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Softstone

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AL ELLEMA
AL ELLEMA

Humbugging before the public as the strong servant of then president Rodrigo Roa Duterte, the tough talking former police director has took an awkward summersault as a begging senator. He took off into conducting senate probes on alleged police officers who were caught red-handed into the lucrative drug business.

That same drama happened during the recent investigation of police officers who lost allegedly almost a ton of illegal drugs popularly known as shabu. The haul was already in custody by the officers who nabbed the contraband but got lost in mysterious circumstances that probers believed to be suspicious. The tales presented by the police officers were full of inconsistencies.

Those police officers held their ground that they have no part in the alleged wrongdoing being charged against them. Bereft of enough evidence to support their surmises, Senator Ronald “Bato” de la Rosa begged for cooperation from the police officers, dropping on bended knees asking for mercy that the police officers tell the truth for the sake of the Filipino people and country.

Placed under an embarrassing setup where probers were given a run around the questions that the police officers had a good time evading the questions, the senators turned berserk by issuing threats of citing them in contempt. The antics had entertained the public who have the time to watch either face to face inside the senate halls or live coverage by radio and television or live streaming on various media platforms.

The brouhaha of the senate probe exposed the undeniable truth that the brutal drug war carried out by Senator Ronald “Bato” de la Rosa was an utter failure. Lives were wasted in that bloody war and the drug menace still exists until now. The antics of kneeling in the hallowed halls of the senate was nothing but a clear act that he and his principal, then president Rodrigo Roa Duterte bloody drug war was a failure. The fact that police officers are in the drug business under probe is a statement that his failed drug war is admitted. A hard rock is now a softstone.

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Must we go back in time?

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CLEMELLE L. MONTALLANA,DM, CESE ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR III
CLEMELLE L. MONTALLANA,DM, CESE
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR III

Many people today are unhappy with their lives. They face various problems such as stress, anxiety, depression, loneliness, boredom, dissatisfaction, and lack of meaning. They often wish they could go back in time to a simpler and happier era, where they could enjoy the beauty of nature, the warmth of human relationships, the joy of creativity, and the peace of mind.

But is going back in time really a good idea? Would it make us live better and happier? In this essay, I will argue that going back in time is not a realistic or desirable solution for our current problems, and that we should instead focus on improving our present and future.
Going back in time is not a feasible possibility, to start with. Time travel is not proven to be conceivable by science, and even if it were, there would be several moral and intellectual contradictions. What would happen to history and our own life, for instance, if we could modify something in the past? Would we rewrite the timeline or would we just delete it? How would we handle the fallout from our actions? And traveling back in time wouldn’t necessarily make us happier. Diseases, wars, poverty, oppression, illiteracy, and violence are just a few of the potentially difficult issues we may encounter.

We might face different but equally challenging problems, such as diseases, wars, poverty, oppression, ignorance, and violence. We might also lose some of the benefits and comforts that we enjoy today, such as technology, education, health care, entertainment, and human rights. We might not even fit in with the people and culture of the past, and feel alienated and isolated.

Secondly, going back in time is not a desirable option. It implies that we are giving up on our present and future, and that we are not willing to face and solve our problems. It also implies that we are idealizing and romanticizing the past, and ignoring its flaws and drawbacks. The past was not perfect; it had its own share of hardships and sufferings.

Moreover, going back in time would mean that we are missing out on the opportunities and possibilities that the present and future offer. The present and future are not hopeless; they have their own share of beauty and goodness. There are still many things to learn, discover, create, enjoy, and improve in the world. There are still many people to love, help, inspire, and be inspired by. There are still many ways to grow, change, adapt, and overcome our challenges.

Therefore, I believe that going back in time to live better and happier is not a realistic or desirable solution for our current problems. Instead of escaping from reality or dwelling on nostalgia, we should embrace our present and future with optimism and courage. We should appreciate what we have and work for what we want. We should seek happiness not in the past but in the present moment. We should also strive to make the world a better place for ourselves and others. Going back in time might seem tempting but it is not the answer.

We can just create a better present and plan an even better future.

Globe welcomes new verification guidelines from NTC to improve SIM registration; renews call for consultations with gov’t on improvements in National ID rollout, law enforcement

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Mobile leader Globe welcomed the release of new guidelines by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to improve the ID verification in the SIM registration process.

As customer protection remains its top priority, Globe asserts that the effective implementation of the SIM Registration Act requires close collaboration and consultation among key industry stakeholders, regulators and law enforcement agencies.

At the recent Senate hearing, a concern was raised with regard to the acceptance of an animal photo in lieu of a real person’s ID. This placed the quality of verification in the SIM registration process into question.

Even as Globe has fully complied with the requirements of the SIM Registration Act resulting in the registration of 54M SIMs, there remain areas of improvement to help avert online fraud and scams.

The first is having a proper identification system for all citizens such as the national ID. This is needed to avoid using various types of government-issued IDs that may be tampered with or compromised. This is an important area that must be pursued vigorously. We renew our call for consultations with the government on improvements in the rollout of the National ID, and law enforcement.

Second, recent guidelines released by the NTC to verify the identity of SIM owners is a welcome initiative. Even as Globe will comply with the guidelines, fresh investments must be made to deploy a more sophisticated identification solution. Looking at various technical solutions will take time to ensure we implement a solution that truly addresses the unique and complex requirements of the SIM Registration law.

Third, the implementation of the SIM Registration Act is only the first step towards deterring online fraud and scams. Effective law enforcement and intelligence that can keep up with tech-based criminal activities must also be in place if we are to achieve a scam-free Philippines. Another issue is citizens sell their registered SIMs and act as mules.

“When SIM registration was implemented last year, telcos only had 15 days to design its SIM registration platform following the release of the IRR. Our capability for ID validation is also limited by the lack of access to a database where we may verify submissions. For facial or optical character recognition to work efficiently and accurately, there should be a database of facial biometrics and IDs that only government issuers possess,” said Atty. Froilan Castelo, General Counsel of the Globe Group.

“We are currently working with the government to enhance our SIM registration platform, and we hope to get access to data with which we can verify documents submissions, including photo IDs,” added Castelo.

“Moving forward, we are optimistic that with the recent post-validation guidelines from the NTC, we will be able to weed out those who submitted fake credentials to register, deactivate their SIMs, and report them to law enforcers for investigation,” Castelo said.

Globe called on SIM users to submit only verified information and IDs in registering their SIMs as fraudulent submissions are penalized under the SIM Registration Act. Individuals who provide false information or fake IDs may face prison time of six months to 2 years, and a P300,000 fine. (PR)

Ormoc’ marine and reptile rehab center shortlisted for Galing Pook Award

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Ormoc City’s ‘Saving Kan: A love story of Ormoc Bay (the Marine and Mammal and Reptile Rehabilitation Center)is shortlisted for this year’s Galing Pook Award. (Photo Courtesy)

TACLOBAN CITY – Validators for the 2023 Galing Pook Awards had conducted site validation in Ormoc City for their entry “Saving Kan : A love story of Ormoc Bay (The Marine Mammal and Reptile Rehabilitation Center).

Ormoc City’s ‘Saving Kan: A love story of Ormoc Bay (the Marine and Mammal and Reptile Rehabilitation Center)is shortlisted for this year’s Galing Pook Award. (Photo Courtesy)

The validation was held from September 4 to 5 and headed by VAdm. Alexander Pama (ret.) accompanied by Galing Pook program officer Luigi Celestino Briones and were welcomed by Mayor Lucy Torres Gomez.

Out of the 166 entries,Ormoc was one of the 33 shortlisted of which the top 20 finalists are to be chosen.

The Marine Mammal and Reptile Rehabilitation Center is one of the important projects of the city due to its contributions to biodiversity conservation and community education.
The center is managed by the Fishery, Coastal, and Aquatic Resources Management Division headed by Irish Belmonte.

The facility aims to conserve marine mammals and reptiles by providing a haven for injured, stranded, or orphaned animals, offering them the necessary care and rehabilitation they require.

And once recovered, these mammals and reptiles are then released back into their natural habitats.

Another function of the facility is to raise awareness and educates the local community and visitors by instilling in them a sense of responsibility and appreciation for marine life and wildlife conservation among the public.

Last July, the facility released a green sea turtle that was rescued at the city’s sea water.
The sea turtle was the third to be rescued and rehabilitated this year with the help of the center, and the 24th since 2016.
(ROEL T.AMAZONA)

U.S.-supported online agricultural trading hub connects farmers to more businesses

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Manila—On August 31, the United States government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Nueva Vizcaya Agricultural Terminal (NVAT), launched a first-of-its-kind e-commerce platform to expand the market reach of Luzon-based farmer-traders and strengthen the Philippines’ agricultural supply chain.

The NVAT Fresh Online Platform (NVATFresh.com), directly managed and operated by the Luzon-based agricultural hub, is a business-to-business (B2B) online platform where farmers can list their produce for large enterprises such as supermarkets, food processing companies, and restaurant chains. Through the platform, farmers can leverage competitive pricing, secure a consistent income, reduce food wastage, and ensure the delivery of fresh, affordable produce straight to businesses and consumers.

Through its five-year, P billion ($18 million) Strengthening Private Enterprises for the Digital Economy (SPEED) project, USAID provided technical assistance, onboarding support, and training for NVAT and its stakeholders who use the platform.

In its initial phase, NVAT Fresh Online is projected to facilitate the sales of 5,000 tons of produce, accounting for 3 percent of NVAT’s total volume. Future estimates anticipate sales surging to roughly 20,000 tons, generating P500 million ($8.8 million) by its fifth operational year.

In her remarks, USAID Philippines Deputy Mission Director Rebekah Eubanks emphasized the crucial role that farmers play in achieving inclusive and resilient economic growth.
“As your partner in prosperity, the United States remains committed to supporting the Philippines in advancing digitalization to help improve the lives of farmers and agricultural traders, and more importantly, enhance the country’s food security,” Deputy Mission Director Eubanks said.

“Thank you, USAID, for heeding our call. To say that NVAT is a trailblazer is an understatement. The birth of NVAT Fresh is a significant accomplishment,” DTI Secretary Alfredo Pascual said in remarks delivered by DTI Undersecretary and Chief of Staff Ana Carolina Sanchez.

Meanwhile, Department of Agriculture (DA) Senior Undersecretary Domingo F. Panganiban highlighted the societal impact of platforms like NVAT Fresh Online on farmers.
“The most striking feature of progress in agriculture today is the rapid increase in the utilization of information technology to provide both farmers and consumers alike with reliable, data-driven information and guidance. In agriculture, we can attribute that swift increase to the presence of strong dynamic networks of collaboration between development institutions like USAID, the national government, and local extension services. I am confident the new online platform will help to guide our ties with farmers and agribusiness entrepreneurs of Nueva Vizcaya for decades to come,” Senior Undersecretary Panganiban said.

NVAT ranks among the country’s most extensive wholesale markets for fresh produce, delivering 60 percent of its fresh fruits and vegetables to Metro Manila and Central Luzon. As a pivotal hub, it distributes products sourced from various provinces including Benguet, Ifugao, and Pangasinan.

Through SPEED, USAID aims to expand digital transformation across other agricultural and farming communities in the Philippines. (PR)

Ormoc City shortlisted for this year’s IOPD Award

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TACLOBAN CITY-Ormoc City’s Dagyaw platform for citizen access and participation in clarifying issues and recommending policy options was chosen as one of the 40 finalists for the 17th International Observatory on Participatory Democracy (IOPD) award.

The IOPD is an annual award delivered to recognize successful experiences and public policies on citizen participation, community engagement, democratic innovation, public deliberation, and open government.

Ormoc is one of the three entries from the Philippines to be part of the top 40 finalists selected from 149 entries from 33 countries for the Best Practice in Community Participation.

“We need your help to support our entry in securing its rightful place as one of the best and leading programs in participatory governance,” Councilor Nolito Quilang said as he solicited support among its residents.

“It’s time to put our government’s best practices in the limelight,” he added.
In order to secure a spot, the entry from Ormoc must receive the most number of votes among the 40 shortlisted entries for the 17th IOPD awards.

The voting period runs from September 2 to 12, 2023 by registering at the ink https://tinyurl.com/RegisterForOrmoc and casting a vote at https://tinyurl.com/VOTEDagyawTownHall

The winning best practice will be awarded in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil which will take place from November 6 to 8, 2023.

Ormoc’s entry Dagway provided a forum for dialogue, collaboration, and empowerment, involving residents in crafting municipal policies and projects and acknowledging the value of their input in decision-making processes.

This encourages inclusive and participatory governance, involving stakeholders in decision-making processes, and recognizing the value of incorporating residents in influencing local policy.

It uses a town hall meeting technique participated by the City Mayor’s Office, the City Planning and Development Office, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, and civil society organizations (CSOs).

They also use Facebook Live to reach a wider audience and reach to promote inclusivity and openness. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)

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