Redefining urban-dwelling landscape
Iloilo has made strides in becoming a well-integrated innovation hub in recent years, with several factors contributing to this growth – well-connected infrastructure, a strong risk-reduction program, and the arrival of several large corporations, all of which are seen as pushing the city toward becoming the Philippines’ “next economic epicenter.”
Jaro, Iloilo’s largest district, has played a key role in reshaping the city’s economic environment with large-scale developments that are projected to create jobs and tourism prospects. Initiatives like these not only help to boost the economy of the region, but they also help to create a favorable atmosphere for real estate investment.
One of the first movers in this progressive area is SM Development Corporation (SMDC), which has redefined the urban-dwelling landscape. Strategically located in the district of Jaro, Iloilo, Glade Residences gives you both front seats to Iloilo’s transformation and the opportunity to thrive at the crossroads of growth.
WeClean expands
WeClean is expanding its laundromat business across the Philippines and other Southeast Asian countries.
The company plans to open 500 laundromats in the country in the next three years.
The company manages and operates 63 branches, mostly in Metro Manila. After successfully opening in Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Palawan, it plans its first branches in Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia.
On April 1, the company will launch the WeClean Mobile App for booking of laundry service for pickup and delivery.
Kalibrr helps Filipino SMEs
FedEx has recognized Kalibrr under its Small Business Grant Contest (SBGC).
Kalibrr is an online job-matching platform that utilizes artificial intelligence to simplify the applicant screening process for employers. This is especially useful for small- and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) with limited recruitment resources.
With a $13,000 (P600,000) grant from the 2021 competition, Kalibrr is offering small businesses free premium subscriptions so they can utilize the company’s smart features and hire better-suited talent to transform and scale their businesses.
Kalibrr enables SMEs to customize and highlight their strengths and needs better so they can target a particular niche or sector and connect with ideal applicants.
The company is currently processing 10 million job applications annually and is working towards beating its own record in the coming years.
85% of CEB flying crew boosted
Cebu Pacific has achieved 85 percent booster vaccination rate for its active flying crew as part of the airline’s commitment to ensure everyJuan’s safety.
CEB’s entire workforce is now 81 percent boosted. This was attained through joint efforts of the CEB/JG Covid Protect Vaccination Program, along with various partnerships with LGUs in the country.
The COVID Protect program is part of the Gokongwei Group’s initiative for all its business units. Through this, CEB employees received free inoculation for themselves and their dependents, as well as third-party workers, such as check-in agents and bag handlers.
Apart from this conglomerate-led program, CEB also worked hand-in-hand with various local government units these past months to ensure its employees will be inoculated with whatever vaccine is available, at the earliest time possible.
The airline has also been actively transporting vaccines across the country since March 2021. To date, the airline has safely airlifted over 50 million vaccine doses across 28 domestic destinations.
UBX’s i2i to grow by 300% in 2022
i2i, the banking-as-a-service platform and open finance community under fintech innovator UBX, expects business to grow by as much as 300 percent in 2022.
This year’s growth comes after recording impressive results in 2021 on the back of strong demand for banking services across the country.
The platform ended 2021 with 44 times growth as it turned ordinary merchants into banking agents that offer a suite of banking solutions to unserved and underserved communities.
i2i attributes this growth to the demand for its mobile ATM services – which allows merchants to serve cardholders who wish to withdraw cash from their accounts through a handheld ATM device.
Agency banking refers to a banking model that transforms ordinary merchants — such as sari-sari store owners, general merchandise stores, or any registered business — into cash agents. It is enshrined under Circular 940 of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.
Through digital technology, agents offer a spectrum of banking solutions from performing know-your-customer (KYC) processes, disbursing funds, processing bills payments, accepting deposits, accepting and processing loan applications digitally, to selling insurance, among many others.
FAST, Honeywell tie-up
FAST Logistics recently sealed its partnership deal on hardware solutions with Honeywell, the leading manufacturer of industrial automation and control technologies.
FAST and Honeywell began their collaboration two years ago when FAST selected the latter’s Warehouse Management System (WMS) for the digital transformation of its customers’ supply chains. The partnership will give FAST customers access to a suite of industry-leading solutions from Honeywell including software, hardware, and other services. It supports FAST’s initiatives to offer its FMCG, retail, and e-commerce customers the ability to leverage state-of-the-art management systems for real-time visibility and optimized productivity across distribution centers.
The partnership also leverages FAST’s application of innovations.
This year, FAST is scheduled to roll out the digitalization of several sites into intelligent distribution and fulfillment centers using these improvements in IT to better their warehouse and logistics support.
Solar lamps for ‘Odette’ victims
Pueblo de Oro Development Corp. (PDO) and Cebu Light Industrial Park (CLIP) through the ICCP Group Foundation Inc. ) donated solar lamps for Cebu residents who still do not have electricity in the aftermath of Typhoon Odette.
A total of 900 units of solar lamps were distributed by PDO and CLIP to their host communities in barangays Basak and Babag in Lapu-Lapu City, and in barangay Canasujan in Carcar City as part of their continuing support to families affected by the typhoon.
Previously, PDO and CLIP distributed 2,000 kilos of rice and 8,000 liters of drinking water to these barangays in coordination with local government units.
GCash Digital Excellence Awards
GCash is celebrating realtime and real life innovation through its program, the GCash Digital Excellence Awards.
This recognition is given to institutions that have made significant contributions in revolutionizing digital solutions and establishing programs that help safeguard transactions and the delivery of their services.
This year, GCash is extending this honor to innovators in the enterprise and micro, small and medium enterprises sectors for their steadfast commitment in pioneering advancements and championing inclusivity through key initiatives.
There will be three main awards for this year’s GCash Digital Excellence Awards. The Industry Pioneer Award recognizes companies who have stood alongside GCash since its inception and continue to spearhead various partnership activities along the way. The Innovation and Growth Award, will be presented to organizations that have collaborated with GCash in delivering ground-breaking solutions for the growing number of GCash users. The last of the three main awards, the Transformative Ecosystem Award, will be given to institutions who have embraced the digital lifestyle by fully integrating GCash solutions to their own ecosystem.
The GCash Digital Excellence Awards will happen on March 31, through an exclusive online event.
SBFI 600th classroom
Security Bank Foundation Inc. (SBFI) turned over two school buildings equivalent to 14 classrooms in Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat last December , marking SBFI’s 600th classroom turn-over since the start of the program in 2011.
SBFI donated a two-story, four-classroom school building to Maria A. Montilla Memorial Elementary School, while a two-story, ten-classroom school building was donated to Tacurong Pilot Elementary School.
With the completion of 98 classrooms in Digos, Kalibo, Laoag, Naga, San Francisco, San Jose, Santiago, Solano, and Tuguegarao, SBFI would have donated 701 classrooms in 123 schools located in 69 cities/municipalities nationwide — a fitting way to culminate Security Bank Corporation’s 70th Anniversary.
Easy as 1,2, 3
Owning the Lexus’ bestselling SUV, the RX, has just become easy as special financing deals with free two-year periodic maintenance were crafted for the entire Lexus RX lineup this month.
These include RX 450h (P5.398 million), RX 350 F Sport (P5.158 million ) and RX 350 (P4.498 million).
Free two-year periodic maintenance is also offered with the IS 300h (P2.978 million), IS 300h Premier (P3.328 million), IS F Sport (P3.808 million), UX 200 F Sport (P3.378 million) and UX 200 (P2.658 million).
