i-ACT to Mall Operators: Cooperate with the Government to Decongest Roads

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Inter-Agency Council on Traffic (i-ACT) earlier reached out to various mall operators in Metro Manila to discuss measures on how they can cooperate with the government in an attempt to alleviate traffic congestion in the metropolis during the Christmas Season.

In the past years, authorities have observed that the conduct of mall sales cause traffic gridlock within the mall perimeters due to the influx of customers and vehicles going in and out of the malls. With this, i-ACT stressed out the necessity for mall owners to submit a detailed traffic management plan to the Council two weeks before their conduct of mall sales. The production of a traffic management plan is imperative for both the mall operators and the government, so as not to effect inconvenience to motorists during the conduct of such events.

Further, i-ACT required mall operators to not schedule any mall sales during weekdays, but rather schedule it on weekends so as not to contribute to traffic congestion. Both parties settled to implement the agreement starting October 21, 2016.

I-ACT likewise urged mall owners to start adjusting their mall operating hours from 11:00 am to 11:00 pm starting November 1, 2016.

In the coming weeks, i-ACT will set a dialogue with mall traffic managers to discuss requirements of the traffic management plan, as well as the terms of cooperation between mall owners and the government to address traffic issues.

“Companion” Animated Digital Video Gives Hope in 40 Seconds

Wazzup Pilipinas!

In just 40 seconds, 21-year old digital artist Vince Serrano aims to provide encouragement to emotionally-burdened people through the help of his animated digital video “Companion”, a story of a lonely boy who almost succumbed to the lure of death but received a second chance at life from a beacon of hope.

The young animator‘s short video bested 20 other entries in the “Hope in 40 Seconds” video competition launched in June by the Natasha Goulbourn Foundation (NGF), a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing depression to light. The awarding ceremonies were held on October 6 in observance of the National Mental Health Awareness Month.

“Although I heard a lot of suicide cases when I was still in college, I didn’t put much thought on them until I decided to take on the challenge of doing an animation for NGF. I had to research about mental health and that was when I realized that it is actually a hidden epidemic, a real issue which needs our attention. This further inspired me to do my best so that in my own little way, I would be able to help other people,” Serrano said.

The competition encouraged those suffering from depression as well as their loved ones to seek guidance from HOPELINE, NGF’s free 24/7 suicide hotline which can be reached via the following numbers: 804-HOPE(4673), 0917-558HOPE(4673), and 2919 (toll free for TM and Globe).

DOE to Celebrate Consumer Welfare Month 2016

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Department of Energy (DOE) is to celebrate 2016 Consumer Welfare Month with the theme, “Consumer Protection: A Shared Responsibility.”

According to Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, the month-long celebration aims “to fully realize the protection of the rights and welfare of every consumer, with particular focus on supporting our underprivileged and underserved kababayans.”

The DOE-CWPO invited the Manila Electric Company (MERALCO), Consumer Rights for Safe Food (CRSF) and Sun Life Financial Philippines to talk about consumer-related topics in their respective fields.

WHEN: October 18, 19 and 20, respectively at 1:30 p.m.

WHERE: PNOC Mini Theater and DOE Training Room.

Specifically, MERALCO will discuss about “Kuryente Load” and “Net Metering” which are the new trends in the electricity sector. The Kuryente Load is a prepaid electricity system that aims to provide consumers an alternative way to save on their electricity consumption. Net metering on the other hand, is the company’s response in supporting the country’s thrust for renewable energy development in the household level.

The CRSF will orient consumers on genetically modified organisms and effect to humans and animals, while Sun Life will conduct a free financial planning seminar to attending participants.

Meanwhile, the 2016 Consumer Fair will be featuring products from S&R Membership Shopping and Dunkin Donuts, livelihood products and religious articles, home-made deli, eco-friendly baby diapers, locally-made clothing and toys, and gift items, among others.

WHEN: October 11 to 13, 2016 (9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)

WHERE: DOE Data Bank Lobby

For more information and confirmation of attendance on the said activities, interested consumers may contact CWPO at (02) 840-2267 or at 0917-556-0759.