Davao's Honesty Jeepney: Creativity sparked by COVID-19

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Many of us may have heard of the honesty system, which is practiced in many establishments like coffee houses and souvenir shops in many countries, including the Philippines. 

In this system, everything is done through self-service. Customers can list down the items they are buying, leave the corresponding payment, and take their goods. They even collect their change by just getting it from the pool of money.

A different kind of honesty system, which became particularly useful in these adverse times, was the honesty jeepney that plied the streets of Davao City before an enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) was implemented. 

Instead of the usual way of having jeepney passengers pass on their payment from one to another until it reaches the driver, passengers of that jeep put their payment in containers that have been strategically placed and spaced out in the seats--in keeping with social distancing protocols. 

A video that went viral on the internet since March 24 showed containers made of repurposed Shell Rimula engine oil plastic canisters were used not just to serve as dividers between passengers but to hold passengers fares. 

In the video, a passenger was also heard jokingly saying, Bawal kumupit [Stealing is not allowed.]. 

https://www.facebook.com/abscbnNEWS/videos/241739523538118/?v=241739523538118

During pre-ECQ times when social distancing was especially important and contact must be minimized especially in usually crowded public transport, the honesty system in that jeep had been useful in ensuring that people were safe from coronavirus infection, even in public transportation. 

Because of strict social distancing rules, only six to 10 passengers were allowed at a time in jeepneys in Davao City. Jeepneys were still able to do their usual business in Davao City before an ECQ prevented them from operating last April 4.

Creativity amid adversity 

Jefferson Camasin, the netizen who was able to capture the footage of the honesty jeepney, said that the driver was willing to risk losing profit just so his passengers could be safe and have less chances of catching the virus. 

Camasin said that he and his fellow passengers praised the driver and supported the jeepneys honesty system by paying the correct fare. Some of them even gave tips, knowing how difficult it was to earn a living that time when jeepney drivers can only ferry a few passengers at a time.

HBO, HBO Family, Cartoon Network and Boomerang to air Sesame Street: Elmo's playdate special

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A half-hour special Sesame Street: Elmo’s Playdate is set to entertain kids and families on HBO, HBO Family, Cartoon Network and Boomerang – as well as the regional streaming service HBO GO. Part of Sesame Workshop’s Caring for Each Other initiative, the special is aimed at helping kids and families around the world feel connected in this time of uncertainty and features everyone’s favourite “Sesame Street” friends. 

Celebrity guests include Lin-Manuel Miranda, Anne Hathaway and Tracee Ellis Ross.

Sesame Street: Elmo’s Playdate will premiere at the same time across HBO GO (where it will be available until mid-June), HBO, HBO Family and HBO On Demand* on Friday, 24 April at 8.30am. It will also air on Sunday, 26 April at 6.45am on Cartoon Network and 8.30am on Boomerang.

The half-hour special follows Elmo, Grover, Cookie Monster, Abby Cadabby, and a few famous friends as they find new ways to play and learn together. Celebrating everything from the EMTs, doctors, and other everyday heroes who are helping families through the health crisis to the simple pleasures of baking cookies at home, the playdate takes the form of a cosy video conference that will feel very familiar to today’s viewers. 

Celebrities and Sesame Street friends will sing songs, play games, and take silly dance breaks. Tracee Ellis Ross plays a game of “Elmo Says,” Lin-Manuel Miranda pops in for a few rounds of “Old McDonald Had a Farm,” Anne Hathaway and Elmo get moving with “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes,” and more. Kids will love getting a visit from their Sesame Street friends, and caregivers will appreciate how the special models playful learning opportunities they can use at home.

Sesame Workshop is committed to supporting families through this unprecedented time of uncertainty with the new Caring for Each Other initiative. As the situation evolves, SesameStreet.org/caring will be updated to meet the changing needs of caregivers and young children.

Caring for Each Other resources are designed to help parents provide comfort and manage anxiety, create routines, foster playful learning at home, and keep kids physically and mentally healthy. Additionally, over 110 Sesame Street ebooks are available for free on all major ebook platforms.

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About Sesame Workshop

Sesame Workshop is the nonprofit educational organization behind Sesame Street, the pioneering television show that has been reaching and teaching children since 1969. Today, Sesame Workshop is an innovative force for change, with a mission to help kids everywhere grow smarter, stronger, and kinder. We’re present in more than 150 countries, serving vulnerable children through a wide range of media, formal education, and philanthropically-funded social impact programs, each grounded in rigorous research and tailored to the needs and cultures of the communities we serve. For more information, please visit www.sesameworkshop.org.

About WarnerMedia

WarnerMedia is a leading media and entertainment company that creates and distributes premium and popular content from a diverse array of talented storytellers and journalists to global audiences through its consumer brands including: HBO, HBO Now, HBO Max, Warner Bros., TNT, TBS, truTV, CNN, DC, New Line, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Turner Classic Movies and others. WarnerMedia is part of AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T).

Child rights organizations call for the prevention of physical and humiliating punishment against children during the COVID-19 pandemic

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Physical and psychological violence, particularly at home, are among the most pervasive types of abuse experienced by Filipino children. Both can be worsened by the COVID-19 enhanced community quarantine.

In fact, 3 in 5 children have experienced some form of physical violence, the 2016 National Baseline Study on Violence Against Children revealed. Sixty percent of these cases happened in their own homes, with 1 in 2 children experiencing corporal punishment. 

“This disturbing figure can exponentially increase, especially now that parents and caregivers are experiencing added stress,” said Rowena Cordero, Joining Forces Alliance Convenor and Save the Children Philippines Chief of Programs. 

“Children should be protected from experiencing violence at home. And parents need to be supported in coping with stress and in ensuring that parenting practices respect and uphold children’s rights.”

While the quarantine measures imposed by the government help in controlling the spread of COVID-19, it may also unintentionally expose children to increased protection risks. 

The economic, health, and security problems resulting from the pandemic may take its toll on the mental health of parents and caregivers. Hence, they may be unable to effectively manage their stress and frustration. As a result, these adults may resort to using physical, humiliating, and degrading punishment on their children.

To prevent this from happening, we urge the government to:

● Ensure timely delivery of social protection and amelioration programs. 

● Establish accountability and feedback mechanisms for families and children.

● Provide mental health and psychosocial support for parents and caregivers, through online platforms or hotlines, in coordination with private groups.

● Set up hotlines and online platforms where children and the public can send complaints about child abuse cases.

● Regularly assess child protection risks throughout the COVID-19 response, including disaggregated data of children based on age, sex, and disability.

● Closely monitor children at increased risk of violence, exploitation, abuse, and neglect.

In particular, we call on the Department of Social Welfare and Development to:

● Activate child protection programs and response and referral mechanisms. 

● Ensure that protection and social welfare services are adequately funded and are central throughout all the stages of the COVID-19 response.

We also urge all local governments to:

● Set up child-friendly hotlines for reporting and psychosocial counseling.

● Ensure compliance with the DILG Advisory (2 April 2020) on the activation of the Barangay Violence Against Women (VAW) Desk and the Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC) during the Enhanced Community Quarantine.

● Disseminate information by dovetailing informative leaflets in relief distribution i.e., stress management, how to report child abuse, among others.

“The rights of children to be protected from all forms of physical, humiliating, and degrading punishment in all settings should be everyone’s concern, especially of the government,” said Cordero. “As much as we don’t want children to be exposed to COVID-19, we also don’t want them to be vulnerable to any form of violence.”

About the Joining Forces Alliance

The Joining Forces Alliance on the Elimination of Violence Against Children is a global alliance of child-focused international non-governmental organizations. We are advocating for a renewed commitment of governments to achieve the rights of children. We are composed of ChildFund Alliance, Educo, Plan International, Save the Children, SOS Children’s Villages, Terre des Hommes International Federation, and World Vision.

LBC Foundation empowers women to turn passion to Bayanihan cause

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In the middle of these desperate times the nation is united more than ever to put an end to COVID-19 with local communities, health workers, private sectors, and civilians working hand-in-hand with the government to adhere to the nationwide enhanced community quarantine. With majority of Filipinos lives disrupted and robust measures around the world attempt to contain the spread of the virus, the outbreak is hitting the marginal sector very hard. 

And yet, it is also in the middle of these desperate times that the very best in us emerges. 

The Filipino spirit of bayanihan stays strong — even the affected sectors have shown commitment to help the country through small acts of kindness. Women of the Taguig Livelihood Shoppe share their touching stories of heroism to help flatten the curve and mitigate the spread of COVID-19 with locally made reusable and washable face masks.

Vida Sario, 63, wife of a construction worker has chosen to stay in Livelihood Shoppe community center to sew reusable face masks for distribution and donation to densely populated areas in the Philippines.

“We were given an opportunity by LBC Foundation to do something significant and continue our daily livelihood with her face masks orders. We sew reusable face masks all day to produce 500 pieces of face masks daily. We can’t go home to our respective homes because it is our job to provide for our families and to help out the Filipino people so they will be safe in adhering to the enhanced community quarantine to fight COVID-19. Every day we think of the welfare of our families and our countrymen by making face masks,” Vida said.

Vida, is among the many Filipino women who heeded the call of duty to produce masks, personal protective equipment (PPEs), and other essential needs. With the help of the business community and its foundation, LBC continues to mobilize its networks and economic resources to provide assistance across the board and give livelihood opportunities to women like Vida.

Vida, is also the face of many women who have taken the family leadership in her hands during the enhanced community quarantine. 

With majority of Filipino households losing their main source of income in these trying times especially with their husbands being forced to stay at home, the women try their best to contribute to the household on top of their daily responsibilities. For the women in Taguig Livelihood Shoppe, LBC Foundation has empowered them to continue on with their daily lives.

Jocelyn Rodriguez, 47, mother of three, and a wife of a construction worker expressed her gratitude for the help of private institutions and in return has also committed service for the Filipino public through sewing face masks intended for communities and front liners.

“I am very much thankful to LBC Foundation because they gave us an opportunity to continue with our livelihood in these hard times. I first started working in Livelihood Shoppe in 2004 where we make novelty items. But since the ECQ has been imposed by the government, it has stopped. My husband who is also a construction worker has been forced to stay at home with no pay. So, I am still grateful despite not being able to come home because I can earn to provide for my family’s daily needs. I am also sewing face masks not only for my family but it’s also my service and form of help to our countrymen. It’s very lonely to be away from one’s family during this time but I do this --- sew face masks every day to ensure public health safety,” Jocelyn said.

The women of Taguig Livelihood Shoppe join medical front-liners, hospital staff, government workers, the police, the military, essential services workers like groceries, banks, pharmacies, garbage collection, utilities, media, civil society, ordinary citizens, and the business community working together round the clock to ensure that the Filipino nation continues to move with grit and dignity in the joint fight against COVID-19.

To date, LBC Foundation is relentlessly working with various nonprofit organizations such as the Taguig Livelihood Shoppe and Upskills Foundation Inc. to source, locally produce, and distribute Php 50 million worth of face mask to vulnerable communities as part of their commitment to help move the nation in these trying times.

“LBC is starting this mask program with hopes of being one with all Filipinos–to flatten the curve. This initiative is also set to assist in educating the public more, on the vital function of masks to protect not just themselves, but also others around them. We believe that masks can and will save lives,” LBC Foundation Executive Director Nena Wuthrich said. 

LBC tapped Rica Tinga to spearhead the donation in Taguig. The donated masks were prioritized to be given to seniors, pregnant women, and wet market vendors since they are the most vulnerable and susceptible to the virus. Most of the 28 barangays of Taguig were beneficiaries of the free masks, including Barangay Napindan, our important Muslim Community, Brgy. Maharlika and Brgy Fort Bonifacio.

In Pasig, they also gave out masks to the front-liners of Comet Electric Vehicles that serves as shuttles for the nurses and doctors in Pasig City General Hospital and Philippine General Hospital. 

A simple act of kindness will go a long way, a simple mask will save lives and all we have to do is just try to take care of each other--a neighbor giving out masks to his neighbors. Filipinos helping others in the most challenging time. Everyone is encouraged to fight this virus as one. This is the true meaning of bayanihan.

These are noteworthy initiatives done by the private sector in partnership with communities to weather the storm and rise above the occasion the way we Filipinos know best.

#MoveTheNation #MovingStories #MovingToFlattenTheCurve

ABOUT LBC

LBC Express, Inc. is the Philippines’ market leader in retail and corporate courier & cargo, money remittance, and logistics services. For more than 60 years, the company continues to fulfill their commitment to nation development with its sustainable livelihood programs, charitable works, educational development initiatives, and public health safety through its CSR arm, the LBC Foundation. More than ever now, LBC aims to be committed to move lives, businesses and communities around the world. To know more about LBC’s dedication to the Filipino society and to view service updates visit: www.LBCexpress.com and follow LBC Express & LBC Foundation on Facebook.

AirAsia announces resumption of domestic flights

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AirAsia is set to resume its scheduled domestic flights commencing with Malaysia on 29 April 2020, followed by Thailand (1 May 2020), the Philippines (1 May 2020), India (4 May 2020) and Indonesia (7 May 2020), subject to approval from the authorities.

The resumption of services will initially be for key selected domestic routes, which will increase gradually to include international destinations around the network, once the situation improves and governments lift borders and travel restrictions.

The flights are already open for booking via the airasia.com website and our mobile app. Guests may use their credit accounts to redeem for these flights.

Further details on more routes and flight schedule will be announced in the coming weeks, subject to approval from the authorities.

President (Airlines) of AirAsia Group, Bo Lingam said: “We are very pleased to be able to fly again and to serve our guests starting with domestic routes, and hope to resume full operations as soon as possible. We have undertaken a thorough review of our guest handling procedures both on ground and onboard in light of the Covid-19 pandemic. We have been working closely with the airport authorities to ensure that all the relevant precautionary measures are in place to ensure a safe, pleasant and comfortable journey for everyone.

“At AirAsia, the safety and wellbeing of our guests and employees is always our highest priority. We work actively with all our regulators, local governments, civil aviation and health authorities, including adhering to guidance from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) to ensure the highest standards of compliance and conformance are in place for every single flight we operate in our network.”

Guests are advised to practise the universally recommended protective precautionary measures including wearing a mask, social distancing and observing high personal hygiene. The aircraft, which are fitted with hospital-standard High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters, will also be sent for a thorough disinfection after each flight.

For any queries, please refer to our FAQs here. Guests may contact AirAsia Virtual Allstar (AVA) or chat live with a Customer Happiness agent on airasia.com or support.airasia.com for further assistance.

Guests are advised to keep updated via Travel Advisories issued by AirAsia on airasia.com and social media platforms. Guests are also encouraged to check their flight status at airasia.com/flightstatus for live updates given the ever-changing situation at this time.

*Subject to government’s approval

**I5 only operates domestic routes in India

***D7 and XJ only operate international routes