BDO Leasing, First Privately-owned Financial Institution to Finance Modern Jeeps

Wazzup Pilipinas!

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'ModernJeepneys' coming soon in streets near you.

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State-of-the-art jeepneys will soon ply the Metro Manila route—and eventually the rest of the country—with BDO Leasing and Finance, Inc. (BDOLF) at the driver's seat of this trailblazing milestone.

A subsidiary of BDO Unibank that caters to the leasing and financing market, BDOLF became the first privately-owned financial institution in the country to enter into a loan agreement to finance modern public utility jeepneys (PUJs), in connection with the jeepney modernization program of the government. As of now, Landbank of the Philippines and Development Bank of the Philippines are the only two banks that have allocated funding specifically for the jeepney modernization program.

Under this program, the government plans to replace all old PUJs aged 15 years or older with environment-friendly jeepneys that have safety features to promote safer and more environment-friendly transport options. Based on an initial study done by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), around 180,000 jeepeys nationwide face replacement under the program.

BDOLF partnered with Transport Equipment Aggregator and Management, Inc. (1-TEAM), a company that manages and consolidates PUVs under a unified management system, to provide funding for five units of modern jeepneys or BEEP (shortened name forBagong Jeep).

Incidentally, the BEEPs will be supplied by IKK Ichigan, Inc., a former BDOLF client and an existing BDO commercial banking client.

1-TEAM is the first and only fleet management company in the country to consolidate around 30 individual PUJs under a single fleet system.  Its services include the provision of logistical support, manpower selection and training, equipment repair and maintenance, and the operation of public land transport services such as but not limited to, jeepneys, taxis, buses and UV express vans.

Each BEEP unit is air-conditioned and powered by a Euro IV compliant diesel engine.  With a size almost as big as a mini bus, each BEEP unit will also have a seating capacity of 24 passengers plus driver and will be have various safety features such as a speed limiter, closed-circuit television camera, Global Positioning System, dashboard camera, and outfitted with an automated fare collection system.

The units shall be deployed to various SM Mall Terminals to provide public utility jeepney shuttle service. At present, a number of PUJ units of 1-TEAM are already providing shuttle services from SM Mall Terminals to various end points. Among these terminals are SM City Baguio, SM City Clark, SM City Marikina, SM City Sta. Mesa and SM City Fairview.

Develop Creative “Cheeseventions” with Cheez Whiz!

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Moms, did you know that it’s important to help develop kids’ creativity? Being creative does not only mean they will be good in doing art, it also helps develop them mentally, socially and emotionally. It is every mom's important role to foster creativity in their child in every way they can.

What is a better idea to foster creativity than to let them create their everyday snacks?

Cheez Whiz, the number one cheese spread in the country, has been spreading goodness during snack time for over 50 years. What makes it the leading cheese spread in the county is its thickness and amazing cheesy flavor.

Cheez Whiz' thickness is an explosion of flavor that goes with everything. Cheez Whiz is not only for making Creamy Cheesy Sandwiches but for creating different “Cheeseventions” snacks as well.  Kids of all ages can enjoy creating and mixing Cheez Whiz with other ingredients. Its two amazing flavors Original and Pimiento can drive kid’s imagination to create snacks! Make a sandwich tower! Cheez Whiz Mac and Cheese!  Use Cheez Whiz as a dip! The possibilities are endless!

Here’s one example moms and kids can create:

Solar Cheestem:
A delicious snack that’s out of this world!

Ingredients:
* Cupcakes
* Cheez Whiz 220g
* Planet toppers

Procedure:
Spread thick Cheez Whiz on top of the cupcakes.
Lay out the Solar System placemat on the table.
Place a cupcake on each planet outline.
Stick the toppers into the cupcakes.

Now, it’s time to create your Cheeseventions and submit them at cheeseventions.com for a chance to win 10,000 pesos and be featured in the Cheez Whiz (@CheezWhizPH) Facebook page.

TPB Volunteers Help Families Displaced by Mayon Volcano Eruption

Wazzup Pilipinas!

On January 13, 2018, a phreatic eruption occurred at Mount Mayon in Legazpi, Albay, leading to the evacuation of nearby residents. The event was followed by sporadic eruption, lava flow, ash fall and volcanic earthquakes, forcing the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHILVOCS) to raise the status to alert Level 4, which resulted to the displacement of more than 61,000 families from different barangays in just less than a month.

Three months later, Mayon Volcano's alert level status has been downgraded to Level 2 by authorities and most of the affected families have returned to their respective homes.

Yet, the volunteers for the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Program of the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) continued on their mission to aid those affected by Mayon's wrath, unleashed after nearly four years of stillness.

Headed by Marivic Sevilla and Mariel Angelica Dimaano of the Corporate Planning and Business Development Department, 12 kind hearts went to Legazpi and Guinobatan on April 19 and 20 to pack and distribute rice and grocery bags to 498 families with the assistance of the Department of Tourism Region 5.

The team also paid a courtesy call on Mayor Ann Gemma Ongjoco of Guinobatan, Albay before heading to Brgy Muladbucad Pequeno, one of the barangays within the 6-9 km radius of the crater that was largely affected by the eruption and where the distribution of relief goods took place.
Despite the sweltering heat, the operation was conducted in an orderly manner, and the helping hands were greeted with sincere and warm smiles. According to Sevilla, the activity was not originally part of the year-round program until COO Cesar D. Montano saw the need to help the victims. She also noted that the Bicol contingent was the smallest group to implement a CSR program so far, but it turned out successful, thanks to the assistance of the DOT Region 5 office.
For volunteer Princess Elefante of the Office of the Corporate Board Secretary, the CSR experience was an unforgettable one. "I have witnessed how this activity can lead to social awareness and build good working relationships," she said.

One lesson resonated throughout the program; a venerated one from the late great poet and activist, Maya Angelou: “When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed".

And the blessing not only gave hope to the families who have managed to survive weeks of uncertainty but also the volunteers who are now more inspired to continue the journey of giving a helping hand.