Sprout Solutions Powers HR and Payroll Growth with Human-Led AI

 Manila, Philippines — As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes more deeply embedded in workplace systems, Sprout Solutions is urging Philippine businesses to rethink how AI is applied in HR and payroll as a tool to strengthen trust, compliance, and human-led decision-making.

This message took center stage at the recently concluded HR & Business Leaders Forum, where HR executives, finance leaders, and business decision-makers gathered to examine how AI can responsibly scale organizations without compromising employee confidence or regulatory integrity.

The theme, Human x AI, reflected the growing importance of responsible AI adoption in HR and payroll because of their impact on compensation, statutory contributions, and employee trust.

AI in HR & Payroll: Accuracy Comes First

“Payroll is not an experiment,” said Patrick Gentry, CEO of Sprout. “It’s one of the most sensitive trust functions inside an organization. When you apply AI in payroll and HR, you’re not just improving efficiency but influencing how employees feel about their employer.”

While global HR platforms provide workforce visibility, local payroll execution requires deep regulatory precision. The same principle now applies to AI.

Generic AI tools can provide general HR answers. But they cannot access company-specific payroll rules, leave balances, or contribution histories, which thereby creates the risk of inaccurate or incomplete guidance.

“Enterprises cannot afford AI that guesses.” shared Gian dela Rama, Chief Product and AI Officer at Sprout. “AI for work must be grounded in Philippine regulations and integrated with actual company data. That’s how you scale responsibly."

Human-Led AI: Strengthening HR Teams, Not Replacing Them

Sprout’s AI positioning emphasizes human capital augmentation over replacement, which involves using automation to reduce repetitive admin work while preserving human judgment in high-stakes decisions.

“The AI in HR conversation isn’t about replacing HR teams.” said Gentry. “It’s about giving HR leaders intelligent tools that allow them to focus on strategy, culture, and employee experience, while ensuring payroll accuracy and compliance stay airtight.”

This perspective was shared by Sir Winston Malapad, Director for AI-Augmented Process Intelligence and Systems Integration at Foundever. During his keynote and the HR and Business Leaders Forum, he introduced the A.M.P.L.I.F.Y. Leadership Model: a framework for ensuring AI adoption strengthens human decision-making rather than diminishing accountability.

“The most valuable employee will be the one who collaborates best with intelligence systems.” Malapad said. “By 2030, organizations will not compete on talent alone. They will compete on how intelligently their talent is amplified.”

This philosophy is shaping Sprout’s AI development across HR, payroll, and workforce systems.

One example is Sidekick, an AI assistant built specifically for Philippine HR and payroll environments. Unlike public AI platforms that offer generic information, Sidekick is trained on Philippine labor regulations and designed to align with company-specific policies and payroll data, helping employees receive accurate, context-aware guidance while easing repetitive inquiries for HR and payroll teams.

The goal: to strengthen human oversight, not remove it.

Reinforcing Trust in Payroll Systems

As AI becomes more embedded in HR and payroll systems, security and governance are equally critical.

Sprout recently achieved a major milestone with its SOC 2 Type 2 validation for Sprout Payroll, confirming the effectiveness of Sprout Payroll’s security controls.

This certification reinforces that Sprout’s payroll platform meets internationally recognized standards for enterprise-grade security and control effectiveness, strengthening its readiness to support regulated industries and multinational organizations operating in the Philippines.

“For enterprise clients and regulated industries, trust is built on proof,” said Jay-Ryan Trinidad, Sprout’s AVIP for Legal and Compliance. “SOC 2 Type 2 validation reinforces that our payroll platform meets rigorous security standards. After all, innovation means nothing without protection.”

Building the Next Era of HR & Payroll in the Philippines

As AI adoption continues to expand, the message is clear: the future of work in the Philippines will not be defined by automation alone, but by how responsibly it’s deployed.

Payroll remains one of the areas where businesses and employees are most cautious about AI. After all, compensation accuracy, contribution compliance, and dispute resolution require transparency, human accountability, and trust.

Sprout believes AI must serve as an assistive layer, helping HR and payroll teams detect inconsistencies, flag potential risks, and resolve issues faster. At the same time, people remain fully in control of final decisions and actions that affect employee livelihoods.

“The companies that fail will not be those who avoided AI,” Malapad warned. “They will be those who implemented AI without redesigning leadership.”

“The future isn’t AI versus humans,” shares dela Rama. “It’s Human x AI: where technology supports people, compliance strengthens trust, and businesses scale with confidence.”

About Sprout Solutions Phil Inc

Sprout Solutions is the People-First AI platform for Payroll, Compliance, and Work, built for businesses in the Philippines and Southeast Asia. Founded in 2015, Sprout delivers end-to-end HR and payroll software and managed services covering recruitment, timekeeping, payroll, performance, and employee engagement — powered by AI-driven insights and intelligent automation. Our built-in AI assistant, Sidekick, helps both HR teams and employees work faster and make smarter decisions, while embedded financial wellness solutions such as salary-on-demand and responsible financing support employees beyond payday. Trusted by over 2,000 companies and 350,000 users, Sprout combines enterprise-grade security and compliance with industry-leading implementation and responsive local support — ensuring long-term success, not just software deployment. Sprout exists to impact the lives of employees by improving businesses in the communities we serve.

This press release has also been published on VRITIMES

350 Pilipinas, National and Local Stakeholders Share Commitments Toward Advancing Low-Carbon Mobility at “Life With LEVs” Event in Quezon City

  

LEV users and advocates, industry representatives, transport workers, local government units and national agencies gathered on February 27, 2026 at Harold’s Hotel in Timog Avenue, Diliman for Life With LEVs: Powering the Future of Low-Carbon Mobility, a two-part panel discussion and creative action organized by 350 Pilipinas with media partner, The Trip Chainist.

QUEZON CITY, 26, FEBRUARY, 2026 – LEV users and advocates, industry representatives, transport workers, local government units and national agencies gathered on February 27, 2026 at Harold’s Hotel in Timog Avenue, Diliman for Life With LEVs: Powering the Future of Low-Carbon Mobility, a two-part panel discussion and creative action organized by 350 Pilipinas with media partner, The Trip Chainist.

The event explored the experiences, challenges, key implementation issues, and future prospects of Light Electric Vehicles (LEVs), with particular focus on pedal-assist bicycles, e-scooters, and e-trikes. Discussions highlighted how LEVs are increasingly shaping commuting, livelihoods, and last-mile delivery services in urban communities and and opportunities for integrating renewable energy sources into LEV infrastructure development

“The urgent need to decarbonize our transport systems must translate into concrete, people-centered programs that highlight their benefits to the public and to the climate. For us, this emphasizes the continuous alignment of national regulations with local government initiatives, strengthening support for small retailers, and ensuring that the transition to electric mobility remains inclusive and just” said Jheny Dabu, Sustainable Transport Campaigner, during the event. “We hope that spaces like this continue to exist to examine both the opportunities and the policy gaps in accelerating low-carbon mobility in the light of the rise of electric mobility” she added.

Fread De Mesa, National Coordinator of 350 Pilipinas, emphasized the importance of climate action and collaboration among multi-stakeholders. “The transport sector remains one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions in the Philippines, yet we also see solutions already working. The question now is how we can work together to ensure that these technologies serve both the people and the planet. Translating climate action into real change requires transforming transport systems toward sustainability, promoting cleaner air, and moving away from dependence on fossil fuels.”

Participants included commuters, delivery riders, LEV retailers and distributors, civil society organizations, and representatives from the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Land Transportation Office (LTO), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and the Department of Energy (DOE), alongside representatives from the Quezon City, Mandaluyong, Pasig, Marikina and San Juan Local Government.

The event concluded with a creative action featuring an artwork that showcased diverse modes of transportation and extended an invitation to sign the commitment toward zero-emission transport — a call for a renewable-powered and equitable mobility future.

About 350Pilipinas

350 Pilipinas is an advocacy organization working for climate action that is based on the realities of science, and grounded on the principles of justice.

The Philippines Increase Imports of European Poultry

 

Manila, 27 February 2026 – The Philippines are increasing imports of poultry meat from the European Union. According to data from the European Commission (DG AGRI), EU shipments reached approximately 67.3 thousand tonnes in 2025, compared with around 41.3 thousand tonnes in 2024, up nearly 63%. This trend reflects the rapid growth of the Philippines’ poultry import market in Southeast Asia, especially in modern retail and the HoReCa sector.

Rising demand and the growing importance of the Philippine market

Figures released by the Philippine Bureau of Animal Industry show that total poultry meat imports (chicken, duck, and turkey) reached approximately 473.8 thousand tonnes in 2024 and 541.4 thousand tonnes in 2025, confirming strong, sustained demand in the Philippine market. 

USDA forecasts suggest imports could rise to 560 thousand tonnes in 2026 if consumption keeps growing and trade liberalisation continues.

The role of imports is strengthened by the expansion of the HoReCa sector, ongoing urbanisation and the need for international trade to ensure stable supplies of animal protein. This shift is also visible in supplies from Europe, including Poland—the EU’s largest poultry meat producer—which exported more than 45 thousand tonnes of poultry meat and offal to the Philippines in 2025.

The first year of the EU POULTRY campaign – practical action in the market

In March 2025, the EU co-financed three-year information and promotion campaign “European Poultry – From Our Farms to Your Tables” launched in the Philippines. In its first year, activities focused on raising awareness of European poultry among importers, distributors and the HoReCa sector, while strengthening the campaign’s presence in the media. 

This involved PR and digital outreach, partnerships with industry influencers and the media, and trade-focused meetings with business partners.

WOFEX 2025 – European poultry in the industry spotlight

A standout moment in the first year was the campaign’s presence at World Food Expo (WOFEX) 2025 in Manila, one of the region’s biggest food industry trade fairs, which brought together 724 exhibitors and over 72,000 visitors. The EU POULTRY stand hosted dozens of B2B meetings on trade cooperation, distribution and HoReCa supply, while also showcasing EU poultry production standards and engaging with media and opinion leaders during an accompanying press event.

Campaign goals – quality, safety and EU standards

The campaign “European Poultry – From Our Farms to Your Tables” aims to raise awareness of European poultry production, built on strict standards for food safety, animal welfare, full traceability and care for the environment. The campaign also supports the long-term growth of trade between the EU and the Philippines.

“The first year of the campaign showed rising interest in European poultry in the Philippine market—especially around production standards, safety and reliable supply. It’s a strong starting point for further growth in trade cooperation,” says Dariusz Goszczyński, President of the National Poultry Council – Chamber of Commerce in Poland.

In the second year, activities will focus on deepening business cooperation with Philippine importers and distributors and strengthening dialogue within the HoReCa sector. A key element will be a study visit to Poland for Philippine partners, featuring meetings with European poultry industry representatives and a first-hand presentation of EU production, control and traceability standards.

This Press Release has also been published on VRITIMES

Celebrate the Festive Season with Karaoke Manekineko’s New Buffet & Karaoke Combo

 

Value-for-money sing and dine only at Karaoke Manekineko Berjaya Times Square outlet!

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – This festive month, Karaoke Manekineko invites families and loved ones to come together, share a good meal, and enjoy happy moments with its special promotion, Citarasa Warisan International buffet, available from 19 February 2026 to 20 March 2026 only at their Berjaya Time Square outlet.

Inspired by the spirit of togetherness, this promotion brings people closer over a comforting, internationally inspired buffet. Guests can savour a daily selection of local favourites and global delights while enjoying three hours of lively karaoke fun — dining, singing, and celebrating unforgettable moments all at the same time.

Available daily from 7.00 PM to 11.00 PM, this exceptional value experience is priced at just RM50.00++ per person for three hours of unlimited dining and karaoke entertainment.

Citarasa Warisan International sets the stage for heartwarming family dinners, lively catch-ups with friends, and joyful reunions — transforming every gathering into a meaningful celebration during this special season. As loved ones come together to reconnect, Karaoke Manekineko aims to provide a warm and vibrant space where laughter flows, delicious meals are shared, and cherished moments are created.

Reservations are recommended to secure preferred time slots throughout the festive period.

For more information or bookings, please contact Karaoke Manekineko Malaysia Berjaya Times Square outlet at +60128568077

About Koshidaka International KL Sdn Bhd

About Koshidaka International KL Sdn Bhd

Koshidaka International was incorporated in 2021 at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia as a full subsidiary of Koshidaka Holdings. The company serves as a management consultancy arm for the Karaoke Manekineko operations in Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia. Karaoke Manekineko is a friendly and safe environment for Karaoke that is designed to accommodate a diverse range of customers, from families with young children to groups of friends and corporate teams.

 

This press release has also been published on VRITIMES