DOTr implements mandatory use of face shields for all passengers using public transportation

Wazzup Pilipinas!

All passengers using any mode of public transportation will be required to wear face shields, aside from face masks, effective 15 August 2020, as mandated by the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

In a Memorandum Circular released on 04 August 2020, the DOTr, through its Administrative Service, has ordered all officials and heads of its various transportation sectors to enjoin, within their respective jurisdictions, the mandatory wearing of face shields for all passengers in areas where public transportation is allowed.

The initiative aims to further reduce the risk of transmitting the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in public transport facilities as health authorities have pointed out that the use of face shields and masks reduces exposure to and emission of respiratory droplets considerably.

“Sa mga kababayan ’ho natin, huwag sana nating isipin na panibagong gastusin o dagdag abala ang pag-require natin sa paggamit ng face shield. Let us remember that no amount of protection is too much when it comes to health and safety, especially that we are battling an invisible enemy. What we are addressing is not a transport issue but rather a health issue. Kaya nga ‘ho hinihingi ko ang kooperasyon ng bawat isa,” DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade said.

The directive applies to all public transportation throughout the country, involving the Aviation and Airports, Railways, Road, and Maritime sectors.

“Ipatutupad po natin ang mandatong ito sa lahat ng pampublikong sasakyan tulad ng sa mga tren, bus, jeepney, taxi, passengers vessels at maging sa eroplano. I will not elaborate more on the practical benefits the face shield offers, but we know that the use of face coverings and masks for superior protection is adopted widely,” DOTr Undersecretary for Administrative Affairs Artemio Tuazon Jr. stressed.

Further, Usec. Tuazon clarifies that the face shield to be used should sufficiently cover the nose and mouth.

“Mayroon po kasing mga tinatawag na visor, goggles, o ‘yung iba pang protective eyewear that only encloses the eye area. We advise that our passengers use the ones that cover the whole face. It’s actually meant as a redundancy of the protection of the face mask,” Usec. Tuazon adds.

Meanwhile, stringent preventive measures are still in effect to contain the spread of COVID-19 in all public transport facilities. These include the mandatory wearing of face mask, strict enforcement of the social distancing measure, and handwashing or hand sanitizing. Talking and using mobile phones are likewise discouraged inside all public transportation.

Cook your way to greatness with Enchanted Kingdom’s Kiddie Chef Challenge 2020

Wazzup Pilipinas!

It’s time to give your little ones a break from their usual home activities and let them discover the joys of cooking! Unleash the little chef in your kids and join Enchanted Kingdom’s Kiddie Chef Challenge 2020: Recipes from Home Edition! Prepare their aprons, gather all the cookery essentials, and get ready for a virtual cooking challenge!

This fun online challenge is open to all aspiring little chefs ages 4-12 years old who want to show off their incredible culinary skills. Share your kids’ food entry until August 11, 2020 using Purefoods Tender Juicy Hotdog, SPAM Luncheon Meat and/or Magnolia products inspired by one of EK’s seven themed zones (you may check out our official website for info on EK’s zones www.enchantedkingdom.ph).

Terms and Conditions:
Like Enchanted Kingdom’s official Facebook page.

All entries must have the following:
Complete recipe (including the participating products used)
Photo collage of the finished dish with participant’s photo while cooking
Post the photo at EK Kiddie Chef Challenge FB post’s comment section.

Use the hashtags: #EKKiddieChef, #iloveEK and #EKatHome. 

Winners will be announced on August 14, 2020 and will receive four (4) Regular Day Passes each plus a special gift basket from EK partners.

Enchanted Kingdom is excited to see your kids’ tasteful treats and mouth-watering creations! Come and join in the culinary fun!

For more information, visit Enchanted Kingdom’s official website and Facebook page at www.enchantedkingdom.ph and www.facebook.com/enchantedkingdom.ph
or click https://web.facebook.com/notes/enchanted-kingdom/kiddie-chef-challenge-recipes-from-home/3624944944200412/?_rdc=1&_rdr to know the complete contest mechanics.

2020 Nat’l Informatics Olympiad to go online

Wazzup Pilipinas!

After nabbing a bronze medal in last year’s International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI), the organizers behind the country’s participation in the prestigious plum are wasting no time—pandemic and all—to put together the best team to challenge the world in programming.

This, as the National Olympiad in Informatics – Philippines (NOI.PH) Finals kicks-off this August 8 to serve as the selection phase to determine the official representatives for this year’s IOI. The NOI.PH is an annual programming contest for Filipino high school students organized by the group of the same name. The winners who will compose the national team will be announced on August 9.

Last year, Dan Alden Baterisna from De La Salle University Senior High School won a bronze medal at the 31st IOI held on 4-11 August 2019 in Baku, Azerbaijan. He was joined by Dion Stephan Ong from the Ateneo de Manila Senior High School, Steven Reyes from Saint Jude Catholic School, and Ron Mikhael Surara from Philippine Science High School – Bicol Region Campus.

The IOI is a competitive programming competition for secondary school students from more than 80 countries a year. It involves a series of individual contests on computer programming, hence, each participant is awarded a medal depending on his/her final score. Last year’s IOI tallied a total of 322 participants from 83 countries.

For the NOI.PH, 30 finalists look to battle for the precious spots in the national team roster. The top two students in the NOI Finals will automatically take the first two slots. The remaining two slots will be chosen based on their performances in the NOI Training season.

Because of the pandemic, the NOI.PH Finals—and possibly, the training season—will be done online.

Marte Soliza, who is among the organizing minds of NOI.PH, is positive that the competition will promote programming as an expertise among the youth.

“In this digital age, you need computational thinking to thrive. Cultivating that is one of our goals as we train high school students and challenge them in the NOI Finals. Although there are unfamiliar challenges to overcome, we are fortunate enough to push this event through despite the pandemic,” Soliza said.

He also thanked the Department of Science and Technology – Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) for backing the competition and the country’s participation in the IOI.

“We thank the DOST-SEI for their timely support without which we might've fallen from our crutches,” he noted.

Dr. Josette Biyo, DOST-SEI’s Director, likewise thanked NOI.PH for providing a platform in developing the country’s future problem solvers.

“We thank NOI for sustaining this program that manifests your belief in the excellence of our students in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). This year’s NOI will surely be a showcase of gifts in coding or programming,” Biyo disclosed.