John Kelly & Company (JK&C), a Cebu-based management consulting and corporate advisory firm, has launched its Asset, Property and Project Advisory Services to support property owners, investors, corporations, developers, financial institutions, families, government bodies and other organizations making significant property and investment decisions.

The launch follows the accreditation of Oscar Teodoro S. Labrador as Consulting Partner – Asset, Property and Project Advisory Services under the JK&C Consulting Partners Program.

Through this practice, JK&C combines its corporate, financial, regulatory, documentation and project advisory capabilities with Labrador’s professional expertise in property appraisal, real estate valuation, highest and best use analysis, and project feasibility.

The practice initially offers four core advisory services:

• Real Property Appraisal

• Titling and Land Registration Assistance

• Property Due Diligence and Verification

• Project Feasibility and Viability Studies

These services are intended to help clients understand a property’s supportable value, documentary condition, potential risks, development opportunities and financial viability before committing substantial resources.

Engagements may involve residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, institutional, hospitality, public-sector and undeveloped properties, depending on the client’s objectives and the professional requirements of the assignment.

JK&C may also coordinate requirements involving property titles, tax declarations, annotations, ownership records, corporate approvals, land registration, property transfers and relevant government processes. Work requiring lawyers, geodetic engineers or other regulated professionals will be performed or handled under the responsibility of appropriately qualified practitioners.

Labrador is a PRC-licensed real estate broker, real estate appraiser and real estate consultant who has appraised more than 4,500 real properties across the Philippines involving private, corporate, institutional and public-sector assets.

He brings more than 26 years of experience in real estate brokerage, more than 23 years in property appraisal and more than eight years in real estate consultancy practice. His experience includes property valuation, acquisition and disposition, mortgage-related valuation, corporate and public-property valuation, agricultural and rural-property valuation, highest and best use analysis and project feasibility studies.

“Property transactions and development projects often involve substantial financial commitments. Clients should understand the value, documentary condition, risks and potential of a property before committing their resources,” said John Kelly Abalde, Consulting Managing Partner of John Kelly & Company.

“Through this service and our collaboration with Oscar Teodoro S. Labrador, JK&C can provide more coordinated professional support for appraisal, property verification, documentation, feasibility assessment and project decision-making.”

Property owners, investors and organizations may request an initial confidential assessment for properties and projects in Cebu and other parts of the Philippines, subject to scope, location, document availability, site access, conflict checking and professional availability.

To learn more about JK&C’s Asset, Property and Project Advisory Services or request a confidential consultation, visit:

https://jknc.io/property-appraisal-and-advisory

The ceremonial signing took place on July 21, 2026, at the CICC OED Board Room, Studio 7 Building, Quezon City — a milestone that transforms KKB from a community known for credit card tips and financial literacy into a formal partner in the country’s fight against digital financial crime.

Why This Partnership Matters

Consider the story shared at the signing USEC Renato “Aboy” Paraiso, an overseas Filipino worker in her 40s who stumbled upon what appeared to be a legitimate lending offer online. The scheme was sophisticated — operators communicated through messaging apps, walked her through every step of a fabricated application process, and systematically collected fees ranging from ₱10,000 to ₱300,000 under the guise of membership fees, insurance, verification charges, and processing costs. Fifteen days later, she had parted with over ₱2.74 million in savings. The loan never came.

“Her story has stayed with me because it reminds us that cybercrime is not just about stolen money. It is about broken trust and opportunities lost. It is about the hardworking Filipino whose sacrifices are exploited, whose life savings are wiped out by unscrupulous people hiding behind screens,” said USEC “Aboy” at the signing ceremony.

For KasKasan Buddies — a community that was built specifically to be a “No Budol,” stigma-free space for Filipinos — that story is not a news headline. It is something KKBuddies report in the community every single week.

KasKasan Buddies CEO Joel Cabugos: “Financial Literacy is Only Half the Mission”

KasKasan Buddies Co-Founder and CEO Joel Cabugos was direct about what drove the partnership.

“Four years ago, we started KasKasan Buddies with one simple goal: to build a community where people could openly share experiences, learn from one another, and use their credit cards wisely and responsibly,” Mr. Cabugos said.

“But as our community grew, we realized something important. Financial literacy doesn’t stop with credit cards. It extends to saving, investing, budgeting, managing debt, and making informed financial decisions.”

He acknowledged the harder truth that the community’s growth brought into focus.

“Teaching people how to grow and manage their money is only half of the mission. The other half is helping them protect it. Because what good is financial literacy if people still lose their hard-earned money to scams, fraud, and financial crimes?”

Mr. Cabugos was clear that this could not be solved by any single organization alone.

“It requires collaboration between government agencies, financial institutions, communities, and advocates who all share one mission: to protect every Filipino.”

He closed with what has now become the expanded KasKasan Buddies call to action — three words that signal a new chapter for the community.

“Just as we have been teaching millions of Filipinos to use their credit cards wisely and responsibly, we will now strengthen that advocacy by helping them protect their money safely and confidently. KasKas Wisely. KasKas Responsibly. And above all, KasKas Safely.”

What the Partnership Means for KKBuddies

Strengthening community awareness of evolving scam tactics — from investment fraud and fake lending schemes to SIM swap attacks, phishing links, and social engineering scripts that are becoming harder to distinguish from legitimate communications.Giving KKBuddies clear, accessible guidance on how and where to report cybercrime — including CICC’s official reporting channels and what information to collect before filing a complaint.Reinforcing safe practices for online banking, credit card use, and digital transactions — in the plain-language, sixth-grade reading level format that KKB’s community has come to trust.Supporting CICC’s broader public awareness mandate by deploying KKB’s community reach — over 2 million members across platforms, including 1.3 million in the KKB Facebook Group alone — as a real-time channel for consumer protection alerts.

A Community That Grew Into Something Bigger

What started four years ago as a group of Filipinos sharing credit card tips, travel savings hacks, and fintech guides has become something the national government now formally recognizes as a force for public protection.

For the CICC, the value of a community partner is straightforward: enforcement alone is never enough. Prevention requires education, and education requires trusted messengers who Filipinos already listen to.

As one official put it during the ceremony: “By producing educational content, promoting cyber awareness, and sharing advice — KasKasan Buddies will help bring us great success. Their insights on emerging trends and the real experiences of their members will help us build a better understanding of evolving threats and strengthen public awareness.”

For KKB, the MOA signing is the fulfillment of something that was always implicit in the community’s “Community-First” value: that the KKBuddies who built this platform deserve not only to learn about money, but to be protected from those who would take it from them.

“This partnership is more than just signing a document today,” Cabugos said. “It is a shared commitment that financial literacy must always go hand in hand with consumer protection.”

Together, Safer

The CICC and KKB have committed to joint public education initiatives in the months ahead. For every KKBuddy reading this — the partnership means the community just got an official government ally in the fight against the scams, fraud schemes, and financial crimes that target Filipinos every day.

If you encounter a suspected scam — in your e-wallet, your banking app, your email, or your social media feed — report it.

CICC Hotline: 1326 CICC Report Portal: cicc.gov.ph

And as always, verify before you click. Think before you share. Report immediately.

KasKas Wisely. KasKas Responsibly. KasKas Safely.

Download the KasKasan Buddies App to stay updated on the latest financial safety alerts, verified financial products, and consumer protection advisories: https://www.kaskasanbuddies.com.ph/download?source=article

This is a challenge faced by thousands of Filipino contractors, suppliers, and service providers every day.

The Problem Isn’t Sales. It’s Timing and Starting the Project

Many business owners assume that cash flow problems only happen when a company lacks customers.

In reality, even businesses with confirmed projects can struggle.

Imagine this.

A contractor successfully wins a new project worth several hundred thousand pesos. The client is reputable and payment is guaranteed.

The catch?

Payment will only be released after project milestones are completed or even 60 days later.

Before any billing can happen, the contractor must first:

– Purchase materials

– Mobilize manpower

– Pay suppliers

– Cover operational expenses

Nandiyan na ang proyekto. Sigurado na ang kita.

Pero kailangan mo munang gumastos bago ka makapagsimula at kumita

When One Project Delays the Next

For many contractors, delayed collections don’t just affect one project.

They can affect future opportunities as well.

Without available working capital, business owners may find themselves:

– Delaying material purchases

– Turning down new projects

– Missing supplier discounts

– Stretching payroll budgets

– Taking on unnecessary financial stress

Instead of focusing on delivering quality work, they end up worrying about how to bridge the gap between expenses today and payments tomorrow.

Turning Project Opportunities Into Action

This is where PayNow by Goldwater Capital can help.

PayNow is designed for businesses that have secured projects but need access to funds to get started.

Instead of waiting for milestone payments or delayed collections, qualified businesses can access working capital to support project mobilization and execution.

Whether it’s purchasing materials, paying suppliers, mobilizing workers, or covering operational costs, having access to funding allows contractors to move forward with confidence.

Helping Businesses Say Yes to More Opportunities

Every contractor knows that opportunities don’t wait.

When a new project becomes available, clients expect immediate action.

The ability to mobilize quickly often determines whether a business wins future contracts and strengthens long-term client relationships.

Kapag may access sa working capital, mas madaling tanggapin ang bagong opportunities without worrying about short-term cash flow gaps.

Instead of waiting for collections before moving forward, businesses can focus on growth, delivery, and customer satisfaction.

A Financing Partner for Project-Based Businesses

At Goldwater Capital, we understand that contractors, suppliers, and project-based businesses operate on timelines that don’t always match payment schedules.

Through PayNow, our goal is to help qualified businesses unlock working capital from their receivables so they can continue operating, fulfill commitments, and pursue new opportunities with confidence.

Because sometimes, business growth isn’t about finding more projects.

It’s about having the resources to keep moving while waiting to get paid.

About PayNow

PayNow is a receivables financing solution by Goldwater Capital that helps qualified businesses access working capital based on outstanding receivables. Designed for contractors, suppliers, and SMEs, PayNow enables businesses to bridge cash flow gaps, fund operations, and continue growing without waiting for lengthy payment cycles. Based on PayNow’s program, qualified SMEs can convert what clients owe them into funds they can use today, with fast approval and no hard collateral required.