ICD fetes SM with highest Golden Arrow recognition

SM Investments Corp. was awarded the prestigious   5  Golden  Arrow   Award   by   the   Institute  of  Corporate Directors (ICD), the highest recognition   given during the Asean Corporate Governance Scorecard (ACGS) 2024 Golden Arrow Awards. 

Only five companies received the 5 Golden Arrow Award, four of which were SM companies. Aside from SM Investments, also cited were BDO Unibank Inc., China Banking Corp.  and SM Prime Holdings, Inc.

“This recognition reflects the commitment and hard work of our entire organization,” said SM Investments chairman Amando Tetangco, Jr. “From the board, management, our leaders and teammates—everyone consistently works to ensure we continue to adopt and uphold the highest standards in good corporate governance.” 

SM Investments practices the highest standards of good corporate governance in all its dealings with investors, business partners, creditors, customers, employees and all other stakeholders. SM Investments believes that good corporate governance will provide the long-term growth and sustainability for the company.    

“We recognize the rising global attention on corporate governance and sustainability as part of companies’ business strategies. Beyond compliance, SM’s operations are anchored on fairness, integrity, accountability, transparency and stakeholder engagement,” SM Investments Executive Vice President and Chief Risk and Compliance Officer Elizabeth Anne “Lizanne” C. Uychaco said.

According to the ICD, the ACGS measures the performance of the companies in the areas of facilitating the rights and the equitable treatment of shareholders, how they relate to their different stakeholders, ensuring transparency and accountability through timely disclosure of material information, and how the board guides the company strategically, monitors the management, and ensures the board’s accountability to the company and the shareholders. The assessment is based on publicly available disclosures on the companies’ websites.

New payment platform

Security Bank continues to ramp up support for micro, small and medium Enterprise (MSME) and corporate clients with the launch of Security Bank Collect, a new channel that enables them to offer various payment options online.

As a digital payment channel, Security Bank Collect accepts credit, debit and prepaid cards such as Mastercard, Visa and JCB, and e-wallets such as GCash, Maya, WeChatPay, AliPay, and UnionPay.The platform is powered by Magpie.IM, Inc, a leading digital payment service provider that centralizes sales invoicing and payment collections for businesses on one platform.

Security Bank Collect was developed by the Bank’s Business Banking Segment (BBS) to address MSMEs’ challenges, including limited payment options for buyers, manual reconciliation and monitoring of payments for sellers, and high balance and transaction requirements for POS systems for sellers.

This product boasts two main features:

• LinkCollect empowers merchants to create unique and secure digital payment links that can be shared with customers via social media and messaging apps like Facebook Messenger, Viber, and WhatsApp, simplifying the payment request process.

• WebCollect offers merchants the ability to seamlessly integrate payment collection into their own websites through available plug-ins and APIs provided by Magpie.IM, Inc. This solution is ideal for growing businesses who have a website but lack a built-in payment gateway.

Jobstreet by SEEK appointments

Jobstreet by SEEK officially appoints three new heads: Aki Sumulong, operations director; Joey Yusingco, head of marketing; and Jett Dizon, head of sales. 

Sumulong has more than 10 years of experience in the operations field, working with various major companies such as Lalamove and Mitsubishi. In her new role as Jobstreet by SEEK’s Operations Director, she plans to ensure that the platform continues to deliver the promise of bringing substantial job matches for Filipino job seekers by enhancing user experience, elevating customer support, and developing innovation and strategic partnerships for the company.

 Yusingco holds more than a decade of experience in the realm of marketing, working with major corporations such as SM,  KKday, and Honestbee. In his new role as head of Marketing at Jobstreet by SEEK, he will develop initiatives that provide guidance and resources for many job seekers, particularly the youth, while highlighting the importance of early career development. 

Before joining the Jobstreet by SEEK team, Dizon has long overseen the development of sales and business for many top companies such as Lalamove,  EEI Corp., Manila Water, and the PJ Lhuillier Group of Companies. As head of Sales, Dizon plans to enhance the capabilities of the platform’s commercial team through sales enablement and development, providing more value and exceptional customer service to Jobstreet’s clients. 

TESI certified Great Place to Work

 Transnational E-Business Solutions, Inc. (TESI), a leading technology enabler for enterprise solutions, has been officially recognized as a Great Place to Work, underscoring its commitment to employee satisfaction and fostering a positive workplace culture. This prestigious accolade reflects TESI’s dedication to fostering an innovative and inclusive work environment. As part of the Transnational Diversified Group (TDG), TESI has been a market leader in digital enablement and enterprise transformation for over two decades.

Benefits of TESI’s workplace environment include a collaborative and inclusive culture that encourages diversity and innovation; comprehensive professional development opportunities for career growth; a robust support system promoting work-life balance and employee wellness and; cutting-edge resources and technology facilitate exceptional service delivery

Concepcion-Carrier at  PSIM convention

Concepcion-Carrier Air Conditioning Company (CCAC) solidifies its position as industry leader in Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) technology at the 4th PSIM National Convention 2024. 

Home to Carrier, CCAC is empowering aspiring Filipino mechanical engineers while sharing the latest advancements in the HVAC industry. Organized by the PambansangSamahan ng Inhenyero Mekanikal, Inc. (PSIM), the four-day event took place from September 16 to 19 at The Tent at Villar City, Las Piñas.

Under the theme, “PSIM: A Convergence of Truth, Strength, and Knowledge for the Progression of Global Filipino Mechanical Engineers,” the convention is a dynamic hub encouraging industry professionals, specialists, and students to connect, collaborate, and explore the latest developments in mechanical engineering. 

“CCAC is dedicated to fostering the next generation of Filipino mechanical engineers,” said Phillip Trapaga, president of CCAC. “We believe that by investing in education and providing exploratory opportunities, we can empower aspiringspecialists and facilitate progress in the nation’s HVAC field.”

Teachers program

 In response to this, Far Eastern University (FEU) is intensifying its efforts to promote its 400 Teachers Program, which aims to train and enlist a total of 200 higher education teachers, 100 teaching assistants, 50 basic education teachers, and 50 nursing teachers or clinical instructors over the next five years.

 Those who join the program will receive a scholarship enabling them to take four 90-hour engagement sessions centered on student-centered pedagogies, assessment in student-centered classrooms, critical thinking and advanced communication, and research-based teaching and learning. 

After completing the program, participants will be required to render return service as part of the scholarship agreement. By welcoming these trained teachers into the workforce, FEU also helps address the severe shortage of teaching staff in the country, as indicated in the latest Programme for International Student Assessment.

The FEU Community Networking to Nurture Education Coaching and Training: Teacher Training Caravan goes beyond the campus grounds to conduct teacher engagement workshops in areas outside Metro Manila. The program offers free workshops and continuing professional development units for teachers in FEU partner schools and communities including Batangas, Cavite, Cainta, Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija, and Pampanga.