BIZ BUZZ: Who’s the fastest of them all? Converge

For the second time this year, Converge ICT Solutions Inc. topped the speed test by Ookla, clocking in at 603.46 megabits per second (Mbps), which is above the national average of 409.02 Mbps.

“This achievement is a direct result of our continuous network enhancements and product innovations,” Converge executive vice president and chief commercial officer Benjamin Azada said.

READ: More subscribers push up Converge income by 24%

Converge senior executive vice president and chief operations officer Jesus Romero said they would continue to invest in international cable system to further expand their reach.

The company, in relation to this, aims to complete by early next year the Bifrost Cable System and the South-East Asia Hainan-Hong Kong Express Cable System. The internet service provider currently has a subscriber base of 2.35 million.

This speed test is being conducted quarterly. Now, the question is: Will Converge bag a third consecutive top post in the next review? Let’s see! — Tyrone Jasper C. Piad

More Kadiwa stores on the way

More Kadiwa stores will come to Visayas and Mindanao next month as the government plans to bring affordable food products such as rice to other parts of the country.

In a statement over the weekend, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said they expect to open at least 60 Kadiwa ng Pangulo outlets in September that will offer a variety of products to Filipino consumers at below-market prices.

“We have identified at least 650 sites for the Kadiwa ng Pangulo stores,” he said.

READ: P29 rice sold at Kadiwa stores, says DA

The Department of Agriculture is in discussions with several manufacturers to supply basic goods, including canned goods, cooking oil, condiments, fresh fish and poultry and sugar to Kadiwa stores nationwide.The Kadiwa ng Pangulo program aims to open at least one store in each of the country’s nearly 1,500 municipalities.

The Kadiwa stores provide farmers’ cooperatives and associations an avenue to directly sell their produce to consumers at a better price.

“But for us to reach the 1,500 target we need to open at least one store a day, which is almost impossible that’s why we need the private sector’s collaboration in this project,” the agriculture chief said. —Jordeene B. Lagare INQ

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