Country’s top emergency response agencies hold summit to take public safety to next level

Wazzup Pilipinas!?


The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and its Emergency 911 National Office, together with their partners in emergency response, will discuss the future of the country’s public safety capabilities at a National Summit on Emergency at the EDSA Shangri-La Manila on August 14.

The DILG Secretary, the DOT secretary, the Chief PNP, the telcos, cloud service providers, the Red Cross and the provider of next generation advanced 911 services will be the key parties in this Summit that aims to revolutionize our emergency response system and put it at par with world 911 standards.

As the Philippines and its neighbors face 21st century challenges of climate change-worsened calamities, deadly viruses and daily threats to peace and order, the need for faster, smarter and more accurate emergency response is a must.

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) through Secretary Benjamin Abalos and its National E911 Office led by Executive Director Francis are meeting the challenge head-on with a National Summit on Emergency Response on August 14 at the EDSA Shangri-La Plaza Manila.

Among the key issues to be tackled at the Summit is the need for the country to revitalize its emergency response system, which is at the core of providing public safety to citizens, Executive Director Fajardo said.

“We are in an age where problems and risks have become more complex and we have to respond faster, smarter and more efficiently. We need to move with the times, recognize the role played by gadgets and modern communication platforms and invest in modern tools and services that weren’t there before. Now and in the future, our goal is to serve our communities and look out for the safety of citizens so we need new solutions to be responsive and relevant,” Fajardo added.

Topics to be tackled at the Summit are the modern perils faced by citizens in the age of AI, data analytics and automation and the importance of emergency management. Concerns about safety and survival in the light of disasters, cyberattacks, terrorism and daily incidents of crime, child abuse, violence against women and their children, accidents, thefts and health emergencies will be discussed.

The Summit will also take a closer look at the International Disaster Response Network and how it can help with safety, security and survival in the New Normal. The roles played by web services such as Amazon and Google in ensuring effective emergency response will be explained, as well as telcos’ duty to provide uninterrupted communication during emergencies will be emphasized.

Executive Director Fajardo has facilitated an arrangement where the Philippine National Police can get a feel of harnessing next generation, advanced 911 for its emergency response operations. It has requested NGA 911, the global innovator of the emergency calling technology and leader in next generation emergency communications worldwide, to allow the PNP to try out its state-of-the-art 911 call handling system that is used in the United States and Europe. It enhances emergency number services by creating a faster, more resilient system that allows digital information like voice, photos, videos and text messages to flow seamlessly from the public through the 911 network and onto first responders. PLDT will ensure that there is an available flow of communication during emergencies.

“By knowing and using the right tools and technologies, local governments can be better prepared and ready to respond to emergencies more efficiently. A fast, accurate and resilient emergency response system will minimize disruptions in citizens’ lives and give Filipinos the peace of mind they deserve. Investing in advanced technologies is a must if we are to improve our emergency preparedness and make our responses faster and more effective,” Fajardo said.

Government officials, representatives from the country’s emergency response agencies and service providers are expected to take part in the Summit.

The local emergency response landscape will be re-imagined with cutting edge technology in place and used on a wide scale at the Summit.

Comprehensive Guide and Capacity Building Program Announced to Combat Marine Plastic Pollution in ASEAN Cities

  

The Capacity Building Programme for Reducing Recycling-Related Marine Plastic Pollution in ASEAN Cities (CaRMPAC Project) will be officially launched on 16 August 2024 in Vientiane, Lao PDR. This significant regional initiative is designed to address the pressing issue of marine plastic pollution through targeted capacity building and implementation strategies. In conjunction with the launch, the outcomes of Phase 1 of the project have been published, including the Situation Assessment Reports and Technical Guidelines for six key ASEAN cities, which aimed at preventing plastic and resin pellet leakage from recycling facilities.

The Capacity Building Programme for Reducing Recycling-Related Marine Plastic Pollution in ASEAN Cities (CaRMPAC Project) will be officially launched on 16 August 2024 in Vientiane, Lao PDR. This significant regional initiative is designed to address the pressing issue of marine plastic pollution through targeted capacity building and implementation strategies. In conjunction with the launch, the outcomes of Phase 1 of the project have been published, including the Situation Assessment Reports and Technical Guidelines for six key ASEAN cities, which aimed at preventing plastic and resin pellet leakage from recycling facilities.

Publication of Situation Assessment and Technical Guidelines

Phase 1 of the CaRMPAC Project focused on a comprehensive situation assessment and the development of technical guidelines, which aimed at preventing plastic and resin pellet leakage from recycling facilities. This phase covered six key ASEAN cities: Pattaya, Nonthaburi, Hanoi, Iloilo, Manila, and Vientiane. The situation assessment revealed critical factors contributing to plastic leakage. That resulted in the creation of technical guidelines and manuals tailored to each city to improve recycling process and practices to prevent plastic leakage across both formal and informal sectors. The outcomes of Phase 1, including the Situation Assessment Reports and Technical Guidelines, have been published and are available for free access here.

Launching Phase 2: Capacity Building Programme

Following the successful completion of Phase 1, Phase 2 of the CaRMPAC Project aims to expand its reach to additional cities and countries, including Phnom Penh, Ho Chi Minh City, Bandung, Davao City, and others. Over the next 24 months, this phase will address the capacity gaps identified in Phase 1, with a particular focus on informal plastic recyclers and relevant city government regulators. The objective is to promote responsible recycling practices and sustainable plastic management through enhanced training, increased awareness, and improved regulatory support.

The CaRMPAC Project is being implemented by the Asian Institute of Technology’s Regional Resource Centre for Asia and the Pacific, with support from the Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris of ERIA and the ASEAN Secretariat.

About RKCMPD

The Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris (RKC-MPD) was established under the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) in 2019. The Knowledge Centre’s mission is to provide information and support to ASEAN+3 Member States, thereby helping them to improve the circularity of plastic and prevent leakage into marine environments.

This Press Release has also been published on VRITIMES

Asuene establishes a new company, Asuene Veritas, through the acquisition of a third-party verification business for GHG emissions and non-financial data, as its first M&A deal.

Asuene Inc. has completed an M&A deal for CoRocket Co, LTD., a third-party verification business for non-financial data. Along with acquiring personnel and resources, Asuene established a new company, Asuene Veritas Inc., on August 1, 2024. Asuene Veritas provides third-party verification for climate change and non-financial data, offering one-stop support from third-party assurance to verification during disclosure.

Background of the establishment of the new company "Asuene Veritas" and the business acquisition
"ASUENE" is the No.1 carbon accounting platform in Japan and Asia, and surpassed 9,000 number of customers. We provide "ASUENE", a carbon accounting platform to support companies in achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.

As we support companies with calculating CO2 emissions data and other non-financial information, we have recognized a growing demand for third-party verification and validation of data, as well as system functionalities to enhance third-party assurance and future audits. Starting from the fiscal year ending March 2027, large corporations with a market capitalization of over JPY 3 trillion are expected to be required to disclose information related to sustainability and climate change, making third-party verification and auditing of non-financial information an urgent issue.

To meet these customer needs, Asuene has been in discussions with CoRocket and have established a new company, "Asuene Veritas," utilizing their talented personnel and assets. From CoRocket, we have acquired highly specialized personnel from major audit firms (such as KPMG, KPMG AZSA and Deloitte Tohmatsu) and will deepen business partnerships in the future. With this, "Asuene Veritas" will be able to provide third-party verification services for non-financial data, as well as a wide range of climate change advisory services, including support for CSRD compliance.

"Asuene Veritas" will strengthen its service capabilities for both existing and new customers of "ASUENE," aiming to expand third-party verification and assurance in the non-financial domain and grow its advisory business.

About Asuene Veritas

Asuene Veritas specializes in providing third-party assurance and verification services for climate change and non-financial data. The company also offers advisory services related to decarbonization and climate change measures, as well as support for system functionality development. By providing third-party assurance and verification of non-financial information, which many large enterprises seek, Asuene Veritas helps efficiently support decarbonization efforts across the Asuene Group in a one-stop decarbonization solution. Furthermore, by enhancing the third-party assurance, verification, and audit functions of the carbon accounting platform "ASUENE," the company aims to streamline the processes from CO2 emissions calculation to disclosure, reducing the burden of verification and auditing for businesses.

Comments from CoRocket and Asuene Representatives 

Representative Toru Shiotsuki, CoRocket Co., Ltd
We are pleased to announce our collaboration with Asuene Inc., a leading company in visualizing CO2 emissions and providing systems for disclosing non-financial information. In modern corporate management, non-financial information has become as important as financial information. As a certified public accountant who has long supported and assured corporate financial disclosures, I recognize the growing importance of third-party assurance for non-financial information. With this understanding, we are establishing Asuene Veritas Inc. As a group company of Asuene Inc., which is closest to the creation of non-financial information, we will support companies' sustainability initiatives and build trust with society by providing transparent and reliable third-party assurance of non-financial information.

Co-Founder&CEO Kohei Nishiwada, Asuene Inc.
We are honored to announce the acquisition of CoRocket Inc. and the establishment of our new company, Asuene Veritas. This milestone allows us to enhance ASUENE’s one-stop decarbonization solutions by providing more accurate and reliable data. Our role will be to offer third-party assurance for globally significant GHG and non-financial data. Furthermore, we have formed a strong business alliance with CoRocket Inc. and Mr. Shiotsuki, and together we will challenge new industrial transformations based on the integration of non-financial and financial data.

Asuene Veritas Company Profile
Company name: Asuene Veritas Inc.
Representatives: Chairman Kohei Nishiwada, CEO Masayuki Kobayashi
Date of establishment: August 1, 2024
Shareholder: Asuene Inc. (100%)
Capital: 70 million yen
URL：https://veritas.earthene.com/

About Asuene APAC Pte. Ltd.
Asuene Company Profile
Asuene Inc. is a leading Climate Tech company in Japan with the mission of ”Making a better world for next generations”. We provide "ASUENE", a carbon accounting platform to measure, report and reduce carbon emissions of companies and we contribute to the net zero society.

Company name: Asuene Inc. Representative: Co-Founder&CEO Kohei Nishiwada Date of establishment: October, 2019 Headquarters: WeWork, KDX Toranomon 1Chome Building 4F, 1-10-5 Toranomon, Minato-Ku URL: https://earthene.com/apac

This press release has also been published on VRITIMES