Manila-The United States government recently supported the development of twenty startups that offer sustainable solutions to environmental issues in Cagayan de Oro, Dumaguete, and Manila.

On July 21, the U.S. Embassy’s American Spaces Philippines and The Spark Project concluded the Green Impact Accelerator (GIA) bootcamp, a five-month program that supported the growth and commercial viability of green startups through mentorship, networking, and crowdfunding matching.

Of the 20 solutions presented, three startups were selected to receive seed funding to develop, implement, and scale up their projects: Cagayan de Oro’s Kids Who Farm, which established Food Loop, a circular food system concept and technology that helps households convert edible material waste into organic components for growing food; Dumaguete’s Plantsville Health, which developed Green LiveS, an artificial intelligence-powered system that can record and monitor Philippine cinnamon production; and Manila’s Dewaste Solutions, which created MARE!, a modular and portable materials recycling facility that promotes environmental sustainability through education and provides employment for women in waste management.

“We are very excited to finally run an accelerator program that caters to enterprises that positively impact the environment,” The Spark Project CEO and founder Patch Dulay said. “I believe that programs like these not only level-up entrepreneurs and their businesses, but also connect them to a like-minded community that is eager to support their work.”

“This program is part of the United States’ commitment to support environmental resilience and promote inclusive economic growth,” said U.S. Embassy Assistant Cultural Affairs Officer Pauline Anderson. “The projects we saw in this program showcase the Philippine startup community and how their talents can build sustainable ecosystems and help achieve prosperity.”

GIA teams will reconvene in October for the American Spaces Angel Investing Seminar where they will be matched with potential investors and benefit from seed funding opportunities.(PR)

Globe says PH 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.

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. (PR)

ORMOC CITY-A security guard was arrested by local police in possession of an unlicensed firearm at about 1:05 pm on Friday (July 21) in Barangay Cangag, Isabel, Leyte.

The suspect was identified as Manolito Panis, 39, and assigned at Philippine Post Office.
The Isabel police said that while the operating unit was responding to a call about an alleged illegal logging activity in Brgy. Cangag, they saw the suspect at the side of the road with a bulging object tacked on his left waist which was suspected to be a firearm.

Police Chief Master Sergeant Marlon Ordoña introduced himself as a police officer and requested the suspect to lift his shirt then a short firearm was exposed placed on a holster tucked on his left side waist.

Upon verification, the suspect failed to present necessary documents of the firearm in his possession.

Confiscated from his possession and control was on 45 Caliber pistol and one magazine for the said pistol loaded with six live ammunition.

Charges of violation of RA 10591, the Comprehensive Law against Illegal Possession of Firearms, Ammunitions and Explosives, was filed against the suspect who is detained at the Isabel lock-up facility. (ROBERT DEJON)