Copernicus - Philippines and EU join forces for better response to natural disasters and climate change

Manila - Officials from the Philippine Space Agency, the Department of Science and Technology and the European Union launched today (24 April 2023)  the Copernicus Capacity Support Action Programme for the Philippines (CopPhil) worth approximately Php 610 million or €10 million. 

The first space cooperation programme in the region, this new initiative will help Philippine authorities develop national systems to make use of EU’s earth observation’s satellites data in the country’s disaster mitigation and climate change adaptation and food security strategies.

The EU's earth observation flagship programme, Copernicus provides free environment and climate data derived from a constellation of satellites –the Sentinels- which monitor the earth and its many ecosystems 24-hours daily. This free information aims to help public authorities, businesses, and international organisations mitigate climate change impacts and build a sustainable future for all.  

In the Philippines, Copernicus’ satellite images have already helped authorities monitor the situation of remote communities in the aftermath of typhoons such as Odette or accidents like an oil spill to help authorities plan their disaster preparedness plans and mitigation programmes.  

The launch of CopPhil featured a line-up of high level national and international speakers from the Philippine Government, academia, industry, and space agencies, as well as representatives from the European public sector and space agencies from Austria, Italy, Greece, Spain, Germany, France and Romania, and from the European Space Agency.

During the launch, Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum welcomed Copernicus and the Copernicus programme in the Philippines as “a long-awaited cooperation on an innovative system that will provide the Philippines new opportunities to develop earth observation applications for disaster risk reduction and management, environmental protection, and climate change adaptation". (Please check quote with the DOST)

Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) Director General Joel Marciano Jr. said that “the Agency welcomes this partnership with the European Union as it strengthens the domestic space value chain, particularly the ability to process and use satellite images and spaceborne data to better manage, and protect our environment and natural resources, and be better prepared in the face of disasters and climate change”. 

 

H. E. Luc Véron, European Union Ambassador to the Philippines, said that “the Copernicus programme for the Philippines is a pioneer initiative in Asia and Asia Pacific and a starting point for a larger programme on Digital Connectivity. The programme will enhance capacities for a stronger and more shock-resilient Filipino economy and society”. 

“In the long term the European Union is exploring the possibility to create a network of Copernicus partners in the ASEAN region aside from other parts of the world. The uptake of innovative technologies such as Copernicus will trigger growth, jobs and modernisation of digital infrastructures that can be used in many sectors in the Philippines”, Ambassador Véron said. 

Background

The launch of CopPH was supported by the European Commission's Technical Assistance and Information Exchange Instrument (TAIEX). The Instrument promotes peer-to-peer interactions and technical exchanges between EU Member States’ public administrations and those in partner countries.  

Copernicus is a European Union Programme aimed at developing European information services based on satellite Earth Observation and in-situ (non-space) data. 

The Programme is coordinated and is managed by the European Commission. It is implemented in partnership with the European Union Member States, the European Space Agency (ESA), the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT), the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), EU Agencies and Mercator Océan.

The Copernicus Services deliver near-real-time data on a global level which can also be used for local and regional needs, to help us better understand our planet and sustainably manage the environment we live in. Copernicus data support countries worldwide in their efforts to comply with the targets set in the Paris Agreement’s Nationally Determined Contributions. For more information, visit https://www.copernicus.eu/en.

For information or questions on Copernicus technologies and the EU-funded National Copernicus Capacity Support Action Programme please contact:

Giovanni Serritella

Programme Manager Environment & Climate Change

EU Delegation to the Philippines 

Giovanni.SERRITELLA@eeas.europa.eu 

Mobile: +63 945 2477927

Luc Verelst

Team Leader - Copernicus Bridging Phase

Luc.Verelst@gmail.com 

Mobile : +63 918 369 8769

Olaf Neussner

Disaster Risk Managem

Massive data breach leaked from NBI, PNP, other agencies

MANILA, Philippines —A staggering 1,279,437 records belonging to law enforcement agencies, including sensitive police employee information, have been compromised in an unprecedented data breach, as revealed by a report from the leading cybersecurity research company VPNMentor on Tuesday.

The massive data hack, which exposed 817.54 gigabytes of both applicant and employee records under multiple state agencies, including the Philippine National Police (PNP), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), and Special Action Force (SAF), has put the personal information of millions of Filipinos at risk.

Exposed records encompass highly sensitive data such as fingerprint scans, birth certificates, tax identification numbers (TIN), tax filing records, academic transcripts, and even passport copies.

DILG chief to Azurin: CCTV video speaks for itself; bolsters cover-up plan on drug case

A total of 1,279,437 records from law enforcement agencies, including police employee records, were left exposed in a massive data breach, according to a report published by cybersecurity research firm VPNMentor on Tuesday.

Sample of a criminologist accreditation, police clearance form, and BIR identification card, all available on the exposed database.

Sample of a criminologist accreditation, police clearance form, and BIR identification card, all available on the exposed database.

Internal directives addressing law enforcement officers were also exposed in the data breach.

“As an example, these would be orders from the top leadership of how to enforce what laws and what gets priority or additional training that is needed etc… I cannot further confirm or verify the accuracy or authenticity of these documents contained within this database. As such, I cannot guarantee that the contents of the documents are accurate or reliable,” writes cybersecurity researcher Jeremiah Fowler, who authored the report.

Fowler reported that these government documents were stored in an unsecured, non-password-protected database “readily accessible to individuals with an internet connection” and vulnerable to cyberattacks or ransomware. Fowler noted that law enforcement officers are at risk when their personal documents are exposed, but no such attacks have occurred.

“Any data breach that exposes personal information belonging to police and members of law enforcement or other officials can be dangerous. Individuals whose data is exposed could be potential victims of identity theft, phishing attacks, and a range of other malicious activities,” stressed Fowler.

“The availability of government records in an unsecured database raises concerns about potential national security issues. The exposed records could also potentially allow criminals to target members of law enforcement for blackmail or other schemes,” he added.

This database was left exposed for a minimum of six weeks, according to the report. However, Fowler recommended that a full forensic audit be conducted to “fully understand the extent and impact of the breach.”

PNP Public Information Office Chief Rederico Maranan relayed to INQUIRER.net a message from Anti-Cybercrime Group Director Police Brig. Gen. Sidney Hernia, stating that the cybercrime unit is still conducting vulnerability assessment and penetration testing.

“We cannot categorically say at this time that there was leaked applicants’ data… We also requested complete access logs from the PNP Recruitment and Selection Service (PRSS) to evaluate those logs,” he stated. 

Q1 2023 Philippines Property Market Briefing

The Philippine economy grew 7.6% in 2022, its fastest pace of growth in more than 40 years, exceeding the government’s target of between 6.5% and 7.5%. Colliers experts say that this is a positive signal for the property market, which, over the past decades, mirrored the boom–bust cycle of the country’s economic output.

As we close one quarter and welcome a new one, let’s revisit the performance of the property sector to see whether improving economic growth prospects indeed translate to an industry recovering steadily. Join us on April 27 as our experts discuss the performance of the Office, Residential, and Retail sectors for the first quarter of 2023, and what better way to signal such promising outlook than to hold this meaningful discussion in the Makati Commerce Tower – an impressive new office tower along Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue in Makati and Colliers’ official partner for this event.

The highlights will be discussed by Joey Roi Bondoc (Director, Research) and Kevin Jara (Associate Director, Office Services – Tenant Representation) and joining them as panelists in the Q&A are Paul Chua (Director, Capital Markets & Investment Services), Paul Ramirez (Senior Director, Valuation Services), Theresa Teodoro (Senior Director, Advisory Services), Dom Fredrick Andaya (Senior Director, Office Services – Tenant Representation), and Richard Raymundo (Managing Director, Colliers). The discussion with be moderated by Maricris Sarino-Joson (Director, Office Services – Landlord Representation).

This event is also made possible by the following partners:

- Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (https://www.facebook.com/DHSUDgovph)

- Organization of Socialized Housing Developers of the Philippines (https://www.facebook.com/oshdpnational)

- Subdivision and Housing Developers Association (https://www.facebook.com/shdaph)

- Australian–New Zealand Chamber of Commerce Philippines (https://www.facebook.com/ANZCHAMPhilippines)

- British Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (https://www.facebook.com/BritishChamberPhilippines)

- Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (https://www.facebook.com/pcciofficial)

- Healthcare Information Management Association of the Philippines (https://www.facebook.com/himap.ph)

- ULI Philippines (https://www.facebook.com/ULIPH)

- ABS-CBN News Channel (https://www.facebook.com/ANCalerts)

- Philippine Daily Inquirer (https://www.facebook.com/INQ.Property)

- Philstar.com (https://www.facebook.com/philstarnews)

- Business World (https://www.facebook.com/BWorldPH)

- Manila Times (https://www.facebook.com/themanilatimesonline)

- Business Mirror (https://www.facebook.com/BusinessMirror)

- Malaya Business Insight (https://www.facebook.com/malayanews)

To attend this event at the newly opened Makati Commerce Tower, click this link to save your seat: http://bit.ly/3MFiXqD.

Should you prefer to attend via Zoom, click this link to register: https://bit.ly/3GOdUk4.

#ColliersPH #BeExperts #AcceleratingSuccess #ColliersInsights #PropertyMarketBriefing #PhilippinePropertyMarket #PhilippineRealEstate #OfficeSector #ResidentialSector #RetailSector

A MEETING OF MINDS

Shortly after Ferdinand Marcos Jr. became the clear winner in last year’s presidential elections, I sat down with him at his campaign headquarters in Mandaluyong. Prior to this meeting, he and I had never really sat down for a chat. We would see each other in fleeting social encounters, but had mainly only heard of each other, be it through common friends, in our own respective advocacies and profession, through our children and, of course, by reputation.

Clearly, I was not the only one who was curious about him back then. When he appeared as our featured presidential candidate on our Go Negosyo show “Kandidatalks,” that episode reached more than one million people and attracted 379,000 total views when it streamed live over Go Negosyo’s Facebook page in December 2021.

Almost a year on, as I got to know the President through our meetings and on official trips abroad, I realized how similar our vision is for the country’s MSMEs.

Foremost is his giving MSMEs their due place as champions of our economy, especially in job creation. MSMEs are 99 percent of the enterprises in the Philippines, contributing almost 65 percent of jobs here in the country and accounting for more than a third of its GDP. Growing our MSME sector will widen our economy’s base so that it can no longer be affected by the performance of its large companies or a pause in government spending.

We are also aligned in seeing how digitalization can help our MSMEs.

The President has vowed to continue former president Rodrigo Duterte’s “Build, Build, Build” program and build more roads and ports so that the flow of goods and people can become more efficient. But to this he added the importance of building not just physical infrastructure, but also digital infrastructure.

The pandemic pushed Filipinos to acquire e-wallets and this was key to taking digitalization to the next level: a cashless society that has long been promoted by our financial managers. We saw so many MSMEs thrive and new ones being born during the pandemic, driven and aided by the rapid rise of digital payments. With digitalization, these small enterprises enjoyed an even playing field with the big players, able to push their products to their communities and equipped to receive payments and overcome roadblocks that used to stand between them and payments. We saw how digital money and market platforms created more access for entrepreneurs to sell their products and services.

Since many Filipinos remain unbanked – about 44 percent of adult Filipinos as of 2021, according to the BSP – and therefore have no access to credit cards, the e-wallets like GCash and Maya, and the many joining their ranks, have their place in helping spur digitalization and financial inclusion in our country.

The President early on also saw how local government units play a major role in helping MSMEs. He proposed allocating a portion of the Internal Revenue Allotments of LGUs to fund projects for MSMEs. This is prescient as when we started putting together the framework for the Kapatid Angat Lahat Agri Program, LGU cooperation emerged as a key component in helping our small farmers become agripreneurs.

Agriculture is where we truly had a meeting of minds. The agriculture sector accounts for a quarter of the total number of jobs here in the Philippines. Couple that with the number of jobs contributed by MSMEs, then it stands to reason that helping the small agripreneurs will redound to so many benefits not just in food security and sustainability, but also in job generation.

The President also said he wants to help farmers get access to credit. Agriculture is a risky venture, and our farmers are poorly equipped to mitigate their own risks and convince the banks to lend to them. It also doesn’t help that those who need credit the most have the least access to it – literally and figuratively, as our far-flung provinces have yet to even have ATMs in their communities, least of all an actual physical branch where farmers can easily apply for and pay off their loans.

From our meetings with the banks as part of our KALAP initiative, there is clearly much that needs to be done to improve farmers’ access to credit. We are willing to meet them halfway through KALAP. With hope, and with the big brothers in agriculture on their side, small farmers will have the confidence of the banks and lending institutions enough to ease access to credit. This will enable farmers to scale and increase productivity and, over time, build their credit rating.

The President also saw the need to rationalize the tax system to protect the MSMEs. From my conversations at Go Negosyo with the active and aspiring small entrepreneurs during our mall-based entrepreneurship mentoring roadshow 3M on Wheels, I could tell that the MSEs want to be part of the formal economy.

They have very little reason not to, because they understand that in order to grow their businesses, they need the documentary requirements that will allow them to get the capital they need to increase production, or even open a bank account to enable them to make bigger transactions. Clearly, facilitating the ease of doing business for MSEs will help make them part of the taxable economy, further increasing their contribution to our country. It is something that I believe the President and I both saw as an obvious truth.

The President went on to say that MSMEs must be encouraged to grow, to set their goals to go beyond just making money and realize their role in social transformation. Our role in the private sector is to help ease the way for them.

DOST INTRODUCES GENOMICS TO IMPROVE FILIPINO HEALTH, SAFETY AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES

New breeding and disease detection studies, forensic applications revealed to the public

On Friday, April 14, 2023, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) was lauded by United States Embassy Science and Technology Fellow and National Science Foundation Program Director Dr. Sally O’Connor for effectively translating “basic research into useful products” and the creation of successful startups.

The report highlighted “Investments in genomics research also found immeasurable success in battling the spread of SARS CoV2 through public surveillance of outbreaks, tracking of the spread of specific variants, and influencing policy to prevent further spread of the virus.”  This is in reference to the swift response of DOST in rolling out programs and projects related to COVID-19 detection, tracking and management technologies.

Sustaining its momentum, the DOST revealed a new discovery derived from genomics that affected exclusively, people with Filipino ancestry.  Called X-linked dystonia-parkinsonism (XDP) or lubag, it is a debilitatingly severe neurodegenerative disease affecting males with maternal ancestry tracing back to the Panay region of the Philippines. It is a progressive disease that usually affects males from the age of 35 to 45 years of age.  It is also a disease that can be inherited.

The DOST is working to characterize  the genetic prevalence of the causative gene that will provide a better understanding of the burden of disease in the Philippines and help decision makers to determine where investments in health care should be targeted for this uniquely Filipino disease.

Genomics studies in the country have also expanded to the Philippine Population Database Utilizing DNA Fragment Analysis, Capillary Sequencing, and Next Generation Sequencing for Forensic Applications.  Its studies include the history, evolution, origins and applications of Filipino genomes.  This study also helped resolve child sexual abuse cases.

According to DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum, Jr. “Investing in R&D is critical for the Philippines’ future. The DOST Genomics Program is an excellent example of how investing in R&D can lead to significant advancements in various fields, creating new products and business opportunities and employing additional staff, resulting in income-generating partnerships with private institutions. By investing in programs like this, the Philippines is creating a more resilient and sustainable society, driving innovation, economic growth, and improving the quality of life for its citizens.”

In agriculture, DOST provided strategic science-based interventions to address low productivity of swine thru the development of the DNA marker aided selection (MAS) technology. DNA-marker selection technology has higher selection efficiency and offers a great opportunity to hasten genetic improvement (in terms of improving productivity, production efficiency and meat quality, and elimination of genetic defects) in swine as compared to the traditional method of selection.

DOST also showcased the exhibits of spinoff companies created due to successful R&D programs like the Manila Health Tek Covid-19 Test Kit, Andali Rapid Test Kit for ASF, biomarkers for cancer diagnosis, and new breakthroughs or technology on genomics.

“The DOST Genomics Program’s impact spans diverse sectors, including human health, agriculture, forestry, and marine resources. Its contributions have been indispensable in the fight against a health crisis,” said DOST Undersecretary Leah J. Buendia. “R&D is critical to our ability in addressing the challenges of today and the unknowns of tomorrow.”

European Maritime Group lauds decision of EU Commission to Recognize PH Seafarer Certificates

MANILA, Philippines - The Joint Maritime Committee of the Dutch-, German-, Nordic- and Norwegian Chambers of Commerce welcomes the decision of the European Commission to continue the recognition of Filipino Seafarers’ Certificates, which will ensure the stability of employment for Filipino seafarers. 

“The decision of the European Commission to continue recognizing Filipino seafarer certificates presents a very positive development in the Philippine Maritime Industry” says Mr. Tore Henriksen, Chairperson of the Joint Maritime Committee. “It is commendable that the Philippine authorities have taken necessary steps towards complying with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), and have demonstrated their commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of Filipino seafarers who contribute significantly to the global shipping industry.” 

The Joint Maritime Committee also commends the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Susan Ople, Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime Bautista, the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) for their continued work on institutionalizing the changes recommended by the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA), as well as the European Commission for rendering technical assistance to this endeavour. 

The Joint Maritime Committee together represent the interests of a large segment of the maritime private sector community of Europe (Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden). It is represented by the Dutch Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines, the German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce, the Nordic Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines and the Philippines-Norway Business Council.  

 

Philippine Institute of Interior Designers will host the First-Ever Manila Interior Design Summit: Designing the Future

Philippine Institute of Interior Designers will launch its first-ever Manila Interior Design Summit this April 10-12, 2023. The theme for the pioneer MIDS event is #DESIGNINGTHEFUTURE.

To celebrate the future of design, society, and creativity, PIID has a lot of activities in store for all the attendees. A Philippine Institute of Interior Designers Creative Walk in partnership with BGC Art Foundation on April 10, a two-day CPD Seminar entitled GRN META: Metamorphosis of Green Spaces on April 11-12, and the launch of the APSDA Awards.

The summit will gather esteemed speakers from the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, India, and Singapore to help us formulate our individual answers to the call: How do we want the future of interior design to look like?

“We acknowledge that technology is part of the now and it will also be a huge part of tomorrow. So the question of how we can utilize that for the environment and humanity’s advantage is what we wish to discuss and learn from this year. How can we help as designers? How can we make sustainable and future-proof design decisions? How can we preserve culture and humanity in the spaces that we create? How does the future look like?”

“We often consider the future in the way we live and the decisions that we make daily. As Interior Designers and shapers of the built environment, now more than ever, the call to action is to sculpt spaces that are future-proof, sustainable, and also preserving humanity and culture,“ said Hannah Dumlao, Communications Head of Philippine Institute of Interior Designers (PIID).

“By asking these questions and hearing the answers of different people from the various sectors of the design environment who have begun to explore the aspects of technology, culture, sustainability, and green design, we hope to contribute to the movement of Designing Consciously for the Future,“ she shared.

The main event of MIDS is a two-day seminar for interior designers, architects, and allied professions focusing on strategies and best practices for designing the future in a sustainable manner. 

It is poised to explore the key principles of sustainable design– such as minimizing waste, reducing energy consumption, and using environmentally friendly materials, and how these principles can be applied in interior design and architectural projects.

The seminar will also emphasize the importance of collaboration between different designers of the built environment, suppliers and stakeholders in creating sustainable and innovative design solutions.

Aside from the two-day design symposium, PIID has also collaborated with a few collectives to present, promote, and help empower the creativity and vision of the Filipino. Creativity is a huge ingredient of cities, it greatly shapes and tells of the soul of a place. With this in mind, Philippine Institute of Interior Designers is kicking off MIDS with creative activities and initiatives.

The event and activity line up for MIDS 2023 are as follows:

• The Philippine Institute of Interior Designers Exhibition

April 10-12, 16, 2023
Alveo Central Plaza, BGC Arts Center, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig

• DIGITAL PIID ART WALK by BGC Art Foundation

April 10, 2023
(Various Locations) Bonifacio Global City, Taguig

• The Philippine Arts & Crafts Exhibition by Kindred Collective

April 11-12, 2023
Nutriasia Lobby, Maybank Performing Arts Theater, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig

• GRN META: Metamorphosis of Green Spaces Design Symposium

April 10-12, 2023
Globe Auditorium, Maybank Performing Arts Theater, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig

• The PIID GALA & APSDA AWARDS Launch

April 12, 2023
Marquis Events Place, Uptown, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig

• Grammar of Movement Lecture by Carlo Calma

April 16, 2023
The Theatre At Solaire, Solaire Resort & Casino, Parañaque

• Diyosa by Ballet Philippines, Dir. Carlo Calma

April 16, 2023
The Theatre At Solaire, Solaire Resort & Casino, Parañaque