Lifestyle

2GO employee-volunteers participating in the annual International Coastal Cleanup in Manila

Reinforcing its commitment to environmental stewardship and cleaner coastal communities, 2GO Group, Inc. mobilized 149 employee-volunteers across key coastal locations nationwide for this year’s International Coastal Cleanup (ICC), in partnership with SM Cares.

As part of the annual global initiative, 2GO teams participated in coastal cleanup activities across Cagayan de Oro, Zamboanga, Davao, Cebu, and Manila, helping remove waste from shorelines and supporting efforts to keep coastal communities clean.

In Manila, 2GO volunteers collected a total of 207 kilograms of waste from the cleanup sites. 2GO estimates that the 149 volunteers diverted approximately 768 kilograms of coastal waste across all participating locations.

Beyond volunteer participation, 2GO has continued to strengthen its support for the ICC through material donations and logistics services. Since establishing its partnership with SM Cares for the ICC in 2023, the company has expanded its support to help equip volunteers and facilitate the movement of essential cleanup resources.

Supporting cleanup efforts through people, supplies, and logistics

For this year’s nationwide cleanup, 2GO donated protective gloves for volunteers, building on its previous contributions of cleanup sacks in 2024 and 2025.

The company also provided end-to-end transportation and logistics support for the delivery of heavy-duty weighing scales to cleanup sites nationwide. Building on logistical support initiated in 2025, the service helped ensure that collected waste could be accurately weighed and documented across participating sites.

By combining the dedication of its employee-volunteers with targeted material support and logistics solutions, 2GO helps drive collective action toward cleaner coastal environments and healthier communities across the country.

As a transportation and logistics company serving communities across the Philippine archipelago, 2GO recognizes the importance of supporting the communities and coastal environments connected by its network. Its continued participation in the ICC reflects 2GO’s commitment to contributing its people, resources, and capabilities to environmental initiatives across the country.

For more information, please visit www.sminvestments.com.

Eastern Communications’ Gear Up: Powering the Digital Backbone of Regional Economies held in Cebu in May 2026.

As businesses across the Visayas accelerate digital transformation, Eastern Communications is deepening its presence in the region, engaging businesses and industry communities on the connectivity, technology, and digital solutions needed to support growth and resilience.

Throughout 2026, the telco company has engaged businesses and industry stakeholders across Cebu, Iloilo, and Boracay, with conversations spanning network resilience, AI and cloud adoption, and the evolving technology needs of businesses outside Metro Manila.

“Being present in these communities allows us to listen more closely to our customers and understand what matters to their businesses. Every interaction is an opportunity to build stronger relationships and create memorable experiences that go beyond the usual business engagement,” said Edsel Paglinawan, Chief Revenue and Innovation Officer of Eastern Communications

Strengthening connections across industries

These engagements reflect the diverse needs of the Visayas business community and its deliberate push into the region. At Gear Up Cebu in May, Eastern brought together businesses, industry leaders, and partners to exchange insights on building more resilient and adaptive organizations in today’s rapidly evolving business landscape. The initiative is designed to foster meaningful conversations around the challenges, opportunities, and developments shaping the way businesses operate and grow.

Eastern also participated in the 35th Visayas Area Business Conference, held from May 13 to 15, 2026, in Bacolod City and hosted by the Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI). The conference brought together business leaders and stakeholders to discuss a plan of action for supporting the growth and development of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across the Visayas.

Eastern Communications’ SME and Consumer Segment Marketing Head, Suzel Lim, at the 35th Visayas Area
Business Conference last May 13-15, 2026.

“Supporting the growth of SMEs in the Visayas requires meaningful collaboration among businesses, industry stakeholders, and partners. By coming together and sharing insights on the opportunities and challenges faced by regional enterprises, we can help create a more supportive business environment where SMEs can adapt, grow, and stay competitive,” said Suzel Lim, SME and Consumer Segment Marketing Head at Eastern Communications.

In August, the company joined AI Fest in Iloilo, where Segment Marketing Manager Richmond Bayocot highlighted how the right technology infrastructure can help businesses build more agile, connected, and adaptable operations.

“AI adoption is not simply about having access to new tools. Businesses also need reliable infrastructure that can support how these technologies are integrated into everyday operations,” Bayocot said.

Eastern Communications’ engagement with Cebu’s manufacturing sector likewise continued through Mactan Economic Processing Zone Purchasing Management Association’s (MEPZ-PMA) 10th Suppliers’ Expo 2026, where manufacturers, procurement teams, and business leaders explored AI and emerging technologies. The company shared how digital solutions and reliable network infrastructure can support AI adoption, streamline processes, and help businesses keep pace with evolving technology.

The telco provider’s regional engagement also extends to hospitality and tourism. From its CXO Night gathering with clients and hospitality partners in Boracay to the VisMin Hospitality Summit and Cebu Hotel Connect, Eastern continues to engage industry stakeholders on the role of technology in supporting hospitality operations and growth.

Eastern Communication’s Chief Revenue and Innovation Officer, Edsel Paglinawan, at the Cebu Month 2026 Technology & Innovation Forum last June 26, 2026.

Eastern Communications also took part in Cebu Business Month 2026 Technology & Innovation Forum, held at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino, where Edsel Paglinawan, Chief Revenue and Innovation Officer, shared insights on how organizations can embrace innovation with purpose, turn bold ideas into practical solutions, and drive sustainable growth in an increasingly digital landscape.

“Innovation is most meaningful when it goes beyond ideas and translates into solutions that address real business needs. As organizations navigate an increasingly digital landscape, the ability to embrace innovation with purpose and turn bold ideas into practical solutions will be key to building sustainable growth,” said Edsel Paglinawan, Chief Revenue and Innovation Officer at Eastern Communications.

Building trust beyond the transaction

Beyond its participation in regional business conversations, Eastern Communications also brings its High Tech, High Touch commitment to life through its Dare To Discover docuseries. In its Dumaguete episode, Eastern highlights how technology and meaningful connections can help support local tourism, businesses, and communities, showcasing the people and stories that make the region unique.

The Dare To Discover: Dumaguete episode offers a closer look at how connectivity can help local businesses and communities create opportunities, reach wider audiences, and share their stories with more people.

Watch the full episode of Dare To Discover: Dumaguete on YouTube.

The company’s growing presence in Visayas reflects its commitment to bringing its High Tech, High Touch approach closer to businesses beyond Metro Manila through collaboration, shared knowledge, and relationships built on the ground.

The throughline remained consistent across every engagement: connectivity works best as an enabler rather than simply being a service. It supports continuity, helps companies adopt new technologies, and gives regional enterprises the operational footing to grow.

As digital transformation reaches more regions, Eastern Communications is helping ensure businesses there have the connectivity and support to keep up.

To learn more about Eastern Communications and its upcoming partnerships, contact 5300-7000 or visit www.easterm.com.ph.

2GO hosting the BEACON Expo 2026 exhibitors and contractors event briefing

2GO, the Philippines’ largest and most integrated end-to-end transportation and logistics solutions provider, is set to be the official logistics partner of around 300 maritime businesses participating in the BEACON Expo 2026.

The event’s exhibitors and contractors are set to benefit from a more seamless and efficient event experience through 2GO-SMX Events Logistics, the centralized permit and logistics facilitation system established by 2GO Group, SMX Convention Center, Central Business Park, and SM Estates. This initiative builds on the recently signed partnership among the four organizations to streamline event operations within the SMX Convention Center and the Mall of Asia Complex.

As the official event forwarder for the country’s premier maritime trade exhibition, 2GO hosted an exhibitors’ briefing to help participants prepare for the event and ensure smooth coordination among key stakeholders responsible for venue operations.

Carrying the theme “Empowering Maritime Excellence: Advancing a Sustainable Blue Economy,” BEACON Expo 2026 is expected to gather maritime industry leaders, regulatory partners, and suppliers across the country. Through the enhanced logistics framework, exhibitors can now experience a more convenient process for transporting exhibit materials, securing permits, and coordinating ingress and egress activities.

“By simplifying logistics and permit facilitation, we allow exhibitors to focus on what matters most: showcasing their products, engaging with customers, and contributing to industry development,” said Faye Alonzo, Business Unit Head of 2GO Forwarding. “Through 2GO-SMX Events Logistics, we are providing a single point of coordination that streamlines processes and supports exhibitors from preparation through event completion.”

The exhibitors’ briefing brought together the event organizer Maritime League of the Philippines, exhibitors, contractors, SMX venue managers, media representatives, and 2GO logistics teams to align expectations ahead of the expo. The session provided guidance on event requirements, booth protocols, logistics procedures, venue operations, and timelines, enabling exhibitors to plan more effectively and avoid operational delays.

Through the partnership, 2GO facilitates permit applications on behalf of contractors and exhibitors, coordinates endorsements with SM Estates, processes submissions with CBP, and delivers end-to-end logistics support covering ingress, event operations, and pull-out activities. The integrated approach reduces administrative burden while ensuring compliance with venue and estate requirements.

The initiative also supports a more collaborative environment among all parties involved in event execution. By strengthening coordination between exhibitors, contractors, venue operators, and regulatory authorities, the partnership helps create a smoother and more organized event experience for everyone involved.

As preparations continue for BEACON Expo & Conference 2026, the collaboration demonstrates how integrated logistics solutions can help elevate industry events and support the growing needs of the Philippine maritime sector.

For more information about 2GO and its services, visit www.2go.com.ph.

As petroleum prices continue to rise, a recent public opinion survey by research firm Tangere, conducted from September 23 to 24, 2026, points to a significant gap in public awareness about the economics of public transportation, alongside strong support for government action.

The nationwide poll surveyed 1,200 regular bus commuters, defined as passengers who take the bus at least three to five times a week. The findings show that only 46% of regular commuters know that passenger fares are exempt from Value-Added Tax (VAT).

The survey findings spotlight a heavy hidden burden weighing down the public transport sector. While everyday commuters do not pay VAT directly on their transit fares, commercial transport entities—such as bus companies—must pay VAT and steep excise levies on the diesel fuel they buy to keep their fleets running.

To help bus operators cope with rising fuel prices, the Tangere survey revealed clear preferences from regular riders for government and structural relief:

• 87% of respondents favor removing the VAT on dieselto directly lower operating overheads for transport providers.
• 69% believe that providing direct government subsidiesis an effective solution to cushion operators against volatile fuel costs.
• Around 44% are open to accepting transport fare increases as a last-resort measure to sustain daily operations.
• Roughly 33% (one-third) are willing to tolerate fewer buses on the road and longer waiting times if it means keeping transport options afloat amid soaring operational costs.

Weighing in on the data, Tangere CEO Martin Peñaflor noted how the figures reflect both a knowledge gap and a clear public appetite for systemic solutions.

“The results of our latest survey among regular bus riders point to a significant information gap, with less than half realizing that while their fares are VAT-exempt, the bus operators themselves are heavily burdened by VAT and excise taxes on diesel,” said Martin Peñaflor, CEO of Tangere. “At the same time, the data shows that Filipinos clearly understand the severity of the operational squeeze on public transport. With an overwhelming majority calling for the removal of VAT on diesel and government subsidies, the public is looking for structural fiscal interventions that protect both commuters and transport providers.”

Legislators and transport groups are intensifying calls for the government to immediately suspend or remove fuel excise taxes and implement these targeted support measures to halt cascading inflation on food, goods, and everyday commuting.

Tangere is an award-winning, technology-driven market research company focused on understanding and capturing Filipino sentiments. It is a member of the Marketing and Opinion Research Society of the Philippines (MORES), the European Society for Opinion and Market Research (ESOMAR), and the Philippine Association of National Advertisers (PANA).

For access to the topline report and analytics from this non-commissioned study, interested parties may contact Tangere via email at [email protected].