If there’s anything that Ayala Corp.’s 191-year history has taught us, it’s that there is always room for growth and opportunities.
This time, the country’s oldest conglomerate just made some space for yen-denominated loans in the future to help it bankroll other growth initiatives “at competitive rates.”
How so?
Well, just last week, the Japan Credit Rating Agency Ltd. (JCR) assigned an “A-“ foreign currency long-term issuer rating to Ayala, allowing it to stand side by side with the Philippine sovereign rating.
“This is an affirmation of Ayala’s strong credit and further enhances funding sources amid the current market volatilities,” Ayala treasurer Estelito Biacora said in a statement on Monday.
The A- rating with a stable outlook essentially enhances Ayala’s ability to tap credit and capital markets and affirms its capacity to repay debt.
“When we have widened access to capital, we are more able to build businesses that enable people to thrive,” Biacora added.
Ayala’s next-generation leaders gave us a glimpse of the next nine years leading toward the company’s 200th year, and maybe a yen-denominated loan is already somewhere in the blueprint. —Meg J. Adonis
More female pilots flying soon
More women are becoming pilots, but the aviation sector is still dominated by men.
Numbers show that only 6 percent of pilots around the globe are women.
Philippine Airlines (PAL), fortunately, is doing something to narrow the gender gap.
The flag carrier, in fact, pledged P10 million to the PAL Foundation to provide scholarships to aspiring women pilots under the Fly With Her program.
“As we celebrate International Women’s Day, we reiterate our support to women who dream of flying for and even assuming top positions in the PAL organization,” PAL vice president for marketing Alvin Miranda said.
Championing women has always been one of PAL’s missions. The Lucio Tan-led airline’s very own Captain Aimee Carandang-Gloria is the first Southeast Asian woman to fly a commercial flight in 1989. She also made history when she was named a captain in 1993, the first woman to do so in the region.
The flag carrier, in addition to funding scholarships, will release a film featuring a real-life story of a young girl whose desire is to fly a plane.
“When little girls see women take on leadership roles, it inspires them to do the same and possibly go beyond,” PAL assistant vice president for pilot affairs Lilybeth Ng said.—Tyrone Jasper C. Piad
Calling all pet owners
Here’s a public service announcement to all pet owners and enthusiasts in the Philippines: Exercise caution when purchasing feed products through physical stores or digital platforms.
In an advisory, the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) said certain unregistered feed products were being sold via various feed establishments and online platforms such as Shopee, Lazada, TikTok and Meta (Facebook).
Although it has yet to provide a list of such products, the BAI said such products lack proper certification and their respective suppliers remain unidentified after conducting postmarketing surveillance and verification of its registration records.
“Pet owners are reminded not to purchase or promote these unregistered feed products until they have been certified by the BAI or FDA (Food and Drug Administration),” the BAI said in an advisory posted on its Facebook page.
The BAI encouraged the general public to call or email their office for further inquiries or to report unregistered products.
There’s nothing wrong with finding ways to save money, but as with any purchase, vigilance is the key—especially when it comes to ensuring the safety and health of our furry companions. —Jordeene B. Lagare INQ