Browsing Category

Lifestyle

Lifestyle, News

VALUEPLUS with the partnership of Jandusay & Sons launched the VPX Batangas City

The ribbon-cutting ceremony is attended by (from left to right) Mr. Normann Chiu, President of ValuePlus, Mr. Jett Martel Jandusay, Operations Manager of VPX Batangas City, Mrs. Menjie Jandusay, Treasurer of VPX Batangas City, Mr. John Alvin Jandusay, Branch Manager of VPX Batangas City, Mr. Mark Saberola, General Manager of ValuePlus and Mr. Richmann Uy, Chief Financial Officer of ValuePlus.

Value Plus Auto Service Express (VPX), the franchising brand of Value Plus Auto Services Philippines Inc., goes ahead with its latest franchise expansion in Batangas City, with high aspirations for the rest of the year as the economy recovers from the epidemic.

VPX is an aftermarket auto service that was founded in 2013 with the goal of assisting millions of people around the metro with their automobile difficulties. VPX officially welcomes Jandusay and Sons, its newest ValuePlus franchisee-partners, to its family with the official launch of VPX Batangas City.

Brothers John Alvin Jandusay and Jet Martel Jandusay, along with their father Hanniel, had first started thinking about putting up a business in 2018 and came across Value Plus online. “We were considering several different types of businesses. But we got to thinking, ‘Why should we go for the common? Let’s be different!” shares John Alvin, the 24-year-old branch manager of VPX Batangas City.As car enthusiasts themselves, the family decided to partner with VPX and franchise their own“casa alternative.”

With the opening of VPX Batangas City, last May 26, 2021, ValuePlus now has 4 branches in its franchising program, two of which are in Metro Manila.

The VPX franchise is one of the most competitive businesses in the industry, shares VPX General Manager Mark Saberola. “ValuePlus is founded on a sound business model that’s been proven to be crisis-proof. Despite the pandemic, all our branches have thrived.With our newly introduced Starter Package, ranging from P4.5M-P7M, franchisees can have their very own auto repair shop up and running in 2 to 3 months’ time. We assure our partners that ValuePlus will guide them every step of the way,” he adds.

The newly built facility is equipped with state-of-the-art Wheel Alignment system from Hunter Engineering, Lifters, Computer scanner and operates with a world-class shop management system from Canada.

The family-owned VPX Batangas City branch, located along Batangas-Tabangao-Lobo Road in Barangay Libjo, officially opened its 300-sqm repair shopthis second quarter and is ready to cater to the needs of drivers in this part of South Luzon. VPX Batangas City enters the market at the most opportune time, with more Filipinos relying on private transportation to stay safe from COVID-19.

To date, according to Saberola, around 3.5 million cars are no longer covered by their manufacturer’s warranty. And thus, car owners seek trusted auto repair service providers for their vehicles’ needs. “While there may be many other auto repair shop franchises, the unique advantage of ValuePlus is the quality of their work and the expertise of the personnel. From the managers to the technicians, they are all very professional and skilled. They know exactly how to fix your cars,” shares Jet.

Jandusay and Sons established full confidence in VPX as first-time franchisees, especially after being helped by management through multiple trainings to understand the fundamentals of the business. “The training was very thorough, and the management was very hands on during the training. All our questions and concerns were addressed, so now we’re more knowledgeable about the workflow,” says Jet. “You can’t learn a business in just 30 days, but with the help of VPX management, we felt more secure and confident. Partnering up with them was definitely the best decision!”

Batangueños come out in full support of the opening of the first “Casa Alternative” in the city with local government officials and eminent members of the community throwing their weights behind this new venture.

“Though we are an almost decade-old brand and our systems are well-established, we still work closely with our franchisees to ensure that we provide the direction and assistance they need in building up their business,” says Saberola. “We want to help them achieve their dream; their success is our success, too.” Saberola encourages other entrepreneurs who have long desired to establish their own business to look into franchising programs like theirs.

If you want to begin your own casa and would need a foolproof method to do so, VPX is here to assist you! ValuePlus is a full-service business solutions provider, not just an auto repair shop. Make a request right now.

For more information about VPX and ValuePlus’s franchise opportunity, contact them at [email protected] or call 0917-637-2085, or visit their Facebook page at fb.com/solutionsvpx.

 

 

 

May 27, 2021 by
Lifestyle

Season 2 of MIND S-COOL TV is now available having the issues of climate change and biodiversity at the spotlight

In the midst of the outbreak, the Bonifacio Art Foundation Inc (BAFI), a non-stock, non-profit foundation, was the first to establish MIND S-COOL TV (MSC TV), a new educational program. MSC TV has found a new broadcast home in Cignal, which has the largest subscriber base in the country.

Season 1 of MSC TV focused on the most fundamental questions about nature. When it first aired in Cignal, the response was overwhelmingly positive, demonstrating that MSC TV had reached thousands of families from all walks of life across the country!

MIND S-COOL TV features “connected learning” – cutting across content in the sciences and the arts and relates concepts, framing it as genuine adventures to help us have an even better normal.  They strongly resonate with lessons in the K-12 curriculum but even more, they are updated and delivered in ways using techniques that have been tried and tested in “inspired learning” which museums and performing centers work on and master, to deliver to its audiences.

For Season 2, with the wondrous space in The Mind Museum as the base, MSC T Season 2 also made full use of digitally enhanced graphics to reinforce the power of our minds to travel across time and places around the world!

Season 2 will focus on the only home we all share, nature and what it brings us – life, and how it relates to time, place, our genes, the built-up environment, and technology! For Season 2, we will of course be led by Mikee and Pecier, the 2 main questers of MSC TV, but it will have the entry of new characters that viewers will definitely love and be able to relate to, such as Manong Genius Guard or “Manong G”, as the questers fondly refer to him.

The Season 2 episodes features natural life and how they relate to our real-world settings, particularly two of the most fundamental issues of our time which the Philippines is at the center of: the climate crisis and biodiversity loss. Viewers will find themselves watching it with their families and learning together and most of all, being inspired to act because of what they have learned.

The power of “shared viewing” in Cignal, the largest cable network in the country, safely with your family, where learning is not just easily accessible but supported by other members of your family is a big gain for education not just in pandemic times but beyond. Like the favorite educational TV programs of your childhood that you watched with your families, MIND S-COOL promises the viewers the same lasting gift.

The Bonifacio Art Foundation Inc (BAFI), a non-stock, non-profit foundation, has always championed science and art in education, beginning with The Mind Museum that opened in 2012, and the BGC Arts Center in 2017. Carrying on with the same vision and determination, BAFI now brings you MIND S-COOL TV, to re-imagine learning for Filipino students to enrich and expand learning which every Filipino, especially the young, deserves.

BAFI was able to do this because of the support of partners and for Season 2, it had the support of Fluor, an engineering firm that strongly advocates for STEM education and who saw the power of “shared viewing on TV” in learning. Season 2 was also supported by 3M through Global Giving.

****

MIND S-COOL TV Season 2 will show up for the Filipino learner in Colours and One PH Channels on Cignal TV starting June 5:

SATURDAYS 9:00 a.m. | Colours TV Ch. 202 HD and 60 SD

SUNDAYS, 11:00 a.m. | One PH Ch. 1

Streaming for FREE on Cignal Play

Watch Season 1 on Mind S-Cool YouTube <bit.ly/MindSCoolyoutube>

Season 2 will be uploaded week after airing new episodes on Cignal.

MIND S-COOL TV Season 2 is made possible by Global Giving, 3M, and Fluor, and supported by NutriAsia

TO KNOW MORE, OR IF YOU WISH TO KNOW HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT MIND S-COOL AND THE OTHER PROJECTS OF THE BONIFACIO ART FOUNDATION, please send an inquiry to:

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

May 26, 2021 by
Lifestyle

GRABPAY AT SM SUPERMALLS WILL GET YOU AMAZING DISCOUNTS AND DEALS

Grab, Southeast Asia’s most popular everyday superapp, has teamed up with SM Supermalls to make shopping safer for mall visitors while also providing additional discounts through amazing discounts.

From May 15 to June 30, shoppers at SM Supermalls and Markets can take advantage of the following perks.

RIDE WITH GRAB

Ride safer with GrabCar and enjoy PHP 100 off on your rides with promo code: SHOPSMMALLS. Promo code is valid at SM City North EDSA, SM City Fairview, SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall, and SM Aura Premier.

PARK WITH GRAB

Pay cashless for your parking fee with GrabPay and get a PHP 50 cashback voucher that can be used to pay for your next parking. Promo valid at Pay Parking in SM Supermalls and SM Markets nationwide.

SHOP WITH GRAB

Make the most out of your shopping at The SM Store and SM Markets and get PHP 100 off on GrabCar ride or PHP 100 cashback shopping voucher for every *qualified purchase via GrabPay. Promo valid at over 400 participating The SM Store and SM Markets branches nationwide.

CASH-IN WITH GRAB

While in SM Supermalls, don’t forget to cash-in your GrabPay wallet by simply heading over to any SM Business Center or Mall Information Booth for a safe and hassle-free experience. Best of all, it’s instant and free.

Mall goers paying with their GrabPay wallet can earn GrabRewards points for their purchases, which they can use to save more on their GrabFood orders, Grab rides, or on their next visit to SM or choose from a wide catalogue of vouchers to enjoy more savings from.

Paying for your parking and shopping transactions is safer and much more convenient with QR codes available at the payment booths. Here’s how to do it:

  • Open the Grab app and tap the Payment tab
  • Tap on “Scan to Pay”
  • Scan the QR code
  • Just swipe to pay!
Terms and Conditions apply. Visit grb.to/SMxGrab for the complete promo mechanics. Per DTI Fair Trade Permit Nos. FTEB-118800 and FTEB-119276 Series of 2021.

In compliance with safety protocols, mall goers are always advised to wear a face mask and face shield upon riding GrabCar and going to SM Supermalls.

Download Grab PH app for free at Google Play, App Store, and App Gallery.

*Purchases made in areas with GrabCar service will be awarded a P100 GrabCar voucher. Purchases made outside GrabCar service areas will be awarded a P100 cashback voucher.

 

May 26, 2021 by
Lifestyle, News

Commitment, Resiliency, and Team Spirit at Baliuag University

 

The previous academic year was a memorable one for BALIUAG UNIVERSITY (BU), with enormous challenges putting the university to the strain on a variety of fronts. It was able to overcome difficulties and adapt to the new normal because of the hard work, passion, and perseverance of its administration, instructors, staff, students, and parents.

Among its achievements during this period, BU undertook the big shift from in-person classes to its University Alternative Learning Platform (ULAP), which involved supporting both faculty and students as they transitioned to the virtual classroom setup and continued the learning journey. Its administration ensured that the BU community remained engaged and connected by hosting virtual activities, from commemorating achievements to celebrating cherished holidays.

BU is eager to keep the momentum continuing after more than a year of the pandemic, and looks forward to the next school year with increased passion and excitement. While this year may provide its own set of problems, BU remains consistent in its belief that by combining devotion, resiliency, and team spirit, it will be able to achieve its aims and objectives of offering a high-quality education and assisting students in their academic pursuits. It will seize the moment and keep innovating to assist and be there for its beloved Baliuag University family at all times and in all ways.


Be a part of Baliuag University and experience quality and flexible education in a better normal!

Application for COLLEGE FRESHMEN, TRANSFEREES and GRADE 11 for School Year 2021-2022 is now ongoing. For online application, visit: Senior High School: https://tinyurl.com/olshs2122; College: https://tinyurl.com/olcollege2122

For more information about Baliuag University, visit: https://baliuagu.edu.ph/           https://www.facebook.com/BaliuagU

 

May 26, 2021 by
Lifestyle

From May 28 to 31, visit Estancia for a four-day Fab Sale!

Enjoy a four-day shopping frenzy at Estancia’s forthcoming end-of-the-month sale! Enjoy incredible offers and discounts on a variety of clothes, accessories, cosmetic needs, gadgets, and much more to round out the month.

Lots of surprises are in store for everyone! Participating merchants in the 4-day sale include Avocadoria, Barenaked Sugaring Salon, Buffalo Wild Wings, Fino Leatherware, GNC, Happy Lemon, James & Daughters, Jipan Café & Bakeshop, Johnson Fitness, Lock & Lock, Luna Jewelry by Drake Dustin, Motorino Pizzeria, Motostyle, Naughty Nachos, Onezo Tapioca, Pancake House, Pet Express, Shadows & Patterns, Sigekiya Ramen, Skin Station, Toys R Us, Uniqlo, and many more!

You can also check out The SM Store at Estancia with their 4-day sale from May 28 to 31 and enjoy up to 50% off on selected items for you and the whole family to enjoy. Have a fun shopping blast with your family and friends!

Mall-goers are ensured of their safety and can freely have a good time while shopping and strolling at Estancia, located in Capitol Commons, Pasig City. Make the most out of your shopping day and enjoy delicious food with great company at Estancia’s al fresco dining.

Be sure to take advantage of Estancia and The SM Store’s 4-day sale! For more information, you can check out Estancia’s official Facebook page.

 

 

May 25, 2021 by
Lifestyle, News

TikTok Introduces New Feature to Help Fight Bullying On The App

TikTok, the world’s most popular short-form mobile video platform, announces today the release of a new community management tool that will help artists optimize engagements with their material. Creators can delete comments in bulk or report people in batches of up to 100 who they believe are breaking the TikTok Community Guidelines.

Users can access a window of options by long-pressing on a remark or using the pencil icon in the upper left corner to manage interactions on a video. Instead of having to go through each remark or account one by one, users may now pick up to 100 comments or accounts at once, making it easier to remove, report, or ban persons in masse.

The feature is rolling out globally over the coming weeks and builds upon ongoing efforts to promote a kind and welcoming TikTok community. For example, the platform recently introduced a way to filter all comments so that only those a creator chooses would appear on their content. Prior to that, a comment-prompt feature was rolled out that encouraged users to reconsider posting a potentially unkind comment on a video. Additionally, users aged 13 to 17 have additional safeguards on their accounts designed to promote an age-appropriate experience, including restrictions on Duet, Stitch, DMs, and comments.

Joshua Goodman, Director of Product, Trust and Safety at TikTok said, “People put their hearts and souls into creating and entertaining on TikTok, and we recognize how discouraging it can feel to receive unkind comments on videos. Community experience is an utmost priority for TikTok, and our long-term goal for the platform is to foster a welcoming and kind community where people can express themselves creatively. We hope this update helps creators feel more empowered over their TikTok experience, and hold their fellow TikTok community members accountable for their actions on the platform.”

In addition to  developing tools to protect user experience on the platform, TikTok is also safeguarding its internal Trust and Safety team with ongoing training, resources and other tools to support their day-to-day work and career development. The company recently became a Trust and Safety Professional Association (TSPA) partner, allowing every Trust and Safety professional at TikTok to be supported in their day-to-day duties.

The TikTok Trust and Safety team works to keep the platform safe and welcoming for its global community. They develop and enforce platform Community Guidelines so users can consume content on the platform without unexpectedly viewing content that violates TikTok policies. These employees are challenged with staying ahead of evolving violative content and making equitable and consistent policy and moderation decisions on potentially violative user-generated content.

The partnership between TikTok and TSPA will also improve the platform’s strategy to protecting the people in a kindness-driven community. Visit the TikTok Safety Center, which can be accessed in the app settings, for additional information on TikTok’s work in this area or, go to https://www.tiktok.com/safety/en/. TikTok is accessible for free on the Apple Store, Google Play Store, and Huawei AppGallery for iOS and Android.

 

 

 

 

May 25, 2021 by
Lifestyle

Smile Train and the RMN Foundation collaborate on Cleft Con Radio

Smile Train, the world’s leading cleft charity, is introducing Cleft Con Radio, a series of talks about comprehensive cleft care, in collaboration with RMN Foundation (RMNF), RMN Networks, Inc.’s corporate social responsibility arm.

Smile Train hopes to educate more patients and parents of children with clefts, as well as teach more communities in the country, by using the RMNF’s extensive network in the country. Apart from extensive cleft treatment, Smile Train applies what it has learned through its telehealth program by discussing subjects that may be useful to persons with clefts and their loved ones who need more information on how to help and engage with them in their everyday lives. Feeding and nutrition, surgery and post-surgical care, speech therapy, and oral hygiene, among other topics, will be tackle, with each one suited to the unique needs of persons with cleft palates.

“This partnership means a great deal to the foundation. We know that there are millions out there who rely heavily on radio to receive much-needed information, especially during this time when access to information is limited. We wish to lend a helping hand not only as believers of Smile Train’s advocacy but that we are cognizant of the needs of our fellow Filipinos around the country,” said RMN’s President and Chairman, Eric S. Canoy.

Cleft Con Radio will start May 25, 2:30 p.m. on RMN DZXL 558 and will be on air every other Tuesday thereafter, until July 27. Each discussion is designed to help more people understand the cleft community better. Starting with basic topics such as What is a cleft?  to more in-depth ones such as breastfeeding and nutrition of infants with a cleft and challenges cleft-affected individuals face such as bullying.

Each episode will also be made available online for those who are unable to access the discussion in real time. To check the topics, schedules, and uploaded episodes, interested parties can go to Smile Train Philippines’ Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/SmileTrainPhilippines/ and RMN DZXL’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/RMNDZXL558Manila/.

“Smile Train is grateful for like-minded partners like RMNF. The pandemic truly highlighted the needs from people affected with cleft. Cleft Con Radio is an initiative meant to enable patients and their parents or guardians to continue their learning, as well as educate the public about cleft during the time we all have limited access to information. Through RMNF, we are confident that we will be able to reach more individuals and communities,” said Smile Train South East Asia Area Director, Kimmy Flaviano.

Since the start of the pandemic, Smile Train’s speech telehealth program in the Philippines has treated over 200 patients, providing them with more than 1,000 cleft care-related sessions—including speech therapy, nutritional support, breastfeeding guidance for mothers of babies with clefts, pre-surgical consultations, and psychosocial care. Recently, the organization launched the country’s first Filipino speech therapy mobile application which serves as a platform for more patients and families born with cleft to continue to receive comprehensive cleft care with minimal disruptions.

For more information about Smile Train’s global efforts and to donate, please visit smiletrain.org. To learn more about Smile Train’s local programs in the Philippines, please visit smiletrain.ph, follow Smile Train Philippines on Twitter and Instagram @SmileTrainPh, and like us on Facebook at @SmileTrainPhilippines. The Smile Train Philippines mobile application can be downloaded via Google Play.

About RMN Foundation
The RMN Foundation (RMNF) was established on September 5, 2012 as the corporate social responsibility arm of RMN Networks, Inc., which is committed to support and cultivate humanitarian relationships that uplift the Filipino’s quality of life in every part of the Philippines. With a nationwide broadcasting strength of over 60 AM and FM owned and affiliated radio stations, the RMN Networks aims to only provide public service through the airwaves, but also in the most meaningful way directly to local audiences through the efforts of RMN Foundation. The Foundation is a non-stock, non-profit organization that develops and implements programs to address the needs of the underprivileged and contribute to address the social problems in the country. To learn more about RMN, please contact [email protected] and visit their website rmn.ph.

 

May 25, 2021 by
Lifestyle

Mayani and WalterMart Supermarket have teamed up to support local farmers and communities

WalterMart Supermarket, one of the Philippines’ largest supermarket chains, has launched Palengke Fresh with Mayani, the fastest-growing farm-to-table digital platform, to improve its agricultural supply chain while alleviating the plight of our local farmers.

WalterMart will purchase directly from Mayani’s network of over 12,000 smallholder farmers as part of this scheme, providing fresher produce at a better value to all of its customers.

 “Our commitment to the communities and our customers is to win through malasakitfrom farm to market,” says Rose Caalam, General Manager of WalterMart Supermarket. “Malasakitto ensure a sustainable income for our farmers during this pandemic through Mayani, malasakitto our customers by providing them quality and affordable fresh produce assortment, and malasakit to employees by making our proud local ambassadors of fresh and healthy products.”

WalterMart has been helping various farmers cooperatives and associations since the roll-out of Palengke Fresh in 2019. Given WalterMart’s expansive network of community shopping malls across Metro Manila, Central Luzon, and South Luzon, the program sought to leverage such footprint to aid more rural farming communities by integrating Mayani into WalterMart’s responsible, “support local” value chain.

“This team-up is a huge leap forward for our smallholder farmers not only in terms of higher rural incomes for them, but the predictability of it during these volatile times,” remarked JT Solis, the Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer of Mayani.

Solis also pointed out that because of Mayani’s role as the direct platform conduit between farmers and big commercial customers such as WalterMart and other reputable retailers, the pricing of fresh produce on supermarket shelves becomes even more competitive drawing from supply chain efficiencies and lowered transaction costs.

WalterMart Supermarket hosts a “bagsakan” market in the parking lot of WalterMart malls on Palengke Fresh weekends, making it a convenient and favored buying option for shoppers.

Furthermore, WalterMart is sponsoring numerous community pantries that have sprouted in various parts of Luzon for the entire month of May. It allows all of its customers to buy local produce from Palengke Fresh and donate it to various community pantries in the areas where WalterMart operates. Customers can purchase a Chopsuey Pack for as little as P50 to help uplift grassroots communities.

WalterMart is available both online at www.waltermart.com and in-store with 39 WalterMart Supermarket branches in Luzon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

May 24, 2021 by
Lifestyle

These 5 stunning ladies are also making their way as queens in Tiktok

That’s no surprise that beauty pageants are popular among Filipinos. On coronation nights, Filipinos come together to support the country’s representative, cheering her on with the rest of the country. Our Country is also a beauty pageant powerhouse, and we are clearly the second most recognized country in international beauty pageants, thanks to our dedication to the art of pageantry. We’re also one of just five countries to have won at least once in each of the Big Four international pageants: Miss Universe, Miss World, Miss International, and Miss Earth.

The remarkable Filipinas who have competed in international pageants are all strong women who, in their own unique ways, contribute to the country’s quest for female empowerment. They, like TikTok, are inspiring and entertaining, and they share this part of themselves with their fans and followers through their app updates.

Here are 5 homegrown beauty queens that you can follow on TikTok.

  1. Rabiya Mateo

https://www.tiktok.com/@rabiyamateo

Rabiya represented the Philippines at the recently concluded 69th Miss Universe pageant, where she placed in the Top 21. She is a licensed physical therapist who graduated Cum Laude from IloIlo Doctor’s College. While she doesn’t practice clinically, she instead chooses to teach at review centers in different provinces around the country.

  1. Catriona Gray

https://www.tiktok.com/@catriona_gray

Crowned Miss Universe 2018, Catriona is the fourth Filipina to win the Miss Universe pageant. Best known for her signature “Lava Walk”, Catriona is truly a woman of many talents. Apart from modelling and joining beauty pageants, she also holds a graduation certificate in Music Theory, and was even the lead singer in her school’s jazz band. This beauty is tough too, and is a black belt in Choi Kwang-Do martial arts.

  1. Maxine Medina

https://www.tiktok.com/@maxinemedina

Maxine placed in the Top 6 when she represented the Philippines at the Miss Universe 2016 pageant. She is an interior designer who enjoys spending time at the beach with family and friends whenever she can. Here’s a fun piece of trivia – Maxine is not the only beauty queen in her family. In fact, her aunt, Gem Padilla-Thomas, also held the title of Miss Universe Philippines back in 1990.

  1. Pia Wurtzbach

https://www.tiktok.com/@piawurtzbach

Pia is an HIV awareness advocate who promotes zero discrimination towards individuals living with the disease. Showing a tenacious side to her, it took three tries before Pia finally won the right to represent the Philippines at Miss Universe. She then went on to win the title that year, reigning as Miss universe in 2015. Before joining pageants, she acted in multiple films and TV shows, working hard as their family’s breadwinner since she was only 11 years old.

  1. MJ Lastimosa

https://www.tiktok.com/@mjl.23

Another fierce female with a persistent side, MJ also joined Binibining Pilipinas three times before finally being crowned Miss Universe Philippines. At the 2014 Miss Universe pageant, she ended up as one of the 10 finalists. This beauty queen is also a Computer Engineer who graduated with honors from the University of Mindanao in Davao City.

Check out these incredible beauty queens, and use TikTok to find many more inspiring ladies to follow. To get started, download the app on your  iOS or Android device today.

 

 

May 19, 2021 by
Lifestyle, News

The GrabBayanihan Vaccination Support Program has been launched in the Philippines

Grab Philippines announced the launch of its GrabBayanihan Vaccination Support Program, which will help Filipinos gain access to vaccines and education. A variety of steps are included in the program to enable all customers, drivers, and distribution partners to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Grab Philippines also would work very closely with national and local government units to provide accessibility, connectivity, and logistics support for their respective vaccination programs, leveraging its ground fleet network and app.

According to a recent Pulse Asia poll, 61 percent of Filipinos do not want to be inoculated with the COVID-19 vaccine, even if it is available. The GrabBayanihan Vaccination Support Program focuses on increasing vaccine access and providing vaccine education. Grab is committed to promoting educated and equal access to vaccines for all Filipinos as the Philippines continues to roll out vaccinations.

Access: To support easy access to the COVID-19 vaccine and to encourage its employees, partners, and consumers to get vaccinated through the local government units, Grab Philippines is committed to:

  • Work with local and national governments to include Grab driver- and delivery-partners in the National Vaccination Program of the Philippine Government as economic frontliners.
  • Work with its partners to provide pre- and post-vaccination telemedical consultation to help identify the comorbidity status of its driver- and delivery-partners, and connect them with their local governments for inoculation.
  • Extend its Post-Vaccination Livelihood Protection insurance policy free of charge to cover the potential loss of income to driver- and delivery-partners resulting from COVID-19 vaccine side effects.
  • Create a specialized fleet of vaccinated driver-partners to provide discounted mobility solutions for senior citizens and high-risk individuals or those with comorbidities going to and from vaccination centers.
  • Subject to vaccine supply availability, Grab Philippines will subsidize the cost of COVID-19 vaccines for driver- and delivery-partners who are not covered by the national vaccination program.
  • Cover the cost of COVID-19 vaccinations for all Grab Philippines employees and their immediate family members.

Education: Grab Philippines is working closely with the Department of Health to provide up-to-date vaccination information to combat misinformation and boost public confidence in COVID-19 vaccines.

  • Together with the Department of Health, Grab Philippines will publish accurate vaccine and other public health information within dedicated high-visibility spaces in the Grab app.
  • To help governments better understand the public sentiment around vaccines, Grab Philippines will launch a “COVID-19 Snap Survey”. The survey will enable the Department of Health to conduct lightning polls to gather real-time data on vaccine sentiment. Grab hopes this will enable public health authorities to better tailor their vaccine strategy.
  • Grab Philippines will also conduct a series of workshops and town halls to educate its driver-, delivery-, and merchant-partners on the benefits of getting vaccinated.

“Many of our kababayans spent the last year making enormous sacrifices for our communities – showing the best of who we are as Filipinos. Now that we are gradually striving towards socio-economic recovery, we believe that the vaccination efforts- from both the private and public sectors- provide much-needed hope for many of our kababayans. Through Grab Philippines’ technology, platform, and partnerships, we are reinforcing our commitment to supporting livelihoods, and helping the recovery of our communities,” said by Grace Vera Cruz Grab Philippines Country Head.

 

 

 

May 17, 2021 by