oleh admin | Mar 28, 2025 | business, cargo, commerce, driving, transportation
MANILA, Philippines – Despite entering a field dominated primarily by men, Joy Ann Torres chose driving various sized vehicles as her career. She holds the belief that women make for better and safer drivers than their male counterparts.
Her dad instructed her on driving when she turned 12. By the time she reached 18, she had acquired an official permit enabling her to operate big rigs like buses and semi-trailers. During this period, she also mastered changing tires and diagnosing typical motor issues.
“Frankly, mas madaling ko pong mag-park ng trailer truck,” shares the 40-year-old with a smile.
READ:
Lista, Mober, and Zed make it onto Forbes Asia’s ‘100 to Watch’ list
In 2017, Torres transitioned from being a captain’s steward on a cruise ship to becoming a bus driver. Daily, she would travel the path between Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange and Monumento. She expresses that this role held great significance for her, as she felt proud to be among the few women driving public transportation vehicles.
Her 12-year-old daughter frequently boasted to her classmates about how her mom drives a bus for work. “I suppose it made her feel proud knowing that her mommy has a role typically played by dads,” she shares in Filipino.
In 2023, Torres saw a job posting for a female driver of electric vehicles (EV). Wanting a change of scenery, she tried her luck. After hurdling the initial screening and safety process, she was hired as the first female truck driver of Mober, a pioneer in green logistics in the Philippines.
Torres, who is now known as a green delivery specialist, operates Mober’s electric vehicle for transporting furnishings within Metro Manila and Cavite. Accompanying her on these routes are an assembler and a helper.
Inclusive and sustainable
She mentions during an interview with SANGGRALOKA that driving an electric vehicle offers great ease and convenience. One of the reasons for this is that she doesn’t have to concern herself with environmental damage.
Mober is at the forefront of shifting towards eco-friendly deliveries in the Philippines. By concentrating on helping companies reduce carbon emissions from their delivery operations, Mober provides smooth solutions that do not require initial investments.
This B2B platform aids deliveries for IKEA Philippines, SM Appliance Center, Nestlé Philippines, Nespresso, Ajinomoto Philippines, and Maersk.
Dennis Ng, the founder and CEO of Mober, aims to dismantle obstacles by promoting careers in logistics for women. He states, “At Mober, we are committed to fostering an inclusive atmosphere where everybody gets a chance.”
Prior to their deployment, the drivers of Mober’s eco-friendly fleet receive training on the proper handling of the electric vehicles. “We advise them to apply gentle braking,” Ng further explains, “since each time you press the brake pedal, it helps recharge the battery.”
Every truck boasts a battery lifespan of up to eight to ten years with adequate upkeep, enabling them to cover distances of around 210 kilometers per full charge.
‘Handywomen’
In addition to drivers, Mober is currently recruiting female furniture assemblers. Known as “handymen,” these women receive training to assemble and install IKEA furnishings.
Nelda Palisoc previously worked as a domestic helper in Kuwait, Norway, and Hong Kong before she joined Mober last year. She was one of the initial employees hired at Mober as a female assembler.
Following her completion of the upskilling and safety training at the “Assembly Academy” held within the company, she acquired knowledge on the correct usage of a drilling machine and identifying useful tools.
Many times, some customers doubt whether she can handle the task, particularly when it involves assembling big, heavy furniture. She simply smiles at them. “In the end, they will be astonished by my abilities,” states this 45-year-old woman in Filipino.
Torres and Palisoc mention that they have never faced discrimination from their male counterparts. In fact, their fellow workers are quite willing to offer assistance and share their technical expertise with them.
Central Charge
Wing Alforque, who leads transportation at Mober, observes a rise in applications from women seeking roles as truck drivers, assemblers, and helpers.
READ:
Mober introduces completely electric truck tractors.
“They would share with me during interviews their enthusiasm about taking on a role typically dominated by men,” she clarifies.
On March 10, Mober revealed the nation’s biggest commercial electric vehicle charging station. Situated in Pasay City, Central Charge spans 3,000 square meters and features 56 stations designed for e-van and e-truck fleets.
Using a well-organized three-shift schedule, this ₱14 million facility has the capacity to recharge as many as 200 electric vehicles (EVs) per day. The station comes equipped with 50 charging points each rated at 7 kilowatts (kW), along with an additional two stations capable of delivering power at 60 kW for rapid charges. This setup allows Mober to optimize their processes and reduce idle time for their fleet significantly.
The inauguration of the new site comes after the debut of the firm’s initial charging station in 2023, covering an area of 800 square meters with 30 charging stations located in Pasay City.
Solar energy
In order to considerably decrease its environmental impact, Mober is considering installing solar photovoltaic panels along with a 500 kWh battery energy storage system at Central Charge.
“Central Charge isn’t merely about investing in infrastructure; it’s a strategic move to address the rising need for environmentally friendly delivery options while upholding our pledge of zero emissions,” Ng states.
Ng points out that Mober’s innovation surpasses just infrastructure with its exclusive battery management system (BMS) and transport management system (TMS). The BMS aids in prolonging the lifespan of electric vehicles’ batteries, whereas the TMS aims at optimizing delivery paths, cutting down energy usage, and boosting overall operational effectiveness.
The logistics firm intends to construct two extra charging stations, which could be located in either Bulacan or Pampanga along with Laguna. Both the Northern Bolt and Southern Spark facilities will cover an area ranging from 6,000 to 10,000 square meters, aiming to improve their logistics network and facilitate growth.
Mober’s objective is to grow its fleet to 500 units by 2026. However, in the short term, they plan to increase their number to 240 electric vehicles by the end of this year, starting from the current count of 110 units.
“Ng mentions that we’re expecting 100 additional units, which means we require 100 drivers.”
And indeed, the firm is giving priority to recruiting additional female employees.
oleh admin | Mar 28, 2025 | business, mexican restaurants, news, restaurant chains, restaurants
-
FURTHER READING: Kohl’s plans to close down 27 stores this weekend… check out the complete list here
A popular Mexican restaurant chain has declared bankruptcy and plans to shut down 76 outlets, adding another name to the ever-growing roster of casual dining establishments facing collapse.
At On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina – famous for its cheese dip, tacos, fajitas, and enchiladas –
declared bankruptcy earlier this month
.
The Tex-Mex restaurant chain has now disclosed the scale of its store reductions spanning 24 states.
Browse further to view the complete list including the addresses.
Several restaurants have already shut down, and the remaining ones are set to close soon. With 119 outlets at the beginning of the year, the firm might be left with fewer than 50 locations.
In their Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, the company cited economic conditions, challenges in hiring staff, and issues with creditors as the primary reasons for their financial struggles.
“The company has faced challenges in recent times due to various economic conditions that have adversely affected the business,” stated Jonathan Tibus, the chief restructuring officer of On The Border.
‘Casual dining establishments are significantly affected by customers’ preferences for eating at home rather than dining out.’
The number of the company’s 2,800 employees who will be impacted remains uncertain.
In 1982, On the Border initially launched with just one cantina and was acquired by Brinker International after twelve years.
Brinker International plans to focus on franchising restaurants and has been doing so recently.
The firm stated it had 110 company-owned stores.
and nine U.S. franchise locations.
In 2007, the venture expanded globally with openings in South Korea.
“On the Border” did not reply to SANGGRALOKA’s request for comment.
The chain’s struggles are
an additional setback for the quick-service dining sector
That has witnessed multiple beloved franchises file for bankruptcy in the past year.
Once mighty establishments such as Red Lobster,
TGI Fridays
, and Buca di Becco all filed for Chapter 11 following financial difficulties.
Other franchises similar to Hooters alsoexist.
allegedly considering filing for bankruptcy
moves.
Several small eateries have turned to bankruptcy as a means to renegotiate their financial obligations: BurgerFi, Hwy 55 Burgers, Shakes & Fries, and Roti are among the smaller-chain establishments that have filed for bankruptcy.
The dining sector is experiencing an overall decrease in patronage.
Since 2021, consumers have faced increasing price pressures, with inflation reaching peaks of more than 9 percent during the summer of 2022.
The dining sector is experiencing an overall decrease in patronage.
Retail executives have continually lauded “resilient” American shoppers during earnings calls. However, recent data on foot traffic has begun to concern leading industry figures.
Many Americans have reduced their non-essential expenses following a scorching holiday shopping season in December 2024.
Even some of the biggest restaurants have seen their sales slow down since January 2025.
Starbucks has seen a deceleration in sales, and Texas Roadhouse mentioned it has experienced similar issues.
shown reduced enthusiasm for its dining establishments following a spectacular year in 2024
.
Read more
oleh admin | Mar 28, 2025 | business, customs, economics, international economics, international trade
New Delhi [India], March 28 (ANI):
Finance Minister
Nirmala Sitharaman
On Thursday, they stated that the continuous process of streamlining
customs duties
And removing the 6 percent equalization levy, which started in 2023, is unrelated to any worldwide occurrences and will proceed as planned.
Sitharaman stated that reducing custom duties is a component of India’s larger aim to reinforce its position as a leading manufacturing center and enhance capabilities in batteries and advanced chemical processes.
In response to a discussion about the Finance Bill 2025 in the Rajya Sabha, Sitharaman stated, “Budget by budget, we continue to decrease tariffs with the aim of supporting India’s ambition to become a leading manufacturing center. This also aids in developing capabilities for battery production and advanced chemical processes. It is part of our ongoing efforts.”
“I’ve noticed several members mention, ‘Oh, the
tariff
conflict has begun, thus as a reaction to the
tariff
Announcements made by President Trump, this initiative has been underway since 2023. We’ve continued to make steady progress each year. New products are continually introduced with consideration for both Atmanirbhar Bharat and the needs of Viksit Bharat, along with streamlining custom duties and easing compliance procedures,” stated Sitharaman.
“Therefore, this is a continuous process. It is not related to the current worldwide circumstances but is something that will persist into the future,” she noted.
India lowered customs tariffs on numerous goods and abolished them.
equalisation levy
of 6 per cent
From the Oval Office, the president made a substantial policy announcement
Donald Trump
has announced a 25 percent
tariff
On every vehicle brought into the U.S., a step he referred to as “highly thrilling” for local production.
The
tariff
Starting on April 2, this regulation will affect almost fifty percent of all vehicles sold in the United States, encompassing even those from domestic brands manufactured abroad. This comprehensive policy seeks to encourage automotive companies to build additional manufacturing plants inside U.S. territory.
Industry insiders caution that the
tariff
This outcome might have extensive repercussions. Autos Drive America, an advocacy body for global automobile producers active in the U.S., voiced significant reservations regarding the possible aftermath.
“The
tariff
As a result, this could increase the cost of manufacturing cars,” the statement read, “which might lead to higher prices for customers, decreased variety in options available, and possible upheavals in employment sectors.
The statement has the potential to heighten trade disputes with major car-producing countries such as those in Europe, Japan, and South Korea. These nations ship significant volumes of automobiles to the U.S. market and could perceive this move unfavorably.
tariff
As a direct challenge to their car manufacturing sectors.
Economists predict the
tariff
This could raise vehicle costs by thousands of dollars, putting additional pressure on consumers who are already struggling with ongoing inflation. Such action would mark a significant intrusion into the auto industry, possibly altering worldwide car production tactics.
President Trump stayed optimistic regarding the policy, saying, “Anyone with operations in the United States will benefit from this.”
As the automotive sector and international markets adjust to this major policy shift, other companies, particularly those based in India, are preparing for even larger transformations.
Earlier, US President
Donald Trump
targeted India’s auto import
tariff
As stated during his address to Congress, he said, “We face auto tariffs imposed by India.”
tariff
“exceeding 100%,” he declared, adding that a retaliatory tariff would be implemented on April 2. He stated that the US has suffered unfair treatment at the hands of almost every nation globally for many years and pledged not to allow this to continue. (ANI)
Provided by Syndigate Media Inc. (
Syndigate.info
).
oleh admin | Mar 28, 2025 | business, commerce, news, payment processing, technology
A few weeks following the announcement,
strategic partnership
With the technology solutions company Mosaic Solutions, PayMongo—a prominent local fintech platform—has recently partnered with emerging fintech start-up Mochi to enhance payment and invoicing procedures for their customers. As stated in an official announcement, this partnership aims at streamlining “the way businesses handle accounts receivable and cash flow, guaranteeing quicker transactions and decreased operational bottlenecks as electronic payments gain more popularity.”
As a result, the collaboration intends to provide a cohesive solution aimed at removing manual procedures, boosting transaction security, and improving financial operations efficiency.
This collaboration arrives as the nation intensifies its focus on digital payments, with projections indicating that it will surpass PHP 100 billion this year. Data from 2023 shows that the proportion of digital payments by value surpassed 55.3%, whereas the number of transaction volumes hit 52.8%.
Venture Capital Report
by Foxmont Capital Partners and The Boston Consulting Group.
ALSO READ
Philippine startup Mosaic Solutions is set to acquire HelixPay.
Report: In spite of the subdued investment climate, deals hit an all-time high in 2024.
Moreover, an impressive 91.3 percent of people in the Philippines stated that they utilized online financial services in 2024, significantly above the worldwide average of only 37.8 percent.
Partnering with Mochi reinforces our dedication to fostering the expansion of MSMEs and fintech within the Philippines,” stated Jojo Malolos, CEO of Paymongo. “By incorporating Mochi’s sophisticated billing and collection automation into PayMongo’s payment solutions, we’re enabling local enterprises to thrive in the digital marketplace with assurance.
We are excited to join forces with PayMongo in transforming the way businesses manage payments and collections,” said Guaya Melgar, CEO of Mochi. “This partnership will equip firms with the necessary tools to streamline financial management and concentrate on expanding their operations.
PayMongo serves as a streamlined solution for business payments. As the initial Philippine Fintech company nurtured through the prestigious Y Combinator program in Silicon Valley, PayMongo stands out. On another front, Mochi operates as an accounts receivable tool designed specifically for Filipino enterprises aiming to enhance their invoicing efficiency, minimize errors and fraudulent activities, and offer flexible payment options to clients.
oleh admin | Mar 28, 2025 | business, education, higher education, news, technology
The Hanoi University of Science and Technology (HUST) aims to be among the top 100 institutions in Asia by 2045, as per a plan that has been endorsed by Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long.
As part of this initiative, HUST will transform into a cutting-edge tertiary educational establishment, positioning itself amongst the foremost institutions across Asia within the domains of engineering and technological studies. Its mission includes serving as a focal point for cultivating expertise through training programs, fostering groundbreaking research activities, and spearheading advancements in Vietnam’s academic landscape—particularly in critical sectors like AI, cyber security, blockchain, electronics, semiconductor manufacturing, digital tech solutions, robotic systems, automation processes, renewable energies, environmental management, bioengineering practices, and sophisticated material sciences. The anticipated impact encompasses significant contributions towards socioeconomic progress not only in Hanoi but also throughout the Red River Delta area and nationwide.
According to the plan, by 2030, 85% of its faculty members should possess doctorates, with 30% holding positions as professors or associate professors and another 10% being distinguished international educators and researchers. Additionally, at least 25% of educational programs must be conducted in English. The initiative seeks to educate a minimum of 8,000 engineers, master’s degree recipients, and Ph.D.s specializing in areas critical for advancing strategic technologies and sectors. Furthermore, they aim for each instructor to produce approximately 1.6 scholarly articles annually published in Web of Science and Scopus databases. They also target securing between 25 to 30 intellectual properties yearly such as patents and utilities, ranking four to six academic programs within the global top 300-500 listings, and ensuring that at least six items resulting from the university’s scientific endeavors achieve successful market integration.
The aim is to incubate at least 10 spin-offs and startups with mobilized capital exceeding $10 million each.
By 2035, the HUST aims to rank within the top 100 to 150 educational institutions in Asia as per respected global ranking systems, with ambitions to advance into the top 100 by 2045.
As part of the recently approved initiative, additional funding will be required to enhance the university’s expansion and bolster its facilities. This includes establishing a new campus in nearby Hung Yen Province as well as modernizing laboratories located in Hanoi.
An innovation center for HUST will be established and cultivated as part of Hanoi’s innovation ecosystem.
In the 2025 QS Asia University Rankings (QS AUR 2025), the Hanoi University of Science and Technology ranks 388th.
The QS rankings rely on an extensive evaluation of 11 metrics such as academic standing, employer feedback, teacher-to-student ratios, citation frequency per publication, and global teaching staff presence. In the 2025 release, which assessed 984 tertiary institutions across Asia, 142 were new entrants. Notably, seventeen higher education institutions from Vietnam appeared in the QS ranking for Asian universities.
oleh admin | Mar 27, 2025 | business, elon musk, government, politics, politics and government
By Nathan Layne and Costas Pitas
(SANGGRALOKA) – Tech tycoon Elon Musk, who was selected by U.S. President Donald Trump to reduce governmental size, stated on Thursday that he aims to complete the majority of the tasks required to slash $1 trillion from federal expenditures before his term concludes within just 64 days.
Musk informed Fox News’ program “Special Report with Brett Baier” that he believed his Department of Government Efficiency could identify $1 trillion in savings, thereby reducing the present overall federal expenditure from approximately $7 trillion to around $6 trillion.
Musk, who tops the list as the wealthiest individual globally, has been appointed by the White House as a “special government employee.” This designation limits his service to a maximum of 130 days. Consequently, his tenure heading up the DOGE initiative might conclude by late May.
“When questioned by Baier regarding my term and the pace at which I anticipate meeting our cost-reduction objective, I mentioned that I believe we will manage to cut down the deficit by around a trillion dollars mostly within the specified timeframe,” Musk stated.
“Given the inefficiency of the government and the significant amount of waste and fraud present, we believe that cutting down expenses by 15% should not impact any essential public services,” Musk stated.
As of March 24, DOGE claims to have saved U.S. taxpayers approximately $115 billion through measures such as cutting down the workforce, selling assets, and canceling contracts.
Nevertheless, the savings amount posted on the DOGE site lacks verification, and its computations have been marred by mistakes and revisions. Financial analysts indicate that Musk won’t be able to achieve his objective without altering entitlement programs such as Social Security, an area where Trump has pledged not to make cuts.
This interview was notable as it represented the initial occasion where Musk and key members of his leadership team from DOGE sat down with journalists to discuss their projects. Joining Musk were seven additional representatives from DOGE, among them being Steve Davis, who serves as the president of Musk’s underground construction venture, The Boring Company, along with Joe Gebbia, one of the founders of Airbnb.
“Unless this effort proves successful, the vessel of America might founder. This is precisely why we’re undertaking it,” stated Musk, who additionally leads electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla as its CEO.
Musk’s part in reducing the size of the federal workforce and cutting budgets for various government agencies has faced significant political criticism recently. This scrutiny coincides with incidents of vandalism targeting Tesla vehicles and dealerships throughout the nation.
(Reported by Nathan Layne from New York; Edited by Ross Colvin, Jamie Freed, and Leslie Adler)
