3-yr El Niño Action Plan to make Baguio resilient

Baguio's Strawberry and Lettuce fields are susceptible to extreme weather changes such as the El Niño

BAGUIO CITY – This city's three-year El Niño Action Plan will focus on long-term preparations that are expected to make the local government and residents resilient to the effects of the weather phenomenon.

Louie Glenn Lardizabal, OIC of the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (CDRRMC), in a phone interview on Monday said the three-year plan will take a whole-of-society approach from 2023 to 2026.

"We will do a full-blast information campaign. There will be an introduction on the use of technologies, installation of rainwater harvesting and water filtration facilities, shift to the use of solar powered-gadgets and others which will have a more long-term benefit,” Lardizabal said.

“It is a repeated phenomenon so, individually, we should be ready every time there is a declaration of El Niño and not prepare only when it is almost here," the official said.

He added that they have set strategic goals to enhance public awareness and preparedness, as well as strengthen water resource management.

The Environment Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (EMB-DENR) earlier suggested that the city government urge establishments to utilize rainwater to address the water shortage.

“We want to empower the people and also revive what they already know,” Lardizabal said.

In the 1970s and 1980s, households in Baguio used to gather rainwater in pails from water spouts attached to the roof for general home use because of the limited supply from the utility company.

Over the years, however, the water utility drilled more water sources and was able to provide supply more frequently to some villages. With more residents connected to the water utility company, many residents slowly stopped the practice of rain harvesting.

“I am from Baguio, I grew up drinking water from the spout and it was safe. We used rainwater for everything- washing, cleaning, doing the laundry and even taking a bath. We can revive that practice so that the water does not go to waste,” Lardizabal said.

The Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (DOST-PAGASA) reported that the El Niño season is from July to September this year until the first quarter of 2024.

El Niño is characterized by below-normal rainfall conditions that could bring negative impacts like dry spells and droughts in some areas of the country.

Lardizabal said that while the plan covers three years of implementation, it can be enhanced or updated as often as necessary. (PNA)

Amai Pakpak Medical Center-Marawi City Heart Institute now operational

Photo courtesy of Amai Pakpak Medical Center FB page

The Heart Institute of state-run Amai Pakpak Medical Center (APMC) in Marawi City has started performing operations after opening the facility on Friday.

On Sunday, doctors of the APMC Heart Institute culminated their Cardiovascular Surgical Mission, which is in its third year.

The Philippine Heart Center (PHC) led the first mission at APMC in 2021 to expedite the adoption of APMC as a regional heart center.

APMC is a Level 3 teaching-training hospital with residency training programs for Internal Medicine, Pediatric, Surgery, Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Anesthesiology.

With the addition of its Heart Institute, the hospital will serve as a regional referral center for the Bangsamoro region and other Mindanao regions.

It is equipped with Cardiovascular Catheterization Laboratory, Cardiovascular Operating Room, Surgical Intensive Care Unit and recovery room.

"The establishment of APMC Heart Institute is in line with the thrust of Universal Health Care and is part of the mandate of Department of Health (DOH) to explore the regionalization of health care," DOH Undersecretary for Visayas and Mindanao Dr. Abdullah Dumama Jr. said.

The initiative of the PHC for their 2012 Performance Governance System is to decentralize cardiovascular care and increase access to such services.

APMC chief Dr. Shalimar S. Rakiin said patients can avail of all government benefits for very minimal charges.

The 438-bed APMC’s government grant ranges from P100 to P200 million. It also received $1.5 million from the King Salman Foundation of Saudi Arabia last year.

To date, the Heart Institute has spent P150 million from DOH's general appropriations allocation. (PNA)

‘Team Tayo’: TM launches new anthem with SB19, The Juans as brand brings together mobile and broadband

Globe’s value brand, TM, has released a song that captures the Filipino team spirit, tapping the country’s P-pop kings, SB19, and rock band, The Juans, for the new Pinoy anthem.

 

The upbeat song, “Team Tayo,” rallies Filipinos to go for their dreams and trust that they are never alone.

 

The song, a follow-up collaboration for the two bands who gave Pinoy music fans “Push ang Pusuan” (2020) and “TM FunPasko” (2021), peaks in its infectious chorus that repeats “Basta’t team tayo.”

 

"Everyone needs a teammate on their life journey, even more so for many Filipinos for whom life can be challenging. Through this song created in collaboration with SB19 and The Juans, we hope to show every Filipino that TM is committed to be our kababayans’ teammate on both good and bad days," said Pia Gonzalez-Colby, Globe’s Chief Marketing Officer.

 

The Juans vocalist Carl Guevarra spoke about the inspiration for the song.

 

“We wanted to write a song that would speak about the stories of an ordinary ‘Juan’ like us, not only to tell them that we understand them, but also to let them know that we want to be their teammates. It's a song that will speak to real stories and real situations of our listeners,” he said.

 

He also shared how “there’s always something special that happens” whenever the band works with SB19.

 

“One of our heartbeats is we both want to uplift ordinary Filipinos. It's so natural to just give back that message kasi it's not just a slogan, it's not just a statement, but it's the lifestyle that we both live,” Guevarra said.

 

SB19 band leader Pablo Nase said creating beautiful music through collaboration is all about working together– echoing TM’s message of teamwork.

 

“It’s difficult being in a group since we have different creative thoughts or creative na pinanggagalingan. But it’s about maturity. And you can create something good out of it because na-cha-challenge ‘yung thoughts niyo. Of course, you can’t assume that one member knows everything or his idea or the idea of one is ‘yun na ‘yung pinakamaganda. We would collect all the ideas together for us to come up with a great piece or craft,” he said.

 

“Team Tayo” marks TM’s bold leap forward as it expands its services to cover both mobile and broadband, with TMBayan Fiber WiFi. This community-centric broadband service offers fast, reliable and affordable internet access closer to every Filipino family, making the promise of a connected future more accessible.

 

Beyond mobile and broadband connectivity, TM also offers more ways to support Filipinos as they seek to do more for their families. These include affordable promos for both mobile and broadband services, rewards as cash, and raket opportunities, among others.

 

“TM is committed to being Filipinos’ life partner, a brand that enables them to face life’s challenges with joy, while empowering them to make their dreams a reality,” said Issa Guevarra-Cabreira, Globe’s Chief Commercial Officer.

 

“TM has always been at the forefront of providing access to Filipinos— first through calls, text and data, and, more recently, through our ground-breaking TMBayan Fiber WiFi. These, together with our suite of rewards, promos and programs, are all geared towards helping our TM subscribers feel that they are part of a team, supported through good times and bad. This is what this new anthem is about.”

 

TM's evolution not only redefines its offerings but underscores its commitment to be a supportive teammate to every Filipino. This transformation underscores TM’s dedication to championing the Filipino spirit– a testament to a brand that truly understands, respects, and enriches the lives of its customers. Basta sa TM, Team Tayo!

 

Listen to the new TM anthem “Team Tayo,” Explore more about TM.

Autoworx Plus MyCasa inks partnership with Etiqa and Gulong.ph

 

MyCasa President Arby Andaya (third from left) and Etiqa President and CEO Rico Bautista (fourth from left) seal the Memorandum of Understanding between the two companies. With them are (L-R) Phoenix Assistant Marketing Manager for E-Commerce Category Maridel Sebastian, Phoenix AVP for Consumer Business Partnerships Jay Mujar, Etiqa Assistant Vice President Gary Orcine, and Etiqa Executive Vice President Glenn Navea.

 

 

Autoworx Plus MyCasa recently signed a partnership agreement with Etiqa Philippines, an insurance provider that caters to various protection, savings, and investment needs for all segments. Through the partnership, Etiqa insurance products, such as eCompulsory Third Party Liability Car Insurance (eCTPL), eComprehensive Insurance, and eTravel Insurance, are made available and honored at Autoworx Plus MyCasa service centers.

 

“We’re committed to widening the array of services of Autoworx Plus by partnering with different brands, and bringing them closer to our customers. We have MyCasa for home service car care, and now, we have Etiqa Philippines for insurance products and services,” said Phoenix AVP for Consumer Business Partnerships Jay Mujar.

 

Autoworx Plus MyCasa is Etiqa's first accredited workshop to adopt the digital process in insurance claims through Merimen, the portal used by insurance providers and workshops for insurance approvals within 24 hours, resulting in faster insurance claims, and transparent updates on vehicles being serviced.

 

Etiqa Philippines is a Composite Insurance Company, majority-owned by Etiqa International Holdings (EIHSB) Malaysia, an investment holding company of Malaysia Banking Berhad (Maybank). Its headquarters is in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia with a regional presence in Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Cambodia.

 

Additionally, Autoworx Plus MyCasa also partnered with Gulong.ph, the country’s premier online tire marketplace.

 

Through the Gulong.ph online portal, customers can browse and select tires according to their preferred brands and budget instead of checking options by going from one physical store to another. Tires ordered via the portal will be automatically delivered to Autoworx Plus MyCasa sites in Timog Ave., Quezon City; Multinational Ave., Parañaque; or Imelda Ave., Pasig where the installation or servicing will be done. Services include tire installation, balancing weights, and wheel alignment.

 

Gulong.ph was founded by the Lica Auto Group, the largest, multi-awarded, and synergistic group of automotive retail and service companies in the country.

 

Meanwhile, Autoworx Plus powered by MyCasa is Phoenix Petroleum’s partner in automotive servicing. Its shops are located at Phoenix stations in Metro Manila, providing reliable, transparent, high-quality, and quick car care and repair whether at the shop or home through the use of genuine parts and accessories, as well as quality lubricants, while services are performed by professional and trained technicians.

Globe is PH's most reliable network 5 times in a row

 

Cementing its network supremacy, Globe has retained its accolade as the "Most Reliable Mobile Network" in the Philippines five times in a row by Ookla, the global leader in internet testing and analysis.

This achievement is based on analysis by Ookla of Speedtest Intelligence data, which showed that Globe won in reliability based on Q2 2022, Q3 2022, Q4 2022, Q1 2023, and Q1-Q2 2023.

 

Its latest win covering Q1-Q2 2023 showed that Globe had the highest Consistency Score of 83.64% and was the most available all-technology mobile network at 92.63%.

 

Reliability is earned by the mobile operator who achieves the highest scores in two key metrics: All Technology Consistency and All Technology Availability.

 

In Q2 2022, when it first lorded over in reliability, Globe achieved a Consistency Score of 79.44% and the highest all-technology mobile network Availability at 93.11%. It maintained momentum in the following quarter, reaching a Consistency Score of 82.55% and an Availability score of 92.03%. In Q4 2022, Globe further improved its Consistency Score to 83.13%, with an Availability score of 92.38%.

 

"Globe’s supremacy in reliability, which only a few operators in the world achieve, reflects our relentless pursuit to improve our network and services to uplift the lives of Filipinos. Our commitment to our customers goes beyond network quality; it's about enhancing their lives through connectivity. We will continue to invest in our infrastructure to ensure that we live up to this title and provide even better services in the future,” said Ernest Cu, Globe President and CEO.

 

Globe's victory in reliability underscores the brand's ongoing dedication to delivering top-notch service, fortifying its position as the foremost mobile network in the Philippines. Its continued network buildup is in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which fosters infrastructure and innovation as crucial drivers of economic growth and development.

 

The detailed findings, authenticated by Ookla's globally accepted methodologies, can be accessed through the Speedtest Intelligence Portal. It stands as a testament to Globe's extraordinary consistency, availability, and commitment to its customers.

DOST XI, PWC launch PH’s 1st Halal Research and Innovation Center

DOST XI Regional Director Anthony Sales 

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) XI officially launched the first Research and Innovation Center for Halal Science (RICHeS) at the Philippine Women’s College (PWC) of Davao in a bid to boost the country’s Halal industry.

RICHeS will serve as a center for cutting-edge research, various Halal innovation programs, and capacity-building activities to further assist the growing Halal market.

The center is equipped with various facilities such as a gas range, freezer, refrigerator, proofing cabinet, kitchen hood, stainless steel tables, LED screen display, stainless steel racks, mixer, induction cooker, rice cooker, food processor, pressure cooker, and pasta maker to aid in innovation and Halal Research and Development (R&D) activities.

Prof. Vicente Antonio Pijano III, PWC chancellor and chief operating officer, said the center will be at the forefront of pioneering research to drive innovation and foster collaboration in the Halal industry.

“This event is a testament to the unwavering testament of DOST and PWC to propel the Halal ecosystem forward. As we launch the center and embark in this transformation journey, we must remember that together we can shape the future of the Halal industry and become a model of excellence for the global community,” he added.

DOST XI Regional Director Anthony Sales said the establishment of the center started as a dream after seeing the importance of putting more focus on R&D and capability building for Halal stakeholders.

“When we were consulted for the Philippine Halal Export Development and Promotion Act, we recommended the establishment of Halal R&D and training facilities as a component of the program that will be implemented by DOST,” he added.

The center was established through the DOST Halal Research Ecosystem for Development and Innovation Program. The program aims to support the development of the Philippine Halal tourism industry.

“This is something that we can be proud of as a contribution to the S&T Community and to the overall program of government on Halal,” Sales said.

Globe releases enhanced environmental policy

Globe's Eco-SIM is made from 100% recycled materials

Globe has released its revised EnvironmentalSustainability Policy, underscoring the importance of circularity as it promotes mindful consumption, sustainable production, carbon reduction, resource efficiency, and comprehensive waste management strategies. 

The enhanced policy supports the Philippines’ Extended Producer Responsibility Act of 2022, which mandates large companies to recover 20 percent of the plastic they release into the market in 2022. This target recovery rate will increase to 80 percent by 2028.

 

“Globe stands at the forefront of adopting sustainable practices in our operations. We are taking this a notch higher with an enhanced environmental policy on circularity which aligns our processes and products with the call for more responsible consumption,” said Yoly Crisanto, Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer, Globe Group.

 

“Our circularity initiatives will include our ecosystem of brands to help habituate our customers to sustainable practices. This has the potential to further grow sustainability practices among Globe users, making it part of their daily lives,” she added.

 

Among the company’s initiatives to promote circularity are:

●    Deployment of the Eco-SIM, which is made from 100% recycled materials, for new postpaid accounts in 2022;

●       Replacement of nearly five million traditional tarpaulins with the more environment-friendly material, stone paper; and

●       Launch of the new packaging design for Globe’s GFiber Prepaid WiFi product line, with the goal of transitioning the rest of their Globe At Home products to more recyclable and upcyclable materials. The innovative packaging can be repurposed into a laptop stand to extend its lifespan, and was ensured to have been made as environmentally-responsible as possible.

 

Globe has also implemented the following measures to reduce plastic and paper waste:

●       “‘Wag sa Single-Use Plastic” (WasSUP) program - advocating plastic reduction among its employees and concessionaires in its offices:

○       Standardizing cashless transactions using GCash

○      Working to incentivize employees who adopt reusable containers in the company's cafeteria

○     Encouraging concessionaires to avoid using single-use plastics wherever possible (i.e. incorporating biodegradable options for utensils or opting for more reusable options)

●       Introduction of e-business cards for employees

 

Globe also recently contributed to the GSMA's Strategy Paper on Circular Economy for Mobile Devices. The company's E-Waste Zero Program collected and recycled more than 191,000 kilograms of electronic waste in 2022, bringing the total to over 1.8 million kilograms since 2014. This year, Globe established a partnership with CompAsia which allows for old employee service units to be remarketed rather than discarded.

 

Understanding that it takes collective action to be able to truly take care of the environment, Globe launched the online learning platform Camp Kalikasan, in collaboration with WWF-Philippines. It offers interactive exercises and learning modules that encourage responsible environment practices – covering topics like waste management, energy efficiency, climate change, and biodiversity.

 

"Our approach to climate action is all about collaboration," Crisanto said. "More than digital solutions, we give our customers and other stakeholders the tools and knowledge to continue to practice sustainability."

 

Globe urges everyone to actively engage in mindful consumption and sustainable production practices. Be part of Camp Kalikasan and take the Waste Management Module to learn more about plastic and proper waste management. Donate your old mobile phones and broadband devices through the E-Waste Zero Program of Globe. Locations of the bins are found here.