PHLPost Unveils Special Year of the Snake Stamps for 2025, Celebrating Wisdom and Prosperity

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

The Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) launched a vibrant new set of stamps to commemorate the upcoming Chinese New Year, unveiling the "2025 Year of the Wood Snake" postage stamp at Robinsons Manila. This limited-edition stamp, a symbol of transformation and renewal, marks the beginning of the Chinese Year of the Snake and coincides with the opening of an exciting stamp exhibition, in partnership with the Philippine Philatelic Federation Inc. and Robinsons Malls.

A Symbol of Wisdom and Transformation

The Snake holds significant symbolism in Chinese mythology, representing wisdom, knowledge, intelligence, and creativity. It is also associated with prosperity, fertility, and longevity. Renowned for its ability to shed its skin and regenerate, the Snake is a powerful metaphor for transformation and rebirth—qualities that are celebrated in the Year of the Wood Snake.

PHLPost's Postmaster General, Luis D. Carlos, expressed his hopes for the Year of the Wood Snake, emphasizing its potential for prosperity and progress. "We wish everyone peace, prosperity, and luck for the coming New Year. Like the serpent's wisdom and resilience, good governance is about adaptability, foresight, and the ability to build trust with the people we serve," Carlos said in his speech at the unveiling event.

He also highlighted the promising developments at PHLPost, including the establishment of Barangay Postal Stations nationwide, which will bring postal services closer to the public. "We promise the public that mail and parcel delivery will be more efficient with the establishment of new services, such as the seven-digit alphanumeric Zip Code PH system to standardize addressing across the country and the opening of next-day delivery hubs to better support small and medium enterprises (SMEs)," he added.

Celebrating Filipino-Chinese Heritage Through Philately

The launch of the Year of the Wood Snake stamp was part of a grand celebration of Chinese New Year, intertwined with the ongoing Prosperity Trail at Robinsons Malls. The stamp exhibition, which showcases Chinese Zodiac-themed stamps, is a collaborative effort between Robinsons Malls and the Philippine Philatelic Federation Inc., designed to honor the cultural significance of the Chinese New Year in the Philippines.

The exhibition is a visual feast for collectors and the public alike, offering a chance to explore the deep roots of Chinese culture through the lens of philately. Following its debut at Robinsons Manila, the exhibition will make its way to Robinsons Magnolia (January 24-26), Robinsons Galleria (January 28-30), and back to Robinsons Manila (January 31-February 2), allowing visitors at multiple locations to experience this cultural display.

Additionally, on January 29, 2025, the celebrations will continue at Lucky Chinatown, as part of the wider Chinese New Year festivities. These events will further reinforce the unity and collaboration between the Filipino and Chinese communities, showcasing the timeless values of prosperity, wisdom, and peace that the Snake symbolizes.

Looking Ahead: Strengthening PHLPost's Role in the Community

As part of its commitment to fostering community and connectivity, PHLPost has laid out several exciting plans for 2025. Postmaster General Carlos emphasized that the Year of the Wood Snake will be a time of renewed focus on innovation and customer service. Along with the expansion of local postal services, PHLPost is also aiming to increase efficiency in mail and parcel delivery. The improvements, including the implementation of the new alphanumeric Zip Code system, promise to bring smoother, faster, and more reliable services to customers across the nation.

These forward-looking initiatives, combined with the cultural significance of the Year of the Snake, signal a promising future for PHLPost, as it continues to serve the Filipino people and enhance connectivity in the Philippines and beyond.

Join the Celebrations

Whether you're a stamp collector, a cultural enthusiast, or someone simply looking to learn more about the rich traditions surrounding Chinese New Year, the 2025 Year of the Wood Snake stamp launch and exhibition is an event not to be missed. With the exhibition traveling across Robinsons Malls and the special activities lined up for the Chinese New Year festivities, there are plenty of opportunities to participate and immerse yourself in the excitement.

This year, the Philippine Postal Corporation is not just celebrating a new lunar cycle, but also reaffirming its role as a key player in uniting people through communication, cultural exchange, and innovation.

For more information on the Year of the Snake stamp and PHLPost's ongoing initiatives, visit the official PHLPost website or contact their Corporate Communications Division.

Seal of Good Local Governance Expands Focus on Biodiversity and Environmental Protection

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

As climate change accelerates, its effects are becoming increasingly evident in the Philippines. The summer of 2024 brought scorching temperatures, with Metro Manila experiencing a sweltering 45° Celsius heat index in April, as the World Meteorological Organization confirmed that 2024 was the warmest year ever recorded globally. With predictions pointing to another hot year in 2025, local governments must find ways to protect their citizens and the environment. One such initiative, the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG), is now evolving to include stronger environmental protections, marking a significant step in the country's commitment to climate resilience.

The SGLG, which has been awarded annually by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) since 2014, recognizes Local Government Units (LGUs) that meet quality standards across ten governance aspects, including sustainable budgeting, social protection, and environmental management. The SGLG’s core goal is to encourage continuous improvements in governance, and this year, it is taking a big step forward with new provisions aimed at strengthening environmental safeguards across all LGUs in the Philippines.

Strengthening Environmental Governance in the Face of Climate Change

As Mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo of Dumaguete City points out, LGUs play a crucial role in mitigating the effects of natural calamities, including the stronger storms and droughts brought on by climate change. To ensure that cities and municipalities are better equipped to handle these challenges, the SGLG’s environmental management section has expanded to include provisions focused on protecting local green spaces, wetlands, and ecosystems.

The new focus of the SGLG includes requirements for the establishment and maintenance of public parks and green spaces, alongside the sustainable management of vital wetland ecosystems such as coasts, rivers, and lakes. These provisions are designed to make LGUs active stewards of the natural environment, helping to absorb carbon dioxide, reduce urban heat, and enhance biodiversity. With the Philippines’ cities experiencing rising temperatures, preserving these natural spaces has never been more urgent.

UNDP BIOFIN and Key Stakeholders Lead the Charge

The United Nations Development Programme's Biodiversity Finance Initiative (UNDP-BIOFIN) has been at the forefront of this effort, working with the DILG and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to mainstream biodiversity conservation in local governance since 2019. A major focus of the initiative is to close the funding gap for biodiversity conservation projects by integrating environmental management into LGUs' development plans and encouraging investments in green infrastructure.

From January 23-28, 2025, stakeholders from the DENR, UNDP-BIOFIN, DILG, and LGUs across Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor will participate in workshops to further discuss how to integrate environmental safeguards into the SGLG. These workshops aim to provide LGUs with the tools and resources needed to meet the new environmental standards. Participants will also learn about the potential for securing financial support for biodiversity projects through a special budgetary allotment for LGUs that meet the new SGLG criteria.

The Path to Greater Financial Investment in Biodiversity

Anabelle Plantilla, UNDP-BIOFIN Philippines National Project Manager, highlights that the workshops will focus on helping LGUs comply with the SGLG’s new biodiversity requirements. "We hope these workshops will allow every LGU in the country to meet SGLG standards, greatly enhancing their capacity to protect their respective natural resources,” she says. "As a bonus, LGUs that meet the new SGLG standards will be rewarded with a special budgetary allotment."

These efforts are part of a larger strategy to ensure that biodiversity conservation is properly funded and integrated into both local and national development plans. Through campaigns like the Year of the Protected Areas and advocacy for increased congressional financing, UNDP-BIOFIN has successfully helped raise over USD 84 million for the protection of 107 Legislated Philippine Protected Areas.

A Commitment to Sustainable Development

The Philippine Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (PBSAP), which was adopted by the DENR in 2016, laid the groundwork for many of the initiatives that are now being integrated into local governance. While PBSAP faced challenges in securing adequate funding, it has successfully pushed for the mainstreaming of biodiversity into the development programs of national agencies, local governments, and the private sector.

As Lisa Paguntalan-Marte, Executive Director of the Philippine Biodiversity Conservation Foundation, Inc., puts it, “These SGLG learning workshops are a welcome development for our LGUs. We hope they will enhance the LGUs' understanding of the unique biodiversity of Negros and our other regions.” She emphasizes that these efforts will help local governments develop programs that make cities and towns more resilient to the ever-growing challenges posed by climate change and biodiversity loss.

Looking Ahead: A Greener, More Resilient Future

With the expansion of the SGLG to include environmental protection measures and the increased focus on biodiversity, the Philippines is setting an example for other nations. The country is taking steps to ensure that local governance plays an active role in addressing climate change, protecting the environment, and promoting sustainability. As LGUs across the country rise to meet these new standards, they will be better equipped to protect their natural resources and foster more resilient communities.

In a year when climate change effects are increasingly visible, the push for stronger environmental safeguards is more crucial than ever. The efforts of the DILG, DENR, UNDP-BIOFIN, and local governments are laying the foundation for a greener, more sustainable future, one where communities are equipped to thrive despite the challenges of a warming world.

Promoting Innovation and Industry Collaboration: A Key Workshop by UPD College of Science

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

In a world where scientific advancements are critical to solving global challenges, Filipino scientists are increasingly focusing on innovations that can address the pressing concerns of the Philippines. In line with this, the University of the Philippines Diliman College of Science (UPD-CS) Innovation Committee, under the Science and Society Program (SSP), recently hosted a groundbreaking workshop aimed at fostering innovation and collaboration with industry partners.

Held last year, the Objectives, Goals, Strategies, and Measures (OGSM) Workshop was a pivotal event designed to spark meaningful discussions and strategies on promoting innovation within the College of Science. The workshop's primary goal was to empower faculty members, researchers, and innovation leaders to advance scientific discoveries that can lead to real-world solutions while strengthening ties with industry stakeholders.

A Collaborative Effort for Innovation

The workshop brought together a diverse group of participants, including representatives from the Innovation Committee, Deputy Directors for Research and Extension from various institutes, and individuals with expertise in technology transfer. These attendees were all united by the shared mission of driving forward innovation within their respective fields and ensuring that research outputs are not just theoretical but applicable in real-world contexts.

Dr. Lerrie Ann Ipulan-Colet, the Director of SSP, kicked off the event by introducing the CAPE Innovation Program for 2023-2025. CAPE stands for Collate and Categorize theses, dissertations, and research publications, Build Awareness, Prepare researchers and students to develop products from their research, and Exposure and Immersion to Innovation Opportunities. This forward-thinking initiative reflects UPD-CS’s commitment to scientific advancement and nation-building. It encourages members of the academic community to pursue groundbreaking research and engage in collaborations with various institutions to protect and promote their discoveries.

Key Takeaways and Insights from the Workshop

The workshop’s facilitator, Innovation Committee Consultant Engr. Rolando Lazo, guided participants through a range of crucial topics, starting with the rationale behind the workshop and sharing statistical insights that underscore the importance of innovation in addressing both local and global challenges. Engr. Lazo also led a review of a pre-workshop meeting held on October 14, where key issues around UPD-CS’s innovation direction were identified.

One of the most valuable components of the workshop was the interactive group sessions, where participants shared their experiences—both successes and challenges—encountered in the innovation process. This peer exchange allowed for the identification of common obstacles and the development of practical strategies for overcoming them. Attendees discussed the resources, actions, and mindsets required to ensure the success of innovation initiatives within the College of Science.

“The workshop provided an in-depth discussion on the experiences of people who have gone through the innovation process,” remarked one participant. Another added, “I hope the fruits of the meeting will be materialized properly into the Innovation Committee.”

Looking Ahead: Societal Impact and Value Proposition

A follow-up session is planned for this year, where participants will delve deeper into the concept of societal impact—its definition and significance in the innovation process. This session will be crucial in helping attendees refine their approaches to developing research that does not just push scientific boundaries but also serves the greater good of society.

In addition to discussions on societal impact, the workshop will feature a value proposition exercise to sharpen participants’ understanding of how their research can provide tangible benefits to various sectors. These activities aim to equip UPD-CS researchers with the tools they need to not only conduct groundbreaking studies but also translate their work into products and services that benefit society as a whole.

A Vision for the Future

The OGSM workshop is just the beginning of a larger initiative at UPD-CS to create an innovation ecosystem that will drive the Philippines towards a brighter, more sustainable future. As the university continues to promote scientific research and collaboration, it remains steadfast in its mission to bridge the gap between academia and industry, making sure that innovative ideas lead to practical solutions for the nation’s most pressing challenges.

With efforts like these, UPD-CS is poised to continue its legacy of fostering not only academic excellence but also impactful innovations that will shape the future of science and technology in the Philippines and beyond. As Filipino scientists and researchers work hand-in-hand with industry partners, the possibilities for creating solutions that benefit society are limitless.

By: Eunice Jean C. Patron