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Text hotline to help victims of child abuse
Manila Mayor Lito Atienza and Smart Communications has set
up a monitoring hotline for the protection of children who have been beaten,
maltreated or forced to work in inhumane conditions.
The text hotline 700MDSW or 700-6379 will give speedy
assistance to battered children. Tipsters simply have to type MDSW <space>
report and then send to 700-6379.
Citizens who have information on maltreated children are
encouraged to immediately relay this by sending a text message.
Identities of informants would not be revealed and the
MSDW would be treating reports with strict confidentiality to forestall
possible retaliation by child abusers.
Don't
invest in these companies - SEC
By Zinnia B. Dela Pena,
From The Philippine Star
June 23, 2005
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has warned the public
against investing in 53 companies that have yet to register their securities
with the corporate watchdog.
An SEC official, who requested not to be named, said the agency received a
lot of queries from various individuals with respect to the authority of
some corporations to solicit investments from the public.
These corporations are: Alabang Holdings Inc., Athon, Management and Trading
Corp., bicutan Holdings, Binondo Holdings, Calamba Holdings, Cavite
Holdings, Cielo Azul Holdings Corp., Diamond Star Management & Trading
Corp., Global Progress Management and Trading Corp., Great Allianz
Management & Trading Corp. Growth Management and Trading Corp., Highland
Management & Trading Corp., Jan-icor Holdings Corp., Jetcor Equity Co. Ltd.,
J.V. Tibayan Group Corp., Las Pinas Global Management and Trading Corp., Las
Pinas Global Management & Trading Corp., Las Pinas Holdings, Lucena
Holdings, Matcor Holdings Co. Ltd., Mindoro Holdings, Muntinlupa
International Management & Trading Corp., Musad Management & Trading Corp.,
Pamplona Holdings, Pangasinan Holdings, Pangasinan Star Management & Trading
Corp., Pangasinan Holdings, Pamplona Holdings, Pangasinan Star Management &
Trading Corp., San Pablo Holdings, Sta. Rosa Holdings, Sta. Rosa Management
& Trading Corp., Star Allianz Management & Trading Corp., Starboard
Holdings, SStarboard Management & Trading Corp., Starfund Management &
Trading Corp., Tagaytay Holdings, Tagaytay Management & Trading Corp., TG
Asset Management Corp., TMGC Holdings, TMGC International Holdings Co. Ltd.
, TMG International Trading Corp., TMGI Holdings, TG Investment Co. Inc.,
Tibayan Management Group International Holdmgs Co. Ltd., Tibayan Group
Investment Co. Inc., United Alpa Management & Trading Corp., Visayas
Holdings, Vismin International Management & Trading Corp.. Vismin Management
& Trading Corp., Wallstreet International Holdings Co. Ltd., Westar Holdings
and Westar Royalty Management & Trading Corp.
These entities, according to the SEC, are not registered issuers of
securities under the Securities Regulation Code and are, therefore, not
authorized by the commission to sell securities to the public or issue
investment certificates/contracts turns.
The SEC, along with other government agencies including the Department of
Trade and Industry, is stepping up the campaign against illegal investment
solicitation activities.
In view of the difficult economic conditions, thousands of investors,
including overseas Filipino workers and retirees, have been lured into
joining various investment schemes that promise instant and hefty gains in
just a short period of time. More often than not, these get-rich-quick
schemes turn out to be scams.
The SEC said the public should learn to invest wisely since the commission
does not have the capacity to oversee and regulate the entire investing
public.
The SEC said the public should also be wary of unexpected telephone calls,
letters or even personal visits from people who promise hefty investment
turns.
Prospective investors are encouraged to ask for a prospectus, financial
statement or other similar document before they even consider investing.
As the country's commodities and futures exchange remains closed, the SEC
has also warned the public against engaging in foreign currency trading
unless investors fully understand the mechanics or dangers of currency
trading.
The SEC has likewise asked the public to avoid seminars that promise high
returns with no explanation of risk, and that promise access to secret or
exclusive techniques for building wealth.
In particular, the commission said the public should be wary of schemes that
are based primarily on paying commissions for recruiting new participants
into the program, that promise sky-high returns in a short period of time,
and that offer home investment or employment opportunities.
In the classic pyramid scheme, participants make money mostly through
recruiting new members into the group. Usually, these involve selling some
product or service. The underlying goods and services, which vary from
vitamins to shoes, serve only to make the schemes' legitimate.
The SEC said all pyramid schemes collapse when they run out of people to get
money from.
The commission, however, pointed out that not all multi-level marketing
schemes are illegal as long as the earnings are related to an individual's
performance as a salesperson of the products or services being marketed.
Nevertheless, investors are still encouraged to check with the DTI before
getting involved in any multi-level marketing scheme.
The SEC has also warned the public against persons or companies that
represent themselves as being authorized by the SEC to accept investments or
manage other people's money. These people present their company's
certificate of incorporation just to show that they are legitimate
securities market professionals or what they do is legal, the SEC said.
Report a pothole
thru text
The Department of Public Works and Highways, tasked with
the building and maintenance of public roads and buildings, yesterday
launched its 2920 text hotline in a bid to reach out to the public
and become a more efficient agency.
Under the text hotline system, any one can send a
complaint via text messaging by typing "DPWH" followed by a space and the
message, and then sending it to 2920.
"This is a way for us to feel the pulse and get the active
participation of the public so we know what is really going on in the
field," said DPWH Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr.
The system was his way of taking advantage of the popular
appeal of text messaging to improve the department's performance, the DPWH
head added.
Complaints or comments would be acted upon, and public
works officials would be given a deadline to do so, said Ebdane.
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DILG ‘text-a-crime 117’
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)
and the Foundation for Crime Prevention has put up "Club 117"
that empowers ordinary citizens to report crimes, fires, accidents and other
emergencies via text or by calling the police hotline "117."
Each message to "Club 117" costs P2.50, with 70 percent of the fee going to
the telephone service provider and 30 percent going to 117 for service
charges.
Anyone could become a member of Club 117 by sending an SMS to
117. Those without mobile phones may join Club 117 by filling up forms which
they can download from the website www.fcp117.com.ph or by calling 889-5013.
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SSS online inquiry
We made a link to the
SSS Online Inquiry System to help SSS members check
on their SSS contributions, work history, and loan eligibility.
This member information also can be accessed by text messaging.
TUCP is tracking how this particular service is useful to members. We
need feedback from members for forwarding to SSS for SSS information and
proper action.
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RA 6713 or the "Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards
for Public Officials and Employees"
TUCP welcomes comments regarding the services of other government
agencies, particularly DOLE and its attached agencies.
The base law is RA 6713 or the "Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for
Public Officials and Employees". TUCP and its project partners started
piloting monitoring government agencies' compliance with this 1989 law in
the TUCP/Solidarity Center /USAID Solidarity for Justice Project in 1999,
years before the government adopted compliance with the law as a priority
program. TUCP is proud continuing the joint work with target government
agencies and LGUs on ways for them to improve compliance.
The law and its implementing rules require departments/ offices/agencies
to:
- Act promptly [within 15 days] on letters and requests from the public.
- Process documents and papers expeditiously.
- Act immediately on the public's transactions.
- Make documents accessible to the public.
- Develop and make available a service guide to the transacting public.
- Post in conspicuous places a workflow chart showing procedures or flow
of documents.
- Establish information systems on (1) policies, rules and procedures;
(2) work programs, projects, and performance targets; (3) all other
documents classified as public information.
- Act promptly [within 15 days] on written requests, petitions or
motions.
We are happy to have led the way and note that certain government
agencies have appreciated the need for good implementation and are now doing
what they are supposed to do. If the government agencies you are dealing
with still do not have these things [there are many], tell us. We will help
them comply with what is right.
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MMDA (traffic, garbage and smoke-belching)
TUCP monitors MMDA in its traffic,
garbage, and anti smoke-belching operations in line with its
commitment in the National Socio-Economic Summit.
Tired of traffic jams, uncollected garbage, or
smoke-belchers, call, fax, text, or email us. Tell us the details:
What is the problem (traffic buildup, traffic accident, etc.);
Where exactly (name of street/s, nearest landmark)
What time
Where exactly (name of street/s, nearest landmark)
What time
Plate number; street; type of vehicle; approximate time
Or text to
: Usok <space> plate number <space> street <space> type of
vehicle.
Quick action from MMDA has been observed in many cases.
We are waiting for MMDA to set up the computerized system for recording
complaints and tracking responses to complaints.
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Meralco Powertxt
gets you out of the dark
Meralco has a mobile phone texting service
dubbed "Meralco Powertxt."
With this info-text service, customers can inquire on
power interruption schedules, request information, give feedback, even
report illegal connections and electric pilferage.
Globe, Smart or Talk 'N Text subscribers simply key in
"Meralco" and send to 2366 to get the full menu of the list of available
services.
The following keywords can likewise be typed in and sent
to to directly avail of the infotext service:
"Mernews" for
current corporate news and issues regarding Meralco
"Merflash" for
up-to-the-minute power advisory during crisis and calamities
"Mertips<space><Type: Safety
of TV, Aircon, Fan, Light, Microwave, Iron, Stove>" for safety
and appliance energy saving tips.
"Merpayloc<space><Option: BC, Bnk
or Branch><space><City/Municipality>" for a listing of Meralco
payment options (i.e. Bayad Center (BC), banks or branches) and their
locations, and
"Mersked<space><City/Municipality>"
for the daily power maintenance schedule in the area you indicated.
The service can be availed of by typing
"Merboard<space><message>" and send to
Meralco's Call Center Customer Assistance Representatives (CA Reps) are
equipped and ready hours a day, 7 days a week to respond to the text
messages.
To facilitate the sending of specific message type to
Meralco, the following formats are recommended:
"merboard<space><SIN>(...or
registered name in bill, or complete address, extent of interruption if
house or whole street, name of person reporting, landline telephone number
and nearest landmark)>"
for unscheduled power interruption in you area, and
"merboard<space><complete address and landmark,
and if possible, name of violator/s>" to report power thieves.
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Choosy
taxi drivers face sanctions
Passengers can report abusive cab drivers to
the DOTC Action Center/Hotline 7890. If
using a cell phone, dial 027890.
During the Christmas season, some taxi drivers either
refuse to take passengers or charge them a fixed rate instead of using their
meters.
Transportation Secretary Leandro Mendoza yesterday said
these abusive taxi drivers will face sanctions such as cancellation of their
licenses and the operators' franchises.
Mendoza issued the warning after receiving reports that
many abusive taxi are contracting passengers.
"During the holiday season and ordinary days, we should
not take advantage of the influx of people who would be needing taxis,"
Mendoza said.
"Taxi drivers are mandated to plug down their taxi meters
and accommodate all passengers.
"They should do a service to our countrymen by not being
choosy and by not implementing the contracting system," he added.
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