EastWest Rural Bank Champions Health and Education in Davao Del Norte with Pioneering Initiative

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EastWest Rural Bank (EWRB) proudly launched its first Brigada Eskwela campaign for the year at Gupitan Elementary School in the remote barangay of Gupitan, Kapalong, Davao Del Norte. This event is the first of a series of Health & Wellness initiatives that the Bank will run with partner districts/divisions or schools across the country, marking EWRB’s continuing commitment to the Department of Education’s MATATAG agenda, aimed at supporting teachers so they can teach better everyday.

Front row (from left to right): Dr. Mahmod L. Bernardino Jr., MD; Racquel Bernardino; Germie B. Capiolos, Loans Specialist; Nelson B. Nazareno, Team Leader – Sales; Ronie D. Maog, Loans Specialist; Aeron M. Santos, Digital Channels & Brand Management Officer; Sarah F. Montero, Product Management Officer; Hera A. Duka, Business Innovation Group Leader; Dominic M. Dizon, District Supervisor; Marilou A. Malinao, Team Leader - Sales & Collection; Roy P. Miano, Business Innovation Group, Team Leader, EastWest Rural Bank

The program included a variety of activities designed to uplift and engage educators. These included games, a raffle with prizes such as a Huawei Matepad and gift boxes, a wellness talk by Dr. Mahmod Bernardino on holistic health, a session on the impact of cybersecurity on financial health. The Komo App was also showcased, introducing digital tools to support the audiences’ professional and personal lives.

Dominic M. Dizon, the District Head of Langilan shared his gratitude, noting the significant impact of such support on the community’s educators. “This support from EastWest Rural Bank is invaluable. It enhances our ability to serve our students effectively, ensuring that our teachers are not only well-equipped but also well-cared for,” said Mr. Dizon.

Strengthening Connections

Shiela Marasigan Bajado, President of EastWest Rural Bank, expressed her enthusiasm for what’s ahead: “At EWRB, we believe in the power of community and education. Today’s event is just the start. We are committed to not only supporting our teachers with resources but also empowering them with the knowledge and tools they need for their critical role in shaping future generations.”

This initiative is a testament to EWRB’s dedication to community engagement and the enhancement of educational environments across the Philippines, setting a strong foundation for future support programs.

Grab cools down thousands of street workers, delivery riders on Labor Day

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The leading superapp provides relief to street workers and delivery riders enduring the summer heat in Quezon City, Cebu City, and Davao City

Thousands of street workers cooled down at the Grab Palamig Spots, enjoying refreshments as they take a much-needed break from the intense heat of the sun. 

In honor of Labor Day, Grab Philippines has cooled down thousands of street workers and other skilled professionals at its Grab Palamig Spots. 

In light of the cautionary heat indices averaging 39°C to 40°C in Metro Manila, Davao, and Cebu, the Grab Palamig Spots were strategically stationed in high-traffic and accessible locations across these regions: Quezon City Memorial Circle, Agdao Public Market, and the SM City Cebu Terminal. The spots served as cold and convenient rest stops for street sweepers, traffic enforcers, delivery riders, and other workers who spend their days under the heat of the sun. 

Cooling down these street workers, the Grab Palamig Spots maintained soothing temperatures as low as 16°C in its mini-lounge areas. And in a world where 'cooling down' is typically associated with the color blue, the leading superapp has reimagined it in a vibrant shade of green – offering green summer coolers like flavorful avocado and buko pandan ice creams, and crowd-favorite sodas and sweet tea drinks to its Palamig guests.

Various refreshments were given away for free to the Grab Palamig Spots guests

Grab worked with the local government units of Quezon City, Davao City, and Cebu City in inviting the hard-working street workers to visit and take a refreshing break at the Grab Palamig Spots. To encourage its own delivery-partners to recharge at the spots, the leading superapp also activated special push notifications and GrabMap Pins guiding them to the exact location of the cold rest stops.

Grab sent out push notification to nearby delivery-partners to invite them to drop by Grab Palamig Spots

The Grab Palamig Spots, an initiative under Grab’s No Sweat Summer campaign, is a manifestation of the superapp’s commitment to enabling all Filipinos to go through the hot season conveniently and hassle-free – with much-needed breaks and moments of respite in between. 

Showing Up for the Community

Understanding the impact of the intense summer heat on workers who make their living on the road, Grab’s very own delivery-partners volunteered to help in the distribution of the coolers to the guests at the Grab Palamig Spots. The Grab Ugnayan Advocates – a network of delivery-riders focused on community outreach, scoured the areas where the Grab Palamig Spots are to invite and assist street workers as they cooled down with Grab.

Grab delivery-partners enjoy some refreshments as they lounge at the Grab Palamig Spots

Big Daddy, an Ugnayan Advocate, shared how he empathizes with the country’s street workers. 

“Ang laking epekto sa amin ng init, lalo na madalas kaming nakababad sa init ng araw. Kaya saludo ako sa mga kapwa ko rider at mga kagaya naming mga naghahanapbuhay sa kalsada. Noong narinig ko na may ganito tayong espesyal na kaganapan para sa amin at sa iba pang manggaawa sa daan, agad-agad naming napagdesisyonan na tumulong kahit sa papaano mang paraan,” Big Daddy shares.

The Grab Ugnayan Advocates are volunteer delivery riders focused on conducting community outreach activities 

Prior to volunteering at the Grab Palamig Spots, the Ugnayan Advocates have been going around in select pit stops that are famous among delivery riders to give away free refreshments to their colleagues – regardless of platform affiliation. 

BRIA Homes promotes renewable energy through solar-powered street lights in its communities nationwide

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Solar lights provide adequate illumination around BRIA’s amenities and offices, ensuring the security of properties and aiding BRIA’s roving guards as they make their rounds on the premises.

With climate change producing anomalous weather patterns all over the world, many countries are now hit by catastrophic storms and typhoons that claim multiple lives and, according to the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, leave “billions of people injured, homeless, and in need of emergency assistance.”

Unfortunately, Asia has experienced the worst weather disturbances in recent years, with the Philippines ranking just behind China and India i terms of loss of human lives and livelihoods.

Apart from providing enhanced security to BRIA residents, solar-powered streetlights promote renewable energy and significantly lessen the carbon footprint of BRIA communities. 

BRIA Homes, the Philippines’ leading developer of superior quality affordable homes, is only too aware of such serious consequences of climate change. As a major stakeholder in the real estate industry, BRIA believes that well-built and aesthetically designed homes that Filipinos can afford must come with a deep regard for environmentally sustainable communities. Thus, the real estate brand ensures that steps are consistently being taken towards building and maintaining eco-friendly developments such as its more than 50 projects all over the country.

These days, even as the world’s focus remains on the coronavirus pandemic, BRIA Homes encourages its homeowners and residents to adopt easy ways they can help the environment. These include keeping their garden or green space chemical-free; banishing single-use plastics from their homes; buying locally made products; shopping organically; re-using and recycling; opting for pollinator-friendly plants; and reducing their carbon footprint by judicious use of power and water resources.

BRIA Homes’ solar-powered streetlights make it easier for residents to safely navigate its main roads, streets, and walking paths. 

On their part, BRIA Homes has initiated their eco-friendly schemes by installing solar-powered streetlights in all of their residential enclaves. Solar-powered streetlights make use of photovoltaic (PV) panels, built-in lithium-ion batteries and power management system, LED lights, and smart night and motion sensors. These devices enable them to source energy from the sun, storing as much of it throughout the day to effectively light the streets from dusk to dawn.

An ideal option for the Philippines, which has an abundance of sunlight, solar-powered streetlights work even during power interruptions or grid failures, making sure that BRIA communities are lit up at night.

Red Rosales, President of BRIA Homes, says that “apart from providing enhanced security to BRIA residents, and contributing to better architectural landscaping in our developments, solar-powered streetlights promote renewable energy and significantly lessen the carbon footprint of our communities.”

Rosales likewise points out that because of its many benefits, solar power has been deemed the most environmentally sound way to light up the streets, perimeter roads, gardens, parks, and recreational facilities of BRIA communities. “Solar-powered streetlights reduce our dependence on conventional energy,” he explains. “They are widely known for being long-lasting and economical to use, requiring almost zero maintenance. The absence of external wires also lessens the potential for accidents such as electrocution and overheating.”

An ideal option for the Philippines, which has an abundance of sunlight, solar-powered streetlights work even during power interruptions or grid failures. BRIA Homes’ modern solar streetlights are also water-resistant, weather-proof, and with low insect attraction.

According to Rosales, solar-powered streetlights likewise reduce the costs of traditional grid-powered lighting—and provide bright illumination with no need for cables and replacements. And as the home-of-choice for millennials, BRIA Homes shares how its solar-powered streetlights make it easier for young and active residents to safely navigate its main roads, streets, and walking paths.

Rosales adds that solar lights provide parking spaces around amenities and offices with adequate amount of light, ensuring the security of vehicles in the vicinity. These lights aid BRIA’s roving guards, as well, as they secure the premises from incidences of theft and accidents.

Solar-powered streetlights reduce BRIA Homes’ dependence on conventional energy. They are widely known for being long-lasting and economical to use, requiring almost zero maintenance.

BRIA Homes also touts other sustainable facilities such as Sentro, the amenity hub of BRIA developments—a wide, open space that enables residents to connect and socialize. Sentro houses the multi-function hall, parks, playgrounds, and sub-centers that cater to homeowners’ various concerns: Health Center, Day Care Center, Senior Citizen Center, and Barangay Center.

Consistent with its vision of making contemporary, budget-friendly, and sustainable homes accessible to all Filipinos, BRIA Homes follows a tried-and-tested formula, Affordability (Mura) + Quality (Dekalidad) = A Beautiful BRIA Home for Every Filipino.

Prospective residents who aim to live eco-friendlier lives can easily purchase a BRIA unit through various flexible schemes and digital payment methods available both locally and internationally through BRIA’s partner banks and e-wallets like GCash, AllEasy, and PayMaya.

Red Rosales says in conclusion: “Solar-powered streetlights are just one of the many ways that BRIA Homes promotes the use of renewable energy. We believe that it is vital for us to continue finding different ways to live sustainable and environmental-friendly lives, as this is the only way to truly build progressive and livable communities.”

Property buyers can check out BRIA’s website for 360 virtual tours, or inquire online through the BRIA Facebook page. Future homeowners who wish to reserve a property online can visit BRIA’s online reservation page.

BRIA Homes is a subsidiary of GOLDEN MV Holdings, Inc., .one of the largest real estate companies in the country. BRIA Homes is primed to bring quality and affordable house and lot packages and condominium units closer to ordinary Filipino families. This is the goal that drives every single employee in the company, for which the ultimate fulfillment is seeing a client happily moving into BRIA’s homes.

To know more, visit their website at www.bria.com.ph, like and follow “Bria Homes, Inc.” on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, Spotify, Viber Community, Telegram Channel, Kakao Talk, LINE and WhatsApp, or call 0939-887-9637.

SITEL® PH opens MAXHUB in Bataan bringing job opportunities to more people in Luzon

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Sitel Group®, a global leader in end-to-end customer experience (CX) products and solutions recently launched a brand new Sitel® MAXhub in Balanga, Bataan bringing job opportunities to aspiring CX professionals in the community. The MAXhub, Sitel’s 11th in the Philippines brings the Sitel experience closer to Filipino talents who may be too far from the company’s headquarters in Baguio and Tarlac. To date, the MAXhub has already hired 114 associates with recruitment ongoing.

Sitel joins Balanga City Mayor in opening the latest MAXhub in Bataan

“Sitel has made bold steps to navigate the uncertainties of the global pandemic,” said Geoffrey Domigpe, Vice President of Operations, Sitel Tarlac. “We continue to broaden our work-from-home capabilities and expand avenues for training, development and employee engagement. These MAXhubs are Sitel’s continued commitment to bringing more jobs closer to where Filipinos live and promoting countryside development.”

The first Sitel MAXhubs were launched last June in response to the pandemic and to bring the Sitel opportunities closer to aspiring professions in the provinces. Through these satellite sites, job seekers in remote areas had a convenient location to facilitate recruitment, onboarding, and technology and equipment distribution for Sitel at Home arrangements.

“We look forward to working closely with Sitel and helping grow the MAXhub in Balanga,” expressed Mayor Francis Anthony S. Garcia, Mayor of Balanga City. “This partnership is will help bring job opportunities to Balanga and Bataan as a whole and boost the local economy.”

The Balanga Sitel MAXhub is located at One Magnolia Center, occupying the building’s fourth and fifth floors with facilities for training and production. To ensure safety, physical distancing and health and sanitation measures are fully implemented.

“Bataan is an ideal location for Sitel’s expansion,” shared Haidee Enriquez, Chief People Officer, Sitel PHANZ. “The region possesses a highly skilled and competent labor force, a business-friendly environment, strong infrastructure, and an engaged local government. Thanks to the strong support of the LGU we were able to safely hire over 100 associates in just under three weeks. We have high hopes for Balanga’s continued capability to support Sitel’s further growth.”

At present, Sitel has over 22,000 employees in The Philippines with sites located in Metro Manila, Baguio, Tarlac, Palawan and Sitel MAXhubs in Palawan, Cabanatuan City (Nueva Ecija), Angles City (Pampanga), Dagupan City (Pangasinan), San Fernando City (La Union).