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DITO passed 4th technical audit
DITO Telecommunity, a China-backed company that broke the industry duopoly of Globe and PLDT, has passed its fourth government-mandated technical audit that measures its compliance with network coverage and internet speed commitments. In a letter sent to DITO Telecommunity chief administrative officer Adel Tamano, the National Telecommunications Commission or NTC confirmed that it passed its fourth yearly technical audit. The independent audit is part of the conditions outlined in the Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity or CPCN given to the company. The Independent Auditor’s Report of Factual Findings from the Conduct of Specified Procedures — Year 4 Committed Levels of Service dated 29 August submitted by R.G. Manabat & Co. to the NTC stated that DITO surpassed its target. As part of the issuance of its CPCN in July 2019, DITO Telecommunity needs to record 70.01 percent network reach with a minimum speed of 55 Mbps in the third year of its commitment period. Notably, the audit showed that DITO now covers 80.65 percent of national population coverage. Affordable Internet fulfilled Its minimum average broadband speed or MABS, meanwhile, clocked in at 74.97 Mbps for 4G and 639.32 Mbps for 5G for all sites with a combined MABS of 357.14 Mbps. “Despite all the challenges that we have faced, we continue to achieve our commitments to government and the Filipino people, to provide affordable world-class service and to serve the underserved. This is in support of the Marcos administration’s drive towards digitalization and Nation-building,” Tamano said. If DITO fails to fulfill its commitments on time, the government forfeits, in its favor, the P25.7 billion performance bond that DITO paid before construction activities. DITO has promised to cover 84 percent of the Philippines and offer a minimum average speed of at least 55 Mbps by the end of its commitment. DITO recently conveyed that unresolved interconnection issues with its rivals have been affecting its subscriber base expansion as well as its development of new products for users. The PCC affirmed DITO’s complaints last year over the alleged anti-competitive behavior of its rivals regarding their interconnection deals. PCC said it found “reasonable grounds to open a preliminary inquiry into the complaints filed by Dito Telecommunity against Globe Telecom and Smart Communications.” Under Executive Order 59 issued by late President Fidel V. Ramos in 1993, interconnection is a mandated and important component of the telco industry as it allows interoperability and exchange of calls, SMS, and other information from one network to another. The post DITO passed 4th technical audit appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
COA calls out SC on P101 million unused fund
The Commission on Audit has called out the Supreme Court over P101.255 million in unutilized funds intended for the Mandatory Continuing Legal Education of lawyers......»»
COA calls out OWWA on free flights for OFWs
The Commission on Audit has called out the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration for allowing 3,707 overseas Filipino workers to avail themselves of free flights under its COVID-19 emergency repatriation program more than once, indicating that the OFWs used the program for other purposes......»»
CoA calls out Bucor on delayed projects
The Commission on Audit has called out the Bureau of Corrections for failing to closely monitor the implementation of its prison facility projects worth P984.953 million. According to audit findings, the unfinished infrastructure projects were extra jail facilities at all operating prison and penal farms aimed at decongesting the national prisons by providing additional dormitories to accommodate the growing inmate population. The projects, forged in 2019, aimed to provide segregated facilities to reduce jail violence. The projects included building regional prison facilities at the Leyte Regional Prison, and the Iwahig and Davao Prison and Penal Farm. Renovations were also planned at the Correctional Institution for Women, while at the San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm a one-story building was to be constructed. The projects all had a target deadline. On 25 November 2019, the BuCor received a P1-billion Special Allotment Release Order to construct and rehabilitate the prison facilities. However, an audit revealed that as of 31 December, four of the projects remained incomplete, notwithstanding that they had exceeded the extension of completion date. Primary concern Moreover, CoA noted that despite the non-completion of the projects within the agreed period of completion, liquidated damages equal to at least 1/10 of one percent of the cost of the unperformed portion of works for each day of delay were not imposed or deducted from the claims of the contractors, contrary to the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Government Procurement Reform Act (RA 9184). State auditors pointed out that failure to effectively oversee the infrastructure projects not only resulted in the delay in their completion but also a delay in providing relief for the congestion at BuCor’s prison facilities for persons deprived of liberty. In response, BuCor explained that the chief of the General Services Division constituted the Inspectorate Team for the Design and Build Project of the BuCor Facility — the team responsible for ensuring efficient and effective project monitoring and site assessment validation through ocular site inspections at the corresponding project sites. Now, the officers concerned, including ex-BuCor director general Gerald Bantag, will be held accountable for the variance in the actual site conditions and the approved project documents. The BuCor said a case has been filed with the Ombudsman for plunder, malversation of public funds and corresponding administrative charges against officials under the previous administration. The post CoA calls out Bucor on delayed projects appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Marina marred by conflict
Maritime industry stakeholders are calling the attention of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to review the installation of Atty. Hernani Fabia as head of the Maritime Industry Authority or Marina despite a clear conflict of interest for owning a maritime school and training center. United Filipino Seafarers president, Engr. Nelson Ramirez, and Cargo Safeway Inc. president, Capt. Reynaldo Casareo, among others, have called on Malacañang to scrutinize Fabia’s posting since July 2022 and the implementation of some ridiculous mandates that are detrimental to the industry, particularly to seafarers. Fabia allegedly implemented the Management Level Course or MLC under Marina Advisory 2022-06, making it mandatory, and explaining that it is a crucial finding of independent evaluators hired by Marina to help the country pass the European Maritime Safety Agency audit. Casareo and Ramirez joined calls to reinstate Marina Advisory 2021-23 dated 7 May 2021, Marina Advisory 2021-45 dated 3 August 2021, and Marina Advisory 2021-49 by then Marina administrator, retired Navy Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad was rescinded by Fabia but made as the basis of an extension by the EU recognizing the Filipino crew’s certificates. “With the above, we can rectify all the malicious words thrown at his good person when he (Empedrad) was replaced as Marina’s administrator. Better, if he can be reinstated to his former position as administrator of Marina so he can continue a steady improvement in the areas indicated in the annexed documents stated in the letter of Mr. Henrik Hololei of the European Commission,” Casareo and Ramirez, both members of the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy Alumni Association Inc., said in a statement. Conditional okay The EU decision released on 31 March provides that Filipino seafarer certifications will be honored but the Philippines has to address six deficiencies which are monitoring, supervision and evaluation of training, examination, and assessment of competence, program and course design, availability, and use of training facilities and simulators, on-board training, and issue, revalidation, and registration of certificates, but it did not mention the MLC. The MLC has been hit as an added burden to seafarer officers by seamen and manning agencies because aside from its skyrocketing price that starts from P45,000 and 40 days of completion, it is marred with controversies. After all, some seamen can even avail of the said training course even if they will not attend it, “if the price is right.” Casareo, for his part, revealed that MLC with “no show” is being priced at a whopping P80,000 to P120,000. Fabia, back then, insisted that implementing the MLC is a solution for the country to produce competent seafarers and finally pass the EMSA Audit, which was also backed by Transportation Secretary Jimmy Bautista saying that seafarers should avail such training to be at par with the regulations of the European shipowners and regulators. Casareo said the MLC was supported by various training centers “because they are the ones who will benefit from it, as well as Fabia who owns PNTC Training Center.” The MLC, according to Casareo, is in the curriculum already and there is no need to make it mandatory but attestation of the actual shipboard experience as Chief Mates/2nd Engineers must be recognized by Marina as a prerequisite so they can take the Management Level exam. “During the time of Vice Admiral Empedrad, attestations were accepted, so many were able to take exams, and many passed. Only training centers that are offering MLC, are the ones benefiting from the circular issued by Fabia making it mandatory before they can take the exam. Many opted to board again rather than taking MLC as a waste of time and money, so manning agents’ deployment is affected because they cannot be promoted without Management licenses to be Master or Chief Engr,” he said. The website of the PNTC Colleges and Maritime Training Center showed that Fabia founded the institution on 18 April 1994. But the Marina administrator maintained he had relinquished his posts at PNTC when he took the helm at Marina in July 2022. The post Marina marred by conflict appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Hontiveros calls for special audit of Bayanihan funds
Sen. Risa Hontiveros said health workers have yet to receive their hazard pay and medical facilities are still lacking despite P570 billion already spent......»»
COA calls out Baguio LGU over COVID-19 spending
The Commission on Audit has flagged the Baguio City government over its questionable cash advances in connection with its response to the COVID-19 pandemic......»»
Cebu City dads’ goal: 93-1 deal finalized by Oct. 2021
CEBU CITY, Philippines — The Cebu City council’s committee on the 93-1 land swap deal has convened for the first time today, March 18, 2021, following the calls of the council members to hasten the deal which remained unimplemented because of flags made by the Commission on Audit (COA). Councilor Raymond Alvin Garcia, told CDN […] The post Cebu City dads’ goal: 93-1 deal finalized by Oct. 2021 appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
176 ka bus gihatagan og special permit sa LTFRB 7
176 ka bus gihatagan og special permit sa LTFRB 7.....»»
WWDC 2024 Will Include In-Person Special Event at Apple Park
Apple Shakes Things Up with Virtual WWDC Event In a surprising move, Apple announced that it will not be holding its traditional in-person Worldwide Developers.....»»
Jaishankar calls on Singapore PM Lee Hsien Loong, values his perspective on current state of world
Singapore, March 25 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar called on Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Monday and conveyed the greetings of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Jaishankar valued Lee Hsien Loong's perspectives on the current state of the world. In a post on X, Jaishankar stated, "Honoured to call on Prime Minister @leehsienloongat The Istana. Conveyed the personal greetings of PM @narendramodi. V.....»»
EAM Jaishankar conveys PM Modi s greetings as he calls on Philippine President Marcos
Manila [Philippines], March 26 (ANI): External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar on Tuesday called on Philippine President Bongbong Marcos and conveyed the greetings of President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister NarendraModi to President Marcos. "Honoured to call-on President @bongbongmarcos of the Philippines. Conveyed the personal greetings of President @rashtrapatibhvn and PM @narendramodi. Valued his warm sentiments tow.....»»
2 Best Ways to Save Up for Something
Sometimes, you find yourself unable to afford something you desire. While resorting to debt might seem convenient, it’s far from ideal. Saving money is a superior alternative, albeit challenging. Often, the struggle lies in maintaining savings, as funds intended for one purpose end up diverted elsewhere. We’re all familiar with the difficulty of saving money. […].....»»
Davao Media-Citizen Council elects officers
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 24 March) – The Davao Media-Citizen Council (DMCC) on Saturday elected its officers from representatives of various fields — media, business, law and academe. MindaNews’ Special Reports Editor Carolyn O. Arguillas was elected chair while Antonio Peralta representing the business sector was elected vice chair. Peralta chairs the Southern Mindanao Business […].....»»
‘Under a Piaya Moon’ director hopes he made mentor Peque Gallaga proud
In receiving the award for Mowelfund Film Institute Special Citation (full-length film category) at the just-concluded Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival at the Gateway Cineplex, “Under a Piaya Moon” director Kurt Soberano dedicated it to all his film and acting mentors, including the late multi-awarded filmmaker Peque Gallaga, Lawrence Fajardo, Jay Abello, and all the Ilonggo and Negrense directors......»»
Training on COA compliance for government institutions
To guide government institutions on their compliance with the Commission on Audit Circular 2020-006, the Center for Global Best Practices will be launching a two-session online training titled “COA Guidelines and Procedures for One-Time Cleansing of Property, Plant and Equipment Account Balances” on April 18 and 19, 2024 from 1:30 to 4:45 p.m. via Zoom......»»
Jaishankar calls on Singapore PM Lee Hsien Loong, values his perspective on current state of world
Singapore, March 25 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar called on Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Monday and conveyed the greetings of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Jaishankar valued Lee Hsien Loong's perspectives on the current state of the world. In a post on X, Jaishankar stated, "Honoured to call on Prime Minister @leehsienloongat The Istana. Conveyed the personal greetings of PM @narendramodi. V.....»»
SC allows UN expert to act as friend of the court in Maria Ressa s cyber libel plea
Irene Khan, United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur for freedom of expression and opinion, has been allowed by the Supreme Court (SC) to sit as an "amicus curiae" to the court in the appeal for the cyber libel case of Rappler.com chief executive officer Maria Ressa and former researcher Reynaldo Santos......»»
SEC formally asks NTC to block Binance
In a letter to the NTC, SEC Chairperson Emilio Aquino says Binance 'poses a threat to the security of the funds of investing Filipinos'.....»»
Blow-By-Blow Okada: Bacosa posts 3rd straight KO victory
Tall and rangy lightweight Eman Bacosa posted a third-round stoppage over Jan Clyde Langahin during a special presentation of Manny Pacquiao Presents: Blow-By-Blow Sunday at the Okada Manila......»»