PPA orders strict enforcement of health, safety protocols in ports, offices vs COVID-19

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Following the directive of Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur P. Tugade to strictly implemented health and safety protocols to curb the spread of COVID-19, Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) General Manager Jay Santiago has directed all personnel, offices and ports under its jurisdiction to maintain the strict enforcement of health and safety protocols.

In a memorandum dated 15 March 2021, GM Santiago ordered all the heads of the Head Office Responsibility Centers and the Port Management Offices to be consistent in their implementation of health and safety protocols within their respective jurisdictions.

“As part of PPA’s continuing efforts to stem the transmission of COVID-19 virus and to protect the health and safety of PPA personnel, port users, and the general public, you are directed to consistently and strictly observe, monitor, and implement in your respective area of responsibility the relevant health and safety protocols contained in PPA issuances, as well guidelines issued by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Department of Health (DOH),” GM Santiago said.

The memorandum was issued after Secretary Tugade and GM Santiago made a surprise inspection at the new cargo port in Boracay, where a number of port users were seen violating health protocols, such as wearing of masks and face shields, and physical distancing.

Secretary Tugade and GM Santiago then directed all PPA personnel to strictly monitor port users for minimum health protocol compliance.

Moreover, according to the PPA directive, the ‘Seven (7) Commandments in Public Transport’ must be continuously observed in all ports and vessels nationwide.

The 'Seven Commandments in Public Transport’ calls for the wearing of face masks and face shields; body temperature checking; proper ventilation of Passenger Terminal Buildings (PTBs) and offices; frequent disinfection of PTBs and PPA offices; frequent handwashing and use of alcohol and sanitizers; barring PPA personnel, passenger, and port users with COVID-19 symptoms from entering the port, PTBs and PPA offices; and the observance of proper social distancing.

The DOTr and its attached agencies, including the PPA, have intensified the enforcement of existing safety and health protocols amid the increase in COVID-19 cases in the country.

Secretary Tugade called on transport personnel to be serious and extra diligent in the implementation of health protocols. He also appealed to the riding public to strictly follow these measures and to report to authorities any breach in the guidelines.

“As operators and drivers of public transport vehicles, you do not only bring passengers from their homes to their workplaces and back. You are also given the responsibility to make sure that they are healthy and safe when they arrive at their destinations,” Sec. Tugade said.

Novartis Healthcare Philippines recognized as a Country Certified Top Employer 2021

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Novartis Healthcare Philippines, Inc. has been officially recognized by the Top Employers Institute as a Top Employer 2021 in the Philippines.

“To become recognized as a Top Employer, an organization will have to prove that the implementation of their people strategies enriches the world of work of their employees. The certified participants are a shining example of a dedication to people practices as they continuously commit to empowering their employees for a better world of work. Congratulations!”, said Top Employers Institute CEO David Plink.

Top Employers Institute is the global authority on recognizing excellence in people practices. Organizations certified as Top Employers dedicate themselves to providing the very best working environment for employees through their progressive ‘people-first’ HR practices. Through the Top Employers Institute certification program, participating companies can be validated, certified and recognized as an employer of choice. Established more than 28 years ago, Top Employers Institute has certified over 1500 organizations in 118 countries/regions. These certified Top Employers positively impact the lives of 6,000,000 employees globally.

“This prestigious recognition is a testament that our company is at par with the best employers not just within the Philippines but globally as well. It is also an indication that we are advancing in our culture aspiration of building a truly inspired, curious and unbossed organization,” said Mr. Jugo Tsumura, President and Managing Director, Novartis Healthcare Philippines, Inc.

One of the company’s innovative programs is their remote working arrangement called Choice with Responsibility (CwR), which aims to increase productivity and impact through enhanced flexibility. CwR offers office-based associates the choice to decide how, where and when to be most impactful in their roles, while taking personal responsibility to inform managers and align with teammates for effective collaboration based on the nature of their work. The company also provides internal training courses on Coursera and LinkedIn to build personal resilience and promote mental health. Their “Energized for Life” program provides guidance on mental health.

In 2019 alone, the company’s business operations created a total of 9,517 local jobs, including the employment of 488 Filipino associates. In terms of human capital impact, Novartis contributed Php615 million to Philippine society. These contributions are broken down to Php563 million in living wages for business operations and Php52 million in living wages along the supply chain. This is societal value created through the wages the company and its supply chain businesses pay.

“Novartis provides regional leadership exposure and opportunities to local talents. Our company rewards and recognizes employee excellence through flexible, short- and long-term incentives and benefits. We support them with an organizational structure designed to provide a consistent positive employee experience. We engage and develop our associates through a diverse and inclusive culture that is ‘Inspired, Curious & Unbossed.’ We are committed to unleash the potential of our colleagues so we can continue to reimagine medicine for Filipino patients,” said Ms. Annelyn Betia, People & Organization Head, Novartis Healthcare Philippines, Inc.

Former World Champion Alex Silva Wants Another Shot at Joshua Pacio After He Beats Hiroba Minowa

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Former ONE World Champion and current #5-ranked strawweight contender Alex “Little Rock” Silva of Brazil is looking to book himself a rematch against reigning ONE Strawweight World Champion Joshua “The Passion” Pacio, should he get past his next opponent.

Silva takes on rising Japanese star Hiroba Minowa at ONE: FISTS OF FURY III, a previously recorded event from the Singapore Indoor Stadium in Singapore scheduled for broadcast this Friday, 19 March.

Silva succumbed the world title to Pacio in January of 2020, losing by closely-contested split decision after five rounds of action. Although “Little Rock” believes he won that fight, he says he’s moved on and is focused now on earning his place back at the top.

“I believe I’m one of the top guys in the division. My last fight was against Joshua [Pacio], who is the champion. Again, I say I think I won that fight. It was a very close split decision,” said Silva.

“‘Don’t leave the decision in the judges’ hands.’ That’s the biggest lesson I learned from that fight. Because from my point of view, I’m sure I won that fight. However, I respect the decision. Next time, I just have to finish.”

If Silva can get past Minowa, he could certainly make a case. The 38-year-old veteran and Copa de Mundo BJJ World Champion is known as one of the most dangerous fighters at strawweight.

“I think I deserve one more [shot at the world title],” said Silva.

Against Minowa, however, Silva may have his hands full.

Minowa was last seen in October, snatching a split decision win of his own against Pacio’s Team Lakay teammate, Lito Adiwang.


In that fight, Minowa just barely escaped the jaws of defeat as he nearly succumbed to a deep kimura in the first round. Still, the Japanese fighter showcased tremendous grappling ability to turn the tables on Adiwang and eventually take home the victory on the scorecards.

Silva studied Minowa’s most recent performance and knows what to expect against the former Shooto Champion.

“I was quite surprised, because Lito is a strong guy in the division. But he (Minowa) controlled the fight and deserved to get the win. I’m excited for the chance to test my skills against him. I believe I’m the best grappler in the division, and have everything I need to finish him. I’m going to finish him in the second round,” said Silva.


“I think he’s a good and young fighter. I watched his last fight, and he showed good grappling. But grappling is where I feel right at home. In this particular fight, his strength will be his weakness, because his strength is in grappling, and grappling is where I feel comfortable.”

ONE: FISTS OF FURY III is the third and final installment in the “Fists of Fury” event series.

The headline bout features a showdown between ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Champion Regian Eersel and hard-hitting #2-ranked contender Mustapha Haida, while ONE Atomweight Kickboxing World Champion Janet “JT” Todd begins her quest for a second belt by taking on the #4-ranked Alma Juniku in Muay Thai in the co-main event.