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FINSI’s quality training programs and people-centered initiatives recognized at the 2023 Asian Telecom Awards

Metro CDO Times

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May 27, 2023

FINSI’s quality training programs and people-centered initiatives recognized at the 2023 Asian Telecom Awards

Fiber Infrastructure and Network Services Inc. (FINSI), a subsidiary of the Asticom Group of Companies, was recognized at the recent 2023 Asian Telecom Awards for its efforts to upskill Filipino telecom practitioners and prioritize employee safety.

The engineering and technology solutions provider won the “Technical Training Initiative of the Year” award, which recognizes the company’s people-centered initiatives and commitment to providing quality training programs and knowledge of cutting-edge technology that simulate real-world conditions.

The Asian Telecom Awards acknowledges telco companies that stand out and are able to navigate their way despite various challenges in the market while providing relevant and award-winning products and services to their clients.

“FINSI is honored to receive this award. This recognition is a testament to our dedication to improving the quality of people we deploy on the field and our commitment to employee safety,” said Marc Kerveillant, FINSI General Manager.

FINSI is dedicated to fostering a diverse and skilled workforce that can adapt to the evolving demands of the industry. But beyond technical skills, FINSI offers ladderized programs that help employees develop their people skills, enabling them to advance to higher roles such as trainers and project managers.

FINSI also complies with government-mandated industry standards and ensures that its employees and subcontractors are enrolled in occupational safety and health training programs.

The results of FINSI’s initiatives are impressive, with the company training more than 2,800 people who produced over 300 build teams of upskilled and certified contractors, partner technicians, and field operations specialists. Its efforts are reflected in its rapid deployment of over 147,700 fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) lines in just 15 months.

“At Asticom, our goal has always been to improve people’s lives, and we believe that investing in our people is a key way to achieve that. Through FINSI’s technical training initiatives, we are able to equip our employees and partners with the skills and knowledge they need to excel in their roles,” said Mharicar Castillo-Reyes, Asticom Group of Companies President and CEO.

For instance, FINSI was quick to mobilize its team to help restore over 19,000 communication lines in the wake of Typhoon Odette in December 2021, providing crucial connectivity so affected residents can contact their loved ones. This also helped local government units and rescue teams in their relief and recovery operations.

FINSI’s comprehensive training programs prepare its employees to take on a wide array of projects. This versatility enables it to provide a full spectrum of services, contributing to the development of the nation’s technological landscape.

“We are excited to enter new industries and offer our expertise to the Electric Vehicle and tower industries. Our team has a proven track record of providing engineering and tech solutions, and we are confident that our services will add value to these industries,” said Kerveillant.

FINSI’s mission is to bridge people by accelerating connectivity nationwide through innovative solutions and services. With expertise in telecommunications and expansion in the energy and infrastructure industries, FINSI contributes to the improvement of the Filipino technological infrastructure and its status on the global stage.

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Empowering learning through connectivity: Globe donates 100 Home Prepaid WiFi units to DepEd’s MATATAG Agenda

Metro CDO Times

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May 27, 2023

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Empowering learning through connectivity: Globe donates 100 Home Prepaid WiFi units to DepEd’s MATATAG Agenda

Reliable and high-speed connectivity has become an essential component of effective education in today’s digital age as students and teachers need access to the internet to engage in various online learning activities and resources.

But many schools in underserved areas still struggle with connectivity issues. To address this challenge, Globe is supporting the Department of Education’s (DepEd) MATATAG Agenda, which aims to improve the delivery of basic education facilities and services in far-flung places in the country.

The company recently donated 100 Home Prepaid WiFi units to DepEd, which have been distributed to various schools in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) and Region 1. Globe Home Prepaid WIFi offers budget-friendly yet fast and reliable internet access.

By bringing technology and the internet closer to teachers and students, Globe is helping facilitate better and more efficient learning. High-speed internet connectivity allows teachers and students to access digital textbooks and multimedia learning resources, as well as engage in collaborative online activities.

This provides students with a more comprehensive and meaningful education and supports the development of critical digital literacy skills that are necessary for success in the 21st century.

“Globe hopes to contribute to the achievement of the MATATAG Agenda and make a positive impact on the lives of students and teachers in CAR and Region 1. Globe is committed to continuing its efforts to improve internet connectivity in schools across the Philippines and provide quality education for all,” said Globe Group Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer Yoly Crisanto.

The MATATAG Agenda has four critical components, including making the curriculum relevant to produce competent and job-ready citizens, accelerating the delivery of basic education facilities and services, giving support to teachers to teach better, and strengthening partnerships and collaborations of the education sector with other sectors.

This is aligned with Globe’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including SDG No. 4 which advocates for equitable access to quality education and tools for digital upskilling.

Globe’s involvement in the DepEd program shows its dedication to ensuring that every student has an equal chance to succeed, regardless of socioeconomic status or geographical location. Through its efforts to enhance internet connectivity in schools, Globe helps create more opportunities for students to access quality education and develop critical digital literacy skills.

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House Committee approves consolidated bill for proposed adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Act

Tito Mike

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May 27, 2023

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House Committee approves consolidated bill for proposed adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Act

QUEZON CITY, Philippines—In a significant move towards safeguarding the rights and well-being of Filipino adolescents, the House of Representatives Committee on Youth and Sports Development, led by Chair Faustino Michael Carlos Dy III, approved the substitute bill for the proposed Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Act today, May 23.

During its 6th regular meeting on Tuesday morning, the House Committee on Youth and Sports Development favored the proposed substitute bill seeking to develop a comprehensive policy that addresses the sexual and reproductive health needs of adolescents through age-appropriate comprehensive sexuality education; access to information and services; and, measures to prevent unintended pregnancies and reduce adolescent childbearing. The bill also institutionalizes the social protection of adolescent parents and their children.

Adolescent pregnancy remains a significant concern in the country. Despite the notable decrease in adolescent pregnancies over the past five years, the Commission on Population and Development (POPCOM) highlights the alarming rate of pregnancies among girls aged 10 to 14, affirming the urgent need for a national policy to address this situation, especially among younger adolescents.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), there were 2,299 births among girls aged 10 to 14 in 2021, while the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) recorded 133,000 families led by minors, further exemplifying the far-reaching consequences on families throughout the country.

Reports from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and World Health Organization (WHO) have consistently shown that adolescent mothers face increased health risks due to their bodies not being fully developed for childbirth and disruptions in education and emotional well-being.

“Young people have the right to lead healthy lives and the means to protect their health and safeguard their future. These include access to reproductive health information, services, and commodities,” asserted the bill’s principal author, Albay first district representative Edcel Lagman in a statement.

The effects of early childbearing extend beyond the young pregnant mother, affecting her child, family, and the wider community. The children of adolescent mothers are more susceptible to health and developmental issues, as well as educational disadvantages.

Moreover, families of young mothers often bear the economic burden and encounter limited opportunities, which perpetuates the cycle of poverty. At a broader level, adolescent pregnancy impedes economic development, increases reliance on social welfare, and strains healthcare, education, and social service resources, posing significant challenges for the country.

In fact, adolescent pregnancy in the Philippines is causing an estimated annual loss of 33 billion pesos in potential income, as reported by the UNFPA.

“PLCPD urges both chambers of Congress to take immediate action by engaging in thorough discussions and casting their votes on the bill. We cannot afford to keep young people uninformed. We must guarantee their access to accurate information, education, and suitable reproductive health services,” said Rom Dongeto, Executive Director of the Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development (PLCPD).

Some of the key provisions of the proposed bill include establishing an Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Inter-Agency Council; implementing a National Program of Action and Investment Plan for the Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancies; and, developing a Community-Based and Culturally-Sensitive, Age and Developmentally-Appropriate Comprehensive Adolescent Sexuality Education (CASE), among others.

The alternative House Bill consolidates multiple House Bills (79, 2062, 2524, 3211, 5559, 6901, 6964) and considers the provisions of House Resolution No. 288 and Privileged Speech No. 78. Following its approval in the House Committee, the next step for the bill is sponsorship in the House plenary.

Lagman, PLCPD’s chair emeritus, proposed House Bill 97, which became the template for the substitute bill on the prevention of adolescent pregnancy. The other authors of the bill include Kabataan party-list representative Raoul Manuel. Alongside government agencies, development partners, and other civil society and youth organizations, PLCPD and POPCOM initiated the “No More Children Having Children” campaign in 2019 to urge Congress to enact the Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Act.

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SMART-ED hailed as gamechanger in education, benefiting Sarangani

Tito Mike

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May 27, 2023

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SMART-ED hailed as gamechanger in education, benefiting Sarangani

PLDT and its wireless arm Smart Communications Inc. (Smart) supported the recent launch of the Sarangani Moves Toward Accessible, Responsive, and Technology-aided Education (SMART-ED) initiative of the Department of Education (DepEd) Sarangani Division, one of the Group’s long-time partners in education.

In a video message, DepEd Sarangani Curriculum Implementation Division Chief Donna S. Panes talked about SMART-ED as a gamechanger in education. She said, “This initiative is our bold move to manifest our great desire to elevate the quality of education in Sarangani and to make our learners ready to face the challenges of the future.”

During the SMART-ED launch in General Santos City, DepEd Sarangani officials tackled the importance of transforming education in the Philippines into a more innovative and modernized landscape. The program aims to encourage more educators to incorporate technology and modernization in every classroom, promoting digital literacy among students.

“Supporting the education sector has long been a key priority area for PLDT and Smart, particularly in the use of technology and innovation to provide access to inclusive, quality learning. Our support for SMART-ED of DepEd-Sarangani underscores this commitment, and we look forward to a stronger partnership with DepEd to achieve our goal of having #NoLearnerLeftBehind,” according to Stephanie Orlino, head of Stakeholder Management at PLDT and Smart.

DepEd Sarangani has started distributing tablets and TV sets to SMART-ED pilot schools, and implemented changes to their classrooms to encourage collaboration among learners.

PLDT and Smart have previously provided School-in-a-Bag packages to seven schools in the province under the program Learning Resource on WiFi Hub for Expanded e-Learning in Sarangani (LR on WHEeLS). Through LR on WHEeLS, DepEd Sarangani teachers have also been using the pandemic-resistant pedagogy Central Visayan Institute Foundation – Dynamic Learning Program, which Smart has been endorsing. Together, they also collaborated to develop mobile apps for learning, to help promote the use of technology in education.

These programs emphasize the PLDT Group’s commitment to help achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal No. 4: Quality Education.

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Davao Global Township officially opens its roads to the public

Metro CDO Times

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May 27, 2023

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Davao Global Township officially opens its roads to the public

● Proximate to downtown Davao City and the Francisco Bangoy International Airport, the P33-billion Davao Global Township (DGT) opened to the public on May 25.
● DGT comes to life with future-proof design and engineering principles, including sustainability and green features, designed to provide Davao with an elevated new-normal-ready retail, cultural and residential experiences.
● DGT serves as Cebu Landmasters’ first township through YHEST Realty Development Corporation. The township broke ground in November 2018.

Developed to become a source of pride for Davaoeños, the P33-billion development Davao Global Township (DGT) officially opened its road to the public on May 25. Marking the momentous occasion was a festive celebration and the kick-off to a community-building weekend market.

DGT serves as the first township of the leading developer in VisMin Cebu Landmasters Inc. (CLI) through YHEST Realty Development Corporation, a joint venture between CLI and the Yuson, Huang and Tan families belonging to the Villa-Abrille Clan of Davao. The township broke ground in November 2018.

“We are thrilled with the anticipated opening of DGT, which we envision as Davao’s central business district and lifestyle hub that will greatly contribute to the city’s economy,” CLI chairman and CEO Jose Soberano III said. “Given DGT’s prime location and future-proof design and engineering principles, which include sustainability and green features, we believe it will live up to its name as a world-class township.”

Envisioned to become a global business district

A 30-minute-drive away from the Francisco Bangoy International Airport, DGT creates a thriving global business district at the heart of Davao City. The idea is for the world-class township to serve as an address to be proud of, while generating business opportunities for Davao City and neighboring communities.

Under phase 1 of DGT is the township’s first residential project, The East Village at DGT, set for completion in Q3 2026. Inspired by the rich culture and life in the progressive Davao City, the development presents over 2,000 residential units spread across the six-tower vertical village. Unit categories include modular studio, one-bedroom and 2-bedroom cuts, with value ranging from P143,000 to P149,000 per square meter.

When introduced, all three towers of The East Village were sold out in 4 days prompting the opening of the fourth tower, which is also now sold out. The last two towers with a total of 717 units will be unveiled soon. Scheduled for launching this year is the 11,472 sqm The West Village, the next vertical residential community of the township.

Also part of DGT’s Phase 1 is the landmark commercial area and lifestyle mall, DGT City Center, along with cultural and civic events venue, DGT Cultural Center, which are both targeted to open next year.

DGT has a total of 223,768 square meters of commercial lot for sale, with lot sizes ranging from 1,054 square meters to 3,446 square meters.

DGT is CLI’s first operational township, and two more estates are being developed by the listed company: the 14.3-ha Manresa Town in Cagayan de Oro and the 100-ha MingMori Techno Business Hub in Minglanilla, Cebu. These large-scale projects will enable the company to hold a long gestating landbank that will usually double in value after launching.

Big on sustainability

Even before the official opening of its roads, DGT has already won several top recognitions, including the 2021 Best Township Development in the Philippines by PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards and Best Township Development in Asia by PropertyGuru Asian Property Awards.

These accolades recognize DGT’s design and engineering principles that adhere to the highest global standards. For one, DGT supports sustainability and the green movement. The township values the presence of its resident native trees, observes mandatory waste segregation, and implements recycling programs, among other efforts.

DGT proves to be a smart community as well with modern initiatives that support today’s lifestyle. There are provisions of wide bike lines to go with sidewalks and planting strips that promote walking and cycling, aimed to promote active living while reducing carbon emissions. Inviting open spaces for outdoor and leisure activities are also featured prominently.

These award-winning efforts support DGT’s tagline, “The Address of Ambition, The Address of Outstanding, The Address of Amazing.”

Celebrating with DGT Festival, opening of DGT Weekend Market

The YHEST Board of Directors and CLI top executives led DGT’s official opening on May 25, along with special guests from the government and the private sector.

Following the ceremony, local musical acts took the stage in a concert called “DGT Festival,” headlined by rock band UrbanDub and celebrity couple performers TJ Monterde and KZ Tandingan. Serving as front acts were proud Davaoeño bands The Dukes, Point Blank and Daybreak PH. Meanwhile, world- class DJs DJ Robinson and DJ Luane capped off the party that served a taste of DGT’s potential as a prime place of convergence in Davao City.

Aside from the DGT Festival, the township’s official opening also launched the DGT Weekend Market. Set to open four days a week—Thursdays to Sundays from 4pm to 1am—the upscale outdoor bazaar is set to delight Davaoeños with unique finds, amazing food, and other exciting offerings. Expected to become the new place-to-be that elevates the locals’ weekend experience, the DGT Weekend Market will be set up weekly at the first block of the township.

To know more about Davao Global Township, visit https://www.dgt.com.ph/. For commercial leasing inquiries at DGT, please contact Marian Espiritu at marian@cebulandmasters.com. For commercial lots & residential inquiries, please contact Ceasar Emmanuel Nitorreda at crnitorreda@cebulandmasters.com.

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Globe builds 220 new towers, upgrades over 3K mobile sites to LTE in Q1

Metro CDO Times

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May 27, 2023

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Globe builds 220 new towers, upgrades over 3K mobile sites to LTE in Q1

Leading digital solutions platform Globe reiterates its continued commitment to delivering reliable and high-quality connectivity services to Filipinos. It has built 220 new cell towers and upgraded over 3,000 mobile sites to LTE in the first quarter of the year to meet the dynamic and evolving needs of its customers.

The company also deployed around 118,000 fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) lines, which was lower than last year’s rollout as the focus shifts to maximizing the utilization of its existing fiber inventory and cater to the underserved prepaid fiber market.

This year, Globe focuses on the operational efficiency and sustainability of its free cash flow generation. Reflecting this commitment, it reduced capital spending to P17.6 billion for January to March, down 16% from the same period last year.

Globe’s total CAPEX is expected to drop to USD 1.3 billion this year, following peak levels in the past three years, as it took advantage of different opportunities to fast-track its network expansion and customer experience enhancements.

“Our focus this year is to ensure that we sustain the quality of experience, reliability and consistency of our network. Adding to this is using automation to bring down our operating costs. We have also optimized our infrastructure on the ground to decrease CAPEX spend, even as we remain committed to continuously improve our services,” said Globe Group President and CEO Ernest Cu.

To this, Rebecca Eclipse, Globe Chief Customer Experience Officer and Head, Strategy Management, added: “The continued advancement of technology to deliver better service performance and improved network efficiencies allows Globe to remain focused on improving connectivity across the nation, service availability, and customer experience.”

As a testament to its dedication to providing a #1stWorldNetwork, Globe once again emerged as the most reliable and consistent network in the first quarter of 2023, an elusive recognition with only a few operators from around the world getting this rating.

Globe maintained its status as the “Most Reliable Mobile Network in the Philippines” for the fourth consecutive quarter, according to Ookla®. It also achieved the highest All Technology Consistency Score of 83.39 percent in the first quarter of 2023.

Globe’s dedication to delivering reliable and efficient connectivity to its customers remains steadfast, and the company will continue to explore innovative ways to enhance its services while ensuring operational efficiency and sustainability.

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DA-10 demonstrates SNAP Hydroponics technology to CDO PDLs

Rolando Sudaria

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May 27, 2023

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DA-10 demonstrates SNAP Hydroponics technology to CDO PDLs

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)–To ensure available food and promote urban agriculture practices, the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office (DA RFO)-10, through DA-Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, conducts a Simple Nutrient Addition Program (SNAP) Hydroponics Training, May 12, here.

Thirty persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) from the Cagayan de Oro City Jail-Male Dormitory Training attended the activity, which was facilitated by the department’s High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP).

DA-10 Agriculturist II Ronald Ian Camaddo briefed the participants on the potential of SNAP hydroponics, a system that utilizes mineral nutrient solutions in water for vegetable production.

“It is a sustainable production system even in urban settings, and we are able to obtain high-quality produce requiring lesser maintenance,” Camaddo added, and later demonstrated the procedure using lettuce seeds.

Meanwhile, Senior Jail Officer 3 Aldous S. Ybañez shared that they are planning to continue to adopt the hydroponics system in their area.

“Training like this is beneficial to our PDLs, especially since they are able to earn from it. It would also be of great use to them when they are set free,” he concluded. (DA-10/PIA-10)

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Globe prepares network, personnel for powerful Typhoon Mawar

Metro CDO Times

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May 27, 2023

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Globe prepares network, personnel for powerful Typhoon Mawar

Globe has initiated preparations of its network and personnel to brace for the potential impact of weather system Mawar, which is forecast to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) this week.

In anticipation of the powerful typhoon, Globe’s technical and support teams are on alert and ready to take swift action to ensure continuous network operations and address potential issues due to adverse weather. Critical facilities are also equipped with generators and other fail-safe backups in case of power failures.

At the same time, Globe is ready to deploy Libreng Tawag, Libreng Charging, and Libreng WiFi services in regions that may experience power and service outages due to the typhoon.

To ensure that customers receive real-time, verified weather updates, the company offers free data access to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) website. It also urges the public to rely on reputable and trusted news sources for weather information and to adhere to warnings provided by the agency through SMS alerts.

Globe strongly advises everyone to prepare for the storm and put their safety as top priority. This includes stockpiling adequate food and water, preparing first aid kits, arranging emergency power sources and batteries, and ensuring their mobile phones are fully charged.

Mawar, which will be renamed Betty once it enters the Philippines, is expected to enter PAR on May 26, Friday, or May 27, Saturday.

For more information on Globe’s disaster response operations, follow GlobeICON on Facebook or visit https://www.globe.com.ph/ for the latest #StaySafePH advisories.

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Globe builds 220 new towers, upgrades over 3K mobile sites to LTE in Q1

Metro CDO Times

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May 26, 2023

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