Manila—On April 18, United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Philippines Mission Director Ryan Washburn joined Philippine government and private sector partners for the expansion of the agency’s Responsible Seafood Sourcing Program for blue swimming crabs in Iloilo City that will strengthen the domestic market for responsibly sourced seafood and reduce illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing in the province.

“Through the responsible seafood sourcing program, businesses can consistently provide quality seafood products while ensuring the health of the marine environment and supporting the livelihoods of local fishing communities,” Mission Director Washburn said at an event attended by representatives of the local government of Iloilo, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), and the local seafood industry.

Under its Fish Right Program, USAID and BFAR will work with the local community, the private sector, and government partners to develop direct market linkages between fishers, hotels, restaurants, and supermarkets to grow the local market for responsibly-caught blue swimming crabs, create livelihoods for fisherfolk, and incentivize sustainable fishing practices.

USAID’s work with BFAR and the private sector to expand responsible seafood sourcing in Iloilo connects responsible fishers to Philippine seafood businesses, buyers, distributors, and communities and improves the transparency of the seafood supply chains. Through USAID’s support, crab fishers from Igbon Island are now able to supply whole chilled crabs to the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel in Iloilo City.

This program will also help small fishers find new local markets to lessen their dependence on the volatile export market. The Philippines is a major exporter of blue swimming crab and is the second largest exporter of this species to the United States.

“Responsible Seafood Sourcing is the way to go as we endeavor to achieve conservation and sustainability of our fisheries resources while ensuring that livelihood and welfare of fishing communities are appropriately taken care of,” Department of Agriculture Undersecretary for Fisheries Drusila Bayate said in a statement.

For more than three decades, USAID has partnered with the Philippines to support environmental conservation. Through its P1.8-billion ($33-million) Fish Right Program, USAID is promoting safe, legal, and responsible fisheries practices in the Visayan Sea, South Negros, Calamianes Island Group, and Zambales. (PR)

Globe, the country’s mobile leader, has significantly ramped up its efforts to combat cyber threats by deactivating and blocking an increasing number of SIMs engaged in malicious activities.

In the first quarter of 2024 alone, the company blacklisted 36,549 SIMs from other networks, a 62% spike compared to the 22,455 competitor SIMs blocked during the same period last year.

The drastic year-on-year increase underscores Globe’s intensified campaign to identify and take down errant SIMs involved in SMS spam blasts, online fraud schemes, and other illicit activities.

Globe also deactivated 841 SIMs from its network in Q1 2024 after they were identified as potential sources of spam or scam SMS, or misuse. This figure marks a 30% year-on-year increase from the 647 Globe SIMs deactivated in Q1 2023.

“We have zero tolerance for abusive SIMs that undermine network security and compromise customer experience. Our accelerated deactivation efforts demonstrate our unwavering resolve to fight these cybersecurity threats head-on,” said Anton Bonifacio, Globe’s Chief Information Security Officer.

SIM abuse cases are detected through Globe’s monitoring systems and customer reports via its Stop Spam portal. The company promptly deactivates those SIMs to safeguard its customers and service quality.

Given the risk these SIMs pose to personal and financial information, Globe urges customers to remain alert. This includes steering clear of unfamiliar links, disregarding requests for personal details or one-time PINs, and promptly reporting any dubious messages via the Stop Spam portal.

The company’s offensive against compromised SIMs is part of its cybersecurity measures to detect and neutralize malicious SMS traffic more effectively. Globe has also partnered with other industry players including telcos, banks, online retail platforms, and concerned government agencies in threat intelligence sharing.

“Cybersecurity demands continuous effort and investment to stay ahead of emerging threats. Our intensified deactivation of rogue SIMs reaffirms our commitment to delivering a secure and anxiety-free experience for Globe customers,” said Bonifacio.

With a multi-pronged strategy of technological upgrades, industry collaboration, and customer education, Globe seeks to fortify its cybersecurity posture and maintain leadership in protecting consumers from spam, scams, and other cyber threats.
Globe works closely with stakeholders to battle fraud. It has partnered with government agencies, including the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP ACG), to jointly clamp down on fraudsters. Collaboration with law enforcers has led to successful operations against cybercriminals.

Globe customers may support the campaign against fraud by exercising vigilance and reporting cases via Globe’s Stop Spam portal or the PNP ACG via 0968 867 4302.
Globe also calls on mobile phone users to be wary of emerging fraud tactics occurring outside telco networks, such as scam messages sent via over-the-top messaging apps and spoofing. There have been rising cases of scams sent via chat apps and spoofing, costing victims their hard-earned money. (PR)

TACLOBAN CITY – The Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP) has spearheaded a two-day capability-building training for a homeowners association in Barangay Cabalawan, this city.

The first day, conducted last Thursday (April 25) focused on leadership training–writeshop designed to revisit and reconstruct the constitution and by-laws of the homeowners association in Ridgeview, Brgy. Cabalawan.

The need for said training is crucial, especially of the changes brought about by government infrastructures and developmental projects that affect the informal settler families.

Meanwhile, a livelihood skills training will be conducted this Saturday (April 27). The main goal of this training is to equip unprivileged families by allowing them to acquire capabilities, discover opportunities, and enlarge the people’s choices by using it to their advantage.

The mentioned trainings are part of the social preparation program by the PCUP which aims to increase awareness of the urban poor on the laws, programs, and services offered to them.

It also encourages families to actively participate and prepare for their responsibilities in the quest for tenurial security, employment, basic services, and livelihood.

(JANUS CAMILLE A. BERDAN, LEYTE NORMAL UNIVERSITY STUDENT INTERN)

TACLOBAN CITY– The City Veterinary Office (CVO)here took part in a two-day basic orientation on human and animal rabies at Hotel Rodolfo last April 18–19, 2024.

Organized by the Department of Health (DOH), the event aimed to provide local stakeholders with vital knowledge and strategies in the ongoing fight against rabies.
Dr. Johdel Ty, representing city veterinary officer Dr. Eunice Alcantara during the event’s second day, presented the veterinary office’s achievements in animal control and anti-rabies programs last year.

This engagement underscores the city’s commitment to addressing rabies-related challenges through informed action.

Highlighting the severity of the situation, the DOH emphasized the ongoing public health concern posed by rabies in Eastern Visayas.

The disease, which is both preventable and fatal, continues to be transmitted primarily through dog or cat bites, necessitating urgent intervention.

The DOH reported that there were 11 fatalities in the region last year due to rabies.
The health agency urged the public, particularly those bitten by an animal, to have an early consultation, completion of post-exposure prophylaxis, and responsible pet ownership practices, including a 14-day observation period for biting animals.

“Rabies continues to be a public health problem in Eastern Visayas. It is a disease caused by a virus and is transferable to humans (zoonotic disease), and dogs are the common transmitters of this disease, which is 100% preventable and 100% fatal,” the DOH said.
During the first quarter of 2024, the Tacloban City Veterinary Office’s intensified efforts against rabies has made significant accomplishments in combating rabies.

By conducting mass dog vaccinations and offering basic veterinary care, they successfully immunized 6,484 dogs and cats in 42 barangays out of the city’s total 138. Additionally, 460 were dewormed, 229 animals were neutered, with 23 animals receiving spaying services during the same period.

Residents were urged to take advantage of the mass dog vaccination schedules organized by the CVO for the remaining days of April, targeting various barangays. These include Brgy. 110 Utap (April 22-23, 2024), Brgy. 96 Calanipawan (April 24-25, 2024), Brgy. 81 Marasbaras (April 26, 2024), Brgy. 82 Marasbaras (April 29, 2024), and Brgy 83-B Cogon, San Jose (April 30, 2024).

The city’s first quarter accomplishments in 2024 reflect its commitment to providing free anti-rabies vaccination and spay/neuter services, underscoring the importance of proactive measures in ensuring community health and safety. (MISSY G. TUBIANOSA,LEYTE NORMAL STATE UNIVERSITY STUDENT INTERN)