Security Bank Partners with AC Health Companies to Strengthen Healthcare Distribution Network

Makati City, Philippines — Security Bank has partnered with AC Health subsidiaries I.E. Medica and MedEthix to provide financing support to their nationwide network of dealers and distributors through its Dealer Financing Program.

The program gives accredited partners access to financing solutions, including short-term revolving credit lines and inventory financing, helping them manage working capital, increasing purchasing capacity, and improving liquidity. By enabling dealers and distributors to better manage inventory and respond more efficiently to demand, the partnership is expected to help strengthen the healthcare supply chain.

As part of AC Health's pharmaceutical and healthcare distribution network, I.E. Medica and MedEthix play an important role in delivering healthcare products, medical devices, and healthcare solutions to hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, and healthcare providers across the Philippines.

"This partnership reflects our focus on supporting the healthcare sector, which plays a vital role in both the economy and public well-being," said Yvonne Joanna P. Marcelo, Senior Vice President and Corporate Banking Group Head of Security Bank. "By working with I.E. Medica and MedEthix, we aim to help their dealer and distributor network operate more efficiently, strengthen their businesses, and keep pace with growing demand." 

As healthcare demand continues to grow, access to financing plays an important role in helping distributors maintain inventory levels, respond to market needs, and expand their reach. By supporting businesses throughout the healthcare distribution ecosystem, the partnership aims to contribute to a more resilient and efficient supply chain.

"Through this strategic collaboration with Security Bank, we reinforce our collective mission to strengthen the healthcare sector by equipping our downstream dealers with reliable financial solutions that fuel their business growth and sustainable nationwide reach,” according to Ms. Monaliza B. Salian, President and CEO of IE Medica and Medethix.

The partnership reflects Security Bank's continued commitment to supporting key growth sectors of the Philippine economy through financing solutions that help businesses strengthen operations, expand responsibly, and better serve their customers.

Learn more about the Dealer Financing Program by visiting https://www.securitybank.com/business/supply-chain-solutions/

Water Resilience at Scale: SM’s Conservation Efforts in a Changing Climate

SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime) has advanced resource stewardship through water circularity initiatives, implementing water conservation measures across its nationwide network of SM Supermalls since the late 1990s.

Embedded in its operations, SM Malls uses innovative water management systems that save water and reduce wastage - drawing less from the national water grid and creating value in an increasingly volatile time. 

 

Macro to Micro: SM’s approach to water conservation

Against the looming possibility of an extended drought caused by El Niño, saving every drop of water finds greater importance for SM Supermalls. Designed with sustainability in mind, SM Malls use innovative water management systems that not only promote saving water from wastage but also significantly reduce consumption. This helps lessen the use of fresh water resources from national water systems and leave more water for its surrounding communities to use.

SM ensures sustainable water use through advanced recycling and rainwater harvesting systems. In 2025, sewage treatment plants in its 89 malls recycle an estimated 6.6 million cubic meters of property wastewater for non-potable use. The rainwater treatment facility in SM Baguio innovatively harvests and treats rainwater collected during the wet season and transforms it into water for kitchen and tenant use. 

 

As a key customer touchpoint in water management, faucets also regulate the outflow of water for every use.  SM’s investments in "push delay" faucets create sustainable operations to strengthen water conservation. These faucets save water by preventing it from being left running by restricting water flow through a certain window of time.

 

Technology then paved the way for enhanced conservation, and SM started using no-touch, sensor type faucets in 2015, far before the sanitary restrictions brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Sensor type faucets help save water by automatically shutting outflow of water once the sensor does not detect a user. Additionally, these types of faucets typically require less water pressure, which also reduces water waste. Significant investments in systems such as sensor faucets also reduce wear and tear on fixtures and equipment, resulting in long-term savings and improved water conservation.

 

 With its implementation, SM saw a 59% reduction in water waste, translating to saving the equivalent of a 1.5-liter bottle of water per user using the faucet over just 7 seconds.

 

By equipping its most-loved malls with water-efficient fixtures enhanced with technology, SM is protecting resources critical not just to its operations but to its surrounding communities. Under the guidance of the Water for Tomorrow pillar of the SM Green Movement, SM champions sustainable water use, reducing environmental impact and securing access to water for generations to come.

Cross-Border Transactions: Unified Merchant Database to Accelerate MSME Digital Adoption, Strengthen ASEAN Economic Growth

A unified merchant database and verifiable identity are key to helping Filipino MSMEs adopt digital platforms and grow in the digital economy, Oscar Enrico Reyes Jr., president and CEO of G-Xchange Inc., the mobile wallet operator of GCash, said in a panel discussion during the ASEAN Business Environment Forum.

 

Closing the digital gap would enable Filipino entrepreneurs to engage in cross-border transactions and access the ASEAN market. This means they can sell products and services to a wider audience, connect with regional partners, and participate in the regional supply chain.

 

As such, Filipino enterprises can better compete regionally and tap into new growth opportunities, beefing up their revenue streams in the long run.

 

However, many MSMEs find it challenging to join the digital space because of fragmented ecosystems for identification, preventing them from fully realizing their business venture's potential.

 

"In fact, it's so cumbersome to onboard a merchant. It can take months because of the back and forth on documents just to verify their identity," Reyes explained, noting that merchants deal with multiple permits from local government units and agencies.

"If it's all in one repository, then you just need to pick that particular repository, and then it makes it so much simpler," he added.

 

With an official GCash account for merchants, MSMEs can accept digital payments, manage transactions more efficiently, and grow their business through a bigger customer base.

 

Strengthening regional cooperation

Reyes was joined by leaders from different companies, including Chin Yin Ong, Chief Organisational Capability Officer, Grab; Arifah Sharifuddin, Institute Director, Tech for Good Institute (TFGI); and Nabila Hussain, Director of Government Affairs, Southeast Asia, Microsoft ASEAN.

 

The panelists highlighted the importance of strong cooperation between governments and the private sector, especially in advancing digitalization efforts. Such collaboration can help develop infrastructure, create supportive regulations, and provide training and resources for businesses to adopt digital tools.

 

This is aligned with the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement, which aims to create a more integrated and seamless digital economy in the region by aligning rules, improving cross-border data flows, and supporting digital trade.

 

The industry leaders also stressed that practical, results-driven partnerships can better support enterprises and improve the overall business environment in the region. These efforts, they noted, help create a more stable and business-friendly ecosystem that benefits companies across ASEAN.

 

Prioritizing trust and security

Apart from providing access, however, Reyes stressed that merchants must also feel safe navigating the digital platforms.

 

“It starts with trust. There has to be trust in the whole ecosystem,” he explained.

This is where cybersecurity measures come in. For GCash, protecting users’ accounts and transactions means using multiple layers of security.

 

The platform employs advanced encryption to keep data safe and multi-factor authentication to verify user identities. Real-time fraud detection and continuous monitoring help catch suspicious activity and prevent unauthorized access.

 

Together, these measures ensure that every payment, transfer, and investment is safe, secure, and reliable.