Metro Retail Stores Group Inc. blood donation drive.

Duty Free Philippines held a special livelihood fair for overseas Filipino workers (OFW) and balikbayans from 31 August to 1 September and 7 to 8 September at the Atrium of the Duty Free Philippines Fiestamall in Parañaque City.

According to DFP chief operating officer (COO) Vicente Pelagio Angala, the event aimed to support OFW and balikbayans who plan to break into entrepreneurship by providing tax-free livelihood packages and tools.

Dubbed as “Kabuhayan para sa’yo, Kabayan!” the event features livelihood products such the carwash package, laundry business package, rice mill, shower heaters, maker, potato cutter, shawarma machine, deep fryer, hotdog roller, ice cream machine, crepe machine, candy floss maker, chicken rotisserie and e-bikes.

Returning balikbayans and OFW who have gone back abroad can avail of duty and tax-exempt purchase in the amount of $2,000.00, exclusively for livelihood equipment, within 15 calendar days from the date of arrival.

OFW certified by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, Overseas Worker Welfare Administration, Philippine Overseas Labor Officer or by the embassy/consulate of the Philippines in the country where he or she had been deployed, may opt to endorse in writing the kabuhayan shopping privilege to his or her immediate family members within the second degree of consanguinity or affinity.

DHL-a simulation exercise where tents were set up as makeshift warehouse for shipments.

Blood donation drive in Luzon and Visayas

Over a thousand employee volunteers supported the Mobile Blood Donation Drive of Metro Retail Stores Group Inc. and Vicsal Foundation Inc. Done in partnership with the Philippine Red Cross, the activity is part of MRSGI’s corporate social responsibility initiatives that aim to uplift communities where they operate and inspire volunteerism among their employees. The Mobile Blood Donation Drive was successfully rolled out in more than 20 Metro stores across Luzon and Visayas. A second wave of the project will be conducted in the last quarter of the year.

Deutsche Post DHL Group’s Disaster Response Team, together with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance, facilitated a three-day disaster preparedness and response training for 27 DHL volunteers.

Conducted at the DHL Express Manila Gateway, the training comprised both theoretical and simulation exercises to equip the participants with skills in unloading cargo planes, managing warehouse and inventory, and deploying relief goods, in the event of calamities and emergencies.