The Largest Pharmaceutical, Medical & Healthcare Exhibition on February 25-27

 

February 22, 2025

Philippine Pharma & Healthcare, the Largest Pharmaceutical, Medical & Healthcare Exhibition in Philippines will be taking place from 25 – 27 February, 2025 at the SMX Convention Center, Manila, Philippines. The exhibition will be the gateway to the South East Asian Business Community in Philippines. It is the premier exhibition series in this sector in the South East Asian region.

The international expo provides an immense opportunity to capture the untapped market of the South East Asian Region through Philippines. The show is organised by ACE Group. It is one of the shows in the umbrella of upcoming shows being organised in the ASEAN region.

𝐍𝐀𝐂𝐂 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐬 𝟑𝐫𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐫𝐲, 𝐯𝐨𝐰𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐅𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐨 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 “𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲”

 

Tuesday, January 21, 2025

PARAÑAQUE CITY – The National Authority for Child Care (NACC), the country’s central authority on administrative adoption and alternative child care renewed its commitment to its mission and advocacy during its third anniversary celebration at Parañaque City, Monday, January 20. 

In 2022, the 18th Congress enacted R.A. 11642 or the Domestic Administrative Adoption and Alternative Child Care Act creating the NACC as a one-stop quasi-judicial agency under the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to formulate policies and implement programs and services on administrative adoption and alternative child care. 

R.A. 11642 further streamlined all government programs and services on the declaration of a Child Legally Available for Adoption, Domestic Adoption, Inter-Country Adoption, and other forms of alternative child care such as foster care, kinship care, and residential care. 

“As we celebrate the NACC’s third year anniversary, it is my hope and prayer that we renew our commitment to our shared mission of placing every child and individuals in need of adoption and alternative care with suitable, secure, nurturing and their forever families,” said NACC Undersecretary Janella Ejercito Estrada in a statement. 

“True to our mantra that every child matters, let this be our reminder to reach every child and every family, wherever they are, as hard as it can be, or as impossible it may seem. No child should be left behind,” emphasized Usec. Estrada. 

“Since the NACC’s establishment of NACC in 2022, we continue to build our institutional capacity – evident in the 16 Regional Alternative Child Care Offices (RACCOs) now accessible to all of our kababayans responding to their concerns,” said Usec. Estrada. 

Since 2022, the NACC reported that it was able to place a total of 968 children for domestic administrative adoption and inter-country adoption – with issued Decrees of Adoption of 629 and 154, respectively. From 2023 to 2024, 1,069 children were declared legally available for adoption. 

Through the Foster Care Program, 1,108 children are provided care by 927 licensed foster care parents. A subsidy is provided to 871 foster care children from Php8,000 to Php10,0000 monthly – depending on their medical condition. Forty-three children are survivors of Online Sexual Abuse/ Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) while 154 are children with special needs, and 75 are foundlings. 

“We take pride in the linkages and partnerships we were able to forge across the country with 503 LGUs and 130 local chief executives and almost 1,000 child welfare professionals through our “LeaGUe of Heroes Campaign” launched during the First National Congress on Administrative Adoption and Alternative Child Care. We shall continue to do so, with the dedication and hard work of our 636 child welfare and public administration experts at the NACC – all committed to the fulfillment of our mandate, explained Estrada. 

The LeaGUe of Heroes” further paved the way for 89 LGUs entering into partnership with the NACC in the implementation of administrative adoption and foster care. 

During the anniversary celebration, the NACC also honored 60 NACC employees holding both plantilla and non-plantilla positions for their exemplary service, suggestions, inventions, accomplishments, behavior and loyalty that contribute to efficiency, economy and improvement in government operations.

 

Officers of the NACC Employees Association also took their oath before NACC Usec. Estrada.

COMELEC headed by Chairman George Erwin M. Garcia Acts Swiftly in Response to Supreme Court TROs Ahead of 2025 Elections

**Manila, Intramuros** – The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has announced its full adherence to the Supreme Court's issuance of Temporary Restraining Orders (TROs) concerning cases of local candidates for the upcoming May 12, 2025 National and Local Elections, including the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Parliamentary Elections. This move underscores the commission's commitment to ensuring a fair and transparent electoral process, amidst the challenges posed by legal disputes.

The TROs pertain to three specific cases:

1. Marie Grace R. David v. Commission on Elections (GR No. 277720)

2. Mary Dominique A. Onate v. COMELEC and Myra Georgina L. Arevalo (GR No. 277698)

3. Aldrin B. Sta. Ana v. COMELEC and Arturo P. Mendoza, Jr. (GR No. 277731)

In response, COMELEC has taken immediate action by halting the printing of ballots, conducting an inventory, and disposing of six million already printed ballots, alongside amending the candidates' database as required by these TROs.

The timing of these orders aligns with COMELEC's current efforts to implement necessary changes in various election systems such as the Election Management System (EMS), Automated Election System (AES), Consolidated Canvassing System (CCS), and Online Voting and Counting System (OVCS). These adjustments are crucial for maintaining the integrity of the electoral process.

As part of its contingency measures, COMELEC has scheduled the Trusted Build of the AES for Monday, January 20, 2025, at Palacio del Gobernador in Intramuros, Manila. This will be followed by the generation of new ballot face templates and their subsequent serialization on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at the COMELEC Warehouse in Binan, Laguna.

These steps are indicative of COMELEC's proactive approach to mitigating any impact on election preparations due to these legal challenges. The commission is eager to resume ballot production promptly to make up for lost time and ensure that election materials are ready well in advance of Election Day.

COMELEC's assurance to the Filipino people is clear: despite these unforeseen hurdles, it remains fully capable of managing and overcoming these issues without compromising the smooth conduct of the forthcoming elections.

The commission's swift compliance with the Supreme Court's directives reflects its dedication to upholding electoral laws and regulations while ensuring that all logistical and technical aspects of election management are effectively addressed.

As we move closer to May 12, 2025, COMELEC's actions today will play a pivotal role in reinforcing public confidence in the electoral process — a cornerstone of democratic governance in the Philippines.

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Healthcare Waste Project Drives Zero Waste Practices in Hospitals and Facilities

 Press Release

17 January 2025

The Philippine Healthcare and Mercury Wastes Management Project (HCW Project) held a forum today in celebration of International Zero Waste Month, highlighting the need to promote Zero Waste practices and principles in the healthcare sector, foster collaboration, and address challenges in implementing sustainable waste management solutions.

The event, dubbed “Zero Waste for Health: Advancing Sustainability in Healthcare Facilities,” was conducted simultaneously in three regions where the HCW Project is being implemented: Region 2, Region 8, and the National Capital Region, with a centralized online program. It was attended by healthcare professionals and waste management staff from partner hospitals of the HCW Project, along with local government representatives from their surrounding barangays and cities. The participating hospitals included Quezon Memorial Medical Center (QMMC) in Quezon City, Cagayan Valley Medical Center (CVMC) in Tuguegarao City, and Eastern Visayas Medical Center (EVMC) in Tacloban City.

According to Jam Lorenzo, BAN Toxics Deputy Executive Director and Manager of the HCW Project, Zero Waste is a concept that needs to be promoted in waste management systems as traditional approaches, such as focusing too much on recycling, no longer adequately address the increasing volume and complexity of healthcare waste, as well as the global waste crisis.

“Healthcare waste management remains a rapidly growing problem in need of urgent action, such as incorporating Zero Waste principles, which include waste minimization and ensuring environmentally sound practices and technologies are in place in hospitals and healthcare facilities.”

The HCW Project aims to improve healthcare waste management in the country with a special focus on reducing the release and emissions of hazardous substances from healthcare waste. The five-year project, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), is being implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) as the national lead agency, with the environmental NGO BAN Toxics serving as the executing entity.

The celebration of Zero Waste Month every January began in 2012 in the Philippines, when the youth sector presented a Zero Waste Manifesto. On May 5, 2014, Presidential Proclamation 760 was signed, officially designating January as Zero Waste Month. The first international celebration of Zero Waste Month took place in 2023, led by the international environmental organizations such as Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) and Break Free From Plastic (BFFP).

The DENR-EMB’s theme for this year’s Zero Waste Month centers on the cooperation and collaboration of the informal, private, and public sectors to encourage partnerships in reducing waste and minimizing environmental impact.

During the forum, Dr. Michelle Reyes, M.D., Sustainability Officer of Healthcare Without Harm (Asia), delivered a presentation on Zero Waste principles and practices in healthcare facilities. She provided actionable examples for moving forward, such as purchasing safer and more sustainable products, reducing plastic use, and identifying items that can be minimized or eliminated.

Representatives from the QMMC, CVMC, and EVMC discussed their waste management challenges and best practices. Notable practices at QMMC include mandatory training and orientations for personnel on waste management, use of reusable Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), implementation of digitalization for waste collection data, urban gardening for composting, and a rainwater collection system.

A common concern across all partner hospitals is the insufficient waste storage facilities, further worsened by inefficient or delayed collection of general waste by Local Government Units.

Meanwhile, BAN Toxics shared the initial results of a Knowledge, Attitude, and Perception (KAP) survey conducted in the three partner hospitals in November of last year as part of the HCW Project. The survey, which covered 923 respondents, sought to evaluate the awareness levels of hospital patients and visitors, as well as surrounding communities, regarding healthcare waste management.

While all three hospitals have waste management and segregation programs, they face common challenges, particularly the lack of awareness about waste segregation and waste characterization among patients and visitors. QMMC has relatively higher awareness due to local ordinances, such as the Plastic Bag Ban and Single-Use Plastics Ban in Quezon City, which have supported more effective waste reduction systems. though insufficient availability of color-coded bins and containers remain a problem. 

At EVMC, in addition to these challenges, uncollected hospital waste is a growing concern. In CVMC, improper dumping of hospital waste in surrounding areas, coupled with limited funding for waste management, further exacerbates the situation. Across the hospitals, misconceptions about waste minimization, inadequate information dissemination, and insufficient training on proper waste segregation and hazardous waste disposal worsen the problem. This underscores the need for improved awareness and infrastructure to manage healthcare waste effectively. Respondents also preferred sourcing information from Barangay Leaders (LGUs) alongside healthcare providers.

Following the presentations, an open forum allowed attendees to engage with experts and peers, providing a platform for the exchange of ideas and addressing pressing issues. In the afternoon session, an open discussion between the hospitals and local government units offered an opportunity to share insights from the KAP survey results.

To conclude the event, attendees participated in a partnership pledge to support Zero Waste principles in Healthcare Waste Management. This collective commitment symbolized a significant step toward fostering sustainable waste management across the healthcare sector.

Contact Person:

Thony Dizon

09178322616

InCharge Magazine and Rising Tigers Magazine at PAL Mabuhay Lounge

The Local and International Flights now for frequent fliers will both read for their indulgence the two print magazines under Tag Media Group; Rising Tigers Magazine which, already at the Philippine Airlines (PAL) Mabuhay Lounge, was launched there a year ago with the presence of the stakeholders headed by President Grace Bondad Nicolas and PALs President, Stanley K. Ng while,, InCharge Magazine with the premier launch last December 19 at the residence of Malaysia Ambassador in the Philippines are side by side now at PALs Lounges in the country. 

“I am delighted to send that Rising Tiger Magazines and InCharge magazine are now available for providing and engaging content for passengers. The distribution of Rising Tiger Magazines within North Wing, South Wing (Domestic Lounges) and International Lounge are now prominently displayed for enhancing passenger reading experiences.”- Arnold Cacho, Philippines Airlines Mabuhay Lounges Executive 

“We are trying to reach our target audience wherever they are. Print is one of the platforms and distributing in National Book Stores, Philippine Airlines Mabuhay Lounges and other prominent establishments is our success already. We are also heavy on our online platforms as we have more than 2 million readers combined from all our accounts. Since 2010, it is our goal for information dissemination, and we are not stopping to inspire the nation and beyond.”- Grace Bondad Nicolas, President and Publisher, Tag Media Group

Rising Tigers Magazine will be in monthly issues starting this 2025, while InCharge Magazine is on Demand. To be featured and to inspire the global arena, email president@tagmedia.asia.

Grab a copy of Incharge Magazine and Rising Tigers Magazine at National Bookstore

 

For the premier  issue, the InCharge team invited business tycoons, public servants and high profile professionals as featured leaders with Commission on Elections Chairman George Erwin Mojica Garcia in the cover.  

This is a compilation of stories of these leaders who are making an impact in the lives of so many people and the society today. To inspire the nation and to be emulated with the grit, perseverance and success these leaders has been experienced. To build a nation that never stops to be better. These are the leaders who are InCharge in nation building. 

Launched at the residence of His Excellency Malaysia Ambassador Dato Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino in Makati last December 19, 2024 with Editor in Chief Grace Bondad Nicolas, CEO Andrew Troy Nicolas, CMO Andria Terese Nicolas, Board of Advisers; Robert Laurel Yupangco, Dr. Elton See Tan and Becky Garcia. 

Also during the event, the “Captains of Industries” has been recognized for their success that includes; 

•Maricar Nepomuceno - Country Head, Digital Halo 

•Merle Mendoza Balicao - Co Founder, Mernels 

•Miles Ballestar, General Manager, Iontek

•Usec. Arnold “Ali” Atienza, Department of Agriculture 

•Comelec Chair George Erwin Garcia 

•Cynthia Carrion, President, Gymnastics Association of the Philippines  

The magazine is distributed at National Book Stores nationwide and Philippine Airlines Mabuhay Lounges as well as different establishments in the country and beyond. 

InCharge Magazine is the second publication under Tag Media and Public Relations (TAG) also commonly known as Tag Media Group. First successful publication is Rising Tigers Magazine, the most circulated business and lifestyle print magazine in the Philippines. TAG is a certified publisher under The National Book Development Board (NBDB) which is the book authority of the Philippines. They are the leading catalyst for building a culture of reading and authorship as well as an environment for the growth of the Philippine book publishing industry.

Presenting InCharge, the new print magazine under Tag Media Group.

For Incharge Magazine, we will have business tycoons, public servants, members of diplomatic corps. and high profile professionals as featured leaders. 

This will be a compilation of stories of these leaders who are making an impact in the lives of so many people and the society today. To inspire the nation and to be emulated with the grit, perseverance and success these leaders has been experienced. To build a nation that never stops to be better. These are the leaders who are InCharge in nation building. 

The launch will be on December 19, 2024 with a ceremony and awarding for “Captains of Industries” and attendance of the featured leaders at the residence of Malaysia Ambassador in Makati. 

The magazine will be distributed at National Book Stores nationwide and Philippine Airlines Mabuhay Lounges as well as different establishments in the country. 

InCharge Magazine is the second publication under Tag Media and Public Relations (TAG) also commonly known as part of Tag Group of Companies. First successful publication is Rising Tigers Magazine. TAG is a certified publisher under The National Book Development Board (NBDB) which is the book authority of the Philippines. They are the leading catalyst for building a culture of reading and authorship as well as an environment for the growth of the Philippine book publishing community.

For inquiries and more information;

E: president@incharge.asia 

M: 09778978877

Grace Bondad Nicolas

President 

Tag Group