Never too old to digitize DA tobacco plan hailed
After a four-hour learning session, 75-year-old Erlinda Menor was in high spirits, as energetic as the time she took to the floor of the SM North EDSA Sky Dome that Thursday morning to do some warm-up exercises for the long morning ahead.
Menor was among some 200 senior citizens from Metro Manila who took part in Globe’s inaugural “Teach Me How to Digi” Learning Session on January 25, 2024, the centerpiece of the company’s #SeniorDigizen campaign that aims to bring the Filipino elderly aboard the digitalization journey.
At the session, the seniors got their moment in the spotlight, receiving an especially curated set of tutorials on basic digital skills that includes Smartphone 101 and using tools such as Google’s email service GMail, fintech super app GCash, and telehealth service KonsultaMD.
The Philippine Tobacco Growers Association, or PTGA, urged the government delegation to advocate for farmers’ interests at the upcoming World Health Organization, or WHO, conference on the global tobacco control treaty.
PTGA president Saturnino Distor said the delegation can effectively represent farmers at the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control’s Conference of the Parties by aligning with the Department of Agriculture’s, or DA, Sustainable Tobacco Enhancement Program. This initiative aims to boost domestic tobacco cultivation, particularly in Mindanao.
Filipino tobacco farmers expressed concerns about the treaty’s potential impact on their livelihoods. “Tobacco farming is our way of life and survival,” said Leonardo Montemayor, former agriculture secretary and board chairman of the Federation of Free Farmers. “We hope the government upholds its commitment to the industry during the COP.”
PTGA particularly asked the Philippine delegation to defend their livelihoods at the conference to be held in Panama on 5 to 10 February 2024. The treaty’s pivotal role in shaping global tobacco policies has prompted farmer groups to express concern about its potential impact on their livelihood.
MVP Group’s victory night
It was a triumphant night for the MVP Group of Companies, encompassing leading entities such as Light Rail Manila Corp., or LRMC; Manila Electric Company, or Meralco, Maynilad Water Services Inc., PLDT, Smart Communications Inc., Makati Medical Center, Maya, Metro Pacific Dumaguete Water Services Inc., Metro Pacific Tollways South Management Corp, Metro Pacific Investments Corp, Meralco — One Meralco Foundation and Metro Pacific Investments Foundation, securing a dominating 87 awards at the 20th Philippine Quill Awards, organized by the International Association of Business Communicators.
The Philippine Quill Awards, considered the nation’s most esteemed awards program in business communication, bestowed accolades upon the MVP Group for its outstanding communication strategies.
The companies received recognition across 20 diverse communication categories, highlighting their proficiency across four divisions — Communication Management, Communication Research, Communication Training and Education and Communication Skills. The MVP Group secured a notable collection of awards, earning a total of 35 Awards of Excellence and 49 Awards of Merit and three top awards.
LRMC was conferred the top award for “Communication Management” under the Corporate Social Responsibility Category for their program with Binhi in building a foundation for learning and literacy for its scholars at Marcela Marcelo Elementary School in Pasay City.
While the “Company of the Year,” category also saw impressive achievements from the MVP Group. Meralco attained the 1st Runner-up position, while the top company honors went to PLDT Smart. The MVP Group prioritizes communicating stories related to corporate news, corporate social responsibility, diversity and inclusion, environmental stewardship, sustainability practices and community engagement.