Maniolas

MANILA, Philippines – Providing Connectivity to regions of the country which require terrestrial services, Globe Business recently announced its tie-up with VT iDirect Inc. (iDirect), a company of Vision Technologies Systems Inc. and a world leader in satellite-based IP communications technology, with its very small aperture terminals (VSAT) to bolster its portfolio of services for its business clients. Through VSAT, the corporate and enterprise information and communications technology arm of Globe Telecom will be running data services in the Philippines over an MPLS network, targeting automated teller machines or ATM banking, mining and government services as initial markets. The iDirect Evolution platform, coupled with the iDirect X3 remote, provide flexibility and efficiency necessary to help Globe deliver services that meet the demands of customers, which include large companies, multinational corporations and the like. “Globe Business further increases its influence in the region by partnering with iDirect Asia as we combine our expertise for Philippine businesses to leverage on best-in-class satellite capabilities. This synergy further strengthens our commitment to provide our customers leading technologies to enable them to advance their ICT functions,” said Globe Business senior vice president Nikko Acosta. “Our partnership with Globe Telecom by way of Globe Business marks iDirect’s initial entry into the Philippines and further demonstrates VSAT’s strong growth in the Asia-Pacific region. It showcases one of the unique value propositions that satellite can deliver, being able to provide high-speed connectivity to regions of the country that had previously been unconnected,” acknowledged iDirect Asia general manager Tom Read More …

Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery Panfilo Lacson on Thursday proposed the transfer of post-disaster rehabilitation duties currently being handled by his office to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). In a statement, Lacson pointed out that his office’s mandate “only covers Yolanda-affected areas,” so it cannot extend rehabilitation efforts to those newly affected by Typhoon Ruby. “It dawned on me that a permanent agency should be equipped to handle all functions related to preparedness, recovery and rehabilitation since we are a typhoon-prone country,” Lacson said. He added that his office already has a “transition plan” to allow the NDRRMC to take over rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts. Lacson said it is the “perfect time” to expand the NDRRMC’s functions, because the law creating the council, Republic Act 10121, is set for review next year. “Having OPARR transition its accomplishments and best practices to the relevant government agencies by 2015 during the review period will also aid Congress in identifying the required remedial legislation to make the Philippines’ response & recovery from disasters faster & more efficient,” he said. A month after Yolanda struck central Philippines last year, President Benigno Aquino III appointed Lacson as presidential assistant to oversee the reconstruction of areas affected by the super typhoon. Last October, Aquino approved a master plan prepared by Lacson’s office to rebuild areas hit by Yolanda. Yolanda cut a swath of devastation across central Philippines, leaving 6,300 people dead and displacing over 1.4 million families. —Andreo Calonzo/KBK, GMA News

Vice President Jejomar Binay sprinkles holy water at the tomb of Fernando Poe Jr. (FPJ) at the Manila North Cemetery on the occasion of the 10th death anniversary of the acknowledged Filipino movie king on Sunday (Dec.14, 2014). Also in photo are Senator Grace Poe and movie-TV actress Susan Roces (2nd from left). (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Commuters gave the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) trains a failing grade in terms of maintenance works on the 15-year-old mass transport system. At a hearing of the Senate committee on public services on Wednesday, chairman Sen. Grace Poe presented an independent survey done by her office covering about a hundred daily commuters of MRT. Using the grading system of the University of the Philippines, the 13 stations of the MRT got an average grade of 4 or conditional failure. “Sa kabuohan ay bagsak po ang nakuhang grado ng MRT. Ang pinaka-dinadaing po ng mga commuter ay ang napakatagal na oras ng pagpila, marurumi at mabahong comfort rooms, hindi gumaganang escalators at elevators, at ang labis na siksikan sa loob ng bagon habang nag-bibiyahe,” Poe said of the survey results. The survey focused on queuing time, conditions of comfort rooms, conditions of elevators and escalators, ease of travel or comfort while riding the train, air conditioning system and total riding experience. In terms of waiting time in riding the train, majority of the commuters said it usually takes them 30 minutes to 1 hour and 20 minutes to get to board the train. Read More …

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Energy (DOE) is urging oil players to provide weekly prices for each of their respective gasoline stations nationwide, according to a draft circular now being circulated among local petroleum companies. The idea is to put the prices in a DOE-run website so consumers can see which gasoline station offers the lowest prices in a given period.  “We are experimenting with this. All these companies have pump prices. The idea is every time they change, they have to inform us and automatically without any intervention, we will put it on the website,” Energy Secretary Carlos Petilla  said  yesterday. He stressed that nothing is final yet as the department is still studying the plan.  “We want to be transparent and we are giving consumers and motorists a choice. Let’s say you are five kilometers from a gasoline station and you want to know if prices are cheap there or in another station….” Petilla said. He said the scheme is not new because as it is now, oil firms provide the DOE their respective weekly prices. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 “But it would be better if there is a website containing information on all gasoline stations,” he said. Energy Undersecretary Zenaida Monsada said it would be a tedious process but the end result is transparency for consumers. “We will have a dry run in Metro Manila but we have to talk to the dealers first. This is about empowering motorists,” she said. Read More …

KREM Top formally launched its annual Change for the Better campaign in Davao City for 2015, focusing on elevating the five Filipino core values in creating change in the community. Nikki Tan, assistant brand manager for Krem Top, at a press briefing at Marco Polo Hotel Davao on Wednesday, said when the the campaign started in 2012, it was mainly focused on individualistic change. “In 2015, we want to harness [the five core] Filipino values — mapagpasalamat (gratitude), matatag (reslience), masigasig (diligent), mapagmalasakit (compassionate), and magalang (respectful), and use it as a medium to become a better Filipino,” she said. Tan said they will promote the campaign through their digital content, social media, and the traditional media like TV, radio, and print. She said the campaign is something worth investing for by the company since it gives the brand a purpose for the Filipinos. The Change for the Better Campaign for 2015 was formulated based on the “The Filipino Worldview and Values” by Dr. Mina Ramirez, president of the Asian Social Institute. Ramirez was also part of the formulation of the campaign. “The mission of the brand is not just to build business but it also advocates creating change for a better country,” said Blen Fernando, Alaska Milk Corporation’s vice president for marketing and Krem-Top Change for the Better campaign lead. Tan said they launched the campaign in Manila on December 3 while they will be launching their Visayan leg on Friday. Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on December Read More …