Hybrid work and hybrid meetings are now commonplace in the Philippines, with associations increasingly implementing them for employees due to traffic congestion.
Octavio Peralta, founder and CEO of the Philippine Council of Associations and Association Executives (PCAAE), told TTGmice that hybrid working arrangements have “gained ground and are being practised by many associations”.
“Management and staff have already adjusted to this scheme and are happy (to continue) with such arrangements, citing more work-life balance. Hybrid work also reduces a staff’s cost – transportation, parking, meals – in having to go to the office, while associations save on office rent and utilities,” Peralta explained.
It also helps that better technology is more readily available for association members to attend meetings or educational sessions remotely.
During the recent PCAAE 10th Associations Summit, Ramon Isberto, auditor of the board of trustees, International Association of Business Communicators Philippines, also pointed out that in many lines of work, employees need not be physically present.
Antonio Ongsiako, liaison officer and director of the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines, is another supporter of hybrid work arrangements. He shared how some companies, 50 per cent of the staff come to work only twice or three times a week. Some of these companies are no longer leasing office spaces as well.
Aside from hybrid work arrangements, Peralta also noted that association events will mostly be in hybrid formats – a mix of in-person and virtual attendance – moving forward.
He added: “Events are not merely for learning, but also to network with peers, so a combination of both options will (cover an attendee’s) needs.”
Agnes Pacis, vice president for commercial, SM Hotels & Conventions, added: “Hybrid events will still be around. The virtual component has proven beneficial to those who can’t attend in-person for one reason or another.
“(However), nothing will replace in-person business events, tradeshows or exhibitions, because it is more compelling to (interact with industry peers on-site.”
