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AI: Boon or bane?
There is an AI photo editing app taking social media by storm......»»
A new Immigration Law for Bagong Pilipinas
The end of the COVID-19 pandemic has proven to be both a boon and bane to the global tourism and travel community. Now that we all have gone back to normal lives, it gave birth to what is now called as “revenge travels.”.....»»
Addressing vote-buying
It seems that the present Commission on Elections is not running out of ideas on how to effect reforms. It is not “sleeping on their post” as sentinels used to say. It continues to pursue changes in the electoral landscape unmindful of negative social and political headwinds. I just wrote about its speedy action of placing Malabang, Lanao del Sur under Comelec control because of the indiscriminate firing of guns on the first day of filing of certificates of candidacy. Now, it’s tackling the mother of election irregularities — vote buying and vote selling. This illegal practice is anti-democratic. It continues to be the bane of elections. It restricts one’s freedom to choose one’s leaders. That it thrives as endemic in a political milieu like the Philippines is a testament to how difficult life is for the common people. Financial need, especially for those on the margins of society, is so chronic that people are willing to sacrifice their basic freedoms to make ends meet. This is a problem almost beyond solution because of the difficulty of punishing the wrongdoers, both the buyer and seller. We have laws punishing it but prosecutors can only build a case against a suspect with the participation of at least one of the accomplices to the crime. And who would want to testify against oneself unless immunity is assured? And so, we see a mockery of the law. No one gets jailed for violating it. The proactive Comelec comes now with a bagful of measures to combat the anomaly. It has created a special group, the Committee on Kontra Bigay, to address the problem and it is helmed by a no-nonsense reformist, Commissioner Ernesto Maceda Jr., the namesake of a great and astute statesman who served the country in various capacities for decades. I say he is the right choice, not only because of the reputation he has built, but more so because of the weight of the name he carries which he would not want to taint with a whiff of wrongdoing. The Commission has listed a litany of prohibitive acts associated with vote-buying. It’s too long to list in this limited space. But on top of these are acts and activities “presumed” to be illegal because they lead to the commission of the crime. These include “possessing or delivery of... monies or anything of value together with sample ballots or other campaign materials... queues of registered voters for the distribution of money... and such other goods... employing the hakot system or the gathering of two or more registered voters in a specific place before election day and on election day ...prohibiting the possession... carrying of cash exceeding P500,000 along with campaign paraphernalia two days before an election and on election day... an ‘ayuda’ ban except that which is normally given to qualified individuals...” It also created the Kontra Bigay Complaint Center which will receive complaints of vote-buying. For human rights guardians, consider this: the Comelec allows “warrantless arrest wherein any law enforcement officer may, without a warrant, arrest a person when in his or her presence, the person to be arrested has committed, is committing, or is attempting to commit the election offense of vote-buying.” Wow! A case arising out of these acts is fertile ground for legal hermeneutics. Any two-bit lawyer can find a “palusot” in this scenario. It may be extremely difficult to prove all these by evidence but it’s surely a theoretical force to deter the commission of the crime. And let it not be said that the present Commission did not lift a finger to combat this perennial problem which everyone talks about but was never addressed by past commissions. For this reason, the present Commission deserves our appreciation for a bold ambitious move. amb_mac_lanto@yahoo.com The post Addressing vote-buying appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
BRICS expansion: Boon or bane?
The BRICS alliance, comprised of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, has emerged as a significant player in the global geopolitical landscape since its inception in 2006. Over the years, BRICS has demonstrated its potential to influence international economic policies, trade agreements, and even security affairs. The proposal, therefore, to expand BRICS by incorporating six more nations, namely Mexico, Indonesia, Turkey, Nigeria, Egypt and Vietnam, is worthwhile as all of them are emerging economies with substantial influence in their respective regions. This expansion could enhance the economic and geopolitical clout of the BRICS alliance, bringing together a diverse group of countries with considerable resources, markets, and geopolitical importance. The inclusion of these six nations would significantly bolster BRICS’ economic power. Mexico, Indonesia, and Turkey, in particular, possess large and dynamic economies, adding greater diversity to the group’s financial portfolio. This expanded BRICS could collectively represent a substantial portion of global GDP, potentially rivaling the G7. The proposed expansion would give BRICS access to a broader range of natural and human resources. For instance, Nigeria and Egypt are rich in natural resources, while Vietnam offers a young and dynamic workforce. This resource diversity can stimulate economic growth and cooperation among member nations. The inclusion of these nations could strengthen BRICS’ influence in their respective regions. Indonesia, for instance, is a key player in Southeast Asia, while Nigeria holds sway in West Africa. This regional influence could help BRICS in pursuing its collective interests on the global stage. Expanding BRICS may enhance security and stability by providing a forum for member nations to collaborate on regional and global security issues. With increased representation, BRICS could become a more influential force in addressing challenges such as terrorism, cyber threats and regional conflicts. While the idea of BRICS expansion holds promise, it has its challenges and considerations. The inclusion of additional nations may lead to conflicting interests within BRICS. The current members already have diverse economic, political, and strategic goals, and adding more voices to the mix could complicate decision-making processes. Some proposed new members, such as Turkey, have complex geopolitical relationships with existing BRICS countries. Balancing these tensions while fostering cooperation will be crucial for the success of an expanded BRICS alliance. The existence of the G7 grouping adds another layer of complexity. The G7, consisting of economically advanced Western nations, has historically set the tone for global economic policies. The expansion of BRICS could create competition or cooperation between these two blocs, impacting global economic dynamics. The expansion of BRICS would undoubtedly significantly impact the world economy. With an enlarged membership, BRICS could exert greater influence over international economic policies, trade agreements, and financial institutions. This could lead to a more balanced and equitable global economic order. An expanded BRICS could challenge the dominance of Western-led institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. This may lead to the creation of alternative financial institutions that better represent the interests of emerging economies. BRICS’ expansion could facilitate increased trade and investment among member nations. This could create new business opportunities and stimulate economic growth, especially in regions with emerging markets like Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America. A larger BRICS alliance would have a stronger voice in global economic governance. This could result in more inclusive policies that consider the needs and priorities of developing nations. Therefore, the idea of expanding BRICS represents a compelling proposition with the potential to reshape global economic and security dynamics. While challenges and complexities exist, the benefits of an enlarged BRICS alliance, including financial strength, resource diversity, and enhanced regional influence, cannot be ignored. However, the success of such an expansion would depend on the ability of member nations to navigate divergent interests, manage geopolitical tensions, and effectively cooperate on a global stage. More importantly, the relationship between an expanded BRICS and the G7 will play a crucial role in shaping the future of global governance. In an era of evolving international relations, an expanded BRICS could be a key player in driving positive change on the world stage. The post BRICS expansion: Boon or bane? appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Branding governance
It was once observed that an archipelago like the Philippines would more likely find it difficult to be united as a nation. Compared to smaller countries like Singapore, for instance, whose progress has been undeniably immense, ours is harder to pull together. Is it our so-called “halo-halo” culture? Regionalism is either a bane or a boon depending on where you stand. Some say the rise of leaders from Mindanao brought up the issue of “Imperial Manila” where funds were more likely to be funneled. The general sentiment on this matter is that Manila’s limited use of its vast influence led to the provinces’ slow growth and development. On another significant note, it is believed that the term “Imperial Manila” was born sometime after the toppling of Ferdinand Marcos Sr. through the People Power Revolution. Some say the whole thing was done “without the participation of provincials,” as Amando Doronila once wrote in his column. This is, of course, highly debatable, as history is often interpreted in various ways. Strangely enough, the issues of unity and equality once again rise to the fore with the release of Memorandum Circular 24 issued on 3 July. In said memorandum, “Bagong Pilipinas” will serve as a “branding and communication strategy characterized by a principled, accountable and dependable government.” The concept is hinged on the government’s commitment “to assisting Filipinos in realizing their ‘goals and aspirations.’” Moreover, the logo would be “incorporated into the letterheads, websites, official social media accounts, and other documents of all state agencies and entities.” “Bagong Pilipinas” is to be our rallying cry, the reason for being, an end goal. The response was immediate, and why not? It has been one slogan and logo controversy after another lately, from the rebranding of the tourism campaign slogan and logo to the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.’s new logo. Now “Bagong Pilipinas” is said to be just another unoriginal creation, in fact reminiscent of “Bagong Lipunan,” or New Society, during the regime of the President’s father from 1972 to 1986. In a couple of public speeches, President Bongbong Marcos has referred to a “New Philippines.” From his campaign call for unity, the messaging carried across by the jingle titled “Bagong Pilipinas, Bagong Mukha” composed by Filipino rapper Andrew E of “Humanap Ka Ng Panget” fame, to his choice of Cabinet members not all entirely allied with his party, BBM is clearly intent on forging the path to the Philippines he envisions to be better. There is a growing opinion that President Marcos Jr., having inherited a slew of ills from previous leaderships, would really like to begin again with a fresh slate, though that being impossible, at least with a fresh mindset for all. This, Bagong Pilipinas is a reminder made into policy for all of us, top to bottom, side to side, that we should really just simply “love the Philippines” first to make our dreams come true. The post Branding governance appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
AI to stay relevant in BPO, group claims
As artificial intelligence is causing global worry over the loss of jobs for humans, executives of the Contact Center Association of the Philippines maintain that AI would bring more benefits than harm, particularly to their industry. CCAP president Mickey Ocampo said artificial intelligence would be more helpful, than detrimental, to the BPO industry. He said the country’s contact center and business process management sector continues to evolve amid the emergence of new technologies, particularly Generative AI, which is quickly being incorporated into various tasks across the information technology and business process management or IT-BPM industry. “The impact of a generative AI will come within the next, maybe, two to four years. This will allow our country to develop using upskilling our people. Generative AI will increase productivity as at a certain level we will be able to handle more calls or more non-voice inquiries. AI will also generate additional jobs,” he said during Daily Tribune’s Straight Talk program last Tuesday. Ocampo said their group is confident the sector could easily keep its position as the world’s top provider of voice and business process outsourcing services and it’s being the “heart of customer experience (CX)” with the adoption of Generative AI, which critics say could either be a boon or a bane to the BPO industry. “Generative AI can be used to automate and enhance various aspects of customer interactions. Some examples are chatbots and virtual assistants. There are automated email responses for faster adaptability. To illustrate, in the past, when an agent needed to respond to a customer’s call, he had to look at the CRM and backtrack or even go to the knowledge base. Now, these things are automated, further enhancing agent productivity,” Ocampo said. CCAP managing director Rosario Cajucom-Bradbury said Generative AI will have an impact on client business, in the way services are delivered and in the corporate services of providers, namely, human resource and finance, among others. She said the use of Generative AI Assist working alongside agents when handling calls will increase their efficiency, productivity, and resolution in delivering customer service. “Thus, the call agent is provided the opportunity to have more focused active listening and genuine empathy rather than being preoccupied with navigating the system for resolution. Filipinos’ innate trait of service orientation combined with the power of Generative AI will enhance the employee’s experience at work which would translate to an even more satisfying customer experience — therefore helping the Philippines retain being the ‘heart of CX’ and at the same time meeting or even exceeding growth targets,” Bradbury explained. Additional 1.1M jobs Ocampo said with the use of Generative AI by CCAP members, they can generate an additional 1.1 million jobs for Filipinos until 2028, covering all types of BPO services, namely, finance, insurance, medical, and health, and overall cost-based customer service for fast moving and consumer goods. “And if we go back to the generative AI, new job roles are created. Generative AI will be useful to the end users and the consumers and the business. We will continue to upskill our workforce to cope with AI,” Ocampo said. The aggressive target is part of the 2028 IT-BPM Roadmap, which was launched in the third quarter of 2022, coinciding with the start of the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. It also sets a target of 2.5 million full-time employees (2.3 million to be accounted for by CCAP-member firms) and a 40-percent countryside expansion. In 2022, the contact center sector employed 1.4 million individuals, which was 87 percent of the 1.6 million total employment in the local IT-BPM industry. Ocampo said the impact of Generative AI would be reflected in the sector’s figures in two to four years, clarifying that the emerging technology was not factored in when the IT-BPM Roadmap was set “because it surfaced just about seven months ago although AI had already been widely used across the industry.” These and more interesting issues and developments would take center stage in the upcoming Contact Islands Conference 2023. With the theme “The Philippines, the Heart of CX,” the conference is set to once again facilitate a world-class delegate experience and an excellent venue for the exchange of views, coaching, networking, and benchmarking for the sector’s leaders and decision-makers. The conference is set for 26 to 28 July at the Dusit Thani Mactan in Lapu-Lapu City Cebu. The post AI to stay relevant in BPO, group claims appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
How ready are we to manage disasters?
A recent report from the World Meteorological Organization warned that global temperatures are expected to rise to record levels in the next five years, triggered by greenhouse gases and the recurring El Niño. With the current hot weather already a bane to many, and occasional thundershowers offering temporary relief, the scenario in the not-too-distant future looms as a threat more than a warning, as the chances of having the hottest days on record within five years appear to be a dead certain reality. “A warming El Niño is expected to develop in the coming months, and this will combine with human-induced climate change to push global temperatures into uncharted territory,” said WMO Secretary-General Pro. Peterri Taalas. “This will have far-reaching repercussions for health, food security, water management, and the environment. We need to be prepared.” Despite the grim announcement, Taalas offers a ray of hope. We still have time to prevent the inevitable from happening; he provides to soothe doomsayers. This is not an impossible situation and is not irreversible, he adds. Strengthening weather and climate services to protect people from extreme weather conditions and new greenhouse gas monitoring will be on top of the agenda of matters to be discussed during the forthcoming WMO Conference scheduled from 22 May to 2 June. For our part, how ready are we to handle disasters of this sort? Are we equipped to face or institute disaster-reduction/mitigation efforts? There has been a lot of discussion on making a paradigm shift from reactive to proactive in the matter of responding to disasters, including floods, earthquakes, and droughts, among others. The government and the private sector have stressed that responses should be immediate and efficient, and emergency relief immediately followed by the rebuilding of destroyed houses or infrastructure or rehabilitation and livelihoods restored to the affected victims. The World Conference on Disaster Reduction mapped out a framework from 2005-2015 that adopted “five priorities for action: 1. Ensure that disaster risk reduction is a national and local priority with a strong institutional basis for implementation; 2. Identify, assess and monitor disaster risks and enhance early warning; 3. Use knowledge, innovation, and education to build a culture of safety and resilience at all levels; 4. Reduce the underlying risk factors; and 5. Strengthen disaster preparedness for effective response at all levels.” Considering that the Philippines ranks first in the world regarding risks associated with natural disasters and is “host” to an average of 20 typhoons annually, six of which are destructive according to a World Risk Index report, have we used these recommendations? Only a few years ago, five Northern Luzon town mayors were facing charges in the Office of the Ombudsman after they were found missing from their posts as Typhoon Ompong ravaged most parts of the islands, causing deaths and destruction in the aftermath. Many victims of past calamities continue to live in makeshift dwellings as they cannot rebuild their homes far from their workplaces and schools for their children. There is a never-ending line of displaced people seeking food or ayuda and a mad scramble for the same caused by disorderly or ill-maintained distribution systems. Donations are being ripped off and do not go to the intended beneficiaries. Instead of being disaster-prepared, we react as if these calamities are happening for the first time. In contrast, look at how neighboring Bangladesh, another developing nation in 6th place on the Global Risk Index, deals with the catastrophes that come their way. Its government has boosted community-focused risk reduction efforts, decentralized disaster management, developed partnerships, and enhanced community resilience by working together to reduce their vulnerability to the elements and participating in risk-reduction activities. Our local government executives should look up to their Bangladesh counterparts and learn a thing or two, reviewing their original mandates and responsibilities to their constituents. Old systems that did not work must be discarded or restructured according to the needs of the times. And the time to act is now before it’s too late. The post How ready are we to manage disasters? appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Balik Manggagawa online system: boon or bane for OFWs?
In a dimly-lit avant-garde dining place at the charming Raffles Hotel in Singapore, I lost my phone and along with it, perhaps more than five years of data and memories......»»
Philippines a slowly ageing society – PIDS study
via rappler.com – The Philippines will transition to an ageing society by 2032, and for the economy, this could be both boon and bane, according to a study of the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS). A December 2018 PIDS study dove into United Nations data from 2017 to project Read more ».....»»
EDITORIAL - Ivermectin: Boon or bane?
At the end of March, the World Health Organization released its statement on the anti-parasitic drug ivermectin......»»
Zoom-time
If there’s anything that this COVID pandemic will leave in its wake aside from a long, deep trail of sorrow and suffering it will be Zoom, the app that’s become the boon and bane of billions of people worldwide......»»
Parks aims to become best version of himself
Being the namesake of his legendary father is both a boon and a bane for Bobby Ray Parks Jr......»»
Philippines’s Marcos pledges action in response to China’s ‘dangerous attacks’
President Ferdinand Marcos of the Philippines has issued a strong statement in response to recent confrontations in the South China Sea, stating that the country.....»»
Cebu City declares state of calamity in 28 mountain barangays due to el Niño
CEBU CITY, Philippines – In response to the escalating effects of the ongoing El Niño phenomenon, Cebu City has declared a “state of calamity” in 28 mountain barangays. This decision comes after a resolution was passed with reports of dwindling water sources and agricultural distress, prompting urgent measures to assist affected communities in the city. .....»»
NBA: James triple-double pulls Lakers past Grizzlies
LeBron James returned from a one-game absence to post a 23-point triple-double on Wednesday and lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 136-124 NBA victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. James sat out the Lakers’ come-from-behind double-overtime victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday with a sore left ankle. READ: NBA: Giannis tows Bucks over Thunder .....»»
Belmonte, Binay call for climate action funding from development banks
The C40 coalition of cities, a network of nearly 100 mayors, asked MDBs to increase urban climate investment, integrate urban climate action into their strategies, and implement tailored programs to support city projects. .....»»
Binance ban a boon to local crypto firms
Local crypto traders are now experiencing as much as four times higher transaction volumes as investors shift their tokens from Binance......»»
D.C.Plinado Campaign pushed
DAVAO City Councilor Bai Hundra Cassandra Dominique N. Advincula urged Dabawenyos to continue embodying the "culture of discipline", as a legacy, and to be conscious of turning it into the key for the city's growth......»»
Marian Rivera takes on projects that her children can watch
With her upcoming primetime show, “My Guardian Alien,” Marian Rivera has added sci-fi to the growing array of genres — from drama, fantasy, romance, and action to historical and comedy — that the Kapuso actress has successfully ventured into thus far......»»
Rebelasyon ni Elizabeth Oropesa best kisser si FPJ: Basta napakasarap!
SHOOKT ang publiko sa naging rebelasyon ng premyadong aktres na si Elizabeth Oropesa tungkol sa namayapang Action King na si Fernando Poe, Jr.. Nag-guest si La Oro (tawag kay Elizabeth sa showbiz) sa “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda” nitong nagdaang March 26, kung saan game na game niyang sinagot ang maiintrigang tanong sa kanyang career.....»»