Globe has achieved marked improvement in mobile data download and upload speeds in 127 areas across the Philippines in the second quarter of 2023 compared to the previous quarter. These include remote areas in the country, bringing better data browsing experience and digital inclusion to more customers.

This achievement affirms the company’s commitment to delivering superior connectivity, opening new opportunities for growth and development across the archipelago.
Independent validation from Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data has confirmed these results, underlining the digital solutions platform’s commitment to transparency and data-driven performance.

“As we’ve seen a consistent rise in demand for mobile data, especially in the last few years, we have been constantly improving our network to bring better experience to our customers. We are encouraged by these results, which prove that our efforts are paying off and our customers in far-flung areas are enjoying Globe’s #1stWorldNetwork,” said Darius Delgado, Head of Globe’s Consumer Mobile Business.

The most impressive 717.32% surge in upload speed was recorded in Clarin, Bohol. Meanwhile, Barira, Maguindanao demonstrated the highest boost in download speed with a 273.13% increase.

Clarin and Barira appeared in Globe’s top download and upload speed lists. They were joined by Taytay, Palawan; Claveria, Cagayan; San Agustin, Surigao del Sur; and Calubian, Leyte.

Significant improvements were noted, particularly in remote provinces of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. These 22 locations reported the highest improvement in download speeds:Barira, Maguindanao – 273.13%;Indanan, Sulu – 185.22%;Taytay, Palawan – 177.42%;Toboso, Negros Occidental – 168.78%;Tubay, Agusan Del Norte – 143.23%;Lasam, Cagayan – 131.83%; Cabarroguis, Quirino – 131.63;Sarangani, Davao del Sur – 129.98%;Claveria;Cagayan – 128.79%;Pamplona, Negros Oriental – 113.11%;Clarin, Bohol – 110.94%; Sergio Osmena, Zamboanga del Norte – 105.42%;San Agustin, Surigao del – 103.46%;Cordon, Isabela – 97.59%;Numancia, Aklan – 93.18%;San Jose, Northern Samar – 90.61%;Cuyapo, Nueva Ecija – 72.88%;Pikit, Cotabato – 71.12%; Morong, Rizal – 66.52%;Calubian, Leyte – 56.74%;Baganga, Davao Oriental – 51.71%; and Tumauini, Isabela – 50.01%

These 28 locations, meanwhile, recorded better upload speeds: Clarin, Bohol -717.32%;Barira, Maguindanao – 258.2%;Tungawan, Zamboanga Sibugay – 236.07%;Claveria, Cagayan – 175.8%; San Fernando, Bukidnon -161.85%;Taytay, Palawan – 136.76%;San Agustin, Surigao; del Sur – 114.97%;Datu Paglas, Maguindanao – 100.83%; cabadbaran City, Agusan Del Norte ,100.41%; Sogod, Southern Leyte -98.09%;Cordon, Isabela – 94.05%;San Mariano, Isabela – 88.19%;Pinamungahan, Cebu – 87.63%; Cabarroguis, Quirino – 85.49%;Norzagaray, Bulacan – 83.64%;Roxas, Oriental Mindoro – 83.38%; Maimbung, Sulu – 81.50%;Calubian, Leyte – 72.21%; Marawi City, Lanao Del Sur – 71.59%;Tobozo, Negros Occidental – 68.67%;Ubay, Bohol – 68.00%;Tabuelan, Cebu – 66.08%;Manaoag, Pangasinan – 65.69%;San Jose, Northern Samar – 61.95%;Danao City, Cebu – 60.85%;Guimba, Nueva Ecija – 56.16%;Itogon, Benguet – 51.44%; and Tantangan, South Cotabato – 50.41%.

Globe’s efforts align with its mission to provide seamless, inclusive connectivity and life-enabling digital solutions to every Filipino, ensuring that the Philippines stays at the forefront of the digital transformation. (PR)

TACLOBAN CITY-Over 1 million students from public schools across Eastern Visayas are expected to return to school on Tuesday (August 29), the first day of classes for this school term.

The number, however, is expected to increase as the enrollment is still ongoing as out of the region’s 4,484 government-run schools, only 4,354 of them have so far submitted their report to their office, Jasmin Calzita, the regional information of the Department of Education(DepEd), said on Tuesday.

She, however, said that the first day of enrollment ran smoothly.

“The opening of classes here in our region was generally peaceful and successful,” she said.
Calzita said that 550,553 students are enrolled in the Kindergarten and elementary; 313,632 in the junior high school; and 159,198 in the senior high school.

Last school year, there were more than 1.28 million who were in school in Eastern Visayas.
Calzita said that it is up to the head of the school or the principal when the school will end its enrollment.

The DepEd in the region also assured that despite of the projected increase in enrollment, the teacher-to-40-students ratio could still be attained.

In Eastern Samar, provincial schools superintendent Gorgonio Diaz expressed his gratitude to the provincial government for continuing to hire teachers.

“They are really a big help to our regular teachers which in the process, help improve the quality of education in Eastern Samar,” Diaz said.

The provincial government under Governor Ben Evardone has hired around 1,000 licensed teachers which it pays for their salaries.

They are being assigned in areas where there are needs of teachers.

In Northern Samar, the provincial government has built buildings for eight public schools across the province to help address the lack of school buildings.

For this purpose, the provincial government allocated P27.4 million sourced from its special education fund.
(JOEY A. GABIETA/LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY-Government troops recovered several firearms both in Eastern Samar and Samar provinces on Sunday (August 27).

Brigadier General Noel Vestuir, the commanding officer of the 802nd Infantry Brigade based in Borongan City, Eastern Samar, the firearms were separately recovered in Barangay San Andres, Borongan City, and Brgy. Mabini in Basey, Samar.

The 802nd IB covers the entire Eastern Samar and parts of Samar province.

Vestuir said that the recovered firearms in Borongan City included an M-16 rifle and two anti-personnel mines while a Cal. 38 revolver pistol, 2 improvised shotguns, 2 steel magazines of M16 rifle, 37 rounds of 5.56mm ammunitions, and several medicines and medical gadgets like thermometer, syringes and IV fluids were recovered in Brgy. Mabini, Vestuir said in a statement.

These firearms were recovered by members of the 78th Infantry Brigade headed by Col. Allan Tria based in Borongan and Lt. Lucio Janolino, the commanding officer of the 63rd IB, were due to the information relayed by the local residents.

“I consider your collective acts as extraordinary form of patriotism by standing along with other peace-loving Samareños in the fight against the NPA terrorists,” Vestuir said, referring to the residents of the two communities who helped the government troops find the cache of firearms.

“This is an indication that the people understand and realize the united call of the military and the local government in ending the local communist armed conflict,” he said.

Vestuir also renewed his call for the remaining rebel members to return to the fold of the law and enjoy the benefits given to them by the national government.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)

ORMOC CITY– About 60 police personnel from this city were deployed at the Ormoc City astrodome which serves as the venue where candidates running in this year’s barangay polls are to submit their certificates of candidacy.

City Police Director Police Col. Nelvin Ricohermoso in an interview said that aside from police, also providing security in the area were members of the Coast Guard and Philippine Army.

He also said that as of the moment, they have yet to determine or declare a particular barangay as a hot spot relative to the October 30 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.(ROBERT DEJON)