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GoTyme Bank, Visa, and BancNet join forces to boost PH digital economy towards cashless society

GoTyme Bank, Philippine interbank ATM and online banking network BancNet, and Visa, one of the world’s leaders in digital payments, formed a strategic partnership to address the need for convenient and accessible banking and digital payment solutions in the Philippines. Cashless transactions have become the norm as a way to stay safe during the pandemic. The 2021 Consumer Payment Attitudes study conducted by Visa, found that 14% of the respondents used contactless cards to pay for their transactions for the first time in 2020 while 12% of the respondents, led by the Gen Z and Gen Y age groups, said they will be less likely to use cash after the current health crisis. This means that cashless payment forms such as cards and e-wallets, as well as digital bank platforms will play a bigger role in the transition to a cashless Philippine society. Visa’s worldwide reach and expertise in digital payments, synergizing with BancNet’s extensive nationwide and offshore coverage, together with G

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Shopee stories highlight the transformative power of e-commerce

In the face of adversity, Filipinos have always risen above every challenge by fostering the spirit of bayanihan. This spirit of community and togetherness is what Shopee recognized and strived for when it first launched Shopee Bayanihan — its umbrella CSR arm that aims to harness the power of technology to serve its customers, sellers, partner riders, and all Filipinos across the country. Today, Shopee Bayanihan continues to evolve as a multifaceted program with various initiatives that cater to the needs of Filipinos. Each of these initiatives is grounded in its main mission to better the lives of the underserved through technology—to be there for every Filipino through every hardship and victory. In line with these efforts, Shopee highlights the inspiring stories of five individuals, and how Shopee was able to support them in their time of need and help improve their lives. Watch the full video here. Roel, Shopee Xpress Partner Rider (TransOrient Agency): A hardworking father who

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Shopee's new initiative Barangay Shopee aims to help underserved communities

With its mission of bettering the lives of Filipinos across the country through technology, Shopee has helped millions of local buyers and sellers adopt e-commerce seamlessly through its meaningful campaigns and initiatives. In time for its much-awaited double-day sale, the 9.9 Super Shopping Day, Shopee launches Barangay Shopee, the newest initiative under its Shopee Bayanihan CSR program, designed to help communities in need by enabling Filipinos to win a sponsored community project for their barangay. Through this contest, Shopee users from all over the Philippines have the chance to win a community project that will help address the needs of their barangay. Winners of the contest can choose their own community project that all members of their barangay can benefit from, such as a new basketball court, multi-purpose hall renovation, public school supplies, and other community-building projects. Starting August 25 up to September 9, users can join Barangay Shopee by posting video e

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Acer, Microsoft partner with Trinity University of Asia for Windows 11 SE tester program

Acer and Microsoft have chosen Trinity University of Asia to test Windows 11 SE, a new edition of Windows designed for education that runs on more affordable web-first devices that use essential education apps. Microsoft Windows 11 SE is optimized for a cloud-first world featuring modern management to help empower the educational experience of students. The Philippines is one of the first countries in Southeast Asia to roll out the tester program, with Trinity University of Asia among the schools initially tapped to try Windows 11 SE. As one of the first members of Acer Academy, Trinity University of Asia was invited by Acer Philippines to experience Windows 11 SE. Acer Academy is a program that helps develop real and innovative IT solutions to help aid in education. Acer Academy helps teachers gain experience by extending the use of technology in the whole teaching planning and practice. The tester program with Trinity University of Asia is a five-week course where teachers and st

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Globe Business reaffirms commitment to MSME success through digital transformation

In the midst of changing times, Filipino entrepreneurs have showcased their grit and determination to succeed by continuously looking for new ways to grow their businesses. As they navigate this rapidly changing environment, Globe Business reaffirms its commitment to micro, small, and medium enterprises or MSMEs, as a trusted partner that helps them achieve business breakthroughs and continued success through digitalization. MSMEs as drivers of the economy According to the latest data from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), 99% of businesses in the Philippines are MSMEs. They help reduce unemployment by creating jobs for the growing labor force, making up 63% of the country’s total manpower. They stimulate economic development and serve as valuable partners to major enterprises and consumers. “We see our MSMEs as modern-day heroes who play a critical role in the country’s economy. That’s why we believe that if we help them succeed, we also help our nation succeed,” said Ern

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SKY partners with telcos and LGUs to end rampant cable cutting and theft

SKY bolsters its call and efforts to curb illegal cable cutting incidents, affecting cable TV and internet services of several of its subscribers nationwide, by officially partnering with major telco providers, with the PCTA, and local government units (LGUs) with the strengthened "Oplan Kontra Putol" campaign. In the joint manifesto signed by executives from SKY and other telco companies, including Globe Telecom, PLDT and Smart Communications, Streamtech, Metroworks ICT, and Eastern Communications, Radius Telecoms, and the Philippine Cable and Telecommunications Association (PCTA), the group heeded the call for unity in protecting Filipino households from these illegal acts that disrupt their service connection and affect their day-to-day activities during these unprecedented times.  "Illegal cable cutting is a disservice to our customers. It leads to disruptions in cable TV and internet service. Together with our customers, we have been victimized by perpetrators who steal and sell

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Japan, UNICEF provide educational tablets to learners in Region VIII for learning recovery

The Government of Japan and UNICEF Philippines turned over 400 educational tablets containing digital learning materials in select mother tongues of Eastern Visayas to support at least 800 Samar and Norther Samar learners classified as non-readers and struggling readers. As young children learn most effectively in their mother tongue, the tablets will be provided to Grades 1 to 3 learners of 30 schools to support the development of their foundational skills in early literacy. This is part of the UNICEF-supported Learning Recovery Programme being rolled out by the Department of Education (DepEd) Region VIII, which aims to mitigate learning loss caused by school closures during the lockdowns in the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic. Aside from the digital learning materials, Japan and UNICEF are also supporting the development of the Comprehensive Rapid Literacy Assessment in Mother Tongue and the training needed to effectively utilize the tool. This is a crucial intervention,

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Shopee, Shopee Xpress partner with Whisper and World Vision to empower young women

Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, recently launched the #ShareTheConfidence campaign in partnership with Whisper and World Vision, to educate Filipinos on the importance of menstrual hygiene management. This initiative is part of Shopee Bayanihan, the company's umbrella CSR arm that seeks to provide support for communities in need through partnerships with various humanitarian organizations. As part of the campaign, Whisper pledged to match and donate sanitary products for every Whisper product sold on Shopee from May 28 to June 30. Almost 130,000 young women from World Vision’s partner communities all over the Philippines benefitted from the initiative and received sanitary products through the delivery efforts of Shopee Xpress, Shopee’s logistics arm. Apart from raising awareness on proper menstrual hygiene management, the #ShareTheConfidence campaign also aimed to break the stigma around menstrual health and address the issue of period poverty in

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Enstack and DTI, through the Negosyo Centers, work together to empower MSMEs to go digital

Southeast Asia’s first SME Superapp, Enstack announced that it will be working together with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through the Negosyo Centers to develop programs that will boost the digitization of MSMEs in the country. In the DTI Roadmap, e-commerce plays a major role in inducing faster Philippine GDP growth. In efforts to contribute to the agency's target, Enstack will be providing MSMEs with free mentorship and digital skills training, including education on its SME Superapp. “We’ve seen the majority of small businesses have difficulty in today’s digital-first environment. Many are hesitant to digitize due to the perceived cost of tools, lack of time to implement them, and insufficient knowledge. By merging DTI's local expertise and Enstack's digital tools, we hope to equip these MSMEs with all the free resources they need to grow sustainably,” said Macy Castillo, Co-Founder, and CEO of Enstack. “The COVID-19 pandemic has rapidly transformed the way Filipinos

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UnionBank discusses how open banking will drive the digital economy

Open banking and open finance are two models that are now slowly taking over the financial sector, with the promise of revolutionizing banking and financial services like never before and acting as "a catalyst for the new wave in financial innovation." This was the main point of discussion during the 14th edition of Union Bank of the Philippines' (UnionBank) virtual roundtable series E-TalkTales, which took place last June 28 via Zoom. The event was led by UnionBank's Fintech Business Group Head Erika Dizon as its main speaker. In her presentation, Dizon explained that while open banking and open finance may differ slightly from each other—the former promotes data sharing on banking services, while the latter promotes data and capability sharing across the financial sector—the goal is the same, which is the creation of an open ecosystem. An open ecosystem, she said, provides numerous benefits, including seamless data access and sharing, more opportunities for cooperation and collabo

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