SEEK Asia, Tech In Asia concludes regional hybrid conference in Singapore, flies selected Filipino job seekers for free

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JobStreet representatives and delegates at the Tech In Asia Conference

powered by JobStreet by SEEK in Marina Bay Sands, Singapore

Bringing forth workplace and employee advancement through collective efforts, technology news platform Tech In Asia in collaboration with JobStreet by SEEK recently concluded its regional hybrid conference with the theme Southeast Asia: Built to Last which took place in Singapore.

Joined by over 10,000 participants across Asia, the conference helped attendees navigate bear markets, inflation and other current global events by featuring valuable insights from various key opinion leaders as well as interactive activities. Three lucky Filipino candidates selected by JobStreet Philippines through a social media contest were also given the chance to experience an all-expenses-paid trip and hybrid event at Marina Bay Sands.

Apart from providing entertaining activities for participants through various games and booths, JobStreet by SEEK was also able to tackle the new priorities of today’s digital talent and how companies can understand these to attract better quality hires through a session led by SEEK Asia’s Careers and Connect Platform Chief Growth Officer Yuh Yng Chook.

Digital talents’ increased desire for flexibility

In her talk entitled SEEK Better: The secret to attracting tech talent and leading more fulfilling work lives, Chook shared that digital workers prioritize their flexibility when looking for a job and that this ultimately points back to the importance jobseekers place on maintaining their work-life balance. She added that managers can address these shifting preferences by acknowledging and praising their employees, while ensuring employee welfare.

“In Asia, it’s common for employees to go above and beyond in their roles—but a simple reassurance from their managers would go a long way in ensuring employee satisfaction in the long run,” she said.

This desire for flexibility among digital talents also extends to the geographic location of their employers, with 68% saying that they are willing to work remotely for an overseas company. The data also showed that employers headquartered in certain countries are more attractive than others, with digital talents preferring companies based in the US, followed by the UK, Australia, China and Singapore.

To engage with overseas digital talents, international companies are encouraged to invest in their employment branding to increase their exposure. Organic testimonials through social media platforms and other mediums would be beneficial for companies in the long run.

Digital talents’ investment in social and environmental issues

Chook also highlighted the growing interest of candidates on social and environment issues. Digital talents also care about what’s happening in the world, with more than 60% saying that issues related to diversity and inclusion and environmental responsibility became more important to them over the past year.

These values are urgent enough to today’s digital talents that they would exclude companies who don’t match their personal beliefs from their consideration. According to Chook, companies can respond to this by emphasizing their genuine environmental and social efforts as one of their highlights when recruiting for new talent.

Digital talents’ need for security and certainty

Apart from aforementioned matters, Chook said that digital talents also worry about their future, especially in a constantly changing and evolving tech industry, with 42% saying that they were increasingly concerned about the implications of future innovations to their work. This transition led many jobseekers to be flexible in their career expectations and invest in their skills through self-led and online learning materials.

In order to accommodate these, Chook believes that companies and organizations should consider providing digital employees with an allowance to spend for their courses and training. Not to mention giving employees the space and time they need for their learning as it also gives job seekers the opportunity for further career development.

“To employers, you need to understand the reasons that attract candidates to keep them content enough to stay. To employees, SEEK better. Don’t settle for a job that isn’t making you happy. We’re currently experiencing “The Great Job Boom” with plenty of job opportunities out there, and there has never been a better time to look for a new job and negotiate for better roles,” she added.

These insights align with SEEK’S newest campaign called “SEEK Better” that aims to help provide a wake-up call for employees who feel stuck in their jobs and encourage them to chase after more productive yet fulfilling work lives.

To find job opportunities that align with your values and priorities in life, visit jobstreet.com.ph

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About JobStreet by SEEK

JobStreet is the leading employment platform in Southeast Asia, helping people live more fulfilling and productive working lives and helping organizations succeed. It is a subsidiary of SEEK, a diverse group of companies comprised of a strong portfolio of online employment, educational, commercial and volunteer businesses. SEEK is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange and has a strong presence across the APAC region, including six Asian markets – Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand—through the JobStreet and JobsDB brands. SEEK attracts over 500 million visits a year in Asia.

World Vision and ComCo SEA join forces for Cause Marketing for Good initiative for MSMEs

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Global development and advocacy organization World Vision and regional integrated communications agency ComCo Southeast Asia through its Citizen ComCo initiative continue their mission of giving companies and brands opportunities to give back, this time with a focus on supporting micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through the Cause Marketing for Good Virtual Conference.

(From top left) World Vision Donor Education Specialist Caroline Veronilla, ComCo Southeast Asia Regional Integration & Chief Executive Director Ferdinand Bondoy, Lazada Strategic Partnerships Senior Associate Yshana Wong, AirAsia Head of Branding and Creatives David Viray, World Vision Resource Development Director Jun Godornes, World Vision National Director Rommel Fuerte and IdeasXMachina Group Of Hakuhodo CEO Third Domingo

Created and organized by World Vision and ComCo Southeast Asia, the Cause Marketing for Good Virtual Conference is part of the organization’s larger initiative to orient MSMEs on the value of cause-related marketing or CRM, which is especially relevant in today’s pandemic environment, and to equip them on how to champion social issues through their marketing efforts.

Happening on July 21, 2 p.m., the online conference will include sessions on defining CRM, CRM’s impact on sales from AirAsia, and how to use e-commerce to forward your cause from Lazada. There will also be a panel discussion on how to create effective CRM campaigns featuring experts and practitioners of the field such as ComCo Southeast Asia for public relations and Ideas X Machina for creatives.

The ongoing pandemic has had a massive effect on the economy, with MSMEs taking the brunt of this as they make up 99.5% of business establishments in the Philippines and employ 62.4% of the country’s workforce according to the Philippine Statistics Authority. MSMEs are currently facing huge hurdles to keep their businesses afloat, especially in the face of quarantine regulations and economic slowdown.

But with the challenge brought about by the pandemic comes bayanihan spirit – the value of Filipino community as they work together towards a common goal. This has urged individuals, communities, organizations, and even brands and companies, to band together and help each other during this crisis. It has also shown us how Filipino consumers, especially millennials and Gen Zers, are responding positively to brands and companies who support advocacies and stand for causes and values that they believe in.

According to the Global Millennial Survey 2021 by professional services firm Deloitte, millennials and Gen Zers are concerned about the positive impact of businesses on society. These generations of consumers tend to make decisions aligned with their values, with more than a quarter of respondents saying that businesses’ impact on the environment influence their buying decisions, expecting brands to be aligned with their personal values before they invest in their products or services.

In the eyes of consumers, businesses can and have the responsibility to do good – and doing good actually makes for good business. Through the Cause Marketing for Good Campaign and Virtual Conference, World Vision and ComCo Southeast Asia look forward to helping more MSMEs build strong connections with their customers through effective and sustainable cause-related marketing campaigns – ones that allow them to sell while also creating a positive social impact in the Philippines.

Participants may register for the Cause Marketing for Good Virtual Conference at wvph.co/CauseMarketingForGood.

To know more about World Vision and ComCo Southeast Asia’s partnership, visit www.worldvision.org.ph or follow World Vision’s official social media pages /worldvisionph on Facebook, @worldvisionphl on Instagram, and @worldvisionph on Twitter. 

For more information on World Vision Philippines and its other initiatives, call the World Vision hotline number at 8372-77-77 or Ms. Wichelle Cruz of Private Sector Partnerships Manager at 0917-511-6640.

About World Vision

World Vision is a Christian relief, development, and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, their families, and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. Inspired by its Christian faith and values, it is dedicated to working with the world’s most vulnerable people. It serves and collaborates with all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender.

About ComCo Southeast Asia

ComCo Southeast Asia or ComCo SEA is a trailblazing and global award-winning integrated communications agency powered by the coalition of premier brand architects, inspired storytellers, and communication trailblazers in the region. Based in the Philippines with affiliate network presence in Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia, ComCo SEA takes the lead in the innovation of premier brands and growth of up-and-coming businesses through the emerging global disciplines of New PR – a strategy based, content-driven, and channel-agnostic way of doing PR, and Smart Social – a holistic, authentic and integrated approach in the maximization of digital and social channels, to effectively reach and engage audiences and help influence change. To know more about ComCo Southeast Asia, visit www.comcosea.com.

Bayanihan for WellBeing invites all families to join the Philippines’ first-ever Filipino Family WellBeing Virtual Conference

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The Bayanihan for WellBeing Initiative led by Unilab Foundation, Inc., is bringing us the first-ever Filipino Family WellBeing Virtual Conference happening on February 12 and 13.

With the theme “Pagsulong ng Pamilyang Pilipino sa Panahon ng Pagbabago”, the virtual conference is set to open and steer a discussion that offers various perspectives on family wellbeing.

Challenges of the Filipino Family

In 2020, Filipino families went through various challenges brought about by the pandemic and natural calamities, creating drastic changes in family dynamics, such as financial and economic concerns. According to the Asian Development Bank (ADB), 73.5% of Filipino households had at least one member of the family experience job loss or workload reduction. This resulted to financial instability, with 85% of households experiencing financial difficulty during the pandemic.

In terms of psychological impact, a study entitled “Psychological impact of COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines (Tee, 2020)” showed that a significant percentage, ranging from 13% to almost 17% of respondents have rated the psychological impact of the pandemic, its effects on depressive symptoms and anxiety levels to be moderate to severe. Meanwhile, the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) noted a significant increase in monthly calls from 80 pre-lockdown to nearly 400 during the quarantine.

Meanwhile, among the unprecedented social concerns that surfaced during the lockdown is families worrying over their children’s education when schools shifted to online, remote, or distance learning. Children who would normally play outside are required to stay within their homes and adults who have shifted to working from home now had to balance household and career responsibilities, according to a 2020 report by the Humanitarian and Social Research Center (INSAMER).

Role of Family Wellbeing

Family wellbeing is central to addressing issues associated with these challenges. The National Center on Parent, Family, and Community Engagement (NCPFCE) defines family wellbeing simply as the “safety, health, and financial security of the whole family”, which encompasses both physical and mental health.

The vision of the Bayanihan for WellBeing (BWB) Initiative is for mental health and family wellbeing to be holistic, inclusive, and empowering, targeting particularly families in the Pantawid ng Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) to join the discussion. The BWB Collaborative is led by Unilab Foundation, Inc. through its Heads Up PH program with the support of the Philippine Psychiatric Association, Psychological Association of the Philippines, Philippine Guidance and Counseling Association, and Philippine Society for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

Executive Director of Unilab Foundation Lilibeth Aristorenas shared, “Months long after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, many Filipinos still experience the effects of social confinement, financial disruptions, and burdens of work-life integration. Amplified by different crises in the past year, these stressors continue to debilitate the youth, families, and communities from maximizing their daily life activities. “

“It is in uncertain times like this that mental health and wellbeing must be put at the forefront to address these stresses. Forming healthy familial relationships do not only help the youth cope with the effects of crises but are also essential helping them feel love and security, which impacts their brain development and sense of self and helps them grow up to become confident and resilient individuals,” added Aristorenas.

The 2-day conference will have three sessions that will be delving into different aspects of Filipino family wellbeing, raise awareness on its value and impact on the mental health of the family, which can hopefully build meaningful partnerships and cultivate a culture of family wellbeing promotion.

To kick-off the conference, a panel discussion on the challenges and strengths of the Filipino family during the pandemic will take place on February 12 at 9 AM.

The second session will take place on February 13 at 9 AM and will tackle how to provide a more active role in addressing family wellbeing through a panel discussion as well as activity-based target group sessions.

Lastly, the third session will happen on February 13 at 4 PM featuring a discussion of different types of Filipino families and their stories from young couples and single parents to OFWs to conclude the conference.

The Filipino Family WellBeing Conference is completely free and open to all from medical and health professionals and development workers to educators, parents, and the youth. 

To join the event, you can register at bit.ly/FFWC2021RegForm and watch the livestream at the Bayanihan for WellBeing Facebook page at facebook.com/BayanihanForWellBeing.

You can also support the event by donating a Bayanihan for WellBeing Resiliency Play Bag, which is composed of: (1) Toys like sipa and kickball, which are intended to help children release tension; (2) Cape and mask which they could design, allowing them to identify their strengths and make them feel like Superheroes; and (3) Writing and coloring sheets to encourage their creativity and help them express their emotions.

For as little as Php250 / $5.00, you can help raise a resilient child by providing them with materials to help them express themselves and develop coping strategies. Donations can be done via bank deposit with the details below:

Unilab Foundation, Inc. – BPI Mandaluyong – Account number 0181-0489-72 (Swift code: BOPIPHM). Please send a photo of your deposit slip to: headsup@unilabfoundation.org.

You may also donate via PayPal at healthierPH@unilabfoundation.org and send a screenshot of your transaction to headsup@unilabfoundation.org.

For suggestions and inquiries on the event including partnership and sponsorship opportunities, you may visit the Bayanihan for WellBeing Facebook page for more details. You may also contact Camille Mendoza at 0917-867-4169 or Jefferson Hilario at 0917-326-2092.

Together, let’s build a mentally healthy Philippines, one family at a time.

QBO's online conference empowers startups in the face of COVID-19

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Over 100 startup and technology leaders from 20 cities across the Philippines, other parts of Southeast Asia, and the United States gathered together in a five-day virtual training conference organized by QBO Innovation Hub together with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). The conference aims to elevate the capacities of Technology Business Incubators (TBIs) in the country.

Speakers of the virtual conference share different aspects of startup operations from remote global locations. Photo credit: QBO Innovation Hub

TBIs are facilities that house startups and equip their business development. They ensure the sustainability of the startup’s operation, the advancement of entrepreneurs, and partnership of the startups with public sectors.

"During this difficult time, the need to come together and work on solutions is placed at the forefront of innovation. Now is the best time for us incubator managers and technology leaders to help give birth to new startups and develop existing ones,” shared QBO Operations Head Natasha Bautista.

QBO Operations Head Natasha Bautista emphasized the importance of leadership and the clarity of the mission and vision in the day-to-day business of a startup. Photo credit: QBO Innovation Hub

DOST, for its part, is keen on paving the road through tech-enabled assembly as it aligns with the agency’s #RoadTo100Startups initiative to support the training and development of startup industry leaders all over the country and enable a rise in the number of Filipino startups. 

DOST Executive Director Dr. Enrico C. Paringit remarked, “We at the DOST, firmly believe in the startups’ vital role in our nation’s future. With the right support and resources, their capacities are limitless. We aim to empower them and elevate their operations so they can remain at the forefront of innovation. That’s why conferences like these are so important.”

Funding support for startups 

Insights from the conference focused on the creation of incubator programs, use of creative marketing tools, planning of effective online campaigns, fostering of startup engagement, development of incubators in university setting, and garnering of stakeholder support especially during times of crisis.

In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, examining company values may prove particularly apt. It’s during a crisis that startups who can provide solutions may need more funding.

Innovative startups will also need to know how to remain relevant. That’s why in a session focusing on the best ways to generate buzz for a startup, tech media outlet e27 co-founder Thaddeus Koh encouraged startups to improve their public relations tactics and invest in their relationship with the media as it will help drive awareness for their brand. “PR is about telling the best story about someone else,” explained Koh.

The pandemic has also shown why there is a need for strong startup support and funding. Early-stage venture fund and seed accelerator 500 Startups was represented by Singapore Country Lead EE Ling Lim. According to her, accelerators and incubators always make sure to ask startup founders about what they want their startups to get out of their programs. 

Lim was joined by their Partnerships Director Thomas Jeng who bared that operations require paying the bills, thus strong support is needed. “Accelerators and incubators need to pay for staff and related expenses: grants, and stipends, and entrepreneurs; office space and other overhead; marketing and PR for the programs as well as ongoing events especially those that are trying to build sustainable communities around entrepreneurship, ranging from demo days to happy hours, to networking events,” he explained. 

Working together to solve problems

Collaborations are not only possible during crises but are also welcomed under normal circumstances. This was highlighted by Plug and Play Tech Center’s Co-Founder Jojo Flores, who talked about “Bridging the Startup-Corporate Gap.”

As a large organization itself, Plug and Play Tech Center invests in around 200 early stage startups per year and works with over 400 large global networks. “Corporations have accepted that a lot of new technologies, new ideas and innovation is really happening outside their environment,” said Flores. “It’s all about creating this platform whereby startups can collaborate with the various stakeholders, whether corporations, VCs, etc.”

QBO brings its community online in a virtual conference to continue empowering and honing their operations amidst COVID-19. Photo credit: QBO Innovation Hub

In the Philippines, for example, startups step up to help combat COVID-19 through collaborating with the private sector and the government. DOST, in collaboration with Developers Connect, helped launch the RapidPass system where frontliners manning checkpoints can easily inspect vehicles and individuals by scanning QR codes. Tech startup Senti is working closely with the Department of Health (DOH) by providing the knowledge-base for the chatbots in DOH’s different channels to address COVID-19-related inquiries while Multisys developed the online and mobile platform StaySafe.ph which aims to help the government in conducting efficient contact tracing. Limitless Lab, in partnership with The Asia Foundation, developed LGU vs COVID PH, an easy-to-use, updated, and reliable dashboard of all COVID-19 related information which LGUs can use and refer to.

Academes stepping up to develop startups

Collaboration in the interest of innovation isn’t limited solely between corporations and startups. Schools, for one, also definitely play a role in the innovation ecosystem.

This was the topic covered by Rick Rasmussen, an industry fellow at UC Berkeley’s Sutardja Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology. During his session he explored not only the evolution of incubator and accelerator programs but also the various ways schools such as UC Berkeley mentor startups and foster environments that will help them grow. Here, he cited examples such as Northwestern University’s “Experiential Entrepreneurship Course” and UC Berkeley’s “Disrupt Berkeley” to illustrate how academe collaborates with startups to enable their growth. 

In “Disrupt Berkeley”, for instance, Rasmussen details how that class covered the idea of social entrepreneurships. “We talked about how you do mission-based interviews and goals, and identify impact. We also covered problem-solution in social entrepreneurship mode.” It was during this class that Rasmussen was able to guide his students to create projects of their own that would solve various issues around campus. 

It’s this sort of guidance that startups can do with, especially in a challenging and unprecedented crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic. With schools playing their role in the startup ecosystem, startups can look back on the values of social entrepreneurship and solving real-world problems.

Apart from the technical aspect of operations, the key takeaway from the training conference is that there is a glimmer of hope even in tough times, the Filipino startup community is still rallying and going strong. In fact, it may be them that best ensures our country can have a future to look forward to, and so the push by QBO and DOST to encourage the growth of Filipino startups is now timelier than ever.

“There is a need to support our startups now, more than ever,” concluded Bautista. “Because startups and what they bring–digitalization, automation, speed–will be what we need to keep going in the post COVID-world.”

ABOUT QBO

QBO (‘ku-bo’) is an innovation hub or a platform for the startup community to collaborate, develop talent, and grow. It provides startups with support and resources through events and capacity building programs as well as focused interventions designed to improve access to markets, knowledge, capital, and talent. QBO is the country’s first public-private initiative for startups, created through a partnership between IdeaSpace, J.P. Morgan, Department of Science and Technology, and Department of Trade and Industry.

Spurred on by the vision of Filipinos startups changing the world, QBO’s mission is to create a globally competitive startup ecosystem in the Philippines.

Tech Innovator app-based motorcycle taxi Angkas to discuss Good Governance for Start Ups

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Angkas, technology innovator and pioneer in app-based motorcycle taxi services, will join the 2020 Corporate Governance Conference (CGGON) to discuss their advocacy of using technology not just as a solution to ease the burden of heavy traffic and congestion but as a tool for good governance and compliance with safety standards and regulations. 

The CGCON, which will be held in March 2020 at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza in Pasay City was organized by the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD) and will have the theme “How T.R.A.F.F.I.C. Creates Sustainable Businesses.” The conference introduces T.R.A.F.F.I.C., short for Transparency, Responsibility, Accountability, Fairness, Foresight, Innovation, Culture, as a business mindset for companies in achieving sustainability. 

“We have always championed the use of technology to make commuting easier for Filipinos, especially with the challenging traffic situation here in the country,” Angkas CEO Angeline Tham said during a press briefing.  

“Through our discussion at CGCON, we hope to give a better picture of how technology has worked for us both in serving the Filipino commuters and in ensuring good governance and compliance to safety rules and regulations among our biker-partners," Tham added. 

"I personally would like to emphasize that startups--particularly those oriented towards high technology--should always bear in mind that their concern should not be so much about their bottom line but about their impact to society," Tham noted.

"In Angkas, for instance, we have also always advocated safe and affordable transportation while complying with the strictest safety standards and regulations. This is the crux of our work and what we believe is our role in society," Tham maintained. "The safety of our bikers and commuters are of the utmost importance, and we will share how we have worked hard to comply with the highest safety standards and regulations.” 

The conference will feature notable thought leaders who will participate in a dialogue that aims to break the unconscious bias between emerging technology companies and disruptors, and the practice of good corporate governance. It aims to imbibe T.R.A.F.F.I.C. as a mindset for businesses to succeed in long-term value creation for the benefit of all stakeholders. 

CGCON 2020 will have an audience consisting of board chairs and directors, CEOs, CFOs, compliance officers, senior executives and managers, policy makers and regulators, institutional investors, and academics.

It plans to discuss the answer to the question on how principles of Transparency, Responsibility, Accountability, Fairness, Foresight, Innovation, and Culture (T.R.A.F.F.I.C) create sustainable businesses in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (FIRe). It also has the goal of promoting stakeholder approach towards long-term value creation among companies that thrive in the various aspects of FIRe. 

CGCON 2020 will also feature global thought leader and acclaimed American roboticist Dr. David Hanson, founder and CEO of Hanson Robotics. He will be bringing his AI creation, Sophia, the world’s first robot citizen and the first robot Innovation Ambassador for the United Nations Development Programme.

Dr. Hanson will be delivering a keynote entitled "Revolutionizing Boardroom Dynamics," which will touch on how artificial intelligence and robotics are changing the way information impacts the boardroom.

As part of the program, Tham will also be speaking with Sophia on the topic, “The Future is Here.” Guests will also have the chance of interacting with Sophia as they can have selfies taken with her after the talk. 

Other topics that will be discussed in the conference are: how IoT is enhancing the workplace environment, transparency, and efficiency; the ethical implications of technological advancement to the business ecosystem; and why T.R.A.F.F.I.C. is important and how it creates value for investors and stakeholders respectively. 

At the Corporate Governance Conference (CGGON) held recently, where the conference introduced T.R.A.F.F.I.C., short for Transparency, Responsibility, Accountability, Fairness, Foresight, Innovation, Culture, as a business mindset for companies in achieving sustainability. Angkas was on of the major speakers to discuss their advocacy of using technology not just as a solution to ease the burden of heavy traffic and congestion but as a tool for good governance and compliance with safety standards and regulations. In the photos are : (L-R) Backrow : Tom Syquia, Subchair for Content, ICD; Tony Cailao Member – CGCON, ICD; Fred Pascual, President ICD; Frank Newmann, Trustee ICD; George Royeca, Chief Transport Advocate, Angkas; Henry Aguda, Chairman UBX /Unionbank; Taimy Cruz, Chair for Logistics, ICD; Bert Manabat, Trustee. Front Row: Amor Maclang, Chair for Public Engagement, ICD; Ida Tiongson, Trustee ICD; Angeline Tham, CEO and Founder, Angkas; Cora Guidote, Chair – CGCON ICD; Tammy Lipana, Trustee ICD.

Pilipinas Shell’s “BiyaHero” brings together private and public for safer roads

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Pilipinas Shell’s “BiyaHero” campaign has partnered with the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP), the Automotive Association of the Philippines (AAP), and the Philippine Global Road Safety Partnership (PGRSP) to advocate for more cooperation between the private and public sectors in making the nation’s roads safer for Filipinos.

BiyaHero, a campaign that promotes road safety as a shared responsibility between everyone on the road, participated in the ECCP’s Safer Mobility and Logistics Conference and Exhibition, held from September 24 to 25 in the Tent at Solaire, to highlight Shell’s initiatives in engaging both NGOs and local governments for road safety improvements. 

Short for “Be a Hero on the Road,” Biyahero is currently working with the AAP-PGRSP to introduce safer driving practices in Lipa, Batangas. Shell and the AAP-PGRSP have been partnered since 2008. 

Mandaluyong also serves as the campaign’s pilot city for all of Shell’s road safety efforts. The company plans to involve other cities in the multisectoral efforts to realize better nationwide road safety. 

“We at Shell believe the first step to achieving road safety is to be aware of responsible driving practices,” said Oliver Ortega, Shell Companies in the Philippines’ General Manager for Health, Safety, Security and Environment. “Road safety starts with all of us, and being aware, alert, and prepared can help save lives.”

The ECCP hopes that the conference sparks discussion among safety and logistics stakeholders about how they could contribute to mainstreaming safety by exchanging ideas, initiatives, technology, and best practices. 

Despite comprehensive laws like R.A. 4136, or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code, road accidents continue to be a significant problem. The Metro Manila Accident Reporting and Analysis (MMARAS) 2018 annual report recorded 116,906 total accidents, an increase of approximately 6000 incidents compared to the prior year.

"Some, if not most, of our kababayans have this mentality that 'if I can get away with it, I'll do it.' They violate traffic laws because they don’t see enforcers around," said Cynthia Reyes from AAP-PGRSP. BiyaHero is taking a more holistic approach to solving the problem by promoting a new kind of safety culture in the Philippines. Through this event, BiyaHero will bring all relevant communities together to envision safer roads throughout the country.

As part of the BiyaHero campaign, Shell has prepared several measures that involve numerous different organizations to help promote road safety.

Shell service centers at the retail gas stations have year-long special offers, such as a free 14-point safety check by expert mechanics to motorists who want to make sure that their vehicles are roadworthy. Free engine insurance and roadside assistance are also available for those who opt for the Shell Helix Ultra oil change package.

The initiatives in Lipa and Mandaluyong both include a Road Safety for Children program that hopes to instill the youth with the knowledge of how to be responsible on the road.

Partnerships between Shell and PNP, PNP-HPG, and LTO to disseminate informative materials such as copies of RA 4136 also help ensure the safety and security of drivers during their journeys.

In addition to training its own truck drivers on how to be safe and responsible on the road, Shell has also partnered with A1 Driving School to teach customers defensive driving.

BiyaHero features various safe driving tips that every driver can use daily to stay responsible, such as the different ways to properly maintain a vehicle as well as what a driver can do to minimize discomfort when in transit.

“Shell believes that through ‘BiyaHero,’ everyone can come together to share the responsibility of making every road in the Philippines safer,” said Ortega.

ITD World Philippines gathers global thought leaders at 43rd ARTDO Conference

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Award-winning HRD company, ITD World Philippines, is bringing together some of the most celebrated global thought leaders and people development professionals as it hosts the 43rd Asian Regional Training & Development Organization (ARTDO) International Conference, to be held at the Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria on November 16 to 18, 2016.

Engaging, Enabling, and Enriching Global Leaders. ITD World Philippines gathers some of the top global thought leaders for the 43rd ARTDO International Conference—a three-day workshop that will cover relevant topics for today’s competitive and ever-changing business landscape.

The learning and networking event will feature more than 25 applicable, highly relevant, and invaluable topics that are easily adaptable in today’s competitive and ever-changing business landscape. And with the theme “Engaging, Enabling, and Enriching Global Leaders”, attendees will gain vital insights and key take-aways from distinguished experts, interact with top CEOs, and discover the latest tools and techniques on talent-leadership development, among others.

Spearheaded by ITD World Philippines country head and ARTDO president, Serely Geraldine Alcaraz, the conference will enable participants to discover how to overcome organizational and individual challenges through comprehensive topics such as Engaging the Global Workforce, Enriching Global Talents, and Enabling Global Organizations.

“Hosting this year’s ARTDO conference aligns with ITD World’s vision of empowering and teaching people for the better,” said Alcaraz. “It also strengthens the company’s thrust of providing quality Global Leadership development programs through the comprehensive topics conducted by renowned industry experts around the world.”

Leading the ARTDO conference programs is a formidable pool of internationally-renowned experts which include Dr. Peter Chee, ITD World (Malaysia) CEO and ranked sixth in the world’s Top 30 Coaching Gurus for 2016; Abdallah Jum’ah, former president and CEO of Saudi Arabian Oil Company and current board member of Zamil Industries, Hassana Investment, and Saudi Arabian Airlines; Kerrie Phipps, expert motivational speaker, leadership coach, and author of “Do Talk to Strangers: How to Connect to Anyone, Anywhere”; Scott Freidman, past president of the National Speakers Association, motivational humorist and author; Dr. Vinayshil Gautam, senior adviser of KPMG, founder of Indian Institute of Management, and Hon. Dean of KPMG Academy; Paul Larsen, executive coach, expert motivational speaker, and author of “Find Your Voice as a Leader”; and Dr. Jack Phillips, chairman of ROI Institute, word-renowned author and expert on accountability, measurement, and evaluation.

Similar to a jeepney ride, the ARTDO conference will take participants on a journey to uncharted territories—where organizations triumph over trials by engaging, enriching, and enabling its leaders—giving them the opportunity to fully engage with the guest speakers through forums, sessions and talks, as well as interact with other participants to gain different perspectives.

Prior to the conference, Dr. Phillips will conduct a Certified ROI Professional workshop on November 7 to 11 to be held at the Crown Plaza Manila Galleria. The 5-day program, themed “Making Human Capital Analytics Work”, will help enable HR professionals to measure the impact of learning and performance improvement programs in their organizations.

The ARTDO International Conference is presented by ITD World Philippines, the country’s leading multinational provider of quality organizational and human resource development solutions in the Asia Pacific.

For more inquiries, email itdmanila@itdworld.com, call (632) 887-7428, visit www.itdworld.com, or the official event website, www.artdointernational.org.

SM hosts UN-led series on disaster resiliency

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MORE PPPs PUSHED FOR DISASTER RESILIENCY

“It is time that we level up Public-Private Partnership (PPP) and put it into disaster management. We are all stakeholders and we all should do our part.” --- Defense Undersecretary Alexander Pama, Administrator of the Office of Civil Defense and Executive Director, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council

Disaster resiliency experts are pushing for more public-private partnership (PPP) projects to further boost risk reduction and management efforts to make the country better prepared in times of calamities and other emergencies.

This is was the consensus taken during the ARISE Philippines Forum hosted by SM Prime held last June 23 at the Mall of Asia Arena Annex (MAAX) Building to discuss the best practices on disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM). The forum was held in partnership with United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction - Private Sector Alliance for Disaster Resilient Societies.

Risk Reduction experts led by Defense Undersecretary Alexander Pama, Administrator of the Office of Civil Defense and Executive Director, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council; Dr. Renato Solidum Jr, Director of Philippine Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS); Dr. Mahar Lagmay, Executive Director of Project NOAH, Noel Gaerlan, Commissioner of the Philippine Climate Change Commission; and Rene Meily, President of the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF) agreed that there should be more government-private sector collaboration in DRRM.

Pama stressed that there should greater cooperation with the private sector not just to save lives but also protect properties and livelihood.

The one-day forum is geared towards providing businesses with an outline of the role of the private sector in disaster risk reduction and management. Middle to top managers of the leading companies attended the forum attended by industry experts to aid them in formulating strategies and making sound decisions in developing disaster-resilient companies, i.e., companies that can guarantee the continuity of provision of their products and services even in times of disaster and also sustain profitability and security of investments.

Gaerlan said the Philippines has become a role model in DRRM because of the strides it had achieved for the past several years but noted many still need to be done. One, he pointed out, is to make businesses better prepared for emergencies.

“Other countries admire our DRR initiatives but still a lot more room for improvement. We need stronger PPP partnerships because we are a lot stronger when we’re all working together,” he said.

Solidum, for his part, said an area which the private sector can make its impact felt in disaster resiliency is making sure its buildings and places of operations can withstand a 7.2 earthquake and the possible effects that may go with it including liquefaction and tsunami.

“Making sure that business survive a 7.2 magnitude earthquake and its aftereffects should be a main consideration of every business today because we have to make sure we are up and running the minute an earthquake stops,” he said.

Annie Garcia, President of SM Supermalls, said that with ARISE Philippines, SM is aiming to help energize DRRM by making businesses and the private sector better prepared to face emergencies.

“SM Prime’s long standing commitment to safeguard the areas in which we operate has led to our tireless pursuit towards a resilient, sustainable and responsible community for all. We invite more members of the private sector to promote UNISDR’s call to invest in DRR and to align with the Philippine government to create a risk-sensitive private sector to make disaster-resilient societies,” she said.