#Megaworld Hotels and Resorts Group

[digitalfilipina]

SPEND EASTER BREAK AT RICHMONDE HOTEL ORTIGAS

Holy Week is the perfect time to rest and spend time with family, and what can be more relaxing than staying in the city away from the crowded beaches and packed roads to out-of-town hotspots. At the center of the metro within the accessible Ortigas Center is Richmonde Hotel Ortigas which offers local staycationers a soothing sanctuary at special rates for an easy and affordable urban…

[thehungrykat1]

Megaworld Hotels and Resorts Goes All Out For Raising the Filipino Brand of Service Excellence

With the goal of continuously elevating guest service experience and recovery, the Department of Tourism, conducted the Filipino Brand of Service Excellence Training program simultaneously across Megaworld Hotels and Resorts’ (MHR) 6 brands and 12 property locations across the Philippines all in one day. Without a doubt, the hotel industry is at the forefront of commercial trades with a high level of service and an eye for detail. Faced with the daily pressures to conduct seamless events and thoughtful experiences, Cleofe Albiso, the Managing Director of the Philippines’ largest hospitality management chain says, “Megaworld Hotels and Resorts continues to invest on its people and envisions a breed of empowered champions that will help guests win the day’s challenges”.

A total number of about 400 associates finished modules covering Service Excellence and the 7Ms of Filipino Values, Delivering Excellent Service using the GUEST Techniques, and the HEART of Service Recovery. Participating hotels included Savoy Hotel and Belmont Hotel in Newport Pasay Manila, Kingsford Hotel at the Entertainment City of Paranaque, Eastwood Richmonde Hotel in Quezon City, Richmonde Hotel Ortigas in Pasig, Hotel Lucky Chinatown in Binondo and Twin Lakes Hotel near Tagaytay. Cebu based properties who also joined in were Savoy Hotel and Belmont Hotel in Mactan Newtown. In the Panay region were Boracay properties like Savoy Hotel and Belmont Hotel at the Boracay Newcoast and Richmonde Hotel Iloilo located at the Iloilo Business Park in Mandurriao.

Accredited trainers from DOT Metro Manila were Gil Regondola, Maria Susanna F. Edilo, Lax Junnel Mendoza with the supportive presence of Regional Director Sharlene Batin. Cebu properties were handled by Dr. Evelyn Lupango under the leadersship of Regional Director Shahlimar Hofer Tamano. While Dr. Mae Panes and Boracay properties by Bryan John Dizon conducted trainings for Western Visayas properties under the leadership of RD Crisanta “Krisma” Rodrigez. Having the same mindset, the Department of Tourism aims to reach the goal of achieving 100,000-trained tourism service providers in the country in 2023. MHR’s Group Director of People Management and Development, Ms. Divinagracia delos Reyes, is now working on the succeeding batches to achieve 100% training compliance for all employees.

Albiso adds that “Your stays are no longer just about rooms and meals prepared and ready the way you like them”. She expounds “more than that, we are your partners to help you accomplish your goals during your stay”. Department of Tourism, Assistant Secretary Rica Bueno, in a congratulatory post over the facebook page of Megaworld Hotels and Resorts (MHR) said “Thank you so much MHR for believing in the Filipino Brand of Service Excellence! Mabuhay!

[takeoffphilippines]

SAVOY HOTEL MANILA & BELMONT HOTEL MANILA NEW CAMPAIGN IS A SALUTE TO FILIPINO MIGRANT WORKERS

MANILA, August 8, 2022… Savoy Hotel Manila and Belmont Hotel Manila have officially launched a heartwarming campaign that establishes its commitment to be the ‘home away from home’ for Filipino migrant workers.

‘’Belmont Hotel Manila and Savoy Hotel Manila have long been home to local and international travelers that require accommodation for business or leisure. This, of course, has always included Filipino migrant workers. We have always served them and will continue do so. ‘Home for Every Filipino’ is sort of a love letter to them. Not only do we commit to providing convenience and well-appointed facilities but most importantly a thoughtful Filipino hotel experience that they will always remember. From service, food to amenities, we endeavor to give them a memorable stay.” says Savoy Hotel Manila and Belmont Hotel Manila, Area Director of Sales and Marketing, Loleth So

The two Megaworld Hotels & Resorts (MHR) properties are local city hotels located in the progressive Newport World Resorts across the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, often serving as gateways to warm reunions and homecomings. But more than their proximity to Terminal 3 they have proven their consistency in service excellence and in delivering Filipino hospitality. Both hotels have reaped international awards as well as high ratings from actual travelers and OTA review sites which are clear testaments of their passion to serve.

Belmont Hotel Manila is the flagship hotel brand of MHR and is most commonly known as the nearest hotel to Runway Manila, the footbridge connecting Terminal 3 to Newport World Resorts. It boasts elegant interiors and cozy spaces that were designed for business stays and intimate staycations. It is also home to a beautiful al fresco rooftop bar, Rooftop 11, that features a swimming pool, Jacuzzi, and bar, amongst others.

Meanwhile, Savoy Hotel Manila is a younger brand that features a more vibrant approach to hotel interiors with its colorful lobby and guestrooms. Lauded as Asia’s Leading Airport Hotel, its 684 guestrooms that have varied views of the city and the airport have become favorites of young professionals, families as well as travel groups. Savoy also offers an outdoor pool with a bar as well as a lounge for events.

Filipino migrant workers who wish to stay at either Savoy Hotel Manila or Belmont Hotel Manila can soon expect a special room package that is created for their needs.  As homegrown brands, both hotels take pride in serving elevated signature Filipino dishes and warm hospitality that will be much experienced during their stay.

To officially introduce the ‘Home for Every Filipino’ campaign, an intimate media launch was held recently at Savoy Hotel Manila’s Connect Lounge. Department of Tourism NCR Regional Director, Sharlene Batin, graced the event as the Guest of Honor and delivered an inspiring opening message that honors the sacrifice of our Filipino “kababayans” abroad, “I believe that DOT and hotel industry have been successful in the past two years in giving a home to our fellow Filipinos. While we dream of keeping our people closer to home, closer to us and their family & friends, we cannot keep them as much as we want to. We cannot hinder them in finding greener pastures and we can only wish them well and success. Meanwhile, the challenge for us is to make a steady and fast recovery to make it work for our collective advantage. Let us keep the momentum going for tourism and stay on top of the game”

Local talents, Jino Labatigan, a violin artist and winner of Eat Bulaga’s ‘Music Hero’ and RJ Jimenez ,singer-songwriter and all around music producer, set the tone for the event with their respective heartwarming renditions of OPM hits to serenade our media guests.  

With this campaign, Filipinos living and working abroad can experience the warm hospitality which they truly deserve within the comforts of two homegrown hotels they can call their “home��.  To know more about Savoy and Belmont Hotel Manila’s ‘Home for Every Filipino’ offers, please visit their respective websites at www.belmonthotelmanila.com and www.savoyhotelmanila.com.

–

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[phgq]

Alliance Global Q3 profit rebounds, 9-month earnings hit P6.4-B

#PHnews: Alliance Global Q3 profit rebounds, 9-month earnings hit P6.4-B

MANILA – Conglomerate Alliance Global Group, Inc. (AGI) chalked up a 14-fold improvement in its third-quarter profit to PHP2.2 billion from PHP156 million in the second quarter, boosted by the gradual easing of community quarantines throughout the country and the further reopening of the economy.

 This brings AGI’s net income for the first nine months to PHP6.4 billion, reflecting a 67-percent decline from PHP19.3 billion the year before. 

 Consolidated revenues also fell by 28 percent to PHP91.8 billion from last year’s PHP127 billion.   

 “We are very encouraged by the sharp improvement in earnings across all our business segments during the third quarter as the economy gets a reboot with the further easing of the quarantine restrictions. Our interim performance also validated the soundness of our diversification strategy as evidenced by the strong results delivered by our international liquor operations even amidst the global pandemic,” AGI’s chief executive officer Kevin Tan said in a statement Friday. 

   The Andrew Tan-led conglomerate has varied interests in real estate developments through property giant Megaworld Corp.; leisure, entertainment, and hospitality through Travellers International Hotel Group, Inc.; spirits manufacturing through Emperador, Inc.; quick-service restaurants through Golden Arches Development Corp. (GADC), popularly known as McDonald’s Philippines, which is a strategic partnership with the George Yang Group; and infrastructure developments through Infracorp Development Corp. 

 “We are optimistic that we can maintain this sequential improvement following the trajectory of the economy, which we expect to slowly improve,” Tan said.

 He said they continue to help rebuild consumer confidence by assuring stakeholders of the safe live, work, and play environment in their townships.  

 “In support of this objective, we have advanced our implementation of a digitalization strategy – through cashless and contactless transactions, E-concierge for our hotel operations, customer service, account management, and efficient delivery applications – in order to hasten the pace of our transition to this new normal,” Tan added.

 Megaworld, the country’s leading township developer, booked a 42-percent decline in profit in the January to September period to PHP7.4 billion from PHP12.8 billion a year before. 

 Emperador’s net income jumped by 11 percent, year on year, to PHP5.9 billion in the nine-month period.

 Travellers International, the owner and operator of Resorts World Manila, reported a net loss of PHP5.4 billion, reversing last year’s net income of PHP786 million.  

 The GADC registered a net loss of PHP967 million in nine months from a net profit of PHP1.2 billion the year before.

 Its operations in the third quarter got a boost from the reopening of the economy, bringing its sales revenues higher by 52 percent, quarter on quarter, to PHP4.5 billion. (PR)

  ***

References:

* Philippine News Agency. "Alliance Global Q3 profit rebounds, 9-month earnings hit P6.4-B." Philippine News Agency. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1121718 (accessed November 13, 2020 at 10:36PM UTC+14).

* Philippine News Agency. "Alliance Global Q3 profit rebounds, 9-month earnings hit P6.4-B." Archive Today. https://archive.ph/?run=1&url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1121718 (archived).

[realestate-philippines-blog]

http://www.metrocebu.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Citadines-Cebu.jpg

THE COMPLETION of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA)’s expansion by 2018 is seen to further boost tourist arrivals in Cebu, effectively ramping up the need for more hotel and resort-oriented projects in the region.

Consultancy firm Colliers International said in a statement on Tuesday that the P17.5-billion public-private partnership (PPP) should entice more airlines to mount direct flights to Cebu, which has consistently been ranked as one of the most visited destinations in the country.

“Cebu’s rising attractiveness as a tourist spot and growing competitiveness as an investment destination should support a 15% to 20% growth in tourist arrival’s over the next 12 months,” Gerard Padriaga, general manager of Colliers’ Cebu office, was quoted as saying in the statement.

MCIA’s new terminal will have a total capacity of 12.5 million tourists per annum, almost thrice the capacity of the airport’s old facility.

In January to November 2016, Cebu recorded a total of 3.46 million domestic and foreign tourists, rising 12% year-on-year. The consultancy noted that Cebu outranked other key destinations such as Camarines Sur, Davao, Iloilo, Negros Occidental, and Palawan in terms of tourist arrivals.

“Cebu serves as the jump-off point to other Visayas and Mindanao destinations, hence the need to expand its airport’s capacity,” according to Colliers.

As of March 2017, the PPP Center reported that the project is 51% completed. The project’s private developer GMR-Megawide Cebu Airport Corp. meanwhile said that it is on track to reach the target completion date of June 2018.

Other than MCIA, Colliers highlighted the Cebu-Cordova bridge and proposed Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) prioritized under the Duterte administration as other projects that could ease travel within the city.

“These major road transport projects should complement the rehabilitation and upgrading of national and local roads being undertaken by the Department of Public Works and Highways,” the firm stated.

The 8.25-kilometer Cebu-Cordova bridge is a project of Metro Pacific Tollways Development Corp. which was launched last month. The P10.6-billion BRT in Cebu meanwhile is set to be operational by 2018.

Cebu’s tourism industry could also benefit from the lowering of airfares as airlines compete for bigger market share and the approval of the ASEAN Multilateral Agreement in Air Services. This deal would allow Philippine carriers to fly an unlimited number of times to capital cities of ASEAN-member nations.

The country’s recent signing of an agreement with the Chinese government on tourism cooperation is another factor, with the possible increase in capacity entitlements in air services meant to encourage airlines to open new flights between Philippine and Chinese cities.

In January alone, Chinese tourists accounted for 85,948 arrivals, soaring by 76.46% from 2016’s figures during the same period.

The city’s emergence as a destination for meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions is further expected to ramp up arrivals in Cebu. For instance, Cebu paid host to a number of Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation ministerial meetings as well as the preliminary events for the 2016 Miss Universe pageant.

“With growing interests in Cebu as a MICE destination in the region, we encourage developers to apportion a bigger space for conference rooms and other similar facilities,” Mr. Padriaga said.

Cebu-based Gaisano Capital Group has already started picking up on this area, as it launched a 1500-sear Mactan Island Convention Center in 2016.

Various real estate developers are also entering the Cebu market in support of the demand in accommodation facilities. Singapore-based serviced residences operator The Ascott Ltd. is looking to open Citadines Cebu City in 2019 and Somerset Gorordo in 2021; Ayala Land Hotels and Resorts Corp. targets to open the 214-room Seda Hotel by 2019; and Double Dragon Properties Corp. unveiled plans of building Jinjiang hotels. Colliers also listed Rockwell Land’s Aruga resort, Duros Land’s 23 Minore Park Hotel, Grand Land and Dusit International’s Dusit Princess Hotel, and Megaworld’s hotels under the Belmont brand as notable projects in the city.

The increase in tourist arrivals has effectively hiked Cebu’s overall occupancy rate to 68% from 65% in 2015.

“Robust occupancy rates of Deluxe and First Class hotels indicate the continued influx of high-spending tourists….This should sustain hotel occupancy of between 65% and 70% across Metro Cebu in 2017,” the consultancy said.

On long-term prospects of growth, Colliers said tourism will be hinged on the swift resolution of safety issues by the government.

Business World Online | April 26, 2017

23 Minore Park, Aruga Cebu, Citadines Cebu, Dusit Cebu, Somerset Gorordo http://wp.me/p7tquq-vN

[thehungrykat1]

Kingsford Café Opens Its Doors at Kingsford Hotel Manila

The country’s newest hotel cafe has just opened its doors in the vibrant Entertainment City in Paranaque. Kingsford Café had its soft opening launch last November 12, 2021 and The Hungry Kat was one of the first few lucky diners to experience its modern innovative take on local and international cuisines. I’m always excited to go on new gastronomic adventures in the city and last Friday’s event was definitely a flavorful and satisfying start to the weekend.

Kingsford Hotel Manila is the newest hotel property from Megaworld Hotels and Resorts, the nation's largest homegrown hotel chain. You can find the hotel at Bagong Nayong Pilipino, right in the middle of the city’s integrated casino resort area where the soon to be built Resorts World Westside City will rise. This is also near the entrance to the NAIA Expressway so access to the hotel is very easy and convenient.

Kingsford Hotel Manila is a towering structure along the bayside with 18 floors and 529 rooms that feature modern minimalist designs for business travelers. Hotel operations just started in March this year, but for now it only caters to essential guests for travel and quarantine.

The hotel has three dining outlets and an events function hall that can host 300 guests. There is also a lovely outdoor swimming pool on the 6th floor with a state-of-the-art fitness center equipped with steam and sauna.

Kingsford Café can be found right at the ground floor lobby of Kingsford Hotel Manila. The restaurant is now ready to cater to food lovers looking for their next gustatory find every weekend. Its doors open for lunch starting 11:30am until 2:30pm while dinner starts from 6:00pm to 10:00pm every Friday to Sunday only.

The café comes with a refreshing and relaxing ambiance. Its contemporary design and a cozy interiors are complemented with beautiful wall art pieces. Each corner can serve as the perfect backdrop for those Instagram photos or TikTok videos.

The restaurant can accommodate up to 128 guests with dedicated seats available for alfresco dining good for 16 people. Guests may also dine privately with sectioned dining spaces ideal for intimate corporate events and other social gatherings.

Welcoming me to the opening of Kingsford Café last week was Nico Ivan Velazquez, Group Director for Public Relations at Megaworld Hotels & Resorts. It was so nice meeting Nico and his team who have been so busy even during the pandemic. Megaworld Hotels will be completing several other hotels within this area and they are really expecting the travel and tourism industry to bounce back stronger.

Kingsford Hotel Manila General Manager Joe Fijardo opened our intimate lunch event by welcoming the guests and members of the media to this special soft opening launch. He mentioned that the hotel has been doing very well since its opening in March and actually has a 95% occupancy rate. While the quarantined guests cannot dine at the outlets just yet, they have opened Kingsford Café so that the dining public can now enjoy their specialties.

Kingsford Hotel Manila has accomplished all necessary Health and Safety certifications to assure guests of a safe dining experience. 100% of the associates assigned in the restaurant and kitchen at Kingsford Café are fully vaccinated. The hotel is also an advocate of Megaworld Hotels and Resorts’ Safe Stay Program and operates with a Safety Seal Certification coming from the Department of Tourism. All these programs and recognition reflect the hotel’s commitment to ensuring wellness and peace of mind of the guests.

Heading Kingsford Café’s kitchen team is Executive Chef Angelo Chubby Timban, a well adorned champion in international cooking competitions and celebrated for his creativity and passion for the craft. Staying close to his roots, Chef Chubby’s dishes pay homage to a strong Filipino upbringing but redefined through modern European techniques alongside contemporary Asian executions. The concept is to celebrate the rich produce of the Philippines and its multicultural influences by featuring nostalgic local flavors to capture the heart of every guest.

We started our event with a round of Kingsford Signature Iced Tea (P120) for our welcome drinks. This refreshing pandan-flavored iced tea came with some complimentary bread and butter to whet our appetites.

Our first course was the Deconstructed Paella (P250). This very tasty soup comes with shrimp, Chilean mussel, squid, fish fillet, paella verdure, and black beer broth. You have to mix all the ingredients together to get that full paella flavor that is very familiar but presented in a totally different way.

The second course was the Blackened Chicken and Shrimp (P380). This healthy salad has a combination of grilled Cajun chicken, shrimp, and highland vegetables with a lemongrass and tamarind vinaigrette.

It’s the vinaigrette which actually gives this dish that unique quality. The salad suddenly gets a comforting Filipino taste profile with the tamarind giving it a sweet and tangy flavor.

Next up was the Grilled Atlantic Salmon (P680), a dish the executive chef has strived to perfect since day one of his journey as a culinary purveyor. This cuisine highlights pan seared salmon fillet with braised edamame. The sauce is served with a side of grilled vegetables and balsamic red wine vinegar and honey dressing.

We were served smaller tasting portions so that we have room for all the other courses, but this is how the full dish looks when you order it at Kingsford Café. The crispy bacon gives it a surf and turf component that I will definitely come back for.

Our fourth course was the Kingsford Serenade (P680), an enticing seafood medley with fermented mustard leaves, adlai rice, char-grilled tomato, and herbed cheese doused with crab roe cream sauce. This dish was made for the seafood lovers with its plump and fresh seafood items.

Meat lovers don’t have to worry because Kingsford Café also has a couple of meaty dishes to satisfy them. On the top of the list is the Emperador Ox Tail Kape De Mutit (P880). This is one of the signature dishes inspired by the executive chef’s very own family heirloom recipe that makes use of civet coffee as an unlikely but welcome ingredient. Most of you know where civet coffee comes from, but it really works to bring out its rich and smoky flavor.

Using high quality US Grade Ox Tail, the dish also adds Tablea and “seresa” or wild cherries from Ilocos along with other aromatics to enhance its flavor. The dish is then finished off flambeed with a dash of Emperador Gold to give it a more bold and distinct character. This is truly a dish that is made to impress.

They probably saved the best for last because the Sisig Itum (P650) was our final main course. This is Kingsford Café’s own version of the famous Kampampangan dish prepared with burnt coconut that adds a smokey and earthy flavor to the sisig.

If that was not enough, the sisig itum is then topped off with a big, juicy pan seared foie gras for added richness. That makes it arguably the best sisig dish you will ever find in the city.

Now it’s time for desserts! The Sugar Free Chocolate Cake with Fruits (P280) is as pretty as it gets. This colorful moist chocolate cake comes topped with seasonal fruits with chocolate syrup on the side. Pour some syrup on the cake to create your delicious own work of art.

We even got a bonus second dessert with the Dame Blanch (P300). This Vanilla bourbon ice cream is beautifully plated with chocolate biscuits and chocolate sauce. From appetizers to main courses to desserts, everything just looks so good at Kingsford Café.

For its soft opening promotion, Kingsford Café is offering a 20% discount for all diners who make advance reservations at the restaurant with a minimum of two paying guests. This promotion is available until November 28, 2021 only so book your table ahead of time before seats get filled. We would like to thank the entire staff and officers of Kingford Café and Kingsford Hotel Manila for hosting us during this wonderful event. We'll come back here really soon to taste all the other exciting dishes on the menu.

Kingsford Café

G/F Kingsford Hotel Manila, Bagong Nayong Pilipino, Entertainment City, Parañaque

8538-6388 (Email: dine@kingsfordmanila.com)

www.kingsfordmanila.com

www.facebook.com/kingsfordmanila

[phgq]

Alliance Global Group profit hits P4.1B in H1

#PHnews: Alliance Global Group profit hits P4.1B in H1

MANILA – Andrew Tan-led Alliance Global Group, Inc. (AGI) on Friday reported its net profit reached PHP4.1 billion in the first half of 2020, down by 67 percent from PHP12.5 billion during the same period last year. 

 Consolidated revenues fell 26 percent to PHP61.4 billion from last year’s PHP82.8 billion, as the conglomerate faces the hurdles caused by the coronavirus pandemic that affected most of its businesses. 

 “The country’s strict two-month lockdown weighed heavily on most of our domestic operations. We take comfort from the fact that we have managed to diversify our sources of income, either by type of products or by geographic contribution, and this has helped us mitigate the impact of this pandemic on our group performance,” AGI chief executive officer Kevin Tan said in a statement.

 The conglomerate has varied interests spanning real estate developments through property giant Megaworld Corporation; leisure, entertainment and hospitality through Travellers International Hotel Group, Inc.; spirits manufacturing through Emperador Inc.; quick-service restaurants through Golden Arches Development Corporation (GADC), popularly known as McDonald’s Philippines, which is a strategic partnership with the George Yang Group; and infrastructure developments through Infracorp Development Corporation.

 In the first six months of the year, Megaworld posted a 33-percent decline in attributable net income to PHP5.4 billion from PHP8.1 billion a year before. 

 Consolidated revenues fell 25 percent year-on-year to PHP23.8 billion, as the strict community quarantine weighed on mall rentals, real estate sales, and hotel revenues. 

 Office rentals, however, grew 10 percent to PHP5.6 billion, proving anew its dominance and stronghold in the country’s office sector as it catered mostly to the more resilient business process outsourcing (BPO) industry.

 Emperador, the world’s biggest brandy producer and owner of the world’s fifth-largest Scotch whiskey manufacturer, recorded a 2-percent year-on-year improvement in attributable profit to PHP3.3 billion in the first half this year. 

 Meanwhile, the ongoing community quarantine, which put a temporary halt in casino gaming operations, has taken its toll on Travellers International. 

 The owner and operator of Resorts World Manila (RWM) recorded a net loss of PHP3.7 billion in the first half this year, a reversal from its PHP845-million net income the year before. 

 The community quarantine also significantly affected GADC’s operations which saw its bottom line post a loss of PHP709 million in the first half this year, reversing the profit of PHP751-million the year before. 

 At the start of the lockdown, only about 38 percent of the McDonald’s stores were operational, while activities were limited to take-out, drive-through, and delivery services as dining-in was not allowed. 

 “This global health crisis has brought us new learnings. We have modified our product offerings and acquired new skills to adapt to the changes in consumer behavior. Likewise, our move to transform our operations under a digital strategy, an undertaking we have started only last year, has supported most of our businesses especially during the strictest period of the community quarantine,” Tan said. (PR)

    ***

References:

* Philippine News Agency. "Alliance Global Group profit hits P4.1B in H1." Philippine News Agency. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1112345 (accessed August 15, 2020 at 04:02AM UTC+14).

* Philippine News Agency. "Alliance Global Group profit hits P4.1B in H1." Archive Today. https://archive.ph/?run=1&url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1112345 (archived).

[phgq]

AGI aims to be carbon neutral, create 5-M jobs by 2030

#PHnews: AGI aims to be carbon neutral, create 5-M jobs by 2030

MANILA -- Conglomerate Alliance Global Group, Inc. (AGI) of tycoon Dr. Andrew Tan has committed to be carbon neutral and to generate at least 5 million direct and indirect jobs by 2030, as part of its contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDG).

The companies under Tan’s holding firm, Megaworld Corporation for real estate; Emperador, Inc. for liquor; Travellers International Hotel Group for gaming, entertainment and hotels; Golden Arches Development Corporation for quick service restaurants under the McDonald’s brand; and Infracorp Development, Inc. for infrastructure, rolled out its various programs and activities to support the goals at the recent SustainAGIlity Summit hosted by the conglomerate at Hilton Manila.

“We must start to become more conscious and responsible for the long-term social, economic, and environmental impact of our businesses. As a responsible corporate citizen, our decisions should no longer just be driven by what is good and profitable, but by what is right,” AGI chief executive officer Kevin Tan said during the one-day conference, which was attended by the various heads and key officers of the AGI companies.

AGI currently employs over 80,000 people in its various businesses across the country.

Megaworld, and its subsidiaries Empire East Land Holdings, Inc., (EELHI), Global-Estate Resorts, Inc. (GERI), and Suntrust Properties, Inc. (SPI), which employ over 5,000 people, lead the pack by committing to continue creating sustainable townships and communities that utilize renewable energy and promoting ‘plastic neutrality.’

It also commits to create around 3 million direct and indirect jobs in its various developments across the country within 10 years.

Emperador, on the other hand, with its vast vineyard properties across Spain and state-of-the-art distilleries in Scotland, vowed to continue utilizing technologies that save water and reduce emission.

These include the use of renewable energy, particularly biomass and solar, for their vineyards and distilleries in Spain, Mexico, and the Philippines; and the use of water conservation methods for irrigation of vineyards in Spain and Mexico.

The company also maintains vineyards and forest lands in Spain totaling around 1,500 hectares. On job generation, Emperador’s global businesses employ both white-collar and blue-collar workers in the Philippines, Europe and South America, and even support local farmers.

Travellers International likewise embarks on projects that utilize renewable energy such as solar, and the employment of more local hires in its casino and hotel operations.

Golden Arches Development Corporation, which operates McDonald’s Philippines, has over 65,000 directly-hired employees all over the Philippines, with an average of 80 to 100 additional workers employed for every restaurant that is opened.

This also includes job opportunities for students and out-of-school youth to their special employment program.

McDonald’s also advocates the use of reusable cutlery, and the minimized use of plastics through the introduction of paper bags, straws, and lids.

The company also started rolling out reusable packaging, solar rooftops and use of ecobricks in some of its stores, and reinforced waste segregation system.

“Our collective strength as a conglomerate certainly gives us the ability to make these positive changes happen,” Tan explained.

AGI’s SustainAGIlity Summit gathered some key speakers from government such as Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, Senator Pia Cayetano, and Atty. Rachel Gumtang-Remalante of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other speakers who also shared their knowledge, research and case studies on sustainable development include Maria Luz E. Javier of Global Compact Network Philippines, Erik Christianto of Trucost Standard & Poor’s, and Emmanuel Rubio of AboitizPower. (PR)

  ***

References:

* Philippine News Agency. "AGI aims to be carbon neutral, create 5-M jobs by 2030." Philippine News Agency. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1094046 (accessed February 18, 2020 at 12:23AM UTC+14).

* Philippine News Agency. "AGI aims to be carbon neutral, create 5-M jobs by 2030." Archive Today. https://archive.ph/?run=1&url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1094046 (archived).