind. We have also participated in programs that promote digital inclusion and livelihood for women, especially from hard-to-reach communities. We have equipped them with tools of the trade, digital literacy training, livelihood opportunities, among others,” said Stephanie Orlino, assistant vice president and head of Stakeholder Management Team, Group Corporate Communications at PLDT and Smart.
Palafox leads 49th PBCE
Principal architect and urban planner Felino “Jun” Palafox, Jr. is leading this year’s 49th Philippine Business Conference & Expo (PBC&E), the country’s biggest business conference organized by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) to be held on October 25 to 26 at The Manila Hotel.
PCCI president George Barcelon announced the appointment of Architect Palafox following an executive session by the PCCI Executive Committee that unanimously voted for Architect Palafox, who is the chamber’s vice president for Trade Mission and director of the Environment & Climate Change, Infrastructure and Construction Committee.
Palafox has 51 years of experience in architecture and 49 years in planning. He founded, leads, and manages Palafox Associates and Palafox Architecture Group, Inc., which have already completed more than 1,800 projects in 40 countries.
