PDRF, private sector send aid to Carina-affected communities

AUGUST 13, 2024, METRO MANILA—The Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF) and its private sector network recently supported emergency responders and distributed aid for communities affected by the enhanced southwest monsoon (habagat) and Super Typhoon Carina.

Local and international corporations, businesses, and philanthropic organizations collaborated with PDRF’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to support the government response efforts.

Food, Water, Relief Packs, and Hygiene Kits

Shell Pilipinas Corporation donated and distributed 500 hygiene kits to families affected in Rizal with the help of the PDRF team and PDRF President Butch Meily.

The Peace and Equity Foundation (PEF) donated hygiene kits worth Php 250,000 for 275 families in Rizal, which were also distributed by PDRF.

Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines, Inc. donated 900 7-liter water bottles to Rizal's Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO).

The Jollibee Group Foundation provided 500 lunch meals to the Department of Social Welfare and Development National Resource Operations Center.

The PhilSeven Foundation, Inc. initiated meal assistance efforts in Bulacan.

Logistics and Transportation

The Cebuana Lhuillier Foundation, Inc. pre-positioned fiberglass boats for rescue operations.

Nissan offered vehicular assistance to the PDRF response team.

Monetary Pledges and Support

PepsiCo, Inc. committed a $10,000 monetary donation to support the early recovery project for families affected by the enhanced habagat and Super Typhoon Carina.

PDRF continues to oversee these efforts and provide updates to member companies and partner organizations as it transitions from response efforts to recovery and rehabilitation initiatives.

CPD, UNFPA, PLCPD urge passage of Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Bill

MANILA, PHILIPPINES – For this year’s World Population Day, the Commission on Population and Development (CPD), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Philippines, and the Philippine Legislators' Committee on Population and Development (PLCPD) emphasized on July 11, the urgent need for the passage of the Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Bill in the Philippines. 

The institutions, alongside other government agencies, made the call during a media conference for World Population Day. This year's theme, "Embracing the power of inclusive data towards a resilient and equitable future for all," underscores the importance of addressing adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) with comprehensive policies and programs.

Data from government agencies and UNFPA’s State of World Population 2024 report reveal the persistent challenges faced by adolescents, including high unmet need for family planning, concerning adolescent birth rates, and rising cases of HIV/AIDS. These issues disproportionately affect marginalized communities, emphasizing the importance of inclusive data collection and targeted interventions.

For the Philippines, CPD noted a hike in total live births by young girls aged 10-19. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority’s most recent release of Registered Live Births in the Philippines, these live births rose from 136, 302 in 2021 to 150, 138 in 2022, a 10.2% increase. 

The CPD is deeply concerned about the increase in adolescent pregnancies, especially among our very young girls. Beyond numbers, these pregnancies are manifestations of social injustice, where helpless girls are deprived of opportunities to achieve their aspirations because of their lifelong and irreversible consequences.  It reflects a societal failure to promote and enable them to fully exercise their rights as children and human beings,” expressed CPD Executive Director Lisa Grace S. Bersales.

“We cannot overemphasize the significance of having the bill enacted. Aside from its social justice and human rights perspectives, creating an enabling policy environment to protect young people from unplanned pregnancies and its consequences, is critical in enhancing the socioeconomic growth potential of the country. As the main duty bearer, the government has the main responsibility to create such an environment.” said the undersecretary for population and development, or POPDEV.

"We now know that adolescent pregnancy rates in the Philippines are relatively high, especially compared to similar countries in the region. There's a considerable unmet need for family planning among adolescents, indicating a lack of knowledge and access. HIV and AIDS are on the rise among young people. Additionally, issues like gender-based violence and child marriage persist, especially in marginalized communities,” said UNFPA Philippines Country Representative Dr. Leila Saiji Joudane during the event (see attached file for copy of opening remarks).

Joudane said having a law that addresses adolescent pregnancies can provide a framework for comprehensive action, addressing the root causes of the issue and ensuring that young people have the information and support they need to make healthy choices. "The passage of this bill is a crucial step towards empowering young people and ensuring their right to sexual and reproductive health,” she said.

The Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Bill is a comprehensive piece of legislation aimed at addressing the root causes of adolescent pregnancy. It provides for comprehensive sexuality education, improved access to adolescent-friendly SRHR services, and data collection mechanisms to inform future policies and programs.

"It is important to recognize that as we want to protect children and adolescents, they have the right to have access to age- and development-appropriate information and services, including family planning. In our minds as advocates of children’s rights, women’s rights, and reproductive health: there are no contradictions in this, but only the coexistence of the rights to be protected and to have access to information and services," explained PLCPD Executive Director Romeo C. Dongeto.

The bill, which has been approved by the House of Representatives and pending plenary discussion at the Senate, is only four steps away from approval in the Senate and six steps away from enactment.

“We can no longer delay this measure. Let us not allow the effort and discussions started in the previous Congresses and in the early 19th Congress to go to waste. We call upon the Senators to act on this bill with urgency,” Mr. Dongeto added.

The agencies called on the Senate to prioritize the passage of this vital bill, emphasizing that it is a critical investment in the future of young Filipinos.

They urged all stakeholders to rally behind the bill and champion the rights and well-being of adolescents for a more equitable and prosperous future for all.

About UNFPA:

UNFPA is the United Nations’ sexual and reproductive health agency. Its mission is to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. In the Philippines, UNFPA works with the government, civil society and other sectors to reach those furthest behind first and leave no one behind, including young people. Currently, it is also involved in programmes that aim to address the high rates of adolescent pregnancies in the Philippines through comprehensive sexuality education, youth leadership training and partnerships with the government to expand access to adolescent sexual and reproductive health services.

KOICA, United Nations call for an Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Law in PH

MANILA, 13 August 2024 – Following the commemoration of International Youth Day, the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the United Nations in the Philippines, including the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO), jointly call for the urgent passage of the adolescent pregnancy bill in the Philippines. This legislation is crucial in addressing the rising rates of adolescent pregnancy and ensuring the well-being of young people in the country.

The proposed legislation aims to provide a comprehensive national framework for preventing adolescent pregnancies and ensuring the well-being of young children in the Philippines. While the bill has been approved by the House of Representatives, its progress in the Senate has stalled, highlighting the urgent need for action.

Recognizing the pressing need, the UN agencies are collaborating on the KOICA-funded Joint Programme on Accelerating the Reduction of Adolescent Pregnancy (JPARAP) in Southern Leyte and Samar. This program focuses on strengthening comprehensive sexuality education and improving access to adolescent-friendly sexual and reproductive health services.

"Having legislation that ensures access to essential reproductive health services is a crucial step towards a more equitable and sustainable future, where every young person can thrive and reach their full potential,” said  Gustavo González, UN Resident Coordinator in the Philippines. "Adolescent pregnancy is also not just a health issue, but a social and economic one as well. This bill will help us address the root causes of adolescent pregnancy, including lack of access to education and health services."

The urgency of the situation is underscored by data from the Philippines’ Commission on Population and Development, which reveals a 10.2% increase in live births by girls aged 10-19 between 2021 and 2022.

KOICA also expressed its strong support for the bill. "We believe that investing in young people is essential for sustainable development. In addition to celebrating 75 years of Korea-Philippines diplomatic relations and 30 years of KOICA’s presence in the Philippines, this bill will make us more inspired to strengthen our assistance to the country’s health projects. We assure you of KOICA’s continuing support and commitment not only for better health and well-being, but also a brighter future for young Filipinos," said KOICA Country Director Kim Eunsub.

UNFPA stresses the necessity of the bill to remove barriers to healthcare access for adolescents. Currently, young people under 18 require written parental consent for family planning services, which can significantly hinder their access to essential care.

“Adolescent pregnancy can result in significant health risks, including increased rates of preventable maternal and infant deaths, as well as the dangerous practice of unsafe abortions. Having a comprehensive framework to address this urgent issue and to protect the sexual and reproductive health and rights of young Filipinos, will help empower adolescents to make informed choices about their bodies and pave the way for better futures," said UNFPA Philippines Country Representative Dr. Leila Saiji Joudane.

Meanwhile, UNICEF underscored the importance of protecting the rights and aspirations of young girls.

“Adolescent girls’ dreams to learn and get decent jobs should not be cut short. UNICEF is committed to supporting girls through laws, policies and programmes that prioritize their rights, their agency, and opportunities to pursue their dreams and to prevent early and unintended pregnancies. This bill needs to retain the clauses that better define roles and accountability of duty bearers, which can help everyone in the community to work together to tackle the social factors that lead to more teen pregnancies,” said Behzad Noubary, UNICEF Philippines Representative a.i. 

“These girls have the right to be informed about decisions that affect their lives. They need support, not stigma and blame,” he said.

The World Health Organization also recognizes that addressing adolescent pregnancy is a global health and development priority.

“Addressing adolescent pregnancy is part of the global health and development agenda. Together with partners, WHO Philippines continues to address adolescent pregnancy by supporting national programmes and policies. Rights-based policies alongside community-based care and evidence-informed interventions are crucial to strengthening frameworks and strategies to scale up interventions and collective action from various sectors, agencies, and communities,” said Dr Graham Harrison, Officer-in-Charge of WHO Philippines.

The UN agencies and KOICA call on all stakeholders, including government agencies, civil society organizations, and young people themselves, to unite in advocating for the passage of the adolescent pregnancy bill to create a brighter future for young people in the Philippines.

About the Joint Programme on Accelerating the Reduction of Adolescent Pregnancy (JPARAP):

This is a joint initiative of UNFPA, UNICEF, WHO, and KOICA that aims to reduce adolescent pregnancy in Southern Leyte and Samar. The partners are working closely with the Department of Health, the Department of Education, and the governments of Samar and Southern Leyte, as well as other government agencies in rolling out adolescent-friendly services, building the capacity of community adolescent health service providers, accelerating the integration of comprehensive sexuality education in schools, implementing youth leadership and governance initiatives, and conducting research on adolescent pregnancy and child, early, and forced marriage.

The 2021 Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality Study showed that Eastern Visayas, where Samar and Southern Leyte are located, has one of the highest rates of 15 to 19-year-old female youths that had begun childbearing. 

Taste the island flavor as FOODPhilippines joins Hong Kong Food Expo PRO

FOODPhilippines, the country’s collective food promotions program, shifts into the higher gear as it joins the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) Food Expo PRO on August 15-17 this year at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Organized by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), seven food exhibitors from the Philippines will bring in fine-tasting, fresh, and healthy food options. The Philippine Pavilion, located at Hall 5C, booth E17, will house an array of fresh fruits including durian, cavendish banana, and pineapple. The country pavilion will also feature seafood products across all categories such as mangrove crabs, fresh frozen cuttlefish, and dried seaweed, among others.

Eyeing to penetrate the lucrative Hong Kong market, the seven food exhibitors that will join the business mission are Eng Seng Food Products, Hueza Bakery, Kangkong King, La Carlota Food Enterprise, the Municipal Government of Buguey, Raspina Tropical Fruits Incorporated, and Siargao’s Bounty Seafood Corporation.

The HKTDC Food Expo PRO, which is widely recognized as Asia’s key trade event for food and ingredients, provides a dynamic platform where entrepreneurs can scale their business. The Hong Kong-based expo is seen as a perfect avenue for F&B companies to find reliable business partners and bring home with them wealth of insights passed on by discerning food experts across the globe. In its 2nd edition, the food expo will be a combination of onsite and online platforms called the “Exhibition+.”

“Hong Kong has consistently taken steps to cement its position as a global trading hub. In 2023, it imported a wide variety of food products including seafood, fruits, and vegetables with a total import value pegged at USD 25 billion. With its stronghold markets in the United States, Europe, and China, Hong Kong has maintained a viable position in the global food supply chain,” Ocampo said.

The Philippines shares strong economic ties with Hong Kong spanning decades. In 2023, Hong Kong was the Philippines’ 6th largest trading partner after recording over USD 8 billion in export sales. This accounted for 12% of the Philippines’ total export value with seafood, fruits, and nuts among the staple commodities.

In May 2024, the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), through its export promotions arm CITEM, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Hong Kong, as represented by HKTDC. This momentous trade deal forges stronger economic partnership between the Philippines and Hong Kong, aimed at increasing trade activities for their respective local businesses. The agreement also allows the Philippines and Hong Kong to collaborate on areas of mutual interest involving trade promotion activities facilitated by CITEM and HKTDC.

“Hong Kong offers a favorable trade environment for all. For one, it serves as a gateway to other Asian markets due to its strategic location. It boasts of state-of-the-art infrastructure, ensuring efficient logistics of merchandise. Most importantly, it has put in place business-friendly measures which allow foreign enterprises to do business with ease. Among which is the implementation of zero tariff on seafood imports. These are huge opportunities for the Philippines awaiting to be tapped,” Ocampo added.

The country’s participation in the HKTDC Food Expo PRO is made possible through CITEM’s  partnership with Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Hong Kong (PTIC-Hong Kong). Likewise, FOODPhilippines is set to participate in the following trade fairs this year: China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) on September 24-28 in Nanning, China; China International Import Expo (CIIE) on November 5-10 in Shanghai, China; and SIAL Paris on October 19-23 in Paris, France.

Visit our website to learn more about the country’s participation in the 2nd HKTDC Food Expo PRO, where enticing Filipino flavors await you.

IWPG Unveils 3rd Peace Monument in the Philippines

The 3rd Peace Monument of International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG) was unveiled on August 1, 2024 during the 76th Araw ng Kapalong at the Green Paradise Park in Kapalong, Davao del Norte, Philippines. In attendance were 250 peace and women advocates including the Municipal Mayor of Kapalong, Maria Theresa Timbol, and IWPG Secretary General, Na Hyeong Jeon.

The peace monument was established to commemorate the Mindanao Peace Agreement mediated on January 24, 2014 by international peace organization Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL). The first IWPG Peace Monument was established in Davao de Oro, and the second in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

Mayor Timbol expressed her full support and commitment to establish the monument in their municipality, upon meeting IWPG Chairwoman Hyun Sook Yoon at the 2023 International Women’s Peace Conference in South Korea. 

Mayor Timbol said, “The IWPG Peace Monument is a reminder to all people, especially women around Kapalong, that peace can be achieved. Just start peace within yourselves, then you can spread it inside your family, and eventually it will spread all over the community. Work as one with peace.” 

Green Paradise in Kapalong was once a symbol of crime, violence, and conflict. IWPG’s 3rd Peace Monument established in this location is anticipated to create a wind of peace that will spread a culture of peace all around the world. 

Ms. Jeon said, “I hope this monument becomes the landmark of Kapalong, so that all the visitors can overcome their own disputes and realize the value of peace. I hope all Filipino women understand their value and practice peace, so that the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW) is established as an international law.”

The DPCW is a document with 10 articles and 38 clauses that outlines the principles and tools necessary to prevent and resolve conflicts, and cultivate a peaceful global society. It was drafted by international legal specialists from 15 countries, to be endorsed to the United Nations. The Municipality of Kapalong joined the DPCW Signature Campaign and gathered thousands of signatures from their constituents and from nearby municipalities before the pandemic, according to Mayor Timbol.

After the unveiling ceremony, the IWPG delegation conducted various other peace activities, including hosting Peace Lecturer Training Education (PLTE) orientation sessions in Davao and Cavite, an art competition and donation drive for children and mothers in Silang, Cavite on August 3.

IWPG is a non-profit, non-governmental organization under the South Korea Ministry of Gender Equality and Family. It is also registered in the UN Department of Global Communications and with special consultative status in the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). IWPG believes in the boundless power of education to transform lives and communities and to make people realize world peace through the heart of a mother.

WOCEE and WOSAS 2024: Entering a New Age of Technology

Worldbex Services International (WSI) returns to bring you a celebration of innovation and technology like no other with two events happening at the same time. The World of Consumer Electronics Expo 2024 (WOCEE) and the World of Safety and Security Expo 2024 (WOSAS) are now open at the SMX Convention Center Manila!

From August 7 to 10, visitors may come to the venue and experience the technological advancements that are making big rounds in the country! There are two events simultaneously running to highlight these advancements.

WOCEE 2024 will focus on the advancements of technology through electronics. This event will explore the untapped potential of technology and its evolving state. In line with this, there will be new activities, topics, and even zones to showcase these new initiatives: this year’s Tech Talk seminars will include topics related to AI and Bitcoin. Meanwhile, our latest addition to WOCEE is the Gamers’ Den, a place for gamers and competitive e-sports players to hang out and share their love of competitive gaming through friendly competitions.

WOSAS 2024 focuses on the security industry and the latest developments related to safety and protection. The different government offices of the Philippines are present to help promote their protection and services through their exhibits and SecuCon, a series of seminars that delve into topics related to security and how it has adapted into the “new normal”.

Gracing the opening ceremony for these events today at the SMX Convention Center Manila were Mayor Imelda Calixto-Rubiano, represented by the Chief of Staff. Peter Eric Pardo; Hon Sec. Ivan John Uy, Department of Information and Communications Technology; H.E. Nasser Said Abdullah Al Manwari, Embassy of Oman; H.E. Dato' Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino, Embassy of Malaysia; Mr. Michael Co, Managing Director of VTECO Computer Solutions Inc, and Mr. John Eric Alviz, VP and Head for Enterprise and International Marketing for PLDT Enterprise.

WSI believes that these two events will help bring forth the future of technology in the palm of your hands, and is excited to showcase what is in store for everyone. Come see innovation at its finest when you visit WOCEE 2024 and WOSAS 2024, which opens today until August 10, 2024, from 10 AM to 7 PM, at the SMX Convention Center.

WOCEE 2024 and WOSAS 2024 are events organized by Worldbex Services International. For inquiries and concerns, you may reach them at (02)8656-96-29, or email at inquire@worldbexevents.com for more info.

13 Asia-Pacific countries to compete in the International Nuclear Olympiad in the Philippines

The Philippines will be the battleground for the brightest young minds from 13 countries in the Asia-Pacific region as the first-ever International Nuclear Science Olympiad (INSO) takes center stage from July 31 to August 7, 2024, at the National Government Administrative Center in New Clark Center in Capas, Tarlac.

Spearheaded by the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (DOST-PNRI) and in partnership with the Department of Education, DOST-National Research Council of the Philippines, and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the INSO is an annual competition that aims to increase awareness and demonstrate the commitment of the participating countries to the peaceful applications of nuclear science and technology through a battle of wits among secondary level students.

According to the DOST-PNRI, the Philippines is set to pioneer the first-ever INSO, where students from various schools across the Asia-Pacific region will compete in both theoretical and practical exams to test their knowledge of nuclear science.

Aside from the Philippines, the other participating countries for the initial INSO will be Bahrain, Iran, Jordan, Malaysia, Mongolia, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates.

While the events are not open to the public, you can follow the social media channels of the DOST-PNRI to catch the exciting journey of our future scientists who have been preparing to represent their respective countries at the Olympiad. By Allan Mauro V. Marfal, DOST-STII