In the world of gardening, a trellis is a fundamental tool designed to support climbing or vining plants. By offering a stable structure for plants to grasp and grow upon, trellises serve multiple critical functions: they maximize growing space, improve air circulation to reduce disease, elevate fruits and flowers for easier harvest, and add vertical interest to the garden's design. What is Trellis? A trellis is a foundational gardening structure, primarily functioning as a supportive framework for climbing plants. However, to describe it merely as "support" is to underestimate its role. A trellis is an architectural element that shapes growth, maximizes space, and enhances the aesthetic of any garden. At its core, a trellis is any open, lattice-like construction—made of wood, metal, vinyl, or other materials—that provides a surface for vines and climbers to attach to, either by twining, clinging with tendrils, or being manually tied. This simple function unlo...
In a significant move to bolster financial inclusion and protect its members, the Social Security System (SSS) has partnered with Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank) to introduce SSS LoanLite. This new micro-lending program is strategically designed to provide a safe, accessible, and affordable credit alternative for millions of Filipinos, specifically targeting those most vulnerable to predatory lending institutions. A Digital Shield Against Predatory Lending The core mission of SSS LoanLite is to act as a financial safety net. SSS President and CEO Robert Joseph de Claro explicitly highlighted this protective function, stating, “ This will really help each Filipino, members of SSS, not to fall victim to loan sharks. ” This direct acknowledgment of "loan sharks" by the SSS leadership is a crucial step. It validates the real struggles many Filipinos face when in urgent need of cash and positions a government-backed institution as a proactive defender of its ...