WWF-Philippines highlights local initiatives for Plastic-free July

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In celebration of Plastic-free July, the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines featured Plastic Smart Cities sites as model communities in developing initiatives and solutions to address plastic pollution.

In the webinar Smart Cities Lead: Community Solutions for No Plastics in Nature (NPIN) conducted on July 15, WWF-Philippines brought together representatives from different sectors from Plastic Smart Cities in the country: Manila City, Donsol Sorsogon, Davao City, Island Garden City of Samal, and San Isidro Davao Oriental.

WWF’s Plastic Smart Cities is a capacity building initiative for cities and communities to eliminate plastic pollution. Since 2018, it has supported cities and coastal centers in taking bold action to stop plastic pollution, with a goal to reduce plastic leakage into nature by 30% in the near term, and achieving no plastics in nature by 2030.

In her opening remarks, WWF-Philippines, Executive Director Katherine Custodio expressed how even our biggest problems, such as plastic pollution, are possible to address if we work together.

“Our challenges are interconnected and so the solution needs to be connected as well. This webinar is about community solutions that give hope because they are linking lives, livelihoods, and nature as they address plastic pollution,” she added.

During the webinar, Wilma Aravelo, President of Kalipunan ng Liping Pilipina (KALIPI) from Donsol discussed the role of women in communities upcycling single-use plastics. They collect and shred the waste products and use the material as filling for plushies which they sell to tourists visiting the municipality.

WWF-Philippines has been working with KALIPI through product diversification and market development. Since then, KALIPI has been contributing to diverting plastic wastes in Donsol through their products.

From Brgy 23-C, Davao City, LIKHAnegosyo president and Sangguniang Kabataan official Arcel Coton discussed the importance of mobilizing the youth to address the plastic problem.

LIKHAnegosyo aims to become an avenue of productive social growth and unite the youth by increasing awareness on proper waste disposal and management, developing innovative solutions to address plastic pollution, and transforming the youth to be advocates of No Plastics in Nature initiative.

Plastic Smart Cities recognizes that there is no single solution to address plastic pollution but rather a comprehensive strategy that engages all actors – governments, businesses, and communities – to examine every aspect of the life-cycle of any given plastic material, and identify key elements that are ripe for interventions.

Among the multisector panel of speakers includes:

● Hon. Justina Buenviaje-Yu, Municipal Mayor of San Isidro

● Joanna Mae Norcio, PSO IV, Assistant Chief, Operations Division, Department of Public Services, Manila City

● Julian Rodriguez III, Manager, Technical Services Director and Pollution Control Managing Head of Paradise Island Park and Beach Resort in the Island Garden City of Samal

To conclude the webinar, NPIN National Lead Czarina Constantino – Panopio encouraged the continuous partnership and collaboration among women, youth, local businesses, local governments and other stakeholders until we achieve our vision of having no plastics in nature.

“The beauty of this project really is its heart which is striving to create a balance between humans and nature. We are thankful for these stakeholders and we look forward to continuing our partnership to stop plastic waste leakage in nature,” Panopio said.

Smart Cities Lead: Multisector panel of speakers including women, youth, business, and government representatives shared their initiatives and solutions to address plastic pollution.

PLDT Enterprise highlights combatting faculty, student burnout in the next normal

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PLDT Enterprise, the B2B arm of the largest fully integrated telecommunications company in the Philippines, called for innovative solutions that would address the threats to the well-being of students and teachers as they continue eLearning in the next normal.

During PLDT Enterprise’s recently held eBossing Online Class—dedicated for the members of the Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities (PACU) and their 3,000 university and colleges heads, faculty members, and admin officers—Dick Perez, PLDT Enterprise Assistant Vice President and Corporate Relationship Management Head for Academe & FMCG, said that the toll of increased workload on teachers and other associated effects of the pandemic should not be underestimated.

A study from United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) found that more than 28 million students, educators, and parents are grappling with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which also affects their health and well-being.

Perez highlighted that a good way of lessening stress in online learning is to make a pedagogy based on fun, interaction, and collaboration.

“The inclusion of collaborative activities in an online course leads to positive performance outcomes. Collaborative group interaction facilitates active learning, shared knowledge and promotes social interaction and a supportive e-learning community,” Perez said.

“Moreover, the value of teaching through games is compelling. Games draw students into the learning process, foster a healthy sense of competition, and encourage them to refrain from failures as stepping stone to greater success.”

However, when using a game-based learning approach, Perez advised educators to “avoid games that offer arbitrary rewards but rather those that challenge students to make difficult choices that lead to interesting and meaningful outcomes.”

Meanwhile, PLDT Enterprise Assistant VP and Head for Education, FMCG, SMBiz Enterprise Strategic Solution Group John Combalicer added that higher education institutions need to prioritize making online academic counseling and medical services accessible to students.

“We need to address the educational well-being for the next normal. PLDT is your partner in helping your educational institution in your role to creating more e-learning experience that will help educators, students, and parents cope up in this pandemic,” Combalicer noted.

During the program, CHED Commissioner Dr. Aldrin Darilag, CHRP, RHT, RN enumerated the different programs and goals of the institution for the sector and talked about institutionalizing online learning and other relevant policies that aim “to retrofit the educational system in the new normal and empower both educators and learners.”

Darilag shared about PHL CHED Connect, a platform launched by CHED that contains more than 1.6K educational content and has engaged more than 60K unique users already.

PLDT Enterprise has been a partner of PACU in providing connectivity plans and e-Learning services to its member schools. The group has also been working with global technology companies in creating more meaningful connections and immersive eLearning experiences for students and teachers.

For more information, visit pldtenterprise.com

Philippine Post Office Speeds Up Delivery

 

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The Philippine Post Office has removed notification cards as part of its “Hatid Malasakit” program to speed up delivery of mails and parcels to give much-deserved convenience to the people.

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The public including their families abroad can now expect faster, safe and convenient door-to-door delivery of mails and parcels.  The Philippine Postal Corporation (Post Office) headed by Postmaster General Norman “Mr. Postman” Fulgencio terminated the 75-year-old practice of sending notification which causes delays in parcel delivery.

 

“This time, our clients can now expect safe and convenient door-to-door delivery of their parcels minus the Notification Cards”, Fulgencio said in a statement.

 

In previous practice, the addressee or recipient has to receive a Notification Card before a parcel can be picked up at the post office. Sometimes, a notification card can be received in 2 or 3 months which causes delays on the part of the recipient in claiming the parcel.

 

“We immediately stopped this practice in order to provide safety and convenience to the mailing public who patronizes our post office services”.

 

The public can now expect faster movement and delivery of mails and parcels. Upon his assumption to office as Postmaster General Fulgencio last March 15, he immediately initiated reforms in the postal system in compliance with the administration of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s Philippine Development Plan ensuring our people receive the quality of services they deserve.

 

“Our heartfelt gratitude for the public’s kind understanding and patience. The postal service is far from being perfect, but we are continuously improving. Again, our apologies”, the Postmaster General said.