Gatchalian warns Pinoys about new GCash scam ahead of SIM registration

by Ellson Quismorio

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has cautioned Filipinos on a recently discovered GCash scam ahead of the start of SIM card registration on Dec. 27. 

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian (Facebook)

Gatchalian cited a fraudulent email apparently coming from GCash Promotions advising recipients that their transactions have been restricted and to reinstate the said feature, recipients have to pre-register by simply clicking a link, a process that could potentially compromise their online security. This has been confirmed by the GCash Team as a scam.

SIM stands for subscriber identity module. It is used on mobile devices such as phones and tablets. 

“Ipinaglaban natin ang pagsasabatas ng SIM registration sa nakalipas na maraming taon dahil gusto nating protektahan ang mga gumagamit ng SIM laban sa panloloko ng cyber criminals (We fought for SIM registration enactment in past years because we want SIM users to be protected from cyber criminals),” Gatchalian said.

“Kailangan nating abisuhan ang ating mga kababayan na mag-ingat nang husto laban sa mga sari-saring pambibiktima ng mga kawatan (We need to warn our countrymen to be careful against these fraudsters’ various schemes),” he added.

GCash is a popular e-wallet maintained by one of the country’s major telecommunications companies. 

Starting Dec. 27 this year, SIM users need to register their SIMs within 180 days or six months, or else have their SIM cards deactivated from their respective service providers.

A co-author of Republic Act (RA) 11934, or the SIM Registration Act, Gatchalian also urged SIM users to register their respective SIMs as soon as possible, emphasizing that doing so would enable authorities to track criminal-minded individuals who take advantage of unsuspecting customers.

Gatchalian also said the law includes provisions that would ensure the protection of customers’ personal information.

“Identity theft is precisely one of the online schemes that we want to prevent relative to the enactment of the SIM registration law. The process for the disclosure of personal information is a rigid one that necessitates a court order,” he emphasized.

Gatchalian said SIM users need to make sure that they register only through a secure platform or website provided by their respective service providers. The process of registration requires the following information including full name, date of birth, gender, address, and valid government ID or similar documents with a photo, while business users must provide their business name, business address, and the full name of an authorized signatory.

Pinoys prioritize hygiene over food during emergencies

By Tiziana Celine Piatos, Manila Times

September 27, 2022

FILIPINOS are more likely to buy personal care and hygiene products than food during disasters or emergencies, a study showed.

A research on Filipino shopping habits conducted by Packworks Sari IQ and which it shared with The Manila Times on Monday showed that 18 percent of the sales of sari-sari or small convenience stores is made up of hair care products.

Laundry supplies were the second most popular items, with 16 percent of sales.

Other purchases, which include oral care, body care, beverages and canned goods, came in third with 15 percent.

Breakfast items like tea, coffee and creamer came in fourth with 14 percent.

Cooking necessities followed at 13 percent, oats and cereals at 13 percent, and pasta and noodles at 11 percent.

Packworks Sari IQ said the research covered purchases in sari-sari stores in areas affected by the earthquake in Abra last June, the eruption of Taal Volcano in Batangas in March, and Typhoon "Odette" in Leyte in December 2021.

When the Abra earthquake struck, the volume of products in the hair care category spiked by more than 50 percent of sales during normal days.

During the Taal upheavals, sales of hair care products went up by more than 50 percent.

The purchasing priorities were different after Odette devastated Leyte. During that calamity, the sale of noodles and other cooking necessities soared by over 60 percent.

In normal times, hair care products come in last in terms of average consumer spending, second behind pasta and noodles at 15 percent.

"The Philippines is a regular target of natural disasters because of its location in the Pacific Ring of Fire. Residents at the epicenter opt to buy their immediate necessities from a nearby sari-sari store rather than go to big supermarkets," said Andres Montiel, Packworks' head of Data.

Montiel said it is highly helpful in tracking what items are considered as essential by consumers during natural disasters.

"This can be helpful in demand planning and product seasonality on the brand principal's end," he added.

Pinoys reduce spending, increase savings – study

By Mayvelin U. Caraballo, Manila Times

IN light of the anticipated slowdown of the economy, Filipinos have reduced their consumption and boosted their emergency savings, a research released on Tuesday by a global information and insights company, TransUnion, showed.

After a strong start to the year, the firm said respondents to its latest "Consumer Pulse Study" expect the Philippine economy to slow down and stop growing quarter on quarter.

"This is highly attributed to the election season affecting spending and investment of both the government and private sectors. Additionally, the local inflation rate increased to 5.4 percent in May due to the continuous global oil price hikes," it said.

Majority or 56 percent of the 1,005 respondents surveyed by TransUnion between May 26 and June 7 this year indicated they had saved more money for emergencies.

In addition, 43 percent of the respondents said they reduced their discretionary expenditure, such as going out to eat, while only 22 percent said they raised it.

Among generations, the company said, Gen X (those born from 1965-1979) and Baby Boomers (born 1944-1964) reported making the most cuts, at 49 and 47 percent, respectively.

Furthermore, it added, "the majority of Filipino consumers were looking to maintain this trend; 61 percent expected large purchase spending to decrease or stay the same."

The category with the highest reported spending rise, however, was bills and loans, where 48 percent of respondents see spending more over the same time period.

On the respondents' ability to pay bills, TransUnion said 46 percent said they could not pay at least one of their existing loans or payments in full.

Nearly half or 46 percent of the respondents plan to utilize money from savings to continue paying bills and loans for those who said they would be unable to pay at least one bill or debt.

Among all generations, Gen Z respondents reported favoring this strategy the most, with 49 percent doing so.

"Most Filipinos (96 percent) believe in the importance of having access to credit and lending products to achieve financial goals," the firm said.

Forty-three percent of respondents overall say they have adequate access to credit and loan options.

Study: Gen Zs need greater finance access

According to the study, Baby Boomers held the majority with 55 percent of the vote, followed by Millennials (born 1980-1994) and Gen Z with 44 and 41 percent, respectively.

Over half or 55 percent of all respondents, TransUnion said, intended to seek new credit or refinance existing credit during the next 12 months.

In a statement, Pia Arellano, president and chief executive officer of TransUnion Philippines, said while credit can stimulate economic growth, many consumers feel excluded or are denied credit because lenders are unable to assess their credit risk with sufficient accuracy.

The study found that 54 percent of customers thought their credit scores would rise if companies used data not present in a typical credit report, she added.

In order to give more Filipinos access to credit during these difficult times, Arellano pointed out, "this use of alternative data in credit scoring and decisions can significantly increase levels of financial inclusion across the country."

Over 250 Pinoys now out of Ukraine–DFA

 

Filipinos from Ukraine to arrive in Manila on Tuesday night, March 1, 2022. (Photo courtesy of the DFA)

by Betheena Unite, Manila Bulletin

More than 250 Filipinos in Ukraine are now out of danger, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Thursday afternoon, March 10.

A total of 259 Filipinos have been taken out of Ukraine, DFA Undersecretary Sarah Lou Arriola said. Of this, 90 Filipinos were already repatriated while 169 nationals are in various safe borders near Ukraine.

Arriola said of the 169 Filipinos evacuated from the war-stricken country, 60 individuals are expected to arrive in Manila on Thursday.

 

Meanwhile, of the 90 Filipinos, who have already returned home, 55 are seafarers.

On Wednesday, March 9, a total of 29 seafarers arrived in the Philippines. They are the crew members of MV Global Aglaia, MV Joseph Schulte, and MV Star Helena.

According to DFA, they exited Ukraine to evacuate to Moldova with the assistance of the Philippine Honorary Consulate in Chisinau and the Philippine Embassy in Budapest. They then left for the Philippines from Bucharest, Romania.

The Foreign Affairs department expects more seafarers to arrive in the country in the next few days through its evacuation and repatriation programs.

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Sarah Lou Arriola disclosed on Wednesday that they are having a hard time evacuating seafarers, particularly those stranded at the Black Sea.

“Kami, medyo, problemado tayo dito sa (We are facing problems with evacuating) sea-based (workers). POEA (Philippine Overseas Employment Administration) is closely monitoring how many Filipinos are stranded sa kanilang (in their) vessels,” Arriola said.

She added that they could not leave their vessels due to the “heavy fighting” and they can only hunker down and take cover amid the intense firing. However, she assured that the government will keep working with Philippine embassies and consulates in the embattled country and its nearby territories to get them out of danger.

Why Pinoys are happy?

By Johannes L. Chua and Mae Lorraine Rafols Lorenzo, Manila Bulletin

SUNNY DISPOSITION — Filipinos are known for their ability to smile through their troubles, and to find something to laugh about even in trying times. (Kevin Tristan Espiritu)

If there’s one trait that the Filipinos are known for, aside from being hospitable, it’s our ability to be happy and stay positive no matter the circumstances. Whether we’re weathering strong typhoons or simply surviving the horrible Metro traffic – Filipinos still find a reason to smile.

Early this year, the Philippines was named the third happiest country in the world by Gallup International, scoring a “plus 84” which made us third after Colombia and Fiji, the leader.

Aside from the general sentiment, we also ranked fifth in the economic optimism index, which translated to 42 percent of Filipinos believing that 2018 will be a year of economic improvement for their household.

Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque Jr. in a statement can be remembered welcoming the results of the study, saying “we Filipinos are known as a happy, resilient people. We even manage to smile amid difficulties. It is therefore not surprising that we rank high in the global happiness index.”

Mid this year, the United Nations’ annual World Happiness Report showed that the Philippines ranked 71st among 156 countries included in their studies. The outcome was based on six key variables: Income, healthy life expectancy, social support, freedom, trust, and generosity. The report is a major survey of the state of global happiness, which ranks participating countries based on their “happiness levels.”

But what makes Filipinos truly happy? History shows that Pinoys generally attribute their happiness to two reasons: Food and faith.

“Food is very important to Filipinos. It’s ingrained in the Filipino psychology where having food on the table is equated to survival. Which is why it is very important for most households to ensure that their family gets to eat at least three times a day. To enjoy a meal five times a day is like the ultimate happiness, which makes Filipinos feel like they are being given a bonus,” said Dr. Shiela Marie Hocson, Far Eastern University Guidance and Counseling Director.

Hocson, who is also the president of the Philippine Guidance and Counseling Association, shared that a satisfied hunger brings out a general positivity among Filipinos which helps them establish a positive connection with the family and the community.

“This is also a big part of the reason why Filipinos are generally happy. We want to connect with our family, with society as a whole because we want to make sure that we have people to lean on to during difficult times. This trait makes us friendlier and open to people around us, which makes us better neighbors compared to other nationalities.”

Power of faith

Filipinos, who are mostly Catholics, can also attribute the general sense of happiness to their faith. In a way, challenges faced can be overcome as long as they have faith, with a higher power watching over one’s well-being, believing that all obstacles are tests of faith and overcoming it will be the ultimate reward.

A major testament of this belief are the various colorful town fiestas celebrated all over the country, where most celebrations happen after a long and difficult ordeal, while the positive results are rewards attributed to God.

For example, in Lucban, Quezon, their colorful town fiesta is a part of their culture and livelihood, connecting it to good fortune and reason for celebration.

“Lucban is famous for its colorful San Isidro Pahiyas (which means ‘to decorate’) Festival, the town’s festive way of giving thanks for a bountiful harvest. Lucban, like the rest of Quezon, is considered an agricultural town, blessed with rich soil thanks to 288 days of rain a year. Farmers would bring their produce in the church so they can be blessed by San Isidro Labrador, the patron saint of farmers. Through the years, the tradition has become so big that it was decided that instead of bringing the harvests in the church, they would just hold a parade for San Isidro and bless the houses of the farmers,” said Fr. Noel Cabungcal, parish priest of San Luis Obispo Church.

The Pahiyas Festival has become so big, and brought in so much joy to the town folks, that they decided to “spread” the happiness by showcasing the colorful event almost 365 days a year.

Though Filipinos are indeed a happy bunch, experts have also pointed out a reason that could dampen the air of positivity.

“Stress is a big factor that can affect the general happiness of Filipinos. Financial issues, in particular, is a major issue that can put a strain in relationships and our positive outlook in life,” said Hocson.

Despite the obstacles, Filipinos seem immune to whatever challenges life throws at them. There will always be a reason to smile, to be happy, and to face life head-on.

NAIA and Bus Terminals Jam-Packed as Pinoys Go Back to Work and School

Published January 4, 2016 8:28am

With the holiday season over, it's back to school and back to work for many Filipinos on Monday, a report on Unang Balita said.

Those who spent their vacation in provinces have flocked to bus terminals, while those who went to Manila for the holidays trooped to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport for flights back home.

In Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, bus trips were already fully booked on Monday, but this did not prevent people from hoping to be chance passengers.

Police were on the alert to provide security to passengers, the report said.

At terminals in Balanga City, Bataan, buses were full within five minutes due to the volume of people wanting to get a ride in time for the first day of work or school on Monday.

Meanwhile, at the Odiongan Port in Romblon, the queue was already long for tickets. Some passengers even camped out on Sunday night to be able to get in line first.

In Legazpi City, Albay, passengers who had their vacation in the city had difficulty getting tickets to Manila since the bus company does not accept reservations.

Passengers had no choice but wait in line.

The dispatchers however said there were enough buses going to Manila on Monday.

In Baguio, the situation was almost the same, with passengers coming in droves to get on buses going to Manila.

Bus companies had to field out more buses to accommodate all the passengers.

They also gave the assurance there were enough buses for those going back to Manila.

NAIA

Meanwhile, at NAIA, passengers themselves have already expected there will be more people at the airport on Monday.

Many of them were going back home to the provinces after spending the holidays in Manila.

Several passengers went to NAIA early enough for their domestic flights to avoid any inconvenience.

One balikbayan family was seen with their luggage wrapped in cling wrap, since they said they heard the news about the laglag-bala scam.

Authorities reminded passengers to be at NAIA at least two hours before their domestic flight, and three hours before their international flight to avoid any inconvenience. —KG, GMA News