DOTr Air Sector to simultaneously soft launch Traze App in 4 airports nationwide

Wazzup Pilipinas!


The Aviation and Airports Sector of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) will soft launch a contact tracing app that was co-developed by the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) and Cosmotech Philippines, Inc., in four (4) airports nationwide on Wednesday, 28 October 2020.

TRAZE, a nationwide and unified QR Code-based app will automate the contact tracing of agencies under the DOTr’s Aviation and Airports sector, such as the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), Manila International Airports Authority (MIAA), Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB), Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC), and the Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA).

The contact tracing app will be simultaneously pilot-tested through a soft launch at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), Clark Internal Airport (CRK), Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIAA), and Davao International Airport (DIA). Other airports will follow soon. After a month or by 28 November, use of TRAZE will be made mandatory for all air passengers in all airports nationwide.

As directed by Transportation Secretary Arthur P. Tugade, the use of the Traze app, which was pioneered by the PPA in ports last month, will eventually be utilized across all modes of transportation to strengthen the government’s effort in containing the disease by immediately identifying individuals who had contact with COVID 19-positive patients.

All departing and arriving passengers at the 4 airports will be required to download the app on their mobile phones, and to register an account before proceeding to the airport. Passengers who do not have mobile phones or any other mobile gadget may go to the Malasakit Helpdesk at the airport for registrarion assistance to get a unique QR code, or they may ask a family member to register them with the app. The QR code can be used at any DOTr Office nationwide.

By using a QR code, Traze speeds-up the tedious manual contact tracing process to just a few minutes.

Passengers will scan the QR codes at designated areas of the airport. Once a COVID-19 positive patient is identified, an in-app notification will be sent to individuals who may have had contact with the patient so they may immediately observe self-isolation procedure, and other health and sanitation precautionary measures.

Traze is compliant with Republic Act (RA) 1017 or the Data Privacy Act (DPA). It allows anonymous registration and optional submission of personal information (i.e. mobile phone, email address). It is easy to use and does not require Bluetooth nor GPS to work. It will work even with slow data or WiFi.

With nationwide coverage, Traze has complete modules to trace individuals, establishments, logistics, and transportation systems such as trains, vessels, airplanes, jeepneys, taxis, PUVs, and even tricycles, among others.

WorldHotels Elite collection: Carlton Hotel Bangkok Sukhumvit Opens New Cooling Tower Rooftop Bar

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Carlton Hotel Bangkok Sukhumvit, one of the most refined new five-star hotel in the Thai capital, celebrated the launch of its new Cooling Tower Rooftop Bar this month. Part of the WorldHotels Elite collection, a global brand representing over 250 of the finest independent hotels around the world, “Carlton Hotel Bangkok Sukhumvit’s Cooling Tower combines fantastic sky-high dining, imaginative mixology and mesmerising views all in a single sky-high venue.

Located in the middle of the Sukhumvit premium shopping, dining and entertainment district, “Carlton Hotel Bangkok Sukhumvit offers five-star luxury to discerning travellers visiting the Asian gateway city. The hotel has elevated their experiential offerings with the Cooling Tower Rooftop Bar, where city-style ambiance merges with a laid-back urban vibe. The open-air setting of bold contemporary décor likewise features diverse seating options, from cosy spaces for couples to large tables for groups as well as great spots at the bar for simply leaning back and taking in the atmosphere.

“Soaring 34 storeys above the capital, “Carlton Hotel Bangkok Sukhumvit’s Cooling Tower Rooftop Bar is where the high life goes full-on with unrivalled skylines views, enhanced by sophisticated cocktail creations and superior craft beers,” says Roland Jegge, President of WorldHotels Asia Pacific. “We are extremely excited and proud of our partner hotel for bringing the city’s vibrant dining and entertainment options to new heights with this new innovative rooftop bar and menu.”

A Cooling tower, by definition, is where air meets water and hot is converted to cold. Likewise, the Cooling Tower Rooftop Bar is where Bangkok’s nightlife hot shots meet up to savour the city’s coolest cocktail creations. Inspired by the venue’s theme, the mixologist at Cooling Tower Rooftop Bar has designed a menu of carefully engineered and innovative cocktails that vary from refreshing to adventurous and from spirituous to comforting. Further complementing the scene is a food menu with focus on sharing plates such as tasty tapas and grilled favourite. In the month of November, guests can look forward to wholesome dishes, such as the Burrata Truffle with Parma Ham, Seasonal Tomatoes, Rocket Leaf and Autumn Black Truffle (THB590++) and the Australian Grain-Fed Steak & Truffle with Spring Pea and Fries (THB890++).
The Cooling Tower Rooftop Bar is open from 5.00pm to midnight on Wednesdays to Sundays. The main food menu is available from 6.00pm to 10.30pm while the snacks menu is available from 5.00pm to 11.30pm. Happy Hour starts from 5.30pm to 7.30pm when guests can enjoy Buy 1 Get 1 Free on a selection of Cocktails, Wine by the Glass and Local Bottled & Draught Beer. From now till end of November 2020, guests can also enjoy 20% off food & beverages as part of the opening celebrations.

KALIPI Launches in Donsol, Promotes Livelihood for Women and a Plastic-Free Environment

Members of KALIPI Donsol present their products. KALIPI works for the empowerment of women across the country through community activities and the development of livelihood opportunities

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Kalipunan ng Liping Pilipina (KALIPI) Donsol launched a line of plastic-smart products in Donsol, Sorsogon, together with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines.

The province of Sorsogon shares a border with the Ticao-Burias Pass Protected Seascape (TBPPS). The TBPPS, a critical habitat, is home to the endangered whale shark. WWF-Philippines has been working with the LGU of Donsol on the conservation of the whale shark since 1998.

Human activity in the provinces surrounding the TBPPS pose a threat to the integrity of the protected area. Plastic pollution has become one such threat, trapping fish and clogging the stomachs of larger creatures, like whales.

A table displays the various plastic-smart products developed by KALIPI Donsol. The products provide additional livelihood and income for the women of Donsol. 

Whale shark keychains, with ocean plastic kept inside. KALIPI Donsol hopes to both empower women and to protect the Ticao-Burias Pass Protected Seascape, or TBPPS, from the threat of ocean plastic pollution.

KALIPI Donsol intends to address plastic pollution with the launch of their latest product line.

KALIPI was first formally launched in September of 2013. The goal of KALIPI is to empower Filipino women through community activities and the development of livelihood practices. KALIPI Donsol became an official accredited organization of Sorsogon soon afterwards.

To combat the threat of plastic pollution while creating new livelihood opportunities, the woman’s rights organization rolled out various hand-woven products, including plushies and bags. Each product is made of plastic, some of which are picked off the beach while the rest are sourced from the local government waste collection service.

Since the start of September, KALIPI Donsol has collected and converted over 300 kilograms of plastic, 100 of which consisted of Styrofoam.

“I am thankful for this initiative, because it’s an initiative that will help solve a problem that we initially didn’t think would be a problem – plastic. Now it has become a problem, and we have to address it,” said WWF-Philippines Executive Director Joel Palma. WWF-Philippines works closely with the people of Donsol, pushing practices and policies to keep plastic from reaching the ocean and entering nature.

Present at the launch were representatives from local government agencies, partners of KALIPI Donsol. Representatives from local resorts and establishments were there as well, as potential clients of KALIPI Donsol’s plastic-sourced products.

 “We’re thankful for those who have helped and who have been there, supporting us through different livelihood skills training sessions,” shared KALIPI President Wilma Arevalo. Opening women to more livelihood opportunities allows them to have a more active role in their communities, which is a major thing that KALIPI advocates for.

The Department of Trade and Industry is one such active partner, with DTI Sorsogon running livelihood training sessions and workshops for the women of KALIPI Donsol. “Hopefully you can help us too. We know that you are responsible businessmen and women. What we need is commitment, so that we may help many more,” shared DTI Sorsogon Director Heginio Baldano.

An important player in KALIPI Donsol’s efforts is the local Provincial Government – Environment and Natural Resources Office (PG-ENRO) of Donsol. In charge of waste management, they handle the segregation and transportation of plastics to the women of KALIPI. “On behalf of the provincial government of Donsol, we thank KALIPI for their products. We are here to help you expand your impacts,” shared PG-ENRO Engr. Maribeth Fruto.

Backed by WWF-Philippines and local government agencies, KALIPI Donsol Founder Neda Balictar oversaw the development of her organization’s plastic-sourced products. She presented these products during the launch, which included plushies, cup holders, bags, and other woven home accessories. She also introduced the members of KALIPI Donsol.

“I am very proud to be introducing these women to you. They always take that step forward. Without them, we wouldn’t be as strong as we are today,” shared Balictar. Balictar and her team plan on expanding the reach of their products, with the hopes of sending them out within the region and across the Philippines.

Supporting KALIPI’s product launch is but one of several efforts being undertaken by WWF-Philippines in helping Donsol become a plastic-smart city. The conservation organization is working to cut ocean plastic pollution entirely by the year 2030. Follow WWF-Philippines as they work to #ChangeTheEnding of the ongoing plastic issue.