Drivers for TB Awareness in QC

Ride a bus, be TB aware: The Caltex TB awareness campaign has spread to reach commuters of QC public buses plying EDSA

Caltex and QCHO train jeepney and bus drivers as volunteer TB treatment partners

To beat tuberculosis (TB), early detection and treatment are crucial. Fortunately, with the “Caltex Labanan ang TB, para Tsuper Healthy” TB awareness campaign, more than 10,000 jeepney and bus drivers plying Metro Manila are now TB aware and are pro-active fighters of this endemic disease.

Of these, at least 52 public transport drivers were trained by the Quezon City Health Dept. (QCHD) as volunteer TB treatment partners. As treatment partners, the drivers are qualified to teach colleagues the facts about the disease, dispel myths and encourage their siblings in the industry to seek medical assistance early, thereby helping stop the spread of TB. The driver-trainors also help in patient treatment by making sure medicines are taken daily. This effort will hopefully reduce the number of attrition cases which in turn lead to patients becoming more drug resistant – and more difficult and more expensive to cure.

To broaden the reach of this awareness campaign, Caltex uses a TB awareness bus where trainors can hold onboard seminars, distribute posters, flyers, stickers and promote the Caltex TB helpline (865-1010). The seminars focus on correcting common misconceptions, emphasize prevention, early detection and cure.

TB kills 75 Filipinos every day and is the sixth leading deadly disease in the country. Worldwide, the Philippines ranked as the 22nd country with the highest number of TB cases while it is second only to China in Western Pacific region (www.who,int/tb).

Dr. Antonieta V. Inumerable, head of QCHD, said, “We welcome and support the efforts of Caltex to eradicate TB in the country. QC has a large population that public transport workers serve. If we can raise the health of our drivers, then their passengers are protected as well from TB.” Aside from the training of driver volunteers, Dr. Inumerable has also pledged that QCHD will help monitor, report and test drivers referred by the campaign.

Prior to the awareness drive, Chevron donated US$5 million to fight TB in the Philippines. As a result, almost 8,175 service deliverers were educated in providing quality TB services. More than 6,144 health care providers were trained in community care and treatment for Multi-Drug Resistant (MDR) TB were provided to about 1,778 patients who were no longer responding to first line anti-TB drugs. MDR treatment costs more than P200,000 for at least 18 months of treatment.

Through its Anti-TB Helpline 381-1010, Caltex also established a link between the public and free TB treatment facilities such as Directly Observed Treatment, Short-course (DOTS) centers. People who call the helpline are directed to the DOTS center nearest where they reside.

Peter Morris, country chairman of CPI, said, “Chevron places the highest priority on the health and safety of its people including customers and communities that host its facilities like Quezon City, home to more than 30 Caltex stations.”

The campaign had its pilot site in Makati and Manila where almost 5,000 jeepney drivers and their families where engaged. In QC, Caltex also partnered with bus companies that endorsed the campaign to their employees as part of their occupational safety program ordered by the Department of Labor. A growing number of bus companies are also showing the TB awareness video on their buses as they ply their routes along EDSA.

“This information drive highlights Caltex’s unwavering commitment to being a good partner focused on building productive, collaborative, trusting and beneficial relationships with customers and host communities,” adds Morris. Caltex is working with Department of Health, the QCHD, public transport groups, and other relevant agencies in this campaign.

Zeny Maranan, president of Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (FEJODAP) and 1-UTAK partylist representative, said, “Caltex has always delivered good programs for public transport drivers like this health campaign. So I tell my drivers to always listen to Caltex and get tested for TB now if you love your families.”

Chevron Philippines Inc. is the marketer of high quality brand of Caltex fuel and lubricants.

Welcome the New Year with Cash Gifts from Citibank


Start the year right by opening an account with the country’s largest foreign bank and begin securing your financial future.

Visit any Citibank branch today and enjoy cash credits of as much as P30,000 depending on your opening account balance.  If you’re already a client, you can still avail of this generous offer by increasing your deposits or referring family and friends to experience the privileges of a Citibank relationship.  Successful referrals will entitle you and your family member or friends to cash rewards.  This promotion will run until February 20, 2013.

Citibank Savings clients can also participate in the promotion.

For more details, log on to www.citbank.com.ph and look for the Celebrating Relationships promotion, or call the 24-hour CitiPhone at 995.9999.

The search is over with super sweet Valentine’s gift ideas from Lazada


Valentine’s Day is just a few days away, and the air is fraught with anticipation for the year’s biggest love celebration. Those who may be too busy looking for the perfect present this Valentine’s Day should worry no more with Lazada, the country’s premier online shopping mall that offers all-around convenience for time-strapped shoppers.

Lazada is home to a vast selection of products ¾ from books clothing, footwear, personal care, accessories, electronics and gadgets that will surely captivate the most discriminating taste. Featured brands include Samsung, Cherry Mobile, The Body Shop, Celine, Nike and Spalding.

Women can score major points with their beaus by treating them to cool items that let them indulge their playful side with Lazada’s travel and gaming-related goodies.

Men can embrace their inner Casanova by surprising the ladies with this season’s sexiest lingerie from Lazada, boasting of red-hot offerings that go from sweet to seductive.

Ordering from Lazada is fast, simple and easy, allowing busy bees to squeeze online shopping even during lunch breaks. Lazada also offers free shipping for all orders P1000 and above nationwide.

And as an added treat this February, Lazada is rewarding all MasterCard holders with an additional 15% off on all products listed in the “Share Your Love” campaign when they pay using their MasterCard® Credit card.

Promo runs until February 14 so hurry and make Valentine’s sweeter with these amazing deals! For more details, head on over to www.lazada.com.ph/sweet-valentines.

Red Cross steps into the future with strategic partnerships

Harnessing technology to serve those who serve

As the second Million Volunteer Run (MVR2) of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) kicks off this Sunday, February 10, Albert Einstein, who once voiced the fear that technology might exceed our humanity, would be heartened to know that technology is now being used to serve the needs of humanity. Thanks to mobile phones, the Internet, and social media, the effects of recent disasters in the Philippines have been mitigated with speedy responses and the quick mobilization of volunteers and government agencies alike to help those in need.

Beyond emergencies, technology has also helped in other ways. “Technology can help us reach potential new volunteers from various sectors of Philippine society,” says Governor Mabini “EQ” Pablo of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC). “Without these technologies, the PRC could not have attempted an activity the size and scale of the MVR2—but with it, our goals have become more ambitious.”

Indeed, the Million Volunteer Run will showcase how PRC has taken the business of saving lives to new heights, mobilizing technologies in ways that create stronger awareness, speed up responses, and boost community empowerment.

Governor Pablo believes that technology helps the PRC create a caring human network of volunteers. “We learn how to use new ways of helping during emergencies. Under our new strategies of mobilizing synergistic alliances and harnessing the latest technologies, the PRC envisions that our network of volunteers deployed across the country will become even stronger and will continue to provide critical humanitarian services faster than ever before.”

He cites as an example the PRC’s partnership with SMART, the telecom giant and industry leader. With it, the PRC has mobilized its social networks to connect with its volunteers, particularly young people. It has also helped the PRC forge alliances with the online community and establish partnerships with people from just about all sectors of society.

“Our partnership with SMART has also made possible Web-based solutions that allow multiple SMS capabilities. With this, our head office now has the means to communicate with all volunteers who have cellular phones. So you can imagine how efficient it will be to be able to advise volunteers via announcements, especially during emergencies,” adds Governor Pablo.

In the pipeline are applications to help the PRC address its tech needs. These apps will cater to the fast-growing group of smartphone users who are tech-savvy and always online. Also in development are mechanisms to enable the PRC to accept donations through mobile phones and Internet payment gateways.

The public is invited to join the Million Volunteer Run by logging on to www.run.redcross.org.ph or www.facebook.com/MillionVolunteerRun. Interested parties may also register at the Philippine Red Cross National Headquarters or any Red Cross Chapter.

Citi Fin-Q Survey Reports Filipinos More Money-Wise

More and more Filipinos now understand the value of budgeting and planning for their retirement, and claim building their savings has become a personal priority, says Citi Philippines as it announced the latest results of its annual Citi Fin-Q survey.

The country’s largest foreign bank has been running an online poll since 2007 to measure the Fin-Q or Financial Quotient of Filipino consumers.  All respondents were over 18 years of age with either a bank account or a major credit card.

For the second straight year, Filipinos passed the 50-point mark, and scored a record high of 53 out of a possible 100 points.  The improved score was driven by increased awareness among respondents of the importance of planning personal finances, ownership of several financial products such as investments and insurance, and a general optimism on their financial future.

In this latest survey, respondents were scored on 11 different questions closely related to financial well-being for a maximum possible score of 100. The questionnaire consisted of over 80 questions and covered a range of topics related to making smart financial decisions and having good financial habits.

Citi conducted the survey through research firm Big Picture Qual and Quant Research in late 2012, and results were released this year. The survey covered 3,500 online respondents across seven countries including the Philippines. Five hundred interviews were held in each of the participating countries that include Australia, India, Indonesia, Korea, Singapore and Taiwan.

Preparing for the future

Proving that Filipinos are now more conscious about planning their finances, more than 9 out of 10 said they create a budget on a monthly basis, and 65% acknowledged the importance of sticking to their budget.

In preparing for their future, Filipinos seem to be right on track as well. In fact, it was a record year in terms of their confidence in their insurance coverage, with nearly 8 out of 10 saying they own insurance products or enjoy income protection.

As they prepare for retirement, a total of 63% said they are on track with their retirement savings or had already started to set aside some savings for it.

Committed to financial education

Since launching the survey in 2007, Citi has been focused on helping consumers understand the importance of planning their financial future and guiding them in achieving their financial goals. Citi Country Officer Sanjiv Vohra says, “Citi is always on the lookout for opportunities to reach out to a wide range of audiences and go beyond our client base to promote financial literacy. When consumers are engaged in discussions on saving, budgeting and investing, it raises awareness on the importance of being able to make smart financial decisions for their future.”

Citi had such an opportunity in December when it hosted the 2012 Citi-FT Financial Education Summit here in Manila, a regional conference that drew some 300 delegates from over 30 countries to address the urgent need to bridge the financial capability gap here in Asia.

This and the other efforts of Citi seem to be paying off. According to the survey, building their savings tops the financial concerns of Filipinos. It was also revealed that six out of 10 said they know a fair bit or know exactly their current net worth.

Optimism also up in Asia

Across Asia Pacific, the average Citi Fin-Q score is also above the 50-point mark at 53.2 points. Optimism was also at a high with 67% saying they are somewhat or very optimistic about their financial futures.

When it comes to building their savings, 44% said they set aside or save some money every time they get paid. Armed with foresight, 63% reported that they knew how much they would need in retirement and were on track, and 57 % believe they have enough insurance to protect them and their families.

“Apart from the encouraging results of this latest survey, we are also seeing how Filipinos are taking a more active role in managing their finances and planning their future. Citi is proud to take part in this initiative and we hope to continue the conversation with consumers through more financial literacy programs this year,” added Vohra.

Apart from the Citi Fin-Q Survey and the recently concluded 9th Citi-FT Financial Education Summit, Citi is also known for having the longest-running credit education campaign, Use Credit Wisely (www.usecreditwisely.citibank.com.ph).