2GO Supports Sea Turtle Conservation through Hatchling Release in Cavite

Naic, Cavite, 26 March 2026 — 2GO, the Philippines’ leading shipping and logistics solutions provider, continues to strengthen its commitment to environmental stewardship by supporting a sea turtle hatchling release activity in Naic, Cavite.

 

The initiative, organized with the local conservation group Samahan ng Labac Pawikan Patrollers, highlights the importance of protecting marine biodiversity and supporting community-led conservation efforts.

 

As part of its sustainability efforts, 2GO provided operational support to the organization through the donation of reinforced egg hatchery nets, a printer, and an office productivity software subscription. These resources help strengthen the group’s day-to-day monitoring, documentation, and protection of sea turtle nesting sites along the coast.

 

Mercy Grace Dionisio, AVP for Sustainability Compliance at 2GO Group, Inc., shared, “As a shipping company moving goods across the Philippines, we understand that our operations come with an environmental footprint. That is why we continue to find ways to operate more sustainably and take part in conservation efforts that protect marine life and biodiversity on which many communities rely. Through these efforts, we aim to safeguard these ecosystems as part of our service to the communities we serve and help preserve them for future generations.”

 

The activity culminated in the release of 70 sea turtle hatchlings into their natural habitat, a promising outcome that reflects the continued conservation efforts in the area. Each successful hatchling release helps strengthen sea turtle populations and contributes to the protection of marine biodiversity.

 

Beyond the hatchling release, the event also created opportunities for community engagement. Employees and volunteers participated in coastal clean-up efforts to help maintain a safe and healthy shoreline for marine life. The activity also included the formal turnover of the donated materials to support the patrollers’ ongoing conservation work.

 

Through partnerships with grassroots organizations such as the Samahan ng Labac Pawikan Patrollers, 2GO reinforces its role not only as a logistics solutions provider but also as a partner in initiatives that protect the environment and support local communities.

 

In recent years, 2GO has continued to strengthen its environmental sustainability efforts across its operations. The company has introduced packaging solutions that are almost entirely recyclable, reusable, and biodegradable, helping reduce waste across its logistics network. It has also deployed 48 electric forklifts in its warehouse operations and utilizes renewable energy in several of its logistics hubs. More recently, 2GO added two electric trucks to support its forwarding operations.

 

To learn more about 2GO’s sustainability efforts, visit 2go.com.ph.

2GO Opens New NAIA Road Store Ahead of the Holiday Travel and Shipping Rush

MANILA, Philippines, 22 October 2025 – 2GO, the Philippines’ leading logistics and travel solutions provider, has opened a new store along NAIA Road to serve travelers, senders, and nearby businesses with greater convenience.

 

Located at the CAEMC Commercial Building near Park and Fly, the 2GO NAIA Road Store offers a full range of retail logistics services, including parcel and document express delivery, extra baggage and cargo shipping within the Philippines or abroad, as well as 2GO Travel booking and ticket purchases.

 

“We’re thrilled to bring 2GO closer to our customers who are always on the go,” said Blessie Cruz, Vice President and Business Unit Head for 2GO Retail. “This new location makes it easier for travelers and residents to access our shipping and travel services right before heading to the airport.”

 

To mark the opening, 2GO is offering 10% off on all domestic and international shipments until October 31, 2025.

 

As the holiday season approaches, 2GO has expanded its store network and optimized its air, land, and sea logistics to meet the expected surge in travel and delivery demand.

 

“Every Christmas season, our goal is to keep families connected and businesses moving,” added Cruz. “Whether you’re sending gifts, shipping goods, or traveling to your favorite destinations like the newly-launched Manila-Siargao weekly services, 2GO is ready to deliver care and convenience.”

 

Customers can visit the new store by searching CAEMC Commercial Bldg., NAIA Road (near Park and Fly) on navigation apps.

 

For updates and promotions, follow facebook.com/2GOExpressInc.

A Ferry Unforgettable Vloggers Event with FastCat

FastCat hosted a FerryUnforgettable Vloggers event last September 13, 2023 that brought together some of the influential and talented content creators in the industry. In line with this,

FastCat aims to encourage not just the vloggers, but also the riding public to experience riding a RORO. FastCat is looking forward to serving the group through its state-of-the-art vessels that connect the major islands of the country.

The group of vloggers had a day trip to Mindoro and a chance to visit the Infinity Farm, Oriental Mindoro Heritage Museum, Sto. Nino Cathedral and Banana Chips Factory. The vloggers enthusiastically documented their journey, showcasing the beauty of Mindoro and highlighting the convenience and comfort of traveling with FastCat.

Through FastCat, you can explore the Philippines with your family, friends and co-workers and experience a FerrySafe, Ferry Fast, and Ferry Convenient travel.

Ride FastCat and share your experience with us!

DTI - Sydney Partners with Expand Franchising and other Organizations to Promote Franchising in Australia

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) in Sydney, Australia, partnered with Expand Franchising and other organizations in organizing franchising seminars and small group business consultations to promote franchising in Australia.

The first franchising seminar was conducted on February 19, 2019 in Campbeltown in partnership with Narra Co-operative, Inc., a membership co-op comprised of Filipino-Australians involved in community events.

On February 20, 2019, PTIC-Sydney hosted a coffee talk on franchising and a series of small group business consultations with Expand Franchising.

A seminar on “Franchising Trends and Opportunities” was likewise hosted by the Australia Philippines Business Council (APBC) on February 21, 2019.

Ms. Alma Argayoso, the Philippine Consul Commercial to Australia said the franchising seminars and business consultations are initiatives under the Trabaho, Negosyo, Kabuhyan (TNK) program that the DTI overseas office in Sydney supports.  

The TNK is a project of the DTI in partnership with other government agencies, private sector, academe and civil society organizations, to promote entrepreneurship and generate employment.

“We aim to help our Kababayans or their families back home invest in viable economic activities in the Philippines by providing them with information and resources to help them succeed as entrepreneurs”, Argayoso said.

“Franchising is one of the business opportunities that we promote because it’s an important tool for economic development that creates thousands of enterprises and generates millions of jobs,” Argayoso added.

Mr. Ignacio Gimenez of Expand Franchising brought to Australia its partner in the Philippines, RK Franchise Consultancy,Inc., represented by its founder, Mr. Rudolf Kotik. Mr. Kotik has over 40 years in the franchising business and developed over 800 brands in the Philippines and abroad.

Mr. Kotik presented franchising trends and opportunities and the benefits, procedures and steps to becoming a franchisee or a franchisor for those who would like to scale up and open their business for franchising.

“We believe owning a franchise is a good investment. It has less risk than an independent start-up with an average ROI of two years and the opportunity to grow the business more rapidly than an independent business,” Kotik said.

“It’s the biggest and most successful business system in the world and the Philippines is in the top ten with the most number of franchise units globally. Among the latest trends are innovative food and beverage outlets, self-service laundromats, education and tutorial services, specialized beauty services, and animal care services,” Kotik added.

While most of the interested parties were overseas or former Filipinos, looking for a franchise to set-up in the Philippines or bring to Australia, a number of foreigners also expressed interest in the co-ownership arrangements where several investors can buy 80% share in the franchise while 20% remains with the franchisor. The franchisor will run the business and provide monthly financial reports and quarterly dividends. This is a win-win arrangement where a franchisor uses OPM or Other People’s Money to grow the business, while a franchisee invests in a business without having to worry about the day-to-day operations.

 

In photo: Mr. Rudolf Kotik presents franchising trends and opportunities to APBC

      members and guests.

In photo: PTIC-Sydney hosts a coffee talk on franchising at the Descano Café.

PH, Malaysia to pursue cooperation on Halal, barter trade, and strengthening BIMP-EAGA

MAKATI – Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez pushed for greater bilateral cooperation on the area of barter trade between the Philippines (PH) and Malaysia (MY) during his dialogue with Minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Ignatius Darell Leiking on 8 March 2019. The trade chief highlighted the revival of barter trade system in Mindanao will support the promotion of Halal industry from both countries. The ministers also agreed to cooperate in strengthening the Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines East ASEAN Growth Areas (BIMP-EAGA).

“We should really make these areas of cooperation work as it will create and bring more economic activities to both Filipinos and Malaysians. The barter trade as well as the BIMP-EAGA will mean a lot to our people,” said Sec. Lopez.

The trade chief conveyed the ongoing progress in the revival of barter trade system in Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi areas (BASULTA) that aim to provide more livelihood and income to small coastal communities, especially in Sulu and Tawi-Tawi. Likewise, he underscored PH’s potential in Halal industry and the opportunities it offers to Malaysian consumers.

Officials from the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) noted that apart from electronics, top imports from PH include processed food, which could be a strong start for Halal promotions.

In 2018, MY stood as the country’s 10th largest trading partner, 11th export market, and 9th top import supplier. Total bilateral trade from both countries amounted to USD 6 billion in 2018 compared to USD 5.5 billion in 2017.

DTI will head a delegation on April to attend the Malaysia International Halal Showcase. “This kind of activities are very important to PH as the country is still beginning to recognize its potentials in the Halal industry and would learn much from big economies, like Malaysia,” Sec. Lopez added.

Both ministers expressed the need to focus on the development of ASEAN’s sub regions, which include the BIMP-EAGA.

Meanwhile, Minister Leiking expressed his appreciation on PH products and home-grown brands like Jollibee, which is currently expanding in MY.

MITI officials also conveyed the interest of many Malaysian companies in participating in PH government’s massive infrastructure project, Build Build Build as well as the assistance extended to companies intending to invest in PH.

The meeting between Sec. Lopez and Minister Leiking followed the visit to PH of His Excellency Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad last week. Present during the meeting were DTI Undersecretaries Ceferino Rodolfo and Abdulgani Macatoman, Assistant Secretaries Angelo Taningco and Allan Gepty, Board of Investments International Investments Promotion Service Chief Lanie Dormiendo, Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) Chief Executive Officer Dato’ Wan Latiff Wan Musa, Malaysian Investment Development Authority Executive Director for Strategic Planning Zabidi Mahbar, ASEAN Economic Integration Division of MITI Director Khairulnizam Hashim, and MATRADE Manila Trade Commissioner Siti Azlina Mohd Ali Hanafiah.

DTI Presents Investment Opportunities to Dutch Shipbuilding Firm

MAKATI – With Dutch shipbuilding company Damen Shipyard Group visiting the Philippines (PH) to possibly partner with the Philippine Navy to build and supply naval defense vessels, Department of Trade and Industry Secretary (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez took the opportunity to present the Hanjin Facility in Subic and other investment options in a meeting with them last 04 March.

“Shipbuilding is one of our priority industries not just in Subic, but also in many locations in our archipelagic country. We have the required manpower and skillset for new shipbuilders. As a market ourselves, the country is also in need of smaller vessels like the Roll-On-Roll-Off (RORO) ships,” said Sec. Lopez.

Unlike Hanjin, Damen does not produce large container ships. Instead, they focus on smaller vessels like yachts, cruises ships, navy ships, and tug boats. The company’s chairman Kommer Damen said this puts them in a good position because they’re not affected by the overcapacity in the cargo ship market that caused Hanjin to scale down their operations.

The company already has a footprint in PH through their partnership with the Filipino company Propmech Global Technologies and their contract with the Philippine Airlines. DTI Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo said that Damen's technical team already surveyed the facility and is reviewing how it will fit in their current plans.

Board of Investments (BOI) Governor Napoleon Concepcion shared that shipbuilding companies from Australia and Norway are investing in Visayas and Mindanao respectively and offered similar sites to the Dutch company.

Chairman Damen said this is a good scenario to have with more shipbuilders in an area due to greater industry support and better education for employees.