Converge improves ESG risk score, now classified as ‘low risk’

MANILA -- Converge ICT Solutions Inc. has earned an upgraded Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) risk rating, and is now classified as ‘low risk,’ based on the recent assessment report by ESG and corporate governance analytics firm Sustainalytics.

The said ESG Risk Rating has placed Converge in rank 33 out of the 235 telecommunications companies evaluated by Sustainalytics around the globe.

The company improved its overall ESG risk score to 19.6 or ‘low risk,’ which reflects the reduced level of unmanaged risks it has, from its ‘medium-risk’ rating of 23.4 last year and ‘high-risk’ rating of 30.7 in 2021. The lower score also indicates a lower likelihood of ESG issues adversely affecting the company’s economic value.

“Over the past year, we have strived to strengthen our policies and practices in our pursuit of sustainability. This upward ESG rating affirms our commitment to long-term value creation by managing potential risks related to our impacts on people, the planet, and prosperity,” Converge Chief Strategy Officer and Chief Sustainability Officer Benjamin Azada said.

In the said ESG Risk Analysis, Converge was classified as ‘strong’ in terms of risk management, with a score of 54.0, which indicates how well it handles relevant ESG issues through robust programs, policies, and practices.

Converge has a Board Risk Oversight Committee that looks after its ESG strategy development and implementation. Additionally, Converge adopted a Board Diversity Policy that ushers the selection of its Board of Directors without regard to gender, ethnicity, nationality, or culture. This was exemplified by the appointment of former Senior Associate Justice Estela  Perlas-Bernabe as another female member of the Converge Board.

Likewise, the company has focused on driving responsible business practices across the organization by driving adherence to its Code of Business Ethics.   Concerning environmental risks, Converge has shifted to 100 percent clean energy for its Pasig and Pampanga data centers, while relevant infrastructure investments are made to strengthen resilience to natural disasters and manage physical climate risks to its networks.

"Converge recognizes the importance of proactive risk management in achieving both our company goals and meeting the interests of our stakeholders. As the business expands, we will continue to strengthen our practices to manage imminent and emerging risks within the organization,” said Converge VP and Head of Enterprise Risk Management Jerome Mario Orfano.

Last June, Converge also attained a higher score on the ESG metrics of global investment research firm MSCI, with a rating of ‘A’ from its previous MSCI ESG rating of ‘BBB.’

The MSCI ESG Ratings evaluates global public and a few private companies on a scale of AAA (leader) to CCC (laggard), according to exposure to industry-specific ESG risks and the ability to manage those risks relative to peers. (Photos: Converge)

 

U.S. provides P625M to boost competitiveness of 9 cities in PH

MANILA – USAID Philippines Mission Director Ryan Washburn and Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) launched the Urban Connect project in Quezon City on October 27 with representatives from USAID’s Cities Development Initiative and its partner to help fast-track the economic development of nine cities outside Metro Manila.

USAID’s five-year, Php625-million ($11 million) Urban Connect Project will fund capacity-building initiatives and provide technical assistance that will help build thriving economic hubs in nine partner cities: Batangas, Legazpi, Puerto Princesa, Iloilo, Tacloban, Tagbilaran, Cagayan de Oro, General Santos, and Zamboanga.

Under this program, USAID will work closely with partner cities’ local governments to facilitate enterprise growth, streamline the business permit system, reinforce public financial management, promote e-governance transition, and enhance cooperation between neighboring cities.  

In addition to economic advancement, the project will also improve health and education services, promote climate resilience and disaster readiness, and champion gender equality and social inclusion in partner cities.

JPark upgrades room entertainment system, digital revamp with Converge

CEBU CITY -- JPark Island Resort and Waterpark upgraded its room entertainment system by installing high-tech digital boxes powered by Converge called FiberTV that may not only be used for streaming but can be used as a one-stop shop for customer services in the future. 

“We’ve now recently made a shift from the traditional model of in-room TV to a digibox called FiberTV so that the regular TV in every room is now a smart t TV.  They can see Netflix, Youtube and all their different accounts online. It’s important for us to provide consistent entertainment for our guests because that’s what the customers expect,” Brian Connelly, General Manager and Vice President of Operations for JPark highlighted this technology advancement

Connelly added that this digital-based entertainment system may, in the future, be installed with a facility for service reservations, online shopping, and food orders, thus offering more convenience for customers.

Connelly said, Converge was tapped as the 17-hectare resort’s primary broadband provider, where Wifi coverage is provided anywhere in the property, giving its customers a seamless experience of connectivity as they tour the expansive property.

 

“As you walk around, you've got continuous connectivity. This increases our ability to help our customers with shopping, travel, and sight-seeing. All the important things to a guest who’s visiting the island for leisure - like when can I go parasailing, when can I see the whale sharks in Oslob, how do I get to see the top of the mountains? The fact that we can offer them connectivity throughout the resort helps,” he bared.

Like many businesses in the country, the global health crisis in 2020 upended business operations of JPark. However, it was the company’s pivot to digitalization that allowed it to weather the crisis and shifted its business model to cater to more domestic customers.

Connelly noted that since there were a lot of restrictions in flying, and the only way to get to the island was through air, JPark had to adjust.   It slowly started to increase its ability to reach out to new customers through the online platforms, like here in Cebu.

“We were able to take in guests who wanted a staycation because they were tired of their homes and not being able to go out. There was a time that 70% - 80% of our business were domestic,” Connelly said. 

Even when super typhoon Odette hit and power lines were down for most of the island, they stayed open because they had a generator and their restaurants were kept open. JPark

“We reached out from these different channels like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to say we’re open,we have wifi, we have power, we have water, we have AC, and we have a wonderful resort for you to enjoy right here on the island. Because at that time you couldn’t fly out from the island,” he added.

Following the pandemic and Odette, operations have normalized and JPark now caters to a mix of international and local guests.  For foreign tourists, the majority of the park’s guests come from Korea, thus the demand for a quality and consistent connection is all the more pressing.

“They’re communicating for leisure or for business and they need to have stability. Converge has done that for us. They’re providing us with stability in terms of our bandwidth on a regular basis,” Connelly affirmed.

For the executive, a strong, quality connection is what completes the experience in the resort that offers seemingly endless amenities for guests. The resort boasts of 820 rooms, a ballroom that can fit over a thousand people, nine restaurants, three water parks and two beaches. Jet skiing, banana boat riding, and parasailing are just a few of the water activities families may enjoy on the sprawling leisure property.

As the resort slowly regains its footing in the hospitality and leisure industry following the pandemic, it can only benefit from more digital initiatives to diversify its customer offerings.

“We also see the future where guests will no longer have to stop at the front desk. They can go straight to their room; the lock will be programmed in their phone, they can pick their room from their phone. We ‘re joining the future of hospitality, and we want to offer these in the near long term. That’s why we think Converge is the right partner for us,” Connelly concluded.

JPark Island Resort and Waterpark is now fully owned by Cebu’s “Mango King”, Justin Uy, the Chairman of Profood International Corp which is known for exporting Philippine dried mangoes. (Photos: JPark/Conerge)

Aesthetic clinic in Cebu for wholistic beauty, neurology services

CEBU CITY -- Beauty&Brains Clinic in Cebu at the 10th floor of the Our Mother of Perpetual Succour Specialty Center at Gorordo Ave., Lahug, Cebu City is a go-to destination for enhancing both your outer beauty and inner well-being with services to enhance beauty and or seek expert neurological care for conditions such as Parkinson's, stroke, nerve disorders, migraine and dementia.

“Beauty&Brains is the only clinic in Cebu that offers a wholistic approach to skin health and neurology-related services. Skin health is not only for beauty but also for health purposes, our clinic is very relaxing, it can address the wholistic health inside and outside--neurology and aesthetic for self-confidence and mental health,” couple Dr. Toom Vatanagul and Dr. Michele Bathan-Vatanagul, the proprietors of the clinic said in a press conference during the expansion blessings of its clinics 1028-1030 on November 10.

According to Dr. Michele, “Taking care of the skin is taking care of your skin health, and they are most hormonal imbalance while neurology issues such as migraines and headaches are warning signs for more diseases like dementia, Alzheimer’s, other, our clinic has the perfect solution for you.”

With a newly renovated, expanded facility, Beauty&Brains Clinic now offers an extensive range of services, including skin treatments, aesthetic procedures, and specialized neurological care, Drs. Toom Vatanagul added.

Toom and Michele highlighted its commitment to providing affordable and effective aesthetic services, treating various skin disorders, and addressing neurological conditions such as Parkinson's and dementia. The larger clinic space was inaugurated during a blessing ceremony.

Having served the community for six years, Beauty&Brains decided to expand its clinic to accommodate the growing demand for its services.

Dr. Toom, an internist and neurologist, shared that the clinic conducts neurological evaluations for conditions such as stroke, spinal cord disorders, headaches, Parkinson's Disease, dementia, neuropathy, multiple sclerosis, and muscle disorders.

Beauty&Brains is a one stop center in Cebu that offers botulinum toxin injections for neurologic indications like hemifacial spasm, post-stroke spasticity, spastic cerebral palsy and migraine.

Dr. Michele, an internal medicine, aesthetics, and skin health physician, emphasized the comprehensive services provided by the clinic, spanning from beauty and anti-aging treatments to acne management.

She recounted a success story of a client whose severe acne was effectively treated with a customized regimen, including facials, home treatments, and medication.  The clinic also specializes in acne scar treatments and advocates for preventive regimens, recognizing the impact of acne on an individual's self-esteem.

Beyond skincare, Beauty&Brains offers a range of services, such as facials, non-invasive fat-burning, and muscle-toning with the Embody equipment, platelet rich plasma treatment for hair growth, and Exilis Elite treatment for addressing wrinkles, sagging skin and fat reduction.

Beauty&Brains Skin, Aesthetic, Neurology, and Medical Clinic opens from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Monday to Sunday and to schedule an appointment, contact 09235265815, 09232535604, or (032) 40263181. (Photos: MBCNewman/Beauty&Brains)

India business roadshow to enhance India-PH partnerships in trade and beyond

CEBU CITY – Indian Ambassador to The Philippines, H.E. Shambhu S. Kumaran sees broader engagement in knowledge-driven area and a new phase in economic relations and collaboration in trade and beyond between India and the Philippines.

“India and the Philippines are getting closer by the day in its relationship, furthering more exciting collaborations with the volume of trade marking a new milestone with last fiscal year registered a trade volume in surplus of three billion US Dollars,” Amb. Kumaran said.

Amb. Kumaran added that both India and Philippines are young fast-growing democratic economies with immense potential for mutually beneficial collaboration and several Indian businesses across a range of sectors are already contributing to the positive growth story of the Philippines.

Amb. Kumaran told the Cebu media and content creators in a press conference on November 14 that the Embassy of India in Manila organizes business roadshows in different parts of the Philippines in partnership with the regional business chambers, city administration, and provincial government to explore opportunities for trade and investments and to generate awareness and apprise local Government, authorities, businesses and other stakeholders in the Philippines about the successes of Indian businesses. 

He bared that the India Business Roadshow-Cebu Edition on November 14-15 was organized in partnership with the Cebu Chamber of Commerce & Industry (CCCI) and the India Business Forum (IBF) Philippines Association Inc. at Radisson Blu Hotel in Cebu City.

IBF is a non-profit organization which acts as a think-tank to and voice of the Indian Businesses in the Philippines and the focal point for engagement with interested Philippines businesses with the aim of promoting India-Philippines bilateral economic relations.

The CCCI mobilized the participation of local businesses from the province and the IBF has mobilized participation from the Indian businesses across various sectors with more than 40 Indian businesses in selected sectors that participated in the roadshow to showcase their products and solutions.

In consultation with CCCI and IBF, the roadshow focused on prominent sectors that hold potential for partnership based on complementary strengths and comparative advantages such as in Agriculture, Energy & Infrastructure, Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals, IT- BPO/BPM & Innovative Tech Solutions, and Tourism.

Cebu Roadshow is a 2-Day event that included inter alia, moderated panel discussions, B2B meetings, presentations and showcasing by the participating Indian businesses, signing of an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between CCCI and IBF and goodwill contribution by the Indian businesses.

To cap the Roadshow in the evening of November 15, both India and friends from the Philippines celebrated Diwali, followed by a cultural performance and gala dinner tasting Indian cuisine.

The India Business Roadshows have proven to be a practical means to further government to business and business to business engagements between India and the Philippines. 

It contributes to spreading awareness about business presence and expertise, showcasing of cutting-edge products and solutions, exchange of ideas and business concepts and strengthening existing and creating new connections for meaningful economic cooperation. (Photos: MBCNewman)

 

CHBC unveils biggest year-end sale

​CEBU CITY— Cebu Home and Builders Centre (CHBC), the community’s trusted destination for quality hardware products and home improvement solutions brings back the most anticipated Mega Year-End Sale event from November 15 to December 15, 2023.

Prepare for an extraordinary sale as CHBC opens its doors to a world of savings and top-notch products. Save up to 30 percent on exclusively manufactured tiles, European tiles, and Asean tiles.

To upgrade your bathrooms, there’s no better time than now – with offers of up to 30% discount on bath essentials and Roca offers up to 60% off on selected items.

For DIY enthusiasts, you can maximize your purchases with up to 20% discount on every item, and if you want to add some ambiance to your home, CHBC gives away up to 70% off on lighting.

Each week, CHBC showcases different product highlights in-store for you to see and experience. Sunday Special Treat is also here and it offers an extra 2% discount on all house brands every Sunday. 

This year’s event is even more remarkable because with a minimum purchase of P5,000 at any store branch, you have the chance to win a brand-new Toyota Vios car plus a chance to be one of the 26 winners to win Php 10,000 worth of grocery gift certificates.

Take advantage of these mega savings and visit CHBC branches at Banilad, Mactan, N.Bacalso, Consolacion, Minglanilla, and Carcar. (Photos: MBCNewman)