B8 Monday, February 18, 2019
VILLAR LEADS DISTRIBUTION OF FISHING BOATS, TRI-BIKES TO BASECO RESIDENTS SUN LIFE FOUNDATION, BANTAY KALIKASAN TIE UP FOR ECO-TOURISM PROJECT
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U N Life Fou nd at ion, t he philanthropy arm of Sun Life Fi n a nc i a l Ph i l ippi nes, joi ns hands with Bantay Kalikasan, the env ironment a l a r m of A BS - CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation, for the construction of the Panganiban mangrove-forest boardwalk in Gubat,
Sorsogon, to promote environmental sustainability while boosting income generation for the locals. Once completed, the Panganiban mangrove-forest boardwalk will provide easier access to the mangrove park and open path for activities like strolling along the white sands of Luneta Island,
visiting the Mangrove Nursery and learning more about crab aquaculture. T he place w ill be open to the public upon its completion in July, and is projected to boost eco-tourism and provide additional income for the residents. QuotingSunLifeFoundationPresident Alex Narciso, “Given Sun Life’s f inancia l-literac y thrust, we aim to promote the preservation of nature without compromising the people’s livelihood. This eco-tourism initiative with Bantay Kalikasan perfectly combines both advocacies.” T he g roundbrea k ing for the Panganiban mangrove-forest boardwalk was recent ly held w ith the following attendance: Narciso, Sun Life Chief Marketing Officer Mylene Lopa, Sun Life Foundation executive director Kristine Millete, along with Bantay Kalikasan Chief Financial Officer Lita Lara, Bantay Kalikasan program director Jen Santos and Bantay K a l i k a sa n c lu ster lead Mikhail Dizon.
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EN. Cynthia Villar led the distribution of fishing boats and tri-bikes to residents of Baseco Compound in Tondo, Manila. Kitchen utensils were also given to three schools in the area, namely, Sen Benigno Aquino Jr. Elementary School, Pres. Corazon Aquino High School and Herminigildo J. Atienza Elementary School. The distribution of 10 fishing boats, five tri-bikes and utensils was initiated by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR). BFAR is a partner of Villar and the Villar Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation and Governance (Villar Sipag) in providing livelihood opportunities to Baseco residents through aquaculture. “We are very thankful for the help and intervention dedicated to the improvement of Baseco and its residents. Soon, we can all be proud of our hard work and showcase Baseco as a model site for a community rehabilitation project coupled with urban agriculture, aquaculture and other livelihood projects,” Villar said. The day’s activity also included the planting of 500 mangrove seedlings participated by representatives from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Education, Department of Public Works and Highways, Metro Manila Development Authority, Kabalikat sa Kaunlaran ng Baseco, MBC-DZRH and barangay officials of Gasangan. Villar, chairman of the Committee on Agriculture and Food and the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, also took the opportunity to thank government and private agencies who have been working with her years
before the biggest Manila Bay rehab plan was conceived. Since 2015 Villar has been returning to Gasangan, Barangay 649 in Baseco, a coastal community along Manila Bay, to conduct monthly cleanup and tree-planting activities, as well as to check on the progress of the construction of toilets. After Villar raised the issue of poor sanitary conditions in Baseco, the Department of Health (DOH), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), City of Manila and Maynilad came together to launch zero open defecation for Baseco Compound project in May 2017. As one of the densely populated barangays in Manila, Barangay 649 has a total population of 42,908. Of the 7,801 households, 80 percent have no access to a sanitary toilet. At the beginning of the project, Villar has also taken the initiative to pave the street and build a communal septic tank. She also sought the commitment of authorities for the regular collection of garbage to prevent solid-waste accumulation in Manila Bay. Under the zero open defecation program, the DOH is the overall lead agency in the construction of 5,000 toilets, with DSWD leading the screening and selection of Pantawid Pamilya partner-beneficiaries for cash-for-work who will serve as the primary work force of the project. Through the help of the Bureau of Soils and Water Management, Villar established urban gardens, which has been the source of vegetables for residents’ own consumption and livelihood. Recycling projects were also initiated in the area provided by the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission.
EMPOWERING WOMEN, DEVELOPING THE NATION
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HE Asia Women’s Summit 2019, recently held at the Marriott Grand Ballroom, focused on empowering women and developing the nation. Presented by Airspeed and Bio-Oil, the summit gathered a roster of inspiring female powerhouses who shared how they overcame their obstacles while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Speakers shared their own success stories and imparted the valuable lessons that have helped shape them into the strong women they are today. Among the summit’s speakers were Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat, who shared her advocacy for sustainable tourism in the Philippines. Multiplatinum songwriter Jana Stansfield serenaded the crowd with an empowering song celebrating women, while maritime industry expert lawyer Iris Baguilat focused on employee engagement and satisfaction in the workplace. MFT Group of Companies Chief Executive Officer Mica Tan spoke on family legacy and ABS-CBN Foundation managing director Susan Afan closed off the summit by discussing how empowering women is an important part of nation building.
Another powerhouse female who continues to thrive in a male-dominated industry, Rosemarie P. Rafael, chairman and president of logistics company Airspeed, served as moderator in the morning panel discussion. The Asia Women’s Summit continues to break boundaries and lift women up year after year, and 2019’s summit was no different. In the words of Romulo-Puyat: “Our nation’s success largely depends on us women. We can fight, we can achieve, we can dream”. Airspeed is a corporate logistics company focused in freight-forwarding solutions, customs releasing, customized logistics, warehousing and distribution. With its growing network, Airspeed aims to make it happen to all of its stakeholders as it has for over 30 years. Founded in 1985 as an international air freight forwarder, Airspeed is now one of the country’s most trusted and fastest growing logistics brand serving the business-tobusiness and business-to-consumer market. Visit www.airspeed.ph.
DLSU LIBRARIES, OMF LITERATURE HOLD JOURNALING WORKSHOP, PLANNER LAUNCH
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HE De La Salle University Libraries, in partnership with OMF Literature Inc. held a basic journaling workshop and planner launch at the university’s learning commons on January 29.
Facilitated by Ida Torres, a former teacher with an advertising and marketing career spanning 18 years, the basic journaling workshop was designed for students, faculty members and staff. It tackled how journaling is a means of practicing self-care, making time for reflection and introspection, learning how to manage time, cultivating problem-solving skills and encouraging creativity through small artistic endeavors. The workshop coincided with the launch of “Whatever is True,” a poetry and praise planner published by OMF Literature Inc. The planner features writing prompts, poetry, inspirational quotes and a biblereading plan for the entire year. It is the publishing house’s first planner. Co-organized by the DLSU Libraries, the event is part of an ongoing effort to create an interactive environment that fosters multiple ways of teaching and learning.