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Immigration officer convicted
The National Bureau of Investigation yesterday revealed that a Bureau of Immigration officer has been convicted for the falsification of travel records showing that former Wirecard chief operating officer Jan Marsalek was in the Philippines even if he did not arrive and leave the country in 2020. The NBI said BI officer Marcos S. Nicodemus has been found guilty by the Pasay City Regional Trial Court of violations of Republic Act 10175, the Cybercrime Prevention Act, and RA 3019, the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. Though the RTC decision was not provided by the NBI, it said that Nicodemus “was sentenced by the court to a maximum imprisonment of nine years for each of the criminal cases with perpetual disqualification to hold public office.” Marsalek, an Austrian national, has been wanted by the German government for his involvement in the $2.2 billion Wirecard fraud. In 2020, the Philippine government joined the hunt for Marsalek due to Wirecard’s links in the country and discovered travel records that showed that the Austrian came to the Philippines in 2020. Then Department of Justice Secretary and now Solicitor General Menardo I. Guevarra ordered the NBI to conduct an investigation. In August 2020, the NBI “recommended to the DoJ the prosecution of subject Marcos Nicodemus for falsifying the travel records of an Austrian national.” “Investigation conducted by NBI-IAID (NBI-International Airport Investigation Division) revealed that based on Marsalek’s travel records, he arrived in the Philippines through NAIA Terminal 1 on 23 June 2020, processed by Immigration Officer Darren Ilagan but with a mysterious ‘canceled by user’ remark and departure on 24 June 2020 at Mactan-Cebu International Airport processed by Immigration Officer Perry Michael Pancho,” the NBI said. “However, NBI-IAID discovered thru CCTV (closed circuit television) footages that Marsalek never entered the Philippines and he did not even depart through MCIA,” the NBI said. The records of Marsalek were found to be spurious due to the following: Existing immigrations protocol as of that date disallowing passengers from entering Philippine territory due to Covid situation; absence of actual scanned data page of the passport; existing protocol that incoming flights of airlines disallowing the boarding of a passenger who will be prevented entry based on the destination country’s protocol as of flight date. The NBI said that Ilagan testified that Nicodemus, who was his supervisor, “ordered him to conduct a derogatory check upon Marsalek despite the fact that he was already not on duty on that date and that Marsalek is not present during checking.” Guevarra in 2020, said that the travel records of the Marsalek were falsified possibly as “diversionary tactics to mislead his pursuers.” The post Immigration officer convicted appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
CAAP to explore alternative approaches for sustainability in airports
Following its completion at Borongan Airport, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) will extend the use of its modular construction method to two additional airports throughout the country. In order to quickly address passenger concerns, CAAP is aggressively implementing alternative strategies, such as check-in areas and passenger terminal buildings (PTBs) with constrained space. In order to address these untapped potentials, CAAP seeks to construct surroundings that are both compliant with international standards and conducive to travelers while also being more roomy, effective, and welcoming. CAAP said that the modular construction system, which was initially piloted at Borongan Airport, offers a sustainable approach to constructing terminal facilities with passenger amenities as it minimizes construction waste. It uses pre-fabricated structural steel, a sustainable and cost-effective approach that allows for flexibility in design and rapid construction. In addition, the extra modules will integrate perfectly with the current buildings, producing a unified and contemporary terminal environment. On the strength of Borongan Airport's accomplishments, CAAP has selected two new airports where this building system will be used. With a budget of 36 million pesos, Laguindingan Airport is scheduled to start construction by December 2023 and is anticipated to be operational after six (6) months. Ozamis Airport is also being considered for the new construction system in order to support the increased passenger traffic. CAAP Director General Captain Manuel Antonio Tamayo shared his enthusiasm, stating, "We are keen on bringing the benefits of the modular construction system to more airports nationwide as it will pave the way for us to prioritize sustainability in our development projects." In addition to the expansion of the use of modular construction systems, CAAP also shares that turboprop operations in its airports do not require the use of boarding bridges, and these operations can be extended to principal Class 1 airports with the same aircraft type. DG Tamayo added that as passenger demands continue to grow, CAAP dedicates itself to ensuring that airports across the country are equipped to meet the changing demands of air travel while maintaining sustainability and innovation. The post CAAP to explore alternative approaches for sustainability in airports appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Binay: Focus on modern info tech instead of burdening Filipino travelers
Senator Nancy Binay on Tuesday said the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking should focus more on maximizing modern technology and profiling improvement to fight human trafficking in the country instead of burdening Filipino travelers with strict document requirements. Binay, who chairs the Senate Committee on Tourism, said that the revised departure guidelines set by the IACAT are very restrictive to Filipino travelers “yet inconclusive in stopping human trafficking. Hence, the senator said the IACAT and other related agencies should also be mindful of improving their profiling of travelers as she finds the policy of providing additional travel documents "coercive, restrictive and redundant." Binay said the presence of technology is there to make it convenient for passengers and make them feel secure. Technology also plays a huge role in curbing human trafficking, she added. "Kung kaduda-duda talaga ang background ng byahero at kasamang biktima (If a traveler's background is indeed suspicious including the victim)—that's the time immigration people should do their jobs of cross-checking the info they have in their database and compare it to the claims of the person in question,” Binay further stressed. She then appealed: ”Let's maximize the use of information technology to correctly profile travelers.” Binay lamented that immigration officials should use a combination of methods and criteria to determine travelers who may pose a security risk. “We all know that visa applications are all scrutinized for accuracy and consistency. Kapag medyo kaduda-duda ang impormasyong nakalagay, expect an outright rejection of your application. Ang dapat sigurong higpitan yung mga babyahe papunta sa countries na walang visa at mataas ang human trafficking cases—in this case, cross referencing is necessary to check the background of a particular traveler,” she said. The Department of Justice and Bureau of Immigration, she said, must deploy officers who are well-trained to interpret data contextually and make informed decisions based on the info at hand. Of course, human judgment is prone to mistakes that's why oversight is essential. Kaya dapat trained professional ang nasa frontlines to treat every traveler with respect and sensitivity, at magkaroon tayo ng mechanisms to address false positives to protect an individual's rights," Binay further stressed. The IACAT recently announced the imposition of the revised guidelines for Filipinos leaving the country beginning on 3 September. Under the revised guidelines, outbound passengers should present the basic travel documents consisting of a passport with at least six months validity from the date of departure; an appropriate valid visa whenever required; a confirmed return or roundtrip ticket, if necessary; and a boarding pass. For tourists, immigration officials may also ask for proof of hotel booking/accommodation, financial capacity or source of income; passenger’s declared purpose of travel, proof of employment, and other similar documents. Immigration officials may also ask outbound travelers for a copy of their original Philippine Statistics Authority-issued birth certificate or report of birth or marriage certificate/report of marriage, copies of documents of sponsor, valid work visa or permit, residency permit, or any equivalent document, overseas employment certificate, e-receipt, or OFW clearance for OFW sponsors. If traveling through a relative’s sponsorship, an original affidavit of support and guarantee duly notarized by the Philippine Embassy/Consulate/Honorary Consulate must be presented. The post Binay: Focus on modern info tech instead of burdening Filipino travelers appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Sky-high irony
Gokongwei-owned Cebu Pacific, a budget airline that always manages to raise eyebrows, has once again blessed us with a seat sale. Oh, how lucky can we be? The airline has hyped up anew its marketing mantra that “Every Juan flies,” only weeks after being forced during a congressional hearing to confront 3,000 complaints of irate customers over its endearing practice of overbooking flights and offloading passengers. To be obstinately hooked on the jingle of cash registers while ignoring the suffering of your paying customers takes a unique kind of expertise, of being able to remain deadpan and sleep at night through the turmoil of your aggravated passengers. For many of those who attended the hearings, Cebu Pacific only cares about the cold ca-ching of its cash registers. No doubt, the seat sale it resurrected last week would result in more passengers being kicked off flights. Overbooking and the accompanying forced passenger dumping, in Cebu Pacific’s vision of reality, well, there’s just a “slight chance” of that. That’s a joke, right? But no one’s laughing, as the joke is on us, the public. Let the sentence hang there for a while. “Slight chance,” they say in an entry on airlineratings.com, as though they’re talking about the prospect of seeing a rare unicorn galloping around the departure gate. But no, this is not about fantastical creatures; rather, it is about reservations piling up on a shaky table like a house of cards. It involves accepting the idea of reserved seating as merely a suggestion, a fun idea to play around with. That is if your idea of fun is being forced to reprise the role of Tom Hanks in the movie, The Terminal. Speaking of whimsical, have you ever heard of their brilliant response to situations in which appeals to “volunteers not to travel on their booked flights” fall on deaf ears? Cebu Pacific has your inconvenience covered, so do not be alarmed. They’ve cleverly reserved the power to refuse boarding to travelers “involuntarily,” or against their will, if involuntarily is not clear enough. This translates to passengers gnashing their teeth, pulling their hair, and tearing up their shirts all they want at CebuPac’s check-in counters, without any chance of boarding a flight for which they’d been sold “reserved” seats. However, let’s not limit our discussion to Cebu Pacific’s poetic handling of passenger interactions. Let’s explore the drama that occurred during the probe of the Senate Committee on Tourism. Senators turned their attention to the airline’s fervent devotion to overbooking as the cause of this comedy of errors, becoming unimpressed by the inventive justifications offered by the company for canceled flights and interminable delays. One senator related tales of suffering and annoyance from her own staff as well as from other passengers. Inevitably, as the hours passed, the hearing evolved into a “grief-sharing session.” People stepped up, spilling stories of delayed flights and canceled hopes. If you will, picture a traveler hoping to leave Tokyo but being compelled to crash on the chilly, hard floor of Narita International Airport. Her offense? Having faith in Cebu Pacific to deliver even the most basic amenities. Then there was the dentistry board exam that was almost missed. How about the flight to Cebu from Manila that was diverted to Busuanga and the haggling that followed to force Cebu Pacific to honor its “Passenger Rights” guarantee of free hotel accommodations? The cherry on top? While those who had been put through the wringer were left wondering how the airline’s priorities seemed to be joyously dancing in the skies, the examinee’s lucky aunt, all the way from Australia, managed to score a ticket for a lovely fee. The spokespersons of Cebu Pacific did, however, exhibit some artistic talent. Lightning strikes, bird crashes, and even runway debris were included in the gallery of “freak incidents” they presented as the causes of their errors. During the sleeper hearing, the way Cebu Pacific’s flight operations unfolded resembled an elaborate opera, complete with loud fights and dramatic exits, as if the cosmos had conspired to make it happen. But what was the highlight of Cebu Pacific’s ludicrous theater? Respect for the “Air Passenger Bill of Rights.” To pledge loyalty to rights that seem to exist only in the world of press releases is a truly great gesture. Amid this flying fiasco, passengers may wonder if they are only pawns in a much bigger game when the airline offers its earnest apologies, makes a few promises, and reveals plans for standby aircraft as if they were doing magic. So here we are, seeing the re-erection of Cebu Pacific’s circus tent of antics. Seat sale? Rubbish. The post Sky-high irony appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
BI belies NAIA passenger’s rant
The Bureau of Immigration yesterday urged all outgoing international flight passengers to check in at least three hours before boarding time to allow for inspections. The reminder was issued by BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco in response to a widely circulated complaint from a male passenger who claimed that he missed his flight due to the execution of a secondary inspection. Tansingco said that upon verification, it was confirmed that the passenger checked in only an hour and 27 minutes before boarding. He was able to present himself for primary inspection only 12 minutes before boarding time, Tansingco added. The BI chief added that the secondary inspection is a standard security protocol for passengers who may have tripped flags under the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking guidelines. He emphasized that the BI is required to conduct the secondary inspection when “cautionary indicators” for passengers manifest, such as when they cannot show clear travel itineraries. Tansingco said BI officers are trained to conduct inspections with efficiency and respect for the time of passengers, while also ensuring the utmost attention to security protocols. Meanwhile, he expressed his appreciation to airport authorities for expanding the immigration area. The BI chief shared that last year, its operations at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 had 26 counters, but with the expansions done by the Manila International Airport Authority, the number had risen to 42 working stations. He added that the anticipated further expansion of the immigration area will allow them to add more immigration officers to service arriving and departing passengers. The post BI belies NAIA passenger’s rant appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
3-member group eyes NAIA revamp
Three companies have teamed up with an unprecedented proposal to hasten the development of Ninoy Aquino International Airport or NAIA without incurring disproportionate expenses, suffering major financial losses, or increasing terminal fees for travelers. The three companies, veteran ground handlers Dnata Inc. (a Philippine subsidiary of the United Arab Emirates’ Dnata); Philippine Airport Ground Support Solutions Inc; and Ascent Solutions Philippines Inc. (a provider of e-Gates for the Bureau of Immigration), have teamed up and offered their services to improve the airport services at NAIA with automated biometrics and Common Use Self Service systems and equipment, including self-service check-in and bag drop, additional e-Gates, and automated flight boarding. Shorter wait According to the group, the technology may significantly shorten the processing times for passengers and, if implemented in accordance with their suggested timeline, should increase Terminal 1’s capacity by about 2 million passengers annually in just three months. Following a second deployment within six months, Terminal 1’s departure capacity should rise by four million more annual passengers and that of Terminal 3 by eight million. The group has also set out to demonstrate NAIA’s functionality until the flagship New Manila International Airport opens in less than five years as a response to overstated rehabilitation estimates and proposed superfluous additions whose expenses will inevitably and needlessly be passed on to travellers. The group has no intention of charging the government or the riding public anything in exchange for using its tools. PAGSS President Janette Cordero said that having gained invaluable insight into NAIA from years of experience, they know with certainty that the main pain point of passengers, airlines, and airport users is congestion and long queues resulting in inconvenience. This issue can be satisfactorily addressed through automation. Cordero added with the right guidance and the support of airport stakeholders, NAIA can be operated more efficiently without overspending or overcharging. To assist the government in finding measures to decongest NAIA, the group also volunteered to offer the services of aviation professionals with expertise in airport operations and the optimization of runway capacity. The post 3-member group eyes NAIA revamp appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Wonderful Taiwan
We have been blessed to be tapped for a familiarization trip to Taipei, Taiwan, together with Cebu’s top travel specialists. The agenda was to check out the city’s hotel accommodations of all kinds, various attractions for travelers of all types and to savor authentic Taiwanese cuisine. Our adventure began when we boarded the newest player in the carrier scene — Starlux Airlines. [caption id="attachment_145559" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Nelson and Baby Dy of Grand Hope Travel, Nelia and Julius Neri of Sunstar, Sheila and Carlos Colmenares of Leisure Travel, Gwen and Jaime Po of Pan Pacific Travel.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_145558" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Janelle Tan of Royal Prince International Travel.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_145555" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Aida Uy with grandson Michael Willroy Uy.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_145557" align="aligncenter" width="520"] Christine Chua, sales specialist of Starlux Airlines and Clarice Nevado of Wander Lanes Travel.[/caption] Luckily for us Cebuanos, Starlux now offers direct flights from Cebu to Taipei, which means shorter travel time that makes the whole holiday timetable much more enticing. A Taiwanese international company founded in May 2018, we admittedly had no personal experience with Starlux Airlines. However, upon boarding, we were instantly welcomed with warm hospitality and the feeling stayed all throughout the journey. Oh yes, the flight left right on schedule — not a minute later! Among the highlights of our visit was the 509m-tall bamboo shaped Taipei 101 skyscraper which leads to an observatory. [caption id="attachment_145556" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Alan Carvajal of Travelways International with son Diego Javier.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_145560" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Sherilyn Balunan of Uni Orient Travel[/caption] [caption id="attachment_145561" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Tara Sy of A & M Travel[/caption] [caption id="attachment_145562" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Zenaida Chua of Worldwide Travel and Tours[/caption] The capital is also known for its cuisine — from revered restaurants to its lively street food centers. The must-try dish is xiao long bao — Taiwan’s gift to the world — a steamed bun traditionally filled with pork and seafood. We even dared to go to the open market to try the fabled stinky tofu. As the name implies, it has a pungent odor. We even spent a few hours at Yangmigshan National Park, where we marveled at the beautiful landscapes, to include ridges, valleys, lakes and rocks that make up most of the area’s geology. Lest I forget, the Taiwan Tourism Board, through its Taiwan Lucky Land Campaign, is giving away over 500,000 vouchers over the course of three years to tourists visiting Taiwan. Each coupon amounts to NTD 5,000 or approximately P9,000 pesos. It is not an empty campaign promise. I was lucky enough to be one of the winners, so I can attest to its authenticity! The post Wonderful Taiwan appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
CEB improves NAIA 3 customer service
Cebu Pacific on Monday said it has further improved its customer service at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 by introducing a number of initiatives. Among the moves adopted by CEB include using a designated gate for passengers who have completed online check-in, self-bag tag kiosks, a repack area, and a 24/7 help desk. CEB vice president for customer service operation Lei Apostol said that the airline’s top priority is to ensure the safety and comfort of passengers. “As demand for air travel picks up, we hope that these solutions will allow our customers to travel more conveniently and reach their destinations with ease,” she said. Manila International Airport Authority general manager Cesar Chiong lauded CEB’s initiatives to improve passenger experiences at NAIA 3. “We are always looking for ways to improve the travel experience for our passengers, and we are grateful to Cebu Pacific for their partnership in this effort,” he said. CEB advises its passengers to book their flights online by creating a MyCebuPacific account to get notifications about their upcoming trips, manage their bookings, and access their travel funds, among other features. It said online check-in is also available via the Cebu Pacific app and website, reducing passenger waiting time at the airport and allowing them to go straight to their assigned boarding gates. CEB flies to 35 domestic and 25 international destinations, spanning Asia, Australia and the Middle East. The post CEB improves NAIA 3 customer service appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Recto appeals for free rapid testing for LSIs
Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto on Wednesday appealed for free RT-PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests for locally-stranded individuals before they are sent home. (JANSEN ROMERO / MANILA BULLETIN) The LSIs, he said, should also be treated as VIPs, or “very important passengers” and have them avail of the COVID-19 swab tests before they are transported back to their home provinces. “These ‘VIPs’ are entitled to the same gold standard of testing, more so that they’ve been lodged in a place that will check all the boxes in the list of a possible outbreak spot,” said Recto. Recto was commenting on the thousands of LSIs crammed at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila, brushing aside physical distancing protocols while they wait for their turn to be brought home under the government’s “Hatid Tulong” program. “If we have tested for free those who’ve been on strict quarantine because they’re going to listen to a speech, then all the more we should test exposed individuals who are going home to their loved ones,” he said, referring to the RT-PCR tests conducted for lawmakers and attendees of President Duterte’s recent State of the Nation Address (SONA). “May karapatan din sa peace of mind ang mga komunidad na naghihintay sa kanilang pagdating (Those who have been waiting for them in their communities also have the right to peace of mind),” he pointed out. Recto said the PCR tests will also help prevent the entry and spread of the novel coronavirus in local government units. “A swab test will ensure that the coronavirus will not be hitchhiking to family reunions. Those positive will be flagged from boarding. And spare understaffed and underfunded LGUs and local hospitals from handling a ‘pasa load’ from the national government,” he said. “Kung ngayon, bawal magtransport ng baboy dahil sa ASF at kailangan may certificate na ligtas ang mga ito, tao pa kaya?” he also noted. While saying that he was also “painfully aware” of the shortage on test kits, he lamented the plight of LSIs who have been stranded for months or have resorted to sleeping on streets. Recto said he will defer to the Interagency Task Force of Emerging Infectious Diseases to study and consider the call. Under the Hatid Tulong program, the LSIs must undergo rapid test for COVID-19 and secure medical clearance and travel authority before being allowed to depart going to their provinces. Reports said at least 20 LSIs in the Rizal Stadium have tested positive for antibodies in the rapid tests......»»
Ched-Davao: Quake drill not just ‘procedural activity’ but necessity
AN OFFICIAL from the Commission on Higher Education-Davao Region (Ched-Davao) said that there is a need to prepare students for disasters and other calamities......»»
‘Senate rules on Cha-cha on the right track’
The Senate rules on amending the 1987 Constitution are “on the right track” and ready even before the sub-committee wraps up its discourse on the Resolution of Both Houses 6 pushing Charter change, a senator said......»»
eTravel pains
You know it’s a popular season for traveling when television news outlets are already reporting live from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport to check if there are already hordes of passengers preparing to leave town or the country during the Holy Week break......»»
Southeast Asian Police, Prosecutors Join Forces to Fight Scamdemic
Bangkok - Police and prosecutors across Southeast Asia are forging new ways of working together to thwart and pursue the sprawling criminal networks behind the online scam centers that have quickly taken root in the region, experts involved in the effort have told VOA.In a few short years, scamming hubs bilking billions of dollars out of victims across the globe have set up shop in Cambodia, Laos, the Philippine.....»»
DepEd s SHS vouchers fall short of decongesting public schools, helping poor learners
"It's a waste that we don't solve the problem of congestion because we are randomly giving the voucher program to students," the senator said......»»
DLSU students win P1-million grant for cafeteria food waste to biogas project
Every year, De La Salle University’s cafeterias produce over 28,000 kilograms of kitchen waste, and are responsible for 480,000 kilograms of greenhouse gas emissions.....»»
The real pasaways
The local internet came down hard last week on an anonymous teacher who was caught on livestream giving her students a scorching tongue-lashing for what she claimed was their lack of respect and discipline. Almost hysterical, Teacher X called them good-for-nothings without a future. Predictably, netizens deplored her derogatory language, which they equated with child abuse, and called on the Department of Education to investigate the incident and impose some disciplinary measure on the teacher concerned......»»
‘P7 billion senior high vouchers went to non-poor’
Aside from around 19,000 “ghosts” or undocumented students receiving government assistance, more than P7 billion was spent on non-poor beneficiaries of the senior high school voucher program (SHS-VP), according to Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian......»»
Southeast Asian Police, Prosecutors Join Forces to Fight Scamdemic
Bangkok - Police and prosecutors across Southeast Asia are forging new ways of working together to thwart and pursue the sprawling criminal networks behind the online scam centers that have quickly taken root in the region, experts involved in the effort have told VOA.In a few short years, scamming hubs bilking billions of dollars out of victims across the globe have set up shop in Cambodia, Laos, the Philippine.....»»
Scorching schools: How heat worsens conditions of poor students in PH
[This is the second and last part of a special report on how extreme heat in 2023 impacted the education sector in the Philippines. Click here for the first part.] CEBU CITY, Philippines – The same analysis by Cebu Daily News Digital (CDN Digital) showed that even private schools, which usually have better facilities and.....»»
PSA-7: Report to us if PhilSys ID not accepted
CEBU CITY, Philippines — The Philippine Statistics Authority in Central Visayas (PSA-7) urged Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) ID holders to report to the agency if some entities do not accept their IDs. PSA-7 chief administrative officer of Edwina Carriaga told CDN Digital in a phone interview that the agency is urging PhilSys ID (National ID).....»»