• Power outages are becoming a year-round risk for Philippine MSMEs, driven by rainy-season storms and El Niño-strained grid reserves.
• Schneider Electric says resilience is a competitive advantage, not a contingency plan — businesses that plan ahead recover faster and avoid losses a reactive approach can’t.
• To support this, the APC Smart Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) On-Line by Schneider Electric uses double-conversion technology to deliver stable, reliable power for critical business equipment.

SE Philippines Grid Alerts

The next disruption to a Filipino Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise’s (MSME) bottom line may not come from a slow sales day. It may come from five hours without power.

With recurring power alerts and weather-related disruptions continuing across the Philippines, staying operational is becoming a growing concern for MSMEs. During the rainy season, storms can trigger power interruptions, while El Niño-driven demand surges place additional strain on the power grid. According to the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities, even when supply is officially adequate, thin reserve margins worsened by plant outages and spikes in demand continue to leave the grid vulnerable to alerts and rotating brownouts,

Schneider Electric, a global energy technology leader with 190 years of innovation expertise, says the difference is not whether an outage hits. It is whether a business is ready when it does.

For a digitally-run MSME, unstable power no longer just means lost lighting, even a brief flicker can pause a transaction mid-checkout, delay an order, or damage the equipment behind both. It is a cost often noticed only after revenue is already lost.

Business Continuity Becomes a Competitive Advantage

Schneider Electric sees that risk differently. “Disruptions are becoming more frequent, and digital operations are now central to how MSMEs run their business,” said Harold Lim, Country Solutions Head, Schneider Electric Philippines. “That shift is changing how we think about resilience, it’s no longer a contingency measure. It’s becoming a competitive advantage.”

Point-of-sale terminals, routers, computers, servers, CCTV systems, and communication devices now run the daily operations of a typical MSME. Losing power to any of them, even briefly, can interrupt a transaction, corrupt data, or damage the hardware outright.

Schneider Electric addresses that exposure with its APC Smart Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) On-Line built for businesses running equipment that needs stable, reliable power.

The APC Smart-UPS On-Line by Schneider Electric uses double-conversion technology to deliver stable, reliable power for critical business equipment.

Unlike standby units that only switch to battery once the power goes out, Smart-UPS On-Line keeps equipment running continuously, filtering out voltage dips and surges before they ever reach connected devices, even outside a full outage. This is made possible by double-conversion technology: incoming power is continuously converted and cleaned before it reaches connected devices, rather than being passed through directly and only corrected after a problem occurs.

At full load, it provides around 4 to 6 minutes of battery backup — enough time for equipment to shut down safely or switch to another power source. This runtime gets longer as the load on connected devices decreases, guarding critical electronics and data against dangerous power conditions and disturbances. Multiple protected outlets mean several devices can stay covered at once.

Business owners can check battery and system status at a glance through an easy-to-read display. Available in either rack or tower design, it is well suited for point-of-sale terminals, computers, network equipment, servers, and other critical electronics that need protection during unexpected power disruptions.

“A UPS protects critical systems from outages and other power abnormalities that can damage sensitive equipment. It also gives businesses time to shut down safely in case of prolonged outages,” Lim added.

Resilience for Growing Businesses

As Philippine MSMEs continue to grow, reliable power protection is becoming part of what it means to run a resilient workplace: equipment safeguarded, downtime reduced, customer service uninterrupted. For Schneider Electric, empowering MSMEs means making business continuity practical and accessible, so business owners can focus on growth with protection already built in.

That commitment extends to its products. Schneider Electric also manufactures UPS units in the Philippines, which accounts for 60% of the company’s global UPS supply. The APC Smart Factory in Cavite positions the country as a key part of Schneider Electric’s global operations and puts locally made power protection technology within closer reach of Philippine businesses.

Additionally, the company is working toward Net Zero by 2050 by using better materials and helping customers use products longer through its “Use Better, Use Longer, Use Again” campaign. It also publishes detailed environmental data — like carbon footprint and recyclability — for 120,000 products online.

Learn more about Advancing Energy Tech on Schneider Electric Insights.www.se.com 

Eastern Communications executives and local industry leaders mark the launch of the company’s Experience Center in Davao City. From left: Mr. Arvin Barcena, General Affairs & Admin Head of Eastern Communications; Mr. Jed Estanislao, Chief Marketing and Customer Experience Officer of Eastern Communications; Mr. Will Tormis, Davao Tourism Officer; Mr. Edsel Paglinawan, Chief Revenue and Innovation Officer of Eastern Communications; Mr. Eric Manalastas, Vice President of Davao Chamber; Atty. Aileen Regio, Co-Coordinator of Eastern Communications; Mr. Jaeson Evangelista, Co-Coordinator of Eastern Communications; Mr. Miguel Dominguez, President of the General Santos Chamber; Mr. Tony Peralta, Deputy of the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) Davao.

Eastern Communications is expanding its presence in Mindanao through the launch of its Experience Center in Davao City, along with its continued participation in major regional industry conferences. These efforts highlight the company’s commitment to supporting the region’s growing business sector and evolving digital landscape.

As emerging economic hubs such as Davao and Cagayan de Oro continue to develop, Eastern Communications has further enhanced its connectivity infrastructure and customer engagement initiatives in these cities. Building on its established operations in Mindanao, the company is aligning its expansion with the region’s ongoing economic growth and development.

Bringing Eastern’s Connectivity to Davao

Launched last August 10, 2026, Eastern Communications’ Experience Center in Davao located at Damosa IT Park, Lanang, Davao City serves as a one-stop destination for connectivity, digital transformation, and enterprise support in Mindanao. The center is designed around the customer journey, bringing the brand to life through interactive experiences that show how Eastern’s technology and connectivity solutions help businesses and communities move forward.

“Opening our Experience Center in Davao is our way of bringing Eastern closer to the people and businesses that continue to drive progress in Mindanao. We believe that the strongest connections are built not only through technology, but through being present, accessible, and committed to the communities we serve,” said Eastern Communication’s Co-Coordinator, Attorney Aileen Regio.

“Davao is a city of opportunity, and we believe businesses have a role to play in helping that opportunity grow. By providing reliable connectivity, enabling local enterprises, and giving back to the community, Eastern hopes to contribute to a more connected and thriving Davao,” said Eastern Communications’ Co-Coordinator, Mr. Jaeson Evangelista.

As part of its commitment to the communities it serves, Eastern Communications also extended support to families affected by the earthquake that struck General Santos City and surrounding areas in June 2026. The company turned over a donation to the General Santos City Chamber of Commerce & Industry to help address immediate needs and support ongoing recovery efforts.

Eastern Communications’ Co-Coordinators, Attorney Aileen Regio and Mr. Jaeson Evangelista, alongside Eastern representatives and representatives from the General Santos City Chamber of Commerce & Industry, as they turnover a donation for the families affected by the recent earthquakes in SOCCSKSARGEN.

Beyond the physical space, the Davao center reflects Eastern’s broader commitment to meaningful customer experiences, innovation, and dependable connectivity. It gives visitors in Mindanao a firsthand look at the company’s capabilities and its evolving role in the region.

From Industry Conversations to Localized Digital Solutions

Eastern’s presence in Davao and across Mindanao reflects a deliberate approach to growing alongside the region—not just by bringing connectivity to emerging markets and creating a center for clients and partners to witness first-hand Eastern’s services, but by listening to the businesses and communities that drive them.

Last August 12, Eastern Communication’s Chief Revenue and Innovation Officer, Edsel Paglinawan, shared his invaluable insights on empowering local governments through innovative digital solutions, reliable connectivity, cybersecurity, and smarter public service delivery at the 18th NICP National ICT Summit 2026 held on August 12, 2026, at the Tagum City Hall Atrium, Tagum City, Davao del Norte.

“Digital transformation is not simply about adopting new technologies—it is about enabling local governments to deliver better, faster, and more responsive services to the communities they serve. With reliable connectivity, strong cybersecurity, and smarter digital solutions, we can help build LGUs that are more resilient, efficient, and ready for the future,” said Paglinawan.

Eastern Communications’ Chief Revenue and Innovation Officer Edsel Paglinawan presents at the 18th NICP National ICT Summit, discussing the importance of building future-ready digital foundations for LGUs to adapt and thrive in an increasingly digital world.

On the same day, Eastern Communications’ Segment SME and Consumer Segment Marketing Head, Suzel Lim, presented at the 35^th Mindanao Business Conference in The Atrium at Limketkai Mall, Cagayan de Oro, tackling Eastern’s plan of action in supporting Mindanao SMEs.

Eastern Communications’ SME and Consumer Segment Marketing Head Suzel Lim speaking at the 35th Mindanao Business Conference in Cagayan de Oro, on growing with confidence in a digital-first market with the help of ICT solutions.

“Mindanao’s SMEs are at the heart of the region’s growth. For Eastern, we want to go beyond providing connectivity. We want to provide businesses with the technology, solutions, and support they need to grow with confidence and seize new opportunities,” said Lim.

These industry conversations allow Eastern to move beyond simply offering connectivity. By listening to what businesses need, the company can co-create solutions that are relevant, practical, and built for the region’s unique digital landscape.

Eastern will continue this engagement at the Mindanao ICT Conference (MindaCon) in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur, on November 9-11, 2026. The conference will gather ICT leaders, policymakers, and innovators to discuss Mindanao’s digital transformation across cybersecurity, smart cities, digital jobs, digital governance, and innovation. Eastern will contribute insights on strengthening digital infrastructure and cybersecurity resilience for LGUs and enterprises in the region.

Investing in Mindanao’s Growth, Connecting Its Future

As Davao strengthens its position as a key center for business, innovation, and economic development, Eastern Communications sees an opportunity to grow together with the businesses and communities across Mindanao. The company’s efforts in the region go beyond expanding its physical presence, reflecting its confidence in Mindanao’s potential and its commitment to supporting local businesses and communities as they connect, innovate, and achieve sustainable growth.

To learn more about Eastern Communications’ dedicated internet, cloud, cybersecurity, and other ICT solutions, visit eastern.com.ph.

Metrobank Chairman Arthur Ty, Vice Chairman Francisco C. Sebastian, and President Fabian S. Dee honor Metrobankers celebrating 30 years of service.

For 64 years, Metrobank has remained a steadfast partner to Filipinos through times of change, supporting customers, businesses, and communities as they pursue growth and progress. At the heart of this journey are the Metrobankers whose dedication, loyalty, and commitment have contributed to building the trusted and resilient institution the Bank is today.

This year, Metrobank recognized more than 1,000 service awardees, honoring employees whose years of dedication have helped shape the Bank’s enduring legacy. Among the honorees are 171 Metrobankers who are marking 30 years of service with the Bank.

Generations of Metrobankers have seen the Bank through various milestones and challenges and have helped it adapt to changing times while remaining rooted in the values that have guided it through the decades.

Metrobank President Fabian Dee recognizes this year’s Service Awardees for their years of service, dedication, and malasakit.

“Our greatest lesson from their journey is that resilience alone is not enough. While circumstances may change, our values must remain constant. We must continue to lead with malasakit, do what is right for our customers, and be the Bank that Filipinos can always rely on, especially when times are hard,” said Metrobank President Fabian S. Dee at the Bank’s 64th Anniversary Service Awards.

Beyond recognizing them for their loyalty, it was the celebration of the Metrobanker spirit and their contributions in building lasting relationships with customers, supporting businesses through different economic cycles, and helping strengthen the communities the Bank serves.

As customer expectations and the financial landscape continue to change, Metrobank remains dedicated to helping its people develop alongside the institution. The Bank continues to invest in programs that build the skills and capabilities of its workforce, giving Metrobankers the knowledge and expertise they need to provide meaningful customer experiences while pursuing continuous career growth.

Metrobank’s service awardees reflect the resilience, integrity, teamwork, and malasakit that have helped sustain the Bank throughout the years. As Metrobank moves forward into the next chapter of its journey, their stories serve as a reminder that while the Bank continues to adapt and grow, its enduring strength remains anchored in the people who have been part of its journey.