Remember that non-expiring text promo Globe used to offer? Well there’s a new bill, the Prepaid Load Protection Act of 2014, trying to eliminate expiration dates from prepaid loads.
Depending on the amount added, every prepaid user today must use their load for texts, calls, or promos within a validity period lest the balance disappears without a trace. Accounts topped up with less than Php100 usually have a month (or less) to consume said amount, while loading more than Php300 usually comes with a 120-day validity period.
But with the Prepaid Load Protection Act of 2014 (a.k.a the House Bill No. 4782), telecoms are no longer allowed to set any expiration dates for prepaid load. That means mobile users on prepaid subscriptions (which reportedly make up 80 percent of the whole mobile population in the country) get to keep their load indefinitely and only consume it as they see fit.
Related: Text messages should have cost Php0.80 each since Dec 2011
If the House Bill No. 4782 passes, consumers will also be able to request for a refund for “nakaw load” or when their load disappears without any valid cause.
The bill was recently filed by Las Piñas Representative Mark Villar. He reckoned every Filipino citizen ought to have protection as consumers and should be able to get the most value for their money.
[Source: Manila Bulletin]
Inclusive jobs program. Taguig City Mayor Maria Laarni Cayetano (center) shakes hands with Gerald Juliano (rightmost), HR Director, Jollibee Group PH, after the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement to expand inclusive employment opportunities for qualified senior citizens and persons with disabilities in participating company-owned stores in Taguig. Joining them during the signing is Atty. Raul Academia (leftmost), Public Affairs Head, Jollibee Group.
For many senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs), the opportunity to work is about far more than earning an income—it is about staying active, contributing to society, and maintaining a sense of purpose. Recognizing this, the Jollibee Group is expanding its inclusive employment program to Taguig City, creating new opportunities for qualified seniors and PWDs to rejoin the workforce and thrive.
The expansion was formalized through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed between the Jollibee Group and the Taguig City Government, strengthening a shared commitment to building a more inclusive and empowering community.
Under the partnership, 16 company-owned stores across Jollibee, Chowking, Greenwich, and Burger King in Taguig will participate in the initiative. Each store is expected to hire two senior citizens and one person with disability, opening dozens of meaningful employment opportunities across the city.
The move builds on the success of the Jollibee Group’s inclusive jobs program, which has already provided employment opportunities to more than 1,000 senior citizens and PWDs nationwide since its launch in 2019.
Empowering People Through Opportunity
The program is designed for qualified senior citizens and PWDs who remain capable and eager to work, recognizing their valuable contributions to society when given the chance to stay engaged and productive.
Through the partnership, the Taguig City Government will help identify, prepare, and support applicants through various local offices.
The Public Employment Services Office (PESO) will handle applicant screening, profiling, and referrals, while providing orientation and training to prepare successful candidates for their roles. The City Health Office will conduct medical assessments and facilitate the issuance of occupational permits for qualified applicants.
Meanwhile, the Office for Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) and the Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) will help promote the program, guide applicants throughout the process, and support monitoring and evaluation efforts.
For its part, the Jollibee Group will manage interviews, onboarding, training, and workplace integration, while also facilitating payroll bank account enrollment at no cost to participating employees.
Creating Workplaces Where Everyone Belongs
Successful applicants will be assigned to customer-facing roles such as guest relations staff, table managers, drink drawers, and order presenters—positions that allow them to interact with customers and contribute directly to creating positive dining experiences.
“This program is meaningful because it gives our senior citizens and persons with disabilities a chance to continue contributing in ways that are seen, valued, and respected,” said Joseph Tanbuntiong, CEO of Jollibee Group Philippines and Head of Jollibee Brand Global.
“At the Jollibee Group, we believe that our growth should also create opportunities for people in the communities we serve. Through partnerships like this with Taguig City, we can open more spaces where people can feel productive, connected, and part of something bigger,” he added.
Beyond employment, the initiative seeks to foster dignity, confidence, and social inclusion among individuals who are often overlooked in traditional hiring practices.
“Work can give people more than income. It can give confidence, friendship, and a renewed sense of purpose,” said Ruth Angeles, Chief Human Resources Officer of Jollibee Group Philippines and HR Head of Jollibee Brand Global.
“That is why this program matters to us. It reminds us that inclusion is not just a policy or a program. It is something we make
halos ata lahat ng pinoy na biktima nito pre.
finally some useful laws out there I hope this law gets passed, I also was one of the victim of “nakaw load”