DOTR, SM launch bike manual
SM Cares, the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of SM Supermalls, in partnership with the Department of Transportation (DOTr), recently launched the very first DOTr-SM Bike Manual.
This public-private partnership aims to promote safety, courtesy and etiquette on the road among cyclists, motorists, and pedestrians. It is based on the Active Transport Guidelines, spearheaded by the DOTr, with the support of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Health (DOH), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and Move as One Coalition.
Copies of the passport-sized manual have been published by SM Cares in English and Filipino, and will be distributed for free in all SM Malls nationwide.
DOTr Secretary Arthur P. Tugade led the virtual launch together with MMDA Chairman Benhur Abalos, DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, DILG Assistant Secretary Odilon Pasaraba, DOH Director Beverly Ho, and Move as One Coalition Lead Convener Dr Robert Siy. They were joined by SM Engineering, Development, and Design President Hans Sy Jr. and SM Retail Assistant Vice President Mara Sy Coson, and SM Supermalls President Steven Tan.
The biker’s manual, which provides biking basics and safety tips for cyclists, forms part of SM’s information campaign to complement the roll out of bike-friendly infrastructure and facilities in SM Malls nationwide. This includes the production of video materials to promote road safety for cyclists and the importance of supporting a cycling culture.
SM’s Bike-Friendly initiative at the Mall of Asia launched in September 2020. Highlights of the initiative include: SM Mall of Asia’s bike lanes covering 18 kilometers, SM Seaside Cebu’s 1.6 kilometers of bike lanes, a 2.1-hectare bike trail at SM Center Pulilan, SM City Marikina’s bike lanes and free vehicle parking for customers with bikes, and SM City Iloilo’s partnership with its local government unit.
MERALCO powers-up new covid 19 vaccination center in Tondo, Manila
In its continuing support to the government and private sector’s fight against COVID-19, Meralco recently energized the Tondo Health Center, a new COVID-19 vaccination center located along Juan Luna Street, Gagalangin, Tondo, Manila. The project involves the installation of a new 13-meter steel pole, one (1) 75-kVA distribution transformer, one (1) span of covered conductor, service drop, and a metering facility.
This new vaccination center is one of the many vital COVID-19 facilities in the Meralco franchise area that are given the highest priority in terms of providing safe, adequate, and reliable energy service in line with the company’s thrust to assist the government during the pandemic. To date, Meralco has energized more than 110 vital COVID-19 facilities that include government agencies, public and private hospitals, testing laboratories, quarantine facilities, vaccine storage facilities, and vaccination centers.
Cebu Pacific carries more COVID-19 vaccines
CebuPacific transported another batch of COVID-19 vaccines across the archipelago last week.
CEB flew more than”¯236,000 doses”¯to”¯five cities in the Philippines, specifically to Tuguegarao and Legazpi on April 30, and to Tacloban, Zamboanga, and Cotabato on May 1.
This shipment comprised 41,600 doses for Tuguegarao, 67,200 doses for Legazpi, 73,600 for Tacloban, 25,600 for Zamboanga, and 28,800 for Cotabato.
Upon receipt of the vaccines at the Cebu Pacific Cargo warehouse in Pasay, these were placed in a reefer container equipped with cooling systems for proper storage before cargo loading.
These vaccines were immediately transferred to container vans upon arrival at the destinations, ready for local distribution.
On April 29, CEB flew half a million vaccine doses from Beijing to Manila, in coordination with the Department of Health. Since March 2021 up to the present, CEB has flown more than 500,000 COVID 19 vaccine doses from Manila to various provinces across the archipelago.
Constructors group recognizes outstanding projects
The Philippine Constructors Association (PCA) together with the American Concrete Institute Philippines Chapter, held recently the first-ever Philippine Excellence in Concrete Construction Awards, in line with the Philippine Construction Industry Roadmap 2020-2030 that adopted the theme Tatag at Tapat or building with integrity.
The winners for the different categories include the Infinity House by Carlo CaIma Consultancy for Low-Rise Building; the SM 4 ECOM Center by EEI Corporation for Mid-Rise Building; and the ATG Towers 2 by the Makati Development Corporation for High-Rise Building.
The Mactan Cebu International Airport Terminal 2 by Megawide Construction Corp. was awarded for the Infrastructure category and the Paranaque Integrated Terminal Exchange also by Megawide Construction Corp. was chosen in the Decorative Concrete category. The Wilcon Builders Depot by J Vazco Inc was awarded for Horizontal Construction.
DMCI Project Developers received a nod for its work on the Parish of the Holy Sacrifice Chapel in the University of the Philippines for the Repair and Restoration category and is also the first-ever overall winner of the Philippine Excellence in Concrete Construction Awards for the same project.
The winners of the 2021 Philippine Excellence in Concrete Construction Awards will compete with the best of the best at the upcoming 2021 American Concrete Institute’s Excellence in Construction Awards in the US next month.
MDI enters deal with Advantage Partners
Micro-D International Inc. (MDI), together with its fully-owned subsidiary Novare Technologies, recently sealed a multi-billion peso investment deal with Japanese private equity (PE) firm Advantage Partners (AP).
MDI’s partnership with AP will facilitate the company’s goal to achieve its full potential as a trusted digital transformation partner for market leaders, both here and in the region. The transaction represents the first investment in the Philippines by AP Funds.
Founded in 1992, Advantage Partners, LLP is a leading Private Equity investment firm in Japan, having invested in 43 companies across a range of industries. Founded in 1988, MDI Novare is a leader in the local IT market that caters to blue chip companies in the Philippines.
Huawei joins Smart’s efforts to empower learning communities
Smart Communications Inc.’s portable digital classrooms are in even more schools in various parts of the country with the recent donation of School-in-a-Bag packages by Huawei Technologies Philippines Inc.
The latest beneficiaries include Halang Elementary School in eastern Calamba, Laguna; Camflora Elementary School in the fourth-class municipality of San Andres, Quezon Province; and Panglima Sugala Sailing School in the southernmost island province of Tawi-Tawi. The donation was coursed through the PLDT-Smart Foundation (PSF).
Each School-in-a-Bag package comes with a water-resistant backpack that contains a laptop for the teacher, 20 tablets for students to access interactive applications even while offline, and a Smart LTE pocket WiFi kit for teachers to connect to the internet and download additional content.
To complement the donation, the PLDT wireless unit trains teachers and representatives from beneficiary schools on the Central Visayan Institute Foundation – Dynamic Learning Program (CVIF-DLP) education strategy. The program trains students to learn independently, an approach that is ideal during the pandemic.
Toyota offers savings on sanitation products
Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) is offering customers up to 20 percent in savings on selected sanitation products and services in all Toyota dealerships nationwide from May 3 to 15.
Included in the special promo is the Toyota BactaKlenz service, an anti-bacterial treatment proven to eliminate 99.99 percent of bacteria, molds, and fungi inside the vehicle. Once servicing is done, the sanitation process is performed just before the vehicle is turned over to the customer. Its effectiveness can last up to three months.
The UV Lamp is a Toyota genuine accessory designed to regularly sanitize the car interior from virus, bacteria, and harmful organisms using ultraviolet light. It is portable and safe to use with a 60 second delay function which allows the occupant to safely leave the car before disinfection starts.
The Air Purifier uses plasma cluster technology to deactivate airborne virus and bacteria by releasing positive and negative ions. It is a great companion for daily drives by keeping the cabin air always fresh and clean. It conveniently fits the cup holder and can be plugged via USB for power source. Owners just need to press power button and select from operation modes: low, medium, or turbo to start.
Etiqa PH launches MyLife+
Etiqa Philippines has launched MyLife+, a yearly renewable health insurance plan that gives consumers access to Etiqa’s extensive medical network nationwide.
Ideal for individuals and families, MyLife+ is priced competitively and covers individuals from two weeks to 70 years old. Within just 15 days of issuance, MyLife+ members can receive quality healthcare from over 29,000 physicians and 1,500 hospitals and clinics.
More than a medical plan, MyLife+ is a retail offering that gives individuals the advantage of a robust health insurance product that can be purchased online. To make it easier for customers to avail of services, Etiqa has launched its mobile app SmilePH for iOs and Android.
