Vic Vic Bautista

Accolades in title delivery and production at the recent Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) Partners Appreciation Night further cement Alsons Development and Investment Corporation (Alsons Dev)’s reputation as a distinguished Davao City real estate developer. The ceremony, which honored BPI’s top-performing business partners in a number of categories, was held on March 14 at Plaza Moriones in Fort Santiago.

Although Alsons Dev has received praise at the BPI Partners Appreciation Night for the last five years, this year is especially noteworthy because it was named the Top 1 Local Developer in Title Delivery Performance. The company’s prompt transfer of property titles to homeowners is highlighted by this award. Furthermore, Alsons Dev was selected as one of the Top 5 Local Developers in Production according to the quantity of BPI home loans that the company’s customers had scheduled. The developer’s ability to work quickly and in large quantities is evidence of its effectiveness and commitment to providing excellent client service. It further emphasizes how many homeowners consider Alsons Dev properties as a reliable option.

Global leader in digital automation and energy management, Schneider Electric, releases the results of its annual Sustainability Survey, which was carried out in collaboration with international research firm Millieu Insight.

According to the results, 60% of APAC’s business executives believe that sustainability is a “high priority” for both their organization and their nation. 94% of business leaders concur that electrification is essential to their corporate sustainability plan when it comes to the industry’s perception of digital transformation. Ninety-nine percent of local company leaders in the Philippines have set goals to operate at Net Zero.

The survey engaged 4,500 C-level to Middle-level business leaders across nine countries in Southeast and East Asia, including the Philippines. The objective is to gauge sentiments and actions on sustainability within APAC and the local business community.

“We are seeing a growing trajectory towards greater sustainability integration into our local industries’ operations. As a leader in sustainable energy management solutions, Schneider Electric is reaffirming its commitment to support the business industry and the government in their pursuit towards their shift to green energy,” said Ireen Catane, Country President of Schneider Electric Philippines.

Intention vs. Action: The Green Action Gap

The Green Action Gap, a Schneider Electric identified metric used to estimate the rift between the organizations’ declared commitment towards their sustainability goals and the tangible actions to implement sustainable development by companies. It reveals that while 99% of the surveyed leaders have established sustainability plans, only 58% have set their plans in action. The reasons captured include: poor incentives, regulations uncertainty, bureaucratic challenges, market data references insufficiencies and lack of business priority. While challenges persist, this gap serves as a rallying call for urgent efforts to bridge intentions with actions.

Across the region, the top reasons reported for pursuing corporate sustainability were innovation and competitiveness (39%) and an increase in business opportunities (37%) with countries in Southeast Asia most likely to agree that sustainability contributes to business growth.  Risk management, reputation and opportunity for cost saving round out the top five motivating factors companies consider when making decisions around sustainability strategy.

Most business leaders across the region (82% on average) believe that providing more incentives is more effective than enforcing penalties to encourage private sector compliance with government sustainability goals.

“We are encouraged by the growing awareness and commitment among Asia’s companies to establish sustainability goals. However, the survey’s findings on the intention-action gap reveal that there is still work to be done. As we navigate the urgent need for sustainability, it becomes more crucial for businesses and the public sector to collaborate and leverage innovative solutions to create a more sustainable future,” Catane emphasized.

Electricity 4.0: Path to Net Zero

To be on track for a net zero world in 2050, businesses need to reduce emissions by 50% this decade. At the recently concluded Philenergy Expo 2024, Schneider Electric introduced its global vision, Electricity 4.0, which shows how digitalization is the key to mitigate climate and energy crises.

From the survey report, results show that 97% of Philippine companies agree/strongly agree that digitalization is a key sustainability driver. The same number also consider energy efficiency as a core aspect of their sustainability plan.

“Electricity is the cleanest and most visible form of energy. By building a smart electric world where everything is interconnected, people will have the ability to optimize safety, reliability, performance, and lifespan. All while working towards achieving our global carbon neutrality goal by 2050,” says Catane.

In order to assist Philippine firms in digitizing, decarbonizing, and strategizing, Schneider Electric provides a variety of state-of-the-art integrated solutions.

The company’s exclusive EcoStruxure system links an organization from the shop floor to the top by combining hardware and software. Because of this, users can monitor and improve their operations in real time, leading to more efficient operations and lower energy usage.

“With digitization, energy shifts from being the biggest driver of carbon emissions to the biggest opportunity for carbon reduction. We have the tools that we need to drive change. All we need to do is to work together to make that happen,” Catane added.

Discover the newest perspectives shaping sustainability, electricity 4.0, and next generation automation on Schneider Electric Insights.

On March 21, 2024, at the Launchgarage Innovation Hub in Quezon City, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) formally unveiled the top five startup finalists for the Accelerating Development, Valuation, and Corporate Entrepreneurship (ADVanCE) for Creatives Program.

After being chosen from a starting group of eight growth-stage companies, the top five candidates were evaluated based on organizational capability, business development, and preparedness. During these sessions, DTI and Launchgarage assessed each startup on the basis of its current state of product development, team composition, goals for the future, and obstacles, with an emphasis on how the program may help it flourish. This made sure that the selected finalists were not only capable of handling upcoming obstacles but also in a position to significantly influence the creative industry with their creative and adaptable solutions.

The top five finalists are AniMattify, a startup transforming print ads into animations; KikoMonster Creative Studio, providing creative solutions from Zamboanga; Bihasa, merging instructional design with production for learning videos; ROC.PH Digital Marketing Services, assisting businesses and professionals through website management, digital marketing consultation, creative design, and strategy implementation; and Bentamo, a tech startup showcasing creative Filipino brands. The finalists will undergo intensive training based on the specific interventions identified during the needs assessment.

The ADVanCE for Creatives program, launched on December 5, 2023, aligns with the visions outlined in the Innovative Startup Act (ISA) and the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act (PCIDA). This initiative underscores DTI’s commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and economic growth in the Philippines.

DTI Undersecretary for Competitiveness and Innovation Group Rafaelita M. Aldaba commended the selected startups, emphasizing DTI’s dedication to supporting their growth. “We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the top five startup finalists of the ADVanCE for Creatives program,” said Usec. Aldaba. “DTI is proud to support the development of these promising startups as they contribute to the advancement of the Philippine Creative Industries.”

The finalists will receive in-depth instruction via a sequence of educational workshops, industry expert mentorship, and tailored business matchmaking and acceleration initiatives. A demo day in April, which marks the program’s culmination, will provide the businesses a chance to present their work and draw in possible partners and investors.

To support the Philippine Creative Industries even more, DTI previously unveiled ten carefully chosen creative startups and enterprises for the Incubation, Development, and Entrepreneurial Assistance (IDEA) program. The startups that were chosen for IDEA are Wika, 7×7 Development Corporation, MVRK Simulations, Pamitisan Shoe Shop, Transcend Studios Inc., Kwentoon, Carisle Media Corporation, Produkto PH, DND Denim N’ Denim, and Brave Story.