PLDT Enterprise honored with Geographical Region Award as Managed Services Partner of the Year at Cisco Partner Summit 2021

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PLDT Enterprise today announced that it is the recipient of a Cisco Partner Summit Geographical Region award for Managed Services Partner of the Year. Cisco announced the winners during its annual partner conference held digitally. 

Awarded to partners who rise to business challenges, the Cisco Partner Summit Global awards are designed to recognize superior business practices and reward best-in-class methodologies. Areas of consideration include innovative processes, architecture-led successes, strategic business outcome-focused programs, seizing new opportunities, and sales approaches.

“Cisco is proud to work together with leading partners to drive the digital transformation, creating powerful solutions and fresh approaches to meet the needs of our customers,” said Vicki Batka, Vice President, Asia Pacific, Japan and China, Partner Organization at Cisco. “It’s a privilege to recognize PLDT Enterprise with a Cisco Partner Summit Geo-Region award as the Managed Services Partner of the Year winner, further underscoring its outstanding accomplishments in the Asia Pacific, Japan and China region.”

Virtually present in the Cisco APJC award celebration were Jojo Gendrano, FVP & Head of PLDT and Smart Enterprise and Fay Ocampo, AVP and Head of Enterprise Strategic Partnerships and Alliances to represent the group and receive the award.

"It is our aspiration at PLDT Enterprise to become a trusted technology partner who can deliver real business valueand make a positive impact on our customers. Our strategic partnership with Cisco has enabled a multitude of enterprise customers in the country to transform digitally in the light of global pandemic. We are proud and glad of this award which is a strong testament of that aspiration," said Jojo Gendrano, FVP & Head of PLDT and Smart Enterprise.

Cisco Partner Summit Geographical Regional awards reflect the top-performing partners within specific technology markets across the geographical region. All award recipients are selected by a group of Cisco Global Partner Organization and regional executives.

Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide leader in technology that powers the Internet. Cisco inspires new possibilities by reimagining your applications, securing your enterprise, transforming your infrastructure, and empowering your teams for a global and inclusive future. 

For more information, visit pldtenterprise.com.

Maritime projects, initiatives support sea travel full passenger capacity under Alert Level 1

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With completed projects and ongoing initiatives in the maritime sector, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) is ready to support and address the 100% passenger capacity for sea travel as parts of the country are placed under Alert Level 1 effective on 01 March 2022, Transportation Secretary Art Tugade said.
According to Secretary Tugade, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) has completed port development projects nationwide, while the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) are continuing with initiatives to boost maritime operations.

“Mr. President, converting from Alert Level 2 to Alert Level 1, masasabi ko ‘ho sa mga nagawa na at gagawin pa namin handa na ‘ho ang Department of Transportation. We support the move to lower the alert level following the guidance and mandates of the IATF,” Secretary Tugade said during President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s Talk to the People on Monday.

Secretary Tugade said 13 completed port projects are ready for inauguration under Alert Level 1 to accommodate seaport passengers.

Some of the ports ready for inauguration are the Ports of Currimao in Ilocos Norte; Bulan in Sorsogon; Legazpi and Tabaco in Albay; Basiao in Capiz; Banago in Negros Occidental; Baybay and Palompon in Leyte; Ozamiz in Misamis Occidental; Sultan Naga Dimaporo in Lanao del Norte; Mati in Davao Oriential; and Dapitan and Sindangan in Zamboanga del Norte.

He added that two more priority projects are for completion this March: The Port of Batangas' new Passenger Terminal Building (PTB) will accommodate 3,616 passengers, while the Calapan Port's new PTB will have a 3,500-passenger capacity.

“Ang mga terminal na itinatayo natin, ang capacity hindi na sa one hundred one hundred, thousand thousand na. Merong 3,000, merong 4,000,” Secretary Tugade said.

Aside from addressing the increase in capacity, Secretary Tugade said the PPA and MARINA are also solving port operations concerns for a seamless movement of passengers and cargo, including those in the Port of Matnog.

“Ang queueing diyan ng mga buses, nagtatagal ‘ho iyan from 16 hours to two days, ngayon po because of the system that we have organized in the Maritime Sector kasama ang PPA, PCG, MARINA, LGU, DILG, ngayon ‘ho iyong queueing time is three to five hours na lang,” Secretary Tugade explained.

To further manage the port arrival of vessels, the MARINA will be issuing around 20 additional travel permits for roll-on/roll-off vessels to cater to the growing number of sea passengers under thr more relaxed Alert Level 1.

Meanwhile, Secretary Tugade said the arrival of first of two 97-meter long Multi-Role Response Vessels (MRRVs) from Japan will also bolster maritime patrols in the country’s borders.

According to Secretary Tugade, as an additional maritime asset, the PCG-acquired BRP Teresa Magbanua can conduct patrols for three weeks in the West Philippine Sea, in the Benham Rise, and in the southern part of Mindanao. The second PCG MRRV is set to arrive in May 2022.

The PCG workforce likewise saw a significant increase with the addition of at least 22,000 Coast Guard personnel and an additional 33,000 Auxiliary members, Secretary Tugade reported.

Part of PCG and PCGA's personnel will be realigned for the heightened visibility and patrolling at various transport hubs nationwide, Secretary Tugade said.

President Duterte lauds Briones for advancing PH education reforms

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President Rodrigo Roa Duterte lauded Education Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones for her ‘splendid work’ in advancing reforms in the basic education system of the country.

 

“Alam ko 'yung fervor mo sa edukasyon ng mga batang Pilipino and I have always relied on your wisdom to do what is next, kung anong gagawin. And so far, I said, that is splendid work done by you to further the cause of education,” President Duterte said during the “Talk To The People” briefing on February 29.

 

Pres. Duterte also acknowledged the Education Chief’s commitment to advance the education sector in the country and her genuine concern for Filipino learners.

 

“Hindi talaga rin ako nagkamali sa pagkuha sa’yo. I knew that you would be of great help – this is not to flatter you – to the education of the Filipino young people. And again, I thank you also for your dedication,” he added.

 

Secretary Briones expressed gratitude to the President for trusting her knowledge and expertise and supporting her decisions and vision for the Department.

 

“We are grateful to President Duterte for recognizing our efforts and work in DepEd. Your constant affirmations help us boost the morale of the whole Department from our top officials to our regional directors, school heads, and teachers on the ground,” she said.

 

During the briefing, Sec. Briones shared that one of her administration’s major contributions is strengthening regional offices by giving them the authority to decide based on their analysis of the actual situation and solve specific problems in their units.

 

“Isang malaking contribution ‘yan, the strengthening of the regional units because we have to decentralize dahil napakalaki ng Department of Education. The superintendents are empowered. That is our policy, and I think it’s a major contribution of the department that we have developed very strong regional units,” Briones noted.

 

Moreover, DepEd hopes to continue the blended learning approach and implement protocols for face-to-face classes as NCR and 38 other areas are put under the Alert Level 1 starting on March 1.

 

“This Friday, mag-usap ang Department of Health at saka ang DepEd para pag-usapan kung alin ang mga protocols na puwedeng i-relax kasi right now, 6,145 ang nag-qualify. Pero sa tingin namin, baka dadami pa ‘yan kasi Level 1 na tayo. Wala na tayong Level 3,” Briones said.

 

“Itong Alert Level 1, will be aligned to ‘yung sinasabi nating impending return to normalcy sa ating ekonomiya, sa ating society, dahil luluwag din ang mga requirements natin para sa edukasyon,” Sec. Briones added.