TACLOBAN CITY – Police personnel from the Police Regional Office 8 (PRO8) battling serious illnesses are grateful for the continuous support they receive through the ‘Damayang Otso’ program.

Launched in February 2023 under then PNP-8 director, General Rommel Francisco Marbil, who is now the PNP chief, ‘Damayang may Malasakit para sa Kapulisan’ or Damayang Otso is a charitable initiative providing financial assistance to both uniformed and non-uniformed personnel (NUP) facing life-threatening medical conditions.

These include breast cancer, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, chronic kidney disease, lung cancer, colon cancer, leukemia, and other serious ailments.

“We are thankful for the continuous support that the PNP is providing us,” said PMaj Jessie Mañas, who is assigned to the regional office and suffers from hyperuricemia, prostate enlargement, and Stage 5 chronic kidney disease.

Mañas shared that he has been receiving assistance from the program since its launch, helping him afford essential medicines, maintenance drugs, and other medical needs. Beneficiaries receive P10,000 in monthly cash assistance.

Originally a regional initiative, Damayang Otso expanded nationwide last year through the PNP Officers Ladies Club (OLC) Foundation, Inc. under its “LAB Virus Program” (Love and Blessings – Spreading Love in Every Touch), led by Mary Rose Marbil, wife of the PNP chief.
Marbil shared that while they initially aimed to assist 250 police and NUP personnel, the number of beneficiaries has now reached around 600.

“In the past, there was no one helping the protectors. We realized that it’s time to help and protect them,” Marbil said in a media interview during her visit to PRO-8 Thursday, January 30.

During her visit, Marbil, assisted by PRO8 Regional Director BGen Jay Cumigad and members of the PRO8 OLC, personally handed over financial aid to beneficiaries like PMaj Mañas.

She explained that funds for the program come from various activities organized by their foundation, as well as donations. Most of the beneficiaries, she noted, are in the advanced stages of their illnesses, with some at Stage 2, and the most common conditions are cancer and chronic kidney disease.

Given the rising number of police personnel battling serious illnesses, Marbil emphasized the need for regular laboratory tests as part of routine health check-ups for early detection and prevention. She also called for the implementation of wellness programs to encourage police personnel and NUPs to adopt healthier lifestyles and avoid vices.

In addition to financial assistance, Marbil also led the distribution of school supplies to day care pupils inside the PRO8 camp.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

Power Mac Center (PMC) kicks off 2025 with its annual double celebration of Chinese New Year and Valentine’s Day, setting the stage for a host of seasonal events throughout the year.

As the world welcomes the Year of the Wood Snake, the season of giving continues with abundant offers and exclusive in-store and Web Store freebies. With the theme “Charms & Treasures,” customers can look forward to an array of discounts, special gifts, exclusive offers, and a fun photo contest.

“The year of the snake is largely associated with transformation and rebirth, and it’s the same vibe we wish to see our customers continuously pursue. Power Mac Center will keep fostering an environment of creativity and community to support our customers’ journey to self-improvement and innovation,” said Joey Alvarez, PMC Director for Marketing and Product Management.

Show up in-store, enjoy exclusive promos

Ahead of the Lunar New Year, which falls on January 29, drop by any of the over 120 Power Mac Center or The Loop branches to enjoy up to 50% off on select Apple accessories and Apple TV when purchased with any Apple device via non-installment modes of payment. Offer is valid from January 25 to February 16, 2025.

Be one of the first customers to make any purchase on February 8-9 or February 14-15 in select stores and receive two complimentary Polaroid souvenirs.

Tap tap your way to free shipping, discounts, and gifts with purchase

Over at the Web Store <powermaccenter.com> and The Loop by Power Mac Center store on Shopee and Lazada, customers can enjoy up to 50% off on select Apple accessories and Apple TV from January 25 to February 2, 2025.

Shop online and get 14% off on participating premium accessories plus free shipping from February 3 to 13, 2025 and up to 50% discount on participating premium accessories plus free shipping from February 14 to 16, 2025.

Customers who check out select Apple devices online can also receive a gift from Power Mac Center from January 25 to February 16, 2025. Get the Anker SoundCore R50i True Wireless Earphones for every purchase of participating iPad models, Before Anything Else Dual Port 30w Wall Charger for every purchase of participating iPhone models, or STM NetGain Backpack for every purchase of participating Mac models.

Upgrade with UpTrade for additional trade-in value

If you’ve been planning to switch to the Apple ecosystem or upgrade your device this new year, take advantage of exclusive offers from PMC’s trade-in program “UpTrade.” From January 20 to February 20, 2025, customers can receive up to P3,000 top-up trade-in value they can use to purchase new items in PMC and The Loop stores nationwide.

Take a selfie with the giant Ang Pao, get a chance to win GCs

From January 25 to February 5, 2025, PMC and The Loop are having an online photo contest where customers get a chance to win up to P2,500 worth of Power Mac Center gift certificates.

Spot the giant Ang Pao at select Power Mac Center or The Loop stores including SM Mall of Asia, Greenbelt 3, Power Plant Mall, SM Megamall, Robinsons Magnolia, SM North EDSA – Annex, TriNoma, Ongpin, S Maison, Bonifacio High Street, U.P. Town Center, Alabang Town Center, SM City Sta. Mesa, Lucky Chinatown Mall, SM Araneta City, and Ayala Malls Feliz. Take a photo with it and share on Facebook and/or Instagram along with the hashtags #PowerMacCenter and #PMCCharmsandTreasures. Don’t forget to tag Power Mac Center!
Always be in the loop for exciting happenings by tuning in to the OFFICIAL Power Mac Center accounts on Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, Viber, and YouTube, as well as The Loop Ph Facebook and The Loop Ph Instagram. (PR)

CATBALOGAN CITY—The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is beefing up its campaign against child labor, granting more than P1.2 million in livelihood support to 40 families in this city.

Romeo R. Mabini Jr., program-based coordinator and designated information officer of DOLE Samar, said the beneficiaries were selected based on the child laborer profiling conducted from 2018 to 2022.

He reported that there were 1,659 child laborers in Samar province. By December 2024, this number had dropped to 1,450 due to government programs and interventions, including age-related changes.

Barangay Canlapwas and Barangay 13 are set to benefit from this initiative through the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP), which follows coordination with the local government unit, as reported by Mabini Jr.

They encourage beneficiaries to focus on agribusiness, wholesale, and retail businesses, including sari-sari stores.

“We could simply say that the programs or services offered by DOLE to prevent and eliminate child laborers here in the province of Samar and those from other agencies are effective,” Mabini Jr. said.

Maila Correche-De Guia, City Government Department Head I, City Cooperatives Officer, and designated PESO manager, reported that livelihood assistance would be implemented in the first quarter.

She mentioned that the family will receive sustainable livelihood assistance instead of the child working, allowing the children to attend school and enjoy their childhood.

“We will continuously support and will not grow tired of providing these services to the people because this is our mission, aside from our core function, and we are happy to do that,” De Guia said.

The DOLE, alongside the City Public Employment Service Office (CPESO) and the local government unit of Catbalogan, supports City Mayor Dexter Uy’s initiatives to combat child labor and enhance community welfare.
(AAC, PIA Samar)