Angara, Go Negosyo urge learners to hone entrepreneurial skills

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As part of the agency’s ongoing efforts to build a future-ready workforce, Education Secretary Sonny Angara encouraged learners to utilize the lessons of industry leaders and professionals and translate them into success during Go Negosyo’s Youthpreneur in Rizal High School.

“I hope you realize what a big opportunity this is for you, dear students, dahil not all of you can have the opportunity to interact personally with very successful businessmen,” Sec. Angara said.

Go Negosyo’s Youthpreneur (Mentoring Future Entrepreneurs) is a joint project with the Department of Education (DepEd) designed to promote an entrepreneurial mindset among Filipino learners and empower them with opportunities to develop skills through mentorship.

“Ang ginagawa ng Go Negosyo hindi lamang ‘yung tutoring pero ‘yung ecosystem ng ating ekonomiya, making it more conducive for entrepreneurs to thrive,” Sec. Angara said.

“It will be part of the job immersion ng ating mga students kasi isa sa instruction sa atin ni Pangulong Marcos eh mas maging job-ready ‘yung ating graduates, kahit senior high school palang,” he added.

The convergence included an inspirational talk with Mr. George Royeca, CEO of Angkas, and a panel discussion on how to establish a brand’s online presence with Mr. Ali Sangalang, co-founder and creative director of Linya-Linya; Miss Jazzmine Sanchez, content creator; Miss Anne Gaw, co-founder and sales & marketing head of Kangkong King; and Miss Chal Lontoc-Del Rosario, CEO of Jeron Travel.

Meanwhile, Mr. Joey Concepcion, founder of Go Negosyo, said the mentorship program aims to inspire the youth to act and pursue their dreams.

“I always tell people, look for a job, work there, make your mistakes. When you’re clear of what you want to be and start a business, then that’s the time you try to become an entrepreneur,” he said.

SSS releases over P32B 13th month and December pensions to 3.6M pensioners

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The Social Security System (SSS) today said that it has released the 13th month and December pensions worth P32.19 billion to over 3.6 million pensioners which was given as early as November 29.

SSS Officer-in-Charge Voltaire P. Agas said that SSS pushed for the early crediting of the 13th month and December 2024 pensions as a pre-Christmas gift to SSS and Employees’ Compensation (EC) pensioners.

“We are also aware of the plight of our pensioners who were not spared by the recent tropical cyclones that lashed the country in less than a month. The early crediting of these pensions can help address some of their financial needs as they try to rebuild their lives after a series of calamities struck the country,” Agas said.

Agas explained that the first batch of the 13th month and December pensions were distributed to 2.09 million pensioners worth P17.9 billion on November 29, covering pensioners with dates of contingency within the first to the 15th day of the month.

Meanwhile, he said that the second batch was released on December 4 which benefitted 1.52 million pensioners amounting to P14.3 billion. These pensioners have dates of contingency within the 16th up to the last day of the month.

Likewise, Agas said the SSS has released around P41.6 million worth of 13th month and December pensions to more than 6,000 pensioners through non-PESONet participating banks and checks.

“Pensioners in non-PESONet participating banks got their pensions on December 4, meanwhile we have asked the Philippine Postal Corporation to expedite the delivery of the checks of our pensioners in their home address,” Agas noted.

He added that pensioners who availed of the advance 18-month pensions for their initial benefit received their 13th month pensions on December 4.


A tradition since 1988

Since December 1988, SSS has been granting the 13th month pension to SSS and EC pensioners, which is equivalent to their respective monthly pensions. The giving of the 13th month pension has been an annual tradition for the last 36 years to enhance pensioners’ benefits and as a way of recognizing the latter’s contributions to the country during their productive years.

Agas explained that retirement and survivor pensioners get a 13th month pension equivalent to their regular monthly pensions, while total disability pensioners receive a 13th month pension equal to their monthly pensions without the medical allowance.

“Member’s children receiving dependent’s pensions are also entitled to the 13th month pension and partial disability pensioners can receive it if they have a pension duration of at least 12 months,” he added.


He concluded that every 13th month pension provided to SSS pensioners shows how the pension fund gives importance to its pensioners.

PHINMA Education Acquires St. Jude College Dasmariñas Cavite

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Leading private higher education group PHINMA Education Holdings, Inc. (‘PHINMA Education’) announced its purchase of St. Jude College (SJC) Dasmariñas Cavite in a P432-million agreement.

The completion of the deal effective Friday brings PHINMA Education’s ownership of the school to 94.62%. This also marks the company’s entry into the Cavite market and adds 3,000 students to its network--the largest in Southeast Asia’s private higher education sector in terms of enrollment. SJC Dasmariñas Cavite is PHINMA Education’s tenth school in the Philippines and twelfth in its regional network.

“SJC Dasmariñas Cavite continues our thrust to make education as accessible as possible to underserved youth. Our newest school expands PHINMA Education’s presence in Southern Luzon and nearby regions,” said Happy A. Tan, PHINMA Education Country Chief-Philippines.

This is PHINMA Education’s first school acquisition since the closing of leading private equity firm KKR’s investment in the company.

“We will continue growing our network as we find more ways to reach learners that need education the most. The more students we can serve, the more individuals and families we will uplift through education,” said Dr. Chito B. Salazar, PHINMA Education President and CEO.