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Tag: Philippines

  • Cebu Pacific provides added protection through CEB Travelsure

    Cebu Pacific provides added protection through CEB Travelsure

    The Philippines’ leading airline, Cebu Pacifi upgrades its CEB Travelsure “Basic Protect” insurance product to now include “COVID Protect”, to inspire travel confidence amidst the current situation. CEB is the first local carrier to offer this type of enhanced coverage in one product.

    Starting January 13, 2022, CEB Travelsure “Basic Protect” becomes even more comprehensive as it now covers COVID-related hospitalization and treatments, on top of up to PHP 2,500,000 medical expenses benefit, in case of an injury or other illnesses, and up to PHP 2,500,000 personal accident coverage during the trip.

    CEB Travelsure “Basic Protect” may be availed by passengers with domestic and international itineraries, as long as their trip starts in the Philippines, for as low as PHP 492 round-trip.

    CEB Travelsure is underwritten by Insurance Company of North America (a Chubb Company). Chubb is the world’s largest publicly traded property and casualty insurance company.

    Passengers can conveniently avail themselves of CEB Travelsure when booking flights on the CEB website or select as an add-on up to two hours prior to their flight via the ‘Manage Booking’ portal on the Cebu Pacific website. Insured passengers will receive their group policy Confirmation of Cover with the details of the travel insurance benefits via email. Customers should contact Chubb directly if they have specific questions about their insurance coverage.

    Chubb also offers a 24/7 Emergency Medical and Travel Assistance Hotline.

    CEB TravelSure is the airline’s comprehensive travel insurance plan which provides extensive trip protection with coverage for costs related to having injuries, illnesses, loss of personal belongings, trip cancellations, emergency assistance, and other unforeseen travel circumstances (subject to the full terms & conditions of the Group Policy). For more information, passengers may visit: https://www.cebupacificair.com/pages/plan-trip/add-ons/travelsure

    CEB has attained 100% vaccination rate for its active flying crew through its very own employee vaccination program, JG Summit COVID Protect, and various partnerships with local government units in the country.

    The airline has been rated 7/7 stars by airlineratings.com for its COVID-19 compliance as it continues to implement a multi-layered approach to safety, in accordance with global aviation standards. These include daily extensive cleaning and disinfection protocols for all aircraft and facilities, on top of its contactless flight procedures. Its jet fleet are equipped with hospital-grade HEPA filters, known to eradicate viruses with 99.9% efficiency.

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  • Cebu Pacific cancels 24 flights due to workforce shortage

    Cebu Pacific cancels 24 flights due to workforce shortage

    Low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific canceled 24 domestic and international flights on Wednesday, citing workforce shortage.

    “Cebu Pacific continues to manage the impact of Covid-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) on its workforce with employees who are either sick or under home quarantine,” it said in an advisory Tuesday night.

    The following flights have been canceled:

    5J893/894 Manila – Boracay (Caticlan) – Manila
    5J905/906 Manila – Boracay (Caticlan) – Manila
    5J787/788 Manila – Butuan – Manila
    5J567/568 Manila – Cebu – Manila
    5J581/582 Manila – Cebu – Manila
    5J975/976 Manila – Davao – Manila
    5J447/448 Manila – Iloilo – Manila
    5J373/374 Manila – Roxas – Manila
    5J653/654 Manila – Tacloban – Manila
    5J506/507 Manila – Tuguegarao – Manila
    5J5054/5055 Manila – Narita (Tokyo) – Manila
    5J310/311 Manila – Taipei – Manila

    Affected passengers may rebook or refund their tickets, or store the value in a travel fund, until 30 days from the original flight schedule.

    The airline said because the situation is still fluid, those with flights until January 23 may also opt to refund their ticket or rebook their flight for travel within 60 days.

    They can also store the amount to a travel fund valid for two years.

  • Globe debuts Asia’s first eco-SIM

    Globe debuts Asia’s first eco-SIM

    net-zeronet zero carbon emissions by 2040, and we align with the ambitions of many organizations to work for the better good and build a sustainable future.  The Eco-SIM card is small, but it has a big impact on plastic and polymer waste and is another example of how we innovate to drive change. We are excited to partner with Globe on this pioneering initiative in the Philippines with a goal to roll it out throughout Asia,” said  Jon Cahilig, head of mobile connectivity solutions for Asia, Thales Digital Identity & Security.

    In 2019, Globe became a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact, committing to implement universal sustainability principles on human rights, labor, environment, and anti-corruption in its operations. In January 2021, Globe formally expressed its support to the globally-recognized Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosure (TCFD) in January. Along with more than 1,800 companies worldwide, Globe supports the framework set by TCFD and is committed to following recommendations towards effective climate-related disclosures.

    To further this commitment in 2021, Globe became the first publicly-listed Philippine company to be listed by the Science Based Target initiative (SBTi) committed to set science-based targets, in line with the 1.5°C global warming scenario of the Paris Agreement and the #RacetoZero Campaign. These commitments cover both the mid-term (2030) and long-term (2050) targets.

    “In order for us to truly move the needle in the fight against climate change, we all must take on the responsibility to act sustainably. This partnership with the Thales Group not only enables us to come up with a solution for our telco business, but it also gives our customers the opportunity to step up and choose to live more sustainably,” said Yoly Crisanto, Globe’s chief sustainability officer and SVP for corporate communications.

    In 2018, Globe was also the first in the country to introduce electronic SIMs or eSIM, as another alternative to the physical SIM cards. eSIMs are digital SIMs embedded in compatible mobile phone models, allowing its users to manage multiple profiles using different mobile numbers on just one device and effortlessly switch lines that fit their purpose. It also allows gadgets like smartphones and smartwatches to be connected under one mobile number.

    Globe strongly supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly UN SDG No. 12, which highlights the roles of responsible consumption and production patterns as crucial steps toward building a circular economy. Globe is committed to upholding the 10 United Nations Global Compact principles and 10 UN SDGs.

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  • Air Asia accepts vax cards as primary travel requirement

    Air Asia accepts vax cards as primary travel requirement

    All AirAsia Philippines domestic destinations continue to accept vaccination cards as a primary travel requirement, except for Caticlan, Kalibo, Tacloban, Bacolod, Iloilo and Zamboanga, which now require negative RT-PCR test results taken 72 hours prior to departure, regardless of vaccination status, the airline stated in its latest travel advisory.

    Amidst the surge of COVID-19 cases in Metro Manila plus (Metro Manila and CALABARZON), the low-cost carrier said in a statement Tuesday, Jan. 11, it has elevated its internal COVID-19 response to ensure the safety of employees and guests, optimizing operations to avoid canceling flights.

    AirAsia Philippines established a Safety Plus 24/7 Team composed of different department leaders and the People and Culture – Medical team to monitor the health of employees and distribute medication to those who have contracted the virus.

    The airline now requires all employees, including those who are working at home, to submit online daily health check forms to monitor their health.

    Its flight operations department is also clustering schedules and does regular onsite Antigen tests for flight deck and cabin crew.

    “Adequate planning and anticipation are key to mitigating the risks entailed on the unprecedented surge of COVID-19 cases,” said AirAsia Philippines Spokesperson Steve Dailisan.

    “Thankfully, we initiated the reintegration training of our hibernated staff as early as December, and this January, they will complement the requirements for manpower,” he noted.

    “Internally, we have added layers in monitoring and clustering among our Allstar frontliners to make sure our flight schedules remain unhampered during these times,” according to Dailisan.

    AirAsia Philippines also prioritized securing booster shots for all of its employees who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

    On top of this, the airline offered enhanced flexibility among guests who wish to move their flights.

    They can avail of the unlimited rebooking option with no change fees by accessing the manage my flight option through the airasia Super App or airasia.com.

    However, AirAsia Philippines guests traveling over the next few days should check their flight status and visit the airasia flysafe page for the latest updates on travel requirements.

  • The Philippines to loosen restrictions on foreign retailers

    The Philippines to loosen restrictions on foreign retailers

    President Rodrigo Duterte has signed into law a measure that would further open up the Philippine retail sector to more foreign retail businesses by lowering their required paid-up capital.

    Republic Act (RA) 11595, which amends RA 8762, also known as the Retail Liberalization Act of 2000, was signed by Duterte on Dec. 10, 2021, and was released to reporters on Thursday.

    Duterte earlier certified the bill as urgent as part of efforts to encourage the entry of more investors and further boost economic recovery amid the prevailing coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

    Under the law, “a foreign retailer shall have a minimum paid-up capital of PHP25 million.”

    The current law sets the required capital at USD2.5 million or PHP119.67 million.

    The law also mandates the entry of foreign retailers coming from countries that do not prohibit the entry of Filipino retailers.

    In the case of foreign retailers engaged in retail trade through more than one physical store, the minimum investment per store must be at least PHP10 million “provided that this requirement shall not apply to foreign investors and foreign retailers who are legitimately engaged in retail trade and were not required to comply with the minimum investment per store at the time of the effectivity of this Act.”

    The Department of Trade and Industry, Securities and Exchange Commission, and the National Economic and Development Authority shall review the required minimum paid-up capital every three years and their recommendations should be submitted to Congress.

    Foreign retailers are encouraged to have a stock inventory of products that are made in the Philippines.

    As for penalties, violators may face imprisonment of not less than four to six years and a fine of not less than PHP1 million but not more than PHP5 million.

    In the case of partnerships, associations, or corporations, the penalty shall be imposed upon its partners, president, directors, general manager, and other officers responsible for the violation.

    If the offender is not a citizen of the Philippines, he or she shall be deported immediately after the service of sentence.

    If the Filipino offender is a public officer or employee, he or she shall, in addition to the penalty prescribed, suffer dismissal and permanent disqualification from public office.

    RA 11595 is a consolidation of House of Representatives Bill 59 and Senate Bill 1840 passed by the House and the Senate on September 21 and 20 last year, respectively.

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  • Skechers takes control of Philippines operation

    Skechers takes control of Philippines operation

    Skechers parent, The Comfort Technology Company, has transitioned the operations of the footwear brand in the Philippines from its third-party distributor, Trendworks International, to Skechers USA Philippines.

    The company said the move is to maximize the brand’s growth in the region. Trendworks International will continue to sell Skechers products through the end of this year.

    In addition, Skechers USA Philippines will expand the brand’s presence in the country, opening 10 to 12 additional concept stores during the first half of next year, including those in key department and specialty stores such as Planet Sports and The SM Store.

    “The Philippines has immense potential for Skechers, and with our dedicated team focused on growth and delivering the integrated capabilities of Skechers,” said David Weinberg, COO at Skechers USA. “We believe this step accelerates that potential.

    “With Skechers’ appealing lifestyle collections, groundbreaking comfort innovations and our corporate support, we believe the Philippines can become a key market for us in Southeast Asia.”

    According to Suzette Pasustento, country manager for Skechers USA Philippines, the company is currently under the first phase of re-establishing the brand in the market, including setting up new offices in Manila and opening a distribution centre. The company has also opened its first new store this month.

    “With this new dedicated approach, we will be able to reach more of the 100 million men, women and children in this country and offer them a wider selection of great Skechers products through expanded channels,” said  Pasustento.

    “In 2022, we will introduce new product categories, open more retail locations and expand our door count with new retailers, as well as launch a comprehensive marketing campaign.”

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  • AirAsia sets best performance

    AirAsia sets best performance

    Airasia Philippines has recorded its best performance yet since the Covid-19 pandemic hit in 2020, its officials said yesterday.

    Topping the list of AirAsia’s most preferred domestic flights within the peak Christmas travel period between December 20 to January 05 are Manila to Caticlan with 24 percent of total passenger booking, Manila to Tacloban with 15 percent, and Cebu to Manila with 14 percent.

    The recently resumed Hong Kong to Manila route, meanwhile tops the list of the airline’s current international flights.

    “We believe that it is important we enable our kababayans to travel to see their loved ones this holiday period to help boost their morale and make their Christmas celebrations even more special after almost two years of battling and living in a global health crisis. We look forward to increasing our flight frequencies and broadening our destinations as the situation improves. But for now, we are thankful to be among the preferred airlines of Filipino travelers,” AirAsia Philippines Spokesperson Steve Dailisan said.

    Dailisan said the significant rise in flight bookings is attributed not only to the relaxing of protocols but also to the longing of Filipinos to be with their families this Christmas season — some of whom have not seen each other for almost two years

    He said they continue to by strict safety protocols mandated by the government and as advised by medical experts

    “Guests are asked to follow implemented stringent safety measures on ground and in flight, such as physical distancing and the wearing of face masks,” Dailisan said.

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  • AirAsia resumes flights to Singapore after two years

    AirAsia resumes flights to Singapore after two years

    AirAsia Philippines resumed its service to Singapore last December 4, ending a two-year hiatus of its flights to the Asian city-state.

    AirAsia Philippines’ first flight to Singapore in two years departed the NAIA Terminal 3 in Pasay City at 8:00 a.m. and successfully landed at Changi International Airport at 11:40 a.m. last December 4. It made a return flight from Singapore at 12:25 p.m. and safely landed in Manila at 4:05 p.m. the same day.

    “Initially we will cater to our Filipino workers and business travelers but soon as we slowly recover from the global pandemic, we hope to open this route for leisure travel also,” AirAsia Philippines spokesperson Steve Dailisan said.

    “This is extra special for us in AirAsia because we know how Filipinos value family traditions during the Christmas season and we take pride in being an instrument to those happy and meaningful reunions,” he added.

    To recognize the heroism of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), AirAsia gave away 100 free tickets during the inaugural Manila-Singapore-Manila flight after two years.

    One of the winners was Grace Macaraeg was very thankful for the free ticket that she considers a timely Christmas gift for OFWs.

    She says the money she saved for her ticket to Manila will be used as additional funds for her niece’s cancer medication and treatment.

    “While it is true that we are always a video away from each other, especially at times when she is going through chemo. But nothing beats being able to hug and kiss her in person, it is simply priceless,” Macaraeg said.

    Also, as part of the Department of Tourism’s “Balikan Ang Pilipinas” campaign, AirAsia is also offering an early Christmas package with Balikbayan Package. By using the promo code BLKBYN10, guests can avail of the 10-percent off on Manila-Singapore and Manila-Hong Kong flights for bookings made until Dec. 12, 2021.

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  • Cebu Pacific receives first Airbus A330neo; targets all-neo fleet by 2027

    Cebu Pacific receives first Airbus A330neo; targets all-neo fleet by 2027

    Philippine low-cost airline Cebu Pacific received its first Airbus A330neo on November 28,2021 as it begins its widebody fleet modernization program.

    The aircraft features 459 lightweight Recaro seats, which have been ergonomically designed, and offer versatility for a wide range of routes from shorter regional services to medium and long-haul operations. The Airbus A330neo will be used to operate trunk routes within the Philippines and the rest of Asia, as well as on longer-range services to Australia and the Middle East.

    The A330neo brings a step-change in efficiency, consuming 25% less fuel than previous generation aircraft and a similar reduction in CO2 emissions. The efficiency of the A330neo also ensures compliance with current and future sustainability requirements in terms of noise and emissions.

    “Cebu Pacific’s first A330neo brings us closer to our target of having an all-Neo fleet by 2027, and shows our commitment to making air travel accessible while ensuring environmental and social sustainability,” Cebu Pacific chief strategy officer Alex Reyes said in a statement.

    Reyes added: “We believe that growth and sustainability are not mutually exclusive and should in fact be inclusive if we want to work towards the greater good. This is why we will always choose the greener options – increased aircraft efficiency, reduced noise, and carbon emissions, to ensure that lower fares will be available for every Juan.”

    In total, Cebu Pacific has ordered 16 A330neo, and also has 16 A320neo and 22 A321neo still to be delivered. The low-cost carrier currently operates 50 Airbus aircraft, comprising 43 A320 families and 7 A330ceo.

    “We thank and applaud Cebu Pacific for selecting our latest-technology A330neo as part of its fleet modernization drive to fly the greenest aircraft for a sustainable future. The A330neo is the first aircraft in the world already certified to comply with ICAO’s CO2 emissions standards beyond 2028. The airline will benefit from the aircraft’s step-change in performance and economics while maintaining passenger comfort and lowest operating costs,” said Airbus Asia-Pacific President Anand Stanley in a press statement.

    The aircraft is powered by Rolls-Royce’s latest-generation Trent 7000 engines and features a new composite wing with increased span for enhanced aerodynamics.

    The A330 remains the most popular widebody family aircraft for Airbus, with an order book of more than 1,800 aircraft at the end of October 2021.

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  • Singapore and Philippines Step Up Digital Payment Cooperation

    Singapore and Philippines Step Up Digital Payment Cooperation

    The regional neighbors aim to boost cross-border collaborations that will strengthen Asean regional payments and provide financial inclusivity to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and micro-small-to-medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).

    The central banks of Singapore and the Philippines have signed an agreement at the World Fintech Festival Philippines to boost payments cooperation, which includes the linkage of the two countries’ QR and real-time payment systems.

    The agreement expands on the Fintech Innovation Function Cooperation Agreement, which was signed between the two countries in 2017. According to the announcement, the 2021 agreement will make cross-border payments cheaper, more inclusive, and more transparent and drive financial inclusion, particularly underserved Filipinos.

    MAS managing director Ravi Menon called the agreement a concrete step towards the vision of an ASEAN network of interconnected real-time payment systems.

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  • Union Bank Chosen as Citi’s Preferred Philippines Bidder

    Union Bank Chosen as Citi’s Preferred Philippines Bidder

    Citigroup has reportedly selected the Union Bank of Philippines as its preferred bidder for its consumer banking assets in the country.

    Citi has chosen Union Bank as its preferred bidder for a potential sale valued at an estimated $1 billion, according to a report citing unnamed sources.

    Talks are still ongoing and no conclusive decisions have been made with other bidders still interested.

    Other reportedly interested bidders for the Philippines consumer banking assets include BDO Unibank, Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. and Bank of the Philippines Island.

    The sale is part of Citi’s broader plan to exit from 13 markets where it lacks scale and focus its wealth efforts around hubs in Hong Kong, London, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates.

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  • JustKitchen expands into the Philippines

    JustKitchen expands into the Philippines

    Ghost kitchens operator, JustKitchen, has expanded its presence into the Philippines through a joint venture with TDG Ventures (TVI).

    Named ‘JV Co’, the joint venture will be the exclusive operator of the JustKitchen brand and distributor of its products in the country. The launch is part of JustKitchen’s global expansion plan, which will see kitchens opening in markets including Japan, Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam next year.

    “Forming this joint venture with TVI to enter the Philippines market is a significant milestone for JustKitchen as it marks the third country in which our company will be operating in just a short period,” said Jason Chen, co-founder and CEO.

    “With our home base in Taiwan, established operations in Hong Kong, and the addition of this large population to our customer base, we continue to execute on our international growth plan to bring JustKitchen’s unique operating model, portfolio of food brands, and technology stack to new markets,” he said.

    Under the partnership, JustKitchen will maintain a 51 percent ownership interest in JV Co with the remainder owned by TVI. The joint venture will develop the infrastructure necessary to replicate the operating model from Taiwan and shall lease out kitchens to sub-franchisees. Ghost kitchen operation is expected to begin in the first quarter of next year.

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  • Opening date released for the world’s largest Ikea in Manila

    Opening date released for the world’s largest Ikea in Manila

    The world’s largest Ikea store, Ikea Pasay City in Manila, is set to open its doors to the public this month after being delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

    Ikea Pasay City also marks the chain’s first location in the Philippines. The 67,760sqm store, scheduled to open on November 25, is located next to the Mall of Asia and spans five stories.

    While two floors are dedicated to retail activities, the remaining floors are for stocks and e-commerce operations.

    The new Ikea store will house more than 8,000 home furnishing and appliance products, together with a restaurant, where customers can find the brand’s famous Swedish meatballs. Ikea Philippines’ online store launched earlier this month for delivery orders after a soft launch in September.

    The launch of Ikea Pasay City was announced in 2018 and due to open last year. However, the construction of the store was interrupted last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

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  • Cebu Pacific announces P1 seat sale for 11.11

    Cebu Pacific announces P1 seat sale for 11.11

    Cebu Pacific on Wednesday announced an 11.11 seat sale for as low as P1.

    In an advisory, the airline said the promo offer would begin at 12 midnight on November 11, 2021 and end on November 14, 2021, covering the travel period from July 1 to September 30, 2022.

    “Passengers can enjoy Cebu Pacific’s lowest base fare for as low as P1 to over 56 domestic routes and 20 international routes,” the airline said.

    Cebu Pacific vice president for marketing and customer experience Candice Iyog said that the airline welcomes the safe reopening of domestic destinations.

    “We remain cautiously optimistic while we continue to do what we can to support the recovery of the travel and tourism industry,” she said.

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  • Cebu Pacific announces P1 fare promo for all local, international destinations

    Cebu Pacific announces P1 fare promo for all local, international destinations

    Budget carrier Cebu Pacific on Monday announced its first five-day P1 fare promo for all its domestic and international destinations.

    In an advisory, Cebu Pacific said the P1 fare started on October 10 and will be available until Thursday, October 14, 2021, covering flights from June 1, 2022 to August 31, 2022.

    “As we enter the last quarter of the year, we are happy to have seen some positive developments in the travel industry,” Cebu Pacific Vice President for Marketing and Customer Experience Candice Iyog said.

    “More and more people are gaining confidence to travel again, and we are happy to keep supporting our sector’s recovery through our trademark low fares,” she added.

    The flights will cover local destinations such as Boracay, Bohol, Coron, Siargao, and other international destinations such as Tokyo and Osaka.

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