ILOILO: HEART of the PHILIPPINES

Globe’s network services are back in Iloilo, including 4G LTE. This brings restored sites in Visayas to nearly 70%. In Cebu, 17 municipalities now have restored services bringing total restoration in the province to over 60%. Bohol meanwhile, has 10 areas up. In Mindanao and Palawan, more areas are seeing significant restoration progress. Globe, through the help of local government units have made it possible to hasten restoration efforts across different provinces hit by typhoon Odette.   #GlobeOfGood   Globe and TM customers can continue to donate through the open donation channels in the New GlobeOne and the GCash apps, where they can donate their Globe Rewards points or use the #GCashGivesBack QR Codes of partner-beneficiaries, respectively. Those interested may access these through this  LINK .   To know more about Globe’s response and relief efforts for Typhoon Odette, you may visit  https://www.globe.com.ph/ odette.html .   Globe maintains 47  L...

Globe’s network services are back in Negros Occidental, Capiz, Roxas, Catarman and Siquijor enabling mobile services. More areas are seeing significant progress in network repairs across Visayas and Mindanao. Globe, through the help of local government units have made it possible to hasten restoration efforts across different provinces hit by typhoon Odette. #GlobeOfGood Coming from the holidays, Globe and TM customers were able to raise up to P665,520 for those who were affected by Typhoon Odette. Likewise, Globe, along with its partners from Ayala Foundation, GMA Kapuso Foundation, and Rise Against Hunger Philippines have since reached 5,484 families in Loboc, Bohol; Buenavista, Agusan del Norte; General Luna, Siargao, and Butuan.  Donation channels are still open through the New GlobeOne app or the GCash platform, where they can donate their Globe Rewards points or use the #GCashGivesBack QR Codes of partner-beneficiaries. Those interested may access these through this LINK . To...

The province of Iloilo has been awarded as the Most Competitive Province in Western Visayas by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI-VI). The award was given during the 5th Regional Recognition Ceremony of Competitive LGUs on December 20, 2021 at Park Inn by Radisson Hotel. The LGUs were judged based on four indicators namely Economic Dynamism, Government Efficiency, Infrastructure, and Resiliency. Economic dynamism is associated with activities that create stable expansion of business and higher employment. Government efficiency refers to the quality and reliability of government services such as a government free of corruption and enforces reasonable taxation. LGUs are also assessed based on infrastructures that connect, expand, and sustain local economy to enable the provision of goods and services. Resiliency means an LGU is capable of sustaining businesses and employment despite of shocks and stresses it encounters. In his inspirational message, Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. unders...

With the anticipation of the Holidays, Philippine Airlines, Inc. (PAL) announced on that it would expand its services in the Visayas and Mindanao. The country's first flag carrier will resume services from Iloilo to Cebu and General Santos City on Dec. 7 and from Iloilo to Davao on Dec. 8. According to PAL, the expanded route network will increase connectivity between the Visayas and Mindanao just in time for the peak holiday season, enabling more people to reunite with families in their home provinces. “We also hope to restore more of our pre-pandemic routes and mount new services in the coming months, while strictly adhering to the latest health and safety protocols set by all local government units (LGUs) involved,” PAL Senior Assistant Vice-President for Philippine Sales Harry D. Inoferio said. The airline said that each province, city or municipality might impose its own travel requirements, and the rules may be subject to change at short notice. ...

TELUS International Philippines (TIP) recently completed the distribution of some 5,000 learning and hygiene kits to public elementary school children in five Iloilo-based schools in support of the Department of Education’s (DepEd’s) Brigada Eskwela “Bayanihan para sa Paaralan”.   Over 125 team members based at the company’s Iloilo delivery center on Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr. Avenue in Iloilo City volunteered to pack and distribute bags in the site’s first community outreach activity since opening in April 2021.   “We are overjoyed to come together as a community to help DepEd in its mission to provide better quality education to the Filipino youth. As part of our TELUS Days of Giving corporate social responsibility activities, our team members are able to make an impact in the communities where we operate and show them the TELUS International brand of care that runs through the fabric of our company’s culture,” said Jonabee Catura, TELUS Iloilo City Site Le...

Iloilo City bags two gold awards this week and further cements itself as the Biking Capital of the Philippines alongside its being the country's Most-Bike Friendly City. On November 25, Iloilo City was adjudged as a Gold Medal Winner for the Most Bike Friendly City, the top award during the 2021 Mobility Awards. And today, November 26, the c ity bagged another Gold, this time in the 2021 Bike Lane Awards in celebration of National Bike Day. “We are moving closer to our vision of making a more sustainable metropolis for all. Thank you for recognizing the beauty of the City of Love!” Mayor Jerry Treñas stressed. The 2021 Mobility Awards was organized by the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities, MNL Moves, The Climate Reality Project Philippines, 350.org Philippines, and the Pinay Bike Commuter Community. This is the first nationwide bout of the Mobility Awards, which was launched in 2020 for Metro Manila cities, with Pasig as its first Gold Award...

SM City Iloilo turns over additional assistance of P72,547.44 to Cag-an Upland and Lowland Development Association (CULDA), the people's organization incharge of taking care of the 12,000 trees planted by SM City Iloilo and its affiliates in Brgy Cag-an, Anilao, Iloilo back in 2018.  CULDA represented by Ms.Ronita Apurillo(2nd from left) received the amount in behalf of the organization during turnover at SM City Iloilo while the Mall was represented bu Asst Mall Managers Darrel John Defensor and Marilee Joan Biboso and PR Manager Troy Camarista. The amount will be used by CULDA for the continuing efforts of cultivating the fruit bearing trees planted at the 24-hectares land area.  The activity is part of SM’s Grow A Million Trees project in support of the National Greening Program of the national government. 

MREIT, Inc., the REIT company of township developer Megaworld, is finalizing the acquisition of four prime, grade A, PEZA-accredited properties by December of this year. Subject to final approvals, the company is looking to acquire Two Techno Place, Three Techno Place, and One Global Center, which are located in Iloilo Business Park; as well as World Finance Plaza in McKinley Hill in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig. The four prime office properties have a combined GLA of 55,700 square meters and have an average occupancy rate of 99%. Given that MREIT currently has no bank debt on its balance sheet, the acquisition will be funded through new borrowings in order to further enhance returns. ILOILO BUSINESS PARK Once completed, the infusion will increase MREIT’s portfolio gross leasable area (GLA) by 25% from 224,431 square meters to 280,131 square meters. Additionally, MREIT’s management will ensure that the acquisition will be closed under such terms that will result in enhanced value for its s...

Commuters outside Metro Manila can now experience the cashless bus system as Iloilo City runs its first set of cashless buses in a partnership with the Department of Transportation. The transportation agency turned over the city’s first set of cashless buses earlier this week and will ply the routes of Iloilo to Roxas City, as well as Kalibo and Caticlan in Aklan. Passengers riding the buses will need to pay using a beep card. DOTr secretary Art Tugade said that the cashless payment scheme would significantly contribute to a safer and more efficient public transport system in Iloilo City, and would further safeguard against COVID-19 transmission. Secretary Tugade also hoped that the public would benefit from the project to facilitate a safer and happier way of life, as well as boost recovery in business and the local economy not just in Iloilo City, but across the Visayas region. The government first implemented cashless payment schemes on buses plying EDSA in Metro Manila in September...

Iloilo’s most beautiful mall, Festive Walk Iloilo, is adorning its buildings and busy streets with handmade parols or traditional Filipino lanterns handcrafted by Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL) from the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) as it welcomes mall-goers this Holiday season. Over 750 hand-made parols of different sizes handcrafted by PDLs from BJMP Iloilo and BJMP Negros will be the main star of the mall’s Sparkling Parade of Holiday Lights, which will light up a stretch of Festive Walk Parade.  The colorful lanterns measuring from 2 feet to six feet in height are priced from Php250 to Php5,000, with the proceeds going directly to the PDLs in  BJMP Iloilo and BJMP Negros. In partnership with the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry - Iloilo and the Iloilo City government, Festive Walk Iloilo will light up the parol as a symbol of hope and positivity among the Ilonggo community.  "We at Festive Walk Iloilo believe in the ...

Legato Health Technologies Philippines (“ Legato ”), a Great Place to Work-Certified™ company, is pleased to announce the official opening and blessing of its office in SM Strata, Mandurriao, Iloilo City. This is Legato’s third office to rise in the Philippines, and second in Iloilo. This milestone positions Legato as one of the largest Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) companies in the Province of Iloilo.  Standing Front (L-R): Tence Chin (Iloilo Site Director), Ramon Dela Cruz JR (Senior Human Resources Business Partner) Back (L-R) Boiser Raquel (Security and Safety Manager) and Rev. Fr. Dennis Galon "I am a passionate believer of countryside development and I see great potential in Iloilo City, a location that puts you in the center of sustained economic growth,”  says Nora Terrado, Country Head of Philippines.  “We are grateful to the local government of Iloilo City and Province of Iloilo, and the Philippine Economic Zone Authority for their invaluable support....

Leading developer in VisMin Cebu Landmasters, Inc. (CLI) started construction of a P1.5 billion premier residential tower in Iloilo City prodded by strong economic prospects in the region. Terranza Residences is a partnership with International Builders Corporation (IBC) under joint venture vehicle GGTT Realty. Expected to be completed in 2025, the project is already 75% sold and is projected to earn revenues of P2.4 billion. Leading developer in Vismin Cebu Landmasters, Inc. (CLI) continues to expand its foothold in key cities in VisMin and broke ground today on the Php 1.4 billion Terranza Residences in Iloilo City, its second project in Panay and the first in partnership with International Builders Corporation (IBC) under joint venture GGTT Realty. The photo above is an architect’s perspective of the 33-storey tower. CLI has been named developer and manager of the premier residential development, while IBC will build and manage the retail complex to complement the residen...