We are sorry, the requested page does not exist
Mandaue BPLO chief to businesses: Sell only what’s allowed in biz permit to avoid sanctions
MANDAUE CITY, Cebu – An official of the Mandaue City Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO) is reminding businesses to always follow the specifications provided in their business permits to avoid the payment of sanctions and penalties. Atty. August Lizer Malate, the BPLO head, said that as per their experience in the past years, several.....»»
New U.S. speaker rallies support for Israel
The United States House of Representatives is back in business with the newly-elected Republican speaker, Mike Johnson, introducing a resolution supporting Israel in its war with Palestinian terrorist group Hamas. The resolution passed with support from all but nine Democrats and just one Republican dissenter. The first successful act of Johnson signals a stable leadership despite being the least experienced speaker in the post Civil War era, having never chaired a committee or held a senior leadership role. “We all know that the world is in turmoil — but a strong America is good for the entire world,” Johnson told lawmakers after his election on Wednesday that ended the paralysis of Congress. Biden congratulated the new speaker and vowed to work with him, adding that the US now needed “to move swiftly to address our national security needs and to avoid a shutdown.” Ahead of the filing of the Israel resolution, the Louisiana congressman said in his acceptance speech that the bill is overdue as America’s “greatest ally in the Middle East is under attack.” The little-known ally of Donald Trump who spearheaded legal efforts to overturn the 2020 election won the unanimous support of his party to replace Kevin McCarthy who was ousted in a right-wing coup on 3 October. The post New U.S. speaker rallies support for Israel appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
A skilled workforce — a critical component of Phl energy transition
Amid the Philippine energy transition, Aboitiz Power Corporation recognized the growing scarcity of skilled power industry workers and, hence, the necessity of developing a workforce that can adapt and willingly carry the important task of ensuring energy security, affordability, and sustainability for today’s and tomorrow’s Filipinos. “There has to be a workforce now and in the future that will keep our energy system functioning and serve the needs of our country,” said AboitizPower chief people officer MaLu Inofre. “However, among our most difficult challenges is building a skilled talent pipeline that can effectively adjust and work with the fast-paced transformation within the industry's energy mix, digital systems and regulations.” “It has become exceedingly vital to ensure that workforce skills align with the changes of the times,” she further explained. “In the same way, attracting talent in a competitive global market is crucial to a sustainable, efficient, and innovative Philippine power sector that meets our country’s growing energy demands and sustainability objectives.” Inofre made her remarks during the first Philippine Power Industry HR Forum at Shangri-La The Fort, Taguig City. The event was presented by the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Inc. in partnership with AboitizPower. Young academic and professional achievers were recruited and trained by AboitizPower to operate, monitor, and control the company’s National Operations Control Center, which oversees over 20 renewable energy facilities spread across the country all from one central location. In the Philippines, the Department of Labor and Employment said that an estimated one million skilled workers in engineering, architecture and construction are lacking. They cited “Power Plant Maintenance Engineer” and “Maintenance/Powerplant Engineers” as among the hard-to-fill occupations in the country. This can be due to a lack of qualified applicants or brain drain (or when better opportunities abroad are taken advantage of by skilled locals). “Between 2016 and 2021, the employment in the power industry declined by 15,444 individuals,” said DOLE Bureau of Local Employment Director Patrick P. Patriwirawan Jr. during the same event. “The Philippines saw an increase in the employment in the renewable energy industry last year but could have employed more if not for the delays caused by the Covid-19 pandemic on various project developments in the sector.” Inofre added that a major factor influencing the labor shortage is the shift in the type of skills sought by employers, especially as the sector tries to balance the entry of renewable energy whilst maintaining traditional energy systems. “Knowing this, upskilling will be key to facilitating a just transition for those who will be affected by the transition to a greener economy, as well as the new generation of workers. It is imperative that we successfully cultivate both thermal and renewable energy, so that we can ensure reliable and affordable energy supply for the country,” she said. Meralco Power Academy Program management director Engineer Marc Lester Malibiran explained that, on top of upskilling the workforce, the industry should also help develop interest for the sector, especially in the youth. In a panel discussion, AboitizPower Chief People Officer MaLu Inofre (2nd from right) said that the energy industry must come together to craft and implement programs that strengthen the talent pipeline for the Philippine power industry. “The Philippines boasts a young and vibrant population brimming with innovative potential. By investing in talent development, we tap into this dynamic workforce, harnessing their fresh ideas and energy,” he said. “Unfortunately, we are seeing a decline in both take-up and completion of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), averaging only a 21 percent completion [rate].” “Young Filipinos avoid STEM as it is seen to be an intimidating course of study. This is important to know as this signals us to develop programs that remove this preconceived notion,” he added. The Philippine Power Industry HR Forum served as an avenue for human resources professionals in the Philippine power industry to connect, collaborate and communicate ideas, knowledge and best practices. Sentiments from the breakout sessions revealed that skills and competency gaps or mismatch, a limited external talent pool and difficulty in retaining talent due to global and local competition are the most cited challenges in the human resources field of the Philippine energy sector. A panel discussion moderated by Atty. Jose Layug Jr. of Divina Law saw Michael Page regional director and country head Albert Perez, Meralco chief HR officer Edgardo “Egay” Carasig, Philippine Independent Power Producers Association, Inc. president Atty. Anne Estorco Montelibano and ACEN chief HR officer John Philip Orbeta discuss the need to calibrate existing government programs to be more in sync with the needs of the energy industry. This includes building competencies within communities to turn locals into more competitive applicants. Meanwhile, another panel discussion moderated by AmCham Human Capital & Resources Committee co-chair Ernie Cecilia had Global Business Power Corporation VP-Human Resources Maria Luz Blanco-Uriarte, One Renewable Energy Enterprise, Inc. founder and president Erel Narida and AboitizPower’s Inofre talk about how retaining workers involves investing on their skills, ensuring talent mobility opportunities and giving them a sense of purpose. “The energy industry must create an acceptable, progressive plan to resolve the talent crisis. AboitizPower, for one, makes an effort to resolve the shortage of estimated skilled workers in our industry by maintaining academic-industry linkages with universities in the country, providing long-term scholarships [and] establishing programs with TESDA that help promote electrical engineering skills at the grassroots level, among other initiatives,” Inofre said. “Through similar initiatives, I believe we can successfully empower a community of like-minded individuals who work towards implementing human resource programs that strengthen the talent pipeline for the Philippine power industry,” she concluded. The post A skilled workforce — a critical component of Phl energy transition appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Shun mass protests in Egypt
Filipinos in Egypt have been advised to avoid joining any protests following the mass demonstrations, denouncing the bombing of a hospital in the Gaza Strip that reportedly killed at least 500 civilians. In an advisory, the Philippine Embassy in Egypt cautioned Filipinos against joining the random demonstrations and planned mass actions. “The Philippine Embassy in Cairo advises everyone to exercise caution, keep away from mass congregations, and stay home unless necessary,” it said. According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, there are 1,990 Filipinos in Egypt. Egyptians took to the streets to express their anger over the bombing of the Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza, which left hundreds of Palestinians dead. In one of the demonstrations, a Palestinian flag was raised while an Israeli flag was burned. The demonstrations came after Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi called on Egyptians to express solidarity with the Palestinians amid the Israel-Hamas war. This developed as top diplomats of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations on Friday denounced the ongoing war in the Middle East. End bloodshed In a statement, the foreign ministers of the 10-member regional bloc called for an immediate end to the bloodshed. “We strongly condemn the acts of violence which have led to the deaths and injuries of civilians, including ASEAN nationals,” the foreign ministers said. “We urge the immediate end of violence to avoid further human casualties and call for the full respect of international humanitarian law,” it added. Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas are engaged in armed conflict following the surprise attack launched by the terror group on Israel last 7 October. The attack by Hamas has left more than 1,400 dead, most of them massacred on the first day of the assault. Meanwhile, the widespread airstrikes on the Gaza Strip have reportedly left at least 3,478 dead. ASEAN also called on “all parties to create safe, rapid and unimpeded passages of human corridors.” Last week, Israel imposed a 24-hour deadline for 1.1 million civilians to evacuate northern Gaza ahead of its ground offensive in the Palestinian territory. Since then, millions of civilians, including foreign nationals, have scrambled to move from northern Gaza to southern Gaza in hopes of exiting the war-torn territory. The bulk of civilians are swarming to the Rafah border in an attempt to enter Egypt despite the border remaining closed and the restricted availability of food, water and electricity. Two-state solution Meanwhile, ASEAN reaffirmed its support for a “negotiated two-state solution that allows Israelis and Palestinians to live side-by-side in peace and security consistent with relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.” “This will be the only viable path to resolving the root cause of the conflict,” it said. The regional bloc also called on the “international community to support the peace process in order to ensure long-lasting peace and stability in the region.” “We have issued our respective national statements on the escalation of armed conflicts in the Middle East,” it said. On Wednesday, the Philippines, one of the founding members of ASEAN, expressed its “profound sadness” over the bombing of a hospital in the Gaza Strip, which reportedly killed at least 500 civilians. Israel and Hamas denied being behind the attack and blamed each other for the bombing. The Philippines said all parties should “do their utmost to protect civilians in times of war and armed conflict.” “We support efforts of the United Nations to provide humanitarian relief in the conflict areas,” it said. According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, there are 135 Filipinos in the Hamas-controlled Gaza. Deep concern In Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is attending the ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council Summit, the Chief Executive expressed deep concern over the rising number of victims and the safety of those affected by the conflict. In his intervention during the 1st ASEAN-GCC Summit here on Friday, Marcos said, “All parties (should) exert their utmost efforts to de-escalate the situation, stop all violence, and engage in dialogue and diplomacy.” He called on the members of the GCC and ASEAN to work together to promote peace, security, and stability in the South China Sea and the Arabian Sea. Marcos also underscored the importance of cooperation between member countries of the two regional groups to ensure their continued prosperity. “As the two regional organizations located astride the major sea gates and vital corridors of the world’s commerce and communications, it is imperative that we work together to promote peace, security, and stability in both our regions, the South China Sea and the Arabian Sea, grounded on the rules-based international order to ensure the stability and prosperity of our countries and the rest of the world,” Marcos said. “Peace and stability are indispensable to ensuring continued prosperity in our respective regions and the world,” he added. The six GCC member countries are Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, while the 10 ASEAN member countries are Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. President Marcos attended the ASEAN-GCC Summit, where he discussed business opportunities in the Philippines and urged investors to invest in the Maharlika Investment Fund, among other significant opportunities in the Philippines. The post Shun mass protests in Egypt appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
The importance of cyber security
Cyberattacks are on the rise! In the past, we associated this terrifying incident with online banks and payment platforms. However, even government websites, not known as financial institutions, from which money may be stolen, or unauthorized payments are also targets. Last Sunday, 15 October, the website of the House of Representatives was vandalized before noon by a group calling itself “3MUSKETEERZ.” A face with a mocking meme with the phrases “You’ve been hacked” and “Have a nice day” appeared on the website. Below the face was the message, “Happy April Fullz Kahit October palang (even if it’s still)! Fix your website.” A few minutes later, the website went down and became inaccessible. Shortly after, the House of Representatives issued a statement assuring the public that the House had already taken action and coordinated with the government agencies concerned to deal with the matter. “While we work to restore the website fully, we ask for patience and understanding. We are committed to ensure the security and integrity of our digital platforms, and we will implement additional measures to prevent such incidents in the future,” the statement said. Relatedly, also recall that on 22 September, a system of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation was similarly attacked, preventing access for a week. Reports stated the data breach affected employees’ workstations, application servers, and users’ data, including names, addresses, dates of birth, gender, phone numbers and PhilHealth identification numbers. On 31 August, the Department of Science and Technology’s OneExpert portal was also subjected to a cyberattack. In a statement on 13 October, the DoST assured the general public that the virtual assault compromised no personal data. In all the above instances, whether personal data or sensitive information were stolen, it causes alarm to us Filipinos. The call to government agencies and ordinary Filipinos to be vigilant and careful with our online information and accounts has become louder than ever. The same holds true for institutions and businesses, which, by the nature of their activities, are entrusted with and tasked to safeguard large amounts of personal information and are responsible for keeping this trust by whatever means appropriate. I now want to stress the importance of cyber security not just for individuals and juridical entities but for the entire nation holistically. Protection against cyber threats: In today’s digital age, cyber threats like hacking, data breaches, and identity theft are becoming more prevalent. Implementing robust cyber security measures helps protect us from these threats. Safeguarding sensitive information: Cyber security also helps protect sensitive information such as personal data, financial details and intellectual property. This is crucial for maintaining privacy and preventing unauthorized access or misuse of information. Maintaining trust, reputation, and credibility: Cyber security is essential for building trust with customers, clients, and partners. Organizations can maintain a positive reputation and avoid potential legal and financial consequences by committing to protecting their data and privacy. Compliance with regulations: Many industries have specific regulations and standards regarding data protection and privacy. Compliance with these regulations is not only important for avoiding penalties but also for ensuring ethical practices and responsible handling of data. Business continuity: Cyber attacks can disrupt operations, leading to financial losses, reputational damage, and even business closure. Implementing effective cyber security measures helps minimize these risks and ensures business continuity. Finally, I want to end by being deliberately redundant in stating that cyber security is crucial for protecting individuals, organizations, and society from the growing threat landscape in the digital world. Cyber attackers are on the prowl; we must be alert to the possibility of attack, ready even now to implement measures to effectively counter-act or prevent the same. The post The importance of cyber security appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Oil prices jump as Hamas attack on Israel fuels supply fears
Oil prices rallied while the dollar and yen advanced Monday after Hamas launched a shock attack on Israel at the weekend, sparking fresh concerns about tensions in the Middle East. The crisis fanned concerns about supplies of crude from the region at a time when supply worries are already high owing to Saudi Arabia and Russia's output cuts. It has also renewed fears about the impact on inflation, with energy costs a key driver of spiking prices, giving a fresh headache to central banks as they try to ease up on interest rate hikes to avoid recessions. The surprise attack and Israel's declaration of war in response to it have left more than 1,000 dead and raised concerns that a potential broadening of the conflict could draw in the United States and Iran. "Key for markets is whether the conflict remains contained or spreads to involve other regions, particularly Saudi Arabia," said ANZ Group's Brian Martin and Daniel Hynes. "Initially at least, it seems markets will assume the situation will remain limited in scope, duration, and oil-price consequences. But higher volatility can be expected." Both main contracts surged more than five percent in early Asian business before easing back as the day wore on. However, SPI Asset Management's Stephen Innes warned: "Historical analysis suggests that oil prices tend to experience sustained gains after the Middle East crises. "Meanwhile, stocks tend to eventually recover and trend higher after an initial period of volatility. Safe-haven assets like gold and Treasurys, which initially see gains during such crises, tend to fade from their initial price spikes as the situation stabilizes. "But with Middle East analysts considering this to be a pivotal moment for Israel, the view looks incendiary in any current scenario." A decidedly risk-off mood also saw investors push into the safety of the dollar, which was up against the pound and euro, as well as the Australian and New Zealand dollars. The yen, considered one of the safest currencies, strengthened against the greenback, though it still remains locked around 11-month lows. Gold, another key haven, gained more than one percent. Equity markets were mixed, with Shanghai dropping on its first day back after a week-long holiday as investors continue to fret over the stuttering Chinese economy. There were also losses in Mumbai, Singapore, Manila, Bangkok and Wellington, though Hong Kong rose as it opened in the afternoon, having been closed in the morning owing to a typhoon. Sydney and Jakarta eked out gains. Tokyo was closed for a holiday. London edged up at the open while Paris and Frankfurt were lower. The tepid performance came despite a rally on Wall Street, where traders welcomed data showing a forecast-busting jump in new jobs but wage growth slowing. The "Goldilocks" figures -- neither too strong nor too weak -- lifted optimism the world's top economy can avoid a recession even as the Federal Reserve keeps rates elevated. Still, there are worries the bank will hike one more time before the end of the year, with officials determined to bring inflation to heel and keep it at their two percent target. Key figures around 0715 GMT West Texas Intermediate: UP 3.5 percent at $85.69 per barrel Brent North Sea crude: UP 3.1 percent at $87.23 per barrel Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: UP 0.4 percent at 17,552.01 Shanghai - Composite: DOWN 0.4 percent at 3,096.92 (close) London - FTSE 100: UP 0.3 percent at 7,518.16 Tokyo - Nikkei 225: Closed for a holiday Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.0540 from $1.0588 on Friday Pound/dollar: DOWN at $1.2195 from $1.2234 Dollar/yen: DOWN at 149.15 yen from 149.30 yen Euro/pound: DOWN at 86.49 pence from 86.52 pence New York - Dow: UP 0.9 percent at 33,407.58 (close) (Bloomberg News contributed to this story) The post Oil prices jump as Hamas attack on Israel fuels supply fears appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Why being slapped by Maricel Soriano is a dream for Pinoy actors
Maricel Soriano inevitably became the recipient of tribute-like statements from her costars at the recent media conference for the psychological drama series Linlang, which premiered last Thursday, 5 October, on Prime Video. [caption id="attachment_194585" align="aligncenter" width="788"] MARICEL Soriano[/caption] The 58-year-old actress, called the Diamond Star in recognition of her illustrious career in Philippine movies that began in her childhood, made lasting impressions on younger colleagues Kim Chiu, Paulo Avelino, JM de Guzman and Kaila Estrada, as well as on an older castmate, Ruby Ruiz, while shooting the series. “She’s the Diamond Star for a reason,” Estrada exclaimed. Nodding, De Guzman said, “Naging challenge sa ’kin pagka magka-eksena kami. Nanonood ako sa kanya kasi sobrang galing. Nadadala ako sa scene (It became a challenge to be in a scene with her. She’s so good. I get carried away).” Avelino summed up his feelings for his senior co-star with “napakaraming respeto at paghanga (So much respect and admiration).” Soriano, who’s also called Inay by people close to her, just played it cool, even cracking jokes. “Wala bang cash?’ Puro na lang salita ang natatanggap ko (No cash? I only get good words),” she quipped. Accolades But the accolades kept pouring in, this time about how she can make a slapping scene so realistic that a fellow award-winning actress once said she literally saw stars after being slapped by Soriano. Chiu revealed that she has at least one slapping scene with Soriano in Linlang, which tackles marital infidelity and other forms of deception. “Sobra po akong natigalgal. Siyempre, di ba, pangarap ’yun ng isang artista na masampal ni Inay. Bucket list naming lahat ’yun. Bucket list, check! Ang lala! Baseball! (I was stunned. It’s every actor’s dream to get slapped by Inay. It’s in our bucket list. Mine is so strong, like being hit by a baseball).” Soriano then explained, “Mahirap kasing i-fake ’yun. Kailangang maramdaman ’yung galit ng nanay (It’s difficult to fake the emotions. I have to let out a mother’s anger).” In the story, she’s the mother of both De Guzman and Avelino’s characters. Chiu, on the other hand, plays the woman who comes between the two brothers. Ruiz, who takes on the role of Chiu’s grandmother, noted that Soriano gave “sobrang totoo n’yang emosyon (all-too-real emotions) in that slapping scene. Napakahusay ng pag-arte. Parang hindi umaarte (excellent acting, like not acting at all).” She expressed her fervent wish to work with Soriano again. “Hindi lang sampal ang gusto ko sa kanya. Umaatikabong acting (It’s not just a slap I want to get from her, but also the highest level of acting). Kung meron akong hindi malilimutan, ’yung friendship na nabuo namin ni Miss Maricel Soriano (If there’s one thing I won’t forget, it’s the friendship I’ve made with Miss Maricel Soriano).” Beyond the Diamond Star tag and image, Soriano is loved for her maternally caring ways, hence the pet name Inay. As De Guzman put it, “Parang nanay s’ya po talaga sa set. Inaalagaan n’ya po kami (She’s really like a mom on the set. She takes care of us).” Soriano herself gave examples of how she takes care of her wards, such as putting on baby powder and towel on their backs to avoid getting soaked by sweat. “Masaya ako, kaya looking forward ako na pumunta sa set nang maaga. Inaantay ko sila, ‘Anong latest? Naghahanap ako ng latest (I’m happy, that’s why I look forward to coming to set early. I wait for them, and then ask, ‘What’s the latest news?’).” Generous According to Chiu, “Very generous si Inay. Ang dami n’yang binibigay sa ’min, lalo na ’ko kasi magka-paa kami. So ang dami-dami ko nang sapatos na mamahalin galing kay Inay (She gives us a lot of stuff. I now have so many expensive shoes that were given by Inay).” Also, “Ang dami n’ya parating pagkain sa kuwarto n’ya, so pupunta lang kami do’n, tapos magkukuwentuhan kami and chikahan, gano’n (She has so much food in her room. We just go there and chat).” “Ang galing lang na makatrabaho ang isang (It’s great to work with) Maricel Soriano na ang tagal-tagal na sa industriya pero (who’s been in the business for so long, yet is so) down-to-earth and very accommodating to help ’yung mga artista na katulad namin (other actors like us),” Chiu added. For his part, Avelino said he takes the initiative to remind new actors, when they get the chance to work with Soriano, to a least introduce themselves, say hi and show respect to a much-esteemed pillar of the industry. The post Why being slapped by Maricel Soriano is a dream for Pinoy actors appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DBM denies new procurement rules prevented renewal of Philhealth’s antivirus software
PhilHealth's failure to renew its subscription for an antivirus software was due to its own procurement management decision and not the new government procurement rules, the Department of Budget and Management clarified on Thursday. Earlier this week, the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. said it failed to renew its antivirus software licenses last year, making its computer system outdated and vulnerable to cyberattacks. The delay, it claimed, was due to new government procurement rules from the Government Procurement Policy Board. In a statement, DBM stated that the Government Procurement Policy Board's Resolution No. 05-2022, which Santos cited as the cause of the failure, applies only to online subscriptions where there is no locally available provider and can only be purchased directly online using a credit card. DBM added that a locally available provider pertains to any supplier or distributor, whether local or foreign, authorized to do business in the Philippines. "As PhilHealth earlier stated, they have an existing subscription for an antivirus software. This means that they have an existing contract with a locally available supplier, which means that the cited GPPB Resolution will not apply," DBM said. "Hence, PhilHealth is authorized to conduct Public Bidding or adopt any of the alternative methods of procurement, as may be applicable, depending on their project requirements, or, at their option, avail the Guidelines on the Renewal of Regular and Recurring Services issued through GPPB Resolution No. 06-2022," the department added. DBM underscored that the decision on the project requirements and procurement modality to be adopted is based on the procurement management decision of PhilHealth as the procuring entity. It added that the procurement rules, particularly the modalities available, are not limiting and are designed to enable the adoption of the most appropriate modality given the requirements of the procuring entity, which they themselves set in their Bidding Documents. "Rest assured that the communication lines of the GPPB are always open for our colleagues in government, as well as our other stakeholders, should they have questions or needed information for purposes of clarification to avoid similar confusion," DBM said. "We also conduct procurement trainings, similar to what we have been providing Philhealth, for various national government agencies, GOCCs and other institutions, to help equip their personnel with the relevant and necessary skills and knowledge in procuring goods and services," it added. The post DBM denies new procurement rules prevented renewal of Philhealth’s antivirus software appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
MSMEs’ digital shift needs collaboration
The global Covid-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted the micro, small and medium enterprises, or MSMEs, with the economic shocks reverberating worldwide. However, the pandemic also saw an unprecedented focus on the struggling sector. Despite being diminutive in size, MSMEs make up for the shortcoming with their sheer volume, making them a source of significant contributions to the local economy. The latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed MSMEs comprised 99.52 percent of total businesses in the country, or over 998,342 Filipino enterprises delivering goods and services daily. “In the fast-paced business landscape, MSMEs are facing increased pressure to apply digital technology on their operations to remain competitive and even upscale,” Dino Velasco, the senior vice president and institutional segment marketing head at Union Bank of the Philippines, said in an interview with the Daily Tribune’s digital show Business Sense. “The Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated this trend, with businesses across the globe, regardless of size, rapidly adopting digitalization to survive and thrive in the so-called new normal,” he added. UnionBank ceded it could not take the whole task by itself. It needed to partner with stakeholders to address the enormity of the challenge. Foremost in the task is the geography of the Philippines with 7,641 islands which are broadly categorized in three main geographical divisions from north to south. Some of these islands are off-grid, which requires powering up first before they can be connected digitally and served by traditional financing facilities, like UnionBank. “We also do understand and accept the fact that we cannot do it alone. For us at UnionBank, it’s very important to work with partners and we do have partners both in the technology space and in the brick-and-mortar space that allow us to expand or reach even further. Going beyond the 80 percent of the population that are connected and reach the other 20 percent off-grid,” Velasco added. Looking at the Philippine financial landscape, the fintech space has evolved, with telcos, power providers and distributors, money business services, logistics, and others, who are present in off-grid communities as part of the whole-of-nation approach to achieving financial inclusion. Velasco went on, “We continue to partner with these vital stakeholders so that we can provide and extend our financial services to the markets in those areas.” GlobalLinker The greatest hurdles to the successful adoption of digital technology among MSME is overcoming the lack of expertise and good practices, and the associated costs. For a broader uptake of digital tools for these sectors, there needs to be more widely available standardized and even ready templates that the MSMEs can use like a plug-and-play setup. These ready templates would help avoid the appearance of costly and complicated tools and potentially enhance the opportunities for MSMEs to achieve sustainability. “That has always been the challenge for technology, not just for banking, but a lot of industries. How do we educate the more senior segment of the population,” Velasco replied when queried on how to educate MSMEs to embrace digital tools to advance sustainability. Velasco added: “What works is to educate the influencers for that more senior population of the segment. A lot of the small businesses today have in the past, involved other members of the family in running their businesses and they become part of educating those who are trying to use technology for the first time. We noticed that we can adapt that strategy by involving these family members who influence the other members, especially those who are already digitally savvy.” In addition, UnionBank has launched the Global Linker, an online platform designed for e-Commerce that allows users or MSMEs to create their website, while also offering them the opportunity to manage their inventories and link up with other merchants, suppliers, and even resellers. The UnionBank GlobalLinker is a digital SME online platform that aims to digitize SMEs in the country. To create trade fairs and online marketplaces for Filipinos all over the country, we are dedicated to the digital education of all Filipino SMEs. Velasco explained that after creating their website through GlobalLinker, the merchants are now accessible to potential clients “wherever there may be, here or outside the Philippines.” “Imagine if you are an exporter from the Philippines and you have a potential client from India. Because of GlobalLinker, you can communicate with each other and ensure that the goods and services can be ordered and delivered to your client overseas. More importantly, this e-Commerce site is equipped with the necessary tools in ways by which customers can settle or pay digitally,” he said. Velasco continued, “And if you are using our MSME Business Banking app, you can transact overseas and pay someone using Swift (code). Basically, the GlobalLinker is business networking for MSMEs and startups.” Mobile app introduced In the age of a growing demand for digital presence, Velasco said it goes unsaid that UnionBank sees the need for digital technology as a critical tool for MSMEs that want to grow or expand. “What we’re focusing on is to feature our MSME Mobile Business Banking App that we developed to answer the needs of our customers from beginning to end,” Velasco said. “Meaning end-to-end from the time a small business owner needs to apply for an account to the time when they need to manage their businesses. Using the app right solely instead of going to other channels where they need to get out of their offices and go to the branch.” The UnionBank mobile app aims to educate its users to allow the app to let “everything happen while they’re using the app or the platform.” The app also aims to create solutions for the users, like the QR code feature to allow merchants to accept payments from their customers. “It is really an end-to-end feature from account opening to transferring funds, to paying suppliers to accept payments from their customers and up to even applying for a loan facility,” Velasco added. The mobile app is something UnionBank wants to make available in the hands of its customers by simply accessing the mobile banking app for MSMEs. Necessary journey It is no longer a choice for MSMEs. Digitalization is now a necessary journey that all MSMEs must embrace to survive and succeed. Using digital technology may save significant costs for the MSMEs, while at the same time enhancing their operations, sales, marketing, and presence. A digitized MSME may also see increased productivity and efficiency, and improved customer service. But digitalization also comes with several challenges, including technological know-how, funding, and even data security. UnionBank of the Philippines is offering several platforms to solve these challenges. All you have to do is click and download their digital platform offerings. UnionBank is committed to helping MSMEs achieve their digital transformation goals, with their expertise and cost-effective solutions. The post MSMEs’ digital shift needs collaboration appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
New mission: BuCor reform
Following his tenure as chief of staff in the Armed Forces of the Philippines in 2015, retired four-star General Gregorio Pio Catapang chose to settle in Pampanga. Here, he embraced a simpler life as a farmer, relishing in the delights of native chicken, fresh produce, and the serene natural surroundings. “I am an environmentalist, so I decided to stay in Arayat, Pampanga, to be a farmer upon my retirement in October 2015, and I prayed, ‘Lord, it has been mission accomplished, so give me a new mission,’” Catapang narrated. The former military chief, the AFP’s 45th from July 2014 to 2015, is not a stranger to close encounters with mortality. Throughout his extensive service in the Philippine Army, from graduating from the Philippine Military Academy in 1981, he has endured several clashes with enemies, even more than one could count with the fingers. He held major positions in the AFP as commander of the 2nd Infantry Division — the Army’s largest unit, 7th Infantry (Kaugnay) Division, 703 Infantry Brigade, and 28th Infantry Brigade, among others. He also served as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, J3, of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. His rise to prominence was not without hitches because he barely survived nine brushes with death. His strong faith in the Lord enabled him to be alive today. “The first incident that I encountered that almost ended my life was when I fell from the second floor of our house when I was just a kid; the second was when I was in the field where a provincial bus liner rammed the car I was in,” Catapang said. He was airlifted from Basa Airbase to V. Luna General Hospital and eventually transferred to Quezon City Medical City as he continued to bleed due to his severe injuries. “The doctor told me not to sleep because I might turn into a coma. So I fight on as the doctors continue to treat me,” he added. While still recovering, with his facial wounds still not yet fully healed, he was called by his commander to report back to work. “Nakangiwi pa ako dahil sa sugat (I was still grimacing in pain), but as a soldier, I followed the order, and that was then I realized that he was teaching me how to become chief of staff,” Catapang said, adding that as a good soldier, he had to endure the pain. He recalled that a chopper ride in the mountains of Cagayan also nearly took his life as it flew at 1,000 feet and traveled 18 knots. “The chopper is already old. I just have to make the sign of the cross as the chopper made a low-altitude flight due to poor visibility. We plunged downward, and I thought it was the end for me. But thankfully, the chopper normalized, and we safely landed,” he said. While in a restaurant in Angeles, Pampanga, Catapang said he was informed that NPA (New People’s Army) rebels would ambush him. “We ate at a chicken restaurant in Angeles and received information that I would be ambushed on returning to our camp. It was retaliation for the death of eight commanders of the NPA after movement patterns were detected based on information from barangay chairpersons,” he said. He cannot forget, too, that during the Pinatubo eruption in 1991, the roof of the building they were occupying collapsed due to the accumulated volcanic ash. Catapang, named after two generals — Gregorio del Pilar and Pio del Pilar — led his soldiers in helping the indigenous peoples in the area, giving them food, clothing, and other necessities. “The natives very loved us because of that,” he added. He said he is thankful to have emerged victorious and alive from the all-out war against Muslim secessionists in Mindanao. It almost ended his life, but he survived with solid faith in the Lord. Throughout his life, he consistently believed that prayers are always answered, particularly when reciting the rosary. Proof was when he fervently prayed to the Lord to allow him to marry his first girlfriend, and his request was granted. He married Maria Lourdes and has three children. Catapang’s early life lacked the excitement it later encompassed. He was a typical teenager. He attended high school at the Claret School of Quezon City. Shortly after graduating from PMA, he pursued graduate courses at the University of the Philippines. He is the second of four children of Gregorio Catapang Sr., a lawyer for the Securities and Exchange Commission, and Lourdes Punzalan, an accountant at the Department of Finance, from whom he learned the value of public service. As a military officer, Catapang rallied the troops to strictly adhere to the AFP’s slogan of “Kawal DISIPLINADO, bawal ABUSADO, dapat ASINTADO” — three key words that spell out the Do’s and DON’T’s to become proficient in fire and maneuver and avoid collateral damage; be respectful of human rights, adhere to international humanitarian law and the rule of law, and the rules of engagement. Catapang moved on with his career and retirement life, carrying an excellent performance standard, exemplary leadership and a keen vision. Answered post-retirement prayer After retiring from active military service spanning 34 years, he received a divine blessing through a new mission. Following seven years of working as a farmer, he experienced a life-altering moment on the evening of October 19, 2021. Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla gave him an offer to lead the Bureau of Corrections. Unaware of the challenges that awaited him within the BuCor, especially at the New Bilibid Prison, he accepted the offer. It was only later that he discovered the appalling issues of corruption among the prison staff and the dire condition of the overcrowded facilities. Under the guidance of Secretary Remulla, Catapang’s mission to reform the BuCor is yielding positive results. They are actively organizing culminating activities to release eligible individuals who have been deprived of their liberty. To alleviate the overcrowding in the jail facilities, the BuCor is actively organizing and implementing various reforms. The main goal is to transfer all persons deprived of liberty from the maximum security compound of the NBP to new facilities outside of Metro Manila. Catapang is confident plans will come to fruition, as they have already presented their long-term reform plan to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for approval. “At present, the reformation of BuCor is in full swing. I am confident we will accomplish and make things happen,” he said. The NBP, he said, is undergoing a significant transformation. The plan is to shut down the NBP in Muntinlupa and repurpose the area into a new business district similar to Bonifacio Global City in the southern part of Metro Manila. Explaining the reason behind the decision, he said high-end residential communities surround the current location of the NBP in Muntinlupa. To align with the surrounding environment, the intention is to close down the NBP and relocate all inmates to regional jail facilities nationwide. Catapang shared plans to dedicate eight hectares of land within the NBP to improve the living conditions of the settlers and provide them with opportunities for reintegration into society. “We will build condominium units for the settlers at the NBP, complete with amenities like a swimming pool, multipurpose facilities, and the like. Repair of residential houses is no longer possible, including power lines, so we decided to allocate the lands for them,” he added. The government will optimally use the land area by developing it into a business and government center, aligning with the DoJ’s plan. To support the food security initiatives of the President, he said they have already started the cultivation of approximately 10 hectares of land at the Iwahig Penal Colony. The aim is to grow rice and high-yield crops, contributing to the government’s long-term food security plans. “Hopefully, this will be done also to other penal farms of BuCor because we have ample lands for cultivation,” Catapang said. For the BuCor Director General who refused to be defined by limitations and setbacks, the relentless spirit and passion for reforms radiate triumphs against the most formidable odds. The post New mission: BuCor reform appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Fools in suits
When a ranking Department of Agriculture official was asked in a recent Congress hearing what steps the agency had taken to break the rice cartel, he replied that he did not believe that a “mafia” existed. Coming from a high DA official, the statement revealed that nothing was being done to stop the syndicate that everyone in the industry knows about since, to the authorities, it does not exist. In the reenacted Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016, smuggling, hoarding, profiteering, and forming cartels for agricultural and fishery products are considered economic sabotage and are non-bailable offenses for which a long jail term could be meted out. The strengthened law, however, lacks strong teeth against government officials who are in cahoots or protect the syndicates. Contained in the proposed bill is a provision indicating that any government officer or employee found to be an accomplice in the commission of the crime will “suffer the additional penalties of perpetual disqualification from holding public office, exercising the right to vote, from participating in any public election, and forfeiture of employment monetary and financial benefits.” The bill is pending in both houses of Congress. With the slow grind of justice in the country, a public official looking for a fast buck will not hesitate to risk his job in exchange for a huge payback. The recent series of events showed the markets are being manipulated by the big players in the sugar, vegetable and rice businesses. These syndicates are known to be deeply entrenched due to their connections with government bigwigs who facilitate their domination of the markets either through edicts or the use of public resources. In the most ridiculous situation, the recent spike in onion prices was found to be artificial since farmers were even throwing away their harvests because of low farmgate prices, thus there was no reason for prices to surge. Later, it was exposed in a congressional hearing that a cartel had succeeded in manipulating the onion market to create a condition that would require its importation, from which its members would make a killing. The warehouse and storage facilities are controlled by the mafia which makes it easy to create artificial conditions to which the market reacts by raising retail prices. The ultimate goal is to coax the government to allow importation from suppliers in overseas markets that are also flooded with the commodity, The cartel rakes in profits from both the high markup and the kickbacks from the overseas suppliers desperate to sell their surplus. The woeful victims are the Filipino farmers whom the cartel boxes out of the market. In extreme cases, these farmers just throw away their harvest since they cannot afford to transport their products without the middlemen who are also in the pocket of the cartel. The same goes for the rice industry, where the market was manipulated for a different reason, which was to kill the rice tariffication law that kicked the National Food Authority out of the import business. Rice prices then surged to as high as P56 a kilo, which pushed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to impose price ceilings. The NFA used to have a monopoly on importation, but that resulted in acrimonious confrontations at the apex of government. The tariffication law, in turn, opened importation to all grain traders and relegated the NFA to buying rice from local farmers. Under the new anti-smuggling bill which has the endorsement of Mr. Marcos, an Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Council headed by the President or his designated permanent representative will be formed. The proposed body will have the power to investigate and file charges, as well as freeze violators’ funds, properties, bank deposits, placements, trust accounts, assets and records. The creation of the body looks good on paper but in the real world, it might just add another layer of bureaucracy and source of corruption unless the cartel, which DA officials claim does not exist, is dismantled. Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile has a simple solution for breaking the cartel, which is for the government to confiscate all the rice overstock and let the owners of the warehouses prove that their huge inventory is legitimate. Such a move would prompt the traders to release more rice into the market to avoid confiscation. The imposition of the price cap on rice indicated that the prices are artificial since the markets are now selling at lower than the manipulated prices despite conditions being constant. An expected bumper harvest is also prompting the prices to go back to normal, after the attempt of the cartel to create a price shock to support their effort to return to the old ways. To know the real situation, President Marcos goes out of his way to see what is on the ground. His underlings, particularly at the Department of Agriculture, should do better. The post Fools in suits appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
How to Avoid Work-From-Home Scams
There are lots of websites with tempting offers of quick and easy money working from home. But in reality, they’re likely to be from scammers looking to get gullible users to work for them for free and advertise their “business.” This article from Kaspersky demonstrates the operation principle of several such schemes and gives tips […].....»»
CdO, my second home
Cagayan de Oro City is fast turning out to be no different from other fast developing metropolises. Quotidian concerns like horrendous traffic, crime, political maneuverings (with the Barangay/Sangguniang Kabataan Elections barely a month away), bickering in the Sangguniang Panlungsod, and similar problems of an urban area are common. A year has passed since the new leadership of the city took over, but we don’t see the problems abating. With a full plate before them, the administrators must work double time before their terms of office expire. When the pandemic struck, we sort of evacuated to and settled in the city. It is now a second home to us after our house in Marawi was bombed and ransacked during the 2017 siege (I still have to file my claim for compensation before the Marawi Compensation Board as provided by law). We were a constant visitor to the city and are familiar with its geography. It has always been a choice weekend hideaway of Maranaws of Marawi and as a law practitioner I have cases in courts in the city. But now, I need assistance in navigating its labyrinthine traffic. Thanks to modernity and the Waze app which maps our way to our destination. Still, I feel like a stranger adjusting to life in the city. The main attraction of the city for a golfer like me are the golf courses. Good thing they have courses like Pueblo de Oro which is a championship course, a second-rate military golf course in Patag, Camp Evangelista, and the Del Monte Golf Course — a 30-minute drive from the city, home of golf legends Celestino Tugot and Frankie Minoza. These golf courses were the overpowering magnet that pulled me to settle here, in addition to the fact that many members of my immediate family already lived here. From my vantage position, here are some of the problems I have observed that need attention. Traffic is getting worse. I experience regularly Edsa-like traffic from going my place, Xavier Estates, to the golf course, which I could navigate in two minutes. Unfortunately, there are schools along the road causing monstrous traffic. But we avoid that by teeing off at early dawn to escape the snarl of vehicles. The principal stretch they call Masterson has regular bumper-to-bumper traffic in the morning and late afternoon when office workers’ vehicles fill the street. Yes, I notice uniformed traffic aides managing the flow of vehicles, but they are not enough. A daylight robbery in the heart of the commercial hub of the city has residents worried about their security and peace. Robbers got away with about P9 million. Public and commercial establishment are on their toes because of what happened. The daring robbery has exposed the weak security infrastructure of the city. Residents are asking what happened to the much-publicized installation of 50 traffic lights and 80 closed-circuit television or CCTV cameras in strategic spots at a budget of about P93.5 million over a decade ago. It has been kaput since 2012 and has not been attended to nor repaired. The winning bidder for the project was nowhere to be found after completion of the traffic and security infrastructure. Now the city government is toying with the idea of requiring public establishments to install CCTV cameras within their premises before they are issued a permit to operate. In fact, the Department of the Interior and Local Government has issued a memorandum circular directing local governments “to pass ordinances mandating all business owners to install CCTVs.” The circular allows for the meting out of “penalties for non-compliant business establishments and grants local chief executives the authority to revoke, refuse to renew or grant permits to establishments for non-compliance.” Problems of this nature come with the march of Cagayan de Oro towards progress and development, being the corridor of northern Mindanao. And this column is optimistic that its new mayor is up to the challenges of his stewardship. *** amb_mac_lanto@yahoo.com The post CdO, my second home appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
QC house inspections’ lapses slammed
Two Quezon City Councilors, Banjo Pilar and Vic Bernardo, both from the 6th District took the City Council’s privilege hour to deliver their own observations on the devastating fires that hit their jurisdictions recently. Pilar, in his privileged speech, brought up the lapses in inspecting houses in subdivision and villages where some residents misdeclared their address as residential but turned it into commercial use. “The house where 15 people perished in that bloody fire has been registered as an office only for RTW Retailer. Last 14 August 2023. But it was actually an MGC Warehouse whose initials are the name of the owner Michael Cavilte who died along with his wife and 3-year-old daughter Scarlette,” Pilar stressed. “Let this serve as a lesson to businessmen, who tried to hoodwink our local laws and ordinances. A lesson also for our people who should do their job properly,” Pilar said referring to the Business Permit and Licensing Department as well as the local Bureau of Fire Protection. He added that while the city boasted of fast and speedy approval of business permits, “inspection seemed like moving in snail phase, letting this tragic incident.” “We should transform our tools. Tapped out barangay officials to check their turf, to avoid similar incidents,” Pilar urged his colleagues. Bernardo for his part pointed to a gated community whose key custodians could not be located in case of emergency. “This was what happen in Culiat where over 200 ISF families loose their houses,” Bernardo said. The post QC house inspections’ lapses slammed appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
2 QC dads deplore lapses in recent fire incidents
Two Quezon city Councilors, Banjo Pilar and Vic Bernardo, both from the city's 6th District, took the City Council's privilege hour to discuss the devastating fires that hit their jurisdictions recently. In his privilege speech, Pilar brought up the lapses in the inspection of houses in subdivisions and villages, where some residents allegedly misdeclared their addresses as residential but were in fact used for commercial purposes. "The house where 15 people perished in that bloody fire has been registered as an office only for RTW Retailer last August 14, 2023. But it was actually an MGC Warehouse whose initials are the name of the owner, Michael Cavilte," who died along with two other family members, said Pilar. "Let this serve as a lesson to businessmen who try to hoodwink our local laws and ordinances. A lesson also for our people who should do their job properly," Pilar said, referring to the Business Permit and Licensing Department as well as the local Bureau of Fire Protection. He added that while the city boasted of fast and speedy approval of business permits, inspection seemed to move at a snail's pace, leading to this tragic incident. "We should transform our tools, tap out barangay officials to check their turf to avoid similar incidents," Pilar urged his colleagues. Bernardo, for his part, pointed to gated communities whose key custodians could not be located in case of emergency. "This was what happen in Culiat where over 200 ISF (informal settler families) lost their houses," Bernardo said. The lapses the two aldermen brought up were noted by Vice Mayor Gian Sotto, who presided the council session and instructed Majority Floor Leader Councilor Doray Delarmente to start a probe into the incidents. The post 2 QC dads deplore lapses in recent fire incidents appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Adverse price ceiling outcome feared
Business groups and a former agriculture chief welcomed the rice price ceilings that will take effect on Tuesday, but they are worried it could encourage rice smuggling and may result in a supply shortage. “The price cap is understandable as the global supply is tight and rice prices have risen,” Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry president George Barcelon told DAILY TRIBUNE in a phone interview on Saturday. Barcelon, however, cautioned more smugglers might avoid regulations as import taxes are higher than the government-ordered price caps: P41 per kilo for regular milled rice and P45 per kilo for well-milled rice. Rice prices in the country surged by at least 10 percent to P62 per kilo after India banned exports of its non-Basmati white rice, triggering price hikes in the world’s other top rice exporters Vietnam and Thailand. AP Securities said both countries supply 90 percent of Philippine rice imports. The Rice Tariffication Law imposes a 35 percent rate on imports from Southeast Asian nations but removes the quota on import volumes. The law’s author Sen. Cynthia Villar said proceeds from the tariffs are invested in the acquisition of farm equipment and skills development among local farmers to boost their production. With the higher tariff rate and rice price ceilings, Barcelon said more legitimate rice importers might opt not to sell to the Philippines, causing a shortage of the commodity in the country. Supply shortages feared While the price cap on rice will help cease arbitrage and undue padding of margins, Albay Rep. Joey Salceda underlined the adverse effects of the price ceiling, like supply shortages. The post Adverse price ceiling outcome feared appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Canada wildfires inflict brutal toll on tourism, other areas of economy
Joanna Schlosser found refuge from advancing wildfires at a winery where she works, but is now dealing with a tourism downturn and other wide-ranging fallout on the business -- and Canada's economy. An inferno jumped Okanagan Lake and was barreling down hills behind her Kelowna home when a knock on the door woke up the family of five, ordering them to leave immediately. For two weeks, they stayed at a guest house at Quails' Gate winery with other evacuees, some of whom lost their homes. About 200 houses in the valley would be destroyed. "Your home is your biggest investment and with only five minutes to get out you start to reel about things you left behind that you might not ever see again," Schlosser told AFP. She also fretted about the grape harvest now underway. None of the 222 wineries in the region reported any direct fire damage. But they suffered a big drop in revenues as tourists stayed away during the peak month of August. Kelowna's airport and main highway closed temporarily. Tasting tours, weddings, and other events at the wineries were canceled. "We're now facing a pretty devastating season in terms of winery traffic and sales," said Schlosser. Across Canada, more than 15 million hectares (37 million acres) have been scorched, and 200,000 people displaced, spanning from Halifax on the Atlantic coast to parts of the Northwest Territories. Stephen Brown of Capital Economics noted that forest fires do not normally have a measurable impact on the Canadian economy. But this year, he said in a research note, "With the fires so widespread, we are seeing more of an impact than usual." "The worst Canadian wildfires on record appear to be behind much of the recent weakness in GDP and, with more areas now under evacuation orders, the data are likely to remain weak in the coming months," he said. Sun blocked, roads closed Statistics Canada on Friday reported a 0.2 percent contraction in the second quarter and a weak start to the third. It pointed to wildfire disruptions at mines and oil facilities. Lumber mills were also idled. Outfitters saw their livelihoods upended by fishing bans. A road to Tofino, a tourist hotspot on Vancouver Island with ancient forests and sandy beaches, was cut off. In the Okanagan Valley, orchards lamented smoke blocking out the sun delaying the ripening of apples. The toll, however, is "not as bad as it could have been," said Tony Stillo at Oxford Economics. "Even though the wildfires are record-setting, they're happening in more remote areas with less of an implication for large population or economic centers or transportation corridors -- things that would cut off supply lines," he explained. Disruptions have also been relatively short. Oxford Economics in a June report warned that wildfires could slash Canada's economic growth this year by as much as 0.3 to 0.6 percentage points. Firefighting costs rise Ottawa estimates the annual cost of fighting wildfires at Can$1 billion (US$737 million) and noted that, according to the Canadian Climate Institute, climate impacts such as more and bigger fires could halve Canada's projected economic growth in the coming years. By 2030, the average annual losses from disasters are forecast to reach Can$15.4 billion. Insurance losses have already jumped fivefold since 2009 to more than Can$2 billion annually, according to the Insurance Bureau of Canada. The bureau's Jason Clark said the number of catastrophic events and insurance payouts will continue to rise. Most worrying, he said, is that Canadians aren't dealing anymore with one localized disaster every few years or decades, but rather "several events stacked on top of each other in a single year" -- including fires, floods, heatwaves, and powerful storms. "Where countries regularly experience large losses it has a significant impact on insurance risk assessments and premiums," he said. "We need to be better prepared." Back at Quails' Gate, Schlosser assessed the smoke's impact on grapes, noting that the industry has developed mitigation techniques. "Sometimes it works quite well and others (the smoke taint) is just not something you can avoid," she said, adding that "sommeliers may talk about it in terms of terroir like it's part of that vintage." Smoke taint can add character to a wine, but also risks producing overpowering burnt or medicinal notes. The post Canada wildfires inflict brutal toll on tourism, other areas of economy appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Beyond labor costs
A restaurant’s success isn’t just about good food. People will come back when there is efficient and warm service born out of well-trained and happy employees. A Singaporean regional food chain revealed its formula for success. Tiong Bahru Philippines, the first overseas franchise of a popular Singaporean restaurant chain, believes that employees should be well taken care of as it would with loyal diners. Customers can sense that a company who focuses on employee needs are more worthy of their trust. This is reflected on the satisfactory level of service which will entice them for a repeat visit. Tiong Bahru Hainanese Chicken restaurant opened in the Philippines before the pandemic. Sales climbed up during the lockdowns because the roast chicken and Hainanese poached chicken with ginger, chili and hoisin sauces were not only healthy but also affordable. Today, a single order of the signature chicken and rice combo costs P295. The local franchise chain has since opened seven outlets, mostly in malls, and continues to expand. Tiong Bahru Hainanese Chicken restaurant merited the Michelin Big Gourmand Award for serving top-quality food at affordable prices. The foods such as the fish head curry and tofu with chili sauce are prepared onsite for freshness instead of being delivered from a commissary. Aside from a gastronomic feast, tasty dishes and attentive service, Tiong Bahru Philippines is earning a reputation for looking after its employees by surpassing compensation and benefits. In other establishments, employees don’t get paid nearly as much as they deserve. The meager pay can lead them to take on long hours just to make ends meet. This could result in burnout or an imbalance of work and personal life. Burnouts avoided This year, the management introduced a 14th-month pay for all employees, building upon last year’s addition of the 14th-month bonus. This incentive has become part of the employee package. Beginning 1 September, employees will be getting comprehensive insurance coverage of up to P60,000 per ailment and P20,000 for outpatient expenses. The staff in the dine-in section will receive an average monthly take-home pay of P25,000 inclusive of service charges. Bigger outlets such as the 150-square meter Tiong Bahru restaurant in Eastwood Mall will provide as much as P35,000 salary. The management believes that a healthy wage and an adequate benefits package will make the employees feel that they are valued. When a company provides for its employees, they will be more content. They will be motivated to be more productive and more dedicated to customer care. Attention to guests will, in turn, invite more business. Moreover, capable and reliable staffers can spread the word that Tiong Bahru Philippines has a caring culture because the staffers are given respect. The management creates a safe and healthy workplace both physically and psychologically to avoid accidents on the job and burnouts. To prevent work-related mental health issues, Tiong Bahru Philippines cultivates a wholesome atmosphere beyond health and safety policies. The management listens to the employees to understand their needs. In the end, employees have time for themselves, their family and financial security to pursue that work-life balance. The post Beyond labor costs appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PCCI: Use QR code for added travel needs
The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry suggested to the government on Sunday to create a digital platform for first-time travelers to prevent missed flights and airport congestion as officials plan to implement stricter immigration rules as a deterrent to human trafficking starting 3 September. In a phone interview with the Daily Tribune, PCCI president George Barcelon said the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking and appropriate government agencies should consider a QR code-based mechanism to obtain and verify data on first-time travelers faster. “There are 15,000 outbound flights daily and our airport systems are still inefficient. Airports are also not big enough to hold people in line for inspections and questioning by officials under the new policies,” Barcelon said. “The new policies are an additional layer of bureaucracy which we should avoid for an overall efficient travel experience,” he added. IACAT said first-time passengers include tourists, overseas Filipino workers or OFWs, and digital nomads. Tourists affected For tourists, IACAT may require their confirmed return or roundtrip tickets, proof of hotel booking, proof of financial capacity or source of income, proof of employment and other equivalent documents. For OFWs, officials may ask for their OFW Clearance issued by the Department of Migrant Workers, employment visa or work permit, and employment contract. However, for frequent travelers like business people, IACAT Undersecretary-in-Charge Nicholas Ty said they will be asked to present only the basic documents such as passports and plane tickets. However, Barcelon said the government should first conduct consultations with travelers to minimize disruption in flight services and create effective anti-trafficking measures. “They will be requiring additional documents. What would happen if first-time passengers forgot these documents? How can they fly as they may have to deal with matters abroad that are urgent or time-sensitive?” he said. Barcelon stressed there should be clear guidelines first on how the passengers and airport authorities will address such scenarios before implementing the new rules beginning 3 September. While Barcelon agreed with the government that human trafficking is a serious problem, he said the authorities should also instead intensify their intelligence activities so they can identify and detain suspects immediately for verification outside airports. “Out of 5 million human trafficking suspects, 3,000 have been arrested. It’s a serious problem but policies should not make things difficult for all passengers,” he said. “The government should tap technologies to prevent human trafficking and invest heavily in them,” he explained. The Bureau of Immigration said it recorded around 6,000 suspected victims of human trafficking, illegal recruitment, and misrepresentation from January to February this year alone. However, BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval said only 0.6 percent were removed from the plane for further investigations related to those cases. The post PCCI: Use QR code for added travel needs appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
SSS ‘RACE’ tags delinquent employers
The Social Security System on Sunday announced that it has conducted its Run After Contributing and Evaders campaign in Makati and Taguig over the weekend. In Makati, SSS issued Notices of Violations against eight delinquent employers from the Makati Central Business District. The erring employers incurred P6.64 million in delinquencies, which consist of P4.69 million in unpaid contributions and P1.95 million in penalties. These delinquencies affected 152 employees. The SSS said that among the violators in Makati flagged were in the management consultancy, store of household items and articles, wholesaler of miscellaneous consumer goods and business support services items. Among the eight delinquent employers, the Management Consultancy establishment incurred the highest contribution delinquency of P2.9 million. This includes P1.46 million in unpaid workers’ contributions. Based on SSS records, the establishment failed to remit security contributions of six employees from July 2011 to April 2023. In Taguig, SSS issued Notices of Violations against 10 delinquent employers. These employers incurred P5.37 million worth of unpaid contributions and P3.93 million of penalties. These delinquencies affected 136 employees. The SSS RACE campaign is being conducted to ensure that employers are complying with their obligation to remit the mandatory contributions of their employees. The SSS is urging all employers to remit their contributions on time and in full to avoid penalties. The post SSS ‘RACE’ tags delinquent employers appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»