Japan ASPIRE project in Basilan
On October 5, the opening ceremony for the Assistance for Security, Peace, Integration and Recovery for Advancing Human Security in BARMM (ASPIRE) Project was held in Isabela City, Basilan.
The ASPIRE project is funded by the Government of Japan through a Grant Aid worth 579 million Japanese Yen and is being implemented by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). The project aims to establish a system for the management and reduction of privately-owned Small and Light Weapons (SALWs) and support the socio-economic development of the residents in target communities selected jointly by MILF and the government of the Philippines.
Ambassador Koshikawa, in his video message, expressed his appreciation for the strong commitment and support of the Joint Normalization Committee – Government of the Philippines (JNC — GPH), Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU), Joint Normalization Committee — Moro Islam Liberation Front (JNC — MILF), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), in Basilan, as well as the UNDP for its persistent efforts in facilitating step by step the discussions among stakeholders.
Recognizing Mindanao’s importance to the peace and stability not just in the Philippines, but in the entire region, Ambassador Koshikawa stated that “the opening of pilot sites under ASPIRE is one more decisive step towards the goal of decommissioning and normalization.”
Japan has been contributing to the Peace Process for more than 2 decades. To date, over USD 515 million in more than 100 projects have been undertaken under the Japan-Bangsamoro Initiatives for Reconstruction and Development (J-BIRD). Japan remains committed to its support for the progress of the Peace Process and furthering development in Mindanao.
Sari-sari stores to gain access to microfinancing, financial services to boost growth
The Philippines’ micro, small, and medium-sized enterprise (MSME) sector is described as the most underbanked sector in Asia despite comprising 99% of the country’s registered business establishments.
Recognizing these challenges in the sector, Packworks, which offers a business-to-business (B2B) FMCG marketplace for sari-sari stores, is forging strategic partnerships with financial service providers aimed at seeking affordable and accessible services that can empower over 270,000 micro-retail stores across the country to grow their businesses.
Packworks has recently penned partnerships with Cebuana Lhuillier and 1Sari Financing Corporation to provide sari-sari stores access to secure, reliable, and affordable microloan services.
Through these partnerships, Packworks aims to offer sari-sari stores various financial services to further promote financial inclusion and empowerment, which could expand their businesses.
Packworks is currently in discussions with other service providers to bring more options to its network of micro-retail stores.
The services are particularly timely as the Christmas season approaches, known to be the busiest time for businesses. Enabling sari-sari stores to access essential financial services allows them to efficiently replenish their inventory, ensuring they are well-prepared to meet the heightened demand for various items during this festive period.
In line with their commitment to promoting financial inclusion and empowering sari-sari stores, Packworks is partnering with social development organization Bayan Academy through its SariSkwela program. This initiative provides sari-sari stores access to learning modules on microentrepreneurship, further equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to enhance their businesses.
The company targets to reach 500,000 sari-sari stores in the next two years.
MakatiMed earns Diamond Status for its best stroke practices
Consistently at the forefront of stroke treatment and management, top hospital in the Philippines Makati Medical Center (MakatiMed) was recognized with a Diamond Status by the World Stroke Organization (WSO) Angels Awards for Q2 2023. This highest honor is given to a hospital that meets the stringent criteria of stroke care set by the WSO.
Among the quarterly measures met by MakatiMed as stated by the WSO are: 75% of ischemic stroke patients treated within the door-to-needle time, 50% of ischemic stroke patients treated within the door-to-groin time, 90% of all suspected stroke patients undergoing CT/MRI imaging and procedure, and stroke patients treated in a dedicated stroke unit or ICU during their hospital stay.
With the Diamond Status, MakatiMed has surpassed its achievements as a healthcare facility for superior stroke care. Since the third quarter of 2019, the hospital has claimed seven Gold Awards and two Platinum Awards from WSO. MakatiMed was also recently certified by the Stroke Society of the Philippines (SSP) as an accredited Acute Stroke Ready Hospital for its efficient, time-critical response to stroke patients. Valid until April 30, 2028, the Tier 3 certification grants MakatiMed access to priority training and guidance from SSP’s committee. In turn, the hospital can continue to upgrade its staff’s knowledge and skills with the latest approaches to time-critical stroke care.
RCBC tops prestigious ASEAN Corporate Governance Scorecard
The Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) was honored anew with the four-arrow recognition at the ASEAN Corporate Governance Scorecard (ACGS) Golden Arrow Awards on the back of its sound strategy to uphold good governance.
Awarded by the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD), the ACGS Golden Arrow Awards recognizes the outstanding performance of publicly listed companies in the Philippines in terms of corporate governance.
This is the second straight year that RCBC secured 4 Golden Arrows from ICD, which recognized the Yuchengco-led bank’s initiatives to uphold best in class corporate governance standards and practices.
The ACGS measures the performance of the companies in the areas of facilitating the rights and the equitable treatment of shareholders, how they relate to their different stakeholders, ensuring transparency and accountability thru timely disclosure of material information, and how the board guides the company strategically, monitors the management, and ensures the board’s accountability to the company and the shareholders.
The scorecard is composed of 184 questions based on publicly available disclosures on the companies’ websites. It aims to raise the corporate governance standards and practices of the country at par with other ASEAN member countries and to make well-governed Philippine publicly listed companies attractive to investors.
Franchise Asia Philippines 2023 International Expo
The Philippine Franchise Association (PFA) announced on Monday, October 2, that all efforts are being taken to ensure a relevant and rewarding Franchise Asia Philippines (FAPHL) 2023 International Expo on October 27 to 29 at the SMX Convention Center – Manila.
At a press conference at the Crowne Plaza Galleria Manila, final preparations and details of Asia’s biggest and longest running Franchise Show that carries the theme, “Fun. Friendship. Franchising.” were presented by PFA officials to the media.
In photo, PFA officers led by its president Sam Christopher Lim (2nd from right), CEO of Francorp Philippines; PFA chairman Sherill Quintana (2nd from left), founding president and CEO of Oryspa Spa Solutions Inc.; FAPHL 2023 International Expo overall co-chairman Richard Sanz (left), founding chairman and CEO of BBK Group; and PFA vice chair and FAPHL 2023 International Expo ways and means committee chair Dr. Ma. Alegria “Bing” Sibal Limjoco (right), executive vice chairman of Francorp Philippines and chairman of the board of Phoenix-Sibs Publishing during the press conference.
The Philippines through the PFA will also be hosting the next Asia Pacific Franchise Confederation and the World Franchise Council (WFC) meetings in Manila this coming October 25 and October 26-27, respectively – coinciding with Franchise Asia Philippines 2023 International Expo.
