Go Tick Your Travel Goals with the #GetGoingToWhere Challenge Powered by TikTok and Cebu Pacific GetGo

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TikTok, the world’s leading short video platform, has partnered with the rewards platform of Cebu Pacific, GetGo, to help Pinoy travelers #FlyForFree and achieve their travel bucket lists with their barkada through the #GetGoingToWhere interactive in-app challenge. 

The #GetGoingToWhere in-app challenge, which runs from September 16 - October 16, 2019, offers lucky TikTok users with the most creative travel videos a chance to win a free flight with their barkada to surf the waves of Siargao, or enjoy the rehabilitated pristine waters and white sands of Boracay, or earn GetGo points! 

The challenge also aims to promote local destinations and share the natural wonders of the Philippines to the global community that’s already featured on TikTok. 

Just download TikTok (available for iOS and Android), upload travel-centric creative videos, and share using the hashtag #GetGoingToWhere. Get creative with your travel videos with the help of TikTok’s easy-to-use tools, including stickers and filters to get you excited for your next trip!

Winners will be selected based on originality, creativity and relevance to the theme and stand to get the following prizes:

* 2nd week major prize - 1 winner of trip for 4 to Siargao inclusive of in-flight meal and luggage allowance  

* 2nd week consolation prize - 10 winners of 1,500 GetGo points  

* 4th week major prize - 1 winner of trip for 4 to Boracay inclusive of in-flight meal and luggage allowance  

* 4th week consolation prize - 10 winners of 1,500 GetGo points 

So, what are you waiting for? 

Get going with creating your wanderlust-worthy travel video with the #GetGoingToWhere TikTok challenge. Check out the mechanics here.

About TikTok

TikTok is the leading destination for short-form mobile video. Our mission is to inspire and enrich people’s lives by offering a home for creative expression and an experience that is genuine, joyful, and positive. TikTok has global offices including Los Angeles, New York, London, Paris, Berlin, Dubai, Mumbai, Singapore, Jakarta, Seoul, and Tokyo. www.tiktok.com.

Gen. Eleazar: Improved Police Security in NCR brings in more Tourists, Balikbayans

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NCRPO Chief P/Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar acknowledged the vital role that ‘peace and order’ plays in the success of the Philippines’ tourism industry.

NCRPO Chief P/Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar

During a press briefing on the coming Investour Forum sponsored by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) in Taguig City, Gen. Eleazar yesterday shared that tourism has been a major contributor to the gross income of the country and should thus be supported by the police force and has vowed to enhance the NCRPO’s drive against criminality and violence in the National Capital Region (NCR).

“As in all business investment endeavors, peace and order is a pre-requisite to the success of our tourism industry,” Eleazar stressed. “The support towards the tourism industry sectors provided by the police is therefore critical and essential,” he added.

The NCRPO chief noted that one of the most dreaded pronouncements that a country can get is a travel ban which is generated by two factors: the peace and order situation of the area and health concerns in epidemic proportions.

“From our end here in Metro Manila, we have classified special places and festivals as special tourism points, so that we may provide these places and events the necessary emphasis in terms of police service and support,” Eleazar declared.

According to the NCRPO chief, the classified places include places of historical significance such as the Rizal Park and Paco Park. Other areas included in the classification are five-star hotels and casinos, big shopping malls, business circuits and churches with historical significance.

“With a basic strategy of increasing police presence in these areas, we have had a successful and healthy circulation of foreign and domestic tourists, including balikbayans,” Eleazar revealed. “From January to August of this year, the Department of Tourism and our police districts have tallied 38,183,193 tourists here in Metro Manila alone,” he added.

The NCRPO chief attributed the perky tourism industry in Metro Manila to a robust peace and order situation. “Compared to the last three years of the previous administration, the Duterte administration has recorded a 58% decline in the volume of major crimes, such as murder, homicide, rape, theft, robbery, kidnapping, carnapping, motornapping, and serious physical injuries.”

He then proceeded to attribute the improved peace-and-order situation to eight factors:

- The government’s successful war on drugs 

- The increase in the police force that has boosted police presence

- The role of media in sending a clear message that the police force is doing its job 

- The serious internal cleansing instituted in the NCRPO 

- New communications technology and the advent of social media 

- The increase in the salaries of the police

- The president’s order to implement local ordinances against certain night-time activities

- The NCRPO’s Intensified Cleanliness Policy or ICP.

Gen. Eleazar ended his talk by emphasizing that the NCRPO cannot sit on their laurels. “The quest for the ideal peace and order situation is a never-ending grind for any nation, especially in a developing country like ours,” he stressed.

The press briefing, which was held at the Manila House in Bonifacio Global City, was about the coming “Investour Forum on TIEZA’s Flagship Tourism Enterprise Zones.”

The forum will be held at the Centennial Ballroom of the Manila Hotel, Manila on October 15. The Forum will focus on the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the fiscal and non-fiscal incentives as approved by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and clarify the difference between the 12 Tourism Enterprise Zones (TEZs), five Flagship Tourism Enterprise Zones (FTEZs), and thousands of Registered Tourism Enterprises (RTEs).

Last call: Samsung’s Blue Month Offer ends on September 30 - Get amazing bundle products for your Samsung purchase!

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Blue Month Offer is in full swing as Samsung’s way of giving thanks to Filipinos for more than 20 years of love and support of the brand. To celebrate their anniversary, Samsung is offering free premium product bundles this season upon purchase of Samsung’s participating products.

“The past two decades would not have been possible without our Filipino customers whose growing demand for product quality continues to push us to create better products. We want to give back the gift of innovation to them by making our products more accessible,” said James Jung, president of Samsung Philippines.

Those looking to buy a new phone can also kickstart their wellness journey this month. With every purchase of the Galaxy A70, A80, S10, or S10e, it comes with a free Galaxy Fit or Galaxy Fit e—Samsung’s newest wearable devices that can track up to 90 workouts.

Meanwhile, families who are looking to upgrade their homes can buy the latest digital appliances including washing machines and refrigerators as these come with a product bundle of Galaxy Fit or Fit e or a Galaxy A20.

They can also upgrade their entertainment systems with the latest Samsung TV. Each purchase of a QLED, Premium UHD, or UHD television comes with a special gift such as the latest Galaxy tablet, a soundbar, a refrigerator, headphones, or its newest flagship device—the Galaxy Note 10.

Gamers also get to level up their gaming experience with a new Samsung monitor for a more immersive game time which will come with Sodexo gift certificates.

These Samsung purchases can also be availed of through 0% Citi Paylite up to 24 months in participating stores nationwide.

Hurry and get the best deals until September 30 only! Visit SamsungPH on Facebook and https://www.samsung.com/ph/offer/blue-month-offer/to know more about the Blue Month Sale.

SC Shuts Down Razon Takeover Bid of Iloilo Power Firm

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The Supreme Court (SC) shut down the efforts of MORE Electric and Power Corp. (MORE), owned by businessman Ricky Razon, to expropriate the power distribution assets of Panay Electric Company (PECO) in Iloilo.

In a RESOLUTION (GR NO 248061) DATED 14 AUGUST 2019, the SC denied MORE’s prayer for an issuance of a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) and/or writ of preliminary injunction against a previous Mandaluyong Regional Trial Court resolution that declared that the Razon-owned MORE’s expropriation and takeover of rival PECO’s electric distribution assets unconstitutional.

Republic Act 11212 granted MORE the franchise to distribute power in Iloilo City. Under Sections 10 and 17 of RA 11212, MORE is authorized to exercise the power of eminent domain over all the distribution assets and properties of PECO in the franchise area.

The Mandaluyong RTC, however, declared Sections 10 and 17 of RA 11212 void and unconstitutional for infringing on PECO’s rights to due process and equal protection of the law. The RTC also declared, “Consequently, PECO has no obligation to sell and MORE has no right to expropriate PECO’s assets under Sections 10 and 17 of RA 11212; and, PECO’s rights to its properties are protected against arbitrary and confiscatory taking under the relevant portions of Sections 10 and 17 of RA 11212.” See Mandaluyong Judgment.

When MORE appealed the Mandaluyong judgment to the Supreme Court, it asked for a TRO to enable it to proceed with the expropriation. Razon’s power firm is running against a two-year deadline under its franchise to begin operating, otherwise its franchise will be deemed automatically revoked.

With the SC’s denial of the TRO, MORE is prevented from proceeding with the expropriation while it is deciding whether to affirm the declaration of unconstitutionality by the Mandaluyong court.

Meanwhile, the Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) issued by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) last May 21 allows PECO to continue to operate the distribution system until the establishment or acquisition by the grantee MORE of its own distribution system and its complete transition toward full operations, which will not exceed two years from the grant of the legislative franchise.

PECO Administrative Manager Marcelo Cacho

“Any expropriation efforts by Razon’s MORE has been disallowed by the Supreme Court and if they’re truly serious to serve the people of Iloilo, they will do what it takes to invest and do what Pres. Duterte has called on all businesses: BUILD, BUILD, BUILD, and not TAKE, TAKE, TAKE. And quoting the president himself: Wag mag-agaw ng negosyo,” PECO Administrative Manager Marcelo Cacho said in a press briefing.

In a separate RESOLUTION (GR NO 248061) DATED 02 SEPTEMBER 2019, the Supreme Court declared MORE’s conduct of “vigorously pursuing the expropriation case while appealing at the same time the judgment of the Mandaluyong RTC” as constituting “an insidious form of forum-shopping, both direct and indirect contempt.” The SC then resolved to require MORE and Judge Yvette Go of the Iloilo City RTC to file comment regarding this.

“Panay Electric Company has been serving Iloilo for the last 95 years. We would like to believe that in that span of time, we have been a major part of Iloilo’s journey towards development and economic prosperity,” Cacho noted.

“We will ensure that as we do the right thing—and we enjoin Ricky Razon’s MORE to also do the right thing—we will strengthen our resolve to continue serving and finding the best energy solutions for the people of Iloilo while abiding by whatever decision the Supreme Court hands down,” Cacho stressed.

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.