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Data not compromised on PhilHealth cyberattack
The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation or PhilHealth on Wednesday maintained its claim that its members’ data was not compromised by the recent cyberattack on its system. In an interview with the DAILY TRIBUNE, PhilHealth spokesperson and senior vice president for Health Finance Policy Israel Pargas reiterated that their database remained “intact.” He, however, admitted that hackers behind the cyberattack accessed the data that were stored in the servers affected by the hacking. “We cannot verify that. It can be a possibility because again, checking our database, it is still intact. If we check the database, it appears that no data was compromised or leaked,” he said. “However, since our employees are also working with regard to our members and all, it could be true that there may be data stolen by these hackers. It is uncertain whether any data was stolen or not,” he added. On Tuesday night, the Department of Information and Communications Technology confirmed that the hackers have already started publishing PhilHealth employees’ data on the dark web. DICT Undersecretary Jeffrey Dy said the stolen data includes details on employees’ identification cards, memorandum, directives and hospital bills. The development came a day after the self-imposed deadline of the hackers on the government to pay a $300,000 ransom for the data expired. Dy said the information posted on the dark web could just be a “teaser” of what the hackers have stolen from the state-run health insurer’s system. At the same time, in an advisory, PhilHealth confirmed that some members’ personal information including names, addresses, dates of birth, sex, phone numbers, and PhilHealth identification numbers were compromised. The corporation said it is “working to notify all affected individuals directly.” The state-run health insurer also urged its members to take precautionary measures in light of the cyberattack on its system. “Monitor your credit reports for any unauthorized activity,” it said. Members were also encouraged to place a fraud alert on their credit reports and change their passwords for their online accounts, especially their financial accounts. Members were also advised to be wary of phishing emails and smishing text messages. No numbers Asked how many members were affected by the incident, Pargas said PhilHealth has yet to know the quantity of the data stolen by the hackers. “There might have been data that were compromised but we don’t have any numbers yet,” he said. In case PhilHealth members receive suspicious calls about their data, they may report it through phic.actioncenter2023@gmail.com or phic.dpo@gmail.com, he said. Online Meanwhile, the state-run health insurer said its website, member portal, e-claims, HCI portal, Electronic Premium Remittance System, and electronic PhilHealth Acknowledgment Receipt can now be accessed by the public and their partners. On 22 September, PhilHealth temporarily shut down its website and membership portal due to an “information security incident.” The post Data not compromised on PhilHealth cyberattack appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PhilHealth insists ‘no data was compromised’ amid cyberattack
The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation or PhilHealth on Wednesday maintained its claim that its members' data was not compromised by the recent cyberattack on its system. In an interview with Daily Tribune, PhilHealth spokesperson and Senior Vice President for Health Finance Policy Israel Pargas reiterated that their database remained “intact”. He, however, admitted that hackers behind the cyberattack accessed the data that were stored in the servers affected by the hacking. “We cannot verify that. It can be a possibility because again, checking our database, it is still intact. If we check the database, it appears that no data was compromised or leaked,” he said. “However, since our employees are also working with regard to our members and all, it could be true that there may be data stolen by these hackers. It is uncertain whether any data was stolen or not,” he added. On Tuesday night, the Department of Information and Technology confirmed that the hackers have already started publishing PhilHealth employees’ data on the dark web. DICT Undersecretary Jeffrey Dy said the stolen data includes details on employees' identification cards, memorandum, directives, and hospital bills. The development came a day after the self-imposed deadline of the hackers on the government to pay a $300,000 ransom for the data expired. Dy said the information posted on the dark web could just be a “teaser” of what the hackers have stolen from the state-run health insurer’s system. At the same time, in an advisory, PhilHealth confirmed that some members' personal information including names, addresses, dates of birth, sex, phone numbers, and PhilHealth identification numbers were compromised. The corporation said it is “working to notify all affected individuals directly.” The state-run health insurer also urged its members to take precautionary measures in light of the cyberattack on its system. “Monitor your credit reports for any unauthorized activity,” it said. Members were also encouraged to place a fraud alert on their credit reports and change their passwords for their online accounts, especially their financial accounts. Members were also advised to be wary of phishing emails and smishing text messages. No numbers Asked how many members were affected by the incident, Pargas said PhilHealth has yet to know the quantity of the data stolen by the hackers. “There might have been data that were compromised but we don’t have any numbers yet,” he said. In case PhilHealth members receive suspicious calls about their data, they may report it through phic.actioncenter2023@gmail.com or phic.dpo@gmail.com, he said. Online Meanwhile, the state-run health insurer said its website, member portal, e-claims, HCI portal, Electronic Premium Remittance System, and electronic PhilHealth Acknowledgment Receipt can now be accessed by the public and their partners. On September 22, PhilHealth temporarily shut down its website and membership portal due to an "information security incident." The post PhilHealth insists ‘no data was compromised’ amid cyberattack appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
U.S. speaker faces bipartisan pressure
United States House Speaker Kevin McCarthy is facing renewed pressure from both Democrats and Republican partymates after averting a federal government shutdown over the weekend with a 45-day stopgap funding law. US President Joe Biden on Sunday called on McCarthy to avoid another shutdown drama when the 45-day stopgap deal agreed on Saturday runs out. “I’m sick and tired of the brinksmanship,” Biden said, speaking from the Roosevelt Room at the White House. “The brinksmanship has to end. There shouldn’t be another crisis.” Biden made the call as he assured Ukraine that the US will not abandon it. An 11th-hour deal by Congress late Saturday contained no new war-time aid for Ukraine as part of a compromise between Republicans and Democrats. “I want to assure our American allies, the American people and the people in Ukraine that you can count on our support. We will not walk away,” Biden said in an address from the White House. Meanwhile, leading hardline Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz said Sunday he would move to oust McCarthy for striking the deal that was without the spending cuts demanded by the right-wing caucus. “I do intend to file a motion to vacate Speaker McCarthy this week,” Congressman Matt Gaetz told CNN. “I think we need to move on with new leadership that can be trustworthy,” Gaetz added, but acknowledging that the speaker may retain his post if Democrats bail him out. In addition to Democratic support, pro-McCarthy Republicans will work to prevent his ouster. Republican Mike Lawler told ABC’s “This Week” on Sunday that “the only responsible thing to do was to keep the government open and funded while we complete our work.” “By putting this motion to vacate on the floor, you know what Matt Gaetz is going to do? He’s going to delay the ability to complete that work over the next 45 days,” Lawler said. If Congress had failed to keep the government open, the closures would have begun just after midnight (0400 GMT Sunday) and would have delayed salaries for millions of federal employees and military personnel. Among other immediate effects, the majority of national parks would have been shuttered to the public from Sunday. The stopgap measure buys legislators time to negotiate full-year spending bills for the rest of fiscal 2024. WITH AFP The post U.S. speaker faces bipartisan pressure appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Cop, brother face kidnapping raps
Southern Police District Director Brig. Gen. Roderick Mariano ordered the filing of charges against a policeman and his brother who allegedly kidnapped and illegally detained a female Chinese national. The suspects who will be charged were identified as SSgt. Lordgrin Figueroa, 39, assigned at the Pasay Criminal Investigation and Detection Group; and his brother “Nelson,” 20, now detained at the police custodial facility. Charges for Illegal Detention, Robbery Extortion, violations of Republic Act 10591 (Comprehensive Law on Firearm and Ammunition) in relation to RA 7166 (Omnibus Election Code), Falsification of Public Documents, and Article 179 of the Revised Penal Code (Illegal Use of PNP Uniform). Reports showed the brothers were arrested on Sunday, 3 September at around 10:48 p.m. inside Qing Qing hotel located along Figueroa Street, Barangay 74, Pasay City. Mariano said the Pasay police, under the supervision of city police chief, Col. Froilan Uy, conducted a rescue operation for a 26-year-old female Chinese national who was allegedly detained by the suspects inside the hotel room. The suspects reportedly attempted to extort money amounting to P500,000 for her release. A friend of the victim, a 34-year-old Malaysian national, sought police assistance and reported the incident on September 4. He provided the Pasay police with a photo of the victim in handcuffs, a PNP ID belonging to a certain PMSG John Reggie Reyes, and text messages from the suspects demanding for the P500,000 ransom money. The rescue operation, Mariano said was immediately conducted, leading to the arrest of the suspects. Police recovered one 9mm Taurus with serial number TBW77621 a property of PNP, one magazine loaded with 14 live ammunition, a PNP ID, a wallet, 14 pieces of P1,000 bills, five assorted identification cards and three cellphones. Mariano said, as members of the PNP, they are committed to upholding the law and ensuring the safety and security of all citizens and visitors. The post Cop, brother face kidnapping raps appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Easier money transfers via PERA HUB mobile app, virtual card
PERA HUB, one of the country’s foremost consumer financial services providers, has launched a more enhanced and inclusive PERA HUB Mobile App with a new PERA HUB Virtual Card feature, which enables users to experience a fast and easy way to do remittances, cash and e-commerce transactions online without using any physical cards or having to go to a branch. With more Filipinos choosing digital-based solutions for their remittances and other cash-related services, PERA HUB aims to provide a broader range of channels and options for Filipinos to do their transactions anytime and anywhere. The PERA HUB Virtual Card serves as the main highlight of the new and improved mobile app. App features include sending or receiving Western Union domestic and international remittances; Interbank transfers to over 50 banks and e-wallets; Bills Payments with over 250 billers to choose from; Free PERA HUB to PERA HUB fund transfer; Cash-in via ECPay at over 15,000 partner locations nationwide; Cash-out at any of the 186 PERA HUB branches nationwide without additional charges; e-load and game credits; and affordable microinsurance. The enhanced PERA HUB Mobile App has a user-friendly interface where users can personalize their home dashboard and feature the services they always use and are interested in, so they can easily make transfers and keep track of their payments any time and receive or send money transfers instantly within minutes. Fast and easy It allows users to perform fast and easy PERA HUB to PERA HUB fund transfers by scanning their recipient’s unique PERA HUB Account QR code, saving contacts, and scheduling transfers for remittance and interbank transfers. The PERA HUB Virtual Card, powered by Visa, may also be used for Lazada, Shopee, Amazon and other local and international online shopping platforms. It is available for new and existing users with FREE registration for all via the app or via any of the 186 PERA HUB branches nationwide. “It has always been our priority to deliver innovative solutions for our customers. With the enhanced mobile app and the new PERA HUB Virtual Card feature, we want to create a digital experience that is inclusive for all so they always have access to convenient remittance and other financial services across different channels,” said PERA HUB president and chief executive officer Ian Ocampo. “There are Virtual Cards available in the market, but a challenger will always find a place, especially when it offers more relevant and customized solutions to address the remittance and other cash-related needs of the community it serves,” said assistant vice president for the PERA HUB Mobile App Mennie So. The post Easier money transfers via PERA HUB mobile app, virtual card appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘We are afraid’: Violence-hit Ecuador votes under heavy security
Heavily-armed security officers kept watch Sunday as Ecuadorans voted in a presidential election marked by the murder of a top candidate and despair over the lawlessness that has engulfed the once-peaceful nation. Polls closed after a tense day, with soldiers and police searching voters at the entry to polling stations, while some of the eight presidential candidates wore helmets and bulletproof vests to cast their ballots. The small South American country has in recent years become a staging for foreign drug mafias seeking to export cocaine, stirring up a brutal war between local gangs. The murder of serious presidential contender Fernando Villavicencio on the campaign trail less than two weeks before the vote underscored the challenges facing the country. "The most serious problem is insecurity," said voter Eva Hurtado, 40, as she left a polling station north of the capital Quito on Sunday morning. "So many crimes, assassinations, disappearances. We are afraid." "Security, above all the security of our families, of our people, must be improved," said public worker Luis Veloso, 52. Villavicencio's killing has reshuffled the electoral cards, with none of the eight contenders expected to get an absolute majority -- likely forcing a runoff on October 15. Ecuadorans voted for a successor to conservative leader Guillermo Lasso, who called a snap election to avoid an impeachment trial just two years after coming to power. - Lawyer, reporter, sniper - Leading the polls before Villavicencio's murder was Luisa Gonzalez, 45, a lawyer from the leftist party of former president Rafael Correa. Villavicencio, who was polling second before his murder, was replaced at the last last minute by a close friend, another journalist, Christian Zurita, who witnessed his gunning down. Hours ahead of the vote, Zurita said he was receiving death threats on social media. "The threats against my life and my team will not stop us, but they are forcing us to take greater security protocols," he wrote on X, formerly Twitter, adding that his party had alerted authorities and election observers. Political analysts say the candidate who has seen the biggest boost to his popularity is 40-year-old right-wing businessman Jan Topic. Nicknamed "Rambo," the former paratrooper and sniper with the French Foreign Legion has vowed to wipe out criminal gangs and build more prisons, emulating El Salvador's Nayib Bukele. While casting his ballot, Topic urged voters to elect "the candidate who has the experience, the will, and the plan to eradicate violence in the country." Other leading candidates are right-wing former vice president Otto Sonnenholzner and leftist Indigenous attorney Yaku Perez. In one of the world's most biodiverse countries, two key referendums are taking place on Sunday alongside the election. One will ask voters to choose whether to continue oil drilling in an Amazon reserve that is home to home to three of the world's last uncontacted Indigenous populations. Another focuses on whether to forbid mining activities in the Choco Andino forest. "I feel bad voting in favor of oil exploitation, but Ecuador lives off this oil," said electrician Magdalena Maurisaca. - Brutal gang war - Ecuador was once seen as a haven of peace wedged between cocaine-producing nations Colombia and Peru. The small country straddles the Andes and the Amazon, and was best known as the world's top exporter of bananas and home to the biodiverse Galapagos Islands, where British scientist Charles Darwin developed his theory of evolution. However, in the past five years its large ports, lax security and corruption have lured foreign cartels that have come under increased pressure from the war on drugs in Mexico and Colombia. A struggle for power between local gangs has mostly played out in prisons, where 430 have been killed since 2021, leaving a trail of dismembered and burned bodies. "Ecuadorans are going to vote with three feelings: fear of insecurity... pessimism regarding the economic situation and distrust of the political class," political scientist Santiago Cahuasqui of the SEK International University told AFP. In 2022, the country hit a record of 26 murders per 100,000 inhabitants, higher than the rate in Colombia, Mexico or Brazil. Voters will also elect members of the 137-seat parliament. Initial results are expected to trickle in late Sunday, with a final tally expected in 10 days. To win in the first round a candidate must capture 40 percent of the vote or come 10 points ahead of their nearest competitor. The new president will take office on October 26 and will serve only the remainder of Lasso's term, a year and a half. bur-fb/dw © Agence France-Presse The post ‘We are afraid’: Violence-hit Ecuador votes under heavy security appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Beware of fake bills, says SPD
The Southern Police District warned the public on Sunday against counterfeit money following the arrest of a former Army soldier who used counterfeit money in a store. According to SPD director Brig. Gen. Roderick Mariano, small store owners should always keep their vigilance against fake bills, now that the “ber” months are approaching and shopping season peaks. “We urge the public to immediately report any person to the authorities using such bills in any transaction for appropriate action as the “ber months’ or the peak shopping season draws near,” Mariano said. The SPD’s statements come after authorities arrested a certain Kevin Jhon Soncio, a dismissed Army soldier after using counterfeit money in a sari-sari store in Barangay Fort Bonifacio Taguig City on Friday evening. The police report said the suspect paid a P1,000 bill for one pack of cigarettes. The witness, a minor who was tending the store during the incident, examined the bill and discovered it was fake. He immediately sought the assistance of village officials, who eventually arrested the suspect. Authorities seized from Soncio nine P1,000 counterfeit bills and different identification cards. During the arrest, the suspect introduced himself as a member of the Philippine Army. Upon validation, police found that he was already dismissed from the service and that he carried falsified documents. The suspect is now facing charges of violation of Article 168 of the Revised Penal Code or Illegal possession and use of false Treasury or Bank Notes and Other Instruments of Credit, usurpation of authority, and falsification of public documents. Meanwhile, the Taguig City Police is now preparing a counterfeit money verification request to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. The post Beware of fake bills, says SPD appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
UK water firms facing legal fight over pollution incidents
An environmental academic said Wednesday she had filed the first of multiple planned court actions against British water companies for underreporting pollution incidents and overcharging customers, in breach of UK laws. Carolyn Roberts, a professor and water and environment consultant, revealed she had lodged an initial claim against Severn Trent Water and planned further legal actions against five other firms on behalf of more than 20 million customers. Roberts, who is represented by the well-known British law firm Leigh Day, estimates the companies could face compensation bills of over £800 million ($1 billion) if the cases are successful. The first claim, filed last week against Severn Trent on behalf of eight million people, is estimated to be worth more than £330 million. It comes amid a long-running scandal over privatized water firms pumping raw sewage into waterways, provoking widespread public anger and promises of increased regulatory scrutiny from the government. Ministers announced last month that companies and individuals polluting Britain's rivers and other ecosystems will be liable for unlimited fines. "Like many others across the country, I have viewed with horror the escalating number of stories in the media regarding the volume of sewage discharged into our waterways and onto our beaches," Roberts said in a statement. "It appears that because of the serial and serious underreporting at the heart of these claims, water companies have been avoiding being penalized by Ofwat," she added, referring to the sector's regulator in the UK. "I believe this has resulted in consumers being unfairly overcharged for sewage services." Industry body Water UK said the accusations are "entirely without merit" and that 99 percent of sewage works are legally compliant. However, Roberts and Leigh Day said they intend to bring similar "collective actions" against Thames Water, United Utilities, Anglian Water, Yorkshire Water, and Northumbrian Water. They urged the companies' millions of customers to visit a website created to assess their eligibility for compensation. "These companies have allegedly been misleading their regulators by underreporting the number of pollution incidents, being discharges of wastewater from a company sewerage asset adversely affecting the water environment and resulting in higher customer bills," a statement on it read. Last month, a UK court fined Thames Water, the nation's biggest supplier, £3.3 million for polluting rivers. The fine came shortly after the UK's privatized water companies pledged to make massive investments to avoid repeats of the contamination. The post UK water firms facing legal fight over pollution incidents appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Replicating customers’ IDs needs permission — NPC
Hotel receptionists and car and telecommunication sales agents are reminded by the National Privacy Commission that replicating customers’ identification cards should be allowed by the owner first before they’re processed to avoid fines and complaints as mandated under the Data Privacy Act of 2012. The NPC released the advisory as the concerns draw attention to prevalent practices by certain businesses and associations (both Personal Information Controllers or PICs and Personal Information Processors or PIPs) of authorizing, allowing, or acquiescing its employees, agents, or personnel in taking the ID cards of customers, guests or other persons using their personal electronic devices, or without appropriate safeguards, and/or without the required privacy notice. According to the NPC, the “deliberate” violation of the customer’s data privacy has been happening in some hotels, as establishment’s receptionists take photos of guest IDs using their personal smartphones instead of company-issued phones. In the part of car sales agents, personnel take photocopies of the ID of a potential customer for verification purposes, just like agents of telecommunication companies req uesting a potential customer to send a photo of the customer’s ID via private communication such as Viber, WhatsApp, or Facebook Messenger. For customers applying for home and condominium acquisitions, homeowners and condominium associations usually take copies and require the deposit of physical IDs with sensitive personal information without appropriate policies and security measures for their PIP security agency to implement. Great risk of causing security incidents “The Commission emphasizes that these types of activities carry a great risk of causing security incidents, data breaches, unauthorized uses, inadequate disposal, lack of informed consent and profiling or discrimination, among others.” PICs/PIPs shall obtain the consent of the data subjects prior to the collection and processing of their personal data, subject to exemptions provided by the DPA and other applicable laws and regulations,” according to the NPC advisory released on Saturday. The NPC further reiterated that it is the duty of the PICs, as well as their employees, agents, or representatives, to uphold the confidentiality and privacy of the personal data that they process. To this end, the Commission mandates the following practices: Consent: Where it is the necessary criteria for lawful processing of Sensitive Personal Information under Sections 13 of the Data Privacy Act, the PIC must obtain explicit consent from individuals to capture and process their identification photos and details. Privacy Notice: Provide a clear, understandable, and transparent privacy notice before capturing their IDs. The notice should include the purposes of the processing, the security measures implemented, the retention period, and the purpose limitation, among others. Secure Storage and Transmission: Implement policies to ensure that photos taken by personal devices are stored in a manner that follows company policies and the 1 Section 19 of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Data Privacy Act of 2012 DPA. Implementing safeguards Also, the PICs should implement safeguards that ensure that the photos cannot be used by the employees, agents or personnel for other purposes, such as encryption, access controls and other tools. With regard proper disposal, the NPC said PICs should establish policies and procedures that ensure the disposal and deletion of the photos once the purpose is fulfilled, and PICs should conduct verification and audits to ensure that disposal policies have been complied with. “We reiterate that processing personal data violative of the Data Privacy Act of 2012 and related issuances of the Commission are subject to penalties and administrative fines,” the NPC stated. The post Replicating customers’ IDs needs permission — NPC appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
MSMEs need cards literacy
Many small businesses are still unaware of how to maximize the use of a credit card, the Credit Card Association of the Philippines or CCAP said Monday. Some 35 percent of holders of 11.8 million credit cards issued in the first quarter of this year pay less than their full balance each month compared with 65 percent who do, the CCAP said citing data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. The CCAP said micro, small, and medium enterprises or MSMEs can fully consume their credit without additional interest fees for several weeks to fill any gap in working capital. However, CCAP executive director Alex Ilagan said business owners must determine the frequency and amount of their cash flow gaps to avail the most benefits from their credit card. Interest-free credit “There is a 30-day monthly billing cycle and 21-day payment grace period provided by credit card issuers so MSMEs can enjoy interest-free credit for up to 51 days from the date of transaction. “Best to use your card just right after the billing cut-off date indicated in the billing statement because it will allow you to enjoy the longest interest free credit float,” CCAP executive director Alex Ilagan said. The CCAP vowed to further expand literacy on the efficient use of credit cards among MSMEs as it observed that many of them are still drawing funds from personal bank accounts, which eats into the emergency funds for their families or dependents. “We know that MSME owners often mix their personal and business finances. They use their personal credit cards to pay for bills or purchases related to their business, enabling them to manage tight cash flow situations. Credit cards can be more than that,” Ilagan said. Credit cards and credit lines provide additional funds to MSMEs without the tedious application process for business loans from banks. These are ideal to use only for short to medium-term goals. The post MSMEs need cards literacy appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bayad, mWell partnership expands access to healthcare services
Bayad, the pioneer brand in the outsourced payment collection system in the Philippines, has partnered with mWell, the country’s first fully integrated health app, to enable greater accessibility to healthcare among Filipinos by providing a convenient payment option for those with limited access to financial technology services. Under the partnership, individuals without mobile wallets, credit and debit cards who wish to teleconsult with mWell’s allied medical doctors and health experts can now pay their fees in Bayad Centers nationwide. Prior to the partnership, patients who availed of mWell services could only settle their bills through online payment channels. As part of the partnership launch, individuals without smartphones who wish to teleconsult were also given an opportunity to do so in mWell Consult Stations in select Bayad Center branches in Novaliches, Quezon City and Barangay Kapasigan in Pasig City. mWell CEO and president Chaye Cabal-Revilla said the collaboration between the two companies is aligned with the goal of making healthcare affordable, available and accessible to more Filipinos. “Through this partnership with Bayad, mWell app users, even those without digital wallets, credit or debit cards, can pay for doctor consultation fees at the Bayad Center nearest them,” Cabal-Revilla, who is also the chief finance, risk and sustainability officer of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation, said. Bayad, a wholly-owned unit of Manila Electric Co., has been proactively seeking ways to promote financial inclusivity by expanding its network of billers, its president and CEO Lawrence Y. Ferrer said. “Our partnership with mWell veers toward a more inclusive healthcare system as we enable accessible payment solutions for our stakeholders that represent all walks of life,” he said. “As we push forth our advocacy for wellness and financial inclusivity, we are constantly on the lookout for more opportunities to expand our payment channel network.” As the biggest and widest multi-channel payment platform in the Philippines, Bayad enables partners to attain nationwide presence and provides end-to-end support services for efficient bill settlement and collection processing. The post Bayad, mWell partnership expands access to healthcare services appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Go bares 629 funded SHCs, cautions tapping nursing grads
Congress has set funding for the construction of more than 600 Super Health Centers nationwide in 2022 and this year, according to Senator Christopher “Bong” Go. The chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography also expressed support for tapping nursing graduates to bolster the country’s dwindling number of hospital workers but advised the Department of Health to proceed with caution to avoid compromising the quality of healthcare service. “With the help of lawmakers, 307 Super Health Centers are funded for year 2022 and another 322 for 2023 in the entire Philippines,” Go said in a video message during his team’s relief distribution mission in Obando, Bulacan on Friday, 23 June. In the province, the cities of San Jose del Monte, Meycauayan and Baliuag; and the towns of Balagtas, Bulakan, San Miguel, Guiguinto and Pandi will have such facilities catering to residents of remote communities under the 2022 national budget, he said. The 2023 budget covers the building of SHCs in Baliuag City and in the towns of Angat, Marilao, Paombong, Plaridel, San Ildefonso and San Rafael, Go added. On 21 June, Go visited San Rafael for the groundbreaking of the town’s SHC and led a relief operation for indigents there. On top of traditional services, SHCs will provide diagnostics; pharmacy, ambulatory surgery; eye, ear, nose, and throat; oncology; physical therapy and rehabilitation and telemedicine services. Go also encouraged Bulakeños to go to Malasakit Centers for their health concerns as there is one such counter at the Bulacan Medical Center in Malolos City, Rogaciano M. Mercado Memorial Hospital in Sta. Maria, and Ospital ng Lungsod ng San Jose del Monte in San Jose del Monte City. The Malasakit Centers, a brainchild of Go, helps patient get help from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office in paying for their medical bills. ‘Uphold professional standards’ Meanwhile, Go urged the DoH to thoroughly study the proposed hiring of unlicensed nurse as there are existing laws and regulations meant to uphold professional standards and protect lives. “They (nursing graduates) must pass the standard,” Go reiterated in an ambush interview after personally aiding victims of the Mount Mayon unrest in Tabaco City, Albay on Thursday, 22 June. “We cannot compromise the standard here because we have to prioritize the life and health of every Filipino.” Earlier, DoH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa proposed that nursing graduates who scored 70 to 74 percent in licensure test be employed as supplementary workforce in the healthcare system but assigned with restricted responsibilities. ‘Nursing graduates who did not pass the board exam cannot be granted temporary or special licenses.’ Herbosa mentioned that Department of Labor and Employment Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma is open to the proposal and intends to hold discussions with the Professional Regulation Commission regarding the issuance of temporary licenses for such graduates. The PRC has clarified that nursing graduates who did not pass the board exam cannot be granted temporary or special licenses to work in public hospitals in the absence of a law allowing such. He pointed out that Republic Act 9173 solely provides special or temporary permits for licensed foreign nurses. However, PRC Commissioner Jose Cueto Jr. said that in exceptional circumstances like epidemics or national emergencies, the health secretary may provide limited authorization to medical graduates. Go said he remains open to amending existing laws to strengthen the health workforce while still being compliant with standards. However, the senator emphasized that the goal must be to continue improving medical education in the country to produce enough number of qualified healthcare professionals. Go has filed the Advanced Nursing Education bill that offers leadership roles, specialization and recognition to professional nurses. The measure also integrates community immersion in the nursing curriculum to encourage community service and introduce masteral and doctoral degrees in nursing. The post Go bares 629 funded SHCs, cautions tapping nursing grads appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
US averts first-ever default with 11th-hour debt deal
US senators voted to suspend the federal debt limit Thursday, capping weeks of fraught negotiations to eliminate the threat of a disastrous credit default just four days ahead of the deadline set by the Treasury. Economists had warned the country could run out of money to pay its bills by Monday -- leaving almost no room for delays in enacting the Fiscal Responsibility Act, which extends the government's borrowing authority through 2024 while trimming federal spending. Hammered out between Democratic President Joe Biden and the Republicans, the measure passed the Senate with a comfortable majority of 63 votes to 36 a day after it had sailed through the House of Representatives. "No one gets everything they want in a negotiation, but make no mistake: this bipartisan agreement is a big win for our economy and the American people," Biden said in a statement posted to social media. He said he would sign the bill "as soon as possible" and address the nation Friday. Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer added that the nation could "breathe a sigh of relief" after avoiding a "catastrophic" economic collapse. "But, for all the ups and downs and twists and turns it took to get here, it is so good for this country that both parties have come together at last to avoid default," he said. The bill -- which now heads to Biden's desk to be signed into law -- ended a day of intense back-and-forth between party leaders and rank-and-file members who had threatened the bill's quick passage with last-minute gripes about the details. Democratic leaders had spent months underlining the havoc that a first default in history would have wrought, including the loss of millions of jobs and $15 trillion in household wealth, as well as increased costs for mortgages and other borrowings. 'Behind the eight ball' The late evening drama came after a series of failed ballots on amendments sought mainly by Republicans who were threatening at one point to hold up the process, dragging it deep into the weekend. Senators elected to offer 11 tweaks to the 99-page text, many objecting to funding levels for their pet projects -- from border control and Chinese trade to taxation and the environment -- and each requiring a vote. Defense hawks upset at Pentagon spending being capped at Biden's budget request of $886 billion threatened at one point to derail the bill's passage entirely. In the end, they fell in line after being offered a commitment to a separate bill providing cash for Ukraine's defense against the Russian invasion, and promoting US national security interests in the Middle East and in the face of Chinese aggression against Taiwan. "As currently written, this bill puts our military behind the eight ball... The first and most important dollars we allocate each year in the budget are those to protect and defend the United States and our interests," said South Carolina Republican Lindsey Graham. America spends more money than it collects through taxation, so it borrows money via the issuing of government bonds, seen as among the world's most reliable investments. Around 80 years ago, lawmakers introduced a limit on how much federal debt could be accrued. Politically toxic The ceiling has been raised more than 100 times since to allow the government to meet its spending commitments -- usually without drama and with the support of Democrats and Republicans -- and stands at around $31.5 trillion. Both parties see raising the debt limit as politically toxic, although they acknowledge that failure to do so would plunge the US economy into a depression and roil world markets as the government missed debt repayments. Republicans hoped to weaponize the extension to campaign against what they see as Democratic overspending ahead of the 2024 presidential election, although hikes in the debt ceiling only cover commitments already made by both parties. Kevin McCarthy, the top lawmaker in the Republican-led House, had touted the bill he spent weeks negotiating as a big victory for conservatives, although he faced a backlash from hardliners on the right who said he made too many concessions on spending cuts. He fell one short of the 150 votes -- two-thirds of his caucus -- he had promised to deliver in the lower chamber as he fought to quell a right-wing rebellion, and needed Democratic help to advance the bill to the Senate. On the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue, the vote was being touted as a major victory for Biden, who managed to protect almost all of his domestic priorities from deep cuts threatened by Republicans. "This legislation protects the full faith and credit of the United States and preserves our financial leadership, which is critical to our economic growth and stability," said US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen. The post US averts first-ever default with 11th-hour debt deal appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘We want to be free’: Filipinos demand right to divorce
Philippine mother-of-three Stella Sibonga is desperate to end a marriage she never wanted. But divorce in the Catholic-majority country is illegal, and a court annulment takes years. The Philippines is the only place outside the Vatican where divorce is outlawed, with the Catholic Church -- which holds great influence on Philippine society -- opposing the practice as against its teachings. Those in favor of legalizing divorce say the ban makes it difficult to escape violent or otherwise abusive spouses, or even for couples to amicably cut ties. People wanting to end their marriage can ask a court for an annulment or a declaration that the nuptials were invalid from the start, but the government can appeal against those decisions. The legal process is slow and expensive -- cases can cost as much as $10,000 or more in a country plagued by poverty -- with no guarantee of success, and some people seeking a faster result fall for online scams. "I don't understand why it has to be this difficult," said Sibonga, who has spent 11 years trying to get out of a marriage that her parents forced her into after she became pregnant. Sibonga's legal battle began in 2012, when she applied to a court to cancel her marriage on the basis of her husband's alleged "psychological incapacity", one of the grounds for terminating a matrimony. After five years and $3,500 in legal fees, a judge finally agreed. The former domestic worker's relief was, however, short-lived. The Office of the Solicitor General, which as the government's legal representative is tasked with protecting the institution of marriage, successfully appealed the decision in 2019. Sibonga said she requested the Court of Appeals to reverse its ruling, but is still waiting for an answer. "Why are we, the ones who experienced suffering, abandonment and abuse, being punished by the law?" said Sibonga, 45, who lives near Manila. "All we want is to be free." 'Dysfunctional marriages' The most powerful opponent to divorce in the Philippines is the Catholic Church, which is also against abortion and contraceptives. Around 78 percent of the country's 110 million people are Catholic, according to official census data, and many politicians are wary of contradicting the Church on sensitive social issues. But Congress has scored significant wins in recent years. A controversial birth control law was passed in 2012, despite strong opposition from the Church. And in 2018, majority and opposition parties in the House of Representatives approved a divorce bill that later stalled in the Senate. It was the first time such a proposal had got that far. Surveys conducted by polling company Social Weather Stations show a shift in Philippine attitudes towards divorce. In 2005, 43 percent of Filipinos supported legalizing divorce "for irreconcilably separated couples", while 45 percent disagreed. The same survey in 2017 showed 53 percent in favor, while only 32 percent disagreed. A group of lawmakers is now leading a fresh push to legalize divorce, with several bills filed in the House and the Senate. "We are not destroying any marriage," said Edcel Lagman, a congressman and author of one of the bills. Lagman said divorce was for "dysfunctional marriages beyond repair" and legalizing it would enable women and their children to escape "intolerant and abusive husbands". Before he was elected, President Ferdinand Marcos said the country should consider allowing divorce, but insisted it should not be easy. Annulment scams The burdensome process for getting a court order to end a marriage has spawned online scams offering to secure a quick ruling without time-consuming court appearances. AFP fact checkers found numerous Facebook posts spreading false information about the legal process for annulment in order to attract clients, underscoring a growing global trend of fraudsters profiting off disinformation. One victim told AFP she was charged the equivalent of $2,400 for an annulment service that turned out to be fake. She is now considering converting to Islam in the hope of securing a divorce under Muslim law. "I'm really trying every possible option just to be single again," she told AFP on the condition of anonymity. "Annulment takes so long, it's so expensive and it's not guaranteed, so I'm seeking a more convenient way." Family law specialist Katrina Legarda said the number of people falling for bogus services showed there was a "dire need" for new legislation. But Father Jerome Secillano, of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines, said the nation should be "proud" to be the only country outside the Vatican "holding on to the traditional concept of marriage". "There will always be imperfections in a relationship," he said. Secillano said divorcing an abusive partner would "perpetuate the violence" because the perpetrator would go on to abuse their next partner. "You are not actually curing the disease itself," he said. 'I'm a sinner' Sibonga was raised a Catholic, but stopped attending church to avoid accusations of adultery. She has a long-term boyfriend, but cannot tie the knot with him until her first marriage is legally terminated. That her case has dragged on for so long is not unusual in the Philippines, where a creaky justice system can take years to resolve even minor issues. "People think that because I am still technically married, I'm a sinner," she said. "They really believe that what God has united cannot be separated. Really? Even if your husband is trying to kill you, even after everything he's done, divorce is still not allowed?" Sibonga said her relationship with her husband had been traumatic and had pushed her to attempt suicide twice. She does not want her children to marry until divorce is allowed. "I told them they can cohabitate and have as many children as they want, but I won't ever consent to them getting married," she said. "I just don't want them to end up like me." The post ‘We want to be free’: Filipinos demand right to divorce appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Biden says ‘hopeful’ on US debt deal within hours
President Joe Biden said Friday he is "hopeful" for a resolution within hours to the US debt ceiling standoff between Democrats and Republicans, raising hopes of an imminent end to the threat of default by the world's biggest economy. "It's very close and I'm optimistic," Biden told reporters at the White House. "I'm hopeful we'll know by tonight whether we're going to be able to have a deal." The Democratic president said he hoped for a resolution to the standoff "before the clock strikes twelve." It was by far the strongest indication that the drama in Washington might end, allowing the government to borrow and avoid a default likely to trigger a recession, mass job losses, and recession. Earlier, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said the dreaded X-date, when the government runs out of money unless it can borrow, will now be June 5, not June 1. Yellen, however, warned that the deadline extension does not change the urgency. "Waiting until the last minute to suspend or increase the debt limit can cause serious harm to business and consumer confidence, raise short-term borrowing costs for taxpayers, and negatively impact the credit rating of the United States," she said in a letter to the Republican leader of the House of Representatives, Speaker Kevin McCarthy. According to unconfirmed US media reports, the deal taking shape would include an agreement to extend the government's borrowing authority for two years, meaning no repeat of the current drama before the 2024 presidential election. Democrats, however, would have to offer concessions on Republican demands for sweeping spending limits on social safety and other domestic programs. McCarthy told reporters that negotiators had "made progress" but added: "Nothing is agreed to until it's all agreed to." IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva cited new data that she said showed the "US economy has proven resilient," but urged a "speedy resolution" to avoid the first default in US history. "We think of the US Treasury market as an anchor for the global financial system, and this anchor needs to hold," she said. With the country getting a three-day Memorial Day holiday weekend, members of Congress were leaving Washington on their own 10-day recess. Even Biden -- to the consternation of some in his own party -- headed to his Camp David retreat, then his home in Delaware. Yet Wally Adeyemo, the deputy Treasury secretary, told CNN that both Biden and McCarthy were focused on avoiding catastrophe. "The president decided, the speaker has said it, and we have to get something done before June," Adeyemo said. "The president is committed to making sure that we have good faith negotiations with the Republicans to reach a deal because the alternative is catastrophic for all Americans." The debt ceiling raise is an annual accounting maneuver that usually passes with relatively little notice. It simply allows the government to keep borrowing money to pay for bills already incurred through the budget. This year, the increasingly hard-right Republican Party has decided to turn the debt ceiling into leverage to force Biden to roll back favorite Democratic spending priorities. Republicans call this taking responsibility for the $31 trillion national debt. The White House accuses the opposition party, which controls the House of Representatives, of taking the economy hostage. Democratic minority leader Hakeem Jeffries slammed the Republicans from the House floor on Thursday, accusing them of risking "a dangerous default in a crisis that they've created." Economists have spent months raising the prospect of economic catastrophe should the government default, and top military brass added their own dire prognosis Thursday, warning that the crisis would have a "significant negative impact" on troops. "Readiness clearly would be impacted," Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters. McCarthy has pointed to a recent CNN poll showing 60 percent support for a debt ceiling hike if accompanied by cuts, although 51 percent of respondents in a new Monmouth University survey said they wanted the two issues to be separated. Although lawmakers are on recess, McCarthy has said they will get 24 hours' notice if they are required to return for a vote. The post Biden says ‘hopeful’ on US debt deal within hours appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Biden says Republican debt ceiling demands ‘unacceptable’
President Joe Biden on Sunday slammed Republican demands in negotiations to resolve the US debt ceiling standoff as "unacceptable" but said a solution can still be found before a disastrous default. Speaking at a press conference just before returning to Washington from the G7 summit in Hiroshima, Japan, Biden said Republicans' latest demands for spending cuts as a condition for raising the US government's borrowing authority were "frankly unacceptable." "It's time for the other side to move from their extreme positions," he said. Biden said he would talk directly with the Republican leader, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, during his Air Force One flight on Sunday back to Washington and said "we can reach an agreement." But he also said that he was looking into a dramatic attempt to invoke an obscure constitutional clause -- which states that the validity of public debt "shall not be questioned" -- to circumvent Congress and raise the debt ceiling himself. "I can't guarantee that they wouldn't force a default by doing something outrageous," Biden said of the Republicans. "I'm looking at the 14th amendment." "I think we have the authority. The question is could it be done and invoked in time," he said. Biden had planned to travel from Japan to Papua New Guinea and Australia but cut short the Asia trip due to the ongoing debt talks. The Treasury Department says that the government could run out of money and default on its $31 trillion debt as early as June 1 if Congress, where Republicans control the House of Representatives, does not authorize more borrowing. Hostage accusation The debt ceiling raise is usually an uncontroversial annual procedure but this year the increasingly hard-right Republican party has turned the threat of default into a powerful lever to try and force Biden to accept making heavy spending cuts. Biden has refused, accusing his opponents of putting the US economy at risk for political point scoring. Discussions appeared to be at an impasse overnight Saturday in Washington, as both sides traded accusations. "We're making 0 demands to avoid default. You're the only ones with a hostage," tweeted White House spokesperson Andrew Bates, accusing Republicans of seeking to trigger a recession in the world's leading economy. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement that the latest Republican demands were "a big step back and contained a set of extreme partisan demands that could never pass both houses of Congress." She said that McCarthy's hand had been forced by his party's pro-Donald Trump wing which is "threatening to put our nation into default for the first time in our history unless extreme partisan demands are met." McCarthy, however, tweeted Saturday to say the White House was the one "moving backward." "Unfortunately, the socialist wing of the Democrat Party appears to be in control -- especially with President Biden out of the country," he said. On Friday, Republicans had briefly walked out of negotiations, but after talks restarted, Jean-Pierre said she was "optimistic." And Biden had insisted Saturday that he was "not at all" worried. More borrowing is required by the US government just to meet expenditures already made, meaning failure to strike a deal to lift the debt ceiling would leave Washington unable to pay its bills, triggering a likely array of economic shockwaves around the world. The post Biden says Republican debt ceiling demands ‘unacceptable’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Biden cuts back Asia tour as hopes rise of debt deal
Joe Biden and opposition Republican leaders on Tuesday offered hope of a deal that could avoid a catastrophic US debt default, although the president was forced to shorten an upcoming Asia tour for further crisis talks. After the latest negotiations ended without a breakthrough, Republican House speaker Kevin McCarthy told reporters there was still "a lot of work to do" to break the high-stakes standoff with Democrat Biden over the borrowing limit. But while stark differences remained, the White House said Biden was "optimistic that there is a path to a responsible, bipartisan budget agreement if both sides negotiate in good faith." And McCarthy likewise indicated he ultimately expected a deal, even if so far "nothing has been resolved." "America is the number one economy in the world. And when we get done with these negotiations, America's economy is going to be stronger," he said. The US president -- who flies to Japan on Wednesday for a G7 summit -- scrapped subsequent stops in Papua New Guinea and Australia, instead returning to Washington on Sunday. The Treasury has warned of grim consequences if the country runs out of cash to pay its bills, which would leave it unable to pay federal workers and trigger a likely surge in interest rates with knock-on effects for businesses, mortgages -- and global markets. The United States could begin defaulting on its debts "potentially as early as June 1," Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Monday, while the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office has forecast June 15. The White House said Biden had directed his staff "to continue to meet daily on outstanding issues," and that he would confer with Republican leaders on his return from the G7 meetings. Republicans have continued to insist Biden agree to significant spending cuts in exchange for their support to raise the debt ceiling, ignoring Democratic calls for a "clean" increase of the borrowing limit with no strings attached. Democrats have accused Republicans of using extreme tactics to push their agenda ahead of the so-called "X-date" at which the United States starts defaulting on its debts. In a sign of growing nervousness over what would be the first-ever US debt default, more than 140 top US chief executives sent a letter to Biden and congressional leaders stressing the need for an agreement. "We strongly urge that an accord be reached quickly so that the country can avert this potentially devastating scenario," the letter signed by the CEOs from Pfizer and Morgan Stanley, among others, said. Republicans, who regained control of the House in the 2022 midterm elections, are using their newfound clout to demand cuts of $130 billion from federal agencies and programs in exchange for support for lifting the debt ceiling. This would limit spending in the 2024 fiscal year to 2022 levels. They also want to expedite domestic energy production projects, simplify the process for obtaining permits for pipelines and refineries and claw back unspent Covid relief funding. There are now only three days remaining when the House and Senate are both in session before June 1 -- the day the Treasury predicts the United States could run out of money. Some senators have acknowledged that they may have to cancel the Memorial Day recess beginning Thursday to get a deal finalized. As the X-date draws closer, Democrats in Congress have begun considering a range of alternatives, including using an arcane congressional procedure to bypass McCarthy. They've also contemplated asking Biden to invoke the 14th Amendment to raise the debt ceiling unilaterally, which some legal scholars believe would allow the Treasury to simply ignore the debt limit. But Biden has cautioned that such a move could be challenged in court and has continued to call publicly for Republicans to support a clean increase to the debt ceiling. The post Biden cuts back Asia tour as hopes rise of debt deal appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Credit card billings up 47% in quarter
Credit card billings surged 47 percent to P410 billion in the first quarter of this year as consumers continued on revenge shopping mode post-pandemic, data from the Credit Card Association of the Philippines showed Monday. “As the economy continues to reopen and becomes more robust, pent-up demand for consumer goods and services will persist, feeding into the growth of e-commerce, retail and services, travel and tourism, automotive and housing sectors, among others,” CCAP executive director Alex Ilagan said. CCAP’s quarterly survey among 17 member firms show that 7.5 million or 64 percent of Filipinos now own a credit card. Installment-based payment Ilagan expects higher use of credit cards as Filipinos spread their financial expenses through installment-based payment methods for small and medium purchases. “If at all, rising inflation may even push more cardholders to use their credit card to cope with higher prices because a credit card is one way to extend your purchasing power. A credit card is basically a form of installment credit which Filipino consumers have learned to utilize,” he said. Ilagan added that the country’s lower jobless rate would further support growth in credit card transactions. Delinquency rate “If the economy remains strong, more people will be employed and will qualify for a credit card, thus sustaining the growth in credit card ownership and usage. Credit card delinquency rate will also remain low and may even continue its downtrend in the last two years because cardholders will have the means to pay their bills,” Ilagan said. The Philippine Statistics Authority reported that the jobless rate in the country improved to 4.7 percent in March from 4.8 in February. Meanwhile, the underemployed or those looking for better jobs, perhaps with higher salaries, decreased among men to 12.7 percent and 9.1 percent for women. Household consumption, which grew by 6.3 percent, remained the major driver of economic growth in the first quarter, contributing 4.8 percentage points to the 6.4 percent growth in the country’s gross domestic product. The post Credit card billings up 47% in quarter appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Alert notices blasted as SIM deadline nears
Ayala-led Globe Telecom Inc. has tapped the Emergency Cell Broadcast or ECB system used during disasters to send out urgent reminders to subscribers who have yet to register their SIM cards as the deadline draws nearer. Globe said Monday it utilized the ECB as a component of network management and implemented the emergency blast within “acceptable parameters.” The telco player made assurances that the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, which usually uses the ECB system, did not object to its use of the system. Blast warnings The NDRRMC and other relevant government agencies are allowed to use the telco network system to blast warnings during disasters and emergencies under the Free Mobile Disaster Alerts Act. “We are at a critical time as the deadline draws near, and we want to ensure that our customers are compliant with the law to avoid SIM deactivation. This way, they will continue to enjoy our call, text, and data services for their day-to-day needs,” said Globe Group president and CEO Ernest Cu. Nationwide subscribers As of 21 April, only 78.6 million of the total 165 million recorded nationwide subscribers have registered their SIM cards. Despite calls to extend the deadline, the Department of Information and Communications Technology maintained that it will stick to the original schedule. DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy said only around 100 to 120 million subscribers are expected to register their identities; adding that a big portion of the 165 million recorded users nationwide are “really just SIM cards that were bundled and thrown away.” Under the implementing rules and regulations of the SIM Registration Act, users have until 26 April to register their cards or else their SIMs will be deactivated. The DICT, meanwhile, has the prerogative to extend the SIM Registration process for another 120 days. A deactivated SIM card can potentially affect several aspects of a person’s life. For instance, it will cut their access to online banks, e-commerce, transportation, healthcare, education, and entertainment, among others. The post Alert notices blasted as SIM deadline nears appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
2 days to go, Globe says it’s `critical time’ for SIM registration
Ayala-led Globe Telecom, Inc. has tapped the Emergency Cell Broadcast or ECB system used during disasters to send out urgent reminders to subscribers who have yet to register their SIM cards as the deadline draws nearer. Globe said Monday it utilized the ECB as a component of network management and implemented the emergency blast within "acceptable parameters." The telco player, however, assured that the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, which usually uses the ECB system, did not object to its use of the system. The NDRRMC and other relevant government agencies are allowed to use the telco network system to blast warnings during disasters and emergencies under the Free Mobile Disaster Alerts Act. "We are at a critical time as the deadline draws near, and we want to ensure that our customers are compliant with the law to avoid SIM deactivation. This way, they will continue to enjoy our call, text, and data services for their day-to-day needs," said Globe Group President and CEO Ernest Cu. As of 21 April, only 78.6 million of the total 165 million recorded nationwide subscribers have registered their SIM cards. Despite calls to extend the deadline, the Department of Information and Communications Technology maintained that it will stick to the original schedule. DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy said only around 100 to 120 million subscribers are expected to register their identities; adding that a big portion of the 165 million recorded users nationwide are "really just SIM cards that were bundled and thrown away." Under the implementing rules and regulations of the SIM Registration Act, users have until 26 April to register their cards or else their SIMs will be deactivated. The DICT, meanwhile, has the prerogative to extend the SIM Registration process for another 120 days. A deactivated SIM card can potentially affect several aspects of a person’s life. For instance, it will cut their access to online banks, e-commerce, transportation, healthcare, education, and entertainment, among others. The post 2 days to go, Globe says it’s `critical time’ for SIM registration appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»