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Tenorio makes PBA comeback after beating Big C
Barangay Ginebra's LA Tenorio will be making his long-awaited comeback to the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) after successfully beating colon cancer. Tenorio, who underwent a six-month treatment in Singapore, is now in remission and ready to step back onto the court. The 39-year-old point guard expressed his excitement and high spirits ahead of his first game in 10 months. Despite acknowledging the challenge of readjusting to competitive basketball, Tenorio is determined to fit in seamlessly with his teammates. He also expressed his gratitude to his family, friends, management, coaches, and the entire sports community for their support during his recovery. Tenorio, known as the Iron Man for his impressive streak of 744 consecutive games in the PBA, had his streak interrupted due to a groin injury and subsequent cancer diagnosis. During his time away from the game, he served as an assistant coach for Gilas Pilipinas in the 19th China Asian Games, where the Philippines emerged victorious......»»
MSMEs’ digital shift needs collaboration
The global Covid-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted the micro, small and medium enterprises, or MSMEs, with the economic shocks reverberating worldwide. However, the pandemic also saw an unprecedented focus on the struggling sector. Despite being diminutive in size, MSMEs make up for the shortcoming with their sheer volume, making them a source of significant contributions to the local economy. The latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed MSMEs comprised 99.52 percent of total businesses in the country, or over 998,342 Filipino enterprises delivering goods and services daily. “In the fast-paced business landscape, MSMEs are facing increased pressure to apply digital technology on their operations to remain competitive and even upscale,” Dino Velasco, the senior vice president and institutional segment marketing head at Union Bank of the Philippines, said in an interview with the Daily Tribune’s digital show Business Sense. “The Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated this trend, with businesses across the globe, regardless of size, rapidly adopting digitalization to survive and thrive in the so-called new normal,” he added. UnionBank ceded it could not take the whole task by itself. It needed to partner with stakeholders to address the enormity of the challenge. Foremost in the task is the geography of the Philippines with 7,641 islands which are broadly categorized in three main geographical divisions from north to south. Some of these islands are off-grid, which requires powering up first before they can be connected digitally and served by traditional financing facilities, like UnionBank. “We also do understand and accept the fact that we cannot do it alone. For us at UnionBank, it’s very important to work with partners and we do have partners both in the technology space and in the brick-and-mortar space that allow us to expand or reach even further. Going beyond the 80 percent of the population that are connected and reach the other 20 percent off-grid,” Velasco added. Looking at the Philippine financial landscape, the fintech space has evolved, with telcos, power providers and distributors, money business services, logistics, and others, who are present in off-grid communities as part of the whole-of-nation approach to achieving financial inclusion. Velasco went on, “We continue to partner with these vital stakeholders so that we can provide and extend our financial services to the markets in those areas.” GlobalLinker The greatest hurdles to the successful adoption of digital technology among MSME is overcoming the lack of expertise and good practices, and the associated costs. For a broader uptake of digital tools for these sectors, there needs to be more widely available standardized and even ready templates that the MSMEs can use like a plug-and-play setup. These ready templates would help avoid the appearance of costly and complicated tools and potentially enhance the opportunities for MSMEs to achieve sustainability. “That has always been the challenge for technology, not just for banking, but a lot of industries. How do we educate the more senior segment of the population,” Velasco replied when queried on how to educate MSMEs to embrace digital tools to advance sustainability. Velasco added: “What works is to educate the influencers for that more senior population of the segment. A lot of the small businesses today have in the past, involved other members of the family in running their businesses and they become part of educating those who are trying to use technology for the first time. We noticed that we can adapt that strategy by involving these family members who influence the other members, especially those who are already digitally savvy.” In addition, UnionBank has launched the Global Linker, an online platform designed for e-Commerce that allows users or MSMEs to create their website, while also offering them the opportunity to manage their inventories and link up with other merchants, suppliers, and even resellers. The UnionBank GlobalLinker is a digital SME online platform that aims to digitize SMEs in the country. To create trade fairs and online marketplaces for Filipinos all over the country, we are dedicated to the digital education of all Filipino SMEs. Velasco explained that after creating their website through GlobalLinker, the merchants are now accessible to potential clients “wherever there may be, here or outside the Philippines.” “Imagine if you are an exporter from the Philippines and you have a potential client from India. Because of GlobalLinker, you can communicate with each other and ensure that the goods and services can be ordered and delivered to your client overseas. More importantly, this e-Commerce site is equipped with the necessary tools in ways by which customers can settle or pay digitally,” he said. Velasco continued, “And if you are using our MSME Business Banking app, you can transact overseas and pay someone using Swift (code). Basically, the GlobalLinker is business networking for MSMEs and startups.” Mobile app introduced In the age of a growing demand for digital presence, Velasco said it goes unsaid that UnionBank sees the need for digital technology as a critical tool for MSMEs that want to grow or expand. “What we’re focusing on is to feature our MSME Mobile Business Banking App that we developed to answer the needs of our customers from beginning to end,” Velasco said. “Meaning end-to-end from the time a small business owner needs to apply for an account to the time when they need to manage their businesses. Using the app right solely instead of going to other channels where they need to get out of their offices and go to the branch.” The UnionBank mobile app aims to educate its users to allow the app to let “everything happen while they’re using the app or the platform.” The app also aims to create solutions for the users, like the QR code feature to allow merchants to accept payments from their customers. “It is really an end-to-end feature from account opening to transferring funds, to paying suppliers to accept payments from their customers and up to even applying for a loan facility,” Velasco added. The mobile app is something UnionBank wants to make available in the hands of its customers by simply accessing the mobile banking app for MSMEs. Necessary journey It is no longer a choice for MSMEs. Digitalization is now a necessary journey that all MSMEs must embrace to survive and succeed. Using digital technology may save significant costs for the MSMEs, while at the same time enhancing their operations, sales, marketing, and presence. A digitized MSME may also see increased productivity and efficiency, and improved customer service. But digitalization also comes with several challenges, including technological know-how, funding, and even data security. UnionBank of the Philippines is offering several platforms to solve these challenges. All you have to do is click and download their digital platform offerings. UnionBank is committed to helping MSMEs achieve their digital transformation goals, with their expertise and cost-effective solutions. The post MSMEs’ digital shift needs collaboration appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Makati subway facing delays due to SC ruling
The Makati City subway project, the first underground railway project undertaken by a local government unit, is facing another headwind after its alignment was adversely affected by the tug-of-war between the cities of Makati and Taguig over territorial disputes. In a stock report on Wednesday, private proponent Philippine Infradev Holdings, Inc. disclosed that the project alignment is no longer viable as the depot and a few stations, which were supposed to traverse through Makati City properties, were found to be within the jurisdiction of Taguig City instead as ruled by the Supreme Court or SC. "Under the Joint Venture Agreement executed between the Makati City Government and the Company, the depot and a few stations of the Makati City subway system will be in the affected areas. Also, the alignment of the subway will no longer be feasible," the company informed the stock exchange. Particularly, the SC decision affected the Makati City subway project's depot in Cembo as well as the planned stations in the University of Makati in West Rembo, and Ospital ng Makati in Pembo. Thus, Infradev said it has reached out to the Makati City government, through an Intent Notice, to discuss the next course of action that they should take following the SC order. In April 2022, the SC Third Division ruled with finality that the disputed areas, Bonifacio Global City and nearby Enlisted Men’s Barrio or EMBO barangays, were under Taguig City's jurisdictions. However, before Taguig City’s courts assume pending litigations over the said areas, which used to be part of Makati, it first needs to secure a writ of execution. A writ of execution is a legal order issued by a court that qualifies the enforcement of a judgment or court decision. In 2019, the Makati City Government signed the Joint Venture Agreement with Infradev and its partner after the company hurdled the competitive Swiss Challenge and obtained approval for the construction, operation, and management of the intra-city subway. Under the joint venture, Makati would only contribute land it currently owns for the project. The subway aims to connect key points in Makati like the current Central Business District at the corner of Ayala and Sen. Gil Puyat Avenues, Circuit City, Makati City Hall, University of Makati, Ospital ng Makati and other new growth areas within the city. The subway is planned to have up to 10 air-conditioned, underground island stations whose entrances will be linked to destinations across the city. The project can accommodate up to six-car trains, with room for over 200 persons per car, with more than 700,000 passengers per day to be accommodated and served by the proposed mass transport system. The post Makati subway facing delays due to SC ruling appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PBBM reiterates commitment to ASEAN integrated economy
JAKARTA, Indonesia – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday underscored the strength of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as a regional organization and its commitment to regional integration. In his intervention at the 43rd ASEAN Summit and related summits here, Marcos Jr. said that ASEAN is poised to improve its macroeconomic fundamentals in the face of a prolonged geopolitical and socio-economic challenge. "With a projected growth rate of 4.9 percent next year and a steady rise in intra-ASEAN trade and foreign direct investment inflows, ASEAN is well-positioned to weather the storm," he said. Marcos Jr. also reiterated the Philippines' commitment to maintaining ASEAN as a competitive and integrated regional economy. He told the leaders that his administration's integration efforts include facilitating a rules-based multilateral trading system that is "open, free, and fair." Marcos Jr. also called for more concerted efforts to address the impact of climate change, which he said is the most urgent threat to ASEAN's progress. "At the upcoming UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28), ASEAN must call on developed countries to heighten the implementation of their commitments," he said. "Their commitments that include climate finance, technology development and transfer, and capacity building, in order to drive ASEAN's capabilities to prevent, mitigate, manage, and adapt to the impacts of climate change," he added. The 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference or Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC, more commonly referred to as COP28, will be the 28th United Nations Climate Change conference from November 30 until December 12, 2023, at the Expo City, Dubai. Marcos Jr. also announced that the Philippines is ready to take the helm and chair ASEAN in 2026. "We will fortify the foundations of our Community-building and navigate ASEAN as it embarks on a new chapter," he said. "We will count on the support of fellow Member States and continue to work with our partners to strengthen ASEAN Centrality, and to promote peace, security, stability, and prosperity in the region," he added. During the 43rd ASEAN Summit opening remarks earlier, Indonesian President Joko Widodo said that the regional bloc must work harder, become more solid, bolder, and more agile in order to achieve its goal of becoming an "epicentrum of growth." He also called for the development of a long-term technical plan that is relevant and in line with the hopes of the people, not only for the next five years but for the next 20 years until 2045. Widodo also stressed the importance of ASEAN centrality, saying that the bloc must be the "primary driving force" in shaping the region's external relations. He said that ASEAN must work with other partners in the Indo-Pacific region to promote peace, stability, and prosperity. "ASEAN is a large ship, and we have a major responsibility towards the hundreds of millions of people who are sailing together on it," Widodo said. "Despite having to sail through a storm, we as ASEAN leaders must ensure that this ship can continue to sail." In addition to the ASEAN leaders, the summit will also be attended by representatives from dialogue partners, including the United States, China, Japan, India, and Australia. The post PBBM reiterates commitment to ASEAN integrated economy appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Cyberzone, SM Supermalls launch Philippines’ first ‘Game Fest Kids’
Kids were up for the challenge as they took online gaming to an immersive adventure at the inaugural, first-ever in the Philippines, Cyberzone Game Fest Kids on August 25 to 26 at SM City North EDSA. Dubbed as #SuperKidsGameFestAtSM, the family event was put together by Cyberzone and SM Supermalls in conjunction with the nationwide Cyber Month 2023 celebration. Everyone's In It for the Fun! The Super Dads and the Super Moms happily cheered their Super Kids who showed off their gaming chops on a safe, fun-filled environment. The friendly two-day competition was held with free-play and level-by-level tournament hailing the top three Robloxians (Roblox Players) on Friday and Saturday. Juneru at Game Fest Kids On Day Two of Cyberzone Game Fest Kids, Content Creator and TikTok Star “Juneru” played with the Super Kids and joined their Roblox adventure. Exciting Competition in SM Cyberzone Game Fest Kids Kids who wanted to participate firstly signed up upon visiting the Cyberzone Game Fest Kids arena. Serving as their prize verification, every participant received an assigned passport to track their journey map. After the “green light” is given, players needed to finish all the levels as quickly as they can. Finishers raised their hands to indicate their completion where friendly marshals in the arena where there to support and guide them. Their parents and families have joined the thrill and fun all throughout. Cyberzone Game Fest Kids Through personal mobile devices and two setup tablets per station, up to 10 participants depending on game mode, Robloxians had to complete four game modes and first-in-the-line players were called as winners. The free-play proper required participants to complete four gaming levels, including Guess the Line Obby, Super Guys, Steep Guys, and specially-tailored SM Superkids Zone. It's All Fun for The Kids Competitive Roblox players found the time-based tournament right up their alley. Top three Robloxians were given gift certificates worth of P5000, P2500 and P1000 respectively. After getting 8 total stamps, prizes were given to the first 25 finishers who received P500-worth of gift certificates each. Always make sure to #CheckCyberzone at an SM Mall near you for the latest and best #TechAssured gadgets! You can also locate competitive gadget deals through the SM Malls Online app. Keep informed regarding the latest tech updates and gaming events like Cyberzone Game Fest Kids by following SM Cyberzone on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok, or by visiting our website at www.smcyberzone.com. The post Cyberzone, SM Supermalls launch Philippines’ first ‘Game Fest Kids’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Short-circuited reforms
Judicial intervention in business transactions never had a stronger impact on Filipinos than the effect of the Court of Appeals stopping the Energy Regulatory Commission, or ERC, from compelling San Miguel Corp. power units to honor their contracts with Manila Electric Co. About a month ago, the CA handed down a permanent injunction on the consolidated cases of SMC units South Premiere Power Corp. and San Miguel Energy Corp. to overturn the ERC’s rejection of petitions to suspend their straight-price contracts. Energy Secretary Raphael “Popo” Lotilla said in a recent interview with Daily Tribune’s Straight Talk the Solicitor General will continue to challenge the injunction order up to the Supreme Court. “We don’t want the courts to be second-guessing the decisions of administrative bodies like the Energy Regulatory Commission,” according to Lotilla. The straight pricing regime in the power sector should have complemented the policy of the Department of Energy to move away from subsidies in the cost of electricity. Consumer groups had also filed a motion for reconsideration before the CA against the injunction. In July, the CA overturned the ERC to honor the SMC units’ straight-priced power contracts. The decision, consumer groups fear will open the floodgates to higher electricity costs, as SMC and other fossil fuel power generators will be emboldened to ask for more rate increases as they can apply for and possibly secure price adjustments during their contracts’ lifetime through the courts. The consumer groups consider the CA’s move a big blow to consumers since it negates the straight-pricing contracts. All straight-price contracts, 23 based on ERC records, are now at risk of price adjustments. In his recent State of the Nation Address, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. indicated the goal of achieving competitive pricing for electricity, which will be negated by the CA’s injunction order. Consumer groups said the injunction order allowed SMC to ultimately hijack bidding systems for power supply agreements that are in place to protect consumers. SolGen Menardo Guevarra will submit the challenge based on the position that the injunction order interferes with administrative functions. “We will not see an immediate impact of the decision but it will affect prices because they involve fix-rate contacts between SMC and Meralco,” according to the energy chief. “The Solicitor General’s Office has made clear that the government opposed the issuance of injunction orders and therefore would be ready to appeal, I’m sure,” he indicated. Lotilla said the list of rules that the DoE issued was meant to address the problems in the industry and bring down rates to reasonable levels. “We have made the policy decision not to subsidize electricity, so we cannot think of telling the distributor or telling our people that prices are going to be drastically reduced,” Lotilla said. The initiative of the electricity distributor to bid out fixed price contracts would have offset the DoE plan to remove all forms of subsidies on electricity prices and thus make the monthly bills truly equitable. The market reforms have been thrown off course by the court injunction which has had the effect of usurping the authority of a quasi-judicial body while clearly favoring SMC. The post Short-circuited reforms appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Larone Crafts’ trendy Filipino handbags make waves in Europe
Jennifer Lo is living proof that an eye for aesthetics can be inherited. Based in Makati City, Metro Manila, the third-generation entrepreneur has carried on her family’s business of handicrafts—Larone Crafts, registered in 1984. Growing up, she helped her mother during trade shows, observing how business was conducted with foreign buyers and taking minutes of business meetings. After completing a short course on Manufacturing Management at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles in 2006, she worked with various fashion companies before coming back to the Philippines to help in her mother’s handbag business. “I’m the steward of my parents’ and grandparents’ hard work. My goal is to make the business sustainable for another 20 years,” said Jennifer, who operates out of a compact 500-square-meter office that includes a production area and warehouse on the top floor. Larone Crafts’ designs are modern but remain true to Pinoy traditions by incorporating Tinalak weaves and the woven fabric Inabel. Natural plant fibers such as abaca, raffia and seagrass sourced from all around the Philippines add an indigenous charm to the products. The results are timeless accessories that buyers can keep in their wardrobe season after season. “The bags are meant to be used all year round. We do not make items that are just for a certain season to be thrown away the next. We manufacture them to last," said Jennifer. Among Larone Crafts’ handbags, the signature hand-embroidered clutch bags are a particular hit with buyers. Larone Crafts' agility to keep abreast with technological advancements and design trends has kept it exporting successfully over the years. The company’s first exports were made in 1984 to the USA. Back then, Jennifer was only three years old. “I can see how conducting international business at a time when the Internet was not yet existing must have been quite a challenge,” she said. In 2009, when Jennifer joined the company, she continued to step up to evolving market trends. “Smaller niche brands were coming into the field. Rather than large containers of orders with thousands of pieces of the same style, orders of several styles and colors in a few hundred pieces were preferred,” she recalled. In 2022, following the pandemic, 3 percent of Larone’s customers were from the European Union, 90 percent from the USA and the rest a mix from other countries. For a long time, the only way to start an international business was through participation in trade fairs, which is not an easy thing to do alone. The company has been part of the Manila FAME almost every year since the 1980s. Showing at Maison et Objet, NY Now and Ambiente over the last 10 years has also been fruitful. “We received support from the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions, the export promotion arm of the Philippine government’s Department of Trade and Industry, to participate in international trade shows in the EU and in the USA. Before the internet and emails, this was the only way of gaining new overseas customers.” Jennifer feels that her company’s participation in these trade shows has been instrumental in reaching customers, particularly in the EU. Trade shows boost market research, linkages, design aesthetics and competitiveness. She emphasized that CITEM’s support in terms of product design, booth design and implementation, and pre-show marketing has been invaluable in upgrading her business. “These are all high costs that would be difficult for our small business to absorb when initially trying to enter into a new market.” Jennifer sees many benefits from the EU Generalized System of Preference Plus (GSP+). “The EU GSP + makes our products more competitive in the EU market by reducing the cost of importing our goods into the country for our buyers. It improves access to the 27 countries in the EU.” Larone Crafts is already exporting to Spain and the Netherlands, with samples sent recently to Italy which are expected to generate more orders. “The EU is an attractive export market for our company because of the ease of doing business with their bilingual teams, the market’s love for sustainable, handmade and natural products, and the favorable trade policies such as the GSP+.” As Jennifer works towards expanding her product assortment in home and lifestyle products, she is cognizant of those who work for her. Depending upon the volume of orders, in any given season, she employs approximately 100 workers. She not only retained artisan families from her mother’s time, but also sources from small businesses that employ women. “We work with weavers and artisans in their communities from all over the Philippines, giving them a reliable livelihood and helping to preserve the region’s traditional crafts.” The ARISE Plus Philippines project is enabling Philippine exporters to take advantage of European Union market access and the trade privileges granted under the GSP+. It supports the overall EU-Philippines trade relationship and trade-related policies. ARISE Plus Philippines is a project of the Government of the Philippines, with the Department of Trade and Industry as lead partner together with the Department of Agriculture, Food and Drug Administration, Bureau of Customs, the Department of Science and Technology, as well as the private sector. It is funded by the EU, with the International Trade Centre as the technical agency for the project. The post Larone Crafts’ trendy Filipino handbags make waves in Europe appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Marcos says reforms to improve investment climate in Phl ‘long overdue’
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday said the country needs to improve its investment climate to make it globally competitive “on an even basis," as requirements for investors to set up operations in the country are more demanding than in other countries. The Chief Executive said this as Marcos launched and signed Executive Order (EO) No. 18, which created strategic investment green lanes to attract more investments. In his speech, Marcos acknowledged that the reforms to create an environment that is conducive to business growth and development are "long overdue." He said that some permits take 36 months to complete in the country, while other Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam, take two weeks to complete and approve the applications. “We cannot continue to hide behind protectionist laws and protectionist policies because no country ever got wealthy by following a protectionist policy. The wealth of the nation is defined by the amount of trade that it has gone. We can look back many centuries, and it has always been trade that has been the key to the wealth of any nation, of any economic system,” Marcos explained in his speech. “It is a continuing application of the principle of whole-of-government response to the continuing challenge of dismantling the obstacles faced by investors whenever they decide to do business here in our country,” Marcos added. With the EO, Marcos said the policy will pave the way for the government to realize the many investment pledges it has secured both domestically and internationally. Marcos Jr. also vowed that his administration is committed to realizing the vision of “Making-It-Happen” in the Philippines, noting that the Board of Investments has partnered with 36 agencies on the fast-track approvals of permits and resolution of concerns, particularly for identified strategic investments. Noting the sentiments of investors and entrepreneurs in the country, Marcos ensured that his administration is committed to making government transactions and processes “efficient, transparent and responsive to the needs of these potential investors.” "We will continue to closely monitor the performance of these processes in order to track our progress and (identify) – and we will see the areas for continuous improvement, even as we continue to pursue other projects and endeavors that will make the Philippines an even more fertile ground for investments,” he said. Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual, also present during the event, said the EO aims to resolve business registration issues like long lines for permits and applications. "The EO is meant to expedite, streamline, and automate government approval and registration processes for priority investments or strategic investments. The strategic investments are those aligned with the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028,” Pascual said. The event highlighted the presentation of the first Certificate of Endorsement to SunAsia Energy, Inc. and BlueLeaf Macquarie Capital, a Singapore-based company. This certificate recognized their involvement in the construction of a floating solar project with a capacity of 1,300 megawatts at Laguna Lake. The total investment for this project amounts to $1.2 billion. SunAsia Energy, known for its expertise in developing clean and renewable solar energy solutions in the Philippines, partnered with BlueLeaf and Macquarie Capital. During President Marcos' visit to Singapore in 2022, the companies expressed their commitment to invest in this project. Following this commitment, SunAsia applied for Strategic Investment status for 10 of its projects under EO 18. By using the green lane services, they were able to expedite the permitting and licensing procedures for these projects. The post Marcos says reforms to improve investment climate in Phl ‘long overdue’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
UST’s Cerebro fuels mentoring
Educators face a formidable challenge behind school offices and classroom doors, particularly in teaching their subjects effectively. Yet, what may seem like a hurdle for most has sparked an incredible innovation journey for Justine Itugot, a teacher and CEO of startup Cerebro. Similar to the well-known Learning Management Systems such as BlackBoard and Canvas, Cerebro is also used to organize, execute and evaluate specific learning processes. Cerebro’s competitive advantage lies in providing standard materials for general education subjects designed specifically for the K-12 market, allowing teachers to save time on preparation. It helps teachers save up to 400 hours of teaching time. However, in contrast to the founders of BlackBoard and Canvas, who were experienced entrepreneurs, teachers run Cerebro, and the challenge lies in making their venture profitable. To hone their business skills, the team opted to join several start-up incubator programs, one of which was the TOMASinno Center of the University of Santo Tomas. Cerebro is now being used by 30 schools, among the prominent ones is the San Sebastian College. Program catalyst Itugot recalled the role of the National Service Training Program during his college years at UST, delivered online by the non-teaching staff. This program became the catalyst for the creation of his venture in 2019. “I would often wonder how they managed to teach NSTP, and the explanation was that all the resources they required were already available, so all they had to worry about was how to conduct the lesson,” he stated. Itugot began his journey by creating a website for e-learning, despite limited computer systems and website development skills. Simultaneously, he established a tutoring center in Cavite City with his co-teachers. They noticed that students were enrolling in subjects outside their specialized knowledge. Itugot then collected learning resources from expert teachers in those subjects and integrated them into his e-learning platform, laying the foundation for his innovative education venture. Filling the gaps Itugot and his team actively engaged in multiple start-up programs, including the premier Philippine acceleration program called IdeaSpace. Yet, he acknowledged that there was still a knowledge gap that needed to be filled, which led him to officially become an incubatee of UST on 23 March 2022. “The UST incubation program is essentially a return to fundamentals, contrasting with acceleration programs that prioritize rapid growth but may overlook the basics,” the CEO said. Although the university’s incubation program did not provide direct financial grants, Itugot emphasized that it facilitated networking opportunities for incubatees to connect with potential investors. He further mentioned that the program equipped his team with a deeper understanding of their business and enabled them to refine their business strategy. Itugot recalled how Cerebro was able to receive a research and development grant from the Department of Science and Technology on 29 July 2023 after facing two rejections by presenting a comprehensive and well-defended business plan to a panel of experts, all while being supported by the university’s incubation program. Cerebro completed the program on 1 December 2022, with Itugot highlighting the ongoing support received after its conclusion. “Our office is actually located in UST, at the TOMASinno center, and being part of the program has granted us exposure to the vast network of Thomasians and alumni. These connections have been invaluable to us,” he stated. The CEO also noted that the program consistently provides feedback on their business decisions, resembling the guidance typically offered by consultancy services. The post UST’s Cerebro fuels mentoring appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘One-stop platform’ connects PH cooperatives by the hundreds
Theirs is a story worth reveling in. After all, from a start-up capital of P5,300 in 1986, they now own assets valued at over 1.7 billion pesos. From an initial 37 founder-members, they are now over 27,000 strong, where members now make most of their saving, lending, paying, selling, and voting activities online. What makes the story of Barangka Credit Cooperative (BCC) members stand out is that they are not engaged in a capitalist business. As gathered from its name, BCC is a primary multi-purpose cooperative run, governed, and owned by members from all walks of life. Today, BCC is primed to up the ante for its members. It has shifted part of its operations and product offerings toward an online platform called DigiCOOP. It is also one of the first Philippine cooperatives to install a cardless, QRPh-enabled cooperative teller machine onsite. "The COOPNET Teller Machine has been of great help to us. It's like we have our teller on standby," said Imee Mascariña, BCC's treasury supervisor. "Our members can now make cash transactions anytime." Tech and Efforts to Enable the Poor Barangka Credit Cooperative, however, is one of many taking the digitalization route. Other cooperatives follow a similar track by creating their closed-loop platform or joining a shared platform for cooperatives. DigiCOOP, a cooperative management system and platform for primary and secondary cooperatives, belongs to the second type. Traxion Technology Service Cooperative, the technology service cooperative managing DigiCOOP, has slowly brought more cooperatives into its platform in the last two years. On May 1 this year, however, TTSC saw a surge in applications from cooperatives following its announcement of an end-to-end solution to digitalize cooperatives. First, among its existing applications, TTSC offered the COOPNET Remittance System and the Digital Membership Enrollment System (or DIMES) for free to cooperatives. Second, it launched new products that could enable both cooperatives and members to earn more. For instance, Ventamo, a BIR-accredited point-of-sale (POS) app for mobile phones, was launched to cater to coop members who have brick-and-mortar stores. Other offerings in the pipeline—a delivery app for interested rider-partners and for-members e-stores inside DigiCOOP—are expected to create more entrepreneurs out of cooperative members. Enabling people with low incomes, in particular—that is, creating "opportunities for themselves and improving their economic well-being"—is one aim of the country's biggest federation of cooperatives, the National Confederation of Cooperatives. "Cooperatives have a good grasp of the issues at the grassroots. Some of these issues—inefficiencies, limited market access, and lack of livelihood opportunities—can be addressed by cooperatives that know how to take advantage of digitalization," said Hon. Felimon Espares of the COOP-NATCCO party list. One-stop shop model DigiCOOP has been set up, unlike other digital platforms, to factor in cooperative-specific operations. Given the depth and breadth of the products and processes offered by all types of primary cooperatives, it is no surprise that DigiCOOP has been releasing a slew of solutions in the past two years. "We need to look at all processes that can be digitalized, automated, streamlined, made faster," explained TTSC CEO Ann Cuisia. "For instance, in geographically distant areas, cooperative members used to pay so much for a tricycle ride to the poblacion to transact. Today, we simplified their process by giving them the tools to transact through their smartphones." The one-stop shop as a business model, done well and equitably, is a boon to the cooperatives and their members. To individual members with mobile phones, it spells c-o-n-v-e-n-i-e-n-c-e. To the cooperatives themselves, the convergence of varied services on one platform reduces their administrative burden. For instance, the regular election of officials was a logistical challenge in the past. The burden finally eased up after adding an e-voting functionality on the platform. "DigiCOOP Elexion is truly God-sent to us," said Luz Clarin, general manager of Mary Help Christians Credit Cooperative. "Initially, our members thought the voting process would require much technical know-how." They proved themselves wrong, to their relief. "All they needed to do was type their voter's code and tap their candidates' photos on their mobile phones' screens. The voting results came out quickly." "Embracing technologies is a way for organizations, including cooperatives, to stay relevant and survive a competitive financial landscape," added Cuisia. "I also believe that the more cooperatives join an ecosystem, the more the money circulates amongst cooperatives and the more the profit is shared among their members. The more new businesses flourish as an offshoot, the more jobs can be created for other cooperators." The post ‘One-stop platform’ connects PH cooperatives by the hundreds appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Monsters in Phl volleyball
Philippine volleyball is again in trouble. The country’s lone professional volleyball league — the Premier Volleyball League — is under fire after the Philippine National Volleyball Federation penalized it for staging a tournament “within the national team period without authorization.” Based on the calendar of the International Volleyball Federation, no commercial tournaments will be held around the world from 16 May to 15 October to give way to the national teams’ participation in various tournaments. The PVL, however, kicked off its Invitational Conference last week to run till 30 July with guest teams from Japan and Australia said to be joining to jack up the level of competition in the semifinals. The biggest casualty is the national squad that competed in the AVC Women’s Challenge Cup in Indonesia recently. With the core of the team that saw action in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games like Alyssa Valdez, Kat Tolentino, Jia de Guzman, and Mylene Paat busy with their respective mother teams in the PVL, the PNVF had no choice but to send young and untested players to the prestigious continental tournament. Bannered by Faith Nisperos, Michelle Cobb, AC Miner, and Roma Doromal with Aiza Maizo-Pontillas and Bang Pineda as the only veterans, the national squad had a forgettable seventh-place finish. This didn’t sit well with the PNVF. In a memorandum that Daily Tribune obtained last Thursday, the federation cracked the whip by barring PVL clubs from securing the International Transfer Certificates of foreign players in the reinforced conference. Sideliners see the penalty as a declaration of war by the PNVF leadership as it will prompt the PVL organizers to either alter their format or scrap the season-ending conference altogether. But more than that, the sanction will disrupt PVL operations, hurting the players, coaches, officials, utility, and other personnel who are banking on professional volleyball to make ends meet. But let us remember that the PVL is the federation’s last remaining ally. When the PNVF was formed at the height of the pandemic in 2021, the PVL rallied behind it while other leagues such as the National Collegiate Athletic Association, University Athletic Association of the Philippines, and the Shakey’s Girls Volleyball League refused to toe the line. The PVL had also been very cooperative and supportive of the national team program by deploying its players to major international tournaments. In fact, when the PNVF leadership threw a tantrum and fired National University players from the national squad, it was the PVL that cleaned up the mess by sending its players to the AVC Women’s Volleyball Cup that the country was set to host. During the buildup to the SEA Games, the PVL made the major sacrifice of halting its operations so its players could go to Japan for a 15-day training. Although it could have easily refused since the Osaka training was scheduled from 13 to 28 April, which was outside the national team window, the PVL still agreed to lend its players to help the federation regain a SEA Games medal. The PVL has also been very gracious, allowing national team head coach Jorge Edson Souza de Brito of Brazil to coach one of its marquee clubs, Akari, even though there are many local coaches available who can easily do the job. And now this? The PNVF is penalizing the PVL for something that could have been resolved with a mere phone call or a 30-minute meeting. You don’t do that to your partner, especially your most loyal — and last remaining — ally. What if — only what if — PVL team owners fire back and bar their stars from playing for the national team in the 19th Asian Games? Can the PNVF still form a competitive team? The monsters that have been terrorizing Philippine volleyball are again starting to appear. And, sad to say, they are destroying the relationship between the PVL and PNVF, greatly affecting the country’s chances to form a stronger, more competitive national team. Unless local officials slay the monsters — pride, greed, arrogance, and lust for power — Philippine volleyball will forever be a source of punchlines in the international arena. The post Monsters in Phl volleyball appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Challenges in Antitrust Law
The passage of the Philippine Competition Act or PCA was a watershed moment for Philippine competition policy. Before its passage, Philippine antitrust laws were scattered into about 30 different laws with outdated provisions and hardly any jurisprudence. In July 2015, Republic Act 10667 was enacted, marking the end of a two -decade congressional push to finally enact a law that would promote fair competition in economic activities and penalize anti-competitive conduct. As international trade became significantly easier with reduced cross-border trade barriers, it became important to look at domestic measures, particularly domestic competition law, otherwise known as antitrust law, to facilitate trade and investment. In the face of globalization and reduced barriers to international trade, the PCA is considered a breakthrough legislation. Before the enactment of the PCA, the Philippine Constitution already provided for a clear mandate to promote competition and prohibit combinations in restraint of trade. Article XII, Section 19 of the 1987 Constitution provides: “The State shall regulate or prohibit monopolies when the public interest so requires. No combinations in restraint of trade or unfair competition shall be allowed.” The fundamental principle espoused by Section 19, Article XII of the Constitution is competition, for it alone can release the creative forces of the market. But the competition that can unleash these creative forces is fair. Ideally, this kind of competition requires the presence of not one, not just a few, but several players. A market controlled by one player or dominated by a handful of players is hardly a market where honest-to-goodness competition will prevail. The Philippine Competition Act addresses many of the issues and inadequacies that prevented an effective competition regime from taking hold in our jurisdiction. The PCA lays down the foundation for creating a working competition regime that can help achieve the goals of economic efficiency as well as the protection of consumer welfare. However, the new competition authority has many challenges to confront. Philippine competition law, being in its infancy, needs to develop its ability to detect and investigate anti-competitive conduct and impose and enforce sanctions for anti-competitive behavior. There is a steep learning curve, considering that competition law engages with esoteric and abstract economic concepts. Overcoming this learning curve will require close engagement with specialists across multiple fields. The road to the PCA’s passage was met with many obstacles, the biggest obstacle being the death of the principal proponent of the House competition bill, Representative Enrique M. Cojuangco Sr. Competition law also faces the challenge of harmonization with the competition laws of other countries. Harmonization is critical because many competition laws apply extra-territorially which means competition laws of two countries may overlap. A recent example of a significant cross-border merger where the extra-territorial application of competition law became an issue is the Grab/Uber case. The number of cross-border mergers will only increase in the years to come as revealed in a 2014 OECD study, which means there will be more contentious mergers across state boundaries. Nevertheless, enacting a competition law in the first place is already a massive achievement. The road to the PCA’s passage was met with many obstacles, the biggest obstacle being the death of the principal proponent of the House competition bill, Representative Enrique M. Cojuangco Sr. Following Representative Cojuangco’s death, House lawmakers gathered to pass House Bill 5286 on second reading, as a tribute to its fallen sponsor. On 10 June 2015, Republic Act 10667, a consolidation of Senate Bill 2282 and House Bill 5286, was finally passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives. It is worth noting that the Philippines is among the last in the Asian region and the world to pass a comprehensive competition law. But as they always say, better late than never. ***** Atty. Lean Carlo Macoto obtained his Juris Doctor degree from the University of the Philippines College of Law and was admitted to the Philippine Bar in 2023. He is currently an associate at Aranas Cruz Araneta Parker & Faustino Law Offices. The post Challenges in Antitrust Law appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Tender, loving care
Our daughter, who is about to attend review classes for the nursing board exams, doesn’t know whether to be glad or sad about the state of the healthcare system in the country. With only the licensure exams standing in the way of her becoming a full-fledged nurse, she knows fully well that the career she has chosen is very much in demand in both Europe and the United States. We had always told her when she was younger that given the opportunity, she should opt to work abroad not only for the better pay but also because of the better working conditions. At the same time, she’s quite sad and disappointed that the country is losing its best assets to foreign employment, leaving the healthcare system bereft of quality professionals. The situation is so bad that newly designated Health Secretary Ted Herbosa fears the country could totally lose its nurses in five to six years. Such is the severity of the situation that Herbosa had gone to the extent of suggesting the hiring of board flunkers who would be given temporary licenses to augment the hospital workforce. For a while, it sounded like the best solution to the brain drain until the Professional Regulations Commission got in the way, reminding the Health Secretary that it would be illegal to do so. Other solutions have been offered but it seems the brain drain phenomenon, characterized by the emigration of highly skilled professionals, remains a critical challenge. This shortage has severe implications for the delivery of healthcare services and poses a threat to the overall well-being of the population. It is a well-known fact that one of the primary reasons nurses leave the country is the lack of adequate compensation and the unfavorable working conditions. To address this, experts are one in saying that the government should collaborate with healthcare institutions and policymakers to establish fair and competitive wages that align with global standards. Additionally, efforts must be made to improve working conditions, including providing a supportive work environment, reasonable workload, and access to continuing education and professional development opportunities. Enhanced working conditions and compensation packages, we believe, will incentivize nurses to stay in the country and attract back those who migrated. A supportive professional environment is vital for retaining healthcare professionals. Measures such as establishing mentoring programs, providing emotional and psychological support, and promoting a culture of recognition and appreciation can significantly contribute to job satisfaction and retention. Add to these strategies that may include sign-on bonuses, housing or relocation assistance, flexible work schedules, and career advancement opportunities and you have a gamut of come-ons that may be hard to resist for those torn between going or staying. Additionally, establishing professional networks and platforms that connect Filipino nurses working abroad to their homeland can help maintain a sense of connection and encourage them to contribute to the local healthcare system. Indeed, the brain drain in the Philippines’ healthcare system is a complex challenge that requires multi-faceted solutions. By improving working conditions, enhancing education and training opportunities, implementing supportive policies, strengthening the healthcare system, fostering a supportive professional environment, and adopting strategic recruitment and retention strategies, the Philippines can begin to address the brain drain issue and build a sustainable healthcare workforce. The government, healthcare institutions, and relevant stakeholders must work together to ensure that the healthcare needs of the Filipino population are met and that the country retains its skilled healthcare professionals. Whatever solutions our government comes up with to make our healthcare professionals stay, it will always pay to bear in mind that nurses, too, deserve tender, loving care. e-mail: mannyangeles27@gmail.com The post Tender, loving care appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Cold chain system project empowers Benguet farmers
On 21 June 2023, Tachikawa Jumpei, First Secretary and Agriculture Attaché of the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines, attended the inauguration ceremony for the solar-powered cold storage facility in Buguias, Benguet. The event was also graced by Benguet Governor Melchor Diclas, Buguias Mayor Ruben Tinda-an, Department of Agriculture-Agriculture Training Institute Training Center Director Remelyn Recoter, Japan Agricultural Exchange Council Executive Director Sakamoto Ryoji and other LGU and ATI officials. Farmers in Benguet frequently face the challenge of earning low income despite harvesting competitive and high-quality produce. While Benguet is known as the “Salad Bowl of the Philippines” and has a favorable climate for growing vegetables, it suffers from an unstructured production system, subpar post-harvest handling procedures and unstable product prices. To aid Benguet farmers, the Japan Agricultural Exchange Council, a Japanese NGO, has been implementing the Japan International Cooperation Agency Grassroots Cooperation Project since 2007. Among other things, JAEC has carried out dissemination activities for safe vegetable farming techniques and improved post-harvest procedures. However, the activities for this initiative were suspended in 2019 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2021, through the funding support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, JAEC commenced the Safe Vegetable Production Technology Dissemination and Vegetable Distribution System Improvement Project. Benguet farmers were equipped with various Japanese farming technologies under this initiative. This project will also enable the development of a cold chain system through the completed solar-powered cold storage facility in the Municipality of Buguias, Benguet, as well as other cold storage supplies and equipment. By enhancing the quality of the produce through an effective distribution system, farmers’ incomes are expected to improve and their losses to decrease, while consumers may benefit from buying healthy, fresh and quality vegetables. The post Cold chain system project empowers Benguet farmers appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Phl competitive ranking slides
The competitive ranking of the Philippines has even worsened in 2023 when it dropped four notches compared to its position in 2022 amid global inflation, public health crises, geopolitical concerns and other uncertainties. According to a report from the 2023 World Competitiveness Yearbook on Monday, the country’s current stance in terms of competitiveness is 52nd out of 64 economies for 2023 from 48th in 2022. It added that the Philippines’ competitiveness ranking remained stagnant in the Asia-Pacific region, staying 13th out of 14 economies for six consecutive years as it also revealed that the Philippines suffered declines in three out of the four main factors or dimensions of competitiveness. The country’s Business Efficiency factor dropped from 39th in 2022 to 40th in 2023, while its infrastructure factor, which continues to be a perennial challenge, also dropped from 57th in 2022 to 58th in 2023. Meantime, the country’s Government Efficiency factor suffered the biggest decline, suffering a four-place drop from 48th in 2022 to 52nd in 2023. All the sub-factors under Government Efficiency saw deteriorations, namely Public Finance (from 51st in 2022 to 55th in 2023), Tax Policy (from 13th in 2022 to 14th in 2023), Institutional Framework (from 53rd in 2022 to 56th in 2023), Business Legislation (from 52nd in 2022 to 57th in 2023), and Societal Framework (from 50th in 2022 to 53rd in 2023). However, a silver lining was seen as the country’s Economic Performance factor improved by 13 places from 53rd in 2022 to 40th in 2023. The sub-factors under Economic Performance that saw improvements include Domestic Economy (from 48th in 2022 to 30th in 2023), Employment (from 19th in 2022 to 9th in 2023), and Prices (from 58th in 2022 to 39th in 2023). “Some of the challenges that the Philippines faces in 2023 include sustaining economic recovery and growth momentum amidst global downside risks, strengthening social protection and health care systems for inclusive development, addressing learning gaps to improve the local education system, investing in sustainable infrastructure to reduce climate change vulnerability, and reinforcing efficient public management strategies to support fiscal responsibility,” the report said. The top three most competitive economies in the 2023 WCY rankings are Denmark (1st), Ireland (2nd), and Switzerland (3rd). In the Asia-Pacific region, the top three most competitive economies are Singapore (4th), Taiwan (6th) and Hong Kong (7th). The WCY has been published by the International Institute of Management Development since 1989 and has been ranking economies using 255 ranked criteria spread across four Competitiveness Factors: Economic Performance, Government Efficiency, Business Efficiency and Infrastructure. The 162 indicators are based on hard data gathered from national sources, while the remaining are perception-based indicators derived from an Executive Opinion Survey of mid and upper-level managers in each country covered. “This year’s results reflect the impact of different crises such as global inflation, the Covid-19 pandemic, and the war in Ukraine,” said Professor Arturo Bris, director of the World Competitiveness Centre. The post Phl competitive ranking slides appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Rice competition ‘unavoidable,’ says BBM
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. stressed on Friday that the country could not avoid competition with other nations in rice production as the high production costs in the country necessitated the importation of rice. In an interview, the President acknowledged the worries of Filipino farmers who continue to face the challenge of competing with imported rice despite increased rice production. “We need to import rice because our production cost is high,” Marcos said in response after being asked for updates on the Rice Tariffication Law. “So, when there is a shortage, we import rice here in the Philippines. That’s why we always have to compete. We can’t avoid competing.” The President also mentioned that the Philippines is part of a global economy and must compete, adding that the agriculture sector needs to reach a level where the Philippines could proudly say it is world-class and could compete with all the agricultural producers worldwide. Marcos also brought up the recently launched export plan, emphasizing that this initiative should be utilized to enhance trade. “That is something that we really need to take advantage of because we are saying we have RCEP, we are saying we have ASEAN, we have free trade agreements. That’s great because it has opened up the market both for our markets and for our products to reach other markets, but also as a supply for our importation,” Marcos said. To recall, the Rice Tariffication Law or Republic Act 11203 was enacted on 5 March replacing previous system of limiting imported rice with 35 percent to 40 percent tariffs. The law also established the Rice Competitive Enhancement Fund funded by the tariff revenues. Meantime, detractors of the RTL argue that the law did not reduce the price of rice and exacerbated the challenges local farmers faced as cheaper imports flooded the market. The post Rice competition ‘unavoidable,’ says BBM appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PBBM: ‘We need to import rice’
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Friday that the country cannot avoid competition with other nations in rice production as the high production costs in the country necessitate the importation of rice. In a media interview, the President acknowledged the worries of Filipino farmers who continue to face the challenge of competing with imported rice despite increased rice production. "We need to import rice because our production cost is high," Marcos explained when asked for updates on the Rice Tariffication Law. "So, when there is a shortage, we import rice here in the Philippines. That's why we always have to compete. We can't avoid competing," he added, mentioning that the Philippines is part of a global economy and must compete therein. Marcos also brought up the recently launched export plan, emphasizing that this initiative should be utilized to enhance trade. "That is something that we really have to be able to take advantage of because we are saying we have RCEP, we are saying we have ASEAN, we have free trade agreements. That's great because it has opened up the market both for our markets and for our products to reach other markets, but also as a supply for our importation," he said. The Rice Tariffication Law, officially known as Republic Act No. 11203, was enacted on 5 March. It replaced the previous system of limiting imported rice with 35 percent to 40 percent tariffs. Additionally, the law established the Rice Competitive Enhancement Fund, funded by the tariff revenues. Detractors of the RTL argue that the law did not reduce the price of rice and but only exacerbated the challenges local farmers face as cheaper imports have flooded the market. The post PBBM: ‘We need to import rice’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
McDonald’s Philippines to hire 20,000 employees
With now close to 60,000 employees to date, McDonald’s Philippines—under its master franchise holder and owner Dr. George T. Yang and President and CEO Kenneth S. Yang—will be providing over 20,000 career opportunities to Filipinos as it continues to open more stores all over the country. “With every new store that we open, we can provide employment opportunities in local communities where the store is located. We directly hire all our people and do not practice contractualization. This has always been the way we hire our people since our chairman, Dr. George T. Yang opened the 1st McDonald’s in the Philippines in Morayta, Manila in 1981—and it is something that we will continue to do. We believe that if our people working in the restaurants have job security first, it will allow them to focus and do well in their job of serving our customers. ” said Kenneth S. Yang, President, and CEO of McDonald’s Philippines. More than job security, McDonald’s Philippines takes pride in the world-class training it provides its people, making them competitive in the industry as they get to learn global systems and processes in restaurant service. Through a robust learning and development curriculum, McDonald’s employees cannot just learn life-long skills but grow and progress in the company. McDonald’s employees also receive annual salary increases, insurance, hospital and medical benefits, special employee discounts, and other allowances. According to the fast-food chain, priority areas for hiring Management Trainees are Nueva Ecija, Isabela, Montalban, Dumaguete, Bacolod, Makati, Manila, Quezon City, Pampanga, Tagaytay, Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Quezon, Rizal, Lucena, and Pasig City. Priority areas for crew members are Parañaque, Manila, Pasay, Pasig, Marikina, Taytay, Antipolo, Kidapawan, and Davao City. Equal Opportunity Employer McDonald’s Philippines takes pride in being an equal opportunity employer, providing career opportunities to working students and Filipinos from all walks of life—regardless of background, age, gender, or sexual orientation. From the crew room to the boardroom, the quick service restaurant (QSR) giant is driven by a good representation of women with more than 50% taking vital positions and leadership roles. Along with providing regular employment, McDonald’s Philippines also ensures a safe and inclusive workplace that allows its people to thrive. As one of the country’s biggest employers, McDonald’s Philippines champions equity where all employees, whether in its head office or stores, have equal access to training and development and advancement opportunities. McDonald’s extends this to more members of the community with programs like WIP or Workforce Immersion Program. WIP provides training for Senior High School students by allowing them firsthand experience of the fast food industry and its operations; the Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES), in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), where McDonald’s helps in providing jobs for underprivileged students and out-of-school youth through employing them to become McDonald’s crew members. Since adopting SPES in 2011, McDonald’s has provided 16,319 Filipino youth with employment opportunities. In partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Philippine Business for Education (PBEd), McDonald’s Alternative Workforce Program offers work-based training positions for 5,000 unemployed and out-of-school youths through YouthWorksPH to provide beneficiaries with financial knowledge, skills, and access to resources necessary to effectively manage finances through adulthood. Among the Philippines’ best employers McDonald’s Philippines was also recognized as one of the Philippines’ best employers in the inaugural list of The Philippines’ Best Employers for 2023 by the Philippine Daily Inquirer and international market research firm Statista. The list shared a ranking of the country’s top-rated employers as evaluated by their employees. “We are thrilled to have been named as one of the country’s best employers for 2023. This is not just a testament to our commitment, and the work we have done for our people, but it is also a challenge for us to always be a step better to bring out the best in them,” said Margot B. Torres, Managing Director, McDonald’s Philippines. With more new store openings slated this 2023, McDonald’s Philippines will continue serving the communities they operate in to ensure its people — crew and customers alike, can continue enjoying more feel-good moments with McDonald’s. The post McDonald’s Philippines to hire 20,000 employees appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Boston makes Miami feel heat
LOS ANGELES (AFP) — Boston poured in 16 three-pointers in a dominant 110-97 victory over the Miami Heat on Thursday that kept the Celtics alive in the National Basketball Association championship chase. For the second straight game, the Celtics fended off elimination, cutting the deficit in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference finals to 3-2 with the wire-to-wire triumph. Miami will get another chance to close it out when they host game six on Saturday. The Celtics will be trying to take one more step toward becoming the first NBA team to rally from a 3-0 deficit to win a best-of-seven playoff series. “The only thing that can stop us is us,” Celtics forward Jaylen Brown said in an on-court interview. Before a rapturous, raucous crowd at TD Garden in Boston, the Celtics looked every inch the favorites they were before the series started — before the upstart eighth-seeded Heat grabbed the first two games in Boston, then embarrassed the second seeds in game three. Four Celtics starters scored more than 20 points, with Derrick White leading the way with 24 on a night when he made six of eight attempts from three-point range. “Got some good looks and was able to knock them down, and just kind of rolled with it,” said White, who said the Heat’s defensive focus on Brown and fellow star wing Jayson Tatum gave him more room to operate. Marcus Smart added 23 and had five steals while Brown and Tatum scored 21 apiece. More importantly, the energetic Celtics harried the Heat into 16 turnovers that led to 27 Boston points. They had 17 second-chance points compared to Miami’s seven. “Tonight we were the tougher playing team,” Brown said. “We set the tone from start to finish.” Boston was locked in on both ends of the floor from the opening tip-off, roaring to a 23-7 lead in a matter of minutes. After Tatum was whistled for a technical foul with 8:43 in the first quarter, the Celtics responded with three consecutive three-pointers. Tatum scored 12 points in the first quarter and Brown took over with 12 in the second. Meanwhile, Heat talisman Jimmy Butler struggled to get going, scoring eight points in the first half and finishing with 14 — his lowest-scoring game of the playoffs. He sat out most of the fourth quarter. Duncan Robinson led the Heat with 18 points off the bench. Bam Adebayo scored 16 points but coughed up six turnovers. Kyle Lowry starting at point guard after Gabe Vincent was ruled out with a sprained ankle, scored five points with four turnovers. “We’ve just got to play better,” Butler said. “Start the game off better, on the starters, make it more difficult for them. “They are in a rhythm since the beginning of the game,” Butler added. “But we are always going to stay positive, knowing that we can and we will win this series. We’ll just have to close it out at home.” Butler said the Heat allowed their shooting struggles to affect their defensive intensity. “But that’s easily correctable,” he said. “You just have to come out and play harder from the jump.” The Heat, who won the NBA title in 2006, 2012 and 2013, still only need one more win to reach a seventh NBA Finals. Boston, whose 17 NBA titles are tied with the Los Angeles Lakers for the most in history, last won it all in 2008 and came up short in last season’s championship series against the Golden State Warriors. The winners of the series will play the Western Conference champion Denver Nuggets, who swept the Lakers in four games to reach the NBA Finals for the first time. White said the Celtics expect a formidable challenge in Miami on Saturday. “The crowd is going to be in it. It’s not going to be easy,” he said. “It’s going to take 48 minutes of battling, scratching, clawing, and we’ve got to find a way to win.” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra was unconcerned that two big defeats had demoralized his team. “Who cares about mood?” Spoelstra said. “We have a gnarly group. It’s a competitive series. You always expect things to be challenging in the conference finals.” The post Boston makes Miami feel heat appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Celtics pummel Heat to keep NBA title hopes alive
Boston poured in 16 three-pointers in a dominant 110-97 victory over the Miami Heat on Thursday that kept the Celtics alive in the NBA championship chase. For the second straight game, the Celtics fended off elimination, cutting the deficit in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference finals to 3-2 with the wire-to-wire triumph. Miami will get another chance to close it out when they host game six on Saturday. The Celtics will be trying to take one more step toward becoming the first NBA team to rally from a 3-0 deficit to win a best-of-seven playoff series. "The only thing that can stop us is us," Celtics forward Jaylen Brown said in an on-court interview. Before a rapturous, raucous crowd at TD Garden in Boston, the Celtics looked every inch the favorites they were before the series started -- before the upstart eighth-seeded Heat grabbed the first two games in Boston, then embarrassed the second seeds in game three. Four Celtics starters scored more than 20 points, with Derrick White leading the way with 24 on a night when he made six of eight attempts from three-point range. "Got some good looks and was able to knock them down, and just kind of rolled with it," said White, who said the Heat's defensive focus on Brown and fellow star wing Jayson Tatum gave him more room to operate. Marcus Smart added 23 and had five steals while Brown and Tatum scored 21 apiece. More importantly, the energetic Celtics harried the Heat into 16 turnovers that led to 27 Boston points. They had 17 second-chance points compared to Miami's seven. "Tonight we were the tougher playing team," Brown said. "We set the tone from start to finish." Boston was locked in on both ends of the floor from the opening tip-off, roaring to a 23-7 lead in a matter of minutes. After Tatum was whistled for a technical foul with 8:43 in the first quarter, the Celtics responded with three consecutive three-pointers. Tatum scored 12 points in the first quarter and Brown took over with 12 in the second. Meanwhile, Heat talisman Jimmy Butler struggled to get going, scoring eight points in the first half and finishing with 14 -- his lowest-scoring game of the playoffs. He sat out most of the fourth quarter. Duncan Robinson led the Heat with 18 points off the bench. Bam Adebayo scored 16 points but coughed up six turnovers. Kyle Lowry starting at point guard after Gabe Vincent was ruled out with a sprained ankle, scored five points with four turnovers. "We've just got to play better," Butler said. "Start the game off better, on the starters, make it more difficult for them. "They are in a rhythm since the beginning of the game," Butler added. "But we are always going to stay positive, knowing that we can and we will win this series. We'll just have to close it out at home." Butler said the Heat allowed their shooting struggles to affect their defensive intensity. "But that's easily correctable," he said. "You just have to come out and play harder from the jump." The Heat, who won the NBA title in 2006, 2012 and 2013, still only need one more win to reach a seventh NBA Finals. Boston, whose 17 NBA titles are tied with the Los Angeles Lakers for the most in history, last won it all in 2008 and came up short in last season's championship series against the Golden State Warriors. The winners of the series will play the Western Conference champion Denver Nuggets, who swept the Lakers in four games to reach the NBA Finals for the first time. White said the Celtics expect a formidable challenge in Miami on Saturday. "The crowd is going to be in it. It's not going to be easy," he said. "It's going to take 48 minutes of battling, scratching, clawing, and we've got to find a way to win." Heat coach Erik Spoelstra was unconcerned that two big defeats had demoralized his team. "Who cares about mood?" Spoelstra said. "We have a gnarly group. It's a competitive series. You always expect things to be challenging in the conference finals." The post Celtics pummel Heat to keep NBA title hopes alive appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»