Family with six PWD cards invited to House hearing, asked to cooperate with QC legal
“They’re the supposed perpetrators of this fake ID. I believe that we cannot have a hearing if we don’t invite them to correct this supposed misdemeanor or misdeed. I would like to turn a manifestation into a motion that we invite the Chong family.".....»»
From the Newsrooms: March 17 to 23, 2024
By: CMFR StaffPosted on: March 25, 2024, 8:00 amUpdated on: March 25, 2024, 1:00 am THIS WEEK, "From the Newsrooms" looks at the media coverage of two events. On March 20, a hearing in the House on the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) revealed that Chinese nationals were included in the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary (PCGA). On March 21, Arnolfo Teves, the alleged mastermind of the Pamplona.....»»
SamPan: Making her mark
Samantha Panlilio, eldest daughter of Jose Marcel “Jocel” Panlilio, is embarking on an ambitious career path to revitalize and expand the family’s real estate investments as chief operations officer of both the family’s publicly listed Boulevard Holdings Inc. and Puerto Azul Land Inc., even as she sets a parallel course to build her own beauty line, photography studio, and a furniture business under the brand “House of Marrakesh.”.....»»
China, Not Russia, Still Tops List of Threats to US
WASHINGTON - Russia's war in Ukraine - portrayed by top U.S. officials as posing a danger to the United States itself - still trails China when it comes to long-term threats to America's security, according to a top Pentagon official.The warning from Ely Ratner, the Defense Department's assistant secretary for Indo-Pacific security affairs, comes in testimony prepared for a hearing Wednesday by the House Armed S.....»»
NEDA thumbs down further interest rate hikes
National Economic and Development Authority Secretary Arsenio Balisacan on Friday rejected future increases in interest rates, saying that they could harm consumers already facing high inflation. While the economy might be able to survive additional monetary tightening from Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Balisacan said in a press briefing that raising interest rates further is "not necessary." Higher interest rates require businesses and consumers to spend more money to pay off credit cards, mortgages, and auto loans. As a result, there would be less demand, driving down the cost of products and services. "If I were in the Monetary Board, I would say no," Balisacan said when asked if resuming the tightening cycle could stop the nagging inflation. Balisacan said that the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas has been "the most aggressive" in the area, even reaching a 16-year high of 6.25 percent, which he said is "something we should be proud of." He cautioned that doing so may harm manufacturers and consumers by raising production costs, "depressing" demand, and negatively impacting the economy. According to Balisacan, higher interest rates might strengthen the peso and increase the cost of the nation's exports. He expressed concern about this effect. "We know that raising the interest rates will hurt the economy, will hurt consumers, will hurt producers, and that also has long-term effects in succeeding 12 months," Balisacan said. Even though the 2 to 4 percent inflation target appears to be "quite a challenge," NEDA assured that the government is working on interventions to manage inflation. According to Balisacan, the economic team is still trying to meet the goal before the year ends. Balisacan is sure that holiday spending will increase the nation's gross domestic product despite the high rate of inflation. "Inflation has a negative effect on growth. On the other hand, there are positive developments. Government agencies with relatively high underspending in the first half of the year are addressing that issue. Christmas season is also around the corner. That also generates a lot of extra push. Remittances also remain stable," Balisacan said. The post NEDA thumbs down further interest rate hikes appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Data not compromised on PhilHealth cyberattack
The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation or PhilHealth on Wednesday maintained its claim that its members’ data was not compromised by the recent cyberattack on its system. In an interview with the DAILY TRIBUNE, PhilHealth spokesperson and senior vice president for Health Finance Policy Israel Pargas reiterated that their database remained “intact.” He, however, admitted that hackers behind the cyberattack accessed the data that were stored in the servers affected by the hacking. “We cannot verify that. It can be a possibility because again, checking our database, it is still intact. If we check the database, it appears that no data was compromised or leaked,” he said. “However, since our employees are also working with regard to our members and all, it could be true that there may be data stolen by these hackers. It is uncertain whether any data was stolen or not,” he added. On Tuesday night, the Department of Information and Communications Technology confirmed that the hackers have already started publishing PhilHealth employees’ data on the dark web. DICT Undersecretary Jeffrey Dy said the stolen data includes details on employees’ identification cards, memorandum, directives and hospital bills. The development came a day after the self-imposed deadline of the hackers on the government to pay a $300,000 ransom for the data expired. Dy said the information posted on the dark web could just be a “teaser” of what the hackers have stolen from the state-run health insurer’s system. At the same time, in an advisory, PhilHealth confirmed that some members’ personal information including names, addresses, dates of birth, sex, phone numbers, and PhilHealth identification numbers were compromised. The corporation said it is “working to notify all affected individuals directly.” The state-run health insurer also urged its members to take precautionary measures in light of the cyberattack on its system. “Monitor your credit reports for any unauthorized activity,” it said. Members were also encouraged to place a fraud alert on their credit reports and change their passwords for their online accounts, especially their financial accounts. Members were also advised to be wary of phishing emails and smishing text messages. No numbers Asked how many members were affected by the incident, Pargas said PhilHealth has yet to know the quantity of the data stolen by the hackers. “There might have been data that were compromised but we don’t have any numbers yet,” he said. In case PhilHealth members receive suspicious calls about their data, they may report it through phic.actioncenter2023@gmail.com or phic.dpo@gmail.com, he said. Online Meanwhile, the state-run health insurer said its website, member portal, e-claims, HCI portal, Electronic Premium Remittance System, and electronic PhilHealth Acknowledgment Receipt can now be accessed by the public and their partners. On 22 September, PhilHealth temporarily shut down its website and membership portal due to an “information security incident.” The post Data not compromised on PhilHealth cyberattack appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PhilHealth insists ‘no data was compromised’ amid cyberattack
The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation or PhilHealth on Wednesday maintained its claim that its members' data was not compromised by the recent cyberattack on its system. In an interview with Daily Tribune, PhilHealth spokesperson and Senior Vice President for Health Finance Policy Israel Pargas reiterated that their database remained “intact”. He, however, admitted that hackers behind the cyberattack accessed the data that were stored in the servers affected by the hacking. “We cannot verify that. It can be a possibility because again, checking our database, it is still intact. If we check the database, it appears that no data was compromised or leaked,” he said. “However, since our employees are also working with regard to our members and all, it could be true that there may be data stolen by these hackers. It is uncertain whether any data was stolen or not,” he added. On Tuesday night, the Department of Information and Technology confirmed that the hackers have already started publishing PhilHealth employees’ data on the dark web. DICT Undersecretary Jeffrey Dy said the stolen data includes details on employees' identification cards, memorandum, directives, and hospital bills. The development came a day after the self-imposed deadline of the hackers on the government to pay a $300,000 ransom for the data expired. Dy said the information posted on the dark web could just be a “teaser” of what the hackers have stolen from the state-run health insurer’s system. At the same time, in an advisory, PhilHealth confirmed that some members' personal information including names, addresses, dates of birth, sex, phone numbers, and PhilHealth identification numbers were compromised. The corporation said it is “working to notify all affected individuals directly.” The state-run health insurer also urged its members to take precautionary measures in light of the cyberattack on its system. “Monitor your credit reports for any unauthorized activity,” it said. Members were also encouraged to place a fraud alert on their credit reports and change their passwords for their online accounts, especially their financial accounts. Members were also advised to be wary of phishing emails and smishing text messages. No numbers Asked how many members were affected by the incident, Pargas said PhilHealth has yet to know the quantity of the data stolen by the hackers. “There might have been data that were compromised but we don’t have any numbers yet,” he said. In case PhilHealth members receive suspicious calls about their data, they may report it through phic.actioncenter2023@gmail.com or phic.dpo@gmail.com, he said. Online Meanwhile, the state-run health insurer said its website, member portal, e-claims, HCI portal, Electronic Premium Remittance System, and electronic PhilHealth Acknowledgment Receipt can now be accessed by the public and their partners. On September 22, PhilHealth temporarily shut down its website and membership portal due to an "information security incident." The post PhilHealth insists ‘no data was compromised’ amid cyberattack appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Video games give sports stars second life
The post-retirement careers of the biggest sports stars can be fascinating to watch -- Viagra ads, property ventures, crypto projects -- but one option is becoming a sure-fire winner: put your face on the cover of a video game. And death is no barrier for this particular career, with two popular games this year choosing sports legends who are no longer with us. LA Lakers basketball star Kobe Bryant, who died in a helicopter accident in 2020, graces the cover of "NBA 2K24". And two of the world's greatest footballers from bygone eras -- Pele and Johan Cruyff -- get posthumous respect with their figures emblazoned on "FC 24" from EA Sports. They are joined on the cover of the EA game by a galaxy of still-living stars of the more recent past -- Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldinho -- and present -- Erling Haaland and Alexia Putellas. French legend Zidane told AFP in June that many young children now knew him largely through his appearance in the EA's game, formerly known as "FIFA". "Kids aged eight to 10 don't know me, unless their dads have told them about what I did back in the day," said the World Cup winner. "It's more through PlayStation, so it's kind of funny. I'm used to it." Marketing nostalgia The ties between video game publishers and sports stars go deep, particularly in the United States. The leading video game series on American football bears the name of a former player, John Madden, who retired in 1978 to become a sports commentator. Julien Pillot, an economist specializing in cultural industries, told AFP the endorsement of bona fide legends was clearly a powerful marketing tool. And the often huge cost of getting their endorsement, he said, was "more than offset" by the sales they generate -- both of the games themselves and the ubiquitous in-game "cards" required to unlock additional content. Gaming firms were playing on the "intergenerational aspect" and adding "a touch of nostalgia", said Pillot. It's a feature that executives are not shy about highlighting. "My seven-year-old only really knows who Pele is because of his amazing rating on FC," David Jackson, vice-president of the EA Sports FC brand, told AFP. He said the game had allowed fans to feel a little bit of the magic of playing with stars from earlier generations. And it works both ways, according to some of the stars involved -- even those who don't rate as highly as Pele. "People of a certain generation know me by what I've done on the pitch," said World Cup winner Robert Pires at the launch party for the EA game in Paris. But a 12-year-old boy told Pires recently he had only learnt who the French star was through playing the game. "I asked him: 'Am I good?'" said Pires. "He told me: 'You're good, but you're slow.'" The post Video games give sports stars second life appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PBBM wants no anomalies in Food Stamp Program implementation
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday ordered all government agencies to ensure that there are no traces of anomalies in the administration of the Food Stamp Program. The Chief Executive made the instruction on Wednesday as he launched the Food Stamp Program in the Caraga region as part of the government's efforts to alleviate hunger and improve nutrition among Filipinos. "I instruct the relevant government agencies to collaborate for the better implementation of this Food Stamp Program. Let's make sure that there are no traces of anomalies in the administration of our projects," Marcos said in a speech at the launch event. Marcos emphasized the importance of both food supply and quality. He added that the Food Stamp Program is not just about ensuring that people have enough to eat, but also that they have access to healthy and affordable food. "We often talk about the need for an adequate food supply, and that's true," the President said. "But it's not just about food supply; the food we provide to our fellow citizens must also be nutritious. So, in the Food Stamp Program, we carefully consider the needs of each individual, and that's what we provide through our Food Stamps." He also urged beneficiaries to use their electronic vouchers wisely. "I hope you use your E.B.T. cards wisely," the President said. "The government is your partner not only in pursuing your dreams but also in achieving them." The Food Stamp Program is currently in the pilot stage, but Marcos said that it will be expanded within the next month or so. The goal is to benefit 30,000 families in the next phase of the rollout. When asked about the assessment of the Food Stamp Program in the months since its launch, Marcos Jr. said that the results so far have been promising. "The key is always how to make it accessible to ordinary citizens," Marcos told reporters in a media interview. "So, the technology needs to be sufficiently good to make it easy for anyone to learn how to use it," he added. Marcos likewise thanked the World Food Programme for its assistance in developing the Food Stamp Program. "We received assistance from the UN through the World Food Programme, as well as support from France and the ADB," Marcos said. "These have been our partners in developing the Food Stamp Program." Beneficiaries in the Caraga region received P3,000 food credits. Data broken down, 50 percent is meant for carbohydrate-rich food, 30 percent is for protein, and 20 percent is for fruits and vegetables. The Department of Social Welfare and Development administered food stamps. In May, Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian proposed the proposal, which was inaugurated in July. In Surigao, Gatchalian joined the start. The post PBBM wants no anomalies in Food Stamp Program implementation appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Quantifiable targets for national ID issuance needed—Escudero
Senator Francis Escudero said the government agencies involved in the implementation of the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) project should present “quantifiable targets” to the Senate when they are called for 2024 national budget hearings. Escudero said the Philippine Statistic Authority—the lead implementing agency for the PhilSys project—should explain the special provision in its budget appropriations. He questioned the PSA’s previous provision stating that “it shall set a timetable to fully establish and implement the system, which shall not be later than December 31, 2024.” "So wala na ba talaga yung original na target na end of 2023, wrap up na ang proyekto?" he asked. Escudero cited the Republic Act 11055, which institutionalized the national ID system, was signed by President Duterte on 6 August 2018, but five years later, the government seems to fail in meeting its own target. "Too much fanfare and promise," Escudero lamented, noting that the delivery of national IDs to Filipinos “shambled with so much delays,” resulting in millions of backlogs for the PSA. "Panahon ng silipin kung ano nga ba ang iniunlad nito paglakipas ng limang taon,” he added. Escudero said the Palace is asking P1.6 billion budget for the continuing implementation of the PhilSys project next year so it can further “accelerate the issuance” of national ID cards. Thus, the senator would like to scrutinize "at what speed will it be done and will it be fast enough to overtake the backlog.” The PSA proposed P8.8 billion to fund its 2024 PhilSys project implementation. “Even President [Ferdinand] Marcos Jr. highlighted this allocation in his traditional Budget Message to Congress as a way "to accelerate the issuance" of the national ID card, which every citizen is mandated by law to have,” Escudero said. Meanwhile, Escudero likewise noted that while the PSA has the appropriations, the delays can also be attributed to the problems in the printing services for the national ID—which is being facilitated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. "For an agency which prints money and runs the mint, this delay to the people, more so that they are compelled to register and apply for it, is unacceptable," he said. Of the 77.325 million who have registered as of 7 July 2023, Escudero said only 41.358 million plastic cards have been printed and dispatched to various PSA field offices. Of the dispatched, only 34.719 million physical ID cards were received by owners. "Yung 38.608 million printed lang sa papel. Habang 1.2 million ang dinownload na lang nila at sila na ang nag-print. In this age of A.I., the promised cards are being printed D-I-Y. Ang daming pangako nung binabalangkas ang batas, at nang humihingi ng pondo,” Escudero said, emphasizing that such delays would discourage Filipinos to avail of the national ID program. "Kaya naman halos 33 million pa ang hindi nagparehistro. 'Yung targeted clientele mo mawawalan talaga ng gana,” he added. Looking at the National Expenditure Program, Escudero described the PSA’s performance outcome as “vague.” "I would like them to present a clearer target. Una, sa Performance Information ng PSA. Ito yung parte ng proposed budget ng isang ahensya na nakalista ang mga deliverables. The absence of data on PhilID is a great omission," he said. The post Quantifiable targets for national ID issuance needed—Escudero appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Cash-out
Cashless transactions are now prevalent with the use of e-wallets on mobile phones and smart cards. But this proved to be challenging for an ANZ bank depositor in Brisbane, Australia when she needed money to renovate her house. Taryn Compton recently went to a local branch of the bank to withdraw A$3,500 but she forgot to bring her automated teller machine card. Compton decided to withdraw the amount from her account over the counter. Still, it was not possible. The teller told Compton that the bank was a cashless branch and the only way depositors could withdraw their money was through the ATM, 9 Now reported. The teller helped Compton download and install an app on her phone so she could transfer money from her bank account to her e-wallet without the need for an ATM card. This also didn’t work, however, leaving her with one last option. “The teller told me that if I wanted to get my cash out if I needed it that day, to transfer it to another bank and try somewhere else so that’s what I did,” she said, according to 9 Now. “If you can’t get your own money from a branch, what’s the point of a bank?” she exasperatedly asked. Meanwhile, a Filipino money collector was faced with a somewhat similar dilemma when he also could not get his cash. The collector was on a motorcycle on the Cebu South Coastal Road in Cebu City last 4 July heading to Mandaue City to remit the cash payments he had collected from kiosks at the South Road Properties when a motorist signaled to him that he had dropped something, the TV news show 24 Oras reported. On turning around, he was shocked to see money flying all over the road and people scrambling to pick up all that cash. He looked at his money bag and quickly realized that the money had flown out of it after the zipper broke. He then called the police for help in recovering the money. While he got back P2,083,000 on the spot, this was far less than the total he had collected that day which was about P4 million. The collector faced the prospect of having to replace the lost money himself. He then aired an appeal to the people who had snatched up some of the money he had dropped to return it. The post Cash-out appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
UN alarmed by AI’s mind-blowing growth
The United Nations acknowledged on Thursday at its AI summit, attended by some exceptionally lifelike humanoid robots, that there are many questions that have no answers yet, due to the mind-boggling growth of artificial intelligence, or AI. The UN has assembled some of the most brilliant minds on the subject in an effort to keep up with the rapid development of AI technology and determine appropriate limits and goals for it. On Thursday and Friday, the United Nations’ ITU technology agency will host the “AI for Good Global Summit” in Geneva. Many unaware attendees were startled by the humanoid robots suddenly turning to look at them as they passed by. “When generative AI shocked the world just a few months ago, we had never seen anything like it. Nothing even close to it. Even the biggest names in tech found the experience mind-blowing,” ITU chief Doreen Bogdan-Martin told the summit. “And just like that, the possibility that this form of intelligence could get smarter than we got so much closer than we ever thought — including those behind the technology.” The summit is bringing together around 3,000 experts from companies like Microsoft and Amazon, as well as from universities and international organizations, to try to sculpt frameworks for ensuring AI is used for positive purposes. Bogdan-Martin painted an alternative nightmare scenario in which AI puts millions of jobs at risk, disinformation spreads widely, and unchecked AI advances lead to “social unrest, geopolitical instability, and economic disparity on a scale we’ve never seen before.” “Many of our questions that we have on AI have no answers yet. Should we hit a pause on giant AI experiments? Will we control AI more than it controls us? And will AI help humanity, or destroy it?” she asked. Many forms The robots gathered in Geneva came in many forms: Dogs, farm machinery, but also exceptionally realistic avatars, singers, artists and nursing home workers. With cameras inside their eyes, many were actively following what was going on around them: Tracking movement, answering questions, smiling, frowning and even eye-rolling. The Jam Galaxy Band features the humanoid robot Desdemona — Desi to her friends — on lead vocals. Created by roboticist David Hanson, she throws out jazzy lyrics on all sorts of subjects — love, credit cards, meetings in gardens — and the band interacts and goes with it. “It’s pretty amazing. You would think it’s weird but it’s really cool because her AI-generated lyrics are really out there,” said soprano saxophone player Dianne Krouse. “I’m just improvising around that and doing interpretive saxophoning to what she’s singing.” Nadine, a robot modeled on University of Geneva professor and virtual human pioneer Nadia Thalmann, was first built in 2013 and can answer questions on the spot. The post UN alarmed by AI’s mind-blowing growth appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Quezon City launches landmark initiative to acknowledge rights for LGBTQIA+ couples
Queer life partners or same-sex couples in the city will soon be able to legally decide for each other with regard to healthcare matters. This was after the Quezon City Government launched the Right to Care Card that will empower resident queer couples to make medical decisions for their partners. The Right to Care Card will be made operational through a Special Power of Attorney (SPA) and will recognize the decision of the cardholders to agree, refuse, or withdraw consent to any type of medical care for their partners including treatment, procedures, tests, and prescriptions. Mayor Joy Belmonte, a vocal ally of the LGBTQIA+ community and equality champion, expresses the importance of this initiative in recognizing the life-long commitment and right to care of LGBTQIA+ members to their partners. “There have been reports of LGBTQIA+ community members who were prohibited from making crucial decisions when their partners were admitted to intensive care units of hospitals,” Belmonte said. “We want all of our residents, regardless of sexual orientation, to be with their partners in critical moments, and we are taking this important step to assure the rainbow community that they are cared for, recognized, and valued in Quezon City,” Belmonte explained. Currently, hospitals and medical facilities nationwide only recognize decisions from legal spouses or next of kin, further excluding same-sex couples from making important medical decisions for their respective partners. The Quezon City Government will implement the Right to Care program initially at city government hospitals such as the Quezon City General Hospital, Novaliches District Hospital, and Rosario Maclang Bautista General Hospital. Soon after, the city government will conduct orientations and seal partnerships with public or private Quezon City-based hospitals. The card includes a QR code that will direct the user to an actual and notarized digital version of the SPA document. The provisions of the SPA will indicate the privileges authorized by the cardholders for their respective partners such as choosing a particular physician or health care provider, including admission or discharge from any hospital, nursing home, or residential care facility; receiving, processing, and/or disclose their partner’s personal information including medical records; allow or deny medical treatments, procedures, or any other medical concerns related to their partner’s medical condition; as well as take any other action pertaining to the authority granted by the Right to Care Card such as processing documents and waivers and pursuing dispute resolution processes. This initiative was conceived by the creative communications agency MullenLowe TREYNA. Abi Aquino, Chief Creative Officer of MullenLowe TREYNA hopes that this collaboration with the Quezon City Government can help push the conversation for equal rights for the local LGBTQIA+ community. “Our agency has always supported equality for all, which is why we hope this initiative will inspire more creatives to give back to the community and make a difference. We stand stronger when we can uphold one another’s rights,” Aquino said. Interested LGBTQIA+ couples can register with the Quezon City Gender and Developmentmnrvcmgbpoi8ii Office where they will be asked to fill up forms including the SPA contract, which they need to have notarized as well. Upon submission of duly notarized forms, the Quezon City Legal Team will validate the data provided. Once validated, the QC GAD Office shall distribute physical cards with unique QR codes to access the digital copy of their validated SPA contract. Registered individuals will also be required to attend seminars that will discuss in detail all the rights and benefits that come with the card, further empowering them with the information and legal aspects of the SPA. Belmonte hopes this movement will inspire other cities to pursue LGBTQIA+ rights so that more queer Filipino couples and life partners can enjoy the same benefits as those living in Quezon City. The Quezon City Government will also spearhead succeeding seminars and training for RTC card holders and recipients, as well as conduct promotional campaigns in barangays. The post Quezon City launches landmark initiative to acknowledge rights for LGBTQIA+ couples appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Digital technology gives Makati easy access to healthcare
The ease of technology has given the public access to more services, with digital tools eliminating and solving inefficiencies to allow positive growth, Globe Group president and CEO Ernest Cu said. At the formal signing of an agreement between Globe Group and the City of Makati to provide free 24/7 online doctor consultations for free starting May 2023 through the super-app KonsultaMD, Cu said the collaboration is a perfect pairing, with Makati as one of the most digitally advanced local government unit, and Globe, a leader in digital solutions. “With Globe’s reach to create digital solutions, many LGUs will benefit from such synergy if they keep an open mind to it. There will be hesitations at first, but once they adopt the digital system, they (LGUs) will see the benefits,” Cu said when asked how collaborations like the Globe signed with Makati could provide better services to the Filipino public. At the signing, Cu and Makati City Mayor Abby Binay said the partnership would pilot among City Hall employees, with the rollout for Makati residents with yellow cards scheduled later this year. This initiative is part of the local government’s efforts to provide better healthcare services to city hall workers and, eventually, residents. It will also help alleviate congestion in health centers and complement local doctors grappling with staff shortages. Through this program, beneficiaries will have 24/7 access to video consultations via the KonsultaMD SuperApp. They can enjoy e-prescriptions, e-laboratory requests, e-medical certificates, general health consultations, proper medical prescriptions, and mental health support. “We are honored to be part of this groundbreaking initiative and work with the City of Makati in improving their healthcare system. As a telehealth company, KonsultaMD is dedicated to providing quality healthcare services to every Filipino. Our partnership with the City of Makati is a significant step towards achieving this goal,” said KonsultaMD CEO Cholo Tagaysay. The Makati City government recognizes the need for improved healthcare services to its constituents and to ease the burden of the Ospital ng Makati and Makati health centers. KonsultaMD is aligned with The Makati Health Department’s requirement to offer alternative online access to licensed doctors for Makatizens anytime, anywhere. Binay thanked Globe and KonsultaMD for getting on board the project. “We understand our citizens’ challenges in accessing healthcare services, especially during these trying times. That is why we have partnered with the Globe Group and KonsultaMD to provide Makatizens with a reliable and convenient way to address their needs,” Binay said. The partnership, coordinated by the Globe Enterprise Group and KonsultaMD teams, took three years to complete and is the first KonsultaMD project with a local government unit (LGU) within the National Capital Region. KonsultaMD’s earlier partnerships involved LGUs outside Metro Manila. “At Globe, we are committed to uplifting the lives of Filipinos through digital solutions and connectivity, so we are excited to see the impact this program will have on the healthcare system of Makati. We look forward to continuing our partnership with the City of Makati and other LGUs to build a better, healthier future for the people,” said Cu. The collaboration aims to serve as a model for other LGUs to provide better healthcare services to their constituents. The post Digital technology gives Makati easy access to healthcare appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
David Palmieri on disrupting the way we travel
David Palmieri, chief executive officer of Aquila, Inc. and president and CEO of SigeGo Corp., a Filipino-owned company, believes in the transformative potential of digital technology in improving the travel experience. In an interview on Daily Tribune’s digital show, Pairfect, Palmieri enthused about the company’s latest and biggest venture in the Philippines — to be launched in June. The project is a public-private partnership formed with the Travel and Tourism Board of the Philippines. In order to better the lives of Filipinos and advertise the nation’s tourism industry abroad, the alliance intends to create a groundbreaking smart lifestyle application. [caption id="attachment_137193" align="aligncenter" width="512"] Photograph Courtesy of Gravatar | David Palmieri, chief executive officer of Aquila, Inc. and president and CEO of SigeGo Corp.[/caption] Simplenight, a global technology leader in building innovative enterprise solutions, is SigeGo Corp.’s partner in this venture. Simplenight is known for “powering some of the largest travel brands worldwide.” Palmieri is also the acting chief commercial officer of Simplenight. SigeGo is a super app much like most booking apps, but on a wider scale. Putting together SigeGo was something right up Aquila, Inc.’s alley, being a leading strategic advice and consultancy firm in the travel sector. The Philippines, known for its stunning natural scenery and welcoming people, makes a perfect location for this creative initiative. “It was really a great place to kind of start off this smart kind of smart lifestyle application to enhance the lifestyle of the Filipino people. Then also to focus on promoting the Philippines for inbound travel,” Palmieri remarked. The SigeGo app will include a variety of niches, such as lodging, ground transportation, food, entertainment, excursions, activities and parking. Users’ interactions with the travel industry will change as a result of the convenience of being able to plan and handle all parts of their trip on a single platform. The project’s development and success are greatly aided by partners like Union Bank, Visa, Sabre, Amadeus and Cloudstaff. The low usage of credit cards in the Philippines, which hinders easy digital transactions, is one of the main issues Aquila seeks to solve. “Some of the barriers really seem to lie on the payment side,” Palmieri said. In order to handle several payment methods, such as cash, bank cards and gift cards, the company has created a payment system. This open-minded strategy guarantees that users with various payment preferences can access and use of the features of the SigeGo program. When asked about the marketing strategy, the Aquila CEO emphasized the importance of spreading the word about the project amid the growing competition in the travel tech industry. The company has enlisted the services of a prominent marketing firm called Active Social, which will help create awareness and generate interest in the lifestyle app. The Philippines’ travel industry is expected to undergo a big transition thanks to the CEO’s vision and Aquila’s experience. The SigeGo app promises to improve Filipinos’ quality of life, support small local businesses, and highlight the country’s rich heritage of culture. The post David Palmieri on disrupting the way we travel appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DFA confirms Kuwait’s suspension of visas for Filipinos
The Department of Foreign Affairs on Thursday confirmed that the Kuwaiti government has issued a suspension of all types of visas for Filipinos. In an interview with Daily Tribune, DFA Assistant Secretary Paul Cortez said the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait received the official notice from the government of Kuwait regarding the suspension of visas. “The Embassy of Kuwait in Manila also confirmed that the Kuwaiti government indeed suspended the issuance of new visas for Filipino nationals into Kuwait,” Cortez said. “Suspension of all types of visas – that is how it was written. It was not really clear,” he added. He, however, noted that the suspension of all types of visas for Filipinos which became effective on 10 May exempts those who have iqamas or residence identification cards. Asked whether the Philippine government was notified about the basis of the suspension of visas, Cortez said: “The Kuwaiti government did not give a specific reason, they just announced the suspension.” However, according to the local broadsheet Kuwait Times, the decision to suspend all types of work and entry visas for Filipinos was taken due to the Philippines’ alleged failure to comply with the labor agreement between the two countries. Cortez refused to comment regarding the said reason, stressing that the DFA will wait for the official response from its counterpart. “Those are unofficial and it is something that we don’t confirm nor react to since it is not official,” he said. Cortez added that the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait is already coordinating with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to determine the basis of suspension and resolve the matter. “As far as we’re concerned, if we have any issues with other countries, we discuss them with the hope of resolving them amicably,” he said. “We're diplomats, our job is to discuss the talk to find solutions, especially [since] our priority is not only to maintain friendly relations with Kuwait, but in this case, also to protect the interests of almost 300,000 Filipinos there.” In February, the Philippine government temporarily banned all first-time domestic helpers from working in Kuwait, following the murder of Filipina domestic helper Jullebee Ranara by the son of her Kuwaiti employer. According to the DFA, Kuwait is currently home to 290,000 Filipinos. The post DFA confirms Kuwait’s suspension of visas for Filipinos appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Speaker urges agencies, telcos: Assist OFWs in SIM registration
Speaker Martin Romualdez yesterday asked the Department of Information and Communications Technology National Telecommunications Commission and telecommunication companies to have a system that will assist overseas Filipino workers and their families in registering their subscriber identity module (SIM) cards......»»
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. .....»»
Family with six PWD cards invited to House hearing, asked to cooperate with QC legal
“They’re the supposed perpetrators of this fake ID. I believe that we cannot have a hearing if we don’t invite them to correct this supposed misdemeanor or misdeed. I would like to turn a manifestation into a motion that we invite the Chong family.".....»»
Fan experience to change profoundly amid COVID-19 pandemic
By DAVE SKRETTA AP Sports Writer KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Dayton Moore remembers so clearly the vast sections of empty seats inside Kauffman Stadium when he took over as general manager of the Kansas City Royals, and he remembers just as vividly — nearly a decade later — how those seats filled and fans roared as the long-suffering club won the World Series. Those dueling memories make the thought of playing games in empty stadiums hard for Moore to fathom. “I know how much strength all players draw from the fans and environment,” he said, when asked about plans to play a shortened season without crowds, “and you need that support to get through an entire Major League Baseball schedule.” As lockdowns are lifted and restrictions eased, sports are finally starting to emerge in the coronavirus pandemic. But in virtually every situation, fans are not yet being allowed to attend and the only consensus for now is that there could be a long period of empty or nearly empty seating. Some U.S. universities are modeling for 25% capacity for the upcoming football season or maybe half-full arenas for the ensuing basketball season. “I think for most sports, a reduced crowd wouldn't negatively impact the overall experience, especially in a situation like baseball or even the NFL,” said Katy Lucy, a digital marketing agent from Atlanta whose fandom is split between all things Georgia Bulldogs and the Washington Capitals. “But it would be different for sure for those who attend in person." Count her family among those who would pause before heading to the ballpark. “For me personally, I’m not sure I would feel comfortable attending a live sporting event until there is a known treatment or widely available vaccine,” Lucy said. “I trust the institutions to put the proper measures in place; however, making sure that they are enforced is another matter.” Many college and pro sports teams already were dealing with declining ticket sales. Watching at home or streaming games are factors, as is the changing social makeup of fan bases. Dynamic pricing, increases in parking and concession prices, and a push toward luxury seating have exacerbated the problem. Major League Baseball attendance has declined six of the past seven seasons. In college football, 13 of the 130 schools that played in the Football Bowl Subdivision reported average crowd sizes of 50% or less last season. Even the NFL has seen an increase in empty seats despite its generally rock-solid popularity. So as coronavirus concerns linger, how are teams going to lure fans back when stadiums do reopen? Loyalty and engagement apps, widespread around the major leagues and colleges even before the pandemic, will become even more common and interactive as teams try to recapture lost revenue. There also will be more behind-the-scenes content and enhancements available via smartphones that will only be available to those in the stadium or arena, offering fans something unique over fans watching at home. “Fans want that experience to be top-notch, period. That's why teams are thinking about this,” said Britton Stackhouse Miller, senior vice president at Fortress U.S., a developer of engagement and integration systems with clients in European soccer, baseball, the NBA, NFL and NHL. Temperature checks, hand sanitizer distribution stations and touchless vending will become the norm for a while. Even concessions will change, though one big difference — gulp — could lead to a lot of grumbling. “If you don't sell beer the number of visits to the bathroom drops dramatically,” said Marc Ganis, the director of sports consulting firm Sportscorp. “So for a time we may have to think about not selling beer.” It won't just be the vast oceans of bench seats left open, either. Many experts believe those hardy fans will be the first to return. It's the corporate suites from which many colleges and pro franchises derive so much of their gameday revenue that may end up being empty until long after games have resumed. Economic woes may last for some time. For fans who stay home, leagues are looking for ways to keep them engaged, too. When Germany's top soccer league returned without fans, broadcaster Sky knew it had a problem with silence coming through the TV. Engineers created “carpet audio” from previous games between the same teams, then teased out roars for specific events such as goals and red cards, giving those watching at home the option of a more realistic experience. “This was the only idea that we thought could be most respectful to the fans,” said Alessandro Reitano, vice president of sports production for Sky Deutschland. “To be honest, it's a major success.” Old crowd noise is a bit like an old game, though. It lacks a certain authenticity. So along came ChampTrack, which created an app that utilizes the microphones of fans. It captures their every roar and groan and sends the audio to its server, which then aggregates the noise into a single stream. That stream is then returned to the viewer using proprietary algorithms to provide the broadcast with real-time sound, which is then immediately erased to ensure personal privacy. “Once they press play on our web app, they can hear what everyone else is cheering about and their own cheer,” said ChampTrack chief executive Elias Anderson, adding the system could soon handle as many as 150,000 fans for each game. Sound is one element of the fan experience. Optics is another. “When it was clear there would be no audience this season, the fans had the idea of bringing their images to the stadium,” said Lubbo Popken, deputy press secretary for German soccer club Borussia Monchengladbach, which affixed fan likenesses to their seats. “We were surprised how many people wanted to be part of this idea and have their images in the stadium. It really changed the atmosphere in the empty stadium.” Of course, none of that is the same as having real fans creating real noise......»»
CV wage board sets public hearing for kasambahay pay
CV wage board sets public hearing for kasambahay pay.....»»