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    ICHARM Japan, DOST XI, DSSC Co-Authored Davao OSS Article Bagged ‘Best Paper’ Award in International Conference

    A journal article on the Davao Online Synthesis System (OSS) earned the International Center for Water Hazard and Risk Management (ICHARM) 2023 Best Paper Award during the 2022 9th International Conference on Flood Management held last February 21, 2023, in Tsukuba, Japan.

    The award-winning paper entitled “Co-design for Enhancing Flood Resilience in Davao City, Philippines” focuses on the creation of an Online Synthesis System for Sustainability and Resilience. The system aims to enhance flood resilience by promoting disaster literacy across society and establishing governance involving the participation of stakeholders at all levels in Davao City.

    The recognition was given to Dr. Mamoru Miyamoto, Daiki Kakinuma, Tomoki Ushiyama, Abdul Wahid Mohamed Rasmy, Masaki Yasukawa, Toshio Koike, Masaru Kitsuregawa, Dr. Della Bacaltos and the Department of Science and Technology Region XI Director, Dr. Anthony Sales.

    The paper was evaluated according to the methodology’s robustness, the project’s relevance, and outputs, the participatory involvement of stakeholders, and the potential of the Davao OSS to be applied and benefit society.

    The Davao OSS is a disaster prevention information-sharing system for the Davao River developed by researchers from ICHARM Japan. The model is expected to provide synthesized information on climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and sustainable development measures to aid disaster managers and policymakers.

    Since its inception, HELP Davao Network and DOST XI have been working to deploy and ensure the sustainability of Davao OSS through policy support and institutional commitment through the Davao River Basin Management Alliance.

    The recognition of the Davao OSS project is a significant achievement for the Philippines and highlights the importance of strengthening the capabilities of the country in managing natural disasters which will provide a roadmap for other countries to follow.

    The 9th International Conference on Flood Management brought together over 400 experts, policymakers, and stakeholders from 41 countries to discuss the latest research and technologies in flood management.

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    Globe cautions job seekers vs online recruitment scams using brand

    Leading digital solutions platform Globe warns the public against recruitment scams on social media, particularly Facebook, that use altered official photos of the company and its employees to deceive unsuspecting job seekers into sharing their personal information.

    The fraudsters post or share manipulated images to make it appear that the telco is offering jobs to college freshmen under a work-from-home arrangement.

    One of the photos was from a ceremony where a prize winner was handed his winnings. The original photo was manipulated to show that he was receiving a job offer from Globe with a salary of P35,000 a month.

    There are also fake accounts using photos of Globe employees to mislead customers into thinking they are dealing with legitimate personnel.

    “Always verify the authenticity of information you see on social media because scams abound online. Refrain from sharing personal or financial information until you have verified the legitimacy of any job offer you receive. Remember that your personal information may be used by fraudsters to access your online accounts, including your e-wallets or bank accounts,” said Globe Chief Privacy Officer Irish Salandanan-Almeida.

    To avoid being duped by these unscrupulous individuals and organizations, Globe advises the public to remain vigilant and exercise caution when interacting with online job postings and unsolicited offers sent via chat apps.

    It is best to avoid clicking suspicious links. Customers are also advised to use stronger passwords and enable multi-factor authentication to protect their online accounts better.

    Phishing is a common type of online fraud where cyber criminals impersonate an organization or individual through a legitimate-looking email, post, or text message.

    Globe’s cybersecurity team continues to implement measures to fend off spam and online scams. The company has spent $20 million to step up its spam and scam SMS detection and blocking system.

    In 2022 alone, Globe blocked a record 2.72 billion scam and spam messages as it continues to ramp up the crackdown against such criminal activities to protect consumers.

    To learn more about Globe, visit www.globe.com.ph.

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    BARMM highlights importance of gender-equitable, inclusive society


    MARAWI CITY–Hundreds of employees from the Bangsamoro Government and the City Government of Cotabato participated in a motorcade Wednesday morning, March 8, to kick off this year’s National Women’s Month celebration.

    After the motorcade, the Bangsamoro Women Commission (BWC) put on a short event at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex.
    With the theme “WE for Gender Equity and Inclusive Society”, BWC Chairperson Bainon Karon said the celebration in BARMM aligns with the Bangsamoro Development Plan (BDP) 2023–2028 and the BARMM 12-Point Priority Agenda.

    The BDP is the medium-term comprehensive development plan of the Bangsamoro Government that lays down the plans, programs, and projects for the BARMM, including the manned utilization of the Special Development Plan (SDF) provided by the national government for the rebuilding, rehabilitation, and development of conflict-affected communities in the region.

    Employees from the Bangsamoro Government participate in a motorcade Wednesday morning, March 8, to kick off this year’s National Women’s Month celebration in BARMM. (BIO/PIA-10/Lanao del Sur)

    Karon says that the 12-Point Priority Agenda aims for a Bangsamoro that is strong, united, and able to support itself.

    “To be able to achieve this, we should ensure inclusive and equitable access to quality services for social justice and human capital development and build peaceful, safe, and resilient Bangsamoro communities,” Karon said.

    The chairperson said a multifaceted approach is required in creating a gender-equitable and inclusive society. “This involves addressing institutional and systemic biases, implementing policies that promote gender equity and diversity, and creating a culture that values and embraces diversity,” she said.

    “Overall, creating a gender-equitable and inclusive society requires a collective effort from individuals, organizations, and the government. It is a continuous process that requires a commitment to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion,” she added.

    Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim said that the Bangsamoro Government understands the “delicate role” that women play in taking care of families, making communities stronger, and promoting unity.

    “With this year’s theme, we affirm that the change that we want for our better future is inclusive, dependable, and sustainable for every Bangsamoro, especially for Bangsamoro women,” Ebrahim said.

    The Chief Minister also praised the BWC for fighting for the rights and welfare of Bangsamoro women and giving them the power to lead organizations and communities.

    Representing the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs (MIPA) and the Higaonon tribe’s focal person for gender and development, Rubymae Laconde thanked the Bangsamoro Government for recognizing the significant contributions of women, particularly of the IPs, in society.

    “Bilang isang babaeng indigenous people, malaki ang pasasalamat namin sa BARMM Government dahil napakinggan at nagkaroon kami ng masisilungan,” Laconde shared.

    “Mula nong nagkaroon ng BARMM ay unti-unting nawawala ang discrimination sa mga kababaihan at napapakinggan ang aming mga hinaing bilang isang babaeng indigenous people,” she added. (BIO/PIA-10/Lanao del Sur)

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    Globe focuses on capital efficiency and optimization for 2023 CAPEX budget

    Leading digital solutions platform Globe has announced a capital expenditure (CAPEX) budget of approximately US$1.3 billion this year, a reduction of over 30% from the 2022 record CAPEX spending as the company shifts focus to capital efficiency and optimization.

    Globe has spent record-high levels of CAPEX in the past several years, as it took advantage of different opportunities to fast-track its network expansion and customer experience enhancements. As it moves to 2023, on the back of those significant investments, the focus of Globe shifts to ensuring the sustainability of its free cash flow generation.

    Globe aims to further drop its CAPEX spending to US$1 billion by 2024 as part of its efforts to optimize the existing infrastructure and refocus capital deployment. These efficiency efforts will be done “without sacrificing customer experience and revenue opportunities,” said Globe Chief Finance Officer Rizza Maniego-Eala.

    “We are proud to have spent record-high levels of CAPEX in the past few years towards our network expansion and enhancement, which has allowed us to provide our customers with a first-world connectivity experience. At the same time, we recognize the importance of a healthy balance sheet and sustainable operations. As such, we are shifting our focus into strengthening our free cash flow position,” Eala said.

    Globe’s commitment to providing its customers with a world-class internet experience is evident in its high CAPEX spending in 2022, which closed at ₱101.4 billion, 9% above the previous year. The majority or 86% of the investment was allocated for data requirements, ensuring that Globe customers have access to the best digital solutions and connectivity wherever they are.

    The company’s strict and clear governance processes have ensured proper capital deployment over the years. The reduction of CAPEX spending in 2023 is proof of Globe’s commitment to responsible financial management.

    Despite the reduced CAPEX, Globe will continue to provide its customers with the best digital solutions and connectivity through its extensive network backbone.

    To learn more about Globe, visit www.globe.com.ph.

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    MisOcc steps up effort to increase rice farmers’ prod’n

    OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental (PIA)—The Provincial Government of Misamis Occidental, through its Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO) has intensified its efforts to help rice farmers in the province by boosting agricultural products and increasing the amount of rice production in the province.

    Governor Henry Oaminal convened a series of meetings to provide a sustainable solution to the farmers’ needs.

    “Ang inyong provincial government ug municipal and city government naglantaw sa inyong kaayuhan ug duna kitay hingpit o kumpleto nga programa para sa atong mga mag-uuma. Ang tanang kinahanglan sa farmers para mo increase atong production ug muubos ang atong gasto,” he said.

    Oaminal also promised to give a reward to farmers who can produce six metric tons of rice. Part of the program is to purchase the rice from the farmers if the market price is too low.

    The provincial government, through the Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO), started the distribution of seeds and urea fertilizers all throughout the province under the program of Oaminal’s rice farmers’ full assistance.

    The Department of Agriculture also made sure that the process went smoothly by assigning technical staff to each municipality to keep an eye on the distribution. These staff members watched the whole operation, from the merchants to the local chief executives (LCE), and made sure that the fertilizer was put on the rice fields.
    Meanwhile, PAO Anna Cagaanan said their office started the Farmers’ Fora, February 2, to the municipalities and cities of the province to explain about the programs and consult the rice farmers on the rice planting schedule, and the type of fertilizer to be applied first depending on the results of the soil assessment so that they can submit the report to the PAO.

    Cagaanan said that each farmer shall have two free bags of complete fertilizers and two bags of urea for one hectare, depending on the size of the area. She also stated that farmers should be registered in the Registry System for Basic Sector in Agriculture (RSSA) in order to have complete control over the status of their rice fields.

    Cagaanan says the governor was worried about the right equipment in this province. So, they did an inventory of the towns and cities and found that they were missing some of the right equipment. Hence, part of the resolution is to have their LCEs write a letter of intent that will be submitted to the governor and then forwarded to PhilMech in order to provide a long-term resolution.

    Cagaanan says that when farmers heard about the governor’s program, the Rice Farmers Full Assistance (RFFA) Program, they were very happy. This is the first time that the province has given full support to farmers, so they were very happy.With the program, everything will be covered, from the process of planting up to harvesting.

    Misamis Occidental’s RFFA program would help 9,500 qualified rice farmers in Ozamiz, Tangub, Oroquieta, Clarin, Panaon, Jimenez, Tudela, Lopez Jaena, Aloran, Sinacaban, Baliangao, Bonifacio, Calamba, Concepcion, Sapang Dalaga, and Plaridel. These farmers live in the cities of Ozamiz, Tangub, and Oroquieta. (PGMO/PIA-10/Misamis Occidental)

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    DA-10 joins RAGCOM-10’s information, services caravan in Lagonglong

    MISAMIS ORIENTAL (PIA)–As part of its efforts to bring the government’s agricultural programs and support closer to the people, the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office (DA-RFO)-10 joined the Regional Association for Government Communicators (RAGCOM)-10’s Information Caravan and Community Outreach Program in Sitio Curnao, Barangay Umagos, Lagonglong, February 24.

    The activity was led by the 58th Infantry “Dimalulupig” Battalion (58IB), PhilHeath-10, the Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-10, and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR)-10.

    Many government agencies and private stakeholders took part to offer their goods and services to the community, which was made up of the families of former rebels. This was done to keep the whole-of-nation approach to peace and development going.

    DA-10, through OIC-Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, provided 30 packets of 5-in-1 Sinigang Mix (pole sitao, radish, tomato, okra, and kangkong) vegetable seeds and 15 bags of hybrid corn seeds.

    “The seeds from DA are very beneficial to us since we have an agricultural area. Given our area condition, isolated and can only be accessed by foot or by horse, we would instead grow and eat our own food,” Lagonglong 4H club president Elejane O. Maestrado said. (/DA-10/PIA-10/Misamis Oriental)

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    Globe, givvable team up to promote sustainability in supply chain

    Globe, givvable team up to promote sustainability in supply chain

    Leading digital solutions platform Globe recently partnered with givvable, an Australia-based global Artificial Intelligence-powered supplier sustainability platform, to promote the discipline and practice of sustainability throughout its supply chain.

    Globe is taking a proactive approach to screening its suppliers based on their sustainability performance. In 2021, it worked with 887 local and 152 foreign suppliers, with over half its procurement budget dedicated to supporting local businesses.

    As givvable’s first partner in the Philippines, Globe is leveraging the former’s advanced platform to easily access and analyze environmental, social, and governance (ESG) data on its suppliers and align them with sustainability targets, frameworks, and standards.

    Naomi Vowels, Director of givvable’s APAC operations, says their platform drives significant efficiencies in monitoring supplier data. “Our clients report up to 85% cost efficiencies and 99% time savings. What used to take 7 months and 2-3 FTE, can now be done within the click of a button.”

    Additionally, givvable supports the development and implementation of sustainable, ethical, diverse and inclusive procurement policies. It enables Globe to easily identify its pool of suppliers aligned with its sustainability goals and continuously monitor the sustainability credentials of its suppliers.

    “We are excited to join forces with givvable to enhance our sustainability initiatives and encourage our suppliers to join us in our commitments to respect human rights, uphold labor standards, promote greater environmental responsibility, and ensure ethical business practices,” said Yoly Crisanto, Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer at the Globe Group. She added, “This partnership not only enables us to optimize our supply chain management but also empowers us to drive meaningful impact.”

    Globe is dedicated to integrating sustainability into every aspect of its operations. By partnering with givvable, the company can identify and address potential sustainability risks within its supplier network, while also providing learning opportunities through modules on topics such as carbon footprint reduction, circular economy, and ethical sourcing.

    givvable’s technology is the first sustainability solution on display at Microsoft’s Experience Centre in Singapore, and was most recently awarded the Australian Chamber of Commerce Singapore Sustainability Award and University of NSW Founder of the Year. They currently serve a range of industries, including banking and finance, property and construction, resources and facilities, manufacturing, food and beverage, and consumer retail.

    Learn more about Globe’s sustainability efforts via https://www.globe.com.ph/. Visit https://www.givvable.com/ for more information about givvable.

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    Globe sets up booths in 54 remote areas to support NTC’s new round of SIM registration initiatives

    Mobile leader Globe is setting up booths in 54 locations nationwide from March 7 to March 10, 2023 in support of the seventh round of the SIM registration assistance initiative of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).

    Customers who have not yet registered their SIMs may visit the location nearest them based on the following schedule:

    VISAYAS

    Negros Occidental

    ● March 8 – Don Salvador (Covered Gym)

    ● March 9 – Toboso (Covered Court)

    ● March 10 – Manapla (Covered Gym)

    Negros Oriental

    ● March 9 – Canlaon (Barangay Mabigo Covered Court)

    ● March 10 – Guilhulngan (Covered Court)

    Cebu

    ● March 9 – Barili (Municipal Covered Court)

    ● March 10 – Ronda (Municipal Covered Court)

    Leyte

    ● March 8 – Bontoc (Covered Court)

    ● March 8 – Tomas Uppos (ICTO Center)

    ● March 9 – Liloan (Covered Court)

    ● March 9 – Sogod (Barangay Rizal Gym)

    MINDANAO

    Zamboanga del Norte

    ● March 7 – Gutalac (Municipal Gymnasium, Brgy Salvador)

    Zamboanga City

    ● March 9 – Tictapul (Barangay covered court)

    Misamis Oriental

    ● March 9 – Cabanglasan (Covered Court, Barangay Poblacion)

    ● March 10 – Lantapan (Covered Court, Barangay Poblacion)

    Lanao del Norte

    ● March 9 – Tagoloan (Municipal Evacuation Center, Near Municipal Hall)

    ● March 10 – Balo-i (Municipal Covered Court)

    Davao del Sur

    ● March 8 – Matanao (Malipayon Park, Brgy. Poblacion)

    ● March 9 – Bansalan (Brgy. Poblacion 2 Covered Court)

    ● March 10 – Magsaysay (Municipal Gym)

    Sultan Kudarat

    ● March 7 – Sen. Ninoy Aquino (Gym)

    ● March 8 – Bagumbayan (Gym)

    ● March 9 – Esperanza (LGU)

    North Cotabato

    ● March 8 – Pigcawayan (Municipal Hall)

    Agusan del Norte

    ● March 7 – Kitcharao (Bus Terminal)

    Surigao del Norte

    ● March 8 – Placer (Dona Helen Cultural Center)

    ● March 9 – San Agustin (Municipal Covered Court)

    ● March 10 – Cagwait (RTR Municipal Lobby)

    For a quick and hassle-free registration, customers are requested to be ready with the following information when they go to the booths:

    ● Full name

    ● Date of birth

    ● Sex

    ● Address

    ● Government ID with photo

    ● Mobile number

    Globe emphasized the company’s commitment to providing excellent service to its customers and offering on-ground assistance to those who may face challenges with the registration process, especially in remote areas.

    “We understand the importance of staying connected, especially during these challenging times. That’s why Globe remains committed to providing our customers with the best possible service and support. With our SIM registration booths deployed across the country, we hope to make the registration process as easy and convenient as possible for everyone. We encourage our customers to visit these locations and comply with the government mandate before the deadline,” said Globe Channel Management Group Head Cleo Santos.

    Globe has already supported the first six rounds of NTC-led SIM registration aside from launching its own on-ground initiatives. It also offers an online platform (https://new.globe.com.ph/simreg) and the GlobeOne app, available 24/7, to make it more convenient for customers to register their SIMs.

    The company aims to reach out to all customers, particularly those having difficulties registering such as senior citizens, disabled persons, pregnant women, users of basic phones, and those without internet access.

    The SIM Registration Act requires the registration of all SIMs as a key measure against the proliferation of criminal activities. Deadline for compliance is April 26, 2023, and failure to do so will result in SIM deactivation.

    For more information on the SIM registration process and how to register, visit https://www.globe.com.ph/help/sim-registration-act.html.

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    ‘Far first ahead’: Globe’s pivot from telco to techco all about finding the big problems and solving them at scale

    Leading digital solutions platform Globe is accelerating its pivot from a traditional telecommunications company to a full-fledged tech enterprise, always on the lookout for the next big problem to solve towards digital enablement and transformation.

    In an interview with WINWIN on the sidelines of the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Globe Group President and CEO Ernest Cu talked about the company’s purpose-driven approach to empowering people through digitalization.

    Globe’s shift from telco to techco began when it became the number one mobile operator in the country in 2016. This success prompted the organization to expand its vision and place greater emphasis on digital solutions.

    Ernest Cu

    “What we decided to do was shift our focus to become a purpose-led company. And being purpose-led means going beyond just winning the telco game. It is helping our countrymen live their daily lives and helping the country improve its stature in the world,” Cu said.

    To start the journey, Globe decided to face the problem of financial inclusion head-on by partnering with Ant Financial in 2017 to relaunch GCash, which has now grown into the country’s leading e-wallet platform with over 76 million users.

    GCash helped address the issue of access to financial services, given that most Filipinos were unbanked at the time and only about 3.5 million had credit cards. The situation had made the process of digital payments and giving credit scores very difficult. But GCash turned this around.

    “In the end, 8 of 10 Filipinos now have access to financial services. They can transfer electronically, they can pay digitally, they can borrow money using a credit score that we’ve been refining all these years,” Cu said.

    Cu said the Globe Group is constantly looking for the next major problem to solve through innovative services that can scale or has a big addressable market. It also wants to be the first mover in the digital solutions space.

    “We don’t want to be entering the space and competing with the giants out there. We want to be the giant when we do succeed. So we’re focusing on healthcare, education, providing livelihood, and even sustainability,” he said.

    Globe still faces challenges as it transitions into a full-fledged digital solutions platform, including getting customers and regulators up to speed.

    “Filipinos tend to look at new applications, new ways of doing things, with a little bit of mistrust, so we got to build their trust,” he said. “The second is the regulators. We are now pushing the envelope in terms of the things that we want to do. And so sometimes they are still mired in the old way of doing things, and it takes us quite a bit of time to convince them to see this is really good for our country.”

    Globe continues to dominate the mobile segment with over 86.7 million customers nationwide. Its telco business has served as its unfair advantage in its expansion, enabling it to leverage these assets to build new businesses. In this space, Globe is “far first ahead” from competitors, said Cu.

    The company has ventured into digital marketing solutions, venture capital funding startups, virtual healthcare, e-commerce, business outsourcing, adtech, edutech, media, and entertainment, among others.

    “This (transformation) is not happening overnight. It’s not about deciding to do this one year and the next year we’re done. It has been a 14-year journey which I started when I joined Globe. We will continue to do this, and hopefully, with the support of our government and our partners, we will bring about a better life for our country,” Cu concluded.

    To learn more about Globe, visit www.globe.com.ph.

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