Globe and Phil-Tower Consortium Inc. (PhilTower) recently joined forces to facilitate a digital literacy session for elderly leaders of Baguio City to equip them with knowledge on cybersecurity and address misconceptions on the effect of cell towers on health. The event, attended by 50 members of the Federation of Baguio Senior Citizens Associations (FBASECA) Secretary’s Club, featured Globe’s Digital Thumbprint Program (DTP), which educates the youth, parents, teachers, and the elderly about online safety and security, online etiquette and responsibility, digital discernment, and digital empowerment. “The elderly are among those most vulnerable to online scams and fraud. By understanding the different types of online threats, our senior citizens can better protect themselves and their personal information,” said Yoly Crisanto, Globe Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer. “Our partnership with Philtower in this undertaking not only highlights the critical role that reliable connectivity plays in enabling access to online resources and opportunities. More importantly, we are addressing the need for digital literacy to help senior citizens fully participate in the digital age and improve their overall quality of life,” said Michelle Ora, Vice President for Site Lifestyle Management Service. Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, through City Social Welfare & Development Officer Liza Bulayungan, expressed support for the initiative. Magalong requested Globe and Philtower to conduct more sessions to reach more seniors in the city, aligned with Baguio’s goal of becoming a smart, well-connected city. During the event, Globe representatives led the DTP training, explaining various types of fraud, such as phishing, spoofing, malware scams, online shopping scams, data harvesting, and social engineering.   The discussion also covered the significance of a strong internet signal for various online activities, the dangers of unauthorized use of repeaters, and myths related to radiation from cell towers Globe also addressed misconceptions about cell towers and radiation, sharing a video on the Department of Health’s stance on cell tower radiation, showing that wireless technology does not cause harm to health. Maida Bruce, Chief Financial and Strategy Officer at Philtower, delivered the closing remarks, reiterating the commitment of both Globe and Philtower to promoting digital literacy and ensuring a safe online environment for everyone. Philtower, a registered Common Tower Provider in the Philippines, builds shared future-proof telecom structures and facilities for indoor and outdoor coverage. The company is dedicated to creating a wireless canopy in the country to support a connected lifestyle. Globe has a sale and leaseback agreement with PhilTower covering 1,350 towers, located primarily in Mindanao.  The deal was in response to the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) common tower policy, which mandates the sharing of towers among telecom firms to reduce capital expenditures.

BAGUIO CITY — Mayor Benjamin Magalong expressed deep regret over the impending closure of the Baguio Midland Courier weekly community newspaper which had ruled the region’s print media landscape for almost eight decades now. “Like the rest of the Baguio community, we are saddened by this development. Baguio Midland Courier has been the trailblazer, the leader of the pack in the city’s newspaper industry, a veritable icon and builder of the city,” the mayor said. “For 77 years, the paper had been woven into the fabric of everyday life in the city so much so that losing it would feel like losing a piece of the city itself.” “As a pillar of community journalism in the Cordillera region, the Baguio Midland Courier has always upheld the tenets of the profession establishing a culture of excellence and high standards for other newspapers to emulate. “The same ideals had been carried on by the countless journalists who were bred and nurtured with benevolence by the paper over the decades. “Its commitment to service transcended to the City Government by serving as its partner in disseminating news on the city’s projects, activities and programs. “Indeed, parting is such sweet sorrow as Shakespeare wrote, but as we finally bid adieu to the Baguio Midland Courier, rest assured that its years of dedicated, committed and selfless service will forever be etched in the collective hearts and memories of the people of Baguio, Cordillera and beyond. Farewell.” On BMC’s social media page, Antoinette Hamada, publisher and chief operations officer, announced that they still have three issues left, before they finally close the publication on July 22. “The decision to cease publication was a difficult one and the management deeply regrets any impact this may have on our esteemed readers, newsboys, supporters, contributors and advertisers,” according to the post.

BAGUIO CITY – The DOTr – Land Transportation Office – Cordillera Administrative Region, in partnership with the 𝐘𝐌𝐂𝐀 of Baguio City, is holding another Free Theoretical Driving Course at the YMCA Auditorium, located on the 3rd floor of the YMCA Building on Upper Session Road, Baguio City, on July 1-2. The two-day course aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of traffic laws, road safety, and responsible driving practices. It is divided into three sessions that cover essential topics such as road safety, traffic rules, and responsible driving practices. Attending the TDC is a major requirement for those applying for student driving permits. At the end of the course, registered participants will receive certificates of completion after passing a 120-item written exam. These certificates serve as proof of completing a recognized driver education program and can be used when applying for a student driver’s permit. The DOTr-LTO-CAR’s Regional Driver’s Education Center (RDEC) continues to offer free theoretical driving courses as part of its outreach program, making road safety education more accessible to the public. (DOTr-CAR post)