PLDT and Cisco urge organizations to prioritize digital transformation

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PLDT Enterprise, the business arm of PLDT, and BOUNDLESS: Philippine Digital Convention 2022 (PH Digicon) highlighted emerging technologies and practices to help leaders and consumers adapt to the ever-changing business landscape during the panel discussion “Going Beyond the Future of Tech,” moderated by PLDT-Smart FVP and Group Head of Corporate Communications, Catherine Yap-Yang. The panel was joined by global tech leaders such as ePLDT President and CEO, Victor S. Genuino, Nokia Vice President and Head of Southeast Asia, Daniel Jaeger, and Cisco Head of AppDynamics, APJC, Simon Rizkallah.



ePLDT President and CEO, Victor S. Genuino on adapting to the ‘new normal’ for consumers and businesses

“With today’s ever changing business landscape, enterprises are seeing the need to adapt because consumers are changing the way they consume products and services: they want goods and services delivered in a convenient, timely, and secure manner,” explains Victor S. Genuino, ePLDT President and CEO. “Businesses are realizing that if they are to adapt to this new normal, their businesses have to transform as well.”

 

Cisco, the worldwide leader in technology, and one of this year’s keystone sponsors for PH Digicon 2022, shared insights on how the company embodies what it means to be boundless–in terms of always putting customers first and helping build a resilient and flexible enterprise as companies bounce back into their new normal.

“From Cisco’s perspective, the end user is always in mind,” says Simon Rizkallah, Head of AppDynamics, APJC, Cisco. “We also understand that digital transformation really occurs with the service provider. [And so, we congratulate] service providers like PLDT who have managed, during COVID, to live up to the level that customers were looking for and enable people to operate their businesses, for people to work from home, and for kids to continue their education through e-learning.”

Simon Rizkallah, Head of AppDynamics, APJC, Cisco talked about how digital transformation is a continuous evolution

Rizkallah goes on to explain that from a digital transformation perspective, it is still occurring, that it is a continuous task and evolution. Cisco also continues to take steps into adapting to this evolution, from insight and automation to sustainability in smart infrastructure, and data security.

“For us at Cisco, the Environmental, Social, and Governance requirement is top of mind. So, everything that’s going to come out from Cisco moving forward is going to be focused on power and how we can become greener for the environment,” Rizkallah shares. “Security is also top of mind for everyone. We’ve seen hacks across the globe and power utilities, so, [for us and service providers] how do we protect this critical infrastructure as it becomes digital?”

PH Digicon remains to be the Philippines’ most prestigious and one of the most sought-after digital thought leadership events in APAC that brings together global thought leaders and technology experts from across all industries.

For more information, visit https://pldtenterprise.com/.

Palarong Pambansa set for 2023 comeback, introduces Pre-National Qualifying Meet

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The Department of Education (DepEd) announced the conduct of the 2023 Palarong Pambansa from July 29 to August 5, 2023 in Marikina City, nearly three years since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic forced its cancellation.

The local government unit (LGU) of Marikina City, DepEd-National Capital Region (NCR) Office, and the Schools Division Office (SDO) of Marikina City are set to host this year’s edition of the scholastic multi-sport competition.

According to DepEd Memorandum No. 5, s. 2023 or the Conduct of the 2023 Palarong Pambansa, Division Meets and Regional Meets shall be conducted on February 6-10 and April 24-28, respectively, as recommended by the Palarong Pambansa Secretariat.

Moreover, an additional tier called the Pre-National Qualifying Meet will be introduced to lessen the number of delegations, shorten the duration of the event, and lower the expenses to be incurred—all without sacrificing the level of play.

As such, the said new level will only feature team sports such as baseball, basketball, football, futsal, sepak takraw, football, and volleyball.

Under the new tier, delegations will be clustered into four groups based on their geographical location. Cluster 1 is comprised of the Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, and Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR); Cluster 2 is CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, NCR, and Bicol Region; Cluster 3 is Western, Central, and Eastern Visayas and Zamboanga Peninsula Region; and Cluster 4 is Northern Mindanao, Davao, SOCCKSARGEN, CARAGA, and BARMM.

The top two regional delegations per cluster will then advance to the actual Palarong Pambansa event.

The modified competition format aims to prevent the disruption of classes and to observe minimum public health and safety protocols as stated in DepEd Order No. 34, s. 2022, and other relevant policies and guidelines issued.

Measurable sports such as athletics, swimming, and archery will adopt the qualifying distance, time, and points set by the Palarong Pambansa. Other sports that do not apply qualifying standards in the selection of athletes and are not identified as team sports will advance directly to the Palarong Pambansa culminating competitions.

Aside from student-athletes from the 17 DepEd regional athletic associations, Filipino athletes enrolled in recognized schools overseas will also be allowed to compete in individual sports under the banner of Philippine Schools Overseas (PSOs).

Meanwhile, a separate memorandum will soon be issued regarding the technical guidelines of all sports to be played, as provided in Section 27, Rule VI of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 10588 otherwise known as the Palarong Pambansa Act of 2013.

For more details on the 2023 edition of the Palarong Pambansa, please visit https://bit.ly/2023-palarong-pambansa.

DepEd vows to champion teachers' welfare, professional development

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Recognizing teachers' critical role in the education sector's success, the Department of Education (DepEd) affirmed its commitment to strengthening teachers' support and uplifting teaching quality in the country.

In her Basic Education Report 2023, Vice President and Secretary of Education Sara Z. Duterte recognized the zeal and passion of Filipino teachers, vowing to champion their welfare and professional development as part of her MATATAG: Bansang Makabata, Batang Makabansa agenda.

"Teachers are critical to the success of education. When they are supported, education quality improves," Vice President and Secretary Duterte said.

Duterte emphasized that the agency will remove the administrative task of teachers and will continuously advocate for additional benefits and address issues affecting their net-take-home pay.

"We will remove non-teaching tasks and provide administrative officers in schools. We will provide adequate manpower complement in schools, manage teachers' workload, and compensate teachers for unique school challenges," VP-Sec. Duterte said.

"We will continuously advocate for additional benefits for our teachers. We will work towards addressing issues affecting the net-take-home pay of teachers," she added.

The Education chief also said that the agency would implement a policy on the distribution of workload and payment for teaching overload.

DepEd will also request the Department of Budget and Management the expansion of the coverage of Special Hardship Allowances, and closely coordinate with the GSIS for an improved benefits package for all the personnel.

Furthermore, DepEd commits to elevating teaching approaches and standards by following the Philippine Professional Standards for Teachers (PPST) and capacitating them in utilizing and maximizing the benefits of digital and remote learning.

"We will continuously provide professional development programs, including graduate degree scholarship programs to teachers focusing on their learning area specialization and graduate certificate programs for nonmajors," VP-Sec. Duterte noted.

The Department will likewise fast-track the career progression policy and strictly implement the Merit Selection Policy to avoid any intervention in appointing personnel to vacant positions.

“We also recognize your sacrifices. We thank you for your sacrifices. Maraming salamat po sa inyong dedikasyon. Hindi po namin kayo pababayaan,” VP-Sec. Duterte ended.