SOCIAL MEDIA

Beko recognized as Global No. 1 sustainability leader in its industry, climbing to the 17th spot on TIME Magazine’s World’s Most Sustainable Companies 2025

Tuesday, July 22, 2025


As the world faces environmental challenges, pushing for sustainability is even more crucial. When sustainability steps in, we are given the chance to make the world a healthier place to live – and in the Philippines, this sentiment rings truer and louder than ever.

At the core of Beko, Europe’s No. 1 Large Home Appliance company*, is creating a sustainable future through innovative home solutions that help households live more comfortably and healthily.

The brand has always stayed true to its commitment, which is further reinforced by being recognized once again as one of TIME Magazine’s World’s Most Sustainable Companies.

Beko has achieved a significant milestone, moving up to #17 overall, a remarkable jump from its previous #44 ranking, and secured the #1 position in its industry. This accomplishment is particularly notable given TIME's more stringent 2025 evaluation criteria, which cover environmental and social stewardship, reporting, and transparency. With more than 5,000 global brands being evaluated, this feat is a testament to Beko’s world-class quality.

“We’re proud to be the sector leader, not just by intent, but through verifiable progress, smart design, and industry-leading transparency,” shared Hakan Bulgurlu, CEO of Beko. “What matters is building systems that allow people and the planet to thrive, at every level, and in every market - and that starts with the dedication and endeavour of our teams around the world.”

Beko has garnered several nods in its sustainability performance, including using 27,835 tonnes of recycled plastics in products and recycling 1.86 million Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) since 2014. In terms of renewable energy installed, Beko also reached 90.2MWp in manufacturing. The low-carbon products accounted for 71.5% of turnover, with energy-efficient products representing 61.9%.

“It’s a validation of our belief that sustainability must scale,” Bulgurlu shared. “As we continue our journey to net zero by 2050, this milestone affirms the impact of credible data, long-term thinking, and putting sustainability at the center of how we grow.”

Visit any leading appliance store near you or visit www.beko.com/ph-en and on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok at @bekoph to know more.

*Licensee limited to certain jurisdictions.
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PH needs 7,000 new classrooms yearly for the next 15 years— PIDS urges long-term planning


The Philippines must build 7,000 classrooms annually for the next 15 years to resolve severe backlogs and future-proof its education system, according to the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS).

During a live podcast at Centro Escolar University titled “Classroom Shortages and Teacher Quality: Kaya Bang Mag-Level Up ng Polisiya?” and hosted by Professor Jose Cris Sotto, PIDS education experts called for long-term, systemic solutions to the country’s decades-old classroom crisis.

“If education is something important to us, as a nation, we should be able to put our heads together to address this issue,” said Dr. Michael Ralph Abrigo, PIDS Senior Research Fellow and lead author of the study, “Low Fertility, Ageing Buildings, and School Congestion in the Philippines,” commissioned by the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2).

Fertility decline helps, but urban congestion persists

The study notes that lower fertility rates and targeted infrastructure projects have reduced national congestion. Still, overcrowding remains severe in key areas such as Metro Manila, CALABARZON, Region XII, and BARMM.

In 2021, for example, over 90% of students in Northern Manila elementary schools were enrolled in classes with 50 or more pupils, Southern Manila recorded 76.8%, while Eastern Manila logged 60.1%. Nearby provinces, such as Rizal (66.0%) and Cavite (57.7%), showed similar strains.

The study projects a nationwide decline in school enrollment from 2040 to 2060 due to declining fertility.

“Per the PSA projections, if our Total Fertility Rate drops to around 1.7 by the 2050s, our population will start to decline... With fewer children entering school, we’ll need fewer classrooms and teachers,” Abrigo shared.

But this trend doesn’t apply evenly: regions like BARMM continue to see a rising school-age population, pushing local education systems beyond capacity.

Infrastructure alone won’t cut it

Abrigo emphasized that infrastructure must be paired with bold and scalable reforms.

“DepEd is not in the business of constructing buildings. Their mission is improving education, and classrooms are just one part of that,” he said.

He cited public-private partnerships like education vouchers, which offer private school alternatives, to help ease public school congestion.

He also recommended flexible scheduling and shared space agreements for underutilized classrooms.

Abrigo also called for greater national support for under-resourced LGUs, particularly those unable to utilize their Special Education Funds (SEF).

Effective reform, he added, requires transparent, data-driven planning and coordinated infrastructure deployment among government agencies.

“Currently, classroom construction procedures are lengthened by phased budgeting, site verification, bidding, and hazard assessment processes,” he noted.

He recommended a forward-looking master plan, updated regularly to identify locations with impending demand, ensuring classrooms are built ahead of enrollment surges.

Abrigo also highlighted that these plans must consider local nuances—especially in disaster-prone regions—to reduce delays and wasted resources.

Turning demographic shifts into gains

PIDS underscored that a shrinking youth population offers a chance to boost per-capita income—but only if the country invests heavily in education.

The so-called “demographic dividend” refers to the economic growth potential that arises when a country has more working-age people than dependents, like children or the elderly. But this opportunity only pays off if the workforce is healthy, educated, and productively employed.

“The demographic dividend isn’t automatic — we must invest in human capital through education, health, and employment to ensure our future workforce is ready,” said Abrigo.

This means not just increasing education budgets, but rethinking how the system is built and managed, Abrigo added.

“There should be a very strategic project management. It's not just about the budget per se,” he said.
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MyFintech Week 2025 Unpacks Key Trends Transforming The Financial Landscape

Saturday, July 19, 2025

MyFintech Week 2025

Malaysia's Flagship Fintech Event Unites Innovators and Policymakers to Accelerate Collaboration and Drive an Interconnected Future of Finance

MyFintech Week (MyFW) returns for its highly anticipated third edition from 4 – 7 August 2025, at a pivotal juncture as Malaysia assumes the ASEAN Chairmanship. This milestone underscores a renewed emphasis on regional collaboration and shared growth within the dynamic fintech ecosystem.

Co-organised by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), Securities Commission Malaysia (SC), Asian Institute of Chartered Bankers (AICB), Fintech Association of Malaysia (FAOM), and Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), MyFW 2025 will delve into the pressing trends shaping the future of finance under the theme ‘Ideate, Innovate, Co-create: Shaping the Future of Finance’.

This year’s event features exciting content designed to deepen understanding of how evolving technology, regulatory shifts, and societal demands intertwine to redefine the regional financial landscape. From masterclasses and hackathons to high-level dialogues, MyFW 2025 will bring together industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators to navigate the complexities of financial transformation and foster actionable insights.

Distinguished speakers include:

  • Dato' Seri Abdul Rasheed Ghaffour, Governor of BNM
  • Dato’ Mohammad Faiz Azmi, Executive Chairman of SC
  • Eddie Yue, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority
  • Chia Der Jiun, Managing Director of the Monetary Authority of Singapore
  • Dr Yanis Varoufakis, Former Minister of Finance of Greece
  • Peng Yang, Chief Executive Officer of Ant International
  • YM Raja Datin Paduka Teh Maimunah Raja Abdul Aziz, Chief Executive Officer of AEON Bank
  • Tan Sri Andrew Sheng, Chairman of George Town Institute of Open & Advanced Studies

Key Focus Areas:

Finance for the Future: Exploring how artificial intelligence, blockchain and open finance are reshaping financial services. It will also explore efforts to build secure digital asset ecosystems with a focus on regulatory alignment to foster responsible innovation and trust.

Finance for Change: Championing the expansion of Islamic and social finance to amplify socio-economic impact. It will highlight the role of technology in democratising access to climate and nature finance, while showcasing inclusive financial solutions and literacy initiatives that empower communities to make informed, resilient financial choices.

Finance for a Resilient Ecosystem: Spotlighting high-impact investment opportunities and strategic initiatives to cultivate a digitally skilled talent pool. It will also address the pressing challenges of cybersecurity and operational resilience, emphasizing cross-sector collaboration to combat financial fraud and strengthen infrastructure integrity.

MyFW 2025 is positioned as a crucial platform for advancing key outcomes for nationwide policy alignment through a whole-of-nation approach, ecosystem development and deployment of initiatives to cultivate responsible innovation. It aims to complement ongoing financial innovation and inclusion efforts across the region by empowering emerging fintech players and existing incumbents, elevating Malaysia’s regional position and shaping a forward-looking financial landscape.

For further details regarding the program, speakers, and registration, visit https://myfw2025.com.my/
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Schneider Electric Named World’s Most Sustainable Company in 2025 by TIME and Statista


Schneider Electric, a global leader in energy management and automation, has once again secured the top spot as the World’s Most Sustainable Company in 2025. The prestigious recognition comes from TIME Magazine and Statista, following a comprehensive evaluation of 5,700 companies across multiple sustainability metrics.

This marks the second consecutive year that Schneider Electric has claimed the No. 1 position in the World’s Most Sustainable Companies ranking, highlighting its unwavering commitment to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) excellence.

Leading the Way in Sustainability and Climate Action

Schneider Electric’s repeat recognition underscores its industry leadership in sustainability, with clear, measurable progress toward its environmental goals. The company is on track to achieve a 25% absolute carbon reduction across its value chain by 2030, with a target of Net-Zero CO₂ emissions by 2050. These goals are guided by its SBTi-validated Schneider Sustainability Impact (SSI) 2021–2025 program, which serves as a roadmap for driving climate-positive outcomes across its ecosystem—including customers, suppliers, and local communities.

"We’re incredibly honored to be recognized as the world’s most sustainable company for the second year in a row," said Olivier Blum, CEO of Schneider Electric. "Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. Our goal is to be a trusted partner for delivering both efficiency and environmental impact. Our purpose, mission, and values position us as a true Impact Company—where performance, purpose, and culture align to build a more sustainable future."

How the World’s Most Sustainable Companies Are Ranked

The annual ranking by TIME and Statista assesses 20 key performance indicators (KPIs) such as:

  • Scope 1 and 2 emissions
  • Energy consumption relative to company size
  • Use of renewable energy
  • Emissions reduction targets
  • Sustainability commitments and reporting transparency
  • Social and environmental performance indicators

Only 500 companies make the final list, placing Schneider Electric in a global leadership position for its climate-conscious operations and impact-driven strategies.

Recognized Worldwide for Sustainability Excellence

In addition to the TIME and Statista honor, Schneider Electric was also named the World’s Most Sustainable Corporation 2025 by Corporate Knights, becoming the only company to top the Global 100 list twice. It also received the titles of Most Sustainable Corporation in Europe and in France by the same organization.

With back-to-back global honors, Schneider Electric reinforces its role as a sustainability trailblazer, helping shape a greener, more efficient, and inclusive world.
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Teleperformance Earns Dual ISO Certifications for Health, Safety, and Sustainability Across All PH Sites


Teleperformance (TP) Philippines continues to raise the bar in corporate responsibility as it secures ISO 45001:2018 (Occupational Health and Safety Management System) and ISO 14001:2015 (Environmental Management System) certifications across all 28 sites nationwide. This major milestone reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to employee well-being, environmental stewardship, and world-class business operations.

The certifications were formally awarded by Société Générale de Surveillance (SGS), a global leader in inspection and certification services, following an extensive two-month audit of multiple TP locations. Present during the awarding were TP Philippines Chief Executive Officer Rahul Jolly and Chief People Officer Jeffrey Johnson, who accepted the recognitions from Cresenciano Maramot, Managing Director of SGS Philippines & Guam.

“At TP, we continue to implement the highest global standards and best practices to ensure we drive value and meaningful growth for our employees, clients, and stakeholders,” said Rahul Jolly. “These renewed certifications reinforce our dedication to creating a positive impact for our TP team members and the communities we serve.”

A Commitment to People and the Planet

The ISO 45001 certification highlights Teleperformance’s proactive approach to occupational health and safety, emphasizing risk reduction and the creation of a safe, supportive work environment. This globally recognized standard enhances employee morale, strengthens brand reputation, and helps attract and retain top talent.

Meanwhile, the ISO 14001 certification reflects TP’s strong environmental management initiatives—demonstrating compliance with global environmental standards and addressing issues such as climate change, energy efficiency, and resource conservation. Through this framework, Teleperformance continues to promote sustainability in the BPO industry, reducing environmental impact and improving operational efficiency.

“We always aim to be a leader in responsible business practices,” added Jeffrey Johnson. “By adhering to these ISO standards, we double down on this commitment while enhancing the value we deliver to clients.”
A Legacy of Operational Excellence

Teleperformance Philippines’ achievement adds to its impressive track record as a Great Place to Work®-certified company for six consecutive years. The dual ISO certifications solidify its standing as one of the top-performing markets in the global Teleperformance Group, known for excellence in digital business services, customer experience, and innovation.

This dual certification is more than a badge of honor—it’s a clear statement of TP’s mission to prioritize people, performance, and the planet while driving sustainable growth in the fast-evolving BPO landscape.
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Mentor Media Accelerates Global EDI Integration by up to 60% with Boomi

Thursday, July 17, 2025


Boomi’s unified, low-code platform powers automation, visibility, and agility across Mentor Media’s global supply chain operations

Boomi™, the leader in AI-driven automation, today announced that Mentor Media, a leading global supply chain solutions provider headquartered in Singapore, has reduced onboarding by up to 50 percent and accelerated Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) integration by up to 60 percent using the Boomi Enterprise Platform.

Serving Fortune 500 enterprises worldwide, Mentor Media uses EDI as a core transaction mechanism for managing business-critical processes. Previously, the company’s integration processes were highly manual and fragmented. Staff had to build and maintain individual custom modules to connect disparate systems. There was no holistic visibility into these integrations, and the setup could not scale to meet market demands.

With increasing market demands to scale fast, Mentor Media needed a single, unified platform to manage end to end integrations, improve governance, and scale consistently across regions.

With the Boomi Enterprise Platform, Mentor Media reduced system integration time from 21 months to under four months, enabling the company to deliver faster outcomes for customers and partners.

“Boomi is a game-changer for our global operations, transforming how we deliver and scale across regions,” said Rueh Herng Yap, Senior Vice President at Mentor Media. “We’re faster, more efficient, and better prepared for future growth.”

Standardising, Automating, and Scaling Integration

In addition to markedly reducing EDI system integration timelines, the Boomi platform helped Mentor Media:

● Cut onboarding time by up to 50 percent for new warehouse deployments to under six months
● Increase efficiency by up to 60 percent by adopting low-code tools and reusable templates
● Save 20 percent of senior developer time by streamlining EDI integration

With the Boomi Enterprise Platform, Mentor Media gained full visibility across integration flows, enforced best practices, and proactively identified and addressed risks — delivering resilience and operational efficiency.

“Our partnership with Boomi aligns technology and business goals in a powerful way,” said Waikit Chong, System Development Manager at Mentor Media. “AI-powered documentation and intelligent change management tools have reduced the load on senior developers, giving us time back to focus on innovation and customer experience.”

Building a Scalable, Future-Ready Foundation with Boomi

As Mentor Media prepares for continued growth, Boomi’s AI features will help onboard users faster and reduce reliance on manual training.

Boomi’s intuitive platform also empowers less-technical users to contribute to integration efforts by shortening the learning curve to improve enterprise agility.

“Today’s supply chains demand more than integration — they require agility, intelligence, and resilience. With Boomi, Mentor Media has built a scalable and robust foundation that not only connects systems, but also empowers teams to scale operations, accelerate time to value, and confidently meet the demands of a dynamic global market,” said David Irecki, Chief Technology Officer for Asia Pacific and Japan at Boomi.

Additional Resources

● Hear from Boomi’s global customers
● Browse solutions on Boomi Discover
● Explore the Boomiverse Community
● Follow Boomi on X, LinkedIn, Facebook, and YouTube


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EastWest Rural Bank Champions Health and Education through Brigada Eskwela 2025 Initiatives


EastWest Rural Bank (EWRB) continued its strong community involvement by supporting the Department of Education’s Brigada Eskwela 2025 through two focused efforts: the Annual Physical Test (APT) initiative and its flagship volunteer program, EWRB in Action. Both efforts were launched nationwide to support the physical, mental, and academic readiness of educators and learners alike under this year’s campaign theme, “Sama-sama para sa Bayang Bumabasa.”

Promoting Teacher Wellness Through APT


In a bid to care for the country’s educators, EWRB rolled out the APT program once again. It offered free medical checkups such as CBC, urinalysis, and chest X-rays to DepEd teachers and non-teaching staff. The program also included financial literacy and cybersecurity sessions to help participants protect both their health and finances.

“This initiative shows how we live out our core value, ‘I Respond,’” said Sheila Marasigan Bajado, President of EastWest Rural Bank. “We recognize that to uplift education, we must also take care of the people behind it.”

The program was officially rolled out during the Brigada Eskwela National and Regional Kick-Offs, with over 600 DepEd personnel served at the national level and an estimated 3,000 more nationwide throughout the week-long campaign.

EWRB in Action: Beautifying Schools Nationwide


Simultaneously, EastWest Rural Bank’s “EWRB in Action” initiative extended tangible classroom support by distributing beautification materials, school supplies, and mobilizing employee volunteers to aid in school preparation.

Aligned with the 2025 Brigada Eskwela theme, “Sama-sama para sa Bayang Bumabasa,” the program benefited 846 public schools across the country through donations of paint, restoration tools, and on-ground assistance. Wellness booths and giveaways further strengthened EWRB’s engagement with local communities.

“Their presence in the field brings meaningful impact to the schools and learners they serve,” said Davedinah “Dove” Cometa, Project Development Officer III at the DepEd Central Office – External Partnerships Service.

Shared Impact, Shared Purpose

EastWest Rural Bank’s Brigada Eskwela efforts reached all regions. The programs offered health services and classroom support, with each one focused on meeting the specific needs of schools and teachers in practical ways.

Dr. Jinky B. Firman, Schools Division Superintendent in Panabo City, where both programs were conducted, commended the initiative: “We deeply appreciate EastWest Rural Bank’s support for our teachers, not only through health and financial wellness programs, but also by providing much-needed supplies for our schools. The help they extended was timely and truly meaningful.”

“It’s a privilege to support our public school teachers and students as they prepare for a new school year,” added Hera Duka, EWRB’s Sustainability Champion. “We focus on providing real, practical help through health services, classroom support, or other specific needs identified by each school.”
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