In a letter dated June 4, SEIPI President Dan Lachica asked House of Representatives Chairman of Committee on Legislative Franchises Gustavo Tambunting to “favorably consider” SEIPI’s position in the ongoing deliberations of Meralco’s legislative franchise.

“Amidst the country’s ongoing economic progress, we extend our full support for Meralco’s franchise renewal as they contributed significantly to the industry’s status as the country’s leading exporter. This will give confidence to foreign investors, as it will signal stability in our economic landscape,” Lachica said.

He acknowledged Meralco as a “collaborative partner” to SEIPI and its member companies.

“The utility had been providing excellent service and constantly investing in capital expenditure projects in economic zone locations and industrial parks to meet the robust power quality that is needed by our industry to be globally competitive,” Lachica added.

SEIPI is a leading organization of multinational and Filipino-owned semiconductor and electronics companies in the Philippines with over 360 members including manufacturing firms, allied and support industries, and the academe.

SEIPI as an umbrella organization has stated in the past that its members heavilly rely on power quality, stability of supply vis-a-vis demand, sound policy advocacies which Meralco as the premiere distribution utility in the country can provide.

Besides SEIPI, other influential business groups that backed Meralco’s continued operation and formally manifested support to its franchise renewal are the Management Association of the Philippines, Makati Business Club and Private Electric Power Operators Association.

MAP recognizes MERALCO’s commitment to green energy as it actively champions the government’s renewable energy (RE) goals by supporting programs under the RE Act of 2008. Its franchise area boasts a remarkable 64% share of the Green Energy Option Program’s (GEOP) total energy consumption.

MERALCO prioritizes empowering its customers. It leads the way in customer choice programs under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA), as evidenced by a 65% participation rate (1,450 out of 2,240 eligible customers) in the retail market. Additionally, it facilitates the installation of RE systems for over 7,000 customers.

MERALCO has implemented the country’s largest smart meter program providing prepaid electricity service to nearly 100,000 customers. Moreover, its own time-of-use program, marketed as Peak/Off-Peak (POP), allows eligible customers to save on their electric bills for off-peak use of electricity.

Furthermore, it demonstrates its willingness to cater to the needs of global hyperscalers with high power quality demands and adopt cutting-edge solutions like microgrid technology.

It prioritizes operational efficiency and resiliency, meeting or even exceeding standards set by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC). It has also consistently improved its System Loss, achieving a rate below the mandated cap and ranking among the lowest nationwide.

Furthermore, a report from the Independent Energy Consultants (IEC) has confirmed the reasonableness of MERALCO’s rates, particularly distribution rates. Notably, when adjusted for inflation, the average electricity rate has even decreased since the implementation of the EPIRA. This focus on efficiency translates to cost savings for consumers.

MERALCO achieved almost 100% electrification within its franchise area. Social responsibility is also a cornerstone of its commitment. It implements a Lifeline Rate Program offering a discount range of 20% to 100% for the poorest customers.  Additionally, senior citizens receive a 5% discount, reflecting MERALCO’s recognition of the importance of supporting all segments of society.

MERALCO’s impact goes beyond its own service area. It actively supports fellow utilities, particularly electric cooperatives, in times of natural disasters. This commitment to mutual aid strengthens the overall resilience of the Philippine power grid. Furthermore, MERALCO demonstrates its dedication to national well-being through active collaboration with the government. From initiatives like the Build, Build, Build Program to Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), MERALCO plays a vital role in driving the nation’s progress.

In conclusion, we urge the House of Representatives Committee on Legislative Franchises to favorably consider MERALCO’s positive impact and approve its franchise renewal, thereby ensuring stability in the power sector and ultimately serving the best interests of the Filipino people and the Philippine economy.

RENE D. ALMENDRAS                               RUTH Y. OWEN
MAP President                                            Chair, MAP Energy Committee                          

There’s no denying that the coronavirus pandemic disrupted the lives of everyone we know. Many businesses were forced to shut down, some temporarily, but for others permanently. It caused anxiety as health and safety concerns coupled with economic and income uncertainties weighed down on every Juan and Juana, setting back a broad spectrum of businesses.

We are all aware of how the government struggled to enforce policies that strike the perfect balance between lives and livelihood. But thanks to the support from many allies from different embassies as they endeavored to bring in the tried and tested vaccines with high efficacy rates, in order for us to slowly open the economy and prevent the further spread of the virus.

Two years after, the full opening of the economy and lifted restrictions for travel and movement, it is noteworthy to know that there are more businesses in the Philippines have recovered from the brunt of the pandemic, according to the recent Philippine CEO Survey 2023.

With 83 percent of CEOs reporting that their organizations had already rebounded. Additionally, 79 percent of CEOs remain positive that their organizations will experience revenue growth in the next 12 months, while 87 percent are certain that they will see an increase in revenues within the next three years. 

In the media update from PwC Philippines, the Knowledge Partner for the Management Association of the Philippines’ (MAP) International CEO Conference, in the survey, this is the result of the survey they conducted during July and August of the Philippine CEO Survey 2023.

The survey also shows that CEOs are confident about the industry’s prospects for the next 12 months, with 83 percent expressing optimism. However, businesses face threats from inflation, macroeconomic instability, cyber risks, and supply chain constraints. To address these challenges, CEOs are reducing operating costs, diversifying product/service offerings, investing in upskilling their workforce, and deploying technology in their operations.

Despite numerous challenges, Philippine business leaders have achieved stability and growth. Atty. Benedicta “Dick” Du-Baladad, President of the MAP, shared: “Philippine business leaders have faced serious threats, but they have risen to the occasion and found new opportunities for growth through creativity and innovation. The pandemic has forced them to adapt to the changing business landscape, and they have emerged stronger and more resilient than ever before.”

Although the CEOs believe that the government’s performance in infrastructure development, forging stronger relationships with other nations, and promoting foreign investments have been satisfactory so far, there is still room for improvement. The CEOs suggest that the government should prioritize improving the ease of doing business in the Philippines and enhancing technology and infrastructure across the country to further boost collaborations with other countries.

“The government’s support is crucial in ensuring that businesses continue to thrive amid the challenges. We need to work together towards a more favorable business environment that fosters innovation and growth,” said Roderick M. Danao, Chairman and Senior Partner of Isla Lipana & Co./PwC Philippines.

With 70 percent of CEOs doing business with international organizations, it is essential for the government to work towards deepening relationships with other nations. In order to further boost collaborations with other countries, the CEOs suggest that the government should improve the ease of doing business in the Philippines (89 percent) and improve technology and infrastructure across the country (75 percent).

Danao expresses his thanks to the respondents: “We’re grateful to the 157 CEOs in our country who took the time to document their perspective on the state of Philippine business. We hope the CEOs and other readers will draw useful insights from the Philippine CEO Survey 2023.”

“As a business group, we can have greater impact acting collectively in the fight against malnutrition and child stunting,” said MAP President and BDB Law Founding Partner, Atty. Benedicta “Dick” Du-Baladad in a press conference with MAP partners, and members of the media.

“We at MAP hope to expand our role beyond fund generation and philanthropy to a shared responsibility in addressing malnutrition in the country, participating in the programming and governance of nutrition strategies and interventions.  It will be a shift from a transactional to a transformational partnership with the government,” said Atty. Du-Baladad.

According to Du-Baladad, MAP’s presence in the food, retail, healthcare, education and logistics industries, as well as other sectors could help leapfrog progress through interventions and actions that can contribute in addressing the country’s malnutrition problems effectively and sustainably. “We will do our share and engage the private firms, organizations, and individuals to heed this call, starting with our own MAP members and expanding the circle to other groups so that together we can all work in building a more progressive future for the country,” she added. 

Dr. Cielito ‘Ciel’ F. Habito, Governor-in-Charge for MAP’s Cluster on Resilience and Recovery, discussed the magnitude of the problem and offered solutions that can be done to move forward. 

“Child stunting is a major threat to the nation’s future,” Dr. Habito shared. “MAP’s ecosystem is diverse and can potentially muster the collective strength of the private sector to mobilize and help the government achieve the country’s nutrition objectives. As we are among the leading employers in the country, MAP can strategically influence its network of employees in the delivery of support services like nutrition literacy. “

The Impact of Child Malnutrition

According to the World Bank, the Philippines has one of the worst cases of child stunting in the world, ranking fifth with the highest stunting prevalence among countries in the East Asia and Pacific Region, and is among the 10 worst countries in the world. 

The World Health Organization (WHO) clarifies that stunting is a growth and development impairment of children resulting from poor nutrition, repeated infection and inadequate psychosocial stimulation. When this happens specifically during the first 1000 days from birth to 2 years of age, it can lead to adverse consequences that will limit a child’s ability to reach his full mental, physical and economic potential. 

 “We should be worried”, said Du-Baladad, “If the problem is not addressed in an urgent and decisive manner, we will be placing our country’s future in the hands of stunted children becoming adults whose capacity to be productive, competitive and creative are limited, thus affecting national development and progress.” 

Addressing malnutrition and child stunting requires a strong focus on governance, involving coordinated actions by many actors across sectors and across levels of government according to the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement. As such, the recent infusion of resources from the World Bank is expected to boost the PMNP with timely and critical support. The PMNP underscores the importance of holistic nutrition-sensitive programs that address key underlying determinants of nutrition. This includes food security, access to services, and environment, as well as nutrition-specific interventions or those that deal with the immediate causes of maternal and child malnutrition such as micronutrient deficiency, underweight, stunting, wasting and obesity. 

The road ahead

MAP is committed to harnessing the contributions that various industries and sectors can extend to intensify the efforts towards reduction of child stunting. It will reach out to the agencies overseeing the national malnutrition program, such as the Department of Health, the National Nutrition Council, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and will pursue ways on how the private sector can further support the PMNP in reversing child stunting trends in the country. 

MAP will actively seek for the government’s declaration of child stunting as a priority national agenda and concrete actions that will be cascaded at the community level. Such national support can enable budget to be allocated to the initiative and resources can be made available to reorient feeding programs with greater emphasis on maternal nutrition, babies and toddlers, and form competition policy in agriculture and food value chains, among others.

Most importantly, MAP recommends an active pursuit of tripartite partnerships – business sector, government and community – for a whole-of-society approach in fighting malnutrition and child stunting and its adverse effects.

LET THERE BE LIGHT: Advocates from the Embassy of Italy in Manila, The Philippine Italian Association (PIA), Management Association of the Philippines, Galleria Duemila, Rotary Club of Makati Business District 3830, Philippines AirAsia, Italian Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines, and Archipelago for you, commit to support communities who have been affected by lack of tourism due to the pandemic by raising funds to provide clean and sustainable sources of energy

By Victoria “NIKE’ De Dios
Photos courtesy of The Philippine Italian Association

On July 3-4, Liter of Light, a Filipino-born global grassroots solar lighting movement, the Embassy of Italy in Manila and the Philippine Italian Association (PIA) hosted a Day of Climate Action. 

The event, which took place on 5th Avenue in front of the Philippine Stock Exchange in Bonifacio Global City, coincided with the International Day of Cooperation, July 4, and was organized in partnership with the Management Association of the Philippines, Galleria Duemila, Rotary Club of Makati Business District 3830 and Philippines AirAsia, Italian Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines, and Archipelago for you.

During the event, Liter of Light conducted socially distant workshops at the tented area of My Street High Street to raise funds to provide clean and sustainable sources of energy to communities who have been affected by lack of tourism due to the pandemic.

At 6:30pm on July 4, Liter of Light unveiled its latest pop-up participative solar artwork. Built using 1,500 hand-built solar lights, the artwork featured a symbol for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (UN SDG) #13: Climate Action. For the “Day of Climate Action”, members of the private sector, organizations, individuals, and residents of Bonifacio Global City signed on to Liter of Light’s “Light It Forward” challenge, building solar lights from the safety of home as a symbol of their commitment to take action on climate change.

The artwork is the latest in a series of pop-up artworks that Liter of Light has built across Metro Manila to pay tribute and call for action in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in the lead-up to the global climate change conference (COP26) which will be held in Glasgow, Scotland, this November. Liter of Light will be participating at COP26, as well as the special Pre-COP26 program organized for youth climate change advocates, Youth4Climate: Driving Ambition, hosted by conference co-host Italy in September 2021.

“Our Day of Climate Action has given youth a platform to show their commitment in finding real solutions to the climate crisis,” said Illac Diaz, Founder and Executive Director of Liter of Light. “Each of the hand-built solar lights they assembled from the safety of home is now a pixel of light and hope in this participative artwork. At the Pre-COP26 activities in Italy, we will continue to amplify the voices and leadership of our youth in calling for tangible, meaningful progress in creating the future we want.”

About the Light It Forward Challenge:

Everyone who participates in the “Light It Forward” campaign receives a kit that they will use to build a solar light, which takes less than 30 minutes to assemble. Liter of Light has created online videos to guide participants on how to assemble the devices. Challenge participants are asked to dedicate their light to an essential worker or frontline that has impacted them during the COVID-19 pandemic. After recording their solar light building, each participant must challenge their friends to build a light.

The campaign is part of a broader strategy for Liter of Light, a UN FCCC “Momentum for Change” Awardee and the Philippine private sector representative to the upcoming World EXPO, which will take place in Dubai from October 2021 to March 2022. [https://tinyurl.com/yxfv2e7b] The organization will use its platform to shine a light on how Filipino malasakit is paving a way for a brighter future in a tangible, measurable way.

To learn more about Liter of Light and its Light It Forward campaign, visit:

www.lightitforward.ph 

Instagram: @literoflight

Facebook: www.facebook.com/aliteroflight

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmkj2sShWG4O5xGdq15gB7A/ 

About Liter of Light:

Working in 32 countries with over 2,700 youth ambassadors, Liter of Light is one of the largest organizations that works with youth to engage companies in Europe, Latin America, Southeast Asia, and Africa on building simple and repairable solar lights, mobile charging systems, and street lights. Using materials from within each community, the organization has empowered the lives of over one million people a year, while creating opportunities for green micro business, and lowering carbon emissions by 1000kg per hand-built solar lamp.

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The discussion focused on the effect of the pandemic on associations and business operations. Chris Nelson highlighted the importance of supporting members and collaborating with the government and European chambers to promote the Philippines as a key investment destination with a promising outlook.

Last October, BirtCham joined the European-Philippine Business Summit which was moderated by British Chamber of Commerce Philippines Executive Director and Trustee Chris Nelson as he also revealed the efforts of the chamber in promoting the Philippines as a long-term investment destination. Apart from that, the successful and first UK-Philippines virtual trade mission has reinforced the interests of many UK companies in the Philippines amid the pandemic.

Gearing up for the post-COVID scenario, the Philippines looks forward to a robust and sustainable growth that would provide opportunities for every Filipino, hence the prosperity vision came into being.

The prosperity vision is articulated in the Philippines’ “AmBisyon Natin 2040”, which is  collective long-term vision and aspirations of the kind of life that the Filipino people want for themselves and for the country in the next 25 years. It is the product of a long-term visioning process that began in 2015 guided by the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) and an advisory committee composed of government, private sector, academe, and civil society.

Furthermore, it pictures Filipinos to be enjoying a strongly rooted, comfortable, and secured life by the year 2040 and various business groups share this exciting vision that everyone can look forward to as the blueprint is being prepared, and last November 5, the Philippine Business Community’s “Covenant for Shared Prosperity” was launched via Zoom.

During the launch, Mr. Hans T. Sy, Chairman of the Executive Committee of SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SMPHI) underscored the importance of the business sector’s commitment to the environment in emerging strong against the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are in the midst of COVID-19 health crisis but as early as now, we can seize the opportunity and recognize that caring for the environment along with climate change adaptation play a crucial role in emerging strongly from this pandemic and helping the economy adapt to the new normal. Environment recovery means economic recovery,” Mr. Sy said in his speech.

During the forum organized by the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP), Mr. Sy furthered that business operations “will never be the same again” as adapting to the new normal requires innovation and transformation. He also noted that many companies are on their way to a greener path wherein digital technology is being utilized and the benefits of circularity are being enjoyed.

“In the past eight months during this pandemic, digital technology and digital transformation assisted our business to cope with the social distancing measures and shared business continuity and delivery services. Post COVID-19, the human landscape will continue to be reliant on digitization, and these eco-friendly tools, products, and services will be the norm,” he added.

He also encouraged other business groups to carry on the responsibility of safeguarding the environment amid the pandemic through the use of science and technology-based solutions. “Throughout the years we have proven that our commitment to the environment runs very deep and extends to large investments on science and technology-based methods. This ensures our company is able to sustain its development with the least harm to the resources meant for our future generation to enjoy,” he remarked.

The forum, which was moderated by Mr. Rex C. Drilon II, Member, MAP Shared Prosperity Committee, and Chair, Institute of Corporate Directors, was attended by the members of the MAP as well as the media.  Panelists included Atty. Emilio B. Aquino, Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission; and, Mr. Jaime Augusto Zobel De Ayala II, Chairman, and CEO of Ayala Corporation.

During the forum, the members showed their copies of the manifesto signed by 26 business associations in support of the government’s collective long-term vision and aspirations as represented by the “AmBisyon Natin 2040” amid the COVID-19 crisis. The event also served as a platform for the private sector to discuss how businesses can help in addressing the impact of the pandemic in the country by putting importance on shared prosperity and instituting inclusive development in addressing inequity.

Advocating for DRR to build a more sustainable future 

As a staunch advocate of disaster resiliency in the country, Mr. Sy emphasized the importance of disaster risk resilience in building a sustainable future for the next generations. He shared SM Prime’s sustainable business practices across all its shopping malls, along with its other residential, commercial, and office buildings as well as their hotel convention centers and sports arena.

“Since the early 1900s, SM has been promoting environment-friendly initiatives in our business operations,” he said. “The earth we’re built on, the air we breathe, the energy and water we use, the better resources that keep us alive compel us to do better for the community and retain the confidence of our stakeholders.”

As he closed, Mr. Sy encouraged business groups to be the stewards of the environment and to create a mindset for quality of life that requires a healthy environment– one that is sustainable and good for business. He also emphasized each one’s role and strength to share in building and fostering their commitment to heed the government’s call to support the environment and climate change actions.

“We must bring about shared prosperity and drive sustainable economic growth and inclusive development that is viable for the future. This is to revitalize our economy for all of us, the Filipino people,” Mr. Sy concluded.