MPIC-mWell launches mWellMD, platform for doctors

MANILA -- Metro Pacific Investments Corporation’s (MPIC)-mWell, the first fully integrated health app with a telemedicine service introduces mWellMD, an Electronic Medical Record (EMR) and clinic management system designed by doctors, for doctors.

mWellMD provides doctors with features and services necessary for them to manage their practice for patients online as well as those in their clinics. This includes tools for managing patient records, consults, billings, and professional fees. 

The new platform helps doctors by making their practice data and their patient data accessible anytime, anywhere. With just a click of a button, they can conveniently check their clinic schedules, review patient notes, plan for in-patient visits, and monitor their professional fees.

They can even communicate with their staff and refer patients to other doctors. They may easily access reports and analytics to get better insights into their practices even when they are mobile.

“The doctor experience is a key aspect of mWell’s operations - we make sure to listen to them and respond to their needs to deliver a seamless end-to-end journey. mWellMD empowers partner-doctors every step of the way and was built with the doctor experience in mind,” MPIC Chief Finance, Risk and Sustainability Officer Chaye Cabal-Revilla said.

To assure them of a seamless experience from the time they sign-up to consultation, doctors were engaged to test the system to make sure that the whole application is intuitive and user-friendly.

“We salute all the doctors who are part of our mission to bring healthcare closer to more Filipinos. We gladly welcome partner-doctors to our future-proof platform, mWellMD. With their support and expertise, mWell’s fully integrated digital healthcare ecosystem shall continue to provide our countrymen better access to quality healthcare,” MPIC President, Chairman and CEO, Manny Pangilinan said.

A cutting-edge platform by doctors, for doctors

mWellMD is equipped with features best suited to the fast-paced lifestyle of partner-doctors. The platform provides advanced analytics and dashboards to monitor patient medical records and history, convenient patient online consultation via the mWell app, efficient appointment booking systems for online and office clinics, customized forms and templates plus quick text documentation, and collaborations with other doctors to send and receive patient referrals.

“The best healthcare platform tries to involve not only the growing needs of doctors but also of the industry, and that’s what mWell is doing right now.   We are going beyond telemedicine – we are building solutions for doctors to make their practices and their lives better,” mWell Chief Technology Officer Dr. Mike Muin bared.

Muin added that as a medical doctor with over twenty years of healthcare IT experience, he will always look for better solutions to respond to constant challenges in healthcare.

Angel Redoble, PLDT Group and Smart Communications FVP and Group CISO said that mWellMD went through rigorous vulnerability tests and security audits. It completed and passed all requirements to bring down all cyber related risks to the lowest level.

With its holistic cybersecurity strategy and end to end cybersecurity operational framework to Predict, Prevent, Detect and Respond to all cyber threats, backed by sophisticated technologies and highly skilled cybersecurity professionals, mWellMD is following global security standards to ensure the security and protection of all Personal Information that are stored, processed, and transmitted in its system belonging to both the doctors and patients, Redoble revealed.

mWell’s innovative platform has been well-received by hundreds of doctors nationwide. Dr. Reymark Calma, General Medicine, Occupational Medicine, Primary Care Physician for 13 years said, with mWell he gets to help a lot more patients who are not able to consult personally through the clinic or hospital, including patients who are bedridden.

“The opportunity to help and reach more patients from a wider area of practice up to Visayas, Mindanao, that’s the advantage with mWellMD,” Dr. Calma added.                

Dr. Jarische Lao-Ang, Dermatologist for seven years also said, she really like the platform because it is well-structured-- from scheduling, input of data, and sending of prescription to patients. As a dermatologist, her field is visual so online consultation for people with specific skin, hair or nail concerns is really helpful.

“One thing I like about mWell is that any doctor can sign-up and be a partner doctor free of charge. mWell provides electronic documents such as laboratory requests, prescriptions, and medical certificates which patients can easily download in their mWell app,” Dr. Prescilla Aquino, Primary Care Physician for four years commented.

Dr. Rose Angela Mahipus, Primary Care Physician for five years said she is proud to be part of the mWell family. With the Consult Now feature, she’s available to her patients 24/7. “It is easy to be on boarded, you can set your own schedule and state your own professional fee and get it 100%, with no commission from mWell, and now they have an EMR which is most useful to our practice.”

 Be an mWell partner doctor

Becoming an mWell partner-doctor instantly provides free access to mWellMD’s basic features. Doctors may sign up in as fast as 30 minutes via mwell.com.ph. No joining fees. Only PRC ID is required. They may charge their own professional fee without any commission from mWell.

To ensure smooth virtual practice, mWell is also offering partner doctors with an exclusive high-speed internet plan from PLDT Home Fibr: 100mbps for only P1499.

Tech experts are always on-call to assist doctors and respond to their questions at the soonest possible time. Doctors can also depend on a reliable operations team for regular training sessions and updates to ensure that they will always have a smooth experience on the mWellMD platform.

Partner-doctors may avail of the ExpertMD subscription plan to access a wider range of features. For only P1599 a month, doctors may use customized forms and templates as well as advanced analytics and dashboards. They will also be able to perform quick text documentation, collaborate and chat with other doctors and make use of patient engagement tools. (Photos: mWell FB/Google Images)

‘BISAYALA’ trade fair 2022, promotes responsible biz at Ayala mall Cebu

MINERVA BC NEWMAN

CEBU CITY – The WeAreAyala Business Club-Cebu (WAABC), 12 units of them, hold a three-day business trade fair dubbed as “BISAYALA Annual Trade Fair 2022” from September 30 to October 2 at the Ayala Mall-Cebu activity center showcasing all the Ayala companies’ products and services with promos and discounts.

WeAreAyala Business Club-Cebu president, Patrick Gloria, in message during the opening ceremony said, ‘BISAYALA’ is coined from the words “Bisaya” and “Ayala” as an apt word to describe the Bisaya sentiments of Ayala being with Cebuano origins and having been part of Cebu’s economic progress and social growth.

Gloria shared that WeAreAyala business club Cebu was established 27 years ago, the goal of the club back then was to bring all the Ayala companies together to showcase and provide quality products, safe and secure communities and above all, provide excellent services.

“Indeed, WAABC is far better today than we were yesterday. We grew our businesses by leaps and bounds alongside Cebu as the city continues to progress, and through all of those years, we continue this tradition by promoting responsible businesses through innovation, sustainability and synergy,’ Gloria added.

The WAABC team mounted booths displays from cars to insurance, tech/gadgets to health and medicines, housing and real estates to hotels and other lifestyle promos for the next three days offering great deals and discounts that can only be availed during this time.

The WAABC team, in a press conference at Seda Hotel, Friday, presented their respective competitive advantage and called on shoppers and consumers to visit the trade fair and become part of the sustainable journey to make Cebu better for everyone.

According to Rofil Magto, Globe Corporate Communications Manager for VisMin that some of the proceeds of the trade fair will support the “Hapag Movement”, an integrated approach to help alleviate involuntary hunger in the Philippines with the use of technology.

“We find ways and unite ourselves to call to action to help curb involuntary hunger in the country. More than 15M Filipinos suffer from involuntary hunger and the focus is to help more than 100,000 families get out of involuntary hunger.  Now, we have helped 10,000 families as a spin off from its former program.  It is a long journey throughout the country,” Magto bared.

Through the collective efforts of Ayala Foundation, Gloria and Magto said, the group will be identifying causes and groups for the Hapag Movement.  They added that the important thing is when people support their businesses, they are also doing their share to help fellow Cebuanos veer away from hunger.

“We continue to strive to help build a sustainable future for all Cebuanos.  We have stayed true to our values of integrity, excellence and malasakit that WE in Ayala have always been known for,” Gloria said.

Highlighting all of Ayala's businesses in Cebu in the “BISAYALA Trade Fair 2022” is promoting responsible businesses through innovation, sustainability and excellent service and the synergy of Ayala ecosystem for all sectors, incorporating beneficiaries in doing business for the Filipinos, and the Cebuanos in particular, Gloria concluded. (Photos: MBCNewman)

ADI, Shiptek to push for data science, AI in logistics industry

CEBU CITY -- Aboitiz Data Innovation (ADI) and Shiptek Solutions Corporation (Shiptek), a Philippine-based software development company forged a partnership to further drive the operationalization of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (DSAI) in the logistics industry transforming it with next-gen technologies.

The logistics and supply chain industry has been immensely disrupted throughout the pandemic affecting micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and as economies and businesses begin to adjust to the changes, support from financial institutions and governments remain a key driver to the industry’s success.

According to ADI that while many agree that financing of both logistics fees and export import of goods will help alleviate the problems logistics MSMEs are facing, businesses will need to find a sustainable long-term solution to tackle these challenges.

ADI’s mission in helping businesses maximize the use of data and operationalize DSAI has seen successful use cases across the banking and financial services sectors, including alternative credit scoring for MSMEs.  

The new partnership would leverage the industry’s digital platform XLOG to develop innovative DSAI solutions with the combine expertise of both companies.

“XLOG has a solid foundation in place to help enable the logistics and shipping industries to manage and monitor transactions online. By leveraging the data we have on hand, we believe this strategic collaboration with ADI will help stakeholders such as importers, exporters, forwarders, and trucking operators have the proper resources and financial support in place to drive success,” Shiptek Chief Operations Officer Joey Ynion explained.

The collaborative project pipeline is designed to revolutionize the logistics industry to steer accelerated industry growth, improve financial sustainability in the supply chain, increase operational efficiency, and combat illegal transactions such as fraud and smuggling.

ADI Managing Director Dr. David Hardoon believed that the work they do at ADI demonstrates how implementing DSAI solutions have the power to make life easier and better for all.

“We have all seen the positive impacts alternative credit scoring has had and continues to have on MSMEs – increasing financial sustainability and providing greater financial support to those in need. Soon the stakeholders in the logistics industry will also begin to see the same results,”. Hardoon added.

Not only does this joint venture help streamline access to finance for MSMEs and combat illegal transactions for a traditional industry like shipping and logistics, it also aims to pave the way for other industries to follow in leveraging next-gen technologies like blockchain and AI to unlock endless possibilities, ADI said.

 ADI and Shiptek signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) during the inaugural UnionBank Innovation Festival last September 7 to 9 at the UnionBank Innovation Campus in Laguna, Philippines. (Photos: ADI/FB)

 

CitySavings provides banking solutions for Filipino mass market

MINERVA BC NEWMAN

CEBU CITY – City Savings Bank (CitySavings), a subsidiary of Union Bank of the Philippines and one of the largest thrift banks in the country continues to provide comprehensive yet simple banking solutions for the target Filipino mass market.

With the tagline “Simple is Good”, CitySavings offers straightforward banking services and a wide range of mass market financial products such as salary loans for both public and private school teachers and government workers, pension loans, motorcycle loans, and even company loans.

CitySavings AVP - Reputation and Brand Management Head Paula Ruelan said that the bank remains steadfast in its commitment to serving customers and the community through innovative and relevant products that make banking simple.

“Since the Bank was founded more than five decades ago, the focus is really on the mass market which differentiates us from the other featured groups here at the UnionBank Innovation Festival. Our goal is to become the leading digital mass market bank in the Philippines and further promote financial inclusion,” Ruelan added.

CitySavings recently joined the 2022 UnionBank Innovations Festival last September 7-9 held at the newly inaugurated UnionBank Innovation Campus, City of San Pedro, Laguna in celebration of numerous digital solutions, trends, and innovations in technology and their applications to the lives of Filipinos.

Ruelan shared that apart from promoting simple and straightforward banking solutions, CitySavings also advocates for sustainability. When transportation became a challenge due to country-wide lockdowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the bank saw an opportunity to provide a more affordable mode of transportation to Filipinos while also giving traditional tricycle drivers a way to increase their income and switch to a more sustainable livelihood.

Tricycles are the most widespread mode of transportation in the country for its practicality and convenience, especially in far-flung areas but due to their increasing population, tricycles are becoming one of the major contributors to air and noise pollution, as well as traffic congestion in some areas.

This presented an opportunity for City Savings Bank to help in curbing and minimizing the adverse impacts of the use of conventional tricycles by partnering with Elaia Green Vehicles Corporation (Elaia) to launch its e-trike program.

Through the program, interested clients can apply for a motorcycle loan with CitySavings and receive their own e-trike unit supplied by Elaia, Ruelan said that this innovation was feature at the UnionBank Innovation Festival.

“We see a lot of possibilities that can be achieved through this project with Elaia. It’s a win-win solution for everyone. CitySavings helps the tricycle drivers finance the e-trikes and earn a livelihood while we are all saving the environment through a sustainable mode of transportation for the masses,” CitySavings EVP - Motorcycle Loans Business Head Ret. Adm. Feliciano Angue said.

CitySavings and Elaia recently signed a brand-new partnership with the City of San Pedro, Laguna, where both organizations would extend this program to the Tricycle Operators and Drivers’ Association (TODA) within the locality.  CitySavings hopes to expand its e-trike program even further, Ruelan said. (Photos: CitySavings FB)

 

 

 

 

 

Silliman unveils marker signifying its status as national historical landmark

DUMAGUETE CITY – The National Historical Commission (NHCP) led by its chair, Dr. Rene Escalante and Silliman University (SU) with its president Dr. Betty Cernol McCann unveiled and inaugurated a marker on September 23 at the Leopoldo T. Ruiz Administration Hall grounds signifying the status of Silliman University as a national historical landmark.

Escalante said, Silliman University as a national historical landmark is classified under Level I, the highest recognition level from the NHCP, having both an official declaration and marker from the NHCP.

SU has been a national historical landmark since June 19, 2002 when the NHCP recognized SU’s historical significance through Resolution No. 7, S. 2002 and now a marker acknowledging national historical landmark status.

Dr. Betty Cernol McCann, SU president expressed gratitude for the NHCP recognition and for Escalante’s presence during the inauguration ceremony of the new marker in front of the members of the SU Board of Trustees, administration officials, deans, and office heads who also attended the ceremony.

Dr. Earl Jude Paul Cleope, SU vice president for academic affairs and a commissioner of the NHCP said, Escalante initiated the installation of a historical marker he visited the SU campus before the pandemic and saw that the marker installed at the Administration Hall grounds needed to be replaced.

Cleope added that the previous marker, which he called an “institutional marker,” described a short history of SU but did not mention SU’s status. The previous marker is now at Silliman Hall, on a wall between the entrance to the main function hall of the first floor and the stairs going to the second floor.

NHCP’s guidelines reads, a national historical landmark is a “site or structure closely associated with a significant historical event, achievement, characteristic, turning point, or stage in Philippine history, or a structure made or created by a national hero.”

 

Part of NHCP’s mandate is to protect recognized historic sites and structures. The declaration made by NHCP recognizing SU in 2002, Cleope said was instrumental in protecting the campus from the threat of a reclamation project proposed by the Philippine Ports Authority during that time.

The 2002 declaration recognizes SU as the first American private school in the Philippines and a witness and participant to the unfolding Philippine history since the advent of American occupation to the present day, that has contributed to the educational, religious and social development of Negros Oriental and the Philippines.

The declaration also recognizes buildings in SU that exemplify Philippine architecture in its various development stages during the American colonial period, and stand out today as notable representatives of vintage American period or pre-war architecture, namely: Silliman Hall built 1903; Katipunan Hall in 1915; Science Building in 1917; Guy Hall in 1918; Oriental Hall in 1921; the Amphitheater in 1921; Channon Hall in 1923; the old Library in 1927; Hibbard Hall in 1932; Scheide Chapel in 1937 and the Davao Cottage. (Photos: SU-Office of Information Publications/FB)

 

U.S. facilitates small boat OPNs training course for PCG

MANILA, Philippines-- The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) facilitated the first Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)-led Small Boat Operations course from September 5 to 16 in Manila as part of ongoing U.S.-Philippine cooperation to enhance the country’s maritime law enforcement capabilities.

With the support and mentorship of visiting USCG instructors, 12 PCG instructor candidates trained 16 PCG students through classroom instruction and at-sea practical exercises to improve their skills in navigation, boat driving, risk management, towing, and man-overboard recovery. 

This training is part of a series of courses sponsored by the Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, with funding support from the U.S. Global Contingency Security Fund, to prepare Filipino instructors to lead small boat operations training for the PCG. 

During the course graduation ceremony on September 16, Philippine Coast Guard Fleet Commander Rear Admiral Charlie Rances noted the breadth of the U.S.-PCG partnership.  “This is just one of the many training and learning opportunities that INL and USCG extend to the PCG,” he said. 

The USCG Liaison at U.S. Embassy Manila, Commander Bien Decena, added that “This type of technical training among maritime professionals highlights the strong relationship, unity, and likeminded outlook between the Philippine and U.S. Coast Guards.”

INL and USCG will organize additional training activities with the PCG later this year on various topics, including maritime law enforcement operations and vessel engineering program management. 

PCG students practice voyage planning with navigational charts during the classroom phase of the Small Boat Operations course facilitated by the USCG in Manila and the recently concluded training included at-sea practical exercises to enhance the skills of PCG personnel in navigation, boat handling, risk management, and emergency maritime response. (Photos: U.S. Embassy)