BPI celebrates 169th anniversary with purposeful banking

 

The Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) is celebrating its 169th anniversary by revitalizing its commitment to be a lifeline for Filipinos and continuing to help build a better Philippines with purposeful phygital (physical and digital) banking. 

BPI President and CEO Cezar P. Consing, who delivered his anniversary message online, highlighted the Bank’s steadfast mission to provide financial services to Filipinos amid the challenges and confusion brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. “The combination of our branches, bravely manned, and our digital channels have allowed millions of Filipinos and thousands of businesses to conduct essential banking transactions throughout this challenging period,” he said. 

Consing emphasized how the limitations, imposed by the lockdown, have demonstrated the strength of BPI’s digital platform. “Our 169-year history has seen us make a real, positive difference in difficult times. We are seen as leading in the market not because we’re bigger, but because we are professional, inclusive and forward looking, and have a brand that defines trust, stability and nation-building,” he said. 

To kick off the Bank’s month-long celebration, Rev. Fr. Angelo Paolo Asprer of Society of St. Paul (SSP), led the virtual anniversary Mass, which was broadcast through BPI’s internal social media channel. Other activities are lined up for BPI’s anniversary celebration this August. One of these is the “#PhygitallyYours” campaign, a weekly digital community service, to encourage employees to share social media posts about helpful and informative topics. 

BPI, through its social development arm, BPI Foundation, is also set to launch its food security fundraising campaign titled “Pagsibol,” in collaboration with the World Wide Fund for Nature Philippines (WWF-Philippines). The project aims to build sustainable food sheds – or climate-resilient food production facilities – to address food security and help hundreds of families all over the country to adapt and build their resilience in the new normal. 

BPI has prepared other initiatives as well such as the “#ECONversationSeries,” a series of webinars focused on purposeful phygital banking, and “Dream Bayan Podcast”, a podcast that seeks to uplift the spirits of Filipinos as they face challenges and hardships brought by the pandemic.

McDonald's Safety Protocols

The fast food giant ensures superior heating, ventilation, and air conditioning facilities

for customer and employee safety

As the country adapts to the new normal, McDonald’s Philippines continues to re-assure its customers of its steadfast commitment to safety through its protocols and facilities.

Quality, service, safety, cleanliness and value have always been inherent in McDonald’s operating culture. Aside from complying with government guidelines, the company leverages on global standards on safety to better protect its people and safely serve its customers.

 

McDonald’s has already implemented various measures in their stores and different ordering channels through its M Safe program. Each store has a dedicated safety manager to ensure all protocols are followed by employees such as wearing of masks and/or face shields, use of gloves, daily submission of health check forms, temperature checks before and after every shift, and increased hand washing frequency to every 30 minutes, among others. The safety managers also ensure that customers are properly guided on the protocols in the store.

 

In addition, McDonald’s ensures customers that it uses fresh air ventilation and air conditioning mechanism in all its stores. Its fresh air supply system is certified by the Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineers (Mandaluyong Chapter).

 

With its design, McDonald’s stores are equipped with the following, ensuring a safer environment in the store:

• centralized air conditioners that are equipped with higher filtration systems
• low air velocity for lower risk of the spread of airborne contaminants
• proper air humidity and comfortable temperature where contaminants are less active
• efficient utilization of outdoor fresh air for better ventilation

 

“We understand that consumers remain to be wary of their safety in shared spaces. Part of our commitment is to ensure that from our protocols to our facilities, we have the best systems in place for the safety of everyone, especially inside our stores,” said Kenneth S. Yang, President and Chief Executive Officer of McDonald’s Philippines. “With these measures in place, employees are safe and customers can enjoy their favorite World Famous Fries or Best-Tasting Chicken McDo worry-free in any McDonald’s branch in the country.” Yang added.

 

“We commend McDonald’s for their continuous efforts not just in implementing preventive measures for their customers and employees, but also in ensuring that their stores are in the safest conditions to operate,” DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez said.

 

McDonald’s encourages customers to send their feedback to msafe@ph.mcd.com.

PCPPI wins Asia Corporate Excellence & Sustainability Awards 2020

Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines Inc. (PCPPI)—the exclusive manufacturer of PepsiCo beverages and snacks in the Philippines—was hailed as the Sustainability Rising Star during the recently concluded Asia Corporate Excellence & Sustainability (ACES) Awards 2020 held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 

 

 

The Sustainability Rising Star Award is presented to organizations that create new pathways and pilot a change of course through grassroot sustainable initiatives. The winner demonstrates commitment to sustainable development by implementing diverse solutions to sustainability challenges faced in their settings. 

 

PCPPI is among the highly qualified and deserving participants selected as winners by the jury members of ACES, headed by ACES’ Chairman of Panel of Jury, Hemant K. Batra. Batra is the founder and chairman of Kaden Borris, a global alliance of full-service law firms and legal enterprises; and the vice president of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation in Law (SAARCLAW). 

 

“We are honored to have been recognized as a sustainable company, a good news amid the pandemic. Over the years, PCPPI has always been relentless and committed to create a positive impact on society with programs focused on environmental sustainability, nation-building, and inclusive development,” said PCPPI president and CEO Frederick D. Ong.

 

PCPPI’s sustainability agenda is driven by the “Sustainability Play” framework, which was created in 2018 in response to the global effort towards achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs). The Framework consists of three key sustainability pillars which are Water Stewardship, Circular Economy, and Inclusive Business, and are led by a three-pronged “Engage, Transform, and Lead” strategy. 

 

PCPPI’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs are in line with the company’s sustainability framework. One fine example is the Water for Peace in Marawi, whereby PCPPI teamed up with the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF) to provide clean water to the Internally Displaced People (IDP) of Marawi.

 

This helps PCPPI in creating a healthy and sustainable ecosystem that nurtures the business and its employees, as well as the communities upon which the company built its success, and the environment that provides resources needed for businesses to thrive.

 

One of the flagship programs of PCPPI's sustainability efforts is Luntiang Yaman, which is an initiative to reduce water use, optimize electricity use, optimization of fuel yield, solid waste management, and community-building participation. 

 

Through years of developing Returnable Glass Bottles, PCPPI has optimized packaging by reducing the materials in other containers apart from glass bottles by making them lighter, successfully diverting tons of solid waste from landfills. Since the implementation of the program, PCPPI has successfully recycled 81% of in-plant solid waste, putting them right on track to reach their 85% goal by 2020.

 

Since its inauguration in 2014, the ACES Awards has grown to become one of the most sought-after accolades in Asia. The Asia Corporate Excellence & Sustainability Awards recognizes Asia’s most renowned business leaders, corporations, and brands across two main domains; leadership and corporate social responsibility.