March 17, 2023 9:00 p.m.

STUDENTS won’t have to worry paying their loans during times of calamities and emergencies, as Quezon City first district Congressman Juan Carlos “Arjo” Atayde has introduced a moratorium on the payment of student loans administered by higher educational institutions (HEIs).

The House Bill 7279, which Atayde filed last Feb. 21, headed into its first reading six days later in the Committee on Higher and Technical Education, chaired by Baguio City Rep. Mark O. Go.

He said the bill — once it turns to a law — will halt the payment of all the fees, charges, and costs relating to student loans and technical-vocational training institutions (TVIs) or by the Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UNIFAST) during emergencies.

It will cover all students residing in areas declared to be under a state of calamity or emergency — those who are enrolled in state universities and colleges (SUCs), local universities and colleges (LUCs), private HEIs, and public and private TVIs.

“We have to find a way to help our students and their families, when natural or even these man-made calamities hit them hard. We just have to make everything easy for them including a moratorium on the payment of student loans,” Atayde said. “It is a burden on a student and their family especially in difficult times like aftermath of typhoon, fire and earthquakes, among other disasters.”

“In the order of spending, student loans will be their least priority since spending will go mostly to basic necessities for survival,” Atayde added.

The moratorium shall be effective for the duration of the state of calamity or emergency and for 30 days after its lifting. No penalties shall be collected on the deferred payments.

“To provide adequate relief and protection to our students in times of calamities and emergencies, this measure shall allow the deferral of student loan collections for a reasonable period during and after the onset of disasters.”

The Quezon City lawmaker cited also the availability of the moratorium, which shall not adversely affect the status of the students concerned with regard to their eligibility for re-enrollment on the succeeding semesters or terms, or their eligibility for graduation.

“The proposed legislation doesn’t prevent public and private HEIs from implementing more favorable forms of payment relief or assistance to students affected by disasters, prohibiting students from voluntarily waiving the moratorium on student loan payments, or availing subsidies and assistance from the government,” Atayde concluded.

March 8, 2023, 8:30 p.m.

Ladies, take center stage as SM celebrates Women Power throughout the month of March. Lots of activities both online and on-ground are in store to empower women and girls all over the country. 

Join the Future of Women Global Summit

SM Supermalls will be joining UN Women in kicking off the IWD 2023 celebration through a women’s summit on March 8, at the SM Aura Premier Samsung Hall. Focusing on the future of women in ICT, the two-part event will gather young women, country leaders, policy makers, and advocates together to share perspectives and affirm their commitment to supporting digital equality for women and girls. 

Photo courtesy of SM City Lucena

Photo courtesy of SM City San Jose del Monte

Support your local Womenpreneurs

Great finds for ladies are on sale at the SM Womenpreneur Market! This pop-up of small and medium businesses owned by women for women will give you everything you need from food and beauty to wellness and fashion! 

Wednesdays are for women!

Shopping on Wednesdays has become even more tempting because the Women’s Wednesday Sale is back! Achieve the glow-up you deserve with special discounts, deals, and promos on fashion, beauty, and fitness exclusively for women every Wednesday of March. So don’t hold back on your shopping; you deserve all these and more!

A beautiful treat of wellness all for you

Forda glow-up and pampering sesh tayo this month because lots of self-care deals are available at the Women’s Wellness Sale. Avail of great deals from wellness salons on facials, hair and body treatments, nail care, and massage from March 1 to March 31.

And more deals online!

Special deals are up for women via the SM Malls Online app. Get the best brand offerings every Wednesday from shoes and beauty and wellness to home and hobbies. Use the code WOMEN and get an extra 10% off, capped at 250. What’s great is that there’s no minimum purchase required! 

Also, a collection of brand vouchers will be sent to all women SM Malls Online shoppers valid all month. Wait for your Beauty Pass and give yourself the retail therapy you deserve with tons of discounts, GWP deals, samplers, in-store pick up bonuses, and mystery boxes!

Plus, the SM Malls Online app will be hosting self-care sessions online. Follow SM Supermalls on social media to get a dose of starter packages, Get-Ready-With-Me routines, and beauty products that your favorite beauty experts swear by.

Photo courtesy of SM City East Ortigas

Photo courtesy of SM City Manila

Celebrate Women Power on IG!

Capture the beauty and power of women at the beautiful spots and installations all over SM. Be free to express your own uniqueness and creativity in the specially-designed selfie spaces in partnership with Selfie Studio. Don’t forget to tag us on IG!

We don’t know about you but exciting days await every SM woman. So be bolder, braver, and more confident! With these activities, you can confidently step forward in fashion, beauty, wellness, and express yourselves to make a positive impact.

Stay updated on all things women this IWD 2023 by visiting www.smsupermalls.com and following @smsupermalls on social media. 

March 1, 2023 3:53 p.m.

Mobile leader Globe continues to support the SIM registration assistance initiative of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), setting up booths in 46 areas across the country from February 28 to March 4, 2023.

Globe encourages those who are yet to comply with the government mandate to visit these locations near them.  The schedule is as follows:

LUZON

Ifugao

●       February 28 – Lagawe (Municipal Compac)

●       March 1 – Banaue (Municipal Gym)

●       March 2 – Asipulo (Municipal Gym)

●       March 3 – Kiangan (Municipal Gym)

La Union

●       February 28 – Baguilin

●       March 1 – San Gabriel

●       March 2 – Tubao

●       March 3 – Balaoan

Cagayan

●       March 2 – Sta. Ana (Municipal Gym)

●       March 2 – Buguey (Municipal Gym)

●       March 3 – Gonzaga (People’s Gym)

●       March 3 – Aparri (Municipal Gym)

Zambales

●       March 2 – Iba (Barangay Amungan Covered Court)

●       Marso 3 – Candelaria (Municipal Covered Court)

Quezon

●       February 28 – Mulanay (Municipal Covered Court)

●       March 1 – Catanuan (Municipal Covered Court)

Palawan

●       March 1 – Puerto Princesa City (Napsan Barangay Hall)

●       March 2 – Puerto Princesa City (Sabang Wharf)

VISAYAS

Capiz

●       March 1 – Maayon (Civic Center)

●       March 2 – President Roxas (Civic Center)

●       March 3 – Panay (Civic Center)

Negros Occidental

●       March 1 – Bacolod City (DICT)

Negros Oriental

●       March 3 – Siaton (Barangay Sumaliring)

●       March 4 – Bayawan (Barangay Suba Covered Court)

Cebu

●       March 2 – Daanbantayan (Municipal Covered Court)

●       March 3 – Sogod (Municipal Covered Court)

Biliran

●       March 1 – Cabucgayan (Municipal Gym)

●       March 1 – Biliran (Municipal Gym)

●       March 2 – Almeria (Municipal Gym)

●       March 3 – Naval (Municipal Gym)

MINDANAO

Zamboanga del Sur

●       March 2 – San Pablo (Municipality)

●       March 3 – Zamboanga City (Barangay Vitali)

Zamboanga Del Norte

●       March 3 – Dapitan City (Barangay Covered Court)

Misamis Occidental

●       March 2 – Panaon (Municipal Tennis Court)

Misamis Oriental

●       March 2 – Kinoguitan (Barangay Poblacion Covered Court)

●       March 3 – Balingoan (Barangay Lapinig Covered Court)

Misamis Occidental

●       March 3 – Aloran (Municipal Gym, Barangay Poblacion)

Davao Del Sur

●       February 28 – Sta. Cruz (Old Municipal Gym)

●       March 2 – Hagonoy (Barangay Guihing Covered Court)

Sarangani

●       March 1 – Malungon (Municipal Gym)

●       March 2 – Glan (Municipal Gym)

●       March 2 – Alabel (Municipal Gym)

●       March 3 – Malandag (Municipal Gym)

Agusan Del Sur

●       March 2 – Prosperidad (Municipal Gym)

●       March 3 – San Francisco (Municipal Gym)

Surigao Del Sur

●       February 28 – Lingig (Municipal Gym)

Customers are requested to bring a phone with the SIM that they are registering together with the necessary information such as:

●       Full name

●       Date of birth

●       Sex

●       Address

●       Government ID with photo

“We remain committed to providing our customers with the best possible service. Whether they choose to register their SIM online or offline, we are here to support them every step of the way. We understand that some may face challenges with the registration process, particularly in remote areas, which is why we are providing on-ground assistance where it’s needed most. Our goal is to ensure that every customer can easily register their SIM and stay connected with their loved ones,” said Cleo Santos, Head of Globe’s Channel Management Group.

Globe supported earlier rounds of NTC-led SIM registration, deploying assistance desks in over 90 areas. Last week, it launched its own National SIM Registration Week (NSRW), rolling out assistance desks in over 500 locations across the country from February 20, 2023 onwards. 

The company’s online SIM registration platform, https://new.globe.com.ph/simreg,  and the GlobeOne app are also available 24/7 to make it more convenient for everyone to register their SIM cards. For postpaid subscribers, just text SIMREG to 8080 to confirm that details earlier submitted to Globe are updated.

All these efforts are part of Globe’s goal to reach out to all customers, especially senior citizens, disabled persons, pregnant women, users of basic phones, and those with no internet access so they can comply with the SIM Registration Act before the April 26, 2023 deadline.

The SIM Registration Act requires the registration of all SIMs as a major measure against the proliferation of criminal activity, including smishing and other mobile phone and online scams that have spread due to the anonymity allowed by the use of unregistered SIMs.

Globe urges all mobile users in the country to register their SIMs and support the campaign. For more information on the SIM registration process and how to register, visit https://www.globe.com.ph/register-sim-card.html.