The Great Quarantine and Lockdown

Wazzup Pilipinas!


Just so I NEVER forget..... As of April 4, 2020


Dalgona Coffee and Tik Tok became a thing.

Gas price is down to Php35.00

All schools abruptly moved online.

Self-distancing measures on the rise.

Tape on the floors at stores to help distance customers (6ft) from each other.

Restaurants closed, take out only.

Limited number of people inside stores.

Non-essential stores and businesses mandated closed.

Entire sports seasons cancelled.

Concerts, tours, festivals, entertainment events - cancelled.

Weddings, family celebrations, holiday gatherings, funerals- cancelled.

No masses, churches are closed.

No gatherings of 50 or more, then 20 or more, now 10 or less.

Children's outdoor play parks are closed.

Shortage of masks, gowns, gloves for our front-line workers.

Shortage of ventilators for the critically ill.

Panic buying sets in no disinfecting supplies, no laundry soap, no hand sanitizer.

Shelves are bare.

Manufacturers, distilleries and other businesses switch their lines to help make visors, masks, hand sanitizer and PPE.

Government has check points in every province and is closed to all non-essential travel.

Airline tickets are cheap but we can't travel.

Press conferences daily from IATF.

Daily updates on new cases, recoveries, and deaths.

Barely anyone on the roads.

People wearing masks and gloves outside.

Essential service workers are terrified to go to work.

Medical field workers are afraid to go home to their families.

"Flatten the curve" is a daily saying, along with "We are in this together," and "We heal as one".




This is the Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) Pandemic, declared March 11,2020




Why, you ask, do I write this status?




One day it will show up in my memory feed, and it will be a yearly reminder that life is precious and not to take the things we dearly love for granted.




We have so much!

Be thankful. Be grateful.

Be kind to each other - love one another - support everyone.




We are all one! ❤️




Copy and share. CTTO.

Oyayi TV is Back with “HOMESKULITAN” for Kids to Enjoy During the Quarantine!

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Are your kids beginning to get bored at home because of the enhanced community quarantine?

Worry no more! Oyayi is bringing back all of its episodes so you and your kids can enjoy “HOMESKULITAN” during the quarantine period!

Beginning April 6, FULL episodes of Oyayi can be streamed on YouTube. Along with these episodes, FREE homeschool discussion guides will be made available to help parents reinforce Oyayi’s valuable lessons. This effort is CBN Asia’s response to the current COVID-19 situation in the country. Oyayi wishes to provide a fun, interactive, and educational homeschool experience for kids, to help them cope during the ECQ.

Oyayi is a children’s TV program produced by CBN Asia, in cooperation with the National Council for Children’s Television (NCCT), that aims to cultivate, promote, and rekindle timeless lessons such as love for family, appreciation for arts and culture, preservation and conservation of our environment and so much more.

The edutainment show is based on a children’s storybook written by Fernando Rosal Gonzalez. It features six super cute characters: Kuya Maki, played by Icko Gonzalez, is the wise and cool leader of the team; Tama Raw is the very industrious tamaraw; Bon Haribon is the valiant Philippine eagle; Diva Butanding is the stylish whale shark; Tarsiera is the lovable tarsier; and Dok Pil is the brainy mouse-deer.

If you’re looking for fun and creative learning activities for your kids, make sure to visit Oyayi’s YouTube channel and subscribe so that you’ll never miss an episode! Oyayi’s HOMESKULITAN begins April 6.

Celebrate Holy Week At Home with Superbook

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Are you looking for ways to celebrate Holy Week with the entire family during the enhanced community quarantine?

Good news! Chris, Joy and Gizmo will help you travel back in time to witness the awesome stories and miracles of Jesus! 

Superbook Reimagined will air on ABS-CBN every 6:00 a.m. from April 9 to 11, Maundy Thursday to Black Saturday. It will feature Jesus’ miracles in “Jesus Heals the Blind”; Jesus’ victory over temptation in “Jesus In the Wilderness”; and Jesus’ teaching about prayer in “Teach Us to Pray”.

Superbook will also air back-to-back episodes on Yey!, ABS-CBN’s kids channel, from April 6 to 12, every 7:30 a.m.

Superbook is an award-winning Bible-based animation series that teaches children timeless moral truths and life lessons through the adventures of Chris, Joy, and their robot friend, Gizmo!

Celebrate Holy Week at home with Superbook!

For more SuperNews, follow Batang Superbook on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Coney Reyes is Wanda Woman in Wanda’s Wonderful World

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Award-winning actress, television host, and producer Coney Reyes will once again grace your television screens as Wanda on the rerun of CBN Asia’s Holy Week special, Wanda’s Wonderful World, this Maundy Thursday, April 9, 5:30 p.m. on GMA.

Co-starring with top-caliber actors, Tirso Cruz III and Ricky Davao, Coney breathes life to the character of Wanda, the CEO of a well-renowned events company, Wanda’s Wonderful World.

Despite her successful career, Wanda still searches for love as she tries to fill the void in her heart left by a traumatic experience she had when she was young.

“Wanda is sort of a complicated character. But if you dig deep down in her heart, it’s actually simple why she is the way she is. She was a neglected child, because of that, there were certain things she was yearning for in her life,” Coney explained.

One of the things that Coney could relate to her character was Wanda’s conversations with God and the decisions she made in life.

“Not that I questioned God, but I would often talk to God.” She added, “I made a lot of ‘not-so-healthy’ and ‘not-so-godly decisions’ and because of that I ended up with a lot of mess in my personal life. But when I met the Lord Jesus and I just surrendered my life to Him, everything turned around because God works things out for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.”

Following its run last Lent, the faith-based feature film earned the respect of international movie critics and enthusiasts, winning Best Special Effects in a Narrative Feature, Best Experimental/Most Creative in a Narrative Feature, and Best Lighting in a Narrative Feature awards at the Great Lakes Christian Film Festival 2019 in Buffalo, New York.

Wanda’s Wonderful World is written and directed by CBN Asia’s Special Projects Manager Icko Gonzalez. CBN Asia is the producer of the shows The 700 Club Asia, Superbook, and Tanikala featuring inspirational stories that bring hope to millions of Filipinos every Holy Week.

WWF-Philippines Goes Digital for Earth Hour 2020

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Earth Hour celebrations continued this year with digital activities, held on the 28th of March, through the various digital assets of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines. People from all over the world participated through digital as a response to the global COVID-19 outbreak.

Earth Hour continues to be lauded as the world’s largest grassroots movement for the environment as it moves onto its 13th year of celebrations. Since the first “lights out” event was held in Sydney in 2007, the movement has continued to bring together individuals, businesses, and governments alike in joint acts of commitment toward a future of environmental integrity and where man lives in harmony with nature.

Marco Lambertini, Director General of WWF International, said, “We are deeply saddened by the loss of lives from the COVID-19 outbreak and our thoughts are with the families who have lost loved ones or who are sick. In this hour of crisis, we need to unite now more than ever to safeguard our future and the future of our planet. It is a time for solidarity and a time to respond to challenges more creatively and work more collaboratively, which is why Earth Hour is being marked through digital events across the globe.”

The Earth Hour movement serves as an invitation for everyone to come together for the sake of the environment. In recognition of this, Maria Isabel Garcia, Chairperson of the Board of WWF-Philippines, said, “All our lives, joys and sorrows play out in our one and only home. Under the crisis of this pandemic, WWF’s Earth Hour signals a powerful call for solidarity with each other and with our planet. We need to affirm it now more than ever. Conservation is not just another advocacy; it should be our second nature. It is the only way we can change the ending.”

Joel Palma, Executive Director of WWF-Philippines, said, “In the midst of this crisis we are all reminded that we are connected and we can only address this if we act as one. Earth Hour calls for our united and sustained response to care for our environment. We need to realize what is important.” As environmental issues grow in scale, the WWF network continues to expand the reach and impact of the Earth Hour movement.

Earth Hour Highlights

Earth Hour 2020 saw people from all across the globe raise their voice to invite action on pressing environmental issues in their countries. Through digital events, digital participation was observed in 190 countries and territories, and #EarthHour2020 and its related hashtags made 3.1 billion impressions globally. Earth Hour 2020 also trended on Twitter and Google Search in 37 countries.

South Africa launched a digital “Power to the People” campaign for a renewed focus on clean and reliable sources of energy. Singapore went fully digital for the first time ever. Earth Hour 2020 - Live & Unplugged, was a live-streamed, digital-only performance bringing together Singapore’s diverse voices for the environment. Australia went unplugged and online via an #EarthHourLive live streamwith music acts, comedians and experts.

WWF-Philippines commemorated Earth Hour 2020 completely online. Prior to the switch-off, an Instagram Livestream was hosted by WWF-Philippines National Ambassadors Marc Nelson and Rovilson Fernandez. Entitled “Conservation Conversation,” the two ambassadors talked about the environment, climate change, and volunteerism, as well as their own experiences working with WWF-Philippines. The show concluded at 8:30PM, to give way for the Earth Hour switch-off. Afterwards, WWF-Philippines held a watch party consisting of video clips from Our Planet, a nature documentary series made through the collaboration efforts of Netflix, Silverback Films, and the WWF International network.

Pledges of support towards the movement were made by businesses and government agencies, including a message from President Rodrigo Roa Duterte. “One of the biggest challenges that the world is facing today is mitigating the adverse effects of climate change. As a developing country that is no stranger to destructive natural calamities, it is imperative to ensure that we are proactive and responsive in addressing the environmental challenges confronting us,” said President Duterte. Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo also gave a pledge of support toward Earth Hour.

“The problems we face, and their effects, are urgent and real. Polar ice caps are melting, species are disappearing from the planet forever, and the weather continues to change because of human activity. But all is not lost, and if we come together now, a solution can be found,” urged Vice President Robredo.

#ChangeTheEnding

WIth the launch of their new campaign, WWF-Philippines is asking everyone to help #ChangeTheEnding on the current environmental crisis. Earth Hour Philippines 2020 serves as a rallying point for the next five years of conservation work for the organization, as it seeks to instill a sense of urgency in the public for the most pressing environmental issues, while urging governments, businesses, and individuals alike to contribute in solving them.

Atty. Angela Ibay, Earth Hour Pilipinas National Director and Head of the Climate Change and Energy Programme of WWF-Philippines, said, “Earth Hour is the time we reflect and remember that every plant, every animal, every being plays an important role in the web of life in completing our planet. Even more so during this global pandemic, let Earth Hour be the time that our interconnectedness shine through as we raise our voices in solidarity to care for one another and for our shared home. It is imperative that we sustain these positive actions beyond the hour that we may #ChangeTheEnding for our collective future.”

Earth Hour Philippines 2020 was co-presented by GCash and was made possible with the help of official media launch venue partner Summit Hotel Greenhills, official apparel partner SSI, and official hydration partner Summit Still and Sparkling Water, with the help of WWF-Philippines’ corporate partners, Viber, Corkcicle, and Concentrix.

We would also like to thank the following national government agencies: the Office of the President, the Office of the Vice President, Climate Change Commission, National Parks Development Committee, National Historical Commission of the Philippines, League of Cities of the Philippines, League of Municipalities of the Philippines, Philippine Economic Zone Authority, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Energy, Metro Manila Development Authority, and the Light Rail Transit Authority - who all gave their messages of support and issued circulars, urging their employees and constituents to take part in Earth Hour activities leading up to and during the hour.

Last but not the least, we would like to thank our official media partners: ABS-CBN, Myx, MOR, Metro.Style, ANC-X, ABS-CBN Lifestyle, ABS-CBN Sports + Action, Cinema One, CNN Philippines, GMA, GMA News TV, Kapuso ng Kalikasan, Phiippine Star, Manila Bulletin, BusinessWorld, Central Luzon TV 36, Our Awesome Planet, Radyo Veritas, Wazzup Pilipinas and Globaltronics - who all helped share the message of Earth Hour Philippines 2020 through their own channels and platforms.

Tugade appeals to cargo owners, consignees to withdraw overstaying cargoes and free space inside Manila International Container Terminal (MICT)

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade has called on cargo owners and consignees to withdraw overstaying cargoes and help free needed space inside the Manila International Container Terminal (MICT).

“I am appealing to cargo owners and consignees to remove their overstaying cargoes inside the MICT. A healthy port means no congestion, no delays in the delivery of cargo, and stable prices of goods. A healthy port ensures a continuous flow of maritime commerce and an efficient utilization of the container yard,” said Secretary Tugade.

Secretary Tugade aired the appeal after Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) General Manager Jay Daniel R. Santiago earlier warned of a possible shutdown of the Port of Manila if cargo owners and consignees remain to ignore calls to withdraw cleared, ready for delivery and overstaying cargoes.

Santiago said that despite efforts to transfer cleared and overstaying containers from the Manila International Container Terminal (MICT) to a facility inside the Manila North Harbor, there are still not enough breathing space for the Manila Port terminals to operate efficiently and productively.

“Ports, specifically the Manila ports, are the lungs of the country’s commerce and trade. These lungs right now are not functioning efficiently due to congestion,” Santiago stressed.

“If we continue to ignore calls to withdraw even only those cleared, ready for delivery, and overstaying cargoes, these lungs are in danger of total collapse, resulting in full-blown port congestion, or worst, a shutdown, and consequently a shortage in the much needed goods and supplies which are expected to address the demands of the market,” Santiago explained.

The PPA said yard utilization at the Manila international ports -- composed of the Manila International Container Terminal (MICT) and the Manila South Harbor -- are almost 100 percent full as majority of cargoes now remain idle following the declaration of the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) in Luzon to stem the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Secretary Tugade stressed further on the importance of decongesting the MICT yard of cleared, ready for delivery and overstaying cargoes as this will make way for incoming cargoes needed by the government in its campaign against the coronavirus pandemic such as food items, protective equipment and medicine.

“A healthy port is what is most needed now as we find ways to efficiently deliver needed goods and services to our fellow Filipinos who are trying to break free from the clutches of the coronavirus pandemic,” Sec. Tugade added.

The PPA over the weekend has started coordination with the Bureau of Customs (BOC), the Department of Trade and Industry(DTI) and the Department of Agriculture (DA), among others, to find measures that will prevent congestion at the ports after the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases issued an order to clear the ports with overstaying containers.

Among the measures now being considered to help free needed space at the container yard are forfeiture of overstaying cargoes in favor of government, reducing the cargo clearing period and free storage period from the current allowable time, and the imposition of heavy fines, penalties and storage fees on cargo owners in order to force them to withdraw their overstaying cargoes.

“We really need to clear these cargoes to accommodate the incoming ones as most of our needs to fight this COVID-19 pandemic are in these incoming cargoes,” GM Santiago stressed.

The agencies are expected to come out with a Joint Memorandum Circular to effect the needed yard management at the Manila port, the PPA earlier said.

As of Friday, approximately 800+ cleared reefer vans are inside the MICT containing perishables like food, medicines and other essentials while approximately 2,000+ dry containers already cleared and ready for delivery remain inside the terminal.

As a stop-gap measure, PPA has authorized an area at the Manila North Harbor, the country’s premiere domestic terminal, for the purpose of the immediate and accelerated transfer of all overstaying foreign containers already cleared for delivery or withdrawal to maintain the high operational efficiency and productivity of the MICT during the Luzon-wide Enhanced Community Quarantine.

Based on the proposed Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC), all cargoes that have been discharged from the vessels for more than 30 days, and remain at the port, should be withdrawn within five (5) days from the date the JMC becomes effective. Otherwise, the cargoes will be declared abandoned.

Meanwhile, cargoes that have been discharged from the vessels for less than 30 days, and all other incoming cargoes, have to be withdrawn within ten (10) days otherwise they will be considered abandoned.

Once declared abandoned, such cargoes may be forfeited in favor of the government.

Here’s How to Get Your P8,000 DEAR ACTION! Financial Aid from FDCP

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Here's How to Get Your P8,000 DEAR ACTION! Financial Aid from FDCP


If you are a technical crew, production or post-production staff, stunt person, actor, dubber, or any other freelance audio-visual (AV) content worker with a “no work, no pay” status whose work was abruptly cancelled or postponed as a direct result of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) situation, then you can apply for the DEAR ACTION! financial assistance worth P8,000 from the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP).



As an immediate response to the COVID-19 crisis, FDCP launched DEAR which stands for Disaster/Emergency Assistance and Relief. FDCP set up the DEAR Program by reallocating budget from its existing funds to help ease the burden of disaster-affected AV industry stakeholders not only during this current public health emergency situation but also in the event of future calamities and emergencies. The DEAR Program will only be activated once the President of the Republic of the Philippines declares a state of calamity due to a major natural disaster or public health emergency.



The DEAR Program was first activated on March 23, and under it is the DEAR ACTION! (For Displaced Freelance AV Workers) program that aims to give P8,000 financial assistance to freelance AV content industry members who suddenly lost work or became out of work due to the COVID-19 pandemic that caused the Enhanced Community Quarantine implementation in Luzon and declaration of a national state of calamity.



In order to be a qualified DEAR ACTION! applicant, you must have had five (5) work days (whether pre-production, production, or post-production) that were cancelled or postponed within the period of March 15 to April 14, 2020. You also must not have a direct employer and you must not be qualified for government-instituted benefits. Due to the limited funds of FDCP, the initial run of DEAR ACTION! will provide income support to 2,000 workers. While DEAR ACTION! is open to eligible disaster-affected freelance AV content workers, FDCP reserves the right to prioritize low-income individuals during its initial disbursement of funds. Low-income individuals are those whose talent fee is around P3,000 or less per day or have a package rate of P20,000 or less per project.



FDCP has already been accepting numerous inquiries and applications for the DEAR ACTION! financial assistance. You still have a lot of time to file a claim because the deadline for submission of applications is on April 24, 2020. Here is a guide to help you in filing for the one-time P8,000 assistance from the FDCP DEAR ACTION! Program:




Contact the FDCP National Registry, the implementing office of the DEAR Program, at dearnationalregistry@fdcp.ph or 0917-8003227.




Prepare the following documents to prove your loss of engagement during the COVID-19 situation:




Copy of your current membership to the National Registry for Audio-Visual Workers (NRAW)



For non-members, your NRAW application may be filed together with your DEAR ACTION! application. In light of the COVID-19 situation, the NRAW processing fee is waived.



Filled out DEAR ACTION! Application Form



Affidavit of Unemployment



Template is available at http://fdcp.ph/dear-program


No need to notarize for now but your signature must be affixed on the form



Copy of any proof of income



Latest income tax return (ITR)


Vouchers


Payslips


Issued OR (official receipt) to client or producer



Proof of Engagement that accounts for at least five (5) days of cancelled or suspended work from March 15 to April 14, 2020



Call Sheet


Text messages


E-mails


Contract of Service


Certificate of Engagement


Any Certification signed by the employer or producer



Proof of Cancellation within the period of March 15 to April 14, 2020



E-mails or text messages regarding suspension of work


Notice of cancellation, etc.




Submit the documents online to the FDCP National Registry at dearnationalregistry@fdcp.ph. Although hard copy applications are discouraged during the Enhanced Community Quarantine, there are DEAR Program drop boxes at the FDCP Office located at 855 T.M. Kalaw Street, Ermita, Manila.


Once your DEAR ACTION! application is approved, FDCP personnel will deposit the P8,000 to your bank account or will send it through a money remittance service. If your DEAR ACTION! application is approved but you have incomplete requirements, you will be given 21 calendar days from the date of approval to complete your documents. Failure to submit documentary requirements will result in the denial of your DEAR ACTION! assistance.



As the DEAR Program is a government fund and in the spirit of serving the AV industry, beneficiaries are required to participate in two (2) events, activities, or projects led or supported by FDCP as a return service. This should be done for free within two (2) years from the receipt of the DEAR ACTION! financial assistance.



Meanwhile, FDCP has opened the DEAR for Independent Film Companies for AV companies that are interested to apply for DEAR ACTION! on behalf of their freelance workers, provided that they meet all of the qualifications and requirements stated above. A company applying for the DEAR ACTION! must have a production or business that was suspended as a direct result of COVID-19. An extra step is the need to verify the company’s legitimacy. Here are the requirements for companies applying for DEAR ACTION! on behalf of its freelancers:




Copy of the notice of current membership to the National Registry for Companies (NRC)




For non-members, the NRC application may be filed together with the DEAR application.



Filled out DEAR for Independent Film Companies Application Form



Affidavit of Unemployment for each eligible worker




Template is available at http://fdcp.ph/dear-program


No need to notarize for now but company representative’s signature must be affixed on the form



Copy of any proof of income for each eligible worker




Latest income tax return (ITR)


Vouchers


Payslips


Issued OR (official receipt) to client or producer



Proof of Engagement of each worker with the company that accounts for at least five (5) days of cancelled or suspended work from March 15 to April 14, 2020




Call Sheet


Contract of Service


Certificate of Engagement


Any Certification signed by the company owner or producer



Evidence of Unemployment of each eligible worker within the period of March 15 to April 14, 2020




E-mails or text messages regarding suspension of work


Notice of cancellation, etc.





For more information, kindly contact:



FDCP NATIONAL REGISTRY

Mobile: +63 917 800 3227

E-mail: dearnationalregistry@fdcp.ph

Web page: http://fdcp.ph/dear-program (downloadable documents are DEAR Fact Sheet, DEAR ACTION! Form, Certificate of Engagement, and Affidavit of Unemployment)

Facebook page: http://facebook.com/FDCPNationalRegistry

Address: 855 T.M. Kalaw Street, Ermita, Manila

DOTr provides fuel subsidy to bus companies participating in the Free Bus Service Program for Health Workers

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Bus companies and partners participating in the DOTr Free Ride for Health Workers Program get to receive fuel subsidies from the Department of Transportation (DOTr) in order to sustain the continuous operation of the program, as Luzon remains under enhanced community quarantine.

This initiative stems from the directive of DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade to aid bus companies and partners that have provided support to ferry health workers to their designated hospitals amid the increasing threat of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the country.

The fuel subsidy program for participating bus units was made possible through the partnership of the DOTr with Phoenix Petroleum Philippines, Inc.

“For our buses to continue bringing our frontliners to their medical communities, we need to at least ease their burden. With that, we are grateful for our donor, [Phoenix Petroleum Ph]. Malaking tulong ho ito para magtuluy-tuloy tayo sa serbisyo ng pagtulong sa ating mga health workers.. Malaking tulong ho ito sa mga modernong bayani nating nagsasakripisyo para sa ating mga kababayan,” Secretary Tugade expressed.

For the initial implementation of the fuel subsidy program, sixty (60) private bus companies will each be given an allocation of 50 liters of fuel daily.

For bus companies to avail of the subsidy, bus units should at least complete two (2) round trips on a given day. They will be provided with a voucher at different staging areas. The vouchers will be certified and signed by the staging area leader and will then be signed thereafter by the authorized representative at the assigned gas stations.

Seven (7) Phoenix gas stations have already identified where the participating private bus units can avail of the subsidy: PX RETAIL CODO-Timog and PNX RETAIL CODO-Bahay Toro in Quezon City; PNX RETAIL CODO-Mall of Asia in Pasay City; PNX AFA PSPC-NAIA Road in Parañaque City; PNX RETAIL CODO-Malanday 1 in Valenzuela; PNX RETAIL CODO-Potrero in Malabon; and PNX AFA PSPC-Filinvest-Northgate in Alabang, Muntinlupa.

For his part, Phoenix Petroleoum Philippines, Inc. Senior Vice President Atty. Raymond Zorilla expressed their company’s full support to the DOTr Free Ride For Health Workers Program, saying that they want to contribute in making travelling easier for health workers, who, they believe, play a very important role in the current situation.

"Phoenix is committed to our goal of becoming an indispensible partner of everyone whose life we touch, and we wanted to show to the people that even during a crisis like this, Phoenix is here to serve them and even extend more help to those in need,” Phoenix SVP Zorilla said.

“We partnered with DOTr because we support the government's efforts in helping our health workers. Their role in this situation is crucial, so we want to make it easier for these brave individuals. Through this initiative, we will be able to help more people, while staying true to our ‘Sasamahan ka ng Phoenix’ battlecry," Atty. Zorilla added.

Since its initial launch on 18 March 2020, the DOTr Free Bus Service Program for Health Workers has transported 15,403 medical frontliners as of 30 March.

From its initial three (3) routes during its first day of operations, the program, which operates 24/7 now serves 19 routes.

PHLPost deploys “Green Delivery” electric vehicles for relief operations in Pasig City

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) has deployed its environment friendly “Green Delivery” electric assisted bicycles in the transportation and delivery of relief goods to communities and medical supplies for health workers dealing with Covid-19.

PHLPost is advocating #PusongPHLPost to emphasize the postal agency’s role in fulfilling its avowed mission to serve the Filipino people in its own capacity during these trying times.

These “Green Delivery” electric bicycles are a landmark initiative of United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), PHLPost, Pasig Transport, TailG, the Pasig Government and Clean Air Asia to assist the local government in the delivery of postal items.

Due to their mobility, these small electric vans and bicycles can penetrate narrow streets and roads for easy distribution of food packs and relief goods to residents staying at home while under strict Enhance Community Quarantine (ECQ) to help stop or slow down the spread of disease.

The vehicle is a pilot testing project to facilitate sustainable transport to thrive in the “Green City” of Pasig. It is one big step towards achieving a fully modernized postal system serving the needs of Filipinos using eco-friendly vehicles.

“What we have now in Pasig can be replicated in other parts of the country”, PHLPost said.

PHLPost has recognized the importance of transitioning to cleaner mail deliveries by using eco-friendly vehicles for postman in the Philippines. Their mission: to deliver fast and efficient postal services anywhere in the country.

These special customized electric bicycles’ are being donated by Chinese manufacturer Tailing Electric Vehicles Co. Ltd (TAILG).

Latest Mensahe ni Duterte sa gitna ng #COVID19 pandemic

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Sa speech ni Duterte kagabi, he was again at his element - no script and very empathic.

Dahil PATAYAN na naman ang usapan. Inorder nya ang pulis at militar ng shoot-to-kill sa lahat ng papalag sa gobyerno nya.

Pero kapag PAGLIGTAS NG BUHAY ang usapan, nanlulumo sya. Kailangan ng script, at nauutal pa. Hindi talaga sanay.

Sya nga pala, ang hinihintay nya palang solution ay may madevelop na vaccine ang mga mas advanced na bansa. Syempre, una ang CHINA sa billing.

Pero teka, di ba galit sya sa vaccine (Dengvaxia)?

Galit man sya o hindi, kailangan talaga bida ang CHINA.

Yan po ang Presidente nyo, PILIPINAS.

Kaya pa? Parang humihina na ang palakpakan, ha.

Duterte: Habang naghihintay tayo, andaming problema na pumuputok na. Hirap na nga tayo, and there are people... who try to mess up 'yung kokonti nating... ang ating supply hanggang dyan lang yan.

Duterte: We are trying na magkaroon ang lahat equally, pera saka pagkain. Pero maghintay kayo. Huwag ninyong gamitin ang pwersa. I am addressing the Left. Kayong mga Left, you are not the government.

Duterte: Huwag ninyong subukan ang Pilipino. We are ready for you. Gulo o barilan o patayan. I will not hesitate to order the police to arrest and detain you. Kapag kayo na-detain, bahala kayo sa pagkain ninyo.

Duterte: My orders are sa pulis at military, pati mga barangay. Na kapag may gulo, okasyon na lumaban at buhay ninyo ay nalagay sa alanganin, shoot them dead.

Duterte: Huwag ninyong subukan ang gobyerno. Tinanggal ko sa politiko yung distribusyon ng pera at pagkain. Binigay ko kay Sec. Bautista. Ang DSWD may sariling distribution network 'yan.

Duterte: 'Yung goods, bigas, bilisan ninyo at pagkain 'yan. Mayroon tayong ginawang hakbang to sustain us but only if there is order. Kapag magulo, walang order, walang distribusyon na mangyari. Kaya mapipilitan akong sabihin na huwag ninyong gawin 'yan.

Duterte: Ang pagkain dadating, huwag lang kayong magulo para smooth. Do not intimidate, challenge government. Matatalo kayo. Magtiis na lang kayo siguro ng delayed delivery pero dadating 'yan.

Duterte: I am ordering the pulis to go around... maghanap kayo ng taong bastos. Kung mahuli mo kung ano ang binubuhos niya sa health worker, ibuhos mo rin sa kanya para tabla.

Duterte: 'Yung frontliners, huwag kayong mag-alala. I will support and defend you.

Duterte: Kayong Kadamay, wala nang awa-awa. Ang nahuli, wala. Do not play hero at this time.

Duterte: Now is the time to set an example to everybody. Let this be a warning to all. Follow the government at this time because it is critical. Do not harm our doctors.

Teachers as COVID-19 Quarantine Checkpoint Frontliners

Wazzup Pilipinas!

What if mga guro ang taga bantay sa mga checkpoints??!!!

Gusto nyo teacher ang magbantay sa check point ha? try natin kung my maglakas loob pang lumabas nito.

Pag teachers ang nasa checkpoints....

"Ok guys get one whole sheet of pad paper and do the following. "
(Depende kung anong Subject na hawak ni Teacher)

TLE: Gumawa ng angkop na budget para sa iyong pamilya na kakasya sa loob ng isang linggo. Gawan din ng Daily Menu ang inyong lulutuin Lunes hanggang Linggo, mula agahan, tanghalian at hapunan.

ENGLISH: Explain, in 500 words, why we should let you in despite the possible risk of covid19 contamination.

SCIENCE: Perform an experiment showing the entrance of corona virus in human body and Infer which system/s or organs of your body would be greatly affected if you will be infected by covid19. Illustrate through diagram the effects of the virus in your body.

FILIPINO: Gumawa ng sanaysay at ipaliwanag ng malinaw kung bakit hinihigpitan ng mga kinauukulan ang pag labas-masok ng mga tao sa kani-kanilang tahanan. Ano rin sa palagay mo ang kahalagahan ng social distancing?

MATH: Estimate the rate of contamination if there are 100,000 individuals in the area and two among them are possible covid19 infected persons. Write your mathematical solutions.

AP: Ilahad ang mga eksaktong  detalye kung kailan,  saan at paano nag simula ang Covid19 pandemic. Banggitin din ang mga bansang apektado na at ilahad ang datos na bilang ng mga infected at namatay sa bawat bansa.

MAPEH: Maglahad ng posibleng magandang musika at kaakibat na ehersisyo nito para sa mga kababayan nating nka Home Quarantine upang masiguro ang kalusugan ng bawat isa.
Gumawa ng talaan ng ehersisyo na naaangkop sa bawat bahagi ng katawan. Banggitin kung gaano ito kahaba at kadalas gawin.

ESP: Ipaliwanag ang kahalagahan ng pagsunod sa mga alituntuning ibinibigay ng mga nasa awtoridad. Ilahad ang maaaring maging epekto ng pagsunod at di pagsunod sa mga abiso/alituntunin sa iyo at sa iyong kapwa.

Guys if you are already done, kindly wait for a few minutes while we check and validate your answers. Your entry shall depend on your score. 75% is the passing mark.

Credit to the owner

DOTr continues to expand Free Bus Service Program for Health Workers; shuttle routes increase to 18

Wazzup Pilipinas!

In order to ferry more health workers to and from hospitals during the implementation of the Enhanced Community Quarantine, the Department of Transportatkon (DOTr) announced yesterday, 26 March 2020, that its Free Bus Service Program has been expanded to eighteen (18) routes, from only three (3) routes during its initial implementation on March 18.

Buses are deployed daily to pick-up and drop off health workers at their designated hospitals at 5:00 AM, 7:00 AM, 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM, 5:00 PM, and 7:00 PM.

This initiative is in line with the instruction of DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade to road sector officials to ensure the transportation of frontline health workers amid the country’s fight against the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

The Free Bus Service program is not just for doctors and nurses. Hospital workers such as administration personnel, utility workers, security officers, and pharmacists will also be ferried by the buses.

Here are the two (2) new routes added to the free ride for health workers program:

North East Area
ROUTE 17

SM City SJDM*
North Caloocan Doctors Hospital
Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial (Caloocan)
Bagong Silang Market
National Center for Mental Health (Camarin)
Caloocan City North Medical Center
Almar Market
Novaliches Market/Queensberry Hospital
Bernardino General Hospital II
SM Fairview/Commonwealth Hospital & MC*

South West Area
ROUTE 18

Robinsons Place General Trias/Divine Grace Medical Center
San Pedro Calungsod Medical Center (Kawit)*
Binakayan Hospital and Medical Center.
St. Dominic Medical Center (Bacoor)
PITX*
Baclaran Market*

*Pick-up/transfer points

For the period March 18-25 2020, the program has already deployed 106 buses, and was able to cater to 1,402 health workers.

The program likewise complies strictly with containment protocols set by the Department of Health such as the observance of physical distancing, body temperature checks, and the regular disinfection of vehicles.

The DOTr Free Ride for Health Workers Program was made possible with the efforts and cooperation of the Office of the President, House of Representatives, Supreme Court, Office of the Solicitor General, Court of Appeals, Sandiganbayan, Department of Health (DOH), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Land Transportation Office (LTO), Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines, and the Inter-Agency Council for Traffic (I-ACT).

It is also made successful with the help and cooperation of private companies such as HM Transport, San Agustin, MetroExpress, RRCG, Megaworld Corp. (Citilink), Precious Grace, Grace Transport, Ceres, Jac Liner, Dagupan Bus, St. Rose Transit, Hafti Transport, Jasper Jean, Pascual, Hi-Star, Pamana, Ube Express, G-Liner, Thelman Transit, Manrose, Pilipinas Autogroup, Beep, Star 8 and automotive company Foton.

DOST-SEI announces 9,788 new S&T scholarship qualifiers

Wazzup Pilipinas!

A total of 9,788 graduating senior high school students will have a reason to celebrate as they clinch a slot in the country’s premier science scholarship programs – the Department of Science and Technology - Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) Scholarship Programs.

Out of the total number of passers, 5,917 qualified as scholars under the RA 7687 Scholarship Program, which provide for academically talented students who belong to economically disadvantaged families; while 3,871 qualified under the DOST-SEI Merit Scholarship Program.

The 2020 DOST-SEI Undergraduate Scholarship Examination, which was held on October 20, 2019 in 347 test centers nationwide, hit a record-breaking 102,526 examinees.

Dr. Josette T. Biyo, DOST-SEI Director, said the scholarships will provide greater opportunity to students especially to those who are hard up in life as they pursue a college science degree.

“This scholarship program is certainly a package of opportunities as qualifiers, especially those who are underprivileged, will get to continue their education in leading universities and colleges. We are hopeful that they – 4 or 5 years from now – will undertake productive efforts in the areas of research and development, industry and innovation, and S&T services.” Dr. Biyo said.

The new S&T scholars will receive a monthly stipend at ₱7,000, tuition fee subsidy up to ₱40,000 per academic year for those who are enrolled in private universities and colleges; book allowance; MS/PE clothing allowance (one-time only); one economy-class roundtrip fare per year for those studying outside of their home province; outright thesis allowance; and group accident insurance.

The scholarship qualifiers must pursue a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree program in any of the priority fields of study at a state university or college or any private higher education institution that is recognized by Commission on Higher Education as Center of Excellence or Center of Development or with FAAP Level III accreditation for the BS program that he/she intend to enroll in. The list of priority S&T programs can be found on the SEI website: www.sei.dost.gov.ph.

DOST-SEI scholars are required to render service in the country along their fields of specialization after graduation for a period equivalent to the number of years they enjoyed the scholarship as a return service.

“We believe that through the different scholarship programs of DOST-SEI, we are helping infuse a new blood of talent and skills into our workforce as well as supply a fresh breed of responsible citizens who use science in their daily lives. Now more than ever, we need young people to serve as ambassadors of science as the issues we face in terms of natural disasters, health pandemics, and others rely on sound scientific information to make better decisions for the public good,” Biyo added.

UN Story: Revitalizing Ipo Watershed Ensures Fresh Water for Manila Residents

A Game of Trees

Gamification makes activities more engaging and works well in the Philippines. Now it’s being used to revitalize a forest which helps supply 20 million Filipinos with fresh water.

Who says saving nature isn’t all fun and games?

The Philippines is losing around 52,000 trees daily. Logging, slash-and-burn-farming and land development are erasing 47,000 hectares of forestland yearly – thrice the size of Quezon City. Just 7.168 million hectares remain, covering 24% of the nation’s land area.

But gamification, the process of turning otherwise serious activities into games, might help reverse this.

A partnership between GCash, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), the Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), plus the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) aims to harness Pinoys’ natural love for games to plant 365,000 trees starting July 2020.

Earth has roughly three trillion trees, forming the last remaining forests which harbour 80% of all known terrestrial plant and animal species. Forests not only mitigate climate change by absorbing and storing greenhouse gases while releasing life-giving oxygen, but ensure the availability of fresh water, a resource which is becoming scarcer each summer.

“Water comes not from faucets, but from nature, particularly healthy watersheds,” explains WWF-Philippines project manager Paolo Pagaduan. “Given current trends of deforestation, we might face a future where there isn’t enough water for Filipinos. To secure a clean and reliable source of water, especially during the dry summer months, we need to revitalize our watersheds. No water means no life.”

While currently reeling from the global COVID-19 pandemic, Metro Manila also suffered a dramatic water shortage this time last year. In March 2019, 10,000 Metro Manila households lost water access as La Mesa Dam dropped to its lowest water level in 12 years. Manila’s residents were forced to walk and line up for hours just to secure water for washing, bathing and brushing their teeth.

It is estimated that for 2020 and 2021, Metro Manila’s water demands will overtake supply by as much as 13% during peak days, meaning more dry faucets and unserved households – but taking care of our life-giving watersheds can avert this.

Ipo Watershed

Watersheds are zones which naturally collect and store water. They are typically heavily-vegetated because trees absorb rainwater which drains into streams, rivers and lakes.

Ipo Watershed, together with the Angat and Umiray watersheds, supplies 98% of the water consumed by Metro Manila. Situated northeast of the sprawling Metropolis, it covers 7236 hectares in Norzagaray and San Jose Del Monte in Bulacan, plus Rodriguez in Rizal. It is home to several species of charismatic animals, including the Philippine Brown Deer, Philippine Warty Pig, Tarictic Hornbill, Grey-headed Fish Eagle and Osprey.

Sadly, the watershed’s forests have been in full retreat. Though protected by several proclamations including a Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title for the Indigenous Dumagat tribes of the watershed, the area is pockmarked by patches of burnt soil. From 85%, forest cover plummeted to 40% in recent years, mostly due to slash-and-burn or kaingin farming and charcoal-making.

Gamification

Pinoys have always loved games – ranging from cockfighting to countless hours spent playing Pokemon Go and bumping into things. So too can this natural love for play be used for conservation.

“Over 20 million people use GCash and the majority of them are millennials,” explains Mabel Niala of Mynt, mother company of GCash. “The challenge is to channel the passion and energy of the country’s 35 million millennials for good.” GCash is the Philippines’ top cashless service and services a fifth of its population, plus 75,000 partner merchants and 75 nonprofits.

Using their mobile phones, Pinoys can plant trees through GCash Forest, part of a larger programme called GCash for Good. Users earn Green Energy Points by reducing their individual carbon footprint. Paying bills online for instance, eliminates the need to drive to a bank and consume paper for receipts and forms. More points can be garnered for walking to work, taking the stairs and avoiding single-use plastic items. GCash Forest interfaces seamlessly with existing mobile fitness apps to accurately measure not just energy saved, but exactly how much carbon emissions are reduced.

Each green energy point corresponds to a gram of carbon saved. Points are then used to nourish a virtual tree in GCash Forest. When users reach 20,560 points, his or her virtual tree will be fully-grown. WWF, BIOFIN, GCash and its allies will then plant the user’s tree species of choice this July 2020.

The partnership between GCash, BIOFIN, WWF and DENR was formalized in June of 2019 and aims to bolster Ipo Watershed with 365,000 new trees starting July. “We are depleting our natural wealth at an unimaginable rate. While the Philippines is megadiverse, it is also a hotspot given the extent of the threat to our natural environment. There is no one magic bullet that can turn the situation around. We need diverse actors to engage and find diverse solutions. And we need unusual partnerships – which in time will become usual partnerships. GCash, WWF and DENR are now embarking as one to reduce our carbon footprint and help the Philippines meet its reforestation targets. UNDP through BIOFIN is delighted to bring these actors together to stem the tide on our rapid loss of forest cover,” concludes UNDP Resident Representative Titon Mitra.

The project was inspired by the Ant Financial’s highly-lauded Ant Forest, which was launched in August 2016. Ant Forest encouraged users to grow a virtual forest, which would later translate into a real forest. By August 2019, over 122 million trees were planted in China. “GCash Forest is the localized version of this app. We’re proud that it is the pilot site in Asia,” shares GCash CMO and Head of App Product Chris Manguera.

Today there are over 2.3 million registered users of GCash Forest and plans are well underway for expansion.

“We have always said that the G in GCash stands for good and that our objective is to use technology to give back to the world. This initiative is about more than reforestation or securing vital fresh water for the residents of Metro Manila,” concludes Niala. “It’s about empowering millennials and other mobile users to fight the biggest issue of our era – climate change. But we need to spread the word more, so we call on all Pinoys to try the GCash Forest app today.”

What kind of ending can we expect from this Game of Trees? Though it will affect all Pinoys, it all boils down to the choices of its gamers

FDCP Releases 2nd Advisory on the Activation of DEAR PRESS! PROGRAM

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Relative to FDCP Advisory No. 01 on the activation of the FDCP DISASTER/EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE AND RELIEF (DEAR) PROGRAM, a disaster-triggered funding mechanism of the Film Development Council of the Philippines that provides financial assistance to its stakeholders who are directly affected by a major natural disaster, the DEAR PRESS! PROGRAM (for displaced freelance entertainment press) is hereby activated with the following guidelines issued:

Under DEAR, the DEAR PRESS! PROGRAM (for displaced Freelance Entertainment Press) is hereby activated with the following guidelines issued:

1. Definition of Disaster-affected Freelance Entertainment Press Workers. These are self-employed members of the press who were suddenly out of work as a direct result of the COVID-19 Enhanced Community Quarantine and subsequent State of National Calamity, and does not work for a direct employer and are not eligible for government instituted benefits from other government agencies. 
2. Coverage. The program covers disaster- affected freelancer members of the entertainment press included but not limited to editors, writers and reporters on a no-work no pay status, and those that are not formally affiliated with a company. Program coverage is the National Capital Region.
3. Conditions. Any one of the following loss of work conditions must be satisfied by applying workers as a direct result of the COVID-19 situation: 

1. The worker was scheduled to work, but were unable to reach the workplace.
2. The worker was scheduled to start work but the job was cancelled or does not exist anymore.
3. The worker developed an illness, sustained an injury, or became sick and thus, are unable to work.
4. The worker’s employer/ producer has temporarily or permanently closed for business.
5. The worker already started the work but the job was cancelled or postponed to a later date. 

4. Qualifications. Freelance workers of the entertainment press intending to apply for the DEAR PRESS! Program must satisfy all of the following qualifications.
   1. The individual must have job/s that were cancelled or suspended as a direct result of the Covid-19 Pandemic.  March 15-April 14, 2020 is the duration of the Enhanced Community Quarantine in Luzon.
   2. The individual must not have unemployment insurance benefits from either his/her employer/ producer, or from any other government agencies (e.g. SSS, DOLE, DSWD, etc.).
   3. The individual must have written at least one (1) article about the PH showbiz and AV entertainment industry in the last three months that was published or reported in a news or media publication OR covered at least one FDCP press event last year.
5. Benefit Payment. Approved beneficiaries of the DEAR PRESS! Program will receive a one-time cash financial assistance of Five Thousand Pesos (P 5, 000) tax free to cover expenses during the disaster period, like personal needs, medical expenses, housing and rent, and other essentials. The beneficiaries will be required to sign a Declaration and Agreement with FDCP agreeing and abiding to all the terms of the Program and certifying that all details of the application and documents submitted are factual and authentic.
6. Application Process. Relative to the COVID-19 situation, applications may be submitted to FDCP from March 30 – April 30, 2020 or within 30 days of the activation of the DEAR PRESS! Program through this Advisory. Online submissions via email to dearnationalregistry@fdcp.ph with the subject [Application] DEAR PRESS! (Surname, Name) are preferable and hard copy applications are discouraged. However, drop boxes for DEAR PRESS! applications will still be available at the FDCP Office at 855 T.M. Kalaw Street, Ermita, Manila starting March 23, 2020.  
7. Documentary Requirements. Freelance workers of the entertainment press who intend to apply are required to substantiate loss of work or self-employment or to substantiate work that was to begin on or after the declared date of the disaster. The following documents shall be submitted by each applicant:
   1. Completely filled up National Registry for Entertainment Press (NREP) Application Form
   2. Completely filled up DEAR PRESS! Application form.
   3. Any proof of income
      • Latest Income Tax Return (ITR)
      • payslips, vouchers
      • Copy of PRESS ID
   4. Certificate of Engagement/Employment from a news or media publication 
   5. Any one of the following:
      • Copy/Link of Latest Showbiz-related Articles written for a publication (January to March 2020)
      • Copy/Link of an FDCP-related article written/reported on (2019)

Downloadodable documents:

1. National Registry for Entertainment Press (NREP) Application Form
2. DEAR PRESS Application Form for FREELANCE Entertainment Press Workers
3. Sample Certificate of Engagement for Press

If documentary proof cannot be provided at the time the claim is filed, applicants have twenty one (21) calendar days from the time of application to submit the complete documents. 

8. Disbursement of Financial Support. The concerned FDCP personnel shall issue the financial support directly to the affected worker’s bank account or via available money remittance services at the soonest possible time upon the approval of the application.
9. Effectivity. The DEAR PRESS! PROGRAM shall be effective on 30 March 2020 upon its publication. Applications will be open from March 30- April 30, 2020.

Attached as ANNEX A is the DEAR Fund Guidelines and as ANNEX B is the DEAR PRESS! Program Guidelines. 

For information and guidance.

ANNEX A

FDCP NATIONAL REGISTRY 

DISASTER/EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE AND RELIEF (DEAR) PROGRAM

OBJECTIVE

The FDCP DISASTER/EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE AND RELIEF (DEAR) PROGRAM is a disaster-triggered funding mechanism of the Film Development Council of the Philippines that provides financial assistance to its stakeholders and is activated as a direct result of a major natural disaster. A major disaster means any typhoon, storm, flood, high water, wind-driven water or tidal wave, earthquake, drought, fire, public health emergency or other catastrophes as declared by the President that warrants government assistance to communities and individuals in the country. The DEAR Program is administered by the Film Development Council of the Philippines through the FDCP National Registry and is available to its duly registered members, subject to qualifications.

QUALIFYING EVENTS

Based on the recommendation of the concerned Departments or Disaster Task Force, the President of the Philippines may declare a State of Calamity or equivalent and similar proclamations e.g. State of Public Health Emergency. The declaration identifies the major disaster which provides the full range of disaster assistance available under the law for the country. 

In special cases like these, FDCP can activate its emergency funds. Disaster-triggered support may be made available to provide assistance or aid to its stakeholders who do not qualify for assistance under other programs of frontline government agencies.

INDIVIDUAL ELIGIBILITY

When a major disaster is declared by the President, programs under DEAR will be activated via an official advisory and will be generally available to its stakeholders registered under the FDCP National Registry affected by the disaster. 

In cases where funding is insufficient to serve all eligible stakeholders, FDCP may prioritize those in need of immediate aid. 

APPLICATION PROCESS

To file a claim, disaster-affected stakeholders may contact the Film Development Council of the Philippines National Registry. 

Applications must be filed by an individual within thirty (30) days of the announcement of the activation of the DEAR Program through an FDCP Advisory released online and through mass media channels.

Applicants must follow the instructions in the FDCP 

Advisory and file for an application based on the filing methods used by the Agency (i.e. in person, mail, or online). 

DOCUMENTATION AND REQUIREMENTS

Applicants are required to provide documentation according to the requirements for the activated programs. 

BENEFIT PAYMENT 

A financial assistance (tax-free) will be made to disaster-affected stakeholders whose applications have been approved.

DURATION OF BENEFITS 

DEAR benefits are payable only for the dates that fall within the Disaster Assistance Period.

RESTRICTIONS ON ENTITLEMENT

DEAR benefits are not payable to individuals who are entitled to or qualified for regular unemployment compensation, waiting period credit or benefits from SSS, DOLE, DSWD, their own employer, and similar agencies.

RETURN SERVICE 

As the DEAR Program is a government fund and in the spirit of serving the community and stakeholders, the beneficiary must commit to rendering return service by participating in at least two (2) FDCP-led or supported event, activity or project serving in the capacity of their field. The service must be rendered for free within two (2) years upon the receipt of the assistance.  

DECLARATION AND AGREEMENT

Each approved beneficiary worker of DEAR must sign a Declaration and Agreement with FDCP, agreeing and abiding to all the terms of the Program and certifying that all details of the application and documents submitted are factual and authentic. 

For more information, please contact:

FDCP NATIONAL REGISTRY

855 T.M. Kalaw St. Ermita, Manila

dearnationalregistry@fdcp.ph

http://fdcp.ph/dear-program

ANNEX B

FDCP NATIONAL REGISTRY 

DISASTER/EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE AND RELIEF (DEAR) PROGRAM

DEAR PRESS! PROGRAM (For Displaced Freelance Entertainment Press Workers)

FACT SHEET

WHAT IS THE DEAR PROGRAM?

The FDCP DEAR (Disaster Emergency Assistance and Relief) Program is a disaster-triggered funding mechanism of the Film Development Council of the Philippines that provides financial assistance to its stakeholders who are directly affected by a major natural disaster. This disaster fund is activated every time the President of the Philippines declares a public emergency or a State of Calamity in the country.

WHAT IS DEAR PRESS! PROGRAM (FOR DISPLACED FREELANCE ENTERTAINMENT PRESS)?

DEAR PRESS! PROGRAM (For displace freelance Entertainment Press Wokers) is a targeted program that provides final assistance to  disaster-affected freelance members of the entertainment press—-writers and reporters who who are directly affected by a declared major disaster and are not eligible for other government instituted benefits from frontline agencies (DOLE, DSWD, SSS, Etc.). 

WHAT IS A MAJOR DISASTER?

A major disaster may be a typhoon, storm, flood, high water, wind-driven water or tidal wave, earthquake, drought, fire, public health emergency, or any other catastrophes as declared by the President of the Philippines.

DOES DEAR PRESS! COVER THE COVID-19 SITUATION?

Yes. DEAR PRESS! covers the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic that caused Enhanced Quarantine procedures and consequent declaration of the State of Calamity in the country that disrupted work, events, and activities in affected areas. 

WHAT ASSISTANCE DO I GET FROM DEAR PRESS!?

Each displaced freelance entertainment press member who qualifies for the program will receive a one-time flat rate cash financial assistance of Five Thousand Pesos (P 5,000) tax free to cover their expenses during the disaster period, like personal needs, medical expenses, housing and rent, and other essential needs. Entertainment Press people who have been granted assistance will be requested for a Return Service commitment to FDCP for its programs and activities. 

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR DEAR PRESS! BENEFITS?

DEAR PRESS! is available for freelance Entertainment Press workers who are members of the FDCP’s National Registry for Entertainment Press (NREP)who suddenly lost work as a direct result of a disaster. 

You are considered “suddenly unemployed or suddenly lost work” if because of the disaster, you experienced any of the following and can support your claim through documentary proof:

1. You were scheduled to work but were unable to reach your workplace.
2. You were scheduled to start work but the job was cancelled or does not exist anymore.
3. You developed an illness, sustained an injury, or became sick and thus, are unable to work.
4. Your employer/ producer has temporarily closed for business, or the place of business was permanently damaged or destroyed.
5. The worker already started the work but the job was cancelled or postponed to a later date. 

You qualify for the DEAR PRESS! benefit if:

1. Your scheduled jobs have been suspended or cancelled as a direct result of a major disaster, as declared by the President of the Philippines.
2. You do not have unemployment insurance benefits from either your employer/ producer, or from any other government agencies (i.e. SSS, DOLE, Local Government, etc.).
3. You wrote at least one (1) article about the PH showbiz and AV entertainment industry in the last three months that was published in a news publication OR covered at least one FDCP press event last year.

HOW DO I APPLY FOR DEAR PRESS!?

Online Application

Fill out a DEAR PRESS!  Application Form available online at http://fdcp.ph/dear-program. Print the form and fill it up legibly by hand or typed text. Collect all the available documentary requirements and attachments, scan each document and submit online to dearnationalregistry@fdcp.ph with the following subject:

[APPLICATION] DEAR PRESS! (Surname, Name)

e.g. [APPLICATION] DEAR PRESS!(Dela Cruz, Juan)

Hard Copy Application 

For applications during the COVID-19 situation, hard copy applications are discouraged. However, drop boxes for DEAR applications will still be available at the FDCP Office at 855 T.M. Kalaw Street, Ermita, Manila starting March 23, 2020. 

Application Dates

You must file an application within thirty (30) days of the announcement of the activation of the DEAR PROGRAM through an FDCP ADVISORY released online and through mass media channels.

Submission of Documentary Support

Make sure that all documentary requirements are available before lodging your application. However, if further documentary proof cannot be provided when you submit your application, you will have twenty one (21) calendar days from the time your application to meet the requirements. Failure to do this shall forfeit the application or will result to return of the benefit.

Required Documents

1. Completely filled up National Registry for Entertainment Press (NREP)Application Form 
2. Completely filled up DEAR PRESS! Application form
3. Any proof of income:

• Latest Income Tax Return (ITR)
• payslips, vouchers
• Copy of PRESS ID

4. Certificate of Engagement/ Employment from your news or media publication
5. Any one of the following:

• Copy/Link of Latest Showbiz-related Articles written for your publication (January to March 2020)
• Copy/Link of an FDCP-related article you wrote/reported (2019)

WHO ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR DEAR PRESS! BENEFITS?

Workers who are employees of private companies regardless of status (regular, contractual, project-based, contract of service, etc.) and are in the regular payroll of said companies and who are entitled to regular employment compensation, waiting period credit, or benefits from SSS, DOLE, DSWD, and other similar government institutions or agencies are NOT eligible for DEAR PRESS!.

If you are an employee (regular, contractual, seasonal, project-based, contract of service etc.) of a company that is affected by a disaster as proclaimed by the President or your local government executive in your area, please refer to the CAMP and TUPAD assistance programs of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), DTI, DOF, SSS or your respective local government.

WHAT IS THE RETURN SERVICE REQUIREMENT?

The DEAR fund is a government fund for your welfare. In the spirit of serving the community and the stakeholder of the film industry, we ask beneficiaries of DEAR PRESS! to commit to rendering return service by participating in at least two (2) FDCP-led or FDCP-supported events, activities, or projects as a volunteer worker or professional, serving in the capacity of your field. The service must be rendered within two (2) years after you receive the DEAR assistance.

DO YOU HAVE MORE QUESTIONS?

For inquiries, please email dearnationalregistry@fdcp.ph with the following subject:

[INQUIRY] DEAR NR (Topic)

e.g. [INQUIRY] DEAR NR (Doc Requirements?)

Forms are downloadable at http://fdcp.ph/dear-program

1. DEAR PRESS! Application Form
2. National Registry for Entertainment Press Application Form
3. FDCP DEAR PROGRAM Fact Sheet
4. FDCP DEAR PRESS! FACT SHEET
5. Sample Certificate of Engagement
6. Latest FDCP Advisory activating DEAR PRESS! PROGRAM

See signed document here: http://www.fdcp.ph/media/fdcp-releases-2nd-advisory-activation-dear-press-program