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Duterte determined to terminate VFA

PRESIDENT RODRIGO R. Duterte said he is determined to end the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the United States despite American President Donald Trump himself wanting to keep the accord.

In a speech Monday evening, Mr. Duterte said he will not reciprocate the efforts of Mr. Trump, along with “others” whom he did not specify, to maintain the bilateral military cooperation.

“Si Trump and others are trying to save the Visiting Forces Agreement, pero sabi ko ayaw ko (but I said no, I don’t want to),” he said.

Last Friday, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador S. Panelo said Mr. Duterte will be talking to Mr. Trump about the VFA, but there is so far no confirmation whether the discussion already took place.

In late January, Mr. Duterte announced that he wanted to cancel the VFA in the wake of the cancellation of the US visa of Senator Ronald M. Dela Rosa, his political ally and former police chief.

He first gave the US two months to address the issue, but said in later statements that he has already set his mind to end the agreement.

The President said the visa cancellation was just one of the reasons why he wanted to lessen ties with the US.

He has also announced that he will be skipping the US-Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit in Las Vegas in March and directed his Cabinet officials to refrain from travelling to the US.

Meanwhile, the Senate adopted on Monday evening the resolution asking Mr. Duterte to reconsider the VFA termination plan while the chamber is undertaking its thorough review of the agreement.

Mr. Dela Rosa abstained from the voting for the resolution’s adoption. — Gillian M. Cortez and Charmaine A. Tadalan

Senate panel OKs request to reconsider VFA termination plan

THE SENATE foreign relations committee has approved the resolution asking President Rodrigo R. Duterte to reconsider the abrogation of the Philippines Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the United States.

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel F. Zubiri said the resolution was calendared to be sponsored in the chamber on Monday’s session. The Feb. 10 agenda showed the resolution is lined up for sponsorship.

“This afternoon, idi-discuss na namin ang (we will discuss the) VFA,” Mr. Zubiri said in a briefing ahead of the session. As of this writing, the Senate has yet to tackle the measure.

“I’m leaning towards the adoption of the resolution,” he said.

Government officials over the weekend gave contradicting statements on the President’s directive over the VFA issue.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. said in a Senate hearing last week that the notice to terminate the agreement has been prepared, but still awaiting Mr. Duterte’s go-signal.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon, for his part, said he would wait for the President’s official announcement as a Senate review would be “a waste of time” if Mr. Duterte terminates the agreement.

At the House of Representatives, Speaker Alan Peter S. Cayetano hinted on support for ending the VFA, saying the accord may have “the effect of derailing the attainment of our National Goals and Objectives.”

“Today, if we do our research and review the facts, we can see that we have been neglected by the United States. They have stood by blindly as we where abused by our neighbors and our territory snatched from us. And their former enemies — despite still differing values on democratic process and human rights — continue to get better treatment and more resources from them than their old friend, and ever reliable ally, the Philippines,” Mr. Cayetano, said in a statement on Monday. He also called for a review not only of the VFA, but also on the Philippines’ “long relationship” with the US government. — Charmaine A. Tadalan and Genshen L. Espedido

DoT, Boracay hotel sector to plan room discounts for domestic market as Chinese tourists drop

THE DEPARTMENT of Tourism-Western Visayas (DoT-6) office will meet with the region’s industry stakeholders, starting in Boracay, to map out marketing strategies and possible room rate discounts to spur domestic travel. DoT Regional Director Helen J. Catalbas said they will start the discussions this week to cushion the impact of the drop in Chinese tourists amid the travel ban for flights from China, Hong Kong and Macau. “We are looking at meeting with the stakeholders. I go there, talk to establishments with massive cancellations and offer to them the marketing facilities of DoT-6 by having them agree on room rate sales,” Ms. Catalbas said on Friday. “Discounted room rates are better than empty rooms that may result to loss of employment, loss of livelihood, to hundreds of thousands in the region dependent on tourism,” she added. Around 50% of the 434,175 foreigners who visited Boracay in 2019 were Chinese. Ms. Catalbas said it is too early to account for the full impact of the novel coronavirus outbreak in statistical terms, and what can be done now is to stimulate local tourism, even just at the regional level. With the eight million people in Western Visayas, she said, having just a portion of the local population as tourists can help compensate for the losses from the foreign market.

HUGE
Governor Florencio T. Miraflores of Aklan province, which covers Boracay, said the coronavirus situation compounds the impact of last year’s six-month closure of the popular island destination for rehabilitation and typhoon Ursula (international name: Phanfone) in December. “We barely have recovered from the closure, Ursula, and then this one. It has really a huge impact,” Mr. Miraflores said. “There are still Koreans coming but the businesses that catered to chartered flights direct from China will really be affected,” he added. In the meantime, he said he is hoping that local travelers will keep Boracay businesses afloat. “I would like to assure our local tourists that Boracay is safe. There is no truth to the rumor going around that there is a confirmed case in Boracay,” he said. — Emme Rose S. Santiagudo

Mt. Apo trails from Digos, Sta. Cruz closed during Holy Week; adventure events set in late April

THE Mt. Apo trails from Digos City and Sta. Cruz in Davao del Sur will be closed from April 6 to 12 for campsite and trail assessment to be conducted by a multi-agency monitoring team.

These dates are marked as Holy Monday to Easter Sunday in the Catholic calendar, which is usually a peak period for travelers.

Julius R. Paner, tourism officer of Sta. Cruz, said the evaluation is necessary as the trails have been on full carrying capacity since late last year while the four other trails have been closed.

“Ngayon (Nowadays), every weekend puno ang aming trail (the trail is full),” said Mr. Paner, referring to the one in Sta. Cruz, where a maximum of 50 climbers are allowed per day.

The four other Mt. Apo trails are in Bansalan, also in Davao del Sur, and Magpet, Makilala, and Kidapawan City in Cotabato.

The Kidapawan trail was affected by the series of earthquakes in Mindanao last year, particularly those with epicenter in Cotabato.

Mr. Paner said despite the “no camping at the summit” policy imposed since the major forest fire in 2016, many still want to climb the country’s highest peak.

“Very stringent ang policy, but despite that, Mt. Apo is Mt. Apo, a bucket-list for mountaineers, kaya marami pa rin ang umaakyat (that’s why many still come),” he said.

“In tourism we have this ‘the more the merrier’ thing, but we have to consider the impact of Mt. Apo to the environment in general,” he added.

The monitoring team will be composed of representatives from the barangay and municipal government, Department of Environmental and Natural Resources, and Bureau of Fire Protection.

APRIL EVENTS
Two extreme adventure races will be hosted by Sta. Cruz in April, the Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge on the 18th, and the Mt. Apo Sky and Vertical Race as part of the town’s Pista sa Kinaiyahan (Feast for Nature) festival on the 25th.

“We have proven for 10 years that Mt. Apo is the most extreme adventure race in Asia, and now we are trying to make it a friendly race. We won’t make it too extreme this year because we would like to allow everybody to enjoy the beauty of Mt. Apo,” Mr. Paner said.

“This is a feast for mother nature and its aim is not just to do tourism activity but also this is the time to make it as a strategy of conservation and protection of the country’s highest peak Mt. Apo,” he added. — Maya M. Padillo

DoH issues advisory against big public gatherings; Davao City cancels March fiesta events

BW/LEAN S. DAVAL, JR

THE DEPARTMENT of Health (DoH) released a memo on Monday discouraging events that will gather large crowds amid the 2019 novel coronavirus (nCoV) threat. In its health advisory, DoH said it “strongly urges the public to avoid attending, participating in, and organizing events that draw a huge number of attendees.” DoH also called on organizers to cancel planned events to lessen the risk of virus transmission. In a briefing on Monday, Health Undersecretary Rolando Enrique C. Domingo clarified that the advisory is not a directive that strictly prohibits all large gatherings, but a public warning.

PUI
DoH reported 314 persons under investigation (PUI) in different parts of the country as of February 10. “We are seeing a rapid increase in the transmission rate of the virus globally. In response, DoH has strengthened its capacity in preparation for the possibility of local transmission. All DoH hospitals are equipped to cater to the influx of patients and are following strict infection control protocols to contain the virus,” Mr. Domingo said. According to the World Health Organization, more than 900 deaths have been recorded as of Monday from 40,000 confirmed cases.

DAVAO CITY
Following the DoH advisory, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio announced the cancellation of activities lined up for the 83rd Araw Ng Davao celebration in March. “Our game plan is to eliminate activities that are possible maka-transmit (to transmit) the virus like mass gatherings,” she said in a press conference Monday. She said the Thanksgiving Mass will be the only highlight for the celebration of the city’s founding anniversary, and all preparations made for this year will be executed in 2021. The scheduled holidays on March 1 and 16 will remain in effect. Ms. Carpio noted that the city’s health care facilities have limitations and cannot possibly carry hundreds of sick individuals all at the same time. “Because of these limitations, our plans for us Dabawenyos is to ensure that we do not get the infection. Please read all available information on how you can keep you, your children and the entire family healthy,” she said. The mayor also announced a ban on all welcome and send-off groups at airports, seaports, bus terminals, and other transportation hubs. “Doon na sila mag-we-welcome sa kanilang mga bahay. Lahat ng iyakan at goodbyes sa bahay na gagawin (They can do the welcoming at home. All the crying and goodbyes, do those at home),” she said. The new policy has been discussed with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, which manages the Davao International Airport, she said. For the holding of this year’s Ironman 70.3. triathlon, which will be the third staging in the city, Ms. Carpio said they have yet to make a decision. “We will still have to discuss what is the best thing to do.” — Gillian M. Cortez and Maya M. Padillo

Nationwide round-up

IBON Foundation files complaint vs military, gov’t officials

RESEARCH GROUP IBON Foundation, Inc. (IBON) filed an administrative complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman on Monday against a former high-ranking military officer and two government officials for red-tagging the institution. Facing the complaint are former Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) deputy chief-of-staff for civil-military operations Antonio Parlade Jr., Presidential Communications and Operations Office (PCOO) Undersecretary Lorraine Marie T. Badoy, and National Security Adviser Hermogenes C. Esperon, Jr. The research group is asking the Ombudsman to hold respondents answerable for their “malicious abuse of authority, negligent performance of duties as public officials” and for “conduct that is grossly disregardful of the public interest, unprofessional, unjust and insincere, politically biased, unresponsive to the public, distorting nationalism and patriotism, and undemocratic.” IBON said they filed the complaint after a year of “constant vilification” by the respondents.

RECENT
The most recent, mentioned in the complaint, was when Ms. Badoy called IBON a “communist front” on the One News program “The Chiefs” in January. IBON Research Head Rosario Guzman was on the show at the same episode to present their fact-checking of the PCOO’s ‘Duterte Legacy’ information materials. IBON maintains that it is a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)-registered foundation that publishes socio-political-economic analysis. “Its researches enjoy a reputation of being independent, evidence-based, and credible. It is because of this reputation that its researches on social justice, real economic development, environmental sustainability and democracy, among many others, are widely used by various non-government and people’s organizations in pursuit of their own advocacy work,” part of the complaint read. — Genshen L. Espedido

Nation at a Glance — (02/11/20)

News stories from across the nation. Visit www.bworldonline.com (section: The Nation) to read more national and regional news from the Philippines.

Nation at a Glance — (02/11/20)

Promil four nurtures batch 8 of young talents through its “I-Shine” Talent Camp

When children are encouraged and given avenues to thrive, they are able to excel in their passions both in the arts and sciences. Most moms today are invested in their children’s holistic well-being and happiness. With so many research and reading materials powering up the belief that a child’s present state — psychological, physical and emotional state may affect his or her adulthood, they look for ways on how to make sure that everything they do today has an effect on the future.

PROMIL® FOUR’s i-Shine Talent Camp, now on its 8thseason, is not just a fleeting summer activity, but a carefully designed program that harnesses the benefits of creative expression and proper mentoring, so that the child’s gift is nurtured to the fullest.“PROMIL® FOUR has always been about partnering with parents to nurture their children’s gifts and bring out the best that they can be at what they love to do,” says Maria Carmela Gabunada, Associate Marketing Directorof Wyeth Philippines, Inc.  She adds — “This same philosophy is what motivates us to extend our program to a summer talentcamp andbring children closer to activities they want to pursue”.

i-Shine Talent Camp comes at a perfect time for children 6-11 years old as this happens during summer time with seasoned mentors who can inspire, train, and instill hard and soft skills they will need in their craft and in life. That’s why the focus is on the process as much as it is on the output.

With PROMIL® FOUR’s i-Shine Talent Camp Season 8, a new generation of eager talents can truly shine. PROMIL® FOUR’si-Shine 8 Talent Camp is the biggest and most prestigious summertalent camp, for children 6 years old and above.This year, i-Shiners will be able to take classes on ballet, theater, art, music or dance starting April 13, 2020.

The camps will be guided by experts in their craft who have been known for making their mark in respective industries. Helping the new batch of hopefuls to move the artforms forward, they will lead in locations that will cater to teaching the children.

G-Force’s iconic celebrity choreographer GeorcelleDapat-Syand her G-Force family will be holding the i-Shine DanceCamp at the G-Force Dance Centers in Filinvest, Alabang and in their Tomas Morato branch in Quezon City.

Award-winning craftsmaster Robert Alejandro will be teaching young artists in Diliman’s own Papemelroti branch together with Arts Director Kara Escay, for the i-Shine Art Camp.

Budding musicians will learn at the Music School of Ryan Cayabyab guided by National Artist Maestro Ryan Cayabyab.

Seasoned thespian and Trumpets president Audie Gemora will help the theater group, teaching children all about acting on the stage with his Trumpets Playshop.

And for those who want to glide into the world of ballet, they will be learning from Ballet Manila guided byPrima Ballerina Lisa Macuja-Elizalde, the Philippines’ first prima ballerina to be soloist with the world-renowned Imperial Russian Ballet. i-Shine Ballet Camp will then be held at the Lisa Macuja School of Ballet Manila.

These camps are already open for enrollment and can be joined by children aged 6 to 11 years old. After the camp sessions, the children will then perform in a grand talent show that their family and other guests can enjoy to witness their shining moment.

Avail promo discounts for i-Shine camps when you purchase PROMIL® FOUR products. Learn more in the website https://www.promilnurturethegift.com.ph/ishine or message PROMIL® FOUR’s Facebook Page.

DLTAP, FPH, government partners announce upcoming Philippine Fintech Festival 2020

A consortium of public and private partners announced today the upcoming Philippine Fintech Festival (PFF), a showcase of the latest tech innovations fueling the transformation of global businesses. The two-day festival is slated for May 20 to 21, and will be held at Shangri-La at the Fort.

The event is co-organized by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Department of Science and Technology(DOST), and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), along with private corporations and organizations such as the Distributed Ledger Technology Association of the Philippines (DLTAP) and the FinTech Philippines Association (FPH).

According to DTI Undersecretary Dr. Rafaelita Aldaba, the Philippines has all the necessary ingredients to be the next hotbed of fintech innovation. Listing a solid financial and business ecosystem, continued GDP growth, an innovation-ready regulatory environment, and a young tech-adopting population, the Philippines is poised to be regional leaders in the coming fintech boom.

“We strongly believe that this is a pivotal moment for us to become more relevant and competitive in the global marketplace,” she said. Usec. Aldaba explained that part of the government’s relentless drive towards financial inclusion is its readiness to work with private sector partners innovating in the field.

These include startups, telcos, and traditional banking institutions launching fintech products for SMEs and farmers in the underserviced agriculture sector, as well as mobile wallets and crypto-powered remittance platforms.

“Now, the Philippines is primed to move on to the next level and transition into a world-class digital economy through the Philippine Fintech Festival — an international gathering of experts and leaders in innovation,” Usec. Aldaba said.

PFF 2020 gathers innovation and tech experts, thought leaders, and business executives to discuss global trends, key executions, and cutting-edge solutions leading the digital transformation of global industries.

The festival’s key tracks cover: The Future of Finance, the trends that are Transforming Industries, and Blockchain for Enterprise.

Speakers at the event include:

  • Pia Arellano, President and CEO of Transunion Information Solutions
  • Matthew Gamser, CEO of International Finance Corporation
  • Lesly Goh, Chief Technology Officer of World Bank
  • Ron Hose, Founder and CEO of Coins.PH
  • Victor Paterno, CEOof 7-Eleven
  • Chatri Sityodtong, Founder and CEO of ONE Championship
  • and Tendayi Viki, award-winning author and Associate Partner at Strategyzer

In addition to plenaries and experiential zones, PFF 2020 will also feature a lineup of side events:

  • The Final Pitch: PFF Edition — an hour of lighting round pitches from startups and fintechs with angel investors and industry experts, in partnership with CNN Philippines’ The Final Pitch.
  • Business Matching
  • Trade Connect — a networking session for c-level executives, potential partners, industry regulators, and key stakeholders
  • Hackathon — focusing on the banking and finance industry and financial inclusion
  • and the PFF Awards — for top fintechs, startups, and innovative companies from Southeast Asia.

“We are working closely with the various government and industry partners in putting together PFF 2020 because this is an opportunity to showcase the Philippines’ capabilities in the fintech space,” said DLTAP and FPH Chairman Justo Ortiz. “Through the PFF, we are taking a shot at co-creating the future together.”

Registration and sponsorship opportunities) for the first Philippine Fintech Festival are now open. You can find out more about PFF 2020 here.

Dealogikal wins local round of National Champions Pitch competition

Last Wednesday, online marketplace startup Dealogikal claimed top prize at the local round of the National Champions Pitch Competition, staged by QBO Innovation Hub in partnership with the Annual Investment Meeting (AIM).

AIM, touted as the world’s leading investment platform in the Middle East and North Africa, is hosting its global finals from March 24 to 26, 2020 at the Dubai World Trade Centre in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. With the theme “Investing for the Future: Shaping the Global Investment Strategies,” AIM targets high profile government officials, private asset owners, and project promoters from all around the world as they address the global challenges of securing viable investments aimed at contributing to economic growth.

This 10th edition of the congress will embrace the bigger challenge of enabling economic growth through its five pillars: FDIs, Startups, Future Cities, SMEs, and Foreign Portfolio Investment.

AIM’s local leg champion, Dealogikal, is a market-centric online trading platform connecting buyers to sellers. Their platform-as-a-service model offers charting and technical analysis, competitive selection, real-time notifications, managed order tracking, trader management, and a secured marketplace. The company is guided by its mission to eliminate the redundancy of traditional operational procedures through the delivery of a fully integrated solution.

According to Ira S. Kiener, co-founder and CEO, the global marketplace they’ve created enables one to order and display goods to obtain the most optimal outcome for their business and personal goals. “At Dealogikal, we provide the latest tools and technology, effectively giving you a user experience in an unprecedented online environment,” he said.

By winning the February 4 pitch competition, Dealogikal earned themselves a complimentary plane ticket, accommodation, a free exhibition booth at the final AIM 2020 Pitch Competition in Dubai. There they will have the opportunity to pitch and compete to win the grand prize of $50,000.

All participating startups at AIM have the chance to connect with regional and international investors and businessmen during the duration of the event. Winners have the additional benefit of gaining key insights and advice for receiving seed funding for their startups.

As mentioned by Dawood Al Shezawi, Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Annual Investment Meeting (AIM 2020), “AIM offers an opportunity for participating start-ups to increase their early stage venture capital or receive seed funding to start a business or expand its scope, given the crucial role start-ups play in strengthening new industries.”

SCG to revamp core businesses, eyes shift to solutions service enterprise

SCG is set to revamp three core businesses and equip human resource development to effectively shift from being a manufacturer to a solution and service provider, with an eye of maintaining sustainable business growth in 2020.

SCG unveiled its business strategies to overcome disruptions spawned by looming uncontrollable external factors in 2020, with the accelerated transformation of internal factors right. after announcing its Operating Results for 2019.

Mr. Roongrote Rangsiyopash, President and CEO of SCG, said: “Fluctuations driven by uncontrollable external factors has made a significant impact on businesses globally over the past year. As a result, in 2020, SCG is necessitated to develop comprehensive business strategies aiming at conquering disruptions promptly and maintaining sustainable business growth. With a business transformation plan, the three core businesses will shift from being a manufacturer to a solution & service provider that truly and holistically respond to the diversified and ever-changing customer demand as well as creating high value for the business. People Transformation is also a crucial force to drive change. SCG will strive to empower our people with essential skills, enabling them to insightfully access and understand markets across the region coupled with leveraging digital technologies to respond swiftly to the competitive environment and meet those needs timely.”

Cement-Building Materials Business aims to comprehensively enhance the industry and living sector with products and services incorporating digital technologies. A wide array of solutions includes Construction Solution that provides better performance, faster process and improved cost-saving construction solutions for technician and contractors such as BIM (Building Information Modelling) which helps enhance planning and construction quality through 3D model system, minimizing construction waste; and Living Solution that provide energy-saving, increased comfort, and safety for all ages. Besides, the business has upgraded its Retail Business by integrating physical stores with an online store.

Packaging Business foresees an excellent opportunity to build high growth, especially in the ASEAN as it has emerged as one of the world’s highest growing regions. SCG will accelerate the path to become the packaging solutions provider and be part of customers’ daily lives, coupled with augmenting packaging sales of industrial customers that have substantial growth and demand for packaging materials such as food and beverage, frozen food, canned food, consumer product, electronic product, and e-commerce business.

Moreover, SCG also provides solutions catered to meet special needs, i.e., design and printing solution, smart packaging solution, exhibition and market promotion solutions, and eco-friendly and sustainably sourced products and services, in line with the Circular Economy. The efforts are to hone the competitive edge and maintain the position at the forefront of the region in total packaging solutions.

For investment, SCG will continue delivering solutions, products, and services of 3 core businesses to satisfy customers throughout ASEAN, especially in Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia, which show high potential and sizeable growth, plus seeking opportunities in emerging market in other regions through collaboration with groups, organizations, institutes, and other sectors at home and aboard to generate business opportunities and enhance the living quality of people, community, society, and environment in line with the commitment of “Passion for Better,” better and faster.”

Meanwhile, SCG subsidiary United Pulp and Paper Co., Inc. (UPPC) celebrated its 50 years in the business last December 2019, with employees and key customers.

As the Philippines’ leading manufacturer of high-quality industrial grade paper for packaging products, UPPC provides the best for all its stakeholders by continuously developing innovation to respond to changes through the years.

In addition, Mariwasa Siam Ceramics Inc., another SCG subsidiary that is the leading ceramic tile brand in the Philippines, improved its operation with the new state-of-the-art kiln, considered as the largest in the country. Towering over 212m in length and capable of producing maximum tile size of 800mm x 1200mm, it also produces an additional output of 5.8 Million sq.m / year.

Furthermore, it reduces 174 tons of CO2 emission and saves up to 3,200 KWH power. As of December 2019, the installation of the equipment has been completed and commissioning is on-going.

2019 Operating Results

In 2019, SCG’s Revenue from Sales of High Value Added (HVA) Products & Services reached 298,436 Million PHP (US$ 5,771 Million), which accounts for 41% of total Revenue from Sales. Spending on Innovation Research & Development totaled 9,432 Million PHP (US$ 182 Million), or 1% of total Revenue from Sales.

SCG’s Revenue from Sales of Q4/2019 reached 178,539 Million PHP (US$ 3,507 Million) due to lower chemicals and packaging paper prices.

SCG in ASEAN (ex-Thailand)

For SCG’s operation in the ASEAN, the Revenue from Sales in Q4/2019 was flat y-o-y, amounted to 51,209 Million PHP (US$ 1,006 Million), which is 27% of SCG’s total Revenue from Sales. This includes sales from both local operation in each ASEAN market and imports from the Thai operations.

As of 31 December 2019, total assets of SCG amounted to 1,067,496 Million PHP (US$ 21,073 Million), while the total assets of SCG in ASEAN (ex-Thailand)amounted 384,169 Million PHP (US$ 7,584 Million), which is 40% of SCG’s total consolidated assets.

In the Philippine market, SCG’s Q4/19 Revenue from Sales amounted to 3,488 Million PHP (US$ 68 Million). For the entire year, SCG recorded 16,077 Million PHP (US$ 311 Million).

Digitizing and empowering MSMEs in fashion supply with Zilingo

While the trillion-dollar fashion industry accounts for roughly 4% of the global GDP, its international supply chains are still plagued by outdated technologies, unacceptable labor conditions, and inefficient and environmentally-harmful practices. Zilingo, the rising tech-enabled fashion supply platform, has spent the last four and a half years putting responsibility and transparency at the forefront of fashion’s digital boom. Their goal: “to ensure that the future of fashion belongs to everyone.”

This year, Zilingo Philippines is expanding on that mission with a full suite of new services for MSMEs scaling up their businesses on the platform.

Founded in 2015 by Ankiti Bose and Dhruv Kapoor, Zilingo has reimagined the traditionally middlemen-ridden fashion supply chain by creating a single digital platform giving users a transparent view of their businesses as well as access to financial services, product design, and sourcing solutions. They currently have local presence in 11 countries, working with over 60,000 brands and businesses globally.

The cloud-based platform recently secured $226-M in Series D funding, for a total of $308-M dollars in investments from firms including Sequoia, Temasek Holdings, and Draper Venture Network.

“Zilingo aims to re-imagine the supply chain in its entirety and aggregate all parties within the same platform by offering services and software that can help businesses do better, which has been the brand’s focus since day one,” said Shiela Mauricio, Zilingo Philippines’ head of commercial.

With direct access to raw material suppliers, manufacturers, and brands, that platform offers MSMEs can the means to achieve product quality, quantity, availability, and better pricing models. Zilingo Philippines’ new B2B services include:

  • Digitization – covering online cataloguing, transactions, and payments
  • Fintech – granting access to longer term credit at more reasonable rates
  • Hassle-free logistics
  • and a new Marketing-as-a-Service (MaaS) platform.

“Zilingo first built the B2C platform to help merchants distribute better,” said Ryza Dipatuan, marketing director of Zilingo Philippines. Expanding on their flagship product, ZilingoAsiaMall, these new B2B services promise to solve even more pain points for small businesses.

Ryza says that Zilingo’s fintech and MaaS offerings should be especially exciting for smaller-scale merchants. Using the partner’s existing transaction history on the platform to generate an internal “credit score”, Zilingo has partnered with regional banks to extend credit lines for businesses to “buy now, and pay later.”

For firms looking to launch a new line, Zilingo’s MaaS services offer a cheaper, more efficient alternative to producing collateral in-house.

Let’s say you’re a brand that needs to establish a presence online. “Instead of paying out P50,000 on a photo shoot for your 20 or so SKUs, or products, working with Zilingo allows you to cut that cost down considerably,” Ryza said.

This new cataloguing service charges P100 per SKU (P200 with modeling services), meaning that same P50,000 photo shoot would cost only P4,000 at most. Ryza says the best part is merchants keep the rights to all photos for use in whatever future marketing projects they might have, whether on Zilingo or not. They’re partnering with a number of third party studios to ensure that this service is as accessible as possible for their merchants.

Understanding the variety of challenges faced by MSMEs, Zilingo offers services such as raw material sourcing, HR and productivity software, financial tools, and marketing tools—all with the goal of leveling the playing field of the Philippines’ MSMEs to efficiently operate and compete in the global market.

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