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Companies State it Takes More Than 6 Months to Fill Cybersecurity Positions
The latest Kaspersky survey found that 48% of companies require over half a year to find a qualified cybersecurity professional. A lack of proven experience was cited as one of the biggest challenges, along with the high cost of hiring and global competition in talent acquisition. With global labor markets continuing to clamor for InfoSec […].....»»
Man-made disasters cost Philippines 164.87 mln USD in 2023
MANILA, March 26 (Xinhua) -- Man-made disasters caused the total damage in the Philippines worth 9.29 billion pesos (164.87 million U.S. dollars) in 2023, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said Tuesday. The agency said that out of the total annual damage, 4.93 billion pesos (87.5 million dollars), or 53.1 percent, was due to the oil spill. "The reported oil spill in various regions resulted in dam.....»»
EDITORIAL — The cost of negligence
As of early evening yesterday, the death toll from a vehicular collision in Cotabato stood at 17, with four others needing hospitalization for injuries and severe burns......»»
Cebu Pacific adds 3 aircraft in Q1
Low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific has received another aircraft, its third for the year, leaving the airline with 14 more to accept for the rest of 2024 as it fortifies its fleet in the face of supply issues......»»
[Vantage Point] POGOs, the quintessential milking cow
The rapid expansion of POGOs in the country comes at a price. It has put a strain on local infrastructure, including transportation, utilities, and housing......»»
Chan: Socialized housing tukuron
Chan: Socialized housing tukuron.....»»
‘Practically begging:’ District rep rues meager DepEd funds for new classrooms
Days after the Department of Education cited progress in solving classroom shortages, a House representative vented his fury at being given just enough funds in his poverty-stricken district to build 13 new classrooms out of a backlog of over 700......»»
EDITORIAL - State of emergency
What will it take to allow on-time release of plastic driver’s license cards in this country? Since the previous administration, there has been a backlog in the release of the plastic driver’s license cards, with motorists instead issued temporary paper licenses......»»
Gov’t always short of funds to solve housing backlog
The great Filipino dream is to own a home......»»
LTO to stop paper licenses with arrival of 4M plastic cards
MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Office (LTO) announced it will stop issuing paper driver’s licenses after securing four million plastic cards for delivery. This quantity is deemed sufficient to clear the backlog and cater to new license applications, according to LTO. The LTO noted in a press release that with the Department of Transportation,.....»»
LTO innovates responses to backlogs
The Land Transportation Office, or LTO, now under the leadership of Atty. Vigor Mendoza II, has committed to implementing innovative solutions to immediately address the piles of problems “inherited” from the previous leaderships. Mendoza, whom Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista tasked to help the agency improve its current state, expressed confidence that he could turn the LTO around and make it more efficient and effective. He said this aligns with the Marcos administration’s marching orders to digitalize and bring government services closer to the people seamlessly. Mendoza has already begun to execute some changes, such as streamlining the driver’s license application process, implementing a new online vehicle registration system, and reducing the number of fixers at LTO offices, among others. Speaking in a recent interview on DAILY TRIBUNE’s Straight Talk, Mendoza disclosed that his agency is studying cost-effective ways to produce license plates. Presently, the LTO has a manufacturing plant with eight machines working to produce license plates, but as recently directed by Bautista, the agency is looking at outsourcing them instead of producing them. “We make the plates ourselves, although we are studying if maybe it is high time to review whether the LTO should produce or outsource the plates. I told Secretary Bautista that in terms of efficiency, it might be less costly and faster if we outsource it,” Mendoza said. “We are thoroughly studying those options to weigh which will be less costly to the government. Thus, finally, we could resolve all the backlogs,” he added. Million plates a month Mendoza added that the agency’s plate-making plant could produce a million monthly plates to replace all the backlogs — from the old green plates to the new white ones. He said before the end of November, the license plate backlog will hopefully be fully addressed. With production in full swing, a motorist with a newly acquired four-wheel vehicle can claim his license plates within 10 days. In the meantime, new motorcycle owners can now get their plates immediately. This significantly improved from the previous year when motorists took years to get their plates. To recall, in March, ex-LTO chief Jay Art Tugade issued a memo suspending the production of license plates due to a shortage of materials. Online portal needs full utilization Mendoza said the LTO is also working on finally utilizing the Land Transportation Management System, or LTMS, a P3.14-billion portal created to address Filipinos’ motoring concerns. He lamented that the underutilization of the online portal, which he described as just one of the many inherited problems of the agency, was a misuse of government funds. “The system design is incomplete, and you know that as much as possible, we want to be fully digital as instructed by the President. We want motorists to be able to apply for a license and register their vehicles through that platform,” Mendoza said. “We supposedly have all the facilities. There will be no need to go to LTO offices as it will also address the issues of fixers. However, we cannot do all these until we fully resolve the website’s functionalities,” he said, adding that the LTO would need the developers to provide them with some missing source and application codes. The LTMS was jointly developed by German technology firm Dermalog and its local partners, Holy Family Printing Corp., Microgenesis, and Verzontal Builders Inc. The project went through competitive bidding in May 2018. The LTO’s online portal is a one-stop shop that will integrate all LTO services in a single contactless database system and digital platform. “We are waiting for their reply. I have been open since my first day in office, and I’ve been very open to them. There is a problem, let us talk about it. However, they have not replied to my letters on the source code and application code issue. We have to protect the government’s interest, and the government’s interest is to get the source and application codes so we can do the enhancements ourselves,” Mendoza said. According to the new LTO chief, hiring another third-party team to resolve the LTMS issues might cost the government at least another billion pesos. Mendoza asked why the government does not just find another software developer, saying: “We already paid for the contract.” “If we do it, maybe they will spend another billion just to complete everything, so the government will save a lot if we do it ourselves. We have DICT with us, and LTO is also hiring technical people for us to be able to do it ourselves. So, we can do it, we don’t need foreigners to teach us.” The post LTO innovates responses to backlogs appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Real Estate Stakeholders Call on Govt to Ease Regulations in Housing Projects; One Housing Project in PH Requires 172 Signatures
Real estate stakeholders are calling on the government to ease the strict regulations in the building of houses as a way further to address the country’s backlog of 6 million houses. According to stakeholders, the Philippines has one of the strictest regulations in the building of houses or subdivisions and it takes up two years […].....»»
Blueprint for a sustainable tomorrow
Through a combination of cutting-edge technology, data science and a culture of innovation, Aboitiz Land is making innovative strides in the real estate industry, establishing benchmarks for sustainability and community development. This commitment to adaptability and progress was underscored by Aboitiz Land CEO and president David Rafael during his presentation at the CEO Forum of the CREBA Golden Jubilee National Convention & Housing Expo on 28 September 2023, held at Conrad Manila. Aboitiz Land's dedication to environmental sustainability is evident in every facet of its residential real estate developments. The company's sustainable master plan features prioritize harmony with nature, respecting the natural topography of the land and integrating existing water and landforms like lagoons and hilly terrain seamlessly. This human-centric approach extends to the promotion of green open spaces across high-end and mid-market projects, fostering a connection between residents and the environment. A pinnacle of this commitment is its residential enclave, The Villages at Lipa, within the 800-hectare integrated LIMA Estate. LIMA Estate proudly holds a five-star BERDE certification, a testament to its eco-friendly practices including energy and water efficiency, waste management and community well-being. Poised to become a blueprint for smart cities, it leverages digital technologies for enhanced urban operations. Aboitiz Land also embraces innovation in construction technology, utilizing precast concrete panels to reduce greenhouse emissions associated with traditional concrete production. This approach not only contributes to a significant reduction in environmental impact but also translates into tangible benefits for homeowners, including reduced energy consumption. Aboitiz Land understands the urgent demand for accessible and quality housing in the Philippines. The company addresses this by strategically placing its projects near emerging growth centers and infrastructure. This not only eases congestion in central business districts but also creates job opportunities for thousands of Filipinos. Aboitiz Land’s notable developments include The Villages at Lipa in LIMA Estate, Foressa Mountain Town in the West Cebu Estate and Ajoya communities in key areas of Central Luzon, which is at the heart of the current infrastructure development and growth centers. To help address the critical issue of 6.5 million housing backlog and rising property costs, Aboitiz Land has introduced OneVecino, an innovative digital platform. This tool provides digitized solutions for property search, payments, customer support and property management. It's tailored to cater to the needs of overseas Filipino workers, making home buying more accessible and secure. Aboitiz Land's commitment to community well-being is likewise demonstrated through various CSR initiatives. Elevate AIDA, in partnership with Connected Women, provides digital skills training to women near our communities in Luzon, advances gender parity and promotes socio-economic development. Meanwhile, Project Banca, recognized as an Outstanding CSR Project in Disaster Resilience, supported 60 fisherfolks with motorized fishing boats in areas affected by typhoon “Odette,” showcasing Aboitiz Land's dedication to community well-being and resilience. Aboitiz Land's corporate governance framework is rooted in core values of Integrity, Teamwork, Innovation and Responsibility. The developer is the real estate arm of the Aboitiz Group, which has consistently been acknowledged as one of the best managed conglomerates in the ASEAN region, exemplified by the Golden Arrow Recognition awarded to Aboitiz Equity Ventures. The post Blueprint for a sustainable tomorrow appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
LTO now producing 1 million license plates per month
The government is one step closer to wiping out its multimillion backlog in license plates as the Land Transportation Office announced that its plate-making facility has reached a production rate of one million plates per month......»»
One million license plates being produced monthly at LTO
MANILA, Philippines — One million license plates are being produced monthly at the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to solve the agency’s backlog especially on motorcyle plates. “We are now producing one million plates a month. We have dedicated machines that cater only to motor vehicles,” said LTO chief Vigor Mendoza II in a statement. “And, of course, focus on production para sa mas maraming backlog sa plaka ng motorsiklo (for the larger backlog of motorcycle plates),” he noted. READ: LTO-7 exec: Drivers can now get their plastic driver’s licenses LTO has a backlog of 13 million on motorcycle plates. “With the current production rate, we will be able to wipe out the backlog for motorcycles by early 2025,” Mendoza said. “Mas marami kase ito, pero we are confident of addressing it. We are on the right track,” he explained. (Because this is more, we are confident of addressing it.) READ: LTO: Plastic driver’s license cards out now; schedule of renewal announced The agency aims to remove the 80,000 backlog on vehicle plates by the end of November. It also wants to shorten the waiting time for new license plates to 7 to 10 days from the submission of car documents. At the current pace, the procedure takes months. “We estimate that the current demand for motor vehicle plates is around 2,000 vehicles a day. So [multiplied by] two for the front and back plates], so it’s 4,000 a day,” Mendoza said. “We have that capacity. There’s no reason why a buyer who comes to you now will have to wait months to get their plates,” he added. READ: System in place to address backlog in vehicle plates – LTO chief.....»»
’13 million bike plate backlog wiped out by 2025’
The 13-million backlog in motorcycle plates may take up to April 2025 to be fully delivered, the Land Transportation Office said yesterday......»»
QC police sue warehouse owners over fire that killed 15 people
The Quezon City Police District has filed a case against the owners of MGC Wearhouse, Inc. the residential unit turned factory in Tandang Sora that was gutted by fire on 31 August 2023, resulting in the death of 15 people. A case of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide has been filed against the surviving incorporators of MGC Wearhouse, Inc. namely Catherine Sy, Lina Cavilte, Johanna Cavilte and Geoffrey Cavilte. A special panel formed by the Quezon City Government and a task force from the QCPD pursued separate investigations into the incident. QCPD Director P/Brig.Gen. Redrico Maranan said that on the early morning of 19 September 2023, P/Maj. Don Don u Llapitan, Chief of Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit, together with his operatives, proceeded to Occidental Mindoro to locate the families of the fire victims. They were assisted by the office of Occidental Mindoro Governor Eduardo Gadiano. The QCPD team also proceeded to Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro and took the statements of some of the family members of the victims. This led to the identification of the company incorporators and the filing of charges against them. Mayor Joy Belmonte welcomed the filing of the criminal case. “We hope that through this development, justice will be served to the 15 individuals who perished during that unfortunate incident. We appreciate the effort of the Quezon City Police District for being committed to ferret out the truth,” she said. BFP probe Belmonte earlier called on the Bureau of Fire Protection to conduct a thorough investigation and undertake reforms in the Bureau of Fire Protection-Quezon City Fire District. Belmonte made the call as the probe conducted by the city government and the Quezon City Council revealed lax inspection, backlog in the examination of businesses and other lapses in the performance of the BFP-QCFD. Quezon City fire marshal Senior Superintendent Aristotle Bañaga went on leave following the call by Belmonte for his removal in the wake of several fire incidents this year in his jurisdiction. BFP chief Director Louie Puracan said Bañaga filed his leave of absence following news reports published by Daily Tribune that Belmonte wrote Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos to recommend his relief, along with that of Fire Safety Enforcement Section head Chief Inspector Dominic Salvacion, for their lapses. The post QC police sue warehouse owners over fire that killed 15 people appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bong Go reminds DOH to release healthcare workers’ benefits
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, has once again called upon the Department of Health (DOH) to ensure the timely release of necessary allowances for the country’s healthcare workers, in accordance with the law considering their sacrifices and dedication throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Go reminded DOH Secretary Teodoro "Ted" Herbosa during a Commission on Appointments (CA) hearing on Tuesday, 26 September, that some healthcare workers have not yet received their allowances. He, likewise, urged DOH to implement a more efficient and streamlined process to expedite the release of allowances for healthcare workers in accordance with the law. “Marami po talagang mga backlog pa po na mga payables ng health emergency allowance. Yung mga HEA nila na hindi pa nababayaran, baka may mga backlog pa po from the previous years. Kaya parati akong nananawagan sa DBM, sa Department of Health na bilisan natin (ang paglabas) nito,” urged Go. “Pasado naman ito sa Kongreso noon. Ipinasa natin ito. Napakaliit lang po niyan na halaga (para) sa sakripisyo na ginawa nila para sa ating bayan sa panahon ng pandemya." The senator, likewise, stressed that the least the government can do is to ensure that healthcare workers receive the allowances they rightfully deserve without delay. Go emphasized the importance of continuously supporting the frontliners even after the state of public health emergency had been lifted. Go is one of the authors and co-sponsored Republic Act No. 11712, which grants continuing benefits and allowances to healthcare workers during public health emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic. Public and private healthcare workers covered by the law are entitled to HEA for every month of service during a state of public health emergency based on the risk categorization. Previously, Go expressed his gratitude to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. for showing his unwavering commitment to the welfare of healthcare workers. The senator specifically praised the President for urging the prompt release of the much-needed COVID-19 emergency allowance during his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) last July. “Natutuwa at nagpapasalamat tayo na napakinggan ng ating Pangulo ang mga hinaing ng ating healthcare workers at tinugunan niya ito sa kanyang SONA. Even with the lifting of the State of Public Health Emergency, unahin po natin ‘yung mga medical frontliners natin na nagsakripisyo para sa ating mga kababayan,” Go said. Earlier, Go also stated that “with or without the State of Public Health Emergency, the government should fulfill its obligations to protect the lives of Filipinos, safeguard their health, and give what is due to them, especially to medical front liners.” Moreover, Go also previously expressed his support for the proposed Salary Standardization Law 6, which aims to increase the salaries of government workers, including medical professionals in the public sector. “Healthcare workers have been facing enormous challenges on multiple fronts. Apart from the physical demands and risks of treating COVID-19 patients, they have also grappled with emotional and mental tolls, and many have had to cope with the loss of colleagues and patients alike,” expressed Go. “As co-sponsor and author of Salary Standardization Law 5 during the 18th Congress, sana po ay magkaroon pa ng bagong Salary Standardization Law 6. I’m one with the government in seeking to provide another increase in salaries for those working in the public sector,” he added. The post Bong Go reminds DOH to release healthcare workers’ benefits appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
JV dismayed by DHSUD outlay cut
Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito yesterday expressed disappointment over what he described as the meager allocation of P5.4 billion for the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development for 2024. Ejercito, the author of Republic Act 11201 that created the DHSUD, called for the prioritization of the government’s housing program to address the country’s backlog of dwellings. “It’s really sad that it (DHSUD) is receiving a measly budget of P5.4 billion,” said Ejercito during the Senate deliberations on the department’s proposed budget under the 2024 National Expenditure Program. “Listening earlier, when it’s P1 billion or P2 billion, they can only do about 2,000 (housing) units considering the (construction) costs right now and how it goes up quickly,” the senator said. He said he considers housing and the creation of the DHSUD his “baby,” so he must guard its implementation and budgeting. Ejercito recalled that during the drafting of the DHSUD law, the country’s housing backlog was only two million, but it has since ballooned to more than six million. DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar had told the Senate that they were doing what they could to maximize the budget allocated to them through the “innovative” financing scheme that the government’s “Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino” or 4PH Program had adopted. He pointed out that the 4PH was also tapping the private sector to actively participate in the program. “In previous strategies, P36 billion could only generate 36,000 units. With the new program, P36 billion can produce one million houses,” he said, referring to the partnership that the 4PH offers to the private sector as developers and contractors. The P36 billion is the intended interest support for one million housing units. In response, Ejercito backed the 4PH vision of bridging the country’s housing gap with Secretary Acuzar at the helm. “Like I said before, I think we need somebody like Secretary Acuzar who thinks outside the box because if we’ll just follow the old system, the previous program, the backlog just keeps getting bigger,” Ejercito said. The DHSUD had proposed a budget of P116 billion for fiscal year 2024, but the NEP submitted by the Department of Budget and Management reflected only P5.4 billion. The DBM is proposing to increase the budget to P13.86 billion. “Be rest assured that we will definitely support (the increase), and that’s our target really,” Ejercito said. The post JV dismayed by DHSUD outlay cut appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Belmonte calls for reforms in BFP-QCFD
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte on Monday called on the Bureau of Fire Protection to undertake reforms in the BFP - Quezon City Fire District (QCFD). Belmonte made the call as results of the probe conducted by the city government and the Quezon City Council revealed lax inspection, backlog in the examination of businesses, and other lapses in the performance of the BFP-QCFD. "The BFP should look into how the BFP-QCFD fulfilled its mandate in the light of tragic loss of lives and properties due to recent fires in the city. Were the BFP-QCFD leadership remiss in their duties? They should hold their personnel accountable if proven guilty of inefficiency," she said. Belmonte earlier sought the relief of two officials from the BFP-QCFD following a review of the performance of the agency prompted by the tragic loss of lives caused by the fire last 31 August in Tandang Sora. An evaluation conducted by the city government of each fire incident that occurred this year showed on average, more damage, injury, and death compared to the previous year. “The capability and effectiveness of the BFP-QCFD in responding to these fires have lessened significantly. The city government recognizes that each fire has its own distinct volatile circumstances. Nonetheless, the severity of this year's incidents necessitates a call for a change in the leadership of the agency. A change is needed for the welfare of our citizens. We look forward to a better performance from the BFP," Belmonte said. The two officials were identified as BFP-QCFD fire marshall, Fire Senior Superintendent Aristotle Bañaga, and the chief of the QCFD Fire Prevention Branch, Fire Chief Inspector Dominic Salvacion. Data from the BFP revealed that from January to August 2023, there were 153 fires recorded in the city, while there were only 219 fires from January to December 2022. With a third of the year left, there have already been eight firefighters and 63 civilians injured compared to only two firefighters and 60 civilians for the entirety of last year. Moreover, there were already 24 deaths in the first eight months of this year while there were 30 from January to December 2022. There were 8,362 individuals or 2,380 families affected by the fires up to August this year, higher than the whole of last year’s record of 7,295 individuals or 2,005 families. “For this reason and to protect the people of Quezon City, I am calling upon the national leadership of the Bureau of Fire Protection to assign to us a new fire marshall for the QCFD and a new inspection head,” Belmonte added. Belmonte also called on the BFP to be more transparent in their own investigation of the Tandang Sora fire. “The BFP has failed to reciprocate the city government’s efforts to exercise transparency. They resisted our calls to be apprised of the progress of their own probe, or to our requests for coordination. We therefore ask the BFP to cooperate fully with the city government as mandated by law, to ensure full transparency and clarity in these investigations. Our people demand more, and the victims and their families deserve nothing less,” Belmonte said. Belmonte earlier ordered the City Legal Department to form a Special Panel of Investigators to probe the incident and if warranted by evidence, to file the appropriate case(s) against pertinent and surviving officers of the business establishment involved in the deadly fire in Tandang Sora. Local government personnel found to be liable after the conduct of the investigation will likewise face administrative and criminal charges. “The city government continues to thoroughly investigate the devastating fire of August 31. It has coordinated with and interviewed its departments, the barangay, the homeowners association, the relatives of the victims, and the survivors, to ascertain the circumstances that brought about this tragedy. We will leave no stone unturned, and we will not spare even our own officials and personnel,” the mayor added. The mayor assured the residents that the city government will continue to beef up the city’s fire prevention measures and efforts. On 14 September, Mayor Belmonte extended financial assistance to the families of the fire victims. Earlier, the city government helped arrange for the cremation of the remains of the victims, among others. The post Belmonte calls for reforms in BFP-QCFD appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»