Resilience through preparation: PCPPI reinforces disaster preparedness capabilities to build stronger Filipino communities.

In the Philippines, the second half of the year not only signals the start of the long countdown to Christmas, but also monsoon season. Traditionally, typhoons sweep across the country during this time, often aggravating the south-western spell (“Habagat”) that trigger flooding and other concerns.

At least 20 typhoons hit the Philippine area of responsibility every year, with the violent ones often posing the biggest threat to human lives and industry, that may result in costly economic loses and damages.

Given the frequency of natural hazard events in the country, Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines Inc. (PCPPI)—the exclusive manufacturer of PepsiCo beverages in the country—ensures that its Environment, Health, Safety, and Security (EHSS) teams are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to mitigate disaster risk by regularly conducting refresher training courses.

“We conduct policy and procedure refreshers among our EHSS teams to enhance our disaster preparedness. We revisit our strategy, which are aligned with guidelines set by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) policies, on what to do before, during, and after hazardous events,” said PCPPI Sr. Manager for Safety and Security Dindo C. Garcia.

“We also conduct monthly performance monitoring to see if our teams across the country are consistently aligned with the regulatory standards and to assess the areas that merit improvement,” he added.

PCPPI is also committed to building on stronger relationships with local government units (LGU) to help enable and support communities in times of natural hazard events.

“Our employees are at the heart of our operations. It is our responsibility to ensure we not only empower our teams and partners, but also our customers and the communities where we operate. We recognize our responsibility to prepare and help them in times of emergencies and calamities towards quick recovery with minimal disruption to their activities,” Garcia added.

PCPPI is the exclusive manufacturer and distributor of well-known beverage brands in the Philippines, such as Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, 7-Up, Mirinda, Mug, Gatorade, Tropicana, Lipton, Sting, Premier, Milkis, and Chum Churum Soonhari. More information about the organization is available via www.pepsiphilippines.com.

PCPPI reinforces food safety system and culture across all plants.

Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines Inc. (PCPPI)—the exclusive manufacturer of PepsiCo beverages in the country—is bolstering the company’s food safety culture. It benefits its people and the customers in the long term, following the launch of its food safety education campaign.

PCPPI plants implemented the Talas ng Kaalaman on Food Safety program. It is to strengthen the knowledge of its employees on the standard food safety procedures. The goal is to improve its operations responsibly and sustainably.

“PCPPI is committed to meeting the highest food safety and quality standards. This is the reason we continuously implement programs and workshops that would improve the skills of our people. We ensure that they too become ambassadors of our food safety culture,” said Frederick D. Ong, PCPPI President and CEO.

The information campaign was executed through Facebook, bulletin board posts, and email blasts. It provided comprehensive information about food safety culture. It informed how to fight food fraud, product protection, good manufacturing practices, and allergen management. It also highlighted some of the cleaning practices. These include the pest control process, proper waste disposal, and locker sanitation and maintenance.

Throughout the program, PCPPI conducted random ambush interviews with employees. This is to measure their grasp of the food safety system. It recognized the departments with the cleanest space and well-informed personnel on the importance of food safety.

Aside from this, PCPPI completed the Food Safety System Certification (FSSC) for its Metro Operations Services, Pampanga, Rosario, STRO, Davao, and Bacolod plant. The FSSC is a globally accepted standard. It recognizes companies’ processes that are at par with global standards— from employee selection to production and warehousing. Its goal is to evaluate the systems in place to ensure food safety.

PCPPI also assures that their products are safe for consumption as all PCPPI plants have the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) License to Operate. All PCPPI products also have its valid certificate of product registration.

The company also recently completed other third-party food safety and social welfare audits. Some of which are the McDonald's Safe Water System (SWS) and Supplier Quality Management System (SQMS) for the PCPPI San Fernando plant.

PCPPI manufactures and sells well-known brands such as Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, 7-Up, Mirinda, Mug, Gatorade, Tropicana, Lipton, and Premier.

Protect Lives and Livelihood with These Easy Fire Prevention Tips and with Cebuana Lhuillier ProtectMax.

In the first two months of 2022 alone, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) announced that fire incidents have already increased by almost 13% compared to the same period last year. In addition, back in 2020, data from BFP also showed that open flame due to torch, unattended cooking, and electrical connections are the main causes of fire accidents.

Like other threats and risks of loss in any unfortunate events such as natural calamities, impacts due to fire and negligence mishaps, thousands of lives and millions up to billions worth of properties are being lost every year, and the need for a financial tool arises to make financial impacts less severe.

“Damage caused by fire is insurmountable. It affects the lives and livelihood of many Filipinos, regardless of their economic status in life. Unfortunately, our kababayans in the marginalized sector can experience bigger risk and more profound impact. Backed by our commitment for financial inclusion, we also want common Filipinos to be able to afford protection and security as a part of their financial plan. It is crucial that they have access to basic security requirements to cushion the blow of disasters that may happen,” Cebuana Lhuillier CEO and President, Jean Henri Lhuillier said. 

As the country observes the annual Fire Prevention Month, here are some tips from the BFP to make sure that your house is safe from fire:

1. Unplug appliances when they are not in use

Unplugging items when not in use not only reduces your electricity consumption but also cuts down the chances of a fire. Excessive electricity flowing through appliances like TV sets, computers, and a lot more – or a possibility of power surge can be a source of conflagration. Make sure to always unplug your appliances when leaving the house.

2. Never leave flames or heated appliances unattended

Always be cautious of any excessive flames that you may use like lighting candles or cooking. Always keep an eye and one step ahead if anything goes wrong. Much better if you can install fire alarms or have fire extinguishers ready, nearby.

3. Keep flammable items away from things that can be a source of fire

Proper storage of different items and supplies can prevent a fire incident. Ensuring that flammable items are stored in the right place and are far away from a source of heat, can save you from a possible accident.

4. Declutter

Too many things cluttered in an area can give fire plenty of space to spread faster. By decluttering certain areas in your home, you’ll be able to minimize the risk of spreading fire, minimize your loss, and save your home in the event of a fire.

5. Check your electrical wirings regularly

Pay close attention to any visible faulty wirings. This can damage your appliances that can eventually lead to a fire incident.

Always remember that prevention is always better than cure. Knowing these fire prevention tips could save you and others from a devastating event.

“This Fire Prevention Month, it is important to raise awareness about fire safety and prevention. Apart from being ready when a fire incident happens, it is also important that common Filipinos have a safety net in case it happened. This is our main mission for our microinsurance product, ProtectMax. This product offers comprehensive coverage at a more reasonable cost,” First Vice President and Group Head of Cebuana Lhuillier Insurance Brokers Inc., Jonathan Batangan mentioned.

To lessen the risk brought by fire and other natural calamities, Cebuana Lhuiller offers ProtectMAX, an affordable microinsurance product designed for individuals aged 7 to 70 years old with Death Benefit, Accident or Sickness Emergency Cash Assistance, Accidental Dismemberment and/or Disablement, Murder, and Unprovoked Assault and Residential Fire Reconstruction cash assistance.

For as low as P50, get a total coverage value of up to P61,000.00. Each certificate is valid for four (4) months from the date of issuance and can be availed up to a maximum of 5 certificates per insured in a year.

To know more about Cebuana Lhuillier ProtectMAX, visit the nearest Cebuana Lhuillier branch or just log on to www.cebuanalhuillier.com. Avail ProtectMAX now in almost 3,000 branches of Cebuana Lhuillier, nationwide.

Gun Safety Basics.

Guns can be used for a variety of activities besides self-defense, such as hunting, riflery, or skeet shooting. Whether you're new to guns or an old pro, it's important to know some basic safety rules before using your weapon. This goes beyond storing rifles in a safe or keeping your handguns in blackhawk holsters. Although these are both good practices, there are a few principles everyone with a firearm should follow at all times to keep both themselves and others safe.

Song Joong Ki in Descendants of the Sun, 2016.

Be Aware of Your Direction

Especially when someone is comfortable holding their firearm, it can be easy to feel safe with it pointed in any direction. This can be incredibly dangerous though in case the gun goes off or misfires; it could seriously injure someone. That's why the first and possibly most important rule of handling a gun is to always point the barrel down and away from others. This ensures any accidents or malfunctions won't harm anyone nearby.

Jo Jung Suk in Two Cops, 2017.

Don't Keep It Loaded

You shouldn't have your gun loaded unless you're using it. That means when you get home from a hunting trip or day at the range, you should make sure to remove all ammunition—including anything that may be in the chamber of your gun—to prevent accidents. It's much safer to show people your guns or handle them in the house when they aren't loaded and there's no risk of it accidentally firing.

Lee Joon Gi in Gunman in Joseon, 2014.

Treat Every Gun Like It's Loaded

Some people rely on their gun's safety features to tell them when it's safe to handle the weapon in a perhaps hazardous manner. This isn't good practice. You should always treat every gun as if it could go off at any moment, whether it's loaded or not and even if the safety is on. This mechanism is a fail-safe feature to help make handling easier, but should not be treated as a perfect safety solution. Along with this rule of thumb, it's wise to stay away from the trigger of a gun unless you intend to shoot it. Even if you think you've removed all the bullets and the safety is on, there is always a chance something could go wrong, so staying away from the trigger is best practice.

These are just a few of many gun safety rules, but they'll help novices learn good behaviors around firearms and remind experts accidents can still happen.

What’s In My Travel Bag?

Travel is a fantastic way to figure out what's important to you in your day to day life! What you choose to take with you can define you better than any personality test, or horoscope. So let's deep dive into my purple hand-me-down carry-on bag, and I'll let you see what I hold near and dear when the home is far away.

I have a love-hate relationship with red eye flights. :)

Vital Things
These are the things I couldn't go without and have to be in my travel bag for me to be able to last more than a couple of days away from home. There's medication- aspirin, my asthma inhaler I haven't needed in years (but don't want to risk needed without having it!), and Tums in case my need for spicy food doesn't line up with my body suddenly deciding to show my age. Besides that, there's a phone charger, a tiny bottle of scented hand sanitizer, a little bottle of lotion to chase the sanitizer with, and of course, any important documents I need to bring with me. I keep these with me first and foremost, grabbing them before I pack anything else.

Photo credit: Nintendo Today.

Fun Things
I can live without these things, but why make myself go through that? These are the things that keep me sane in my travels. A mini-notebook in case inspiration hits me midair, my Nintendo Switch so that I'll be too distracted to get inspired- and a mix of different local candies so I can still have my sugar fix while away from home. There's nothing to cure homesickness like chewing on taffy from the town where you grew up.

Skincare is life. 

General ThingsLess fun, more necessary, I keep these so I can survive travel without a hitch. I make sure chewing gum, extra hair ties, make-up, face wipes, and a stain-pen stay in my bag. These help travel go smoothly and save me the worry of missing bodegas when I'm in the middle of a great outdoors excursion. Sometimes I leave some of these out if I need the space, but usually, they go along with me.

Tiny travel buddy.

Just-In-Case
Travel is something that you have to take seriously, so plan for everything! These give me a little peace of mind, while all being relatively small enough that I don't even notice they're there. I keep a small GPS tracker in my carry-on, and my purse, while I'm abroad that only I have access to see. This idea only came up after an almost-theft in Barcelona that made me realize how easily everything important to my travel could have gotten taken. Whether I'm on a ski trip or looking at Atlanta houses for sale, if my purse goes missing, I'll be able to help the cops locate the thieves.

I've spent years of traveling everywhere from Japan to Belgium and have used that time to whittle down what I need when I travel. Trial by fire is the best way to figure out what you need with you, and what's just taking up space and could be replaced by some fun souvenir or trinket! Give yourself time to find what works best for you, and don't be afraid to let that list change with time.

Why You Should Get Your Van Insured.

No matter what type of van you have, you should always make sure to get insurance. Doesn’t matter if it’s a fancy brand new one, or an old one. You will need insurance. Getting insurance is so important for so many reasons. If you ever get into an accident then having insurance can mean that you are protected, it also protects any other passengers that are in your car. If you don’t have insurance, then you won’t get the compensation that you deserve if you are in an accident.

Miss & Mrs. Cops (2019).

Accidents will happen
No matter how careful a driver you are, there are often things that we cannot control. The accidents might be a minor thing, however, sometimes they can be deadly. Over the course of a lifetime, the average motorist might be in about four accidents. Obviously, this number depends on how much you drive, where you drive and how you drive. Accidents happen regardless of how good the driver is, so even if you’ve been driving your van for years, you can never be too careful.

Running Man episode 429, December 2018.

Damages might occur
The best way to avoid getting your van damaged is to park it off the road in a secure location. Most of the time though, people don’t have a big enough garage to place their van in or even off-road parking. Your van might also be damaged whilst you are out driving for a work-related reason. This is why it is so important to get your van insured, as if anything does happen you can be assured knowing that your insurance will cover you. Depending on what insurance you get, only some types of damages might be covered. So, it’s a good idea to double check all that you can about your insurance so that you know what you have.

Vampire Prosecutor, 2011.

Your van could be stolen
Having your van stolen can be disastrous, not only does it cause a lot of stress and annoyance, but for many people, it can mean a loss of earnings. If you use your van for work, then it is a good idea to make sure that your insurance has a “like for like” policy, as this way you can easily get a replacement van. However, this will only help you get to and from places. So, if your equipment was left in the van when it was stolen, then you need to make sure that you can get your money back.

One way to avoid losing your equipment is to store it in your home overnight, rather than leaving it in the van. If you can empty your van when you leave it, then this is the best thing that you can do. Why risk losing out on your business when there is a simple solution?

You might be thinking that you want to risk it and get cheaper insurance. A lot of people think that just because something hasn’t happened to them yet means that it won’t happen again. However, they are wrong. If you do this then you end up risking an awful lot and it’s just not worth it. Anyone who drives a car, van or motorbike needs to get insurance. For more reasons why you need insurance click here.

5 Important Baby Safety Equipment To Go For.

Parents are busy these days and it’s next to impossible for them to be on constant surveillance on the baby. Accidents are not uncommon when you have a toddler at home as the little mind is always curious about anything around and too innocent to gauge the risks. Thus, it’s always advised to invest on some baby safety equipment to ensure proper security for your tiny one, when you cannot be around him or her.

Photo credit; Safety Matters.

1. Safety gates
Safety gates are a must have when the baby starts crawling. The tiny hands and feet are always curious to climb up & down the stairs which might lead to serious accidents. Hence, you should take care to install safety gates at both ends of thye stairs and keep them locked to prevent falling accidents.

Photo credit: Safe Home.

2. Baby monitor
This is another important safety device when you have a little one at home. The monitors alarm the parents whenever the baby wakes up crying so that they can immediately rush to the little one. There are video baby monitors which are designed to transmit live visuals of the baby that enables the parents are always aware of the activities of the little one- even when they are not in the same room. Baby Monitor 101 is one of the best resources for parents to find a lot of info about video baby monitors. Find more here: http://www.babymonitor101.com/video-baby-monitors/.

Photo credit: Girl Gone Mom.

3. Safety latches
If you don’t have bars on your windows, window latches are really important when you have a baby at home. Toddlers have this tendency to climb up to the windows and you can imagine the possible disaster when there are no bars to stop them. Safety latches on the windows would prevent a wide opening, lessening the chances of climbing out. You should also make sure to get safety latches on drawers, cupboard, fridge and oven. This will prevent access to dangerous things like scissors, knives, glass bottles and so on.

Photo credit: Safe Sound Family.

4. Smoke alarm
You should install smoke alarm at each of the floors of your home. This will help you to rescue the baby and the family as well in time, if there is a fire accident in your home.

Photo credit: Baby Safety Shop.

5. Door slam & corner protectors
Then, you must arrange for protectors for the sharp corners and doors. The corner protectors work to cover up the sharp furniture-corners & also help to prevent cases of bumped heads. On the other hand, door-slam protectors clipped over door ends prevent chances of slamming on the tiny fingers.

How To Choose the Right Pool Fencing in Brisbane.

In 2010, the Queensland Government introduced pool safety regulations which dictate the requirements necessary in order to ensure that your pool is safe. Pool fencing is one of those requirements that help keep your pool in compliance. But not just any type of pool fencing will suffice. Depending on a variety of factors, you’ll need to ensure that your pool fencing meets the regulatory laws, while also ensuring that the fence fits into your home’s decor and ambiance. Here are a few tips to help you choose the right pool fencing for your Brisbane pool.

Vinyl pool fencing.

1. Research Materials.
The materials from which your fence will be made will dictate what your home looks like for decades. What fence is ideal for you? You’ll have to factor in both economics as well as appearance for this. Most pool fencings are made from aluminum, wooden paling or good neighbour. Envision each of these styles in your home, and in your neighborhood. Which one fits best? That should be the material you focus on.

2. Work With a Design Expert.
Your design expert will help you to envision each of these fences in your home. In fact, he or she may be able to bring samples, so that you can truly picture what your pool fencing will look like. But design experts also offer other advantages. These designers have close ties to manufacturers and installers, which in turn can help save you a considerable amount of money on your total project.

3. Get Feedback From Those Who Know the Law. 
While your designer may claim he or she has an expertise in the laws regulating pool fencing, don’t take the chance that they’re wrong. Work directly with experts in the laws, so that you can rest easy knowing your pool fencing meets all the laws. Best yet, find a company that has designers and law experts in-house.

Your safe pool fencing in Brisbane has as much to do about the look, as it has to do with functionality. It can be a challenge to find a fence that matches your vision, but also meets compliancy. That’s why so many pool owners in Brisbane turn to The Big Tick.

The Big Tick not only has a specialized expertise in the laws governing your pool, but they’re experts in fencing, installation, maintenance, repair work and more. Learn more by visiting http://thebigtick.com.au/.

The Importance of Safety Vests. (Even Karl Lagerfeld wears one!)

There are all sorts of reasons you might need a safety vest, but whatever the reasons may be, you should look for yours at SafetyGearOnline.com.

They have a variety of vests that provide you with better visibility and more safety as you work. If you're wondering what you might need safety vests for, here are a few suggestions.

1. Setting emergency workers apart.
In any local disaster such as a flood, fire, or criminal attack, it can be extremely important to set the emergency crew apart from the crowd at large. You can get vests in distinct, vivid colors that make them easy to identify.

2. Increasing visibility for those who work near traffic.
Construction workers, crossing guards, and toll booth workers must be able to be seen at all times, since there may be traffic zooming at high speeds all around them. Providing them with a safety vest is an easy way to ensure they are always visible.

3. Increasing visibility for parking lot workers.
Even through traffic should not be going through a parking lot at high speeds, it's still important to make sure shopping cart retrievers, delivery vehicle drivers and parking attendants are visible to the cars around them.

These are just a few situations in which safety vests would be helpful. SafetyGearOnline.com can provide you the most appropriate vests for your needs. You can even get customized logos or names printed on them, to help separate your organization from others. With safety vests, you and your workers can safely do your jobs in the community.

Straightforward Tips to Reduce the Risk of Bathtub Falls

Are you worried about bathroom falls because you have experienced one before, or because you are inviting a new resident who is vulnerable to the risk of falling? No matter the cause for your increased interested in bathroom safety, this quick guide will help you reduce the risk of injuries in the tub through the use of a few smart modifications.

Entering, Exiting, and Using the Bathtub Safely
The most dangerous part of bathing or showering often comes when you climb in or out of the tub. A single slip can cause significant injury. Grab bars are a great investment to begin with – you'll want one on the inside of the tub to provide stability while showering or standing up from a bath, and you'll want another grab bar on the outside of the tub to provide stability while you're climbing in or out.

Consider a walk-in conversion kit. These kits will either lower the tub wall a few inches, or will lower the wall all the way down to an inch or two above floor level. These conversion kits are perfect for people with stiff knees, bad hips, or poor balance.

Do you have trouble getting from the seated position after taking a nice long soak bath? Grab bars are helpful, but sometimes they do not quite get the whole job done. Bath lifts are a great solution for people who have a condition that contributes to weakness, sore joints, or difficulty balancing. A bath lift will raise or lower you to tub wall level at the touch of a button.

Bath chairs are another great option for fans of baths and showers alike. A sturdy shower chair, when combined with a handheld shower sprayer, is a huge boon for safety. You can't fall if you're already sitting down!

Photo credit: RebathandKitchens

Invest in an All-Encompassing Solution
The options mentioned thus far are great for people who have some time to spend shopping for adaptability products or remodeling the bathroom, but we know that some homeowners would rather invest in a one-size-fits-all solution that will provide safe and comfortable bathing for years to come. Instead of a regular walk-in tub, look for a complete walk-in bath system.

Complete walk-in tubs combine the best of a stable sitting surface with the breeze of a walk-in entry. They have that convenient little door to keep water inside if you want to soak, and have a built-in seat so that you don't have to worry about a shower bench slipping around. The basic models come with a spot for a hand-held shower sprayer, and the high-end models have fancy features ranging from heated massage jets to shower enclosure extensions.

These "all-encompassing" walk-in tubs are marketed under a variety of names. They're sometimes called king size tubs, walk-in soakers, deluxe walk-in bathtubs, etc. We know them as tubs that put safety first – because that is exactly what these innovative designs do.

Are you ready to get started? Bathroom safety is for everyone. Falling in the bathtub is a dangerous situation regardless of age or physical ability, and any actions taken to reduce those risks are investments well made.

Car Insurance | Why you should get one and what you can get from it.

Whether it's a top-of-the-line luxury car, a brand new sedan, or a rustbucket from the late 1990's, it is important that the vehicle you're driving is insured. Car insurance is extremely important for so many reasons.  Not only does it protect you in case an accident occurs, it also protects the people who may be riding with you in the car. Moreover, it also safeguards your family members who may drive your car. Simply put, the insurance protects you, your loved ones, and of course, your car.

When it comes to auto insurance, there is one name that has earned its reputation and is well-renowned in the market - The Hartford. Providing innovative car insurance features that come with a myriad of benefits, The Hartford makes sure that you get the most out of the money you spend.

Photo credit: Cars Avenue

The RecoverCare Car Insurance Benefit for instance, pays for the services  that you might need whilst you are nursing your injury. Say you need to hire someone to do your laundry, mow the lawn, clean the house - whatever service you need, The Hartford will help you pay for it.

They also have the Lifetime Car Repair Assurance which covers the repairs for your car for as long as you own or lease your vehicle. With over 1,600 accredited auto repair shops to choose from, policyholders across the country can enjoy this benefit whether they're in Connecticut, or elsewhere in the United States.

Another notable feature is the New Car Replacement benefit.  In the event of total loss of a new car within the first 15 months or 15,000 miles after you purchased it (whichever comes first), The Hartford shall replace it with a new vehicle - the same make, and model as the car that was lost. And with no deduction for depreciation at that.

Most importantly, there's the 24/7 Claim Hotline, with customer service agents working round the clock and ready to take your call day or night - because The Hartford believes that claim support is a key feature of car insurance.

For those who are willing to take the extra mile, there are Auto Insurance Upgrade Features available that allows you to enjoy even more benefits aside from the standard benefits mentioned above.

Summer | More Fun in the Philippines.

It's summer once again here in the Philippines, and much as I love beach trips and swimming parties, this is actually the season that I detest the most. The heat has been unforgiving lately, and the temperature outside has even peaked to 36 degrees Celsius as of late.

And as if 36 degrees isn't hot enough for us to handle, the social weather station tells us that the temperature is expected to rise even higher in the coming days. This kind of weather is not a joke, and definitely not for the faint of heart. I bathe thrice a day just to relieve the heat, and chug down at least fifteen glasses a day, lest I die of dehydration or heat stroke. This summer is crazy, I tell you. Crazy!

Which is why my siblings and I are planning to go swimming again this weekend. Not the beach this time, though. We're currently looking into private resorts equipped with proper pool supply. We're bringing the kids along (my three-year old son and my seven-month old niece), and we're not taking any risks when it comes to the safety of our little ones.

Yue loves the water!

Swimming parties are only more fun when you are free of worries, and rest assured that the pool and its surroundings are tragedy-free.