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GREENMANTRA utilizes waste plastic that would otherwise go to landfills and pollute our oceans. Plastic is converted into waxes for asphalt roads and roofs, as well as additives for plastics, adhesives, and coatings, using a thermocatalytic process that can be used in a wider range of industrial applications. Those items  haven't generally been made from recycled materials.

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Natural organic bacteria break down food waste aerobically (in the presence of oxygen), yielding a nutrient-rich organic material that may be composted to make fertilizer. The method has been shown to be successful in the digesting of food waste into a nutrient-rich biosolid, but its utility is restricted due to the food waste to water processing models' better capabilities. As a result, the method is only useful in situations where there is a shortage of water and/or sewer access is impractical.

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DENR questions study saying Pasig River is top plastic polluter 

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DENR questions study saying Pasig River is top plastic polluter 

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THE DEPARTMENT of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) questioned the results of a global study that claimed that 28% of rivers responsible for global plastic pollution are in the Philippines, with the Pasig River being the top contributor of ocean plastic waste.

The DENR was referring to an April study published by the peer-reviewed Science Advances journal of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).

Citing the study, the Philippine Climate Change Commission previously said the "world's most polluting river when it comes to plastic is the 27-kilometer Pasig River which run through Metro Manila, making up 63,000 tons of plastic entering oceans from rivers per year."

Speaking to reporters in a virtual briefing on Monday, DENR Undersecretary Benny D. Antiporda refuted the research's conclusion.

"There are some aspects (in the study) which are correct, but when it comes to the conclusion, I can categorically say that it's wrong... It's very clear that the major action of the government in coming up with mitigation (efforts) on the plastic (problem) was not considered in the research," he said.

Mr. Antiporda said that an in-depth review, assessment of data based on government efforts and subsequent consultations with the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies and UN Habitat showed a different conclusion.

"The method used did not reflect the actual condition on the site. Plastic wastes which came from lands going to these rivers may have huge variations during the summer (bringing in) a low discharge rate and rainy (drawing in a) high discharge rate," he explained.

The study pointed out the Philippines had 466 out of 1,656 rivers across the globe, dumping over 356,371 metric tons of plastic waste per year or around 9% of the total generated mismanaged plastic waste (MPW) in the country.

Mr. Antiporda said the parameters used in getting the MPW were based on "secondary studies," adding that data reflecting this should ideally come from a national government report. He added that the study used a probabilistic approach, referring to models and calculations instead of data.

The DENR official noted that some of the sources used in the research were from 2016, which he said are not up-to-date.

There are various efforts to rehabilitate Pasig River involving both government and the private sector.

Among these are San Miguel Corp., which earlier said it is allotting P2 billion for its five-year plan to extract 50,000 metric tons of silt and solid waste monthly from the river. International Container Terminal Services, Inc. Group (ICTSI) Foundation also said it has allocated $1 million to build a sustainable river waste collection system along the river, in partnership with Finnish company Riverrecycle Oy. - Angelica Y. Yang

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Boats and boating--Equipment and supplies

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DENR questions study saying Pasig River is top plastic polluter - BusinessWorld Online

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THE DEPARTMENT of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) questioned the results of a global study that claimed that 28% of rivers responsible for global plastic pollution are in the Philippines, with the Pasig River being the top contributor of ocean plastic waste.

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Why is it important to address this issue?

In a fast-growing city like Pasig, City, producing enough food for a booming population becomes an even bigger challenge. The level of consumption is increasing as well.  It is important to start right now to take action in creating sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources by addressing the scarcity. In Metro Manila, one of the most contributors of waste.

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The UN explains: Sustainable consumption and production are about promoting resource and energy efficiency, sustainable infrastructure, and providing access to basic services, green and decent jobs, and a better quality of life for all. Its implementation helps to achieve overall development plans, reduce future economic, environmental, and social costs, strengthen economic competitiveness and reduce poverty. To achieve economic growth and long-term development, we must drastically minimize our environmental footprint by altering how we create and use commodities and resources. Agriculture is the world's largest water consumer, with irrigation accounting for about 70% of all freshwater available for human use. To reach this aim, we must manage our common natural resources more efficiently, as well as dispose of hazardous waste and pollutants in a responsible manner. Encouraging industries, businesses, and consumers to recycle and reduce waste, as well as aiding developing nations in their transition to more sustainable consumption patterns by 2030, are both critical.

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This user-friendly budget apps might help all generations in handling finances by putting on your app without taking notes on it. It can be effective if you have self-discipline.

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The most basic budget apps typically connect with your financial accounts, track spending and categorize expenses so you can see where your money is going. But many apps do much more than that.

The budget apps below are crowd-pleasers because of their features. At the time of this writing, each has at least 4.1 stars (out of 5) in the iOS App Store and on Google Play, as well as at least 1,000 reviews. ( Jump to the methodology .)

The best budget apps

PocketGuard, for a simplified budgeting snapshot

PocketGuard , a free budget app, connects your checking, credit and savings accounts and detects recurring bills and income. Then it shows how much is available for everyday spending by subtracting upcoming bills, savings goal contributions and pre-budgeted money from your estimated income. PocketGuard automatically categorizes your expenses, but you can also create custom categories and set limits for them. Bonus: If you really want to dig deep, PocketGuard lets you export transactions so you can play with the data in your own spreadsheets.

Mint, for budgeting and credit monitoring

Mint has you connect your financial accounts, then the app tracks and categorizes your transactions. You'll get alerts when you're over your budget in a particular category, if it spots a large or suspicious transaction and if you've paid ATM fees. Mint also lets you track all your bills in one place and reminds you when upcoming payments are due. All these features are free - including its credit monitoring service.

Manage your budget with NerdWallet

NerdWallet has a free app that helps you track your cash, discover new ways to save and even build your credit score. To remain unbiased we chose not to include ourselves in this list, but we think you'll love us anyway.

Sign up. It's free.

YNAB and EveryDollar, for zero-based budgeting

You Need a Budget (YNAB) is for the committed user, no doubt. It's based on the zero-based budgeting system, so you must make a plan for every dollar you earn. It also requires a financial investment of either $84 a year or $11.99 a month, after a 34-day free trial. (Students who provide proof of enrollment get 12 months free.) Those who pay this price can benefit from YNAB's many features. You can connect bank accounts, set goals, contribute to savings and customize spending categories. You can also access resources, like app user guides, budgeting advice and free workshops.

EveryDollar is a budget app that helps you track your spending and plan for purchases. It's tailored for zero-based budgeting, which is a method where your expenses equal your income. With the free version of the app, you manually enter a transaction each time you spend money to account for it in your budget. Or pay for Ramsey+, which includes the premium version of EveryDollar (formerly called EveryDollar Plus). With this upgraded version, you can connect your bank accounts for a more streamlined experience and access advice content and other tools. Ramsey+ costs $129.99 per year after a 14-day free trial.

Goodbudget, for shared envelope-budgeting

Goodbudget is based on the envelope system , in which you portion out your monthly income toward specific spending categories. The app allows multiple devices to access the same account, so partners and family members can share a budget. Unlike most other apps, Goodbudget doesn't have you sync bank accounts. You manually add account balances (that you can pull from your bank's website), as well as cash amounts and debts. With accounts and income entered, you assign money toward spending categories, known as envelopes. The free version allows one account, two devices and limited envelopes. The Plus version, which is $7 per month or $60 annually, offers unlimited envelopes and accounts, up to five devices and other perks.

Honeydue, for budgeting with your partner

Honeydue , which is new to the 2021 list, allows you and your partner to see both financial pictures in one spot, including bank accounts, credit cards, loans and investments. (However, you can choose how much you share with your significant other.) The free budget app automatically categorizes expenses, but you're also able to set up custom categories. Together, you can set up monthly limits on each of these categories, and Honeydue will alert you when you or your partner is nearing them. Honeydue also sends reminders for upcoming bills and lets you chat and send emojis. Learn more about budget apps for couples .

Personal Capital, for tracking wealth and spending

Personal Capital is primarily an investment tool, but its free app includes features helpful for budgeters looking to track their spending. You can connect and monitor checking, savings and credit card accounts, as well as IRAs, 401(k)s, mortgages and loans. The app provides a spending snapshot by listing recent transactions by category. You can customize those categories and see the percentage of total monthly spending that category represents. Personal Capital also serves up a net worth tracker and portfolio breakdown.

Other solid budget apps

These budget apps either didn't have enough reviews or otherwise didn't quite make the cut this year. But they looked promising and may work for you.

Copilot (iOS only) and Simplifi , both launched in 2020, connect to your bank accounts, categorize your expenses, track upcoming bills and more.

Clarity Money , a free budget app, tracks your spending and suggests subscriptions to cancel.

Honeyfi and Zeta help you and your partner budget together.

Mvelopes offers an envelope-budgeting alternative to Goodbudget. And unlike the other app, Mvelope syncs with your bank accounts.

Don't want to connect your accounts? Daily Budget Original (iOS only) and Fudget are simple trackers in which you manually enter incoming and outgoing money.

More budgeting resources from NerdWallet

If you want to work on your budget but aren't sure an app is the right way to go, there are other options you can try:

To come up with the lists above, we first reviewed 20 money apps. We examined the purpose of the app as described by its developer, price, budgeting method (if any) and types of accounts users could sync.

We also wanted to know what real users thought of these apps. So we read reviews of the apps in the iOS App Store and Google Play, noting complaints and appreciation. We only included apps that, at the time of writing, received at least 4.1 stars (out of 5) in the iOS App Store and on Google Play, as well as at least 1,000 reviews.

Before you build a budget

Track all your spending at a glance to understand your trends and spot opportunities to save money.

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The 7 Best Budget Apps for 2021 - NerdWallet

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The most basic budget apps typically connect with your financial accounts, track spending and categorize expenses so you can see where your money is going. But many apps do much more than that. The budget apps below are crowd-pleasers because of their features.

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There are ways on how we prevent or minimize the damage of flood in reaching our property. These products might help in reducing the impact of floods. The LGUs take this consideration in buying this new product that could be use in the most low-lying areas in Pasig city. However, there is no assurance that it can handle the flashfloods.

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5 New Flood Prevention Products - Design 1st | Product Design Company

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Floods are becoming more common around the world. What was once a 100-year phenomenon is now a seasonal trend that homeowners must deal with. And the main solution deployed to fight these rising water is sandbags - 1000's upon 1000's of sandbags made from burlap or polypropylene.

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Since most households in the city live in high-rise buildings and currently, children tend to stay at home due to online classes, in which the LGUs and school cannot conduct earthquake drills. How we can be sure that they are safe?, this invention by Brutters and Bruno's Earthquake Proof Table has advantages and disadvantages. This school table is designed to provide protection from falling debris (approx. 1000 kg) and create a passageway for rescue team accessibility in the event of an earthquake. However, not all the members of the household can accommodate and afford to buy this table because it was produced outside of the country and the material is much expensive.

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Brutter and Bruno’s “earthquake-proof” table

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Brutter and Bruno’s “earthquake-proof” table

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All UN Member States endorsed the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in 2015, which provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet now and in the future. The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are at its core, and they represent an urgent call to action for all nations - developed and developing - to work together in a global partnership. They understand that eradicating poverty and other forms of deprivation must be combined with efforts to enhance health and education, decrease inequality, and boost economic growth – all while combating climate change and protecting our oceans and forests. (Sustainable Development, n.d)

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(PAGASA)

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Tuesday evening, Sept. 7, warned residents living near Pasig, Marikina, and Tullahan rivers to take precaution against possible flooding due to the anticipated rains from severe tropical storm "Jolina" and the southwest monsoon or "habagat."

PAGASA issued a flood advisory for Pasig, Marikina, Tullahan rivers and their tributaries, particularly in the following areas:

Upper Marikina River - Rodriguez, Antipolo, and San Mateo, Rizal; Quezon City; and Marikina City

Lower Marikina River - Pasig City

Pasig River - Pasig City, Makati City, Mandaluyong City, and Manila City

Tullahan River - Quezon City, Caloocan City, Malabon City, Navotas City, and Valenzuela City

Mango River - Rodriguez, Rizal

Nangka River - Marikina City; San Mateo and Antipolo, Rizal

San Juan River - Quezon City, San Juan, and Manila City

Cainta River - Cainta, Rizal

Taytay River - Taytay, Rizal

Buli Creek - Pasig City and Cainta, Rizal

PAGASA said that local flooding is possible in some areas due to poor drainage systems and impounding water.

"People living near the mountain slopes and in the low-lying areas of the abovementioned cities and local disaster risk reduction and management councils concerned are advised to be alert [and be ready] to take appropriate actions," PAGASA said in its flood advisory valid until 6 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 8.

PAGASA said Jolina and the cyclone-enhanced habagat may bring light to occasional moderate rains that may affect these mainstreams and tributaries in the next 12 hours.

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Residents near Pasig, Marikina, Tullahan rivers warned of possible flooding due to 'Jolina', southwest monsoon

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(PAGASA) The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Tuesday evening, Sept. 7, warned residents living near Pasig, Marikina, and Tullahan rivers to take precaution against possible flooding due to the anticipated rains from severe tropical storm "Jol

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Why is it important to address this issue?

Through the years, we have seen the development and changes in Pasig city. However, in every economic growth, there is always a trade-off between sustainability and opportunity. Since the city has become of the most wealthy cities in the Philippines, there is an increase in market value and cost of living in Pasig City. The population is continuously growing; not all people can afford to live by the means and have a decent home if they earn a minimum wage of PHP 537. This city is also prone to disasters like earthquakes and flashflood. Since most of the students are conducting homeschooling of online classes at home, what if the BIG ONE will occur? Can the local government create a good plan in addressing this issue?

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Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11 is about making “cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.” Social sustainability and civic participation are two sustainability goals that are sometimes disregarded. Individuals may participate in this by voting for policies that promote sustainability in their particular city or for politicians that support these policies. People can also participate in public forums in their city to provide input on sustainability projects. SDG 11 is a broad and complicated target that aims to create sustainable cities that can resist both climate change and unprecedented growth.

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Average prices of more than 40 products and services in Pasig, PhilippinesOct 2021. Prices of restaurants, food, transportation, utilities and housing are included.

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The West Valley Fault is 100 kilometers in length and traverses the cities of Metro Manila namely Taguig, Muntinlupa, Paranaque, Quezon City, Pasig, Makati, and Marikina as well as nearby provinces of Rizal, Laguna, Cavite, and Bulacan. These places will suffer greatly when this fault move.

And when it did, it could generate a 7.2 magnitude earthquake causing great devastation of the most progressive portion of the Metro Manila.

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The West Valley Fault is 100 kilometers in length and traverses the cities of Metro Manila namely Taguig, Muntinlupa, Paranaque, Quezon City, Pasig, Makati, and Marikina as well as nearby provinces of Rizal, Laguna, Cavite, and Bulacan. These places will suffer greatly when this fault move.

And when it did, it could generate a 7.2 magnitude earthquake causing great devastation of the most progressive portion of the Metro Manila.

According to DOST - PHIVOLCS this fault moves every 200 - 400 years and the last time it did was in the year 1658, that was 359 years ago.

Now, the danger is very imminent and every time a province along the stretch of this fault was hit badly by strong ground tremors, the fear of losing life and property aggravate the clamor on when the big one will happen. Fear and apprehension getting stronger particularly when tremors shook some parts of the country recently. On May 25, 2017, San Marcelino, Pampanga shook at 5.4 magnitude earthquake. This was also felt in Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, and Bataan.

Given these, there is a need to make the people understand what these events are all about so they will be better informed and they can prepare more and fear less.

THROWBACKS
In July 1990, the Central Philippine Fault moved and caused the 7.7 magnitude earthquake that wreaked havoc across Luzon. Baguio experienced the devastation that humbled almost everyone and seems made a realization: the fragility of the buildings that were built and how in a snap, human lives were snatched away.

In February 2006, after a 10-day continuous downpour, a minor movement of the same fault, a 2.6 magnitude earthquake tripped a saturated cliff of a ridge that caused a massive rock slide-debris avalanche burying the entire village of Guinsaugon, a township of St. Bernard in Southern Leyte.
More than a thousand death was recorded including the 247 children and 7 teachers who died when a school was entombed by the landslide.

THE IMPACTS
While Metro Manila is said to be the most developed place in the country, it appears to be the most dangerous and uninhabitable city when a catastrophic earthquake strike.

Dr. Solidum during his plenary paper presentation in the DOST NRCP 17th Science Council of Asia Conference held last 14 - 16 June 2017 at the Philippine International Convention Center, Pasay City.

In one of the plenary presentations of the 17th Science Council of Asia Conference, hosted by the National Research Council of the Philippines or NRCP in June 2017 at the Philippine International Convention Center, Dr. Renato U. Solidum, Jr., DOST Undersecretary for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation, said that when the West Valley Fault moved and generated a 7.2 magnitude earthquake, 34,000 people may die and will damage lifelines including water, infrastructure, roads, ports, and telecommunication.

The concentration of population in Metro Manila along with the various non-engineered and non-earthquake resilient infrastructures and buildings are causative factors.

There will also be a foreseeable chance that the whole country will undergo a state of economic paralysis as most government agencies and businesses are housed in buildings and infrastructures that overfilled the Metro Manila. These would mean a momentary hiatus in processes and transactions because of the most important economic arms are located in the Metro Manila.

Dr. Solidum is an active member of the NRCP Division of Earth and Space Sciences, which is mandated to conduct research studies on various natural phenomena to provide some scientific information clarifying the occurrences of these phenomena and their positive or negative impacts to human and the planet as a whole.

A CALL FOR ACTION
Scenarios based on science, engineering, and experience should be used to approach head on the mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery plans for the country in times of extreme disasters.

One of the components of the six (6) areas of basic research that will be prioritized by NRCP for 2017 - 2022 is on "all-systems risk modeling for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA)." Research projects or programs along this field are expected to come up with a variety of innovative approaches addressing new and emerging issues on DRR and CCA.

This means that any research proposals that would provide innovative policies, novel methodologies minimizing casualties and damage to infrastructure when disaster hit, like an earthquake or any multi-disciplinary research that would offer new research-based information improving existing procedures of disaster mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery plans will be considered in the line-up of proposals for funding in the next five years.

The NRCP set its 5-year research priority plan in its National Integrated Basic Research Agenda or NIBRA.

NIBRA was crafted based on the visions of the Philippine Development Plan, the National Security Plan, and the Science for Change of the Department of Science and Technology.

DRR and CCA is a component of the Environmental and Anthropogenic Activities under the Sustainable Communities priority feature of NIBRA. The other NIBRA research priorities include Water Security; Food and Nutrition; Health Sufficiency; Clean Energy; and Inclusive Nation Building.

As much as we need to invest in basic research or any other immediate solution and action for an earthquake, it is also necessary to also prioritize implementation of long-term plans for our country to suit situations involving disastrous phenomena.

Decongesting Metro Manila is definitely the plausible answer. Solidum emphasized that upgrading Clark International Airport in Pampanga into a major airport like the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, as well as utilizing ports in Batangas and Subic would help de-concentrate circulation in Metro Manila.

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The West Valley Fault is 100 kilometers in length and traverses the cities of Metro Manila namely Taguig, Muntinlupa, Paranaque, Quezon City, Pasig, Makati, and Marikina as well as nearby provinces of Rizal, Laguna, Cavite, and Bulacan. These places will suffer greatly when this fault move.

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Meralco Theater is a theater located at the compound of Meralco, Ortigas Avenue in Pasig, Philippines. It used to be known as the Meralco Auditorium.

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Ortigas Center is a central business district located within the joint boundaries of Pasig, Mandaluyong and Quezon City, within the Metro Manila region in the Philippines. With an area of more than 100 hectares (250 acres), it is Metro Manila's second most important business district after the Makati CBD.

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The University of Life Theater and Recreational Arena, now known as the Philippine Sports Arena is managed by the Department of Education, and has seen countless sports events as well as local and international concerts. Established in 1975, its facilities such as the oval and the swimming pool remain the favored training ground for most local athletes.

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Located just across the first city hall of Pasig, Plaza Rizal stands in honor of our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. The plaza is also in the middle of a number of other historical sites in the area, among them, the Pasig Cathedral, the Pasig City Museum and Bahayna Tisa (House of Bricks).

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Possibly the largest in the country, this public market spans three storeys and 19,475 square meters of floor area. There are approximately 2, 447 fixed stalls, plus some 2, 967 stalls utilized as tiangge (flea market) on weekends. The public market is complimented by a four-storey parking building, complete with a terminal for tricycles on the ground floor, perfect for the throngs of shoppers, even from adjacent cities.

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This 16th century church had weathered revolutions and earthquakes, until August 1968, when an earthquake left severe damage upon the church, silencing its bells and halting its clock.

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Pasig City was formerly primarily known as an industrial center, but it has since evolved into a bustling residential-commercial city with several business centers, prestigious schools, renowned restaurants, and lifestyle complexes. In 2013, Pasig was named one of the most livable cities in the world. Many young families find it to be a perfect setting because of its walking streets and nature parks. Meanwhile, many professionals prefer to live in Pasig because of the city's close proximity to its many mixed-use residential complexes. Ortigas Center, in the center of Pasig, is home to high-rise buildings that house the offices of local and foreign corporations. Pasig, on the other hand, is recognized for its colorful cosmopolitan lifestyle. (Hoppler,n.d)

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Wealthiest cities in the Philippines in 2016, by asset value

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Wealthiest cities in the Philippines in 2016, by asset value

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According to Statista (2017), Pasig city ranked 5th place as the Wealthiest city in the Philippines in 2016, by asset value, with a total of PHP 14.95 Billion.

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Pasig City: A COVID-19 Vaccination Success Story

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Pasig City: A COVID-19 Vaccination Success Story

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For 104-year-old Lualhati Masanga, being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 means something more than being protected from severe illness. It has brought her closer to doing what she values most - finally spending time again with her family.

"Before, we almost wouldn't let her leave her room," said Rosalie Gracilla, Lualhati's caregiver. "She always wanted to visit a family member who passed away or is in the hospital. We had to tell her she couldn't."

Before the pandemic Lualhati, her siblings, and the rest of the family used to enjoy weekly family gatherings. Lualhati smiled when Rosalie explained that the centenarian can now spend more time with loved ones, while still keeping a safe distance.

"Every morning, we bring her out of the house. Her siblings can now greet her, ask her if she has already eaten," said Rosalie.
104-year-old Lualhati Masanga with her caregiver Rosalie Gracilla. Lualhati has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. She sometimes had to remove her mask as she had difficulty breathing through it. © WHO/RedAnts Media - R Tingle
Lualhati is one of around 45,000 senior citizens living in Pasig City. By late July, all these seniors, the A2 priority group, had received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Pasig City was the first Local Government Unit (LGU) to achieve this important public health milestone for its seniors. By mid-August nearly 100% in Pasig City have been completely vaccinated.

Reaching and vaccinating all A2s is a feat that continues to challenge most LGUs. To date, just over 40 percent of senior citizens in the Philippines have been fully vaccinated. Seniors should be prioritized because they are at the highest risk of severe disease and deaths from COVID-19. Their risk-level is even higher as the virus has mutated into more transmissible variants of concern.

The success in Pasig City was no accident. As soon as vaccines began arriving, Pasig City Mayor Victor Maria Regis Sotto, known to many of his constituents as 'Mayor Vico', prioritized the rational use of his limited vaccine allocation.

"When we see that more than 70% of those who passed away from COVID-19 are senior citizens, it only makes sense that we protect them first. And the best way to protect them is through vaccination," said Mayor Sotto.
A challenging start
In an interview conducted at Pasig City Hall, the mayor was quick to admit that the vaccination rollout in his city has not always been smooth.
Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto discusses strategies on the vaccination of the A2 priority group with WHO Representative to the Philippines, Dr Rabindra Abeyasinghe. © WHO/RedAnts Media - R Tingle
"We always have new problems and new challenges, but it's a matter of how fast we can adapt and how fast we can adjust given the supplies made available to us," said Mayor Sotto.

Generating demand and building trust around new vaccines were among the City's initial challenges.

Like the families of other senior citizens, Lualhati's loved ones also had worries about the vaccines. They feared Lualhati might be too old and frail to be vaccinated. "But when we heard and learned that senior citizens actually needed the vaccine the most, the family decided to have her vaccinated," said Rosalie.

To engender enthusiasm for vaccinations, the city began by carrying out information campaigns. Simultaneously, the Pasig City Vaccination Team began building support with civil society groups and the private sector, with the goal that correct information reached residents. Homeowners' associations, peoples' organizations, tricycle operators and drivers' associations also helped relay these messages from one person to another. According to the mayor, this word-of-mouth campaign was among the best ways to reach and convince senior citizens.

As the number of seniors turning up at vaccination sites began increasing, the city could see their collective effort to disseminate accurate information was working.

"When I talked with senior citizens, I asked them, 'What changed your mind? Why did you all of a sudden want to get vaccinated?' The number one reason that they tell me is they saw someone else get vaccinated, and they think it was a success," said Mayor Sotto. "From there, it was then really just a matter of finding the right strategy, the right way to deploy the vaccination program to encourage more senior citizens to get vaccinated."
Multiple doors to access vaccination
To get shots into as many arms of seniors as quickly as possible, Pasig City embraced a multi-pronged strategy. One approach was to provide several options for senior citizens to register and access vaccination services. Pasig City also found value in creating profiles of its senior citizens. They did this by using an initial database of senior citizens, calling them, then asking for names of other older people they knew - a strategy referred to as snowballing.

The city also conducted onsite profiling in barangays to be closer to the communities. Finally, the city also set up an online vaccine registration platform.

While the online platform helped to register the wider population, the Pasig City Vaccination Team realized its limitations in reaching senior citizens. This is because many of the seniors were not connected online. There were some who could not operate mobile phone applications.
Dr Joseph Panaligan, Head of the Pasig City Health Department and overall supervisor of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout. © WHO/RedAnts Media - R Tingle
"We sent text messages, but only around 20% to 30% would come from the 1,000 daily target we had set at the start of the vaccination rollout. After a week, we decided to do house-to-house profiling," said Dr Joseph Panaligan, Head of the Pasig City Health Department and overall supervisor of the COVID-19 vaccination program.

House-to-house profiling turned out to be the most effective strategy in ensuring senior citizens were registered and turned up for vaccination. Moreover, the profiling process identified senior citizens who were bedridden or could not travel to the vaccination sites.
The Pasig City Government tapped its Hospice Care Program to do house-to-house vaccination of its bedridden constituents. Here, a team visits an elderly in his own home. © Pasig City Public Information Office
Pasig City also ensured ease of access of senior citizens to vaccination services.

"In our plan, we included transportation of senior citizens so they can be brought to the vaccination site," said Dr Panaligan. Pasig City also allowed walk-ins for senior citizens belonging to one household as long as one of them had a confirmed vaccination schedule. For those seniors who were bedridden or had mobility issues, the city sent teams to conduct vaccinations at home.

Lualhati was one of those seniors vaccinated at home. Rosalie recalls that the City Health Department also followed up to inquire about her condition for several days after each jab.

Mayor Sotto also stressed the importance of having ears on the ground and being agile to modify strategies as needed.

"We make sure that we get feedback from the people who go [to our vaccination sites]. If the report from the ground is that people actually are in line for five hours long, then we have to take what they say seriously and adjust accordingly," said Mayor Sotto.
Domino effect: LGUs learning from each other's best practices
On 5 August 2021, WHO Representative to the Philippines Dr Rabindra Abeyasinghe visited Pasig City to commend Mayor Sotto and his team for their accomplishment.

"Here is a Local Government Unit that has done everything to maximize the benefit of the interventions we have to protect the most vulnerable, to save the most lives possible," said Dr Abeyasinghe.

Dr Abeyasinghe told Mayor Sotto: "Your success should create a domino effect for other LGUs. We need to share with them your story so that other Local Government Units and local chief executives can see and learn what their countrymen have achieved. This is the way forward."
WHO Representitive to the Philippines Dr Rabindra Abeyasinghe chats with health workers in one of Pasig City's vaccination sites. © WHO/RedAnts Media - R Tingle
WHO continues to urge LGUs to accelerate the vaccination of their A2's. Prioritizing the elderly saves lives. And prioritizing the vaccination of the most vulnerable has numerous positive spillover effect, such as supporting local economies.
Better quality of life for vaccinated senior citizens
Through its successful vaccination rollout, all senior citizens in Pasig City are better protected against the continuing threat of the pandemic. By being vaccinated, seniors also indirectly provide protection to their loved ones. While it is still necessary for them to adhere to other COVID-19 preventive measures - like wearing a mask, handwashing, and physical distancing - older people who are vaccinated also benefit by being able to pursue activities that are meaningful to them and beneficial for healthy aging.

"Because she's (Lualhati) is safe, I'm also safe. Aside from [this face mask] and face shield, we have the vaccine. At least I know she's more protected now," said Rosalie.

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Pasig City: A COVID-19 Vaccination Success Story

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For 104-year-old Lualhati Masanga, being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 means something more than being protected from severe illness. It has brought her closer to doing what she values most - finally spending time again with her family. "Before, we almost wouldn't let her leave her room," said Rosalie Gracilla, Lualhati's caregiver.

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Pasig City unveils new health monitoring system

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Pasig City unveils new health monitoring system

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The Pasig City government unveiled their new health monitoring system Thurday, (Oct. 8) that is expected to further improve its contact tracing efforts and streamline its health services, especially during this time of pandemic.

Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto shows the new workstation of the city's contact tracers. (Photo from Mayor Vico Sotto/ MANILA BULLETIN)

The Pasig Health Monitor is a tool that will help the City Health Department improve its health services and speed up response time of its medical services.

The new monitoring system also establishes a "real-time communication" between local government offices in charge of tracing, testing, and treatment.

"The Pasig Health Monitor aims to speed up and improve the provision of medical services in our city, and improve our overall health response," the local government said.

"Through this, the coordination of the various branches of our City Health Department related to COVID-19 medical response or even regular health concerns will be faster," it added.

The city's health monitoring system serves as the central database of the citizen's medical records, an integrated inventory of the city's health resources, and the Pasig Pass-a QR code-based contact tracing solution.

"Your data is safe compared to filling up various contact tracing forms. There are security measures such as encryption and it definitely complies with the Data Privacy Act," said Mayor Vico Sotto.

The mayor urged city residents and people working in Pasig to register and download their own QR code at https://pasigpass.pasigcity.gov.ph/

Sotto said the Pasig Pass will be first required at the City Hall.

"When we see that the system is working properly and there are no more 'bugs' in the app, we will expand its implementation in private establishments," he said.

Meanwhile, the local government reminded people not to post their QR code on social media so that it will not be downloaded or used by other people.

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Pasig City unveils new health monitoring system

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The Pasig City government unveiled their new health monitoring system Thurday, (Oct. 8) that is expected to further improve its contact tracing efforts and streamline its health services, especially during this time of pandemic. The Pasig Health Monitor is a tool that will help the City Health Department improve its health services and speed up response time of its medical services.

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Casinas, J. (2020, October 9). Pasig city unveils new health monitoring system. Manila Bulletin. https://mb.com.ph/2020/10/09/pasig-city-unveils-new-health-monitoring-system/

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Over 9.2 million kilos of garbage produced in Metro Manila, some end up in Manila Bay. (2019, February 28). Interaksyon. https://interaksyon.philstar.com/politics-issues/2019/02/28/145000/garbage-metro-manila-bay-pollution-environment/

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In every one (1) doctor, there are expected 2,604 patients, which is lower than the standard ratio.

In every one (1) nurse, there are expected 1,846 patients, which is lower than the standard ratio.

However, there is only 129 Midwife in Pasig city, which the population ratio is higher than the standard. Moreover, this is a good indicator that the city could suffice the medical services need of every Pasigueños.

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According to the 2015 Census, the age group with the highest population in Pasig is 25 to 29, with 75,443 individuals. Conversely, the age group with the lowest population is 80 and over, with 4,034 individuals.

Combining age groups together, those aged 14 and below, consisting of the young dependent population which include infants/babies, children and young adolescents/teenagers, make up an aggregate of 27.99% (211,419). Those aged 15 up to 64, roughly, the economically active population and actual or potential members of the work force, constitute a total of 68.16% (514,778). Finally, old dependent population consisting of the senior citizens, those aged 65 and over, total 3.85% (29,103) in all.

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The City of Pasig is located along the eastern border of Metro Manila, where the seat of government is located. Named for the Pasig River, Pasig boasts a population of 755,300 people as of 2015 and is bordered by Quezon City and Mandaluyong to the west, Marikina to the north, Makati to the south, and the province of Rizal to the east. Pasig is primarily a residential and industrial area, having formerly been a rural settlement; the city has become increasingly industrialized, particularly following the construction of the Ortigas Center business district.

Land Area = 34.32 sq km (3,432 hectares)

Political Subdivision

It is composed of two legislative Districts and 30 Barangays.

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Foundation Day - July 20, 1572

City Hood - July 26, 1994

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There are many legendary tales and theories explaining the origin of the name Pasig. However, the most convincing theory comes from the late Dr. Jose Villa Panganiban – a linguist, polyglot, professor, and former director of the Institute of National Language. He said that “Pasig” is an old Sanskrit word referring to a “river flowing from one body of water to another,” in the case of Pasig River, from Laguna de Bay to Manila Bay.

Pasig is one of the oldest towns in the Philippines. The Augustinians created it in 1572. In June 1901, Act No. 137 of the Philippine Commission incorporated Pasig in the newly created Province of Rizal. It became the Provincial Capital of Rizal until 1975 when the Metro Manila Commission was created under Presidential Decree No. 824.

On 26 July 1994, the Senate and the House of Representative enacted Republic Act 7829 converting the Municipality of Pasig into a highly urbanized city. On 8 December 1994, President Fidel V. Ramos signed it into law. The people of Pasig ratified this through a plebiscite on 21 January 1995.