On May 27, Subic Bay International Terminal Corp. (SBITC) conducted a webinar on how businesses can establish and adopt a comprehensive business continuity plan to manage risks and recover from disruptions, including the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Organized in partnership with Romarcom International Marketing Corp. and Agri Logistics Solutions, Inc., the webinar was spearheaded by Roberto Locsin, SBITC President and General Manager, and Mechell Madfriaga, SBITC HSSE Manager. The webinar was attended by over 67 grains and animal feeds importers.
Mr. Locsin explained that webinars “are an effective way to maximize the online platform as more companies make the transition to digital because of the pandemic. It serves as a perfect tool to keep our clients engaged and up-to-date with the latest developments at our terminal.”
Madriaga, a certified Port Facility Security Officer, presented SBITC’s business continuity plan and discussed ongoing efforts to integrate action plans to address the effects of COVID-19. SBITC’s business continuity plan was approved in 2018 and covers disaster recovery and continuity planning for the IT and HSSE departments. It was put into action during a recent terminal operating system update, ensuring the smooth transition despite some processes reverting to manual during the upgrade.
In response to the pandemic, SBITC is currently working on a system that would provide customers with electronic gate passes and official receipts to minimize physical interaction. For the meantime, SBITC can issue electronic acknowledgment receipts.
A second webinar on business continuity planning was held 17 June, this time attracting over 270 participants across other industries. The online event helped SBITC generate leads and engage customers via an open forum. A question and answer segment also allowed SBITC to respond directly to client concerns and present possible business opportunities.
Another webinar is scheduled for the third quarter of the year that will focus on the Company’s most important asset–the hardworking employees of SBITC.
