The Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) urges customers to utilize automatic payment schemes when settling their electricity bills as part of its efforts to push for their safety and convenience, while promoting ease in doing business.

Through a webinar held on July 20, Meralco provided an avenue where corporate customers and Meralco’s bank partners were able to discuss the processes and benefits of auto-payment arrangements (APA) offered to businesses.

Under the APA, corporate customers — or those with electricity consumption of 500 kilowatts and above — may enter into an automatic debit arrangement with accredited banks, or an automatic charge setup with credit card companies.

Customers only need to coordinate with their bank and must have no outstanding bill at the time of enrollment. On or before the due date, the bank will automatically debit or charge the total amount. When payment is successful, it will then be posted on the customers’ Meralco account.

“We evolve because the needs of our customers continue to change, adapting to the times. And as an end-to-end energy solutions partner, we want to continue creating value and innovating, to enable our customers to operate or expand their businesses as quickly as possible — as well as simplifying means of doing business,” said Meralco Customer Payments Manager Wilson V. Manzano.

“We are opening this up to our customers to help ease the burden of paying bills. Simply put, customers can link up their existing bank account to partner banks who are participating in the automatic payment arrangement program. This way, the monthly payment of dues is seamless. Apart from keeping the lights on, we are striving to give our customers a convenient user experience,” said Engineer Ma. Cecilia M. Domingo, vice-president and head of Meralco Corporate Partners.

Customers may also contact their dedicated Relationship Manager for their inquiries on bills consumption and history, paperless billing subscription, request for authorized withholding agent (AWA) tagging, submission of creditable withholding tax (CWT) forms, report of a power outage or incident, and application for additional service.

When the pandemic hit the country two years ago, Meralco found the need to leverage on online platforms to offer hassle-free solutions to its customers. Besides APA, Meralco also introduced the Online Customer Appointment, Virtual Customer Assistant, as well as SMS reminders of bills, payment confirmation, and service bulletins, among others.

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PayMaya, the country’s largest processor of merchant payments, has relaunched its enterprise brand as Maya Business.

The new Maya Business seamlessly integrates omnichannel payment acceptance solutions, business-to-business (B2B), and business-to-government (B2G) payments, with digital banking services powered by Maya Bank, including a high-interest business deposit account and a range of credit products for enterprises and their customers.

The transformation comes on the heels of the successful launch of the new Maya brand and consumer app in late April this year which saw an accelerated uptake for wallet and digital banking services.

“With the new Maya Business, we’re creating the future of the enterprise, unleashing digital at a faster speed and on a broader scale,” said Manuel V. Pangilinan, chairman of Voyager and PayMaya, and chairman emeritus of Maya Bank.

Accelerating the digital transformation of businesses

During the event, keynote speakers Department of Trade and Industry Secretary (DTI) Alfredo Pascual and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Felipe Medalla emphasized the need to accelerate the digital transformation of businesses as critical components of sustainable economic growth and inclusion.

“The BSP welcomes the rollout of new digital financial services that bring the benefits of digitalization to Filipino businesses and end-users. We are creating the right environment, but without enterprises like Maya, it means nothing if the private sector does not find a way of utilizing the opportunities. These efforts contribute to our push to expand financing options for our MSMEs and bring them into the mantle of the formal financial system,” said Mr. Medalla.

For his part, DTI’s Mr. Pascual underscored the crucial role of the private sector in helping the Philippines achieve its digital transformation goals.

“The private sector, with its agile mindset and disposition, has to play a key role, particularly in implementing the digital transformation of large and small enterprises as well as the government itself. Congratulations to Maya for providing a fast and secure financial transaction platform for businesses and consumers,” Mr. Pascual said.

According to the BSP 2021 E-Payments Measurement, business payments account for 24.1% of total monthly retail payments. Supplier payments make up almost 90% of total business payments, but most of these still use non-digital channels.

Maya Business is committed to accelerating digital transformation among enterprises and consumers in line with the national targets under the Digital Payments Transformation Roadmap 2023 and eCommerce Philippines Roadmap 2022.

“As a growth and transformation enabler, we are embedding our digital Maya solutions into the operating systems of our merchants, big or small, online or physical,” Orlando B. Vea, PayMaya founder-CEO and Maya Bank co-founder, commented.

From payments to digital financial services

“From being a payments partner for enterprises, we’re now an all-in-one growth partner for businesses,” said Shailesh Baidwan, PayMaya Philippines Group president and Maya Bank co-founder. “Beyond leadership in payment acceptance, we’re enabling our customers with new digital financial services like business deposit, payroll disbursements, working capital loans, and buy-now-pay-later products.”

Maya Business offers merchants the broadest range of payment acceptance solutions, allowing businesses to accept any credit, debit, and prepaid card, scan-to-pay via QR, or via Maya wallet, whether online or on-ground. Solutions include Maya Checkout for online payments, Maya Payment Links for digital invoicing, Maya QR enabled by QR Ph Person-to-Merchant (P2M) payments — the national standard promoted by the BSP, and Maya Terminal, the country’s first android point-of-sale device.

Business owners and corporations can fast-track their business growth with a fully digital bank account that offers free PesoNet transfers and a 1.5% interest rate, four times higher than traditional banks. This feature is currently available for existing Maya Business clients.

On top of payment acceptance, Maya Business also offers a disbursement platform that enables organizations to efficiently distribute funds to their employees, suppliers, or citizen beneficiaries.

Maya Business is powered by the country’s only end-to-end digital payments company, PayMaya Philippines, and Maya Bank for digital banking services. To know more about Maya Business, visit maya.ph/business and follow @MayaBusinessPh on Facebook.

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By Chelsey Keith P. Ignacio

Filinvest Land, Inc. (FLI) registered an increase in its revenues as well as housing and condominium sales in the first half of 2022.

The property developer saw its consolidated revenues and other income grow to P9.1 billion in the first half of the year, up by 7% from the same period in 2021. FLI attributed this rise in revenue to the strong performance of its residential and retail businesses.

Revenues from its residential segment increased by 10% to P5.8 billion, while its retail rental revenues upped by 53% compared to the same period last year. FLI’s residential and retail rental revenues accounted for 72% of its consolidated revenue performance during the first half of the year.

Office leasing and the sale of industrial projects generated the remaining 28% of the developer’s consolidated revenues and other income.

According to FLI, behind the growth of its residential revenues were the accelerated construction progress and strong performance of its housing projects in Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal, and its medium-rise condo projects in Metro Manila and Davao. Meanwhile, the improved occupancy in its malls and the gradual removal of rental concessions increased its retail rental revenues.

FLI’s consolidated earnings before interest and taxes also rose by 5% in the first half of 2022 compared to the same period in the year prior.

With regards to the sales of its housing and condominium units, FLI saw a 30% growth during the first half of the year, recording P9.1 billion in total option sales as of the end of June.

“We are happy to see our sales volume increase to pre-pandemic performance and, happier, to see sales growth recorded in almost all the provinces where we operate,” Filinvest Land President Tristan Las Marias said. “We have invested to build bigger distribution channels both locally and abroad to reach more customers and support our expansion activities, and it is paying dividends for us.”

FLI also announced that it has launched new condominium projects in Dagupan City and Zamboanga City as well as new condo buildings in existing condo communities in Davao City, Cagayan De Oro, Cebu City, and Metro Manila. It also opened expansion phases in its housing and subdivision projects in Pampanga, Rizal, and Cavite.

The developer estimates to roll out new launches and expansion projects worth P14 billion for the rest of 2022.

“Our economy is vibrant once again and our OFW remittance has never been stronger. We are seeing strong recovery from all our business segments, and we aim to take advantage of our extensive geographic presence to catch unserved and emerging property demands as businesses further open in the country,” Mr. Las Marias said.

Filinvest Land is one of the leading full-range property developers in the Philippines, having built a diverse project portfolio that comprises residential, office, mall, townscape, and mixed-use developments across the country.

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By Chelsey Keith P. Ignacio

Education can open the doors to abundant opportunities, from achieving one’s dream, helping the family, or even contributing to the country’s development. Hence, it is significant for every Filipino to have the chance to be educated to broaden their capacities and be able to reach these many opportunities and possibilities.

Business magnate and philanthropist Dr. George Ty Siao Kian once said, “A country can only develop fully if its citizens are given the opportunity to attain their greatest potential.” Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI), the philanthropic arm of Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. (Metrobank) that he both founded, thus recognizes education as one of its main thrusts.

Among MBFI’s initiatives to support fostering the youth through proper education is offering various scholarship programs. And recently, Metrobank celebrated 67 of its scholars graduating and taking on a new chapter this year during the 22^nd edition of the Graduates’ Forum themed “Ang Pagtatapos!?” held from July 26-29, 2022.

“We, the Metrobank and GT Foundation, are buoyed to witness the culmination of the undergraduate journeys of 67 scholars from eight partner universities and colleges nationwide, representing two of our scholarship programs MBFI ACCESS III (Assistance for the Completion of College Education for Superior Students) and GTFI-YES II (GT Foundation, Inc.-Youth for Excellence and Service),” MBFI President Aniceto Sobrepeña said in his opening remarks last July 26.

Among the 67 graduating scholars of MBFI and GTFI this year, more than half are Latin honors recipients, composed of 19 cum laude, 15 magna cum laude, and two summa cum laude. They also received cash incentives: P15,000 (summa), P10,000 (magna) and P5,000 (cum).

“We look at you scholars and we are reminded of the virtues of our founder, Dr. George Ty Siao Kian, of course influenced by his mother Doña Tytana. We see in you the virtues of excellence, endurance, and diligence,” Mr. Sobrepeña said.

College experience can be difficult, including for summa cum laude Joseph Lawrence Celeste, who took up Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering at the University of the Philippines — Diliman and one of the GTFI-YES II scholars.

“Actually napakahirap (college experience). Kasi being member of the pilot batch ng K to 12, under kami ng new curriculum, so everything was really new even to our professors. And then came the pandemic, parang another adjustment to be made for us students (Actually, it was very difficult. Because being a member of the pilot batch of K to 12, we were under a new curriculum, so everything was really new even to our professors. And then came the pandemic, it’s like another adjustment to be made for us students),” he recounted in an interview.

“But being here now and finishing with flying colors, parang napaka-fulfilling (it’s very fulfilling).”

His fellow summa cum laude, Esteban Chua, Jr., a graduate of Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in English from the University of the East — Manila, similarly said that college experience was tough for the many adjustments their batch have to go through. “But at the same time, I think ‘yun din ‘yung nag-contribute kaya mas naging rewarding siya in the end. Kaya mas satisfying siya and mas grateful kami ngayon (But at the same time, I think that also contributed for it to become more rewarding in the end. That’s why it was more satisfying and we’re more grateful now),” the MBFI ACCESS III scholar said.

This ‘pagtatapos,’ for Mr. Celeste, is another milestone he achieved and will surpass. “Ito na ‘yung parang biggest achievement ko so far in life (This seems to be my biggest achievement so far in life),” he said. “So, parang (it seems) from this point, there’s nowhere to go but up.”

“It’s really meaningful because, number one, it’s one proof that I have achieved something big in my life,” added Mr. Chua. “And another, it’s because it just shows that I’m onto something bigger in my life.”

“Now that we are on to the next chapter of our life, I hope that we remain thankful and inspired by those who helped us get to where we are now,” Mr. Chua told his fellow scholars during his speech. “Fellow graduate scholars, let this be the start of our collective mission to give back to our country as one of our ways of saying thanks.”

While the graduating scholars are moving forward and taking on a new path, Mr. Sobrepeña reminded them that being an MBFI or GTFI scholar does not end after the student has received their diploma.

“It is a life-long commitment to excellence and service,” he said during the event. “Hindi lamang kailangan magaling, kailangan nagli-lingkod at nagsisilbi. (Not only do you need to be good, you also need to serve.) Even beyond this forum, we hope that you will carry out these ideals with you.”

Mr. Sobrepeña also told scholars that they do not have to give back to Metrobank for the support it provided. “Bigay mo sa ibang pamamaraan, huwag sa amin (Give it in another way, not to us),” he said in an interview. “Being excellent wherever you are is a way of paying us back.”

“Outreach, kawang-gawa (charity), and doing well, doing good in whatever profession or company you are in,” he added, “‘Yun ang aming ini-inculcate sa kanila. (Those are what we’re inculcating in them.)”

MBFI, apart from covering the tuition fees and providing allowances, cultivated its scholars with values and character by conducting formation programs and seeks to encourage them to pay this gift of education forward to the underprivileged.

Supporting Filipino students since 1995, the MBFI scholarship programs have created over a thousand graduates. These various programs aim to help financially challenged yet academically gifted students get the quality educational opportunities they very much deserve.

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Sustainability has transcended trends and has become somewhat of an art form in itself. In business, it has now been refined to qualify as a point of sophistication, with good reason. Implementing sustainable practices into an operation requires both technological innovation and their creative application.

Much more than that, sustainability is also an embodiment of modern values, where short-term gains are foresworn for the benefit of the future generations. The significance is further heightened in the wake of current global crises.

In the words of the United Nations (UN) Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs Liu Zhenmin in their 2022 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) report, “The world is facing a confluence of crises that threaten the very survival of humanity. All of these crises — and ways to prevent and navigate them — are addressed holistically in the SDGs.”

Sustainable Development Goal 11 focuses on building sustainable cities and communities, as more than half the world’s population live in cities today. By 2050, it is predicted that seven out of 10 people will likely live in urban areas.

“Cities are drivers of economic growth and contribute more than 80% of global GDP. However, they also account for more than 70% of global greenhouse gas emissions. If well-planned and managed, urban development can be sustainable and can generate inclusive prosperity,” the UN report writes.

In property development, the development and refinement of sustainable or green buildings have been the foundation of rating and performance measurement systems like the US Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system.

Ultimately, the goal is to create the best buildings possible, with consideration to all the necessary elements in the grander context of the modern era. LEED provides a framework for healthy, efficient, carbon and cost-saving green buildings, and LEED-certified buildings are globally recognized as symbols of sustainability achievement and leadership.

LEED-certified buildings save money, improve efficiency, lower carbon emissions and create healthier places for people. They are a critical part of addressing climate change and meeting ESG goals, enhancing resilience, and supporting more equitable communities.

Rockwell Land, as a leading premium property developer in the Philippines, strives to embody such qualities in its portfolio. In fact, the company is raising the bar of sophistication in Rockwell Center with the launch of the Proscenium at Rockwell.

The Proscenium at Rockwell stands as a symbol of modern values in property developer, a holistic community in Makati consisting of five residential towers with a sprawling amenity deck designed by world-renowned Uruguayan architect, Carlos Ott. In this enclave where all needs are within reach is Rockwell Workspaces’ newest office tower, 1 Proscenium.

As a LEED Silver-Certified building, 1 Proscenium builds on the luxury experience created by the mixed-use complex, offering 214 square meters (sq. m.) to 640 sq. m. of office spaces, equipped with the latest Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) air-conditioning system and is built with operable windows for greater air circulation. With 21 floors and floor-to-ceiling windows, the office spaces feature plentiful natural sunlight to its tenants while providing a distinct exclusive view of the Rockwell community within Makati.

Aiming to provide the best office spaces for the finest professionals and discerning executives, 1 Proscenium is an integral part of the Proscenium masterplan. The balance of conduciveness, thoughtful office functionalities, and the unique touch of Rockwell’s distinct lifestyle is what makes it the ultimate workstyle experience.

Rockwell Workspaces first ventured into creating premium office spaces through its pioneer project, Rockwell Business Center Ortigas in Pasig. This was followed by its first LEED Gold-Certified building, 8 Rockwell, located in Makati City. Rockwell Business Center Sheridan in Mandaluyong and Santolan Town Plaza in San Juan were soon launched afterwards. Through the addition of 1 Proscenium to its portfolio, the brand continues to provide and preserve the signature workstyle they create.

To learn more about the office spaces for lease in 1 Proscenium, please visit rockwellworkspaces.com.

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Intellicare believes that the way forward for healthcare is balancing high-touch and high-tech care.

The disruption brought about by the global pandemic proved to be an opportunity for us to reimagine how we deliver our services to our members safely without compromising the quality of care and patient experience.

As we are committed to adapt and innovate, we strive to provide our members multiple touchpoints to ensure ease and convenience in availing their benefits.

Here are some of the ways we stay in touch using technology.

AGORA Mobile App

Agora, Intellicare’s official mobile application, was developed with our members in mind. It is envisioned to be accessible, convenient, personal, and intuitive. Downloading this app will give our members easy access to a digital version of their health card along with other pertinent account information such as benefit plan and coverage. Members may also request and generate electronic referral control sheets (RCS) for consultations and diagnostics, locate accredited medical hospitals and clinics nearby, and search for affiliated doctors and dentists. Agora is available for download on Google Play and the App Store.

Telemedicine

Even before the pandemic, we have recognized that telemedicine and mobile health are not just mere trends but are vital means of reimagining service delivery for healthcare in the future. Providing this channel helps us live up to our commitment of providing affordable, accessible, quality, and efficient healthcare. Remote consultation is here to stay. Intellicare’s telemedicine partners are TelAventusMD and Medgate Philippines.

Email Automation with RPA

To complement our customer service team, we have recently employed the use of Robotic Process Automation (RPA) to help us improve our turnaround time in processing email requests.

Remote Assistance of Patient Relations Officers

Even with limited physical interaction, we are able to assist our members during hospital admission and discharge through mobile calls and messages.

24/7 Call Center

Of course, if a member prefers the warmth of another person’s voice, we have our call center operating constantly to serve our members.

We understand that different people have different needs or preferences when it comes to requesting healthcare services so we make sure that we have an omni-channel approach.

These channels are just some ways we foster a nurturing relationship with our members. Hand in hand with human connection, this is the natural progression of our promise to provide access to quality and compassionate healthcare through changing times and continue to care in infinite ways.

For more information, you may visit www.intellicare.net.ph and follow our official social media accounts. We are Intellicare on Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube and Twitter, and intellicareph on Instagram.

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The honest truth: No one came out of the COVID-19 pandemic in quite the same way. The pandemic was an isolating period of self-discovery, emotional growth, and life-altering realizations. It changed people, and in the process, it shaped the way so many of us view ourselves and the world around us.

Because of this, consumer tastes and behaviors have shifted. Where in a pre-pandemic world, people often spent on luxuries and experiences that allowed them to celebrate their accomplishments, studies show that consumers now want a different experience, one that is kinder and more embracing of the changes that each individual had gone through in the past two years. People are now prioritizing their personal wellness and supporting products and services that champion growth.

As consumer tastes have shifted, brands are starting to adapt to these changes. And true to its foundational commitment to make people happy, SM is ready with a host of new offerings as the entire brand is poised for a refresh this year.

“The history of SM Supermalls is one that has been built on innovation and change to serve the needs of millions of Filipinos,” says SM Supermalls President Steven Tan. “We’ve been with our customers through their every milestone for almost four decades. And we are committed to always changing, always growing with our customers in the years and decades to come.”

SM Supermalls: Welcoming Every Change in You

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SM continues to stay true to its mission to provide Filipino families with a fun and engaging in-mall experience so they can go home with a smile on their faces.

There will always be a plethora of experiences for each person who comes through SM’s doors. This is true for the various personalities that emerged during the pandemic; from eco-warriors and Plantitas to health buffs and sports personalities who embraced biking, healthy eating, and home gyms, and bakers and homemakers who turned their passion projects into small businesses.

“I believe that now more than ever, it is important to recognize the new changes to our world,” adds Mr. Tan. “And people are continuing to grow as they invest in experiences that uplift their lives.”

Ushering the Future with the Transformation of SM Supermalls

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In the next few months, Filipinos across Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao will get to experience the wellness-oriented and sustainability-driven transformation of SM Supermalls with a host of new and exciting activities. These include paw parks for pet moms and dads, al fresco dining areas for hangout groups, plant hubs for eco-enthusiasts, bike facilities for the growing cycling community, co-working spaces, experiential retail, blockbuster and larger-than-life cinema escapades, and so much more.

As SM’s brand refresh campaign ushers in a newness to the Philippine mall experience, curious visitors, foodies, friends and families will have much to rediscover. So come on in, you’re always welcome here!

For more information, follow SM Supermalls on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smsupermalls to experience what’s new in any SM Supermall near you today!

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