DMCI Holdings, SMPC honored anew

Integrated energy company Semirara Mining and Power Corp. (SMPC), and its parent company, DMCI Holdings, have been recognized with a 3 Golden Arrow award at the prestigious Asean Corporate Governance Scorecard (ACGS) Golden Arrow Awards. Both companies have been consistent recipients of this award since 2019. 

The awards, conferred by the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD), honor publicly listed companies for exemplary adherence to the Philippine Code of Corporate Governance and internationally recommended corporate governance practices as promoted by the ACGS. 

“Our 3 Golden Arrow awards reflect our unwavering commitment to good corporate governance. We remain dedicated to upholding transparency, accountability, and ethical business practices to protect stakeholder value and support sustainable progress.” said DMCI Holdings and SMPC chairman, Isidro  Consunji.

The ACGS evaluates companies based on key performance areas, including the protection and equitable treatment of shareholders, fostering strong stakeholder relationships, promoting transparency and accountability through timely disclosure of material information, and the board’s effectiveness in providing strategic direction, overseeing management, and maintaining accountability to both the company and its shareholders. 

RASLAG  gains Asean recognition 

RASLAG Corp., the first Kapampangan solar energy producer of its scale, has been awarded a Golden Arrow for its high performance according to the Asean corporate governance scorecard.

“Our mission of lighting the future with renewables will always include a higher standard of accountability, transparency, and ethical leadership,” said Robert Nepomuceno, president and CEO of RASLAG. “

The company has built on the legacy of being run by the Nepomuceno group, with most of its directors hailing from Angeles Electric Corp, which has provided electricity to the region for over one hundred years.

The Golden Arrow awards is an initiative by the Institute of Corporate Directors to champion internationally recommended corporate governance practices in the Philippines. RASLAG is proud to have established top-tier practices within its operations, such as enterprise risk management, internal audits, and yearly sustainability reports. As they aim to support the future of the nation’s energy security, the company has appointed an expert in the renewable energy space as lead independent director, together with other corporate governance experts.

The company utilizew innovative designs and technologies to strengthen equipment and facilities against natural disasters. 

RASLAG also consistently uplifts the communities where its plants are based, providing Corporate Social Responsibility programs for the schools in various Pampanga barangays. 

Waste-to-energy solutions 

West Zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services, Inc. teamed up with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to explore waste-to-energy solutions, particularly in converting biosolids — an organic byproduct of Maynilad’s wastewater treatment process—into biogas.

This partnership, which emerged from Maynilad’s participation in the DOST’s “Balik Scientist Program,” involved tapping the expertise of returning Filipino scientist Dr. Mario Rebosura to help assess and pilot technologies that can transform biosolids into a source of renewable energy.

Maynilad is the first water utility to participate in the DOST-Balik Scientist Program, a government initiative aimed at promoting the exchange of scientific knowledge and advancing technology in the country. The program encourages Filipino scientists to return to the Philippines and share their expertise, enhancing the development of various sectors, including health research and development.

During his six-month stint with Maynilad under the program, Rebosura shared innovative approaches in biosolids management to fine-tune Maynilad’s ongoing study of waste-to-energy technologies. This collaboration supported Maynilad’s goal of reducing the environmental impact of biosolid disposal while also providing opportunities for energy generation.

Globe clinches 3-Peat win

For three years running, Globe has been honored as Employer of the Year at the 3rd HR Excellence Awards 2024. With a total of six awards, Globe’s dedication to a supportive, and forward-thinking work culture continues to set the company apart.

In addition to the coveted Employer of the Year gold accolade, Globe secured two more golds in the Total Rewards Strategy and In-House Talent Pipeline Strategy categories. It also received silver awards for Best HR Team (MNC), Business Transformation, and Change Management.

“At Globe, our journey to uplift Filipino lives begins with the way we support and invest in our team. At our core is a relentless dedication to addressing our employees’ needs while creating opportunities for their growth. Being recognized as an industry leader for our dedication and excellence is a testament to our efforts,” said Renato Jiao, Globe Chief Human Resource Officer.

The company’s success at the HR Excellence Awards underscores its holistic approach to employee welfare and development. Globe has consistently demonstrated its ability to support and innovate wellness, learning, and growth programs that enable employees to live their best lives, despite the diverse nature of its workforce.

Cultural sensitivity training

PLDT and its wireless unit Smart Communications continue their partnership with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), through a recent cultural sensitivity training for their employees and external contractors based in Baguio City. This initiative is part of the PLDT group’s continuing efforts to equip its workforce and partners with the knowledge and skills in engaging with Philippine indigenous peoples (IPs).  

Titled “Essentials and Accelerators for Engaging with Indigenous Cultural Communities,” the training session was conducted by NCIP Region IV-A Director Dr. Carlos P. Buasen Jr. The session covered the history and story of Philippine indigenous peoples; assertions of and learning insights from indigenous cultural communities/IPs; and essential considerations and expected multi-stakeholder responses in engaging with IP communities.

“Through this program, we hope to help our workforce gain a better understanding on the culture and practices of the various IP communities all over the Philippines. This will in turn help us improve our programs, services, and communications with them as our customers and partners,” said Joy E. Lapuz, head of PLDT and Smart Stakeholder Management-Luzon Relations.

PLDT and Smart have been capacitating their employees on engagements with IPs and local communities as part of the group’s human rights impact assessment and due diligence processes. The Group has also been supporting IPs throughout the years with diversity and inclusion programs aimed to preserve and enrich their unique culture, and initiatives that open economic opportunities for their communities. 

KATHA Awards

As the 72nd edition of the Manila FAME draws near, the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) is currently accepting nominations to one of its main features – the KATHA Awards 2024.

Now in its 41st year, the Manila FAME 2024 will be held from October 17 to 19 at the World Trade Center Metro Manila in Pasay City, Philippines.

The Philippines’ premier trade show for quality home, fashion, and lifestyle (HFL) products, Manila FAME 2024 carries the theme “Reimagination” with  different subthemes, demonstrated at the creative settings namely Design Commune Home, Design Commune Fashion, Artisans Village, and two new settings: Nostalgia and Philippine Components.

Aside from the Special Citation for Best Booth Design and Best Sustainable Design for Booths Awards, nominations and the deliberation for this year’s KATHA Awards will be done prior to the show. One winner will be selected for each Best in Design category: Furniture; Home Décor and Houseware; Lamps and Lighting; Fashion; and Holiday Décor and Gifts. There will also be an Eco-Design Award for products made with sustainability in mind.

The winners will be announced as part of the opening day activities of Manila FAME at the WTC Lobby on October 17. T

Interested parties must provide the necessary requirements such as the self-nomination form, product photos, product information/narrative, and other conditions relevant to the submission to the CITEM Katha Awards Secretariat on or before September 30.

Save Our Coconuts launched

 Coco Mama, the country’s leading local gata brand recently launched the “Save Our Coconuts” project which  commits to distributing 100,000 quality coconut seedlings in a span of five years to replace aging trees

Launched on World Coconut Day in General Santos City, South Cotabato, Coco Mama held a tree planting activity with its brand ambassador Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo, together with  representatives from the Philippine Coconut Authority, City Environment and Natural Resources Office – General Santos City, local government unit of General Santos City, Century Pacific Agricultural Ventures Inc., and coconut farmers.

Coco Mama’s “Save Our Coconuts” Project is part of the brand’s efforts to contribute to the Philippine Coconut Authority’s bigger mission of rehabilitating the coconut industry and uplifting the lives of the coconut farmers. 

Brother champion marine conservation 

Brother International Philippines Corp. in collaboration with its manufacturing facility, Brother Industries (Philippines), Inc. successfully conducted their annual Coastal Cleanup activity along the coastline of Brgy. Ticalan, San Juan, Batangas last June 22. 

The event aligns with the companies’ dedication to environmental sustainability, particularly during the crucial hatching season of the endangered pawikans(sea turtles).

A total of 178 dedicated volunteers from both Brother organizations gathered to clean the shores of Brgy. Ticalan. Equipped with sacks and tongs, the volunteers removed plastic waste and other debris along the shorelines, ultimately filling 50 sacks of trash. 

This year’s efforts follow last year’s impactful cleanup, where 120 sacks of plastic waste were collected at the Pawikan Sanctuary in San Juan.

Medical mission

Over the past week, the Chiayi Christian Hospital’s medical mission team went to remote towns of the Philippines, providing medical services to underprivileged people and signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the provincial government of Negros Oriental in central Philippines to deepen Taiwan-Philippines medical cooperation. From September 10, the hospital’s superintendent, Dr. Chen Wei, led over 20 team members to the Philippines, conducting free medical services in the towns of Mabinay and Bais in Negros Oriental, as well as in Pasig City in Metro Manila. They also visited the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office(TECO) in the Philippines on September 13, and returned to Taiwan on September 16. 

The three medical missions served over 1,000 local residents, offering services including orthopedics, pediatrics, and traditional Chinese medicine. 

In Mabinay, a female patient has a tumor size over 25 cm on her back, which has gone untreated for nine years due to poverty and lack of hospital equipment. The medical team hopes to collaborate with local hospital’s surgery department in the future to assist in its removal. In Pasig City, the medical team partnered with their sister hospital, Rizal Medical Center (RMC), using a portable ultrasound equipment they brought to diagnose several cases of heart failure and bone deformities requiring urgent care. These patients were referred to RMC for follow-up treatment. During this visit, Chiayi Christian Hospital signed an MOU with the provincial government of Negros Oriental to establish a long-term cooperative relationship. 

The hospital’s medical mission embodies the “Taiwan Can Help” spirit. The Chiayi Christian Hospital team also actively participated in a children’s feeding program, distributing “Gifts of Love” with essential supplies to disadvantaged children, and delivering warmth and care from Taiwan. 

Dr. Chen stated that in addition to continuing to promote various medical aid programs in the Philippines, the hospital plans to deepen cooperation with the country through the assistance of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines, benefiting more Filipinos and showcasing Taiwan’s medical strength and humanitarian spirit.

From September 10 to 16, the Chiayi Christian Hospital medical mission team went to remote towns in the Philippines to provide medical services to underprivileged communities. The photo shows the medical mission in Bais. (Photo provided by the Chiayi Christian Hospital medical mission team)

During the time when the Chiayi Christian Hospital medical mission team conducted a medical mission in the Philippines, they also organized a feeding program for underprivileged children and distributed gifts, spreading warmth and care from Taiwan. (Photo provided by the Chiayi Christian Hospital medical mission team)

HAVAS Red expands offering in ESG 

HAVAS Red, the PR arm of HAVAS Ortega, has announced the launch of Red Impact, a global ESG communications offering that integrates environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) expertise. 

This new platform strengthens HAVAS Ortega’s legacy of creating a meaningful difference by bringing purpose-driven communications designed to inspire brands and organizations to make lasting positive changes.

The launch of Red Impact took place at the inaugural La Conférence Bleue, the sustainability summit organized by the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the Philippines (CCI France-Philippines). As the conference partner, Red Impact played a pivotal role in co-creating the event’s theme and program, which aimed to share stories of various organizations and their journeys into sustainability.