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Globe blacklists, deactivates over 58,000 SIMs in H1 2023 via #StopSpam portal

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Leading digital solutions platform Globe continues its vigorous campaign against scam and spam SMS through its #StopSpam portal, deactivating and blacklisting 58,234 SIMs linked to fraud and malicious texts.

This figure represents a striking 226.22% increase from 17,851 during the equivalent period last year.

Over these six months, Globe has blacklisted 53,533 SIMs and deactivated an additional 4,701, demonstrating a robust commitment to protecting its customers and maintaining a secure network.

The figures were the result of Globe’s #StopSpam initiative, which facilitates the reporting of mobile numbers linked to spam and scam messages and calls. Through the StopSpam
#StopSPAM – Report Scams or Spam Messages – Globe.

We invite you to join us in our fight to stop spam by reporting SMS spams or scams, fake websites, and fake social portal, customers can simply upload screenshots of unwarranted text messages, and fill in necessary details such as the sender’s number or caller ID, the recipient’s number, and any suspicious links received.

“As we stride forward into the digital age, our foremost commitment at Globe remains to ensure the safety and security of our valued customers. We have taken a strong stance against online fraud, as demonstrated by our stringent measures in deactivating and blacklisting SIMs, including providing a reporting mechanism for our customers through the #StopSpam portal. These actions are crucial steps towards building a safer, more trustworthy network and preserving the integrity of our communication channels,” said Anton Bonifacio, Globe Chief Information Security Officer.

In addition to blacklisting and deactivating SIMs, Globe also successfully intercepted a staggering 2.19 billion scam and spam messages just in the first half of 2023. This represents an increase of approximately 360%, compared to the 615.01 million messages blocked during the same period the previous year.

These efforts underscore Globe’s commitment to supporting the government’s fight against scammers and fraudsters, in line with the SIM Registration Act. The law mandates individuals to register and present valid identification to telecom entities to keep their mobile and broadband services active.

In its persistent fight against spam and scam messages, Globe has made substantial investments in detection and blocking systems. The company invested $20 million in its Security Operations Center, which operates 24/7 to screen out undesired messages from both international and domestic sources. (PR)

Sen. Villar pushes passage of ‘One Town, One Product’ measure

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Senator Mark Villar

TACLOBAN CITY – The passage of the ‘One Town, One Product’ (OTOP) bill into law will have a big impact on the country’s economy and job generation.

Senator Mark Villar

Thus said Senator Mark Villar who authored Senate Bill No. 1594 or the OTOP Philippines Act of 2023, as he expressed his hope that both the Senate and House of Representatives will soon convene the bicameral committee to consolidate the bills for its approval.

“Maganda yung may batas para maging institutional na po yung One Town One Product, para taon-taong magkakaroon ng suporta at pondo para sa ating mga MSME (micro, small, and medium enterprise) lalo na po sa ating mga countryside,” Sen. Villar said in his short stop in the city on Thursday (August 10) on his way to Maasin City to attend its cityhood anniversary.

Under the proposed measure, MSMEs will be provided with a package of assistance for viable products in order to develop new, innovative, and more complex products, with significant improvement in the areas of quality, product development, design, packaging, standards as well as regulatory compliance, marketability, production capability and brand development.

“Malaking tulong nito sa mga MSME kasi karamihan sa mga trabaho ay nagegenerate ng mga MSME kaya ito po’y magadang balita sa pa ating mga negosyante at mga kababayan na nangangailangan ng trabaho,” Villar said.

The bill also aims to assist rural communities in growing the local economy by being more market-oriented and innovation-driven and to promote the convergence of initiatives from local government units, national government agencies, and the private sector in developing and promoting Philippine products, whether for export or the domestic market.

“Kailangan natin magbigay ng maraming suporta sa kanila para magkaroon tayo ng maraming businesses at mabibigyan na rin ng trabaho,” the senator stressed.

Based on the 2021 record from the Department of Trade and Industry, there are more than 1 million MSMEs in the country, the majority of which are found in the National Capital Region, Calabarzon, Central Luzon, Central Visayas, and Western Visayas, and generating a total of over 5 million jobs, based on Philippine Statistics Authority data.

In his message to Maasin City residents during the cityhood program, Sen. Villar promised to continuously support programs and projects of the local government just like his parents did.

Villar assured his support to the city government, particularly in the aspect of promoting tourism.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

Traffic enforcer arrested in a buy-bust operation in Catbalogan City

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ORMOC CITY-Twelve sachets containing white crystalline substances suspected to be shabu were recovered from an employee of the city government in Catbalogan during a buy-bust operation on Thursday (August 9).

Arrested during the sting operation was Jeffrey Igana,35, an employee of the city government assigned as a traffic enforcer in Barangay 7 at about 5:55 pm.

Recovered from the possession of Igana, listed as a high-value target watch list of the police, were 12 sachets of suspected shabu with an estimated market value of P8,000.

Charges of violations of sections 5 (selling) and 11 (possession of illegal drugs) of Article II of R.A. 9165 the Comprehensive Law against Illegal Drugs of 2002 were filed against the suspect.
(ROBERT DEJON)

20 SMEs in the region cited by RTWPB in this year’s Productivity Olympics Regional Award

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AWARDEES. The Regional Tripartite Productivity Board recognized about 20 small, micro, and medium enterprises from the region for this year’s Productivity Olympics Regional Award held on Thursday (August 9) (RTWPB-8 PHOTO)

TACLOBAN CITY –The Regional Tripartite Productivity Board (RTWPB) awarded 10 small, micro, and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the region during the 2023 Productivity Olympics Regional Award.

AWARDEES. The Regional Tripartite Productivity Board recognized about 20 small, micro, and medium enterprises from the region for this year’s Productivity Olympics Regional Award held on Thursday (August 9) (RTWPB-8 PHOTO)

The awardee includes Bibar’s Farm, and Mary’s Abuyog Spesyal Tsokoleyt Moron Atbp., for micro category; Alto Peak Chocolate Processing, Eva Marie Arts and Craft, Ladea Artspot and Advertising, Abuyog St. Francis Xavier Credit Cooperative (AFCCO), Northern Samar Multi-purpose Cooperative (NSDWCC), PASAR Employees Multipurpose Cooperative, and Palompon Community Multi-Purpose Cooperative – PACCI for small category, and Don Orestes Romualdez Electric Cooperative for the medium category.

RTWPB-8 chairperson John Henry Jalbuena lauded the awardees for their commitment to excellence and seal of productivity that made them ‘undoubtedly surpass expectations, showcasing not only impressive abilities but also serving as an inspiration to all those who witness their remarkable journey.’

“Your accomplishments stand as testimony or testaments to your unwavering determination and relentless pursue of success reflecting the true essence of Productive Olympics,” Jalbuena, who is also the regional director of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), said.

“Your stellar performance not only contribute to your personal growth but also positively impact the entire workforce in our region by setting new benchmark or productivity and exemplifying the power of sheer determination, you have become an exemplary role model for your peers and individuals across various industries,” he added.

The Regional Productivity Olympics is a biennial competition that serves as an advocacy strategy to heighten national consciousness and commitment to quality and productivity, and showcase best designed and successfully implemented productivity improvement programs and practices of MSMEs in the agribusiness, service, and industry sectors.
The awardees were chosen from the submitted nomination at the RTWPB and were screened by members of the regional screening committee.

The 2023 Productivity Olympics Regional Award is anchored on the theme, “From Striving to Thriving: Reset and Reposition for Impact”.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

2 killed in a road mishap in Ormoc City

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ORMOC CITY-A passenger of a habal-habal motorcycle was declared dead by an attending physician at a local hospital while the driver died on the spot when the vehicle they were boarding was accidentally hit by a truck at about 12: 45 pm Sunday (August 6) along the National Highway in Brgy. Concepcion, this city.

Traffic Enforcement Unit (TEU) of the Ormoc City Police Office Chief Police Lt. Col Gregorio Tedura identified the fatalities as Ponciano Janito, 59, and the driver of the vehicle and his passenger, Norma Lamberte, 55.

While the driver of the truck was identified as Jason Opiniano, 27, and a resident of Brgy. Aguiting, Kananga, Leyte.

Case investigator Police Corporal Jason Abe in a telephone interview disclosed that both vehicles were traversing on the same lane going north side of the city with the motorcycle ahead and the truck behind running at a fast pace.

He said that while the two vehicles were traversing, the habal-habal motorcycle suddenly turned left as the passenger who boarded in Brgy. Juaton was on her way to Brgy. Nasunogan.

He added that the truck driver applied his brake but because his vehicle was running at fast speed he still hit the motorcycle and dragged several meters away from the impact site.
The driver sustained severe multiple wounds in different parts of his body that resulted in his instantaneous death with his passenger declared dead while being treated in a hospital.(ROBERT DEJON)

Varquez led prayer rally against mining operations

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Bishop Crispin Varquez(center) led a prayer rally in Borongan City on Monday (August 7) against mining operations in Eastern Samar, particularly on Homonhon and Manicani Islands. (Photo Courtesy: Borongan Cathedral)

Bishop cites ‘horrific effects’ to environment

Bishop Crispin Varquez(center) led a prayer rally in Borongan City on Monday (August 7) against mining operations in Eastern Samar, particularly on Homonhon and Manicani Islands. (Photo Courtesy: Borongan Cathedral)

TACLOBAN CITY– Thousands of people from all parts of Samar parishes conducted a prayer rally on Monday (August 7) to voice out their strong opposition against mining operations, particularly in Guiuan town, Eastern Samar.

The prayer rally, dubbed as a ‘Jericho Walk’ as inspired in the Bible, was led by Borongan Bishop Crispin Varquez, with the estimated 2,000 participants coming from the various parishes of Samar Island converging at the grounds of the Borongan cathedral.

In his statement, Varquez called on the provincial government of Eastern Samar as well as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) not to approve any mining applications and cancel the existing ones.

“I appeal to our government officials responsible for processing applications for mining operations in Eastern Samar, to the members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, please do not endorse such applications for the sake of our people, especially our poor,” the prelate said

“I (also) appeal to the DENR and the Mines Geosciences Bureau to please cancel all mining permits being used by mining companies operating in our areas,” Varquez added.
He urged these officials not to be blinded to the ‘horrific effects’ of mining operations in Homonhon Island, off in Guiuan town.

Varquez insisted that ‘destroying’ the earth is never part of God’s plan. ‘This is especially because, as Pope Francis puts it, the earth is our common home.’

At present, there are four mining companies conducting mining activities on the island where Portuguese navigator, Ferdinand Magellan, landed on March 16, 1521 which led to the discovery of the Philippines.

These companies are the Cambayas Mining Corp., Techiron Resources Inc., Emir Mineral Resources Corp.; and Mt. Sinai Exploration and Development Corp.

In Manicani Island, also in Guiuan, the Hinatuan Mining Corp. is reportedly to resume mining activity.

Fr. James Abella, the social action director of the Borongan diocese, said that the prayer rally held on Monday was a culmination of their seven-day movement against mining which started on August 2.

During the past five days, ‘prayer for the earth’ was recited in all parishes and barangay chapels not only within the diocese of Borongan but in the entire Samar Island which includes those in Samar and Northern Samar provinces.

Fr. Abella said that the call against mining is being supported as well by Bishops Emmanuel Trance of Catarman diocese and Isabelo Abarquez of the Calbayog diocese.

“Today is the culmination of our prayer rally against mining which we dubbed as Jericho Walk and we hope that any mining activity will come to its end,” he said.

A Jericho Walk comes from the Old Testament Book of Joshua which tells the story of the walls of the Canaanite city of Jericho coming to collapse after Joshua led the people of Israel on seven marches, one per day, around the ancient city.

On the seventh day, it was said, the Israelites blew their trumpets and the walls collapsed.
According to Abella, they hope that during the past seven days, they were able to raise awareness among the people about the ‘massive destruction caused by the mining activities, particularly on Homonhon Island and in the process, joined the Church-back opposition against any mining operations.

“The mining operations in Homonhon, all four of them have caused nothing but massive destruction on the island. The water is polluted; the white school uniforms of children turned gray due to the dust coming from the mining pits and the fishermen could no longer fish within the island’s water. They have to conduct their fishing far which is dangerous for them,” Abella said.

JOEY A. GABIETA

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