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NCC Group Manila to build local talent for cybersecurity

PIXABAY

By Miguel Hanz L. Antivola, Reporter

NCC Group, a global cybersecurity advisory company from the United Kingdom, has opened an office in the Philippines in a bid to develop local technology talent and enhance its global capacity for clients.

“Our role is to build the [cybersecurity] talent that is able to support the changing environment we’re all operating in,” Mike Maddison, NCC Group global chief executive officer, told reporters during its Manila office launch on Wednesday.

“It has grown as an attractive career path for people now, especially with the scale of the skills gap on a global basis in cybersecurity capability,” he noted.

“Being able to tap that in the Philippines is incredibly exciting,” he added on Manila being the company’s second office location in Southeast Asia after Singapore.

The cybersecurity workforce gap in the Asia Pacific region rose to about 2.7 million, up by 23.4% from 2022’s 2.2 million, according to a study by non-profit ISC2. Globally, the shortfall has risen to about 4 million, with a 12.6% year on year increase.

“Organizations may have a number of cybersecurity workers, but if those workers all lack certain critical skills, that surplus of headcount can be completely negated,” the study said.

It also noted the biggest skills gap in areas deemed important for mitigation, such as cloud security (35%), artificial intelligence (AI) or machine learning (32%), zero trust (29%), and penetration testing (27%).

The Fortinet 2023 global cybersecurity skills gap report showed 86% of IT and cybersecurity decision makers in the Philippines and Malaysia have agreed that the skills shortage creates more cyber risks for their organizations.

Over half have admitted struggling to recruit and retain qualified professionals for their security team, it added.

Additionally, a report by Palo Alto Networks said the Philippines has been hit the hardest by cyberattacks among its Southeast Asian peers this year.

NCC Group’s Mr. Maddison noted the public, intellectual property, and financial service sectors are those expected to see the most number of cybersecurity challenges.

“Those heavily regulated sectors with sensitive information,” he said.

Saira Acuna, Philippine country director at NCC Group said the Manila office has so far hired 60 talents, with an open goal of building a Filipino community of cyber leaders through its junior and comprehensive on-the-job training programs.

It has started forging partnerships with the public sector through the Justice department and the IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines.

It is also eyeing engagements with educational institutions to help share curricula and sponsor programs for the creation of job-ready cybersecurity talent.

“I hope Filipinos will recognize this opportunity to be part of a burgeoning industry,” Ms. Acuna said on heeding the call for citizens to grow a career in cybersecurity.

Philippines bans poultry imports from California, Ohio to prevent bird flu spread

MANILA — The Philippines’ farm ministry said on Wednesday it has banned poultry imports from California and Ohio in the United States because of several outbreaks there of highly pathogenic avian influenza.

The ban, which aims to protect the health of the Philippines’ poultry population, covers imports of domesticated and wild birds, including poultry meat and eggs, the ministry said in a statement.

All shipments coming from California and Ohio that are already in transit, loaded, or accepted at Philippine ports before January 15 will be allowed entry if they were slaughtered two weeks before the outbreak began, it added.

In 2023, the Philippines imported 166,356 tons of poultry products worth $175.8 million from the United States, which is the second-largest supplier to the Southeast Asian nation accounting for 40% of arrivals, government data showed.

Earlier this month, the Philippines halted imports of poultry products from Belgium and France, also because of a bird flu outbreak.

Bird flu is carried by migrating wild birds and can then be transmitted between farms. It has ravaged flocks around the world in recent years, disrupting supply and pushing up food prices. — Reuters

Malaysia to review migrant labor deals to stamp out exploitation

KUALA LUMPUR— Malaysia will review bilateral agreements with 15 nations from which it sources laborers in a bid to address exploitative practices and manpower imbalances that have left thousands of migrant workers stranded without jobs, officials said.

Since last year, thousands of migrants, mostly from Bangladesh and Nepal, have been left in limbo after arriving in Malaysia, where they were told that jobs promised to them in exchange for steep recruitment fees were no longer available.

The plight of the migrants coincided with concerns over workplace abuses in Malaysia, with several companies facing US bans over the use of forced labor in recent years. Many laborers said they had not been paid any wages.

Speaking to reporters late on Tuesday, the labor and home affairs ministers said the distribution of laborers was uneven across the economy, prompting a need to review the bilateral agreements.

They said Malaysia still had a shortage of workers in the agriculture and plantations sector, while quotas have been exceeded in other industries.

“We will revisit the agreements looking at various elements including fees, costs, contract conditions, health and so on,” Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said, adding that the government would allow the transfer of worker quotas across sectors.

Workers from Indonesia, Bangladesh and Nepal account for over 70% of Malaysia’s migrant labor, with the remainder coming from countries including India, Vietnam, Pakistan, and Thailand.

Human Resources Minister Steven Sim said authorities had completed investigations into five firms involved in hiring hundreds of workers who later found themselves without jobs.

He said employers who hired such workers must pay them wages even though they do not have jobs, adding that companies and individuals who violate the law will be barred from hiring migrant laborers.

Sim said 751 Bangladesh migrant workers had filed cases with the labor department to claim unpaid wages, involving a total of 2.2 million ringgit ($467,687). — Reuters

China’s population drops for 2nd year, raises long-term growth concerns

JAVIER QUIROGA-UNSPLASH

BEIJING — China’s population fell for a second consecutive year in 2023, as a record low birth rate and a wave of COVID-19 deaths when strict lockdowns ended accelerated a downturn that will have profound long-term effects on the economy’s growth potential.

The National Bureau of Statistics said the total number of people in China dropped by 2.08 million, or 0.15%, to 1.409 billion in 2023.

That was well above the population decline of 850,000 in 2022, which had been the first since 1961 during the Great Famine of the Mao Zedong era.

China experienced a dramatic nationwide COVID surge early last year after three years of tight screening and quarantine measures kept the virus largely contained until authorities abruptly lifted curbs in December 2022.

Total deaths last year rose 6.6% to 11.1 million, with the death rate reaching the highest level since 1974 during the Cultural Revolution.

New births fell 5.7% to 9.02 million and the birth rate was a record low 6.39 births per 1,000 people, down from a rate of 6.77 births in 2022.

Births in the country have been plummeting for decades as a result of the one-child policy implemented from 1980 to 2015 and its rapid urbanisation during that period. As with earlier economic booms in Japan and South Korea, large populations moved from China’s rural farms into cities, where having children is more expensive.

Japan’s birth rate was 6.3 per 1,000 people in 2022, while South Korea’s rate was 4.9.

Further denting appetite for baby-making in China in 2023, youth unemployment hit record highs, wages for many white-collar workers fell, and a crisis in the property sector, where more than two-thirds of household wealth is stored, intensified.

The fresh data adds to concerns that the world’s No.2 economy’s growth prospects are diminishing due to fewer workers and consumers, while the rising costs of elderly care and retirement benefits put more strain on indebted local governments.

India surpassed China as the world’s most populous nation last year, according to estimates by the United Nations, fueling more debate over the merits of relocating some China-based supply chains to other markets, especially as geopolitical tensions rise between Beijing and Washington.

Long-term, UN experts see China’s population shrinking by 109 million by 2050, more than triple the decline of their previous forecast in 2019.

POLICY ISSUES

China’s 2023 rate of 7.87 deaths per 1,000 people was higher than a rate of 7.37 deaths in 2022.

The country’s retirement-age population, aged 60 and over, is expected to increase to more than 400 million by 2035 – more than the entire population of the United States – from about 280 million people currently.

The state-run Chinese Academy of Sciences sees the pension system running out of money by 2035.

High childcare and education costs put many Chinese couples off having children, while uncertainty in the job market discourages women from pausing their careers. Gender discrimination and traditional expectations that women assume the caretaker role in the family exacerbate the issue, demographers say.

President Xi Jinping said last year that women should tell “good family tradition stories,” adding it was necessary to “actively cultivate a new culture of marriage and childbearing,” which he linked to national development.

Local governments have announced various measures to encourage childbirth including tax deductions, longer maternity leave and housing subsidies.

But many of the policies have not been implemented due to insufficient funding and a lack of motivation by local governments, said a Beijing policy institute, urging a unified nationwide family subsidy scheme instead.

China may get some relief next year from a pick-up in marriages in 2023, when the COVID backlog cleared. Marriages are a leading indicator for birth rates in China, where most single women cannot access child-raising benefits. — Reuters

High rates to weigh on economy till ’25

Economic managers are targeting 6.5-7.5% gross domestic product growth for the Philippines this year. — PHILIPPINE STAR/MIGUEL DE GUZMAN

By Keisha B. Ta-asan and Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson, Reporters

THE PHILIPPINES’ gross domestic product (GDP) will likely fall short of the government growth targets through 2025 as the impact of multi-year high interest rates may continue to weigh on the economy, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said.   

In the highlights of the Monetary Board meeting in December, the central bank said it has raised its growth forecasts through 2025, reflecting the faster-than-expected GDP outturn in the third quarter of 2023.   

“However, GDP growth could settle below the Development Budget Coordination Committee’s (DBCC) target from 2023 to 2025 as subdued global economic conditions and the lagged impact of the policy rate adjustments weigh on economic activity,” the BSP said.   

At its December meeting, the DBCC maintained its growth target at 6-7% for 2023 amid robust domestic demand. The GDP growth goal range for 2024 was narrowed to 6.5-7.5% from 6.5-8% previously, while the 6.5-8% goal from 2025 to 2028 was retained.

The Philippine economy expanded by 5.9% in the third quarter of 2023, faster than the 4.3% growth in the previous quarter due to increased private and public spending. This brought the year-to-date GDP growth to 5.5%.

Despite the below-target forecasts, the BSP said the Philippines’ growth prospects remained firm amid easing price pressures and stable labor market conditions.

“Labor market conditions have remained generally stable compared to the previous month, with the higher share of wage and salaried workers and the decline in underemployment signaling an improvement in employment quality,” it said.

The country’s unemployment rate dropped to 4.2% in October, which translated to 2.09 million jobless Filipinos during the month, 150,000 lower than 2.24 million in the same month last year.

For the first 10 months of 2023, the unemployment rate stood at 4.6%, which is below the 5.3-6.4% target for 2023 under the Philippine Development Plan.

“In addition, the sustained growth in vehicle sales in October likewise suggested that private consumption remained relatively firm despite tighter financial conditions,” the central bank added.   

New vehicle sales jumped by an annual 18.6% to 38,128 units in October from 32,146 units in the same month a year ago.

The BSP said improving labor market quality and robust domestic demand will mitigate the impact of higher interest rates and the El Niño weather conditions on economic activity.   

At its last policy meeting for 2023, the Monetary Board maintained its target reverse repurchase rate at a 16-year high of 6.5%. This was the second straight meeting that the BSP maintained key rates since its 25-basis-point (bp) off-cycle hike on Oct. 26, 2023.

The central bank raised borrowing costs by a total of 450 bps from May 2022 to October 2023 to tame inflation and quell inflationary expectations. 

The Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) said it sees GDP growth at 5.5-6% this year.

“Financial conditions have also not worsened (yet) as one might expect amid monetary tightening, with macro conditions set to further improve with declining inflation and some credit easing (this) year,” PIDS said in its latest Macroeconomic Outlook report.

However, the think tank’s forecast is faster than its 5.2% GDP growth projection for 2023.

“In line with previous expectations, monetary tightening and fiscal constraints due to a rising debt burden, and a generally ‘gloomy and uncertain’ outlook for the world economy, with many countries battling high inflation and experiencing a slowdown, has constrained consumer and government spending (last) year,” it added.

The think tank said other growth drivers this year would be the resilience of the service sector and a resurgence in construction amid improved business sentiment.

“Consumption may still support growth despite weak global economic prospects, given the steady flow of remittances from abroad; increased wages, which may partially offset lost purchasing power; and an improved jobs picture, with an increase in wage and salary employees,” it added.

Fourth-quarter and full-year 2023 GDP data are set to be released on Jan. 31.

HIGH INFLATION
The Monetary Board said there is still a need to keep the current monetary policy settings tight until inflation expectations are firmly anchored.

“In this regard, the Monetary Board continues to closely monitor the impact of previous monetary policy adjustments on inflation, inflation expectations, and overall economic activity,” the BSP said.   

“Should inflation risks further escalate, the Monetary Board stands ready to adjust monetary policy settings as necessary to steer inflation toward a path consistent with the BSP’s price stability mandate,” it said.   

Last month, the BSP lowered its risk-adjusted inflation forecast for 2023 to 6% (from 6.1% in November) and 4.2% (from 4.4%) for 2024. It kept its inflation forecast at 3.4% for 2025.   

The BSP maintained its average inflation baseline forecasts at 6% for 2023, 3.7% for 2024, and 3.2% for 2025.     

Risks to the inflation outlook are still on the upside over the near term, the BSP said, as transport fares may further increase given the pending fare hike petitions for jeepneys, taxis, and the train railway system.   

Electricity rates could increase this year as well following the Supreme Court decision in July 2022 to nullify the order issued by the Energy Regulatory Commission, that regulated the prices in the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market in November and December 2013, the BSP said.   

Other upside risks to inflation include higher global oil prices amid the conflict in the Middle East, larger-than-expected minimum wage hikes, and the possible spike in food prices due to supply constraints.   

Meanwhile, mean inflation forecasts of private sector analysts for 2024 and 2025 are within the 2-4% target range, according to a BSP survey.

In its survey of 25 external analysts between Dec. 5 and Dec. 10, the BSP said there were lower mean inflation forecasts for 2023 (at 6% in December from 6.1% in November) and for 2024 (at 3.9% from 4%).     

However, the mean inflation forecast for 2025 stood at 3.5%, a tad higher than 3.4% previously.   

The Monetary Board will meet again on Feb. 15, its first policy review for this year.

Meanwhile, PIDS expects inflation to settle within the central bank’s 2-4% target band this year.

However, it warned of several risks that could push food prices higher, such as  India’s export ban and the El Niño phenomenon.

The state weather bureau’s latest bulletin showed that the majority of global climate models suggest that El Niño will likely persist until May.

“Moreover, as previously mentioned, renewed geopolitical conflicts may lead to large volatilities in commodities prices, which could disturb the downward trend in global inflation,” PIDS added.

To ensure inflation does not spike, the think tank said that the government must “make use of every weapon in its arsenal” to tame prices.

“Particularly those that work through the supply side, such as easing import restrictions on agriculture products that may face shortages and instituting a better system for anticipating and addressing these shortages,” it said.

It also called on the central bank to employ “high-frequency monitoring and a calibrated response to price developments that carefully considers the nature of shocks, estimated pass-throughs, and policy lags to ensure that monetary decisions are always well-timed.”

PIDS also emphasized the need to have a “sound and credible” fiscal consolidation plan.

“Although our debt sustainability analysis generates still relatively benign results, and while the Philippine economy has been among the fastest growing in the region, it may be hard to generate the speed of growth needed to quickly climb out of debt, given narrower fiscal space and current weak macroeconomic prospects globally,” it said.

The government is aiming to bring down the debt-to-GDP ratio to below 60% by 2025 and the deficit-to-GDP ratio to 3% by 2028.

MAHARLIKA FUND
PIDS also noted that the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) must be managed efficiently amid tight fiscal space.

“With the country’s fiscal position still just recovering from the pandemic crisis, economic managers need to make sure that the establishment of the MIF will not draw from an already scarce state fund,” it said.

Investments made by the fund should also match the needs of national development, PIDS said.

“As what the government ideally strives for when crafting the public budget, the likelihood of turning a profit may be higher if investment decisions are kept free of political complexities and patronage. Fund success consequently hinges on finding ways to settle this conflict,” it added.

The country’s first sovereign wealth fund should also be able to attract new capital from multilaterals, other sovereign funds, large institutional investors, and private funds.

“In the end, success of the MIF will depend on whether it has, in fact, enhanced capital (and use of capital), boosted infrastructure development, fostered FDI, and promoted economic growth,” it said.

“All while also turning in a profit, or otherwise proving itself viable. It will be — and should be — highly monitored by the public, as these funds are now beyond the usual (budgetary) controls, with strategic decisions affecting the entire country now largely up to the board,” it added.

Marcos urged to harness economic reforms’ potential instead of ‘Cha-cha’ push

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s allies in Congress are again pushing for “Cha-cha,” which is typically revived by lawmakers every year. — PHILIPPINE STAR/KRIZ JOHN ROSALES

By Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza, Reporter

PHILIPPINE President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. should work on food security, boost the quality of education and healthcare while improving governance to attract foreign investments instead of pushing for changes to the 1987 Constitution, which is a distraction, economists and legal experts said.

The Philippines already made amendments to its Commonwealth-era Public Service Act (PSA), limiting the definition of public utilities to allow full foreign ownership in key domestic sectors, Bernardo M. Villegas, one of the framers of the 1987 Constitution and professor emeritus at University of Asia and the Pacific, said in an e-mail.

“The amendment of the Public Service Act has already opened the most vital sectors in infrastructure (airports, railways, subways, tollways) to 100% foreign ownership,” he said, adding that full foreign ownership is also now allowed in the renewable energy sector.

The new PSA, signed by then-President Rodrigo R. Duterte in March 2022, also allows full foreign ownership in telecommunications and domestic shipping.

Mr. Villegas, who had supported moves to amend the Constitution before the passage of the amended PSA, noted that the remaining sectors not allowed for full foreign ownership such as education, media and advertising, are “not vital to high economic growth today.” 

The Philippines continues to limit land ownership to Filipino citizens and corporations that are at least 60% Filipino-owned as enshrined in the Constitution.

But Mr. Villegas said foreign investors who are considering large-scale agribusiness investments “do not need to own land.”

“They can lease the land long term as in the nucleus estate model of palm oil in Malaysia and Indonesia.”

Mr. Marcos’ allies in Congress are again pushing for Charter change (Cha-cha), which is typically revived by lawmakers every year.

The Philippine leader last month said efforts were underway to revisit the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution and domestic laws as his administration seeks to make the country “an investment-friendly place.”

On Monday, Senate President Juan Miguel F. Zubiri said Mr. Marcos had asked the upper chamber to lead the review of the Constitution’s economic aspects, noting that the President views a supposed people’s initiative pushing for Cha-cha, which has been tainted with vote-buying allegations as “too divisive.”

“In this way, we can preserve our bicameral nature of legislation,” said Mr. Zubiri, who was previously cool on Cha-cha proposals.

The Senate president on Monday filed Resolution of Both Houses 6 proposing amendments to Articles 12, 14 and 16 of the charter.

Christian S. Monsod, who was also among the Charter’s framers, noted that the Philippine Development Plan for 2023 to 2028 didn’t even cite the need to amend the Charter to achieve the country’s economic goals and that Mr. Marcos has been able to secure investment pledges  — now worth over P700 billion — in his foreign trips without the condition from investors that the country needs to amend the Charter’s economic provisions.

Mr. Monsod, reacting to remarks that the Constitution “remains a hindrance” to FDIs, said the Charter never barred full foreign ownership in the manufacturing sector and noted that the domestic sector has not been a target of foreign investors due to issues not related to the constitution.

“Manufacturing companies in the country can be 100% foreign owned, so why didn’t they come?” he told ABS-CBN News Channel on Monday, citing investment concerns such as lack of public infrastructure.

Aside from the amended PSA, Mr. Monsod also cited a 2001 Electric Power Industry Reform law, which allows foreign ownership in electric generation, and a mining law that allows full foreign ownership in partnership with the government.

“Vietnam has already surpassed us in terms of manufacturing and agriculture, while Thailand has been reaping the benefits of its strong tourism campaign,” Emy Ruth S. Gianan, who teaches economics at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, said in a Facebook Messenger chat, noting that ownership aspect is no longer the issue.

“There are already remedies made through legislation to open our economy for increased foreign investments. The PSA is a testament to that. Why are they not coming then?” she said.

“Not because of our ownership laws, but a confluence of various factors: for one, we need to upskill our labor force to effectively compete with our neighbors. Our supposed advantage as a strong English speaker is gradually overcome by tech-related skills and other specializations.”

‘VERY CONTROVERSIAL PROCESS’
Mr. Bernardo said going through a “very controversial process” of Cha-cha will just distract the country from addressing pressing economic and development issues.

“To attract more FDI (foreign direct investments), we have to focus on removing red tape, inability to enforce right-of-way in construction projects, corruption especially at the lower levels of the Public Works department and among local government officials — issues which have nothing to do with ownership,” he said.

“The most urgent tasks facing the President are food security, the quality of public education and health services and improving governance.”

For the January-to-October period last year, FDI net inflows declined by 17.5% to $6.533 billion, central bank data showed.

Leonardo A. Lanzona, an economics professor at the Ateneo de Manila University, said the Constitution allows for varied legislative reforms that can boost foreign investments “while keeping its commitment to protecting the country’s interest.”

He cited the Retail Trade Liberalization Act, which allowed increased foreign participation in the domestic retail sector by lowering the minimum paid-up capital requirements for foreign retail enterprises.

“This move of changing the economic provisions of the Constitution is just another decoy for tampering with its political provisions,” he said.

Lawmakers including House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, a cousin to Mr. Marcos, have been pitching Cha-cha as a way to boost FDI inflows into the Philippines, which slumped to the lowest level in over three years in September 2023.

“I propose that we think of amending the Constitution, which I admit is very imperfect, once our gross domestic product starts to grow at 8-10% and our poverty incidence is at a single-digit level (from its present 21%), which is the highest in East Asia,” Mr. Bernardo said.

Meanwhile, GlobalSource Partners Country Analyst Diwa C. Guinigundo said that simply amending the Constitution will not be able to address the country’s economic and political issues.

“True, as claimed by some legislators, it is within the prerogative of established democracies to change their fundamental laws to sustain their relevance to the changing times,” he said in a brief dated Jan. 15. “The issue in the Philippines is whether a constitutional amendment could address what sets back its politics and the economy.”

Mr. Guinigundo noted proposals to amend the form of government from presidential to parliamentary stands to benefit officials who are trying to avoid a national election.

“Running for parliamentary seats and gaining the support of majority of the members of parliament are easier routes to becoming head of the government than mounting a national election to win the presidency,” he added.

There have also been calls to amend the Constitution to extend term limits of incumbent elected officials.

“This is mostly frowned upon based on public reactions in the press and social media. Among others, this could be used to incentivize members of Congress who would sit as a constituent assembly to amend the Constitution based on some preconceived notion of Charter change,” Mr. Guinigundo added. — with Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson

Cyberattacks expected to increase this year — DICT

REUTERS

By Ashley Erika O. Jose, Reporter

CYBERATTACKS in the Philippines are expected to further increase as attackers will take advantage of the expanding digital economy, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) said on Tuesday.

“We expect more of that [cyberattacks] to happen. The cyber landscape is growing and as it grows, then the economic potential of that sector is also increasing. If there is more economic activity there, there is more that cybercriminals can [take advantage of],” DICT Secretary Ivan John E. Uy told reporters on the sidelines of a cybersecurity forum on Tuesday. 

The Philippines’ digital economy has been on the rise, with its value expected to reach as high as $150 billion by 2030, mainly driven by e-commerce, according to the e-Conomy report issued by Google, Temasek Holdings and Bain & Company last year. 

“The incidence of cyberattacks will continue to increase due to continuing digitization and digital transformation of businesses. These organizations, mostly MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises), are most vulnerable due to lack of resources,” Sam Jacoba, founding president of the National Association of Data Protection Officers, said in a Viber message to BusinessWorld. 

Mr. Jacoba said the overall weakness of the country’s information infrastructure makes it easy for attackers to infiltrate.

“Due to this, threat actors have a bigger playing field to operate and exploit individual and collective vulnerabilities, and to advance their interests,” he said.

Philippines-based organizations have suffered an estimated $1 million in losses in the past 12 months due to cybersecurity incidents, according to connectivity cloud company Cloudflare, Inc.

Mr. Uy said the DICT is currently studying the country’s economic losses due to cybercrimes, adding that the agency is hoping to release the report soon.

“Criminals operate in a city where there are more e-commerce, digital payments, e-wallets and online accounts because there will be more potential victims for them. They will now be looking at this hoard and see how much they can extract,” Mr. Uy said.

Citing a report of consulting firm Frost & Sullivan, the Asia Foundation said the Philippines could incur up to P200 billion in economic losses per year due to cybercrime.   

“It is continually changing, for instance in the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) region last year, based on our reports cybercrime hit almost $1-trillion losses,” Mr. Uy said.

“Since we are expecting more online transactions that are going to happen, there will be more criminal organizations that will be expected to exploit the cyber landscape.”

The Philippines is also working with the government of Canada on efforts to combat cyberattacks.

“There are many areas of collaboration between Philippines and Canada, the [two countries] can work together in building up better coordination, information sharing and better ways of addressing the growing threat in the cyber sphere,” Mr. Uy said. 

Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr. said the Philippines and Canada are set to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) within the first quarter. This MoU will cover defense cooperation and strengthening cybersecurity.

“Canada is a stalwart friend and partner of the Philippines. We want to be able to work with our friends and partners to advance and enhance the Philippine capacity to protect its people,” David Hartman, ambassador of Canada to the Philippines said.

“Our government has committed incremental funding to be able to provide some assistance to partners like the Philippines,” he added.

Canadian Centre for Cyber Security head Sami Khoury said critical infrastructure like network systems, transportation and energy systems may be affected by the growing threats as attackers are also getting more sophisticated.

“It’s all connected, not just the government. Even the private sector will be affected, critical infrastructures may also be affected. Cybercrime has a devastating impact on society,” Mr. Khoury said.

Aside from the danger that digitization poses on critical key infrastructures, the government should also address threats of cyber espionage.

“It’s a real threat. I mean, traditional espionage is still around. And some have moved to the cyber landscape. So, we need to recognize that it is a real threat. Some of it is directed against the government,” Mr. Khoury said.

He said “traditional spy games” have been directed against the private sector where attackers are stealing private information.

“They would then be embarking on cyber espionage to try to steal that intellectual property, it is a real threat that we have to face and also, emerging technology terms of artificial intelligence,” Mr. Khoury said.

While acknowledging that artificial intelligence (AI) could be used maliciously, Mr. Khoury said that its benefits will possibly outweigh risks.

“We have to educate ourselves as AI brings a lot of opportunities for making us better, for automating many things,” he said.

“Our job is to educate Canadians about the risks that come also with AI. We are working with the private sector to make sure that when they develop AI capabilities, security is built into the mindset,” he added.

Art Fair Philippines continues to evolve

CryptoArt PH - The Second Verse by Jopet Arias, 2024

FOR its 11th year, Art Fair Philippines — which will run from Feb. 16 to 18 — is further expanding its programs and exhibitions.

Last year was the fair’s big, post-pandemic return to The Link carpark in Makati City. Following the milestone, it will continue to explore various aspects, artworks, and activities the local art scene can offer.

Art Fair Philippines first started in 2013 with the goals of supporting local Filipino artists and making art accessible to everyone, thus nurturing an audience for visual arts.

The fair’s founders, Trickie Colayco-Lopa, Lisa Ongpin-Periquet, and Geraldine “Dindin” Araneta, have found the evolution of the Philippine art scene and its audience to be very interesting.

“We opened to 6,000 people in our first year, then at some point it became 20,000, even 30,000. For a three-day art event, that’s a lot of foot traffic,” Ms. Araneta told BusinessWorld at the launch.

“Our problem back then was developing an audience. Now, we have full-fledged creative industries — visual arts, film, theater, you name it — compared to 30 years ago when they were small communities,” she added.

From exhibiting art, the fair has come to include educational talks, workshops, and even demos.

“People come to us with certain projects. We think about what’s happening in the visual arts ecosystem, then we include it in the Art Fair model. Different collaborators just help us form the ideas,” Ms. Araneta said.

For example, this year she collaborated with director Moira Lang on a program of conversations about film. Meanwhile, Ms. Periquet worked with Miguel Rosales to mount an exhibit by Filipina modernist painters, and Ms. Lopa tapped the expertise of Daata founder David Gryn who will be presenting digital artworks.

“We try to bring in as many aspects of art as we can,” she said.

THE EXHIBITORS
This year’s fair will have 55 exhibitors from the Philippines and overseas. They are: Altro Mondo, Art Agenda, Art Cube Gallery, Art Elaan, Art for Space, Art Lounge Manila, Art Underground, Art Verité Gallery, Artemis Art, Avellana Art Gallery, Boston Art Gallery, CANVAS, Cartellino, Galeria Paloma, Gajah Gallery, Galerie Stephanie, Galería Cayón, GALLERY KOGURE, Gravity Art Space, J STUDIO, Kaida Contemporary, Kobayashi Gallery, León Gallery, METRO Gallery, Mind Set Art Center, Modeka Art, MONO8, Nunu Fine Art, Orange Project, Paseo Art Gallery, Pintô Art Museum and Arboretum, Qube Gallery, Richard Koh Fine Art, Secret Fresh Gallery, SHUKADO+GALLERY SCENA, Silverlens, Superduper Art Gallery, TARZEER PICTURES, The Columns Gallery, The Crucible Gallery, TRIANGULUM, Vantage Contemporary, Village Art Gallery, Vin Gallery, White Walls Gallery, Yavuz Gallery, Yiri Arts, YOD Gallery, and YSOBEL Art Gallery.

HIGHLIGHTS
The ARTFAIRPH/PROJECTS section showcases a collection of thoughtful and innovative exhibitions commissioned for the fair, conceptualized by production designer and theater director Ed Lacson. It will present artworks by Jonathan Ching, Jigger Cruz, Gean Brix Garcia, Rod. Paras-Perez, and a group of muralist painters mentored by Alfredo Esquillo, Jr. and Renato Habulan.

The Projects section will also feature Brooklyn-based multi-disciplinary artist Mr. StarCity; Romanian conceptual artist Andreea Medar; and a special performance piece by Spanish artist Eugenio Ampudia, presented in partnership with the Embassy of Spain in Manila.

Another special exhibit at the art fair, “Pambabae,” aims to highlight the contribution of Filipina modernists who have been overshadowed by their male contemporaries. The exhibition will span the years 1969 to 1989. The artists in this exhibition include Ivi Avellana Cosio, Ileana Lee, Nelfa Querubin, Evelyn Collantes, Phyllis Zaballero, and Lilian Hwang.

Art Fair Philippines 2024 also celebrates the 10th anniversary and winding down of the Karen H. Montinola (KHM) Selection, a grant given by the Montinola family. This year it is awarded to visual artist Gean Brix Garcia.

The ARTFAIRPH/RESIDENCIES section will showcase works by resident artists, spanning illustrations, photographs, videos, performances, and objects highlighting each of their experiences in 2023.

The selected residency artists are Mark Salvatus for Manila Observatory in Quezon City, Manila; Anna Miguel Cervantes for Linangan Art Residency in Alfonso, Cavite; Jett Ilagan for Emerging Islands in San Juan, La Union; Julian Tapales for Butanding Barrio in Puerto Princesa, Palawan; and Renz Baluyot for Orange Projects in Bacolod, Negros Occidental. They are joined by two international artists who joined the residency program in Orange Project this 2024 — Iseult Perrault and Petr Hajdyla.

This year’s ARTFAIRPH/TALKS are handled by the Ateneo Art Gallery, which will present discussions on the intersections of art and science, photography as authorship, women in modern art, and reading images from a historical perspective, among others. With a special participation from the Lopez Museum, there will be a demonstration on basic stretching, matting, and framing of canvas, and a discussion on the basics of artwork conservation.

Introduced last year, ARTFAIRPH/DIGITAL will fly in David Gryn, founder of Daata, one of the foremost proponents of digital art globally. He will present Best Dressed Chicken (Manila Version), a selection of digital video artworks that engage with notions of vanity and choice.

There will also be a playlist on MIlo Creese, with his AI work A Complicated Dance, and the George Roxby Smith series Just Breathe, and the video works of Jane Bustin, who will be present at the fair.

Another highlight of the Digital section is a special exhibit in collaboration with CryptoArt PH, a community dedicated to empowering Filipino creators in the dynamic web3 space.

The ARTFAIRPH/PHOTO section, introduced in 2018, shines a spotlight on photography as part of the contemporary art landscape in the country. This year, its sole exhibitor is FotomotoPH, a Manila-based organization of photographers, with an exhibition curated by Sandra Palomar, former director of the Metropolitan Museum of Manila.

Finally, ARTFAIRPH/FILM presents NO SHOWING, a project curated by filmmaker Moira Lang. It is a hangout/speakeasy/watering hole/listening party/dance floor/breathing space for filmmakers and filmgoers to discuss the state of movie making and moviegoing in the Philippines.

It is “an event as well as a concept, a festival — not of screenings, but of conversations — over beer, with music by selected filmmakers playing just loud enough to talk and to listen to one another,” according to Ms. Lang. The program is co-presented by Archivo Gallery in cooperation with Club Kino.

10 DAYS OF ART, GALLERY WEEKEND

Complementing the fair is the 10 Days of Art initiative highlighting a series of events around the Makati Central Business District.

Visible along Ayala Avenue, at the Tower One Fountain area, trans-disciplinary visual artist Derek Tumala will present A Warm Orange-Colored Liquid, his biggest and most ambitious work to date.

On the other side of the expanse, motion graphics artist and multimedia engineer Isaiah Cacnio collaborated with digital artists AJ Dimarucot and Carlos for a video projection, Prismatic Embrace. This will be seen on the Green Wall of Ayala Triangle Garden Tower 2.

To kick off 10 Days of Art is the Gallery Weekend from Feb. 9 to 11, where visitors are encouraged to see the gallery exhibitions at their respective locations throughout this three-day effort. For schedule and updates, visit www.10daysofart.com.

A regular day pass to the fair is P450. Tickets for students with valid IDs, senior citizens, and PWDs are P350. Makati students with valid IDs get a discounted price of P200 per ticket. Tickets can be purchased in advance at www.artfairphilippines.com. Tickets will also be available at the reception area for the duration of the event. For more information, visit the Art Fair Philippines website and follow Art Fair Philippines on Instagram (@artfairph) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/artfairph).– Brontë H. Lacsamana

DoE: 175 power projects endorsed for impact studies

NGCP.PH

By Sheldeen Joy Talavera, Reporter

THE DEPARTMENT of Energy (DoE) endorsed 175 projects to the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) for system impact studies (SIS) last year.

“This is done to assess the impact of a proposed power generation project on the grid so that it can be determined whether it can really connect and inject power at its proposed connection point,” Monalisa C. Dimalanta, chairperson of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), said in a Viber message.

Under the Philippine Grid Code, the NGCP is required to complete the process in 60 days, she said.

The SIS also seeks to identify any upgrades required in the grid to accommodate all the power produced by the projects, she added.

The process is a step before applying for the certificate of compliance (COC), which serves as a permit for the generation facilities to operate.

Data from the DoE showed that it issued SIS endorsements for 158 projects proposed to generate renewable energy.

Meanwhile, 10 are energy storage systems and seven are conventional power projects.

In December alone, 21 energy projects were endorsed to the NGCP, comprising two amendments and 19 new applications.

The project with the largest capacity among all was Vind Energy Corp.’s 3,038-megawatt (MW) NOM FL1 offshore wind project situated offshore of Occidental Mindoro and Batangas.

Terry L. Ridon, a public investment analyst and convenor of think tank InfraWatch PH, said that “there are continuing concerns on the efficiency of the NGCP in concluding SISs, mainly due to its limited personnel.”

“The grid operator has made a commitment to expand its personnel that are working on these requests,” he said in a Viber message.

In July last year, the NGCP said that it will expand its SIS team to boost its capacity and conduct more SIS studies simultaneously.

The grid operator said that, historically, only around 28% of the completed SIS resulted in the establishment of power plants.

“[The] government needs to implement a further process to whittle down proposed generation projects that will not ripen into actual operating facilities,” Mr. Ridon said.

Meanwhile, the DoE  issued three certificates of endorsement to the ERC in December.

These are for the 25-MW circulating fluidized bed coal-fired power plant of PowerSource Philippines Energy, Inc.; the 61.60-MW alternating current (MWac) Subic new photovoltaic power plant project of Jobin-Sqm, Inc.; and the 130.24-MWac Laoag solar power project of PV Sinag Power, Inc.

Under Republic Act No. 11234, or the Energy Virtual One-Stop Shop Act, the ERC is required to complete the process of COC application in 60 days, Ms. Dimalanta said.

How kinetic sculptures can mesmerize

Ivan Co fills Conrad Manila with paracosmic art

HAVING a rich imagination since childhood put Ivan Co on the artistic path, even as he pursued a career as a third-generation jeweler. Thus, it was no surprise that he arrived at the equally intricate craft of kinetic sculpture.

The psychological term “paracosm,” which refers to a complex world imagined over the course of many years, inspired Mr. Co. Each of his semi-precious gem-and-metal alloy sculptures is unique in their assemblages and movements, as if their swaying, dancing parts are their own complex world.

To kick off 2024, the Conrad Manila hotel is displaying 10 of these kinetic sculptures, which utilize gravity and balance to dazzle passersby.

The 28th exhibit in the “Of Art and Wine” series at the hotel’s Gallery C is called “Paracosm,” and it puts the spotlight on Mr. Co’s alluring kinetic creations. The exhibit invites viewers to take a close look at each pendulum and swiveling part in the exhibit.

Thanks to his background as a jeweler and his exploration of ornate sculpting since 2018, Mr. Co’s craftsmanship shines through in each intricate piece, made of his own alloy concocted from gold, silver, copper, zinc, and nickel.

“We all know that the world is at war with distractions. I also experienced that, especially during the pandemic, so one of my callings is to bring people back into focus through my work,” said Mr. Co at the exhibit launch on Jan. 9.

“Originally the first work I ever did was for me. I make sure my work has the quality to make people focus, just staring at it. That’s my goal,” he added.

While the exhibit’s title suggests the pursuit of higher ideals and awakened thought, its simple goal of letting viewers meditate as they watch the parts move and interact makes it intriguing and even hypnotic for the general public.

The Orbis collection has gemstones placed within the metal alloy sculpture revolving around each other, akin to celestial bodies that share an axis but spin on various planes. Meanwhile, the Rotundum pieces highlight parts that rotate and swing around yet maintain a beautiful balance.

In the lobby of Conrad Manila is Labyrinthian, the biggest piece at over five feet tall. It seems almost like a plaything, as it needs to be wound up before its crystal marbles glide down the slides of the complex system, sometimes setting off chimes that ring out — undoubtedly the most fascinating work.

Fabio Berto, Conrad Manila’s general manager, said at the launch that the exhibit is meant to be a strong start to the year, parallel to “the hotel’s commitment to provide patrons with touches of luxury and splendor.

“Ivan Co’s artistic mastery has also brought pride to the country, as he is the only Filipino invited to be featured in The Official Platinum Jubilee Edition to celebrate the late Queen Elizabeth II’s 70-year reign,” he said.-

For Mr. Co, the exhibit is a prelude to even larger, more complicated creations, his belief being that imagination is the most powerful aspect of human consciousness. “These swiveling pieces came from that innate calling to think, explore, and create outside the limits of what the eye can see,” he said.

“Of Art and Wine: Paracosm” is on view at the Conrad Manila’s Gallery C until March 16. — Brontë H. Lacsamana

DICT targets to award 5 big contracts under nat’l broadband plan in Q1

REUTERS

By Ashley Erika O. Jose, Reporter

THE DEPARTMENT of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) said it aims to award five contracts totaling  P941.85 million under the national broadband program this quarter.

“[The bidding process] should have started already,” DICT Secretary Ivan John E. Uy told reporters on the sidelines of Cybersecurity Forum 2024 on Tuesday. 

In DICT’s procurement plan for the year, both the submission of bids and contract signing for the project are scheduled for the first quarter.

The DICT has allocated P942.09 million for the program, with P731.55 million designated for capital outlays and P210.54 million for maintenance and other operating expenditures.

The department has a total allocation of P6.91 billion under the General Appropriations Act of 2024.

The national broadband plan is the department’s framework for accelerating the deployment of fiber optic cable and wireless technology to improve internet speed.

Based on this year’s procurement plan, the department is allocating a total of P641.55 million for the national fiber backbone for Visayas and Mindanao, and P50 million for the establishment of microwave radio links for Abra and Ilocos.

For the tower and site development project in the Ilocos region, around P40 million was allocated.

Additionally, P190.3 million and P20 million were allocated for the procurement of managed services for the operations of bypass infrastructure facilities in Luzon and installation materials for GovNet, which provides internet bandwidth connectivity to national government offices, respectively.

These five contracts are targeted to be conducted via competitive bidding, as indicated in its annual procurement plan.

Last year, the DICT partnered with Stellarsat Solutions, Inc. and Kacific Broadband Satellites to expand nationwide broadband connectivity.

The department said that the collaboration aims to bring equitable broadband connectivity to the Philippines, as outlined in the National Broadband Plan.

In total, the DICT has connected 438 sites in Benguet, Kalinga, Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, Quezon, and Pangasinan via a very-small-aperture terminal system.

The DICT also plans to establish up to 2,800 kilometers of dark fiber reaching parts of Mindanao by December 2024, which it said will ensure cost-effective internet connectivity for both national government agencies and local government units.

For the year, it is also targeting to establish 15,100 free Wi-Fi sites and to launch the operations of its two data centers.

Succession, The Bear win big at TV’s Emmy awards

REUTERS/DANNY MOLOSHOK

LOS ANGELES — Media dynasty drama Succession earned the prestigious best drama trophy and The Bear dominated comedy honors as Hollywood handed out the annual Emmy awards, the top accolades for television.

Succession, the HBO series about the cutthroat battle for control of a global business empire, took home six wins for its fourth and final season.

“It was a great sadness to end the show, but it was a great pleasure to do it,” creator Jesse Armstrong said.

Kieran Culkin, Sarah Snook, and Matthew Macfadyen won acting trophies for their roles as part of the wealthy but miserable Roy family.

The Bear, the story of a fine-dining chef trying to turn around his family’s Chicago sandwich shop, also landed six awards, including best comedy series.

Star Jeremy Allen White was named best actor in a comedy, and his co-stars Ayo Edebiri and Ebon Moss-Bachrach won supporting actress and actor, for the first season of the FX network show.

“I am so proud, so full of gratitude, to be standing in front of you all,” said White, who plays chef Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto. “I love the show so much.”

Road rage drama Beef won best limited series, one of its five awards for the night. Stars Steven Yeun and Ali Wong claimed acting trophies.

Jennifer Coolidge, who won her second supporting actress honor for playing a loopy vacationer on limited series The White Lotus, took the opportunity to thank “all of the evil gays,” referring to characters on the show involved in a murder plot against her character.

The top TV honors were broadcast live on the Fox broadcast network. The show was postponed from September because of Hollywood labor disputes last year.

Several Black actors won awards at the ceremony, which coincided with the US holiday commemorating civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.

“Everyone having fun at the chocolate Emmys tonight? We are killing it tonight!” said host and former Black-ish star Anthony Anderson.

Edebiri of The Bear thanked her family for “letting me feel beautiful and Black and proud of all of that.”

A jubilant Niecy Nash, a supporting actress winner for limited series Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, hoisted her Emmy trophy in the air and proclaimed “I’m a winner, baby. I want to thank me, for believing in me and for doing what they said I could not do!” Nash said.

Quinta Brunson was named best actress in a comedy for playing an optimistic teacher on Abbott Elementary, a show she created. She shed tears as she took the stage and was handed the honor by comedy legend Carol Burnett. “I don’t know why I’m so emotional. I think it’s the Carol Burnett of it all,” Brunson said. “I’m so happy to be able to live my dream.”

Organizers were using this year’s milestone — the 75th Emmys — to honor classic television shows with cast reunions and other moments.

Host Anthony Anderson opened the show with a choir singing theme songs from shows such as “Good Times” and “The Facts of Life.” Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker joined to play the drum solo from “In the Air Tonight,” a song that aired during a pivotal moment in 1980s hit show Miami Vice.

Ted Danson, Kelsey Grammer, Rhea Perlman and other stars of Cheers gathered around a recreation of the iconic bar set, and Grey’s Anatomy actors Katherine Heigl and Ellen Pompeo spoke from a hospital room set up on stage. — Reuters

Full list of winners at the 75th Emmy Awards

LOS ANGELES — The Emmy Awards, the highest honors in television, were handed out at a live ceremony in Los Angeles on Monday.

Following is a list of all winners on Monday.

Best Drama Series: Succession
Best Comedy Series: The Bear
Best Limited or Anthology Series or Movie: Beef
Best Comedy Actor: Jeremy Allen White, The Bear
Best Comedy Actress: Quinta Brunson, Abbott Elementary
Best Drama Actor: Kieran Culkin, Succession
Best Drama Actress: Sarah Snook, Succession
Best Actor, Best Limited or Anthology Series or Movie: Steven Yeun, Beef
Best Actress, Best Limited or Anthology Series or Movie: Ali Wong, Beef
Best Supporting Actor, Drama: Matthew Macfadyen, Succession
Best Supporting Actress, Drama: Jennifer Coolidge, The White Lotus
Best Supporting Actor, Comedy: Ebon Moss-bachrach, The Bear
Best Supporting Actress, Comedy: Ayo Edebiri, The Bear
Best Supporting Actor, Limited or Anthology Series or Movie:  Paul Walter Hauser, Black Bird
Best Supporting Actress, Limited or Anthology Series or Movie:  Niecy Nash-Betts, Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story
Best Directing, Drama: Mark Mylod, Succession
Best Directing, Comedy: Christopher Storer, The Bear
Best Directing, Limited or Anthology Series or Movie: Lee Sung Jin, Beef
Best Writing, Drama Series: Jesse Armstrong, Succession
Best Writing, Comedy: Christopher Storer, The Bear
Best Writing, Limited or Anthology Series o Movie: Lee Sung Jin, Beef
Best Writing, Variety Series: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
Best Talk Series: The Daily Show with Trevor Noah
Best Scripted Variety Series: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
Best Variety Special (Live): Elton John Live: Farewell From Dodger Stadium
Best Reality Competition: RuPaul’s Drag Race — Reuters

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