by Penny Angeles-Tan | Mar 23, 2022 | Business
Retail clients of Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) can now send money from their Peso or US Dollar account to a foreign bank account via BPI Online and BPI Mobile app with BPI Outward Remittance. The product was recently launched to complement bank transfers done in person, giving clients more convenient options to send money to family and friends abroad.
With BPI Outward Remittance, the Bank will enable more clients to fulfill international wire transfers in just a few taps for needs such as educational expenses, medical expenses, foreign travel funds, subscriptions, and insurance payments.
“We at BPI continue to innovate and reinvent our products and services to make everyday banking more convenient for our customers. With the BPI Outward Remittance being available in our digital channels, our customers will be able to enjoy fast and convenient international fund transfers anywhere, anytime,” said Reggie Cariaso, BPI Head of Corporate Banking Strategy, Products, and Support.
BPI Outward Remittance ensures secure fund transfers of up to $10,000 with SWIFT global payment innovations (SWIFT GPI), an advanced payment method using modern digital tools for traceable and swifter cross-border payments. Clients will simply need to fill in their sending details, receiving bank details, and beneficiary details via BPI Online or BPI Mobile app.
The product offers affordable overall charges and competitive foreign exchange rates in multiple currencies including USD, AUD, GBP, EUR, SGD, HKD, and CAD. It also provides a fast and reliable turnaround time of one to three banking days for transactions with no discrepancies.
For more information about BPI Outward Remittance, visit https://www.bpi.com.ph/bank/services/send-money-abroad.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Mar 23, 2022 | Safety tips
Damage caused by fire is insurmountable. It affects the lives and livelihood of many Filipinos, regardless of their economic status in life. Unfortunately, our kababayans in the marginalized sector can experience bigger risks and more profound impacts.
We are dedicated to promoting financial inclusion, ensuring that ordinary Filipinos can access affordable protection and security as part of their financial plans. It’s essential for them to have access to basic security measures that can help mitigate the impact of potential disasters.
CEO & President, Cebuana Lhuillier
In the first two months of 2022, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) reported that fire incidents increased by nearly 13% compared to the same period in the previous year. Furthermore, data from 2020 indicated that the main causes of fire accidents were open flames from torches, unattended cooking, and faulty electrical connections.
Like other threats and risks associated with unfortunate events, such as natural disasters and fire-related negligence, thousands of lives and properties worth millions—if not billions—are lost each year. This highlights the urgent need for financial tools to mitigate the financial impacts of such incidents.
As the country observes the annual Fire Prevention Month, here are some tips from the BFP to make sure that your house is safe from fire:
Unplug appliances when they are not in use.
Unplugging devices when they’re not in use helps reduce electricity consumption and lowers the risk of fire hazards. Excessive electricity flowing through appliances like televisions, computers, and others, or the potential for power surges, can indeed lead to fires.
Always remember to unplug your appliances before leaving the house.
Never leave flames or heated appliances unattended.
Always be cautious with any open flames, such as candles or while cooking. Keep a watchful eye and be prepared to react if something goes wrong. It’s a good idea to install smoke alarms and have fire extinguishers readily available nearby.
Keep flammable items away from things that can be a source of fire.
Proper storage of various items and supplies can help prevent fire incidents. Ensuring that flammable items are stored correctly and kept away from heat sources can save you from potential accidents.
Having too many items stacked in an area can allow a fire to spread more quickly. By decluttering certain spaces in your home, you can reduce the risk of fire spreading, minimize potential losses, and help protect your home in the event of a fire.
Regularly inspect your electrical wiring.
Be vigilant about any visible faulty wiring. This can damage your appliances and potentially lead to a fire.
Always remember that prevention is better than cure. Knowing these fire prevention tips can save you and others from a devastating event.
This Fire Prevention Month, it’s essential to raise awareness about fire safety and prevention. In addition to being prepared for fire incidents, it’s crucial that everyday Filipinos have a safety net in place. This is the primary mission of our microinsurance product, ProtectMax. This product offers comprehensive coverage at a more affordable price.
First Vice President and Group Head, Cebuana Lhuillier
To reduce the risk of fire and other natural disasters, Cebuana Lhuillier offers ProtectMAX, an affordable microinsurance product designed for individuals aged 7 to 70 years.
This policy includes benefits such as a Death Benefit, Accident or Sickness Emergency Cash Assistance, Accidental Dismemberment or Disablement coverage, protection against Murder and Unprovoked Assault, and cash assistance for Residential Fire Reconstruction.
For as low as P50, you can obtain coverage valued at up to P61,000. Each certificate is valid for four months from the date of issuance, and an individual can purchase a maximum of five certificates per year.
To learn more about Cebuana Lhuillier ProtectMAX, visit the nearest Cebuana Lhuillier branch or log on to www.cebuanalhuillier.com. Avail of ProtectMAX now at nearly 3,000 Cebuana Lhuillier branches nationwide.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Mar 19, 2022 | Lifestyle Tips
By 2025, two-thirds of the world’s population may be facing water shortages. According to World Wildlife Fund Inc., this may get worse considering the current consumption rate worldwide. On World Water Day, Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines, Inc. (PCPPI)—the exclusive manufacturer of PepsiCo beverages in the country—is urging the public to participate in water conservation efforts to reduce any unnecessary water usage.
Frederick Ong: President and CEO of Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines, Inc.
“Water is a fundamental right. This is the reason we strictly manage our water consumption and water waste. We need to integrate water conservation methods to improve global water security. We encourage the public to use water responsibly as this is a shared responsibility that we need to take seriously,” said PCPPI president and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Frederick D. Ong.
Last year, PCPPI reported a six percent reduction in its 2020 water usage. The company saved around 369,000 cubic meters of water which is equal to more than 147 Olympic-sized swimming pools. From 2019 to 2021, the company has reduced its water use by 11.5%.
To bolster its water stewardship initiatives, PCPPI monitors its water consumption in its operations and has devised ways to improve its water recycling to minimize wastage. It also continues to strengthen its host communities’ involvement by partnering with local government units for its adopt-a-river program.
Everybody can join this water conservation movement, even while at home. Here are some tips on how you can efficiently use water and save money on water bills, too.
Prep your food wisely
Practice rinsing your fruits and vegetables in a basin of water instead of under running water. Do this and save up to 10 to 15 gallons of water every year.
Defrost frozen food in the refrigerator overnight. This is better than placing it under a flowing tap. When boiling vegetables, make sure to use only enough water. This allows you to still get adequate nutrients from them. Use your rice wash to water the plants.
Run full loads of laundry
If you want to wash your laundry with ease, soak your dirty clothes in water for at least 20 minutes to remove the stains. It is also advisable to run a full load of laundry to maximize the water used—it’s energy-efficient, too. You may then recycle the laundry water and use it to clean your garage, pathways, bathroom floors, or your pet’s cage.
Check for leaks
Regularly check for pipe leaks. If you see signs of molds or foul smells, it’s best to ask for help from an experienced plumber to inspect your plumbing system. Leaks occur in toilets, too. Try adding a small drop of food coloring to your toilet tank and wait for a few minutes to test for leaks. If the water in the bowl changes its color even without flushing, then it’s leaking. Getting rid of leaks could save a household 10,000 gallons of water per year.
Shower and brush your teeth responsibly
When washing with soap or shampoo, turn off the faucet to prevent water waste. You can also work on reducing your shower time by finishing your bath routine quickly. If possible, use a bucket and a dipper or get a water-saving showerhead.
It is wise to brush your teeth and rinse using a cup of water. Running the tap while toothbrushing uses up as much as six liters of water every time.
Save water when cleaning outdoors
Use a pail of water and a broom rather than a hose to get rid of stubborn dirt on your sidewalk, driveway, or parking lot. To add, use recycled laundry water. It has the same cleaning effect for outdoor dirty areas as with clean tap water.
Turn off faucets
Need we say more? Turn off all your faucets at home when not in use.
There are still so many ways to conserve water and to ensure global water security. The world is changing and it is only fitting that we change our ways, too, because this fact remains: Water is life.
About Pepsi Philippines
Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines Inc. (PCPPI) is the exclusive manufacturer of PepsiCo beverages & snacks in the Philippines, with a relationship spanning 70 years. PCPPI is a listed company in the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE: PIP) with Lotte Corporation which is a holding company of Lotte Chilsung Beverage, one of the biggest beverage companies in South Korea as the lead shareholder co-managing with PepsiCo.
PCPPI manufactures and sells well-known food and beverage brands: Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, 7-Up, Mirinda, Mug, Gatorade, Tropicana, Lipton, Sting, Premier, Sips, Milkis, Let’s Be, and Aquafina. It has established 14 manufacturing facilities across the country, serving more than 700,000 outlets and providing employment through its extensive distribution network.
PCPPI is committed to creating a positive impact on society with programs focused on environmental sustainability, nutrition, education, and livelihood. For more information, visit www.pepsiphilippines.com.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Mar 10, 2022 | Advocacy
Leading building solutions provider Holcim Philippines, Inc., continues to make progress in helping the country sustainably manage wastes through unit Geocycle.
In 2021, Holcim Philippines’s waste management unit, Geocycle, converted almost 200,000 tons of biomass and industrial and municipal wastes into alternative fuels and raw materials for cement production through co-processing, a significant increase from the previous year. The addition of 11 local government partners in 2021 from three in 2020 was the driver in the improvement in the co-processing of qualified municipal solid wastes.
Geocycle also ramped up efforts to raise public awareness about waste management and co-processing through webinars, broadcast interviews, and social media campaigns. It opened 2022 with a webinar for Zero Waste Month on January 19 featuring Senator Cynthia Villar, the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change and one of the primary sponsors of an extended producer responsibility bill to address the plastic waste challenge in the country. Atty. Joseph Roco Fabul, Country Manager for Corporate and Government Affairs of leading snacks maker Mondelez Philippines, discussed how the extended producer responsibility is aligned with the company’s sustainability journey as it steps up waste reduction initiatives related to its manufacturing and post-consumer waste. This is part of Mondelez Philippines’ sustainability strategy which includes sourcing of ingredients, looking at the environmental impact of its operations, packaging innovation, and creating positive social impact. Michikazu Kojima from the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia gave a snapshot of how the region is handling expanded producer responsibility and the journey Japan took since 1995.
Geocycle also partnered with Calapan City, Department of Education, and Oriental Mindoro’s Federation of Parents-Teachers Association, to increase awareness and active involvement of students, educational groups, and families in eco-friendly practices and sustainable waste management as part of its Zero Waste Month activities. The project called “Makiisa, Makisama at Makibaka: Basura ay Ating Solusyunan Upang Kalikasan ay Mas Mapag-ingatan”, was launched through webinars on January 26 and 27. The event drew over 1,300 participants from Calapan.
Holcim Philippines President and CEO Horia Adrian: “Aside from our innovative building solutions, we are proud to help build progress in the country by helping partners in managing their wastes sustainably through our Geocycle and co-processing operations. We made huge strides in this area in 2021 and we are determined to build on these further this year to help in making a Zero Waste Philippines a reality.”
In September 2021, the Company completed storage and processing facilities at its Bulacan plant to increase usage of alternative fuels and raw materials in cement production through its waste management arm Geocycle.
Using alternative fuels and raw materials in producing cement is a key focus of Holcim Philippines to lower the carbon footprint and consumption of non-renewable resources in its operations. This is aligned with the goals of the global building materials leader Holcim Group to further make operations sustainable.
Holcim Philippines is a pioneer in using qualified wastes such as non-recyclable plastics and biomass as alternative fuels in cement manufacturing through co-processing technology since 2003. Qualified waste materials are pre-processed for conversion into alternative fuel and raw materials suitable for co-processing in cement kilns. During co-processing, the mineral value inherent in the waste is recycled, while the energy value is recovered. The technology is recognized globally and is approved by the Philippine authorities due to its proven environmental advantages and safety performance.
About Holcim Philippines
Holcim Philippines, Inc. (Philippine Stock Exchange: HLCM) is one of the leading building solution companies in the country. The Company has a deep portfolio of innovative solutions fostered by a full range of products from structuring to finishing applications that can help local builders execute with high performance and efficiency a wide range of projects from massive infrastructure to simple home repairs.
With cement manufacturing facilities in La Union, Bulacan, Batangas, Misamis Oriental, and Davao, as well as aggregates and dry mix business and technical support facilities for building solutions, Holcim Philippines is a reliable partner of builders in the country.
Holcim Philippines is also committed to the highest standards of sustainable operations and manufacturing excellence with its plants certified under ISO 14001:2015 (Environmental Management System), ISO 9001:2015 (Quality Management System), and OHSAS 45001:2018 (Occupational Health and Safety Management System).
Holcim Philippines is a member of the Holcim Group, the world leader in the building materials industry present in 70 countries with over 70,000 employees.
About Holcim
Holcim builds progress for people and the planet. As a global leader in innovative and sustainable building solutions, Holcim is enabling greener cities, smarter infrastructure, and improving living standards around the world. With sustainability at the core of its strategy, Holcim is becoming a net-zero company, with its people and communities at the heart of its success. The company is driving the circular economy as a world leader in recycling to build more with less.
Holcim is the company behind some of the world’s most trusted brands in the building sector including ACC, Aggregate Industries, Ambuja Cement, Disensa, Firestone Building Products, Geocycle, Holcim, and Lafarge. Holcim is 70,000 people around the world who are passionate about building progress for people and the planet through four business segments: Cement, Ready-Mix Concrete, Aggregates, and Solutions & Products.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Mar 2, 2022 | Medical
Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the world, particularly in developing countries like the Philippines as screening procedures are considered too difficult and costly to implement. In 2020, cancer was the second leading cause of death in the country at 62,300 deaths. Leukemia, the cancer of white blood cells, is among the most common types of cancer. Smoking, overexposure to radiation or carcinogenic chemicals, and certain genetic conditions such as Down Syndrome increase the risk of developing leukemia.
AXA Philippines, one of the country’s leading insurance providers, offers important facts to know about leukemia:
Types of leukemia.
The types of leukemia are grouped according to how rapidly the disease develops (acute vs. chronic leukemia) and the type of blood cell involved (lymphocytic and myeloid leukemia).
Symptoms to watch out for.
Some of the warning signs include bleeding or bruising easily, weakness and fatigue, loss of appetite, weight loss, swollen or bleeding gums, bone or joint pain, anemia, and sweating especially at night.
Leukemia symptoms, image taken from everydayhealth.com
How leukemia is diagnosed.
To determine if a patient has leukemia after exhibiting signs and symptoms, a health care provider may do the following procedures: blood tests, MRI and bone marrow biopsy, and imaging tests such as x-rays, ultrasound, CT scan.
How to minimize the risk of developing leukemia.
Avoiding or quitting smoking is the most significant avoidable risk factor. Aside from quitting smoking, other lifestyle adjustments that you can make include eating healthier and exercising moderately for 150 minutes every week. Also, it’s best to avoid overexposure to the sun, artificial tanning devices, x-rays, and benzene from gasoline fumes, and emissions from some factories that can cause cell damage that may lead to cancer.
Leukemia mortality can be reduced if diagnosed and treated early.
Diagnosis and treatment may come with a hefty price tag, as chemotherapy sessions alone average P120,000 per session.
To protect your health and finances, AXA Philippines offers Health Care Access, a comprehensive and affordable health care solution for hospitalization and other medical needs. Health Care Access comes with a Critical Illness Booster which provides additional cash benefit if one gets diagnosed with any of the 56 critical illness conditions including leukemia. When diagnosed, the additional cash benefit can be used for paying other medical expenses for treatment or income replacement. The policy also includes free access to 24/7 teleconsultation with a medical professional and a Longevity Health Fund that one can utilize for medical needs at age 76 onwards.
Health Care Access comes in two types: Health Care Access Prime and Health Care Access Lite.
Health Care Access Prime provides comprehensive coverage of up to P5,000,000 annually. It also offers inpatient and outpatient care, and emergency care treatment up to the Annual Benefit Limit (ABL). This also includes an Annual Physical Exam starting from seven basic tests. The Annual Physical Exam helps with early detection and prevention in case of the possible occurrence of any critical illnesses. Health Care Access Prime also offers life and accident insurance benefits of up to P500,000.
On the other hand, Health Care Access Lite caters to people with existing healthcare plans but need additional health protection. Health Care Access Lite also includes life and accident insurance up to P500,000, and it can be enhanced with outpatient care, optical care, or dental care benefit for a small additional premium.
Take charge of your health with AXA Health Care Access. For more information, visit https://www.axa.com.ph/health-protection/health-care-access.
Practice rinsing your fruits and vegetables in a basin of water instead of under running water. Do this and save up to 10 to 15 gallons of water every year.
Use a pail of water and a broom rather than a hose to get rid of stubborn dirt on your sidewalk, driveway, or parking lot. To add, use recycled laundry water. It has the same cleaning effect for outdoor dirty areas as with clean tap water.
Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines Inc. (PCPPI) is the exclusive manufacturer of PepsiCo beverages & snacks in the Philippines, with a relationship spanning 70 years. PCPPI is a listed company in the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE: PIP) with Lotte Corporation which is a holding company of Lotte Chilsung Beverage, one of the biggest beverage companies in South Korea as the lead shareholder co-managing with PepsiCo.
Holcim Philippines, Inc. (Philippine Stock Exchange: HLCM) is one of the leading building solution companies in the country. The Company has a deep portfolio of innovative solutions fostered by a full range of products from structuring to finishing applications that can help local builders execute with high performance and efficiency a wide range of projects from massive infrastructure to simple home repairs.
The types of leukemia are grouped according to how rapidly the disease develops (acute vs. chronic leukemia) and the type of blood cell involved (lymphocytic and myeloid leukemia).
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