Israel Ministry of Tourism returns to ITB Asia after 16 Years, Philippines as a key Asian market

Jerusalem, October 2024: The Israel Ministry of Tourism (IMOT) is set to make a significant return to ITB Asia in Singapore this year, marking its first participation in the event in 16 years. This strategic move underscores IMOT's strategic focus on the Asian market, recognizing its vital role in global tourism, and ranking among Israel’s emerging tourism markets.

 

IMOT's presence at ITB Asia, from 23rd to 25th October, will highlight its commitment to strengthening ties with key Asian markets, including the Philippines, China, India and Korea.

 

This year, IMOT's booth will introduce the theme for the 2025 Jubilee Year, a significant occasion in the Catholic Church, observed every 25 years as a time of forgiveness and reconciliation. The theme, "Pilgrims of Hope," is expected to attract global attention, particularly for those interested in religious pilgrimages.

 

“Our return to ITB Asia after 16 years reflects the immense importance we place on the Asian market. We are excited to reconnect with our partners in the region and introduce Israel's rich cultural heritage and modern attractions to a new generation of Asian travellers. As we approach our Jubilee year, we invite travellers from across the continent to join us in this momentous celebration.” said H.E. Haim Katz Minister of Tourism.

 

In 2025, pilgrims will have the unique opportunity to obtain indulgences in the Holy Land, granted by the Holy Father to those who visit the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, and the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth. This Jubilee is set to offer a profound spiritual experience, encouraging faithful from around the world to partake in this sacred journey. Israel continues these days receive and to welcome tourists from around the world.

 

“As we approach the upcoming Jubilee year, the Philippines stands out as a key market for Israeli tourism, particularly for pilgrims seeking profound spiritual experiences. The deep historical and religious ties draw Filipino travelers to our holy sites, and we look forward to welcoming them to celebrate this momentous occasion in Israel, deepening the connections between our cultures and faiths.” said Anna Oraiza Aban, Marketing Manager for Israel Ministry of Tourism Philippine Office.

The Israel Ministry of Tourism invites all attendees to visit their booth at ITB Asia to explore the rich cultural, spiritual, and historical experiences that Israel offers, particularly during this momentous Jubilee Year.

NAST PHL urges the Senate to pass the Philippine Building Act toEnhance National Resilience and Public Safety

TAGUIG CITY — The National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST PHL), through its Executive Council and the Engineering Sciences and Technology Division, has expressed optimism and urgency for the Senate of the Philippines to pass the proposed Philippine Building Act (PBA) during the current 3rd Regular Session of the 19th Congress.

 

The Act, which aims to increase the resilience of buildings that are newly proposed or existing against multiple hazards, will consolidate Senate Bills 1181, 1467, and 1970, and HBT 8500 as approved last year by the House of Representatives.

 

The proposed PBA will replace Presidential Decree No. 1096 of 1977 known as the “National Building Code of the Philippines”, updating technical standards and administrative regulations that are essential for all public and private buildings across the country.

 

NAST PHL stresses that passing the PBA is essential to enhance public safety, reduce hazard-related risks, and establish modern construction standards that protect lives and properties.

 

According to the released statement, the proposed PBA will introduce science-informed assessments, innovations, and resilience-building measures crucial for the nation’s disaster risk reduction and management, safeguarding community well-being.

 

The PBA will also mitigate negative impacts, promote stakeholder accountability, and enforce related rights and obligations. This will mark a significant step forward for safer and more sustainable built environments. (AANavarro/NAST PHL)

The National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST PHL) is an agency attached to the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). It is mandated by law to recognize outstanding achievements in scientific research and development and to advise the President of the Republic of the Philippines and the cabinet on policies concerning science and technology in the country. For more updates, follow NAST Philippines’ (@nastphl) social media accounts.

DTI celebrates 50th National Standards Week with awards and product showcase

Makati City, Philippines—On October 07, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) officially launched the 50th National Standards Week (NSW) with an awards ceremony recognizing industry leaders, alongside a products fair showcasing high-quality products.

 

Happening from October 07 to 14, the NSW, organized by the DTI-Bureau of Philippine Standards (DTI-BPS), is aimed at emphasizing the crucial role of national standards in consumer protection and product excellence. Held annually as mandated by Proclamation No. 1327, series of 1974, the NSW coincides with World Standards Day (WSD) and is part of the Consumer Welfare Month (CWM) celebrated every October.

 

This year’s NSW theme, “Shared Vision for a Better World: Spotlight on SDG 9–Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure in the Age of AI,” aligns with the global focus on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 9. This goal seeks to build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation.

 

“Standards are more than technical guidelines—they set the benchmark for the quality of products and services across various industries to ensure trust, safety, quality, and efficiency for Filipino consumers,” said Regional Operations Group (ROG) Undersecretary Blesila A. Lantayona.

 

“By upholding these standards, we help them make informed choices while building a culture of accountability among businesses. This dedication enables the entire nation to confidently navigate the challenges of an increasingly complex and fast-changing global market,” she added.

 

The NSW kick-off ceremony honored five longest-serving BPS Technical Committee members from industry sectors. The awardees were:

Ms. Cecilia Ramos from Meycauayan Jewelry Industry;

Mr. Alex Loinaz from Clean Air Advocates;

Engr. Ramon Cuizon from Red Clover Consultants Inc.;

Mr. Wellington Tong from PISI - Pag-asa Steel;

Engr. Gem Tan from Fujihaya Electric.

Additionally, 10 of the oldest Philippine Standards (PS) License holders were recognized for their longstanding compliance and dedication to quality. These companies include:

Nippon Sanso Ingasco, Inc.;

Concepcion-Carrier Air Conditioning;

Republic Cement and Building Materials Inc. by CRH-Aboitiz Company;

Panasonic;

Steel Asia Manufacturing Corporation;

Yokohama Tire Philippines Inc.;

Phelps Dodge Phils;

Linde Philippines;

Hocheng Philippines Corporation; and

Cathay Pacific Steel Corporation (CAPASCO).

“We commend our awardees for their invaluable contributions to championing our campaign against substandard products. Their dedication to ensuring quality and compliance sets an example for industries across the country and continues to promote a healthier and safer nation for our fellow Filipinos,” said Fair Trade Group Supervising Head Assistant Secretary Agaton Teodoro O. Uvero.

 

In addition to recognizing BPS stakeholders, the event marked the opening of the Certified Products Fair, which showcased compliant and high-quality products such as helmets, Christmas lights, and various household appliances available for public purchase from October 07 to 10.

 

“We urge consumers to remain vigilant when making purchases from the market. Your family’s well-being should never be compromised for the sake of saving money. Always look for the required PS mark and Import Commodity Clearance sticker to ensure the products you buy meet essential safety standards,” said BPS Director Neil P. Catajay.

 

Established on 20 June 1964, through Republic Act 4109, also known as the Standards Law, the DTI-BPS is mandated as the National Standards Body of the Philippines to develop, promote, and implement standards for all products in the country. The bureau also plays a vital role in safeguarding public welfare by conducting standardization efforts to ensure that manufacturing, production, and distribution comply with quality for consumer protection.

 

For the latest updates and information on standards, technical regulations, and conformity assessment procedures (STRACAP), visit the BPS website at www.bps.dti.gov.ph or send an email to bps@dti.gov.ph. 

HAWKS AI Technology to Provide Solution to Disease Detection and Crop Management Among Others

HAWKS AI technology live demonstration of plant detection

Due to the tedious, time-consuming, and hazardous nature of traditional crop disease detection methods, the Autonomous Societally Inspired Mission Oriented Vehicles - Harmonized Aerial Watch and Knowledge-Based Survey (ASIMOV-HAWKS) has developed an automated solution to optimize agricultural practices.

At a research, development, and innovation symposium held on the second day of the Regional Science, Technology, and Innovation Week (RSTW) in SOCCSKSARGEN, Dr. Jose Ildefonso U. Rubrico and his team from ASIMOV-HAWKS presented their Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology—HAWKS AI.

HAWKS AI is an AI-enhanced decision support system designed for rapid, cutting-edge aerial crop management, disease detection, and related applications. Its features include advanced, reconfigurable technologies for automated functionality, aerial survey and mapping, and decision support systems for enhanced user experience.

"An important part of our mandate is to provide relevant solutions to persistent challenges in productivity sectors, such as the agri-banana industry," Dr. Rubrico explained, emphasizing ASIMOV-HAWKS' role in developing AI-enhanced robotic technologies.

To provide context, the Philippines has been the second-largest banana producer since 2018, with 3.3 million metric tons. However, reports indicate that total banana exports have declined from 2019 to 2022 due to the spread of Panama disease, high production costs, and rising fertilizer expenses.

Through HAWKS AI, drones equipped with cameras capture real-time visuals, enabling crop disease detection, crop inventory, and other related applications. A key feature of the technology is its ability to detect individuals and generate measurements, such as crop count.

ASIMOV-HAWKS’ HAWKS AI drone technology 

The AI technology is also applicable in other productivity areas, performing optimized searches and mapping regions efficiently.

ASIMOV-HAWKS serves as the aerial component of the Department of Science and Technology's (DOST) flagship research and development program in AI and robotics. It is funded by DOST's Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD) and is currently being implemented by the DOST - Advanced Science and Technology Institute (ASTI).

The symposium also featured discussions on farming precision and waste management by Engr. Lorilyn P. Daquioag, CEO of Waste4Good Technologies, and the development of Halal-compliant restructured goat meat products by Dr. Cyril John A. Domingo, Director of the Institute for Food Innovation and Nutrition at Sultan Kudarat State University. Meanwhile, Dr. Bernardo N. Sepeda, Executive Director of DOST's National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP), introduced their agency and its projects.

For more information on these innovative discussions, visit the official Facebook page of the National Science, Technology, and Innovation Week (NSTW) to view the full streaming videos: https://www.facebook.com/nstwdost/videos/900720558638257. By Kesha Shua V. Leosala, DOST-STII, Photos from DOST Region 12

HAWKS AI technology at the Regional Science, Technology, and Innovation Week

The ASIMOV-HAWKS team, led by Dr. Jose Ildefonso U. Rubrico, showcased their HAWKS AI technology at the Regional Science, Technology, and Innovation Week symposium in SOCCSKSARGEN. This AI-powered decision support system aims to revolutionize agricultural practices, specifically in crop management and disease detection.

Traditional methods of detecting crop diseases are often labor-intensive and hazardous, prompting the need for automation. HAWKS AI utilizes drones equipped with cameras to capture real-time visuals for crop monitoring and disease identification. This technology is particularly relevant to the Philippines' banana industry, which has faced challenges like Panama disease and rising production costs.

ASIMOV-HAWKS is part of the Department of Science and Technology's broader AI and robotics initiatives, funded by the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD). The symposium also included discussions on precision farming and innovations in food products. For further details, videos of the event are available on the National Science, Technology, and Innovation Week's Facebook page.

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DTI-BPS and UL Standards and Engagement conference champions safety in PH’s booming solar energy sector

Makati City, Philippines—The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and UL Standards and Engagement (ULSE) held a joint conference aimed at advancing national safety and fire protection in the rapidly growing photovoltaics and energy storage systems sector.

 

Themed "Promoting Standards in Photovoltaic and Energy Storage Systems to Enhance Safety and Fire Protection," the conference convened standards experts, industry leaders, engineers, fire safety professionals, and local industry practitioners. It proactively addressed challenges and unlocked opportunities within the Philippines’ renewable energy landscape.

 

“The outcomes from this collective effort will be instrumental as we develop the necessary standards to support the entire solar energy value chain. This will foster collaboration on conformity assessment as we ensure the safety and quality of products and systems entering our market,” said DTI Fair Trade Group Asst. Secretary Atty. Agaton Teodoro Uvero during his opening address.

 

The conference featured insightful panel sessions covering critical topics such as standardization of solar photovoltaics, energy storage systems safety standards, Philippine Electrical and Fire Codes and Regulations, and the National Renewable Energy Program. Local industry practitioners shared their knowledge and firsthand experiences that enriched the discourse.

 

This conference builds upon the DTI-Bureau of Philippine Standards (BPS) and ULSE’s collaboration agreement established on September 2020, which has spurred several joint activities and bilateral meetings that accelerated the development of Philippine National Standards.

 

For more updates and information on standards, technical regulations, and conformity assessment procedures, visit the BPS website https://bps.dti.gov.ph/ or send inquiries through the 1BPS Portal.