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Morong, Rizal becomes 1st LGU with next-generation Advanced 911 emergency response and public safety system

9:24 p.m. May 7, 2024

Second class municipality Morong in Rizal Province is now the very first local government unit in the Philippines with a first-class, next generation emergency response and public safety system to respond to emergency calls and ensure the protection of its residents.

Morong Mayor Sidney Soriano, Vice Mayor Jose Fred Feliciano and other key municipal officials signed an agreement with NGA Philippines (NGA) the local subsidiary of multinational corporation NGA 911, LLC headquartered in California, USA in April last year to provide Morong with world-class and complete solutions for emergency communication and public safety services.

NGA is known globally as the innovator of emergency calling technology, and the leader in Next Generation 911 (NG911) emergency communications worldwide. The NGA NG911 system is built on the industry standards adopted by the National Emergency Number Association (NENA) in the United States and the European Emergency Number Association (EENA).

Monday, May 6, Morong local officials led by Mayor Sidney Soriano and NGA Philippines Country Head Robert Llaguno led the Go Live activation of the Morong Disaster, Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Command Center in Sitio Paglabas, Barangay San Pedro in Morong. Present at the Go Live event were Department of Interior and Local Governments Undersecretary Juan Victor Llamas, Rizal Congressman Emigdio P. Tanjuatco III, Rizal Provincial Governor Nina Ricci Ynares and Emergency 911 National Office Executive Director Francis Fajardo.

Now the local government of Morong is ready to respond accurately and efficiently to disasters, accidents, medical emergencies and other distress calls, using the NGA NG911 state of the art digital technology that can save lives and property in the fastest possible time.

“I welcome you all to the inauguration of the Morong, Rizal Emergency 911 Command Center with Next Generation Advanced technology — the very first in the Province of Rizal, the first in the country and in Asia. It has always been our utmost desire to be able to respond to emergencies and crisis situations, effectively and efficiently so that we can provide good public service to the people. Today is the culmination of that dream,” Mayor Soriano said.

NGA Philippines Country Head Robert Llaguno said Morong’s investment in the emergency NGA911 system presently used in the United States pioneers the use of technology in the country that will revolutionize the way and speed with which the LGU can handle emergencies.

“All 911 calls to the Morong DRRM Command Center are now fully recorded and conference and transfer facilities are now seamless,” explained Llaguno. “There is more efficient dispatch and coordination, because IoT capabilities enhance situational awareness that include CCTV streams, GPS location and other early warning devices that can now be integrated to the system.”

Llaguno said the activation of 911 as Morong’s emergency number is aligned with Executive Order 56 of 2018 that institutionalized 911 as the emergency hotline and nationwide emergency answering point replacing Patrol 117.

“It will not only give Morong, Rizal a shorter 911 dialing code compared to the usual 10-digit cell number of responders. By utilizing the NGA NG911 system, the LGU will also be able to pinpoint with high accuracy the location of the emergency call and associate the same with the closest responders to provide a more immediate response.”

Personnel of the Next Generation Call Handling System of Morong will be trained by NGA and the Emergency 911 National Office. Specialized telephone equipment provided by NGA will be used by dispatchers to answer 911 calls and text messages, with the call handling equipment plotting the 911 call or text on a map and pinpointing the location of the caller or emergency. The command center runs 24/7.

The technology, used in the United States, has changed the face of emergency communications by using internet protocol (IP) technology to transmit voice, text and video messages between callers and emergency responders. It can provide real-time data on the location and condition of callers, which can help first responders make more informed decisions in emergency situations.

Other LGUs in the country have been briefed on the capabilities of the technology with some already set to follow Morong’s lead.

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“Priceless” Nino Muhlach FAMAS trophy sold to Boss Toyo 

12:59 p.m. May 15, 2024

Entrepreneur and child actor Nino Muhlach gave Boss Toyo one of his prized awards from the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS) in exchange for P500,000.

But Boss Toyo reiterated that Muhlach’s award is “priceless” and will become part of his future museum. 

In an episode of Pinoy Pawnstars last Monday, Boss Toyo haggled with Muhlach, who personally visited the content creator’s shop in Quezon City to personally give one of his five FAMAS awards and make it as part of his collection.

“Aalagaan mo ‘yan, irerestore mo yan [Take care of that, restore it],” Muhlach told Boss Toyo. 

Boss Toyo said that he wants to restore the award, one of Muhlach’s five FAMAS awards to its former glory and showcase it in his planned museum alongside the award that Jiro Manio sold to Boss Toyo a few months ago. 

Muhlach said that it was Toyo who personally inquired about the award and decided to sell to the content creator one of the five Best Child Performer awards that he received in his career. 

“I decided to give it to him, pero big deal, kailangan alagaan niya and irestore niya and ilagay niya sa museum niya, dahil hindi ko na naalagaan, ‘yun ang deal namin [I decided to give it to him, but big deal because he needs to take care of it seriously, restore it and put it in his museum because I never take care of it. That’s our deal],” Muhlach said.

Boss Toyo said that Nino Muhlach’s FAMAS award is one of his dream items as he wants to note how Muhlach changed Filipino entertainment through his movies with noted Filipino actors such as the King of Filipino movies and legends such as Fernando Poe Jr. and Dolphy. 

“Ikaw ang barometer, ‘pag sinabing ‘child actor’, tandaan natin, wala pa akong nakitang nakadaig sayo as a child actor [You are the barometer of a ‘child actor’ because we have to remember nobody does it better than you],” Toyo said. 

Apart from the award, Muhlach gave to Boss Toyo some of the theater lobby cards from the movies he starred in and produced. 

Aside from acting, Muhlach also dabbled in several businesses, including the El Nino Apartments and Muhlach Ensaymada, which was gifted to Boss Toyo.

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Check out this Next-Gen ID of Ateneo De Manila University, powered by Maya 

12:30 p.m. May 15, 2024

Have you caught sight of the latest innovation making waves at the Ateneo de Manila University? Maya, the #1 Digital Bank in the Philippines, has unveiled its cutting-edge ID card at the Ateneo de Manila University, redefining campus experiences and revolutionizing security and cashless transactions for students, faculty, and staff alike.

Featuring a sleek design and an embedded RFID chip, this Maya-powered ID card provides seamless access to vital university points, ensuring convenience and security not only on campus but also beyond. But here’s the kicker—it’s not just about identification. Maya’s collaboration with Ateneo goes beyond mere convenience—it’s about revolutionizing the entire campus experience by linking this innovative ID card to the Maya app. Together with Maya’s end-to-end cashless ecosystem, it simplifies identification, empowers students, faculty, and staff to make secure payments across the campus, and drives adoption of financial services.

Additionally, the Ateneo community can experience smooth transactions not just within campus establishments like Kitchen City and Macroasia, but also at nearby off-campus establishments like McDonald’s and Starbucks. And there’s more—this ID card offers exclusive offers and promotions through the Maya app, in addition to enabling users to purchase load, pay bills, open savings accounts, and invest in Funds and Stocks, among other features.

With Maya leading the charge, the groundbreaking partnerships established with UP-Diliman in 2019, UP-Cebu last year, and this year’s collaboration with Ateneo are reshaping the educational landscape through cutting-edge technology. Say hello to secure, efficient, and modern campus environments, welcoming a new era of university experiences across the Philippines.

To dive deeper into the Maya experience, head over to maya.ph and mayabank.ph. Don’t forget to follow Maya at @mayaiseverything on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok, and @mayaofficialph on Twitter for the latest updates.

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foodpanda logistics pays tribute to Ka-panda moms

2:00 p.m. May 14, 2024

They say that being a mother is a tough job in itself, especially when you’re also a working mom. But these mom heroes are taking it a notch higher by taking on a job typically dominated by men – navigating busy streets and traffic to support their families as delivery partners. Their resilience and dedication make them truly exceptional, embodying the spirit of hard work and determination.

Last Mother’s Day, delivery service provider foodpanda logistics paid tribute to the mothers in their Ka-panda delivery fleet who broke barriers and paved the way for themselves and their families, one delivery at a time.

Mom & daughter tandem

The bond between a mother and daughter is undoubtedly one of the most powerful relationships there is, and this dynamic duo takes it to the streets as freelance delivery partner bikers. Nina Heroda is a newcomer Ka-panda, having joined just four months ago, and her mother Purita followed shortly after.

“Pinagsasabay ko ang pag-aasikaso sa mga anak ko at pagha-hanapbuhay. Kahit uuwing pagod, kakayod ulit kinabukasan. Go lang nang go,” Nina shared.

Purita was also drawn to becoming a Ka-panda because of the opportunities it offered. Besides the typical motorcycle riders, bikers also have the chance to deliver orders, while enjoying the flexibility in their hours. “Ang kagandahan sa pagiging delivery partner ay nakakaya kong i-manage yung oras ko sa pagiging ina at pagiging Ka-panda. Ulirang ina sa umaga, tapos kukuha naman ako ng delivery session pagdating ng hapon. ”

Riding towards the future

A single mom maneuvering through the streets delivering food and grocery orders on her e-scooter – that is Jay Ann Martinez.Her e-scooter gives her the freedom and independence to build a brighter future for her daughter, even as a single parent.

“Kapag minsan na masama pakiramdam ko, pwedeng hindi muna kumuha ng session. Pero kapag gumaling, balik agad. Bilang nanay, kailangan natin ma-provide yung mga kailangan ng mga anak natin kahit mahirap dahil wala tayong hindi kakayanin para sa pamilya.”

Soldiering on foot

The Ka-panda delivery fleet’s inclusivity even extends its opportunities to walkers who fulfill orders on foot. This presents a unique chance for individuals who either don’t own vehicles or lack the know-how to operate one, such as Reena Dolores. She decided to become a Ka-panda to join her husband.

“Sa kagustuhan ko tumulong sa asawa ko, pinapasok ko na rin ang pagiging delivery partner. Nagagampanan ko pa rin naman ang pagiging ina dahil minsan, maghahatid ako ng mga anak ko tapos magde-deliver.”

A tribute to Ka-panda SuperwoMoms

The Ka-panda moms were treated to gifts from foodpanda logistics brand partners Silverworks and Motivo, as well as cash giveaways. They also had the opportunity to bond with their family members to celebrate the special occassion.

“It’s amazing how these women delivery partners show that they are just as capable as men in this line of work. We pay tribute to the amazing mothers in our delivery fleet because they represent the resilience and dedication we admire,” said foodpanda logistics Rider Experience Lead Ron Sanders.

In addition to rewarding the moms, foodpanda logistics also provided special Quests for its delivery fleet, allowing them to earn extra income by completing a series of orders on Mother’s Day last May 12. Raffle entries were also available for a chance to win one of the brand-new motorcycles.

“On Mother’s Day, we honored the exceptional contributions of Ka-panda moms and extend a warm invitation to aspiring mothers to become part of our Ka-panda community,” Sanders emphasized.

Visit the foodpanda riders Facebook page to discover the compelling stories of these Ka-pandas, alongside other Ka-panda mothers.

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