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2022 Asian Games: Salimi Bags Silver in Taekwondo
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Iranian taekwondo athlete Arian Salimi won a silver medal in the 2022 Asian Games on Thursday. - Sports news - Salimi started the campaign with a win over Samuel Thomas Morrison of the Philippines 2-0 in the Round of 16.He also beat Jordan's Anas Sadek 2-0 and Meng En Lee 2-0 in the quarterfinals and semifinals, respectively.Salimi lost to China's Zhaoxiang Song in the final.....»»
PBBM, DSWD chief distribute BOC-confiscated rice to 4Ps households in Siargao
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., together with Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian, distributed premium quality rice to Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program beneficiaries in Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte on Friday, 29 September. Around 2,265 sacks of premium rice confiscated by the Bureau of Customs were handed over by President Marcos and Gatchalian to 4Ps beneficiaries from the island. DSWD Undersecretary for Operations Group Monina Josefina Romualdez also assisted the President and the DSWD chief in the distribution of rice to the recipients. According to President Marcos, the distribution of rice to poor households is in line with the government’s effort to end hunger in the country. “Isa ito sa mga hakbang na ginagawa ng ating pamahalaan upang maibsan ang gutom ng mga mamamayan sa buong bansa (This is one of the steps being taken by our government to alleviate hunger among the people throughout the country.),” President Marcos emphasized. As the concurrent head of the Department of Agriculture, the President also said part of his duty is to ensure food security and a good supply chain in the country by addressing the issues of hoarding and smuggling. “Ang mga gawain na iyan [hoarding and smuggling] ay nagpapataas ng presyo ng bigas. Iyan ang dahilan kung bakit ang bigas biglang tumaas ang presyo (Those activities [hoarding and smuggling] contribute to the increase in rice prices. That is the reason why the price of rice suddenly went up.),” President Marcos pointed out. “Katungkulan ko na pagandahin ang supply ng pagkain at tiyakin na kahit sapat ang supply, na ang presyo naman ay nasa tama para hindi nahihirapan ang taumbayan (It is my duty to improve the food supply and ensure that even with sufficient supply, the price is reasonable so that the people do not suffer.),” the President said. President Marcos assured the beneficiaries that the government would continue to find ways to achieve the “Walang Gutom 2027” campaign of the DSWD by the end of his term. “Patuloy po kami na naghahanap ng bago, ng kahit anong magagawa upang tumulong sa inyo, na maabot natin, ang aking pangarap na wala nang gutom sa Pilipinas (We continue to look for new ways, anything we can do to help you, to reach my dream of no more hunger in the Philippines.),” the President said. The distributed rice in Siargao Island is part of the more than 42,000 bags of Jasmine rice seized by the BOC during its warehouse raid in Zamboanga City last May, which was later donated to the DSWD for distribution to the “poorest of the poor”. The post PBBM, DSWD chief distribute BOC-confiscated rice to 4Ps households in Siargao appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PBBM urged to appoint full-time DA chief
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. should appoint a “full-time and competent alter ego” to lead the Department of Agriculture, said Senator Francis Escudero on Monday. In a radio interview, Escudero lamented that the DA chief should address the challenges confronted by the agricultural sector with “urgency” including the administration’s campaign against rice smuggling and hoarding. “If that’s really important, it should have a full-time and dedicated secretary and not just a part-time one,” he lamented. While he understands the President’s desire to hold on to the position in a bid to “personally oversee” the sector, Escudero stressed that “there are too many national issues and concerns that Marcos has to attend to as head of state.” “The President’s intention was good. But the problem is, he has only one body, two hands and his 24 hours is for ours, too,” he added. Escudero further pressed the need to focus on resolving woes related to the agricultural sector, particularly rice smuggling and hoarding — which is mainly blamed for the high prices of rice in the markets. Also, Escudero reiterated his call to the government to expose the names of people, not just the trading companies, involved in rice smuggling and hoarding in the country. He said filing the appropriate charges must also be filed against them. The Bureau of Customs reported Saturday that it has seized P31.5 billion worth of smuggled goods, including agricultural products, from January to September this year. The majority of the items seized by the bureau were counterfeit items such as shoes, bags and clothes. The smuggled agricultural products were logged at P3.3 billion. Despite this huge amount of seizure accomplishments by the BoC, Escudero previously lamented that there were no charges filed against any individual involved in the smuggling. The post PBBM urged to appoint full-time DA chief appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Escudero urges Marcos to appoint full-time DA chief
President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. should appoint a “full-time and competent alter ego” to lead the Department of Agriculture, said Senator Francis Escudero on Monday. In a radio interview, Escudero lamented that the DA chief should address the challenges confronted by the agricultural sector with “urgency” including the administration's campaign against rice smuggling and hoarding. “Kung mahalaga talaga iyan, kailangang may full-time at dedicated na kalihim at hindi part-time lamang (If that's really important, it should have a full-time and dedicated secretary and not just a part-time one,” he lamented. While he understands the President's desire to hold on to the position in a bid to "personally oversee" the sector, Escudero stressed that “there are too many national issues and concerns that Marcos has to attend to as head of state.” “Maganda ang intensyon ng Pangulo. Ang problema ay iisa lang ang katawan niya, dadalawa lamang ang mga kamay niya at ang 24 oras niya ay 24 oras din nating lahat (The President’s intention was good. But the problem is, he has only one body, two hands and his 24 hours time is for ours too),” he added. Escudero further pressed the need to focus on resolving woes related to the agricultural sector, particularly rice smuggling and hoarding, which are mainly blamed for the high prices of rice in the markets. Also, Escudero reiterated his call for the government to expose the names of people, not just the trading companies, involved in rice smuggling and hoarding in the country. He said appropriate charges must also be filed against them. The Bureau of Customs reported Saturday that it has seized P31.5 billion worth of smuggled goods, including agricultural products, from January to September this year. The majority of the items seized by the bureau were counterfeit items such as shoes, bags and clothes. The smuggled agricultural products were logged at P3.3 billion. Escudero had previously lamented that no charges have been filed against any individual involved in the smuggling of goods into the country. The post Escudero urges Marcos to appoint full-time DA chief appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
NFA buys farmers’ harvests at higher prices
Farmers from different regions are enjoying better profits for their yields this harvest season. It is because the National Food Authority is now buying their rice harvest at much better and higher prices. Buying at farm gate prices of P16 to P19 per kilogram for fresh palay and P19 to P23 for dry palay, the Department of Agriculture's Rice Industry Development on Sunday said that farmers around the country are happy with the increase in the buying price of NFA which was ordered by President Ferdinand Marcos, concurrent Agriculture Secretary, on Monday last week, to ensure that farmers, who are currently harvesting their wet season crop, would not suffer from abruptly declining prices for their fresh harvest beginning this month. The DA-RID head, Undersecretary Leo Sebastian, said the new higher prices of NFA are the traders' benchmark in setting their buying prices from farmers for the fresh palay. With the mandated price hike for NFA such drastic price declines would not materialize. Sebastian said most areas of Central Luzon and portions of Mindanao and the Visayas are now harvesting their palay, although many farms have suffered significant losses from the continuous downpour and torrential winds of July and August. For those who have harvested early, they were able to sell their fresh palay for as high as P24 per kilo. One such farmer is Feliciano Jaojao of Punta, Dipolog City, an officer of the Dipolog Polanco Irrigators Association, who planted early and sold his fresh palay harvest to IA in early September for P24/kg. He said only 25 percent of their irrigation association members, who till over 1,000 hectares of irrigated areas and 1,000 hectares of rainfed areas, have harvested their palay with the peak expected by the end of September. In his three-hectare farm, he was able to reap 200 bags (of 60 kilos) per hectare from hybrid or about 12 tons while his inbred farm produced 70 to 100 bags per hectare. Another farmer, Gabriel Cale of Surigao Sur, 64, also harvested early and sold his fresh palay at P23 per kg farmgate. “Wala pang price cap sa bigas noon,” he stressed. “Now the price of 160 (brand of palay seed) is selling for P20 a kilo and this premium rice is being sold in the market for P50 per kilo. The current farmgate price is P18 to P19 for inbred and P18/kg for hybrid,” he reported. Both farmers, however, appealed to the NFA to reduce its required moisture content for selling dry palay to it and to buy more aggressively fresh palay to ensure that farmers would enjoy fair prices for their produce. They also suggested that NFA simplify the processing of payments and to pay in cash (not checks) so that they would not keep going back and forth to the NFA warehouses. NFA Acting Assistant Region 11 Manager Floreena Lorainaon the other hand told the farmers attending the 16th National Rice Technology Forum in Digos, Davao del Sur, that the guidelines to implement the new NFA buying prices would be issued next week. She explained that with the Rice Tariffication Law, the NFA is only allowed to buy palay and rice to build the country's buffer stocks for up to 15 days only for emergency purposes like relief for calamity victims. “We also have only three trucks so we can’t service all the farmers. We already pay in cash for up to 200 bags of 50 kilograms,” she said. They agreed that the imposition last September 5 of the price cap for regular milled rice at P41 per kg for regular milled and P45 for well-milled coincidentally led to less imported rice being sold in their markets, which is good for local farmers. Along with thousands of farmers all over the country, they participated in the National Rice Technology Forum held in Hagonoy, Davao del Sur, which showcased different hybrid and inbred rice technologies along with various soil nutrients, including biofertilizers and organic fertilizers. They visited 18 different demo farms of at least one hectare which showcased the different yield potentials and other benefits of such technologies. The post NFA buys farmers’ harvests at higher prices appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Singaporean fashion label opens first south korea store with a star-studded party
Charles & Keith officially opened its inaugural flagship store in South Korea with a star-studded celebration. Located in the bustling shopping belt of Gangnam, Seoul, the boutique marks the brand’s commitment to elevating its retail experience and strengthening its presence in the Asian market. Spanning over 330 sqm, the duplex is the largest Charles & Keith’s boutique in South Korea, and the latest in the brand’s global network to adopt its new sixth generation store concept. The first floor is dedicated to bags as well as accessories, such as costume jewelry and sunglasses, while its second floor is a haven for shoe lovers and also houses the brand’s premium Collection line. As part of the festivities, the brand debuted its collaboration capsule with artist Henn Kim at the event. Fondly titled “Heart Is Every Wear,” the all-black four-piece capsule is inspired by Henn Kim’s desire for the products to be worn anywhere and everywhere, and for each wearer to feel encouraged in being forthcoming with their emotions. Its cheeky moniker invites individuals to embrace authenticity and express their innermost sentiments by confidently wearing their hearts on their sleeves. [caption id="attachment_187033" align="aligncenter" width="525"] SOUTH Korean actress Joo Hyun-young.[/caption] Party attendees included global brand ambassador Han So Hee, who showcased the versatility of the Petra bag she sported in the Fall 2023 campaign alongside statement jewelry from the Gabine line. Singers Soyeon from G(IDLE) and Nancy from Momoland expressed their Gen Z style perfectly — the former pairing the Illustrated Heart Charm Ankle Boots from the Henn Kim collection with the brand’s iconic Charlot bag in silver for an edgy look; while the latter channeled girlish charm with her Pixie Furry Platform Mules, White Petra Curved Shoulder Bag, adding a Henn Kim x Charles & Keith scrunchie to her look for a fun twist. Fashion icon and model Irene Kim oozed sophistication in this season’s Pixie Platform Mary Janes and the latest reiteration of the Koa — an east-west, top handle style. Comedienne Joo Hyun-Young channeled Academia chic in with Pixie Platform Ankle Boots and carrying a Gabine Houndstooth Leather Crossbody Bag. The post Singaporean fashion label opens first south korea store with a star-studded party appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
SM Investments bags int’l award for environmental excellence
SM Investments Corporation, a leading conglomerate in the Philippines, clinched the Best Environmental Excellence Award (Bronze) at the recently concluded 15th Global Corporate Social Responsibility & Environmental Social Governance Summit and Awards held in Da Nang, Vietnam. SM Investments was recognized for its sustainability initiatives across the group. “We appreciate this award that recognizes SM’s efforts to operate as a steward of responsible economic and social development,” Frederic C. DyBuncio, SM Investments president and chief executive officer, said. SM’s sustainability efforts are consolidated under the SM Green Movement, a multi-year campaign that aims to make sustainability accessible to all by nurturing an ecosystem of stakeholders to live green in the easiest way possible. This campaign covers the SM Group of companies including SM Investments, SM Supermalls, SM Store and SM Foundation. The initiatives of the Green Movement focus on water recycling, waste segregation, renewable energy, disaster resilience, preservation and conservation and building sustainable communities. Dubbed Asia’s most prestigious recognition awards for Corporate Social Responsibility and ESG, the Global CSR & ESG Summit and Awards 2023 recognized and honored companies for outstanding, innovative and world-class implemented programs. The post SM Investments bags int’l award for environmental excellence appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Phl joins anew the global effort to protect oceans
Thousands of volunteers in over 150 countries, joined the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) Day, a global initiative dedicated to addressing ocean pollution through beach and waterway cleanups held every third Saturday of September. Now in its 37th year, the Philippines has been participating in the ICC since 1994. In 2003, Proclamation No. 470 officially designated the third Saturday in September as ICC Day, instilling a sense of vigilance among Filipinos in their support of the ongoing global fight against marine litter. The theme "Clean Seas for Healthy Fisheries" is carried out by this year’s ICC which aligns closely with the objectives of the United Nations (UN) Ocean Decade Challenge 3 which is to “Sustainably Feed the Global Population”. This challenge recognizes the need to ensure sustainable food production from the ocean to feed the growing global population while safeguarding the health and productivity of marine ecosystems. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources in partnership with numerous organizations, took the lead in coordinating cleanups in various water bodies across the country. An estimated 35,000 volunteers armed with sacks, rakes, and gloves joined forces for the cleanup effort across the country. Participants included individuals and groups from the DENR workforce, national and local government agencies, academia, the private sector, youth organizations, civic groups, and civil society. Concurrent coastal cleanups led by various DENR offices and bureaus were held nationwide including key areas such as the Las Piñas-Parañaque Wetland Park; the Tullahan River along Barangay San Bartolome in Novaliches, Quezon City; Baseco Beach in Manila; the Balanga Wetland and Nature Park in Bataan; Barangay Butong Taal in Batangas; the Mactan Channel in Lapu-Lapu, Cebu; the Abatan River and Panglao in Bohol; Banica River in Dumaguete; Bais City, Negros Oriental; and along the shore of Pagadian Bay in Zamboanga Del Sur. The DENR regional and field offices also partnered with SM Supermalls, through its corporate social responsibility arm, SM Cares, together with SM Prime Holdings, Inc., in organizing clean-up drives in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Fifteen SM Malls were designated as a base that enabled volunteers, including SM employees, to actively participate in the cleanup drive. Likewise, regional offices of the Department have collaborated with UNTV offices across the country under the latter’s advocacy campaign Ocean Care Initiative. Beyond waste retrieval, ICC volunteers documented the volume of waste collected which will be submitted to Ocean Conservancy and UN Ocean Decade to contribute to global efforts to combat plastic pollution. During the 2022 ICC, findings of the Global Ocean Trash Index conducted by Washington, D.C.-based environmentalist advocacy group Ocean Conservancy showed that the Philippines collected 249.382 metric tons of waste. The collected waste encompassed a spectrum of items, including cigarette butts, beverage bottles, food wrappers, bottle caps, grocery bags, food containers, cups and plates, straws, and stirrers. DENR Secretary Antonia Loyzaga said her department's unwavering commitment to enacting effective solid waste management practices, supports a circular economy wherein all plastics are reused, recycled, repurposed, and responsibly managed. The DENR, she added, in collaboration with organizations, implements a range of programs to address solid waste in cities and municipalities nationwide. This is in support of reinforcing the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Act of 2022 or Republic Act 11898 which mandates enterprises to establish EPR programs for plastic waste reduction, recovery, and diversion. The post Phl joins anew the global effort to protect oceans appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Samar troops discover arms cache
TACLOBAN CITY — The 63rd Infantry Battalion on Monday reported that state troops patrolling the hinterlands of Samar island discovered not only war materials left behind by the New People’s Army, but also medical supplies and equipment. On Sunday, soldiers from the 63IB that were conducting community immersion in a remote community in Barangay Mabini, Basey, Samar found war materials consisting of cal. 38 revolver pistol, two improvised shotguns, two steel magazines of M16 rifle, and 37 rounds of 5.56mm. Also found in the same spot were an EPSON digital projector, two stethoscopes, seven intravenous fluids, three intravenous lines, six syringes, 40 needles, 4 120ml betadine, a thermometer, three blood bags, three elastic bandages, assorted antibiotic medicines, a surgical silk and 14 acupuncture needles. On the same day, elements of the 78th Infantry Battalion discovered an M16 rifle, two Anti-Personnel Mines and several subversive documents in Barangay San Andres Lower in Borongan City, Eastern Samar. Lieutenant Colonel Allan T. Tria, 78IB Commanding Officer, said the arms cache was found following a tip given by the residents of the same village. “The information provided by the residents that led to the discovery of the arms cache is a clear manifestation of their sincerity and commitment in supporting the campaign in attaining peace in their community,” Tria said. The post Samar troops discover arms cache appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘Art you can carry’
This is what homegrown brand FINO Leatherware calls its first collaborative artist-led project featuring the works of Kara Pangilinan. [gallery columns="2" size="full" ids="172271,172272"] Kara Pangilinan at work. [gallery columns="2" size="full" ids="172270,172273"] FINO Leatherware has always grounded its brand philosophy on Filipino artistry. FINO x KARA is a one-off collection of bags that features the artist’s hand paintings, dated and signed, and accompanied by a certificate of authentication. The 30-piece series is an ode to heritage with Pangilinan expressing the themes of local flora and fauna alongside the Filipina’s evolved identity. Slender palm fronds, gumamela and sampaguita flowers emerge from the bags’ panels, the leather’s varying colors from bright red to pastel hues setting off Pangilinan’s black and white strokes. The artist’s portraits of womenin traditional garb bridge generations, with one in particular revealing the gaze of a strong, modern Filipina. Since its founding back in 1992, FINO Leatherware has always grounded its brand philosophy on Filipino artistry, from the craftsmen to the creatives who’ve conceptualized collections. Its most recent campaigns paid tribute to Filipino culture, to include a wrist purse called Sipa, which is inspired by a local game, the Vinta bags and clutches that evoke the sailing tradition of Mindanao, and the Puso bags which takes its shape from a staple of Cebu’s street food — rice wrapped in banana leaves. Pangilinan was a student of architecture at the University of the Philippines when she began to try her hand at art. After earning her degree, she worked in an architectural firm for a few months before deciding on becoming a full-time artist. Murals and commercial works for brands such as Heineken, Globe and YouTube defined the early phase of Pangilinan’s journey. Simultaneously, she was developing a more personal practice, exploring various thematic concepts and her favored medium at that time, ink on paper. In the years that followed, Pangilinan diversified into acrylic painting to exploit the full color spectrum of the medium. For her collaboration with FINO, however, the artist returns to the palette that has defined the early phase of her career. The collection is introduced by none other than Miss Philippines Universe 2020 first runner-up Bella Ysmael, who epitomizes FINO’s ideal Filipina. She graces the FINO x KARA campaign which announces the release of the collection, available by the end of September in FINO’s flagship store in Rockwell’s Power Plant Mall. [gallery columns="2" size="full" ids="172279,172280"] “Having Bella on board was important for us,” says FINO co-founder Rose Ann Bautista. “We wanted the right woman to represent not just the new collection, but our new direction as well.” The post ‘Art you can carry’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Tacloban intensifies plastic ordinance info drive
The local government of Tacloban City disclosed on Sunday that it has embarked on a massive education drive to inform the residents on an ordinance regulating the use of plastics and styrofoam on packaging that will take effect next year. Tacloban’s City Environment and Natural Resources Office chief Jonathan Hijada stressed that the information and education campaign has already started with establishments in the downtown area and will soon commence outside of the commercial center. He added that the CENRO and the city’s Business Permits and Licensing Division are set to conduct a joint seminar that will target large establishments such as malls and hardware stores to ensure their compliance of the ordinance. “As early as now, people should already start reducing their garbage to increase the lifespan of our sanitary landfill,” Hijada said. The CENRO chief revealed that at least 120 tons of garbage is generated in the city every day of which over 13 tons is composed of single-use plastics. “If this continues, the holding capacity of our sanitary landfill will soon be on a critical level and may only be able to accommodate until next year,” Hijada said. To recall, Tacloban’s sanitary landfill in Barangay San Roque opened in 2019 and there are already plans to expand it by 20 to 30 meters to increase its lifespan by two to three years. “We appeal for the cooperation of everybody to be responsible with their garbage. Households can start with waste segregation and not throw away those that can still be recycled and use eco-friendly alternatives such as reusable bags when they do their grocery or go to market,” Hijada said. The city ordinance bans the use of single-use plastics, plastic bags and styrofoam in groceries, fast food chains, food kiosks, sari-sari stores, markets and among ambulant vendors. The post Tacloban intensifies plastic ordinance info drive appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DENR, UNDP other countries commits to Circular Economy through EPR
The Philippines produces 163 million plastic sachet packets, 48 million shopping bags and 45 million thin-film bags daily. Thirty-three percent of these are disposed of in landfills and dump sites, while 35 percent are leaked into the open environment and oceans. These are the primary reasons why the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Act of 2022 or Republic Act 11898 has been enacted to ensure full compliance of industries related to plastic use and production. Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga tackled this over the weekend during the launching of LOOPFORWARD, a joint undertaking between the DENR and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Pasay City. “The EPR Act institutionalized the extended producer responsibility mechanism as a practical approach to efficient waste management, focusing on waste reduction, recovery and recycling and the development of environment-friendly products that advocate the internationally-accepted principles on sustainable consumption and production, circular economy and producers’ full responsibility throughout the life cycle of their product,” Loyzaga said in her speech delivered in front of UNDP Resident Representative Selva Ramachandran, Japan, Germany, Spain, US and the European Union representatives along with EPR author Senator Cynthia Villar. "Climate and environmental risks make up the majority of global risks perception in the next decade. So thus we need sustained, concerted, and evidence-informed investments and actions to protect and enhance our natural ecosystem environmental protection for all the different ecosystems that we have from land and sea, and of course we know that environmental protection, our ecosystems, biodiversity and climate change are inextricably linked. A failure in one of these dimensions will cascade well into the other," Loyzaga explained. In the Philippine setting, she cited that 61,000 million metric tons of waste were generated daily. Between 12 to 24 percent of these are plastic waste in various forms. According to a World Bank study conducted in 2019, Loyzaga said, it was reported that around 70 percent of the material value of plastics is lost to the Philippine economy each year. "This is equivalent to roughly a value loss of $790 million to $890 million per year," Loyzaga further explained. "As a country, we are in pursuit of the right combination of science and technology, policy and practice. Locally and through our global partners we are trying to make this possible just as we are discovering the true value of our global capital. The science, engineering, technology and innovation that support circularity are within reach by tapping into expertise both nationally and internationally," she added. Ramachandran, on the other hand, said that while there was significant progress over the last century, the growth was accompanied by excessive abuse of resources and environmental degradation. “The 2023 Circularity Gap Report indicates that only 7.2 percent of the global economy is circular. The rising extraction and use of material has shrunk global circularity from 9.1 percent in 2018 to 7.2 percent in 2023. This leaves a significant circularity gap. The world almost exclusively relies on new materials, more than 90 percent of materials are either wasted, lost or remain unavailable for reuse for years,” Ramachandran said. He added that studies place the Philippines among the highest ocean plastic waste polluters globally. According to Ramachandran, the challenge at hand is how to leapfrog the implementation of EPR in the Philippines. “We can no longer afford to remain business-as-usual and only focus on downstream solutions. We challenge the obliged enterprises to put more focus on waste avoidance and reduction, including through product redesign to improve reusability, recyclability or retrievability, and employing reuse and refill strategies," the UNDP Resident Representative said. “LOOPFORWARD: Linking Opportunities and Partnerships Towards ,” campaign was launched for full compliance and effective implementation of the EPR Act of 2022 by industries and other entities through attainment of time-bound waste recovery targets. It highlights the relevance of the EPR concept and law, gain better understanding among its stakeholders, and convene and gain commitments from the country’s biggest private firms referred to as the “obliged enterprises” under the law. It also seeks to gather support and open possible areas for collaboration among national government agencies, local government units, and development partners. The EPR approach is practiced in many countries around the world. It focuses on waste reduction, recovery, and recycling, and the development of environment-friendly products that advocate the internationally-accepted principles of sustainable consumption and production, and the circular economy. The DENR is the lead implementer of the EPR law and the LOOPFORWARD campaign. The campaign is supported by the CCC and the governments of Germany, Spain, and the European Union under the NDC Support Project for the Philippines, as well as the Government of Japan through the Accelerating NDC through Circular Economy in the Cities Project. The post DENR, UNDP other countries commits to Circular Economy through EPR appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
EMBO residents bid to stay in Makati
To show their opposition to their transfer from Makati City to Taguig City, residents of the so-called Enlisted Men’s Barrio, or EMBO, started yesterday a signature campaign. The movers behind the signature campaign said they want to exercise their right under the concept of people’s initiative. Residents of Barangay East Rembo, one of the 10 barangays that the Supreme Court determined to be under Taguig City’s jurisdiction, began their signature drive as early as 7 a.m. in an effort to meet the three percent requirement. A resident said they support the campaign started by concerned local and non-governmental organizations in their barangay to demonstrate that they are unwilling to move to another city. Senior citizens from the barangay, which has a population of more than 26,000, also voiced their opposition to the transfer under a final and executory Supreme Court order. The seniors said they are afraid the benefits they are getting from Makati City will not be provided by Taguig City. The city government of Makati has boasted of providing free medicines, particularly maintenance medicine, to senior citizens as provided for in their yellow card program. The yellow card is a health card that can be used to get medical services from health centers, and the Ospital ng Makati. Students in Makati also get free uniforms, bags, books, socks, shoes, and others from the city government. The signature campaign, once it reaches the three percent threshold, will be filed before the Commission on Elections, calling for a plebiscite so the people can vote if they want to become Taguig residents or not. The initiative will be conducted simultaneously in the affected barangays, as residents have the general sentiment of not agreeing to be under another city administration. A lawyer who declined to be named said the first such initiative was conducted in Barangay Milograsa in Quezon City to take out informal settlers in the area. He said the initiative is provided for under Republic Act 6735, which says: “Initiative is the power of the people to propose amendments to the Constitution or to propose and enact legislation through an election called for the purpose.” Earlier, Makati City Mayor Abby Binay stressed that she will not transfer the territory given by the Supreme Court to Taguig City if they do not have in their possession the writ of execution from the court of origin. Binay’s statements came after the insistence of the city government of Taguig that it will now get the territory following the end of the 30-year legal battle over the 10 barangays of the second congressional district of Makati City. “As long as they have not presented the writ of execution and only the judgment, we will not transfer. They should get the writ from the court of origin,” Binay said. The post EMBO residents bid to stay in Makati appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
EMBO residents protest Taguig transfer with signature campaign
Residents of the 10 Enlisted Men’s Barrio (EMBO), formerly under Makati City, began a signature campaign on 28 July to oppose their transfer to Taguig City, exercising their right under the concept of people's initiative. As early as 7:00 a.m. yesterday, residents in Barangay East Rembo, one of the 10 barangays that have been ruled by the Supreme Court as under the jurisdiction of Taguig City, started their signature campaign in a bid to reach the three percent requirement. A resident interviewed said they are supportive of the initiative launched by concerned citizens and non-government organizations in their barangay to show that they are not willing to be transferred to another city. Senior citizens are also trooping to different areas in the barangay, which has a population of more than 26,000, as they are afraid that the benefits they are receiving from Makati City will not be provided by Taguig City. The city government of Makati is providing free medicines, particularly maintenance medicine, to senior citizens as part of their yellow card program. The yellow card is a health card that can be used to get medical services from different health centers, including the Ospital ng Makati (Osmak). Students are, likewise, getting their free uniforms, bags, books, socks, shoes, and others from the city government. The signature campaign once it reached the three percent threshold will be filed before the Commission on Elections calling for a plebiscite so the people can vote if they want not to become Taguig residents. The initiative will be simultaneously conducted in the affected barangays as residents have the general sentiments of not agreeing to be under another city administration. A lawyer, who declined to be named, said the first such initiative was conducted in Barangay Milograsa in Quezon City to take out informal settlers in the area. He said the initiative is provided for under Republic Act No. 6735, which said, "Initiative is the power of the people to propose amendments to the Constitution or to propose and enact legislations through an election called for the purpose.” Earlier, Makati City Mayor Abby Binay stressed that she will not transfer the territory given by the Supreme Court to Taguig City if they do not have in possession the writ of execution from the court of origin. Binay's statements came after the insistence of the city government of Taguig that it will now gain control of the territory, as it has already won the 30-year legal battle over the 10 barangays in the second congressional district of Makati City. “As long as they have not presented the writ of execution and only the judgment, we will not transfer. They should get the writ from the court of origin,” said Binay. The post EMBO residents protest Taguig transfer with signature campaign appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Puregold bags gold award for social media campaign
Puregold’s first-ever TikTok series in the Philippines, “52 Weeks,” recently won the gold prize in the Best Social Media Campaign category of Hashtag Asia Awards, a competition that aims to recognize the outstanding work that companies and project teams have displayed in the field of online advertising......»»
Manila backs ‘love’ tourism drive
Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna has expressed support for the new Department of Tourism campaign slogan, “Love the Philippines.” Speaking at the Balitaan forum organized by the Manila City Hall Reporters’ Association, Lacuna said that the city government of Manila is already working to boost tourism in the city. One of these efforts is the “hop on, hop off heritage tour” that will be launched jointly by the city government and the DoT on 6 July 2023. The tour will highlight the main tourist attractions in Manila, beginning with District 5 and starting at Rizal Park. Lacuna said that there are many tourist attractions in Manila that do not get as much attention as Rizal Park, Intramuros and Binondo. She added that the city government has identified eight tourism hubs covering the six districts in the city, and that they are planning to come up with one product that will be identified with Manila as its very own. The mayor stressed the search for that one product is not easy as the city is a melting pot and a hub for numerous products from all over the country. “There are many places in Manila that could be highlighted for every district. We can identify the places that could be developed as attractions both for local and foreign tourists,” she told reporters. Rizal Park is the most popular tourist destination in Manila where its national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, was executed via firing squad on 30 December 1896. It host the historic Rizal Monument and the country’s biggest flag. Called the Walled City of Manila, Intramuros, on the other hand, was built by the Spaniards in the 16th century. It has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to many historical landmarks, such as the Manila Cathedral and the San Agustin Church. Binondo prides itself as the oldest Chinatown in the world and is a great place to experience Chinese culture in Manila. It is home to many Chinese restaurants, shops, and temples. Meanwhile, Fort Santiago was also built by the Spanish colonizers in the 16th century to protect the city from invaders. It is located within Intramuros. The post Manila backs ‘love’ tourism drive appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
'BawalAngPlastik: Converge bats for reduced plastic use
Leading fiber Internet and technology provider Converge ICT Solutions Inc. is taking a stand against plastic pollution with its recently launched #BawalAngPlastik (#NoToPlastic) campaign, which urges its employees to opt for more eco-friendly materials at work to gradually eliminate plastics from its waste footprint. This is the second phase of Converge‘s Countdown to Zero Waste movement, a company-wide initiative to reach its goal of zero solid waste to landfill by 2030. Converge chief strategy officer and chief sustainability officer Benjamin Azada said that as a signatory of the UN Global Compact, Converge is committed to ensure that its operations would not cause harm to the environment. “If we want to respect humanity and the environment, one of the things that we really need to do is reduce the negative impact that we have on people and the planet,” Azada said. As part of this campaign, plastic bottle bins were installed at Converge headquarters in Pasig to encourage employees to donate their plastic bottles and containers, which will be upcycled into sustainable materials through the company’s recycling partners such as GreenAntz Builders Inc., an accredited plastics recycling company of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. At the #BawalAngPlastik launch, Converge FiberXers forward Kris Porter and guard Adrian Wong held a one-minute “Basketbottle” shootout with employees. Team Wong snagged victory with 12 points during the 30-second overtime. Converge VP and head of Corporate Communications and Public Relations Jay-Anne Encarnado said the campaign is the company’s way to help mitigate the negative impacts of plastic consumption to the environment, especially to marine biodiversity. “It is alarming that the Philippines is now among the world’s biggest contributors to plastic pollution. And the situation is pretty dire. Studies have shown that, by 2050, there will be more plastic than fish at sea if we don’t act now,” Encarnado said. For his part, SVP and Head of Human Resources Albert Custodio encouraged employees to embody the company’s sustainability commitments even outside Converge, to help create positive ripple effects within their respective communities. “It starts with one person, one family, one community. And here at work, it starts with us, our colleagues, and teammates,” Custodio said. Last year, Converge launched the Countdown to Zero Waste campaign as a response to the country’s solid waste crisis. In line with this movement, zero waste bins were placed in its headquarters and business centers nationwide where employees and customers could drop their discarded waste electrical and electronic equipment, or e-waste, for proper treatment and disposal through Converge partners Jontrix Trading and Green Antz. Converge also started upcycling its used tarpaulins into reusable items like bags and mats with the help of women-led social enterprise KREations PH. “We have an obligation to our younger generation to give them a good future and give them the earth, the same way we have enjoyed it. To save the world, it is really a collective effort from all of us as citizens of the world, and as citizens of Converge,” concluded Converge VP and Head of Program Management and Change Integration Bryan King Kay. The post #BawalAngPlastik: Converge bats for reduced plastic use appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
BSP bags award for new banknote public engagement program
The International Association for Currency Affairs has recognized the communication campaign of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas for the new P1,000 polymer banknote as the “Best New Currency Public Engagement Program.”.....»»
DepEd to distribute million school bags
Vice President and Department of Education Secretary Sara Duterte launched the campaign to distribute one million school bags and plant one million trees nationwide on Saturday. Duterte launched the “PagbaBAGo: A Million Learners and Trees” at the Mandaue City Sports Complex in Cebu before gracing the Rosquillos Festival 2023 finale at the Liloan Central School Grounds in the evening. Under the PagbaBAGo initiative, each of the million bags contain school supplies and dental kits while the one million trees will help promote environmental sustainability. “Our advocacy also includes raising awareness of the youth on the importance of environment in our lives today and in our future by planting different trees or tree planting activity,” Duterte said. “This marks the beginning of our campaign to protect our environment and prepare for the effect of climate change on our communities,” she added. Meanwhile, Duterte lauded the municipality of Liloan for strenghtening the local tourism industry by supporting the growth of local entrepreneurs, especially makers of popular rosquillos snack. The post DepEd to distribute million school bags appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Holcim flagship cement now Excel ECOPlanet
Highlighting success in significantly reducing the product’s carbon footprint while still delivering equal to better construction performance, one of the country’s known building solutions providers, Holcim Philippines Inc. has rebranded its flagship blended cement, now calling it Excel ECOPlanet. During a recent launch in Pasay City, Holcim Philippines president and CEO Horia Adrian said Excel ECOPlanet will continue to provide excellent performance for general construction applications, with concrete made durable due to its high resistance to sulfate and low porosity. Using Excel ECOPlanet will also improve workability and minimize shrinkage and cracks in concrete, Adrian told reporters. First blended cement for construction Launched over 20 years ago, Excel was among the first blended cement produced by Holcim Philippines for general construction and has become one of the most trusted brands in the market with over two billion bags sold. Through the company’s continuous improvement initiatives, the product’s carbon footprint is now at least 30 percent lower than ordinary Portland Cement qualifying it to bear the ECOPlanet mark, which is reserved for the Holcim Group’s line of high-performance and eco-friendly types of cement. Introduced by the Holcim Group in 2021, ECOPlanet is said to be the world’s broadest range of green cement with at least 30 percent lower emissions to help builders all over the world reduce the carbon footprint of construction. “Excel ECOPlanet is an important milestone in our sustainability journey in the Philippines. It combines the strong legacy of Excel in the country and the Group’s direction of accelerating innovation to decarbonize buildings. We are proud that Excel is classified as an ECOPlanet product and excited to see our customers continue using this in building progress in the country,” according to Adrian. ‘Likas at Lakas’ Further, he said Holcim Philippines will run a campaign called “Likas at Lakas” to underscore its commitment to providing sustainable products for building strong and durable structures. Since 2018, Holcim Philippines has reduced its carbon footprint by more than 20 percent by producing more blended cement, replacing coal with qualified wastes as alternative fuels and raw materials, and improving the efficiency of operations. Moreover, the company has accelerated innovations to produce a wider variety of high-performance blended cement for specific applications such as Solido for roads, Aqua-X for water protection, and WallRight Prime for masonry. Holcim Philippines’ carbon footprint reduction program is aligned with the Holcim Group’s net zero direction and the country’s Nationally Determined Contributions. Aside from its own initiatives, Holcim Philippines is working with key stakeholders to encourage the consumption of low-carbon products to help reduce the footprint of the built environment. The post Holcim flagship cement now Excel ECOPlanet appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»