Pilipinas Shell’s “BiyaHero” brings together private and public for safer roads

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Pilipinas Shell’s “BiyaHero” campaign has partnered with the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP), the Automotive Association of the Philippines (AAP), and the Philippine Global Road Safety Partnership (PGRSP) to advocate for more cooperation between the private and public sectors in making the nation’s roads safer for Filipinos.

BiyaHero, a campaign that promotes road safety as a shared responsibility between everyone on the road, participated in the ECCP’s Safer Mobility and Logistics Conference and Exhibition, held from September 24 to 25 in the Tent at Solaire, to highlight Shell’s initiatives in engaging both NGOs and local governments for road safety improvements. 

Short for “Be a Hero on the Road,” Biyahero is currently working with the AAP-PGRSP to introduce safer driving practices in Lipa, Batangas. Shell and the AAP-PGRSP have been partnered since 2008. 

Mandaluyong also serves as the campaign’s pilot city for all of Shell’s road safety efforts. The company plans to involve other cities in the multisectoral efforts to realize better nationwide road safety. 

“We at Shell believe the first step to achieving road safety is to be aware of responsible driving practices,” said Oliver Ortega, Shell Companies in the Philippines’ General Manager for Health, Safety, Security and Environment. “Road safety starts with all of us, and being aware, alert, and prepared can help save lives.”

The ECCP hopes that the conference sparks discussion among safety and logistics stakeholders about how they could contribute to mainstreaming safety by exchanging ideas, initiatives, technology, and best practices. 

Despite comprehensive laws like R.A. 4136, or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code, road accidents continue to be a significant problem. The Metro Manila Accident Reporting and Analysis (MMARAS) 2018 annual report recorded 116,906 total accidents, an increase of approximately 6000 incidents compared to the prior year.

"Some, if not most, of our kababayans have this mentality that 'if I can get away with it, I'll do it.' They violate traffic laws because they don’t see enforcers around," said Cynthia Reyes from AAP-PGRSP. BiyaHero is taking a more holistic approach to solving the problem by promoting a new kind of safety culture in the Philippines. Through this event, BiyaHero will bring all relevant communities together to envision safer roads throughout the country.

As part of the BiyaHero campaign, Shell has prepared several measures that involve numerous different organizations to help promote road safety.

Shell service centers at the retail gas stations have year-long special offers, such as a free 14-point safety check by expert mechanics to motorists who want to make sure that their vehicles are roadworthy. Free engine insurance and roadside assistance are also available for those who opt for the Shell Helix Ultra oil change package.

The initiatives in Lipa and Mandaluyong both include a Road Safety for Children program that hopes to instill the youth with the knowledge of how to be responsible on the road.

Partnerships between Shell and PNP, PNP-HPG, and LTO to disseminate informative materials such as copies of RA 4136 also help ensure the safety and security of drivers during their journeys.

In addition to training its own truck drivers on how to be safe and responsible on the road, Shell has also partnered with A1 Driving School to teach customers defensive driving.

BiyaHero features various safe driving tips that every driver can use daily to stay responsible, such as the different ways to properly maintain a vehicle as well as what a driver can do to minimize discomfort when in transit.

“Shell believes that through ‘BiyaHero,’ everyone can come together to share the responsibility of making every road in the Philippines safer,” said Ortega.

GCash powers biggest mobile app summit in PH

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GCash, the leading mobile wallet in the Philippines, sponsors the biggest and most anticipated mobile app summit and expo in the country—the SIGN UP! SUMMIT 2019 on September 23 at the World Trade Center, Pasay City.

SIGN UP! SUMMIT 2019 aims to support aspiring online businessowners in establishing their own companies and enterprises. It targets to educate around 12,000 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) about the essential elements in growing and expanding an e-business.

“By far, SIGN UP! is the biggest gathering of mobile platforms and mobile applications in the Philippines. We want to empower more Filipinos to go digital and help them improve their livelihood,” said Ney Villaseñor, chief corporate affairs officer of GCash.

As the biggest digital alliance in the country today, SIGN UP! attendees can expect to familiarize themselves with various mobile applications, platforms and solutions, as well as be inspired by success stories of other e-preneneurs who are going to be featured at the event.

“GCash is known by many for buying mobile load, paying bills, remitting money and the like, but GCash is more than just these financial services that it offers,” explained Villaseñor. “You can actually do more with your business by expanding it through the app. There’s so much opportunity for GCash when it comes to growing your online shop. Because with GCash, what can’t you do?”

The SIGN UP! SUMMIT is open to anyone, from students to stay-at-home parents. In addition, GCash has prepared a lot of surprises that the attendees can look forward to.

Interested participants can sign up for free and be part of the biggest mobile app summit and expo in the Philippines at www.signup.ph

POPCOM launches the biography of Mr. Rafael M. Salas, the first Executive Director of UNFPA from 1969

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The Commission on Population and Development (POPCOM), in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), launches the biography of Mr. Rafael M. Salas. “Mr. Population” – as he was affectionately known - was one of the first Filipino advocates who made the crucial links between population and development and sexual and reproductive health and rights, globally and in the Philippines.

“Parents have a basic human right to determine freely and responsibly the number and the spacing of their children,” he said in 1968 - a truly novel statement for the time. Entitled “A Millennial Man for Others: The Life and Times of Rafael M. Salas”, the book chronicles his life from his childhood days, and his achievements until his untimely death in 1987. 

Had Mr. Salas been alive today, it would have warmed his heart to see that the fruits of his efforts have finally become more evident with the passage of the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act and the commitment of the present administration to reproductive health and family planning as evidenced by the revamped National Program on Population and Family Planning and the President’s Executive Order to end unmet need for family planning.

NEDA Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Dr. Ernesto M. Pernia welcomes guests to the Rafael M. Salas Book Launch.

Undersecretary and Executive Director of the Commission on Population and Development (POPCOM) said that “POPCOM has been constantly bringing into the consciousness of the Local Government Units (LGUs) and the Filipino people alike the seeds of development work that Mr. Salas planted when he drafted the Executive Order (EO) that would create POPCOM in 1969. In step with the new millennium, POPCOM will soon launch the “Kaunlarang Pantao” Award, using Paeng Salas’ inspiration of development for the people. “

Mr. Salas was also the first Executive Director of UNFPA. He oversaw the birth of the organization in 1969, nurtured it with care, and imbued it with his foresight and vision. Under his leadership, the agency grew from a relatively small body to the world’s largest provider of multilateral development assistance on population dynamics through the prism of sexual and reproductive health and rights and gender equality. As UNFPA Executive Director, Mr. Salas carried the rank of Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations, the highest UN officeaccorded to a Filipino even up to today.

“It is an honor for us to carry on Rafael Salas’ legacy at UNFPA in this historic 50th anniversary year of UNFPA and the 25th anniversary year of the landmark International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), where Mr. Salas’ vision became a global consensus when 179 governments including the Philippines agreed on a call for all people to have access to comprehensive reproductive health care, including voluntary family planning, and safe pregnancy and childbirth services,” said UNFPA Representative in the Philippines, Iori Kato. 

UNFPA Country Representative Iori Kato, Ambassador Carmelita Salas and POPCOM Undersecretary and Executive Director Dr. Juan Antonio A. Perez III after the launch of the biography of Mr. Rafael M. Salas.

Mr. Salas’ legacy continues to this day. Later this year in November, the Governments of Kenya, Denmark and UNFPA are convening a global summit in Nairobi to mark the 25th anniversary of the ICPD, for Member States to express their renewed political and financial commitments towards the promises that they had made in Cairo 25 years ago to support women empowerment through three transformative results: ending unmet need for family planning, ending preventable maternal deaths and ending gender-based violence. 

The book launch marks the 91st birth year anniversary of Mr. Salas and is a venue to continue his legacy as national influential figures in Philippine government, business and civil society gather and take the opportunity to articulate the country’s commitment to Nairobi.

The event will also feature a photo exhibit at the Department of Foreign Affairs, with Dr. Ernesto M. Pernia, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary, of the NEDA, giving the opening statement, followed by a panel discussion on the life of Mr. Salas with Dr. Mercedes Concepcion, and the authors of the book: Mr. Jose Dalisay and Ms. Menchu Sarmiento. Sec. Ernesto Pernia will turn over the book to Mrs. Carmelita Rodriguez Salas who will give a statement. 

Century Park Hotel is the Official Residence of Miss Earth 2019 Delegates - Century Park Hotel welcomes Miss Earth Philippines 2019 Women of the Earth during the MOA Signing

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Manila, Philippines– Century Park Hotel (CPH), one of the country’s renowned hotels in Manila, recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement to house the Miss Earth 2019 delegates. This is the fourth year that the hotel is playing host to the pageant known for promoting environmental advocacy.

(Standing from L-R): Karen Piccio (Miss Philippines Earth Eco-Tourism 2019), Janelle Dazo Tee (Miss Earth Philippines 2019), Phuong Khanh Nguyen (Miss Earth 2018), Melanie Mader (Miss Earth-Air 2018), & Alexandra Dayrit (Miss Philippines Fire 2019)

(Seated from L-R): Nellwyn Chua (Director of Sales, CPH), Anthony Tan (General Manager, CPH), Lucio “Bong” Tan, Jr. (Director, CPH), Lorraine Schuck (Executive Vice President, Carousel Productions, Inc.), & Peachy Veneracion (VP & Project Director, Carousel Productions, Inc.) pose during the MOA signing.

Carousel Productions, Inc. is the official pageant organizer from the Philippines who founded Miss Earth in 2001. The organization’s mission is to channel the international beauties as an effective tool in promoting environmental preservation and tourist locations around the world.

“We are honored to partner with Miss Earth once again as they embark on a global advocacy towards a greener world through the pageant. It is our endeavor to provide them a home away from their own homes by ensuring a safe, secure and comfortable setting, empowering them to pursue their utmost ecological undertakings,” enthused CPH General Manager, Anthony Tan.

(Standing from L-R ): Alexandra Dayrit (Miss Philippines Fire 2019), Melanie Mader (Miss Earth-Air 2018), Phuong Khanh Nguyen (Miss Earth 2018), Janelle Dazo Tee (Miss Earth Philippines 2019), & Karen Piccio (Miss Philippines Earth Eco-Tourism 2019)

CPH will also be the official venue of the National Costume Competition on October 14, 2019.

Launched in 1976, the Century Park Hotel remains as one of the finest hotels in Manila. It is owned and operated by Maranaw Hotels and Resort Corporation and enjoys a mix of local and international patrons. The renowned establishment has over 500 rooms in varied types and facilities for a complete dining and leisure experience. To know more about Century Park Hotel, visit www.centurypark.com or contact information@centurypark.com.ph and telephone number: (632) 528-8888.

BDO wins Award of Excellence in 17th Philippine Quill Awards

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BDO Unibank was bestowed the Award of Excellence for a TV documentary that tackled its “We Find Ways” philosophy and how it transformed the lives of Filipinos and contributed to nation-building, among others, at the recently held 17th Philippine Quill Awards of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Philippines.

The bank was likewise among the top five finalists for the Communication Skills division, joining ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp., Jollibee Foods Corp., Ripple 8, and Manila Electric Co.

The bank received the prestigious accolades for its institutional video titled "Finding Ways, Forging Futures: Promoting National Development Through Financial Inclusion" produced in partnership with CNN Philippines.

The video features anecdotes from BDO's senior officers and some of the bank's top corporate clients on how BDO is finding ways to expand its network and make its services more accessible, especially to the unserved and underserved markets.

Roughly a third of the country's cities and municipalities still do not have a banking presence, and about 70% of Filipinos still do not have bank accounts.

"We need to get where the money is, and channel it to where it's needed. And BDO plays its role in the economy by having a wide market coverage to reach out where the funding is coming from and to be able to make the right assessments to that it is channeled to the right projects and the right priorities,"BDO president and chief executive officer Nestor V. Tan said in the video.

The Philippine Quill is the country’s most prestigious awards program in the field of business communication, bestowing the seal of approval to the most reputable organizations and corporations in the nation for almost two decades, emphasizing the use of excellent communication to achieve business goals, and to make a difference in society.

Award in Excellence. The BDO Corporate Communications team, led by its chief, Senior Assistant Vice President Honey M. Reyes(second from left) and composed of (left to right) Ana Marie M. Tanglao, Carlo Leo C. Manuel, and Lionel Albert D. Lopez-Dee,receives the Award in Excellence trophy on behalf of BDO Unibank during the 17th Philippine Quill Awards held last August 30 at Manila Marriott Hotel.

About BDO Unibank, Inc.

BDO is a full-service universal bank which provides a wide range of corporate and retail banking services. These services include traditional loan and deposit products, as well as treasury, trust banking, investment banking, private banking, rural banking, cash management, leasing and finance, remittance, insurance, retail cash cards, credit card services, and stock brokerage services.

BDO has one of the largest distribution networks, with more than 1,300 operating branches and over 4,000 ATMs nationwide. It also has a full-service branches in Hong Kong and Singapore as well as 23 overseas remittance and representative offices in Asia, Europe, North America, and the Middle East.

BDO ranked as the largest bank in terms of total assets, loans, deposits, and trust funds under management based on published statements of condition as of March 31, 2019. For more information, please visit www.bdo.com.ph.