Women in tech continue to face gender bias, pay gap

May 16, 2024 | 12:03 am

DENVER, Colorado — Women remain underrepresented in the technology industry, and continue to face a number of challenges such as gender bias and pay gap.

According to tech insiders, there’s still a long way to go before women reach parity in the industry.

At a Women in Tech panel at Boomi World last May 8, women executives from Boomi, KORE Wireless, OSI Digital, Fever-Tree, and IDC shared their experiences and offered advice for women working in the highly competitive industry.

Karen Dosanijh, chief marketing officer at OSI Digital, said she’s still seeing a gap in tech leadership after over 25 years in the industry, with only around a fourth of leadership positions in the sector being held by women.

“Then if you double click on that and you look at women of color that are in leadership positions, it’s 7% in corporate America. There hasn’t been a huge shift. You know, I’m one of two women (in leadership positions) at the company that I work for right now — very well supported, but still one of two women at the leadership table,” she said.

Nicki Brock, senior director of enterprise apps at KORE Wireless, said she works for an organization that is still 80% male overall, and 85% male at the executive level.

“All of my peers, all have been now promoted to the VP level. I’m the only female, and I’m the only one who hasn’t been promoted,” Ms. Brock said. “We have to keep addressing it because if we just ignore it, then we’re doing everyone, you know, that disservice. So I bring it up in my organization.”

The gender pay gap is also another issue that women continue to face in the tech industry.

“Women make on average, and this is according to the Mc-Kinsey report, it’s $15,000 less than men in the same jobs. And then women of color make $33,000 less than men, you know, in the same jobs… We still have a lot of work to do,” Ms. Dosanijh said.

Ms. Dosanijh said the “motherhood penalty” is another challenge faced by women in the tech industry.

“So, you’re out of the workplace for a year. Your career goes on pause and it actually goes on pause when you return as well. Or sometimes your job is not there,” Ms. Dosanijh said.

“Companies should really support women, young mothers as they transition out of the work force and back with flexible work and programs that support childcare. Let’s keep women in the workplace,” she added.

Alison Biggan, chief marketing officer at Boomi, said the challenge is not just because of bias, but also because there are more men in tech and STEM or science, technology, engineering, and math courses.

“We all do have allies and people that support us. Don’t just have them support you. Have them be part of the voices that hold people accountable. And use the numbers to drive the change. Because sometimes they may have a voice that, fair or unfair, is stronger or more powerful than yours,” Ms. Biggan said.

Kate Stables, director of technology at Fever-Tree, said it’s important to look at the data to drive change and set targets.

She noted it is important to continue awareness and show people what allyship looks like.

ADVICE
Ms. Biggan said companies reward performers who go above and beyond and always do what they’re going to do.

“As it relates to imposter syndrome, my advice to people is: you’ve got to believe in yourself, you’ve got to give it a shot. And women are usually the folks who say, ‘I’m going to prove myself and then I’m going to ask for a promotion,’” Ms. Biggan said.

Shari Lava, research director for automation at IDC, said she has learned to stop explaining and justifying herself.

“My advice is stop trying to justify yourself, okay? We all have imposter syndrome. Go-getters, take on challenging roles so you’re always learning,” Ms. Lava said.

Asked what advice she would give her younger self, Ms. Biggan replied: “Be a little kinder to yourself in terms of your expectation.”

“(Also), to model the behavior that you want people to have and do. And that obviously can be work, but it also can be compassion. It also can be humanity. It also can be work-life balance,” Ms. Biggan said. “It’s OK to have boundaries. It’s OK to say no. It’s OK to negotiate the things that you’re going to do. It’s OK to do the things that work for you and your life.”

In her years in tech, Ms. Dosanijh said she has learned to just be herself.

“You know, don’t try to fit in. Don’t leave the best parts of yourself at the door… Own your superpowers, women. Yes. And don’t dim them,” she said.

Ms. Brock said women should keep pushing for parity by doing the research and arming themselves with facts.

“And don’t be afraid to speak up. We have to keep speaking up… Day after day after day, as exhausting as it is, we have to keep doing it in the workplace,” she said. — Cathy Rose A. Garcia

Shakey’s Pizza says Q1 profit slips 15%, cites higher operating expenses

May 16, 2024 | 12:03 am

LISTED restaurant chain and food service group Shakey’s Pizza Asia Ventures, Inc. (SPAVI) saw a 15% decline in its first-quarter (Q1) net income to P171 million on higher operating expenses.

“In terms of profitability, first-quarter net income registered at P171 million, softening by 15% year on year, driven by higher operating expenses due to investments in the organization and in sales generating activities,” SPAVI said in a statement to the stock exchange on Wednesday.

System-wide sales rose by 15% to P4.8 billion led by the company’s network expansion program and sustained same-store sales despite the persisting inflationary environment. Net revenue surged by 6% to P3.1 billion.

Gross profit improved by 14% to P719 million while operating expenses increased by 41% to P472 million.

“While we had a challenging start, SPAVI has been reaping the benefits of a more diverse, multi-brand portfolio. As we move into the succeeding quarters, we expect our profitability to improve with tailwinds from easing commodities and improving operating expenses as a percentage of sales,” SPAVI President and Chief Executive Officer Vicente L. Gregorio said.

“Furthermore, store network expansion will be financially accretive to the group,” he added.

SPAVI is expecting an upswing in net income for the second half, with full-year profits climbing by the mid-teens.

“Overall, we are on track to deliver top line growth in the mid-teens territory, and we expect profits to grow at the same pace as sales,” Mr. Gregorio said.

“Our guests were more careful about when and how they choose to spend their money. They sought even more value. Therefore, it was crucial for us to ensure that our brands remained relevant through compelling offers and programs to sustain sales,” he added.

SPAVI added 91 units to its store network during the first quarter, putting its global network at 2,232 stores and outlets as of end-March.

Across the company’s brands, Shakey’s has 268 outlets, Potato Corner has 1,874 stores and outlets, and Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken and Sauce Bar has 76 units.

Other incubating brands such as R&B Milk Tea and Project Pie has a total of 14 units.

“Our group remains optimistic with a healthy dose of caution when it comes to our outlook. Given that we have been operating in a strained consumer environment and are coming from a high base due to the reopening, we are grateful to be able to deliver double-digit top line growth, which we expect to be sustained for the balance of the year,” Mr. Gregorio said.

On Wednesday, SPAVI shares were unchanged at P9.75 each. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

Wise enters Philippine market

May 16, 2024 | 12:03 am

GLOBAL CROSS-BORDER payments platform Wise has entered the Philippine market with the launch of its products Wise Account and Wise Prepaid Card.

Wise PH has no foreign transaction fees and exchange rate mark-ups, letting users receive money for free from abroad in more than nine currencies, Wise Philippines Country Manager Areson I. Cuevas said in a press briefing on Wednesday.

Wise PH decided to tap the Philippine market amid the increasing number of freelancers, gig economy workers, remittances and digital payments, Mr. Cuevas said.

“We have seen in the last few years, this sudden increase in the number of freelancers or gig workers. And of course, we know that since a few decades back, a lot of us have moved out of the country to earn money. And right now, there’s around two million overseas Filipino workers who have active contracts,” he said.

“It’s an increasing market, and there’s increasing need from the Filipinos to have access to an international account. We have 1.96 million OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) and a growing market of freelancers. This alone would be a very good value proposition for them already,” Mr. Cuevas said.

Currencies that Wise PH users can receive include the Australian dollar, Canadian dollar, euro, British pound, Hungarian forint, New Zealand dollar, Singapore dollar, US dollar, and Turkish lira.

Wise Account also allows users to hold money in over 40 currencies with no holding fees or minimum balance required. Users may also move funds from their Wise Account to a local bank account or e-wallet.

Wise PHL supports more than eight local e-wallets, including GCash, Maya Bank, GrabPay, Starpay, Bayad Wallet, TayoCash, ShopeePay, and JuanCash.

Customers can move up to P490,000 or its equivalent in other currencies per transaction to their external accounts or e-wallets.

Wise PH said it currently does not support payments funded via bank transfer.

Users of Wise Account or Wise Prepaid Card can pay internationally in over 160 countries or online, as well as withdraw cash from both overseas and local automated teller machines (ATM) at the mid-market rate and a low conversion fee when using the card.

The spending limit for the Wise Prepaid Card is also at P490,000, with a monthly spending limit of P2 million.

Customers can make two free ATM withdrawals of up to P12,000 each month. The monthly limit for ATM withdrawals is P275,000.

Wise offers users up to three digital cards with different details that can be frozen after each transaction.

The company also plans to introduce additional funding methods, such as paying via bank transfers and e-wallets in the future. Currently, customers can only top up their Wise Account through a bank-issued credit or debit card.

It will also launch two more platforms: one tailored for small businesses and one for companies.

Mr. Cuevas also said they are looking to partner with local banks, adding that it will be part of InstaPay soon as part of the requirements for an electronic money issuer.

“That will allow us to send money or receive money to a lot more participants. With Wise being part of that rail, that opens us to a lot more partners,” he said.

Wise has 16 million users globally and processes over £9 billion in cross-border transactions every month. — A.M.C. Sy

Meryl Streep honored in emotional ceremony as Cannes opens

May 16, 2024 | 12:03 am

CANNES — The Cannes Film Festival officially kicked off on Tuesday night as celebrities walked the red carpet into the plush Grand Theater Lumiere to honor Hollywood actress Meryl Streep before settling in to watch this year’s opening film, The Second Act.

The French comedy’s cast, including Lea Seydoux and Vincent Lindon, were joined by actor Jane Fonda, model Heidi Klum, and Messi, the dog star of 2023’s Palme d’Or winner Anatomy of a Fall, as well as this year’s jury, headed by Greta Gerwig.

Ahead of the ceremony, French singer Zaho de Sagazan performed David Bowie’s “Modern Love” in the theater aisles to honor Ms. Gerwig’s black-and-white dance scene in Frances Ha.

Ms. Gerwig sang along and seemed visibly touched by the performance as Zaho De Sagazan got on stage to kiss her hand.

The audience gave a minutes-long ovation for Ms. Streep when she took the stage in a simple white gown and black-frame glasses, welcomed by French actress Juliette Binoche in a red dress.

“You changed the way we look at women in the cinema world,” said Ms. Binoche, who tried to control her breathing as she cried during her speech. “And yet you are not self-serious, like me.”

Ms. Streep — whose long list of films includes Death Becomes Her, Mamma Mia!, and The Iron Lady — listed people she wanted to thank.

“It’s like looking out the window of a bullet train,” she said of the montage that played of all her films.

“My mother, who was usually right about everything, said to me ‘Meryl, darling, you’ll see. It all goes so fast. So fast.’ And it has. Except for my speech,” Ms. Streep told the audience. — Reuters

Gov’t agencies urged to comply with cloud first policy

May 16, 2024 | 12:02 am

THE Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) last week urged government agencies to adopt the revamped cloud first policy amid a surge in cyberattacks.

“Considering the breadth of government data, proper classification schemes are essential to mitigate risks associated with unauthorized access or exposure, while cloud services offer flexibility, security, and cost efficiency,” DICT Undersecretary for Infostructure Management, Cybersecurity, and Upskilling Jeffrey Ian C. Dy said in his video presentation in the 2^nd Philippine CTO Summit event on May 9.

The cloud first policy mandates state agencies to prioritize cloud computing solutions in their processes.

Due to a surge in cybercrime, the policy first issued in 2017 was amended to expand its coverage to government-owned and -controlled corporations, state universities, colleges, and local government units.

Mr. Dy said policy amendments also included data classification, security needs, and operability “to emphasize required adherence to Philippine law policies and standards, data management and cloud compliance.”

However, DICT Deputy Director of Cybersecurity Bureau Rodil M. Aniban said the cloud first policy will not guarantee protection from cyberattacks as most are due to phishing and the wrong use of USB disks and laptops.

“The entities’ cybersecurity defense relies as well on the help of cloud service provider so the solution center, security solutions in place and principal brand,” Mr. Aniban said.

This also relates to the recently issued National Cybersecurity Plan, he said, noting that one of the action items in the plan concerns the issuance of the minimum standards in collaboration with technology services providers.

In a congressional hearing on April 30, the DICT reported 282 cyberattacks against government organizations between January and March 2024, adding that 90% of these were resolved.

According to Mr. Dy, 811 early-stage hacking attempts were detected and neutralized by the agency’s National Security Operations Center as of April. This translates to over 74% of total hacking attempts.

The DICT’s Project Security Operations and Network Analysis Research also scanned over 2,000 online assets, exposing 30,682 vulnerabilities. — Aubrey Rose A. Inosante

On economic growth, nuclear energy, and Meralco franchise

May 16, 2024 | 12:02 am

The countries that are most resolutely on the path towards “net zero,” “decarbonization,” and “denuclearization” — the UK and Germany — are also on the path towards degrowth and deindustrialization. Other European countries are on the same path towards economic suicide. Here is their GDP growth in Q1 2023, Q4 2023, and Q1 2024, respectively: Germany: 0.1%, -0.2%, -0.2%; the UK: -0.3%, -0.2%, 0.2%; Italy: 2.2%, 0.7%, 0.6%; France: 0.8%, 1.1%, 1.1%; Ireland: 1.1%, -8.7%, -0.8%; Sweden: 1.7%, -0.2%, -1.1%; and Austria: 1.8%, -1.4%, -1.3%.

Germany shut down its last nuclear power plant in April 2023 while it reduced its number of coal plants. So, it must now rely on domestic intermittent wind-solar power plus import nuclear power from France, Belgium, and Sweden to avoid blackouts.

Economic growth and security is better assured if there is energy security. Nuclear power has been an old, proven reliable energy source since the 1950s in Europe and the US. Now Europeans that started with high nuclear capacity and have “denuclearized,” like Germany and the UK, are suffering from low growth if not degrowth. Meanwhile Asian countries that ramped up their nuclear power capacity are enjoying faster growth, like China, South Korea, and India (see Table 1).

I like this observation made by Lino Bernardo, Head of Energy Transition Projects of Aboitiz Power, and among my fellow travelers from government, corporate, and local media, on the Philippines Nuclear Trade Mission to Canada last March. He said, “A national nuclear energy program can only take off once clear policies have been laid and a regulatory regime is enforced. Nuclear power has high-capacity factor and long asset life but [is] paired with high upfront capital costs. The costs of emerging nuclear technologies must come down before it becomes commercially feasible for developing countries like the Philippines, making its adoption more later than sooner. Building nuclear energy assets requires flawless execution, holistic planning from commissioning to decommissioning, and preparations on human capital development must begin as soon as possible.”

MERALCO FRANCHISE RENEWAL
House Committee on Ways and Means Chairman Joey Salceda made a good observation that “The case for renewing Meralco’s franchise is plain and simple: it has complied with the conditions of the franchise law and it is good for the economy and the consumer… At least 29 municipalities and cities and at least four provinces outside the franchise area have formally expressed interest to be served by Meralco.” See BusinessWorld’s report this week, “Lawmaker bats for Meralco service expansion, cites economic benefits” (May 14).

The Meralco franchise area covers the whole of the National Capital Region (NCR) or Metro Manila, the five provinces of Calabarzon (the whole of Cavite and Rizal, and portions of Batangas, Laguna, and Quezon), and parts of the Central Luzon region (the whole of Bulacan and parts of Pampanga).

I checked the regional breakdown of the Philippines’ GDP. The Meralco franchise area covers the top three largest economic regions of the country. Since energy is development, by assuring energy security in these areas, the company has assured their economic security. Notice the faster growth of the NCR over the national GDP in the 2003-2009 period, and faster growth of Calabarzon and Central Luzon than the national GDP in the 2010-2023 period (see Table 2).

I am from Negros Occidental. There are five electric cooperatives (ECs) there, plus three ECs in neighboring Negros Oriental, for a total of eight ECs in a single island, eight legislative franchise laws from Congress, and eight entities to be monitored by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) and the public.

That Meralco delivers the efficient distribution of electricity with minimal blackouts compared to many provinces in the country should be taken by Congress as a model to consolidate those eight ECs in our island into one franchise to be administered by experienced corporate distribution utilities.

COAL AS WORKHORSE VS BLACKOUT
I read about some groups blaming coal plants as the “cause” of the frequent yellow-red alerts in the Philippines, especially during the hot months of March to April. Far out! They are churning out fake news. Data from the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines (IEMOP) shows that it was precisely coal power that saved the country from potential horrible blackouts this year and previous years, contributing 62% to 65% of total power generation in 2023 and 2024 (see Table 3).

But since only “brownfield” coal investments are now allowed in the Philippines, and the existing gas plants will not be sufficient to provide additional large increases in power supply in the coming years, we have to consider the use of nuclear energy in the country, from reviving or refurbishing the Bataan nuclear plant to building new small modular reactors (SMRs). Then that would assure our economic security.

Bienvenido S. Oplas, Jr. is the president of Bienvenido S. Oplas, Jr. Research Consultancy Services, and Minimal Government Thinkers. He is an international fellow of the Tholos Foundation.

minimalgovernment@gmail.com

BankCom net income up 8%

May 16, 2024 | 12:02 am

BANK of Commerce (BankCom) posted a higher net profit in the first quarter, driven by continued growth in its revenues, it reported on Wednesday.

The bank’s net income stood at P769.18 million in the January-to- March period, up by 7.89% from P712.9 million in the same period last year, it said in a disclosure to the stock exchange.

This resulted in a return on equity of 9.87% and a return on assets of 1.33%.

“The bank’s continued profitability was driven by steady growth in its core business, specifically net interest income, alongside an increase in non-interest income,” the bank said in a statement.

Gross revenues rose by 17% year on year to P2.65 billion from P2.27 billion.

“BankCom’s strong revenue growth was driven by higher net interest income and service charges, fees, and commissions,” the bank said.

Net interest income grew by 16.55% to P2.25 billion from P1.93 billion in the prior year, driven by the steady expansion in its lending and financial assets.

Net interest margin stood at 4.46%, up from 4.28% last year.

Other income rose by 17% to P398.34 million from P340.98 million on the back of service charges, fees, and commissions, and real and other properties acquired-related gains, BankCom said.

Service charges, fees, and commissions stood at P250.91 million, driven by investment banking, credit card, and trust fees. BankCom’s investment banking arm contributed P69.55 million or 28% to total earnings from service charges, fees, and commissions.

“In addition, gains on the foreclosure and sale of property and equipment and foreclosed assets increased more than two times to P79.60 million,” the bank said.

BankCom’s total operating income rose by 16.59% to P2.65 billion from P2.27 billion.

Operating expenses, excluding provisions for credit and impairment losses, went up by 18% to P1.61 billion from the P1.36 billion last year.

This resulted in a cost-to-income ratio of 61%.

The bank set aside P28.65 million in provisions for credit and impairment losses during the first quarter.

Meanwhile, total loans and receivables rose by 7.42% to P117.69 billion from P109.57 billion at end-2023.

Its gross nonperforming loan (NPL) and net NPL ratios stood at 1.47% and 0.37%, respectively, as of March.

On the funding side, deposit liabilities inched up by 0.08% to P186.05 billion from P185.91 billion.

As a result, its loan-to-deposit ratio was at 69%.

BankCom’s assets stood at P231.75 billion at end-March.

Total capital was at P31.5 billion. Its capital adequacy ratio stood at 18.64%.

The bank’s shares went down by 5 centavos or 0.75% to end at P6.80 apiece on Wednesday. — A.M.C. Sy

Plastic Bank eyeing to expand operations in PHL

May 16, 2024 | 12:02 am

CANADA-BASED for-profit social enterprise Plastic Bank said it is looking to expand its operations in the Philippines.

“We have branches that operate in Palawan, and we’re also exploring setting up branches in Cebu and now we’re exploring operating also in Mindanao,” Plastic Bank Regional Vice-President Asia Pacific Rene Guarin said during a media roundtable on Wednesday.

Plastic Bank builds recycling systems wherein collection members can exchange plastic collected for perks such as health insurance, grocery vouchers and school supplies.

“Each plastic collection is recorded using its blockchain-supported platform, ensuring a verified plastic collection journey from collection branches to processors and providing incentives for communities,” Plastic Bank said.

The company has 206 active branches spread across Metro Manila, North Luzon, and South Luzon. It operates in the Philippines, Indonesia, Brazil, Egypt, Thailand, and Cameroon.

Plastic Bank offers an “impact subscription,” a monthly contribution that ensures the collection of a pre-set amount of plastic bottles by its collection communities.

“With our blockchain platform and the newly launched Impact Subscription model, we empower businesses to integrate sustainability and social impact seamlessly,” Plastic Bank Founder and Chief Executive Officer David Katz said.

“It’s time to redefine success and embark on a journey where business isn’t just about making money but making a meaningful difference,” he added.

According to Plastic Bank, subscribing to its impact subscription “positions brands among purpose-driven market leaders.”

It enables the participants to align their businesses “with ethical practices that significantly boost consumer loyalty and enhance brand equity.” — Sheldeen Joy Talavera

Roman Polanski acquitted by French court in defamation trial

May 16, 2024 | 12:02 am

Roman-Polanski-in-A-Pure-Formality-(1994) — Roman Polanski in a scene from the 1994 film A Pure Formality. — IMDB

PARIS — A French court on Tuesday acquitted film director Roman Polanski of defaming British actress Charlotte Lewis after she accused him of raping her when she was a teenager.

Ms. Lewis, 56, alleged in 2010 that the Franco-Polish director had sexually abused her at his Paris apartment in 1983 when she was 16 after she had traveled to the French capital for a casting session. She starred in his 1986 film Pirates.

She sued for defamation after Mr. Polanski called her allegations a “heinous lie” in a 2019 interview with Paris Match magazine.

Paris Match also wrote that Mr. Polanski cited a quote attributed to Ms. Lewis in a 1999 interview she gave to the News of the World, in which she allegedly remarked: “I wanted to be his mistress …I probably desired him more than he did me.”

Ms. Lewis disputed the quote’s accuracy.

Mr. Polanski’s lawyer Delphine Meillet hailed the verdict as “an important day for free speech and for defense rights.”

“Today a court said: yes, one can challenge accusations,” she said.

Ms. Lewis said she would appeal the verdict.

“I feel sad and let down. It’s a sad day for women and men. But it’s not over. We are going to appeal,” a tearful Ms. Lewis said.

The Polanski verdict came as this year’s Cannes Film Festival gets under way amid speculation about potentially explosive #MeToo allegations against a string of actors and directors.

Mr. Polanski, director of classic films like Chinatown, Rosemary’s Baby, The Pianist, and Carnage, fled California for Europe in 1978 after pleading guilty to unlawful sex with a 13-year-old girl but before being formally sentenced.

After the #MeToo movement gained global traction in 2017 following sexual abuse allegations against US film producer Harvey Weinstein, several women alleged that Mr. Polanski had sexually assaulted them as teenagers.

Mr. Polanski has consistently denied the allegations which never went to trial, but he has since found it hard to secure global distribution deals for his movies, even if actors are still lining up to work with him.

In 2020, Mr. Polanski won best directing for his film An Officer and a Spy at the Cesars, prompting several women in the audience walking out in protest at honoring a man facing rape accusations. — Reuters

Morong launches NGA 911 command center

May 16, 2024 | 12:01 am

THE local government unit (LGU) of Morong, Rizal is now equipped with Next Generation Advanced 911 (NGA 911) emergency response technology through a command center launched last week.

“The creation of Morong, Rizal Emergency 911 Command Center has arisen on our utmost desire to effectively and efficiently respond to emergencies and crisis situations,” Morong Mayor Sidney B. Soriano said during the May 6 launch event.

He said it aims to enhance emergency responses, improve location accuracy, authority coordination, integration of surveillance systems, and access to real-time reports.

The NGA 911 hotline allows LGU residents to directly call and text trained dispatchers 24/7 to report disasters, accidents, and medical emergencies, among others.

A group of personnel is assigned to take calls as trained dispatchers that coordinate with authorities, such as the Philippine National Police for crime prevention, and medical and rescue services for the Bureau of Fire Protection.

It took a year to install the NGA 911 command center and an allocated P3.5 million in their 2022 budget, Mr. Soriano said.

As power and signal outages are common during climate disasters, NGA 911 ensures that its infrastructure is built on several redundancies and even uses Starlink, NGA Philippines Country Head Robert Andrew Llaguno said.

“That’s three circuits. When its first circuit fails, it will be on auto fail-safe. If everything falters and the communication system is down, our design will have the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office of Morong, Rizal to be the last base standing,” he said.

Mr. Llaguno said the NGA 911 Call Handling System can identify the location of the caller within a five-yard radius.

It is powered by Internet of Things capabilities to allow interaction beyond regular devices like smartphones and desktops. CCTV streams, GPS location and other early warning devices are also integrated.

Currently, the technology is currently used to monitor calls and awaits telecommunication companies to terminate sending the 911 calls to Morong’s command center, Mr. Llaguno said.

The project is a partnership between Morong’s LGU and NGA Philippines, the local subsidiary of multinational corporation NGA 911, LLC headquartered in the US, to provide emergency communication and public safety services.

After Morong and Asia, NGA Philippines aims to replicate the use of the short code in the country, aligned with former President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s Executive Order No. 56, which institutionalized 911 as the emergency hotline and nationwide emergency answering point, replacing Patrol 117.

“Hopefully, the first 100 local government units adopt it — highly urbanized and component cities, as well as some first-class, second-class municipalities — and then it cascades slowly,” Mr. Llaguno said.

Meanwhile, Rizal Governor Nina Ricci Alcantara Ynares-Chiongbian said she is optimistic about the Call Handling System’s wider implementation, as it can also be helpful for criminal cases. — A.R.A. Inosante

[B-SIDE Podcast] Staying safe in the sun: tips on preventing heat-related illnesses

May 16, 2024 | 12:01 am

The Philippines has a wet season and a dry season, or so the saying goes. Given the predictability of summer, in particular, what measures can Filipinos take to protect themselves from the heat?

In this B-Side episode, BusinessWorld speaks with Dr. Albert Francis E. Domingo, the Department of Health spokesperson, on how to both spot the symptoms of – and prevent – heat-related illnesses.

Interview by Patricia Mirasol

Editing by Jino Nicolas and Arjale Queral

Information overload

May 16, 2024 | 12:01 am

hands-holding-smartphone-social-media — FREEPIK

JUST FROM our social media groups of classmates, neighbors, organization members, hobby mates, and relatives, we already get all sorts of information including gossip and fake news handed from group to group. The handset has become not just a tool for communications but the reservoir of information from photos to blogs. Where is all this information going? What do we do with it?

When dealing with information overload, screening becomes a matter of survival. Some focus is applied on what posts to read, books to pick up, and streaming data to pay attention to. Even with short blogs and video clips (TikTok has contributed its share in the downpour) and the hits and passes they elicit, selectivity is essential.

Maybe, we can follow the rules of small talk. After all, it is in the exchange of personal details in an informal setting where the expression “too much information” has come from. This disdain for details, especially in private matters like intimate relationships of couples splitting up, or office politics in a particular company can be liberating. TMI is code for — can you change the topic or find another seatmate?

When dealing with the data fog, screening is essential. There is an implicit plea then to provide just sufficient information to keep conversation flowing, without sacrificing interest and overwhelming the listener with unnecessary details — she was wearing a tight headband under her helmet.

The best efficiency is achieved when specific information is requested. (What’s his real name?) If one needs to confirm the gravity of someone’s illness or the present employment status of an associate, the reply is brief and to the point. (I really don’t know.) Such a straightforward search elicits specific information. This may entail googling the source and wording of a quotation, the status of an elderly celebrity, or the top hit song of a particular year.

Focusing on common interests guides small talk. Would you discuss office politics and the perfidy of associates or impossible KRA’s being foisted on you by your boss with your cousin from Sydney in a family reunion? He couldn’t care less about your career challenges, or even successes. In small talk, we need to instinctively avoid imposing on the attention span of the other party. Maybe gossip on other relatives and effective ways to avoid diabetes may be more engaging.

In social media groups, is small talk limited to common interests? Even defining what is common to the group is a challenge. Classmates go their separate ways and hold very different beliefs.

Posts wander off into international subjects in the current news, like the war on Gaza, the increased provincial enrollment of a certain nationality of students with short hair, and religious miracles and various conspiracies to suppress supernatural phenomena. If the performance of the equity market comes up, for example, it is enough for the conversation to meander into what the Fed is up to and when the reduction of interest rates is likely to happen.

The best way to handle information overload is to simply ignore what does not interest us. Just because it’s there doesn’t mean it needs to be digested or even browsed. Like packing for a vacation, needs determine the clothes and items to bring to avoid taking along too much and being weighed down by too many towels.

Still, the functional use of information only applies to surfing the computer or the smart phone. The pragmatic approach to information can be discernment, especially when it comes to fake news (he fainted twice in his office) and conspiracy theories — there are foreign gardeners even in military camps.

However, an avid reader is prepared to be surprised and delighted with areas of knowledge some may consider worthless like stoicism, behavioral economics, or landscape architecture which is supposed to be the oldest profession. We should not be deprived of the joys of understanding how the Roman Empire was ruled, the lessons from the 2008 sub-prime loan crisis, and the progress of the Ukraine invasion.

Information which serves no immediate practical use can still be put in mental storage. Data which turns knowledge into wisdom is never wasted. From some remembered lines from Robert Frost, I may in old age finally understand that… “I have promises to keep, and miles to go before we sleep.”

Tony Samson is chairman and CEO of TOUCH xda

ar.samson@yahoo.com

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