MERALCO PARTNERS WITH MMDA TO PROMOTE ROAD SAFETY

As part of its proactive campaign to contribute to ensuring public safety, Manuel V. Pangilinan-led Manila Electric Company (Meralco) has teamed up with the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to promote road safety among the power distributor’s employees through the conduct of Basic Motorcycle Riding courses.

Seen in the photo (from L-R) are MMDA Traffic Education Division Development Management Officer V Antonio B. Pagulayan Jr., Meralco National Government Sector Relationship Manager Gina G. Magno, MMDA Undersecretary Frisco S. San Juan, Meralco Vice President and Head of Facilities and Safety Management Jerry B. Lao, Meralco National Government Sector Head Rene Y. Sua, and Meralco Head of Corporate Occupational Safety and Environment Management Jose Rafael C. Atienza.

The two-day Basic Motorcycle Riding Course by MMDA is offered for free and open to the public.
The program availed by Meralco aims to provide the necessary knowledge and skills related to safe
motorcycle riding and to reduce the number of employee incidents related to motorcycles.

“Road safety is a shared responsibility. This initiative in partnership with the MMDA will equip our
employees with the proper training on motorcycle riding and help us enhance their safety as well as
the members of the riding community that we share the roads with," said Lao.

Around 150 Meralco personnel signed up for the program, the first leg of which was conducted last
March 12 and 13 at the MMDA Motorcycle Riding Academy in Pasig City. MMDA will facilitate the
same training in Meralco’s sector offices in Sta. Rosa City, Laguna on March 19 and 20, and in
Valenzuela City on March 26 and 27.

Vermosa Estate is Future-Ready

It’s all systems go for the Vermosa in Imus and Dasmarinas, Cavite as more amenities and major support systems for its projected business and residential community go up in succession this year.

The Manila Electric Company (Meralco) is nearing completion of its 115 kV-34.5kV substation within the 752-hectare mixed use development along Daang Hari Road. The fully dedicated substation will house three transformer banks with a combined capacity of 249 megavolt amperes (MVA) to accommodate new and additional load applications in the area. Current and future Vermosa residents and business owners are thus assured of ready and reliable power from Day 1.

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has received lot parcel in Vermosa from Ayala Land Inc. on which to build its second headquarters in the province of Cavite. The Vermosa Red Cross headquarters will house the first-ever blood center in Cavite that can do complete collection, testing, processing and dispensing. It will ensure the ready availability of safe blood to Caviteños and nearby residents.

"The new office will provide ample space for the department services offices of Blood, Disaster Management, Safety, Volunteer, Red Cross Youth, Health, and Welfare Services. Additionally, it will feature a training center and conference facility that will support the organization's humanitarian efforts in the region," PRC said.

“Vermosa is much more ready for emergency response because it has a 24/7 response team,” said Moses Aragones, Vermosa Project Development Manager. Other government institutions that are part of the Vermosa master plan include a Philippine National Police (PNP) and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) station office.

More community support features will go up in 2024. The community parish, the Church of St. Sebastian, will ground break in 2024, while the awaited Sports Play Park opens in the second quarter of 2024. Retail outlets, the new Ayala Mall Vermosa and a Landers Superstore will provide consumer perks to residents and guests. A transport terminal is part of the community support system.

By year end of 2023, a new residential district will be launched in the northern part of the estates, followed by a logistics facility in 2024. Vermosa is further expanding its commercial offerings with its latest phase of lots in Campus Town, opening up opportunities for locators to invest in property with fast-moving value appreciation.

“Imus City is one of the fastest growing cities in the province of Cavite in terms of population and industrialization. It has been recognized as one of the Most Competitive Cities in the Philippines and the Most Economically Dynamic component city in CALABARZON.”, said Vermosa Estate Head Cris Zuluaga.

“Vermosa is the gateway to all that dynamism in this area of Cavite and is itself the growth center in this part of the south. Easily accessible from Manila, Makati, Alabang and Tagaytay through various roadways and approaches such as SLEX via MCX, Cavitex, CALAX and the upcoming Cavite-Batangas Bypass Road, it opens its arms to residents, locators and visitors to experience suburban charm, first class amenities, robust business opportunities, and state-of-the-art facilities to pursue wellness and an active lifestyle,” she added.

To know more about Vermosa, visit vermosa.ph. 

Shopee Offers a More Seamless Way for Users to Pay Electricity Bills Through ShopeePay

Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, partners with three new electricity merchants to offer Filipinos a more convenient way to pay their electricity bills. Users can now pay their postpaid bills for Meralco, Visayan Electric Company, and Davao Light and Power Company via ShopeePay.

Shopee encourages the shift towards a cashless society by offering users greater convenience and cost savings when they pay their bills via ShopeePay. From December 1 to 31, new bill payers can enjoy up to 200 coins cashback with a minimum spend of ₱800. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to activate ShopeePay:

Shoppers can pay their postpaid bills for mobile, landline, internet, water, TV cable, and electricity through ShopeePay and get the best bill payment deals. Follow these simple steps:

For more information about the best bills payment deals, check out https://shopee.ph/m/bills-payment


About Shopee

Shopee is the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan. It was launched in 7 markets in 2015 to connect consumers, sellers, and businesses in the region. Shopee offers an easy, secure, and engaging experience that is enjoyed by millions of people daily. It offers a wide product assortment, supported by integrated payments and logistics, as well as popular entertainment features tailored for each market. Shopee is also a key contributor to the region’s digital economy with a firm commitment to helping brands and entrepreneurs succeed in e-commerce.

Shopee is a part of Sea Limited (NYSE:SE), a leading global consumer internet company. In addition to Shopee, Sea’s other core businesses include its digital entertainment arm, Garena, and digital financial services arm, SeaMoney. Sea’s mission is to better the lives of consumers and small businesses with technology.

About ShopeePay

ShopeePay is an integrated mobile wallet that offers users easy access to digital payment services. Launched in the Philippines in 2019, ShopeePay enables a seamless shopping experience by allowing users to make online payments on Shopee, top-up their wallets, and transfer and withdraw funds.

ShopeePay makes it easier to shop and do business. It provides users with a convenient, secure, and rewarding payment option; it empowers businesses and helps them capture new opportunities.

ShopeePay is part of SeaMoney, the digital financial services arm of Sea Group. A leading digital payments and financial services provider in Southeast Asia, SeaMoney’s mission is to better the lives of individuals and businesses in the region with financial services through technology.

Project Ugnayan Beneficiaries Reach Over 7.6 Million People in Greater Metro Manila Poor Communities

Project Ugnayan, the fund-raising initiative led by top business groups in cooperation with the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF), reached over 7.6 million people in the vulnerable communities of Greater Metro Manila.

“As we close, we wish to reiterate our wholehearted thanks to all our generous Donors for making this project possible. By coming together in a Bayanihan spirit so quickly, we were able to create a program of this scale and importance. This unprecedented assembly of so many of the country’s corporations and business families coming to the assistance of the most vulnerable in our society illustrates and speaks of the heart and generosity of the business community.

Our special thanks go to the 10 Bishops of the Dioceses in Metro Manila, Rizal, Bulacan, Cavite, and Laguna, as well as to Caritas Manila under the leadership of Father Anton Pascual, and the network of Parish Priests, Volunteers, and Barangay Captains who distributed the gift certificates door-todoor in the lowest-income communities of Greater Metro Manila. We appreciate the swiftness and efficiency of their work under very difficult conditions and over very long hours each day,” said Project Ugnayan Lead, Fernando Zobel de Ayala.

"We are grateful for this opportunity to be part of this business community effort to help people in a time of crisis. This is a movement we should nurture as we prepare to let people return to work and to re-start our economy in the post-quarantine period.” said PDRF Co-Chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala.

“The unity in diversity demonstrated by Project Ugnayan reveals the private sector’s serious commitment to help our country recover from the lost economic momentum because of the pandemic. We are proud to be part of this extraordinary collaboration of industries which will prove most valuable in getting the economy back on track,” PDRF Co-Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan said.

According to Father Anton CT Pascual, Executive Director of Caritas Manila, the initiative earned praises from Archdiocese of Manila Apostolic Administrator Bishop Broderick Pabillo, San Pablo Bishop Buenaventura Famadico and other Prelates of the Suffragan Dioceses of Manila. The Prelates thanked the businessmen and private organization who collectively help to make Project Ugnayan possible.

“The true spirit of Easter is about hope and has special significance in these difficult times. We thank all the generous benefactors of Project Ugnayan for this opportunity to fulfill a great mission of compassion for our vulnerable brothers and sisters. Your gifts have warmed their hearts and uplifted their spirits,” Father Pascual said.

Caritas Manila’s Project Damayan, the project’s main distributor of emergency cash through P1,000
supermarket gift certificates has so far reached 1,070,854 families or 5,354,270 people. It is on
target to deliver gift certificates to 1,366,495 families or 6,832,475 people by Wednesday, April 15
(the original end-date of the Enhanced Community Quarantine).

ABS-CBN’s Pantawid ng Pagibig has reached 238,854 families or 1,194,270 people through food
packs delivered through Local Government Units. They will reach a total of 631,921 families or
3,151,605 people by the end of their program.

ADB and the Government’s Bayan, Bayanihan has delivered food packages to 13,370 families or 66,850 people through the Philippine Army and DSWD. ADB has provided funding to reach 80,000 families or a total of 400,000 people.

Jollibee’s FoodAID program delivers ready-to-cook chicken to low-income families from its commissary through a network composed of Don Bosco, Caritas Manila, and the Samahan ng Nagkakaisang Pamilya ng Pantawid (SNPP). So far, they have delivered to 199,491 families or 977,455 people. They are targeting to reach 500,000 families or 2,500,000 people by end-April.

“In sum, Project Ugnayan and its Partners have reached 1,522,569 families or 7,612,845 people in just over three weeks. This number will rise as all deliveries have already been programmed by the partners,” said Fernando Zobel de Ayala.

The donors of Project Ugnayan are (in alphabetical order): Aboitiz Group, ABSCBN/First Gen, Alaska Milk Corporation, Alliance Global Group & Megaworld, AY Foundation & RCBC, Ayala Corporation. Bench/Suyen Corp, Bonifacio West Devt Corp. Carmelray Group, Cathay Land, Inc, Cebuana Lhullier, Century Pacific, Coca Cola Philippines, Concepcion Industrial, Consuelo "Chito" Madrigal Foundation, Inc., Daiichi Properties, DMCI Group of Companies, Dowell Container and Packaging Corporation, Far Eastern University, First Life Financial Company, Focus Global, Inc., Global Food Group, Glorious Commercial Exports, Inc., Gokongwei Group of Companies/Robinsons Retail Holdings, ICTSI, JAKA Group 1, Jollibee, J.P. Morgan, Kawit Prime Holdings, Inc., Leonio Group, Mercury Drug Corporation, Metrobank, Mumuso Group, National Grid Corp of the Philippines, New World Hotel, Nutri-Asia, Oishi/Liwayway Marketing Group, One Meralco Foundation, Penshoppe, People R People, PepsiCo/PepsiCo Foundation, Philippine Racing Club, Inc, PLDT/Metro Pacific Investments Corporation, Puregold, Ramon S. Ang & Family, RRK/Lee Jeans, Shang Properties Inc, SM/BDO, Sta. Elena Construction, Sugar Junction Inc.. Sunlife of Canada, Super Prime Holdings, Inc, Supreme Steel Pipe Corp, The Alpha Suites Inc., Unilab, and Wilcon Depot.

Hassle-Free Bills Payment with Bayad Center

As technology and innovations continue to make our lives easier, we become more aware of different
life-hacks – things that help make our daily activities less complicated, giving us time to do more
important things like working, jogging, writing and being more productive.
Paying multiple bills, as you will agree, continues to be a daunting task for us adults as we have to
transfer from one place to another, switch from one website to another, just to beat the clock so to
speak. Do you know that Bayad Center has transformed itself to a multi-channel facility to help us in
whichever situation we’re in? Talk about ultimate convenience.
Over-The-Counter

We know this -- BAYAD CENTER has over 5,000 payment locations nationwide, accepting more than 200 types of bills in its roster. Take for instance our area in Caloocan, we see a lot of Bayad Center branches carrying that “bahay-kubo” icon and the Meralco seal on their signages. These branches are strategically located in commercial centers and other convergence areas to cater to your payment needs, as well as other services like Prepaid Loading, Airline Ticketing, and Remittance Payout.

If you’re the one who prefers paying their bills while doing shopping or groceries, Bayad Center powers the bills payment facility of Robinsons Malls & Supermarkets, Savemore, Waltermart, Alfamart, Isetann, Landmark, Sta. Lucia Mall, San Roque Supermarkets, and the Gaisano Malls, so you get the same seal of service and integrity in your payments.

Aside from these establishments, Bayad Center also runs the payment system of LBC, Philpost, 2Go,
Cebuana Lhuillier, M. Lhuillier, Tambunting, Villarica, BHF Pawnshop, CVM Pawnshop, Raquel Pawnshop,  Palawan Pawnshop, as well as major Western union agents like USSC, eBiz, Pera Hub, and DA5. There’s  Luzon Development Bank and Citystate Savings Bank as well.
Overseas Over-The-Counter, Mobile Application & Web-based Facility Understanding the needs of our Kababayans overseas, Bayad Center has partnered with Saudi Call, for  those who are in Saudi Arabia & Ventaja which branches are present worldwide. With these partnerships OFW’s process of sending money to pay for the family’s bills are easily shortened. If you are an OFW who prefers a mobile application, there is - miLine which caters if you are in the countries of Singapore, Japan, Honkong & UAE. You can simply download the app for an easy way of paying bills back home.  miLine’s bills payment system is powered by Bayad Center. On the other hand, Partnership with
PLDT Global allows overseas Filipinos to conveniently manage their payables back home through an easy to use web- based payment facility - simply log on to www.smartpinoystore.com. Through the Bayad Center International Bills Pay, overseas workers can already settle their household bills over-the-counter through these accredited partners of Bayad Center in the different countries abroad.
Automated Payment Machine ATM’s? Well Bayad Center now has APM’s or Automated Payment Machines (APM). Bayad Center’s Touchpay Machines are self-service kiosks whose primary use is to help reduce payors’ waiting time in different payment convergence zones. These APM’s are strategically installed in buildings such as the biller’s business offices, government offices, BPOs, factories, malls, and convenience stores nationwide.

Aside from Bills Payment, the TOUCHPAY MACHINE also offers other services namely, Prepaid Loading, Top-up, E-money, and many more. It’s an easy-to-use machine operating 24/7 so you can pay bills whenever your schedule permits.

Retail Machine Want to pay your bills but don’t have enough time to go to commercial areas? Bayad Center’s Retail  Machine is the answer to your problem. The Retail Machines can be installed in Small & Medium Enterprises such as your ever reliable sari-sari stores, neighborhood pet shops & carwash centers, cooperative offices and even PUV terminals, offering services such as bills payment, remittance & E-Loading.

Soon customers can even pay through their credit card, debit card, or Beep card.
Bayad Center Online If you’re one of those who prefer doing everything online, Bayad Center Online can cater your payment needs thru http://www.bayadcenteronline.com/. Paying bills is now made easier at the comfort of your home. And since this is a web-based facility, you can also view and do the transactions on your mobile phone wherever, whenever.

With Bayad Center, every Filipino, wherever they may be, can always be assured of #TatakSigurado! This is a testament of millions of Filipinos using the service. Now with a multi-channel facility, paying bills has never been easier with Bayad Center.

For more information about Bayad Center, visit http://www.bayadcenter.com. Follow them on
Facebook: @BayadCenterOfficial

*This Is Press Release

Get a Head Start with the Meralco Biz PartnersandPower Up Forums

Establishing a new business venture or expanding an existing one has its fair share of considerations and challenges. With inherent risks at every stage, finding the best business solutions can play a key role in accelerating the growth and success of any business endeavor.

With electricity as a key expense in any business enterprise, Meralco has created the Biz Partners Group, a special segment dedicated to assist start-up companies or existing ones expanding their businesses, via a whole menu of services that provides smart, tailor-fit solutions in managing electricity requirements. This is part of Meralco’s efforts to help entrepreneurs leverage energy efficiency and maximize profits.

Whether you’re engaged in small-scale manufacturing, boutique hotels, restaurants, farming or any other type of industry where the management of electricity cost is vital, Meralco Biz Partnerscan provide you free business consultancy and help you discover energy solutions, right size your contract, understand your bill, and get to know our Accredited Meralco Contractors (AMCs). You can even enjoy special rates to maximize profits further.

Discover energy solutions and turn electricity costs into profits with Meralco Biz Partners’ Power Ideas that can boost your business with the use of innovative technology, thus helping you manage your electricity consumption by switching to energy-efficient alternatives, and adapting green energy solutions.

Meralco Biz Partners can help you right size your contract to ensure that your energy supply is sufficient and appropriate, depending on your usage. How is this done? Businesses submit to Meralco Biz Partners a list of all the equipment and machinery installed in their respective facilities. From here, 80% of the load as your contracted capacity is calculated. This then constitutes your Guaranteed Minimum Billing Demand (GMBD), the fixed monthly cost allocated for your business. Getting the right contract size thus allows businesses to get the best value from the service they are paying for, another smart way to manage energy costs.

Generate more savings and turn in improved revenues with lower electricity rates when you enroll in Meralco’s Peak/Off-Peak Program.  This lets businesses leverage electricity generation charges that are cheaper in selected hours and days in a week.  Off peak hours are from 9pm to 8am every Monday to Saturday; as well as 12 midnight to 6pm, and 8pm to 12 midnight every Sunday. Meralco Biz Partners can help you plan how to shift specific operations, such as those that involve the use of power-intensive equipment, to off-peak hours without incurring labor-related costs. 

Meralco Biz Partners will also give businesses access to its list of Accredited Meralco Contractors (AMCs) who have received technical and safety training from Meralco. Whether you are looking for expert energy service providers or contractors, having a trusted, reliable partner will help assure good quality service, as well as safe, hassle-free and timely energization.

To bring the benefits of Meralco Biz Partners to more entrepreneurs, Meralco has been holding a series of Power Up Forums, a succession of highly informative presentations to engage various industries, with the  goal of educating and empowering them on energy best practices and solutions to maximize their efficiency, energy consumption and profits.

This year, the first of the Power Up Forums will be held in time for the Chinese New Year on February 4, from 10 AM to 2 PM at Uno Seafood Restaurant in Greenhills, which will no doubt give companies an auspicious start in this year of the Monkey.

“Providing value and helping our customers and partners have always been our mission at Meralco,” shares Alfredo Panlilio, Meralco Senior Vice-President and Head, Customer Retail Services & Corporate Communications. “With the introduction of Meralco Biz Partners, and the Power Up Forum series, we aim to share our knowledge and expertise to truly give our partners the power to effectively and efficiently build and grow their businesses.”

    Starting and growing your own business is an undertaking filled with risks and challenges. But by having the right partner by your side, one with the expertise such as  Meralco Biz Partners, you can have access to safe and reliable solutions that will guide you along the right path towards success.

Learn how to make your business more efficient and profitable. To find out more about Meralco Biz Partners and how to join the Power Up Forum, call (02) 16210 or visit www.meralco.com.ph/biz.

“Kaya anu man ang negosyo, may partner kasapagtupadngpangarapmo”.

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*This is Press Release