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ABS-CBN MAINTAINS BROADCAST ON ABS-CBN TVPLUS NOT COVERED BY NTC’S CDO

ABS-CBN president and CEO Carlo Katigbak appealed to Congress for due process as the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) stated it will issue a cease and desist order (CDO) on the broadcast of ABS-CBN programs on channel 43 frequency at the House panel hearing on ABS-CBN’s franchise resumed today, June 29.   Explaining the continued broadcast on ABS-CBN TVplus, Katigbak said the company entered into a blocktime agreement with AMCARA Broadcasting Network Inc., maintaining that such practice is “a standard commercial agreement” and that other broadcasters have gone into similar arrangements. He also pointed out that the CDO issued by the NTC to ABS-CBN did not indicate channel 43. When asked if the network would comply should the NTC issue a CDO, he appealed that due process be accorded to it the same way that Congress gave to other companies with expired franchise and pending renewal in congress. “’Yung hinihingi po lang namin is to make sure that we are given due process,

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Typhoons, Volcanic Eruptions and Pandemics: Natural Disasters Push Philippine Security Concerns to Highest in World - 2020 Unisy

New research from Unisys Corporation (NYSE: UIS) reveals that in 2020 the Philippine public’s concern about security has increased, with concern about personal security and natural disasters increasing the most, according to the new 2020 Unisys Security Index. The Unisys Security Index measures concerns of consumers on issues related to national, personal, financial and internet security and is the longest-running snapshot of consumer security concerns conducted globally. The overall measure of security concerns of the Philippine public is 238 out of 300, remaining the highest of the 15 countries polled in the survey and up from 234 in 2019. Top Concerns in 2020: Natural Disasters, Identity Theft and Personal Security In 2020, the top concern for Filipinos is a natural disaster such as floods, typhoons, volcanic eruptions or epidemics with 93% of Filipinos seriously concerned about this issue, up from 89% in 2019. Concern about personal safety in the next six months recorded the gre

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SKYCABLE AND SKY FIBER CONTINUE TO OPERATE

SKY Cable Corporation today said that its SKYcable and SKY Fiber services continue to operate and serve its subscribers nationwide, as they are not covered by the cease and desist order issued by the National Telecommunications Commission. “We wish to reiterate our assurance to our cable and broadband subscribers that they will continue to enjoy our services,” James Dumlao, SKY head of Programming said. The company issued the clarification as confusion arose among subscribers as news of the National Telecommunications Commission’s issuance of a cease and desist order stopping the operations of its direct broadcast satellite service, SKYdirect, spread. In a statement, SKY appealed to the NTC “to extend the same privilege given in the past to other companies whose franchises have expired but are currently pending in Congress to continue its operations until a resolution is passed.” SKY also assured its subscribers that it will seek available legal remedies so that it could bring back

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Globe myBusiness teams up with international LMS providers to boost digital learning efforts in local schools

The global pandemic has encouraged many industries to adjust and find ways to thrive in the new normal. In the education sector, institutions are expected to explore new ways of learning while maintaining social distancing guidelines. Earlier this month, the national government announced that face-to-face classes will be postponed until a COVID-19 vaccine is developed. The Department of Education said that the while preparing schools for “a different setup” is a challenge, the Department is readying the resumption of school operations based on their Basic Education — Learning Continuity Plan (BE-LCP) which would affect almost the entire education infrastructure in the country — from the DepEd Central Office down to the school level. Meanwhile, the Commission on Higher Education shared that they are working with the Department of Health to draft guidelines on health protocols when classes resume. “With the threat of COVID-19, schools and universities are seeing additional pressure to

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SKY CABLE CORPORATION STATEMENT ON THE CEASE AND DESIST ORDER ISSUED TO SKY DIRECT BY THE NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

SKYdirect’s 1.5 million subscribers nationwide, including those in remote areas that do not receive television signals, will be deprived of access to the channels we carry that bring them news, information, education and entertainment starting tonight June 30, 2020, as Sky Cable Corporation complies with the cease and desist order (CDO) issued by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) stopping the company from operating its direct broadcast satellite service immediately. In the spirit of fairness, we continue to appeal to the NTC to extend the same privilege given in the past to other companies whose franchises have expired but are currently pending in Congress to continue its operations until a resolution is passed. We assure our subscribers that we will exhaust all legal remedies to resume our services.   We commit to attend to the concerns of our valued subscribers and partners arising from this decision. We will refund all unconsumed prepaid loads and advance postpaid

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UnionBank bridges gap for unbanked Pinoys through cash-out via 11,000 remittance outlets nationwide

Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank) recently rolled out more cash-out options for customers via 11,000 remittance counters across the Philippines, including in rural areas where most of the unbanked and underserved population are located. This makes UnionBank the first Philippine bank to launch the largest cash-out network in the country – a development seen to improve access to financial services for communities amidst the ongoing pandemic. Sending funds to families and relatives living in provinces has been challenging, especially in far-flung areas where ATMs and bank branches are scarce or unavailable. UnionBank identified that the best course of action to address this concern was to enable its customers to send money from home via its app to remittance counters in underserved areas. The bank leveraged existing partnerships with top fintechs in the country such as Dragonpay and Coins.ph, as well as remittance centers Cebuana Lhuillier, LBC, PeraHub and Palawan Express. Int

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Globe kicks off tribute campaign for local SMEs with special FB live event and inspirational video

As quarantine guidelines are slowly being loosened around the country, Globe myBusiness is paying tribute to an economic hero: the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), whose strength and resilience as they reopen and thrive in the new normal merit unwavering support through this year’s #SaludoSME campaign. The campaign kicked off with a special Facebook Live event via the official Globe myBusiness FB page with special messages from Ayala Corporation Chairman of the Board, Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, and Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu. Another highlight of the event is a special reveal of an inspirational video, sung by none other than Broadway legend and international Filipino pride Lea Salonga, which showcased the resilience of local SMEs as they resume operations in the new normal. “We are honored to have all of you as valued partners today, and in the next few years of our journey amid a new, more challenging normal,” shared Cu. “Through this short but meaningful eve

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UnionBank builds Innovation Hub to further future-proof business

Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank), the country’s leading digital bank, is building an innovation hub to ensure continued efficient digital collaboration and learning as well as maximum resiliency in the event of disasters and crises. The five-story UnionBank Innovation Campus – located South of Metro Manila - will feature state-of-the-art facilities such as the Operational and IT Command Centers, security monitoring rooms, modern learning spaces, collaboration areas, cafeteria, dormitories, and health and wellness facilities. These facilities are expected to provide a conducive environment for employees who are involved in UnionBank’s innovation projects as well as those performing critical functions. Widely known as an innovator in the banking industry, UnionBank has pioneered countless game-changing initiatives geared towards providing the best customer experience while at the same time enabling financial inclusion. “The UnionBank Innovation Campus will be a futuristic hu

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Globe myBusiness powers Ateneo de Davao’s digital school year

Industries are developing ways to thrive amid the new normal brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. In the coming school year, educational institutions are transitioning to online learning to allow students to complete their requirements while staying safe at home. Strengthening its position as an invaluable partner in promoting 21st Century Learning, Globe myBusiness has partnered with Ateneo de Davao University (ADDU) by providing tailor-made internet plans for the next school year. Through the partnership, the university secured 7,000 Globe at Home Prepaid WiFi units for instructors and students. The kits are equipped with a WiFi modem with a LAN port, free 10GB of data allocation upon modem activation, and access to a customizable suite of apps to aid the learning process. “Technology plays an important role in this global pandemic, as it connects us while keeping us safe in our homes,” shares Bernie Jereza, Institutional Communications and Promotions or ICOMMP Office Head of ADDU.  “

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Globe services and assistance package for COVID-19 reaches P1.3B

During the first three months of the pandemic, Globe Telecom was able to come up with over P1.3 billion in combined services and assistance package for COVID-19.  This consists of support for Globe employees and vendor partners, services and promos, external fund-raising efforts, and monetary and in-kind donations. The bulk of the amount went to salaries and benefits which Globe continued to provide even to managed service partners and vendor employees to help ensure their safety, health, and well-being as well as their families. Globe currently holds weekly rapid antibody testing of all its frontliners and has contributed to the AC Health COVID-19 facility to accommodate its workforce and their families who may contract the virus. The company has also provided food allowance, transportation, accommodation, insurance, and medical expense assistance to its critical skeletal workforce who kept back end operating systems including the Globe network fully operational during the enhanced

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