Robbers steal 3 piggy banks from Talisay City convent
CEBU CITY, Philippines – Unidentified robbers stole three piggy banks on Thursday dawn, February 25 from a convent office in Talisay City. Reports from the Talisay City Police Station showed that the robbers stole three piggy banks inside the convent office of the St. Joseph the Worker Parish in Barangay Tabunok. Initial findings from investigators […] The post Robbers steal 3 piggy banks from Talisay City convent appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Capitol mulls putting ‘integrated south bus’ terminal in Talisay instead of at SRP
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Instead of at the South Road Properties (SRP), the new location of a new south bus terminal in Cebu might be in Talisay City. Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia on Wednesday, Mar. 27, said that they had received an unsolicited proposal of developing a brand new, south bus terminal. READ: Mayor Rama.....»»
Minglanilla ends 22-year title drought, wins Gullas Cup in dominating fashion vs. Talisay
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Abante Minglanilla hoisted the Rhea Gullas Cup 2024 First District of Cebu Inter-City/Municipality Basketball Tournament title after routing the visiting Talisay Aksyon Agad, 72-58, on Saturday evening, March 23, at the Minglanilla Sports Complex. Minglanilla, also known as the Archangels, beat Talisay in their do-or-die Game 3 of the finals, and.....»»
Minglanilla’s ‘6th man’ crucial for Gullas Cup finals— Velez
CEBU CITY, Philippines— Jesus “Boyet” Velez, the head coach of Abante Minglanilla, admitted that their sixth man, their home crowd, would be a massive factor for the winner-take-all Game 3 of the Rhea Gullas Cup First District of Cebu Inter-City/Municipality Basketball Tournament Best-of-Three finals on Saturday, March 23, at the Minglanilla Sports Complex. Talisay Aksyon.....»»
Flooded Street
A resident of Juliville Subdivision in Barangay Tigatto, Davao City wade through a flooded street on Thursday (1 February 2024). Continuous rains since Tuesday have inundated many parts of the city, particularly those along the banks of the Davao River. MindaNews photo.....»»
Shakira statue unveiled in singer’s hometown
COLOMBIA—Grammy-winning Colombian singer Shakira, one of the world’s top-selling musicians, has been immortalized in her famous belly-dancing pose in a giant bronze statue in her home city of Barranquilla. The city’s Mayor Jaime Pumarejo unveiled the 6.5 meter (21 foot) sculpture in a park along the banks of the Magdalena River on Tuesday in the.....»»
Bayani Fernando, a true public servant (1)
On 22 September 2023, in a freak and unfortunate accident, the country lost a man who spent much of his life in dedicated public service. Bayani Fernando, a popular, beloved three-term mayor, a two-term Congressman of Marikina, a few months Secretary of Public Works, and an eight-year Chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, passed away at age 77, creating a vacuum in the kind of leadership exercised by, unfortunately, a few public servants. In a toxic atmosphere of politics, his entry into public service was a refreshing gust of wind. Putting aside his business interests (he founded the BF Group of Companies, engaged in construction, steel, manufacturing, and real estate), he plunged head-on to an unfamiliar terrain. He lost in his first try and emerged victorious in his second. Thereafter, he carved a name for himself as a strict, disciplinarian and creative Mayor of Marikina for three consecutive terms. He has become a legend in local administration. He transformed Marikina from a 4th class municipality to a model city of cleanliness and orderliness, receiving citation after citation in different fields of endeavor. As Mayor, he launched a crusade against all forms of transgressions of law. He stopped illegal vending and destroyed the confiscated food and merchandise to show he meant business. He instilled discipline among the employees. He made the dirty and odorous public toilets in City Hall look and smell like hotel restrooms. He re-settled the informal settlers, not by transferring them to other cities but by providing them with lands and shelter inside the city. Bayan as he is called by his pretty and equally dedicated public servant wife, Marides Carlos- Fernando, dredged the Marikina River of filth and garbage, developed the banks into flood control outlets, and converted both sides of the river as a park. He commenced massive repairs and cementing of roads. He built an efficient drainage system and created sidewalks all over Marikina. He established health centers in the barangays. He enforced the law on everyone, exempting no one. He removed illegally parked vehicles and enforced traffic rules strictly. He made the public market clean and stalls orderly and sectionalized. Garbage was regularly collected. Public service became efficient and prompt. Employees were courteous and sported smiles as they rendered service to Marikeños. Under his watch, the economy of Marikina grew. His other half, a UP product, from whom he derived his inspiration to serve faithfully Marikina, continued the caring Fernando kind of governance. He brought his creative and authoritative leadership as Chairman of the Metropolitan Development Authority to Metro Manila. He brought back the sidewalks to the pedestrians, which were invaded by vendors selling their wares. He forcibly evicted squatters along the railroad tracks, esteros, and those living under the bridge. He made innovative projects that dramatically lessened the chaos that used to vex Metro Manilas. He improved on the nightmarish traffic congestion. He introduced the U-turn slots and constructed food bridges that made crossing the streets convenient and safe. He was a hands-on government worker, ensuring the projects he initiated ran smoothly, and those implementing them were on their toes. He didn’t back down from pressures and resistance coming from powerful politicians and businessmen. He didn’t leave anything to chance or rely on the people he tasked to do a particular job. He had to be there inspecting, correcting, and innovating on anything he put his mind to. Tragically, this admirable character trait brought him to his demise. (To be continued) The post Bayani Fernando, a true public servant (1) appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Cebu-based coop finds low-cost loans feasible
Cebu CFI Community Cooperative plans to upgrade its digital tools to extend affordable loans to more individuals and enterprises nationwide. Cebu CFI president and CEO Pablo Garcia said the loan portfolio of the 53-year-old cooperative expanded from P5 billion to P9 billion in 2020 through its use of modern computers and mobile apps. “In the past, computers of cooperatives were from the nineties so they didn’t have the technological capacities to deploy financial services easily. Now, people can borrow digitally,” Garcia told the Daily Tribune in its show “Business Sense with Komfie Manalo” on Monday. The cooperative offers online personal, health, salary, housing, education and business loans with interest rates of 7 percent to 9 percent per annum. In contrast, Garcia said big banks can impose up to 12 percent per month and 20 percent monthly from informal lenders called 5-6 lenders. Garcia said customers can pay their loans and other Cebu CFI products as easily as using an e-wallet. Garcia shared that the cooperative recently received P4 billion from the Land Bank of the Philippines and is discussing another financing project with the Small Business Corporation of the Department of Trade and Industry. Digitalization makes it happen Through digitalization, the cooperative can lend faster without their customers going to its main office in Capitol Compound in Cebu or its branch in Makati City. “There is no annual fee and you have access to all our digital services as well. You have access to finance easily in your pocket or on your computer,” he said. “We are a friendly financial partner hoping to provide financial stability for Filipinos at the lowest interest rate in the Philippines,” Garcia added. As a cooperative, Cebu CFI is able to further provide loans through its members’ contributions which the company pools and reinvestments in other businesses, such as real estate and food. Gains from these investments are then distributed to the members digitally. “Through the funds that you put in the cooperative or the funds that we lend to you as a cooperative, we are able to create programs that allow you to increase your incomes. We do this together,” Garcia said. “Our members and their families are able to grow through our education and business assistance and opportunities for comfortable housing. So, the effect is we help the economy not just in the long term, but even in two to five years.” For example, Cebu CFI offers members loans to put up their own Five Star Manok, a chicken franchise originated in Thailand and uses a mobile app to facilitate all business transactions. After all these digital efforts, Cebu CFI has increased its assets to P15 billion and gained trust from government lenders for additional capital to support its growing demand for personal and business loans. The post Cebu-based coop finds low-cost loans feasible appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Piggy bank heist
Big-time robbers recently struck, stealing P13 million in cash and jewelry in Tagum City, Davao del Norte. According to police investigators, the brazen break-in at a shopping center on the evening of 5 September was carried out by robbers who entered through a hole in the wall they had bored from a vacant parking lot next to the building. The robbers stole P4 million from an automated teller machine and P9 million in gems from a jewelry store while mall security guards were outside and were unaware of the thefts, according to GMA Integrated News. Police suspected the robbers were also behind the burglary of a grocery store in Davao City and another mall in Agusan del Sur. Robbers used to hit banks for the bigger cash loot, but perhaps such targets are too risky for them these days. In Calasiao, Pangasinan, two thieves also opted to be safe and struck a store. An outdoor surveillance camera caught one man breaking the lower part of the door of the store in Barangay San Miguel. The footage then showed a companion entering through the opening. The robbery netted them not only P8,000 in cash earnings of the store but, apparently not content with the amount, they also took the piggy bank of the store owner’s child, according to GIN. The post Piggy bank heist appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
BSP urges free service fee for small fund transfers
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas plans to issue a payments framework aimed at removing transaction fees for small fund transfers. BSP Governor Eli Remolona Jr. on Thursday said central bank officials have also been talking with e-wallet firms and other digital financial services providers to create the framework which will require financial firms to offer free fund transfers for small amounts. He said only three major banks are offering such service so far amid the lack of formal guidelines and directive from the BSP. Shame major banks “We’re trying to shame other major banks into following the same service. We’re formalizing it through a payments framework, and we’re in touch with GCash, Maya and other digital financial services providers,” Remolona said Thursday during the Global Policy Forum on Financial Inclusion organized by the Alliance for Financial Inclusion at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City. With zero fees for small fund transfers, Remolona said more Filipinos would be encouraged to avail of banking services like deposit accounts, build wealth, and promote equitable financial service. “In general, we want to make sure the poor do not subsidize the rich. If you have a credit card and a big spender, you can get rewards. Guess who pays for the rewards? It’s the poor guys who only use small amounts in their transactions and get charged,” the BSP governor said. As more Filipinos own deposit accounts even with small funds, Remolona added banks and other lenders can strengthen their capital capacities. “We’ve found that when deposits are small, they become sticky and depositors don’t run away at the first sign of trouble. If you can lend to the poor, you have a more diversified portfolio and so it’s safer for banks,” the BSP governor said. Manila Manifesto During the Global Policy Forum on Financial Inclusion attended by over 700 foreign bankers and other stakeholders, Remolona announced the Manila Manifesto. This is a commitment by the Philippines to collaborate with other state-members of the Alliance for Financial Inclusion or AFI on developing global standards for making financial products and services safe, accessible and affordable for all. AFI reported 1.4 billion people worldwide still cannot access financial services due to a range of factors, such as financial illiteracy and lack of Internet connection and digital banking platforms. “In the 15 years since AFI was created, with substantive support from the BSP, our members have brought over 840 million people into the financial system via enlightened national policies and strategies on financial inclusion,” Dr. Alfred Hannig, AFI executive director, said. The post BSP urges free service fee for small fund transfers appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Stable, reliable power for ARCA South Taguig
The Manila Electric Company has energized a new smart substation in Taguig City to ensure the provision of stable and reliable power for Ayala Land Inc.’s Arca South development and the adjacent communities in the area. Entailing a capital investment of P597 million, the new 115 kV-34.5 kV gas-insulated switchgear substation was commissioned with an initial capacity of 83 megavolt amperes but will ultimately house three transformer banks with a combined capacity of 249 MVA that will support the existing and future energy requirements of the Arca South development, a new business and lifestyle district in Taguig City. [caption id="attachment_182269" align="aligncenter" width="1167"] Meralco senior vice president and chief revenue officer Ferdinand O. Geluz. Ayala Land senior vice president and group head Robert S. Lao, Taguig City District 2 Councilor Alexander S. Penolio, Meralco chairman and chief executive officer Manuel V. Pangilinan and Meralco executive vice president and chief operating officer Ronnie L. Aperocho.[/caption] Aside from catering to the growing energy needs of the Ayala estate, the Arca South substation will also improve voltage regulation in parts of Taguig City, provide operational switching flexibility during contingencies and contribute to system loss reduction in the area. Some of the communities and establishments that will benefit from the new substation include AC Health’s Healthway Cancer Care Hospital, Ayala Malls Arca South, Alveo Veranda, Avida Towers Vireo, Landers Superstore Arca South, Maharlika Village, Puregold FTI Taguig, Sunshine Mall Plaza, Taguig Pateros Hospital and Technological University of the Philippines-Taguig. “As we continue to build upon the foundations of Arca South, we are ensuring that the energy needs of this community are met with efficiency and resilience. This substation represents more than just a physical structure; it represents our dedication to sustainable urban development. It is a cornerstone of progress, enabling us to power homes, businesses and innovations that will drive Arca South's growth and development,” Robert Lao, Ayala Land senior vice president and group head for Ayala Land Estates, said. Meralco executive vice president and chief operating officer Ronnie L. Aperocho, for his part, said the development of the Arca South substation forms part of Meralco’s unceasing support to commercial customers like Ayala Land that play a vital role in the country’s economic growth and development. “The opportunity to participate in the master planning of Ayala estates has allowed Meralco to serve more customers and further cement our commitment to keep the lights on. As a testament to that, this newly energized smart substation in Arca South Taguig will provide safe, adequate and reliable capacity to serve the existing and future power requirements of this particular Ayala Land development, and the adjacent communities in the area,” Aperocho said during the inauguration of the project. The Arca South project is the latest development in Meralco’s longstanding partnership with Ayala Land. Over the past several years, Meralco has energized nearly a hundred projects of Ayala Land and its subsidiary, Makati Development Corporation, including One Ayala and Seda Manila Bay. In addition, Ayala Land consistently provides a substation lot provision for its estate developments. Meralco has been investing heavily on projects that will not just improve its electricity distribution system, but also contribute to ensuring that the infrastructure to support the government’s nation-building efforts are in place. “We share a common goal, which is to uplift the lives of our people and we encourage the active participation and engagement of the private sector in the present economic programs,” Meralco chairman and chief executive officer Manuel V. Pangilinan said during the inauguration. The post Stable, reliable power for ARCA South Taguig appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Hong Kong flooded by heaviest rainfall in 140 years
Hong Kong was flooded by the heaviest rainfall in nearly 140 years on Friday, leaving the city's streets and some subway stations under water and forcing its schools to close. Just across the border, authorities in China's tech hub Shenzhen recorded the heaviest rains since records began in 1952. Climate change has increased the intensity of tropical storms, experts say, with more rain and stronger gusts leading to flash floods and coastal damage. The heavy rains in Hong Kong started on Thursday and in the hour leading up to midnight, the city's weather observatory recorded hourly rainfall of 158.1 millimeters at its headquarters, the highest since records began in 1884. On Friday afternoon, the Hospital Authority said at least 110 people were hospitalized due to injuries, with four in serious condition. A man was found unconscious off the shore of western Hong Kong Island and declared dead at the hospital, though authorities were still investigating if the death was flood-related. The city's highest rainstorm warning level, "black", was hoisted for a record-breaking 16 hours before being lowered at 3:40 pm Friday, with rainfall mostly easing by late afternoon. "It's absolutely shocking," said Jacky, 52, who lives in the Wong Tai Sin district with his elderly parents. "I don't remember floods ever being this bad in our district." "The bottom floor of the mall is completely flooded, the water level is higher than the storefronts... it's turned our day into chaos," he added. Authorities issued flash flood warnings, with emergency services conducting rescue operations in parts of the territory. "Residents living in close proximity to rivers should stay alert to weather conditions and should consider evacuation" if their homes are flooded, the observatory said. It also warned of potential landslips, telling motorists to "keep away from steep slopes or retaining walls". Hong Kong's stock exchange cancelled all trading sessions on Friday. 'Once in a century' Hong Kong Chief Secretary Eric Chan described the deluge as "a once-in-a-century heavy rainstorm", adding that extreme conditions would continue until midnight local time (1600 GMT). "It's like putting four bathtubs of water into one bathtub... it will spill," Chan said at a press conference, when asked if the government had done enough to prevent flooding. The Hong Kong Observatory said it recorded more than 600 millimeters of rainfall at its headquarters over 24 hours -- roughly a quarter of the city's annual average. Earlier in the day, taxis struggled through flooded roads as commuters attempted to make their way to work, with some cars stranded in the deluge. "It felt like the whole neighborhood was isolated by the floodwater. One of the underground car parks is totally under water," Olivia Lam, who lives on the eastern side of Hong Kong Island, told AFP. "The water was almost waist-deep outside my building, and that's not the worst (case) in the neighborhood." An AFP reporter saw boulders and mud from a landslide block off a two-lane road in the Shau Kei Wan district, with mud also spilling over into a nearby basketball court. Residents of a public housing block just 30 meters from the landslide lined up with buckets to collect fresh water after the building's supply was disrupted. Roads were also flooded on the island of Lantau, where rivers swelled over their banks. Southern China was hit the previous weekend by two typhoons in quick succession -- Saola and Haikui -- though Hong Kong avoided a feared direct hit. Tens of millions of people in the densely populated coastal areas of southern China had sheltered indoors ahead of those storms. Hong Kong's weather observatory said the latest torrential rain was brought by the "trough of low pressure associated with (the) remnant of Haikui". Authorities suspended schools and cargo clearance services on the city's border with Shenzhen were paused. The border disruption came hours after Hong Kong authorities announced that Shenzhen was preparing to discharge water from its reservoir, which they said could lead to flooding in northern parts of the city. Hong Kong's subway operator said there was a service disruption on one of its lines after a station in the Wong Tai Sin district was flooded. A handful of other stations were also affected by the rain. Footage posted on social media showed a subway train not stopping at Wong Tai Sin station, which had floodwater on its platform. The flooding could cost Hong Kong at least $100 million, according to a Bloomberg Intelligence estimate, compared to $470 million in damage when the city was hit by typhoon Mangkhut in 2018. The post Hong Kong flooded by heaviest rainfall in 140 years appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Meralco’s P597-M substation energizes Ayala’s Arca South
The Manila Electric Company, or Meralco, the country’s largest power distributor, has powered up a P597-million smart substation that energizes Ayala Land Inc.’s Arca South development and the nearby communities in Taguig City. The new 115 kV-34.5 kV gas-insulated switchgear substation was commissioned with an initial capacity of 83 megavolt amperes but will ultimately house three transformer banks with a combined capacity of 249 MVA. “As we continue to build upon the foundations of Arca South, we are ensuring that the energy needs of this community are met with efficiency and resilience,” Robert Lao, Ayala Land senior vice president and group head for Ayala Land Estates, said. “This substation represents more than just a physical structure; it represents our dedication to sustainable urban development. It is a cornerstone of progress, enabling us to power homes, businesses, and innovations that will drive Arca South’s growth and development,” he added. Support to commercial customers Meanwhile, Meralco executive vice president and chief operating officer Ronnie L. Aperocho said the development of the Arca South substation forms part of Meralco’s support to commercial customers. “The opportunity to participate in the master planning of Ayala estates has allowed Meralco to serve more customers and further cement our commitment to keep the lights on,” he said. As a testament to that, this newly energized smart substation in Arca South Taguig will provide safe, adequate, and reliable capacity to serve the existing and future power requirements of this particular Ayala Land development, and the adjacent communities in the area,” Aperocho added during the recent inauguration of the project. The post Meralco’s P597-M substation energizes Ayala’s Arca South appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Fuse Lending mulls tie-up with small lenders
Fuse Lending Inc., a subsidiary of Globe Telecom Inc., is exploring partnerships with community-based stores and small lenders like cooperatives to provide business loans to more micro, small and medium enterprises or MSMEs. “We have no partnerships with cooperatives but there are discussions with some. Nothing is final yet. But we’re always open to partnerships,” Baby Aquino, Fuse vice president for strategy and chief of product, told the Daily Tribune last Wednesday at an event by GCash and Fuse entitled “Borrow for Tomorrow” in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. Fuse and Globe’s GCash provide a range of loan products using the mobile app. Fuse said 35 percent of its P100-billion loan disbursements as of July went to MSMEs. In terms of client locations, 70 percent are based in Metro Manila. Best way to reach the market “There are many who have expressed interest in partnering with us. We have a dedicated department for big partnerships but it also focuses on tapping retail shops and sari-sari stores. This is the best way to reach the market,” Aquino said Aquino said the firm is maximizing artificial intelligence or AI to determine possible business loan borrowers based on their behaviors when using GCash’s various transactions. “We’re using AI because customers don’t declare all the time that they are doing retail business on the side. For these customers, we give different communications or messages,” she said. Based on clients’ feedback, Aquino said many MSME owners need bigger amounts but for short-term use. “We continue to explore other products which can offer bigger loan amounts. Retail shops really appreciate that we can enable them to have stocks for their products but with GGives because they often are not able to sell all their inventory in one day or short period of time,” Aquino explained. GLoan offers credit up to P125,000 on a one-at-a-time disbursement with repayment period of up to 24 months. GGives, on the other hand, offer multiple loans at the same time with a total amount of up to P125,000 which is paid in installments. Campaign in public markets As the Christmas season starts in the Philippines as early as this month, she said Fuse and GCash will be putting up campaigns, including financial literacy activities, in various public areas including public markets to reach MSMEs that will be setting up their stalls to sell products for Christmas gifts. “We’ll not stop and focus on MSMEs because there are still many of them to serve. They can use bigger credit amounts to buy additional stocks of their products and so increase their sales, as well,” Aquino said. GCash’s marketplace links clients with financing firms and banks that can provide bigger amounts for long-term goals, such as purchase of equipment or real estate. The post Fuse Lending mulls tie-up with small lenders appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
RFO Home to Go promo offers easy home ownership
The RFO (Ready-For-Occupancy) Home to Go promotion, launched by Amaia, simplifies home-buying. One benefit of investing in an RFO unit is that prospective buyers can examine the home’s aesthetic first-hand since the unit is already entirely constructed. Also, customers can see the existing community vibe before purchasing. Most RFO homes already have amenities like swimming pools and basketball courts, which residents may readily enjoy. Since the unit is entirely built, buyers can immediately move in, while investors can rent out the unit sooner and get a faster return on their investment. Recognizing the importance of affordability to aspiring property owners and given that each person’s financial requirements and resources are unique, Amaia has partnered with reputable banks such as BPI (Bank of the Philippine Islands) and CTBC (Chinatrust Commercial Bank) to provide several convenient payment options. Since clients may select the plan that best conforms to their budget, they can begin their homeownership journey without financial stress. Amaia’s RFO units are located amidst both the hustle and bustle of the city and the serenity of the suburbs. Project locations include condos in Alabang, Sucat, Cubao, Shaw, Altaraza (San Jose del Monte), Pasig, Mandaue (Cebu), Capitol Central (Bacolod); townhouses in Novaliches, Vermosa (Imus) and Nuvali (Calamba); and house and lot units in General Trias, Cabuyao, San Pablo, Lucena, San Fernando, Cabanatuan, Capas, Urdaneta and North Point (Bacolod). Amaia’s RFO Home To Go is the ideal solution for people looking for a simple and quick path to homeownership. It offers immediate occupancy, significant discounts, affordable payment plans and many projects. The post RFO Home to Go promo offers easy home ownership appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Loan process simplified for DepEd teachers
City Savings Bank, the thrift arm subsidiary of the Aboitiz-led Union Bank of the Philippines, continues to make headway with its groundbreaking Loan Ranger Mobile App, which caters to the banking needs of Department of Education teachers. The mobile app provides public school teachers a fast, convenient and secure way to check their savings and loan account balances, as well as apply for a reloan anytime, anywhere. Over 170,000 DepEd teachers and employees have enrolled in Loan Ranger Mobile. True to its tagline “Simple is Good,” CitySavings has simplified the loan process for DepEd teachers. With Loan Ranger Mobile, teacher-clients can view their account balance in real time. If they qualify for a reloan, they can simply apply using the app, without having to visit a CitySavings branch. They can also check the status update of their loan application. Angelica Loretizo of Aurora Elementary School in Quezon Province said using the app now saves her long hours of travel to and from the branch. “The CitySavings Loan Ranger Mobile is very easy to use. I no longer have to worry about spending time commuting. It’s very convenient for teachers like me with just a few clicks to make our transaction. I hope all banks will have this kind of customer service,” Loretizo said. One of the key features of Loan Ranger Mobile is its simplicity and user-friendly interface. The app is designed to ensure a seamless navigation experience, making it accessible to all DepEd teachers, regardless of their level of technological expertise. The intuitive layout and easy-to-understand instructions enable users to easily perform banking transactions, eliminating the need for time-consuming visits to bank branches. It is also easy to register with Loan Ranger Mobile, which is available to download on Google Play Store, Huawei AppGallery and Apple App Store. Teachers can sign up with their existing CitySavings account or card number and validate their registration with a one-time password. They can then add their other savings and loan accounts with CitySavings to check their balances and pay bills. Soon, they can receive and transfer funds, and earn and redeem rewards. Recognized by International Finance Awards as the Most Innovative Savings Bank in the Philippines, CitySavings is committed to delivering exceptional, technology-driven banking experiences to its customers. This innovative solution further cements CitySavings’ vision to be the leading mass market bank in the country and the bank’s contribution to the Aboitiz Group’s Great Transformation growth strategy to become the Philippines’ first techglomerate, propelled by technology and a renewed entrepreneurial mindset. The post Loan process simplified for DepEd teachers appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘Ours to nurture’
“Para sa Pasig River natin!” Thus, did First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos caption her Instagram post as she declared support for the plan to fully rehabilitate the Pasig River. Araneta-Marcos made known her desire to bring back the beauty of the historic river after the Inter-Agency Council for the Pasig River Urban Development or PRUD presented its master plan to her. Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar said revitalizing the Pasig River would make it a commercial, lifestyle, tourism, and cultural hub. Dubbed the “Pasig Bigyan-Buhay Muli,” or PBBM, Project, the undertaking would be headed by the PRUD formed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. through Executive Order 35 signed in July. The PBBM Project would put in place mixed-use commercial areas, including tourist spots, and open public parks along the 25-kilometer stretch of the Pasig River, from Manila Bay to the Laguna de Bay. The PRUD initially identified eight key areas where improvements could be made like jogging paths and bike lanes from the city of Manila up to Rizal province, traversing major cities in the metropolis. Acuzar said informal settler families living along the river banks will be prioritized under the flagship “Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino” Program. The post ‘Ours to nurture’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Pasig River rehab plan gets FL Liza’s nod
In five words, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos declared her support to the plan to fully rehabilitate Pasig River. “Para sa Pasig River natin!” thus, posted the First Lady on her Instagram after the Inter-Agency Council for the Pasig River Urban Development (IAC-PRUD) presented its master plan for the massive rehabilitation of Pasig River in Malacanang on Wednesday. Revitalizing the Pasig River into a commercial, lifestyle tourism and culture hub, like Thames and Seine, is among the advocacies of the First Lady as reported by Tatler Asia magazine this month. Dubbed as “Pasig Bigyan Buhay Muli” (PBBM) Project, the massive urban development undertaking was crafted by member-agencies of the IAC-PRUD which was created by virtue of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s Executive Order 35 signed last July 25. The PBBM Project is a holistic approach composed of development plans for mixed-use commercial areas, including tourist spots, and open public parks along the 25-kilometer stretch of the Pasig River from the Manila Bay all the way to the Laguna de Bay. Initially, the IAC-PRUD identified eight key areas where the people-centric improvements could be made like jogging paths and bike lanes from the city of Manila up to Rizal province - traversing major cities in the metropolis. Informal settler families living along the river banks will be prioritized under the flagship Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Program. “Talagang ang Pangulong Bongbong Marcos po at si First Lady ang aktibong nagsusulong nito - hindi lamang para linisin kundi pagandahin at buhayin ang Ilog Pasig,” Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar said. “At bilin din po nila na tulungan ang mga kababayan nating naninirahan sa danger zones along the river. Kaya may plano na rin po kami para sa mga informal settler families diyan,” he added. By virtue of EO 35, the IAC-PRUD was created with DHSUD as chair and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) as vice chair. Members of the IAC-PRUD include the secretaries of DPWH, DENR, DILG, DOT, DoTr, DOF, DBM; the chairpersons of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines and the NCCA, the general manager of the PPA, commandant of the Philippine Coast Guard, the general manager of the Laguna Lake Development Authority and the chief executive officer of the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority. The National Housing Authority will serve as the secretariat. # The post Pasig River rehab plan gets FL Liza’s nod appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Topping-off ceremony marks DoubleDragon milestone
Less than a year before its completion, the topping-off ceremony held Tuesday for the ASCOTT-DD Meridian Park marks a milestone for DoubleDragon, nearly five years after concluding a partnership with Singapore-based Ascott Ltd. The building structure and topmost floor of the ASCOTT at DD Meridian Park project have been completed. "ASCOTT-DD Meridian Park, with over 300 luxury serviced residences located right behind DoubleDragon Plaza, is expected to be operational and generate recurring revenues by 2024," the developer said. [caption id="attachment_175653" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Perspectiveof Ascott-DDMeridian Park.[/caption] The five-hectare DoubleDragon Meridian Park complex is expected to fully develop by 2024 and become a mature prime hard asset portfolio. The premium luxury development ASCOTT-DD Meridian Park will complete and further enhance the mix of the whole complex as it is positioned to be the Mini-CBD (Central Business District) in the Bay Area of Pasay City. The Ascott Limited is a subsidiary of Singapore-based property company Capital Land, which operates worldwide and will manage Ascott-DD Meridian Park. DoubleDragon Plaza is LEED Gold certified and currently houses two government agency headquarters, namely PEZA (Philippine Economic Zone Authority) and TIEZA (Tourism Infrastructure Economic Zone Authority), and expects to welcome an additional third government agency soon to relocate its headquarters in the complex, in addition to many private corporate head offices. Upon completion, the DoubleDragon Plaza at DD Meridian Park as a complex will bring a distinct advantage to a variety of office tenants, whether corporations, government agencies or BPO companies, given its prime landmark location with various top food chain brands. [caption id="attachment_175654" align="aligncenter" width="603"] DoubleDragon Plaza at DD Meridian Park is designed to be a mini central business district in the Bay area given its prime landmark double corner location at EDSA, Roxas Boulevard and Macapagal Avenue.[/caption] These early, famous brands, such as Jollibee, Mang Inasal, and many others, are confirmed tenants. "DD Meridian Park is like a mini-CBD in the Bay Area, being the only complex in the area that has eight commercial banks (Landbank, RCBC, PNB, BPI, AUB, Unionbank, Chinabank and BDO), making it uniquely convenient for office tenants to complete their banking transactions all within their proximity," the developer added. These dining and banking options are further complemented by a full-sized supermarket, MerryMart Grocery, on the ground floor of DoubleDragon Plaza. The complex also houses thousands of parking slots, with a separate, conveniently located large parking area in the basement dedicated to outside customers who visit DD Meridian Park for business meetings or leisure. DoubleDragon Plaza is located in a landmark double corner location, just a 10-to-15-minute drive to NAIA airport via NAIAX, a few minutes drive to the top three convention centers in the Philippines (PICC, SMX, and World Trade Center) and not too far from other CBDs in Metro Manila. The post Topping-off ceremony marks DoubleDragon milestone appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Paleng-QR now available in Mandaue
The city government of Mandaue in Cebu has launched the digital payment Paleng-QR as it helps the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas expands the population of Filipino adults with bank accounts. “Paleng-QR aims to strengthen the financial resilience of Filipinos and help them maximize economic opportunities through inclusion in the formal financial system,” BSP Governor Eli Remolona Jr. said in a statement released Friday. Payments facilitated Paleng-QR facilitates payments for various purchases of businesses and customers at public markets by scanning QR codes using their e-wallets and banking mobile apps which offer other financial services. “This then leads to access to other welfare-enhancing financial services, such as formal credit in a digital way, and then access to savings, insurance, and of course, investing,” Atty. Charina B. De Vera-Yap, BSP’s financial inclusion and consumer empowerment officer, said. BSP targets to increase bank account holders from 51 percent of Filipino adults to 70 percent and cashless payments up to 50 percent of all retail transactions this year. Enabling Filipinos to thrive in digital era “We aim to enable more Filipinos to thrive in this digital era. The Department of the Interior and Local Government or DILG fully supports the Paleng-QR because we believe in this policy research-backed project, which emphasizes that in order for Filipinos to really adopt cashless transactions, the palengke is the right place to start,” DILG regional director Leocadio Trovela said. According to Fintech Alliance Philippines, the majority or 37 percent of the 285 digital financial firms in the country focused on e-payments last year, while 20 percent offered loans. Filipinos who are capable of owning bank accounts could increase from 65 million to 85 million, or 30 percent higher, by 2030 as digital wallet providers and banks become more popular, data from global market analyst McKinsey & Company revealed. The post Paleng-QR now available in Mandaue appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DoubleDragon’s subsidiary conducts Topping Off of ASCOTT at DD Meridian Park
DoubleDragon's subsidiary conducts Topping Off of ASCOTT at DD Meridian Park as the building structure and topmost floor of the project have been completed on Tuesday, 22 August. ASCOTT-DD Meridian Park, with over 300 luxury serviced residences located right behind DoubleDragon Plaza, is expected to be operational and begin to generate recurring revenues by 2024. [caption id="attachment_174149" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Perspective of Ascott-DD Meridian Park[/caption] The premium luxury development ASCOTT-DD Meridian Park will complete and further enhance the mix of the whole complex as it is positioned to be the Mini-CBD (Central Business District) in the Bay Area of Pasay City, Metro Manila. The Ascott Limited is a subsidiary of Singapore-based property company Capital Land, which has operations worldwide will operate and manage Ascott-DD Meridian Park. [caption id="attachment_174150" align="aligncenter" width="603"] DoubleDragon Plaza at DD Meridian Park is positioned as a mini central business district (CBD) in the Bay area given its prime landmark double corner location of EDSA, Roxas Boulevard and Macapagal Avenue in the Bay Area, Pasay City, Metro Manila.[/caption] DoubleDragon Plaza is LEED Gold certified and currently houses two government agency headquarters namely PEZA (Philippine Economic Zone Authority) and TIEZA (Tourism Infrastructure Economic Zone Authority) and expects to soon welcome an additional third government agency to relocate its headquarters in the complex, in addition to many private corporate head offices in the complex. DoubleDragon Plaza at DD Meridian Park as a complex brings undeniable advantage to a variety of office tenants whether corporations, government agencies, or BPO companies, given its very prime landmark location with various top food chain brands on the Ground Floor such as Jollibee, Mang Inasal and many others. DD Meridian Park is like a mini-CBD in the Bay Area being the only complex in the area that has 8 commercial banks (Landbank, RCBC, PNB, BPI, AUB, Unionbank, Chinabank, and BDO) making it uniquely convenient for office tenants to complete their banking transactions all within their proximity. These dining and banking options are further complemented by a full-sized supermarket, MerryMart Grocery, located on the Ground Floor of DoubleDragon Plaza. The complex also houses thousands of parking slots, with a separate conveniently located large parking area in the basement solely dedicated to outside customers who visit DD Meridian Park either for business meetings or leisure. DoubleDragon Plaza is located in a landmark double corner location, just a 10-15 minute drive to NAIA airport via NAIAx, a few minutes drive to the top 3 convention centers in the Philippines (PICC, SMX, and World Trade Center), and not too far from other CBDs in Metro Manila. The 5-hectare DoubleDragon Meridian Park complex is expected to be fully developed by 2024 and to become a fully mature prime hard asset portfolio, generating optimum level of recurring revenues by 2025. The foregoing disclosure contains forward looking statements that are based on certain assumptions of Management and are subject to risks and opportunities or unforeseen events. Actual results could differ materially from those contemplated in the relevant forward looking statement and DoubleDragon gives no assurance that such forward-looking statements will prove to be correct or that such intentions will not change. This Press Release discloses important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from DoubleDragon’s expectations. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on behalf of the Company are expressly qualified in their entirety by the above cautionary statements. The post DoubleDragon’s subsidiary conducts Topping Off of ASCOTT at DD Meridian Park appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»