Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are on survival mode right now, especially those located in COVID-19 hot spots. Because of the enforced community quarantine to mitigate the spread of the virus, customers are forced to stay home while employees find difficulty in finding transportation. Sales have plunged or reduced to a trickle.

For Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), while the challenges continue, there is no better time to prepare for business recovery than now.

BPI Business Banking Head Eric Luchangco said the bank has taken steps to equip SMEs with the services and tools they will need for a more digitally enhanced way of doing business.

“In the spirit of bayanihan, we have rolled out special programs to help our SME clients sustain their operations during these challenging times,” he said.

Digital banking

The e-commerce marketplace has become the new battleground for businesses as Filipinos spend more time on online shopping due to quarantine restrictions.

BPI is enabling traditional SMEs adapt to the shifting consumer behavior by encouraging the use of digital payment. Through BPI Online and the BPI Mobile app, sole proprietors can conveniently access electronic statements, transfer funds, pay bills, and even pay cash through Cebuana and Palawan Express by just using their devices anytime, anywhere.

SME clients may also leverage the digital opportunity to manage their cash and payments through BPI Bizlink. Bizlink enables business clients to download bank statements, transfer funds between accounts, pay utility bills, pay government services, and make check disbursements using their phones—reducing any potential risk on cash handling.

Just as in the early part of the quarantine, BPI has continued to ensure the availability of its 3,000 ATMs and CAMs (cash accept machines) in major locations nationwide.

Innovative webinars

BPI also launched BizTalk Online, a free webinar series, designed to help SMEs adjust to the demands of the changing business environment.

BizTalk Online highlights economic and industry analysis from BPI’s own in-house economists and subject matter experts. They also demonstrate the benefits and various ways of using technology in boosting efficiency as well as the best practices that can enhance business operations.

“We make sure that we offer value-added service to our clients—well-thought solutions that they need during these challenging times,” said Mr. Luchangco.

BPI has partnered with bancassurance subsidiary, BPI-Philam, to provide free COVID-19 life insurance coverage worth P200,000 for its clients and their employees for 90 days.

BPI is also offering interest rate discounts on certain pre-selected loans for some of our smallest and most vulnerable business clients from July to December 2020. Earlier, BPI extended loan payment deferrals of qualified clients for 90 days.

“These are all part of our commitment to the Filipino people, our commitment to the nation’s future. We continue to listen to our clients so we can innovate and adapt to this pandemic or to any situation we may find ourselves in,” Luchangco said.

2020 would have been another promising year for Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC), with its focus on infrastructure investment, to increase the country’s infrastructure capacity and provide inclusive access on power, water and sanitation, and transportation solutions.

The group’s consolidated Core Net Income (CNI) of ₱3.4B in the first quarter, with power accounting for ₱2.87B (62%), tollroads at ₱0.92B (20%), water at ₱0.86 billion (18%), and contribution from hospitals, rail, logistics and other businesses, offset each other.

The said figure went down by 6% from ₱3.7 billion in the same period last year, largely due to the economic contraction caused by the pandemic.

Manila Electric Company posted a CNI of ₱5.7B, Global Business Power had ₱ 0.4B, Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. had₱0.9B, and Maynilad Water, ₱1.6B.

“The robustness of our operations, even in these difficult times, reflects a decade and more of sustained capital investment. Our talented management and dedicated front-line employees deserve our gratitude in these trying times,” says MPIC President and Chief Executive Officer Jose Ma. Lim.

He added that the group is well funded due to the ₱30.1B sell down of its interest in the hospitals business in 2019 and the suspension of its share buy back program and discretionary projects.

As a responsible corporate citizen, the conglomerate responded to the COVID-19 outbreak by channeling much of its effort on emergency response and going the extra mile in strengthening the delivery of essential utilities and services under its stewardship.

Through Tulong Kapatid, the corporate social responsibility alliance of foundations and companies under the MVP Group of Companies, as well as thedonations of its employees, the conglomerate provided substantial support to the government’s drive to curb the pandemic and reach out to the society’s vulnerable sectors.

In the crucial weeks of the enhanced community quarantine, Meralco and Maynilad provided stable supply and deferred payments on power and water, respectively, while MPTC kept the smooth flow of essential goods, services and essential workers through the tollways.

Metro Pacific Hospital Holdings Inc. (MPHHI) upgraded its overall bed capacity, made medical services available 24/7 in its nationwide network, and designated the Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Manila as its main COVID-19 referral facility. It also extended its expertise in the construction of quarantine and isolation facilities across the country.

As of July 2020, MPIC has shared a total of P350M in aid to government agencies, hospitals, local governments, community organizations, and individual beneficiaries.

This assistance came in the form of medical personal protective equipment, food packs to front-liners, health care packages and medical kits, deferred billings, waived fees, extended electric subsidies, transportation and logistics support, livelihood projects, direct grants to the PhilippineDisaster Resilience Foundation, andrelief support to marginalized groups.

Looking Forward

The COVID-19 pandemic illustrated both the strength of MPIC’s offerings and the need for more diligent focus on sustainability. And with the extraordinary circumstances notwithstanding, the group has made significant progress on the key industries it is involved in.

“Beyond figures, our priorities are in order—the welfare of our people, service to our customers, cash preservation, and profitability. Despite the unpredictable environment, the resiliency of our major companies assures us we can rebound and excel through this crisis,” says MPIC Chairman Manuel Pangilinan.

He said that with the gradual easing of the quarantine relations, its firms have been back on track with its programs to help restart the local economy.

Meralco has spent ₱4.2B on capital expenditures to address critical loading of facilities and support new demand and customer connections. It has also electrified outlying islands through microgrid implementations by leveraging on solar and battery energystorage.

MPTC has earmarked ₱107B on current projects and will allocate ₱25B once it secures the Cavite-Tagaytay-Batangas Expressway. It has opened the first subsection of the Cavite-Laguna Expressway, andthe North Luzon Expressway’s Harbor Link Malabon Exit. The latter’s 2.6-km elevated expressway will be completed in the second half of 2020 and will drastically reduce travel time and benefit the transport logistics industry.

Moreover, the Cebu–Cordova Link Expressway, the first tollway in the Visayas, has resumed construction and is expected to be completed in October 2021 and decongest traffic situation in Metro Cebu.

Global Business Power Corp.is strengthening ancillary services and exploring investments in renewable energy to complement its fossil fuel capacity.

Construction is ongoing for the joint venture between METPower Venture Partners Holdings, Inc. and Dole Philippines for waste-to-energy biogas plants in South Cotabato, while awaiting go signal for the 36-mw Quezon City Solid Waste Management Facility Project.

MetroPac Water Investments Corp. has strengthened treatment plants to become earthquake-proof, expanded supplytreatmentcapacity, and increasedwater supply. Water coverage has grown to 9.7 million consumers, while some 3,151 kms. of new pipes have been laid, and its NRW at the DMA level was at 24.8% by March, saving one billion liters daily.

The National Water Resources Board has increased Maynilad’s allocation for domestic use in Metro Manila and adjacent cities by four cubic meters per second, enabling it to optimize treatment facilities, reducelosses, and increase distribution.

Outside its Maynilad concession, MPW currently bills 359 million liters a day (MLD), with expansion plans of up to 602 MLD in Laguna, Iloilo, and Cagayan de Oro, and 660 MLD in Vietnam.

Meanwhile, Light Rail Management Corp.’s CNI fell by 19%, but progress of the LRT-1 Cavite Extension has reached 40% completion since resumption of construction.

Last but not least, Metropac Movers, Inc. is set to construct first-class warehousing and cold storage facilities warehouses along the Sta. Rosa-Tagaytay Road.

“Now more than ever, Metro Pacific will enhance its resolve to invest, manage and transform key industries to help the country get back on its feet and regain its competitive edge in Asia,” Pangilinan concluded.

Optimistic amid the pandemic

In spite of the global pandemic largely impacting economies and sectors, property stays a viable investment. Maintaining an optimistic outlook for the sector, Ayala Land Inc. (ALI), the developer behind several of the country’s sought-after mixed-use estates, sees the current setting as an opportunity for investors to establish a richer property portfolio.

According to Cris Zuluaga, assistant vice president (AVP) of Ayala Land Estates, Inc., the uncertainty should not deter those with capital especially when attractive returns can be expected in the future.

“We have seen in past crises how the property sector has constantly been able to recover after a downturn with values appreciating over time. Given our country’s stable economy, it remains one of the best options for investment today,” Ms. Zuluaga said.

Furthermore, ALI’s AVP notes that the property sector has shown consistent strength despite economic downturns. ALI has proven through time the sustainability and viability of its projects as it saw tremendous growth in the land value of its developments in strategic growth centers.

For instance, the land values reported by Colliers in September 2018 and December 2019 showed both Alabang and Makati grew about 12% annually in the past 10 years, thus reflecting the recent growth of the industry.

Moreover, as one of the largest and most diverse developers in the country, ALI’s track record exhibits its ability to weather regional and global events of economic impact. The firm’s 29 sustainable mixed-use estates across the Philippines showcase its mettle through the years.

Taking financial risks during a pandemic may seem unwise to some, but Ms. Zaluaga holds that there is an advantage of potential returns in investing on property albeit the calculated risk.

Exponential growth for Vermosa

Vermosa, Ayala Land’s progressive estate in Cavite, presents an investment opportunity for homebuyers, industries, and businesses who are banking on reaping returns post-pandemic.

Vermosa has reached an 82% growth on its commercial properties since its introduction in 2015, with a compounded annual growth rate of 14%. Upon full build out, Vermosa is expected to house around 30,000 people across several of its residential developments and generate about 500,000 jobs.

Having become the destination for modern active living and lifestyle pursuits in the south of Manila, Vermosa is set to develop as a progressive commercial center. Moreover, with several major infrastructure projects (i.e., Aguinaldo and Molino flyovers, Skyway extension, and the Cavite-Laguna Expressway) which will make Cavite a booming growth center, Vermosa is seen to gain improved access.

According to Ms. Zaluaga, Vermosa has the trademark qualities of an Ayala Land estate: integrated, pedestrian-friendly, inclusive, and conducive for building an ideal, community-grounded lifestyle.

Developing properties with self-sustainability in mind, ALI estates like Vermosa ensconce the right mix of residential, business, and lifestyle spaces that continue to serve generations upon generations of residents and investors.

“The historical performance of our properties in terms of land value, and the strategy and careful management that we continue to commit to our estates are assurances that we provide to homebuyers and investors who wish to secure strong future returns with Ayala Land,” Ms. Zaluaga stressed.

Apart from residential investments in its estates, Ayala Land commercial lots are likewise worth considering for investments, particularly at Vermosa, Nuvali in Santa Rosa, Laguna; Arca South in Taguig; Alviera in Porac, Pampanga; and Altaraza Town Center in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan.

Smart Padala by PayMaya agents in select areas around the country are now equipped with QR codes for faster and safer contactless way to encash funds for beneficiaries of the second tranche of the Department of Welfare and Development (DSWD) Social Amelioration Program (SAP).

PayMaya has been tapped by the DSWD to distribute the financial aid, which ranges from P5,000 to P8,000 depending on the beneficiary’s location, through the PayMaya accounts of the recipients in Metro Manila, Cordillera Administrative Region, Region 3, Region 4-A, and Region 7, among others. In these areas, Smart Padala by PayMaya agents in neighborhood communities will serve as encashment touchpoints for individuals and families severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic identified as SAP beneficiaries.

With over 30,000 partner agent touchpoints nationwide, Smart Padala has the most extensive domestic remittance network in the country. Aside from the disbursement of the SAP financial aid, PayMaya has also been working with the DSWD in distributing funds to beneficiaries of its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program.

As of June, PayMaya Philippines has helped disburse more than P1.4 billion in financial aid to at least 120,000 citizen beneficiaries under the social amelioration programs of various national government agencies and local government units since the start of COVID-19 community quarantines last March.

Realizing the need for a quick and efficient system to hand out financial aid that also prevents cash handling, which may help spread the virus, the government both in the national and local level has turned to PayMaya’s e-Wallet and its other digital financial services to provide the fastest way to deliver much-needed assistance to their respective constituents.

Apart from DSWD, funds from the Social Security System’s (SSS) Small Business Wage Subsidy (SBWS) program, were disbursed directly to the PayMaya accounts of registered beneficiaries in as fast as two weeks for the first tranche, providing critical aid to small business employees who lost their income due to the quarantine.

On the local level, the cities of Caloocan, Las Piñas, Manila, Mandaluyong, Pasig, and Quezon City have also utilized PayMaya to deliver financial aid to senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), solo parents, and scholars, among other constituents in their respective localities.

PayMaya is the only end-to-end digital payments ecosystem enabler in the Philippines with platforms and services that cut across consumers, merchants, and government. Aside from providing payments acceptance for the largest e-Commerce, food, retail and gas merchants in the Philippines, PayMaya enables national and social services agencies as well as local government units with digital payments and disbursement services.

Through its app and wallet, PayMaya provides millions of Filipinos with the fastest way to own a financial account with over 40,000 Add Money touchpoints nationwide, more than double the total number of traditional bank branches in the Philippines combined. Its Smart Padala by PayMaya network of over 30,000 partner touchpoints nationwide serves as last mile digital financial hubs in communities, providing the unbanked and underserved with access to services. To know more about PayMaya’s products and services, visit www.PayMaya.com or follow @PayMayaOfficial on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to bring a formidable global challenge to both lives and economies. To cope with the unprecedented times, SM and its companies, worked together to provide care and aid to its stakeholders and the country to overcome the health crisis.

SM Investments Corporation (SM) President Frederic DyBuncio summed up SM’s COVID-19 efforts in his report during the company’s recent annual stockholders’ meeting.

As the country entered into an eight-week long community quarantine, SM immediately launched initiatives to address the impact of the pandemicgeared towards support to employees and partners;delivery of several medical donations and conduct of relief missions;provision of essential products and services; as well as the expansion of access channels to cater to customers’ needs.

TAKING CARE OF ITS EMPLOYEES AND TENANTS

Since the start of the lockdown, SM swiftly assured regular compensation for the benefit of its workforce, security guards and janitorial staff. SM also provided its employees with protective gear and access to COVID-19 tests to ensure their safety in the workplace.

As for its tenants, SM Supermalls waivedrentals to support the continuity of operations of tens of thousands micro, small and medium enterprises affected by the lockdown.

Through joint efforts, SM has donated over PHP400 million of essential medical supplies and equipment and reached out to marginalized sectors most affected economically.

PROVIDING ASSISTANCE TO HOSPITALS

Of this amount, the rapid deployment of medical resources comprised over PHP300 million worth of critical medical supplies, personal protective equipment and PCR tests to hospitals nationwide.

SM also contributed to the government’s COVID-19 mitigation efforts by building emergency quarantine facilities for COVID-19 patients located at Air Force General Hospital in Pasay City and at V. Luna and Camp Crame in Quezon City.

SUPPORTING COLLECTIVE EFFORTS 

In addition, SM donated PHP100 million through Project Ugnayan of the private sector and Caritas of the Catholic Church to urban poor families impacted by the lockdown.

Over 80 grassroots communities were also provided with Kalinga (care) packs through relief operations of the SM Foundation and Uniqlo Philippines.

In partnership with the Philippine Red Cross and the national government, SM transformed SM Mall of Asia Arena into a mega swabbing facility.

ADAPTING IN THE TIME OF PANDEMIC

 SM also adapted to the changing business landscape by implementing several e-commerce programs to cater to customers’ needs during the outbreak.

SM President Frederic DyBuncio said SM looks at its ecommerce initiatives and strategies in two areas—as a direct participant and as a service provider.

As a direct participant, SM has its own online shopping sites with its stores also in several commerce platforms to be able to access a much wider customer base for SM’s products.

As a service provider, SM uses the physical presence of its malls and stores as pick up locations for click and collect. It also provides logistics support such as warehousing and last mile delivery using the different logistics companies it owns within the group. It also provides the digital payment network through its banks and the e-wallet service through its joint venture with GrabPay in the Philippines.

“As we continue to build our capabilities to respond to the new realities, our company’s strong financial condition, along with our combined hard work, will allow us to lead a resurgence after this crisis,” Mr. DyBuncio said.

Imagine waking up to the cold embrace of Tagaytay’s signature crisp climate. The panoramic view of a scenery highlighted by 30,000 pine trees scattered across 100 hectares, setting a backdrop of meandering foliage, of beautiful thematic homes, truly a sight to behold as your eyes feast in pure beauty.

Only 30 minutes from the south of Manila, Crosswinds is Vista Land’s luxury development in Tagaytay.

Your getaway from the hustle and bustle of the urban jungle, a masterpiece on its own, poised and proud as a community unlike any other, Vista Land’s Crosswinds in Tagaytay embodies living at its finest.

Offering both vertical and horizontal homes, Crosswinds speaks of beauty and elegance in its Swiss-themed community highlighted by breathtaking views of properties thematically delivered by Brittany, Vista Land’s luxury residential brand.

Scattered across the 100-hectare enclave are developments that serve as an embodiment of Brittany’s mantra to deliver beautiful homes to the entitled few.

The Grand Quartier, Brittany’s initial vertical offering, towers over the serene community that boasts of a viewing deck that features a 180-degree view of the master-planned community.

Moreover, located along the slopes of Crosswinds, the Swiss Quadrilles is a series of aweinspiring homes that feature Crosswinds’ eminent thematic offerings.

Properties like the townhouses of Deux Pointe and the cluster of homes lodged across the community serve as a testament of Brittany’s expertise and prominence as developers of thematic living.

The community leaves the door open for a chance at the luxury that it provides. Their latest offerings are the Alpine Villas, a pre-selling vertical home that promotes a stunning view of Tagaytay’s greeneries, and a handful of ready homes that are fit to Vista Land’s luxury standards.

An opportunity for affluent living awaits, live inspired with Crosswinds.