ePLDT Operations Center fortifies enterprise cybersecurity and IT management

Wazzup Pilipinas!


ePLDT, the industry-leading enabler of digital business solutions in the Philippines, introduces “eOC” or ePLDT Operations Center to further strengthen the cybersecurity of business operations and fortify the holistic IT management of enterprises today.

With the expertise of ePLDT’s existing Security Operations Center for cybersecurity, combined with its Managed Operations Center (MOC) for IT uptime management & monitoring, eOC ensures the IT resilience of companies and help them elevate efficiency.

Its expertise and global best practices for both cybersecurity and IT, adaptive platforms and knowledge bases, safeguarded by the Philippines’ leading data center operations, assures business owners who are obsessive-compulsive that its critical business operations are well taken care of.

Jovy Hernandez, ePLDT President & CEO and SVP & Head for PLDT and Smart Enterprise Business Groups says that “the group assures that enterprises are safeguarded because ePLDT is also obsessive-compulsive in providing only the best services for our customers. eOC will definitely address all these issues as it brings together all your needs in an affordable package designed especially for your business.”

With the shift to digital technology brought on by the global health crisis, there has been an increase need to heighten cybersecurity and protection for business owners, especially with remote work as the new normal. ePLDT Operations Center is able to provide these solutions, with globally-aligned practices and the country’s foremost subject-matter experts ensuring safeguards are in place and the complexities of businesses are simplified.

The Security Operations Center (SOCaas) monitors and analyzes cyber security incidents through a combination of the right expertise, processes, technology, and threat intelligence. SOCaaS provides 24x7 threat visibility, prevents false positives and allows faster detection, while its response option minimizes the damage caused by a cyber security incident and stops it from spreading.

ePLDT’s Managed Operations Center, on the other hand, gives business owners further peace of mind by proactively determining the status and relationships of critical IT infrastructure through its threshold-based and AI-led prevention. IT teams, and even non-technical leads, can also save precious time and regain their focus with on-demand performance reporting and expert recommendations of ePLDT professionals.

Beyond Proactive Monitoring, ePLDT’s Managed IT experts also perform Problem Management, Incident Resolution, Change Management, Vendor Management and Knowledge Management services. With customer-specific Service Level Agreements (SLAs), ePLDT can remotely operate and manage the performance and uptime of enterprises’ critical machines.

“This is in line with ePLDT’s goal of simplifying the complexities of IT for businesses,” according to Nico Alcoseba, VP & Head of ICT Business for PLDT Enterprise. “The complex business landscape requires sophisticated and customized solutions, and eOC combats issues related to security threats, downtime, and even costly investments.”

For more information on ePLDT Operations Center, visit https://www.epldt.com/eoperations/

When Should CBD Flower Strain Be Used?

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The legalization of CBD products happened last 2018; since then, it has been booming in the market as a more natural take on medication. News and excitement have spread quickly. Now, you probably are asking yourself, should I try one?

I understand you have your reasons why you want to try CBD products. It might be just out of curiosity, or you want to be "in" with the latest trend, or a friend recommended it, or your doctor said so, or you already are a marijuana user but would like to try a different kind, etc. Whatever your reason is, it is up to you! It would be best, though, if you were very careful. Let us check further.



What Is A CBD Flower Strain?

One of the popular Cannabidiol products is the CBD flower strain. It is like a healthier version of marijuana. They came from the same genetics but with different strains. CBD or Cannabidiol is extracted from a hemp plant, while it is THC or tetrahydrocannabinol extracted from marijuana. It’s healthier because CBD is non-psychoactive, which means it will not make you "high," unlike the THC, which is psychoactive (read more).

Cannabidiol may also be considered healthier because of the health benefits you could get from it compared to marijuana. Studies, experiments, and researches have resulted in findings of CBS's medical properties. However, there are doubts about it since it is said that there is not enough proof of its effects. Though, many people have testified, confirming that they have experienced the said medical benefits.

CBD flower strains are consumed in different ways. One could be inhalation of vapor. Others include using it as a tea, sprinkle it in your food, and even use it in your bath! Just sprinkle it in your tub full of water.



So When Should I Use CBD Flower Strain?

As mentioned above, we may have varied reasons for wanting to try Cannabidiol products, which is okay. However, we must have the right reasons to maximize its effect. Following are our suggestions:



When You Feel Anxious Or Depressed

Cannabidiol is known to work as an anti-depressant. It is known to help with anxiety and depression. It helps regulate our mood.

There was one review in 2015 where it said that CBD is an effective treatment for different types of anxiety disorders, including the following:

● Panic Disorder (PD)

● Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

● Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)

● Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

● Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)


There is also a recent 2020 study where the experiment was done on people experiencing anxiety disorders. The CBD treatment has improved their ability to perform daily functions and lessen their anxiety and depression symptoms.



When You Feel Exhausted

Cannabidiol will make you feel relaxed. It will also help you to have a good sleep. So this also works for those who are experiencing insomnia. Less fatigue too!



When You Are In Pain

One of the most popular effects of consuming CBD is its ability to relieve pain. Hemp plants have natural strains that are packed with Cannabidiol. This means that using it will help you reduce the pain that you are feeling.

It has anti-inflammatory properties that could help you avoid or lessen inflammation. Moreover, Cannabidiol is anti-arthritic. This works for almost any pain.


When You Have Cancer

There was research in 2010, where it showed the effectiveness of CBD in preclinical models of metastatic breast cancer. They say that Cannabidiol reduced the proliferation and invasion of breast cancer cells.

Moreover, a 2019 review focusing on pancreatic cancer where they saw that Cannabidiol helps slow down tumors' growth. It also reduces the invasion of tumors and induces the death of tumor cells.

It is also said to lessen the symptoms that you experience after chemotherapy. It may help you feel better.


When You Have A Neurological Disorder

Researches are resulting in Cannabidiol being useful in the reduction of migraine and seizures. It was also studied in preventing and alleviating epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), and Alzheimer's disease (AD).



When You Want To Stop Smoking Cigarette

Using CBD flower strain will help you stop smoking cigarettes. We all know the harmful effects of nicotine that is present in cigarette smoke. If you decide to quit but cannot do it right away, you may start using a substitute - use flower strains.

You get rid of the harmful nicotine, you benefit from Cannabidiol. You win!

Aside from the benefits of CBD mentioned above, others include:

● Anti-acne

● Reduces the risk of heart diseases

● Addiction management


These are only a few out of the many health benefits consuming Cannabidiol in flower strains can do. It is pure, so it has high CBD content, enough for you to feel its effects. Also, a flower strain may be inhaled through vaporization, so it reaches your bloodstream faster.

With the plethora of benefits, this substance contains, it's natural to suddenly have the need for it. However, it would be best to seek your doctor's take on the topic before making any hasty decisions.


Are There Side Effects?

This might be less of a topic because people don't talk much about this, for only a few. However, it is essential that you also check the side effects after knowing the benefits. It is for you to be aware of what might happen so that you will prepare. Following are the side effects of CBD:

● Possible tooth decay

● Dry mouth

● Vomiting

● Maybe in the long term, pulmonary disease

Is It Legal?

CBD's legality has long been questioned as it is a close relative of marijuana. However, to clear things up, President Trump, during his reign in 2018, signed the Farm Bill, which made growing hemp and producing Cannabidiol-infused products completely legal.

DOTr appeals to PMVICs: Lower your inspection fees, suspend collection of re-inspection fees for at least one year

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur P. Tugade has appealed to private vehicle inspections centers (PMVICs) to lower fees collected from private motorists for the inspection of their vehicles prior to registration with the Land Transportation Office (LTO), and to suspend their collection of fees for re-inspection for at least one year.

PMVICs collect P1800 for each vehicle that will undergo testing and another P900 should the vehicle fail the initial series of tests and will have to be re-tested.

In his appeal, Secretary Tugade said PMVICs should lower their fees to the same rates being offered by Private Emission Testing Centers (PETCs) which is around P500 to P800.

Secretary Tugade issued the appeal after learning of the sentiments of Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go to strike a balance between keeping the roads safe by disallowing not roadworthy vehicles from being registered with the LTO, and the financial difficulties being experienced by many vehicle owners at present due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“Ako ay umaapela at nakikiusap sa mga PMVIC owners— Ipakita at iparamdam ninyo ang pakikiisa ninyo sa administrasyong Duterte. Babaan ninyo ang inspection fee ninyo, i-lebel ninyo sa kasalukuyang singil ng mga PETC, at i-waive ninyo ang reinspection fee habang may pandemya. With this, we are not sacrificing the more stringent process of ensuring vehicles are checked for roadworthiness prior to registration. But we are also avoiding putting additional burdens on motorists,” said Secretary Tugade.

“Ang sabi ng palasyo, let us strike a balance between public safety and the needs of our countrymen, especially now that we are in a pandemic. Nakikiisa ako sa layuning ito ng ating pamahalaan. I will work for and with them to achieve this purpose,” Sec. Tugade added.

The concept of having a motor vehicle inspection system (MVIS) prior to a vehicle’s registration with the LTO has been around for the past forty (40) years.

It is only during the present Duterte Administration that the MVIS was made operational through the assistance and in cooperation with accredited PMVICs.

The need to have proper tests to evaluate the roadworthiness of vehicles prior to registration, was highlighted by the alarming rate of registered vehicles involved in road crash incidents. Prior to the operation of PMVICs, vehicles being registered at the LTO are merely inspected for compliance with the Clean Air Act through a smoke emission test done at PETCs.

According to the Metro Manila Accident Recording and Analysis System (MMARAS), in 2019, a total of 121,771 road crashes were recorded in Metro Manila. An average of 334 road crashes were also recorded daily. Of this, 372 people have died, while 20,466 were hurt.

In addition to a smoke emission check, vehicles being inspected at a PMVIC undergo an automated three (3) stage system that check for roadworthiness in 73 inspection points.

And unlike in the old vehicle inspection done by the LTO which is visual, the inspection of vehicles at a PMVIC is automated with limited human intervention. The testing equipment even require biometric access (fingerprint of the operator) to initialize operation.

Results of the testing done at a PMVIC are sent real time to the PMVIC’s local server and to the LTO’s IT system.

Corruption and tampering of results at a PMVIC is also reduced, if not removed, as the entire vehicle inspection process is fully documented with the use of closed circuit television cameras (CCTvs).