8th Philippine SME Business Expo and Conference to Open on May 02, 2019

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Philippines’ Largest Business-2-Business Expo, Conference, and Networking Event for Small and Medium Enterprises – the 8th Philippine SME Business Expo & Conference [PHILSME] is now all set to open its 8th edition on May 02, 2019 at the SMX Convention Center Manila, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City.

The event provides growth opportunities for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) through a 2-day interactive business event composed of an expo and a 2-day business conference expecting to draw over 10,000 small and medium sized business owners, business professionals, and aspiring entrepreneurs. It will run from May 02-03, 2019.

A much bigger expo will be expected for this year featuring over 250 exhibiting brands offering various business solutions and opportunities such as IT solutions, business consultancy, logistics, financial technology, insurance, human resources & recruitment, office spaces, marketing & advertising, franchising, distributorship and many more.

Main highlight for this edition’s expo is the launching of the Innovations Village where technological start-up companies are now given the spotlight to showcase the latest technological business solutions to support SMEs.

“In this age of e-commerce, advancements in technology has been a pivotal machinery for most businesses today. This is the reason why this edition’s PHILSME is different – we invested in technology through the launching of the Innovations Village. We are excited to meet and explore a wide array of new and even more technological business solutions that will strengthen and empower the Small and Medium Enterprises here in the Philippines.” says PHILSME Founder and Mediacom Solutions, Inc. Chief Events Officer, David Abrenilla.

In addition, this edition’s business conference will feature over 20 business talks on areas of digital marketing, e-commerce, logistics, operations, finance, sales, information-technology, human resources, accounting and many more.  Negash Devata, General Manager for Cross-Border Trade from Paypal Southeast Asia and Mr. Mikey Asiddao, the Chief Information Officer of Fexco Philippines will be among the notable speakers for this year.

The 8th Philippine SME Business Expo & Conference is sponsored by LBC Express, Spaces, Esquire Financing, Zoho Corporation, Easy Debit by Fexco Philippines, Epson Philippines, Canon Marketing Philippines and Benchmark Email Philippines. PHILSME is also supported by the Department of Trade and Industry – Bureau of Small and Medium Enterprise Development, Filipino International Franchise Association, Australian-New Zealand Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines and the Cassava Growers and Processors Association.

For visitor inquiries and conference tickets, contact Sunshine Sy at +632-218-9517. +632-266-0092, +63-928-732-5557, or +63-927-395-1575 or send an email to sunshine@philsme.com

Connect with the SME community via Facebook at www.facebook.com/PhilippineSMEBusinessExpo

PICTURE 1. Various business leaders pose for a photo-op during the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
PICTURE 2. Director Jerry T. Clavesillas, Director of the Bureau of Small and Medium Enterprise Development of the Department of Trade and Industry, expresses his support in PHILSME’s endeavor to strengthen Small and Medium Enterprises.
PICTURE 3. International Office Space Company, Regus has been the Gold Sponsor of PHILSME for six consecutive editions. 
PICTURE 4. Transportify Philippines has been one of the business solution exhibitors of PHILSME related to logistics.
PICTURE 5. PHILSME is a suitable platform to meet and learn face-2-face from over 120 exhibitors offering over 250 top business solutions and opportunities.

MARINA Advocates Gender Equality in the Shipbuilding, Ship Repair Industry

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Maritime Industry Authority, through the Shipyards Regulation Service (SRS), continues to advocate equal opportunities for both men and women in the shipbuilding and ship repair (SBSR) industry through a gender sensitivity workshop with SBSR stakeholders in Mindanao.

The MARINA believes that the active participation of every Filipino will lead to the fulfillment of the Maritime Industry Development Plan (MIDP) and part of it is employing more people in the maritime industry, regardless of gender.

Ms. Marichu Magpantay-Buergo, a Gender and Development (GAD) specialist, discussed the social construction of gender, concepts and tools for gender analysis, as well as gender-based inequalities in the society.

Buergo debunked the myth that men are stronger compared to women. She emphasized that no scientific study has proven the claim, clarifying that women may actually be stronger than men for their capability to carry an unborn child inside their bodies for nine months. She also highlighted that men and women only differed on their physiological aspect and biological make-up.

Finally, Buergo encouraged the participants to share their gained knowledge on gender sensitivity with their colleagues to further strengthen cooperation and oneness at the workplace.

To conclude, the MARINA reminded participants that a more inclusive and less discriminatory environment is instrumental in engaging more individuals in the maritime industry.

“This gender sensitivity workshop is not intended to devalue men by empowering women, but an opportunity to learn how to respect each and every individual," MARINA-SRS Director Engr. Ramon Hernandez said.

LRT 2 East Extension Project Enters Final Phase with Track Laying, EMS Installation

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The railway track laying and the electromechanical system (EMS) installation comprising Package 3 of the LRT 2 East Extension Project will kick off today, 16 April 2019, signaling the transition of the project into its final phase.

The EMS is comprised of the signaling system, overhead catenary system, telecommunications system, and the power supply and distribution system.

The winning contractor, the consortium of Marubeni Corporation and DM Consunji Inc., is set to start the track works and the integration of the EMS into the existing system, and these are expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2020.

Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur P. Tugade lauded the efficient implementation of the rail line extension project, citing its role in enhancing the mobility and connectivity within the Greater Manila Area.

According to Sec. Tugade, once the project is completed, travel time from Recto in Manila to Masinag in Antipolo, Rizal will be significantly reduced.

“To give the Filipinos a comfortable life as President Rodrigo Duterte directed, we at the DOTr are working on ways to efficiently and effectively ferry our commuters. The LRT 2 East Extension Project ranks among such projects, for this shall ease the travel of our kababayans coming from Rizal to Manila. Once this is completed, travel time from Recto to Masinag will be reduced to 40 minutes compared to up to three hours travel via bus or jeepney,” the transportation chief said.


Extension Project now 60% complete

Package 1 which involved the construction of a viaduct was completed in March 2017, while Package 2 which involved the construction of two stations is 78 percent done as of March 2019. Overall, the Line 2 East Extension Project is already 60 percent completed.

“The first two phases of the project had a smooth implementation. Today’s track laying and EMS installation signify the culmination of the project and the realization of the much-awaited answer to the clamor of the commuting public from the eastern areas of Metro Manila for a fast, affordable and convenient means of mass transit system,” LRTA Administrator Reynaldo Berroya emphasized.

The four-kilometer extension to the existing 13.8-kilometer LRT 2 line is expected to transport an additional 80,000 passengers daily from the current average daily ridership of 240,000, with two new stations, namely, Emerald Station in Marikina, and Masinag Station at the Masinag Junction in Antipolo City.

"The LRT 2 extension will provide a smoother commuting experience and, ultimately, a better quality of life for people in eastern Metro Manila. We appreciate the fact that Japanese technologies are utilized toward this end and contribute to the alleviation of the traffic congestion in Metro Manila," said Yoshio Wada, JICA Philippines Chief.


Private Partners

Marubeni and DMCI, whose partnership spans more than three decades, have expressed their commitment to the timely completion of the project.

"Both companies aim to further contribute to the social and economic growth of the Philippines," said Naoto Tago, President and CEO of Marubeni Philippines Corporation, and spokesperson for the consortium. “We understand the importance of this project to the Filipino people and we will make sure that we deliver a working, high-quality track works, and a functioning E&M system by the last quarter of 2020."

Currently, the LRT-2 System, with 11 stations and having its terminal stations at Santolan in Pasig and Recto in Manila, traverses the East-West routes of Metro Manila.