Category: Inc.

BDO Unibank, Inc. signs MOU with Oxford Business Group

PRNEWS Leave a comment

The key part that rising competitiveness in the Philippines and the country’s improved business climate are playing in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) will be explored in a forthcoming report to be produced by the global publishing firm, Oxford Business Group (OBG).

The Report: The Philippines 2015 will shine the spotlight on the economic sectors that look likely to gain from higher investment inflows, such as manufacturing and information technology. The publication will also provide updates on the country’s major infrastructure projects which are heightening economic activity, especially across the construction industry.

BDO Unibank, Inc. has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the second year on research with OBG for its forthcoming report. Under the MOU, OBG will have access to the bank’s resources, which will be used to compile the Capital Markets Chapter of The Report: The Philippines 2015.

Regional Editor, Paulius Kuncinas, said the Group had noted in its recent research that the Philippines was gaining ground on its neighbors when it came to attracting FDI.

“Investors have, in particular, noticed the increasing capabilities of the country’s workforce, while the Philippines’ political and economic stability remains a plus,” he said. “We expect public-private partnership projects to drive foreign investment in the coming years as the country moves to roll out its public works and address the Philippines’ housing shortage.”

Eduardo Francisco, President of BDO Capital Corporation & Investment at BDO Unibank, Inc. added that topical issues related to the ASEAN Economic Community, such as the integration of the financial markets, would be looked at in detail with OBG.

“Our first year of partnership with Oxford Business Group highlighted the added dimension that ASEAN integration will bring to the markets,” he said. “I look forward to exploring this further, as full integration draws nearer, and providing investors with key data they can use in their decision-making, including analysis of new products and services from the Philippine Stock Exchange.”

With the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Regional Summit set to take place in Manila next year, OBG’s Editorial Manager, Rodrigo Diaz, said the Philippines could expect to garner a higher profile as an international investment destination over the coming months.

“Full ASEAN integration and the APEC summit should both boost the Philippines’ competitiveness, helping the country to build on its strong macroeconomic fundamentals and steady GDP growth,” he said. “I am delighted that our team will benefit once again from BDO Unibank, Inc’s expertise as we plot the next phase of the country’s economic development.”

The Report: The Philippines 2015 will be a vital guide to the many facets of the country, including its macroeconomics, infrastructure, banking and other sectoral developments. It will contain interviews with leading national and international representatives, including Japan’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Fumio Kishida and the US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel. The publication will be available in print or online.

Caltex Donates P1M Cash to Red Cross for Typhoon Pablo Victims

PRNEWS Leave a comment

Chevron Philippines Inc. (CPI), marketer of the Caltex brand of fuels and lubricants, together with Chevron Geothermal Philippines Holdings, Inc. (CPGHI), Chevron Malampaya LLC, and Chevron Holdings Inc. (CHI), recently donated one million pesos in cash to the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) for victims of super typhoon Pablo in Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental.

In addition, Caltex is also giving 200 liters of free fuel a day from its Tagum and Mati Caltex stations to sustain Red Cross relief operations in the area.

Present for the check turn over were (L-R): Bing Santos, CGPHI asset manager; Peter Morris, country chair of CPI; PRC chairman Richard Gordon; PRC secretary general Gwen Pang; Joan Tenosa team lead of CHI; and Joseph Bronfman, CPI area business manager.

Skil launches Paint the Town Red for grassroots communities nationwide

PRNEWS Leave a comment

For the past six years, the Philippines has been one of the highest growing countries for Skil, one of the most recognized brands in the global power tool industry. Skil is giving back to the Philippine community through its recent philanthropic endeavor Paint the Town Red, which aims to construct 40 basketball half-courts in 40 selected barangays nationwide.

The campaign underscores Skil’s commitment to creating sustainable corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects aimed at community building and youth development.

“Skil is investing in sustainable CSR projects that do more than just widen brand awareness and visibility. The main idea is to do good and to do well. Through Paint the Town Red, Skil does not only build basketball courts for communities to enjoy, but we also donate small power tools for their various projects,” said William Go, Bosch Power Tools Country Sales Director. “In partnership with local government units, we are able to conduct hands-on training workshops and seminars for members of the community to teach them how to properly use power tools as a source of livelihood.”

The campaign also brought Skil ambassador and champion basketball coach Norman Black onboard to exemplify the brand’s strong American heritage and commitment to delivering precision and performance to a range of power tool users.
“Coach Norman is more than just a poster boy for the brand, he is Skil personified. He gets the job done, whether for basketball or for the carpentry projects he does at home. In line with the campaign’s mission to contribute to grassroots youth development, Coach Norman is the perfect role model to inspire and engage the youth to get into sports as a fun and healthy outlet with all its physical and social benefits,” said Martin Valenzuela, Skil Brand Manager.

Paint the Town Red recently turned over the first of 40 basketball half-courts to Barangay Bangkal in Makati with more than 100 barangay residents and guests in attendance. Among esteemed attendees were Congresswoman Monique Lagdameo, Barangay Chairman Fermin Eusebio, Bosch Philippines Managing Director Joseph Hong and Skil Brand Ambassador Norman Black. After Bangkal, Skil will take the campaign on the road with stopovers in other communities in Manila and Cebu.

To strengthen its relationship with local communities, Skil and Robert Bosch, Inc. continue to support various advocacies, namely Class of 2010, Habitat for Humanity and MyShelter’s Liter of Light among others. These projects form part of the company’s initiative to uplift the Philippine society and contribute to the evolving economy.