SMFI’s Connie Angeles (second from left) hands the donation to PRC chairperson Dick Gordon (third from left). Joining the turnover are PRC Governor Ernesto Isla and PRC Secretary General Dr. Gwen Pang (first and fourth from left, respectively). Photo from PRC.

In solidarity with earthquake-hit countries Türkiye and Syria, SM Foundation Inc. (SMFI) sent aid through the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) last Feb. 27, 2023.

Represented by SM Foundation Health and Medical Programs Executive Director Connie Angeles, SMFI handed 200 units of gasoline generators to PRC to provide power to the quake-stricken Türkiye and Syria.

Additionally, the social good arm of SM also donated Php5 million to help address the needs of earthquake victims.

PRC volunteers prepare to ship 200 units of gasoline generators donated by SM Foundation for quake-hit Türkiye and Syria. Photo from PRC.

The aid comes after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit southeast Türkiye and northwest Syria. The disaster was followed by a magnitude 6.3 earthquake, hitting southern Turkiye, which led to additional casualties and damages.

To learn more about SM Foundation’s social good programs, visit www.sm-foundation.org or follow its social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube): @SMFoundationInc.

PayMaya is bringing Filipinos the convenience, safety, and time-saving benefits of paying for their fees and dues to the Social Security System (SSS), the Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG Fund), the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) with the Bills Bayad Promo.

From February 1 to March 31, customers who will pay for their Pag-IBIG, SSS, PRC, and BIR fees and dues for the first time using PayMaya can get a 10% cashback voucher. Meanwhile, existing customers who are paying their recurring fees using PayMaya can also enjoy a 5% cashback voucher monthly during the promo period. Users can get up to P200 cashback.

"We are always looking for ways to make everyday transactions easier and more rewarding. These include encouraging more consumers to use digital payments when transacting with national government agencies. We want to give users a more convenient experience as we also help promote ease of doing business with the government," said Pepe Torres, Chief Marketing Officer at PayMaya.

Paying fees and dues to the four participating national government agencies is easy - here are the different channels where you can pay using PayMaya:

SSS – pay for your social security contributions via the PayMaya app and the SSS mobile app 

Pag-IBIG – remit your regular housing amortizations via the PayMaya app and the Pag-IBIG website 

PRC – pay for your professional fees via the commission’s website 

BIR – settle your taxes and fees via the PayMaya app.

On top of the cashback rewards, individuals who will sign up and upgrade their account can enjoy a P100 voucher when they use the code BILLSBAYAD upon registration.

So if you have government fees and dues to pay—pay now with PayMaya and enjoy the sweet benefits of getting your money back! Basta government payments, pay it with PayMaya!

PayMaya is the only end-to-end digital payments ecosystem enabler in the Philippines, with platforms and services that cut across consumers, merchants, communities, and government. It provides more than 41 million Filipinos access to financial services through its consumer platforms. Customers can conveniently pay, add money, cash out or remit through its over 380,000 digital touchpoints nationwide.

Its Smart Padala by PayMaya network of over 60,000 partner agent touchpoints serves as last-mile digital financial hubs in communities, providing the unbanked and underserved access to digital services. Through its enterprise business, it is the largest digital payments processor for key industries in the country, including "every day" merchants such as the largest retail, food, gas, and eCommerce merchants, as well as government agencies and units.

To know more about PayMaya's products and services, visit www.PayMaya.com or follow @PayMayaOfficial on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. For more information on Smart Padala, visit https://smartpadala.ph/

Over the course of two weeks, two devastating back to back typhoons hit the Philippines. On November 1st, Super Typhoon Rolly (Goni) the strongest typhoon ever recorded in recent history struck the southern region of the Philippines. An estimated two million Filipinos have been affected, many of whom lost their homes and livelihoods. Ten days later, Typhoon Ulysses (Vamco) swept through many of the same provinces previously devastated by Typhoon Rolly, including Metro Manila and parts of Central Luzon leaving widespread flooding and power outages.

Many areas are still struggling to recover from the aftermath of these calamities. Homes and livelihood across various provinces were lost to floods, strong winds and rain. LGUs and other organizations continue to mobilize and provide assistance to all who were affected by these typhoons, but many are still in desperate need of help.

In line with its mission to inspire creativity and bring joy, TikTok has pledged to donate US$300,000 (approximately Php15M) to support typhoon relief and rehabilitation efforts. US$150,000 has been allocated to the Philippine Red Cross for their onground mobilization efforts providing hot meals and other urgent necessities in affected communities.

“The Philippine Red Cross is always committed to reaching out to the helpless and to the most vulnerable. TikTok’s donation will surely go a long way in further strengthening PRC’s humanitarian efforts to alleviate the suffering of those who were impacted by the recent calamities. You can be sure the Red Cross will continue to be there for the people affected,” said Senator Richard Gordon, Chairman of the Philippine Red Cross.

On Saturday, November 28 at 7:00pm, TikTok will also host the #TikTokTogetherPH virtual live fundraising concert featuring The Itchyworms, Mayonnaise, Kyline Alcantara, Rico Blanco, and Ella Cruz among other guest artists and local creators, joining one another on the app to help Filipinos in need. Proceeds from the virtual event will be turned over to partner organizations, with TikTok supplementing funds raised up to US$150,000.

“We stand with all Filipinos during their time of need and we want to do what we can to help all those affected get back on their feet. TikTok has been the go-to platform for happy and inspiring moments, now we are extending this mission even beyond the app,” TikTok said.

As it spreads joy and inspiration to millions of people on the platform each day, TikTok is also committed to doing their part in helping the broader community, through these efforts and through organizations like the Philippine Red Cross.

TikTok is available for download on Google Play and the App Store.

Now on its fourth year, the Million Volunteer Run is this year’s biggest humanitarian run organized by the Philippine Red Cross. It aims to further grow the PRC’s already extensive network of volunteers nationwide.

Happening on 13 May 2017, Saturday, 4:00AM, at the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta, Manila, the advocacy run likewise seeks to once again draw participation from government, corporate, religious, academic, and athletic institutions to rally together behind the impartial protection of life and dignity, especially of indigent Filipinos in vulnerable situations.

A 3K and 5K fun run, proceeds of the event will fund PRC’s various humanitarian programs and lifesaving services such as its Blood Services, Disaster Management Services, Safety Services, Health Services, Social Services, Red Cross Youth and Volunteer Services.
Three Simple Ways To Register To Million Volunteer Run 4!

1. ONLINE REGISTRATION WITH OFFSITE RACE KIT REDEMPTION REGISTER 
at mvr.redcross.org.ph PAY via Credit Card, Paypal, Bancnet, 7-Eleven, Bank Deposit, Internet Banking, GCash, plus other Payment Centers CLAIM Race Kit at PRC National Headquarter or CHRIS Sports at SM Megamall, SM North Edsa, SM North Annex, SM MOA, SM Sucat, Glorietta 3

TO CLAIM RACE KIT: Bring printed copy of proof of registration (emailed notice of successful registration) and proof of payment.

2. ONLINE REGISTRATION VIA SM TICKETS WITH OFFSITE RACE KIT REDEMPTION

PAY via www.smtickets.com or SM ticket counters nationwide REGISTER at mvr.redcross.org.ph CLAIM Race Kit at PRC National Headquarter or CHRIS Sports at SM Megamall, SM North Edsa, SM North Annex, SM MOA, SM Sucat, Glorietta 3

TO CLAIM RACE KIT: Bring printed copy of proof of registration (emailed notice of successful registration) and proof of payment.

3. ONSITE REGISTRATION AND RACE KIT REDEMPTION

REGISTER at mvr.redcross.org.ph PAY and CLAIM Race Kit at the location you indicated in your online registration, either at the PRC National Headquarter, designated CHRIS Sports outlet (SM Megamall, SM North Edsa, SM North Annex, SM MOA, SM Sucat, Glorietta or chosen local PRC chapter.
Why Join The Million Volunteer Run 4 And Become A Red Cross Member? Self-Worth. Being a member of the Red Cross gives an individual a sense of worth since he/she becomes a part of the premier humanitarian organization that continues to serve the most vulnerable.

Personal Growth And Development. Red Cross members may avail of leadership, disaster response, first aid, and other youth development training. Red Cross expansive network of chapters also provides extensive opportunities for service and interchange.
Access To Red Cross Services. During emergencies, Red Cross members will have the access to safe blood, safety, and other life saving services of the PRC. Other services, on the other hand, require fees to augment direct operational costs.

Who Can Become A Red Cross Member? Individuals aged 6-65 years old (students, out-of-school youths, employees, utility workers, Red Cross staff, volunteers, and trainees, etc.)
How Does One Become A Red Cross Member Through Million Volunteer Run4? For P500, register to the P500 Category and become a registered PRC Bronze Member.

For more details on Million Volunteer Run 4, log on to  mvr.redcross.org.ph, like www.facebook.com/MillionVolunteerRun, or call (02) 790.2410.

It’s been several difficult years since Nov. 8, 2013, when the Philippines braved the strongest storm ever recorded, and took the brunt of Typhoon Haiyan, the deadliest Philippine typhoon to date.
 As the typhoon swept through Samar, Leyte, Cebu, Capiz, Negros and Northern Iloilo, it left in its wake 6,300 dead, and cities such as Tacloban in a brittle heap. According to reports, an estimated 16 million people were affected by Typhoon Haiyan, 4.1 million people were displaced, and 1.1 million houses were damaged after the devastation.
Rebuilding the cities, especially Tacloban, and helping the communities bounce back from such devastation was a challenge. It was a difficult task, but not an impossible one for the Philippine Red Cross (PRC).
“The Philippine Red Cross understands that action without direction is nothing. We, the PRC, pride ourselves in being there at times when people need us most, sharing hope when there doesn’t seem to be any, and providing light when others cannot see the way,” shared PRC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Dick Gordon. “As long as PRC live, we will continue to serve, protect and be in service to the Filipino people.”
Approaching Haiyan’s third anniversary, the PRC proudly shares its progress.