PACAP DRR Projects Turns Over Supplies and Equipment to Malabon and Navotas LGUs

PBSP, through its Luzon Regional Center,  turned over rescue tools and equipment to the cities of Navotas and Malabon. Said cities are beneficiaries  of the “Strengthening Disaster Prevention and Response for Safe and Resilient Urban Poor Communities”, funded by the Australian AID Philippine-Australia Community Assistance Program (PACAP). Turned-over items include an HP Laptop for each city, cellphones, life vests, spine boards, flash lights, among others.

Aside from the provision of rescue tools and equipment, the project components include capability-buiding interventions such as seminar-workshops on DRRM and Climate Change Adaptation, HVCA, Contingency Planning and the establishment of an SMS-based early warning system command center. For this project, the direct beneficiaries also include 7 PBSP-assisted homeowners associations (HOAs) in Malabon and Navotas.

Gracing the event were representatives of the Local Government Units, including the City Mayor of Navotas, Hon. John Rey Tiangco, the Malabon DRRM Officer Mr. Roderick Tongol and the City Administrator of Malabon Atty. Grace Valentine Merino. Representatives of Brgy. Catmon and Bangkulasi were also present during the event being the recipients at the barangay level. Likewise, HOA project beneficiaries from the said cities came to receive their go-bag kits and gadgets. 

Earthquake Preparedness for PBSP Medium Rise Building Community

At least 80 residents of our PBSP-Pasay City LGU SANAHACO Medium-Rise Building Project attended a half-day session on Earthquake Preparedness last November 18, 2013.

This is to equip the current residents with the necessary skills and information on the anticipated 'Big One.'

MMDA's Mr. Antonio Evasco conducted the session and stressed the importance of preparedness since Pasay is very prone to liquefaction.

Follow up activities like the formation of SANAHACO's disaster response team will be conducted in the 1st Quarter of 2014.

Petron Best U Can Be 2nd Run for SY 2013-2014

Last October 12, 2013, the Best U Can Be session for the Third Year scholars of Tulong Aral ng Petron was conducted in the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP), Pasig City.

 

The session was themed Carpe Diem – encouraging the scholars to make use of their time today to create a better future. Activities enabled the scholars to learn values of positivity, openness from other’s experiences and ways on maximizing their opportunities that might help them face the challenges of life. Scholars were taught on how they can be productive for their family, at school and to the community they belong.

At the end of the session, scholars created a handprint over the promise they made. These promises are the things that they will commit to contribute to their successs in the future.

Petron Tulong Aral Program's BUCB sessions are facilitated by The Outstanding Students of the Philippines (TOSP).

 

Hershey Employees Brave Rains, Plant Trees and Give Cheers to Kids

Around 50 employees of The Hershey Company participated in a tree-planting activity in their adopted site in the Marikina Watershed -- Brgy. Puray. A gift-giving for the pupils of Puray Elementary School was also arranged.

This is the second year of the company in helping reforest the Marikina Watershed. To date, the company has planted a total of 3,000 coconut trees in coordination with the  Dumagat people's organization, Kolo-Ka-Koloy, Inc.

This is also their second year of bringing cheers, school supplies and chocolates to pupils of Puray Elementary School.

This year, employee volunteers were also joined by dentists from Manila and Las Pinas.

The people of Puray are very thankful. In an SMS message from the school's principal:

In behalf of the faculty, parents and pupils of Puray Elementary School, malugod po kaming nagpapasalamat sa staff ng Hersheys at PBSP sa mga biyaya na ipinagkaloob nila sa aming mga bata, na karamihan po ay mga kapatid nating mga katutubong Dumagat... Na kahit kami ay nasa liblib na lugar, walang kuryente at putol putol ang semento ng daan ay napagbigyan nila ng panahon at oras. Sa ating mga dentists na nagbigay ng kanilang panahon, maraming maraming salamat po. Ipinaramdam niyo po sa amin na kami ay may puwang sa inyong mga puso.

 

PBSP-Assisted Farmers Join Exposure to 2013 Agri Expo

Hershey Employees Raise Funds for National Children's Hospital Year 3

The Hershey Company, with support from United Way Worldwide, has tapped PBSP to improve access to health services in the National Children's Hospital (NCH) through provision of medical supplies and equipment. This effort of the company is aligned with Millennium Development Goal #4 which is also to help reduce infant and under-five mortality rates.

Now on its Year 3 and with 100% employee involvement through cash donations from the company, the project upgraded the Neonatology Ward of NCH through provision of additional equipment. This batch of support consisted of the following equipment: pediatric cribs, pediatric stretcher, rocking plastic chairs for mothers and some units of digital infant weighing scale.

 

 

Donors Reach Out to 3,800 Households Affected by the Habagat

From August 17-21, 2013, a southwest monsoon enhanced by Tropical Storm Maring brought widespread flooding to various areas of Luzon.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council reported that around 400,000 families in 118 municipalities and 33 cities of 16 provinces were affected. Damages to infrastructure were estimated to have reached PhP 78 B and agriculture at PhP 22B.

      PBSP appealed for relief assistance and the following donations/pledges were received:

a.    Philippine Disaster Recovery Foundation P500,000

b.    The Philippine Stock Exchange/PSE Foundation P300,000

c.    Epson Precision Company Phils., Inc. P1,000,000

d.    Dow Chemical Pacific Ltd. US$11,000

e.    The Hershey Company/United Way Worldwide US$10,000

f.     Lao Integrated Farm P1,500

g.    Citibank P50,000

h.    Deloitte P 129,000

i.      Phoenix Petroleum Corporation P300,000

j.      Fluor P50,000

k.    Accenture P100,000

l.      Mr. Victorino/Anselma Carreon US$100

m.   Mr. Victor Carreon US$100

n.    Ms. Grace Carreon US$100

o.    CDO Foodsphere, Inc. 24 cases of canned goods

p.    Integrated School for Young Children 300 packs of groceries

Through these donations and in coordination with the different LGUs, PBSP was able to organize series of relief operations from August 21-September 13 and was able to reach 3,823 families in the following affected areas:

Casiguran, Aurora      862 households

Las Pinas                    460 households

Binan, Laguna           1,000 households

Mabitac, Laguna          870 households

Pila, Laguna                 241 households

Sta. Cruz, Laguna        390 households

The relief assistance is consistent with Sphere Project design which will help provide basic household needs for a family of six covering a period of five days. The relief packs at the minimum, contained the following:

•           10 kilos of rice

•           3 cans of sardines

•           ½ kilogram of monggo or equivalent canned meat

•           ½ kilogram dried fish or equivalent canned meat

•           1 pint of cooking oil

•           1 kilogram of sugar

•           ¼ kilogram of iodized salt

•           5-L bottled water

The Sphere Project was launched in 1997 by a group of humanitarian NGOs, Red Cross and the Red Cross Crescent Movement. Sphere is based on two beliefs, namely: first, that all possible steps should be taken to alleviate human suffering arising out of calamity and conflict, and second, that those affected by disaster have a right to life with dignity and therefore right to assistance.

For this year’s relief operations, at least 50 volunteer employees from the donor companies spent time to distribute the relief packs. Employees saw how the families have received the relief packs with gratitude, “Salamat po nang marami. Napakalaking tulong po nito sa amin.”

 

Brother Intl Employees Plant Trees in the Marikina Watershed

At least 50 employees of member company Brother International Philippines trekked Calawis in Antipolo City to plant trees in support to PBSP's efforts in the Marikina Watershed.

The company has adopted 5 hectares. Part of the grant will also be constructing a demo farm for partner organization, NASAMASABACA.

 

Northern Cement Corporation Supports Motolite-PBSP Balik Baterya Program

Last July 31, Northern Cement Corporation formalized its support to the Motolite-PBSP Balik Baterya Program through signing of the Memorandum of Agreement and turnover of their used lead-acid batteries (ULABs).

The company turned over almost 13 tons of ULABs and funds will be used to implement education projects for the public elementary schools within their community relations areas in Sison, Pangasinan.

Signing the MOA is Northern Cement Corporation's Plant Manager Mr. Emeterio Asuncion, with his team of officers that include Mr. Oliver Gorrospe, General Manager, Mr. Bernard Narciza, Pollution Control Officer and Ms. Marylyn Ramil, HR Manager.

Incorporated in 1969, the cement plant produces an annual average of 1 million tons of cement per year and caters mostly to the infrastructure requirements of Luzon. Northern Cement Corporation is owned by PBSP member company San Miguel Corporation.

19 Bigay Daan Scholars Graduate, 5 Now Employed

Last July 5, 19 scholars of Bigay Daan Year 4: Beauty for a Better Life graduated from the L'Oreal Academy after 45 days of training on hairdressing and make-up artistry.Each of the graduates were also provided with starter kits with cosmetics tools and products.

This year's batch of scholars were screened and recommended by PBSP partner organization, Sentro ng Kapatiran ni Ka Eddie Guazon (SKK). The scholars, aged 18-25 years old, came from poor households in Smokey Mountain, Tondo.

To date, 5 of the scholars have already been employed. The top three of the class were absorbed by L'Oreal Philippines and 2 graduates were accepted in David's Salon.

L'Oreal and PBSP are continuously assisting the graduates for employment opportunities in the salon industry.

Epson Donates to Pres. Corazon Aquino School Desk Project

Last July 26, Epson, represented by its President Mr. Kazuyuki Amano, turned over 405 arm chairs to the Pres. Corazon Aquino School Desk Project. The chairs were received by Ms. Viel Aquino-Dee.

Benefiting from these chairs are the 3 public high schools recommended by the DepE Division Office of Lipa City --- Inosloban-Marowoy National High School, Pinagtongulan National High School and Pinagkawitan National High School.

For SY 2013-2014, the Division reports a shortage of 2,411 chairs for its 62,000 current enrollees in the public schools.

Epson has been supportive of the city's public school system. Two years ago, the company has provided learning resource corners to 12 public elementary schools and has been active in DepeEd's annual  Brigada Eskwela.

Trans-Asia and Atlas Metals Turnover Story Books to Norzagaray School

With funds generated from their used lead-acid battery donation to the Motolite-PBSP Balik Baterya Program, Trans-Asia Philippines and Atlas Metals donated story books to FVR Phase 2 Elementary School in Norzagaray, Bulacan.

The school's reading profile in English shows that 32% of Grade 2 pupils and 25% of Grade 3 are considered frustrated readers. Frustrated readers can read but cannot fully understand what they are reading.

Thus, this story book donation can complement the school’s existing “Drop Everything and Read” which is done every last Friday of the month. It will also support the reading remedial classes of the school for those pupils who are frustrated readers.

For this project,  employee volunteers were also engaged in conducting story book reading during the project turn over as well as in covering the books.

Joining the turnover ceremony are Trans-Asia employees headed by Plant Manager Engr. Rafael Ponce, PBSP staff led by Luzon Regional Program Coordinator Mr. PaneiloTunac and Motolite's CSR Officer, Ms. Connie Deligero.