Globe has made preparations for the potential impact of Tropical Depression Kristine, which is expected to intensify as it moves closer to Philippine territory. Network facilities in areas on the path of the storm are ready with generators and batteries to ensure connectivity services despite potential commercial power outages due to the weather system. Globe’s technical and support personnel have also been prepositioned along with critical supplies in case immediate response is needed in areas that may be affected by the storm. Globe is also ready to deploy Libreng Tawag, Libreng Charging and Libreng WiFi Services in areas where the storm may cause severe power and service outages. “Our network was built to be resilient to ensure that our services will remain operational despite weather disturbances. In case factors outside our control, such as commercial power outages due to the storm, affect our facilities, our personnel are at hand to undertake immediate restoration work. Rest assured that we’re ready for Kristine’s onslaught,” said Yoly Crisanto, Globe’s Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer. Tropical Depression Kristine is forecast to move west northwest towards the Philippine landmass and intensify into a tropical storm by Tuesday. It is expected to further gain strength, escalating into a typhoon by Thursday before a potential landfall in Cagayan. On Monday morning, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 was raised over Catanduanes and parts of Northern and Eastern Samar. Globe urges communities on the path of the storm to prepare food, water, medicine, first aid kits, emergency light sources and batteries, and charge their mobile devices in anticipation of Kristine’s impact. Globe also reminds the public to stay tuned for weather updates only from legitimate and trusted news sources. Globe provides free data access to the website of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) to help customers access timely and verified weather updates.

(Students of Macasandig Elementary School, Cagayan De Oro City use the new Digital Learning Hubs installed by SM Group and Mastercard) SM Foundation and Mastercard have successfully launched Digital Learning Hubs in public schools across the Philippines, pursuing their shared mission of bridging the digital divide in education. Four public schools, Lemery Pilot Elementary School, Batangas; Tuba Central School, Benguet; Jugan Elementary School, Consolacion, Cebu; and Macasandig Elementary School, Cagayan De Oro City have been equipped with the said learning hubs. Each of the schools have been equipped with 20 computer desktop sets and LCD TVs, providing students with the opportunity to develop their digital skills through hands-on experience with various computer programs and tools. Simon Calasanz, Country Manager, Philippines, Mastercard remarked that the partnership will help the students develop their tech proficiency so they can more confidently navigate the rapidly changing digital landscape. “As a global payments technology company, part of Mastercard’s mission is anchored in driving an inclusive digital ecosystem. This initiative with SM Foundation is timely as it provides students access to essential equipment, enriching their learning experience and honing their digital literacy, which will be helpful as they continue their academic—and eventually career—journey,” Calasanz said. The initiative’s funding was bolstered by the Shop & Share with Mastercard program, which ran from Nov. 10 to 12, 2023. During the period, P100 was donated to SM Foundation for every minimum P3,000 single-receipt purchase made with a Mastercard card at SM Stores. Sy, meanwhile, shared that the latest project builds upon the partnership’s previous efforts in educational empowerment of the youth. “We are happy to have Mastercard and The SM Store as our partners in bringing technology-driven initiatives to underserved communities. These Digital Learning Hubs equip students with essential digital skills that will empower their education and future careers. From providing tablets to over 1,200 scholars during the pandemic to supporting STEM scholarships for young women, our commitment to accessible education remains strong. It is through shared values and a collective vision for social good that we are able to create lasting, meaningful impact,” Sy shared. Amidst the completion of the recent collaboration, Sy and Calasanz remain optimistic about exploring opportunities that support educational inclusivity and accessibility. The SM Group’s dedication to corporate social responsibility aligns with Mastercard’s commitment to empowering individuals, driving economic inclusion, and promoting sustainability. Focusing on SM Group’s education pillar, the partnership provides students with the tools and resources needed to fuel their passions and build brighter futures. To learn more about the collaboration for social good, visit www.smstore.com, www.sm-foundation.org, and www.mastercard.com.ph                

  The Social Security System (SSS) has announced the appointment of Commissioner Robert Joseph M. De Claro as its new Officer-in-Charge, effective October 11, following the resignation of Rolando Ledesma Macasaet earlier this month. The decision was made by the Social Security Commission (SSC), the policymaking body of the SSS. De Claro, who has served on the SSC since January 11, 2023, representing the Employers’ Group, brings a strong background to the role. As a Commissioner, he chaired the IT and Collection and Contribution Committee and participated in key committees covering audit, risk, investment, and governance. In addition to his new role, De Claro has been a member of the board of UnionBank (UBP) and UnionBank Investment and Trust Corp. (UBIMTC) and a member of its Executive Committee (ExCom), Governance and Risk Committees since 2023. His experience in the financial and corporate sectors adds a valuable perspective to his leadership of the pension fund. De Claro’s professional background spans over 32 years, including executive roles in both the public and private sectors. De Claro began his career at Nestlé Philippines in 1993, eventually holding international positions as an Expatriate (OFW) in Australia and at Nestlé’s headquarters in Switzerland. With his broad leadership experience across multiple industries, De Claro is well-equipped to lead the SSS in advancing its mandate of providing comprehensive social security protection to Filipinos.              

Senator Imee R. Marcos call on the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Migrant Workers to evacuate all Filipinos from danger areas in Lebanon and to repatriate them to the Philippines as soon as possible. She said, Tte situation in Lebanon is becoming very dangerous as new rounds of Israeli air strikes once again hit Beirut and its surrounding suburbs, as well as northern portions of the country. According to the Health Ministry of Lebanon, more than 2,000 people have been killed already. Unfortunately, the circumstances in Lebanon may worsen as there is no sign that the hostilities will cease any time soon. For all intents and purposes, the situation is already an Alert Level 4 Crisis. “More civilians, including Filipinos, will undoubtedly be in harm’s way. This is a risk that the Philippine Government should never take. Thus, I strongly urge all of the concerned government agencies to immediately initiate all the necessary steps to bring the affected Filipinos to safety,’ the Senator stressed.        

Cebu Pacific (PSE: CEB), the Philippines’ leading carrier, accepted its 12th aircraft delivery for 2024 — an A321neo — in support of the airline’s ongoing network expansion and fleet modernization efforts. The newly added 236-seater aircraft touched down at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on September 26. This delivery comes just two weeks after CEB welcomed another fuel-efficient A320neo aircraft, reaffirming the airline’s commitment to accessible and sustainable air travel. “This latest aircraft delivery aligns with our goal of enhancing our fleet and expanding our network to better serve every Juan. With each fuel-efficient aircraft we welcome to our fleet, we are taking steps toward achieving our net zero goal by 2050, while continuing to open more routes and introduce new destinations for our passengers,” said Xander Lao, CEB President and Chief Commercial Officer. Airbus NEOs are the latest-generation aircraft that burn 15 percent less fuel per flight and produce less noise compared to the previous generation. The reduction in fuel consumption leads to a corresponding reduction in aircraft carbon emissions. CEB operates one of the youngest fleets in the world, with its diversified commercial fleet mix of nine (9) Airbus 330s, 40 Airbus 320s, 23 Airbus 321s, and 15 ATR turboprop aircraft enabling the widest network coverage in the Philippines.

Social Security System (SSS) President and Chief Executive Officer Rolando Ledesma Macasaet today said that SSS is on track for a record-setting year in terms of registering new members after it hit 2.4 million new registrants in July 2024. In a press briefing, Macasaet reported that the number of new SSS members from January to July 2024 surged by 165 percent to 2.4 million from 923,000 new members recorded in the same period last year. Macasaet said that in previous years, SSS usually averaged around one million new members annually. But for this year, he challenged SSS officials and employees to target two million new SSS registrants for 2024. “SSS took the challenge and even went the extra mile. In the first six months, we hit our year’s target of two million new members, a positive result of our massive membership and coverage drives throughout the country,” Macasaet said. Macasaet underscored that this milestone reflects SSS’ commitment to expand its membership and reach all working Filipinos. “The implications of this record membership are profound because it means more Filipinos will have access to a comprehensive set of social security benefits from SSS. The social security protection offered by SSS can help safeguard the financial well-being of Filipino families, particularly during times of uncertainty,” Macasaet added. SSS Executive Vice President for Branch Operations Sector Voltaire P. Agas reported that the highest number of new members came from prior registrants, totaling 1.2 million. Prior registrants are individuals who already have SS numbers but have not yet been reported as covered employees or self-employed members. “We observed a significant increase in new self-employed members, which surged by 273 percent—from 112,000 in 2023 to 419,000 in 2024. Additionally, the number of new OFW members more than doubled, rising to 10,300 in 2024 from just over 5,000 last year,” Agas explained. Data showed that Luzon recorded the highest number of new members, with more than 882,000. The National Capital Region (NCR) came in second with over 693,000 new enrollees. Mindanao and Visayas followed with 436,000 and 417,000, respectively. Meanwhile, over 10,000 new members came from international operations. Nationwide Registration Day enrollees reached 26K Agas said one of SSS’ initiatives to expand membership is the Nationwide Registration Day on July 15. “In a single day, SSS successfully registered more than 26,000 new members in the SSS e-services booth set up in the activity centers of partner malls and establishments. Agas explained that during the activity, SSS urged all working Filipinos to become SSS members so they could access social security benefits in times of need. Aside from new registrants, Agas said the SSS e-services booth served 54,000 members in their SSS transactions, such as creating their My.SSS account, resetting their My.SSS login credentials, updating member records, disbursement account enrolment, generating Payment Reference Number (PRN), and filing their salary and benefit claims applications. Road to 5M new members by year-end Macasaet expressed optimism that SSS could reach four to five million new members by the end of 2024, adding, “SSS will sustain this growth trajectory in the coming months as we aim for a historic peak in new member registrations.” “Halfway through the year, we already hit our year’s target. But SSS won’t stop there. We remain steadfast in our mission to further broaden our membership base and cover all Filipinos in the workforce,” Macasaet said. Macasaet concluded that SSS will explore innovative strategies to promote social security awareness and instill among fellow Filipinos the value of acquiring SSS membership.        

Social Security System (SSS) President and Chief Executive Officer Rolando Ledesma Macasaet pushed for the SSS membership of barangay captains and kagawads serving in around 42,000 barangays nationwide. Macasaet spoke with barangay officials attending the Liga ng Mga Barangay’s National Congress on August 13 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City to encourage them to become SSS members and receive a lifetime monthly pension when they retire from public service. “Many of our barangay officials and workers serve their constituents for 10 or 20 years. However, when they retire from public service, they do not get any separation pay or monthly pension. Now, through the SSS membership, we are offering you an opportunity to get a monthly pension when you retire from being a barangay official,” Macasaet said. Macasaet told them to secure an SS number and start paying their monthly contributions so they would automatically get social security coverage from SSS. He urged them to pay at least 120 monthly SSS contributions to receive a lifetime monthly pension once they have retired. “Even if you pay your monthly SSS contributions intermittently, that is fine.   If you continue to pay until you reach at least 120 monthly contributions you will have a pension for life,” he explained. Macasaet said that they should consider contributing to the SSS as an investment in their future. “Aside from retirement benefits, you will be entitled to sickness, maternity, disability, unemployment, funeral, and death benefits.” Macasaet added that they can also take advantage of various SSS loan programs, such as salary and calamity, and get additional coverage from the Employees’ Compensation (EC) Program for work-related sickness or injury resulting in disability or death. SSS hails Magna Carta for barangay officials House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez is pushing for the passage of a Magna Carta for barangay officials at the House of Representatives that will empower local government units (LGUs) to allocate funds for the SSS contributions of barangay officials. Romualdez vowed to champion the legislative measures so that barangay officials could become SSS members at no cost to them. Macasaet lauded House Speaker Romualdez and Isabela 6th District Representative Faustino A. Dy V for filing the proposed bill that will allow LGUs to cover the monthly SSS contributions of barangay officials so they can receive lifetime pension, saying, “This move shows how much President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. cares for the country’s barangay leaders,” Macasaet said. Moreover, Macasaet thanked Liga ng mga Barangay National President Maria Katrina Jessica G. Dy for allowing SSS to explain the value of social security coverage to barangay officials. SSS brings e-services closer to barangay officials SSS Executive Vice President for Branch Operations Sector Voltaire P. Agas said that SSS set up 50 laptops manned by SSS personnel, which assisted barangay officials in getting their SS numbers. Agas said that SSS brought its Starlink and PLDT internet kits to ensure the nonstop service provision to those attending the event. “We put up an SSS booth in the National Congress to assist barangay officials in their SSS transactions such as applying for SS and employer numbers or verifying their contribution or loan records,” Agas said. Agas said barangay officials also conducted online services such as creating or resetting their My.SSS account, updating member and contact details, generating a Payment Reference Number (PRN), enrolling in the Disbursement Account Enrollment Module (DAEM), and filing of benefit claims and loan applications.

Cebu Pacific (PSE: CEB), the Philippines’ leading carrier, has set another milestone in sustainable aviation. It has earned an ‘AA’ rating from MSCI ESG Ratings, a distinction no other local airline has achieved. This achievement places CEB among the top carriers worldwide in managing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) risks and opportunities. MSCI ESG Ratings evaluate public and private companies based on their exposure to ESG risks and how effectively they manage them, using a scale ranging from AAA (leader) to CCC (laggard). An ‘AA’ rating signifies strong performance in managing industry-specific risks compared to peers. “Our commitment has always been to operate in a responsible and sustainable way. This upgraded rating reflects our progress in addressing environmental, social, and governance challenges. By adopting innovative practices, such as operating high-density, fuel-efficient aircraft, we are not only reducing carbon emissions but also achieving the lowest carbon burn per seat, offering our passengers a more sustainable travel experience. All these initiatives are part of our comprehensive effort to advance a sustainable aviation industry,” said Xander Lao, CEB President and Chief Commercial Officer. In 2023, CEB received an ‘A’ rating from MSCI. This year’s upgrade to ‘AA’ is a testament to the airline’s unwavering commitment to sustainability. For instance, CEB has made notable strides in reducing its environmental impact, ranking in the top quartile among its peers for carbon emissions management. By operating a fleet with an average age of just six years—significantly younger than the industry average of nine years—CEB has effectively improved fuel efficiency and reduced carbon emissions. Beyond its environmental initiatives, CEB has also excelled in social performance metrics, particularly in implementing robust data privacy measures and enhancing labor management practices. The airline consistently ranks highly in these areas, supported by strong employee engagement programs and compliance with international safety standards, such as the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA). On the governance front, CEB earned recognition for its strong policies against bribery and corruption and its comprehensive governance frameworks that ensure ethical business practices. These measures reflect a deep commitment to good corporate governance and responsible corporate behavior. As one of only two companies in the Philippines to achieve an ‘AA’ rating, CEB is committed to building on this momentum by further improving its sustainability initiatives and governance frameworks. The airline is also dedicated to enhancing its practices to maintain its leadership in ESG performance, fostering long-term success and resilience in its operations.

  In a groundbreaking initiative, SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SM Prime) and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) are searching for the Ten Outstanding Firefighters of the Philippines 2024 to recognize the exceptional bravery and dedication of our firefighters. For the first time, a private company like SM Prime is shining a spotlight on the exemplary performance of 10 out of nearly 38,000 BFP personnel. These firefighters have gone above and beyond in their duties, risking their lives to protect communities across the country. The deadline for nominations is August 31,2024. Nominations can be submitted by BFP’s highest commanding officer of the unit, immediate superior, or local chief executive. Nominations for the awards began in July 2024, with the awarding ceremony scheduled for December 2024. The top 10 awardees will receive a plaque of recognition and a cash prize of P250,000 each, while ten finalists will each be awarded P20,000. SM Prime and the BFP have partnered through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed on June 27, 2024. As part of this partnership, the two organizations launched the yearly search for the Ten Outstanding Firefighters of the Philippines.