PIA - Caraga Regional Office: 2023-01-22

Saturday, January 28, 2023

NTC launches Nationwide SIM registration in Tagbina as pilot area for Caraga

By Nida Grace P. Barcena

TAGBINA, Surigao del Sur -- The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) successfully facilitated the Nationwide Launch of the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Registration in Remote Areas in which the municipality of Tagbina is the pilot area in Caraga Region, held at the Municipal Gymnasium of Tagbina, Surigao del Sur on January 27, 2023.

NTC Caraga Regional Director Ferdinand Mortera revealed that the Nationwide Launch of the SIM Registration in Remote Areas was scheduled from January 25 to 27. He further elaborated that the primary purpose of the law is to mandate all public telecommunications entities (PTEs) to require the registration of SIM cards prior to their sale and activation.

Mortera shared that they expected some 300-500 individuals from the different barangays of Tagbina and nearby municipalities who would be registering their SIM cards through the help of the PTEs such as Globe Telecom, Smart Communications, and DITO Telecom.

During the activity, the personnel from the NTC Caraga and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Caraga briefed the registrants on the salient features of the Republic Act No. 11934 or the SIM Registration Act.

They highlighted the importance of having the end users' SIM cards registered to prevent the incidence of fraud and scams, and the corresponding penalties stipulated in the said law.

The NTC also distributed information, education, and communication (IEC) materials for participants to read and understand during the event.

The local government unit of Tagbina, Surigao del Sur headed by Mayor Glaiza Jane Polizon-Lanete, on the other hand, extended full support, as the municipality was chosen to host the event.

Rhodora Millan of P3 San Jose, Barangay Poblacion, Tagbina, Surigao del Sur was delighted to experience a fast, convenient and successful SIM registration after several failed attempts from the websites/links of the different telcos. She appreciated the initiative of the NTC for helping her fellow Tagbinanhons complete their SIM card registration.

Millan is optimistic that any complaint due to fraudulent calls and texts from scammers will be addressed and can be identified easily.

Due to unstable internet connection, Wilfredo Pandeling, a resident of P-5 Barangay Maglambing, Tagbina, Surigao del Sur, benefitted from the government assistance rendered as he lined up early on the day of the registration. "Sa akong nasayran importante nga marehistro ang SIM nga atong ginagamit aron dili kini mablock o madeactivate human sa deadline karong April 26, 2023. Importante usab nga marehistro aron dili kita dali mabiktima sa mga pagpangilad pinaagi sa pagtext ug tawag sa atong mga cellphone numbers (It is important to have our SIM registered on or before the deadline on April 26, 2023 as the NTC will automatically deactivate all unregistered SIMs. Apart from that, it is important that we will not become victims of scams)," he said.

As the communication arm of the government, the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga headed by Regional Director Venus L. Garcia, and its Surigao del Sur Provincial Information Center strongly support the initiatives of the NTC and the Department of Information and Communications Technology in the feasible implementation of the law.

Meanwhile, the activity conducted was a collective effort of the following government offices and agencies namely: NTC, National Privacy Commission (NPC), DICT, Department of Education (Deped), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philip Army (AFP-PA), PIA and LGU-Tagbina to address the challenges in the implementation of the SIM Registration Act to remote areas in the country. (NGPB/PIA-Surigao del Sur)

Thursday, January 26, 2023

P17M Expansion building in Butuan Airport soon to open to public

BUTUAN CITY -- The expanded terminal building in Butuan Airport will open soon to the public, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) Caraga on Wednesday (January 11) confirmed.

The P17-million airport infrastructure will widen the airport capacity and house one more airbus, CAAP Caraga Area Manager Evangeline F. Daba said.

"We also have the newly expanded terminal building that can accommodate three airbuses. Currently, we have the old building, which can accommodate two airbuses already plus the additional one,” the official added.

This makes the total airport capacity to 180 passengers.

According to Daba, the expansion is part of the programs the Department of Transportation (DOTr) has implemented under then-President Rodrigo Duterte’s “Build, Build, Build” flagship program which also focused on modernizing airports and seaports all over the country.

An ocular inspection is slated this month before the turnover and soft opening. Airport management is yet to identify additional airport facilities that can fit into the 40-square-meter terminal building for added convenience to the flying public.

Butuan Airport first marked its modernization efforts with the inauguration of the Malasakit Hall in 2021, a one-stop-shop transient spot furnished with a clinic, childcare room, non-sectarian praying room, lounge, and food and souvenir stores.

Currently they are working on building a new control tower in partnership with the Local Government Unit of Butuan.

The modernization also came with heightened security measures, with more security personnel manning the airport, as well as tighter implementation of airport protocols. To the flying passengers, Daba quipped, “CAAP is to serve, to give comfort to the passenger. We are not also compromising the safety, we also have the security kaya I hope they understand the screening process and dapat maaga silang dumating. I hope the public will understand that.” (DMNR/PIA-Caraga)

Tuesday, January 24, 2023

US provides P118 million grant to support 5G deployment in the Philippines

BUTUAN CITY -- The United States government, through the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), is providing NOW Telecom Company, Inc. a Php 118 million ($2.15 million) grant to fund a feasibility study for the development of reliable and secure nationwide 5G mobile and broadband networks in the Philippines.

NOW Telecom has selected New Jersey-based Bell Labs Consulting, part of Bell Labs, the research arm of Nokia, to conduct the study.

The grant agreement was signed by NOW Telecom Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Mel Velasco Velarde and Nokia Bell Labs Managing Partner Stefan Wilhelm during the 10th U.S.-Philippines Bilateral Strategic Dialogue in Manila on January 20. United States Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink, U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson, and Philippines Department of Information and Communications (DICT) Undersecretary for Connectivity Angelo Nuestro witnessed the signing.

“This 5G grant demonstrates the U.S. commitment to developing quality digital infrastructure and increasing access to affordable connectivity in the Philippines,” Assistant Secretary Kritenbrink said.

For his part, DICT Undersecretary Nuestro said, “The open innovation platform that this partnership seeks to give will enable the broader Philippine society to take a leap towards a connected future. We welcome these opportunities that will improve the lives of Filipinos.”

Under the USTDA grant, the feasibility study will provide NOW Telecom with the necessary analysis, designs, and plans for the phased implementation of the project. It will also include the establishment of a 5G pilot network at multiple sites in Metro Manila to validate network performance, test 5G use cases, and provide data to inform larger scale deployment.

This project aims to support the digital transformation of the Philippines by helping to meet the growing demand for high-bandwidth, reliable, and secure digital services from households and industry in the Philippines.

The feasibility study grant furthers U.S. digital policy in line with the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, which aims to promote secure digital infrastructure in the region to bolster economic growth and facilitate open digital societies. (U. S. Embassy in the Philippines/PIA-Caraga)

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