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No sanctions for teacher scolding pupils — VP Sara
MANILA, Philippines — Vice President and Secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd) Sara Duterte announced on Thursday that the teacher who was seen in a viral video scolding her class will not face any penalties. According to Duterte, she just wants to remind the teacher that when she is angry, she has to pause.....»»
PAL to add new aircraft this week
The Philippine Airlines (PAL) is slated to receive a second aircraft, Airbus A321CEO, this week as part of its fleet expansion and network dependability improvement. In a statement, PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna said the A321 aircraft, which can accommodate 199 passengers in a dual-class configuration, will be used for PAL's domestic and regional routes. This single-aisle jet is the first of several aircraft that PAL is working to acquire or reactivate in the coming months. Villaluna added that additional aircraft are anticipated to join the fleet soon, including one Airbus A330-300 wide-body aircraft with a capacity of 363 seats to be used on medium-haul routes and one De Havilland Dash 8-400NG aircraft with a capacity of 86 seats to be used for PAL's inter-island operations. Negotiations are also underway to secure additional aircraft. As a result of supply chain delays that affect the whole airline sector, PAL is also actively working to coordinate with its suppliers and service partners to re-activate more aircraft that have been idle for a long time while awaiting new engines and parts. PAL Vice President for Network Planning Christoph Gaertner said that they are taking various actions to boost their fleet count and enable them to meet the continuing surge in travel demand while minimizing delays and cancellations. Gaertner added that they have also proactively reduced some frequencies on a number of routes as part of a rationalization of their schedules so that they can ensure high reliability going forward. They are working with their suppliers as well as aircraft and engine manufacturers on initiatives to increase efficiency without compromising safety, which is their absolute top priority, and this is their obligation to their passengers, who expect a pleasant flying experience when traveling on our global network. For its popular operations in North America and maybe Europe, PAL recently announced that it had finalized the purchase of nine brand-new Airbus A350-1000 long-haul aircraft. These 380-seater new-generation jets will be the most cutting-edge aircraft to fly over the Philippine skies when they begin to be delivered in 2025. The post PAL to add new aircraft this week appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
General Santos Airport welcomes inaugural flight from Clark
On 26 April, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines General Santos Airport welcomed 132 passengers on board the inaugural flight of Cebu Pacific 5J1095 from Clark, Pampanga. The CEB flight departed General Santos Airport for Clark on the same day at around 8:17 a.m., carrying 136 passengers. According to Area Center 11 Manager Rex Obcena and General Santos Airport Manager Joel Gavina, an Airbus A320 will fly the Clark-General Santos-Clark route three times a week: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Representatives from the General Santos municipal and provincial governments, members of the local media and airline executives attended the Clark-GenSan-Clark inaugural flight celebration. The General Santos Airport has been acting as a hub for internal and international travel, with 41 flights each week serving as a gateway to Mindanao. The airport can now accommodate 52 flights weekly because of the extra route between Clark and General Santos. [caption id="attachment_124492" align="aligncenter" width="1800"] General Santos International Airport Manager Joel G. Gavina and Acting CAAP Area Center 11 Manager Engr. Rex A. Obcena together with Leonard V. Flores, Department Head of City Economic Management and Cooperative Development Office, Elizabeth B. Bagonoc, Councilor of Sangguniang Panlungsod, and Engr. Ginalyn Fe C. Cachuela, Manager of Area Development Project Office, during the CRK-GES-CRK inaugural flight ceremony on 26 April 2023.[/caption] Gensan Airport is a principal Class 1 airport mainly serving the SOCCSKSARGEN region. It accommodates flights from major local airlines such as Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific. Gavina also assured that the CAAP-General Santos Airport is continually working to further enhance services at the airport to ensure safe and simple travel for passengers. The airport anticipates establishing a passenger boarding bridge and drop-off area within this year, which are expected to improve accessibility and convenience for visitors, stimulate local economic activity and increase the airport's capacity to handle the rising passenger volume. The post General Santos Airport welcomes inaugural flight from Clark appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Arci Muñoz says credit card stolen during flight, used in Vietnam, Indonesia
Arci Muñoz narrated how a man stole her credit card while she was asleep on a business-class seat during an international flight as she lamented that the “world is not a safe place.” The actress gave an account of her bad experience while on a flight from Japan to the Philippines with Korean Air airlines, through a video on.....»»
Domestic aviation rebounds this year
The local aviation industry, which was badly hit by the global health crisis, is seen to achieve full recovery this year. This was according to the International Air Transport Association in a recent forum organized by the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines. During the Aviation Forum last week, Yuli Thompson, area manager for the IATA in Southeast Asia, said the Philippines and the rest of the Asia Pacific region’s aviation market is swiftly recovering and seeing a consistent rise in terms of growth in international and domestic travel. Thompson said passenger traffic trends for international flights in the Philippines were logged at 75 percent of 2019 levels as of June 2023. As for the Asia Pacific passenger forecast, Yuli maintained that domestic travel will fully recover in 2023, while international travel will occur sometime in 2026. Further, Asia Pacific will be seen to lead in traffic growth in the next 20 years. “However, overcoming current challenges riding on the current momentum, and meeting full recovery will require strong interventions from all players in the aviation sector,” he said. Infra investments For his part, Cebu Pacific Air chief executive officer Michael Szucs emphasized the need to invest in infrastructure, citing that “Philippine carriers will need to quadruple in size to cater to growing demand.” In her keynote speech, Secretary Grace Poe urged stakeholders to support necessary infrastructure investments, especially following the air system glitch incident earlier this year. The senator called for the acquisition of a new Communication, Navigation, and Surveillance/Air Traffic Management. Poe also recommended the hiring of a third-party maintenance provider for the CNS/ATM system. “It is my hope that the government, the private sector, and other stakeholders can work together and collaborate on air transport projects which will not only generate economic growth but also provide our people with excellent and affordable public services that can improve the quality of life for all,” she said. Also filed by Poe is Senate Bill 1121 which proposes the creation of a Philippine Transportation Safety Board. Under the directive of the current Marcos administration, Department of Transportation Undersecretary for Aviation and Airports Roberto Lim highlighted the government’s key priorities, including aviation safety and strengthening of learning institutions. Lim further noted the agency’s priority of strengthening the Civil Aviation Training Center and engaging with the private sector as close partners for Air Transport Skills Training and Development. “If we are able to train our air traffic controllers, we would not only meet our own requirements, but the requirements of other countries. We can develop this on an institutional basis,” said Lim. Open up the industry Kurt Edwards, director general of the International Business Aviation Council, also raised the fact that much could be gained “by opening the industry and making it more known to people.” In terms of managing safety risks, Captain Manuel Antonio Tamayo, director general of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, shared initiatives to advance safety capabilities in the aviation sector through the State Safety Program. The program employs a risk-based approach to regulations, capacity building and integration of a new organizational structure for monitoring and evaluation. Meanwhile, Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista stressed that the DOTr’s goal to rehabilitate the Ninoy Aquino International Airport through a public-private partnership agreement, which he said, will present a “landmark opportunity for economic growth, improved infrastructure, and a world-class travel experience.” Added Bautista, “We are also developing regional airports, such as the unsolicited proposals for the operations and maintenance of the Bicol International Airport, Bohol-Panglao International Airport and Laguindingan Airport.” The post Domestic aviation rebounds this year appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Beauty takes the spotlight
Beauty enthusiasts were drawn to a “new light” on the night of 7 September as Rustan’s The Beauty Source, the Philippines' foremost destination for opulent beauty, proudly introduced its annual Beauty Addict event. “See Beauty in a new light” came the invitation, and the retail hub renowned for curating the world’s most prestigious beauty brands in makeup, skincare, fragrance and personal care products, welcomed guests to its revamped Beauty Hall. The transformed space boasts of world-class interiors and cutting-edge retail architecture, providing the perfect backdrop for the most coveted and luxurious beauty brands. The occasion raised the bar for luxury retail and reaffirmed Rustan’s dedication to only choose the best products for its affluent customers. Excitement meets elegance The big day welcomed luxury beauty brands, such as CHANEL, Clarins, La Prairie, Anastasia Beverly Hills, Tom Ford, MAC, La Mer, Clé de Peau Beauté, Shiseido, Hermes, Diptyque, Maison Francis Kurkdjian, L’Occitane, Grown Alchemist, Malin+Goetz, L:a Bruket and many more. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was graced by Rustan’s chief executive officer Zenaida Tantoco, president Donnie Tantoco and executive vice president Anton Huang, accompanied by the radiant Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray. The evening was further elevated with captivating performances by the Halili Dance Group and the Manila String Machine Orchestra, with Bea Tantoco. As the night unfolded, guests reveled in a special afterparty with live music from Renee Dominique and renowned local DJs. The open dancefloor beckoned, while the champagne bar, sponsored by the Philippine Wine Merchants, and delectable hors d’oeuvres by Margarite Forés ensured a night to remember. Exclusive beauty gifts and selfie contest For the early birds, a prized two-sided Beauty LED Compact Mirror was given away to the first 100 visitors at Rustan’s Beauty Hall. With LED lights that mimic sunlight, this attractive mirror has both conventional and magnifying mirrors. Sharing event selfies on social media accounts qualified the selfie-savvy participants for the competition, which gave the chance to win the prized “Best Selfie Award,” which came with a hefty P10,000 Rustan’s The Beauty Source shopping spree. Glamour all the way to November From 8 to 17 September, Rustan’s offered a one-week promotion with exclusive discounts and rewards to keep its customers happy. With the Beauty Addict Holiday Gift with Purchase promotion, which is active until 30 November, Rustan’s continued the celebration throughout the holiday season. A Kate Spade New York Make It Pop Floral Jewelry Box was given out to Beauty Addict members with a minimum purchase. Rustan’s introduced the Beauty Addict Holiday Raffle, with the big prize being a three-night vacation for two in the romantic city of love — Paris, France — to heighten the anticipation. The winner will also receive KrisFlyer miles from Singapore Airlines to use on a Business Class Saver Award ticket to Paris, France. Every P2,500 spent at Rustan’s Beauty Source rewarded Beauty Addict members one entry into an electronic drawing. Every Metrobank card transaction give cardholders two entries. Promo ends 30 November. The post Beauty takes the spotlight appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
City Government of Cebu Rolls Out Free Hi-Speed Wi-Fi to Barangays, in Partnership with PLDT Enterprise
A first-class city in the Visayas, Cebu City envisions to develop into a smart city, much like the city-state of Singapore. To this end, the local government unit (LGU) of Cebu City has forged a partnership with PLDT Enterprise, the corporate business arm of PLDT, the leading integrated telecommunications and digital services provider in the […].....»»
AI to stay relevant in BPO, group claims
As artificial intelligence is causing global worry over the loss of jobs for humans, executives of the Contact Center Association of the Philippines maintain that AI would bring more benefits than harm, particularly to their industry. CCAP president Mickey Ocampo said artificial intelligence would be more helpful, than detrimental, to the BPO industry. He said the country’s contact center and business process management sector continues to evolve amid the emergence of new technologies, particularly Generative AI, which is quickly being incorporated into various tasks across the information technology and business process management or IT-BPM industry. “The impact of a generative AI will come within the next, maybe, two to four years. This will allow our country to develop using upskilling our people. Generative AI will increase productivity as at a certain level we will be able to handle more calls or more non-voice inquiries. AI will also generate additional jobs,” he said during Daily Tribune’s Straight Talk program last Tuesday. Ocampo said their group is confident the sector could easily keep its position as the world’s top provider of voice and business process outsourcing services and it’s being the “heart of customer experience (CX)” with the adoption of Generative AI, which critics say could either be a boon or a bane to the BPO industry. “Generative AI can be used to automate and enhance various aspects of customer interactions. Some examples are chatbots and virtual assistants. There are automated email responses for faster adaptability. To illustrate, in the past, when an agent needed to respond to a customer’s call, he had to look at the CRM and backtrack or even go to the knowledge base. Now, these things are automated, further enhancing agent productivity,” Ocampo said. CCAP managing director Rosario Cajucom-Bradbury said Generative AI will have an impact on client business, in the way services are delivered and in the corporate services of providers, namely, human resource and finance, among others. She said the use of Generative AI Assist working alongside agents when handling calls will increase their efficiency, productivity, and resolution in delivering customer service. “Thus, the call agent is provided the opportunity to have more focused active listening and genuine empathy rather than being preoccupied with navigating the system for resolution. Filipinos’ innate trait of service orientation combined with the power of Generative AI will enhance the employee’s experience at work which would translate to an even more satisfying customer experience — therefore helping the Philippines retain being the ‘heart of CX’ and at the same time meeting or even exceeding growth targets,” Bradbury explained. Additional 1.1M jobs Ocampo said with the use of Generative AI by CCAP members, they can generate an additional 1.1 million jobs for Filipinos until 2028, covering all types of BPO services, namely, finance, insurance, medical, and health, and overall cost-based customer service for fast moving and consumer goods. “And if we go back to the generative AI, new job roles are created. Generative AI will be useful to the end users and the consumers and the business. We will continue to upskill our workforce to cope with AI,” Ocampo said. The aggressive target is part of the 2028 IT-BPM Roadmap, which was launched in the third quarter of 2022, coinciding with the start of the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. It also sets a target of 2.5 million full-time employees (2.3 million to be accounted for by CCAP-member firms) and a 40-percent countryside expansion. In 2022, the contact center sector employed 1.4 million individuals, which was 87 percent of the 1.6 million total employment in the local IT-BPM industry. Ocampo said the impact of Generative AI would be reflected in the sector’s figures in two to four years, clarifying that the emerging technology was not factored in when the IT-BPM Roadmap was set “because it surfaced just about seven months ago although AI had already been widely used across the industry.” These and more interesting issues and developments would take center stage in the upcoming Contact Islands Conference 2023. With the theme “The Philippines, the Heart of CX,” the conference is set to once again facilitate a world-class delegate experience and an excellent venue for the exchange of views, coaching, networking, and benchmarking for the sector’s leaders and decision-makers. The conference is set for 26 to 28 July at the Dusit Thani Mactan in Lapu-Lapu City Cebu. The post AI to stay relevant in BPO, group claims appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Belmont Hotel Mactan: A home away from home
For many, a hotel is synonymous to comfort and relaxation, offering people luxurious amenities for a memorable and hassle-free stay. For Belmont Hotel Mactan, these experiences are taken to the next level as it extends incomparable services and first-rate amenities that not only embody class and elegance but also add convenience into the total hotel experience. Belmont Hotel Mactan in Lapu-Lapu City, Mactan Cebu, is the third hotel to open under Megaworld Hotels and Resorts’ homegrown hotel chain in the country. Under its business and leisure or “bleisure” label, Belmont Hotel Mactan is also the second hotel (after Savoy Hotel) that sits on the 30-hectare The Mactan Newtown township. Yes, Megaworld’s townships have always been known as a city within a city that amazingly brings everything together — upscale condominiums, lifestyle malls, commercial establishments, office towers, banks, learning institutions and more — in one mixed-used development. That’s why Belmont Hotel Mactan guests in The Mactan Newtown, particularly the business travelers, are assured of this rare convenience because almost everything they need while staying at the hotel is within their reach. “Guests surely find it efficient to stay within the heart of a 30-hectare lifestyle and business hub of the township,” says Johnson Del Valle, Belmont Hotel Mactan general manager. [caption id="attachment_145632" align="aligncenter" width="525"] PHOTOGRAPH BY VANGIE BAGA-REYES | JOHNSON del Valle (left) Belmont Hotel Mactan general manager, and Harold Geronimo, Megaworld’s vice president for public relations and media affairs.[/caption] Home away from home The 20-story hotel is poised as a business travelers’ home away from home while staying in the beguiling island of Mactan. Located along Newtown Boulevard and just beside Savoy Hotel Mactan, Belmont Hotel Mactan features 550 guestrooms and suites with three room categories, namely, Junior Suite (50 sqm), Deluxe Premium (36 sqm) and Superior (26 sqm). It also has seven rooms dedicated for guests with special needs. [caption id="attachment_145629" align="aligncenter" width="525"] DELUXE Premier[/caption] All rooms are fully equipped with essential amenities, such as an in-room electronic safety box, wall-mounted TV, tea and coffee-making facilities, a minibar and wireless Internet connection. [caption id="attachment_145630" align="aligncenter" width="525"] BELMONT Café, the hotel’s all-day dining outlet offering Asian and Mediterranean dishes.[/caption] Interestingly, most units feature expansive views of the Magellan Bay and the Hilutungan Channel, a deep-water channel that separates Mactan Island from Olango Island. With regards to its location, guests arriving via Cebu International Airport will only take at least 15 minutes to reach the hotel. Del Valle says Belmont provides a logical choice for guests with a business mindset. “Since we opened, we host mainly guests who visit the area for business,” he shares. “The hotel features facilities built specifically for MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions), team-building, networking and corporate celebrations across our four available function rooms that can accommodate a maximum of capacity 120 guests down to 30 guests.” These function spaces are equipped with smart-control projectors and sound systems. “The Mactan Island is populated by hotels and resorts focusing heavily on leisure and wellness, so we are very excited to bring a new kind of hospitality experience through Belmont Hotel Mactan,” says Cleofe Albiso, managing director of Megaworld Hotels and Resorts. “Just like the first two Belmont Hotel properties in Newport City in Pasay and Boracay Newcoast in Aklan, Belmont Hotel Mactan will host guests who are in the area for both business and leisure.” She adds: “They can expect the usual topnotch amenities that enable rest and relaxation, but because we want to address the need for Mactan to be MICE-ready we have also built here facilities for business events. Coupled with the Megaworld brand of hospitality, we are very proud to say this kind of experience is something that cannot be found anywhere else on this side of Cebu.” Rich history Stepping inside the lobby, Belmont Hotel becomes a tribute to Cebu’s festive culture, landmarks, marine life, rich history as showcased through numerous art installations. For instance, colorful headdresses used in Cebu’s Sinulog are displayed in the walls of its all-day dining outlet, Belmont Café; Cebu’s finest handcrafted guitars in different sizes and colors are mounted in the chic hangout spot, Zabana Bar; and the room’s wall art paper features popular things Cebu is known for, from guitars to its delicacies, such as otap and puso (rice wrapped and boiled in woven coconut leaves). To relax and unwind, the central amenity area on the third floor has the swimming pool and kiddie pool, female and male wet and dry sauna, outdoor lounge with elevated deck, fitness center and viewing deck where guests can marvel at the beauty of the nearby sea and the rest of the township and the Mactan Island. In terms of food outlets, guests can also savor a variety of cuisines and delicacies from the hotel’s three food and beverage outlets. Belmont Café offers a wide variety of Asian and Mediterranean dishes, as well as other local delicacies. Just a few steps away from Belmont Café is the Zabana Bar, where guests can enjoy a selection of cocktails and refreshing beverages. [caption id="attachment_145635" align="aligncenter" width="525"] FITNESS center.[/caption] Over on the third floor is the Float Pool Bar, where guests can sample a variety of snacks and beverages as they lounge and take a refreshing plunge at the swimming pool. Belmont Hotel is just a few minutes’ walk from the Mactan Newtown Beach, and about five-minute walk away from the Mactan Alfresco, a hawker-type dining destination. “While in the area, don’t forget to visit the notable tourist sites much like the Mactan Shrine where the iconic 20-meter statue of Lapu-Lapu stands or the Sto. Nino de Cebu Mactan Parish Church which is noted to be shaped like the Magellan’s hat,” shares Del Valle. Largest hotel operator With the opening of Belmont Hotel, alongside Savoy Hotel, Megaworld Hotels and Resorts now has a combined room keys of 1,100, the largest number of room keys in the entire Mactan Island. At the same time, it makes Megaworld the largest developer and operator in the entire Cebu province today. “Belmont means Beautiful Mountain in French,” says Harold Geronimo, Megaworld’s vice president for public relations and media affairs. “It was a name created by our chairman Dr. Andrew L. Tan when we launched the first Belmont Hotel in Newport City. He fell in love with the name. He just wanted to create a new brand for Megaworld Hotels and Resorts because the first brand that we introduced was Richmonde Hotel. The second brand was Belmont.” The first Belmont Hotel was opened in 2015 at Newport City in Pasay City. It was followed by Belmont Hotel Boracay. Soon, the fourth Belmont Hotel will open in Iloilo City. Geronimo adds that Belmont Hotel will complement the Savoy Hotel inside the township because the vision of Megaworld is to be able to expand its portfolio of hotels in Mactan Island. They want to cater to more business and leisure travelers. “When we open Savoy Hotel, we notice there has been a high demand for those types of travelers who want to do business meetings here, as well as families and tourists who are on vacation in Mactan Island. We want to cater to both that’s why we are adding more rooms.” Belmont Hotel is still in the process of coordinating with the Department of Tourism for the hotel-star rating. The post Belmont Hotel Mactan: A home away from home appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Cebu tourism on the rebound
Cebu-based real estate and hospitality firm AppleONe Group Inc. has launched an aggressive expansion initiative to dovetail with the programs of the Department of Tourism to attract international visitors to sustain the recovery of the tourism industry — a sector of the economy that was among the hardest hit by the Covid-19 pandemic — and create more jobs. Based on the DoT data, Cebu province saw a jump in the number of local and foreign visitors in 2022 by 205 percent. Furthermore, it received a total of 2.8 million visitors last year, which is higher by a mile than 902,000 in 2021. This year, the DoT estimated foreign and local tourist arrivals at 1.9 million, but AppleOne is confident that the numbers will surpass the projection, especially with its aggressive efforts to attract more tourists now that the borders are open, flights are back to normal and people are on the lookout for the best revenge travel ideas. “We are in talks with several international luxury brands to help us deliver world-class service and convenience in real estate and tourism-related projects that are now under development within and outside our home market of Cebu,” Ray Manigsaca, president of AppleOne, said. “We have identified several areas in other parts of the Visayas and Mindanao for our future development projects and diversification efforts,” he added. But the company said they are not ready to divulge any details yet, as these are all still in the works, and “we’ll be more than happy to share them with the public once AppleOne has inked these agreements and started on the projects.” Future projects “As of now we cannot yet disclose our future projects, but this year, and in the coming years, we are working on luxury developments in and outside Cebu,” the company said in an email message. AppleOne is looking to replicate in other parts of the Visayas and Mindanao, its brand of luxurious hotels as it aims to embark on partnerships that will uphold the company’s vision. Manigsaca said the company has engaged Marriott International, an internationally recognized hospitality brand, to ensure that The Residences at Sheraton Cebu Mactan Resort, which sits along a stretch of white sand beach, offers modern conveniences and five-star hotel amenities. Mahi Center, meantime, is AppleOne’s response to the need to advance the information technology industry in Lapu-Lapu City. Mahi Center also offers well-curated retail experiences via a boutique mall, office spaces for IT businesses with direct access to the mall and a business hotel from global hotel brand Marriott International which will be Fairfield by Marriott Mactan, the first in the country. Central Visayas welcomed 3.6 million foreign and local tourists in 2022, more than triple the 1.2 million recorded in 2021. Cebu accounted for 2.7 million of those visitors in Central Visayas, underscoring its status as one of the premier tourist destinations in the Philippines. Manigsaca and his wife, Venus, founded AppleOne in Cebu City 12 years ago to diversify their then 17-year-old construction company, VenRay, which focused on building roads and bridges. The post Cebu tourism on the rebound appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
AIC Estate Water cuts economic zones losses
Aboitiz InfraCapital’s Estate Water has achieved remarkable success in reducing non-revenue water in all its economic estates including the 800-hectare LIMA Estate in Batangas, the 63-hectare Mactan Economic Zone II Estate and the 540-hectare West Cebu Estate in Cebu. Committed to providing excellent water services, Estate Water implements a comprehensive NRW management program to address water losses in its service areas. Over the past five years, LIMA Water managed to maintain the NRW level at LIMA Estate below 5%. Last year, Estate Water extended this program to other areas, including MEZ2 and WCE, resulting in a significant reduction in NRW. Specifically, MEZ2’s NRW decreased from 13 percent to 6 percent, while WCE’s water losses were reduced from 10 percent to 7 percent. These figures are well below the World Bank’s NRW benchmark rate of 25 percent, demonstrating Estate Water’s commitment to the sustainable use of water sources. Non-resource water NRW refers to water produced but which never reaches the intended consumer due to various factors such as pipe leaks, illegal connections, and pilferage. These factors contribute to the wastage of water and have a negative impact on the efficiency and sustainability of water supply systems. “We continue to tackle the issue of managing the non-revenue water of all our economic estates with utmost priority to meet the needs of the growing number of locators and customers while ensuring the sustainable use of water sources,” said AIC Head of Water Business Anna Victoria Lu. Success in cutting water losses The successful reduction of water losses in AIC’s economic estates involved network sectorization, regular leak detection and repair, pipe replacement, meter inspection and calibration, and the timely resolution of incidents. Lu added that the integration of the SMART Water Network Technology has contributed to lowering the NRW of LIMA Estate. This cutting-edge innovation has connected and transformed all water facilities in LIMA Estate into interconnected and intelligent systems. By using this technology, Estate Water is now able to monitor the pressure, flow, and quality of water in real-time, detect leaks, and respond to water concerns quickly. The same technology will also be implemented in AIC’s other economic estates, MEZ2 and WCE, to further enhance their water efficiency. Water-Wise Award Recently, Estate Water’s efforts in managing the water losses and advancing proper resource management of WCE earned them one of the three “Water-Wise Award” recognitions by the National Water Resources Board, the leading government agency for the water sector in the Philippines. This was conferred by the NWRB at the World Water Day Awards 2023 last March. In the same event, AIC also in turn recognized the exceptional dedication of the San Pablo City Water District towards protecting and preserving water sources and the environment by conferring them the prestigious “Agos ng Kinabukasan” Award. Sustainable water Aboitiz InfraCapital is committed to developing infrastructure and bringing in world-class technologies to ensure the availability of smart and sustainable water across all generations. AIC Inc., the infrastructure arm of the Aboitiz Group, aims to build purpose-driven infrastructure that spurs economic growth and improves lives. It develops Economic Estates as well as Water, Digital Infrastructure, and Transport & Mobility projects that enable businesses and uplift communities. Its current business units include the LIMA Estate and LIMA Water Corporation in Batangas, Mactan Economic Zone 2 Estate and West Cebu Estate in Cebu, Apo Agua Infrastructura, Inc. in Davao, and Unity Digital Infrastructure. The company also has a minority stake in privately-owned waterworks utility system, Balibago Waterworks System, Inc.. The post AIC Estate Water cuts economic zones losses appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Danao hosts 1st biz expo
CEBU CITY, Philippines – To attract more investors and enhance its competitiveness, Danao City hosted its first-ever business expo. Danao City Government led on Wednesday, September 14 the launching of its three-day business expo as part of their plans to spur more economic activities in this third-class component city. The activity took place at a mall […] The post Danao hosts 1st biz expo appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Unlock business success at Franchise Asia Philippines Expo
The Franchise Asia Philippines Expo 2024 is set to hold a series of dynamic seminars designed to empower entrepreneurs, investors and business enthusiasts with the knowledge and tools needed to thrive in the ever-evolving world of franchising. Slated from April 12 to 14 at the SMX Convention Center Manila, these seminars offer invaluable insights into key aspects of franchising and business growth......»»
Dela Rosa considers war with China but admits: ‘Hindi naman natin kaya’
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa is already fed up with China’s persistent harassments in the West Philippine Sea, prompting thoughts of engaging in war with Beijing. But he knows, war is not an option. “Naubos na ang sasabihin ko dapat dyan. Short of declaring war na tayo dyan against sa kanila e,.....»»
India, Philippines have seen very perceptible growth in recent times: Jaishankar
Manila [Philippines], March 26 (ANI): Hailing ties between India and the Philippines, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who is on a visit to the Philippines on Tuesday, said that ties between Delhi and Manila have witnessed a very perceptible growth in recent times. Addressing a joint press briefing with Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo, Jaishankar said, "As you all know, India's ties with the.....»»
EAM Jaishankar discusses security, maritime cooperation with his Philippine counterpart in Manila
Manila [Philippines], March 26 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who is on an official visit to Manila, held a 'warm and productive' meeting with Philippines Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Enrique Manalo on Tuesday and discussed wide-ranging issues of security and maritime cooperation. During the meeting, both leaders exchanged views on global, regional, and multilateral issues, including Indo-Pacific, ASEAN,.....»»
EAM Jaishankar conveys PM Modi s greetings as he calls on Philippine President Marcos
Manila [Philippines], March 26 (ANI): External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar on Tuesday called on Philippine President Bongbong Marcos and conveyed the greetings of President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister NarendraModi to President Marcos. "Honoured to call-on President @bongbongmarcos of the Philippines. Conveyed the personal greetings of President @rashtrapatibhvn and PM @narendramodi. Valued his warm sentiments tow.....»»
Man-made disasters cost Philippines 164.87 mln USD in 2023
MANILA, March 26 (Xinhua) -- Man-made disasters caused the total damage in the Philippines worth 9.29 billion pesos (164.87 million U.S. dollars) in 2023, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said Tuesday. The agency said that out of the total annual damage, 4.93 billion pesos (87.5 million dollars), or 53.1 percent, was due to the oil spill. "The reported oil spill in various regions resulted in dam.....»»
Philippines braces for La Nina, continues to deal with El Nino
MANILA, March 26 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines will continue to implement measures to lessen the impact of the El Nino weather phenomenon, as it braces for the opposite La Nina weather pattern, Philippine Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum said Tuesday. Solidum said in a news conference that the Department of Science and Technology's record showed that as of Sunday, 37 provinces across the country hav.....»»
3 suspected rebels killed in clash in Philippines Batangas
MANILA, March 26 (Xinhua) -- Three suspected rebels were killed in a clash with government forces in Batangas province, south of Manila, on Tuesday, the Philippine military said. The military said a 30-minute gunfight broke out around 6:30 a.m. local time after the troops ran into a group of New People's Army (NPA) rebels in Rosario town. The troops recovered three rifles, six jungle packs, and some mater.....»»