Cell phones, chargers seized at NAIA

Mobile phones and chargers brought in by an airline passenger who could not produce the required import permit were seized by agents of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) on May 1 at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 in Pasay City.

Deputy Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno, head of the BOC’s Enforcement Group, said that Chen Haibi, a Chinese national, flew in from Guangzhou, China on May 1 on a Philippine Airlines flight carrying with him 100 pieces of Nokia 3310 cell phones and chargers worth P400,000.

“The suspect failed to declare his importation and the required documents such as an import permit from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) which led to the seizure of the shipment,” Nepomuceno said.

Maj. Jaybee Raul Cometa, head of Customs X-ray Inspection Project recommended the issuance of a Warrant Seizure and Detention (WSD) against the cargo for violation of an NTC Memorandum Circular and the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, citing its lack of an import permit and Haibi’s failure to declare its contents.

An NTC provision states that no person or entity can purchase, sell, retail and/or resell mobile phones, including parts and accessories, without a valid Mobile Phone Dealer (MPD)/ Mobile Phone Retailer/Reseller (MPRR) Registration Certificate.

BOC chief Nicanor Faeldon reminded local and foreign travellers as well as foreign businessmen to be always mindful of customs laws when bringing in goods into the country. 

At the same time, he warned that Customs regulations continue to be strictly enforced, with violators facing the subsequent penalties.

The mobile phones and chargers are now in the custody of the BOC for proper disposition.

Globe, UC hold PRISM digital literacy training program for teachers in the Visayas

Globe PRISM participants in Cebu

Globe Telecom, in partnership with the University of Cebu (UC), held recently the culminating activity for the Visayas leg of PRISM, a digital literacy training program designed to equip private school teachers with technological skills for effective classroom teaching.

This is in line with Globe Telecom’s sustainability commitment to empower every Filipino with world-class learning through technology in response to United Nations Sustainable Development Goal No. 4 to “ensure inclusive and quality education for all and promote lifelong learning.”

“These days, it is imperative for teachers to learn how to use information and communications technology (ICT) tools in the classroom if they want to motivate students to learn and to help increase their skills for entrepreneurship and employment. The changing times mean that teachers need to continuously adapt to their evolving role. Through this program, we are assisting the teachers in discovering new ways in which they can foster creative and critical thinking among the students,” said Michelle Tapia, Globe Advisor and Head of Education Strategy & Innovation.

The partnership with the University of Cebu has proved to be a natural fit, sharing the same vision in technology’s critical role in the 21st century. Dr. Anna Liza B. Son, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs of UC said: “We are happy to host the Visayas leg of PRISM. UC, one of the leading universities in the region, continues to democratize quality education guided by the core values of innovation, camaraderie, alignment, respect and excellence (ICARE). As education becomes increasingly competitive, UC believes that ICT is a catalyst to respond effectively to society’s demands. This challenge has steered the university to implement a number of initiatives related to ICT. Our mission is to equip our teachers with knowledge, skills and desirable attitudes on technology utilization which will benefit the educational system. We firmly believe that if we train and develop our people, this will reflect in the quality of graduates that we produce.”

The pressing need for digital learning skills prompted Globe early this year to reach out to 1,000 educators from all over the country. Of the number, 140 teachers came from the Visayas region. The program was participated by representatives from the University of Cebu, Cebu International School, Holy Name University, Negros Mission Academy, Sacred Heart School- Ateneo de Cebu, Sacred Heart School- Hijas de Jesus, Santa Isabel International School, St. Joseph College, University of Negros Occidental- Recoletos, University of San Carlos, University of St. La Salle, St. Paul University Dumaguete, and Silliman University. 

Through PRISM, the selected teachers underwent a three-week professional development program conducted by Globe. It included a two-day immersive bootcamp, distance project-based learning, and personalized coaching. A key component of the program is the Brightspace Integrated Learning Platform where the teachers underwent distance learning for three weeks with access to the global Brightspace Community and multimedia resources to guide them through the learning process as well as a seamless platform to collaborate with learning coaches and teachers in real time. For the culminating activity, the teachers were invited to showcase various projects on technology-enabled instruction and content development.

PRISM is supported by Globe myBusiness whose mission is to help transform Philippine schools and empower every Filipino with world-class learning through technology. “We want to create a better education system through an ecosystem of enablers. We want to impact the lives of the students in the best way that we can. But first, we have to train the teachers on the effective use of technology to encourage 21st century learning in the classroom,” said Derrick Heng, Senior Advisor, Globe myBusiness Group.

Teachers who attended the PRISM Digital Literacy Program were nominated by both Globe and the Private Education Assistance Committee (PEAC). The PEAC National Secretariat processed the nominations submitted by schools nationwide while a Vetting Committee, composed of two (2) representatives from the Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations (COCOPEA), a DepEd Regional Director, and the PEAC Executive Director, was set in place to closely vet the nominated teachers.

PRISM was earlier conducted in Metro Manila and Naga City while Pampanga and Cagayan de Oro City will follow within the first half of the year. 

Technology alone can’t protect your business against cyber threats – ePLDT

Due to the rise of the Internet of Things (IoT), information is being collected at an unprecedented rate, with much of it being highly personal and confidential. It is because of this that cybersecurity is of much greater importance today.

Angel Redoble

ePLDT, an industry-leading provider of digital business solutions to enterprises in the Philippines, is warning local companies that employing data security software and hardware is not enough to combat cyber-threats. This is according to its newly appointed head of cybersecurity.

“Companies that focus on data security technology alone unfortunately do not understand cybersecurity,” said Angel Redoble, Chief Information Security Officer of ePLDT. 

“Because a single attack can affect every department of a company, cybersecurity therefore should be approached holistically by integrating it in every aspect, not just in technology. To do this, a company must first focus on having a strict protocol or process and must have the right people who are skilled to combat different kinds of threats. Once these are integrated with the appropriate technology, a company can achieve business resiliency.”

This crucial insight follows on the heels of Ernst & Young’s Global Information Security Survey of 2016 and 2017 which reveals that 64% of 1,735 firms surveyed, which includes Philippine companies, admitted that they have zero or mere informal threat intelligence programs. Moreover, 42% do not have an agreed communications strategy or plan in place in the event of a significant attack.

A security process or program provides the framework for keeping a company at a desired security level by assessing the risks, deciding how to mitigate them, and planning on how to keep programs and practices up to date. ePLDT notes that this is where most companies fail because they only treat cybersecurity as technology or software.

“The hundreds of thousands of vulnerabilities that are recorded every day plus the evolving hacking methods just goes to show that like a process, cybersecurity is a never-ending journey and should be evolved to mitigate & manage new threats,” said Redoble.

Data security skills on the other hand are also crucial since a skilled workforce can identify and therefore understand how to handle the vast majority of threats to data, like malware or hackers seeking confidential information.

Redoble recognizes that some institutions do not employ cybersecurity because of financial constraints but also notes that this should not stop them because the tradeoffs are more than beneficial for a company’s performance and existence. 

“Thanks to growing trends, not deploying cybersecurity is and will become more costly in the future. Companies who are serious about surviving must place it as a business imperative as a single attack can break any business.”

Fortunately due to the current trends and developments in cybersecurity, businesses can now achieve the process, technology, and skills to uphold security through inexpensive means. By administering an assessment of their current capabilities, a company can already set certain protocols while the lack of skills problem can be addressed by teaching the staff how to recognize an attack.

With regards to technology, Redoble notes that there are various data security measures that are being offered subscription-based. However, applying these three may leave a company’s in-house I.T. department drained and will lead them to focus on security rather than boosting productivity. As a solution, Redoble recommends to partner with an end-to-end data security provider.

As a leader in data security services in the country, ePLDT’s Cyber Security portfolio is a suite of services that cover devices, systems, processes, and expertise, designed to defend enterprises from multiple security risks, evolving threats, and malicious software attacks. The portfolio is further boosted by ePLDT’s vast infrastructure network due to its 9 state-of-the art data centers and is recognized internationally through its ISO 27001:2005 Information Security Management System (ISMS) certification.

To know more about ePLDT’s cybersecurity offerings, visit www.epldt.com/solutions/cyber-security/.

Globe Future Makers

Be a #GlobeFutureMaker and get a chance to have mentorship and grant support for your innovative solutions that can help address social issues caused by poverty. Doing a #GlobeOfGood can change the nation. Visit www.globefuturemakers. com to apply or nominate a #GlobeFutureMaker

Amaia Skies Shaw tops off North Tower in Mandaluyong

Amaia Skies Shaw North Tower

Amaia Skies Shaw North Tower recently held a topping off ceremony to signify that the construction of its North tower has reached the highest point. This means that the Mandaluyong property will soon open its doors to new residents.

The event was attended by the Makati Development Corporation (MDC) BuildPlus team, design partners and key officials from Amaia Land Corp.

“We are very excited that the North Tower has finally been topped off. This means completion is only a few months away, and that Amaia Skies Shaw will soon roll out the welcome mat to its new homeowners,” said Joel Punzalan, Amaia GEO head for North Luzon.

The North Tower is the first building of the two-tower Amaia Skies Shaw, which is located on Shaw Boulevard cor. Samat Street, in Barangay Highway Hills, Mandaluyong City.

Strategically located in the heart of Metro Manila, Amaia Skies Shaw makes its residents close to the Metro Rail Transit system (MRT) and other public transportation like jeepneys, buses, and shuttle services.

Inside the model unit

The Mandaluyong project is also near schools and universities, recreational centers, the Ortigas central business district, the Makati central business district, and commercial hubs like EDSA Central, Starmall, Shangri-La Plaza, and SM Megamall.

From left: Royce Regala, Amaia area manager; Joel Punzalan, Amaia GEO head for N. Luzon; Raizel Matibag Amaia project dev manager for North of M. Manila; Kathy Mamaril, Amaia sales GEO head for M. Manila; Engr. Jenilyn Figueroa, MDC BuildPlus QA Head; Engr. Jose Carlo Chavez, PIC for Amaia Skies Shaw; Ching Higino, Amaia sales GEO head for N. Luzon; Janine Miranda, Amaia labor relations officer and Augusto Baet, operation center head.

With 34 residential floors, Amaia Skies Shaw offers 1,348 studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom units, all telephone- and cable-ready, fully equipped with sprinkler systems and emergency lights, kitchen sinks with base cabinets, complete toilet and bath fixtures, and provisions for washer/dryer.

For recreation, residents of Amaia Skies Shaw can head to The Deck amenity area, which features a swimming pool, a garden, and a multi-function hall. They may also check out the stalls at the project’s future retail area.

With Amaia Land’s vision of providing modern and affordable condo living to Filipino families, prospective homeowners can opt for various flexible payment methods.

Work visa scam ripped off Filipino migrants: NZ officials

By Philippine News Agency

New Zealand immigration officials admitted Tuesday that they had only touched the surface of an elaborate immigration scam that ripped of migrant Filipino workers.

Loraine Jayme, a dual Filipino-New Zealand national, had pleaded guilty to 284 charges involving multiple fraudulent work visa applications submitted by Filipinos seeking work in the New Zealand dairy industry, said the government’s Immigration New Zealand (INZ) agency.

“Jayme systematically ripped off vulnerable migrant workers,” INZ assistant general manager Peter Devoy said in a statement.

“Although these charges are very serious, we believe they only represent the tip of the iceberg of Jayme’s offending.”

Jayme was charged in October 2015 after INZ staff verifying visa applications identified anomalies in visa applications and a farmer reported migrants claiming he had offered them work without his knowledge.

The investigation was far reaching, but the prosecution focused on five non-existent dairy farms and fictitious employers created by Jayme through a complex series of forged documents, submitted to both INZ and other New Zealand agencies, said Devoy.

She fabricated job offer letters and employment agreements, including false farm vacancy requests, in order to obtain letters confirming the unavailability of suitably qualified New Zealanders.

Jayme admitted charges of forgery, using a forged document, deception and supplying false or misleading information to an immigration officer.

She was sentenced to 11 months and two weeks home detention and 180 hours community work.

Advisory : PAL tells passengers: Be at airport 5 hours before departure

MANILA - Philippine Airlines on Tuesday advised passengers of international flights to be at the airport up to five hours before departure in anticipation of long lines at immigration counters.

"Please come early in anticipation of long immigration lines," the flag carrier said.

Immigration officers have gone on mass leave to protest alleged non-payment of overtime work.

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre, who said more than 30 personnel have resigned and 50 others are on leave, admitted that the problem may extend until the Holy Week.

Read full advisory below:

"Tinatawagan ng pansin ang mga pasahero ng Philippine Airlines na paalis patungong ibang bansa:  

Sikaping makarating sa airport (NAIA Terminal 2) para makapag-check-in sa inyong flight ng apat hanggang limang (4-5) oras bago ang takdang oras ng lipad dahil sa kakulangan ng tauhan sa Immigration counters na nagdudulot ng mahabang pila. 

Agahan po ang pagpunta sa airport dahil mahaba ang pila sa Immigration. 

Salamat po."

Manila International Aviation Authority (MIAA) General Manager Ed Monreal insisted, however, that they have a "contingency plan" to ensure normal operation despite the mass leave.