MiCab Welcomes New LTFRB Rules for Ride-Sharing Apps

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MiCab, the Cebu-based tech startup celebrated for its locally-developed and low cost taxi-hailing app for the riding public, welcomes the new guidelines on ride-sharing apps crafted by the Land Transport and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

“As more and more Filipinos use app-based services for commuting, the new LTFRB rules can help level the playing field in the industry and ultimately benefit commuters with better and safer app-based car hire services,” said miCab founder Eddie Ybañez.

For Ybañez, LTFRB’s setting of new regulations for online and mobile-based transport services goes a long way in providing more convenience and safety to public commuters.

“The LTFRB’s new rules make the Philippines the first country to establish guidelines in this brave new world of internet and mobile app-based solutions to public transportation. This is indeed a landmark ruling,” he said.

The LTFRB defines private vehicles for hire that use net or mobile apps for booking and dispatching as a “Premium Taxi.”

Under its new rules, premium taxi operators must have at least 20 units in his or her fleet. These vehicles must be brand-new at the time of franchise application, follow the color set by the agency, and have a maximum age of only 7 years.

Twitter Ads Now Available in over 200 Countries and Territories

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Twitter today expanded its self-service ads platform from 33 countries to over 200 countries and territories. Now, small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) from Honduras to Hong Kong can more effectively reach target audiences on Twitter in 15 languages. In addition, Twitter announced that there are now approximately 100,000 active advertisers on Twitter, including SMBs.

Asia Pacific is Twitter’s fastest growing region worldwide and the platform expansion provides additional support for SMBs in Hong Kong, India, Malaysia and Philippines. According to recent research from the Asian Development Bank, SMBs account for 98% of all enterprises in Asia.

"Small and medium-sized businesses face the most challenges and are least resourced to promote the good work they do," says Emily Huo, SMB lead for Asia Pacific at Twitter. "With the expansion of the Twitter self-service ads platform, we are excited to help SMBs level the playing field with digital advertising."

Since Twitter launched Twitter Ads for SMBs over two years ago, Twitter’s clients have talked about how they’ve used Twitter’s creative, measurement, and targeting tools to drive website clicks or conversions, leads, and app installs or re-engagements. And, with objective-based campaigns, reports, and pricing and other tools available on Twitter’s global marketplace, it’s easier than ever for SMBs to drive results on Twitter while only paying for the actions that align with marketing objectives.

This September on Discovery Science

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The many wonders of the world will rule on Discovery Science this month.

A broad-based new science series explores our own planet with the same sense of awe and wonder normally reserved for alien worlds. Secrets of the Earth shows you Earth as you have never seen it before. High-end computer graphics, fun visual analogies and a recurring cast of dynamic experts combine to bring a stunning new perspective to the world you think you know. Catch the Secrets of The Earth in its new season premiering September 4, airing Fridays at 9:50 PM.

Have you ever wondered how things are made? You are not alone. From car tires to eye shadows, find out how many of the everyday objects we use become the things they are. Discovery Science will show you How It’s Made, with the new season premiering on September 5, airing Saturdays at 8:10 pm.

Brand-new series Outrageous Acts of Psych features unsuspecting people on the street, in offices, restaurants and public places unwittingly taking part in hilarious hidden-camera stunts that look like practical jokes but are really social science experiments. The resulting scenarios are analyzed by a rotating cast of experts who help us understand why we humans behave in the funny ways we do. Catch Outrageous Acts of Psych premiering September 21, airing Mondays at 9 pm.