PMAP-Cebu partners with CONPC for media support to RC 23

CEBU CITY—The People Management Association of the Philippines Cebu, Inc. (PMAP) and the Cebu Online News Press Corps (CONPC) inked a memorandum of agreement (MOA) today, March 31 as partners to promote PMAP’s various events and activities relative to its regional conference (RC23) on July 6-7 here in Cebu City.

PMAP-Cebu president and vice-president, Denise Davide-Blanco and JM Gellez respectively signed in behalf of the organization while co-founders Robby Alugar and Minerva Newman signed the partnership for the CONPC. 

PMAP Cebu recognizes the value of fostering strong business and social relationships in order to enhance the overall interest of the Cebu particularly the PMAP CEBU and its members through this partnership agreement with the CONPC.

“By embracing digitalization through an online e-newspaper platform with the aggrupation of social and traditional media practitioners, PMAP CEBU aims to provide an effective and efficient way of promoting its members and its interests as a whole,” the agreement reads.

The CONPC on the other hand serves as a virtual organization in promoting people-to-people interactions and engagements, thereby supporting the growth and vitality of the business community in Cebu.

Both parties shall collaborate for the information and communication support to PMAP’s Cebu Regional Conference 2023 on July 6-7; publish and disseminate PMAP CEBU-related articles such as but not limited to press releases, trainings, projects and advocacy initiatives through all the media platforms.

PMAP CEBU and the Cebu Online News Press Corps acknowledge the potential opportunities that can be achieved through a unified action of presenting the key stakeholders in the business community of Cebu contributing to its economic progress.

PMAP is an organization designed to help practicing HR executives become more effective; first-priority invitations and discounts to trainings and various professional development programs and other highly-professional initiatives to improve the management of human resource in the country.

CONPC on the other hand is a group of passionate and like-minded individuals, an organization composed of content creators, journalists, bloggers and media influencers that aims to promote responsible use of both social media and traditional media through the sharing of accurate information to a wider audience. (Photos: MBCNewman)

 

 

 

CitySavings one of Cebu's top tax contributors

CEBU CITY – City Savings Bank, Inc. (CitySavings), a thrift bank subsidiary of Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank) received recognition from the Bureau of Internal Revenue Large Taxpayers Division (BIR LTD)-Cebu as Cebu’s top tax contributor for CY 2022 during BIR’s 21^st anniversary on March 3 at the BIR office.

"With or without recognition, CitySavings will continue to be a good corporate citizen, adhere to good governance practices, and give back to the community we are serving, guided by our core values of integrity, magis, and ubuntu,” CitySavings VP-Financial and Regulatory Reporting, Insurance, and Tax Head, Solomon Tio said and received the award in behalf of the bank. 

In his message, Tio said that the tough times are not yet over, as the bank is still reeling from the adverse impacts of COVID-19 but, he is confident that the taxes the bank pays will translate to an even faster and more inclusive economic growth and recovery.

The government through the BIR recognizes top taxpayers in the country, including CitySavings for their invaluable contribution to the country’s economic development efforts.

CitySavings is one of the largest thrift banks in the country, providing a wide range of mass market financial products and services, such as salary loans to public and private school teachers, pension loans to GSIS and SSS pensioners, motorcycle loans, company employee loans, government salary loans, and traditional deposits.

It has more than 140 branches nationwide. It is well on its way to becoming the leading digital mass market bank in the Philippines, paving the way for inclusive and sustainable prosperity across the country. (Photos: CitySavings)

 

 

 

BMW launches the all-new BMW X1 in Cebu

CEBU CITY – BMW Cebu Autowelt, Inc., launched the all-new generation of the X1 with a sharper design and cutting-edge digitalization that is more appealing to the BMW lovers and enthusiasts in Cebu and in Central Visayas.

The new BMW X1, in its third generation was unveiled at its BMW showroom at Nivel Hills, Cebu City on March 28 to the delight of the prospective buyers.  The X1 boasts a more prominent design, superior spaciousness, and advanced digitalization to help define the forward-looking character of a true Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) for the premium compact segment.

With its robust appearance and functional versatility, the new BMW X1 embodies an authentic experience of freedom and independence in day- to-day driving and on longer journeys. The interior’s progressive design and sophisticated ambience, and the much broader selection of standard equipment compared to the outgoing model, serve to underline its deeply embedded premium character.

The BMW X1 continues the success story it established since the release of the first generation of the vehicle in 2009 and since then, BMW X1 has garnered around 1.9 million units sold globally. It has a modern surface treatment, increased visual presence and robust looks in unmistakable BMW X model style.

The surface treatment, lines, and classy exterior design details of the BMW X1 display its Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) identity more clearly than ever in its third model generation. Its Distinctive design features include the powerful proportions, almost square wheel arch contours and the signature BMW X model styling of the front and rear ends.

The upright front end of the new BMW X1 gives it a much greater sense of presence, with slim adaptive LED headlights, a large, almost square BMW kidney grille, X-shaped lines radiating out to the sides and eye-catching chrome strips in the lower air intake serving as its defining elements.

Expressively sculpted surfaces and a long roofline are the distinguishing features of the new model’s dynamically stretched silhouette. When viewed from the rear, the slim tailgate window, horizontal lines, striking LED lights and flared wheel arches produce the typical SAV look.

The robust aura of the new BMW X1 can be intensified to great effect with the specific design elements of the XLine model, which include stylistic underride protection. It comes with 18-inch alloy wheels in Star-spoke Style 865.

For more information, visit its showroom at BMW Cebu-Autowelt, Veteran’s Drive, Nivel Hills, Cebu City or call (032) 268 9888. (Photos: MBCNewman/BMW)

Japanese tech firms look to PH as regional tech talent hub

​CEBU CITY— A Global tech firm Sansan opened a development center in the Philippines and is hiring up to 100 staff and decided to establish its presence in the Philippines to strengthen its product development for overseas markets as it sees more business opportunities in the country.

In 2023, more tech firms will consider expanding their presence in the Philippines to ride a wave of digitisation that is sweeping the country. It comes as the country continues actively attracting and supporting global IT companies, and is becoming known for its high-level IT education and large pool of talented engineers.

Fujikura Shigemoto, Executive Officer, Head of Overseas Establishment Team of Sansan, Inc., bared that the Philippines has an opportunity to attract more foreign companies to set up tech hubs in the country that serve the wider Asean region, especially for software development and engineering talent that can boost foreign direct investment into the country’s economy, supporting the government’s agenda.

What the pandemic highlighted, if anything, it was how underprepared businesses across Asean, including the Philippines when it came to the resiliency of its finance operations. This must now be corrected by putting in place digital infrastructure to support business continuity planning, Shigemoto said.

According to Shigemoto, the trends for the year ahead include going paper-free by moving more data into the cloud, building out digital finance infrastructure to support business resilience, and establishing the Philippines as a regional tech hub for talent.

 Going paper-free or moving data into the cloud means reducing carbon footprints for individuals and businesses to align the Philippines with UN climate goals to reach net zero emissions.

This can begin in small areas such as by digitising invoices and other paper-based processing in corporate functions like accounting, as well as adopting digital namecards, effectively moving data off of paper and into the cloud.

“Currently, our Singapore employees are in charge of sales outside of Japan. We thought that the Philippines, a country geographically close to Japan and Singapore, would be the best location to make a new development team. The team can communicate directly with people in Singapore, listen to the feedback of Singapore users, and discuss with CS members. That is how the establishment of the new development base in the Philippines started,” he added.

He said that he visits the country once a month for about two weeks each time to provide a high performance environment. He tries to learn about the culture and the people of the Philippines to give them the right opportunity and environment to succeed. (Photos: Sansan Website/Google Images)

BSP Updates

​The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) received the “Outstanding Industry Collaboration Award” from the Islamic Banking and Finance Institute Malaysia (IBFIM) during a ceremony held in Kuala Lumpur on 25 February 2023.

BSP Assistant Governor Arifa A. Ala (in photo, center) accepted the award from Tan Sri Dr. Mohd Daud Bakar, last year’s awardee, on behalf of the Philippine central bank. Assistant Governor Ala, who chairs the BSP-led Islamic Finance Coordination Forum, is an advocate of Islamic banking initiatives in the country. 

First given in 2018, this award is given to local and international institutions for their outstanding collaboration with the IBFIM in developing Islamic finance professionals.

Get the full story here: https://lnkd.in/grKUyPd3

#BSP #BSPUpdates #IslamicBanking

MCIA welcomes Cebu Pacific’s Naga, Hong Kong routes

LAPULAPU CTY – Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) welcomed Cebu Pacific’s new route to Naga (WNP) starting March 26, the first and only direct service that connects Cebu and Naga.

Flying four times weekly every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, the flight departs MCIA at 12:00 noon and arrives Naga Airport at 1:45 p.m., while the return flight leaves Naga Airport at 2:05 p.m. and arrives MCIA at 4:50 p.m.

“Cebu Pacific Air remains to be one of our dynamic airline partners that shares our vision of expanding MCIA’s network as a hub. MCIA remains committed to offering wider connectivity for its passengers with more options to connect to their destinations in the Philippines and around the globe,” GMCAC Director, Rafael Aboitiz said.

Cebu Pacific Air also resumes its Cebu to Hong Kong (HKG) service on March 26 with daily flights departing Cebu at 6:05 a.m. and arriving Hong Kong International Airport at 8:55 a.m., and return flight departing Hong Kong at 9:40 a.m. and arriving MCIA at 12:35 p.m.

Passengers of both Naga and Hong Kong flights were delighted with tokens upon arrival and prior to boarding.

“I am excited that we finally hit the two-digit mark for international destinations. Cebu Pacific Air continues to be one of our top-performing airline partners, and I am positive this is a step closer to our goal on becoming one of the best airports in Asia,” Julius Neri, Jr., General Manager and MCIAA CEO said.

MCIA is now connected to 27 domestic destinations and 10 international destinations, with 14 foreign and 4 Philippine-based airline partners. (Photos: MCIA/Edilyth Maribojoc)

𝙁𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙢𝙚𝙣, are women too

CEBU CITY – The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR-7) Central Visayas joined the nation in the observance of “Women’s Month” highlighting the efforts and role of women in the fishing industry.

“Fisherman, are women too!” That's how empowered women fisherfolk described themselves in Borbon town in Cebu and in Siaton, Negros Oriental as the fisherfolk community in the area did not limit women to just picking shellfish at low tide or processing and marketing catch.

They allow their women to participate in the hands-on training and construction of the set net for the implementation of the Lambaklad Project.  It is an eco-friendly fishing gear that has been promoted as a source of income for fisherfolk in Borbon, Cebu, and Siaton, Negros Oriental.

The project provides beneficiaries with tools that are affordable and easily accessible to encourage the use of sustainable fishing technology to increase output while remaining environmentally friendly.

Meanwhile, the women at the BFAR-7 office support both men and women in the fisheries sector with the #WEcanbeEquALL campaign that encourages the public to join in celebrating gender empowerment, BFAR-7 GAD program focal person, Grace Baguinang said. (Photos: BFAR7/FB)