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More Filipinos use eCommerce for the first time due to pandemic – Visa Study

The pandemic has resulted in new consumer behaviors emerging in the Philippines, where more Filipinos are starting to go on digital commerce platforms and make cashless payments. According to Visa’s latest Consumer Payment Attitudes study, 52 per cent of Filipinos shopped online through apps and websites for the first time during the pandemic and 43 per cent of them made their first online purchase using social media channels. Online shopping activity has also increased in the past one year based on the research findings. Close to nine in 10 Filipinos have increased their online shopping activities on websites or apps, whilst seven in 10 are shopping more on social media channels. More than half of the consumers are also more inclined to shop from large online marketplaces (53%) and home-based businesses (61%). These new shopping preferences might turn into habits that last beyond the pandemic.    The study also showed a large user base who started ordering home delivery, likely due

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PH's Pioneering Tax Filing Online App Taxumo Announces Partnership with Most Trusted Healthcare & Telemedicine Platform AIDE

Aligned with its mission to help medical professionals with their tax woes so they can passionately focus on providing high-quality healthcare to Filipinos, Taxumo has forged a crucial partnership with AIDE, the country’s most trusted healthcare and telemedicine platform. Through the partnership, thousands of AIDE’s healthcare providers will be able to enjoy the ease and convenience of computing, filing, and paying their taxes through Taxumo, at substantially lower subscription rates of up to almost 60 percent. AIDE’s medical professionals can also enjoy the ease of registering their businesses at reduced rates through Taxumo’s BizReg service, which covers processing their BIR Certificate of Registration, processing their Authority to Print, helping them get their initial 10 Booklets of Official Receipt/Invoice, as well as securing Stamped Books of Accounts. Beyond these perks, Taxumo will also conduct exclusive webinars for doctors to help them understand the ins and outs of taxes,

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Holcim Philippines announces new President and CEO

Leading cement maker, Holcim Philippines has announced today the appointment of Mr. Horia Adrian, as the new President and CEO of Holcim Philippines effective March 1, 2021. Horia Adrian is formerly the CEO of Romania and Market Head Emerging Europe. He joined LafargeHolcim in 2000 and has successfully held various management roles, including CEO roles for Russia, Eastern Europe & CIS and Middle East. He also managed the LafargeHolcim Group’s Business Transformation. He succeeds John Stull who, following a remarkable performance as the CEO of Holcim Philippines for three years will be pursuing another role within the LafargeHolcim Group. Horia Adrian said: “It is an honor to be appointed as the new President and CEO of Holcim Philippines. The business in the Philippines is a significant contributor to the LafargeHolcim Group and it is truly exciting to continue the remarkable work done under John’s leadership.” John Stull said: “It has been a privilege to have worked with the men an

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Globe readies VoLTE service for postpaid customers in 1,538 towns and cities all over the country

Globe is all set to make its VoLTE service accessible to postpaid customers in more towns and municipalities in the country. Its aggressive network expansion and modernization efforts have resulted in making Voice over LTE or VoLTE service available soon to postpaid customers in 1,538 towns and cities all over the country. Moreover, the company says its VoLTE coverage is now activated and optimized in 575 towns and cities in at least 25 provinces in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. VoLTE is ready for use in 153 towns and cities in Metro Manila, Rizal, Bulacan, Cavite, Cebu, Davao del Sur and Davao del Norte. Based on its latest track, Globe has also made VoLTE ready in 422 areas in Aklan, Antique, Bataan, Batangas, Bukidnon, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, Laguna, Misamis Oriental, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Nueva Vizcaya, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Siquijor, Tarlac and Zambales. “While the new normal has been challenging, we saw this as an opportunity to create better solutions and techno

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Shopee Continues to Nurture Tech Talent, Prepare Workforces for the Future with the Return of Shopee Code League

The largest online code league in the region aims to meet the accelerating demand for tech talents across Southeast Asia and Taiwan Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, announces the return of Shopee Code League, the largest online code league in Southeast Asia and Taiwan. Launched in 2020, Shopee Code League is part of Shopee’s ongoing efforts to nurture tech talents, empower communities, and upskill workforces for the future economy. As businesses shift online, the global economy will require 149 million new tech roles by 2025.1 With the Shopee Code League, Shopee works closely with trusted partners in Southeast Asia, including the Philippines, to ensure that more people can contribute to and succeed in the economy of tomorrow. This year, Shopee Code League sees the return of the Analytics Association of the Philippines, Philippine Information Technology Organization, and WiTech; while four new partners, namely the Philippine .NET Users Group, Girls

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PH 10th in APAC countries on Median 5G Download Speed: Ookla® data

The Philippines ranks 10th among APEC countries with median download speed on 5G at 182.50 Mbps based on Ookla Speedtest Intelligence® Q3 2020 data[1]. Median 5G download speed is the aggregate speed measured in the 50th percentile of all tests taken with Speedtests on a 5G connection. This is a huge feat for an emerging market economy aiming to have a #1stWorldNetwork infrastructure. Globe has been a steady supporter of the government's initiative to improve the country's state of connectivity.  The telco has led the industry in new site builds last year and strengthened its network with extensive 4G LTE and 5G upgrades. These sustained and vigorous efforts have resulted in improved internet speeds and higher Consistency Scores as confirmed by various independent analytics firms. According to Ookla Speedtest Intelligence, the worldwide median download speed over 5G was 954% faster than 4G in Q3 2020. In Q3 2020 alone, there were 4,324,788 Speedtest results over 5G[2]. The telco wa

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Converge reinforces commitment to employee, customer safety

Company rolls out regular antigen testing, procures vaccinations for employees, frontliners Leading fiber broadband service provider Converge ICT Solutions Inc. continues to ensure the safety of its employees and subscribers as the company provides regular antigen testing for its people, particularly for its customer-facing personnel. Converge has also made arrangements for the purchase of COVID-19 vaccines for its employees and for donation through partnerships with various institutions. Converge has procured its own antigen test kits and analyzer machines and trained its company doctors and nurses for the regular conduct of the COVID-19 testing in its main office in Pasig City, executive offices in Quezon City, and in Clark, Pampanga for its business units in Northern and Central Luzon. Antigen Tests are taken through nasal swabs and detect a part of the coronavirus, making them particularly useful for identifying a person who is at or near peak of infection. The company has also

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Shopee Grooms Filipino Talents to Empower the Growth of E-Commerce in the Philippines

Through Shopee’s various programs, aspiring talents can learn from experts and better understand the e-commerce industry Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, continues to power the next generation of e-commerce leaders in the country through in-depth training and apprentice programs. Reports show that e-commerce in the Philippines is estimated to reach $12 billion by 20251. To scale their businesses and seize opportunities in the growing e-commerce landscape, companies are constantly looking to hire and retain talents to ensure their product offerings and solutions can meet the needs of the consumers. To help Filipinos prepare for and adapt to the new normal, Shopee offers three initiatives that aim to shape and improve Filipinos' tech skills in various fields of e-commerce. These include the Shopee Apprentice Program, Global Leaders Program, and the Shopee Code League. Global Leaders Program The Global Leaders Program, launched in 2018, is a 2-yea

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Pulse of Asia report shows more than half of Filipinos are optimistic about their health

79% of Filipino respondents are already using personal health technologies and digital health platforms However, 36% of Filipino respondents prefer in-person consultations, the highest in the ASEAN region 64% of Filipino respondents agree financial constraints will make it difficult for them to take measures to improve their personal health and wellness in 2021 Report launched by Prudential, the regional headquarters of Pru Life UK The Philippines ranks fourth among 13 Asian markets in overall health perception, with more than half of Filipinos (57%) being optimistic about their health. This is a key finding from the recent launch of “Pulse of Asia-The Health of Asia Barometer,” a report that outlines the current state of healthcare in the region, its challenges, and the role digital health technology can play to improve the wellness landscape. The survey – involving 5,000 people across the region during the second half of 2020 – was developed by The Economist Intelligence Uni

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Globe builds teacher skills on early language literacy

Globe has launched another professional development training for teachers now focusing on early language literacy. Recognized by the Department of Education National Educators Academy of the Philippines, (DepED - NEAP) this series of webinars coaches educators to effectively help very young students develop their communication skills through blended learning. This is in line with the DepEd campaign to improve teacher productivity and student performance. The training is led by Teach for the Philippines (TFP) under the banner of Globe’s Global Filipino Teachers (GFT) program featuring webinars that promote 21st century learning and digital resources for teachers. TFP is an award-winning non-stock, non-profit organization that works to provide Filipino children with inclusive, relevant, and excellent education. Early language literacy was identified as a key topic needed by Grades 1 to 3 teachers in the new normal, for students ages 5 to 8 years old. The GFT sessions are recognized by

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