Largest UAE-Based Filipino Newspaper Names DirectRemit-to-BDO Accounts "Most Innovative Service"

Wazzup Pilipinas!

(Left) Emirates NBD Remittances and Foreign Exchange VP & Head Faisal Saeed and BDO Remittance Business Development, Sales & Marketing AVP & Head for UAE Edwin Punzalan receive "The Most Innovative Service of the Year" Award at the 2018 The Filipino Times Awards, UAE.

The Filipino Times (TFT), dubbed as the largest and most trusted Filipino newspaper in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has named DirectRemit to BDO accounts as "The Most Innovative Service of the Year" in its annual Awards Night held recently at the JW Marriott Marquis Hotel, Dubai.

TFT Awards aims to recognize top brands and companies that are close to the hearts of Filipinos in the UAE, which are nominated for their world-class excellence in terms of service and product quality.

DirectRemit is an exclusive service offered by Emirates NBD, BDO Remit’s largest remittance bank partner in the UAE, wherein Emirates NBD account holders may remit online straight from their accounts to BDO Kabayan Savings and other BDO accounts in just 60 seconds, for free. 

DirectRemit to BDO, launched by Emirates NBD and BDO Remit after forging their partnership in 2014, is one of the 11 company awardees from over 500 brands and companies nominated for product and service excellence for this year.

BDO also won the “Preferred Remittance Payout Center of the Year” at the 2017 TFT Awards.

DOE Seeks More Power Investments in Mindanao

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INVESTMENT DIALOGUE: Participants of the Department of Energy's (DOE) investment forum aired their questions about the regulatory processes, policies, financing and benefits, among other concerns about energy projects in Mindanao. The open forum panel was composed of DOE USec. Felix William Fuentebella, DOE Asec. Redentor Delola, Mindanao Development Authority ASec. Romeo M. Montenegro, Philippine Electricity Market Corporation's  Clares Loren C. Jalocon, National Grid Corporation of the Philippines' Fernando S. Javier, Department of Environment and Natural Resources Director Metodio U. Turbella, Banco De Oro's Joseph Rhoderick B. Lledo and Alsons Energy Development Corporation's Joseph C. Nocos.  Spearheaded by the DOE-Investment Promotion Office, the Mindanao Energy Investment Forum was held in Davao City on Thursday (11 October) to present business opportunities and parameters in dealing with national and local government regarding the industry.

In line with the Department of Energy’s (DOE) goal to promote robust energy development in Mindanao, its Investment Promotion Office conducted the Mindanao Energy Investment Forum (MEIF) on 11 October at the Grand Regal Hotel in Davao City.

The forum provided stakeholders with updates on energy investment opportunities in the region and facilitated discussions on industry best practices.

“A reliable, sufficient and affordable power supply all throughout the country is achieved through the formulation of more cohesive and responsive energy plans and programs. Vital to this endeavor is the partnership with our energy companies who have committed to put up their power plants on time and ensure continuous operation,” Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi said in his keynote address, which was delivered by Undersecretary Felix William B. Fuentebella.

Sec. Cusi also emphasized the importance of bringing in more investors into Mindanao given its projected additional capacity requirement of 10,200 megawatts by 2040.

Current projects and initiatives already in the pipeline for the region include the interconnection of the Visayas-Mindanao grids and the implementation of the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market.

The conference also tackled new investment policies, such as Executive Order 30 and the Ease of Doing Business Law, which streamlined regulatory procedures to ensure the faster realization of energy projects.

Anchored on the agency’s E-Power Mo campaign, the MEIF aims to strengthen the E-Secure principle on ensuring quality, reliable, resilient, and affordable energy services across the country. Engaging stakeholders in active dialogue would pave the way for proactive and harmonized planning, as well as proper energy project development operations.

“We all have a significant role to play in the energy industry – investors or energy developers, national and local government agencies, financing facilities including us - the consumers, in order for us to move forward as a one nation," Sec. Cusi concluded.

PHLPost Releases Christmas Mail Schedule

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To avoid the influx of mails and parcels this Christmas season, the Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) released the dates by which Express Mail Service (EMS) items, air and surface mails/parcels should be posted to reach the countries of destination.

Postmaster General Joel L. Otarra advises the public especially the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) to send their mails and parcels before the prescribed dates to guarantee the arrival of their items in time for the holiday season.

As a guide to senders, PHLPost issued a Christmas mail schedule for its Domestic and International Express, Registered and Ordinary Mails, and parcels where clients should send not later than the specified date to ensure that mails and parcels will reach its destination before Christmas day (December 25) and New Year (January 1).

Holiday-related Domestic Express mails (DEMS) should be sent not later than December 12 (Wednesday), and December 10 (Monday) for International Express Mails (IEMS). Domestic Registered Mails should be posted before December 3 (Monday), while International Registered Mails not later than November 26 (Monday).

Meanwhile, Domestic Ordinary Mails should be sent on or before December 5 (Wednesday), International Ordinary (Air) mails not later than December 3 (Monday) and for International surface (Sea) mails not later than October 17 (Wednesday).

 The deadline for Domestic Parcels is set on December 3 (Monday), November 28 (Wednesday) for International Air Parcels, and International ordinary surface (Sea) parcels not later than October 15 (Monday).

Post Offices all over the country are open Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, except holidays.