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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......»»
Hackers ‘too good’ nowadays, businesses must strengthen security: expert
Threat actors are just waiting for the right timing to attack and harvest precious data. This was the warning of Palo Alto country manager Oscar Visaya in an exclusive interview on the sidelines of the VST-ECS CXO Tech Summit on Friday in Mactan, Cebu. “Threat actors nowadays are too good. They find the weakest link in the organizations. They find time and the right opportunity to enter to spread the virus,” he said. The cybersecurity expert said that with adversaries seeking to exploit vulnerabilities at every step of the application life cycle, it has become more crucial than ever for organizations to strengthen their security measures. “Right now, generative artificial intelligence is used to send effective phishing emails. And with AI, cyber threats can evolve. That is the reason we are asking all organizations to go along with the evolution to protect organizations. Legacy technology should be changed to the latest and safest one. This will put organizations to be at par with others. Cybersecurity is all about mindset as all dealings in the future will be digitalized and your organization will be left behind, then the future is not good for you,” said Visaya. On Monday, Senator Risa Hontiveros filed Senate Resolution 829, seeking to find out why three government institutions were penetrated by hackers, which led to the leaking of individuals’ personal information and raising doubts about the agency's capability to protect the data of citizens. “The breach of personal and sensitive information kept by government agencies endangers the safety and security of all Filipinos -- leaving us even more vulnerable to increasingly nefarious schemes involving text message spams, online scams, phishing, financial fraud, extortion, blackmail, and identity theft,” the resolution read. Last month, state insurer Philippine Health Insurance Corporation was reportedly attacked by Medusa Ransomware, compromising some members' personal and sensitive information such as addresses, and social security numbers, among others. A separate cyberattack targeted the Philippine Statistics Authority, which announced on 12 October that personal and sensitive data from its Community-Based Monitoring System had been accessed by "bad actors." Meanwhile, the website of the House of Representatives was also hacked last Sunday. Palo Alto Networks, a leader in the cybersecurity domain with a presence in the Philippines, introduced the CI/CD Security module to its Prisma Cloud platform. The CI/CD Security module is a groundbreaking addition to Prisma Cloud, as it offers seamless integration of software delivery pipeline security into organizations' cloud-native environments. Attacks on software supply chains are on the rise due to the prevalence of open-source usage and the complexity of software dependency, which makes securing the software supply chain difficult. In 2022, more than 7,300 malicious Open-Source Software packages were discovered across all major package manager registries. ra The post Hackers ‘too good’ nowadays, businesses must strengthen security: expert appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
New face of drug war
The recalibration of the drug war reflects a welcome and significant shift in perspective. This new approach acknowledges that a more nuanced understanding of the drug problem is necessary, one that views drug use not merely as a criminal act but also as a health concern. The decision to target drug syndicates rather than drug users signals a shift from punitive measures to a more rehabilitative stance. In the past, focusing on users often resulted in a revolving door scenario, with the same individuals repeatedly caught in the cycle of arrest, release, and re-arrest. Targeting the syndicates disrupts the supply chain, making drugs less accessible and thus potentially reducing drug use. Moreover, acknowledging drug use as an addiction rather than a simple matter of criminality is crucial in addressing this problem more effectively. The World Health Organization defines addiction as a complex, multifactorial health disorder characterized by chronic and relapsing behavior. Recognizing drug users as victims of addiction, rather than criminals paves the way for more compassionate and health-centered interventions. This perspective aligns with global best practices in handling the drug problem. Many countries, such as Portugal, have seen significant success by treating drug use as a public health issue rather than a criminal one. Drug users are offered rehabilitation and harm reduction services rather than jail time. Such an approach has resulted in lower drug use rates, fewer drug-related deaths, and reduced transmission of drug-related infectious diseases. The new drug war in the Philippines could mean increased funding for rehabilitation centers and more robust community-based rehabilitation programs. It could also lead to the implementation of harm reduction strategies, such as needle exchange programs, which have been shown to reduce the spread of HIV and other infectious diseases among drug users. However, this new direction also requires a more holistic approach that addresses the root causes of drug addiction, such as poverty, lack of education, and social inequality. This means that the drug war should not be fought in isolation but as part of a broader effort to improve social conditions and create opportunities for all Filipinos. Furthermore, going after the syndicates necessitates strengthening the country’s law enforcement capabilities. This includes providing necessary training, resources, and support to ensure that they can effectively dismantle these syndicates. In conclusion, the new direction of the Philippine government under President Marcos Jr. to recalibrate the drug war represents a more humane and potentially more effective approach to addressing the drug problem. By focusing on the syndicates and recognizing drug users as victims of addiction, we are moving towards a more comprehensive, compassionate, and sustainable solution to this complex issue. The post New face of drug war appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Solon expects stronger SK programs
Constituents of those who would be elected in the upcoming Sangguniang Kabataan elections could expect stronger and more progressive programs from their respective leaders, according to Senator Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara on Sunday. Angara, who chairs the Senate Committee on Youth, said with the completion of the implementing rules and regulations of Republic Act 11768 which introduced new reforms to the SK system, the youth sector can expect better performance from their representatives. “Critics of the SK have questioned its relevance and see it as being politicized,” Angara said. “We introduced the amendments to the SK system in RA 11768 in response to these criticisms with the hope that the young members of the community who will be part of the body will do more as youth leaders and become strong partners of the government in nation-building,” he added. The lawmaker stressed that, for years, the SK has been criticized for undertaking the same activities that do little to benefit youth development such as organizing sportsfests and pageants. To address this, the law provides clear guidelines on the types of programs, projects, and activities that can be undertaken by the SK using the funds provided to them. These include the provision of student stipends, food, book and transportation allowances; sports and wellness projects; skills training, summer employment, cash-for-work, on-the-job training, and livelihood assistance; projects promoting the participation of the youth and their initiation in agricultural, fishery, and forestry enterprises; programs and activities that will locate the youth at the forefront of climate action, environmental protection and conservation efforts; capacity building for grassroots organization and leadership; and programs and activities that address context-specific and intersectional vulnerabilities of young people. “We want to ensure that the SK stays true to its mandate of providing the youth in the communities with programs that will be useful to them and help them become productive members of society,” Angara said. The new measure also addresses the waning interest of the youth in joining the SK, including the absence of honoraria for most of its members. Under the law, the SK members, secretaries and treasurers will now be entitled to allowances that will be charged against the SK funds. A cap of 25 percent on the utilization of SK funds for personnel services was included in the law to ensure that the bulk of the budget will go to programs, projects and activities that will benefit the youth. At present, only the SK chairpersons are entitled to honoraria by virtue of their status as ex-officio members of the Sangguniang Barangays. The measure also authorizes the local government units to provide additional honoraria, as well as social welfare contributions and hazard pay to the SK chairpersons and members through their own local ordinances. SK officials and members will be exempted from taking any components of the National Service Training Program. They will also be entitled to the appropriate civil service eligibility based on the years of service to the barangay, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Civil Service Commission. The post Solon expects stronger SK programs appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Japan helps reduce litter
Economic Affairs Minister Nihei Daisuke of the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines joined the culmination event of the Healthy Oceans and Clean Cities Initiative on 15 September. The event highlighted the achievements, experiences, and lessons learned of the partner cities and communities in localizing the Philippines NPOA-ML into City Plans of Action for Marine Litter. The activity also featured the emerging approaches explored by partner cities, such as customized integration of digitization and digital transformation in plastic waste diversion and Extended Producer Responsibility readiness of local government units. A regional initiative by UN-Habitat in the Philippines and the Government of Japan, HOCCI addresses the growing concern over marine plastic pollution that endangers the environment, marine ecosystems, and public health. While the Philippines has among the highest trash collection rates in Southeast Asia, it remains the world’s third-largest source of marine litter. With UN-Habitat Philippines’ lead, the Government of Japan funded 3 million USD for this project and the project ran for three and a half years, from April 2020 to September 2023, and was piloted in the cities of Cagayan de Oro, Calapan, Davao, Legazpi, Manila and Ormoc. The project primarily provided support for improved governance structures and capacities for the localization of the National Plan of Action for Marine Litter and the vertical integration of the marine plastic litter response. The project also assisted the cities in improving technology and systems for marine plastic litter reduction. In his speech, Minister Nihei expressed his hopes that the gains and lessons learned from the implementation of HOCCI will inspire synergies and deepen partnerships at the community, national, and international levels to work hand in hand in reducing marine litter. The post Japan helps reduce litter appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Leaving luxury for a cause
In a world where extravagance and opulence were the norm, Vicky Wieneke chose a different path — one that led her to have a significant impact on the lives of those who were less fortunate. After enjoying three decades of success in fashion manufacturing business, Wieneke’s life took an amazing turn. This is the story of her transformation from a business mogul to a dedicated advocate for community empowerment. Wieneke, a University of the Philippines alumna, established a successful production company for well-known designers’ fashion lines. She lived in the lap of luxury, surrounded by the wealthy and the influential. Yet, despite her success, she felt that something was missing in her life, a higher purpose waiting to be fulfilled. “I would consider this a calling from our Lord because I also became very spiritual,” she said. In a recent interview with the DAILY TRIBUNE, Wieneke shared the pivotal moment that led her to redirect her life’s journey. She recounted watching the news about the hostility at the Malacañang Palace while she was abroad. Witnessing the struggles and injustices faced by her fellow countrymen deeply moved her. Instead of adding to the noise of complaints, she decided to be part of the solution. Driven by a desire to bring about positive change, Wieneke set out on a mission of community building and working with marginalized sectors. She founded Kabisig ng Kalahi in the year 2000, during the tenure of Dinky Soliman as the secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development. This organization would become her vehicle for making a difference in the lives of those who needed it most. One of the motivating factors behind Kabisig ng Kalahi was Wieneke’s concern for malnourished children, whom she saw as the nation’s future. “I was more concerned about the future of the malnourished children, they are the future of the country,” she highlighted. She worked with Soliman and other partners to build a complete program that placed a strong emphasis on community involvement and self-sufficiency. She envisioned an organized program with tangible results instead of giving them “limos.” This program, which spans six months and 120 days, not only addresses nutrition but also incorporates values formation. The project was promoted throughout local government units, boosting cooperation between Kabisig ng Kalahi and several LGUs. The initiative was successful because it helped communities develop better civic values and problem-solving abilities. One of the key features of Kabisig ng Kalahi’s approach is that it does not simply provide assistance, it empowers the community members to take charge of their own development. Mothers and parents actively participate in the program, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility within the community. Wieneke’s dedication to this cause has led to significant growth and expansion. Beyond Metro Manila, Kabisig ng Kalahi has reached places like Calabarzon, Mimaropa and even conflict-affected areas like Basilan. For its remarkable efforts to enhance human resources and community development, the organization has won various accolades and citations. Today, Wieneke’s life revolves around her mission to uplift communities and promote self-sufficiency. She has given up the flash and glamour of the fashion industry for the joy of witnessing the success and independence of those without a voice. Wieneke remains unwavering in her commitment to making a difference in the world. Her message to all is clear: “Let’s all do what we can for our country and for humanity. Good deeds are worth it.” Wieneke’s story serves as a potent reminder that true fulfillment comes from having a positive impact on other people’s lives in a time when success is frequently determined by financial prosperity. Her experience motivates all of us to answer the call to compassion and service. The post Leaving luxury for a cause appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Political will test
The rice cartel causing the price problems will fall only one way, which is by applying political will, since it has been proven, not once, that the manipulators are well known to the authorities. In the previous administration, former President Rodrigo Duterte even had the phone numbers of the scalawags to periodically warn them. In a National Security Council meeting, for instance, Duterte called up someone who received the worst scolding ever heard from the president. The person on the other end was the supposed head of the Manila rice cartel who dictated the prices and supply of the staple grain. Duterte then directed the National Bureau of Investigation and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group to go after the members of the syndicate, but until today neither agency has produced a single arrest. In one of his State of the Nation Addresses, Duterte indicated that it was not a secret who the members of the rice mafia were. “I now ask all the rice hoarders, cartels and their protectors, you know that I know who you are: stop messing with the people,” Duterte said. Other instances that proved the government knew the identities of their supposed prey were the several congressional probes where specific mention was made of the names of the rice gang. The Senate committee on agriculture had established the existence of the cartel and its intrusion into the National Food Authority but nothing happened after the inquiry. Some 13 trading firms were identified as dominating the rice business in Metro Manila. The panel said the firms hoarded rice from the NFA and mixed it with other rice varieties before these were resold. An instance that indicted the government as being in collusion with the cartel was during the tenure of the detained Leila de Lima as justice secretary, in the investigation of ringleader David Tan alias Davidson Bangayan. Bangayan and his cohorts were accused of establishing a scheme to recruit rice farmers and organize them “to acquire substantial importation allocations.” In 2014, the Senate initiated a probe into rice smuggling and the existence of a grains cartel that focused on Bangayan whose operations were based in Mindanao. Before the 2016 polls, De Lima, who was gunning for a Senate seat, returned the smuggling case against Bangayan to the NBI for further case buildup. De Lima’s excuse was that the NBI needed to gather more evidence against Bangayan. “We have to make sure it meets the probable cause threshold. When we evaluated Bangayan’s case, it was still not enough,” she said when asked about her actions. Most officials, businessmen and even rice retailers in Mindanao knew who the rice smuggling king was, yet De Lima said the NBI needed to prove his identity. Bangayan then was very confident about not being charged as he appeared at the Senate hearing, which even resulted in an overnight detention as he was being elusive in responding to the senators’ questions. The National Bureau of Investigation, an agency under the Department of Justice, ordered Bangayan’s arrest only after evidence in a libel case obtained by then Senate minority leader Juan Ponce Enrile was presented before the Senate committee on agriculture. The case was against businessman Jess Arranza in which Bangayan admitted that he was David Tan. Before Bangayan’s appearance in the Senate, he had met with De Lima to deny that he was Tan. His first NBI arrest papers even bore the clarification, “Davidson Bangayan who is not David Tan,” even though many in the business community were willing to testify that Bangayan was David Tan. Duterte, then Davao City mayor, was among those who vouched that Bangayan and Tan were the same person. Still, the NBI released Bangayan on the absurd reason that it could not establish his identity. An infuriated Duterte then demanded the resignation of De Lima as justice secretary for releasing Bangayan. The charade continued as Bangayan was rearrested on the ridiculous charge of electricity pilferage. It was the height of absurdity since it meant that Meralco was able to positively identify Bangayan which the NBI failed to do. The perpetual zarzuela of government vowing to run after the rice cartel when prices kick up will have to stop — which will happen only when the members of the rice mafia are prosecuted. The post Political will test appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Pope arrives in Mongolia to back tiny Catholic presence on China’s doorstep
Pope Francis arrived in Mongolia on Friday, beginning the first papal visit to the vast Asian nation landlocked between China and Russia. The 86-year-old pontiff's trip through Monday to the Buddhist-majority nation is a gesture of support for the tiny community of Catholics numbering about 1,400. The Argentine pontiff left Rome at 1640 GMT Thursday bound for the Mongolian capital Ulaanbaatar, arriving Friday morning local time following a nine-hour journey. He was greeted by a line of Mongolian honor guards in traditional blue, red, and yellow attire and foreign minister Batmunkh Battsetseg. Aboard the papal plane soon after take-off, Francis described the vast, sparsely populated country of Mongolia as one that "can be understood with the senses." Asked by a journalist whether he found diplomacy difficult, the pope answered: "Yes, you don't know how difficult it is. "Sometimes you need a sense of humor." The nine-hour flight passed over Chinese airspace and the pontiff, following custom, sent a telegram to President Xi Jinping, bearing "greetings of good wishes" to him and the Chinese people. "Assuring you of my prayers for the well-being of the nation, I invoke upon all of you the divine blessings of unity and peace," he wrote. The voyage -- Francis' second to the region in a year after a September trip to Kazakhstan -- is geopolitically strategic. It is seen as encouraging Mongolia's fragile democracy and potentially helping the Church make inroads with the country's more powerful neighbors. "This is a clear effort of the Holy See to take care of Central Asia and not abandon it to Russia or China," Michel Chambon, a scholar of Catholicism in Asia, told AFP. The visit -- Francis' 43rd voyage in his decade as head of the Catholic Church -- is also crucial in keeping the door open for improved Vatican ties with Beijing and Moscow, which have yet to offer the Pope an invitation. "It's a way to not give up, to remind them 'I'm here!'" Chambon said. "It's a way not to just stay in Rome and wait for things to happen but to jump in." Stamina test The trip will be a stamina test for the pope, who continues to travel widely despite undergoing a hernia operation in June and pain in his knee that has forced him to use a wheelchair. After a day of rest, the pontiff's itinerary on Saturday includes a welcome ceremony, meetings with President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh and Prime Minister Luvsannamsrai Oyun-Erdene, and a first address to authorities, diplomats, and members of civil society. He will meet the Catholic community -- which includes just 25 priests and 33 nuns, only two of them Mongolian -- later Saturday in Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral. Its circular nave resembles a "ger", the Mongolian nomads' traditional tent dwelling. The Jesuit pope addresses an interreligious meeting Sunday, where the rector of Ulaanbaatar's Russian Orthodox Church is expected to be present with a delegation, and later presides over a mass inside a newly built ice hockey arena. Pilgrims from nearby countries are expected at the mass, the Vatican said, including from Russia, China, South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Azerbaijan. Not taking sides Once part of the empire of Genghis Khan, Mongolia is dependent on Russia for energy imports and on China for the export of its raw materials, primarily coal. But while toeing a neutral line with its powerful neighbors, it has engaged in a "third neighbor" policy, strengthening relations with other nations, including the United States, Japan, and South Korea, for balance. That makes Mongolia potentially helpful for Vatican relations with both Beijing and Moscow. The Holy See last year renewed a deal on the thorny issue of bishop appointments with China, and Francis has sought to broker an end to the war in Ukraine with Russia. Francis may use his trip to the former Soviet satellite state, a democracy since just 1992, to hammer home democratic principles. A major coal industry corruption scandal provoked street protests in December, eroding public trust amid a weak economy, high inflation, and major gaps between rich and poor. Chambon, a fellow at Singapore's Asia Research Institute, said Francis may take a page from last year's Kazakhstan visit, during which he warned authorities they have a responsibility to govern well. "The pope is not taking sides but is really putting politicians in front of their responsibilities," Chambon said. "'Who are we serving, are we honest, are we caring for the poor and marginalized, are we taking care of the entire nation in its religious and ethnic diversity?' "He plays the games but he asks the hard questions." Francis, who plans in October to publish an update to his seminal 2015 "Laudato Si'" a global call to action for the environment, will also likely bring attention to the impact of climate change on Mongolia's ecosystems. Together with mining and overgrazing, rising temperatures and their effects are fuelling desertification across swathes of the country. Severe cold, flooding and drought have killed off herds on the vast grasslands, forcing nomads who make up one-third of the population to migrate to Ulaanbaatar, now surrounded by shantytowns inhabited by displaced herders. The post Pope arrives in Mongolia to back tiny Catholic presence on China’s doorstep appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Convention explores innovative housing strategies
To drive sustainable growth in the regional real estate sector, the Subdivision and Housing Developers Association, Inc. is set to hold the 31st SHDA — DHSUD National Developers Convention on 5 and 6 October at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Cebu City. Theme is “LOKAL NA BAI: Building National Growth Through Regional Development.” The convention is expected to be a gathering of around 300 developers, policymawkers, suppliers and other housing industry stakeholders to discuss and explore innovative strategies that can stimulate economic progress at the local level while contributing to overall national development. SHDA Chairman, Arlene Keh, said, “We are thrilled to have NatCon this year in Cebu. This year’s convention will be an opportunity to discuss key themes, from regional empowerment to sustainable solutions, as we collectively shape a brighter nation-building future. This brings together the brightest minds in the housing industry that will harness the potential of local communities, driving progress that resonates far beyond geographical boundaries. We at SHDA embrace this moment with enthusiasm and determination, knowing that our collaborative efforts will pave the way for more inclusive and sustainable housing in the country.” With SHDA’s continued support for the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development, the convention will also provide more insights into the Pambansang Pabahay Para Sa Pilipino Program, spearheaded by the current administration. The 4PH Program addresses the growing housing demand and affordability challenges Filipino citizens to face. This coincides with last year’s NatCon theme, which aimed to tackle the new Marcos administration’s priorities for the housing industry. The program seeks to provide decent and affordable housing options for low-to-middle-income families through a comprehensive approach, promoting homeownership and community development nationwide. This year’s National Developers Convention in Cebu will be the third edition held in the city, following the successful events in 2008 and 2015. Registration for the 31st National Developers Convention will open on 21 August and will be made available online. The post Convention explores innovative housing strategies appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
The Hatch Project – AI in action (2)
If KadaKareer, the first place winner of the Rotary Club of Makati’s digitally inspired Hatch Project, focuses on the aspirations of the low-income segment of our youth to land meaningful employment though they are handicapped by limited resources and networks, and addresses the typical SMEs’ need for competent, reasonably valued, operating support, the second placer, Bangus PAFK: Bangus Pro-Active Fish Kill, seeks to address a perennial problem plaguing our aquaculture industry, fish kill. Fish kill or fish die-off is the sudden death of a large population of fish in a specific area of the marine environment such as a lake or a fish pen triggered by the deterioration of the quality of the water. We need not look too far for examples. Laguna de Bay’s steady deterioration over the decades of man-made pollution from industrial firms, extreme weather disturbances, and fish pen mismanagement have contributed to the degradation of the water quality in the lake arising from high water acidity levels, extreme water salinity, the concentration of ammonia, abrupt changes in water temperature and oxygen depletion, a sure-fire formula for the fish kill. This sad state of affairs is unfortunately not limited to Laguna Lake. This is happening as well in other aquaculture-dependent communities such as Pangasinan, where the project was initiated, and where the aquaculture industry is a major driver of the province’s economy. A few instances. In Bolinao, P22M worth of bangus was wiped out in a fish kill rampage in a matter of days in May 2020 after a heavy downpour. In Dagupan in 2019, thousands of fish, dead due to extreme heat. Just last January, in Lake Sebu in Cotabato, P10M worth of tilapia was spoiled due to improper aquaculture practices and weather disturbance-induced fish kill. Evidently, fish kill is a serious concern that needs to be addressed. Allow a non-techie, yours truly, to share my understanding of how PAFK works. Basically, it is an Internet of Things or IoT-based initiative of students from the Pangasinan State University, conceived not only to alleviate the plight of the fish farming community of Dagupan whose livelihood has been affected by fish kill but also to contribute in no small way to the very important task of ensuring food supply. PAFK monitors in real time the water condition and can forecast the occurrence of a looming fish kill of bangus in fishponds. The application uses sensors installed on a floating platform in a fish pen to remotely monitor the levels of dissolved oxygen, acidity, salinity, and ammonia, and to measure the water temperature. These sensor readings are recorded and transmitted to the Arduino microcontroller. An Arduino is an open hardware development board that can be used by any tech-savvy hobbyist to design and build a device that interacts with the real world. In the case of PAFK, the device the students created has sensors attached to the mainboard which is programmed to wait for a signal from the connected sensors. The microcontroller collects the readings hourly and transmits the data via hypertext transfer protocol which in simple terms is an application that allows users to communicate data using the internet. The program has three detection levels similar to street crossing signals: Normal (green light) - no action is required; Warning (yellow light signaling caution)- triggers remotely the switching on or off of the mechanical aeration system through either a text or a missed call; and Critical (red, full stop) - immediate force harvesting or transferring of the fish to another fishpond. Once the Warning or Critical signals occur, an SMS notification is sent to the caretaker’s cellphone. The AI component of the system “decides” when to trigger signals, guided by a predetermined threshold based on minimum or maximum value parameters inputted by the user. AI also calculates the average mean using the frequency distribution method. All the results are online and after receiving and storing the readings on a remote database server, the web page refreshes hourly. Will it work commercially? I certainly hope and pray that it will. Congratulations to three very bright science students of Pangasinan State University – Haryll Caido, Dexter Javelosa, and Jonathan Quiles, and their mentor, Elmer Noche. Until next week… OBF! For comments, email bing_matoto@yahoo.com The post The Hatch Project – AI in action (2) appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
What’s in style? Safe shopping.
Rustan’s goes all out with safety measures, including the latest in disinfection and sanitation. THANK YOU FOR SMOKING. Rustan’s utilizes Spanish technology Sanivir, which contains active ingredients proven to kill bacteria, molds, and coronavirus These extraordinary times have completely shifted the definition of so many ordinary words. Take, for example, “weekends.” What does a weekend even mean, when everyone is living their weekends day in, day out? People cooped up inside their homes, Netflix and chilling (or pacing, depending on current anxiety levels), wearing their Natori Fortuna Mandarin all day, as governments all over the world caution to shelter in place. Or “homecooked.” Everything’s veritably homecooked now—whether it’s cooked in your home, by you, or cooked in somebody else’s home, by an upstart baker you support because she’s your niece, or by your favorite chef, who is left with no choice but to create his oeuvres from his home kitchen. Or “luxury.” Let’s be honest. Luxury—its BC (before Covid) definition—contained overused keywords like glamour, opulence, indulgence, lavishness. But times, they’ve changed. Fancy things now seem so unnecessary, so excessive, so out of touch, so…pointless—in a world that has hastily pivoted back to the basics. Sipping tea from a Royal Albert 1980 Roseblush cup doesn’t seem as luxurious as being able to score some actual, hard-to-acquire Gold Yen Zhen tea from TWG, even if you have to gulp it from those ubiquitous bamboo cups. The pandemic has changed what luxury meant. Now, luxury is the feeling of being safely ensconced in our cocoons, safe from the virus, safe from the madding crowds. Safety is luxury. To be more accurate: Luxury is being safe, while experiencing as few inconveniences as possible. One Home, One HopeMarketers and entrepreneurs are now realizing, after putting in all necessary work to convince their clients to come back, that a sense of safety is beyond physical, it is psychological. It’s Plexiglass with perception, masks coupled with marketing. Brands, to successfully ride out these challenging times, need to do more than just tick off government checklists—they need to bank on their legacies, their ethos, their abiding sense of connection to loyal clientele. AT YOUR SERVICE. Rustan’s opened up a Sanivir desk to allow its customers to avail of its method In the travel industry, as it is in the retail industry, it’s about leveraging on your loyal clientele’s sense of home. “Home” is no longer just their place of residence, but their familiar zones. It’s about “feeling at home.” As people start to nervously and grudgingly go out, they will only want to stay and explore sacred spaces where they’ve “felt at home.” Luxury retailer Rustan’s understands this well. “Our goal for the past 70 years has always been to serve the community with great service and to provide a safe environment that feels like home,” Nedy Tantoco, chairman of Rustan Commercial Corporation, says. “In this new chapter, we are committed to the idea of ‘One Home, One Hope.’ As an establishment that has been a second home for many shoppers, we will stay dedicated in implementing thorough safety protocols to ensure that our employees and shoppers are protected and can visit us with ease of mind.” And this is why higher-end businesses like Rustan’s will flourish, despite the financial challenges Covid-19 brings. They have the space, and they obviously can very well afford to put stringent safety measures in place. Precise precautions are in their DNA. These are establishments that cater to the VVIPs, whose exacting standards they’ve always tried to meet. And it’s not just loyal clients who will seek out these private spaces—the occasional and habitual shopper will gravitate toward businesses that offer them this hushed environment. Going inside cramped little boutiques have lost their novelty, and many will shirk away from places that tend to be crowd favorites. At Rustan’s, shoppers have always counted on the intimacy of the shopping experience. Unobtrusive but alert sales personnel have always kept their distance as you scan the racks, and there’s always a sense of quiet order—a serene retail floor space, backed by an efficient team who anticipate your needs and who move with the fluidity of a well-directed orchestra. This efficiency will be in full display when you visit the store again—that is if you still haven’t since it reopened in June. Opened after three months of closure, the luxury retailer has implemented, in compliance with government regulations, security measures like foot baths, thermal scans, hand sanitation, and mandatory wearing of masks. You’ll also see staff repeatedly disinfecting touchpoints like escalator rails and elevator buttons, and alcohol dispensers are going to be ubiquitous. RETAIL WONDER. Sanivir is perfect for retail spac-es as smoke is dry and won’t stick to clothing Managers, sales associates, security personnel, and cleaners are all wearing masks, face shields, and goggles. But it’s the little touches that will remind you how they’ve set the bar high—sanitation boxes are placed in fitting rooms for clothes that are not purchased, fitting rooms are sanitized after every use, and store personnel are required to steam the clothes before putting them back on display. At the payment counter, all credit cards will be sanitized, and packages will be disinfected before being handed to the customer. At the store’s East Café, tables are separated with plastic shields, and so are the wash basins in the restrooms, which will each have a sanitary officer, whose only job is it to disinfect the toilet after every use. And that’s just the stage. Backstage, it’s just as—if not more—exacting. Introducing Sanivir, the latest in disinfection technology “Even in our employees’ canteens we have placed plastic shields to protect each of our employees while they are having their lunch break,” Nedy says. The company has required all returning employees to be tested for Covid-19. Rustan’s is also continually disinfected using Sanivir, a technology introduced in the Philippines by chemist Pinky Tobiano of KPP Powers Commodities, who is also CEO of Qualibet Testing Services. “Sanivir is a smoke disinfectant from Spain, which contains glutaraldehyde and orthopenyl phenol—two active ingredients have been tested that can kill bacteria, molds, and viruses that have been proven against coronavirus by laboratories in EU.” PINKY’S PROMISE. Pinky Pe Tobiano, the chemistwho brought the technology to the Philippines “It was great timing and serendipitous that we found the product right before the pandemic escalated to the level it is now,” Pinky tells Manila Bulletin Lifestyle. “Sanivir was both an innovative and unique product that addresses the problem we currently have—it is easy to use, cost-friendly, effective, and safe.” It is a perfect disinfectant for a retail space—it only utilizes smoke, is dry, and won’t stick to clothing. “When Pinky introduced to me her disinfection program, I immediately asked her to do my father’s house and my own house,” Nedy shares. “I was so satisfied with the service that I asked her if she could open a service desk at Rustan’s to allow our customers the chance to avail of this disinfecting method. It’s so easy. Any housewife can do it. It allows us the ease of disinfecting without a fuss. It also works for our cars. The service desk has been open for two weeks at Rustan’s Ayala Avenue. And I am happy to say that it has met full acceptance with quite a number of Rustan’s customers.” Its ease of use is an advantage. “Just open the can, remove the plastic cover of the wick, set on a flat surface, light the wick, and leave for the next six to eight hours. The smoking process lasts for only one to two minutes, then disinfection takes place for the next six to eight hours,” Pinky says. “That’s good for 14 days.” And the cost? Surprisingly very minimal. “One can of Sanivir of 25 grams is P1,750 and it’s good for 14 days for a room of 30 to 50 square meters,” Pinky says. “The cost per day is only a P125 investment. If you have five people in the room, the investment per person per day is only P25.” But for those who are not in the mood to shop in-store, Rustan’s online service has amped up its service. Apart from its website, fortuitously launched a year ago, you can also tap the Personal Shoppers on Call Service, where sales associates respond to you on Viber, after which you can have your items delivered to you, or picked up by the curbside. Nedy shares, “And very soon, we will launch our Rustan’s Concierge Service, where customers can call a single number, and will be immediately assigned a personal shopper to attend to their needs.” Now, many ways words and concepts are redefined in these troubled times—but having your own personal shopper, one who’ll do your shopping for you as you leisurely read the latest Kevin Kwan Sex and Vanity book in the comfort of your home? We’re guessing that that’s a definition of luxury that won’t likely ever change—unprecedented crisis or not. .....»»
SC allows remote notarization
The Supreme Court (SC) has decided to allow the remote notarization of documents to help prevent the spread of the deadly 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). “Safeguarding the public’s health in view of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Supreme Court will allow the notarization of documents through videoconferencing in cases where the notary public holds office in an area under community quarantine,” the SC Public Information Office (SCPIO) said in a statement on Friday. The SCPIO said the high tribunal has issued instructions on this under Administrative Matters (AM) No. 20-07-04-SC, the 2020 Interim Rules on Remote Notarization of Paper Documents. “Until the SC directs otherwise, the Rules shall apply to permit the performance of notarial acts through the use of videoconferencing facilities in cases where the notary public or at least one of the principals resides, holds office, or is otherwise situated in a locality that is under community quarantine due to COVID-19, as directed by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging and Infectious Diseases (IATF), the provincial governors or mayors, both governors and mayors having the concurrence of the relevant regional counterpart body of the IATF,” read the interim rules. Under the rules, the notary public should not accept the notarial act requested “if the principal or witnesses refuse/s to appear before the notary public through videoconference.” The rules also state that a notary public may “refused to perform the notarial act in the event that the principal or witnesses exhibit/s behavior that engenders reasonable doubt as to his or her or their understanding of the instrument or document or otherwise indicates a defect in his or her or their consent thereto.” The SCPIO said the rules shall be “limited to the notarization of paper documents and instruments with handwritten signatures or marks through the use of videoconferencing facilities,” adding it “shall not apply to the execution of notarial wills.” The SCPIO noted the rules will take effect 15 days following its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two newspapers of national circulation. The SC also directed the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) “to create and disseminate to the general public a register of notaries public in all the chapters of the IBP who shall undertake the performance of notarial acts in accordance with these Rules.” “This register shall indicate the names, contact numbers, e-mail addresses of the said notaries public, and the territorial jurisdiction of the court which issued their respective commissions,” and “published by the IBP in its website, and in any medium it may deem appropriate,” it added......»»
Philippines beats India for back-to-back wins in women’s Asia ice hockey tiff
The Philippine women’s ice hockey team picked up where they left off after their opening win in the 2024 IIHF Women’s Asia and Oceania Cup with a 7-0 shutout of India at the Bishkek Arena in Kyrgyzstan on Wednesday......»»
PNVF forms coaching sataff for world meet
Seasoned coach Dante Alinsunurin will make a comeback as one of the deputies for the national men’s team as host Philippines pulls out all the stops to parade a competitive squad against the best of the best in the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championships 2025......»»
Creamline still team to beat
Creamline’s dramatic, come-from-behind 26-28, 22-25, 25-22, 25-21, 16-14 win over Cignal Tuesday night at the PhilSports Arena showed that it’s still the superpower in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference.....»»
Revisiting Uniteam (Last of 2 parts)
THE Uniteam coalition of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte, described by many political analysts as the "dream team", had come a long way since sweeping the 2022 elections......»»
Roque: Xi, Duterte agreed to keep West Philippines Sea status quo
The Philippines under former president Rodrigo Duterte had a “gentleman’s agreement” with China to keep the status quo in the West Philippine Sea, a former Cabinet official said yesterday, as fresh tensions surround the WPS due to recent incursions by Beijing that targeted a Filipino resupply mission and a research team......»»
Rest of PVL catching up to perenially dominant Cool Smashers?
Creamline’s dramatic come-from-behind 26-28, 22-25, 25-22, 25-21, 16-14 win over Cignal Tuesday night at the PhilSports Arena showed it remained the team-to-beat in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference......»»
Alinsunurin appointed Philippine men’s volleyball assistant coach
Seasoned mentor Dante Alinsunurin will make a comeback as one of the deputies for the national men’s team as the host Philippines pulls out all the stops to parade a competitive squad against the best of the best in the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championships 2025......»»
Boxing trainer Domingo is confident Jerusalem will upset Shigeoka
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Veteran boxing trainer, Michael Domingo of ZIP Sanman Boxing Team, is confident that his prized ward Melvin “Gringo” Jerusalem will make a repeat of the latter’s January 2023 world title victory in Japan. The Cebu-based Jerusalem will face the defending World Boxing Council (WBC) world minimumweight champion, Yudai Shigeoka, in Nagoya,.....»»