BIZ BUZZ: Coming soon: A better Naia
Several readers wanted to know more about the changes that are coming to Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) that we talked about briefly last Tuesday so we’re revealing more details.
Biz Buzz learned that one plan being hatched by Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista and Manila International Airport Authority general manager Cesar Chiong calls for the transfer of all domestic flights to Naia Terminal 2, which is currently being used exclusively by Philippine Airlines (PAL) for its local and overseas flights.
And just because Bautista and Chiong were former PAL officials doesn’t mean their former employer will be getting any special treatment from them. Just the opposite will happen, in fact, as the currently exclusive PAL enclave will soon be opened to other airlines.
The idea is to make flight operations more efficient by centralizing all domestic operations in one terminal, versus the current system where domestic flights operate out of Terminals 2, 3 and 4 (the old and renovated Manila Domestic Terminal).
Meanwhile, all international PAL flights currently using Terminal 2 will be transferred to Terminals 1 and 3, which were really designed with international operations in mind.
Of course, in this country—in the public sector, specifically—reforms are always met with resistance by the status quo. Will these reforms be implemented without resistance? Watch this space, folks.
—Daxim L. Lucas
‘NARDA’ to the rescue
The NARDA, short for “NAC Risk Dashboard,” app is coming to the aid of listed company Nickel Asia Corp. (NAC) in bolstering efforts to manage the risks related to running a mining business such as theirs.
Nickel Asia said the NARDA app would help them identify, assess and mitigate the risks in its operations, track and manage incidents that may arise from these and craft a business continuity plan.
The software is also expected to better address the firm’s risks and opportunities, anchored on responsible leadership, defined accountabilities, co-ownership, collaboration and continuous improvement.
“It is essential that we learn to manage our risks strategically, effectively and efficiently,” Nickel Asia president and CEO Martin Antonio Zamora said at an event in Cebu where the NARDA app was launched. “Our integrated enterprise risk management has three main goals: operational excellence, growing shareholder value and increasing investor confidence to establish staying power.”
Through this software, the firm said employees would be allowed to report incidents, emergencies and crises.
“We are offering ourselves as the guinea pig of the mining industry in the sustainability journey. We will commit the mistakes, learn the process, but if we succeed and become a good model, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources can more confidently establish a greener future,” said Nickel Asia senior vice president for risks, sustainability and communications Jose Bayani Baylon.
This project is a collaboration between Nickel Asia’s risk management and information, communications and technology departments.
—Jordeene B. Lagare
Viber’s super app bid
Filipinos are probably familiar by now with the buzzing notification sound of social media platform Viber (which can sometimes be anxiety-inducing for others) when they receive a message.
This is a testament of how widely used the digital messaging portal is, whether for professional or personal purposes. After all, it has a 71-percent penetration rate in the Philippines.
Banking on its popularity, Viber—which is eyeing to become the next go-to super app—has been ramping up its menu of services to boost engagement. Among these are the business messaging features to help enhance interactions between users and enterprises.
David Tse, Rakuten Viber senior director for Asia-Pacific, recently shared in a press event they were also targeting to offer something in the hospitality sector. This, as it seeks to take advantage of the returning momentum for travel after years of strict mobility restrictions.
“They are now traveling with vengeance,” he said. “We know that traveling industry and ecosystem is gonna grow.”
Tse said they have been “pondering” about this service offering since last year, but declined to give further updates for now.
“Stay tuned for it, absolutely,” he teased.
Now, the question is: Is there a possibility for Viber users to be allowed to book their flights and accommodations via the app? Let’s see!
