World Wide Fund for Nature-Philippines (WWF-PH) calls for ready-to-scale solutions to reduce plastic waste leakage in the City of Manila

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Manila, the capital city of the Philippines, is facing a growing plastic waste problem. With the Pasig River as a major source of plastic pollution, and a rising population consuming more single-use plastic products, the city is contributing to the over 11 million tons of plastic waste that flows into the ocean each year. To protect the environment and public health, a sustainable and comprehensive approach to plastic waste management is urgently needed in Manila.

In response to this challenge, the Plastic Smart Cities - TV-Aksjonen Project has launched a call for social entrepreneurs with scalable solutions across the plastic value chain to pilot in Manila. The project, supported by the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation, Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation, and WWF-Norway, aims to achieve a 30% reduction in plastic waste leakage into the environment by 2024.

In the call, social entrepreneurs will undergo a process of selection divided into three stages. For the first stage, WWF aims to generate a database of entrepreneurial solutions that are looking to scale in Manila City. Solutions should aim to address plastic pollution and engage local stakeholders including businesses, communities, and the waste sector, among others. The registration of solutions will close on April 10, 2023.

During the second phase, the solutions that are registered will be categorized into the following:

1. Closing the tap: reduction in plastic waste generation.
2. Closing the loop: segregation, redesign, reuse, recycle, and measures to lengthen the use of plastic items in the operations.
3. Stopping plastic leakage: collection, disposal of plastic waste, and measures to prevent plastic waste from ending up in nature.

The last stage of the call is where the shortlisted entrepreneurs pitch their solutions to a panel of judges for final selection.

The four-year project will fund the scaling of the solutions that will be selected for a maximum of one year starting on May 2023. Interested parties may log on to bit.ly/PSCManilaCall for more details.

DepEd issues guidelines for Joint Delivery Voucher Program for SHS-TVL Specialization

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The Department of Education (DepEd) has issued the Guidelines on the Implementation of the Joint Delivery Voucher Program (JDVP) for Senior High School Technical-Vocational-Livelihood (SHS-TVL) Specialization for School Year 2022-2023 and subsequent years to enhance the capability of the schools to implement the program.

In DepEd Order (DO) No. 006, series of 2023, DepEd aims to empower public schools offering SHS-TVL track through partnerships with institutions that are equipped with the necessary resources to carry out the program.

JDVP-TVL is a tuition fee assistance to Grade 12 learners in DepEd public SHSs, which have been identified as having inadequate facilities, equipment, tools, and teachers relevant to the implementation of TVL specializations.

The said issuance will enable learners to complete their TVL specialization subjects through the partners, provide an appropriate learning environment required of the specialization, and address delays in the provision of the necessary resources for the TVL Specializations.

JDVP-TVL Guidelines will likewise cater Grade 12 learners enrolled in DepEd public SHSs under the TVL track who will be allowed to take their specialization subjects in eligible private or non-DepEd public SHSs and private TVIs.

The assistance shall be in the form of a JDVP-TVL voucher to be given to the learner-beneficiaries enrolled in the TVL Track in identified DepEd public SHSs.

The identified DepEd public SHSs, however, must be offering SHS-TVL for the past four to five years, ascertained to have adequate facilities, equipment, tools, and teachers, and located in the areas where there are accessible private SHSs, non-DepEd public SHSs, or private TVIs, which can provide further instructions and training to learners.

Following the issuance of the guideline, the GASO-Finance Service in partnership with BCD shall conduct an Online Orientation for regional and division offices toward the end of the month.

For the issuance, utilization, and implementation of JDVP-TVL voucher, the participating schools shall prepare the list of identified learner-beneficiaries, conduct an orientation to the beneficiaries, parents, and teachers, and arrange an education and training schedule with the JDVP-TVL Partner, among others.

For more details on the guidelines of DO No. 006, s. 2023, please visit https://www.deped.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/DO_s2023_006.pdf.

SSS grants benefits to family of slain OFW Jullebee Ranara

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Social Security System (SSS) President and CEO Rolando Ledesma Macasaet handed over proceeds of benefit claims to Norlynda Cabiles, mother and SSS beneficiary of slain Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW), Jullebee Ranara, last March 22, 2023.
In a simple ceremony held at the SSS Main Office, Quezon City, Cabiles received more than P100,000 comprising of SSS Death and Funeral benefits, and financial assistance from SSS officials and employees.

“Considering the sacrifices being made by our OFWs by working in a foreign country and being away from their families for a long period of time, it is very important that they have an active SSS membership which will help them and their families in times of contingencies,” Macasaet said.

On behalf of the SSS, Macasaet also expressed his sincerest condolences to the family of Ranara and reiterated his continuous support and efforts towards the social security protection of OFWs. He also offered a job opportunity to Ranara’s sibling within the SSS.

Cabiles, on the other hand, thanked the SSS for the benefits she received, attributed to the hard work of her daughter, and additional financial support.

The SSS is a state-run social insurance institution that extends social security protection to Filipino workers in the private and informal sectors. Under the Social Security Law, it provides seven benefit programs namely, Sickness, Maternity, Unemployment, Retirement, Disability, Death, and Funeral, as well as various loan privileges.