Filipino Royal Fellow thanks Pres. Marcos: "How can I reach you, Sir?"

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. recently joined the world in congratulating Filipino science diplomat Glenn Banaguas for the latter’s induction into the United Kingdom London-based Royal Society of Arts (RSA). Banaguas is the first science diplomat from the Philippines to become a fellow of the RSA, which counts among its distinguished ranks historical luminaries such as Charles Dickens, George Washington Carver, David Attenborough, Nelson Mandela, Tim Berners-Lee, Karl Marx, Marie Curie, Stephen Hawking, and Benjamin Franklin.

"Tunay ngang ang galing at talino ng mga Pilipino ay maipagmamalaki saan man sa mundo. Maraming salamat sa kahusayang iyong patuloy na ipinamamalas (Indeed, the brilliance and intelligence of the Filipinos can be pround of anywhere in the world. Thanks to Glenn Banaguas for his continued excellence)," President Marcos said in his official message, which was broadcast across all official government channels.

Banaguas thanked the President for the latter’s kudos, which he welcomed as warm support from his countrymen.

“While I am thankful and deeply humbled by the international recognition I have received, the President’s message resonates deeply for me since it comes from where support is most needed—from home,” Banaguas said.

“Thank you so much, Mr. President. I greatly appreciate your message, Sir. I have never expected that someone who is nobody like me would be commended by the most powerful man in the country. My heart will always be grateful, Sir. May the grace of God continue to follow you. And may every Filipino touched by your hand be blessed forever. God bless, Mr. President," Banaguas said.

"Sir, I wholeheartedly support you and your climate agenda for the Philippines and the Filipino people,” he added.

"Given the chance to meet the President, I will provide him with not only the science and evidence-based strategic solutions but also the most humane and gender-responsive schemes to address the impacts and risks of climate change... from scientific wide-ranging assessment, capacity development, project management to climate financing programs as well as multilateral cooperation among actors,' he mentioned.

"I wish I could meet our dear President. How can I reach you, Sir?" Banaguas humbly asked.

Banaguas, a distinguished scientist and science diplomat, is among Asia's leading experts in environment, climate change, and disaster risk. He is the founder and president of the Environmental and Climate Change Research Institute, an organization that brings "science and diplomacy" to the poorest communities and marginalized sectors in the Philippines.

Banaguas founded Climate Smart Philippines: Science for Service Program, which provides research, training, and capacity-building to all stakeholders in the country to combat climate change and disaster risks. He also chairs the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Science Diplomats and the United States (US)-ASEAN Fellows for Science and Technology. He also serves as climate diplomat of the European Union-Asia Expert Panel for Climate Diplomacy and Environmental Security. He is also the Executive Fellow and Expert of the renowned Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP) in Switzerland.

Banaguas is the Adviser of the country's flag carrier, the Philippine Airlines for sustainability and resiliency programs. He also provides climate change capacity-building efforts to the Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities. He leads the UNDP's climate security program for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and provides technical assistance to Mindanao Development Authority's climate change and energy projects.

Banaguas has Ivy League credentials - he took Climate Change and Energy from the Harvard Kennedy School and Sustainability Leadership from Yale University. He also took the Applied Remote Sensing program from the National Aeronautics Space Administration (NASA), peacebuilding programs from the United States Institute of Peace (UNIP), and security courses from the Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP).

Updates on DepEd Legal Actions

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

The Department of Education (DepEd) is taking measures to ensure that values of integrity, transparency, and accountability are being upheld by our officials, teachers, and non-teaching personnel.

In the past months, we have immediately acted on several legal cases filed against alleged erring public officials, personnel, and service providers of DepEd. In the spirit of transparency, we would like to provide the following legal updates:



1. On the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee (BRC) report re: procurement of overpriced laptops

The DepEd welcomes the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee report on the laptops procured by PS-DBM in 2021

The filing of cases against past and present officials of the DepEd, as recommended by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, will be referred to the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) for evaluation and appropriate action.

We are ready to receive the official BRC report from the Senate.

In addition, there is a pending administrative case against one DepEd employee involved in the procurement.

 


2. On DepEd laptops being sold in Cebu

The Department has confirmed that the laptops being sold in a surplus store in Cebu, although not amongst those procured through the PS-DBM, were part of the DepEd Computerization Program (DCP). The Department is now coordinating with relevant law enforcement agencies to apprehend the perpetrators.



3. On government ‘scammers’

DepEd lauds the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) for the arrest of Diokno Eje, a.k.a Vaughn Vincent, who is the subject of numerous complaints about an alleged "appointment scam" wherein several personalities were offered government posts in exchange for a huge sum of money.

Likewise, the Department is investigating a similar case of fraudulent dealings of a DepEd employee named Maricon. Administrative proceedings for various charges have been instituted and are already underway.

We thank our media partners for tipping us off, and for alerting the Vice President and Secretary of Education on this matter. It has prompted other complainants to provide critical information against her.

DepEd is encouraging those who may have personal knowledge or dealings with Maricon to come forward and provide us with more information.



4. On photos circulating online re: alleged ‘overpriced’ camera

The Department has traced the now-deleted post of photojournalist Jhun Dantes, and shared by the account of a certain Renato Reyes, of a Canon 1500D camera with a DepEd sticker attached indicating an acquisition cost of P155,929, as a property of the Schools Division Office (SDO) of Imus City.

The camera was given by the Local Government Unit to the SDO. DepEd did not have any participation or involvement in the procurement process of the subject cameras.

DepEd continues to call on netizens to be circumspect in their posts to ensure that no misinformation is propagated.



5. On failure to deliver supplies

The Department has found another case of the failure on the part of a service provider to comply with its contract — since the year 2021. We are currently exploring legal remedies and working on this issue.

Note that we have deliberately provided general statements on these updates so as not to preempt or hamper ongoing investigations.

The DepEd recognizes the important fight against corruption to improve the delivery of public service. We reiterate our call to the public to be vigilant and to actively report any fraudulent and unethical acts of DepEd personnel. Those who will be engaging in such activities will be dealt with accordingly and swiftly.

Mars Petcare launches ‘Fur The Best’ SWAP consumer recycling program in the Philippines

Wazzup Pilipinas!?




Mars Petcare partners with Plastic Credit Exchange (PCX) as part of its global efforts to increase the circularity of packaging waste

Mars Petcare recently announced a packaging recycling initiative in the Philippines as part of its global efforts to create a circular economy for plastic packaging where it doesn’t become waste. The collaboration with Plastic Credit Exchange (PCX) and retailer Pet Express is called “Fur The Best”, which is an extension of the “SWAP Recycling” initiative from Thailand that will enable the collection and recycling of mixed post-consumer flexible plastic packaging waste into useful products. It’s one of the many sustainability initiatives that Mars Petcare is running to give pet parents the opportunity to recycle their plastic packaging.

At Mars, we take our responsibility for sustainable packaging seriously, so we’re working globally toward 100 percent recyclable, reusable or compostable plastic packaging and reducing our use of virgin plastic by 25%. To reach our goal, we’ll need not only recyclable materials, but we also need collection and recycling infrastructure in place and the right consumer behavior to make it happen.

According to the 2021 Who Cares, Who Does report by Kantar Philippines, 75% of Filipinos actively seek out brands that offer ways to reduce their impact on the environment. In the Philippines, the passage of the Extended Producer Responsibility (RA 11898) law has heightened attention on solid waste management, particularly of Fast-Moving Consumer Goods post-consumer waste.

 
Johnny Racoma, General Manager for Mars Petcare in the Philippines, highlighted that Mars Petcare aims to meet consumer desire for more sustainable packaging options. He said, “Consumers continue to be concerned not just about the content of what their pets eat but also about reducing their environmental impact.”

Packaging plays many vital roles: protecting ingredients, preserving freshness, conveying nutrition and health information, and differentiating brands. However, it also poses real challenges. This means it can end up in landfills, as litter, or even find its way into the environment.

As a leader in manufacturing, Mars Petcare believes it is important to work to address environmental challenges and create a more sustainable future. “As more Filipino shoppers are willing to shift to sustainable practices, this presents us an opportunity to invest in eco-friendly practices and take the lead in meeting consumer needs while reducing waste and increasing circularity,” stated Racoma.

To implement its collection for the recycling program, Mars Petcare is partnering with Pet Express and Plastic Credit Exchange (PCX). Through this partnership, pet parents can collect and surrender clean and empty packaging of any number of PEDIGREE, IAMS OR WHISKAS Dry food and any petfood flexible plastic packaging in any of the following sizes: 1kg, 3kg, and 8kg.

Recycling drop-off points are available in 15 of the participating Pet Express locations in International Toyworld Inc. stores in Metro Manila, such as Megamall, Mall of Asia, SM Fairview

Pet Express North Edsa, Bonifacio Global City, SM Masinag, SM Cubao, SM Makati, Festival Mall, Pet Express Dasmarinas, Pet Express Hyper Makati, Grand Central Caloocan, Pet Express Molino, Pet Express Madison Alabang, and Pet Express Estancia.

All collected materials will be handed to PCX, the recycling facilitator of the “Fur The Best” program. The materials will be recycled into useful products such as benches that will be donated to pet shelters in the Greater Manila area.

“PCX has always advocated the need for both upstream and downstream solutions to the plastic pollution crisis. Mars’ “Fur The Best” campaign is an important step to ensuring that brands are attempting specific recovery which builds a more circular economy “, said Nanette Medved-Po who founded PCX.

Participating pet parents should scan the QR code to register and answer the survey and will receive a Php 100 coupon per transaction, once daily, regardless of the quantity given. With the Php 100 coupon, pet parents can use it on the same day of swapping as a discount when the customers purchase ANY Mars Pet Nutrition Products for their fur babies. Customers can redeem the Php 100 discount until May 31, 2023.

“Our chances of achieving a sustainable future will be determined by how we protect our planet. As a result, sustainability activities will always be a component of our global efforts. We want to see significant development in the Philippines, where customers can join our ‘Fur The Best’ program,” Racoma added.

“Fur the love” of our dear pets and the environment, head to the nearest Pet Express in your area to SWAP empty packaging of pet foods and EARN P100 discount vouchers!

#furthebestSWAPrecycling #proudlymars #marsphilippines

For further information on the Mars Sustainable in a Generation Plan and Circular Packaging commitments, visit www.mars.com/sustainability-plan.