Category: Business

Clark Water’s system loss down to 6%

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Clark Water Corporation (CWC), the sole water and used water operator of Clark Freeport and the Clark Special Economic Zone has declared a record-low 6 percent level of system loss from 55% in 2000.

According to Jess Laigo, General Manager and Chief Operating Officer of Clark Water, high levels of system loss or non-revenue water (NRW) may indicate the need to rehabilitate or update infrastructure. “Clark Water’s current level of NRW reveals the effectiveness and efficiency of the company’s programs. Recovered water is redistributed to the network for the needed water supply of our customers, reducing stress of resources,” said Laigo.

Laigo attributed this achievement to the strengthening of its production processes and various company-led programs. “Every year, we challenge ourselves to further reduce our system loss by maintaining a highly reliable network coupled with intensified efforts on Energy and Key Accounts Management Programs. At 6%, our NRW is comparable with the best water providers in the Philippines. International allowable standard for NRW is about 20-25%,” adds Laigo.

Clark Water Corporation is a subsidiary of Metro Manila’s East Zone water concessionaire, Manila Water.

Expanding opportunities for housewives in Aklan

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(L-R)Ferdinand dela Cruz, President of Manila Water Foundation;  Carla Berina-Kim, Executive Director of Manila Water Foundation; Hon. Maylynn A. Graf, Chairman of Motag Women’s Cooperative;  and Gerardo Ablaza, Jr., Chairman of Manila Water Foundation.

Motag Women’s Cooperative, a group in Malay Aklan that is mostly composed of housewives, accepts a P200,000 loan from Manila Water Foundation that will support new economic ventures for the cooperative’s members.

The seed capital given through Manila Water Foundation’s Kabuhayan Para sa Barangay Project is dedicated for the establishment of a grocery wholesale business that will cater to sari-sari stores and other means of livelihood such as backyard poultry and piggery in Baranggay Motag.

According to Ferdinand dela Cruz, President of Manila Water Foundation, through this opportunity housewives of Motag will contribute not just in nurturing their own homes, but in the development of their baranggay. “A wholesaler of grocery items in the area will provide convenience to existing businesses as supplies are sourced all the way from Caticlan which is almost an hour travel from Motag. High transportation cost for the purchase of needed items is also a dilemma for business owners and residents” said dela Cruz.

Manila Water Foundation is the additional corporate social responsibility arm of East Zone concessionaire Manila Water Company for areas outside Metro Manila.

MasterCard employees reach out to Haiyan victims

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Employees of global payments industry giant MasterCard Worldwide reached out to the victims of Typhoon Haiyan through donations double-matched by MasterCard.

Employees of global payments giant MasterCard Worldwide reached out to the victims of Supertyphoon Haiyan by donating a total of USD230,178. The amount is composed of the employee donations that were double-matched by MasterCard.

Vicky Bindra, president of MasterCard Worldwide for Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa (APMEA) region, made the call to action to employees globally, which provoked the largest employee response to what is now known as the deadliest natural disaster in Philippine history.

Recipients of the donations were American National Red Cross (directing funds to the Philippine Red Cross), AmeriCares, Doctors Without Borders USA, Friends of the World Food Program, International Rescue Committee, Mercy Corps, Save the Children Federation, and World Vision. These organizations were handling disaster management in the Philippines, where Haiyan’s strong winds left more than 6,000 dead, 4 million displaced, and affecting 14 million people.

The employees’ donation comes on top of MasterCard’s donation of USD225,000, comprising USD100,000 to the American National Red Cross; USD100,000 to the World Food Program; and USD25,000 to Philippine National Red Cross.

In addition, the company waived interchange charges on all charitable donations made using a MasterCard card.

“The employee response to this catastrophe demonstrates that when we all come together for one cause, we have the power to make a very strong impact. It makes me proud to work at MasterCard knowing that there is support across and throughout the organization,” explained Bindra.

DHL tests drones for deliveries

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THE world’s logistics giant, Deutsche Post DHL, recently completed its first successful drone delivery using an unmanned aerial vehicle in Bonn, Germany, to transport a 3-kg medicine package.

This was part of the company’s preliminary research into how drones could be used to deliver urgent packages to areas with limited access to traditional transport.

The yellow “PaketKopter” (or parcel copter), flew 50 m high across the Rhine in Bonn bearing the 3-kg package of medicines for about 1 km.

“We are at the beginning of the research project,” said DHL manager Ole Nordhoff, adding that the technology is quite exciting.

Meanwhile, a spokesman for Deutsche Post DHL said in a statement that the company is considering the use of drones, as these could help customers get their purchases in half an hour or less.

According to the rest of the statement, “The idea of using drones for parcel delivery is not new. Deutsche Post DHL also has its dedicated research project, in which DHL is testing a so-called parcel copter. In the context of this future-oriented innovation project, we are considering particularly urgent deliveries such as drug supply or deliveries via parcel copter to areas that are geographically difficult to access. However, we do not have specific plans to use the parcel copter in our regular parcel delivery operations at present.”

Although there have been no physical problems thus far with package delivery, Deutsche Post DHL is still scrutinizing the use of commercial drones as it may violate some laws.

In the United States the use of all commercial drones is currently illegal, with the Federal Aviation Administration mandated to issue regulations by the end of 2015.

DHL said it had permission from local aviation authorities to run the test flights, but reiterated that these were simply part of a trial in the company’s goal to revolutionize the future of its logistics business.

Journey to Japan on a budget with Cebu Pacific

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Akibahara

With its rich history, cultural treasures and modern attractions, Japan ranks high on every traveler’s must-see list. It can also be an expensive place to visit, but with careful planning, research and budgeting, tourists can make the most out of their trip to the Land of the Rising Sun, without breaking the bank.

Exploring on a budget. Making it possible for budget-conscious adventurers to make that dream trip to Japan is Cebu Pacific, launching direct flights from Manila to Tokyo (Narita) and to Nagoya on March 30, 2014. The first Philippine low-cost carrier to offer direct flights between Manila and these two key Japanese cities, Cebu Pacific offers fares as low as P5,499, up to 60 percent lower than other full-service airlines. With the extra savings, tourists can spend less on airfare and more on memorable travel experiences. Going around Japan is also an adventure in itself, as the country is known for its efficient public transportation system. To keep costs manageable, travelers can purchase a Japan Rail (JR) pass prior to their trip. Depending on the length of their stay, they can opt for the 7-day, 14-day or 21-day pass. The JR pass provides guests with unlimited use of the extensive JR train system, and is also valid for non-JR railway lines, and some buses and ferry routes.

Taking on Tokyo. Tokyo has countless attractions for every kind of passion, interest and budget. Early risers can enjoy an action-packed morning at the Tsukiji Fish Market, the world’s largest and busiest fish market. A five-minute walk from the Tsukiji Station, this top tourist attraction is famous for its live tuna auctions, which are open for free to a maximum of 120 visitors on select days. Complete the experience by having a delightful breakfast at Sushi Dai, which offers fresh chu toro (fatty tuna) that gets people lining up as early as 4:30 am.

Near the Tokyo Station is the Tokyo Imperial Palace, the official residence of the Japanese imperial family since 1868. The inner palace gardens and buildings are closed to the general public for most of the year, but tourists can apply online at http://sankan.kunaicho.go.jp/english/index.html for a free guided tour of the palace grounds. Tours are conducted only in Japanese, but electronic audio guides in English are lent to foreign visitors free of charge. While there, tourists can also visit the Imperial Palace East Gardens which are open daily except Mondays and Fridays. These are especially beautiful during the March and April plum and cherry blossom seasons.

A whole new world awaits in Akihabara, two stations away from the Tokyo Station. The major shopping center for the latest computers, cameras, mobile phones and other gadgets, it is also home to hobby shops selling anime and manga figurines, card games and other collectibles.

Navigating Nagoya. One of Japan’s largest and most populous cities, Nagoya is one of the country’s key business, industrial, and transportation hubs. Among its famous attractions is the Nagoya Castle, which is accessible via the Shiyakusho Station. Completed in 1612, the castle was largely destroyed during World War II and reconstructed in 1959. It now houses treasures that escaped the bombing during the war, including paintings on sliding doors and screens that once adorned the castle’s Honmaru Palace, as well as flintlocks, swords, helmets and other objects from the historic Owari Tokugawa era.

From big department stores to street and flea markets, Nagoya also offers a host of options for serious shoppers. Located right at the Nagoya JR station is the JR Nagoya Takashimaya Department Store, which houses luxury brands such as Hermes and Prada, plus a variety of shops that sell cosmetics, Japanese tableware such as kiriko (Japanese cut glass) and other souvenirs. Fashionistas who wish to bring home their very own kimonos can get beautiful, secondhand pieces for less at the Osu Shopping Street, which can be found between the Osu Kannon station on the Tsurumai Line, and Kamimaezu station on the Meijo Line.

For a taste of something different, travelers can swing by the Asahi Breweries in Nagoya, one of the brand’s nine factories in the country. Located close to the Moriyama station on the JR Chuo line, the facility offers free 75-minute guided tours in English and Japanese that take visitors through its brewing and packaging process. After the tour, guests can sample some of the brand’s famous brewed beverages, also free of charge.