AXA Philippines launches CEB Health Protect with Cebu Pacific

AXA Philippines launches CEB Health Protect with Cebu Pacific

AXA Philippines, one of the country’s leading insurance providers, ties up with the Philippines’ leading carrier Cebu Pacific (CEB), to provide non-travel insurance to the airline’s customer base through CEB Health Protect.

CEB Health Protect, underwritten by AXA Philippines, offers value-for-money coverage for the top three critical illnesses: cancer, heart attack, and stroke. This is the first of a number of products under Cebu Pacific’s new suite of lifestyle insurance packages, launched specifically to cater to its customers’ needs beyond travel.

Through the partnership, the two industry leaders strive to offer customers a convenient and seamless booking process for their insurance needs. Every Filipino or “Juan” may start their journey of availing the health insurance from the comfort and safety of their own homes via CEB’s website, which will redirect them to the AXA Philippines’ website for the fulfillment and issuance of the policy.

Amor Balagtas“We are very excited over this partnership because now we are able to reach out to more Filipinos who will have access to insurance and financial services,” said AXA Philippines Chief Customer Officer Amor Balagtas. “This enables us to fulfill our mission to help secure the future of every Filipino — or in this case — every Juan.”

Candice Iyog“Our passengers have always been at the heart of our business and now more than ever, we strive to always give them peace of mind when flying with us,” said Candice Iyog, CEB vice-president for marketing and customer experience.

“Our commitment to ensuring they have a safe and seamless journey with us does not only cover their actual flight but even beyond. We recognize that there is a greater need to take care of every Juan’s health and assets during this time, and that is why we are very excited to introduce CEB Health Protect.”

Aside from CEB Health Protect, AXA Philippines and Cebu Pacific will soon offer every Juan safety and protection with more non-travel insurance products.

Thanks to AXA Philippines and Cebu Pacific, you can start your health journey and be protected and safe today! For more information, visit https://bit.ly/CEBhealthprotect.

EDC partners with DOH–CHD Bicol to expand COVID-19 testing

EDC partners with DOH–CHD Bicol to expand COVID-19 testing

As of September, more than 1,700 COVID-19 cases were reported in the Bicol region, according to the Department of Health–Center for Health and Development (DOH–CHD) Bicol Regional Director Dr. Ernie D. Vera. The lack of proper equipment and facilities has affected the province’s efforts to control the spread of the virus.

With that, Lopez-led Energy Development Corporation (EDC) refocused its COVID-19 resiliency efforts in its host communities in Bicol to initiatives that will enhance local mass testing capabilities. Through a partnership with the DOH–CHD Bicol, EDC donated P4.2 million to fund the expansion and refurbishment of the health center’s building and COVID-19 testing laboratory, which is one of only two in the Bicol region accredited by the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM).

The partnership between EDC and DOH–CHD Bicol was formalized with a virtual signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Agreement and Deed of Donation between DOH–CHD Bicol led by Dr. Vera, Assistant Regional Director Ferchito Avelino, Chief of the Management Support Division Norberto Balane Jr., and Cluster Head for Infectious and Communicable Disease Dr. Jannish Alcala Arellano; and EDC led by Senior Vice President and OIC of Facilities, Operations and Maintenance Group Engr. Liberato S. Virata, Assistant Vice President and Corporate Support Functions Head Regina Victoria J. Pascua, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Public Relations Head Atty. Allan V. Barcena, Bacon–Manito (BacMan) Geothermal Facility Head Engr. Marcel Rosario, and BacMan CSR Head Eduardo Jimenez.

Engr. Liberato Virata“EDC puts a great premium on community development and resiliency. I have seen what we can accomplish by working hand in hand with the local government and I look forward to the beginning of a more dynamic partnership with DOH and other key agencies in ensuring that the people are healthy and safe,” said Virata.

“We believe this partnership will be the best practice for us in government. We are the first regional agency that partnered with a private organization, a power company. It is an honor for us to have EDC as a partner,” said Dr. Vera.

The expansion and refurbishment of the DOH laboratories will ramp up the region’s testing capabilities and help them gather the necessary information to find ways to further flatten the curve and manage the pandemic in the area.

EDC operates the 140MW BacMan Geothermal Project that supplies clean and reliable power to the Luzon grid. It is a global pioneer in the geothermal energy industry and the country’s largest vertically integrated geothermal developer, supplying 1,457.8MW of clean and renewable energy to the Philippines.

Elevate your baby’s cuteness with these customized statement bibs

Elevate your baby’s cuteness with these customized statement bibs

Now, your baby can make a fashion statement too with the cutest baby accessory brand in town: Bibs Manila, a new online business that offers bespoke and eye-catching bibs.

The homegrown brand was started by Kit and Kate Joaquin, who are also proud parents to now 6-year-old Kiel. With Bibs Manila, parents can get one-of-a-kind statement bibs for their babies while adding their own personal touches. What’s more, the bibs are made of high-quality fabric, durable enough for everyday meals.

Check out Bibs Manila’s website and simply search for “STATEMENT BIB” and you’ll be directed to a page where you can select your design in just a few clicks. You can even personalize the bib with your baby’s name, your favorite quote, or standout word choices, such as “Awesome” or “Mommy’s Fave,” to name a few. Choose from a variety of colors and fonts, and you’re all set!

Likewise, if you have artistic leanings, you can also opt to send in your own designs that Bibs Manila can turn into bibs just for you. Bibs Manila can also help you create a unique design of your choosing. To make it even easier, Bibs Manila also offers special pre-made bibs in hundreds of designs, featuring fun and colorful patterns, laugh-out-loud catchphrases, and charming characters.

If you happen to know a couple who is expecting a new addition to their family, these baby bibs make great gifts, too. Consider giving them the gift of 7 bibs – one for every day of the week – and you can get an adorable gift box to go with it.

To view and shop Bibs Manila’s collection, visit their website, www.bibsmanila.com, or follow @bibs_manila on Instagram. Bibs Manila ships nationwide in the Philippines and internationally in select countries.

Why Igorots in Metro Manila source goods directly from farmers

Why Igorots in Metro Manila source goods directly from farmers

Two pesos a kilo for cabbage. Four pesos for cucumber.

After spending to bring their produce to the nearest vegetable trading post in the last week of July, Cordilleran farmers were given a cruel rate, crushing their hope of raising cash to buy seeds for the next harvest.

A Sad Story for New-Gen Farmers

Shereen Umayat and Jessica Dapliyan, two young farmers from Sagada, had a cheaper option for their next maturing vegetables- let the plants rot in the farmland to stop having additional expenses.  Asked how much she has spent for her cucumber, Umayat computed it to be at least P40,000.  While there are active programs like Sustainable Sagada and Rural Rising organized to help ease the situation, not all produce in the remote Mountain Province town can be accommodated.

Dapliyan, a former innkeeper who shifted to farming following travel bans, started giving away her cabbage produce for free in September after unsuccessful attempts to sell what her family has been working since community quarantine restrictions were implemented.

Trying the Metro Manila Market

For generations, farmers in Sagada and other towns of the Cordilleras have been trading in marketplaces within the mountainous region, and going to the lowlands is not part of their regular routine. But as they run out of options, they are forced to seek help outside the highlands.  Tapping Metro Manila-based Cordillerans or Igorots was the first move. Upon learning about the crisis, Christian Aligo, a Marketing Communications practitioner living in Quezon City, started the “The Sagada Harvests Project” on Facebook.

With the assistance from Umayat, Menchie Buking of the Department of Agrarian Reform Mt. Province (DAR MP) and other concerned locals, The Sagada Harvests Project is able to sell out about three tons of produce in its first two runs.  Alongside Aligo are other Metro Manila-based Igorots including Luisa Gay Pugong, Jenny Lyn Likigan, Bing Podes Laguipen, and Hector Ngales who transformed themselves into vendors after their day job to help address the crisis.

Joining the force is the couple Atty. Pio and Noemie Jeanet Daoas who now spend their weekends on vegetables. With the help of dedicated riders, the couple delivers the goods within Taguig City at only P20.

A Trade Friendlier to Farmers

As agreed, it is the farmers who set the price of their produce. Currently, in marketplaces, it is the multi-level middlemen who dictate the price and get a bigger portion of it.  When the rate at the La Trinidad trading post for cabbage was P2 per kilo, The Sagada Harvests Project purchased the vegetable at P20 per kilo– as dictated by the farmers.

To further assist the Igorot vendors, DAR’s Sagada Linksfarmers Consolidation Center opened its doors to help screen quality produce prior to shipping.  Recently, the regional office of the Department of Agriculture (DA) also offered transportation assistance to help lower expenses.

Meanwhile, local food producers Gabay Wines and Food Preserves and Masferre Country Inn & Restaurant have been doing experiments for delicate items like wild blueberry, wheat bread, and goat cheese products to check on the shelf-life of the products when offered in places with a warmer climate.

To know more about The Sagada Harvest Project and a list of Igorot vendors who directly source their goods from farmers, contact Aligo at 0956-174-8464 (Globe) or visit www.facebook.com/sagadaharvests now.

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