Manila-Since 2020, 350 Filipino women from all over the Philippines have received training and mentorship from the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE), a U.S.-supported business learning program organized by the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines and implementing partner SPARK! Philippines.

“All of us know how much women business owners—both in the informal and formal sectors—contribute to and drive economic prosperity in the Philippines,” U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson said in her remarks at the first-ever AWE Philippines Summit on November 9 to mark the business training program’s third anniversary. “With AWE, we have prioritized reaching women entrepreneurs who face the highest hurdles when it comes to accessing the essential tools of entrepreneurship: finance, support networks, mentors.”
The inaugural summit in Manila gathered more than 80 AWE alumni from Bacolod, Bohol, Cebu, Manila, Marawi, Puerto Princesa, Quezon City, and Zamboanga del Sur to participate in panel sessions, networking activities, and workshops by American business experts. Another 40 AWE graduates gathered in Bacolod City on November 11 for a one-day networking and workshop session with summit organizers.

Department of Trade and Industry Undersecretary Blesila Lantayona also attended the summit in Manila.

“Even before the pandemic, we, at the Department of Trade and Industry, follow closely the Magna Carta of Women or Republic Act 9710 passed in 2009, which provides specific interventions of DTI to promote women’s economic empowerment. With these and other initiatives, I am confident that our women entrepreneurs can rebuild better and contribute greatly to the country’s economic recovery,” DTI Undersecretary Lantayona said.

“Whether they are aspiring entrepreneurs with innovative concepts or micro and small business owners seeking fresh perspectives, this summit serves as a gateway to innovation, business growth, and unparalleled networking opportunities. It is a dynamic learning experience where our women entrepreneurs unite to embark on a path to entrepreneurial excellence,” SPARK! Philippines Executive Director Maica Teves said.

AWE is a hybrid learning program that offers courses on market research, laws and regulations, business plan creation, cash flow projection, and digital marketing for Filipino women entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds, including survivors of violence, illegal trafficking, and natural disasters, as well as innovators in sustainable development, technology, and agriculture. Graduates also benefit from a network of more than 25,000 women entrepreneurs across 100 countries.

In March, Filipino entrepreneur Senith Araez received the AWE Outstanding Achievement Award for her exemplary leadership and contributions to women’s empowerment in her community at the first regional AWE Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Araez founded Whistler Travel and Tours in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, which mostly employs single mothers or women who are family breadwinners. She is representing the Philippines at the 2023 AWE Indo-Pacific Women in Tech Summit at Taipei, Taiwan, on November 14-16.(PR)

In a significant showcase of innovation and growth, the Globe Group will raise the flag at the 2023 Singapore Fintech Festival (SFF) this week and share its experience in raising unicorns as part of its transformative journey from a traditional telecom company to a dynamic technology company.

Organized by the Monetary Authority of Singapore and Elevandi, the SFF, happening at the Singapore Expo from November 15 to 17, 2023, is a global fintech event that attracts thousands of participants from around the world. Last year, it gathered 62,000 participants from 134 countries last year. The festival focuses on the intersection of financial services, public policy, and cutting-edge technology.

A highlight of the event will be a panel discussion on “Building Unicorns: An ASEAN Success Story” featuring Globe Group President and CEO Ernest Cu and Mynt President and CEO Martha Sazon.

“Our transformation from telco to techco reflects our commitment to innovation and solving real-world challenges. At SFF, we’re excited to demonstrate how this pivot is not just about business growth but making a tangible difference in the daily lives of Filipinos,” said Cu.
Globe’s evolution is supported by impressive financial growth, with the company recording a 44% year-on-year increase in non-telco revenues, reaching PHP4.1 billion in the first three quarters of 2023.

A key aspect of Globe’s success story is GCash, operated by Mynt, which has emerged as the Philippines’ only double unicorn. The platform’s net earnings soared to PHP1.62 billion in the first nine months of 2023, a 149% increase from the previous year.

Martha Sazon, President and CEO of Mynt, said: “GCash is a testament to our customer-first approach and technological innovation. At SFF, we look forward to sharing our experiences and insights on creating inclusive financial solutions for millions of Filipinos.”
Meanwhile, KonsultaMD, one of 917Ventures portfolio companies, is also showing the potential of becoming the country’s next unicorn. KonsultaMD this year expanded into a superapp, providing comprehensive healthcare services to over 2 million Filipinos.

Globe is also optimistic about its collaboration with Gogoro of Taiwan in introducing two-wheel Smartscooters® using battery-swapping technology. Gogoro Philippines recently opened the Gogoro Experience Center in Makati City, a key financial hub in the Philippines, the first outside Taiwan.

Globe is likewise laying its stake on the growing data center business through its partnership with ST Telemedia Global Data Centres. This year, STT GDC Philippines announced two major construction projects seen to boost the country’s data storage capacity, and expanded the capacity of its existing facilities by 5.2MW.

Globe’s shift from telco to techco is exemplified by its diversified portfolio, extending into fintech, virtual healthcare, e-commerce, business outsourcing, adtech, edutech, climate tech, media, and entertainment.

As the Globe Group continues to redefine its role in the digital era, its presence at the SFF will not only showcase its achievements but also affirm its position as a key player in the ASEAN region’s tech landscape. (PR)

TACLOBAN CITY– The World Food Programme (WFP) has donated 16 units of disaster response equipment to the Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office VIII (DSWD FO VIII) in a Ceremonial Handover held at the Regional Resource Operations Center, Pawing, Palo, Leyte on November 8.

The 16 units of disaster response equipment, one of which is a rice milling machine, included a reach truck, automatic box sealer machine, vacuum sealing machine, automatic roller conveyor, high volume low-speed ceiling fan, 110 kVA generator set, plastic pallet, an aluminum boat with a 40 HP engine, a trailer for an aluminum boat, two tower lights with generator set, and four hydraulic hand pallet trucks.

The WFP, DSWD FO VIII, and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), signed a deed of donation and acceptance during the ceremonial handover.
According to the DSWD Undersecretary for Disaster Management Group, Diana Rose Cajipe, the equipment that was handed over represented a shared determination to save lives and the well-being of fellow Filipinos, responding swiftly and effectively in times of crisis, ensuring that no one is left behind.

“The Department of Social Welfare and Development, through its Disaster Response Management Group, pledges to utilize these resources judiciously and efficiently,” Cajipe said.

“We will continue working with partners, local communities, and volunteers to build a nation that is not only prepared for disasters but also capable of providing swift and compassionate assistance to those in need,” Cajipe added.

According to WFP Country Director Dipayan Bhattacharyya, the WFP started collaborating with the DSWD after the onslaught of Super Typhoon Yolanda in November 2013, as the distribution of food, cash, and ready-to-use supplementary foods reached over 2 million people. This event strengthened the partnership between WFP and DSWD to jointly implement various initiatives, activities, and projects on social protection, food security, emergency preparedness, and response.

“WFP remains fully committed to supporting the Philippine government in these efforts beyond the handover of this equipment. WFP is very grateful for all these collaborations. Together, we are making a difference in the Filipino communities before and after a disaster strike,” WFP Country Director Dipayan Bhattacharyya said.

The WFP also worked closely with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to develop an innovative mobile operations vehicle called the Mobile Operations Vehicles for Emergencies (MOVE) project, allowing humanitarian workers and government responders to deliver immediate assistance and save lives during emergencies.
The event serves as a significant milestone in disaster preparedness, response, and recovery in Eastern Visayas, marking its 10th Super Typhoon Yolanda commemoration.
(MMP/AAC/PIA Leyte)