‘BIDA Community Run’ drives support for school kits nationwide

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Volunteers of I am MAD (Making A Difference) Volunteers, Inc., along with partners and supporters, gathered before sunrise along Bayshore Avenue at the SM Mall of Asia Complex for the first-ever BIDA (Bigay Ayuda) Eskwela Community Run, an initiative that combines fitness and volunteerism to support education.

The run aims to raise donations for the “Bag of Dreams,” a package of essential school supplies for beneficiaries of the 2026 MAD Camps. The program, I am MAD’s flagship initiative, brings volunteers to under-resourced schools nationwide to conduct values formation sessions for students and parents, alongside the distribution of school supplies and bags.

Proceeds from the run will support students participating in the 2026 MAD Camps across communities in Aklan, Bataan, Camarines Sur, Agusan del Norte, Laguna, and Negros Oriental. Each Bag of Dreams represents a step toward empowering a child’s learning journey.

The initiative was made possible through the support of partners PUMA Nitro Run Club, Power Mac Center, Rexona, and Sarangani Electric Company, who joined the effort to champion education and youth empowerment.

The run is part of I am MAD’s 16th anniversary celebration, marking sixteen years of “Shining the Light of Volunteerism” under the campaign theme #BR16HTER.

Beyond the run, the organization recently held its annual MAD Meet, its volunteer reunion and anniversary celebration, for the first time in General Santos City. The gathering brought together volunteers from across the country for team-building activities, recognition of exemplary service, and the announcement of key initiatives and volunteer leaders.

Registration is ongoing for MAD Camps, a volunteer-driven outreach program for children aged 10 to 12. Interested volunteers may sign up at bit.ly/MADcamp2026reg, while donations may be made through bit.ly/bidadonate.

AirAsia MOVE named Digital Innovator of the Year at Aviation Festival Asia 2026

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AirAsia MOVE team, led by Lim Ben-Jie, Chief People and Partnerships Officer (right) accepted the award from Sohail Ali, Aviation Consultant and AFA Award presenter (middle) at the Aviation Festival Asia Keynote Stage yesterday.

 

SINGAPORE, 26 March 2026 – AirAsia MOVE (MOVE) has been named ‘Digital Innovator of the Year’ at the Aviation Festival Asia Awards 2026. The accolade, presented at the ceremony on Wednesday, recognizes the platform’s pivotal role in transforming the digital travel booking landscape in the region.

Aside from being a travel platform that offers access to over 700 global carriers and more than a million hotels, MOVE is powered by enhancements to its AI-driven AskBo chatbot, a refreshed user interface, and exciting offerings such as MOVETIX, its global live-events ticketing platform and Easy Cancel feature.

Nadia Omer, CEO of AirAsia MOVE said, “Being recognized alongside industry leaders like Qatar Airways and Changi Airport Group reinforces our position at the forefront of travel innovation. With over 15 million monthly users, we are encouraged by this award to continue providing affordable travel, enabling our guests to favour discovery for less. This is a testament to the hard work of our Allstars and the trust of our partners, guests and those who voted for us."

MOVE’s next phase will emphasize social discovery, enabling users to find trip inspiration through content, and booking it all seamlessly in one place, and remains committed to being a platform that keeps travellers curious, connected, and inspired.

Domestic abuse tops VAWC-related calls to 911; victims assured of safe, confidential reporting

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Domestic abuse continues daily in Philippine households, alongside wife battery, maltreatment, and rape, while children face online sexual abuse and exploitation, violent discipline, incest, bullying, neglect, psychological abuse, and economic exploitation.



Data from the Emergency 911 National Office from January 2025 to February 2026 shows domestic trouble as the most reported case, with 2,533 calls involving physical, sexual, psychological, or economic abuse. Wife battery, maltreatment, and rape cases followed at 214,209 and 106 incidents, while 173 calls involved child abuse.



Other cases included sexual harassment (80), acts of lasciviousness (60), prostitution (8), human trafficking (5), abandoned children (3), and abortion (1). Most VAWC calls came from Calabarzon, Metro Manila, Central Luzon, and Cebu Province, followed by Dumaguete and Bacolod.

E911 National Office Executive Director Francis Fajardo said the hotline receives an average of 300 to 500 VAWC-related calls monthly, with increased reporting since the September 2025 rollout of Unified 911. He clarified that the rise does not necessarily mean more abuse, but reflects improved reporting through an easy-to-remember hotline and faster response using next-generation technology.



Call-handling efficiency also rose to 98 percent from 48 percent in 2024.



Despite this, many victims remain hesitant to report, even with confidential assistance available through the Philippine National Police and barangay VAWC desks.



Robert Llaguno, Country Head of NGA Philippines, assured victims they can safely and privately call 911.



“Abuse victims need not fear exposure or suffer retaliation from their tormentors when they call for help using 911. The next-generation emergency system that we have has enhanced security and privacy protocols that protect caller confidentiality even while voice calls, real-time text, photos or videos are being transmitted. The system is built on secure, IP-based networks that make sure personal data shared during an emergency is used only for the purpose of delivering immediate assistance,” Llaguno explained.



“All data, including caller location, is protected from unauthorized access during the emergency call. Digital infrastructures make sure that all information shared between caller and the emergency call center is confidential and secure. The system is engineered to protect the caller and also provide situational awareness to the first responders,” Llaguno assured.



He added that access is simple and nationwide.



“There are only three numbers to remember wherever you are in the country. Dial 911 and within seconds, the integrated system goes to work. Trained call takers evaluate the call to determine what type of emergency response is needed. The call goes through a network that engages the national police, the Bureau of Fire Protection, medical services and LGUs so help arrives almost instantly at the exact location of the call.



“The service is free and is available 24/7. It is language-sensitive so callers can converse in Tagalog, Cebuano, Waray, Ilocano, Tausug, and other native languages,” Llaguno added.



He urged continued use of the system beyond Women’s Month.



“It is time for women and children anywhere in the Philippines to get the respect, care and protection that they deserve. Now they have someone who will listen, act, and protect them from harm. The unified 911 system is designed to give citizens peace of mind and a reliable lifeline.”



As DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla said, “Unified 911 should not just be a hotline. It is a lifeline. Every second matters, every call matters, every life matters. This is government fulfilling its promise that help will always be within reach.”