DepEd, BOI link up to create opportunities for learners in IT industry

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The Department of Education (DepEd) and the Philippine Board of Investments (BOI) on Thursday forged a strategic partnership to enhance knowledge on digital economy and expose learners to opportunities in the Information Technology industry.

Led by Secretary Sonny Angara and BOI Chairman and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Alfredo Pascual, DepEd and BOI signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) designed to create awareness and interest among the youth about the industrial sector, particularly in the IT industry.

“Malaking bagay po itong inisyatibo ng DTI at nagpapasalamat kami sa Kagawaran ng Edukasyon dito sa oportunidad na ibinigay hindi [para] sa atin, hindi sa Kagawaran ng Edukasyon, kundi para sa ating mga stakeholder, ‘yong over 20 million po na estudyante natin na makikinabang dito sa makabagong teknolohiya,” Secretary Angara said.

The “Kids for the Future of Philippine Industrialization” is the flagship program under the Agreement which aims to develop both technical and soft skills of learners, and focuses on IT segments like animation, game development, and software development

“Philippines has not been the fastest adopter of innovation and technologies but we are there, dahil bilib ako sa talent, sa tatak Pinoy, palagay ko baka malampasan pa natin ‘yong ibang mga karatig bansa natin sa darating na mga taon,” Sec. Angara noted.

“Nandodoon po ‘yong communication skills [and] critical skills. Kailangan lang mahasa nang husto, mahasa nang husto at dito talagang mahahasa kapag nag-work immersion sa mga industriyang makabago,” he added.

The strategic partnership will benefit Junior and Senior High School Learners and K-12 graduates, this also intends to inspire them to pursue career and life-long learning opportunities and to develop a job and future-ready workforce.

In addition, the said program will assist educators in enhancing their knowledge of industry trends, technologies, industry skills, and competencies requirements, among others.

Meanwhile, DTI Secretary Alfredo Pascual emphasized that the MOA is a way to empower the youth to propel the country to new heights.

“Signing this Memorandum of Agreement between the Board of Investment (BOI) and DepEd is not a merely formality but a resounding declaration of our commitment to equip the next generation with the knowledge and skills they need to shape the future of our nation,” he said.



Through the Agreement, DepEd and BOI will address the growing demands of thriving industries for highly skilled graduates by raising career and industry awareness in secondary education institutions.

BAN Toxics urges Marcos Jr. to address plastic production as major driver of climate change following Metro Manila floods

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“It has always been easy to blame trash and the lack of discipline for recent and future flooding, yet the climate impacts of unhampered plastic production, along with land use conversion, large-scale mining, and their contribution to environmental degradation are being overlooked.” This was the statement of environmental justice organization BAN Toxics, after millions of Filipino people suffered from Typhoon Carina (Gaemi).

“The President must realize that 99% of all plastics are derived from fossil fuels, the largest contributor to the global climate crisis. The exponential increase in plastic production is expected to exacerbate the so-called ‘triple crisis’ of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution,” Jam Lorenzo, head of BAN Toxics’ Policy Development and Research, said.

“The import of finished plastic products and wastes into the country, combined with the current rate of domestic plastic production and other factors, is overwhelming the capacity of our waste management systems, rendering them ineffective,” Lorenzo said.

In 2021, the Philippines, imported 1.98 million tonnes of plastic raw materials, plastic products, and plastic packaging with 393 kilo tonnes export, making it a net importer of plastics. The country had a virgin resin production capacity of 900 kilo tonnes in 2019, with projections of at least an additional 360 kilo tonnes from 2021 onwards.

“With only 9% of consumed plastics being recycled and 33% disposed of in landfills, an estimated 35% – or about 1 million tons of plastic waste in 2021 – leak into the open environment. This amount is equivalent to the average weight of 714,285 sedan vehicles, more than the total number of registered vehicles in Metro Manila. These figures do not include the import of hazardous plastic wastes, both legal and illegal into the country. Adding to this point, it is also important to note that countries such as the Philippines have historically been on the receiving end of significant amounts of illegal waste imports from developed countries.”

“The Extended Producers Responsibility (EPR) law has so far been failing to compel multinational corporations to take immediate action to phase out single-use plastics, as evidenced by brand waste audits in the country. Many of the companies that topped the list have previously been identified as top plastic polluters in global brand audits.”

The group references multiple studies that highlight the significant growth in plastic production over the last decade, estimated to double or even triple by 2050. Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from plastic could reach over 56 gigatons or 10-13% of the entire remaining carbon budget, based on a study in 2019. These conservative estimates are complemented and updated by newer studies. Recently published report from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory revealed that the global plastic production generated 5.3% of total global GHG emissions (excluding agriculture, land use and forestry) in 2019.

“We stand with the Filipino people in holding the government accountable for the recent floods and those yet to come, and we call for science-informed and human rights-based climate actions. We urge policymakers to prioritize control measures in its policy mix for plastic production, manufacturing, and importation, especially for the most problematic, non-essential plastics, and those containing known hazardous chemicals. Addressing plastic pollution requires upstream approaches – focusing on pre-consumption and the reduction of production – to mitigate its impact on livelihoods, human health, and the environment.

The group also cautions against using incineration as a solution for plastic wastes. “Scientific studies by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) and Break Free From Plastic (BFFP) highlight that incineration of plastic could produce more than 850 million metric tons of greenhouse gasses – equivalent to the emissions from 189 five-hundred-megawatt coal power plants. The idea of clean incineration technologies in the country seems like a pipe dream, considering that less than half of the country’s barangays have materials recovery facilities and that several LGUs are unable to address current challenges in the management of wastes such as proper segregation and collection.”




Climate Fund

As the country hosts the Loss and Damage Fund, BAN Toxics emphasizes that “it presents both an opportunity and a challenge for the Marcos Jr. administration. It is a chance for the administration to be a genuine advocate for climate-vulnerable countries and to lead in making the Fund truly impactful for developing countries,” according to Lorenzo. The Fund, a financial mechanism developed to assist vulnerable nations in recovering from climate-related impacts, was established at the COP 27 UN Climate Change Conference in 2022.

It aired concerns, however, over the involvement of the Global North in managing the Loss and Damage Fund, particularly with the World Bank serving as the financial intermediary. “We want this Fund to be truly accessible to developing countries, without conditionalities that advance the policy agenda of wealthy nations. This is important for Southeast Asian countries, which are often used as dumping grounds for plastic waste by richer countries, including the United States.”

“As a remedy to the disproportionate and historic contribution of wealthy nations to the climate crisis, the Fund must not be used as a scapegoat. These polluting countries need to make a significant move to address the major drivers of the crisis, including taking the lead in phasing out fossil fuels,” the group said.

Blacklist International new lineup debuts at Greenwich Gaming Convention

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Blacklist International’s new player roster made their very first public appearance at the Greenwich Gaming Convention.

Held on July 31 at the Scout Building in Quezon City, the event gave fans an opportunity to meet and play Mobile Legends with the premier esports team, namely Jhonville Villar, Gold Laner; Kim Dela Cruz, Roamer; Mark Pagaduan, Jungler; Dexter Martinez, Mix Laner; Jhon Marl Sebastian, EXP Laner; and Kurt Reco, Coach. Together, they have around 15 years of combined experience as professional gamers, competing in both local and international tournaments under different banners before joining Blacklist International.

Said players were introduced last July 28 in an official announcement made on Blacklist International’s Facebook page. “We are very excited about this new chapter and thank Greenwich for the opportunity to present our new lineup in such a fun and memorable way,” said Tryke Gutierrez, Tier One Entertainment CEO and Blacklist International Co-founder.

#SarapToGame with Greenwich and Blacklist International

Interestingly, what was a first for Tier One’s fresh set of players was also a first for the country’s leading pizza chain.

The first-ever Greenwich Gaming Convention featured five contending teams, each comprised of one Blacklist International player and four showmatch players who were selected via electronic draw. There were three grueling heats in total, with only one team coming out on top to bring home Php 50,000 worth of prizes.

“This is our first tournament as the new Blacklist International roster,” shared Dela Cruz who led Team Pizzawrap to victory. “While we did not get to compete together in one team, we sure had a lot of fun playing and bonding with fellow Mobile Legends fans. No one can say the matches were easy. Everyone really brought their A-game!”

Those who attended the event as spectators were not left out of the fun. Lucky guests who won in the stage games and social media contest also received awesome prizes, which included thousands of pesos worth of Greenwich e-gift certificates and Mobile Legends Diamonds.

Of course, no Greenwich event is complete without their best-tasting pizzas. Event guests got their fill of the newest Pizzawrap flavors, Hawaiian and Cheesy Roast Beef, with an option to order more of their favorites via Greenwich’s delivery website. As a special treat, they were also given a promo code to avail of a Php 50 discount on their online orders – an offer extended to viewers of the event’s livestream coverage on Greenwich’s and Blacklist International’s official Facebook pages. 

Fostering meaningful connections through feel-good experiences, food 

The gaming convention is just one of the many highlights in Greenwich’s Sarap to Feel G calendar. Launched early this year, Sarap to Feel G is a campaign that aims to inspire and empower customers to embrace their unique selves, chart their own course, and make meaningful connections along the way; to celebrate even the littlest milestones or smallest wins with people they have connected with over delicious Greenwich food.

“We consider it a privilege to be purveyors of not just feel-good food but also of feel-good moments that foster meaningful connections,” said Ali De Torres, Greenwich’s Head of Marketing. “Specific to the Greenwich Gaming Convention, it’s about giving our customers with a love for Mobile Legends or e-games in general an opportunity to meet and connect with likeminded individuals like Blacklist International.”

“We are happy and excited to be working with a brand that empowers people to embrace who they are and what they love. It is both empowering and humbling to be given an opportunity to meet and connect with fans and fellow gamers, to share and celebrate what gaming is all about,” added Dela Cruz. 

Want to experience that #SarapToGame feeling, too? Head over to your nearest Greenwich branch now and order your favorites! You may also order via Greenwich’s delivery website (www.greenwichdelivery.com) or hotline (#5-55-55).