Public school teachers from Region X, NCR hailed 2020 Brightest STARs by DOST-SEI

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The Department of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) recently awarded two public school teachers for their exemplary work in STEM education with K-12 students in Region X and the NCR.

At the Brightest Science Teacher Academy for the Regions (STAR) Award ceremony held online on March 3, 2021, Ms. Janice M. Baldelovar of Don Restituto Central School in Region X was honored for her work in Mathematics education, while Mr. Don King O. Evangelista of Navotas National Science High School in the NCR was feted for his Science teaching work. They each received a cash prize of PhP 100,000, a trophy, and a plaque of recognition.

Spearheaded by the DOST-SEI, the Brightest STAR Award is part of the STAR training program. The award is given to exemplary science and mathematics teachers who have been continuously applying their STAR training in their teaching practice and teaching communities. The citation serves to uplift teachers’ morale cultivate a culture of innovation among teachers.

Department of Education officials, Division Superintendents, Principals, School Heads, and STAR trainors from the 16 participating regions also joined in to witness the said awarding ceremony, which amassed over 3,000 views on Facebook Live alone.

Education Secretary Leonor M. Briones praised all the finalists, lauding their capacity and flexibility to provide high-quality, accessible, and safe STEM education despite the uncertainties and worries brought on by the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. DOST Secretary Fortunato De La Peña underscored this in his message, referring to the finalists as S&T champions and pioneers under the new normal.

“The pandemic has been a big game changer for all of us, particularly in the academe and most especially in STEM education,” said DOST-SEI Director Dr. Josette T. Biyo. “And yet, the STAR program continues to live up to its name by being a light and guide for our educators and students, even among our marginalized communities.”



“I warmly congratulate and thank Ms. Baldelovar and Mr. Evangelista for their tireless work for and with our youth. Thank you both for lighting the way, and for being exemplars of the STAR program,” Dr. Biyo concluded.



A total of 70 nominations for the STAR Award were received from the 16 Philippine regions. Of these, only six national finalists were chosen, including Ms. Baldelovar and Mr. Evangelista. For Mathematics, these were Mr. Mark Joseph C. Pastor of Ilocos Norte College of Trades and Trades and Ms. Janeve Caballa of El Salvador Central School. For Science were Mr. Mark Joseph Cometa of Palina East National High School and Mr. Mark Anthony Leido of San Teodoro National High School. Each national finalist received a cash prize of PhP 10,000.00 and a plaque of recognition.



For more information on the Science Teacher Academy for the Regions (STAR) program and award, visit e-star.ph or the Facebook page Science Teacher Academy for the Regions.

PLDT Enterprise addresses business demand for reliable connectivity

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With majority of businesses reinventing themselves to transcend the impact of the ongoing pandemic, the internet became the perfect answer to bridge the resulting gaps and to quickly adapt to the new market realities. This sped up the shift to digitization as many business value chains became heavily reliant on staying connected.

The growing strategic importance of internet in business and the ensuing increase in the amount of data that need to be handled suddenly became more crucial to ensure the success of an organization. To this end, businesses today require a reliable connectivity that allows them to confidently pivot their day to day operations to digital, whether to ensure seamless flow of important data across branches, harness the power of cloud applications, share bandwidth to users outside the organization for contactless transactions, or enable employees to productively work from home.

PLDT Enterprise aims to address these demands with its latest solution, BEYOND FIBER, which would allow them to operate their business with minimal service degradation and disruption.

PLDT Enterprise's BEYOND FIBER empowers businesses of all sizes to dare to go beyond with its business-grade fiber and curated digital solutions, making it the most reliable partner for today’s digital new normal.

“We recognize the need of enterprises for a more reliable connection now that most of them have taken their day to day transactions online," says Jojo Gendrano, FVP & Head of PLDT Enterprise Core Business. “In addition to pushing the boundaries of reliability on a 100% fiber connection, we aim to maximize the speed of connection. At our baseline 50Mbps offer, our users get a minimum of 45 Mbps or 90% of their 50 Mbps subscription at 90% reliability. This is the best choice to help drive the continued growth of enterprises.”

With a boosted minimum speed that’s three times (3x) higher than regular fiber connections, entrepreneurs get a more reliable business internet for them to accomplish things they need to do online regardless which time of the day.

Moreover, businesses of any size can readily benefit from its portfolio of curated digital tools that can give the right edge to further grow and manage one's operations, and a secure, fully managed, enterprise-grade Cisco Meraki wi-fi router – all combined with the business-grade connection.

BEYOND FIBER allows businesses to thrive without the additional IT expertise to operate, giving them more time to focus on your business. Customer concerns will be attended to by a 24/7 Enterprise support team via 177 hotline.

“With today's new business landscape, it's high time for enterprises to go BEYOND. At PLDT Enterprise, we want to bring you digital solutions that are curated for your business needs. And we hope for BEYOND FIBER to be every business’ best friend to help them achieve continued growth and success," shares Jovy Hernandez, ePLDT President & CEO and SVP & Head for PLDT and Smart Enterprise Business Groups.

Just recently, PLDT Enterprise has launched its #BFF video campaign for BEYOND FIBER which showcases how dependable the solution is just like a BFF. To watch the video, click the link here.





For more information on BEYOND FIBER, visit pldtenterprise.com/beyond-fiber

PPA orders strict enforcement of health, safety protocols in ports, offices vs COVID-19

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Following the directive of Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur P. Tugade to strictly implemented health and safety protocols to curb the spread of COVID-19, Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) General Manager Jay Santiago has directed all personnel, offices and ports under its jurisdiction to maintain the strict enforcement of health and safety protocols.

In a memorandum dated 15 March 2021, GM Santiago ordered all the heads of the Head Office Responsibility Centers and the Port Management Offices to be consistent in their implementation of health and safety protocols within their respective jurisdictions.

“As part of PPA’s continuing efforts to stem the transmission of COVID-19 virus and to protect the health and safety of PPA personnel, port users, and the general public, you are directed to consistently and strictly observe, monitor, and implement in your respective area of responsibility the relevant health and safety protocols contained in PPA issuances, as well guidelines issued by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Department of Health (DOH),” GM Santiago said.

The memorandum was issued after Secretary Tugade and GM Santiago made a surprise inspection at the new cargo port in Boracay, where a number of port users were seen violating health protocols, such as wearing of masks and face shields, and physical distancing.

Secretary Tugade and GM Santiago then directed all PPA personnel to strictly monitor port users for minimum health protocol compliance.

Moreover, according to the PPA directive, the ‘Seven (7) Commandments in Public Transport’ must be continuously observed in all ports and vessels nationwide.

The 'Seven Commandments in Public Transport’ calls for the wearing of face masks and face shields; body temperature checking; proper ventilation of Passenger Terminal Buildings (PTBs) and offices; frequent disinfection of PTBs and PPA offices; frequent handwashing and use of alcohol and sanitizers; barring PPA personnel, passenger, and port users with COVID-19 symptoms from entering the port, PTBs and PPA offices; and the observance of proper social distancing.

The DOTr and its attached agencies, including the PPA, have intensified the enforcement of existing safety and health protocols amid the increase in COVID-19 cases in the country.

Secretary Tugade called on transport personnel to be serious and extra diligent in the implementation of health protocols. He also appealed to the riding public to strictly follow these measures and to report to authorities any breach in the guidelines.

“As operators and drivers of public transport vehicles, you do not only bring passengers from their homes to their workplaces and back. You are also given the responsibility to make sure that they are healthy and safe when they arrive at their destinations,” Sec. Tugade said.