Pueblo de Oro Development Corporation (PDO) recently recognized the value of hard work by extending additional livelihood assistance to dedicated residents of Pampanga who have shown perseverance in sustaining their micro-businesses.

The beneficiaries are graduates of the “Kabalikat sa Negosyo” livelihood training program, in collaboration with the ICCP Group Foundation, Inc. (IGFI), the social development arm of PDO for its host communities in Barangay Del Carmen, San Fernando, Pampanga. Kabalikat sa Negosyo is an ongoing training program that started in 2021 and to date has helped around 120 individuals who are mostly women in Sto. Tomas and Malvar, Batangas, and San Fernando, Pampanga.

Operating home-based eateries, these beneficiaries have demonstrated commendable work ethic, resilience, and aptitude, as observed during IGFI’s regular monitoring visits. Their efforts have allowed them to maintain their small businesses, providing a steady source of income for their families.

Pueblo de Oro and IGFI hope that this additional livelihood assistance will enable these beneficiaries to further grow their businesses and serve as inspirations to other members of their community.

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The Filinvest Group continues to move fast forward this 2024, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable growth and sharing with its stakeholders the promise of enabling more Filipinos to achieve their dreams.

Founded by Andrew and Mercedes Gotianun in 1955, Filinvest Development Corp. (FDC) has evolved into a leading conglomerate with strategic investments in real estate, banking, power, hospitality, sugar, and infrastructure.

Today, Filinvest is growing and shaping its businesses by driving synergies across the group, making the company more resilient and future-ready.

“As a cohesive group, Filinvest’s portfolio companies can leverage on key platforms that will drive operational excellence and improve ways of working so that our businesses can focus on business building. Armed with a strategic framework, Filinvest’s goal is to Fast Forward Filinvest,” said FDC President and CEO Rhoda Huang.

All efforts aim to achieve and ensure that Filinvest delivers an enhanced experience for its diverse customers.

Fast Forward: The Consumer Dream

Filinvest’s banking arm, East West Banking Corp., one of the largest consumer lending banks in the country, continues to expand its market nationwide. After growing its portfolio to P237.3 billion in 2023, EastWest is enhancing its loan segments and embracing digital transformation to capitalize on its strength as a banking powerhouse.

Under the leadership of CEO Jerry Ngo, EastWest is investing in digital banking capabilities and allocating over P2 billion to bolster the IT and cybersecurity departments. Recently, the bank launched digital products like Easy Way and Easy Biz, aiming to speed up the usual bank processes, including deposits, withdrawals, and loan payments.

This year, EastWest is celebrating its 30th anniversary which kicked off with a golf tournament celebration for its clients and partners at the Filinvest Mimosa Plus Leisure City in Clark. The program was a collaboration among Filinvest brands, namely EastWest, Mimosa Plus Golf Course, and Filigree, showcasing a collective ambition to enhance customer experience.

Fast Forward: Building the Filipino Dream 

In real estate, Filinvest is providing value for money homes, sustainable communities, and future ready townships to every Filipino. Through its 51 integrated mixed-use developments, including central business districts and mid-rise townships, it aims to uplift lives, provide more homes and support local communities.

Under the leadership of President and CEO Tristan Las Marias, Filinvest Land Inc. (FLI) as a full-range property developer continues to fulfill their aim to build townships, residential communities, retail and office spaces, and industrial parks. With a landbank of 2,300 hectares, it has more than 200 projects across 22 provinces and towns in the Philippines.

This year, FLI plans to launch P25 billion worth of residential projects. The first mid -rise condominium community project in Bacoor, Cavite called Sydney Oasis is in the works, along with a new sea-side resort-inspired condominium community in Dumaguete City called Futura Shores Dumaguete, among others.

Recently, FLI sealed a lease deal with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for its entire Filinvest Buendia building, spanning 10,668.40 square meters and won the bid to lease office space for the Main Office of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) at the Filinvest Cyberzone Bay City (FCBC) in Pasay City.

From a GLA of 250,000 sq.m., Filinvest Malls will be adding 120,000 sq.m. within the next three years in Clark Mimosa+, Iloilo, Bacolod, and Rizal, and mixed-use buildings in Quezon City and Dumaguete, among others.

Furthermore, to bolster the economies of the nation’s emerging regions, Filinvest is spearheading the establishment of expansive industrial parks in both Filinvest New Clark City and Ciudad de Calamba.

Engines of growth 

As an engine of growth for the Filinvest Group, Filinvest Hospitality Corp. (FHC) is expanding its portfolio and contributing to the revitalization of the country’s tourism industry.

FHC’s varied portfolio includes well-established brands such as Crimson Hotels & Resorts, Quest Hotels & Resorts, Mimosa Plus Golf Course, Timberland Highlands Resort, and Timberland Mountain Bike Park in San Mateo, Rizal. In addition, it operates renowned F&B brands such as Baker J, Firehouse Pizza, and Alibi Lounge & Bar.

In partnership with the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and John Hay Management Corp. (JHMC), FHC is set to open its newest hotel brand by 2025, the Grafik Hotel Collection in Baguio City.

Meanwhile, Filinvest, through FDC Utilities, Inc. (FDCUI), has also been a key player in the power sector since 2009. As it continuously works to support the country’s energy needs through its 405-megawatt (MW) baseload power plant in Misamis Oriental, FDCUI is also boosting its capacity by means of developing renewable energy projects. Earlier this year, the company successfully completed the 3.4MW Cotabato Sugar Biomass Project in Matalam, North Cotabato. More recently, FDCUI was awarded a green lane certificate of endorsement by the Board of Investments for its 33.400MW Pampang Hydroelectric Power Project.

Other notable projects currently in the pipeline include the 20MW PHIVIDEC Misamis Solar Power Project that can inject 30,450 megawatt-hours of clean energy annually into the grid, the 11MW Cotabato Solar Farm Project, and the commercial and industrial solar rooftop projects in Cebu and Laguna totaling 15MW. These initiatives are among many that Filinvest is pursuing to help attain energy security across the country.

As the Filinvest Group grows as one, it is guided by a common purpose—enabling more Filipinos to achieve their dreams.

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The Manila Electric Company (Meralco) has ramped up investments in energy infrastructure, technology, and innovation as part of its efforts to continuously ensure the delivery of stable and reliable electricity service to its growing number of customers.

As the largest distribution utility in the country, Meralco continuously works to meet the increasing demand for electricity while supporting the country’s energy security and sustainability goals.

“Beyond the core distribution business, we continue to invest in more generation capacity which will help address, if not eliminate, instances of supply insufficiency in the country’s power grid, and support the growing demand for power,” Meralco Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Manuel V. Pangilinan said.

“Our plans are well aligned with the country’s pursuit to develop more energy infrastructure and sustainable energy solutions that can promote energy security that can benefit not just consumers in our franchise area, but also cater to the power needs of our unserved and underserved communities,” he added.

Key distribution network projects

In the first half of 2024, the company already completed several key projects to strengthen and enhance the resiliency of its distribution network.

Among these is the new gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) Pallocan West Substation in Batangas City, which enhances the reliability of power distribution in the area. The company also expanded the Eton Centris 115 kV – 34.5 kV GIS Substation in Quezon City.

Other projects completed by Meralco so far this year are the development of a new control house with switchgear room at the Novaliches Substation; the replacement of the 34.5 kV Switchgear No. 1 at Meycauayan Substation in Bulacan; and the development of the Napindan 115 kV switching station in Taguig City.

Securing sufficient power supply

To secure sufficient power supply at the least cost to consumers, Meralco also conducted multiple Competitive Selection Processes (CSPs) in accordance with its approved Power Supply Procurement Plan. This is critical to securing long-term power supply agreements that provide stable and affordable electricity to its customers.

The distribution utility recently completed CSPs for its 1,200 MW, 1,800 MW, and 400 MW baseload power supply requirements.

As part of its compliance with the Government’s Renewable Portfolio Standards policy that requires distribution utilities to source a portion of their supply from renewable energy (RE), Meralco also recently conducted a CSP for its 500 MW RE mid-merit power supply requirement beginning March 2025 for the first 350 MW which will be increased by 150 MW by March 2026. The best bids are currently undergoing post-qualification evaluation and will be submitted for review and approval of the Energy Regulatory Commission thereafter.

Sustainability and social responsibility

Aligned with the country’s sustainability goals, Meralco’s wholly owned power generation unit, Meralco PowerGen Corp. (MGen), is aggresively expanding its renewable energy portfolio.

As of June 2024, MGen delivered 7,633 GWh of energy and has a total power generation capacity of 2,404 MW (net). This includes a diversified portfolio of power generation assets in the Philippines and Singapore.

Meralco has also progressed with its efforts to explore the adoption of nuclear energy in support of the government’s goal of energy security.

The company recently sent five engineers abroad—three to Harbin Engineering University in China and the remaining two to University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in the United States—under its Filipino Scholars and Interns on Nuclear Engineering (FISSION) program.

On the social responsibility front, Meralco continues to implement programs and projects that benefit communities in and outside its franchise area through the One Meralco Foundation (OMF).

In the first half of the year alone, OMF has already assisted 475 low-income households through its household electrification program. Additionally, the foundation powered two public schools on an island in Camarines Norte, benefiting over 900 students.

Under its flagship environmental program One for Trees, the foundation has nurtured over 2.3 million trees across various reforestation sites nationwide, providing livelihood opportunities to over 2,000 tree farmers.

Recently, 17,633 new mangroves and trees were planted in reforestation sites in Panay and Cebu as well as in the Del Carmen Mangrove Sanctuary in Siargao Islands, Surigao Del Norte.

“As an active partner of the government in nation-building, we will also endeavor to further contribute to the aggressive infrastructure development and economic missions and support such policies that will attract more investments and create jobs for more Filipinos,” Mr. Pangilinan said.

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As more Filipino consumers rely on on-demand service platforms like Grab, more livelihood opportunities are created for on-demand professionals like ride-hailing drivers and food delivery riders.

These delivery- and driver-partners — relishing the flexibility of work schedule and the high-earnings potential, mostly rely on the platform to be primary breadwinners for their families. They not only fulfill basic necessities but also pave the way for their families’ socioeconomic advancement and overall life improvement.

Such is the inspiring story of Matet Craig, a GrabCar driver-partner for almost a decade. “Walang makakatanggi na ibang klase ang kasipagan, tiyaga, diskarte, at pagmamahal sa biyahe ng mga ride-hailing professionals gaya ko. Naniniwala ako na magkaroon man ng mga hadlang, ang taong determinado magtagumpay sa buhay ay makakahanap ng paraan,” shares Craig. With her earnings, the solo parent of three was able to purchase her six-seater vehicle and send her children to school. “Walang madaling hanapbuhay, pero hangga’t klaro ang layunin mo para sa iyong sarili at pamilya, makikita at makikita ito sa kalidad at klase ng serbisyo na i-ooffer mo sa bawat pasahero.”

A Much-Deserved Celebration of Hard Work and Determination

In celebration of National Heroes Day, Grab’s delivery- and driver-partners were honored in the leading superapp’s online film series, “Itatawid, Ihahatid.” The series highlighted the multifaceted roles and numerous challenges these contemporary heroes must play and overcome on the road to provide exceptional service — unwavering in their determination to inch closer to their life aspirations.

The films were aimed at cultivating the much-deserved appreciation for the often-overlooked dedication of on-demand service professionals to ensure that every passenger gets to their destination safely and conveniently; and that every craving is satisfied. The films were positively received by netizens, with most comments commending the service and perseverance of drivers and riders.

Additionally, in a tribute to their dedication and resilience, drivers and riders en route to their pickup and delivery locations have been honored on the Grab app. All “Kuya” and “Ate” Grab, known for their relentless hard work, have been depicted as committed superheroes on the app’s location tracking feature as they fulfill their services. This innovative tribute, which runs from Aug. 26 to Sept. 1, serves as a constant reminder of their invaluable contribution to the community.

Ralph Guillermo from the Grab Ugnayan Advocates, a group of GrabFood delivery-partners, has underscored the importance of recognizing the dedication of platform professionals such as him. “Hindi ho madali ang ang aming kabuhayan. Ang daming mga iba’t ibang bagay na kailangan namin harapin sa daan upang makapaghatid kami ng serbisyo, gaya na lamang ng traffic, pabago-bagong panahon, at iba pa. Pero siyempre, hindi kami nagpapapigil sa mga ito para sa bawat customer at para sa aming kabuhayan.”

Another Ugnayan Advocate, Alan Carrillo, highlighted how delivery-partnrs appreciate feedback from consumers. “Nakakatuwa kapag kami ay nakakatanggap ng simpleng feedback gaya ng five-star rating o magandang komento, pati na rin tips, mula sa aming customers. Ang mga ito ay patunay na lahat panalo sa bawat maayos na delivery — napapasaya ang mga customer habang kami naman ay umuusad papalapit sa aming aspirasyon sa buhay.”

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