DOST, UNDP celebrate Filipino innovators in GICE Expo

Grassroots Innovations exhibited during the 2023 GICE Expo

The Department of Science and Technology XI (DOST XI) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) celebrated local ingenuity and sustainable solutions during the Grassroots Innovation for Circular Economy (GICE) Expo 2023.

The expo showcased an impressive array of ingenious solutions developed by Filipino innovators from grassroots communities to address concerns in their respective contexts.

In his welcome remarks, DOST Secretary Renato Solidum, Jr. emphasized the importance of grassroots innovations in contributing to the sustainable development of the country through viable means of raising income, addressing social needs, conserving the environment, and preserving our culture. 

“As we scale up the program on the national level, the challenge for us now is to locate more grassroots innovations and systemically examine how these can be fully supported to continuously contribute to our sustainable growth,” Solidum said.

UNDP Philippines representative Dr. Selva Ramachandran also highlighted the need to transition to a circular economy which is important for sustainable development.

“Prosperity must not be achieved at the expense of the environment. The circularity of the economy is a strategic safeguard that will contribute to ensuring that such prosperity is sustainable,” he said.

The expo provided a platform for the display of ingenious Filipino creations both from the formal and informal sectors, made of various local materials and it also allowed productive and collaborative discussions between the innovators and potential investors and mentors. 

A series of engaging discussions were also delivered by grassroots innovations and circular economy champions from the Philippines, Malaysia, and India shedding light on the immense potential of grassroots innovations for widespread impact.

Keynote speaker and Senator Hon. Loren Legarda also stressed the importance of placing innovation at the heart of the government’s development policies which is embodied in the Philippine Innovation Act.

“If we harness the ingenuity of Filipinos, we can embark on a transformative journey leading to sustainable progress and prosperity,” Legarda said.

The Langkit Weaving of Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and CARAGA's Sustainable Fuel Via Community-Based Biomass Gasification System were hailed as national winners for the Grassroots Innovation and Circular Economy categories, respectively.

As the GICE Expo concluded, the participants expressed gratitude for the conduct of the event and committed to continue supporting innovative, sustainable, and circular economy principles.

DOST XI Regional Director Anthony Sales, who is also the project leader of the Grassroots Innovation for Inclusive Development Program, said that strong collaboration is equally relevant for the success of the GIs and circular change.

“Grassroots innovations and strong grassroots movements can help bring about an inclusive, sustainable, and circular change,” he said.

Missed the registration deadline? You have 5 days to reactivate your SIM

If you still missed the SIM registration deadline, you have a final grace period to comply with the law. 

Globe, TM, and Globe At Home Prepaid WiFi users who missed the July 25 deadline for SIM registration will already feel the impact of non-compliance, with their outgoing services and incoming calls deactivated.

But, as stipulated in the implementing rules and regulations of the SIM Registration Act, they still have five days- from July 26 to 30–  to catch up and save their SIM from permanent deactivation. Their incoming SMS is still left active so they could receive a One-Time Pin for SIM registration.  

"Globe recognizes the essential role of uninterrupted mobile and broadband services in our customers' daily lives. So, as provided for in the law, SIM users get this last chance to register their SIMs after missing the initial and extended registration deadlines. Our team is committed to assisting our customers who need help. We strongly urge everyone to seize this opportunity to avoid any inconvenience," said Ernest Cu, Globe Group President and CEO.

To reactivate your SIMs and restore full mobile services, customers have to connect to a WiFi network and complete their SIM registration via Globe's dedicated platform or through the GlobeOne app. Globe Stores and EasyHubs are also open to assist walk-in customers who need assistance. Reactivation of full mobile services will happen within 24 hours following.

Failure to reactivate during this five-day grace period will lead to permanent SIM deactivation. As a consequence, all services, including incoming and outgoing text messages, calls, and mobile data connectivity will no longer be available. This may also impact access to active mobile applications, including banking, transport and other apps crucial for daily needs. 

Starting July 31, 2023, all remaining load balances and promo registrations on unregistered SIMs will also be forfeited. Those with deactivated SIMs who need mobile services will have to purchase new SIMs, which will then also have to be registered to activate. 

The SIM registration grace period is the final opportunity for customers to register their SIMs and secure their mobile services. Globe, TM, and Globe At Home Prepaid WiFi customers are encouraged to act swiftly to avoid the consequences of permanent deactivation.

Customers are reminded that SIM registration is an integral part of the broader initiative to strengthen customer security and prevent fraud. Completing this step is necessary not only to retain their mobile services but to ensure their digital safety.

Globe signs Connectivity Index Rating MOU with DICT, telcos for better indoor internet experience

 (L-R)- M/Gen Rodolfo Santiago (Ret.), Chief Technology Officer, DITO Telecommunity Corp; Atty. Adel Tamano, Chief Administrative Officer, DITO Telecommunity Corp; Atty. Froilan Castelo, General Counsel, Globe Group; DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy; Henry Aguda, Head of the Private Sector Advisory Council Digital Infrastructure Sector and President and CEO, UnionDigital Bank Philippines; Joseph Ian Gendrano, SVP and Chief Technology Officer, PLDT-Smart and Paulo Martin Santos, Chief Network Transformation Officer, Converge ICT Solutions, Inc.

Leading digital solutions platform Globe welcomes the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the telecom sector and the DICT on the establishment of a standard Connectivity Index Rating across the country. 

The MOU was signed on July 21 by telco representatives led by Atty. Froilan Castelo, General Counsel for the Globe Group, Department of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Secretary Ivan John Uy, and other representatives from PLDT-SMART, Converge ICT, and DITO Telecommunity in ceremonies at the DICT office in Quezon City.

 

The Connectivity Index Rating, proposed by Globe and its industry allies to the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC), is designed to be a user-friendly measure on the quality of internet experience within indoor spaces. It aims to empower consumers to rate their indoor internet experience thus providing immediate feedback to owners of buildings and establishments on the quality of internet they are providing their customers.

 

"The signing of this Memorandum of Understanding is an important step towards truly enhancing the digital landscape of the country.  Indoor service experience has been a common complaint among customers and the decision of selecting service providers, including which data plan to get lies in the hands of building and establishment owners.   Through this rating, public and private sector players will be able to easily identify areas that need connectivity improvement, leading to efficient and effective network investments. Customers can immediately give feedback about their experience which will ultimately redound to improving overall internet service in the country,” said Ernest Cu, Globe Group President and CEO.

 

The rating parameters include speed, accessibility, availability and security of internet services. This will offer a valuable reference point for property owners and government institutions to determine the required level of connectivity relative to the user traffic within a specific area or building.

 

Currently, consumers lack an accessible method to assess the quality of internet connectivity in places such as airports, shopping malls, hotels, libraries, and coffee shops. The objective of the index is to be as intuitive and user-friendly as the traditional 5-star system for hotels.

 

“The Connectivity Index Rating will serve as a compelling incentive for private and public establishments, encouraging them to prioritize high-quality connectivity services in their spaces, benefiting consumers and driving competitiveness,” added Atty. Froilan Castelo, Globe’s General Counsel.

 

Over the years, Globe has shown a steadfast commitment to offering fast and dependable internet services to Filipinos. The Connectivity Rating Index provides the company another opportunity to help enhance the country’s digital environment, making it more dynamic, consumer-oriented, and at par with international standards.

NCCC’s up and coming Mall in Ma-a targets to open 400 tenants by the end of 2024.

The construction of NCCC Mall Maa, now at 50 percent, is in full swing since its resumption post pandemic. With total lot area of 28,200.64 square meters, it is set to top off in the 1st quarter next year.

“The construction team has worked diligently to ensure that we remain on schedule, and we are excited to bring this exceptional shopping destination to the community. The progress so far has instilled confidence that NCCC Mall Ma-a will soon stand as a landmark in the cityscape with its swift execution and efficiency demonstrate the dedication and expertise of the project team,” NCCC Malls Assistant Vice President for Operations Engr. Rodolfo Saturos said.

Apart from its anchor stores like NCCC Supermarket, Department Store, Hardwaremaxx, HB1, and NCCC Cinemas, NCCC Mall Ma-a will feature a mix of fashion and apparels, jewelry and accessories, kid’s store, footwear and leather goods, food and beverages, sports, health and beauty, gadgets, home furnishings, and services.

A mix of local and national brands have signified to open in NCCC Mall Ma-a such as Guess, Penshoppe, Hukad, and New Davao Famous Restaurant, to name a few.

“The mall aims to curate a diverse tenant mix, featuring a blend of beloved local establishments and prominent brands. This combination of shopping, dining, services, along with NCCC anchor brands, will create a vibrant and dynamic retail environment,” says Suelita Longakit, Leasing Manager for NCCC Malls.

She added that the variety presents an exciting opportunity for businesses to be a part of the vibrant retail ecosystem at NCCC Mall Ma-a.

There will be different sections in the Mall to cater to the customer’s interests including Truly Davao brands, fashion hub, alfresco dining, food snack section, and gizmo hub.

In addition, the mall has a roof deck with Panoramic overlooking view of Davao Skyline. There will also be a landscape park called “The Nook” for those who seek a place to relax. A variety of coffee shops and restaurants and also available to satisfy customer’s various cravings. Customers can also indulge in different flavors and dishes at The Nest, a food hall for those seeking a quick bite or a full meal.

Globe readies network, pre-positions personnel and supplies for potential impact of Typhoon Egay

Leading digital solutions platform Globe has started to prepare its network, prepositioning personnel and supplies in anticipation of the potential impact of Typhoon Egay.

The weather system, forecast to graze the country early this week, rapidly intensified Monday morning, prompting the state weather bureau to raise storm warning signals across the country. PAGASA warned Egay could further intensify into a super typhoon, with the northernmost provinces at highest risk of impact.

 

To prepare for the storm, Globe has placed technical and support personnel, as well as critical supplies, in areas where the storm may pass or else trigger enhanced monsoon rains. Globe facilities are equipped with generators and alternative power sources to ensure power supply and prevent commercial power outages from affecting the delivery of connectivity services.

 

Globe is also on standby for the possible deployment of Libreng Tawag, Libreng Charging and Libreng WiFi Services in areas where the storm may cause power and service outages.

 

“We have prepared our network, facilities and personnel to minimize the potential impact of Typhoon Egay and prevent service disruptions. We stand ready to support our customers who may be affected by this typhoon,” said Yoly Crisanto, Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer, Globe Group.

 

Globe calls on residents in areas that may be affected by Egay to make their own preparations, including storing food, water and medicine, readying first aid kits, emergency light sources and batteries, and charging their mobile devices.

 

To help customers access timely and verified weather updates, Globe provides free data access to the website of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). Globe would also like to remind the public to get their information from legitimate and trusted news sources to make sure they get vetted weather information, and heed warnings sent by the agency via SMS alerts.

 

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

 

Globe says Philippines ready for digital transformation

The Globe Group, the Philippines’ leading digital solutions platform, commends the government for paving the way for greater digital transformation in the country through forward-thinking policies enacted since the start of the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr.

As the President delivers his second State of the Nation Address on Monday, July 24, Globe extends its gratitude for milestones scored in his first year in Malacañang which have made significant reforms possible, bringing the Philippines closer to becoming a truly Digital Nation.

 

“We are grateful for the support from the government and our open collaboration towards achieving great strides in our national digitalization journey. Together, we have accomplished a lot over the past year. We are excited to see how much farther we can go as we pursue our shared goal of enabling and empowering Filipinos through innovative digital solutions,” said Ernest Cu, Globe Group President and CEO.

 

The first year of President Marcos’ administration is marked by significant developments that are key in propelling the country’s digital transformation.

 

For one, the President has enabled closer and more productive public-private collaboration through the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC), a platform that gives the private sector a voice in shaping the national development agenda.

 

Through PSAC, private sector representatives have a direct line to the President, able to share their expertise and experience towards policy-crafting, and also granted the opportunity to propose national-scale innovations that have the potential to uplift Filipino lives.

 

This synergy has led to the issuance of the President’s Executive Order No. 32, which has granted telcos the long-awaited streamlining of the permitting process of ICT infrastructure. This order will serve to accelerate network expansion in response to the steadily growing customer demand for connectivity.

 

The recently signed Memorandum of Understanding on the Connectivity Rating Index, meanwhile, will foster a healthier competitive environment for connectivity providers, encourage business owners to optimize quality connectivity as a differentiator, and empower consumers in making better choices when it comes to spaces where they go.

 

In the area of legislation, the SIM Registration Act, a landmark law passed to combat SMS scams and fraud, is proving to be a powerful tool in helping telcos combat cybercrime, with a marked decline in suspicious messages reaching SIM users. 

Policy Wishlist

 

With the government and private sector aligned on the path to digital advancement, the Globe Group is counting on the administration to continue regulatory reforms that would enable the country’s sustained transformation.

 

Globe hopes for the government’s support in ensuring the timely electrification of ICT infrastructure, particularly cell towers, so that telcos can provide life-enabling connectivity to more areas in the country.

 

To enable an unhampered shift to advanced network technologies, Globe also calls for the rationalization of the 26-year-old Spectrum User Fees (SUF). In its current form, the SUF penalizes greater use of more spectrum-efficient 4G and 5G and other Fixed Wireless Access technologies. It also disincentivizes network expansion, as fees are charged for every station even for the same frequencies. This hampers the industry’s push for stronger and wider connectivity as demand continues to grow.

 

As a strong advocate for internet-ready developments, Globe also hopes to see the passage of a law that requires developers to allocate space for telco infrastructure and an amendment of the National Building Code and/or its IRR to require the mandatory provision of telecommunications infrastructure in developments. At 46 years old, the country’s building code is already antiquated and was crafted at a time when connectivity was not yet considered a basic human need.

 

To strengthen enforcement against financial fraud, Globe is also calling for the passage of legislation that would penalize the use of e-wallets as conduits for money laundering and other financial scams, as digital financial transactions continue to grow.

 

Globe is also eager to see the passage of amendments to the Intellectual Property Code, also a 26-year-old policy that needs to catch up with the times to allow stronger measures such as site blocking to combat content piracy. After it hurdled the House of Representatives earlier this year, Globe hopes for its continued progress in the legislative hierarchy towards enactment.

 

The company also looks forward to greater collaboration with law enforcement agencies and relevant government entities to boost enforcement against cable theft, which causes connectivity disruptions to the detriment of customers.

 

“We’ve had an accomplished first year. As we move forward as partners in digital transformation, the Globe Group hopes to see more policy reforms that will sustain our progress so that in time, the Philippines will no longer be just catching up. Rather, the Philippines will set the standard,” said Cu.

SM Prime taps Citicore Renewables for supply of clean energy

(From left to right) SM Prime Energy Consultant Jaime Patinio, SM Prime Chief Finance Officer John Nai Peng Ong, SM Prime President Jeffrey Lim, CREC Chairman Edgar Saavedra, CREC President & CEO Oliver Tan, CREC Sr. Manager Sales & Energy Trading Jerard Garcia

SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime) and Citicore Renewable Energy Company (CREC) signed a Memorandum of Agreement on July 11, 2023, as a joint commitment to champion renewable energy. 

Through this partnership, SM Prime will source its energy requirements of up to 90-Megawatts (MW) from CREC’s upcoming Lumbangan Solar Power Plant in Tuy, Batangas. 

The long-term agreement, which will start in the first half of 2024, is in line with the Department of Energy’s Retail Competition and Open Access (RCOA) policies. This agreement further strengthens both CREC and SM Prime’s commitment to DOE’s program of moving up the renewable energy supply component of the Philippines to 35 percent by the year 2030.

“This partnership marks our strong commitment to providing sustainable operations in our developments nationwide. It is aligned with SM Prime’s target of achieving net zero by the year 2040. SM Prime ensures that its risk-informed investments catalyze sustainable development and positive change in the communities where it operates,” SM Prime Chief Finance Officer John Ong said.

The agreement with SM Prime adds to CREC’s long list of blue-chip company partners, attesting to the company’s solid performance and service excellence.

“We are happy to partner with SM Prime in providing clean and safe renewable energy for their power requirements,” CREC President Oliver Tan said.

“We believe that their support and trust in us through this partnership reflects our commitment as a renewable energy provider, and we are glad that SM Prime shares in our vision of a sustainable future,” Tan added.