Relief Operations in Brgy. 503, Manila conducted under PCSO CSR Program

by Info @Brand Zone | August 9, 2025

By: Jerwin Palo Nohay / Photos by: Arnold T. Ramos & Justin B. Ramos

In line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to prioritize assistance for victims of recent typhoons and monsoon rains, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) extended assistance to affected residents of Barangay 503 in District IV, Manila on July 30, 2025.

PCSO Directors Jennifer Liongson-Guevara and Janet De Leon Mercado, together with Barangay Chairman Eduardo Mendoza and Sangguniang Kabataan Chairwoman Jhemil Ilao, led the distribution of ChariTimba food packs to families displaced by flooding. 

Each pack contained essential food items to help residents recover from the impact of successive weather disturbances.

The initiative was carried out under PCSO’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Program, which aims to provide timely support to vulnerable communities, especially during times of disaster.  

“PCSO, Hindi Umuurong sa Pagtulong!”

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PCSO Directors lead ChariTimba and Evacuation Kits Distribution to Fire Victims in Manila’s 4^th District 

By: Jerwin Palo Nohay / Photos by: Arnold T. Ramos & Justin B. Santos    

On July 30, 2025, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) provided aid to over 300 residents from Barangays 581, 439, and 448 in Sampaloc, Manila’s fourth district, following recent fire incidents that displaced many families. 

PCSO Directors Jennifer Liongson-Guevara and Imelda Papin, together with Councilor Louisa Marie “Lady” Quintos-Tan, oversaw the distribution of ChariTimba food packs and evacuation kits to affected families. 

The relief items included canned goods, noodles, coffee, rice, and essential supplies such as mosquito nets, blankets, pillows, slippers, and other necessities.

The initiative was carried out under PCSO’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Program, in line with the agency’s mandate to extend immediate assistance to communities, especially during times of disaster and calamity.

“PCSO, Hindi Umuurong sa Pagtulong!”

PhilHealth Rolls Out Outpatient Cancer Screening Tests

by Info @Brand Zone | August 9, 2025

PhilHealth PR No. 2025-35 - August 8, 2025 

To help reduce cancer-related deaths and ease the financial burden on Filipino families, PhilHealth will begin covering selected outpatient cancer screening tests under its new YAKAP (Yaman ng Kalusugan Program) starting August 14, 2025. Many Filipino patients, especially family breadwinners, face higher risks of premature death from breast, lung, colon, and liver cancer compared to their Asian neighbors. These losses translate to an estimated P35.3 billion in economic impact each year. 

Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death in the country, with Globocan 2022 reporting nearly 189,000 new cases and over 113,000 deaths. According to the World Health Organization, early detection can increase survival rates up to 99 percent for breast cancer and over 90 percent for cervical cancer. 

The initiative was announced by Acting President and CEO Dr. Edwin M. Mercado during the nationwide launch held at the Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center, one of the accredited cancer screening facilities in the country.  

“Sa pamamagitan ng bagong benepisyong ng PhilHealth para sa outpatient cancer screening, mas pinalawak natin ang akses ng bawat Pilipino sa maagang pagtuklas ng kanser. Hindi na  kailangang mag-atubili na agarang magpa-screening dahil ang serbisyong ito ay para sa  lahat.” said the APCEO. 

This initiative directly strengthens cancer prevention and promotes early detection nationwide, fully supporting President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s vision for Universal Health Care, as highlighted in his recent State of the Nation Address. 

The new benefit packages cover essential screening procedures for breast, lung, liver and colorectal cancers, with the following rates: 

● Mammogram at Php 2,610 

● Breast Ultrasound at Php 1,350

● Low Dose Chest Computed Tomography (CT) Scan at Php 7,220 

● Alpha Fetoprotein at Php 1,230 

● Liver Ultrasound at Php 960 

● Colonoscopy at Php 23,640 

To avail of this benefit, members must first register at their chosen PhilHealth YAKAP Clinic.  Following a thorough medical assessment, their primary care doctor will then issue a valid prescription to refer the member to an accredited cancer screening facility. 

For more details on benefits and services, members may call PhilHealth’s 24/7 touch points at (02) 866-225-88 or at mobile numbers (Smart) 0998-857-2957, 0968-865-4670, (Globe) 0917- 1275987 or 0917-1109812. ### 

#Rise30  

#SamasamangPagangatParaSaBagongPilipinas

Maynilad targets 180,000 trees in 2025 to protect vital watersheds

by Info @Brand Zone | August 9, 2025

Photo: Maynilad targets 180,000 trees in 2025 to protect vital watersheds. Date of Release: August 6, 2025

West Zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services, Inc. (Maynilad) has kicked off its 2025 “Plant for Life” program with an ambitious goal of planting 180,000 native trees across the Ipo and other critical watersheds this year. The initiative highlights Maynilad’s commitment to long-term water security, biodiversity conservation, and climate resilience.

The program began with a large-scale planting activity at the Ipo Watershed in Norzagaray, Bulacan, which plays a crucial role in protecting the Angat-Ipo water system—the main raw water source for Metro Manila. Volunteers from private sector partners, civil society groups, media organizations, and local communities joined Maynilad in the event, including representatives from the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) and sister companies within the MVP Group.

“Watershed reforestation is crucial to safeguarding the region’s water resources,” said Maynilad Chief Sustainability Officer Atty. Roel S. Espiritu. “Trees improve water infiltration, prevent soil erosion, and reduce sedimentation in dams, ultimately ensuring water quality and supply reliability for our 10.5 million customers. Just as important, this program helps restore local biodiversity and creates sustainable livelihood opportunities for nearby communities.”

Since its launch in 2007, Plant for Life has planted over 1.45 million trees across nearly 2,000 hectares, expanding beyond Ipo and La Mesa to include the Kaliwa watershed, mangrove belts along Manila Bay, and areas near Laguna Lake.

To ensure high survival rates, Maynilad engages Dumagat community members and local groups as forest stewards. These stakeholders handle nursery operations, monitoring, replanting, and forest protection under a structured three-year care program—providing both environmental and socio-economic benefits. As a result, the program sustains 80% survival rate while helping improve livelihoods.

Current reforested areas are estimated to sequester approximately 25,000 metric tons of CO₂ annually, contributing to climate mitigation and aligning with Maynilad’s broader sustainability and ESG goals.

Maynilad is the largest private water concessionaire in the Philippines in terms of customer base. It is a concessionaire of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) for the West Zone of the Greater Manila Area, which is composed of the cities of Manila (certain portions), Quezon City (certain portions), Makati (west of South Super Highway), Caloocan, Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Valenzuela, Navotas and Malabon, all in Metro Manila; the cities of Cavite, Bacoor and Imus, and the municipalities of Kawit, Noveleta and Rosario, all in Cavite Province.