Philips Meaningfull Innovations for Yolanda Victims

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.

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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):

  • Rural Healthcare: Deploying mini-clinics for Yolanda survivors by Paolo Fajardo and Johanne Morales, Metro Manila

“We propose the creation of mini-clinics, powered by Philips healthcare equipment, to provide Yolanda-affected communities who do not have healthcare facilities with easier access to medical treatment. Depending on the prevailing condition(s) in the affected area(s), the clinic can either be done using old but reusable buses, to allow it to be mobile or situated in an area that people can easily go/travel to.”

  • Empowering lives through sunlight: The Solar Charging Station Project by Geoffrey Panganiban, OFW from Dubai

“Until now, energy distribution in Yolanda-affected areas remains a serious issue. To address this, I am proposing for the creation of a Philips solar charging station to provide Yolanda-stricken areas with alternative power sources. This system, being a clean energy source, can be an alternative to electricity. It is also environmentally friendly since it does not produce harmful carbon emissions.”

  • Healthcare Online: The Patient Healthcare Management System by Daniel Galang, Metro Manila

“Health workers are still a scarce resource in Yolanda-affected areas. I propose for the development of a healthcare management system by Philips that can provide local hospitals and medical practitioners with much-needed support. This information system is envisioned to allow for remote diagnosis by allowing medical specialists in the Visayas to input and transmit a patient’s medical information to a pool of health experts in another area, who can provide additional expert advice.”

  • The Solar Night Light Project: Lighting up Yolanda-stricken communities by Illac Diaz, Metro Manila

“MyShelter Foundation (MSF) launched the Liter of Light project, a two-step, DIY solar lighting project that makes use of recycled plastic soda bottles and a simple circuit board built from readily available parts and local skills to address the need for day and night lighting in evacuation and off-grid areas.

 

The goal of this idea is that MSF works together with Philips to find a technical solution to improve this technology, so that more poor communities can benefit from this innovative solution.”

  • An interactive take on Healthcare by Marika Lacanilao, Metro Manila

“The onslaught of Typhoon Yolanda in the Visayas has increased the demand for medical-related services in the area, especially since hospitals were damaged, and resident healthcare professionals were displaced. To empower the people with regard to their health, and to increase awareness and education, I propose the creation of the mobile Philips interactive healthcare booths, which will provide information on various illnesses and disease, as well as their symptoms and proposed modes of treatment, through a comprehensive and entertaining application. Ideally, this solution will encourage people to look after themselves better, and become more conscious about their health and well-being.”

“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.