Philips rallies the public to vote for the best idea to improve quality of life of Yolanda-affected communities in the Visayas

 
Five Different Ways to Make a Difference:

“Innovations that Matter to You” program teams up with the government, NGOs, and Filipinos to determine the very first ‘meaningful innovation’ in the Philippines

Manila, 2013 – Over three months have passed since super typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) ravaged the Visayas region – leaving the archipelago with thousands of lives lost, infrastructures destroyed, sources of lifelines such as power and network knocked out, and billions worth of livelihood washed out – causing an unimaginable effect to the surviving communities in the area. According to the latest situation report (SitRep No. 104) of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), total cost of infrastructure damages alone are now pegged at P19.5 billion.
In response to the needs of these communities affected by Yolanda, Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) in the Philippines decided to refocus its ‘Meaningful Innovations’ program in the country to define and deliver meaningful innovations to affected communities in the Visayas through idea generation and sharing.
Initially a health and well-being campaign, the outcome of the Philips Innovations campaign will result in a meaningful and sustainable project that will focus on three core issues facing the Visayas today: the need for sustainable infrastructure for displaced families, immediate access to quality healthcare services, and addressing health and nutrition-related concerns.

To further amplify the campaign, Philips Philippines partnered with the Department of Health (DOH), World Wide Fund for Nature Philippines (WWF-Philippines), I Can Serve Foundation, and key social media influencers such as Kim Atienza, Kelly Misa, and Jim Paredes, to invite Filipinos to submit their ideas.
In addition, Philips also visited major universities in Metro Manila over the past months to rally support from the youth for the crowd sourcing initiative. As a result, a total of 1,057 ideas have been contributed by the public to help address the needs of affected communities in the Visayas.
Last January, a group of Philips executives and representatives from its institutional partners, screened, deliberated, and shortlisted the top five (5) ideas from all contributed entries based on a set criteria. “After listening and defining the needs of the people, families, and communities in the Visayas region, this is where the power of co-creation comes in – to curate these brilliant ideas and deliver the best innovation to Filipinos who need it the most,” shared by Fabia Tetteroo-Bueno, Philips Philippines Country Manager. “The partnerships that we have forged with the DOH, WWF-Philippines, I Can Serve Foundation, and the public have gone a long way to create innovations that can rebuild lives and rekindle hope of Filipinos. This is what Philips stands for – innovations that matter to you.” The ideas were judged based on its impact to communities, feasibility, use of innovation, and relevance to category.
Here are the top five (5) innovations proposed by Filipinos, to be chosen by Filipinos, to be built in collaboration with Philips (in no particular order):
· Mini bus clinics with PRISM (Problem Identification for Systematic Management) App by Paolo Fajardo and Johanna Morales, Metro Manila
Old buses will be transformed into mini health clinics, and equipped with basic diagnostic equipment to assess an individual’s physical well-being. In addition, the mini-clinic will be equipped a psychological assessment tool/application, to allow a cursory check on a person’s state of mind, and identify possible solutions to the problem.
· Solar charger stations by Geoffrey Panganiban, OFW from Dubai
This idea advocates for the use of solar energy, to provide light to communities that have limited to zero access to electricity. Families will be given rechargeable batteries that are powerful enough to light up at least three light bulbs, and use the solar charging station as a means to recharge the batteries.
· Patient Healthcare Management System by Daniel Galang, Metro Manila
This is a secured data network where healthcare volunteers/professionals in typhoon-stricken areas can transmit their observations and/or diagnosis on a given patient to a pool of medical experts based in Metro Manila, who can provide further medical advice. This idea aims to address the need for accessible healthcare in areas that no longer have hospital or clinics.
· Night Light Project by Illac Diaz, Metro Manila
My Shelter Foundation aims to create an improved version of their solar night lamp by utilizing Philips’ lighting technology. In addition, they hope to train residents of typhoon-affected communities to develop these lamps, to provide them with an alternative and sustainable means of livelihood.
· Interactive Screen Booth by Marika Lacanilao, Metro Manila
This unique edutainment health installation will provide commonly sought-for and up-to-date health information, which is especially useful for those who are suffering with health ailments post-Yolanda.
“The lingering effects of the havoc Yolanda caused will always be with the people of the Visayas and every stricken city. Pressing concerns are still very imminent in affected areas – from rebuilding destroyed health facilities, following up with the wounded survivors, and providing livelihood to the affected families,” said Dr. Ivanhoe Escartin, National Center for Health Promotion (NCHP) OIC-Director IV of the Department of Health (DOH). “We are happy that part of the criteria in refining and selecting the shortlisted ideas include use of innovation and the feasibility in bringing to life the winning idea within the year. Philips is going in the right direction because they are able to realize the needs of the victims of Yolanda who have survived trying times and are now rising up to the challenge to start living again,” Dr. Escartin added.
As hope and heroism emerge from the aftermath of Yolanda, Philips brings a new light of optimism as it now invites Filipinos to vote for the best innovation at
www.meaningfulinnovation.asia/philippines. The most voted idea stands a better chance at implementation, with social media votes accounting for 30% of the total score. Philips strives to implement the winning idea within 2014 by working in close coordination with the idea proponent(s), as well as the necessary government units and NGOs.
Public voting period will start on February 19 up to March 2. For more information on the “Innovation that Matters to You” program in the Philippines. Please visit www.meaningfulinnovation.asia/philippines or www.facebook.com/PhilipsPhilippines.