One Meralco Foundation provides aid to homeless, PPEs for frontliners amid COVID-19 crisis

One Meralco Foundation (OMF), the Manila Electric Company’s (MERALCO) social development arm, has mobilized to help thousands of homeless families and frontline medical personnel heavily impacted by the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak and the current enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) imposed on Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon.

Without a roof over their heads, families living on the streets are among the most vulnerable as they are exposed to the elements and lack access to the basic necessities. 

In partnership with TV5's Alagang Kapatid Foundation (AKFI), Maynilad, and the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), OMF distributed food packs on March 24, benefiting 200 families living along Kalayaan and E. Rodriguez avenues in Quezon City, and 500 marginalized families at Brgy. Buting, Pasig City. 

In addition, the foundation gave out care packages in Tondo, Manila (300 families); Bacoor, Cavite (300 families); Brgy. Talon Cuatro, Las Pinas City (100 families); Pateros City (400 families); Brgy. Bukana, Ternate, Cavite (300 families); Malabon City (300 families); Caloocan City (300 families); Navotas City (150 families); Antipolo City, Rizal (200 families); Marikina City (300 families); Mandaluyong City (200 families); and San Juan City (200 families).

It also launched an internal online campaign within the Meralco organization to provide marginalized families in Metro Manila with grocery gift certificates – a project in collaboration with Caritas Manila that raised more than P1.5 million and benefited at least 1,500 families.

Meanwhile, OMF also responded to the needs of private and government-owned referral hospitals for personal protective equipment (PPEs) and basic safety gear for healthcare personnel attending to the rising number of COVID-19 patients. OMF donated 1,000 face masks to the Rizal Medical Center and the Philippine Heart Center, turned over 500 face masks, 450 goggles, and 4,000 surgical gloves to the Philippine General Hospital (PGH), and 2,000 surgical gloves to the Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital and Sanitarium (Tala Sanitarium).

OMF also donated 450 face masks and 2,000 surgical gloves to the Lung Center of the Philippines, and 100 face masks and 400 surgical gloves to Baguio General Hospital.

The Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Sta. Mesa Manila, designated as the main COVID-19 referral hospital of the Metro Pacific Hospitals, received 1,600 face masks and 100 face shields.

The foundation also provided KN95 masks, goggles, and face shields to frontliners of various local governments in the Meralco franchise area, such as Marikina City, Batangas City, and San Pascual, Batangas.

OMF also sponsored the disinfection and decontamination of various offices of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Rizal Medical Center using SteraMist technology, a decontamination system that cleans and sanitizes without downtime.

Additionally, volunteers from Meralco's networks group installed floodlights at the Lung Center of the Philippines’ parking lot, which now serves as an extended triage area for COVID-related cases.

Meralco, through OMF, donated 20 desktop computers to the Philippine Genome Center (PGC) at UP Diliman. Their scientists are set to start sequencing samples from COVID-19 patients to better understand the characteristics of the virus and find ways to stop it from spreading. The institution will also serve as the operations center for a united effort of different volunteer groups within the University of the Philippines system to help respond to the crisis. 

eSakay, a Meralco subsidiary, and OMF teamed up with the local government unit of Pasig to shuttle health workers and employees of essential businesses to work. Launched on March 19, it served more than 5,000 passengers – of which 592 were health workers – in the first week alone.

OMF also joined PayMaya in its "One Against COVID-19" project to offer a convenient way to contribute to the initiatives of OMF and other partner organizations. To donate, visit the campaign website at http://pymy.co/onemeralco.

Cebu Pacific Advisory As of April 24, 2020; 2:30pm Flights from May 1 to 15, 2020

All domestic and international Cebu Pacific and Cebgo flights remain cancelled from May 1 to 15, 2020. This is in line with the extension of Enhanced Community Quarantine imposed over much of Luzon, and implementation of General Community Quarantine over other provinces. Restrictions are also implemented by local governments across the Philippines. 

However, Cebu Pacific will continue to mount all-cargo flights to support the movement of vital goods, including medicines and Personal Protective Equipment across the country. 

We will provide updates on when we will restart passenger operations as soon as possible. 

We encourage passengers on cancelled flights to manage their bookings online via our website, http://bit.ly/CEBmanageflight,  before their scheduled travel dates. They may select any of the following options: 

1.      Free rebooking  

Rebook to any other travel date within three (3) months. Change (rebooking) fees and fare difference are waived. 

2.      Full Travel Fund  

Place the full cost of the ticket in a Travel Fund valid for one (1) year. Use the Travel Fund within one (1) year—either book a flight up to one (1) year ahead, or pay for add-ons (e.g. baggage allowance, seat selection, etc.) 

If the Travel Fund is not used within one (1) year, passengers can apply for a full refund. 

3.      Full refund 

Processing of refunds will start after the Community Quarantine is lifted and regular work schedules resume. However, due to the unprecedented volume of requests for refunds, the process will take as long as three (3) to four (4) billing cycles. 

For flights booked through a travel agent, please coordinate with them to manage the booking. 

On the other hand, passengers with booked flights from May 16 to September 30 who wish to change their travel plans have the following options: 

·         Option 1 – Rebook to any other travel date within one (1) year 

        Change (rebooking) fees waived, but fare difference may apply. 

·         Option 2 – Place the full cost of the ticket in a Travel Fund valid for one (1) year 

        Decide and book travel within a year, for flights as far as one year ahead 

Select any of these options and manage travel plans through the “Manage Booking” portal in the Cebu Pacific website (http://bit.ly/CEBmanageflight). 

For more details, please read here: bit.ly/CEBCOVID-19FAQ 

Beko Pilipinas shows support to frontliners by extending aid

During this time of crisis, it is undeniable that we owe so much from our frontliners who are facing one of the world’s toughest battles. While we stay at home due to COVID-19, our unsung heroes in the hospitals, medical facilities, and local municipalities who lay and risk their own lives on the line to serve others. 

But even the tough ones need an extra hand of help to carry on with their important duties.

Beko, the Philippine subsidiary of Europe’s No. 1 home appliances brand, shows it gratitude to our frontliners. Beko Pilipinas is teaming up with local municipalities of Pasig, San Juan and Manila; the hardest-hit hospitals like Philippine General Hospital, San Juan De Dios Medical Center, Quirino Memorial Medical Center, and Delos Santos Medical Center; together with actress Angel Locsin’s #UniTentWeStand campaign for San Lazaro Hospital in Manila and recently to the converted mega quarantine facilities in Philippine International Convention Center, Rizal Memorial Stadium and Philippine Arena by donating its innovative washing machines, freestanding cookers and refrigerators for use during the COVID-19 crisis.

Our frontliners need to feel protected from the harmful viruses and bacteria. And they do need to be refreshed and energized with healthy meals. That is why Beko shares its innovative technologies with our today’s heroes.

With Hygiene+ wash program technology, frontliners will get hygienically clean laundry because of its custom drum movements, additional rinse and spin cycles and sensitive temperature control, especially at 60degrees cycle as approved by Allergy UK, eliminates 99% of allergens. Meanwhile, EverFresh+® technology in the fridge ensures ideal humidity & temperature to keep fruit and vegetables crisp and fresh up to 3 times longer or even up to 30days. This will help our frontliners stay healthy and keep their meals, fruits and vegetables, fresh any time they most need. More than just a function to cook food efficiently, Beko’s CookMaster® capacity means it can cook loads of food in one go, especially during this situation when time is of the essence where people need a reliable cooker in preparing food for big groups of frontliners fighting the pandemic. 

Helping LGUs and the private sectors is consistent with Beko’s brand purpose to “empower new generations to live healthier”. “Frontliners are our today’s heroes and we are happy to provide refrigerators, cookers and washing machines to make the place where they are resting more convenient and homey. We are also looking at ways to continue extend our support during the war against COVID-19,” said Gürhan Günal, Country Manager of Beko Pilipinas Corporation.

In addition, Beko Pilipinas is also working with #RockEd Relief (@RockEdPhilippines) and #FrontlineFeedersPH (@FrontlineFeedersPH) groups that help and support the medical workers in mobilizing, allocating and providing food delivery to hospitals and ensuring the right number of people are fed at the right time.

Beko’s humble contribution to the effort in taking care of frontliners in the Philippines is its way of giving back to them because they are out there risking their lives every day. These are but small donations compared to what they are doing.

4 Easy Ways to Order SolaneLPG during quarantine

With the recent extension of the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon due to COVID-19, Solane reassures all customers that their hotlines and online platforms will remain operational to address everyone’s LPG needs.

Here are easy ways to order Solane LPG:

1.    Hatid-Bahay Hotline.Metro Manila residents can call 8887-5555from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily. Additional Solane landline numbers for select cities are listed on Solane’s Facebook page.

2.    Nationwide Text Hotline.Solanecustomers who are outside of Metro Manila can send an SMS with their name, delivery address, nearby landmarks, and amount of paymentto the nationwide text hotline,0918-887-5555.

3.    Facebook Messenger.Ordering Solane LPG can also be done online! Visit http://m.me/solane.ph to reach Solane via Facebook Messenger. To order, just type in the following information:  name of customer, delivery address, nearby landmarks, and amount of payment.

4.    Mobile App. You can also download Solane’s official mobile app on the App Store or Google Play. Just sign up and the app will walk you through the simple process of ordering an LPG tank online.

With these simple and easy ways to order your Solane LPG amid the crisis, no need to go to the store. Just place your order via phone, online or mobile and #StayAtHome and prevent the spread of COVID-19.

For more information, visit https://www.solane.com.ph/ or https://web.facebook.com/solane.ph/.

Red Ribbon opens more stores because life’s milestones are worth celebrating

Celebrating life’s milestones such as birthdays, graduations, and other special occasions, mean so much to everyone. These moments make wonderful memories as people spend precious time in the company of their loved ones. That is why in their own little way, Red Ribbon makes it easier and sweeter for everyone to celebrate these special moments, by opening more stores beginning April 20, 2020.

While menu and selling hours need to be limited due to the Enhanced Community Quarantine restrictions, Red Ribbon makes certain that the delectable cakes and pastries people have always loved are created and handled safely with a lot of extra care.

Among the best-loved products available in stores are all-time favorites Black Forest, Chocolate Dedication Cake, Triple Chocolate Roll, Ube Bloom, Mocha Dedication Cake, Cheesy Ensaimada, and Butter Mamon.

With Red Ribbon opening its doors once again, more families can safely celebrate their milestones and strengthen bonds over their favorite cakes and pastries. Select Red Ribbon stores will also offer delivery services to bring the sweetness closer to one’s doorstep.

For the list of operating stores and available services (i.e. Red Ribbon Delivery Hotline, Red Ribbon Facebook Messenger Chatbot Ordering Service, Grab Food, and Food Panda), visit this link: bit.ly/RRStoreDirectory

6 Tips to be Smarter than a Scammer

For the banking public, the importance of online banking is more pronounced in today's social distancing-mandated reality. With all the convenience of banking from home, however, we need to be also aware of the lurking online adversary—scammers who lure their victims to fake websites, steal their bank information and then eventually their money. 

Here are six tips to outwit these scammers and avoid being a victim of their fake websites:

1.     Be wary of messages from a “concerned client”

There is a text message currently circulating that reads like this:

BEWARE

I just received a call from BDO. For those who are using BDO for online transactions, please DO NOT DO IT FROM YOUR PHONE or APP. Do it from your desktop or laptop. I am no techie but they said that there is a malware that is affecting such transactions. This is also the reason why BDO was inaccessible most of the time yesterday. Be careful pls.

This is fake and could be a ploy to drive away clients from using the bank’s mobile banking facility (especially from the BDO Mobile app) to a channel where scammers can better exploit their would-be victims and lure them to fake websites through the latter’s personal computer. Banks never call its clients to advise them on what to use or not to use. To be sure, check with the bank first for any official advisory and announcement, and refrain from sharing unverified news you have received via email or text.

2.     Never click on links

You could also receive an email that reads like this:

Dear valued client,

Greetings from BDO Online Banking.

Please be advised that we will deactivate the access of your account/s in BDO Online Banking if we don't hear any actions from you.

It's usually pretty easy to take care of things like this. Most of the time, we just need a little more information about your account or latest transactions. You can verify your account at https://online.bdo.com.ph/

These communication channels are available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Thank you for banking online with us!

The BDO Online Banking Team

Important: Please save this message for future reference

This is fake. Banks will never send you an email asking you to log-in through an embedded link. If ever you received such an email, do not click on that link. It will lead you to a fake website where your personal information will be stolen.

3.     Never enter your login details

If ever you do click on that link, don't enter your login details such as username and password. If clicking on the link is essentially opening your door to scammers, logging in is akin to putting one foot through that door by sharing your personal banking information with them.

4.     Never share your OTP

Now is not the time to share. Your login details and One-Time PIN (OTP) are yours and yours alone. Once you logged in your username and password, you will receive an OTP from your bank as its final security measure. Do not share this OTP to anyone else, especially to the scammers through their fake websites. If you do, this is essentially putting both feet through that door. This is a bad, bad move.

5.     When in doubt, hover

All emails asking you to click on links are scam attacks—even if it includes the spelled out BDO website as a hyperlink. To double check, hover your cursor on the weblink without clicking on it. A preview will reveal that it leads to a different site and not www.bdo.com.ph.

6.     When in doubt, ask

If you are unsure of what to do, you can visit BDO Unibank on Facebook for official advisories and reminders. If you suspect that you have been scammed, you can get in touch with BDO by logging in Messenger and looking for BDO Customer Care with the blue verified checkmark from Facebook.