Foodpanda adds Pag-IBIG as latest partner
foodpanda recently joined fellow industry players as well as top transport network and app-based courier companies in entering a partnership with Pag-IBIG Fund to encourage membership to approximately 420,000 delivery freelancers in the country today, per the government agency’s estimates.
With the agreement, Ka-panda delivery partners and the delivery freelancers of other online platforms will have better access to Pag-Ibig benefits, including the Regular and MP2 Savings programs and affordable home loans.
During the ceremonial launch of the “Pag-IBIG Asenso Rider Raffle Promo,” foodpanda Logistics Philippines president Lhecks De Castro urged Ka-pandas to take advantage of the initiative. “This is a good opportunity for our Ka-pandas and all delivery freelancers to realize the importance of securing their future and retirement.”
Aside from Pag-IBIG, the leading online food and grocery platform has been working with the Philippine Health Insurance Corp., the Philippine Statistics Authority, and the Department of Trade and Industry to ensure that Ka-pandas have access to affordable house financing, health insurance, and availment of other government services and benefits, despite being individual contractors.
Recently, foodpanda unveiled its pandaPatrol: Hub on Wheels, a foodpanda-branded bus that will be making stops at select gas stations nationwide and will include fun and exciting games and activities that Ka-panda partner riders, bikers, e-scooters, and walkers can enjoy.
Japan Coast Guard (JCG) conducts trilateral maritime exercise
From June 1 to 7, the Japan Coast Guard (JCG) joined the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) in a trilateral maritime exercise in Mariveles, Bataan, the first of its kind between the three countries’ coast guards.
The PCG held an arrival ceremony at Pier 15 in South Harbor, Manila, on June 1 to welcome contingents from the JCG and the USCG. Present were Charges d’affaires ad interim MATSUDA Kenichi, U.S. Embassy deputy chief of mission Heather Variava, PCG vice admiral Rolando Punzalan Jr., Transportation undersecretary for the Maritime Sector Elmer Francisco Sarmiento, and Foreign Affairs deputy assistant secretary Raphael Hermoso.
The JCG will deploy Akitsushima (PLH-32) for the exercise. The PCG will send BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV-9702), BRP Gabriela Silang (OPV-8301), BRP Boracay (FPB-2401), and one 44-meter multi-role response vessel (MRRV), while the USCG will send USCGC Stratton (WMSL-752).
Two of the participating vessels from the PCG, the BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV-9702) and the 44-meter MRRV, were acquired through the JICA-DOTr Maritime Safety Improvement Project.
The trilateral maritime exercise aims to strengthen interoperability between the JCG, PCG, and USCG through communication exercises, maneuvering drills, photo exercises, maritime law enforcement training, search and rescue (SAR), and passing exercises.
Embassy of Japan Charges d’affaires (CDA) ad interim MATSUDA Kenichi affirmed Japan’s support for the trilateral maritime exercise, saying “the shared history between Japan, the Philippines and the United States realizes a free and open international order in the Indo-Pacific region.”
“Today, Japan has taken another step forward towards reinforcing maritime domain awareness and maritime law enforcement as affirmed in the Japan-Philippines Joint Statement. We will concretely advance cooperation with the Philippines to bolster maritime security capabilities and freedom of navigation,” said CDA Matsuda.
UST inaugurates Tony Tan Caktiong Innovation Center
The University of Santo Tomas (UST) held the solemn blessing and formal inauguration of the UST-Tony Tan Caktiong Innovation Center (UST-TTCIC) at its 40-hectare campus in Santa Rosa City, Laguna. The rites coincided with UST’s 412th foundation anniversary on April 28.
The innovation center is named after its donor Dr. Tony Tan Caktiong, chairman and founder of Jollibee Foods Corp. Tan Caktiong graduated from the UST in 1975 with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering. He also received a Doctorate in Business Administration, honoris causa, from UST in 2018.
“This state-of-the-art innovation center in the midst of the UST community is intended to champion innovation and entrepreneurship with its end in mind to benefit not only the University, but also the country and society as a whole,” Tan Caktiong said.
PACEOS names new board of trustees
The Philippine Association of Convention/Exhibition Organizers and Suppliers Inc. (PACEOS) elected a new set of officers for 2023 during its general membership meeting held recently at the Conrad Hotel Manila.
Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) maven Pamela Pascual was elected President of PACEOS and will serve with other board members to champion various initiatives that will help the exhibitions industry sustain its strong recovery this year.
Other trustees elected are Monnette Hamlin (VP-Conventions), Patrick Lawrence Tan (VP-Exhibitions), Agnes Pacis (VP-Suppliers), Sonia Sayaman (corporate secretary), Deedee Ledonio (treasurer), Orly Ballesteros, Ma. Lourdes Mediran, and Cynthia Mamon. Former president Joel Pascual was elected Chairman.
Standard Chartered Bank wins at The Asset Treasurise Awards 2023
Standard Chartered Bank has been recognized for its achievements in Transaction Banking, capturing a total of 116 awards across its markets at The Asset Treasurise Awards 2023, including Best Service Provider as E-Solutions Partner for Philippines for the second consecutive year. Standard Chartered Philippines also captured the Best Payments and Collections Solution Award for its digital solution provided to Holcim Philippines, Inc. (Holcim) aimed at promoting greater flexibility and improved efficiency in Holcim’s collection process via Straight2Bank Pay, Standard Chartered’s online payment gateway. Holcim is a leading building solutions provider in the Philippines.
The bank partnered with Holcim to develop a customized bank agnostic solution designed to help Holcim in its transition to digital collections. Through Straight2Bank Pay, Holcim is able to offer wider and more flexible electronic payment options for its customers, as well as greater efficiency in transaction processing, thereby enhancing overall customer experience.
Holcim Philippines, Inc President and CEO Horia Adrian said, “Providing a superior customer experience is a key driver of our performance which is why we are excited with the Straight2Bank Pay solution that significantly eases transactions with our clients. This solution further strengthens our Easybuild customer platform and accelerates our commercial digitalization program to better serve partners and increase business efficiency. We are thankful to Standard Chartered for Straight2Bank Pay and confident that this solution will strengthen our ability deliver excellent customer service.”
The Asset Triple A Treasurise (Treasury, Trade, Supply Chain, Risk, ESG) Awards are industry excellence recognitions awarded annually to companies and financial institutions that have launched or helped implement initiatives in corporate treasury management, trade finance, supply chain and/or risk management.
BPI launches Ka-Negosyo On The Go
The Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) recently launched Ka-Negosyo On The Go, a digital platform enabling business owners to apply for BPI Ka-Negosyo Loans whenever and wherever it is convenient in their busy schedules.
Ka-Negosyo On The Go features an intuitive product finder that guides SMEs in selecting the Ka-Negosyo Loan that fits their needs.
In Ka-Negosyo On The Go, SMEs will be able to select the available Ka-Negosyo loans such as the Ka-Negosyo Credit Line (KCL) for flexible financing of recurring expenses, which serves as an extended wallet that they can use anytime via the BPI mobile app, debit card or check; the Ka-Negosyo Ready Loan (KRL) for seasonal working capital requirements or purchases; the Ka-Negosyo SME Loan (KSL) for big purchases such as product expansion or new equipment that aims to make it more affordable for SMEs as they can pay monthly for a long period of time; and the Ka-Negosyo SME Loan for Property that can fund the acquisition, construction, or renovation of commercial or residential property for business use. SMEs may choose to avail themselves of these loans with or without collateral.
Barangay tanod skills enhancement
BulacanSol, in partnership with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and Philippine National Police (PNP), successfully launched and conducted its skills enhancement program entitled, Klinika-Kaalaman for the benefit of barangay tanods of Barangay Tibagan, Miguel, Bulacan last May 18.
This collaboration among BulacanSol, DILG, and PNP ensured a comprehensive training program for the attendees, with topics including basic functions and traits of a barangay tanod, basic hand-cuffing techniques, crime prevention and investigation, emergency response and basic law enforcement, among others.
Piso deals
Shopee’s ₱1so Rush allows shoppers score indulgent delights and home essentials.
From June 8 to 15, shoppers get the chance to be one of the 1,000 daily lucky winners of exciting items discounted to ₱1 with free shipping vouchers: KitKat Mini x12, UCC Iced Salted Caramel x10, Coca-Cola Zero Mini x6, Century Tuna, Lay’s Truffle 170g, Colgate Triple Action x2, Highlands Corned Beef x2, and Master Chef Jasmine Rice 5kg.
Payoneer celebrates Pride Month
Payoneer will host a celebration this upcoming Pride Month.
The event powered by KMC Solutions, is titled Lead Loud and Proud: Meet LGBTQ+ members leading the Philippine outsourcing industry and will be held on June 22 at KMC One Ayala.
The event will showcase stories and experiences of LGBTQIA+ entrepreneurs in the industry to spark inspiration and establish why representation matters in the workplace.
The event will feature a distinguished lineup of speakers who have significantly contributed to the industry and serve as role models for aspiring entrepreneurs. There will be two-panel discussions that will include experts from the outsourcing sector.
Best, future-proof jobs
To help incoming college students and potential career shifters choose future-ready jobs, Mapúa University has listed down the best jobs for 2023.
Data Science, Game Development, and Energy Engineering were the most promising jobs this year.
Data Science, in particular, is considered by industry experts as the sexiest job of the 21st century because of its unlimited work opportunities across industries. Data Scientists are essential in the finance sector, where they analyze and transform information into key assets.
Game developers are taking charge of the entire game development pipeline. These creative, bold, and technically-savvy gaming programmers are sought after by gaming, software, and media companies for their computer programming, creative, animation, design, and marketing skills.
Demand for competent Energy Engineers has also increased. Energy production and manufacturing companies, and local and national government agencies like the Department of Energy, need Energy Engineers to develop and cascade green solutions and lead efforts for efficient energy consumption.
The University uses the Mapúa Program Placement Assessment (MPASS), a standardized assessment tool that measures an individual’s cognitive and academic development. Through MPASS, students who dream of enrolling in the University can determine the program that fits their capabilities.
