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Tag: Philippines

  • Robinsons Retail plans 150 new stores in Philippines

    Robinsons Retail plans 150 new stores in Philippines

    Robinsons Retail Holdings will launch up to 150 new stores in the Philippines this year.

    The firm published a presentation online revealing plans to invest PHP3–5 billion (US$57.8–96.3 million) on the store openings, following expenditure of PHP4.41 billion ($85 million) on openings last year. As at December, it had 1910 stores, including supermarkets, department stores, do-it-yourself stores, specialty stores, drugstores, and convenience stores. The entire network covers a gross floor area of 1.48 million sqm.

    Robinson’s achieved a 5.9 percent same-store sales growth last year, with help from a 1.5 percent uptick in transaction count and a 6.1 percent increase in basket size in its supermarket business. The group is targeting a 2-4 percent same-store sales growth this year.

    The firm’s net income reached PHP5.11 billion ($98.5 million) last year, an increase of 2.6 percent on the year previous, with a 15.1 percent increase in net sales.

  • NOW Telecom details “NVNO” model

    NOW Telecom details “NVNO” model

    The Philippines’ NOW Telecom has introduced a new model aimed at partnering with small and medium sized businesses to deliver wireless broadband services to individual areas.

    The company’s new NOW Virtual Network Operator (NVNO) model will see the operator partner with SMEs and even individuals to bring NOW’s fixed wireless broadband technology to a particular area.

    The SMEs will be given exclusive distributorship rights over the broadband services in the given areas, which could be an office building or a local village area.

    NOW plans to enter five year business partnerships under a revenue sharing model. The business partner would be responsible for selecting the area, selling the product, marketing and installing the service and ensuring payment by subscribers.

    NOW’s Fiber in the Air service is a fixed wireless broadband internet service that provides guaranteed broadband internet for enterprises with a capacity of 2.4Gbps.

    To be selected, business partners will have a local business in the area and a strong local influence.

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  • China Telecom formally signs Philippines JV agreement

    China Telecom formally signs Philippines JV agreement

    China Telecom has formally signed the agreement to create Mislatel, the joint venture that will become the Philippines’ third mobile operator, committing to invest $5.4 billion in the venture.

    The agreement with local conglomerate Udenna Corporation was signed last week in Beijing.

    China Telecom teamed up with Udenna Corporation, consisting of businesses owned by local tycoon Dennis Uy, to jointly submit an application in the Philippines’ new major player selection process in 2018.

    A company owned by Uy, also known as Mislatel, was granted a congressional telecommunications franchise in 1998, and the joint venture plans to use this franchise to operate.

    The joint venture’s entry in the market had the support of president Rodrigo Dutertre, but doubts were raised over the validity of this franchise due to Mislatel’s failure to launch services within the required window. But in February, the Philippines’ senate approved the transfer of the franchise to the joint venture.

    But due to delays receiving the required approvals to operate, Mislatel last week revealed plans to postpone its planned launch date from late 2020 to early 2021.

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  • Fast-food chain Jollibee Plans China Rollout

    Fast-food chain Jollibee Plans China Rollout

    Filipino fast food chain Jollibee may open its first location in China within the next five years.

    The firm already has a presence in the territory, where it operates the Dunkin’ Donuts franchise. It also operates eight stores in Hong Kong.

    JFC president and CEO Ernesto Tanmantiong told that the firm is currently looking for a location where there is a high Filipino population, with a view to attracting the local market afterwards.

    “We build the base and slowly cross over to the mainstream market, which is the local market,” said Tanmantiong. “We have done that successfully in Hong Kong and in Singapore.”

    The firm took legal action against a copycat restaurant in China, JoyRulBee, earlier this year.

    Jollibee will open its first store in Rome and Spain shortly while exploring other markets.

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  • Globe extends GoWiFi service to over 2,000 sites

    Globe extends GoWiFi service to over 2,000 sites

    The Philippines’ Globe Telecom has announced it has expanded its GoWiFi public WiFi service to more than 2,000 sites across the country.

    The operator is now providing over 20,000 access points nationwide, up from 15,000 in 2018, and the network is hosting 18 million sessions per month, Globe said.

    During the year, Globe plans to further expand the network to cover more health clinics and hospitals, colleges and universities, and retail establishments.

    The service is also currently available at major transit points including the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), as well as Metro Rail Transit (MRT) and Light Rail Transit (LRT) stations.

    Globe provides a free GoWiFi service with a maximum allocation, as well as a paid service than can be used to extend usage beyond the free allocation.

    Both services are available to all users with WiFi-enabled devices and select international numbers, and provide speeds of up to 100Mbps depending on location.

  • SM Prime’s Massive expansion plans

    SM Prime’s Massive expansion plans

    Philippine property developer SM Prime Holdings has committed PHP80 billion (US$1.53 billion) for constructing four new malls, residential units and mixed-use spaces this year.

    The additional capital is intended to support expansions that include opening an additional 200,000sqm of retail space in “developing provincial cities”, including Pangasinan, Zambales, Butuan and Zamboanga.

    As at the end of last year there was 8.3 million sqm of retail space in 72 SM malls throughout the Philippines.

    The firm is also developing new projects and converting mall spaces into mixed-use land.

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  • Cebu Pacific receives highest ranking for safety

    Cebu Pacific receives highest ranking for safety

    Cebu Pacific has now achieved the highest ranking for safety with 7-stars from the world’s only safety and product rating agency AirlineRatings.com

    After careful evaluation and feedback from the airline and aviation industry AirlineRatings.com has upgraded its seven-star safety rating system to give more importance to IOSA and this move elevates Cebu Pacific up to 7-stars – the highest ranking.

    IOSA – the International Air Transport Association Operation Safety Audit – was first introduced in 2003 to curb the disturbing trend in airline accidents that could be attributed to simple processes and maintenance programs.

    Since it was introduced airlines that have completed IOSA have up to a four-fold safer safety record than airlines that do not do the audit.

    In 2017, the all accident rate for airlines on the IOSA registry was nearly four times better than that of non-IOSA airlines (0.56 vs. 2.17 accidents per million flights) and it was nearly three times better over the 2012-16 period.

    Of significant importance to Airlineratings.com is that the audit is done every two years and covers over 1060 parameters.

    AirlineRatings.com now awards an airline that has completed IOSA three stars.

    AirlineRatings.com Editor-in-Chief Geoffrey Thomas congratulated Cebu Pacific on this achievement.

    “Cebu Pacific has become a major part of the fabric of life in the Philippines bringing affordable travel to most,” said Thomas.

    “The airline has a very modern fleet and operationally is now up there with the best.”

    “That is great news for the traveling public,” said Thomas.

    The rating agency has reduced the stars allocated for ICAO compliance from two to one.

    The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) was created to promote the safe and orderly development of international civil aviation throughout the world.

    It sets standards and regulations necessary for aviation safety, security, efficiency, and regularity, as well as for aviation environmental protection.

    It has 8 audit parameters that pertain to safety and they are; Legislation, Organization, Licensing, Operations, Airworthiness, Accident Investigation, Air Navigation Service and Aerodromes.

    If the country meets between 6 and 8 of the audits one star is awarded to the airline. Five secures 1/2 star. However, if any of the criteria are below the average by less than 5 percent it is considered a pass. If the country only meets up to four criteria no star is given.

    The other main criteria are; Is the airline on the European Union (EU) Blacklist; has it a fatality free record for the past 10 years and is the airline FAA (USA) endorsed?

    Cebu Pacific commenced services in March 1996, initially only domestic operations but launched international operations in November 2001.

    It now flies to 64 tourist/business destinations within Asia and operates 67 mainly Airbus aircraft

    Cebu was the first local airline to introduce e-ticketing, prepaid excess baggage and seat selection in the Philippines.

  • Cebu Pacific is Recruiting New Cabin Crew

    Cebu Pacific is Recruiting New Cabin Crew

    One of the Philippines fastest growing airlines, Cebu Pacific is currently recruiting new cabin crew in c, Bacolod, Pampanga and Davao.  Cebu Pacific is aiming to fly more than 200 million passengers by 2020 and currently serves 36 domestic and 26 international destinations across Asia, Australia, the Middle East, and the USA.

    The airline says 2019 will be a year of major expansion as it plans to take delivery of 12 brand new aircraft including Airbus A321neo, five A320s and a regional ATR 72-600.  “2019 is the year we accelerate growth. On average, we will be receiving one brand-new aircraft per month which we can use to increase capacity in key markets or even launch new routes,” explained Lance Gokongwei, the airline’s chief executive.

    Interested candidates will already need to have the right to live and work in the Philippines, as well as the ability to speak and write in both English and Filipino.  Female candidates must be at least 5’3″ tall, while male candidates must a minimum of 5’7″ tall.

    Candidates in Bacolod, Pampanga and Davao can apply via the official Cebu Pacific careers website, while those in Manila can either submit an online application or attend an Open Day.

    Walk-in screenings are taking place every day between Monday and Friday from 9:00am to 11:00am Cebu Pacific Building, along Domestic Road, Pasay City.  Candidates must attend in full business attire and have a copy of their updated resume/CV.

    Cebu Pacific has also made headlines recently after it offered the opportunity for 16 lucky candidates to undergo a “study now, pay later, zero-interest” pilot training program to become fully fledged commercial pilots with guaranteed employment with the airline.

    Here’s how Cebu Pacific describes the opportunity:

    “The Cebu Pacific Cadet Pilot Program is open to all Filipino citizens who are college graduates who are proficient in English. There are no preferred college degrees, and applicants need only have an average grade of at least 70% or its equivalent in subjects related to Math, Physics and English.”

    “The program entails 52 weeks of week integrated flight training, theory and education at Flight Training Adelaide (FTA) in Australia. They will undergo learning modules, train in a flight simulator and then on to an actual aircraft. Successful candidates will receive Diplomas of Aviation for Commercial Pilot License – Aeroplane, Instrument Rating, and for Pilot in Command. They will also undergo an additional four weeks of training to obtain a Pilot’s License under the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines.”

    “CEB cadet-pilots need not worry about expenses related to the flight training, as the airline will shoulder the costs first—including a stipend, and amortize the payment for the course while they are employed. The entire program will be financed by Cebu Pacific, and successful cadet-pilots who enter the CEB corps of pilots will reimburse the cost of the program through salary deduction over a maximum of ten years at zero-interest.”

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  • Cebu Pacific to launch flights Between Clark, Philippines and Narita

    Cebu Pacific to launch flights Between Clark, Philippines and Narita

    Cebu Pacific has unveiled plans to launch flights from its rapidly growing hub in Clark, Philippines to Narita Airport.

    The airline will operate four flights per week between Clark and Narita on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, beginning Aug 9.

    Cebu Pacific will also begin direct flights between its hubs in Clark and Iloilo; as well as between Clark and Bacolod on Aug 9; as well as daily flights between Clark and Puerto Princesa in Palawan by Oct 9 October 2019.

    The four new routes will boost Cebu Pacific’s total capacity in Clark by 40% in 2019 alone, following a 75% increase in 2018 with the launch of direct flights to and from Davao and Panglao (Bohol); as well as additional frequency for the Clark-Macau route.

    “There is so much untapped potential in Clark, and we are committed to expanding our Clark hub to expand tourism, trade and investment opportunities. This will open up the areas around Clark to more investors and entrepreneurs,” said Candice Iyog, Vice President for Marketing and Distribution of Cebu Pacific.

    With a population of over 23 million in its catchment area, Clark International Airport is one of Asia’s fastest-growing airports, with passenger volume reaching about 2.5 Million in 2018.

    Cebu Pacific has been operating flights in and out of Clark since 2006 and today has direct flights to Cebu, Caticlan, Tagbilaran, Davao, Singapore, Macau and Hong Kong.

    “With direct air service between Clark and Narita, it will be easier for Japanese tourists to access destinations in Pampanga, Pangasinan, Baguio, La Union and the rest of Luzon. Conversely, it will also be easier for residents in these areas to enjoy Tokyo, with a direct flight from Clark,” added Candice Iyog.

    Japan is one of the Philippines’ top sources of inbound tourists, with 631,801 Japanese visiting the country in 2018.

    In 2018, Cebu Pacific flew 20.3 million passengers on over 2,130 weekly flights across 37 domestic and 26 international destinations.

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  • Cebu Pacific income dives in 2018

    Cebu Pacific income dives in 2018

    Cebu Air reported its net income plunged 50.6% to P3.9 billion in 2018, from P7.9 billion in the previous year, due to the “challenging macro environment.”

    In a statement over the weekend, the operator of Cebu Pacific noted the high fuel prices, volatile Philippine peso, rising interest rates, increased competition, six-month closure of Boracay, and operational limitations of key airports as factors that affected its bottomline last year.

    Airlines around the world took a hit from rising jet fuel prices last year, which only started going down in the fourth quarter, based on data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The average price of jet fuel during the nine-month period was at $85.37 per barrel, 36% up from $62.89 per barrel in the same period in 2017.

    Adding to Cebu Air’s problem is the weakening of the Philippine peso, which recorded an average of P52.66 per dollar in 2018, a steep decline from the P50.40-per-dollar it recorded in 2017.

    But despite the slump in its net income, Cebu Air said its revenue grew by 9% to P74.1 billion in 2018, driven mostly by its cargo business which posted a 19% growth. Passenger revenue was also up 9% to P54.3 billion in 2018.

    “Despite the pressures posed in 2018, we remained resilient. We were able to expand our network by upgauging our flights touching congested airports,” Cebu Pacific Chief Operations Officer Michael Ivan S. Shau was quoted as saying.

    In aviation, “upgauging” is a strategy used by airlines to increase capacity by replacing smaller planes with larger ones.

    Cebu Pacific said it ferried 20.3 million passengers last year, 2.7% higher than the previous year.

    The budget carrier said it is hopeful it will bounce back in 2019 with the acquisition of fuel-efficient planes and opening of new routes.

    “We will continue to pursue our fleet upgauging strategy and invest in the latest aircraft technologies, as well as develop secondary hubs like Cebu and Clark. We will also continue to grow our cargo business with the incoming ATR freighters as well as continue our digital transformation for us to be more agile and adaptable to changing customer expectations,” Mr. Shau said in the statement.

  • Carousell raises US$56 million from Naspers

    Carousell raises US$56 million from Naspers

    Singaporean m-commerce platform Carousell has raised US$56 million from Naspers, the parent company of the Philippines’ online marketplace OLX.

    As part of the deal, Carousell will also acquire OLX Philippines, with the transaction due to be completed by the second half of this year.

    OLX Group will own a 10 per cent stake in Carousell, and values the company at “over US$550 million,” the firm says.

    The merger will give Carousell a boost in the Philippines and across Southeast Asia.

    Currently featuring 196 million listings Carousell has sold some 71 million items since it was founded in 2012. The company says it wants to continue improving predictive features like smart listings, personalised browsing, chat experiences and price-suggestion functions.

    The firm has raised approximately $170 million to date, and expects a valuation of $1 billion, in the near future.

    Carousell operates in Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.

  • SM Group introduces first Customer Service Robot

    SM Group introduces first Customer Service Robot

    SM Group has employed its first in-mall customer service robot, at SM Megamall.

    Named Sam, the AI humanoid robot is designed to help customers with directions and information about the latest mall deals, promotions and events.

    “Innovation is what SM strives for in providing better customer service to all and we are proud to introduce our latest innovation yet,” said Steven Tan, SM Supermalls COO.

    “Sam is easy to approach and has answers to almost everything SM mall related, making shopping more seamless and fun for our customers.”

    Equipped with an advanced face-recognition technology, Sam can also make personalised greetings to customers at Mega Atrium, Mega Fashion Hall and Bank Drive.

    Customers can also chat with Sam through the SM Supermalls Facebook page 24/7 to get information on branch locations, mall schedules and promotions.

    Created in partnership with the Cal-Comp Technology, Sam will be upgraded with more functions to provide a more fun and engaging shopping experience.

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  • Tigerair Taiwan to open new route flying to Palawan in the Philippines

    Tigerair Taiwan to open new route flying to Palawan in the Philippines

    Tigerair Taiwan announced Monday plans to inaugurate a new flight route between Taoyuan in Taiwan and the Philippine city of Puerto Princesa on Palawan Island starting June 7, said reports.

    It will become the third route between Taoyuan and the Southeast Asian country following the announcement by the Singapore-headquartered budget airline that it would begin flying from Taoyuan to Kalibo, a major hub for the tourist destination of Boracay island, reported UDN.

    To promote the launch of the route, individuals who book tickets between 10:00 a.m. on April 10 and 11:59 p.m. on April 11 will enjoy a discounted price of NT$399 for each single journey ticket (excluding taxes). The departure dates must be between June 7 and Oct. 18, 2019.

    There new route will offer three flights a week, according to Tigerair.

    Puerto Princesa will become the fourth destination route targeting the Southeast Asian market offered by Tigerair Taiwan, which will soon be flying 29 international routes to 22 cities, the report wrote.

    Palawan, the fifth largest island of the Philippines, boasts a plethora of wildlife, jungle mountains, and white sandy beaches. In 2016, Palawan was ranked the “Most Beautiful Island in the World” by readers of Conde Nast Traveller.

  • Philippines’ House to hold common tower hearing

    Philippines’ House to hold common tower hearing

    A Philippines’ House of Representatives committee will next week hold a hearing on the government’s common tower policy to address the industry opposition and potential legal hurdles of the proposal.

    The House Committee on ICT will look into the status of the Department of ICT’s common tower policy during a hearing scheduled for Monday, committee chairman Victor Yap told.

    Representatives of Globe Telecom and PLDT, the National Telecommunications Commission, the Department of ICT and the Philippines Competition Commission are all expected to attend.

    Under the proposed policy, tower companies will be allowed to build and operate common telecom towers that can be leased to operators. The DICT has signed agreements with a number of tower companies ahead of the introduction of the policy.

    As well as helping to improve the Philippines’ telecommunications infrastructure, the common tower policy is aimed at allowing the market’s upcoming third operator Mislatel more quickly deploy a mobile network.

    But Globe and PLDT have objected to the draft terms, which had proposed that the number of cell site builders be restricted to two registered tower providers.

    According to the operators, this could lead to an infringement of the rights to own and establish cell sites that is stipulated in their legislative franchises.

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  • AirAsia prepares to fly to Japan starting in July

    AirAsia prepares to fly to Japan starting in July

    Budget carrier AirAsia Philippines is launching its first flights to Japan on July 1 this year. The carrier, a unit of Malaysia’s AirAsia Berhad, said in a statement over the weekend that it would link its Manila hub to Osaka, paving the way for direct flights to Japan.

    “The launch of direct flights between the Philippines and Japan is a milestone occasion, and we’re excited to connect our capital, Manila, with Osaka,” said AirAsia Philippines President and CEO Dexter Comendador.

    “We are also excited to welcome guests from Osaka and its neighboring regions to the Philippines. This international route will contribute to the government’s target of 8.2 million visitors this year,” he added.

    Similar to the launch of other new routes, the budget airline said it would offer promotional fares at P1,990 for a one way ticket.

    For the whole of 2018, AirAsia Philippines carried 6.87 million passengers, a gain of 30 percent.

    Capacity for the year also rose 34 percent as it increased its fleet of Airbus A320s to 22 planes in 2018 versus 17 aircraft the previous year.

    AirAsia Philippines was established in 2012 with a fleet of two A320s operating out of Clark International Airport.

    Since then, it has opened new hubs, including Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport and Mactan Cebu International Airport.

    At present, it flies to 13 international destinations from Manila in the Philippines, including Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, Bangkok, Bali, Seoul, Taipei, Kaohsiung, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Macau and Ho Chi Minh City.

     

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