Airbnb has recently announced a new way it will support guests as they navigate the unexpected impact of a recent surge in COVID-19 cases with its Guest COVID Support Program.
The company is introducing the program to provide relief to guests no longer able to proceed with their previously booked reservations due to unexpected travel disruptions caused by government mandates such as border closures or mandatory extended quarantine requirements.
For guests in these situations who are unable to obtain full refunds under their Hosts’ cancellation policies, Airbnb will provide relief in the form of a travel coupon for 50 percent of the cost of the unrefunded portion of the reservation. The company is funding this program with UD$20 million initially to help defray these financial impacts to guests and ensure guests know that it is listening to their concerns.
This program is effective immediately and applies retroactively to reservations that (1) have a check-in date on or after December 1, 2021 and (2) had to be cancelled by the guest due to border closures, government mandates and certain other Omicron-related travel restrictions not in effect at the time of booking. If guests had reservations for stays with check-in dates on or after December 1 and they had to cancel in advance of check-in due to unexpected travel disruptions caused by government mandates, they are eligible for relief under this program.
For example, if a traveler in October booked a stay in Manila with a check-in date for late December — and Manila’s restrictions on outside travel were announced after the date of booking but before the date of check-in — this program would retroactively apply. However, if a traveler books a stay in Manila today while the same travel restrictions are already in place, the program would not apply. Guests who believe their canceled reservations meet the program criteria should contact Airbnb’s 24/7 Community Support team.
This program is meant to support guests who have encountered extreme and unexpected government-mandated travel disruptions due to Omicron and through no fault of their own. Other circumstances such as a guest testing positive for COVID just prior to a reservation will still be covered by Airbnb’s Extenuating Circumstances policy and therefore will not be eligible under this new program. Additionally, extreme travel disruptions such as earthquakes and wildfires that are not related to COVID-19 are also covered under Airbnb’s Extenuating Circumstances policy.
“Since the World Health Organization’s declaration of COVID-19 as a pandemic in March 2020, Airbnb has continued to prioritize public health. Our guiding principle has been that people should not travel or host if they are sick with this virus,” sharedAmanpreet Bajaj, Airbnb general manager for Southeast Asia, India, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
He continued, “We are grateful that our Host community as a whole has sought to offer guests greater flexibility — with almost two thirds of active listings globally now offering moderate or flexible cancellation policies. Travellers have been hit hard, particularly with sudden travel restrictions and border shutdowns. We understand that our guests are trying to navigate in a really dynamic environment, and so we’ll be stepping up our support for them.”
Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC), PLDT Inc. (NYSE: PHI) (PSE: TEL) and Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) strengthen their partnership for nature conservation in the Philippines with the signing of a new MOA.
The partnership aims to leverage the use of technology and advanced machine learning solutions to support environmental sustainability in Sasmuan. Reinforcing this partnership is the participation of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Sasmuan, Pampanga.
This five-party collaboration will further enhance the conservation of the Sasmuan Bangkung Malapad Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area (SBMCHEA), recently declared by the DENR as a protected area. Located in the municipality of Sasmuan, Pampanga, this includes a 405-hectare mangrove wetland, which is an important habitat to many endemic, migratory and threatened water bird species. In addition, its mangrove swamps serve as natural flood and typhoon barriers and help to preserve marine biodiversity. In 2021, the mangrove swamps of Sasmuan were also designated as the 8th wetland of international importance in the Philippines under the Ramsar Convention, an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands.
Under the memorandum of agreement, Ericsson will deploy Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enabled CCTV cameras to identify migratory bird species and enable better preservation of endangered wildlife in Sasmuan, Pampanga. PLDT will host the cloud system for the data that will be collected by the AI cameras while Smart will provide end-to-end internet mobile connectivity. The relevant data will then be processed via a dashboard made available to the DENR and the LGU of Sasmuan, Pampanga.
Melissa Vergel de Dios, first vice president and head of PLDT’s Sustainability and Investor Relations Offices says, “This partnership demonstrates how we can leverage information and communications technology or ICT and connectivity in caring for the environment and preserving it for the next generation. Together with Ericsson, we continue to explore innovations to see how we can create more Internet of Things (IoT) and AI technology-based solutions that could address environmental challenges and help mitigate climate change.”
This latest partnership follows a previous Connected Mangroves project in 2017, where an IoT solution for the reforestation of mangroves was deployed in the same LGU in Pampanga. Data such as water level, humidity, soil moisture and temperature were also captured by solar-powered sensors via wireless connectivity over a cloud system. This information then allowed the community to better manage the area’s conservation. Based on a census in 2020, more than 50,000 birds are using SBMCHEA as a migration stopover.
Martin Wiktorin, head of Ericsson Singapore, Brunei and the Philippines, says, “Our approach to sustainability and corporate responsibility is an integral part of Ericsson’s strategy and culture that is embedded across all our operations. Our vision is to create a world where limitless connectivity improves lives, redefines business and pioneers a sustainable future, and this latest partnership embodies this. As a long-standing partner to Smart, we are constantly striving to leverage technology to create positive impact on communities, first with the use of IoT to connect mangroves and now with AI to further protect nature as well as the ecological biodiversity in the Philippines.”
Garmin Philippines recently announced that the new vívomove Sport, a hybrid smartwatch with real ticking watch hands that move to reveal a hidden touchscreen display, is now available for pre-order.
Designed for those who seek a fashionable way to stay connected while tracking their health and fitness, the vívomove Sport features a full suite of health and wellness tools, including Body BatteryTM energy monitoring, all-day stress tracking, advanced sleep monitoring and built-in sports apps with connected GPS. New unique colorways make vívomove Sport the ultimate wellness accessory.
“Garmin Philippines continues to expand its vívomove series, a unique product line within the Garmin wearable family, with the arrival of the entry-level vívomove Sport, making it more accessible to Filipinos in the country,” said Garmin Asia Director Scoppen Lin. “A smartwatch is only useful if you wear it, and we know that many people still want the look of a traditional timepiece with real hands. With vívomove Sport, you can have the best of both worlds at a friendly price point.”
Style with a twist
The vívomove Sport has the appearance of a traditional watch with the essentials of a smartwatch. It is designed with real ticking watch hands and a hidden display that only appears when needed. Interact with the touchscreen, and the hands dynamically move away.
Inspired by the luxe comfort trend, the vívomove Sport features a silicone band and color-coordinated watch dial in warm colorways and a soft green reminiscent of sophisticated wellness aesthetics. Refined metallic accents add dimension and lend a sleek, contemporary feel.
Health and wellness
Know the body better with an extensive range of tools that leverages Garmin’s industry-leading health features for whole body well-being.
The vívomove Sport provides health awareness by monitoring respiration, Pulse Ox,1 stress, advanced sleep (with sleep stages), hydration logging and 24/7 heart rate (with user-configurable alerts for high or low readings).2
Body BatteryTM energy monitoring shows the body’s current energy level, which can help with scheduling workouts and big events and understanding when it is time to slow down.
Women’s health features, including menstrual cycle tracking and pregnancy tracking, support women during each stage of their reproductive cycle with the ability to log symptoms alongside other health and wellness data in the Garmin ConnectTM app.
Breathwork activities guide the user through a relaxing series of breaths and holds for focus and stress relief.
Fit and sporty
Like its name suggests, the vívomove Sport is equally at home in the gym as it is on the town with friends, and includes a variety of features to enable an active lifestyle.
Includes built-in sports apps for yoga, strength, Pilates, cardio, treadmill, cycling and more.
Connects to a compatible smartphone’s GPS to accurately track distance and pace during outdoor walks, runs and bike rides.
Monitors activity throughout the day with step counting, calories burned, intensity minutes and more.
Safety and tracking features send a message with the user’s location to emergency contacts3 for peace of mind when out and about.
The vívomove Sport is designed for everyone’s lifestyle.
Everyday wear
The vívomove Sport’s unique hybrid design allows users to discreetly stay connected when paired with a compatible smartphone.
Battery life of up to 5 days in smartwatch mode with up to an additional day in watch mode (hands only).
Smart notifications for incoming calls, text messages, social media updates and alerts. AndroidTM users can respond to texts. See what the day holds with a dedicated calendar screen.
Health and fitness data lives all in one place in the Garmin Connect app where users can go to connect, compete and share.
Unlike many smartwatches, the vívomove Sport can be used with either Android or Apple smartphones.
Partnership with Penny Pairs
Garmin is proud to collaborate with Penny Pairs, a popular Filipino jewelry brand, for the pre-order promotion and launch of vívomove Sport in the Philippines. This partnership perfectly reflects vívomove Sport hybrid watches and Penny Pairs jewelry’s stylish features, timeless designs and affordability both offers to their customers.
Penny Pairs will be sponsoring jewelry for limited vívomove Sport buyers, as well as discount vouchers for the winners of the upcoming Garmin PH’s #WhatDoesTimeLookLike social media contest. Visit Garmin Philippines’ social media channels for updates.
Availability and pricing
Pre-order the vívomove Sport in ivory, cocoa, cool mint and black color variants at a retail price of PHP9,595. Until February 7, 2022, buyers can get a free set of Penny Pairs jewelry and Garmin manicure set!
Customers can receive either Figaro Gold Bracelets, Trina Gold Studs or Gabbie Huggies for each watch purchase. This promotion is limited to first 25 purchases only. Pre-order yours now: https://www.kinetic.com.ph/pages/preorder-form.
vivomove Sport virtual launch
The vívomove Sport will officially launch in the Philippines on February 8, 2022, to be available for purchase in all Garmin Brand Stores, official online Garmin stores (Lazada, Shopee, Kinetic.com.ph) and the Garmin PH Viber Community. Check out Garmin Philippines’ Facebook and YouTube Live video launch on the same date! Social media influencers Ella Fortun, Jessica Yang and Denise Heredia will make appearances and share their sentiments on #WhatDoesTimeLookLike and vívomove Sport smartwatch’s #DesignThatIsOnPoint. Stay tuned to Garmin Philippines’ social media channels and visit those official hashtags for more details.
To learn more, visit: https://ph.garmin.com/minisite/vivo/vivomove-sport/.
Garmin brand stores:
Garmin SM Megamall
Garmin SM City Pampanga
Garmin SM Mall of Asia
Garmin Shangri-La Plaza
Garmin Uptown Mall
Garmin SM City Baguio
Garmin Alabang Town Center
Garmin Glorietta 1
Garmin SM Aura Premier
Garmin SM City Cebu
Garmin SM City North Edsa
Garmin SM Lanang Premiere
Garmin The Podium
Garmin Festive Walk
Garmin Ayala Malls Vertis North
Garmin SM City Bacolod
Garmin SM City Clark
Engineered on the inside for life on the outside, Garmin products have revolutionized the wellness industry. Committed to developing wearables and health measurement tools that help people of all activity levels lead healthier lives, Garmin believes every day is an opportunity to innovate and a chance to beat yesterday. Visit Garmin’s virtual pressroom for updates and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and subscribe to us on YouTube.
1This is not a medical device and is not intended for use in the diagnosis or monitoring of any medical condition; see Garmin.com/ataccuracy. Pulse Ox not available in all countries.
2See Garmin.com/ataccuracy
3When paired with a compatible smartphone. For safety and tracking features requirements and limitations, see Garmin.com/safety.
The future is starting to look bright for businesses and investors in the Philippines as economic activity and people mobility continue to safely reopen even amid the threat of Omicron.
Many companies are undertaking digital transformation and exploring innovative recovery plans. Logistics, e-commerce companies, online gaming and other businesses that cater to necessities have been experiencing growth.
MSMEs account for 99.5 percent of all businesses in the Philippines and 25 percent of the country’s total export revenue, according to the latest data from the Department of Trade and Industry. They employ more than 5 million Filipinos.[1] Digitalization efforts are forecast to boost small and medium enterprises toward increasing the country’s annual domestic output by at least $26 billion up to $28 billion by 2024, according to the 2020 Asia Pacific Small and Medium Business Digital Maturity study conducted by International Data Corp. (IDC) and commissioned by Cisco.[2]
Despite growing opportunities for SMEs in recent years, capital remains a key concern for many Pinoy enterprises. Investree, the Philippines’ first and only crowdfunding intermediary and funding portal, hopes to help SME entrepreneurs get back on their feet and achieve success through fast, transparent and secure financing options. Marking a major milestone, Investree Philippines, a venture of F(DEV) Digital Innovations and Ventures Inc and Investree Singapore Pte Ltd, recently obtained the first and only permanent license from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Established in 2015 in Indonesia, Investree entered the Philippine market in 2020 with the goal of providing businesses with easier and more affordable access to financing opportunities by optimizing data and technology. Investree connects businesses with institutional investors who want to help and earn attractive returns. It celebrated its first 100 notes disbursed only nine months after and its first PHP100 million notes financed in October of the same year.
Investree Philippines’ major thrust is to bridge the financial gap for SMEs and enable sustainable growth for businesses and investors through cooperative opportunities. The company seeks to provide reliable, efficient and transparent processes to empower more Pinoy SMEs in their business recovery strategies and transformation goals and in so doing contribute to financial inclusion and the country’s economic recovery.
Since its local launch, Investree Philippines has established alliances to further expand its network. It became an official member of the Fintech Alliance PH in May 2020 and Supply Chain Association of the Philippines (SCMAP) in June of the same year. Investree launched the Negosyo Bounce Bank series to empower Investree Philippines’ MSMEs through numerous webinars conducted by distinguished speakers. The company received overwhelming support and endorsement from major regulatory bodies such as the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), SEC and DTI. Another first for the company the past year is the onboarding of Netbank, a local bank that powers fintech and financial services companies in the country as Investree’s first banking investor.
“Pinoys are a business-savvy, hardworking and creative people. But financial challenges hamper the growth of many local businesses. Anchored on our belief that #EveryoneCanGrow, we strive to change this starting with addressing the credit gap between SMEs and large enterprises. The success of our Negosyo Bounce Back webinar series endorsed by the DTI, SEC and BSP proves that institutions like us are not only relevant but also necessary in the current economic landscape of the Philippines,” shares Investree Co-Founder and CEO Kok Chuan Lim.
“Investree and F(DEV) believe that MSMEs hold the key to the country’s economic growth, and we share a common goal of empowering them to maximize their potential. We launched Investree in the Philippines because we saw the need for a reliable, trusted and transparent financing platform that Pinoy entrepreneurs can partner with. We hope to build on the team’s momentum in the first year to do more for local SMEs in the years to come,” says F(DEV) Chief Executive Officer Xavier Marzan.
For more information about Investree Philippines’ financing options and programs, visit www.investree.ph, follow its official social media channels @investree.ph on Instagram and Investree Philippines on Facebook, TikTok, Twitter and LinkedIn, or contact cs@investree.ph.
