by Ferry Bayu | Jun 21, 2024 | Business
UNAWA COO Atty. Gino Jacinto spoke at a SPEED event in Quezon City, organized by Startup Village. He discussed SME challenges in digital transitions and introduced SignSecure and UCheck for secure transactions and compliance. The event is part of a USAID initiative to enhance SME competitiveness and digital inclusion.
Quezon City, June 21, 2024—Startup Village organized and hosted an insightful session at the University Hotel in UP Diliman as part of the USAID-funded Strengthening Private Enterprises for the Digital Economy (SPEED) initiative. The event, which featured UNAWA COO Atty. Gino Jacinto, attracted
an audience primarily consisting of members from the Philippine Ecommerce
Association (PECA). Entrepreneurs were eager to enhance their businesses
through the latest technological innovations.
Atty. Jacinto’s talk, “SME Guide to Secure Digital Transactions and
Anti-Money Laundering,” focused on the critical challenges small and
medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face as they transition to digital document
systems. He highlighted the necessity of upfront investments in technology and
training, which can be daunting for SMEs with limited resources. Additionally,
he discussed the complexity of navigating regulatory requirements without
dedicated legal or compliance teams.
Fresh from the success of UNAWA’s
Freedom campaign, Atty. Jacinto introduced two groundbreaking tools: SignSecure
and UCheck.
SignSecure, which uniquely integrates facial recognition
into its e-signature platform, was a key highlight of the presentation. This
innovative feature ensures that the person signing the document is verified at
every step, a security measure unmatched by any other e-signature platform. “SignSecure enables businesses to close
deals securely and efficiently, eliminating doubts,” said Atty. Jacinto
emphasizing the platform’s enhanced security, legal enforceability, and
seamless transaction process.
Additionally, Atty. Jacinto unveiled UCheck, a
comprehensive solution that empowers businesses to make informed decisions and
protect against financial crimes. “UCheck offers robust protection against
financial crimes and ensures constant compliance with all regulations,” he
noted. By leveraging global sanctions lists, Politically Exposed Person (PEP)
checks, Adverse Media checks, and more, UCheck delivers the transparency
necessary for building trust and ensuring business security.
The event is part of a series under the USAID-funded SPEED initiative, which
aims to conduct 42 sessions nationwide involving at least 1,260 SMEs. The SPEED
Activity collaborates with the government and private sector to mobilize the
digital economy for enterprise-led development. The project’s key objectives
include improving SME capacity and access to e-commerce platforms, expanding e-payment
systems and FinTech innovations, integrating e-commerce platforms with
logistical supply chains, and increasing consumer awareness and protection.
By encouraging more SMEs to adopt digital technologies, the SPEED initiative
seeks to accelerate their competitiveness, drive innovation, create jobs, and
enhance market reach, thereby promoting inclusion in the digital economy.
by Ferry Bayu | Jun 21, 2024 | Business
In response to the growing trend in dental health, both in smile makeover and oral care, Jena will lead the team to provide top-notch dental services through in-office treatments and innovative remote consultations, expanding their reach within the Oracare Group. As Jena takes on this new role, Founder and former Chief Executive Officer Shaun Thompson will work in tandem with Jena to focus on Expat Dental’s growth throughout Southeast Asia, capitalizing on the burgeoning demand for quality dental care in the region.
Singapore, June 21, 2024 – Expat Dental is pleased to announce that Jena Caruso Muñoz has been appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Expat Dental Group. Expat Dental is renowned for providing exceptional, comprehensive dental care centred around the patient experience and laser-focused on scaling internationally to further its reputation as a trusted brand throughout the region.
Jena joined expatdental® shortly after it was founded in 2014 and has played a pivotal role in its growth and success. With a distinguished legal career and a deep commitment to corporate governance, Jena brings a wealth of expertise and leadership. Her shared vision in people, service and products has been instrumental in advancing the company’s mission of delivering exceptional dental care to the expatriate community and beyond.
Jena Caruso Muñoz is an American-trained attorney who has
been practicing law since 2003. Her extensive legal experience spans various
practice areas, including civil litigation, municipal tax, and property law.
Jena has demonstrated her legal prowess in both state and federal courts,
including appellate jurisdictions. Since 2014, she has been a prominent figure
in the corporate law and compliance landscape in Singapore. She is a
distinguished member of the Massachusetts Bar Association, American Bar Association,
and the Singapore Corporate Counsel Association. Her early career saw her
serving as a clerk to judges in both the Massachusetts State Superior Court and
the Federal District Court of the United States, providing her with invaluable
judicial insights and experience.
“I am honoured to take on the role of CEO at Expat Dental,” said Jena Caruso Muñoz. “I look forward to leading our talented team as we continue to provide top-notch dental services and expand our reach within the Oracare Group and growth throughout Southeast Asia. Together, we will strive to enhance our patient care, embrace innovation, and maintain the highest standards of professionalism in the industry.”
As Jena takes on this new role, Founder and former Chief Executive Officer, Shaun Thompson, will work in tandem with Jena to focus on Expat Dental’s growth throughout Southeast Asia.
by Ferry Bayu | Jun 21, 2024 | Business
ERIA’s Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris, in collaboration with Brunei’s Department of Environment, Parks and Recreation and GIZ, Hosts Event Exploring Brunei’s Plastic Pollution Strategies and the Private Sector’s Role in Championing Plastic Circularity, organised as part of Brunei Darussalam’s World Environment Day event series.
ERIA’s
Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris, in collaboration with
Brunei Darussalam’s Department of Environment, Parks and
Recreation and the GIZ, explored Brunei’s strategies to tackle plastic
pollution and the private sector’s role in championing plastic circularity.
Titled
“Private Sector Initiatives to Reduce Marine Plastics: Brunei’s Journey to
Plastic Sustainability: Hands-on Initiatives in Action,” the event, organised
as part of Brunei Darussalam’s World Environment Day event series, brought
together professionals from the public and private sectors, along with civil
society, to explore innovative solutions and best practices in addressing
plastic pollution. Over 108 attendees from the ASEAN region and beyond took
part in the event, actively participating in the Q&A session.
The
seminar began with the Director of the Regional Knowledge Centre, Mr Reo Kawamura emphasising the critical importance of
collaboration between governments, private companies, and academia to address
the global plastic pollution challenge and achieve peaceful coexistence with the natural environment. Ms Hajah Martinah Haji Tamit,
Director of Brunei Darussalam’s Department of Environment, Parks and
Recreation, outlined the challenges of plastic waste management and reaffirmed
Brunei’s commitment to tackling plastic pollution alongside other ASEAN member
states. She also highlighted Brunei’s active involvement in United Nations
negotiations to develop a global treaty on plastic pollution. Mr Phong Giang,
Advisor for GIZ 3RproMar and AMUSE programmes in ASEAN, detailed GIZ’s initiatives across
ASEAN countries, which include supporting government regulations, promoting
circular economy solutions, and engaging with the private sector on upcoming
global plastic treaties.
Mr
Michikazu Kojima, Senior Research Fellow on Environmental Issues at ERIA,
highlighted Asia’s plastic pollution crisis and underscored the need for a life
cycle approach. He emphasised the private sector’s role in developing
sustainable materials, designing reusable products, and improving waste
management systems. Mr Mims Sidi from Tebalik Plastik shared their goals to close the loop of plastics, by transforming plastic
waste into sustainable products, supporting a circular economy and aligning
with regional and global sustainability objectives. Ms Trish Lai of Kaimana
Brunei discussed the challenges of the refill business which
can contribute to reduction of packaging waste, for example, high
consumer spending abroad, a small local market, expensive shipping, lack of
manufacturing capacity, and the necessity of focusing on niche products with
anchor points. Ms Wendy Han from Precious Plastic Brunei highlighted
initiatives aimed at raising awareness and mobilising local communities against
plastic waste. She also showed how local communities can create a
plastic recycling facility on their own. Prof Scott Valentine provided insights into
how the lack of perceived value in plastic waste is a root cause and proposed
economic solutions like deposit schemes and plastic bag surcharges to
incentivise responsible plastic use and recycling. He also responded to a participant’s question as to
how to tackle the overwhelming plastic waste issue, by encouraging citizens to
support businesses like Tebalik Plastik, Kaimana, or Precious Plastic, and start contributing in a small way.
This seminar highlights the continuous involvement of
ERIA’s Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris in tackling the
intricate challenges linked to marine plastic debris. By encouraging
collaboration and advancing innovative approaches, the Centre remains dedicated
to assisting and showcasing companies and organisations actively addressing
marine debris issues
List of Abbreviations
ERIA
(Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia)
ERIA is an international organization established
in Jakarta, Indonesia in 2008 by a formal agreement among Leaders of 16
countries in the East Asian region to conduct research activities and make
policy recommendations for further economic integration in the East Asia.
Department of Environment, Parks and Recreation
The formation of the Department of Environment,
Parks and Recreation under the Ministry of Development took effect in 2002.
Currently, the department handles matters pertaining to Waste Management,
Environmental Conservation and Management, Management of Landscape and
Recreational Areas and also Environmental Cooperation at National, Bilateral
and International level.
GIZ
The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale
Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH or GIZ is the main German Government development
agency with headquarter in Bonn and Eschborn and provides services in the field
of international development cooperation and international education work. The
main commissioning party is Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation
and Development (BMZ)
GIZ 3RproMar Programme
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle to Protect the Marine
Environment and Coral Reefs (3RproMar) is a GIZ project (2020-2025) is an
ASEAN-German cooperation project implemented by GIZ in coordination with the
ASEAN Secretariat.
GIZ AMUSE
ASEAN Municipal Solid Waste Management
Enhancement (AMUSE) is implemented by GIZ (2022 -2025), having its objective to
improve environmental quality in small and medium-sized cities in the ASEAN
region by optimising waste disposal and recycling.
by Ferry Bayu | Jun 21, 2024 | Business
ERIA’s Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris, in collaboration with Brunei Darussalam’s Department of Environment, Parks and Recreation and the GIZ, explored Brunei’s strategies to tackle plastic pollution and the private sector’s role in championing plastic circularity.
Titled “Private Sector Initiatives to Reduce Marine Plastics: Brunei’s Journey to Plastic Sustainability: Hands-on Initiatives in Action,” the event, organized as part of Brunei Darussalam’s World Environment Day event series, brought together professionals from the public and private sectors, along with civil society, to explore innovative solutions and best practices in addressing plastic pollution. Over 108 attendees from the ASEAN region and beyond took part in the event, actively participating in the Q&A session.
The seminar began with the Director of the Regional Knowledge Centre, Mr. Reo Kawamura, emphasizing the critical importance of collaboration between governments, private companies, and academia to address the global plastic pollution challenge and achieve peaceful coexistence with the natural environment. Ms Hajah Martinah Haji Tamit, Director of Brunei Darussalam’s Department of Environment, Parks and Recreation, outlined the challenges of plastic waste management and reaffirmed Brunei’s commitment to tackling plastic pollution alongside other ASEAN member states. She also highlighted Brunei’s active involvement in United Nations negotiations to develop a global treaty on plastic pollution. Mr. Phong Giang, Advisor for GIZ 3RproMar and AMUSE programs in ASEAN, detailed GIZ’s initiatives across ASEAN countries, which include supporting government regulations, promoting circular economy solutions, and engaging with the private sector on upcoming global plastic treaties.
Mr Michikazu Kojima, Senior Research Fellow on Environmental Issues at ERIA, highlighted Asia’s plastic pollution crisis and underscored the need for a life cycle approach. He emphasized the private sector’s role in developing sustainable materials, designing reusable products, and improving waste management systems. Mr Mims Sidi from Tebalik Plastik shared their goals to close the loop of plastics by transforming plastic waste into sustainable products, supporting a circular economy, and aligning with regional and global sustainability objectives. Ms. Trish Lai of Kaimana
Brunei discussed the challenges of the refill business, which can contribute to the reduction of packaging waste, for example, high consumer spending abroad, a small local market, expensive shipping, lack of manufacturing capacity, and the necessity of focusing on niche products with anchor points.
Ms. Wendy Han from Precious Plastic Brunei highlighted initiatives aimed at raising awareness and mobilizing local communities against plastic waste. She also showed how local communities can create a plastic recycling facility on their own. Prof Scott Valentine provided insights into how the lack of perceived value in plastic waste is a root cause and proposed economic solutions like deposit schemes and plastic bag surcharges to incentivize responsible plastic use and recycling. He also responded to a participant’s question as to how to tackle the overwhelming plastic waste issue by encouraging citizens to support businesses like Tebalik Plastik, Kaimana, or Precious Plastic and start contributing in a small way.
This seminar highlights the continuous involvement of ERIA’s Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris in tackling the intricate challenges linked to marine plastic debris. By encouraging collaboration and advancing innovative approaches, the Centre remains dedicated to assisting and showcasing companies and organizations actively addressing marine debris issues.
List of Abbreviations
- ERIA (Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia) – ERIA is an international organization established in Jakarta, Indonesia, in 2008 by a formal agreement. Among Leaders of 16 countries in the region to conduct research activities and make policy recommendations for further economic integration in East Asia.
- Department of Environment, Parks and Recreation – The formation of the Department of Environment, Parks and Recreation under the Ministry of Development took effect in 2002. Currently, the department handles matters pertaining to Waste Management, Environmental Conservation and Management, Management of Landscape and Recreational Areas, and also Environmental Cooperation at the National, Bilateral, and International levels.
- GIZ – The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH or GIZ is the main German Government development agency with headquarters in Bonn and Eschborn and provides services in the field of international development cooperation and international education work. The main commissioning party is Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
- GIZ 3RproMar Programme – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle to Protect the Marine Environment and Coral Reefs (3RproMar) is a GIZ project (2020-2025) is an ASEAN-German cooperation project implemented by GIZ in coordination with the ASEAN Secretariat.
- GIZ AMUSE – ASEAN Municipal Solid Waste Management Enhancement (AMUSE) is implemented by GIZ (2022 -2025), with its objective to improve environmental quality in small and medium-sized cities in the ASEAN region by optimizing waste disposal and recycling.
by Ferry Bayu | Jun 20, 2024 | Business
New York Fries and Dips (NYFD) is back once again with their National French Fries Month this coming July. Coming off from a successful pilot launch last year, NYFD is taking things to a whole different level by spicing up their month-long campaign in participation for this year’s National French Fries Day on July 13
To lead off NYFD’s festive blowout, they are bringing
back their famous “It’s Fry-Day” promotion where starting on July 5, 2024
you would be able to get a FREE UPGRADE for each order of the Duo Combo value
meal option. This will continue during the remaining Fridays of the month. The
whole Squad would definitely feel the Fry-day vibes with this flavor packed
offer.
And back by popular demand is NYFD’s P1SO Combo, where
you can once again get their Solo-size fries paired with Pepsi’s 320ml Zero
Sugar Lime for ONLY ₱1 from 3pm to 4pm on National French Fries Day.
By end of the month, NYFD will be frying something different
that would definitely spice up your French fry experience and make every bite
more flavorful than the next one.
So bring whole Squad to the nearest NYFD branch this
July and join in on this year’s festivities. For more information on NYFD’s National
French Fries Month, like and follow their Facebook and Instagram pages @nyfdph.
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