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Nepomuceno buckles down to work at Office of Civil Defense
December 31, 2022 11:36 a.m.
ARIEL Francisco Nepomuceno welcomed the job given by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. as the new Administrator III of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) under the Department of National Defense, saying that he’s up to the task.
Nepomuceno said he is happy for the trust and confidence given by the Marcos Administration on him after he formally took his oath at the Office of the Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin last Wednesday inside the Malacañang Palace.
“The environment at the Office of Civil Defense is a real working job and not easy, so I immediately went yesterday to the office to start working after my oath-taking,” Nepomuceno, the 57-year-old former member of the Philippine Military Academy Hinirang Class of 1987, said. “The task is national and challenging so we have to start working now.”
He formally took over the OCD on Thursday after the turnover ceremonies at the Department of National Defense central office in Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.
The OCD is vital to the government’s all-out response during times of calamities like floods, typhoons, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, among other disasters, to save more lives through evacuations and relief operations.
The OCD, also under the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, is also the leading government agency in handling reactions and management during times of calamities. It is the agency that administers disaster risk reduction and implements a systematic program to lessen and avoid national disasters.
Nepomuceno is not new to the position of the OCD as this is a sort of ‘homecoming’ since he already served as a director and executive officer in the office during the time of former President Benigno Aquino 3rd from 2012 to 2013.
He replaced undersecretary Raymundo Ferrer, who served for four months as OCD administrator.
“It looks like I’m just fortunately promoted now because I was a deputy before in the OCD at the time of Pres. Aquino,” he added. “But as what I have said the nature of work in the OCD is very busy, you have to prepare for upcoming calamities and hold your ground during calamities to save the people.”
Nepomuceno awarded as the “Most Outstanding Graduate of the Social Science” of the University of the Philippines in 1989. He also served the Bureau of Customs as deputy commissioner during the time of former Presidents Aquino and Rodrigo Duterte from 2013 to 2017.
During his time at the Bureau of Customs, he and his team risked their lives for seizing billions of pesos worth of drugs and smuggled items.
He also ordered the return of the infamous Canada waste to its port of origin and was the first to use the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Law.
He was a former Major Reserve in Air Force from 2006 to 2007, a Magna Cum Laude Graduate of the University of the Philippines and a holder of Executive MBA Degree from the Asian Institute of Management prior to his services to the government.
NEWS
Cebuana Lhuillier ventures into future of payments at Plan B Forum in Lugano, Switzerland
10:40 p.m. December 30, 2024
Cebuana Lhuillier, the Philippines’ leading microfinance institution, is stepping into the future of payments by exploring innovative blockchain solutions.
This initiative underscores the company’s commitment to financial inclusion and its strategic move towards adopting digital technologies. Senior Executive Vice President Philippe Andre Lhuillier attended the prestigious Plan B Forum in Lugano, Switzerland, where financial leaders and innovators gathered to discuss the next evolution in payments, blockchain, and digital finance.
A Global Stage for Financial Innovation
The Plan B Forum serves as a vital platform for thought leaders to explore the future of blockchain and digital currencies in the global economy. With a focus on the growing impact of decentralized finance (DeFi), stablecoins, and digital currencies, the forum highlights how emerging technologies are reshaping the landscape of financial services. Cebuana Lhuillier’s participation signifies its drive to stay ahead of technological advancements that can reshape and bridge TradFi and DeFi in the Philippines.
The event was attended by some of the prominent names in the digital currency space, demonstrating Cebuana’s commitment to industry and reinforcing its role in shaping the crypto landscape.
Cebuana Lhuillier: Championing Financial Inclusion in the Digital Space
Jean Henri Lhuillier, President and CEO of Cebuana Lhuillier, highlights the company’s growing focus on digital transformation. “As Cebuana Lhuillier continues to expand in the digital space, it aims to enhance payment services by adopting stablecoins and partnering with innovative digital solutions companies. These technologies promise faster, more affordable, and secure transactions for Filipinos, offering a modern way to manage payments with greater transparency and ease.”
Following this, Cebuana Lhuillier Senior Executive Vice President Philippe Andre Lhuillier added, “Blockchain technology and digital currencies are not just tools for innovation; they are vehicles for empowerment. By leveraging these technologies, we can democratize access to financial services, enabling Filipinos from all walks of life to participate in a global digital economy.”
This move reflects Cebuana Lhuillier’s commitment to providing reliable financial services that cater to the evolving needs of its customers across the country.
In representing Cebuana Lhuillier at the forum, Philippe Andre Lhuillier emphasized the importance of financial inclusion in the digital age. In an era where internet access and digital infrastructure are rapidly expanding, especially with advancements in web3 technologies, it set the stage that highlighted the importance of emerging payments in the web3 space and the role of Cebuana Lhuillier in bridging this technology with traditional finance.
Cebuana Lhuillier’s participation at the forum reinforces its commitment to financial inclusion. By incorporating digital wallets, blockchain technology, and digital currencies, the company aims to expand access to financial services, beyond traditional finance.
President and CEO Jean Henri Lhuillier remarked “With the evolution of financial landscapes, Cebuana Lhuillier is positioning itself at the forefront of digital transformation in the Philippines. By attending the Plan B Forum, the company is not only seeking to learn from global leaders but is also reaffirming its role as a key player in the future of payments and financial inclusion. Philippe Andre Lhuillier’s participation marks a critical step towards realizing Cebuana Lhuillier’s vision of becoming a fully integrated financial service provider that leverages cutting-edge technology.”
As blockchain and digital cryptocurrency technologies continue to grow, Cebuana Lhuillier is well-positioned to lead the way in providing innovative financial services.
NEWS
InLife wins Best in Future of Intelligence Award at IDC Future Enterprise Awards 2024
3:30 p.m. December 25, 2024
Insular Life (InLife) received the Best in Future of Intelligence Award – Philippines during the IDC (International Data Corporation) Future Enterprise Awards 2024 held at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre in Singapore on November 18, 2024.
The award recognizes InLife’s Agile Academy, a transformative initiative aimed at fostering an Agile mindset among InLife employees, or InLifers.
Through bootcamps, masterclasses, workshops, and curated resources, the Agile Academy empowers InLifers to tackle organizational challenges with innovative solutions, contributing to the company’s business and digital transformation journey.
At the heart of the Agile Academy are the Mission-Based Teams (MBTs)—cross-functional, user-centric, and self-organizing groups that leverage the Agile framework to address critical customer and enterprise issues.
To date, the Agile Academy has activated 21 MBTs, resulting in innovations like the InLife App, a mobile and web application for managing life insurance policies; and the InLife Compass Super App, designed to boost the productivity of InLife financial advisors. MBTs have also developed solutions addressing pain points of Gen Zs, Group account holders, and the silver generation, demonstrating InLife’s customer-centric and inclusive approach.
“InLife’s recognition at the IDC Future Enterprise Awards reaffirms our commitment to continuous innovation and transformation in service of our customers,” said InLife Chief Transformation Officer Efren C. Caringal, Jr. “At 114 years, InLife remains true to its pioneering spirit, leveraging initiatives like the Agile Academy to deliver meaningful solutions that benefit our policyholders and other stakeholders.”
The IDC Future Enterprise Awards recognize organizations that lead the way in digital transformation, demonstrating resilience, and a commitment to enhanced customer experiences.
NEWS
Converge engages Unang Yakap beneficiaries in gift-giving activities
8:30 p.m. December 24, 2024
Leading fiber broadband and technology provider Converge ICT Solutions Inc. shared the joy of Christmas to the mothers and volunteers of its Unang Yakap Community in Baseco, Tondo.
With the help of the mentors and mentees from its women mentorship program Grace Under Pressure: MentorSHE, the company celebrated with the beneficiaries and community volunteers through games, raffle, and gift-giving activities.
In partnership with Caritas Manila, Converge has been supporting the Unang Yakap Program that aims to provide healthcare and nutritional assistance to underprivileged pregnant and lactating mothers, and their infants, during their first 1,000 days.
Sylvia Sanchez-Atayde grateful for MMFF’s recognition of Topakk
Cebuana Lhuillier ventures into future of payments at Plan B Forum in Lugano, Switzerland
Topakk bags MMFF’s Jury Prize Award, 2 other citations
