MVP Companies boost safety measures
As much of the country shifts to general community quarantine (GCQ), the MVP Group of Companies is stepping up the delivery of their services to help the Filipino people get back on their feet.
Step-by-step, in line with evolving government guidelines, companies like the Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC), Maynilad Water Services Inc., Manila Electric Company (MERALCO), and PLDT-Smart are offering the public greater convenience and better service while ensuring the safety of their both customers and employees .
TRANSPORT: LRMC sets bar high for safe transportation. For commuters returning to work, the LRMC, which operates the LRT-1 line, has begun servicing passengers since June 1 for trips to major cities in Metro Manila such as Pasay, Manila, and Quezon City.
Safety measures have been put in place such as limiting passengers to only 160 per trip, requiring them to wear face masks and checking their body temperature before boarding the trains. The LRMC has procured thermal imaging scanners and installed them in high-traffic stations such as Monument North Bound, Roosevelt Mezzanine, Doroteo Jose, Gil Puyat South Bound, EDSA South Bound, and Baclaran. Contactless payments are also being encouraged through the use of Stored Value Cards.
Employees are being provided with face masks, hygiene supplies, regular health checks, and modified work arrangements.
The LRMC has upgraded its disinfection equipment with Ultraviolet C (UVC) technology developed by the University of the Philippines Diliman’s National Engineering Center (UPNEC). Handheld devices and 360Ëš UVC lamps are being used to complement chemical disinfection inside the trains at end stations and also during nightly sanitation activities at the LRT-1 depot facility.
Sanitation protocols such as foot baths/disinfecting mats, alcohol sanitizer dispenser, and floor markers for physical distancing are also being continued in all stations, as well as regular disinfection of commonly touched areas every 30 minutes.
WATER: Maynilad resumes major construction works. Maynilad was set to resume its major construction projects in June. Beginning June 1, customers of the West Zone concessionaire was scheduled to receive a single “transitional” water bill that will reflect actual billing and consumption for the months of March to May 2020, plus the actual billing and consumption for June 2020.
Business Area offices of Maynilad have been scheduled to reopen gradually, with new safety policies in accordance with public health safety and social distancing guidelines.
POWER: MERALCO vows to protect employees. The Manila Electric Company (MERALCO) continues its commitment to #KeepTheLightsOn. Strict return-to-office health protocols are now being implemented to keep employees safe from COVID-19.
Using technology as its first line of defense, MERALCO is keeping tabs on employees’ whereabouts and health status by declaring their daily information on an online app called Code Light. This makes contact tracing faster and easier. in case an employee begins to manifest symptoms of COVID-19.
Transportation has also been provided for employees to reduce random contact with people on the streets. PPEs are also provided for personnel engaged in external work. Flexible hours, shifting, and work-from-home are also being adapted.
For employees and contractors required on-site, MERALCO has also partnered with the Pasig CIty Health Office to conduct rapid mass testing.
CONNECTIVITY: PLDT-Smart commits to keep families connected amid physical distancing. PLDT and its wireless subsidiary Smart Communications continues to provide vital communication services to help people keep in touch with their loved ones, stay informed and entertained, and, able to work and study during the pandemic.
To keep network services going, PLDT and Smart are now carefully controlling the operations of its field and support personnel such as repair and maintenance crews, agents deployed in call centers, and sales and service centers. At the same time, the two companies are gradually restarting its network roll-out activities in order to further increase the capacity and reach of their fixed and mobile networks.
Similar to its sister companies, health, safety, and sanitation practices are also strictly being enforced in all offices and business areas. Field crews remain ready to address emergency requirements and critical operations, all while following strict health, safety, and sanitation measures.
“Better Farms, Better Lives” by Bayer
“Better Farms, Better Lives” is in line with Bayer’s overall aspiration to help build a world where there is Health for All, Hunger for None. The initiative focuses on providing smallholder farmers with the assistance needed to address the additional challenges they may be facing as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
“Smallholder farmers are essential to providing food security to billions of people, but the on-going COVID pandemic is placing extra challenges on their ability to produce food for their communities and beyond,” said Liam Condon, President of Bayer’s Crop Science Division. “In this critical time, our hope is that our Better Farms, Better Lives initiative, additional support and partnerships with local and global NGOs will not only result in resiliency for smallholders but will also ensure this current health and economic crisis does not turn into a hunger crisis.”
The COVID pandemic has caused logistical issues for many farmers globally due to enforced lockdowns which has limited access to seeds, crop protection inputs and labor. As a result of disruptions to food supplies, consumers may ultimately see higher food prices, ironically at a time when many farmers are seeing reduced incomes due to disruptions in the supply chain and the subsequent lack of market access.
In the Philippines, Bayer has been supporting Filipino farmers through its Bayer Agricademy program. Since its launch in 2018, Bayer has guided more than 60,000 rice farmers to increase their yields ranging from 50-130%. It plans to scale up the program to directly assist at least 100,000 rice & corn farmers by 2021. It intends to partner with the Department of Agriculture and local stakeholders.
Bayer is committed to helping more than 100 million smallholder farmers in developing countries by 2030. The immediate COVID-19 response through the “Better Farms, Better Lives” initiative complements on-going smallholder support which will aid in mid-term recovery as well as long-term resilience. Additionally, in collaboration with others and to ensure the greatest successful impact for smallholders, Bayer will work and expand its partnerships with governments, internationally recognized NGOs and local organizations; create a Smallholder Center of Excellence for sharing successes; provide accelerated access to digital farming tools to increase capabilities; scale up existing and new value chain partnerships and further expand value chain partnerships across Asia-Pacific countries.
