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The University of the Philippines Los Baños, together with Nestlé Philippines, celebrates youth innovation with its Net Zero IdeaNation competition. |
Innovators for the Planet: UPLB and Nestlé PH Name First Set of IdeaNation Champions
CSMC partners with Netherlands’ OTTO for nursing career development program
CSMC partners with Netherlands’ OTTO for nursing career development program
Mapúa students assured of safe learning spaces on campus
Mapúa students assured of safe learning spaces on campus
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The Mapúa Main Library implements a reservation-based access to its spaces and resources for students to use for their research and reviews. |
Once inside the premises, the students, faculty, and staff are assured of a safe and healthy environment through the university’s routine infection control measures. All areas of the school are sanitized frequently. Restrooms and high-touch surfaces like doorknobs and handles are disinfected every two hours, while classroom and office furniture and equipment are disinfected at the start and end of the day.
Common areas, particularly classrooms, lounges, study areas, and offices, are always well-ventilated and equipped with cooling fans to maintain optimal air flow. Air purifiers and air filters are also installed in high-traffic areas to reduce the probability of airborne infections.
While universities can hold face-to-face classes at full capacity under Alert Level 1, Mapúa only allows 25% to 30% of the total enrolled students per lecture or laboratory class to report on campus. The rest of the class may opt to be in remote learning mode. This system reduces the student population’s risk of exposure to the virus and gives them ample time to rest and recover should any of them fall ill. The university also imposes a “one-entry and one-exit” policy to decrease the probability of students catching (or spreading) any illness outside the school premises.
In the event that a student gets sick or exhibits COVID-19 symptoms while in school, he is immediately isolated, assessed, and assisted by the Health Services Department. The student will be placed in one of the available isolation rooms, evaluated by the school physician or nurse, and will undergo COVID-19 Rapid Antigen testing. The Health Services Department also ensures that the student is attended to by his family or transferred to a hospital, if needed. Once recovered, the student is expected to submit a Fit to Study certificate, medical clearance, and a negative RT-PCR test before being allowed entry into the university.
Efforts like these not only ensure students’ and their
parents’ peace of mind but also give them an assurance that their children’s
education and safety are always top-of-mind for the university.
Tackling solid waste: Nestlé PH turns over materials recovery facility in Lipa City
Tackling solid waste: Nestlé PH turns over materials recovery facility in Lipa City
The growing solid waste management (SWM) problem in the Philippines can be attributed to factors such as improper waste disposal, inefficient waste collection, and the lack of disposal and recycling facilities in many cities and municipalities. While the solid waste collection rate varies across the country—ranging from 40 percent to 85 percent, it’s still evident how a sizeable portion of uncollected trash end up in the environment. In fact, out of the 2.7 million tons of plastic waste that the Philippines generates annually, an estimated 20 percent of these seep into the ocean.
Helping to shape a waste-free future as a top priority, Nestlé Philippines, one of the country’s largest food and beverage manufacturers, is tackling solid waste, especially plastics, with a holistic approach. The company is developing the packaging for the future, increasing collection and recycling efforts, and driving new behaviors and understanding through solid waste management (SWM) education.
In its latest initiative, Nestlé PH turned over a new materials recovery facility (MRF) in Barangay Bagong Pook in Lipa City, as part of its program to support the construction of MRFs in barangays. The turnover was attended by Lipa City Mayor Eric Africa, barangay officials and residents, officers from the City Environment and Natural Resources Office, and company representatives.
MRFs are essential for more efficient collection, segregation and recycling of wastes. As mandated by R.A. 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, each barangay or cluster of barangays in the country is required to establish an MRF.
According to the Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DENR), and the National Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWMC), only 35 percent of barangays nationwide have MRFs. The lack of an MRF is one of the challenges that barangays face in implementing their SWM programs.
Mayor Africa congratulated Barangay Bagong Pook officials and residents during the turnover. “My wish is for everyone to work together to maintain this structure so you can maximize its purpose for your barangay. Not only will this help the environment, it’s also a way to encourage discipline among residents and to learn more about the importance of proper waste segregation and recycling,” he said.
“Our old MRF was already too small to accommodate all the recyclable materials from our barangay. This new MRF is a great help because it can lessen the volume of waste we currently deliver to the city,” said Lope Lina, barangay chairman of Bagong Pook. “Our aim is that alongside our existing collection and recycling programs, this MRF will enable us to become a model barangay for solid waste management.”
“At Nestlé PH, it is important that we partner with local government units or LGUs in addressing solid waste management problems. We explore different opportunities for plastics to be recyclable in the country. Through the construction of this MRF, the community will be able to generate value through recycling and reduce the volume of plastic waste that goes to the landfill and oceans,” said Christine Ponce-Garcia, Sustainability Lead of Nestlé PH.
Nestlé Lipa Factory Manager Eric Angulo underscored the long-term partnership between the company and the barangay: “During our presence of 30 years in this community, we have formed a strong bond with its residents. We have been there for each other through thick and thin, especially in times of calamities and crises. Today, we sincerely hope that this MRF will help Barangay Bagong Pook to better manage their solid waste.”
Among its SWM milestones, Nestlé PH is the first multinational fast moving consumer goods company in the country to achieve plastic neutrality, recovering the equivalent amount of plastic it puts out in the market. From August 2020 to May 2022, it collected 48 million kilos of plastic waste. Another of its initiatives is the development and rollout of SWM education modules that reaches grades 1-10 students in 20,000 public schools nationwide under the Nestlé Wellness Campus program. Recently, DENR, NSWMC, and Nestlé PH also launched the No Time To Waste: Climate Change and SWM Talks for officials of LGUs and government agencies, and community leaders.
Samsung brings city nights to life in this new Galaxy S22 Tiktok challenge
Samsung brings city nights to life in this new Galaxy S22 Tiktok challenge
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5 craft projects you can make in your free time
5 craft projects you can
make in your free time
Brother GS2700 Sewing Machine |
Joy is affordable thanks to Jollibee’s sulit-sarap JolliSavers
Joy is affordable thanks to Jollibee’s sulit-sarap JolliSavers
You can also watch the newest JolliSavers commercial and see how your favorites can bring affordable joy to you here:You can also watch the newest JolliSavers commercial and see how your favorites can bring joy to you in an affordable way here:
Bea Alonzo, Alden Richards lead the search for the next Century Tuna Superbods 2022
Bea Alonzo, Alden Richards lead the search for the next Century Tuna Superbods 2022
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(First row, L-R) George Baker, Michelle
Arceo, Erik Visser, Julia Mendoza, JC Perez, and Kerri Reilly (second row, L-R)
Daryl Soriano and Nadia Mostoles. |
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(First row, L-R) Selena Reyes, Gee
Plamenco Jr.,Christelle Abello, Wani Manotoc and Querubin Gonzales (second row,
L-R) Patrick Ramirez, Jaime Santamaria,
and Andrea Abalos. |
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(First row, L-R) Kim Velasco, Julian
Roxas, Vienne Shinin, and RJ Lund (second row, L-R) Lourd Ramos, Paul
Pedley, Xandria Bautista, and Sherlyn Doloriel |
5 Reasons Why Bisaya Shoppers Should Check Out this Shopee 6.6 Mid-Year Sale
5 Reasons Why Bisaya Shoppers Should Check Out this Shopee 6.6 Mid-Year Sale
Shopee offers Visayas-exclusive deals such as ₱6 Deals, up to ₱75 off on shipping, and 10% off discount vouchers for the 6.6 Mid-Year Sale