CYAN, G-Watch to launch Multiply-Ed Philippines on Feb. 7

Wazzup Pilipinas!?


The Center for Youth Advocacy and Networking and Government Watch will be launching their multi-level education accountability project, Multiply-Ed Philippines, on February 7 at the Discovery Suites, Pasig City, and virtually via Zoom, at 9:00 a.m.

Multiply-Ed, a first-of-its-kind project in the country, is a multi-level accountability approach that aims to help improve the Department of Education’s Learning Continuity Plan and make it resilient to the pandemic and other kinds of crises it may face in the future.

CYAN Executive Director Jeza Rodriguez said that it is important for education stakeholders, especially students, to monitor the education system and give suggestions on the things that they need and the policies that the government should take on for them to have a better learning environment during and after the pandemic.

The event will be highlighted by messages from Vice President Leni Robredo, Senator Risa Hontiveros, and Education Undersecretary Diosdado San Antonio.

Statements of solidarity will also be given by Student Council Alliance of the Philippines Chairperson, Ken Paolo Gilo, Students’ Rights and Welfare Convenor Mark Diaz, Bukluran UP System Chairperson Dana Mica Torregosa, and Model SK Representative Kristine Cariman.

The event will present the objectives and the goals of the project and the discussion of the results of the special monitoring conducted by the project last year on the pilot implementation of the face-to-face classes of DepEd.

This project is funded by the Global Partnership for Education’s Education Out Loud (EOL), which supports civil society organizations worldwide to be active and influential in shaping education policy to better meet the needs of communities, especially the vulnerable and marginalized populations.

While the event falls on the day before the kick-off of the campaign for national elections, Rodriguez said that the event is also a reminder for the politicians who are running to create programs that aim to help the education sector which was drastically affected by the pandemic.

The event is also expected to be attended by various youth organizations, students, school leaders, and other civil society organizations from across the country virtually via Zoom. Interested participants can register here: https://bit.ly/MultiplyEdLaunch.



After the launching, Multiply-Ed will conduct its first Tool Development Workshop which will gather education stakeholders like teachers, DepEd officials, students, education-based NGOs, and community leaders to help create a tool that will be used to create the multi-level accountability approach for education./

Start and Finish: Regreening Negros the right way

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Start and Finish

If there was a time in recent memory that Negros Occidental was visited by floods with uncanny timing, it would have to be 2021. On New Year’s Day and then just around Christmas, from North to South, the province was besieged. On January 1 st residents in the northern part of the province were shocked by floods resulting from torrential rains. Shocked, because normally there would have been a typhoon warning, but since there was none, people suspected deforestation. A week later, more flooding, spurred by moderate-to-heavy rainfall, confirmed the fear.

December 16, however, was a different story. This time, there was a storm.

Typhoon Odette hit southern Negros with unforgiving might. Super Typhoon Rai, as Odette was internationally called, was a Category 5 hurricane. Aon PLC, a global risk manager and reinsurer, called Odette the deadliest cyclone of 2021. It would have helped if the mountain range that looms over the communities directly hit by Odette are forested to endemic trees, the kind that are native to the local landscape, possessing inherent strength to weather punishing wind and water known to the area.

This month, on “Seeing the forest for the trees in Negros Occidental, ”writer Vince Groyon gives readers valuable input on why a distinction must be made between endemic trees and exotic varieties. By doing so he puts emphasis on the value of every seedling planted to reforest space, rather than simply planting for show. Artist Erika Velasco then brightens the page with her botanical illustrations of endemic trees of Negros, among them the Garuga (Garuga floribunda). This is a truly insightful piece made even more awesome with a list of endemic tree seedlings available for sale to the public, so everyone can take active part in re-greening Negros the right way. Put on your gardening hat and visit www.negrosseasonofculture.com.

SSS advises members and pensioners to get protected from COVID-19

Wazzup Pilipinas??

The Social Security System (SSS) reminds its members and pensioners to abide by the enhanced workplace safety systems following the nationwide surge of COVID-19 cases.

SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Aurora C. Ignacio stated that despite the pandemic, members still continue to visit SSS offices to file and follow up on their claims.   “Our desire is to continuously provide the benefits and services for our members. However, in order to do so, we must observe basic health precautionary measures as mandated by the government to ensure the safety of both members and SSS employees.” Ignacio said.   In this line, SSS enjoins it stakeholders to get protected from COVID-19 by adopting these following steps:   • Getting vaccinated, • Wearing masks in public, especially in closed, crowded areas • Practicing social distancing, • Frequently washing our hands, • Limiting travel, • Avoid crowded areas, • Transacting online, • Isolate if with COVID-like symptoms, and • Monitor daily health status.   Further, SSS enjoins its members, pensioners, employers, and the general public to continue using its online services when transacting with its offices and branches for faster, simpler, more efficient, and more convenient ways to avoid face-to-face interaction. Further information on the mandatory online transactions and other online services can be viewed through this link: http://bit.ly/expreSSS.   Transacting members and employers are also mandatorily required to create an account in order to transact and enjoy the online services at the My.SSS Portal through the SSS website www.sss.gov.ph or use the SSS Mobile App which is downloadable for free in Google Play Store, Apple App Store and Huawei App Gallery, or send inquiries through Text-SSS at 2600.   For more information, visit the uSSSapTayo Portal at https://crms.sss.gov.ph, follow the SSS on Facebook at “Philippine Social Security System - SSS,” Instagram and YouTube at “mysssph,” Twitter at “PHLSSS,” or join its Viber Community at “MYSSSPH Updates.”