Safeguarding Journeys: MPT South launches Bayani ng Kalsada Book 2

Wazzup Pilipinas!?




Metro Pacific Tollways South (MPT South), a subsidiary of the Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC), launched “Bayani Ka: Bayani ng Kalsada Book 2” at the National Library of the Philippines, an activity book aimed at inspiring children to become road safety champions in their communities. Packed with engaging stories, vibrant illustrations, and interactive content, the book is designed to teach young readers the importance of road safety in a way that is both entertaining and empowering. With road safety being a vital topic for young learners, the book is an excellent resource for schools to incorporate into their curriculum, helping students become more aware and responsible on the streets.

Arlette V. Capistrano, Vice President for Communication and Stakeholder Management of MPT South led the symbolic turnover of “Bayani Ka” activity books to the National Library of the Philippines. She was joined by MPTC Chief Corporate Governance and Risk Officer and Head of Sustainability, Atty. Cynthia Casino; as well as Dr. Angelito Umali, Health and Nutrition Officer and representative of the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF). The books were received by Mr. Cesar Gilbert Q. Adriano, Director of the National Library of the Philippines (NLP), Mr. Eduardo B. Quiros, Assistant Director of the National Library of the Philippines, and representatives from different local libraries.

 
A total of 2,000 copies of Bayani Ka Book 2 will be donated by MPT South to different public libraries and partner institutions in Metro Manila and CALABARZON.

“MPT South conceptualized this campaign, “Bayani Ka: Bayani ng Kalsada Book 2,” to empower children with the knowledge and confidence they need to navigate the streets safely. By distributing this book to schools, we hope to instill lifelong habits of safety and responsibility in our youngest citizens,” said Arlette V. Capistrano, Vice President for Communication and Stakeholder Management of MPT South.

After receiving the “Bayani ng Kalsada” books from MPT South, Director Cesar Gilbert Q. Adriano stated that “This book will serve as a learning tool for teaching children about road safety, providing them with the essential knowledge to navigate the world safely. It empowers the young minds about the importance of knowing traffic rules and pedestrian safety, protecting them from any harm they may encounter on the road.”

MPT South, in its mission to lead in providing a safe and convenient mobility experience for all travellers, is dedicated to ensuring that expressway drivers are conscious of road safety, as well as the children of today as they go through the process of being their own “Bayani ng Kalsada” of tomorrow.

MPT South is a subsidiary of Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC), the infrastructure arm of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC). Aside from the CALAX and CAVITEX networks of toll roads, MPTC’s domestic portfolio includes concessions for the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), the NLEX Connector Road, the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), and the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) in Cebu. 

Pioneering Sustainability: UDC Taps UN-Awarded Scientist to Unveil First Net Zero Emission Roadmap for Dental Care

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Uy Dental Clinic (UDC) Group, under the visionary leadership of CEO and President Dr. Charlston Uy, is proud to announce a groundbreaking collaboration with world-renowned science diplomat and global leader Sci. Dpl. Glenn Banaguas. Together, they are set to make UDC the first dental group in Asia, and possibly the world, to create a comprehensive net zero emission roadmap for the dental industry.

Dr. Charlston Uy, a distinguished figure in dental healthcare, has always been at the forefront of innovation and excellence. Since founding UDC in 2010, Dr. Uy has expanded the clinic from a single establishment to 18 branches across Metro Manila, providing top-tier dental care to thousands of patients. His commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility has now led to this pioneering initiative.

Sci. Dpl. Glenn Banaguas, a UN Sasakawa Laureate and a leading expert in climate change, disaster risk reduction, and sustainability, brings his extensive experience and expertise to this collaboration. Known for his work with government agencies, local communities, and international partners, Banaguas will guide UDC in developing and implementing a net zero emission roadmap tailored specifically for the dental industry.

The key objectives of this roadmap include reducing the carbon footprint by implementing energy-efficient practices and renewable energy solutions across all UDC branches, adopting eco-friendly materials and reducing waste through innovative recycling and disposal methods, engaging the community by educating patients and the public about sustainable practices and the importance of reducing carbon emissions, and investing in cutting-edge technologies and practices that promote sustainability in dental care.

A comprehensive assessment will be conducted to estimate the current carbon footprint of all UDC branches. This assessment will provide a detailed understanding of the environmental impact of UDC’s operations and identify key areas for improvement. The findings will inform the development of targeted strategies to reduce emissions and enhance sustainability.

Dr. Charlston Uy expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, “At UDC, we believe that providing excellent dental care goes hand-in-hand with our responsibility to protect the environment. This collaboration with Sci. Dpl. Glenn Banaguas is a significant step towards a sustainable future for the dental industry. By integrating sustainable practices into our operations, we aim to not only reduce our carbon footprint but also inspire other dental and healthcare providers to follow suit. Our goal is to create a model that demonstrates how healthcare can be both high-quality and environmentally responsible.”

Sci. Dpl. Glenn Banaguas added, “I am honored to work with UDC on this pioneering initiative. Together, we can set a new standard for sustainability in healthcare, demonstrating that it is possible to achieve net zero emissions while maintaining the highest quality of care. This roadmap will serve as a blueprint for other industries, showing that environmental responsibility and business success can go hand in hand. Our collaboration is a testament to the power of innovative thinking and the importance of taking bold steps to address climate change. I look forward to seeing the positive impact this initiative will have on the dental industry and beyond.”

The roadmap will involve a multi-phase approach, starting with a comprehensive assessment of the current carbon footprint of all UDC branches. This will be followed by the implementation of energy-efficient technologies, such as solar panels and LED lighting, and the adoption of sustainable dental materials that are biodegradable and non-toxic. UDC will also introduce a robust waste management system to minimize waste and promote recycling.

In addition to these measures, UDC plans to engage with the local community through educational programs and workshops that highlight the importance of sustainability in healthcare. These initiatives will aim to raise awareness about the environmental impact of dental practices and encourage patients to adopt eco-friendly habits.

Furthermore, UDC will invest in research and development to explore innovative solutions that can further reduce the environmental impact of dental care. This includes the development of new dental materials that have a lower carbon footprint and the exploration of digital technologies that can streamline operations and reduce waste.

Dr. Charlston Uy emphasized the importance of collaboration in achieving these goals, stating, “We recognize that achieving net zero emissions is a complex challenge that requires the collective effort of our entire team, our patients, and our partners. By working together, we can create a sustainable future for the dental industry and set an example for other healthcare providers to follow.”

Sci. Dpl. Glenn Banaguas echoed this sentiment, adding, “The success of this initiative depends on the active participation and commitment of all stakeholders. We are excited to collaborate with UDC and leverage our expertise to develop a roadmap that not only addresses the environmental challenges facing the dental industry but also promotes a culture of sustainability and innovation.”

This initiative not only positions UDC as a leader in sustainable dental practices but also sets a precedent for the entire healthcare industry. By creating a net zero emission roadmap, UDC aims to inspire other dental and healthcare providers to follow suit, contributing to global efforts to combat climate change.


Photo caption: L-R: Dr. Charlston Uy and Sci. Dpl. Glenn Banaguas

Encouraging Filipino Students to Be Media and Information Literacy

  

This is the third installment of the four-part series of Media and Information Literacy Education in the Philippine Classrooms. In the Philippines' digital age, Media and Information Literacy (MIL) is key for students. MIL equips them to navigate the online world, critically assess information, and responsibly create media. However, MIL education faces challenges that need addressing.

Unequal Access: A Barrier to MIL

One major hurdle is unequal access to digital resources. Students in urban areas often have better technology and internet than those in rural and poorer regions. This gap stems from infrastructure limitations and socioeconomic factors. This leaves rural and poor students vulnerable to misinformation.

Resolving this issue requires a long-term approach and not just band-aid solutions. The government should ensure that households earn enough income to sustain their families. It is easy to recommend providing families with gadgets and what have you but the reality is that is not sustainable and the solution requires self-sufficiency for these families.

Will children have better equipment for their MIL education if families were to improve their income? It is not guaranteed but the chances this student might have that boost of support is higher.

Curriculum Gaps: Theory vs. Practice

The Philippine curriculum includes MIL, but there's a gap between theory and practice. Students learn the concepts but lack hands-on experience applying them in real situations.

So, what is the solution? To implement more project-based learning is needed to bridge this gap. Examples include writing blogspots, studying media consumption and media biases, and other internationally accepted standards of good quality MIL education.

This is a tough reform to push through because the educational system in the country prefers rote memorization. In this strategy, students are meant to regurgitate information that they absorb in their studies but not enough application to assess if they really learned something or not.

A major reform that the education department could do is train teachers to teach MIL subjects as a hybrid subjective-based type of learning and objective-type of learning. In this method, students can rote memorize the principles but they have to use inferences and draw conclusions from the materials they are about to use.

With this strategy, the gap between theory and practice could be bridged.

Diverse Perspectives: Beyond the Classroom

MIL education isn't just for schools. Parents, communities, government, and media professionals play a role.

Parents can reinforce MIL at home. These could allow children to use gadgets for reading credible news outlets or watching educational videos on YouTube. Basically, children drawn to screen time are frowned upon due to the fact that it may be deemed unproductive. Yet, the key is to ensure that their content is of good quality.

Policymakers and media can advocate for better MIL standards and create content promoting media literacy. In this modern world, government intervention and self-regulation of media companies are necessary to ensure that users become more critical and safe from misinformation that spreads on the platform. In a practical context, it is necessary to ensure that people discern facts from fake news because this shapes the policy options that guide political leaders.

MIL skills develop outside classrooms too. Community organizations and online platforms can host workshops and provide resources. Educational apps and websites offer interactive ways to hone critical media skills.

The Long-Term Impact of MIL

At present, the short-term value of MIL classes is to widen the worldview of students and enhance their critical thinking skills. However, there are more practical benefits in the long term that students could benefit from MIL:

• It shapes informed citizens who actively participate in society. This will prepare students to be better voters and safeguard their politicians. Why? They cannot be easily deceived by propaganda and they are empowered enough due to the knowledge that they have so they can put checks and balances on leaders who intend to abuse their powers.

• It prepares students for careers in a digital world. Technological advancements are already here. So, in order forstudents to exploit those opportunities, they must be proficient in navigating tools and information especially since they are free and accessible nowadays.

• Fosters responsible online behavior for overall well-being. Remember, you could be sued if you defame other people online. This is a sufficient warning to keep digital spaces clean.

Moving Forward with MIL in the Philippines

Progress has been made, but challenges persist. Collaboration between educators, parents, communities, and government is essential to bridge gaps and ensure equal access. By expanding MIL beyond classrooms and recognizing its long-term impact, we empower Filipino students to be critical thinkers and responsible digital citizens.