How the Filipino Markets were affected by the Pandemic

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The close links between China and the Philippines meant that the latter was always at a high-risk of experiencing a significant Covid-19 outbreak, and this was borne out when the nation became the first to record a case outside the province of Wuhan.

To date, the Philippines has recorded a total of 17,724 cases and 950 deaths, and this should be considered something of a triumph given the challenges faced in flattening the curve of the outbreak and the exponential rise of the virus witnessed in regions such as Europe and now the US.

However, the Philippines has still seen a recent uptick in cases, while considerable damage has been done to the nation’s economy and lucrative tourism sector. In this post, we’ll explore the Philippines' fight against Covid further while asking how the tourism market is faring a little further down the line.

How Has Covid-19 Impacted on the Philippines?

In many ways, the success of fighting Covid-19 within ASEAN is relatively mixed, with many nations having recently seen a recurrence and sustained rise in new cases.

This grouping includes the Philippines, with these nations struggling to successfully curb the spread of the virus and subsequently ease social distancing measures in a way that can directly benefit the economy.

In the case of the Philippines, it’s also fair to surmise that the nation’s economy has been one of the hardest hit in the ASEAN region, thanks largely to its strong dependence on tourism and an influx of visitors from across the globe.

This sector of the economy also boomed noticeably in 2019, when the Philippines recorded a record number of international arrivals (8.2 million) who contributed a staggering $9.31 billion (or 482.15 billion Philippine pesos) in visitor receipts. This was up by 20.81% on 2018’s figures, and there’s no doubt that Covid-19 has impacted this markedly.

In total, Q1 tourism revenue in the Philippines dipped to 35% as a result of the outbreak, creating a huge socio-economic challenge within the region.


What’s Next for the Market?

Fortunately, the road to recovery has already begun, with the Philippines’ Department of Tourism (DoT) focusing its efforts on boosting the domestic market rather than inviting visitors from overseas.

The reason for this is simple; as it provides a responsible way of generating tourism revenues while easily maintaining social distancing measures, while respecting the fact that some nations (such as the UK) currently have international travel restrictions and quarantine measures in place at the border.

This approach has already helped the Philippine peso to rebound somewhat, with this currency now the best performing emerging market currency and one of only two within this grouping to outdo the US dollar.

According to Tickmill, most investors sought flight in the relative safe-haven of the greenback following the Covid-19 outbreak, but this trend is now beginning to reverse slightly in the form of the peso and the Hong Kong dollar.

Ultimately, we’ll have to see whether a return of domestic tourism delivers the requisite hit to the Philippines economy, but for now there’s no doubt that this marketplace is at least at the beginning of a potential recovery after a devastating first financial quarter.

Achieve Mastery in the Latest Networking Trends by Acing Cisco 200-901 Exam with Practice Tests from ExamSnap

Wazzup Pilipinas!


What's DevNet?

The days when networking fundamentally had a significant hardware component to it are dying away. Pioneers in this industry have come up with platforms that allow networks to be designed and maintained through programming. This fusion of the two fields, developing and networking, is what is known as Cisco DEVASC 200-901 Practice Test . Lots of globally recognized tech companies believe that this technology is going to be revolutionary, and hence the demand for professionals who certify for these skills is snowballing.

If you are a software developer looking to integrate your knowledge into network programmability or a network engineer hoping to learn more about automation, the Cisco DevNet Associate will be an ideal credential to pursue. So, in this article, we'll take you through the ins and outs of this certification and how you can pass its 200-901 exam in your first attempt!

Cisco and Its DevNet Associate Certification — What to Know?

Cisco is a company that has been in the IT arena since the 90s providing innovative networking solutions. Also, it has earned a reputation for delivering professionals skilled in network infrastructure and engineering. Like with its products, DEVASC 200-901 Practice Test constantly monitors changes in the industry and upgrades its certification program to make specialists familiar with IT trends.

One of the latest additions to its line of credentials is the DevNet technology path that covers various expertise levels, such as:

DevNet Associate

DevNet Specialist

DevNet Professional

DevNet Expert

If you have worked for 1-2 years in the field of application development or network infrastructure, then the DevNet Associate badge is a great place to start. Once you acquire this certification, it will be valid for three years. Then, you can earn some credits by completing various educational activities and re-certificate. Also, after gaining more experience in the industry, you can choose to acquire the advanced credentials and reach the CCIE equivalent status with the DevNet Expert, which is still under development and will be available shortly.

Still, if you start your DevNet journey from the associate level, you need to face 200-901 exam and pass it to get certified. Now, it's time to take a more in-depth look into the contents of this test!

Contents of 200-901 DEVASC

The most important thing to find out regarding any exam is what skills you’ll be assessed on. So, being the associate-level exam, 200-901 will test your knowledge in the following core areas:

Usage and interpretation of APIs

Design and development of software

Cisco products, such as Firepower, Amp, ICE, etc.

Deployment and security of applications

Network Automation and infrastructure

Network Fundamentals

Although you don't have to fulfill any pre-requisites when taking 200-901, you may benefit from having 1-2 years of experience in software development, including basic knowledge in Python and Linux.

Exam Details

The duration of 200-901 exam is 120 minutes, and you should be prepared to face questions of various formats such as multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blanks, etc. Upon completion, you will receive a score report that will include a quantitative assessment of your performance in each of the core areas listed above.

Considering quite a wide range of the topics you need to know when taking the test as well as its registration fee of $300 for every attempt, you’ll find it important to pass the exam on the first try. Here, adequate preparation plays the main role and below, you’ll find useful tips to increase your chances to succeed.

Tips and Advice for Adequate Preparation

To help you walk through the preparation process easier, we've compiled a set of tips and resources that get you all set to face 200-901 exam.

Be familiar with Python and Linux. Many courses for network automation do not cover these areas, but you'd thank yourself if you ensured knowledge in those areas is stable before the exam.

Get hands-on experiencethrough as many ways as possible. For instance, Sandbox is your go-to friend in this case. It is a development lab offered by Cisco that allows you to explore the features of all its major networking products such as IoT, cloud, security, and much more.

Join Cisco networking academy.Don't miss this facility from Cisco because it's one more impactful method of building practical skills in networking. You will receive automated performance-based feedback and gain knowledge from qualified instructors.

Use practice testsoffered by ExamSnap. It is a platform where you can find collections of real exam dumps shared with you by previous candidates and you can download them for free. Also, there are paid materials that have been reviewed and verified by IT experts. Thesebraindumpson this website are regularly updated, reflect on the most current status of the exam, and have an affordable price. For example, for $29.99, you can obtain the premium vce file with 103 questions and answers.

What’s So Special about vce Files?

If you are wondering what's the big deal about the vce files from ExamSnap, the reason is that these materials run through the Avanset VCE Player which replicates 200-901 test environment. It's the closest thing to what you will experience on the exam day. The simulation will help you familiarize yourself with the structure of the assessment and question formats within a short period. Most importantly, you’ll obtain reliable feedback on your current knowledge level and which areas you should improve on.

Conclusion

DevNet is a niche technology and an area that accompanies excellent prospects for the future. If you strive for developing as a professional, then the DevNet Associate certification by Cisco is a worthy investment. Remember, that your practical knowledge and confidence level ahead of the exam will contribute a lot to your score. So, don’t hesitate to use Cisco’s training options along with vce files by ExamSnapand this will bring out your A-game.

DOTr, LTFRB, MMDA conduct dry run and site inspection along EDSA in preparation for reopening of public transport on June 1

Wazzup Pilipinas?!

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) have partnered with the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) in the conduct of an operational dry run and site inspection along EDSA today, 30 May 2020, in preparation for the gradual resumption of mass public transport operations.

The site inspection aims to ensure readiness of the transport sector and other concerned agencies, following the decision of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to downgrade the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) being enforced in the National Capital Region to a general community quarantine (GCQ).

Transport officials, led by DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade, and various government agencies laid out their network plan and ironed out measures to be implemented along EDSA, which is expected to again accommodate volumes of motorists and commuters under a GCQ.

DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade said the new traffic scheme in EDSA, which will be done in two phases, is a historic move that will transform the usual severely-congested highway. The new scheme involves the creation of median bus lanes and rationalization of routes.

"Papasinayaan natin’ yung programa na kung saan babaguhin natin ‘yung disiplina, istraktura, at pamamaraan sa EDSA. Never na ginawa ito. Ngayong araw na ito ‘ho, gagawin natin. Sasabihin ko lang sa inyo, itong proyektong ito ay ang pinagbuklod-buklod na samahan ng MMDA, DPWH, DILG (Department of Interior and Local Government), at Kagawaran ng Transportasyon," Secretary Tugade pointed out.

“Ang pamaraan namin na ito ay gradual, calculated at partial, sa kadahilanang hindi pa kailangang biglaan ito ‘pagkat kailangan naming balansehin ang health at safety ng ating mga mamamayan,” the transportation chief added.

During the briefing, MMDA Chairman Danilo Lim and MMDA General Manager Jojo Garcia expressed their full support on the DOTr and LTFRB initiative and vowed to execute the traffic management plan.

“Ito po ang tinatawag nating "new EDSA." 'Yung atin pong public transportation like buses, sa left side po ‘yan. Bibigyan natin ng dedicated lane ‘yan. Approve-an po ni Chairman Lim at ng DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways). Para matanggal na po natin na nagi-stop-and-go ang mga bus sa kanan at nakikita naman natin during rush hour ang tao nasa kalsada lang, pumapara sa sasakyan, ginagamit ng tao. So in this scheme, eh imposible na po silang pumara kahit saan, kasi maglalagay po tayo ng dedicated stops – loading and unloading,” GM Garcia said.

The MMDA Chairman said they will also put up bike lanes along EDSA, as proposed by the DOTr, to complement the Department's "new normal" that promotes the use of non-motorized transport (NMT) as a measure to abate the COVID threat by maintaining  physical distancing, deliver substantial environmental and health benefits, and achieve efficient use of road space.

"Yung mga lanes natin sa EDSA, 3.2 meters ‘yan e. Pasok pa rin yan sa national standard. Babawasan natin nang konti ang mga ‘yan and makakapag-generate tayo ng mga 1.5 meters na additional lane. So eventually ‘yan ang gagawin nating bike lane. Right now, makakapagdedicate tayo ng maliit na lane para sa bisikleta," Chairman Lim said.

After inspecting the proposed bus stops at Estrella, Guadalupe, Ortigas, and Quezon Avenue for the new bus network plan, a simulation of MRT-3 operations was done.

During the activity, the inspection team witnessed the swift sanitation process, which will be done regularly in just around 5 minutes between the arrival and departure times of trains at every half-loop. This process of cleaning and disinfection was a proposal of Secretary Tugade that eyes to surpass Japan’s famous 7-minute process of cleaning their high-speed Shinkansen trains.

Other safety measures train passengers can expect on the MRT line are the conduct of social distancing at the train entry/exit points, queues, and seats; provision of foot baths; and body temperature checks.

At the end of the activities, DOTr officials, together with MMDA GM Jojo Garcia and Asec. Celine Pialago, held a virtual press conference led by Secretary Tugade at the LTFRB office in Quezon City.

During the virtual press conference, Secretary Tugade announced that on his order, the operating speed of MRT-3 trains has been increased from 30 to 40 kilometers per hour (kph) in some areas— targetting to achieve 60kph by December.

In addition, the number of MRT-3 trains has also been increased from 15 to 19, to further help accommodate the needs of the riding public, especially since the trains will be operating at a reduced capacity to observe physical distancing measures as part of measures to contain the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).