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Etiqa Philippines, a leading player in life and general insurance and a member of the esteemed Maybank Group, officially launched Takaful following the successful completion of its regulatory and product approval milestones. The Grand Launch Event was held on 10 July 2025, at 6:00 PM in Grand Ballroom III, Grand Hyatt Manila, Bonifacio Global City.

The landmark event drew together government dignitaries, industry leaders, and partners to mark a historic step forward in the country’s insurance landscape. Among the key attendees were Puan Fauziah Hisham, Chairperson of Etiqa International Holdings; Mohd Din Merican, Chairman of the Etiqa Philippines Board; Mr. Kamaludin Ahmad, Group CEO Etiqa Insurance & Takaful; Mr. Anthony Lou Bernabe, President and CEO Etiqa Philippines; His Excellency Dato’ Abdul Malik Anthony, Ambassador of Malaysia to the Philippines; Attorney Jayson P. Lopez, Deputy Commissioner of the Insurance Commission and Mr. Patrick Dennis Solosa, OIC President Maybank Philippines.

Takaful, a form of mutual guarantee rooted in ethical and Islamic principles, emphasizes mutual risk-sharing and shared responsibility. Participants contribute to a pooled fund that supports members in need, with any surplus redistributed equitably. Investments are made exclusively in sectors that align with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles—excluding industries like gambling, tobacco, and alcohol.

"Today marks a meaningful milestone, not just for Etiqa, but for Philippine insurance industry. With Takaful, we are bringing a more inclusive, ethical and affordable way of protecting Filipinos.” said Anthony Lou Bernabe, President and CEO of Etiqa Philippines. “We are proud to be among the pioneers of Takaful in the Philippines – reaffirming our vision of financial inclusivity. "

Recently, Etiqa Philippines received regulatory approval for its flagship Takaful Personal Accident product – a simple, affordable way for Filipinos to protect themselves and their families, providing benefits for accidental death, permanent disability, medical expenses and hospital cash allowance. The product represents the company’s commitment to making protection accessible to more Filipinos, especially those seeking Shariah-compliant solutions.

The company aims to expand its Takaful portfolio, with additional Non-Life and Life products in development through 2026.

Etiqa’s entry into the Takaful space signals a significant development in the Philippine insurance landscape – ushering in an inclusive and ethical financial protection option that reflects the diverse needs of Filipinos today. Aside from Takaful, Etiqa also offers a wide range of Life and Non-Life insurance products, all aligned with its vision of making the world a better place. With strong presence across Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Cambodia, and now the Philippines, Etiqa continues to build trust and deliver protection throughout the region.

As it embarks on this journey, Etiqa warmly invites its distribution partners to collaborate in bringing these innovative solutions to more Filipinos and increasing insurance penetration across the country.

With over two decades of experience pioneering Takaful across ASEAN—particularly in Malaysia and Singapore—Etiqa brings a deep heritage and a trusted track record to Filipino consumers. The company is now poised to empower households across the nation with products that not only offer protection but also promote community well-being and financial dignity.

Source : INQUIRER.NET

Etiqa Philippines, a long trusted name in the insurance industry as a steadfast provider of life and general insurance solutions, achieved a significant milestone with the renewal of its Certificate of Authority by the Insurance Commission.

This renewal, marks another chapter in Etiqa’s journey of excellence and dedication to the Filipino people. The process involved meticulous compliance with all regulatory requirements, achieving impressive Risk-Based Capital Ratios (RBC2) of 181 percent for life business unit and 608 percent for non-life business unit, way above the regulatory requirements.

A high RBC ratio for an insurance company signifies strong financial stability, indicating that the insurer has more than enough resources to cover its risks and obligations, while safeguarding the company’s capacity to fulfill its long term obligations.

Since its establishment, Etiqa has been committed to delivering innovative and reliable insurance products, ensuring financial protection for Filipinos. As part of the Maybank Group, one of the region’s largest and most financially stable institutions, Etiqa Philippines has consistently demonstrated financial strength and stability, earning the trust of its partners, clients, stakeholders, and the general public.

The license renewal coincides with a significant development in Etiqa’s leadership with the appointment of Anthony Lou Bernabe as its new President and Chief Executive Officer.

Bernabe, who brings with him more than a decade of experience in the insurance and financial services industry, says the license renewal reaffirms Etiqa’s commitment to expanding insurance penetration, promoting financial inclusivity, advancing sustainability, and ensuring the future of Filipinos.

"Etiqa aims to enhance insurance accessibility and contribute to nation-building by expanding distribution channels and offering innovative, relevant products. Through this, we reaffirm our commitment to driving growth and innovation, ensuring that Etiqa remains a leading insurer in the ASEAN region under the Etiqa brand, " Bernabe said.

As seen in: Malaya Business Insight, Manila Times

Etiqa Philippines, a long-trusted name in the insurance industry as a steadfast provider of life and general insurance solutions, achieved a significant milestone with the renewal of its Certificate of Authority by the Insurance Commission. This renewal marks another chapter in Etiqa’s journey of excellence and dedication to the Filipino people. The process involved meticulous compliance with all regulatory requirements, achieving impressive Risk-Based Capital Ratios (RBC2) of 181% for the life business unit and 608% for the non-life business unit, way above the regulatory requirements. A high RBC ratio for an insurance company signifies strong financial stability, indicating that the insurer has more than enough resources to cover its risks and obligations, while safeguarding the company’s capacity to fulfill its long-term obligations.

Since its establishment, Etiqa has been committed to delivering innovative and reliable insurance products, ensuring financial protection for Filipinos. As part of the Maybank Group, one of the region’s largest and most financially stable institutions, Etiqa Philippines has consistently demonstrated financial strength and stability, earning the trust of its partners, clients, stakeholders, and the general public.

The license renewal coincides with a significant development in Etiqa’s leadership with the appointment of Anthony Lou Bernabe as its new President and Chief Executive Officer. Bernabe, who brings with him more than a decade of experience in the insurance and financial services industry, says, "The license renewal reaffirms Etiqa’s commitment to expanding insurance penetration, promoting financial inclusivity, advancing sustainability, and ensuring the future of Filipinos. Etiqa aims to enhance insurance accessibility and contribute to nation-building by expanding distribution channels and offering innovative, relevant products. Through this, we reaffirm our commitment to driving growth and innovation, ensuring that Etiqa remains a leading insurer in ASEAN region under the Etiqa brand. "

As part of its expansion plan, Etiqa relocated to its new headquarters in Makati, incorporating green building technology aligned with LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards to promote sustainability and provide a better environment for both employees and customers.

All these efforts are grounded in a strong ethical standard of doing business, reflecting commitment to integrity and responsible growth. This commitment is deeply embedded in the company name- Etiqa, which stands for ethics and excellence – which serve as a guide as it continues to innovate, expand, and serve with purpose.

Etiqa Philippines is proud of these achievements and remains steadfast in its dedication to providing exceptional service to its partners, clients, and stakeholders. With renewed vigor and optimism, Etiqa is focused on staying at the forefront of the insurance industry and its evolving needs- and, ultimately, fulfilling its mission of making the world a better place.

As seen in: Philippine Daily Inquirer, Business Mirror, Money News PH, Philippines Graphic, eLifestyle Manila, Negosentro, Micro Insurance Philippines, Manila Republic

ETIQA Philippines has renewed its Certificate of Authority from the Insurance Commission, reaffirming its financial strength and commitment to Filipinos. The insurer exceeded regulatory standards with Risk-Based Capital Ratios (RBC2) of 181 percent for life and 608 percent for non-life, underscoring its stability and long-term sustainability.

Coinciding with the renewal, Etiqa appointed Anthony Lou Bernabe as its new president and chief executive officer. Bernabe, a seasoned leader in insurance and financial services, aims to expand insurance penetration, financial inclusivity, and sustainability initiatives.

As part of its growth strategy, Etiqa relocated to a LEED-aligned headquarters in Makati, integrating green technology for a sustainable workplace. Backed by the Maybank Group, Etiqa remains dedicated to innovation, expansion, and ethical business practices, reinforcing its position as a leading insurer in ASEAN. / KOC

As seen in: Sunstar Philippines

Etiqa Philippines, a trusted provider of life and general insurance solutions, has reaffirmed its dedication to financial security with the successful renewal of its Certificate of Authority from the Insurance Commission. This milestone underscores the company’s continued compliance with stringent regulatory requirements and its strong financial position in the insurance industry.

The renewal process highlighted Etiqa’s impressive Risk-Based Capital Ratios (RBC2), with 181% for its life insurance business and 608% for its non-life insurance division, well above the regulatory threshold. These figures signify the company’s robust financial health, ensuring its capability to cover risks and long-term obligations while safeguarding the interests of policyholders.

As a member of the Maybank Group, one of the largest and most financially stable institutions in the region, Etiqa Philippines has consistently demonstrated financial resilience and reliability. Over the years, the company has introduced innovative insurance products aimed at enhancing financial security and inclusivity for Filipinos.

The license renewal coincides with a leadership transition, as Etiqa Philippines welcomes Anthony Lou Bernabe as its new President and Chief Executive Officer. Bernabe, who brings decades of experience in the insurance and financial services sector, emphasized the company’s commitment to expanding insurance accessibility and driving sustainable growth.

As part of its expansion strategy, Etiqa Philippines has relocated its headquarters to Makati City, integrating green building technology aligned with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards. This move reinforces the company’s sustainability initiatives while enhancing the work environment for employees and improving customer service.

As seen in: Bob Reyes, Frontpage PH

To many uninsured Filipinos, perhaps no other incident drives home the importance of a health card or medical insurance than a sudden, and possibly life-threatening, medical emergency. The agony starts at the hospital admission section where they are asked to produce evidence of the capability to pay like government IDs or credit cards. Then, they might not even have cash in hand to pay for a down payment or out-of-pocket expenses. The ordeal continues even after admission, as the costs of hospitalization increase. Hospital room rates alone range from P900 to P3000 per day, depending on the privacy level or hospital status. The patient resorts to borrowing from family, friends, or informal lenders.

The post-hospitalization result: depleted savings, bankruptcy prospects, and huge debts that might take years to pay.

Illustrating that health is truly wealth, medical and financial protection just might be the best gift one can give to loved ones starting this Christmas season. The traditional happy holidays have also unfortunately heralded the onset of medical conditions. For example, the outbreak of unhealthy habits such as food-binging and drunk driving can result in unexpected heart attacks or road accidents respectively. Careless clan gatherings create exposure to COVID-19, flu, pneumonia, and other infectious diseases.

Recognizing the situation that millions of uninsured Filipinos find themselves in, ASEAN insurance provider Etiqa Philippines launched ER Protect, a yearly renewable individual health insurance card for emergency care and other medical services.

“We are well aware of the challenges that many of our countrymen face when it comes to emergency-related medical expenses, ” says Etiqa Philippines General Insurance Head Glenn Navea. “ER Protect is designed to give them the services that they need during crises, accidents, or unforeseen health conditions like a stroke. First, our network of 30,000 doctors and 1,600 accredited hospitals and clinics nationwide can meet them at their point of need. ”

“Second, the emergency medical coverage is accessible because it is affordable. ER Protect, which can be a medical lifesaver as well as a deterrent against financial hardship, can be availed of for as low as P925 one-time fee per year or the price of a food-franchise family dinner, ” Navea adds.

All these benefits shall be paid on top of the patient’s PhilHealth coverage and/or other insurance policies.

Coverage beyond Christmas

Another advantage to gifting a loved one with medical or emergency protection is that the benefits go beyond Christmas. An annual coverage ensures access to emergency medical services once needed, during the next 12 months. The policyholder also has the confidence and peace of mind that he or she will not contend with skyrocketing hospital bills upon admission.

Affordable medical insurance or emergency protection is not just a shield against the woes of hospitalization---it is also an investment.

As a virtual health card, ER Protect takes care of a lot of the emergency-related medical services that a patient can expect, regardless of whether the hospital admits the insured or deems that his confinement is not necessary. ER Protect covers both inpatient and outpatient services. The coverage extends to costs related to doctors’ fees, lab and diagnoses, operating and treatment rooms, and emergency-related surgical services at the rate of P50,000/year. In cases of admission, it pays for the hospital room, board, and nursing services. In cases where the patient cannot be brought to the ER through the usual means of transport, ambulance service is also covered by the product.

Should the worst happen, it also has a P25,000/year accidental death and dismemberment benefit for the policyholder’s family.

Filipinos, now becoming more concerned about their health and protection, want faster, more efficient, on-demand service the minute they need to seek medical attention and avail themselves of benefits from their insurance plans. Acknowledging these heightened concerns from customers, Etiqa Philippines recently relaunched an upgraded 3.0 version of the Smile PH app, where plan holders can access information and services for both Health and Life insurance products wherever and whenever needed.

Smile PH 3.0 is a unified omnichannel app from the country’s leading InsureTech company. It integrates common basic features such as inquiries, profile personalization, and contact details updating with very specific transactional processes to give Etiqa clients a more seamless user experience. Specifically, Individual Life Insurance clients can now manage their insurance plans, view transaction history, request for e-policy, and check fund values through the app.

Meanwhile, for Group Health Insurance clients, the app helps facilitate patient access to its extensive medical network of 30,000 doctors and 1,600 accredited hospitals and clinics nationwide. It also makes the process of filing medical reimbursement claims 50% faster. In addition, they can conveniently view their and their dependents’ coverage plus request letters of guarantee. “Giving customers the power to view and avail their insurance benefits is essential, ” said Ariel Meneses, Senior Vice President and Head of Operations and Service Excellence. “Through the unified Smile PH 3.0 app, which can be easily downloaded from Google Play Store and App Store, they can avail of our services swiftly and promptly. ”

The move towards an omnichannel customer service model aims to make Etiqa more responsive – allowing its clients to connect directly with the organization through an integrated platform, hotline, email, chatbot, messaging apps, and social media channels. “Our unified Smile PH 3.0 app ensures that we can support our customers – for both Group Health and Individual Life Insurance – in every step of the process. This is our way of nurturing our relationships with them, ” stressed Rico Bautista, Etiqa Philippine President & CEO, who believes that leveraging technology can accelerate insurance market penetration and the growth of the insurance industry – in parallel.

Driving further towards digitalization, Etiqa also provides financial advisors with the training, systems, and devices to make the process more seamless for the clients from the time they get introduced to insurance solutions. Financial advisors can now use Etiqa Sales Evolution (EaSE), which aims to provide a seamless digital customer experience and allows ease of access and comfort to both financial advisors and clients. With EaSE, financial advisors can interact with their clients freely and quickly, while clients can reach out to their advisors conveniently.

“Gone are the days of overwhelming the customer with pages of printed forms. Their time is valuable and with the pandemic, we also need to adjust fast to remote selling which has become the new normal. The pandemic has undeniably recalibrated the way we do work, bringing digital solutions into the limelight. Right now, we are accelerating our efforts towards a paperless and seamless electronic exchange of data to maintain and improve the company’s productivity during this time, ” says Etiqa Philippines Head of Retail Insurance Mars Dailo.

“Our customers inspire us to transform ways to serve them better – and the only way to do it is to embrace the power of technology in all facets of our operations, ” he added.

Etiqa also won the 2022 Insurance Asia Awards for Customer Service Initiative for another tech-driven platform – the Letter of Guarantee (LOG) Portal. Bautista showcased the portal’s case study in the recently concluded Digital Pilipinas Philippine FinTech Festival (PFF), where he highlighted how it improved services, resulting in a 600% increase in response time and 90% customer satisfaction.

Technology and a wide range of relevant, customizable plans catering to various needs can simplify the insurance experience. As one of the handful of insurance companies in the country that has a composite license, Etiqa makes it even simpler by offering both life and non-life insurance products under one brand. To know more about these unified insurance solutions, visit www.etiqa.com.ph.

The inaugural week-long Philippine Fintech Festival (PFF)- World FinTech Festival-Philippines successfully capped its week-long run, bringing together leaders from the government, various industries, the technology space, and other strategic partners from the Philippines, ASEAN, and the rest of the world.

The inaugural PFF was convened by Digital Pilipinas, the largest private sector-led movement championing to tech up the country, and co-presented by Coins.ph, one of the leading advocates for blockchain and Web 3.0.

The PFF kickstarted the ASEAN FinTech month and was the first in a series of summits that was followed by the BOT Digital Conference in Thailand, to eventually lead up to the annual Singapore FinTech Festival (SFF) in November. The ASEAN FinTech month highlighted ASEAN as a global powerhouse for innovators and start-ups and served as a platform for increased collaboration between regional players such as the Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia, and other countries with strong digital initiatives such as Hungary, Israel, and Japan.

“These are countries who share ASEAN’s vision of innovation and unity born from a desire for mutual advancement. We are so grateful for their participation and they represent part of our larger imagination of the Philippines,” says Amor Maclang, Convenor of the World FinTech Festival-Philippines and Digital Pilipinas, of the collaborating countries. “Not just as a nation that lifts itself to prosperity through technology, not just as a good sibling to our ASEAN brothers and sisters, but as a welcoming gateway to ASEAN for other countries who wish to do business in our region. And perhaps as a soft landing for innovators from other countries, who, in the face of adverse political or economic conditions, need to temporarily relocate to where their culture of innovation will be preserved.”

Coins.ph CEO Wei Zhou spoke about seizing the current momentum for digitalization and collaboration: “To really succeed in this, we need users, capital, and projects which will help our community to take off---and that’s what we’re seeing being built here in the Philippines. ” Coins.ph’s mission is to create an open financial system by providing everyone easy access to Web3 and digital assets.

More than 200 government, business, and educational leaders and 5,000 visitors attended the week-long festival to address longstanding socio-economic and infrastructure challenges with digital solutions in order to create a stronger, more anti-fragile, regional digital economy.

Tech pillars for progress

The PFF’s key pillars focused on the power of cooperatives in a digital world, and how big data, automation, and cross-border collaboration can enable seamless and safer payments across the region. Also discussed was InsureTech’s enhancement of the insurance process and making it more accessible to Filipinos. Green Finance was introduced as a stimulator for industries and the economy. Open Finance enables customers to securely use financial services from qualified third-party providers.

Other discussion points were the roles of NFTs, e-wallets, and digital currencies in unlocking a country’s potential in Web 3.0 and the Metaverse. EduTech can address the tandem challenges of learning deficiencies and information technology infrastructure investments to make the country’s education system more competitive. WealthTech increases prosperity opportunities for Filipinos. MarkTech empowers small businesses to improve their brand positioning and market reach. AgriTech provides a platform for agricultural workers and farmers to collaborate and find new customers, while boosting food security.

In addition to identifying the pain points in making cities smarter, thought leaders also discussed how real estate developers and cities are the benefactors of the innovations and promise of PropTech. They also agreed that while the industry was slow to adopt technology, there is now a recognition that digitalization and automation will play an increasing role in the years to come, for example in tackling environmental planning and mobility.

International agreements and collaborations

Recognizing the role of partnerships as key to increased integration of economies, a number of agreements have been signed during the PFF. The first was between the Department of Trade and Industry’s Philippine Trade Training Center and the Monetary Authority of Singapore’s Proxtera, on leveraging technology to improve accessibility between the Philippines and Singapore. Second, Digital Pilipinas and Hungary’s Digitális Jólét Program will advance joint business ventures through digital technologies with the support of Titanilla Toth, Hungarian Ambassador to the Philippines. Finally, Digital Pilipinas’ partnership with Affindi and Indonesia’s Financial Services Authority respectively will result in certification and knowledge sharing between the two and will be made available for Filipinos. Noel Bonoan, Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer, KPMG in the Philippines, agreed that the Philippines can learn from Hungary particularly when it comes to governance. He said that “from the KPMG perspective, we are looking at digitalization not just at the national level but also from a local level.”

Probably reflecting the viewpoint of the international partners was Israel’s Ambassador to the Philippines, Ilan Fluss, who said: “It’s all about creating bridges of innovation and technology between Israel and the Philippines.

Recognizing the role of the government in making integration more seamless, in a keynote address, David Almirol, Undersecretary, Department of Information and Communications Technology, shared that ”at DICT, we are not a disruptor but we are an enabler for all of them. We are here to simplify the process. Our job is to stitch up the gaps to streamline the processes. Instead of us creating multiple integrations what we have to come up is an e-government gateway.”

Private sector recognizes the need for more cross-border collaboration, interoperable ecosystems

For the private sector, Yang Yang Zhang, Managing Director, Xendit Philippines, conveyed that Southeast Asia is yet to truly master scalability and to address that there is a need “to build one thing that extends across multiple markets, that extends across merchants of all sizes, ” she said.

Erika Dizon-Go, Senior Vice President, Fintech Business Group Head, Open Finance and Digital Services Center of Excellence Head, Union Bank of the Philippines, agreed that there is a need to harness open finance and open economy so that “the next generation will allow possibilities, aspirations, and the industry’s role and purpose in society.”

To stimulate open finance, Winsley Bangit, CEO, G-Xchange, Inc., there is a need to solve “unique Filipino and ASEAN problems, so we can create the backbone of a strong and innovative FinTech community.”

George Royeca, CEO, Angkas, recognized that in addition to financial inclusion through platforms that encourages more people to participate in the economy, there is also a need to for the private sector and government to work together in order “to create the best products that will have the highest positive effect. ”

April Tan, Head of Corporate Strategy of COL Financial, agreed that financial inclusion and more wealth can be achieved by allowing investors to “participate in the different ASEAN countries by buying shares, and access to financial resources can bring wealth growth. ”

Sauray Bhattacharyya, CEO, Proxtera, agreed, saying that for the private sector and policy makers, “the focus right now is on cross-border partnerships; that is what we hope to strive for the years to come.” For Ann Cuisia, CEO and President, digiCOOP Technology Service Cooperative, all the partnerships, and collaborations should also trickle down to other organizations that are playing a big role in the economy, saying that “we are building ecosystems to provide digital services for cooperatives and their members, widely progressing mostly for the grassroots. ”

Rico Bautista, President and CEO, Etiqa Philippines, and President, Philippine Life Insurance Association Inc. (PLIA), shared that “InsureTech will fundamentally reshape the insurance industry through new technology like artificial intelligence, smart devices, machine learning, and extended reality to transform and enhance aspects of the insurance process--all aimed at making insurance more accessible and making the world a better place.”

To cement the progress made thus far in the digital ecosystem, Michael Calma, Country Manager, ADVANCE.AI, said there is a need for “a whole ecosystem to not only secure the public but also to educate them through experiences that are sustainable.”

For Manish Bhai, Founder, President, and CEO of UNO Digital Bank, said that encouraging further cross-border collaboration is key to ensuring successful digitalization. He shared that “what we are trying to do is that everyone is a collaborator. It has to be cross-country, ASEAN, regional, and global. ”

During the festival’s last day, Maclang looked to the future, saying, “This is just the beginning of our journey together. What we are doing here will go around Southeast Asia. Indeed, the train is fast moving to the ASEAN Fintech Month.”

Digital Pilipinas is the largest private sector movement for creating a technology and innovation ecosystem geared to bring about technological acceleration in the country. It convened Digital Pilipinas Festival (DPF), which was composed of the World FinTech Festival-Philippines (WFF-Philippines) and the Philippine FinTech Festival (PFF), in partnership with Elevandi, an organization founded by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) to foster public-private-sector dialogue to advance FinTech in the digital economy.

THE Philippine Bank of Communications (PBCOM) announced earlier this week that it has entered into an exclusive insurance distribution agreement with Etiqa Life and General Assurance Philippines Inc. (Etiqa Philippines).

In connection with the disclosure last September 28, PBCOM said in a separate statement that the pilot phase of the distribution partnership is expected to commence upon securing the relevant regulatory approvals.

“The partnership brings together Etiqa’s extensive range of insurance solutions with PBCOM’s growing client base and distribution network across different channels,”said the universal bank.

The 83-year-old PBCOM’s portfolio of banking services includes consumer loans, corporate and commercial banking, trading, trust and transaction banking with a capitalization of P14.4 billion and total assets of P116.1 billion.

Etiqa Philippines is a regional brand that offers a wide range of life, health and non-life insurance products under its composite license. For over 60 years, it has been one of the leading providers of Group Health Insurance to major conglomerates and corporations across industries, with over 1,600 accredited hospitals and clinics, and 30,000 doctors nationwide. Etiqa’s headquarters is based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia with regional presence in Indonesia, Singapore, the Philippines and Cambodia.

As we transition to our post-pandemic office and school set-ups, the importance of smartphones and gadgets has never been more amplified and relevant than right now. The country’s smartphone market grew by 22.6% in 2021. About 80% of working Filipinos prefer the new hybrid, internet-heavy set-up to the traditional office.

Beyond academic institutions and offices, smartphone use is shaping the way we spend our everyday lives and carry out routine tasks, like accessing job opportunities, financial services, online shopping, and social networks. Six out of ten Filipinos make their purchases and book their trips through mobile apps. According to one pre-pandemic survey, about 55% of Filipino children own a smartphone---and 80% of them prefer to surf the internet than watch TV.

Essential to life

Not surprisingly, this dependence on smartphones and gadgets has made their operability and safety a priority for a lot of people. The damage to a smart device can mean the difference in earning or losing income to breadwinners, making the grade for students, or doing a needed online conversation with a family member in another country.

“A phone that has suddenly gone dark or permanently off can be a nightmare, especially when it happens on a payday weekend,” recalls Kate Paulyne Tayco, 23, Social Media Manager of an online wedding business company. Tayco dropped her device on hard ground while vacationing in a remote town. “During that time, I could not do my usual thing of paying my bills or doing bank transfers through my smartphones. And because the ATMs in that town had run out of cash, and the banks and bayad centers were closed, I didn’t have spare cash to have my phone repaired.”

These unfortunate events are aggravated by the costly mobile repair costs. Replacement by buying a new one can be even costlier. Currently, a budget-friendly quality smartphone costs around P5,000 while a premium one can cost more than P50,000.

With smartphones becoming an essential device as well as an expensive investment, its protection through insurance has become a necessity, no longer an option. Mobile insurance provides gadget owners the coverage they need to repair a phone at the time of its damage. It can help quickly restore a phone’s full functionality in case of an accidental fall or damage. With that technical restoration comes opportunity and economic recovery.

Mobile phone insurance becomes more urgent as damage to the device can happen anytime, anywhere. Research shows that the most frequent accidents that occur to a smartphone involve its falling out of a pocket or dropping into the toilet bowl.

Mobile phone protection

Etiqa Philippines President and Chief Executive Officer, Rico Bautista, affirmed that smart gadgets, like health, property, and other aspects essential to our lives, need consistent, reliable protection through insurance: “Mobile devices are no longer seen as just a status symbol or used solely for work but have become a necessity, helping us to further our careers, businesses, and day-to-day activities. In securing them, the mobile insurance plans will ensure that the lives and activities of their users will continue with minimal disruption, even if these devices are damaged. This is aligned with our commitment to offering products and services that will make our customers’ lives easier.”

Mobile phone insurance falls under the category of Insurtech, which applies technology to the insurance industry. Technology makes online policy enrollment, checking or buying a plan, and topping up efficient, safe, and in real-time through digital platforms like GCash or Shopee. Other Insurtech examples include social insurance, data analytics as a method to understand consumer behavior and improve customer service, and the customization of policies for specific groups and organizations.

Southeast Asian Insurtech company Igloo has developed mobile insurance plans with Etiqa Philippines to ensure coverage for the phone screen and its functionalities (Phone Screen Protection plan) or the entire device (Full Phone Protection plan). However, these plans exclude cases where the devices have been experiencing gradual deterioration, stolen, or lost; damage due to malware, repairs, and servicing is also not included.

Tech-powered insurance

Customers also need to report any damage within 48 hours of the incident before making a claim.

The mobile insurance plans are designed to make them cost-effective while giving premium value to the wide demographic range of smartphone users, especially those who rely on them for their living. One plan, for example, is equivalent to paying for one small snack a month while its coverage amount is enough to buy an economical smartphone.

Technology is making both affordable and accessible the insurance coverage that protects the important aspects of our lives. It has extended that service to our all-around important tool and digital companion, the ubiquitous smartphone.

BSP leads powerhouse Ph Fintech contingent

The inaugural three-day Point Zero Forum kicked off in Zurich, Switzerland, on Tuesday, focusing on the implications of digital financial technology on global market structure and public policy.

The Swiss Secretariat for International Finance (SIF) and Elevandi co-sponsored the by-invite only, in-person Point Zero Forum that provided a platform for global leaders, technologists, regulators, and leaders from financial institutions in the public and private sectors to drive a profound exchange of ideas and knowledge to advance FinTech (financial technology) and Web3.0 in the digital economy.

Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Hweng Swee Keat stated: “Digital technology has tremendous potential to change the world for the better, especially through finance. To unlock this potential, we must find new ways to collaborate and partner to tackle key global challenges and ride the new wave of opportunities. Singapore and Switzerland have worked together to organize the inaugural Point Zero Forum, bringing together global technologists, financial institutions, and regulators. Through this Forum, we can add to the global FinTech momentum and strengthen the global movement for innovation and change.”

Hweng also touched on adopting a people-centric approach to developing the FinTech space, which he described as “the second principle of innovation, to learn from and collaborate with one another.” Technology and innovation thrive in an open and connected environment, he said.

Through collaboration, we achieve more such as when we bring the research community, industry, and government or what the Dutch term the ’triple helix model of innovation’ and through collaborating beyond national borders, through international partnerships to work on common challenges,” he continued.

“Within Singapore, we will continue to strengthen the spirit of partnership and collaboration, ” the official went on to say.

Hweng also drew parallelism between Singapore and Switzerland, noting the two countries’ initiatives in innovations and technology to secure their positions as financial centers. According to him, collaborations among stakeholders, including governments, the private sector, and academia, would play a critical role in shaping a digitalized inter-connected global ecosystem.

Commenting on the first panel discussion titled, “Crypto: Current and Future Real Economy, ” Sopnendu Mohanty, Chief Fintech Officer at the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), said the future of cryptocurrency is to look to its use cases as a utility tool and not as a speculative investment opportunity.

” It seems to me that that the public is looking at cryptocurrency as a kind of speculative construct. We must focus on its real utility objective to ensure the future of cryptocurrency,” he said. ”If we take the whole world of markets, this is not a private currency market. We must look at look at it from a holistic point of view, including private currency, some fiat money, money market instruments.”

Digital Pilipinas

The Philippines sent the second-largest delegation in the ASEAN region, next to Singapore, showcasing the country’s position as one of the fastest FinTech destinations in the region.

Recognizing that fintech is fast becoming an integral part of business operations, the Philippines’ central bank, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), Assistant Governor Edna Villa, heads the Philippines delegation with Atty. Bridget Romero, the Acting Deputy Director of the Payment System Oversight Department (PSOD) under the Payments and Currency Management Sector (PCMS) and Digital Pilipinas convenors.

Digital Pilipinas is the largest private sector-led movement that advocates the teching up of the Philippines to achieve economic prosperity.

Indeed, industry experts have described the growth of FinTech in the Philippines as “tremendous” that offered viable financial options and solutions to Filipinos during the pandemic and boosted financial inclusion in the country.

Data from Fintech News PH showed that fintech firms in the Philippines garnered USD 342 million in funding during the first half of 2021 alone, a record-high amount.

In addition, the BSP expressed support by collaborating with various companies and organizations on fintech-centered programs. Such commitment has manifested through the Fintech Industry Sandbox Program, a collaborative initiative between significant parties from the Philippines’ digital finance sector, like Fintech Alliance.PH and Fintech Philippines Association (FPH), among others. This project aims to increase access to local financial institutions while promoting digital finance inclusivity in the Philippines.

GCash achieved its duocorn or double unicorn status in November 2021 after raising $300 million, bringing its total valuation to over $2 billion. GCash has more than tripled its gross transactions to P3.8 trillion last year from P1.2 trillion in 2020. The e-wallet ended in 2021 with 55 million registered users, 4.5 million merchants and social sellers, 290 GLife merchant partners, and around 174,000 cash-in and cashout agents.

Completing the Philippine delegation were: Michael Calma, Country Manager, Advance.AI; Rico Bautista, President & CEO, Etiqa Philippines; Ron Hose, Independent Director, Union Bank of the Philippines; Ysa Chua, Chief of Staff, PayMongo, Francis Plaza, Co-Founder and CEO, PayMongo; Noel Bonoan, Vice Chairman & Chief Operating Officer, KPMG Philippines; and Robertson Chiang, President, Founder & CTO, Dragonpay.

AS the Covid-19 pandemic continues, especially with the rising infection rates again, there is a constant surge in the demand for quick health-care services.

Despite this, however, the Philippines’s insurance industry remains hounded by issues on delayed processing of guarantee letters to policyholders who need urgent medical treatment or other services.

With this in mind, Etiqa Philippines has kicked off an online credit facility that reduces the turnaround time for issuing the promissory document for coverage.

The insurance company’s newly launched Letter of Guarantee (LOG) Portal boasts of only three steps to shorten the entire process from 24 hours to four hours now, with a daily cut-off time of 2 pm on weekdays.

According to Etiqa Philippines Medical Director Dra. Maria Luisa Mamaril, the health crisis has accelerated the “digitalization of industries” and enabled businesses to embrace “digital strategies.”

“This transition also significantly transformed customer expectations, including in the Philippines, as many are growing accustomed to digital interactions. Through Etiqa’s new LOG Portal’s three-step process, we hope that this service will provide added convenience and ensure that customers receive the required health service in the quickest time,” she said.

How it works?

WITH this platform, customers need not have to call Etiqa’s hotline to request a LOG. They just have to access the portal via a QR code or URL found on the firm’s Facebook page.

Next, they have to provide basic information such as their name, Etiqa Philippines card number, name of company, e-mail address, type of request, date of availability, name of facility, and doctor’s request form, if applicable.

Upon completion, a confirmation e-mail will be sent to them, indicating that the request is now being processed. Clients will then receive the LOG through their e-mail.

“This is a new era where customers are actively looking for user-friendly, simple, and efficient services. We are committed to enhancing our services to give them a richer digital experience that addresses their concerns about insurance claims and Letters of Guarantee,” said Mamaril.

The newly-launched platform is a welcome development being timely to ease the burden and anxiety of patients who are in need of urgent medical attention, which a delay could cause a mental health problem or much worse lead to untimely death.

The LOG portal may be accessed by scanning the QR code on Etiqa Philippines’ website or by visiting https://etiqaph.freshdesk.com/support/tickets/new.

As of 2021, the 82.3 million people in the Philippines using their mobile phones are vulnerable to the top two common causes of phone damage: dropping them on the ground, or unknowingly letting them fall from their pocket.

To protect the users from the considerable costs from these incidents, unified insurer Etiqa Philippines and Insurtech company Igloo collaborated to launch the gadget insurance for every Filipino.

Etiqa Philippines has been in the insurance industry for more than 40 years and takes pride in being one of the few players in the market with comprehensive insurance solutions for health, protection, investment and non-life insurance.

The new plans are now available online. New products like Cracked Screen Protection and Electronics Protection Plans can now be accessed through Shopee. Once a client purchases a mobile device or accessory through Shopee, they can easily top up or purchase the insurance before check out. The policy may then be activated via Igloo Portal.

Etiqa Philippines and Igloo representatives initiated a MOA signing attended by Etiqa PH President and CEO Rico Bautista; Etiqa EVP, Head of Group and General Insurance Glenn Navea, and Igloo Country Manager Mario Berta on April 22.

“The work from home and home school setup during the pandemic has allowed many to realize that gadgets are more than just status symbols. These devices have become a ’new normal’ necessity for people to continue with their education, careers, businesses, and other activities,” Etiqa’s President and CEO Rico Bautista said.

“However, getting mobile insurance usually comes as the last thing in the buyers’ minds since they have often spent so much already on their phones. We understand their concerns and want our customers to have a safety net if, in case, an unfortunate incident occurs, and their gadget becomes damaged.”

These affordable phone protection plans underwritten by Etiqa Philippines are among their first of many efforts to dive into the insurtech world as part of their continuous dedication to offering unified life and non-life insurance products to Filipinos. In the insurance business for over 40 years, the company has built a good reputation for fast, prompt, and reliable service through life, health, and non-life insurance products.

“Etiqa is proud to partner with Igloo. Our values are aligned in offering insurance for every Filipino, and is emphasized in Etiqa’s Humanizing Insurance tagline. This collaboration is a good example of two innovative companies coming together to meet the changing needs of digital users today, ” said Head of Group and General Insurance of Etiqa Glenn Navea. “We are offering some peace of mind to our customers through affordable phone and electronic protection products. They don’t need to worry that their gadget investments are not well taken care of beyond their warranty coverage. ”

To make it even more accessible to customers, other products from Etiqa and Igloo are available on GCash. GCash members can avail of Phone Screen Protect (PSP) and Full Phone Protection (360), an affordable phone protection plan under GInsure. Through GCash, members can purchase phone protection plans, view their policy, and file claims through the app.

With mobile phone users in the country reaching almost 90 million by 2025, the Etiqa Philippines-Igloo collaboration can save them both expense and anxiety. The falls that usually crack the electronic gadget’s screen are covered specifically by Cracked Screen Protection. Meanwhile, Electronics Protection and 360-degree phone and tablet protection covers not just your screen, but your entire device, against damages coming out of an accidental fall or spilling if liquid.

Users with mobile phones that are brand new or up to 18months old can avail of the Cracked Screen Protection and Electronics Protection, and/or file claims immediately and digitally through the Igloo Portal.With two options available, they may opt to either have the damage assessed and repaired in over 100 Igloo-accredited repair centers in the country or choose to have it repaired by a non-accredited repair center and file for reimbursement. Either way, they must pass through the easy–to-use Igloo portal before a repair is done. The portal will ask for submission and inputs of the gadget’s details, invoice, IMEI, receipt, and contact information. Only two claims can be filed during the policy period unless total loss.

Catering to Filipinos who are on a tight budget, phone screen protection plans range from P21 to P209 monthly or P230 to P2,410 annually, while 360-degree full phone and tablet protection plans range from P29 to P310 monthly or P329 to P3,590 annually. Through these plans, insured clients no longer need to worry about where they can have their damaged gadgets repaired. Nor do they need to put up using mobile phones with cracked screens due to a lack of budget for repairs.

“Making immediate replacement for damaged gadgets is impossible for many. However, mobile insurances might just be the best lifesaver for that,” Country Manager of Igloo Mario Berta said. “For a very affordable price and digital technology, our customers can go back to using their mobile phones without having their lives disrupted.”

Etiqa’s clients can enjoy simple, easy end-to-end customer experience made possible by digital platforms and technology. Cracked Screen Protection and Electronics Protection Plans are just the initial microinsurance products of Etiqa Philippines through its collaboration with insurtech startup Igloo.

For more information, visit Etiqa Philippines’ Facebook page.

PHILIPPINE Life Insurance Association, Inc. (PLIA) has named Etiqa Philippines head Rico T. Bautista as its new president.

The chief executive officer (CEO) of insurance firm Etiqa Life and General Assurance Philippines, Mr. Bautista will head the nonprofit organization representing life insurance companies operating in the Philippines.

He expects the organization to be an “active contributor to the country’s social and national development, through its significant investments in government bonds and securities, the insurance and corporate taxes that it adds to the national coffers, and the corporate social responsibility programs that it undertakes. ”

Mr. Bautista said he plans to make insurance more relevant to the underinsured Filipino population.

“We believe that a well-informed insuring public is one key dependency to enabling a significant improvement in the insurance penetration rate in the country, ” he said in a press release on Thursday.

He plans to continue communicating industry concerns to regulators, government and nongovernment agencies, and international groups.

“Maintaining the close working relationship between PLIA and the Insurance Commission is critical to the achievement of our industry’s objectives,” he said.

Mr. Bautista has been the president and CEO of Etiqa since 2019, according to his online profile. He was previously vice-president of segment management in BPI PhilamLife Assurance Corp. after five years in AIA Group Ltd.

Part of the Maybank Group, Etiqa offers retail life and nonlife insurance products.

PLIA represents 31 member companies.

Etiqa Philippines, a leading ASEAN insurer, simplifies the selection process for individuals and corporate decision-makers by integrating life, health, and non-life in one unified approach.

https://mb.com.ph/2021/10/22/etiqa-philippines-a-leading-asean-insurer-goes-unified/

Etiqa Philippines simplifies insurance and makes it even more relevant for Filipinos. It offers the widest variety of insurance products in the market under one brand, one company, and one roof.

https://thephilbiznews.com/asean-insurer-etiqa-philippines-goes-unified/

ASEAN insurer, Etiqa Philippines, wins the COVID Management Initiative in Insurance Asia Awards 2021 for its efforts to help frontliners. At the height of the pandemic, the company delivered 5,700 complete sets of personal protective equipment (PPEs), worth P5 million, to more than 14 major partner hospitals. Etiqa Philippines also gave 28,000 men and women of the Philippine National Police National Capital Region Police Office (PNP NCRPO) free six-month insurance coverage for pneumonia-related hospitalization expenses, including those caused by COVD-19.

"It is with great privilege that, we at Etiqa Philippines, receive this recognition," said Etiqa President and CEO, Rico Bautista. "We dedicate this award in honor of the brave and heroic frontliners who defend our country through these times. We are proud and happy to be of service to the Filipino nation especially during those troubling times when we were just beginning to understand how to deal with the virus. We will continue to serve our fellow countrymen, especially those who stand in the frontlines, exposing themselves to risk."

Through these initiatives, healthcare workers in the frontline in the fight against COVID-19 received extra protection when there was a shortage of supply. At the same time, the donation to the police also helped allay concerns among them about their medical security as they venture out into the streets, exposed to the virus, while protecting the public. The medical coverage amounted to P2.8 million worth of insurance costs – and includes P50,000 worth of room/board and general hospital services and up to P10,000 accidental death and dismemberment benefits. Etiqa Philippines has lined up similar efforts to support the frontliners as the times remain uncertain.

"We are honored to extend this benefit to our selfless heroes who fight for our freedom from this pandemic and render assistance when many of our countrymen are locked up inside their homes,"Bautista added. "We will support – and lead programs that strive to help Filipinos to be protected and covered, especially those who work hard to protect us. This is our way of humanizing insurance."

Formerly known as Asian Life & General Assurance Corporation, Etiqa Philippines serves the nation with a wide range of insurance portfolio, including health plans that stand on a medical network composed of 30,000 doctors and 1,600 accredited clinics.

Although the pandemic has given the insurance industry quite a shake-up, Etiqa Philippines has managed to emerge from the turbulent period in a positive position, thanks to its focus on what the company calls "Humanizing Insurance", President and CEO Rico Bautista reveals. There were difficulties faced by the whole insurance industry.

"There was a negative trend, but we are very grateful that our company experienced positive sales," he reflects. Both sales and profits grew as intensifying health concerns worked to Etiqa’s advantage.

"People looked at our products as something that they really needed, particularly in case they contracted the virus." Rico joined the business in January 2019 with a wealth of experience in high-level insurance roles.

Soon after he came on board, the company, then known as AsianLife, underwent a rebrand to become Etiqa Philippines to bring it in line with its parent company Etiqa International Holdings (EIHSB) Malaysia, an investment holding company of Maybank.

Etiqa’s headquarters is in Malaysia, with a regional presence in Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore and Cambodia. As one of a mere handful of insurance companies that hold a composite licence – so it can sell both life and non-life insurance products – Etiqa Philippines is well-placed to grow in the post-pandemic world.

"We are committed to providing fast and easy service to our customers," Rico insists. "We would like to be known as an all-in source of insurance products that offer fast and easy service."

Recent statistics show that insurance penetration in the Philippines is just 1.58%. This represents a great opportunity for Etiqa, which ranks 14th in the country in terms of premium income and 11th in net income, according to the Insurance Commission.

It also placed 529th in BusinessWorld’s Top 1000 Corporations in the Philippines 2019 list, up from 671 in 2018, and is part of the Top 50 Upward Movers list. "There is really so much more room for us to be able to expand the business," Rico says. "Our target is to be part of the top 10 life insurance businesses by 2025."

The company’s smiling logo highlights its overarching mission. "Our ambition is to bring smiles here in the Philippines," Rico says. It is active in the corporate social responsibility space, having sponsored the Craniofacial Foundation of the Philippines to perform corrective surgeries for children with cleft lips and palates, which resulted in Etiqa being awarded CSR Initiative of the Year – Philippines 2020 at the Insurance Asia Awards.

More recently, it has been supporting healthcare workers by distributing personal protective equipment, earning it Insurance Asia Awards’ COVID Management Initiative Award – Philippines 2021.

We are committed to providing fast and easy service to our customers.

Although around 70% of Etiqa’s business is providing employee benefits to companies, it aims to make insurance accessible to everyone, including those earning lower incomes. These "low-level" policies, sold via its website, include coverage for pneumonia, dengue and COVID-19. It also offers an online travel insurance policy, which is showing signs of picking up.

"It is early days, and we are still building a lot of things so that we can gain more traction," Rico says. The pandemic’s effect was felt in other areas too. With the Philippines experiencing one of the longest lockdowns in the world, ensuring employees could work from home was a key concern.

"There were some who could not work from home because of their home environment or due to their inability to access our systems," he recalls. "That was challenging, but we were able to navigate through it. Even if they were not working, we still paid them. We took care of our employees, even during these pandemic times."

The ability to service customers through its 24/7 call centre was also at risk. "We invested in technology to ensure a safe, efficient environment for employees," Rico explains.

"Currently, 80% of our employees are working from home. We were tested during this time, and I think we managed to prove ourselves."

Going forward, Rico remains focused on four key areas to propel business growth: customer experience, digitalisation, people and culture, and sustainability. The company launched its Smile PH app in November last year to help customers view their schedule of benefits, manage profiles, find nearby accredited hospitals and doctors, and file claims.

"We continuously innovate to delight our customers," Rico says. Etiqa’s evolution continues as the company seeks to make its mark while making a difference.

The year 2020 was a good year for us,marked by a 6-percent increase in ouroverall business, and a remarkable 26-percent growth in our non-life portfolio. Asa composite company selling both life andnon-life products, 70 percent of ourportfolio is in employee benefits like group-medical and group-life products, whilearound 20 percent is in individual retailproducts. And the rest is on a good growing percentage of our non-life products. Read More

Etiqa Philippines, one of the leading life and non-life insurance providers in the Philippines, recently launched MyLife+, a yearly renewable health insurance plan that gives consumers access to Etiqa’s extensive medical network nationwide. Ideal for individuals and families, MyLife+ is priced competitively and covers individuals from two weeks to 70 years old. Within just 15 days of issuance, MyLife+ members can receive quality healthcare from over 29,000 physicians and 1,500 hospitals and clinics.

"In the face of today’s many uncertainties brought about by the COVID pandemic, people need a reliable health insurance plan that is comprehensive and responsive to their unique medical needs, " said Rico Bautista, President, and CEO of Etiqa Philippines. "Etiqa is committed to give Filipinos peace of mind when it comes to healthcare and to cater to all age segments even those that have been typically overlooked for health insurance. This is part of Etiqa’s mission to humanize insurance and put a smile to our customers’ faces. "

Most of the medical plans currently available only cover individuals until 60 years old. With a population of 7.5 million senior citizens, this leaves more than seven percent of Filipinos largely unprotected. The responsibility for this segment is believed to rest on the shoulders of the ’sandwich generation,’ so-called because they are caught between providing for their own family and caring for aging parents aged 60 and above. Value for money is a key concern, as the need for comprehensive healthcare becomes even more apparent for older individuals.

More than a medical plan, MyLife+ is a retail offering that gives individuals the advantage of a robust health insurance product that can be purchased online. To make it easier for customers to avail of services, Etiqa has launched SmilePH for iOs and Android, a mobile app that enables faster access to benefits such as room and board, special hospital services, surgical expense, in-hospital physician’s visit, out-patient benefit, ambulance service, and even emergency treatment in foreign territories. The SmilePH app allows Etiqa clients to easily check their policy details, request for Letter of Guarantee, and reach out to their providers and doctors anytime, anywhere.

With over 40 years of experience in the group insurance business, Etiqa is proven to deliver a range of essential healthcare benefits from checkups and diagnostic services towards preventive healthcare, to the treatment of congenital diseases or emergency care. Even pre-existing conditions are covered under a 12-month waiting period. Moreover, MyLife+ comes with life and accident coverage.

"Etiqa believes that behind every policy is a person working to protect their family and their future," added James Patrick Bonus, EVP and Chief Financial Officer of Etiqa Philippines. "This is why we continue to innovate our products and services so that members enjoy extensive benefits that are easily and simply claimed at the time when they need it most."

The introduction of MyLife+ is part of Etiqa’s aggressive efforts to expand its offerings in the Philippines, particularly its Personal Life & General Insurance business. As one of the leading providers of Group Health for the Philippines’ top multinational and local companies, Etiqa continues to diversify its offerings to address the changing demands of the local market through timely insurance plans that respond to current and emerging health risks.

Individuals aged 18 years and above may now apply for MyLife+. For more information about MyLife+, visit www.etiqa.com.ph.

Etiqa Philippines Senior Vice President and Chief Finance Officer, Mr. James Patrick Bonus, recently penned an article in Business World’s 3^rd Quarter Banking report listing 4 important business lessons that the Covid-19 pandemic situation has taught us.

Read more about these helpful lessons from the following link:

https://www.bworldonline.com/business-lessons-from-covid-19/

Etiqa Philippines’ President and CEO, Mr. Rico T. Bautista, authored an article in Business World describing the pivotal role of insurance in helping to manage your financial health. In it, he also provides advice on sound financial principles during these difficult times.

Read more about his insights on this topic here:

https://www.bworldonline.com/the-pivotal-role-of-insurance-in-managing-financial-health/

Etiqa Philippines was recently awarded the 2020 CSR Initiative of the Year by Insurance Asia Awards for their CSR initiative "Sharing the Gift of Smile" conducted last October, 2019.

Over seventy exceptional insurance companies from 22 countries were recognised at the fifth Insurance Asia Awards held digitally from the first to third week of August.

For the first time, the awards were handed via visual presentation to the winners due to the pandemic. Winning companies were also interviewed throughout the whole month of August to share their thoughts on winning in the most prestigious awards programme in Asia’ s insurance industry.

This year’ s nominations were judged by a panel consisting of Richard Holloway, Managing Director for Southeast Asia & India Life at Milliman; Frank Dubois, Head of Insurance at KPMG Singapore; Steven Goh, Head of Insurance Audit at KPMG Singapore; Woo Shea Leen, Insurance Leader at PwC Singapore; and Liza Drew, FSO Indirect Tax Leader - Asia Pacific at Ernst & Young.

"Insurers have the responsibility to provide consumers with products that will fit the diverse needs of the market, especially during the pandemic. The Insurance Asia Awards recognizes the conscious efforts of these companies to put out solutions and deliver exceptional value to its stakeholders," said Tim Charlton, publisher of Insurance Asia magazine.

You may find the complete list of winners here: https://insuranceasia.com/co-written-partner/news/insurance-asia-awards-presents-winners-in-its-first-ever-digital-awards-pres

The Business Mirror website published an extensive article covering the recent Grand Launch event of Etiqa Philippines, how the company plans to Humanize Insurance in the local industry, their new and innovative products and services, and their Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives to help make the world a better place.

Read more about this story here:

https://businessmirror.com.ph/2019/11/15/etiqa-expands-asean-footprint-in-ph-through-humanizing-insurance/

Etiqa Philippines’ Grand Launch and rebranding activities was highlighted in a recent article in The Manila Times website. It featured the transformation and expansion of the brand to become a leading insurance provider in the Philippines. Also discussed was the launch of the Etiqa Smile App and the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives of the company to help improve the lives of cleft palate and lip patients.

Read the full article here:

https://www.manilatimes.net/2019/11/11/supplements/etiqa-strengthens-identity-in-ph/654992/

Etiqa was featured in the Daily Tribune regarding plans to expand its footprint in the Philippine insurance market and to strengthen the company’s presence in the ASEAN region. You can read more about this story here:

https://tribune.net.ph/index.php/2019/10/28/etiqa-planning-footprint-expansion/

Inquirer.net released an article about takaful or Islamic insurance and Etiqa’s intentions of introducing it to the Philippines if it finds a local Islamic bank to partner with. The piece contains insights from Insurance Commissioner Dennis B. Funa and Chris Eng Poh Yoon, Chief Strategy Officer of Etiqa Insurance and Takaful in Malaysia. Read more about this story here:

https://business.inquirer.net/281768/ever-heard-of-takaful-malaysian-firm-wants-to-bring-islamic-insurance-to-ph

In a recent press briefing, Etiqa Insurance and Takaful’s Chief Strategy Officer, Mr. Chris Eng Poh Yoon shared his insights on the Philippines’ investment landscape with The Manila Times. In it, he elaborates on why he thinks the local market is largely insulated from the uncertainties of the global economy.

Read more about his analysis here:

https://www.manilatimes.net/2019/10/24/business/business-top/ph-better-insulated-in-2020-etiqa/650570/

Chris Eng Poh Yoon, Etiqa Malaysia’s Chief Strategy Officer was recently interviewed on ANC’s Market Edge show to talk about Etiqa’s philosophy of Humanizing Insurance, the expansion of Etiqa in the ASEAN region, particularly in the Philippines, and the potential growth of insurance in the Philippine market. Watch the interview here:

The Manila Times covered Etiqa Philippines’ recent CSR activity at the Craniofacial Foundation of the Philippines, Inc. (CFFP). Dubbed "Operation Smile", the free speech therapy camp for recovering surgical cleft patients was filled with fun activities, games, and lectures for the parents of the patients to help them continue the recovery process at home with their child. Volunteer Etiqa employees and executives also helped to pitch-in as adoptive parents for the day.

Read more about this CSR activity from the Manila Times website here:

https://beta.manilatimes.net/2019/10/20/news/national/free-speech-therapy-camp-teaches-parents-to-teach-the-child/643654/

The Business Mirror recently featured Kamaludin Ahmad, CEO of Maybank Ageas Holdings Bhd and Group CEO for Insurance & Takaful of Etiqa Malaysia on the company’s plans to make insurance easier to distribute among the less-privileged Filipinos. Read more about it here:

https://businessmirror.com.ph/2019/09/30/etiqa-phl-open-to-insure-less-privileged-filipinos/

Cathy Young of ANC’s The Boss sat down to talk with Kamaludin Ahmad, CEO of Maybank Ageas Holdings Bhd and Group CEO for Insurance & Takaful of Etiqa Malaysia to talk about the opportunities in the Philippine market for insurers, Etiqa Philippines’ promising travel insurance business, and the prospect of takaful in the country. Read more about the interview here:

https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/07/02/19/malaysian-insurer-sees-big-market-in-ph-amid-large-population-economic-growth

IC APPROVES ASIANLIFE-MAYBANK BANCASSURANCE AGREEMENT. Following the approval of the Entity Accreditation from Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the Insurance Commission releases its formal approval of the Bancassurance Agreement between AsianLife & General Assurance Corporation and Maybank Philippines, Inc. AsianLife makes available to Maybank clients an array of relevant insurance products including endowment policies and variable life products with investment components made unique by features only AsianLife can provide. Shown above is the Honorable Insurance Commissioner Dennis Funa (center), AsianLife President/CEO Mr. Eulogio Mendoza (second from left), Maybank Philippines Officer-in-Charge Mr. Hazli Abu Samah (second from right), Maybank Philippines Senior Vice President and Head of Retail Banking Mr. Ricky Jimenez (far right), and AsianLife Senior Vice President Mr. Glenn Navea (far left).

AsianLife and General Assurance Corporation has grown by leaps and bounds and now has a client base of more than 450 domestic and multinational corporations, insuring nationwide over 280,000 executives, employees, and their dependents. Because of this growth and on account of their service philosophy of "service beyond through personal touch", it ended the year on a high note with the implementation of the swipe card facility. With just a swipe of the member’s card, pertinent details will be known immediately paving the way for faster accommodation and treatment of its members.

For medical consultations, the swipe card facility will automatically confirm the eligibility of a member. For certain laboratory procedures, the swipe card will provide instant approval of the laboratory request to be done, doing away with the need to call AsianLife’s Medical Information Center (MIC). Hospital admissions are also made faster and smoother with the swipe system since it will prompt MIC and the concerned liaison officer that a member has just been admitted.

When asked about his thoughts on the swipe card, Mr. Loy Mendoza, President & CEO of AsianLife, said that "AsianLife launched the swipe cards facility with the objective of further enhancing customers experience with the AsianLife Health card. Better, faster and smoother service is expected with the implementation of the swipe card." Dr. Maria Theresa Fernandez, VP & Medical Director of AsianLife, remarked that, "We have now installed more than 130 POS terminals in our growing network of more than 870 hospitals and clinics. Our company is aiming to strategically install additional swipe card facilities in key providers in Metro Manila and other cities nationwide this year.