MANILA — Cebu Pacific (PSE: CEB), the Philippines’ leading carrier, welcomed its sixth aircraft delivery for the year – an ATR 72-600 – further strengthening its commitment of delivering inter-island connectivity in the Philippines. The brand-new turboprop aircraft arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Manila on June 5. “With more than 7,100 islands in the Philippines, our commitment to serve passengers traveling between inter-island destinations requires us to invest in turboprop aircraft,” said CEB Chief Executive Officer Michael Szucs. “This aircraft delivery brings our turboprop fleet to 15, and we will be receiving our sixteenth ATR turboprop in October. With this, CEB will be operating the largest turboprop fleet in the Philippines, enabling us to serve more passengers across the country,” he added. CEB operates its turboprop fleet in 25 domestic destinations, servicing almost 2.5 million passengers yearly. Some of the destinations that can only be accessible by turboprop and smaller aircraft include Camiguin, Calbayog, Siargao, Masbate, Surigao, Busuanga and Naga. The ATR 72-600 is one of the latest generations of twin engine turboprop airliners produced in France and Italy by manufacturer Avions de Transport Regional (ATR). It is used by multiple airlines worldwide as a regional aircraft. ATR says that the 72-600 can access short, narrow and unpaved runways, and can handle steep approaches and high-altitude landings and takeoffs.  It carries around 78 passengers and has a maximum range of 1,300 kilometers depending on payload. Apart from ATRs, CEB also operates a diversified commercial fleet mix of eight (8) Airbus 330s, 39 Airbus 320s, and 21 Airbus 321s, enabling the widest network coverage in the Philippines.

MANILA — SM Supermalls’ focus on sustainability and corporate responsibility was at the forefront at the prestigious 2024 Asia Pacific Tambuli Awards as it was recognized for two achievements. SM Supermalls’ innovative Rainwater Project by SM Cares earned a Bronze Award in the Care for the Environment category. The project collects and turns rainwater into potable water safe for drinking, and is the highlight of the organization’s efforts in water conservation and environmental stewardship. This is especially beneficial to the residents of Baguio City, where water shortages are prevalent. Further, Hans T. Sy, Chairman of the Executive Committee of SM Prime Holdings, was honored with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award. Sy’s unwavering dedication to philanthropy, environmental advocacy, and corporate leadership has left an indelible mark on society, inspiring positive change and empowerment across the Philippines and beyond. Reflecting on his journey, Sy delivered a poignant acceptance speech, emphasizing the transformative power of personal advocacy and collective action. He remarked, “I am deeply honored and humbled to stand before you today to accept the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2024 Tambuli Awards… I am filled with optimism for the future if we can inspire collective action. Together, I believe we can build a more sustainable and prosperous world for generations to come.” His speech underscored SM’s enduring commitment to sustainability, community development, and corporate responsibility. Through initiatives such as comprehensive disaster risk reduction strategies, SM continues to spearhead meaningful change and uplift communities nationwide. SM Supermalls remains steadfast in its mission to champion sustainability, disaster risk reduction, innovation, and social responsibility. The organization’s goal is to create a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable future for all. The Asia Pacific Tambuli Awards, which was held June 4 at the Grand Hyatt Manila this year, celebrates excellence in marketing communications, recognizing successful marketing campaigns and sustainability and corporate purpose initiatives that positively impact the world. Established in 2005, the Tambuli Awards honor organizations and individuals who demonstrate exceptional dedication to driving meaningful social change through innovative marketing strategies.

QUEZON CITY — The Social Security System (SSS) today announced that its members can boost their retirement and savings through the MySSS Pension Booster program, which offers a projected 7.2 percent annual return rate. SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Rolando Ledesma Macasaet said that SSS renamed the Worker’s Investment and Savings Program (WISP) and WISP Plus into the MySSS Pension Booster to reflect the primary goal of the savings program of boosting their retirement funds. Macasaet said that the MySSS Pension Booster savings schemes were part of the reforms introduced by Republic Act No. 11199 or the Social Security Act of 2018, sponsored by Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto during his tenure as a senator. “We want to thank Secretary Recto for helping pass this landmark legislation in 2019. We also want to acknowledge him for conceptualizing these retirement savings schemes, which we rebranded today as MySSS Pension Booster. So, we are grateful that he pushed for the inclusion of the program in the law, which is boosting the retirement funds of millions of members,” Macasaet said. Aside from being the Finance Secretary, Recto also serves as the Chairperson of the Social Security Commission, the highest governing body of the SSS. Macasaet emphasized the importance of early retirement planning during the relaunching event of the MySSS Pension Booster held today at the SSS headquarters in Quezon City, which was attended by maritime professionals, Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), self-employed professionals, and corporate executives. “Aside from renaming the program, we also want to reposition the MySSS Pension Booster to cater more to corporate managers and executives, doctors, lawyers, OFWs, Filipino expats, seafarers, young professionals among others, as we have identified their need for bigger retirement funds. We do not lose sight of the other SSS members through other programs, but our rebranding is a move towards capturing those who want to invest more and can invest more to enroll in the MySSS Pension Booster,” Macasaet said. Macasaet told them that by making retirement their top priority early on, they can ensure they have ample time to reach their retirement goals, adding, “Now is the best time to start building your retirement fund with the help of SSS.” Macasaet urged members to take control of their retirement planning by utilizing the MySSS Pension Booster program, which supplements members’ savings to enhance the retirement benefit they can get under the Regular SSS Program. “The MySSS Pension Booster is not just an ordinary retirement savings plan. It’s a safe, convenient, and tax-free investment opportunity that allows you to earn income from your contributions. By participating, you can attain your savings goal, ensuring a comfortable retirement,” Macasaet said. Two schemes in one program SSS Vice President for Benefits Administration Division Joy A. Villacorta said that the MySSS Pension Booster consists of mandatory and voluntary schemes. Villacorta said that the mandatory scheme automatically enrolls SSS members contributing to the Regular SSS Program. It gives an opportunity to save more beyond the threshold. “Rest assured, your contributions and earnings to the MySSS Pension Booster are in safe hands. As a member of this program, you will have your account managed by the SSS, where we will place your contributions and interest earnings. Your MySSS Pension Booster contributions for the mandatory scheme are paid together with your regular SSS contributions,” Villacorta explained. Villacorta said that the voluntary scheme, on the other hand, requires interested SSS members to enroll in the savings plan through their My.SSS account. Those applying for the issuance of a Social Security (SS) Number may also enroll in the program already by accepting the terms and conditions. “For as low as P500 per payment in the voluntary scheme of MySSS Pension Booster, members can add to their savings which grows over time. It’s a flexible scheme as members may contribute any amount, with the maximum based on limits set by our collection partners,” Villacorta said. Villacorta said that for urgent cash needs, they can withdraw their total contributions including its investment earnings because SSS allows partial or full withdrawal of their savings in the program.  “However, we encourage you to stay in the program for at least five years to maximize the potential earnings on your savings,” Villacorta emphasized. She added that for those who want to use their savings in the program to augment their retirement funds, they have the option to get their total contributions plus interest when they get their retirement, total disability or death benefits from the Regular SSS Program, which is also tax-free.