Cebu Pacific (PSE: CEB), the Philippines’ leading carrier, marked the celebration of National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPR) Week by ramping up its commitment to inclusive air travel through a comprehensive sensitivity training program for its employees. The program, conducted by Autism Society Philippines (ASP), Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines, Inc. (DSAPI), and The Vanguard Academy (TVA), covered essential aspects of disability awareness. This includes understanding different types of disabilities, effective communication strategies, and practical assistance techniques. Employees from various CEB departments, including cabin crew, ground staff, and customer service representatives, participated in the training. “Earlier this year, we signed a memorandum of understanding with DSAPI to advance our efforts in offering safe, reliable, and inclusive air travel experience,” said Candice Iyog, CEB marketing and customer experience officer. “This sensitivity training is an outcome of that agreement, and we are now extending the program to include other disability advocacy groups. This initiative is a crucial step in equipping Cebu Pacific employees with the knowledge and skills necessary to assist and support persons with disabilities compassionately.” Elmer Lapeña, DSAPI chairman, emphasized the importance of such initiatives. “Collaboration with organizations like Cebu Pacific is essential in promoting disability awareness and fostering an inclusive society. We are pleased to support their efforts in making air travel more accessible and acceptable for persons with disabilities,” he said. CEB has a long-standing commitment to corporate social responsibility, and this latest initiative is part of its broader efforts to promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) within its operations. The airline continues to work closely with advocacy groups and stakeholders to ensure that its services meet the needs of all passengers.

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano on Thursday reiterated his call to halt all forms of gambling in the country, particularly online gambling, e-sabong, and the controversial operations of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs). “Ako yung siguro pinaka-outspoken, even when I was (House) Speaker, against all forms of gambling especially online e-sabong and POGO,” Cayetano said as he addressed the media on July 18, 2024. “That’s why, to this date, the city of Taguig did not allow any POGO operations. It’s because, now, it’s just like legal gaming forms – parating may unintended consequences yan,” he added. Two years ago, Cayetano filed the Anti-Online Gambling Act (Senate Bill No. 63) to prohibit gambling activities on the internet and impose penalties on online wagering and betting. This bill was discussed during the public hearing by the Senate Committee on Ways and Means last Tuesday on improving the country’s regulation of online gambling, alongside a bill filed by Committee chair Senator Sherwin Gatchalian to repeal the law taxing POGOs, ultimately rendering them illegal in the country. In the media interview, Cayetano said his opposition to POGOs is grounded on both economic and moral reasons, arguing that the negative social impact of POGOs far outweighs any supposed economic benefits. “Of course, ang argument pa rin ng PAGCOR (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation) ay y’ung revenues. Hindi natin kinukwenta kung magkano ba ang ginagastos natin sa peace and order. Magkano ba yung nawawala sa scams o panloloko?” he said. Turning to online gambling in general, Cayetano cited growing concerns over its impact on Filipinos and the generations to come. “Ano ba yung tinatanim natin sa next generation? Wala pa akong country na nakikita [na tumatangkilik] sa mga online gaming na talagang umunlad,” he said.

Globe has noted a substantial decrease in bank-related spam and scam SMS, highlighting the success of its rigorous anti-fraud measures and strategic collaborations with major financial institutions. From January to June 2024, Globe successfully intercepted 2,740,012 bank-related spam and scam messages, marking a 43.56% year-on-year decline compared to the 4,855,199 messages blocked in the same period of 2023. This underscores the effectiveness of Globe’s proactive strategies and robust partnerships with the country’s major banks and financial institutions. The noteworthy improvement follows Globe’s anti-fraud agreements with the Bankers Association of the Philippines (BAP), encompassing 45 major banks, and various individual players in the finance sector. These collaborations have enabled vigorous and timely data and intelligence-sharing, aligning efforts to prevent and investigate fraud more effectively. “Our collective efforts with the banking sector have significantly strengthened our fight against spam and scam SMS targeting depositors. By working together and sharing critical intelligence, combined with our enhanced detection and blocking systems, we can now better protect our customers from illegal activities,” said Anton Bonifacio, Globe’s Chief Information Security Officer and Chief AI Officer. Globe has allocated approximately US$20 million to enhance its spam and scam SMS detection and blocking systems to prevent fraudulent messages from reaching consumers, The company operates a 25/7 Security Operations Center that filters out unwanted messages, including app-to-person and person-to-person SMS from international and domestic sources. Amid this decline, Globe calls on mobile users to remain vigilant amid emerging scam schemes that evade cellular networks, including the use of chat apps and fake cell towers that are able to send messages without telco detection.