CDC welcomes the opening of SMX Clark
Clark Development Corporation (CDC) welcomed the opening of the SMX Convention Center Clark which is envisioned to boost the Freeport’s positioning as a preferred Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibits (MICE) destination across the country.
This new convention center is the second largest stand-alone convention center after SMX Manila. It features a space of 4,000 sq. meters with two level event venues, mezzanine floor for offices, and three trade halls which can accommodate about 900 persons when combined in a cocktail set-up.
The facility also has three function rooms with a capacity of 450 to 1000 guests depending on the set-up, and 14 meeting rooms which can house up to 700 attendees when combined and customized to preferences. Contiguous to its area are the Park Inn by Radisson Clark and the SM City Clark. These properties are interconnected through the SM Skyline that is slated to be launched on Friday.
Leading a ribbon cutting ceremony to commemorate the official launch of the convention center were CDC Chairman Atty. Edgardo Pamintuan, SMHCC President Elizabeth Sy, Shopping Center Management Corp (SCMC) President Steven Tan, Department of Tourism (DOT) Region 3 Division Chief Ronsan Pelariza, SMX Convention Center Clark Senior Branch Manager Miguel Morato, and Pampanga 1st Dist. Board Member-elect Krizzanel Garbo. They were also joined by SMHCC Executive Vice President Peggy Angeles and SMHCC Senior Vice President for Operations Walid Wafik.
Upskilling through e-learning
Ayala units make upskilling more accessible by strengthening their engagement with one of the world’s largest online learning platforms, Coursera.
In a discussion with Coursera executives, Ayala Corp.’s strategic human resources advisor and Ayala group’s HR Council head Francisco Romero Milan expressed the group’s commitment to future-proofing its workforce by investing in lifelong learning.
Through its partnership with Coursera, Ayala Corp. seeks to improve employees’ digital and human skills through curated, function-focused, and industry-specific learning programs available on the e-learning platform.
Ayala Land taps Coursera to further enhance employees’ finance, marketing, sales, project management, and customer service excellence skills, which are a must-have in the real estate industry.
BPI promotes upskilling on digital transformation, data analysis, information system, cybersecurity, and digital channels for banking through Coursera.
Globe leverages Coursera for its Data Science Program which focuses on data analytics and cloud security, among others.
Honda expands facilities
Honda Cars Philippines Inc. (HCPI) recently opened its relocated service center at Rosario, La Union, along with the groundbreaking ceremony of an additional dealer in Santa Rosa, Laguna.
HCPI’s latest service center which was relocated from Baguio spans approximately 2,800 square meters and offers after-sales services including preventive maintenance, general repairs, as well as body and paint.
The ceremonial groundbreaking of the soon-to-rise Honda Cars Santa Rosa was held on May 20. The new facility will be managed under the ANC Group of Dealers. Part of its upgrades will include a five-car display area or showroom and a dedicated service area. Honda Cars Santa Rosa is slated for soft opening by December, and it will serve as HCPI’s 39th dealership in the Philippines.
RCBC Bankard recognized
The Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) has been recognized globally for its digital cash loan facility.
RCBC Bankard Services Corp., the credit card arm of RCBC was awarded by the Digital Banker in the recent Digital CX Awards 2022 as the winner in the Outstanding in Digital CX – Loans category.
This is the second time RCBC Bankard received international accolade for the digital cash loan facility. Last year, it was named Outstanding Personalized 1:1 Marketing Initiative for Digital Cash Loan by the Global Retail Banking Innovation Awards 2021.
The Digital Cash Loan was developed to maximize the opportunity of being able to communicate and serve more personalized offers to the RCBC Bankard cardholders. It also had the added benefit of being a more economical and efficient channel.
Strengthening disaster resilience
AboitizPower together with Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (AFI) collaborated with the South Cotabato Electric Cooperative II (SOCOTECO II) to organize a training program that is designed to enhance the skills of their employees in preparing and responding to natural calamities.
The local government unit of Malungon and Aboitiz Foundation were tapped to conduct a two-day Community-Based Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Training to help instill a culture of foresighting every time a calamity is underway.
SOCOTECO II emphasizes the critical role of Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM) program in preserving their resources, ensuring continuity of their operations as well as giving support to the community in times of calamity.
The culmination of the training allowed the participants to create a community-based DRRM program integrating the pillars of DRRM: Prevention and Mitigation, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery & Rehabilitation.
Digital transformation
City Savings Bank, the thrift subsidiary of Union Bank of the Philippines, is strengthening its digital transformation as part of its vision to help people with moderate means.
This comes alongside the appointment of UnionBank’s chief technology and operations officer and chief transformation officer Henry Aguda, as its new chairman of the board, whose expertise is expected to boost CitySavings’ digital transformation initiative.
“CitySavings has been helping many of our kababayans through accessible financing options, and our priority is to bring these loans to even more potential customers by optimizing the Bank’s existing customer touch points and the infrastructures that support them, powered by artificial intelligence (AI) models created by our Data Science and AI Team,” Aguda said.
Fujifilm PH marks 10th year
Fujifilm Philippines as a company has evolved as it leveraged on its expertise in pushing healthcare, and business innovation growth.
In 2020, at the height of the pandemic, Fujifilm Philippines installed FDR Go PLUS at various hospitals in the country. The FDR Go PLUS is a digital mobile x-ray that gives significant contribution to the Radiology Team frontliners in doing the chest x-ray needed for patients having signs and symptoms of COVID-19.
FUJIFILM Corp. expanded the product lineup through the acquisition of Diagnostic Imaging-related Business of Hitachi, Ltd in 2020, covering CT, MRI in addition to X-ray, ultrasound systems, endoscopy, in-vitro diagnostic systems and Picture Archiving and Communications System. Fujifilm Philippines has also started offering these products in the local market.
Fujifilm Philippines recently secured Food and Drug Administration approvals for two of its key products that have aided healthcare workers in responding to COVID-19 cases. The FDR nano, a mobile digital X-ray system that allows medical professionals to diagnose COVID-19 signs and at the same time aid in reducing COVID-19 infection risks; and the FUJIFILM COVID-19 Ag Test Kit, a testing kit that provides quick screening for COVID-19.
Clorox PH collaborates with LGUs
Clorox Philippines collaborated anew with various local government units (LGUs) to provide Clorox Expert Disinfecting Wipes to people visiting the pediatric vaccination sites, as well as the medical practitioners on-site.
Recently, the company provided each LGU with 1,000 Clorox Expert Disinfecting Wipes in canisters given to children, parents, and medical frontliners at pediatric vaccination locations.
Among the LGUs that Clorox Philippines partnered with were Cainta, Rizal, San Juan City and Mandaluyong City.
Cooking demo with UK meat
Celebrated Filipino Chef Sau Del Rosario led a cooking demonstration during the second day of the Philippine British Meat Trade Mission last May 18 at Saw Saw Restaurant to showcase British pork from Dingley Dell.
The event was held at the soft opening of Saw Saw Restaurant at Rockwell Drive, Poblacion, Makati City before officially opening its doors to the public last Saturday.
Nine UK meat Exporters were the main guests of the cooking demonstration namely: Dunbia, Foyle Food Group, Dingley Dell Pork, ABP Food Group, Woodheads, Buitelaar Group, GPS, Norwest, and Pilgrims.
Vaccination advocacy
The Department of Health (DOH) together with Johnson & Johnson (Philippines) Inc. (J&J Philippines), University of the Philippines, College of Public Health, SEAMEO TROPMED Philippines have come together to share resources regarding vaccines and address common fears, hesitancy, and misconceptions from the public in line with the World Immunization Week through a webinar titled Kahalagahan sa Pagtutuloy ng Bakuna Para sa Healthy Pilipinas.
The groups also worked together for a week of eventful activities to strengthen vaccination advocacy in the Philippines.
Way forward strategies in the pipeline to address and curb vaccine hesitancy include research and innovation, planning to forecast future situations and help policy development, understanding socio cultural and political contexts, developing effective dialogue and communications platforms involving all key stakeholders, and by continuing efforts to ensure that politicians and policy makers understand the nature of evidence and science.
Inspiro taps Microsoft
Inspiro, a leading business process outsourcing (BPO) provider in the Philippines, recently partnered with Microsoft to create innovative solutions, transform employee and customer experience and open new lines of business.
Through this partnership, Inspiro will gain access to Microsoft’s industry-leading technology innovations, services, and expertise, transforming and co-developing solutions to improve customer engagement, employee empowerment, operational optimization, and product transformation–all part of Inspiro’s three-year digital transformation program.
The partnership will focus on four key areas of empowerment: Improved average handling time and accelerated speed to market; strengthen competitive positioning; boost revenue growth and create new revenue streams; raise employee productivity, engagement and mitigate attrition.
Women empowerment
InLife executive chairperson Nina Aguas graced the Women Economic Empowerment Forum hosted by Asia CEO Forum at the Manila Marriott Hotel recently.
Aguas said InLife plans to concentrate on financial inclusion and access to business networks and health protection coming from the economic dislocation most women faced because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“There will be more initiatives to support women entrepreneurs including providing possible alternative sources of income, technical support, capacity building, access to capital to women-led businesses and affordable health and insurance products.”
InLife established a women economic inclusion program called the InLife Sheroes Advocacy and Movement in 2019 and to date has reached 7.6 million Filipinos through its four pillars of financial literacy, health and wellness, women-specific solutions and business and social networks.
Nominations for this year’s InLife Sheroes are open until Aug. 15.
