The Philippines’ biggest electricity distribution utility Meralco assembled leaders from local business and government sectors to bring forward substantial discussions dedicated to the mapping of concrete steps for the country’s sustainability agenda. At the recent Meralco Power Up Forum on Sustainability, Meralco chairman Manuel Pangilinan regarded the importance of collaboration among key stakeholders in the drive towards sustainable development, “No one company or country can solve this huge global task without helping each other.” Photo shows (from left) Meralco SVP and head of Networks Ronnie Aperocho; TV5 head of news division Luchi Cruz-Valdes; Meralco FVP and head of customer retail services and corporate communications Victor Genuino; Former Secretary of Finance and GRI Board Member Roberto de Ocampo, OBE; Department of Energy Senior Undersecretary Jesus Posadas; GRI chairman Eric Hespenheide; chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Basic Education, Arts & Culture Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian; and AESIEAP Secretary General Rogelio Singson.

NOW Corp. powers UnionBank’s digital revolution

Telecommunications player NOW Corporation has been named the official internet service provider for the digital transformation roadmap of the UnionBank of the Philippines. In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) on Thursday, NOW said it entered into a multi-year agreement for the provision of 1Gbps broadband connectivity via fixed wireless for UnionBank. Under the agreement, both parties also agreed to explore utilizing NOW Fiber Air for its branches and other sites owned and operated by the Aboitiz-led bank. The agreement, according to NOW, strengthens its position to provide guaranteed broadband connectivity for enterprises its fixed wireless network infrastructure that it has established in Metro Manila. NOW also revealed it has already entered the gigabit era by providing gigabit broadband plans to its subscribers.

“NOW is proud to announce (that we are now) offering gigabit plans of guaranteed broadband internet to our subscribers. Our technology allows for it and we will push the envelope with our high capacity fixed wireless solution,” head of strategy for NOW Corporation Kristian Pura said.

“This applies to prospective enterprise and retail subscribers. To our existing enterprise subscribers, please inquire if you desire a gigabit upgrade.”

CitySavings is Best CSR Bank Philippines 2019

For the second consecutive year, Global Banking & Finance Review recently awarded City Savings Bank Inc. (CitySavings) as the Best CSR Bank Philippines 2019 in recognition of their continued commitment and leadership in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

“CitySavings continues to focus on supporting businesses and communities they serve through active, sustainable CSR programs. Their numerous partnerships and programs take CSR to the next level. Their dedication to sustainable development, the environment, and human value along with their strong commitment to being an active member of the communities they serve helped them stand out as a clear winner this year. We commend their efforts and look forward to seeing more from them in the years to come,” said Global Banking & Finance Review editor Wanda Rich. In addition to initiatives that promote financial inclusion, CitySavings continues to reach out to the underserved communities through sustainable CSR initiatives in partnership with various institutions such as the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI), Alchemy Education Solutions and Weather Philippines Foundation (WeatherPhilippines). The bank’s CSR programs currently focus on the public education sector by providing leadership training to teaching and non-teaching personnel of the Department of Education through Project Synergy, comprehensive school-based teacher training solutions through Project Teach, disaster risk management and capability building on disaster preparedness through Weather and Tropical Cyclone 101 workshops and practical wealth management through Project Peraparasyon.

PLDT holds data privacy, cyber security summit

In line with strengthening compliance with Privacy laws and upholding the highest Information Security standards and best practices for its customers, digital services provider PLDT recently held the company’s 1st Data Privacy and Cyber Security Summit. The inaugural learning event gathered an estimated 300 leaders and decision makers of the PLDT Group of Companies, with representatives from fiber broadband provider PLDT HOME, corporate business group PLDT Enterprise, wireless services subsidiary Smart Communications Inc., and international arm PLDT Global. National Privacy Commission Head Mon Liboro attended the summit, which was a joint effort between the PLDT Group Data Privacy Office and the Cyber Security Operations Group.

Photo shows (from left) ePLDT chief information security officer Angel Redoble, PLDT chief financial officer Annabelle Chua, Smart Joint Strategic Operations Group head Atty. Eric J.L Tuano, NPC Commissioner Raymund Liboro, Smart Legal and Regulatory Head Atty. Eric Español, Smart Legal and Regulatory Division chief Atty. Roy Ibay, PLDT chief procurement officer Mary Rose de la Paz, PLDT chief data privacy officer Leah Besa-Jimenez and PLDT chief revenue officer and Smart president Al Panlilio.