NEWS
PAGCOR earmarks P100-M for evacuation center project
PAGCOR’s Vice President for Corporate Social Responsibility Group Ramon Stephen Villaflor (PAGCOR’s Vice President (VP) for Corporate Social Responsibility Group Ramon Stephen Villaflor (right), Baguio City Vice Mayor Faustino Olowan (middle) and Baguio City Representative Marquez Go (left) lead the groundbreaking of the Barangay Hall Multi-Purpose Complex in Barangay Engineer’s Hill, Baguio City on January 7, 2022, which PAGCOR is helping to rehabilitate.
January 11, 2022 7:18 p.m.
The year 2022 came with a bang for two towns in Benguet after they received P100 million funding from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) for the construction of Multi-Purpose Evacuation Centers (MPECs).
The towns of Buguias and Mankayan, which became the latest beneficiaries of PAGCOR’s MPEC Project, each received P25 million during the project’s groundbreaking ceremonies on January 6, 2022. The amount represented the first tranche of the P50 million grant for the two-storey MPEC projects which will soon rise in Barangay Bangao, Buguias and Barangay Tabio in Mankayan.
Barangay Captain Linda Tagubasi of Bangao, Buguias expressed her gratitude to PAGCOR because through the MPEC project, their barangay will no longer need to pay rent whenever they need a large space for community activities. Also, they need not worry about lack of temporary shelters for displaced families whenever calamities arrive.
Meanwhile, the local chief executives of Buguias and Mankayan expressed their gratitude to PAGCOR for the MPEC project grant.
“It is a welcome news that we will soon have a P50 million-worth evacuation center in partnership with PAGCOR dito sa aming munisipyo, which is the northernmost part of the province of Benguet. It is a little mindblowing na ganito po kalaki,” said Mankayan Mayor Atty. Frenzel Ayong.
Buguias Mayor Ruben Tinda-an also thanked PAGCOR for making such project possible. “I am very elated that at the start of the year, here comes the approval of PAGCOR sa ganitong kalaking project na makakatulong sa munisipyo namin. We wish to extend our full gratitude to PAGCOR including those who have facilitated this project.
According to PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Andrea Domingo, through its MPEC project, the state-run gaming firm stays committed to its mission of providing calamity-prone communities with safe evacuation shelters. “Despite the challenges in revenue generation due to the ongoing pandemic – and now the new surge in cases which will again have a huge impact on our economic activity, we still hold on to our promise of helping build safe structures for typhoon-prone communities. Our aim is not only to help save lives but also help build sustainable and safe communities,” she explained.
Launched in 2020, PAGCOR has now released a total of of P1.516 billion to kickstart the construction of 66 MPECs nationwide. The amount represents the first tranche or 50% of PAGCOR’s committed funding for the project.
Areas which already received MPEC funding from PAGCOR include the provinces of Benguet, Zambales, Batangas, Laguna, Quezon, Cavite, Cagayan, Pampanga, Albay, Camarines Sur and Norte, Mountain Province, Kalinga, Ilocos Sur, Zamboanga del Sur, Romblon, Capiz, Samar, Tarlac, Aurora, Bataan, Eastern and Southern Leyte, Pangasinan, Isabela, Catanduanes, Oriental and Occidental Mindoro, Isabela, and Caloocan.
Apart from the MPEC groundbreaking ceremonies in Mankayan and Buguias, PAGCOR also held the groundbreaking of two Barangay Hall Multi-Purpose complexes in Engineer’s Hill and Bayan Park Village in Baguio City on January 7, 2022. The P50 million cheque – with P25 million allocation per barangay complex – was already turned over to the Baguio City government in December 2021 to help rehabilitate the existing structures.
Engineer’s Hill Barangay Captain Amado Felizardo said the soon-to-be upgraded facility of the barangay will serve as a good venue for regular meetings, livelihood trainings, social activities, religious events, among others. #
NEWS
TikTok enhances safety, transparency for Filipino community with new initiatives
7:01 p.m. July 16, 2023
TikTok, the world’s leading short-form video platform, is taking further steps to ensure a safer and more transparent platform for its Filipino community. In response to the evolving digital landscape and the rise of AI-generated content (AIGC), these initiatives are designed to maintain a secure environment, uphold community guidelines, and ensure users can trust the content they encounter on the platform.
Strengthening Community Guidelines Enforcement
As part of its ongoing efforts to safeguard its community, TikTok recently published its Q1 2024 Community Guidelines Enforcement Report. During this period from January 1 to March 31, 2024, TikTok removed 4.26 million videos in the Philippines for violations of its Community Guidelines. Of these, 99.7% were removed proactively, and 95% were taken down within 24 hours.
To further enhance transparency, TikTok updated its Community Guidelines in April to provide clearer rules and introduce new features that help creators understand and comply with policies. Available in English and Filipino, these guidelines include detailed definitions and outline moderation practices for features like Search, LIVE, and the For You feed, ensuring policies are clear and accessible to all users.
Advancing AI-Generated Content Transparency
In response to the increasing prevalence of AI-generated content, TikTok has implemented new measures for transparency. Since May, TikTok has automatically labeled AI-generated content uploaded from specific platforms. This initiative is part of a collaboration with MediaWise, a program of the Poynter Institute, and the Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity (C2PA), making TikTok the first video-sharing platform to adopt C2PA’s Content Credentials technology. These labels aim to provide users with clear context about the nature of the content they consume.
Educating the Community with Media Literacy Tools
To support its community in navigating AI-generated content and combating misinformation, TikTok is launching new media literacy resources. Developed in collaboration with experts, these resources are integral to TikTok’s broader strategy to enhance user understanding and foster a more informed community. As part of this initiative, TikTok has partnered with MediaWise to release 12 educational videos throughout the year. These videos aim to teach universal media literacy skills and explain how TikTok’s AI-generated content labels can help contextualize content. This partnership underscores TikTok’s commitment to educating its community and fostering a more informed user base.
Expanding AIGC Labeling Through Partnerships
Building on its efforts to ensure content transparency, TikTok has extended its auto-labeling capabilities for AI-generated content created on other platforms. By integrating the ability to read Content Credentials from C2PA, TikTok automatically recognizes and labels AI-generated content, with plans to expand this to audio-only content soon.
In the coming months, TikTok plans to attach Content Credentials to its content, ensuring transparency even when content is downloaded, allowing users to utilize C2PA’s Verify tool to identify AI-generated content and understand its creation details.
Driving Industry-Wide Adoption
In its mission to promote industry-wide adoption of Content Credentials, TikTok has joined the Adobe-led Content Authenticity Initiative (CAI). As the first video-sharing platform to implement Content Credentials, TikTok is at the forefront of encouraging transparent content practices across the industry. The gradual increase in auto-labeled AI-generated content on TikTok is expected to grow as more platforms adopt this technology, fostering a more transparent digital landscape.
For You Feed and Creator Code of Conduct
To further enhance safety, TikTok has introduced new standards that will temporarily restrict accounts that repeatedly violate content standards. These accounts and their content will be harder to find in search, with creators being notified and given the option to appeal.
Additionally, TikTok published a Creator Code of Conduct outlining the standards expected from creators involved in TikTok programs, features, events, and campaigns. This code reinforces TikTok’s commitment to maintaining a safe and inclusive platform.
Through these measures, TikTok continues to focus on helping its community, especially creators, understand its rules and enforcement methods to ensure a safer experience for its users. By embracing continuous innovation and collaboration, TikTok strives to create a secure and inclusive space for creativity and connection.
NEWS
SM Prime, DTI empower MSMEs with 83 SM mall spaces, training, mentorship
9:15 p.m. July 12, 2024
Good news for Micro-, Small, and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMEs)! SM Prime Holdings (SM Prime) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) solidified a partnership through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing ceremony held on July 1 at the SM Prime Headquarters.
This collaboration empowers MSMEs with prime mall space in 83 SM Malls nationwide, aligning with the One Town, One Product (OTOP) Philippines program. Besides providing space, SM Prime offers MSMEs discounted booth rentals, training programs on product development, marketing, financial management, and mentorship opportunities with experienced business leaders.
NEWS
DTI National Food Fair celebrates local flavors at SM Megamall
8:26 p.m. July 11, 2024
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) successfully concluded the 10th National Food Fair at SM Megamall’s Megatrade Halls 1-3, held from July 3-7, 2024. This premier event showcased the rich flavors of the Philippines and empowered over 200 Micro-, Small, and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMEs).
Food enthusiasts enjoyed a bounty of fresh produce, regional specialties, and delectable treats from all corners of the country. Attendees had the opportunity to stock up on pantry staples, explore health-conscious options, and discover unique ingredients to elevate their cooking skills.
(L-R): Megatrade Hall’s Maite Quiogue, SM Supermalls’ Assistant Vice President for Operations Royston Cabunag, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Undersecretary for Micro-, Small, and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSME) Development Group Cristina Roque, Guest of Honor Winnie Chua-Go, SM Megamall Assistant Vice President for Operations Christian Mathay, SM Supermalls’ Vice President for Corporate Marketing Grace Magno, DTI-Bureau of Market Development, Promotions, and One Town, One Product (OTOP) Philippines Director Marievic Bonoan, and SM Megamall Assistant Mall Manager Isabella Manjon
(L-R): Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Undersecretary for Micro-, Small, and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSME) Development Group Cristina Roque, Guest of Honor Winnie Chua-Go, and DTI-Bureau of Market Development, Promotions, and One Town, One Product (OTOP) Philippines Director Marievic Bonoan
The 2024 Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Bagong Pilipinas National Food Fair brings together the best food and flavors from all 16 regions.
Fresh pomelos and other local fruits take center stage at the National Food Fair in Megatrade Hall.
A potential buyer gets ready to take home bottled Bicol Express and Laing at the 10th National Food Fair in SM Megamall.
Crispy, salty, and packed with nutrients —these water spinach chips are the perfect healthy snack.
Bottled honey and baked fruit crisps, all made with local ingredients.
Davao del Sur and Misamis Oriental’s chocolate products are crafted from premium cacao beans.
Quality golden salted eggs from Rizal.
A variety of coconut products from San Pablo, Laguna.
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TikTok enhances safety, transparency for Filipino community with new initiatives
