InLife and Insular Foundation extend assistance to Typhoon Odette-affected communities

 

To help Filipinos affected by super typhoon Odette, Insular Life (InLife) and its corporate social arm Insular Foundation carried out disaster response initiatives.

 

InLife and Insular Foundation raised ₱2 million to help families in typhoon-affected communities in Palawan, Visayas and Mindanao. Additionally, the Insular Foundation provided ₱1.02 million worth of food packages and sleeping mats. The Foundation partnered with NORFIL Foundation and the Philippine Association of Social Workers Cebu Chapter to reach out to 380 families in Mandaue City, Cebu; and with the League of Corporate Foundations to help 200 families in South Cebu. The Foundation also worked with the Philippine Relief and Development Services, Inc. to provide two-week food supplies for 150 families in Dinagat and Siargao islands, and Surigao.

 

InLife also extended assistance to its policyholders in typhoon-affected areas, as well as its building tenants in its Cebu office.

 

Additionally, InLife extended the grace period from 31 days to 61 days for premium payments due from November 15 to December 31, 2021 in the following areas and provinces: Siargao Island, Dinagat Islands, Southern Leyte, Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental and Palawan. This move is to allow InLife policyholders in these areas to manage their funds and allocate it to more pressing and urgent concerns.

 

Even as super typhoon Odette caused power interruption and water shortage for weeks, the Insular Life Cebu Business Centre and its tenants which include business process outsourcing companies continued their operations through InLife’s generator sets and water supply.

 

InLife offices in the following areas remain open to serve policyholders: Cebu, Tacloban, Ormoc, Bacolod, Dumaguete, Catarman and Iloilo in Visayas; and Cagayan de Oro, Pagadian, Dipolog, Tagum, Valencia, Zamboanga, Davao, General Santos, Butuan, Ozamiz, Digos, and Cotabato in Mindanao.

 

 

Insular Foundation, in partnership with NORFIL Foundation and the Philippine Association of Social Workers Cebu Chapter, distributes food packs to families in Mandaue City, Cebu.

Insular Foundation’s program manager Teresita Melad (second from right) turns over donations for typhoon-affected families in South Cebu to Philippine Air Force (PAF)-Civil Military Operations Group Commander Lt. Col Rifiel Santiago Sotto (rightmost) in PAF headquarters at Villamor Air Base, Pasay City. 

About The Insular Life Assurance Company, Ltd

Insular Life (InLife) is the first, largest, and only mutual Filipino life insurance company in the country with over 111 years of uninterrupted service. We apply over a hundred years of experience in financial protection, risk management, savings, and investment to help you make confident decisions for you and your loved ones. 

 

As a mutual life insurance company, our accountability is to our policyholders.  They can be assured of being protected by a company that has an asset base of over P148 billion and net worth of P37 billion. We have a nationwide presence in 52 branches all over the country, and an expanded digital footprint to serve our customers, wherever and whenever they want. Our success is anchored on the growth and security of our partners, policyholders and beneficiaries, because we exist to offer a lifetime for good for everyone. For more information, visit www.insularlife.com.ph.

Alaska gives 70 days of ‘Lakas at Talas’ to foster kids

 

Social Worker Jessa Mae Masalon of House of Refuge Foundation, Inc. receives Christmas cards made by Alaska MOMA members and 70 days’ worth of “Lakas at Talas” from Alaska Milk Corporation representative Miriam Maramba, Associate Manager for Marketing Services

As we greet a new year, new challenges have inevitably arisen given the current state of the world. With these problems that we face during these uncertain times, Alaska Fortified Powdered Milk sought to uplift vulnerable communities and share the spirit of giving. Last Christmas, Alaska invited members of its Facebook community, MOMs of Alaska (MOMAs), to make the holidays a little brighter for the children from the company’s partner orphanages, Christian Compassion Ministries Foundation, Inc. and House of Refuge Foundation, Inc. Over a hundred members of the Alaska MOMAs community came together to create special Christmas cards, with creative designs and personalized messages dedicated to each of the children.

 

Alaska collected the Christmas cards and held a turnover with the partner institutions, donating 70 days’ worth of “Lakas at Talas” in the form of Alaska Fortified Powdered Milk products that can give the children the added nutrition to help with their brain and body development while they are growing. Gift packs with toys and educational materials were also included in the turnover, which the children welcomed with smiles and loud cheers.

 

Mailyn Balairos, Center Head of Christian Compassion Ministries Foundation, Inc. (CCMFI), a church-based Christian organization that aims to provide children with educational assistance, shelter, medical aid, skills training and nourish their souls with the word of God, shared her appreciation to the moms who took their time to create Christmas cards for the children under their care. “On behalf of CCMFI and the children, I wanted to convey my deepest gratitude to the moms of Alaska and to Alaska Fortified Powdered Milk for this unforgettable event for the children,” Mailyn shared.

 

Center Head Mailyn Balairos joined by the staff Christian Compassion Ministries receive Christmas cards and 70 days’ worth of “Lakas at Talas” from Alaska

Riza Lepasana, OIC and Directress of House of Refuge Foundation Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting orphaned and abandoned children in Metro Manila, also expressed her gratitude for the initiative. “On behalf of House of Refuge, I sincerely thank the moms who made an effort to make this Christmas feel special for our kids, and to thank Alaska for sharing their blessings of ‘Lakas at Talas’ with our children,” Riza said.

 

Alaska Fortified Powdered Milk also thanks its partner orphanages for assisting and providing homes to children in need and giving them the “alaga” or care that they deserve. In these challenging times, Alaska reaches out to the children of House of Refuge and Christian Compassion Ministries Foundation and hopes to continue their mission of providing affordable quality nutrition to Filipino children and families everywhere.

 

For more information on Alaska Fortified Powdered Milk and its initiatives, visit www.alaskamilk.com and www.facebook.com/alaskamilkph.

World Vision lauds new Philippine law prohibiting Child Marriage

 

Globally, 12 million girls are married before the age of 18 each year^[I]. Despite the recent decline in its prevalence, the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact to families have placed children—especially girls—at a higher risk of being forced into marriage to make ends meet.

Studies have shown that marrying at an early age hinders children from reaching their potential and experiencing full lives. It not only discourages them from pursuing their education, but it also makes them prone to domestic violence and to several health risks.

As a child-focused organization and member of the Child Rights Network in the Philippines, World Vision lauds the recent passing of Republic Act (RA) 11596 or An Act Prohibiting the Practice of Child Marriage. This new law recognizes child marriage as a form of abuse that debases, degrades, and demeans the intrinsic worth and dignity of children and repeals all laws, decrees, executive orders, issuances, and rules and regulations inconsistent with the provisions stated in the Act.

“As adults, we have the responsibility to make sure that children are loved, protected, and cared for not only at home but also in the community. World Vision commits to work with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Education (DepEd), and other mandated government agencies in ensuring that this Act is fully and promptly implemented,” says Rommel Fuerte, World Vision National Director.

Despite the Family Code stating that the legal age of marriage in the Philippines is 18, it is only through the passage of RA 11596 can a person be penalized for causing, fixing, facilitating, or arranging a child marriage. This includes individuals who officiate the child marriage, as well as perpetrators who are ascendants, step-parents, or guardians of the concerned minor.

“Child, early and forced marriage robs adolescent girls (and boys) of their childhood, pushing them further into deep cycle of poverty and violence which has devastating and long-lasting impact to their overall well-being. Clearly, child marriage is a violation of children’s right to protection and human rights,” shares Jezreel Domingo, Child Protection Manager for World Vision in the Philippines. “RA 11596 is a major win in protecting Filipino children and a huge step towards creating a safer Philippines for them so that girls and boys can enjoy their childhood,” Domingo added.

There are varied factors that enable child marriage but it is most closely linked with low levels of economic development. For families living in extreme poverty, child marriage can help alleviate their poor economic conditions and even offset debts or settle conflicts. In other cases, child marriage is influenced by traditions, norms, and beliefs.

With this new law that prohibits child, early and forced marriage, World Vision is hopeful that more Filipino children will be able to experience the full life aspired and intended for them.

To know more about World Vision and its other initiatives, you may visit www.worldvision.org.ph or follow World Vision’s official social media pages /worldvisionph on Facebook, @worldvisionphl on Instagram, and @worldvisionph on Twitter.

About World Vision

World Vision is a Christian relief, development, and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, their families, and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. Inspired by its Christian faith and values, it is dedicated to working with the world’s most vulnerable people. It serves and collaborates with all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender.

Shopee Recognizes Top Sellers For Operational and Marketing Excellence

 

As the e-commerce industry rapidly grows, so do the avenues and opportunities for digital MSMEs to stand out. With this need to adapt quickly, Shopee recently held its Shopee Seller Operations Excellence Awards to recognize sellers who performed exceptionally during Shopee’s mega sales and campaigns in the final quarter of last year.

 

With three categories based on what helped paved the way for their success, these sellers maximized the tools and tailor-fit platform features Shopee provides in order to emerge as among  the fastest-growing sellers in the platform:

●     Campaign Ready Award: Sellers who have the best campaign preparation performance

●     Top Campaign Day Performer Award: Sellers who have the best order fulfillment performance during a campaign day

●     All-Around Award: Sellers who have the best overall performance during campaign season, from preparations to fulfillment of orders.

 

Martin Yu, Director at Shopee Philippines, said, “Growing in e-commerce is a journey, and we are glad to support our sellers every step of the way. Shopee is pleased to recognize and celebrate these sellers who are exemplary in using Shopee-provided tools and opportunities to grow their business. We believe that they will be an inspiration to many other Filipino entrepreneurs who are already Shopee sellers or soon to embark on their digital journey with us.”

Shopee’s monthly campaigns and initiatives have helped to boost sellers’ sales and growth on the platform. During its 11.11 Big Christmas Sale, local sellers benefited from the spike in shopping activity, as those joining 11.11 for the first time saw their orders surge 18 times compared to an average day. For its 12.12 Big Christmas Sale, sellers in non-metro cities benefited from the increased visibility at seeing a 12-time uplift in orders compared to an average day.

Shopee also enables its sellers to thrive through dedicated mentoring, free training sessions, as well as exclusive online courses in Shopee’s Seller Education Hub. These efforts to make e-commerce accessible for all include helping sellers maximize the benefits of digital payment options via its integrated mobile wallet, ShopeePay. Through ShopeePay, sellers can have easier access to their earnings via the Seller Balance feature, allowing for better tracking of their shop’s revenue. Sellers can also directly cash in their ShopeePay wallets with their Seller Balance, so they can enjoy the many features of ShopeePay such as buying load, paying bills, and sending money.

 

As e-commerce becomes a more integral part of the everyday lives of Filipinos, Shopee invites current and aspiring entrepreneurs to explore the evolving digital space by Getting Started on Shopee!

 

Download the Shopee app for free via the App Store or Google Play.

 

About Shopee
Shopee is the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia & Taiwan. Shopee connects shoppers, brands, and sellers across Asia and other fast-growing markets, empowering anyone to buy and sell anywhere and at any time.

Shopee offers an easy, secure, and engaging experience that is enjoyed by millions of people daily. It offers a wide product assortment, supported by integrated payments and logistics, as well as popular entertainment features tailored for each market. Shopee is also a key contributor to the region’s digital economy with a firm commitment to helping brands and entrepreneurs succeed in e-commerce.

Shopee is a part of Sea Limited (NYSE:SE), a leading global consumer internet company. In addition to Shopee, Sea’s other core businesses include its digital entertainment arm, Garena, and digital financial services arm, SeaMoney. Sea’s mission is to better the lives of consumers and small businesses with technology.

 

About ShopeePay
ShopeePay is an integrated mobile wallet that offers users easy access to digital payment services. Launched in the Philippines in 2019, ShopeePay enables a seamless shopping experience by allowing users to make online payments on Shopee, top-up their wallets, and transfer and withdraw funds.

 

ShopeePay makes it easier to shop and do business. It provides users with a convenient, secure, and rewarding payment option; it empowers businesses and helps them capture new opportunities.

 

ShopeePay is part of SeaMoney, the digital financial services arm of Sea Group. A leading digital payments and financial services provider in Southeast Asia, SeaMoney’s mission is to better the lives of individuals and businesses in the region with financial services through technology.

 

WWF-Philippines continues to push for Extended Producers Responsibility Scheme

 

An Extended Producers Responsibility roadmap was released by conservation group World Wide Fund for Nature Philippines (WWF-Philippines) on Thursday, highlighting the substantial impact of plastics in our environment and how adopting the EPR scheme can effectively change this worsening plastic problem.

 

The updated report entitled “Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Scheme Assessment for Plastic Packaging Waste in the Philippines”, WWF-Philippines proposes an EPR scheme where the responsibility of implementing the scheme for building high-quality recycling capacity should be assumed by an industry-led, non-profit Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO), acting as the system operator, with strict monitoring and control systems carried out by the government.

 

In the first edition of the EPR study, it was shown that in 2019, the number of plastic items consumed by Filipinos was 2.15 million tons per annum. Thirty-five percent (35%) of the consumed plastics leak into the open environment while 33% are disposed of in sanitary landfills and open dumpsites, with only 9% recycled because of our lack of capacity to recycle both high and low-value plastics.

 

WWF-Philippines pushes for an EPR scheme as a critical policy tool that holds producers accountable for the full life cycle of their products and packaging. EPR is an environmental policy approach that emerged in the 1990s and is now increasingly recognized globally as a useful tool for accelerating the transition to sustainable waste management and a circular economy. This scheme encourages waste reduction through the elimination of unnecessary packaging of products and the development of more environmentally friendly packaging design.

 

"We must take collective and immediate action. The proposed EPR scheme aims to build on the country's current waste management system, integrating ongoing actions, and have collaborative action from various stakeholder groups. This way, we can stop plastic waste leakage in our nature." says Czarina Constantino, WWF-Philippines’ National Lead for the No Plastics in Nature Initiative.

 

The proposed EPR roadmap incorporates the existing country’s solid waste management infrastructure such as Materials Recovery Facilities (MRF), junk shops, and recycling facilities that aims to recover recyclable wastes. The informal waste sector, an important contributor to the Philippines’ recycling rate, has also been integrated into the EPR system. Initiatives from the businesses and civil society organizations have been included.

 

For the past few years, EPR started gaining traction and support among the policymakers as the House of Representatives recently passed House Bill 9147 also known as the “Single-Use Plastic Products Regulation Act” as the proposed substitute bill for plastics that includes an introductory provision for EPR. Meanwhile, in the Senate, Senate Bill 2425 also known as the “Extended Producers Responsibility Act” is now on its Second Reading.

 

“The battle against unnecessary plastics will be successful only if we have concerted effort from all stakeholders – supported by an enabling policy environment. Let us therefore strengthen our call for the passing of EPR into law, with good implementation, so that we can stop plastic pollution together,” says Katherine Custodio, WWF-Philippines Executive Director.

 

The proposed roadmap is part of the No Plastic in Nature Initiative - WWF’s global initiative to stop the flow of plastics entering nature by 2030 through the elimination of unnecessary plastics, doubling reuse, recycling, and recovery, and ensuring remaining plastic is sourced responsibly. Through this initiative, WWF-Philippines has been working with cities on plastic leakage, policymakers to advocate for a global treaty on plastic pollution and EPR, businesses to transition to circular business models, and the general public to campaign and act.

 

To know more about WWF-Philippines and its initiatives, please visit https://wwf.org.ph/

CLOROX : Your Guide to a COVID-free Home

 

Once again, the Department of Health (DOH) categorized the Philippines as a “high risk” country for the COVID-19 virus*. As the number of cases spikes and the positivity rate increases by the day, there’s no doubt that the highly contagious Omicron variant plays a part.

 

In response to the current situation, the government has raised the alert level status in some parts of the country and continues its vaccination efforts. And while we can further increase our body’s protection by getting a booster shot against the coronavirus, it’s vital to remain vigilant for the sake of everyone in your household. 

 

But how can you make your home clean and safe from the threats of the said virus, especially the Omicron strain? Here are some tips from Clorox Philippines, one of the country’s leading providers of cleaning and disinfecting products. 

 

Watch out for COVID-19 symptoms. The general symptoms of COVID-19 and its variants differ, let alone from the common flu. It’s critical that you familiarize yourself or at least be knowledgeable of their distinct indicators so you will know the next step you should take for your family’s safety.

 

If a family member has symptoms of COVID-19, isolate them immediately and undergo an antigen or RT-PCR test to confirm.

 

Regularly clean and disinfect your home. While cleaning and disinfecting take a lot of time and effort, it’s never wrong to apply extra safety measures now that the threat of the Omicron strain is growing. It will also help keep your household members free from bacteria and other viruses that may cause different kinds of sickness.

 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cleaning alone with the assistance of a household cleaner can already eliminate most of the COVID-19 virus on your surfaces and decrease existing germs in your home. Remember that it’s always essential to disinfect if you have COVID-infected family members to prevent the spread of the virus.

 

Frequently disinfect high-touch surfaces. High-touch surfaces are the surfaces we usually touch with our hands. Whether inside or outside our homes, these surfaces may be contaminated and exposed to different bacteria and viruses, especially the COVID-19 virus, as multiple people touch them several times a day. For that reason, disinfecting these surfaces should be a part of your daily safety protocols. 

 

At your home, always disinfect your doorknobs, doorbells, light switches, countertops, tables, everyday carry-ons, gadgets, toys, and deliveries. And when you’re outside, remember to disinfect surfaces in shared transportations, your workplace, public spaces, and even ATMs.

 

Make cleaning and disinfecting easier with Clorox Cleaners. Now, to help you clean and disinfect easier and effectively, especially if you have COVID-hit members, there’s no better and trusted companion than Clorox Cleaners. For your home’s different surfaces, whether it’s made of synthetic marble, stainless steel, glazed ceramic tile, plastic, glazed porcelain, or sealed granite, wipe them clean with the power of Clorox All-Purpose Cleaner, a bleach-free cleaner that’s proven to kill 99.9% of bacteria and viruses, including the COVID-19 virus*. 

Clorox Disinfecting Bleach, on the other hand, can be used to wash down your laundry or to clean and disinfect your other surfaces, like your house’s floors. And for your bathroom, you can utilize Clorox Toilet Bowl Cleaner. These two cleaners can also eliminate 99.9% of bacteria and viruses.

 

Then, don’t forget to use Clorox Expert Disinfectant Spray for a 30-second sanitization of the soft and hard surfaces in your house. Capable of also removing 99.9% of bacteria, fungus, and viruses including the COVID-19 virus*, you and your family can say goodbye to your home’s germs and odors.

 

Lastly, make it a one-minute habit to wipe down the high-touch surfaces inside and outside your home with Clorox Expert Disinfecting Wipes. In just one step, you will be able to clean and disinfect your surfaces, killing 99.9% of bacteria and viruses, including the COVID-19 virus*. (Follow Clorox Cleaners’ usage instructions as per label.)

 “At Clorox, we always believe that everyone should feel safe in their homes. With our Clorox Cleaners, we hope to help provide Filipino families that kind of comfort, even with the Omicron threat. Let’s always remain vigilant by regularly cleaning and disinfecting our homes to keep our loved ones safe and sound,” said Monique Gonzalez, marketing manager for Clorox Southeast Asia.

 

*SARS-CoV-2

Digital real estate selling made easy by Lumina Homes commission rate increases 6%

Real estate is one of the few industries that thrived during the pandemic. But as with other sectors, only brands that can quickly adopt full digitalization and drive online sales can see light in the post-pandemic world.

Lumina Homes, the ever-innovative housing brand for the middle-income Filipino, continues to be at the forefront of digital real estate selling.

Not only has the company become a go-to brand for homeowners and investors during the lockdowns, it has also been offering a unique opportunity for candidate sellers.

Aside from providing regular training and webinars about digitization in the real estate industry, Lumina continues to provide digital tools that make home selling easier to its partner sales network.

Lumina Homes Online

The one-stop-shop online reservation portal makes it simple for accredited brokers and sales agents to hold the preferred unit on behalf of their customers. Once the seller has reserved units in the available inventories for their clients, Lumina Homes will automatically send a reservation payment link to their email addresses.

An Interactive Project Map also allows both buyers and sellers to view Lumina Homes’ available units in the subdivision map. This gives them a better idea of the unit’s exact location within the subdivision, similar to how you reserve a plane or theater seat when making an online reservation.

Lumina Online University

Gone are the days when candidate sellers and partners travel to Lumina’s physical offices to formalize their training.

Today, they can receive their certifications in the comfort of their homes by attending Lumina Online University’s two-level learning course.

The Beginner's Course includes modules about the Fundamentals of Lumina Homes and Lumina Online Training System Guide, while the Advanced Course includes modules about Recruitment and Training, Facebook Marketing, and Digital Marketing.

Sellers’ Portal

All the mentioned digital tools can be accessed through the Lumina Sellers’ Portal—everything a seller needs to know about Lumina Homes’ condo units or house and lot packages. It’s also where sellers can track upcoming events and activities, promos, and ongoing sellers’ incentives. They can also check pricing updates, view maps, see a complete directory of Lumina offices and site locations nationwide.

Lumina Homes takes pride of introducing these sellers’ portal even before the pandemic happened, a proof of its forward-thinking characteristic that it wishes to extend to its sellers.

As such, site visits or trippings are easily scheduled online, which can also be done through 3D virtual tours, to the excitement of interested homeseekers during the lockdowns.

Virtual Tours and Online Appointments

Lumina is equipped with a virtual 360-degree house tour of its best-selling homes, so sellers and homebuyers can have a walk-through of their home models online. Homeseekers, with the assistance of their brokers or agents, can easily search for their dream home through Lumina's digital solutions. They can choose from virtual home and subdivision tours, book online appointments, and pay through digital wallets and digital banking.

Lumina Homes’ official website, www.lumina.com.ph is an effective venue to explore its best-selling home models in 3D: Angelique at 35 square meters with two-bedroom and one carport provision, and Angeli at 42 square meters with three-bedroom and one carport provision.

There’s also a virtual tour of Lumina’s signature showcase area, which offers a preview of a Lumina Homes community.

Earn more at Lumina Homes

Lumina Homes has recently increased the commission rate by 6% for its partner sales network, on top of other perks and promos, such as “Complete It to Win It,” where sellers can get additional cash incentives as they guide their buyers through the homeownership journey.

Be an accredited seller of Lumina Homes today! Register at https://sellers-portal.lumina.com.ph/accreditation or contact (0917) 629-6523.