Break the cycle of stunting in children - Save the Children Philippines

Wazzup Pilipinas! Save the Children Philippines has raised the urgency of diverse and immediate implementation of social protection, health and nutrition programs for vulnerable families to end stunting among children that remains unresolved for decades. The child rights organization made the call in time for President Duterte’s penultimate State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, where he is expected to report on the country’s status and the government’s agenda on COVID-19 pandemic response. “As the Philippines marks the 30th year of ratification of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, a huge number of children still languish in prolonged hunger and undernutrition worsened by the present health crisis,” said Atty. Alberto Muyot, Chief Executive Officer of Save the Children Philippines. The convention respects and fulfills the rights of every child to survival and development, to be protected from discrimination and violence, and to be given a platform to speak up and be listened to by adults and the government. Meanwhile, the World Bank’s Systematic Country Diagnostic report in June 2020 described the overall child nutrition picture in the Philippines as a puzzle where the country’s stunting rate stagnated between 2000 and 2015 despite the improvement of health and economic standards. It cited that 11 of the 17 regions expose up to 50 per cent of children to stunting due to high incidence of poverty. Save the Children Philippines, in its almost forty years of operations, has been addressing issues on malnutrition and stunting among Filipino children through its different health and nutrition support programs. In 2016, Save the Children Philippines began to implement Project NURTURE (Nutrition among Urban Poor through Unified Response) in eight deprived barangays in Navotas City. Now, it has expanded to Villareal, Samar on July 6, 2020 to protect deprived and marginalized children from chronic and acute malnutrition, as part of its COVID-19 response. It advocated for the enactment of the First 1,000 Days Law (Republic Act No. 11148 or Kalusugan at Nutrisyon ng Mag-Nanay Act) in November 2019 that seeks to reduce malnutrition rates by focusing on high-impact and evidence-based nutrition interventions and programs to children and lactating mothers. Both World Bank and Save the Children Philippines consider stunting as cyclical because women who were themselves stunted in childhood tend to have stunted children. Good health and nutrition in the first 1,000 days from conception to the first two years of a child have the greatest power to break the vicious cycle. “The Philippines is one of the countries in the world with the highest number of stunted children. We hope that as we face the global pandemic as one nation, the government will put a premium on child protection against hunger and sickness to ensure their survival,” said Muyot.

DOTr condemns driver of Joanna Jesh Transport

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) strongly condemns the driver of the Joanna Jesh Transport public utility bus (PUB) with license plate number CAP 5133 for gross violation of road transport rules, as captured in a video by a concerned netizen that was posted in social media.

The posted video shows the Joanna Jesh Transport public utility bus as it speeds recklessly along the EDSA Busway hitting several lane separator barriers as it passed by. The barriers hit several private vehicles that were on the lane adjacent to the Busway as shown in the video.

With this, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade has directed both the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to conduct an immediate investigation, and issue the necessary show cause order today to the said operator and driver of Joanna Jesh Transport public utility bus.

Upon receipt of the Secretary's directive, both agencies have already committed to act on the matter with dispatch, institute the necessary proceedings, and will not hesitate to impose the appropriate sanctions as warranted.

Let this serve as a warning to all our road transport partners that the DOTr, LTRB and LTO will never tolerate this irresponsible and reckless manner of driving by authorized PUBs which poses a danger to life and possible damage to property.

We will apply the full force of the law.

Sheraton Manila Bay embraces “New Normal"

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Sheraton Manila Bay embraces “New Normal” with enhanced cleaning protocol and safety measures.

As the tourism industry face an unprecedented time, Sheraton Manila Bay redefines what service means as it enhanced its sanitation and hygiene measures in line with Marriott’s Commitment to Clean. Sheraton Manila Bay affirms that guests’ health and well-being are paramount thus travelers are assured of a safe and secure environment when staying at the hotel. Consisting of in-house and outside experts in food and water safety, hygiene and infection prevention, and hotel operations, Sheraton Manila Bay have enforced social distancing measures, deeply sanitizing all guest rooms and high-touch areas, and efficiently utilized technology to provide a touch-less and seamless services.

In preparation to the “new normal”, Sheraton Manila Bay has implemented cleanliness and operational protocol that have been audited in accordance to Marriott “Commitment to Clean” standard. Starting from the transportation service where guests can self-sanitize on board and navigate a digital service directory thru QR using our high-speed internet while on transit. Protective barriers are also in placed on all vehicles. Upon arrival, the hotel conduct temperature screening on all entry points. Foot Disinfecting Mat and hand sanitizing stations are also placed on public areas around the hotel. Guests are required to accomplish a Health Declaration Form and meet standard health requirement prior entry. The hotel also enhanced its cleaning protocols and disinfect every space, especially in high-traffic areas like restrooms, elevators, and escalators. Reinforced social distancing measures are also implemented through visible social distancing markers and reminder signage. Moreover, the hotel reduced allowable capacities in spaces, increasing distance between furniture and managing queuing areas.

Every guest room is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected between each guest stay. The hotel also provide surface disinfecting wipes and face mask on every room. Paper collateral are minimized and digital platforms are provided to reduce unnecessary contact. Marriott Bonvoy members can use the Marriott Bonvoy App to take advantage of contactless options, including Mobile Check-In/Check-out, Mobile Key, Mobile Dining, eFolio delivery and Mobile Guest Requests/Chat.

Sheraton Manila Bay also redesigned its food and beverage station set-up to include protective barriers and contactless food options. Utensils are sanitized and sealed and menus are available digitally thru scannable QR codes. Its food-to-go gourmet offerings were also made available for those staying at home but wished to indulge in five-star gastronomic delights.

All associates are trained about safety and health procedures and are geared with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as Face Coverings, Gloves in accordance to local government regulations.

Indeed, travel has the power to connect us, to enrich our lives and to inspire us. The measures the Sheraton Manila Bay team are taking are part of their unwavering commitment to delivering on the promise of good travel while complying with local regulations to make everyone feel comfortable during their stay. Learn more about Marriott’s Commitment to Clean at clean.marriott.com.

Sheraton Manila Bay is located at M. Adriatico cor. Gen. Malvar Streets, Malate, Manila. Like us on Facebook and Instagram @sheratonmanilabay and Twitter at @sheratonmnlbay. For more information, please call +632 5318 0788 or reservations.manilabay@sheraton.com.