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