by admin | Sep 21, 2016 | Headlines, National News
MANILA, September 21 (PIA)–Pormal nang gipalig-on sa Department of Transportation (DOTr) ang pagpauswag sa validity sa mga plaka sa sakyyanan ug driver’s license.
Matud pa ni DOTr Kalihim Arthur Tugade, gikan sa kanhi tulo ka tuig, gihimo nang lima ka tuig ang validity sa mga plaka sa mga sakyanan ug lisensiya sa mga driver.
Gipahayag sa Kalihim nga kun masulbad na ang problema sa suplay sa mga plaka ug plastic cards alang sa mga lisensya, wala na’y mogawas nga mga bag-ong kotse sa mga car dealerships nga walay nakabutang nga plate numbers.
Sa pagkakaron, gihipno pa ang implementing rules and regulations alang sa maong kamanduan. (ecb/PIA7-Bohol)
by admin | Sep 21, 2016 | Headlines, Tech Talk
The Geeks on a Beach (GOAB) international tech confab, recently held in Panglao, Bohol last August 25-26, has gotten bigger and better on its fourth and present year.
Soaring high from its debut in Boracay in 2013, this year’s GOAB made a new breakthrough with its partnership with the iconic US-based tech accelerator Techstars and Facebook’s internet.org “free internet” advocacy.
“The Techstars Asia-Pacific Summit, a private gathering of 100 startup weekend leaders in the region, was held in the same venue two days prior to GOAB. This year’s GOAB also featured stronger ties with StartupPH.org, a newly formed umbrella organization of advocates for Philippine startups and tech industry. StartupPH.org includes the core group that completed the Philippine Startup Roadmap in 2015. ” said Tina Amper, TechTalks.ph Founder and GOAB organizer.
“Apart from the wider participation of the international community with delegates from the US, Singapore, Malaysia, among others, the recently concluded GOAB was also marked by stronger government support with the inspiring presence of Senator Bam Aquino and Bohol Governor Edgar Chatto,” added Amper. Senator Aquino is a strong proponent of the PH startup bill.
Meanwhile, key government supporters from previous GOAB is now part of the newly installed Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT). Monchito Ibrahim, who was previous head of the now defunct Department of Science and Technology Information and Communication Technology Office oversaw the crafting of the PH Startup Roadmap in consultation with the startup community, is now Program Director of DICT’s eInnovation.
With the theme “Empowering startups, leading change”, GOAB is organized by TechTalks.ph, co-organized by Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT), and co-presented by PLDT SME Nation, Smart, Smart DevNet, Ideaspace and PLDT Innolab.
GOAB was held in partnership with Bohol Provincial Government and Bohol ICT Council. Major organizational partners are Internet.org by Facebook and FbStart from Facebook. This year’s official airline partner is Philippines AirAsia. Silver Sponsors are Zalora, Mynimo, Teradoor, Pouch Nation, A Space, Infocomm Investments, and South Palms Resorts Panglao, while Bronze Sponsors are Yoyo Holdings, Payoneer, Eurekloud, USAID-STRIDE, US Embassy, Launchgarage, StarTechUp Inc., Eastern Communications, RTI International, Piktochart, Office of Senator Bam Aquino, Microsoft, Intel, Uniform Solutions, Department of Tourism and Be Grand Resort Bohol.
GOAB organizational partners are Philippines Software Industry Association, National ICT Confederation of the Philippines, UP CebuInit.org, CedFIT.org, Game Developers Association of the Philippines, Digital Commerce Association of the Philippines, Developers Connect, STAC Silicon Valley and GoNegosyo.
GOAB media partners are Auza.Net, Tech in Asia, Geeks in Cambodia, Hubnob.tv, InnoPub Media, Mytechisland.com, Zerothreetwo.com, Jumpstart Magazine, Mobile Ecosystem Forum, Asian Journal Publications, Balikbayan Magazine, Innovation is Everywhere, e27, Newsdesk Asia, WazzupPilipinas, Esooped.com, Istorya.net, Expat Philippines, PayPerClick.ph, TopTen.ph, Escooped.com, Istorya.net, Expat Philippines, PayPerClick.ph, TopTen.ph and Our Awesome Planet.
GOAB supporters are Islands, Hybridigm, Innovantage, Skyeye Inc., Purple Cow, Amun Ini Beach Resort and Havaianas.
GOAB founding sponsors are Smart, Smart Bro, Smart Devnet, Ideaspace, Mynimo.com, Amazon Web Services, Microsoft, STAC Silicon Valley, Islands, Istorya.net, GT Cosmetics, Chef on Demand and Ng Khai Development Corporation.
GOAB is powered by Sym.ph. GOAB branding by HappyGaraje, and PR management by PR Works.
“GOAB is still playing a major role in the evolution and growth of the Philippine startup ecosystem, especially in gathering together the thriving innovation communities across the archipelago,” said David Overton, CEO of Sym.ph and Chief GOAB Geek.
“This year’s GOAB continues the tradition of offering a unique combination featuring the latest tech developments and bringing together the best minds in the startup world while maintaining a fun and chill atmosphere by the beach,” added Overton.
The two-day tech confab was held in the Bellevue Hotel in Panglao, Bohol. “It was a total experience. The knowledge imparted by the fantastic speakers, the networking opportunities with the bustling geek community, and of course the fun-filled, scenic, yet environmentally-friendly Bellevue Hotel,” said Amper.
Participants were presented with jam-packed sessions featuring a wide variety of topics ranging from launching your startup, funding options, digital marketing, the latest trends in tech and social media, UX/UI design, drones and various topics in software programming. The agenda provided many opportunities for collaboration amongst attendees and speakers enabling deeper connections amongst them.
What makes GOAB unique is the easy availability of attendees to connect and the 2-day or 48-hour opportunity to mingle since many of the attendees stayed in the conference hotel or nearby. So participants saw each other at breakfast, at the conference, at dinner, at after-dinner socials, and back again on the second day. “Whether they are an investor, or CEO, or anybody at the event, everyone was just an arms reach away.” said a tech attendee.
Some of the biggest names in the international tech and startup scene were there: Techstars co-founder and managing partner David Brown, Startup Weekend co-founder Marc Nager, Chris McCann of Greylock Partners,Crowdsourcing Week founder and CEO Epi Ludvik Nekaj, 500 Startups Managing Partner/Investor Khailee Ng, 500 Startups corporate innovation director Arnaud Bonzom, Zalora Philippines Managing Director Constantine Robertz, PLDT SME Nation head Mitch Locsin, Ideaspace.ph Managing Director Diane Eustaquio, TechTalks chief content officer Robert Cristobal, Citrix principal UX designer Philip McKay, and STAC Silicon Valley president Cristina Laskowski.
“GOAB happened because of the people that supported us and the quality of people who attended. GOAB is a “destination” conference so people have to plan in advance to attend. As such, the participants were eager to learn, ready to do business, and open to connecting with each other. Many came prepared and pre-researched the speakers and companies presenting as they were looking for business leads or funding for their startups. One entrepreneur indicated that he already secured two large business opportunities and that was just day one.
We are thankful for all the support that made GOAB a big success and seek additional forward-leaning partners to make GOAB 2017 even more productive. So what’s next? The global spotlight is now on the Philippines. We will carry on to work hard supporting the ultra-dynamic startup communities. We call on the corporate community to reach out and connect with us and our innovation-driven founders because startups are the future. Here is their opportunity to leapfrog routine problems and solve them with technology and innovators in their own cities.” said Amper.
Amper said the next GOAB is on the works with organizers regrouping as early as one week after the recently concluded event to draw ideas for an even bigger GOAB 5.
For more information or to support this venture, visit www.GeeksOnABeach.com, or contact them at hello@GeeksOnABeach.com; Facebook Geeks On A Beach and twitter @GeeksOnABeach.
Media Contact:
Doris I. Mongaya
PR Works Inc.
prworks2003@gmail.com
0917 791 9545
by admin | Sep 20, 2016 | Headlines, National News
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI-IPG) Undersecretary for Industry Promotion Group Nora K. Terrado cited Zeenoh, Inc., an entertainment software company that specializes on Internet of Things, video games, animation and other software applications as it received the Best Innovative SME Award in the ASEAN Business Awards 2016 held in Vientiane, Laos last September 5, 2016.
“We are happy to know that many of our local SMEs are being recognized by our neighbors as we urge them to continue to innovate and embark on available support services of the government,” said DTI Industry Promotion Group Undersecretary Nora K. Terrado.
Jhondie Abenaza, CEO and founder of Zeenoh Inc., was a full time software engineer when he decided to start his own business. He took the Department of Trade and Industry’s free business course in 2007 which prepared him with the basics of setting up his own enterprise as a sole proprietor. A year later, Zeenoh was founded on September 10, 2008 as a pioneering game development company in the country.
Zeenoh started as an outsourcing partner for top video game studios from Japan, Korea and USA. As an end-to-end service provider for developing video games, it evolved into developing its own original content (Intellectual Property). The company started with mobile, web, PC, console and is now developing virtual reality applications. Zeenoh’s notable games developed are Patintero Playtime, released for mobile in 2010 and Nightfall: Escape, the first globally known full-3D game locally owned and made.
Abenaza encourages dreamers like him to take advantage of the entrepreneurship resources provided by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and looks forward to the collaborative opportunities presented by the recently established QBO Innovation Hub.
Terrado emphasized its support to local entrepreneurs and innovators as it prepares programs and services for the Startup Ecosystem Development Plan (SEDP). “We want our MSMEs, particularly those in the startup sector, to continue to venture with their creative solutions and innovative products and services as we further our strategies in penetrating the global digital economy,” added Terrado. SEDP is expected to help enhance the climate for startup businesses, increase the success rate of Filipino innovative enterprises in introducing their products and services in the local and international markets.
As part of the DTI’s bold initiatives in supporting innovative enterprises in the country, QBO Innovation Hub was launched last August 8 in partnership with Ideaspace Foundation where support services are offered for innovators, explorers, investors, academic institutions, start-up mentors and enablers as well as a broad spectrum of partners and stakeholders from both public and private sectors. Located at the DTI International Building in Makati City, the hub aims to encourage more startups and innovation entrepreneurs in the country.
Recently, the Philippines improved 9 notches in the 2016’s Global Innovation Index, ranking as the 74th most innovative country among 128 surveyed in a report released by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Cornell University and INSEAD.
by admin | Sep 20, 2016 | Headlines, Tech Talk
Interconnection enables customers to call customers of other providers without long-distance calls
Globe Telecom said interconnection of its landline service Globelines with its competition continue to expand as the two parties recently agreed to extend the collaboration to include the provinces of Leyte, Southern Leyte and Biliran.
The interconnection enables Globelines customers in the Leyte, Southern Leyte and Biliran provinces to call customers of other telco providers without additional charges as they no longer have to pay for long distance charges when calling one another. The interconnection, which took effect last September 1, will allow customers to realize substantial savings.
Prior to the interconnection, landline customers of Globelines and other telco providers were charged with long distance rate when making phones to one another. With the interconnection, Globe customers can simply dial the seven-digit telephone number to connect with other telco providers and vice-versa.
“As interconnection reduces the cost of connectivity among our customers, Globe will continue to pursue interconnection in line with our commitment to provide affordable and easily accessible ways of communication, necessary to further enhance economic growth,” Globe General Counsel Atty. Froilan Castelo stressed.
Interconnection among telco providers is in line with provisions for compulsory interconnection of authorized public telecommunications carriers under Republic Act 7925. The law aims to create a universally accessible and fully integrated nationwide telecommunications network to encourage more infrastructure investments from the private sector that would benefit the consumers.
In addition to Leyte, Southern Leyte and Biliran, Globe has existing interconnection agreement with its main competition in Metro Manila, Cavite, Iloilo, Batangas, Cebu, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Bohol, Leyte, Davao City, Pampanga, Bulacan, Zamboanga, Laguna, Quezon, La Union, Nueva Ecija, Benguet, GenSan/South Cotabato, Tarlac, Davao del Norte, Pangasinan, Ilocos Norte, Zambales, Ilocos Sur, Capiz, Cagayan, Nueva Viscaya, Iloilo, Bataan, Isabela and Camarines Norte.
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For more information, please contact:
Yoly C. Crisanto
Head, Corporate Communications
Globe Telecom, Inc.
Email Address: gtcorpcomm@globe.com.ph
Globe Press Room: www.globe.com.ph/press-room
Twitter: @talk2GLOBE │ Facebook: www.facebook.com/globeph
This e-mail message (including attachments, if any) is intended for the use of the individual or the entity to whom it is addressed and may contain information that is privileged, proprietary, confidential and exempt from disclosure. If you are not the intended recipient, you are notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify the sender and delete this E-mail message immediately.
by admin | Sep 19, 2016 | Headlines, Tech Talk
In line with new vision for Philippines to become an admired nation for having 1st world internet connectivity
Globe Telecom goes full throttle in its ongoing expansion of its network infrastructure and capacities to improve the internet experience of its customers. The company’s aggressive stance in expanding its network capacities is in line with the company’s new vision for the Philippines to become an admired nation for having a first world internet connectivity.
Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu said that more and more of the company’s customers will experience improved services as adoption of LTE-capable devices increases and as the telco provider continues to deploy LTE 700 in more sites. “Guided by our new purpose of ‘treating people right to create a Globe of Good’, the company is aggressively fast tracking a multi-pronged network infrastructure and capacity expansion build to provide our customer a better internet experience,” said Cu.
Cu said the company’s deployment of LTE service using the 700 megahertz (MHz) frequency is now in full swing, adding Globe expects to have around 250 LTE 700 sites by the end of September. According to Cu, the company plans to activate more than 500 LTE 700 sites across the country by the end 2016. Majority of the company’s LTE 700 sites will cover major business districts and highly-urbanized and populated areas in the country, including Metro Manila, Metro Cebu and Metro Davao. He emphasized Globe is maximizing the use of the previously idle 700 MHz band in fulfillment of its commitment to the National Telecommunications Commission to improve the overall internet experience of its customers following the sell-out of San Miguel’s telco assets.
Parallel to this, Globe also began rolling out a capacity expansion program for its corporate data network to address bandwidth requirement of its enterprise clients as they make use of various data solutions to improve business efficiency, enhance productivity, and boost competitiveness, Cu disclosed. Specifically, the company will be upgrading its corporate sites with the deployment of fiber-optic technology. This year alone, at least 61 sites are being upgraded, with 455 sites scheduled for next year.
As part of its efforts to create an internet superhighway nationwide, Globe recently completed the deployment of fiber broadband technology in Binondo, Manila, an initiative that will provide world-class internet experience for Globe customers in the district, said Cu. Globe plans to deploy fiber optics in 20,000 barangays by 2020 that will provide ultra-fast internet access to around 2 million homes nationwide.
# # #
For more information, please contact:
Yoly C. Crisanto
Head, Corporate Communications
Globe Telecom, Inc.
Email Address: gtcorpcomm@globe.com.ph
Globe Press Room: www.globe.com.ph/press-room
Twitter: @talk2GLOBE │ Facebook: www.facebook.com/globeph
This e-mail message (including attachments, if any) is intended for the use of the individual or the entity to whom it is addressed and may contain information that is privileged, proprietary, confidential and exempt from disclosure. If you are not the intended recipient, you are notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify the sender and delete this E-mail message immediately.
by admin | Sep 16, 2016 | Headlines, National News
MANILA—Government officials on labor and trade, business leaders and selected legislators gathered recently at the hall of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to discuss the implementation of the Right to Security of Tenure, following President Rodrigo Duterte’s resolve to end labor contractualization and end-of-contract (endo) schemes.
Organized by DOLE and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), led by Labor and Employment Secretary Silvestre Bello III and Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon M. Lopez, the high-level meeting exchanged views on the issues surrounding the trilateral relationship among the workers, the service providers and the principals or companies.
IN SEARCH OF A WIN-WIN SITUATION. Labor and Employment Secretary Silvestre Bello III and Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez led the High-Level Meeting on the Implementation of the Right to Security of Tenure, participated in by other government officials, including Presidential Consultant for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion III, business leaders and selected members of the House of Representatives on 15 September, following the President’s resolve to end labor contractualization and end-of-contract (endo) schemes.
According to DOLE, there are 5,150 registered contractors and subcontractors deploying more than 416,000 workers to not less than 26,000 principals as of 2016.
DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez presented the so-called ‘win-win structure’ of labor relations involving the workers, the service providers and the companies.
In the ‘win-win’ set-up, workers can be hired by service providers as regulars, receiving full benefits such as leave credits, 13th month pay, as well as retirement, social security and health insurance plans, among others.
Companies, meanwhile, will have the flexibility to either directly hire workers as regular employees or outsource them through service providers, in view of seasonal job functions.
Subsequently, the trade secretary encouraged companies to ensure that service providers comply with laws safeguarding rights of the workers.
“What is critical now is the compliance of service providers in giving full benefits to the workers,” said Sec. Lopez, adding that the win-win structure has already received positive response from the President.
Other compelling issues discussed in the meeting focused on the system of recruitment between service providers and workers, the procedure of regularization and on probationary status, and the legitimacy of contractor and subcontractors.
The meeting also touched on the “four-fold test,” as determinant of employer-employee relationship, whose elements include the right to hire, payment of wages, power of dismissal or power to impose disciplinary actions and the power of control, which is considered as the most important of the four elements.
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