Sustainable health dev’t post pandemic
Taiwan’s National Health Insurance (NHI) is a prime example of universal health coverage, offering financial protection and access to a wide range of essential services, according to Dr. Hsueh Jui-yuan, minister of Health and Welfare Republic of China.
The COVID-19 pandemic helped the international community recognize the importance of regional cooperation and digitization in healthcare. Taiwan is committed to promoting digital health and innovation to enhance the accessibility and quality of healthcare services, including plans for a next-generation NHI program.
Taiwan has introduced innovative healthcare services, utilizing real-time telehealth consultations for patients residing in remote areas and outlying islands, and is exploring applications for artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies. During the pandemic, Taiwan issued 13 export licenses for its herbal formula NRICM101 (Taiwan Chingguan Yihau) to help countries in the region combat the pandemic. Taiwan is currently implementing preventive measures for the postpandemic era, such as strengthening the domestic production of critical drugs and active pharmaceutical ingredients to avert future drug shortages. Understanding how important it is to work with the international community, Taiwan will further share innovative technologies and best practices with partners around the world to advance universal health coverage.
The U.S. Navy 7th Fleet Band at SM Megamall
The U.S. Navy 7th Fleet Band Far East Edition gave mallgoers a taste of all-American music during a recent performance at SM Megamall with their repertoire of traditional New Orleans-style jazz and American top 40 hits.
Known for sharing their passion for advancing peace and goodwill through music, the U.S. 7th Fleet Band’s “Far East Edition”, is a popular music ensemble known for its incredible versatility. Transforming from a brass band to a rock band to a jazz combo, the group can be heard playing contemporary hits, jazz, classic rock, local regional favorites, and anything in between.
U.S. Navy musicians comprise the band, which has been featured at major events throughout the Indo-Asia Pacific region and has entertained hundreds of thousands of people over the years.
During their visit to Manila, the five-piece ensemble also held workshops and performances at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (University of the City of Manila), St. Scholastica’s College, and the Philippine High School for the Arts.
The performance of the U.S. Navy 7th Fleet Band was presented by the United States Embassy in the Philippines and is one of the exciting cultural events at SM Megamall.
Courtesy call
Senior leaders of the National Reinsurance Corporation of the Philippines (Nat Re) paid a courtesy visit to newly appointed insurance commissioner Reynaldo A. Regalado, at the Insurance Commission (IC) in Manila last April 20.
“We at Nat Re are honored to have had the opportunity to confer with insurance commissioner Reynaldo Regalado. As the country’s national reinsurer, we value the importance of maintaining strong relationships with regulatory bodies such as the IC and we appreciate the IC’s efforts to ensure a stable and robust insurance market. We look forward to continuing our dialogue with the IC and contributing to the growth and development of the Philippines’ insurance industry,” said Allan Santos, Nat Re president and chief executive officer.
Pru Life UK expands reach
Pru Life UK opens 11 new general agency (GA) offices all over the country to make life and health protection more accessible to Filipinos nationwide.
Seven agency offices were recently inaugurated in Metro Manila. Two new GA offices were put up in Quezon City while Pasig City, Mandaluyong City, Taguig City, Makati City, and Pasay City each welcomed one new GA office in their areas.
Four regional offices were also opened to provide clients easier access to their local communities. Two offices in Luzon, specifically in Laguna and Bulacan, have started to welcome new customers through their doors. Meanwhile, Pru Life UK also put-up offices in Cebu and Leyte in Visayas.
Combatting kidney disease
Diabetes Philippines Inc. (DP), together with the Department of Interior and Local Government , AstraZeneca Philippines, Philippine Association of Diabetes Educators, Association of Diabetes Nurse Educators of the Philippines , Philippine Diabetes Support Group, Dialysis Philippines and Kidney Transplant Association of the Philippines have joined forces to amplify ACT NOW Program (Addressing Complications Today through Network of Warriors) against the cardio-renal complications of Diabetes and Hypertension, which aims to create awareness of chronic kidney disease (CKD) risk factors and promote early screening to save lives.
A recent memorandum of agreement between the said partners aims to address CKD in the country through risk factor identification and early screening; education of healthcare professionals on recommended disease treatment; and empowering patients to become part of the solution.
The multi-sectoral partnership against CKD has the bold ambition to alleviate disease burden, mortality, and healthcare expenditure in the Philippines through a resilient end-to-end healthcare solution starting with prevention and proper management of chronic kidney disease.
New PMC service
Customers can now enjoy the convenience of dropping off their Apple devices that need premium repair or maintenance service at select Power Mac Center (PMC) or The Loop stores with a minimal shipping fee.
Mobile Care Service Center, PMC’s Apple Authorized Service Provider, will handle all the necessary repair services with its certified engineers and exclusive access to genuine parts.
The retail drop-off service is available for all Apple users in the Philippines who bought devices from Power Mac Center and other stores, whether in or out of warranty.
To avail the service, customers must be able to show proof of purchase for validation.
Reaching your financial goals fuss-free is now possible with Singlife’s new and innovative products
Investment, insurance via GCash
Singlife Philippines launched two more innovative products on GCash: Cash for Goals and Ready, Set, Grow.
Both products are designed to make investing as simple, convenient, and flexible as possible. Because Singlife is digital only, customers have direct control and all of the money is invested ensuring maximizing the return on investment.
One can start with as low as P750 per month on Ready, Set, Grow and P1,000 per month on Cash for Goals.
Singlife does not charge entry fees and investments are managed by some of the most awarded investment managers in the country – Metrobank Trust Group and Atram. One can change his monthly investment amount anytime, pause it for a couple of months, withdraw from your investments either fully or partially, or add money any time. All these can be done through the GCash app.
Financial certainty
Sjoerd Smeets, president and CEO of EastWest Ageas Insurance, recently spoke about the company’s goal of protecting more Filipinos and becoming a stronger participant in the sector.
Smeets emphasized the necessity of giving Filipinos financial security and how the organization commits to be there for their consumers. “If we care for someone, we want to make sure that our loved ones can still have a good life even if something unfortunate happens to us,” Smeets explained.
Aside from aiming to become one of the most customer-centric companies in the country, EastWest Ageas is positioned as a driving force in educating more Filipinos to become financially literate in the years to come.
Smeets cited EastWest Bank’s strength as part of the Filinvest Group, as well as Ageas’s (almost) 200-year history and experience, as evidence of the partnership’s stability, sustainability, and dependability.
Two current expansion initiatives include widening its health-related insurance offerings and expanding its agency channel to 1,000 agents by the end of 2023.
EastWest Ageas Insurance has risen from 34th in 2016 to 12th in 2022. Smeets’ growth strategies aim to make it the 10h local insurance by 2024.
“I’m already happy if we can increase insurance penetration in the market from 3 to 4 percent or 5 percent.”
Best network
PLDT wireless unit Smart Communications Inc. builds on its prestigious distinction as the Philippines’ Best Mobile Network as it continued to provide significantly higher download speeds for customers in the first quarter of 2023, according to the latest report by Ookla, the global leader in mobile and broadband network intelligence.
In its latest Speedtest Global Index covering Q1 2023, Ookla reported that Smart delivered the country’s fastest median download speeds at 33.39 Mbps. Its closest competitor clocked in with a median download speed of 22.29 Mbps.
The latest Speedtest results further strengthen Smart position as the first and only Philippine mobile operator to win Ookla’s Best Mobile Network Award for Q1-Q2 2022 and Q3-Q4 2022.
Smart won both the Fastest Mobile Network and Best Mobile Coverage awards within the same reporting periods of Ookla.
Data from Ookla’s latest country report showed that Smart is the fastest mobile network in Metro Manila, Cebu City and Davao Region, as well as other key cities and provinces.
Career readiness
JCVA, an esteemed construction project management firm in the country, provides a series of career-preparation initiatives that help pave a more solid path for future graduates.
JCVA forges partnerships with universities such as the University of the Philippines to ensure there are opportunities to further augment students’ learning with real-life experience. JCVA will be granting two full scholarships to BS Civil Engineering students of University of the Philippines Diliman for the academic year and will open opportunities to promising students to join their Formworx jr. internship program.
Formworx jr. is a 3- to 6- six month intensive internship program offered by JCVA to all graduating engineering students from various universities to help in their construction careers.
S&R freebie fest
Fantastic freebies are up for grabs in the new S&R Freebie Fest, exclusively via MetroMart, running from May 5 to 14.
The S&R Freebie Fest, exclusively via MetroMart, will have various items available for free with online grocery delivery orders. Customers just need to add to cart the Free Item of the day, and continue shopping at S&R Membership Shopping on the MetroMart app.
These products include SPAM Luncheon Meat, Starbucks Bottled Mocha Frappuccino, Ghana Dark Chocolate, Prem Corned Beef, and more. All New and Existing Users may check their MetroMart app to see the freebie of the day throughout the promotion period, May 5 to 14, 2023.
The S&R Freebie Fest, exclusively via MetroMart, is applicable to New and Existing Users of MetroMart. A minimum spend of only P2,000 is required in order to avail the discounted items. Each freebie item will be available starting at 9 a.m. each day. Only completed checkout of orders within the scheduled day and time can avail the sale items.
