The Int’l Banker awards BDO’s Tan, “CEO of the Year in Asia”

BDO Unibank, Inc.’s Nestor V. Tan, president and chief executive officer, was named the Banking CEO of the Year in Asia during The International Banker Awards 2019 while the bank was awarded as the Best in Innovation in Retail Banking in the Philippines.

The global financial publication awards “top-ranking individuals and organizations that set new benchmarks for performance and push the boundaries within the financial industry.” It recognizes the top CEOs in each region “for their essential contributions as the premier decision-makers within their financial institutions.”

Banking CEO of the Year in Asia. BDO president and chief executive officer Nestor V. Tan is named by The International Banker as the Banking CEO of the Year in Asia for his exemplary decision-making skills in steering the bank.


Meanwhile, reader-nominated banks in countries from North and South America, Western and Eastern Europe, Asia and Australasia, and the Middle East and Africa are assessed for providing “much-needed capital for economic growth, cutting-edge innovation to improve security and efficiency, intelligent investing to maximize profits, and shareholder value.”


Expanding access to banking

The International Banker underscored the exemplary performance of BDO’s retail lending business despite challenging conditions. On an annual basis, the bank reported at the end of 2018 that its total loans across all segments increased by 18%, with provincial lending growing by 22%. Most recently, BDO recorded a 6% year-on-year growth on its customer loans for the first three quarters of 2019. 

The quarterly magazine also lauded the bank’s effective and innovative retail banking strategy. BDO runs a growing distribution network consisting of over 1,300 branches and 4,400 ATMs to help make banking more accessible to Filipinos.

As part of its “We Find Ways” service philosophy, BDO pioneered longer banking hours and weekend banking in select branches to serve those who are unavailable during regular banking hours.

Retail Banking Excellence. BDO was awarded as the Best in Innovation in Retail Banking in the Philippines during The International Banker Awards 2019. The global financial publication awards “organizations that set new benchmarks for performance and push the boundaries within the financial industry.


Complementing its expansive reach is its Cash Agad service. Cash Agad allows accountholders to use their ATM cards to withdraw cash from a point-of-sale (POS) terminal operated by partner merchants. The bank provides this service to communities that are too far from ATMs. It also helps provide livelihood to residents and drives local economy.

BDO is also into rural banking through its subsidiary, BDO Network Bank, which caters to the financial needs of those living in the archipelago’s most remote areas, particularly in Mindanao.

Bangkarera 2017 celebrates the value of sustainable Philippine seas

The coastal city of Dumaguete was the site of the 2nd Pioneer National Bangkarera, as part of Republic Chemical Industries, Inc. (RCI)’s 60th anniversary celebration. From May 12 to May 14, 2017, thousands gathered along the city’s main thoroughfare, Rizal Boulevard, to catch the action as 40 teams of fishing boats made up of 144 entries from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao braved the challenging waters to register impressive times.

The competition had four categories: the 16HP (Open Category), 7HP (Open Category), 7HP (Angat Sa Dagat Category) and the Paddle Boat (Open Category). 

John Spakowski II, RCI Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, said that they were “inspired about helping people with the way they do their living and at the same time use our products to protect and preserve the environment”. 

Republic Chemical Industries is the maker of Pioneer Epoxy bonds, paints and sealants. The race celebrates fishing as a dignified source of livelihood as well as display the high quality of Pioneer adhesives--the preferred brand of the fishermen-participants.

OCEAN CONSERVATION EFFORTS
As part of the festivities, Pioneer Adhesives Foundation, Inc. (PAFI), led by Executive Director Martina Spakowski, collaborated with the Siliman University Marine Labs to conduct the Reef Fix project in Dumaguete.

The Reef Fix project is part of “Our Earth, Our Responsibility”, PAFI’s environmental campaign that responds to the growing harmful effects of global warming on our environment. During the Reef Fix project in Dumaguete, 10 volunteer divers participated and dove into the sea of Siliman Beach to remove the damaging Drupella and Coralliophilia from the coral reef.

The project has also initiated activities to repair 4,600 corals as part of sustained efforts to protect marine sanctuaries in Puerto Princesa, Boracay, Alaminos and Dumaguete City to improve fish catch. Some 11,200 mangroves were also planted by about 1,815 volunteers.


RACE RESULTS
Teams from the Visayas and the host island of Negros dominated the score boards. Below are the final race results:

16HP (Open Category) 
Champion: Team Pirata of Iligan City (P110,000) 
2nd Place: Team Aranicole of Bulacan (P80,000)
3rd Place: Team Boracay (P50,000)

7HP (Open Category) 
Champion: Team Black Manta of Negros Occidental (P60,000) 
2nd Place: Team Overtime of Cebu (P30,000)
3rd Place: Team Cebu (P20,000)

7HP (Angat Sa Dagat Category) 
Champion: Team Cebu (P60,000)
2nd Place: Team Tamztroopers of Dipolog City (P30,000)
3rd Place: Manful Racing Team of Negros Occidental (P20,000)

Paddle Boat (Open Category)
Champion: Team Tamztroopers of Dipolog City (P30,000)
2nd Place: Poblacion Sibulan Team of Negros Occidental (P15,000) 
3rd Place: Zamboanguita Team of Negros Occidental (P10,000)