THE CIVIC website of the Technological Institute of the Philippines Manila was declared first runner-up in the 2021 Build On, ASEAN Hackathon sponsored by e-commerce giant Amazon.

Called “Helpier,” TIP’s online platform enables multiple stakeholders across the country to connect and share resources, services, and skills for a more inclusive society.

Donations, collaborations, and other forms of assistance are welcome on the website. Tokens are likewise given to encourage people to help.

“Helpier demonstrates our students’ capability to effectively identify, formulate, and solve complex societal issues,” engineers Jennifer Enriquez and Mon Arjay Malbog said.

“Through this, we are also addressing world sustainable development goals 10, 11 and 12,” they added.

To avoid misuse of the website, TIP said Computer Engineering seniors Raniel Andri Faderugao, Lois Fernando Ilustre, Von Jason Lagare, Yuneza Claire Mortos, and Justin Mark Salandanan put up a verification system in which users need to present a valid government ID.

During the hackathon, Amazon challenged communities to craft solutions to problems faced by some of its partners.

TIP worked on the issue set by technology leader Cognizant. It competed with nine other student and professional teams nationwide.