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onenettvchannel · 5 months

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FLASH REPORT THIS MORNING: CNN Philippines bids farewell at the end of January 2024, after 9 years of Filipino News Broadcasting

(Written by Rhayniel Saldasal Calimpong and Miko Kubota / Freelanced News Writer & Presenter and K5 News Patrol #4 reporter of OneNETnews)

MANDALUYONG, NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION -- The highly regarded 'Cable News Network' station CNN Philippines (known locally as DZKB-TV 9 in Metro Manila), has announced its official TV news network closure last Monday morning after 9 years of delivering the latest news, public affairs and information in both English & Tagalog (furtherly combined dialect as Taglish). This unfortunate development not only affects the flagship station in Metro Manila but also has repercussions for its affiliated TV news stations across the country, such as DYKB-TV 8 in Bacolod, Negros Occidental and DYKC-TV 9 in Cebu City.

(SCREENGRAB COURTESY: Google Maps)

The news of CNN Philippines' closure was first reported by a news industry insider outlet 'Media Newser PH' on Thursday (January 25th, 2024 -- Manila local time). According to their exclusive report, the 9 Media Corporation (9MC) and Cable News Network (CNN) mutually agreed to terminate their licensing agreement under Warner Brothers Discovery [WBD] (formerly known as Turner Broadcasting System [TBS]). The decision was primarily driven by the staggering financial losses, surpassing PHP5B (or U$D88.6M). This unfortunate outcome marks the first-ever cessation of operations to go off-the-air for the esteemed CNN Philippines, leaving a void in the national news landscape. The one-and-only flagship local CNN station is based in Mandaluyong City.

(SCREENGRAB FB RECORDED LIVE VIDEO COURTESY: Headz Up! NegOr News via FB PHOTO / Translated in Tagalog dialect with a local headline: Negros Oriental Governor named 'Roel Ragay Degamo' laids to rest, following after a murderous mastermind with Arnulfo 'Arnie' Alipit Teves Jr.)

Over 300 employees including contractors and suppliers have been devastated. Countless journalists, from seasoned Senior and Chief Correspondents to dedicated local radio reporters affiliated with RPN's Radyo Ronda network, like Roy August Bustillo of DYGB-FM 91.7mhz's Power91FM Dumaguete (under Radio Mindanao Network [RMN]) and Headz Up! NegOr online news reporter, have also been affected nationwide. The closure has also impacted renowned the award-winning news anchors such as Pinky Pagaspas Webb and Rico Morales Hizon, whose contributions have been recognized and appreciated across the nation.

With the permanent cable operator shutdown of SkyCable looming just a month away on Tuesday late-night by February 27th, 2024 at 11:59pm, CNN PH has decided to cease all media platforms on January 31st, 2024. This decision was made public through a press release on social media and was further reinforced during a general assembly held on January 29th at 10am.

(SCREENGRAB COURTESY: YEOW via YT VIDEO & Ralf Rivas of Rappler via FB PHOTO)

In their statement: "A trusted source of news and information, CNN Philippines (under DZKB-TV 9) is accessible on Free-to-Air TV, Cable and Digital platforms. To our staff, we thank you for your commitment and dedication. To our partners, including CNN Worldwide and Warner Brothers Discovery (for Turner Broadcasting Corporation), we are greatful for your support. And to your viewers, our sincerest gratitude for your loyalty and trust over the past 9 years".

(PHOTO COURTESY: CNN Philippines via FB PHOTO)

Beyond its traditional news and information format, 'CNN PH' launched its own weekend programming block for kids and teens in the morning and afternoons on September 2018.

(FILE AMATEUR SCREENGRAB COURTESY: StarGumFan65 via YT VIDEO)

This initiative included the launch of "CNN Philippines Newsroom: Junior Edition", aimed at keeping the younger and teenage audience informed. Furthermore, CNN PH collaborated with Cartoon Network in the Asia-Pacific region to provide a sister children's programming segment block.

(From left to right, former Philippine president Rodrigo Roa Duterte and current president Ferdinand "Bongbong" Romualdez Marcos Jr.)

Interestingly, the last published news article before the closure shed light on a political controversy, with former Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (PRRD) threatening the current president named Ferdinand "Bongbong" Romualdez Marcos Jr. (PBBM), with removal from the presidental office due to a push for charter change. This contentious issue involved the House Speaker and the mass media radio firm of Philippine Collective Media Corporation (PCMC), led by Martin Gomez Romualdez. CNN PH's president Benjamin V. Ramos, acknowledged that the said financial losses incurred compelled the Filipino news company to halt its news production operations.

Looking ahead, the congressional broadcasting franchise of RPN can last up to 25 years by 2029, regardless of the various rebranding efforts preceding the news broadcasting establishment of CNN PH.

(FILE PHOTO COURTESY: Google Images)

This franchise, signed into law by former Philippine president named Gloria Macaraeg Macapagal Arroyo (GMA) in mid-February 2004, paves the way for RPN to potentially reclaim the reins of DZKB-TV 9 following its closure.

(SCREENGRAB COURTESY: Trendrod via The X Network PHOTO)

This transition could potentially usher in an era of top-notch entertainment and national sports programming, including beloved noontime show like "Eat Bulaga!" and "PBA Games" on weekends, with the possibility of expanding their offerings on weekday afternoons as demand dictates.

(PHOTO COURTESY: Google Images and CNN Philippines via FB PHOTO)

Since its inception in mid-March 2015, CNN PH has been a steadfast source of 24-hour English and Tagalog news channel for nearly a decade, undergoing a rebrand from 9TV to its current form, which may end up for privatization in the 2010s before switching into a news and information format.

(CONTRIBUTED LOCAL MEDIA PHOTOS via Facebook)

However, as the channel prepares to bid farewell on Wednesday (January 31st), it leaves behind a rich legacy with a biggest memories to tell the story to the world for the Filipino people. But the news on 'CNN Philippines' can no longer being trusted at the end of this news channel shutdown.

PHOTO COURTESY for REPRESENTATION: Winner Graphics via FB PHOTO BACKGROUND PROVIDED BY: Tegna

SOURCE: *https://medianewser.ph/cnn-philippines-is-shutting-down-after-9-years/ [Referenced News Article via Media Newser PH] *https://manilastandard.net/business/314410436/nine-media-owner-confirms-cnn-philippines-shutdown.html [Referenced News Article via the Manila Standard] *https://www.facebook.com/151429908253665/posts/880273678702614 [Referenced Classic Captioned FB PHOTO via Winner Graphics] *https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/01/26/24/sky-cable-broadcast-signing-off-february-26 [Referenced News Article via ABS-CBN News] *https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FudOCU9KB8M [Referenced YT VIDEO #1 via YEOW] *https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJhB6RSaf80 [Referenced YT VIDEO #2f via YEOW] *https://business.inquirer.net/442885/cnn-philippines-shutting-down-as-losses-exceed-p5b [Referenced News Article via the Philippine Daily Inquirer] *https://www.cnnphilippines.com/life/culture/2018/08/24/CNN-Philippines-Junior-Edition.html [Referenced News Article #1 via CNN Philippines] *https://www.facebook.com/1515763818663512/videos/220481978819159/ [Referenced Classic FB VIDEO via CNN Philippines] *https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcoR9TYMoOg [Referenced Amateur YT VIDEO via StarGumFan65] *https://www.facebook.com/1515763818663512/videos/1792432717538974/ [Referenced Classic FB LIVE VIDEO via CNN Philippines] *https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2024/1/29/marcos-duterte-charter-change-peoples-initiative.html [Referenced News Article #2 via CNN Philippines] *https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2024/1/29/cnn-philippines-cessation-of-operations.html [Referenced News Article #3f via CNN Philippines] *https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVciKS2cQ64 [Referenced YT VIDEO via CNN Philippines] *https://www.facebook.com/1515763818663512/posts/2916053485301198 [Referenced Captioned FB PHOTO via CNN Philippines] *https://www.facebook.com/100064562324642/posts/860207816141288 [Referenced Captioned FB PHOTO via Rappler] *https://www.facebook.com/1515763818663512/posts/1572090199697540 [Referenced Captioned Classic FB PHOTO via CNN Philippines] *https://www.facebook.com/100064957951102/posts/802743051900953 [Referenced FB Captioned Post via ABS-CBN News] *https://www.facebook.com/100064616655120/posts/794935702670311 [Referenced FB Captioned Post via The Philippine Star] *https://www.facebook.com/100064360824747/posts/820328623455824 [Referenced FB Captioned Article Post via One News] *https://www.adobomagazine.com/philippine-news/cabangon-chua-to-take-over-rpn9/ [Referenced FILE LOGO COURTESY via Adobo Magazine] *https://twitter.com/TrendrodPH/status/1743300174020329473 [Referenced FILE SCREENGRAB PHOTO via Trendrod] and *https://www.facebook.com/100072353059508/posts/400706565684442 [Referenced FB PHOTO via Infinitri Creatives]

-- OneNETnews Team

(SCREENGRAB COURTESY: Rhayniel Saldasal Calimpong / from left to right: CNN PH website and the examples deactivating all social medias connecting for CNN PH)

FINAL UPDATE (as of February 2nd, 2023 at 5:00am MNL): We are confirming that all the social medias connecting with CNN Philippines are now entirely and permanently taken down after January 31st, 2024. While the news website however ends with a big "404", or putting it simply into nothing. So we thank you for your absolute trust with the Philippines' best news source. CNN Philippines is now signing off.

#national news #mandaluyong #metro manila #NCR #national capital region #CNN Philippines #cable news network #CNN #fyp #awareness #newscast #OneNETnews

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unbiasedph · 2 years

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DepEd chief Duterte warns vs scammers targeting contractors, suppliers

MANILA, Philippines — The team of vice president Sara Duterte has warned the public of dubious individuals who present themselves to collect advance payments for the Department of Education, which Duterte will soon take lead. In a statement Wednesday, Liloan, Cebu Mayor Christina Frasco—spokesperson of Duterte—said their office received information that there are people identifying themselves as their representatives “to allegedly collect advance payments for projects—targeting contractors and suppliers of the organization.” Frasco stressed that Duterte will never designate anyone to discuss with contractors and suppliers to engage in corrupt activities. “Contractors, suppliers, and the general public are strongly urged to exercise prudence when dealing with individuals and/or groups claiming to represent the vice president-elect and incoming DepEd secretary,” she said. The team of Duterte then called on the public to report the suspicious activities to authorities. The vice-president elect has been designated as the incoming education chief, while Frasco herself has been designated as incoming tourism chief, but she continues to be Duterte’s spokesperson as of the moment. The education department is readying to implement 100% face-to-face classes in the coming school year. Outgoing Education Secretary Leonor Briones has said that the format of in-person classes may differ depending on the situation of the school and the assessment of the Department of Health. According to the DepEd chief, 34,238 public and private schools have been nominated to conduct limited in-person classes. Duterte is expected to address poor teaching and learning conditions, insufficient instructional facilities worsened by the pandemic, and a strong call to strengthen the inculcation of the country’s history, including Martial Law, among young learners. Source Read the full article

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rotworld · 5 years

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Day 12: Experimental

it’s hard to prevent disasters that you can’t name or understand.

->contains descriptions of corpses.

The world is steel and simple; the swirl of red emergency lights and the echoing drone of a siren with robotic instructions to evacuate calmly and safely. This facility’s complex system of backup generators can sustain power to the necessary wings and isolation chambers for up to a year. They told you that in orientation. Touted it as some kind of technological triumph, a state of the art failsafe.

“Sector 3 employees, please proceed to the illuminated exit route for safe extraction,” the automated system guide tells you, as it has told you over and over for the last two weeks. But you aren’t going anywhere.

You’re sitting cross-legged on the break room coffee table with slippers on, eating a protein bar and sipping coffee from a mug with the facility’s company logo emblazoned on the side. Chairs are overturned and a whiteboard has been dragged over to create a makeshift blanket fort out of several tablecloths and spare linens you scavenged from a hall closet, something to dampen the lights when you want to sleep.

To your left is the kitchen and pantry. If you ration carefully, the food could last a few months. You make trips weekly to scoop up as many cans and preservative-filled tins as your arms can carry and then scurry back, just in case. There’s an unsecured air vent in the corner and you know it’s only a matter of time until she finds it.

To your right is an archaic records room with binders and manila folders and a maze of cabinets. You skim old documents sometimes when you’re really bored, tracing the coffee ring stains with your fingers. You reorganize piles of loose papers since nobody else ever will again.

And right in front of you, separated only by chemically-enhanced safety glass, is her. Smiling. Hair tied in a messy bun and chaotically patterned socks peeking out of running shoes. Still wearing a labcoat with the ID badge clipped to the pocket. Melanie Taylor, it says. Her bloody index finger squeaks over the glass and she draws you a red, oozing smiley-face. “Good morning!” she greets in cheerful sing-song. “What a night, huh? All the guys from biotech are still hungover!”

All the guys from biotech are dead. Their bodies litter the hallways of the west wing where they are scattered and smeared over the floors, the walls, the ceiling. They’re stringy, picked over, meat plucked off the bone, soft tissue mangled and missing in jagged patches like something took big bites out of them.

The stench in the airtight halls is putrid. You’ve only been through there once, a few weeks ago when you realized the air vent to your office was groaning with the strain of something trying to squeeze through it, making a run for it through the facility in search of somewhere safer to hide.

“Hey, you got the coffee machine running!” Melanie says excitedly. “I thought for sure that thing was busted. Mind if I grab some?”

You don’t look at Melanie. You look past her, out at the ruin of the facility beyond the wall of safety glass. The blood dried in splatters and streaks to the white tile floor. Red on white coats, and black kevlar, the unmoving hands and unblinking eyes of your former coworkers, superiors, the private security contractors hired to watch the doors. You didn’t actually see any of them die. You just remember the chaos, people stumbling around in confusion while the alarms went off.

Some kind of biohazardous leak, somebody told you, halfway across the research campus in a refrigeration unit. But somebody else said there had been in a break-in, equipment theft, unauthorized access of the specimen locker. Nobody knew what was going on and communications were down, so it was anybody’s guess how bad the danger actually was.

Facility-wide quarantine implies it was pretty bad, but you wish somebody from corporate would at least send a letter and tell you what’s going to kill you.

“Hey,” Melanie says, softening her voice. She presses both of her bloody palms to the glass and looks at you with such warmth and tenderness it makes your heart ache. “Can’t I come in? I miss you, baby. Please open up.”

In orientation, they talked a lot about mistakes. How to spot one. How to fix it. How to move on. But what kind of mistake is this? How do you even begin to go about making this right?

“Sweetheart,” Melanie murmurs, sinking to her knees. “Please? I’m scared. We gotta stick together. Don’t leave me out here.”

Melanie Taylor is not on any list of employees. She does not appear in the facility’s personnel database. She is not from corporate. Her name is common enough to return a slew of similarly named people on social media but an exact match can’t be found. And yet, you think you knew her. You can recall sitting together in the cafeteria, staying late together, falling asleep with your head leaned against her shoulder.

When you sleep, you dream of a creature that does not walk but glides soundlessly, that wraps you in great limbs like cold, clinging wings. She kisses you, whispers sweet nothings, and you feel her tongue wriggling around in your brain. You wake up with heartache like you dreamt of someone precious and long gone.

“I’ll be so gentle with you, baby,” Melanie begs. “I promise. I’ll make you feel so good. I don’t wanna be alone. You don’t either, right?”

You stare straight ahead at nothing. The lights keep spinning and the evacuation alarm keeps going off and the dead lay in the halls where they fell, half-eaten, half-rotted. Melanie presses her forehead to the glass and begs you to let her in, and maybe you will. Later. Months from now when the food’s gone and the power’s starting to flicker and there really is no hope left.

You didn’t see anyone die. You just see what’s left. She must’ve made them feel good, too, or you would’ve heard screaming, but you never did. One final mercy. One last useful fail-safe.

Melanie sees you trembling and moves away from the glass. Steps back a bit, giving you space. She smiles and it looks familiar, even though it shouldn’t. You remember that everyone liked her, everyone had nothing but nice things to say. She fixed the printer one time. She ran papers down to the biotech lab when the internet conked out. She set up a movie night and even the department head showed up.

“That was all real,” she purrs, leering at you through the glass. “That all happened.”

And you think, maybe, this is the nature of the beast. Maybe you never will know what kills you, what broke out or broke in or did any of this. Maybe that’s why corporate never got in touch, or why they can’t. There must’ve been something wrong in the depths of this facility, sitting forgotten in a freezer somewhere. Maybe all of you will be like that when this is over.

“I love you, baby,” Melanie says. You toast to no one and drink your coffee to the shrill sound of the emergency system and evacuation instructions. You’ve still got a few months to think everything over.

#rotpeach writes #goretober

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xiubottom · 6 years

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China’s Aid to the Philippines: Disguised Risk?

Last month, the Chinese President Xi Jinping made a momentous visit to the Philippines, the first time a Chinese leader ever visited after thirteen years. The official visit was endorsed by the Duterte Administration to be very beneficial to the Philippines with promises of economic gains. However, as Heydarian (2018) reports, of the twenty-nine deals signed during the visit, most were Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs), letters, and framework agreements on already identified projects. Indeed, there has been a backlog of promised Chinese aid to the Philippines, a total of US$24 billion in funding for business and infrastructures. According to Oplas (2018), this amount includes US$15 billion in business to business contracts, and $9 billion in official development assistance (ODA) – US$7 billion tied to loans and US$2 billion in concessional loans. Although President Duterte justifies his administration’s pro-Chinese stance to the generous aid and investments the Chinese government has extended following his inauguration however, Chinese ODA merely accounted for 0.82% of the total ODA the Philippines has received as of June 2018 (National Economic and Development Authority, 2018).

In existing aid, however, it is also proven that some of China’s proposed terms in infrastructure projects are often costlier to those presented by competing offers. For instance, Oplas (2018) reports that under the Integrated Public-Private Partnership (PPP) scheme the Philippines has with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Global Utility Development Corporation – a Japanese firm – submitted an unsolicited proposal for the Kaliwa Dam project, a project that aims to supply an additional 600 million liters per day of drinking water for Metro Manila, that would have seen full financing from the Japanese company but instead, during President XI’s visit, it was decided that the project will be done under a “hybrid” PPP with construction led by Chinese contractors and operation and maintenance would be by a local firm. This was agreed upon albeit eighty-five percent of the construction costs will come from ODA, and thus become part of the debt taxpayers would have to shoulder.

Heydarian (2018) also points out that there is another threat in accepting Chinese aid. This was shown in the backlash against the new “strategic partnership” relationship President Xi Jinping announced between China and the Philippines. The backlash was due to the fact that there was no progress to key issues that divide the Philippines and China such as maritime disputes and a growing discontent in China’s backlog of ambitious economic support to the Philippines. Indeed, prominent senators Antonio Trillanes IV and Francis Pangilinan expressed their apprehension in the government’s agreement to any settlement that would diminish the Philippines’ exclusive maritime rights.

Moving forward, should the Philippine government push through with accepting Chinese funding, transparency in any conditionality attached should be part of the government’s responsibility to its population. Further, there should be more consideration in the choice of funding on development projects as China’s aid cannot be the only reliable funding, as seen in the Kaliwa Dam project. Re-focusing of priorities in sources of funding and transparency, therefore, are key in managing this funding – that is, should China deliver.

References:

Heydarian, R. (2018, December 04). Philippines-China – after the rainbow, more rain. Retrieved from: https://asia.nikkei.com/Opinion/Philippines-China-after-the-rainbow-more-rain

Oplas, B. S. (2018, December 05). The meager truth of China’s aid to the Philippines. Retrieved from: http://www.atimes.com/article/the-meager-truth-of-chinas-aid-to-the-philippines/

National Economic and Development Authority. (2018, September 04).Indicative total ODA (loans and grants) ranking by fund source as of June 2018. Retrieved from http://www.neda.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Indicative-Overall-ODA-Ranking-by-Fund-Source-ao-June-2018-Generated-on-September-4-2018.pdf?fbclid=IwAR0bo76v86VeXXAEsBMNhALvdX4mgiElN00rrZMk6QyzpBgAdFO1iB_xRF4

#im doomed #pls pray for tumblr user xiubottom #let us all have a happy christmas

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flippinflipnews · 2 years

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SC junks appeal of food producer's labor union

MANILA – The Supreme Court (SC) has turned down an appeal filed by the union of a food manufacturer questioning the decision of the National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB) and the Court of Appeals (CA) on the labor case it initiated for terminated workers.

In a resolution uploaded online last March 29, the SC first division turned down the petition filed by workers of General Milling Corporation (GMC) represented by its union, the Ilaw at Buklod ng Manggagawa sa GMC (IBM sa GMC), in connection with the decision of the company in 2012 to terminate 33 employees and transfer 18 to a different department.

The SC ruling upheld the 2015 ruling of the Court of Appeals (CA) on the matter finding that GMC validly terminated the employment of the affected employees on the basis of a valid redundancy program.

The termination and movement of personnel was a consequence of the implementation of the company’s business strategy part of which was to outsource its bagging and loading departments to an independent contractor, PertServe, Inc.

The union filed a notice of strike on the ground of unfair labor practice and union-busting before the NCMB which later resolved the controversy through voluntary arbitration. The Court of Appeals said the voluntary arbitrator correctly ruled when it said GMC’s streamlining scheme “was a valid labor-saving device supported by jurisprudence”.

“All told, the Court finds that respondent (GMC) executed a valid redundancy program, having complied with the requisites for its validity. Indeed, contracting out of services is a valid exercise of business judgment or management prerogative,” the SC said adding that without evidence to prove malicious or arbitrary acts the SC shall refrain from interfering with a “business prerogative,” (PNA)

#FlippinFlipNews

#News #Philippine News #Philippines #Balita #Pilipinas #Filipino #Pinoy #FlippinFlipNews #FlippinFlips #PH

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sadisweetomi · 2 years

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Executive ImpactRE/MAX Japan begins operations

TOKYO

On Dec 1, RE/MAX, the world’s largest real estate franchise network began operations in Japan. RE/MAX’s business model is unique to Japan – it allows agents to keep more of their commission and enjoy the freedom to run their businesses as they see fit. Headquartered in Colorado, RE/MAX currently has more than 90,000 agents and 6,000 offices in about 100 countries.

IKEZOE Co was formed in June this year to run the operations of the RE/MAX franchise in Japan. It is headed by CEO Aki Nakamiya, who has more than 20 years experience in the Japanese real estate industry.

Following the same successful business model that RE/MAX has in other countries, IKEZOE acts as the sole operator for the brand in Japan.

“The way it works is that there are 47 prefectures (or regions) in Japan and we sell the rights to regional owners who then grow offices and sell to franchisees,” said Nakamiya. “What sets us apart from other franchise operators is that we focus on the agents. The agent is the biggest asset for this franchise. RE/MAX offers the agent the ability to earn the maximum possible commission for themselves. It is an agent-centric business model. Each agent is an individual independent contractor. There is no stable base salary, but they can get up to a maximum 94% of commission. We offer technology, support, training and knowhow, for which agents pay a fee. It’s very new to real estate which is an old-fashioned industry in Japan.”

Nakamiya said one region had already been sold – in Osaka – to a man who had lived in the U.S. and was familiar with the RE/MAX brand.

However, it is still early days for the company. “For marketing, we are sending out PR releases, using Facebook and other social media and holding seminars,” said Nakamiya. “Also, our sales people are contacting real estate operators to see if they want to hear our story or attend seminars.”

While the goal is to attract top-producing agents and provide them with support, brand awareness and training, regional owners do not necessarily have to be real estate professionals, said Yoshi Yamazaki, general manager of IKEZOE’s Sales Division. “You don’t have to have real estate experience. More important is if you have business savvy or have experience running other franchises previously,” he said. “Most likely, you are an office owner, and you’re not in the business of buying and selling real estate. Your business is owning and operating offices and recruiting successful agents to make those offices profitable.”

Nakamiya added that regional owners must have passion and have finances to be able to buy franchise rights for a particular region. “It’s the same method HQ uses in choosing country partners to expand the business model in their countries,” she said. “Although there have been some cultural differences in introducing the business model to Japan, it has worked in all other places and we think it will be a good fit for Japan as well.”

Yamazaki said IKEZOE has been receiving a lot more inquiries from prospective owners in regional areas rather than the big urban regions. “The pricing is very different and the hurdle is lower for entry into areas outside the big cities,” he said. “We do background checks, due diligence. We’re not desperate and don’t sell the rights to anybody who just knocks on the door with cash. The contract is for 15 years.”

Nakamiya said there is a lot of interest in Japan from Asian investors. “Last September, I attended a RE/MAX Asia conference in Manila and many people expressed an interest in Japan,” she said.

Once the 47 prefectural regions are sold, IKEZOE will focus its efforts on branding, building infrastructure, training and education so that regional owners can grow their business.

“The days are very long,” said Nakamiya, “but it is very exciting when you start something new.”

#sadisweetomi

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dabble-too · 2 years

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LRMC welcomes new LRT-1 Baclaran Expansion Depot, ramps up electromechanical works for future system

Out of Town Blog LRMC welcomes new LRT-1 Baclaran Expansion Depot, ramps up electromechanical works for future system

Team Out of Town Blog Hub (Outoftownblog.com) – LRT-1 private operator Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) is poised to provide a modern railway system as it welcomes the civil works completion of the LRT-1 Baclaran Expansion Depot and gears up for the operations and maintenance of the new facility.

In photo: (L-R) Pasay City Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano, Department of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, Japan Ambassador to the Philippines Koshikawa Kazuhiko, Light Rail Manila Corporation President and CEO Juan F. Alfonso, and Light Rail Transit Authority Administrator Jeremy Regino

The expanded Baclaran Depot of the LRT-1 Cavite Extension Project was inaugurated in a ceremony led by officials from the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA), Embassy of Japan, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and Pasay City Local Government. With the expansion of the LRT-1 Baclaran Depot, 4.2 hectares were added to the existing 6.4-hectare Baclaran Depot, giving way to more rail tracks and maintenance facilities to support more trainsets. The expansion project was funded through the Philippine government’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) received from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

With the civil works completion of the new depot by the Philippine government, LRMC is all set to provide the electromechanical and rail systems works which include traction power supply, overhead catenary systems, and trackworks. LRMC’s role is to ensure that these works are compatible with the existing LRT-1 system and the future Cavite Extension system.

In photo: (L-R) Pasay City Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano, Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade, DOTr Undersecretary for Railways Timothy John Batan, Japan Ambassador to the Philippines Koshikawa Kazuhiko, and Light Rail Manila Corporation President and CEO Juan F. Alfonso

“We share the same vision with the government of modernizing the railway system in the country highlighting the benefits it will definitely bring to Filipino commuters. The LRMC team, together with our partner contractor, is currently accelerating the electromechanical installations for the new facility to allow the stabling and maintenance of additional trains, particularly the new Gen-4 fleet. We remain fully committed to raise the bar of service excellence in public transport,” LRMC President and CEO Juan F. Alfonso said.

The expanded LRT-1 Baclaran depot will see the addition of 21 stabling and maintenance tracks to the existing 45, increasing the depot’s stabling capacity from 130 to 182 Light Rail Vehicles (LRVs), and will accommodate trains from existing Generations 1, 2, 3, and new Generation 4 (Gen-4). The expansion will also ease up movements of trains, as it will give enough space for ingress and egress inside the depot leading to increased train availability.

To date, a total of 20 new Gen-4 train sets (out of the expected 30) have already arrived in the Philippines. LRMC has been receiving the Gen-4 train sets in batches since the arrival of the first train set in January 2021. The new trains will be used for the existing line, and the future LRT-1 Cavite Extension whose construction remains to be in full swing with 69% completion rate as of end January 2022.

Moreover, LRMC has recently upgraded to a new signalling system that will facilitate the testing, commissioning, and operation for revenue service of the 4th Generation train sets. LRT-1’s newest trains are set to be deployed for revenue use in mid-2022 after completing the necessary safety checks, inspections, test runs with minimum kilometers, and acceptance tests.

For more updates and info on the LRT-1, follow LRMC on Facebook at facebook.com/officialLRT1, Twitter at @officialLRT1, or download the ikotMNL mobile app for free on Google Play and App Store.

Follow Out of Town Travel Blog on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Bloglovin, and Pinterest if you want more travel and tech-related updates.

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Original article: LRMC welcomes new LRT-1 Baclaran Expansion Depot, ramps up electromechanical works for future system

LRMC welcomes new LRT-1 Baclaran Expansion Depot, ramps up electromechanical works for future system Melo Villareal Out of Town Blog

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ckna · 11 months

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CKNA Construction: Your Trusted Construction Company in Imus, Cavite and Metro Manila

Are you in need of a reliable construction company that provides top-notch services in Imus, Cavite, and the surrounding areas of Metro Manila? Look no further than CKNA Construction! With 5 years of experience in the industry, CKNA Construction has established itself as a reputable and trusted name in the construction sector. Offering a wide range of services, from demolition and waterproofing to renovation and engineering consultancy, CKNA Construction is your go-to solution for all your construction needs.

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When it comes to construction services in Imus, Cavite, and Metro Manila, CKNA Construction stands out as a reputable and reliable company. With a diverse range of services and a team of skilled professionals, we deliver exceptional results for all your construction needs. From demolition and waterproofing to renovation and engineering consultancy, we've got you covered. Contact CKNA Construction at 09053957358 or visit our website at bit.ly/2KvRiea to learn more about our services and how we can assist you with your next construction project. Trust CKNA Construction for excellence in construction.

#construction company #builder

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house-and-lot-for-sale-in-cebu · 3 years

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PRA Greenlights CLI's - Ming-Mori Techno Business Park

by James A. Loyola | Manila Bulletin | October 6, 2021

The Philippine Reclamation Authority has issued a final Notice to Proceed for a 100-hectare reclamation project – Ming-Mori Techno Business Park, where Cebu Landmasters Inc. (CLI) plans to develop a P20 billion business park.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, CLI said the reclamation project is being proposed by the Municipality of Minglanilla, Cebu in partnership with Ming-Mori Development Corporation (MMDC), a subsidiary of CLI.

In its Resolution 5389 series of 2021, the PRA Board of Directors unanimously approved the NTP, which will pave the way for the creation of a techno-business hub in Minglanilla with a fully integrated port facility.

The township development also features commercial, industrial, civic, and recreational components to create a thriving and self-sustaining environment. It is estimated to generate over 75,000 jobs in light manufacturing industries.

In August 2021, CLI increased its stake in MMDC to 80 percent in order to strengthen its position as developer and project manager of this township development.

Minglanilla and MMDC obtained project approval from PRA back in June, following a 5-year comprehensive review including the issuance of Environmental Compliance Certificate.

The process involved extensive consultation with a wide range of stakeholders as well as submission of development objectives demonstrating environmental responsiveness.

The bidding and awarding of contracts to contractors and suppliers is scheduled in the fourth quarter this year while actual reclamation is targeted by the first half of 2022.

Ming-Mori Techno Business Park is CLI’s third large-scale township project after those in Davao and Cagayan de Oro.

#Ming-Mori Business Park #Ming-Mori Techno Business Park #Ming-Mori Techno Park

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cebu-realestate · 3 years

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PRA Greenlights CLI's - Ming-Mori Techno Business Park

by James A. Loyola | Manila Bulletin | October 6, 2021

In August 2021, CLI increased its stake in MMDC to 80 percent in order to strengthen its position as developer and project manager of this township development.

Minglanilla and MMDC obtained project approval from PRA back in June, following a 5-year comprehensive review including the issuance of Environmental Compliance Certificate.

The process involved extensive consultation with a wide range of stakeholders as well as submission of development objectives demonstrating environmental responsiveness.

The bidding and awarding of contracts to contractors and suppliers is scheduled in the fourth quarter this year while actual reclamation is targeted by the first half of 2022.

Ming-Mori Techno Business Park is CLI’s third large-scale township project after those in Davao and Cagayan de Oro.

#Ming-Mori Business Park #Ming-Mori Techno Business Park #Ming-Mori Techno Park

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cebu-real-estate · 3 years

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PRA Greenlights CLI's - Ming-Mori Techno Business Park

by James A. Loyola | Manila Bulletin | October 6, 2021

In August 2021, CLI increased its stake in MMDC to 80 percent in order to strengthen its position as developer and project manager of this township development.

Minglanilla and MMDC obtained project approval from PRA back in June, following a 5-year comprehensive review including the issuance of Environmental Compliance Certificate.

The process involved extensive consultation with a wide range of stakeholders as well as submission of development objectives demonstrating environmental responsiveness.

The bidding and awarding of contracts to contractors and suppliers is scheduled in the fourth quarter this year while actual reclamation is targeted by the first half of 2022.

Ming-Mori Techno Business Park is CLI’s third large-scale township project after those in Davao and Cagayan de Oro.

#Ming-Mori Business Park #Ming-Mori Techno Business Park #Ming-Mori Techno Park

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kaypaowalangaw · 3 years

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Sustainability stages model

Companies have stages about their sustainability. In order to control or monitor the status of the company. These are the listed sustainability stages model:

Crisis management

Crisis management is the stage where the company is currently facing challenges in their business operations. Normally, this happens on the newly ventured firms which do not have experience yet. An example of this is a contractor that is just starting to have a project. That contractor has not experienced the regulatory requirements of the government agencies. What can the businesses do to mitigate the challenges they come to? Businesses could create a strategy to carefully study the regulations required by the governing bodies. They must hire consultants and other expert judges in order to do this properly. It is important to do this to lessen the risks that may incur during the crisis stage of the business. That’s why, initially, business owners should have knowledge before starting a business.

Compliance

Compliance stage is where the business is trying to comply with the legal requirements of a governing body. A good example of a compliance stage is when a company is currently preparing for the documents and requirements of the regulators. What can the business do to comply with the requirements? The businesses should research and inquire about those requirements. Also, they need to do this as soon as possible. Furthermore, in this stage, the company will have many expenses because there will be mistakes. It is important to know this information in order for the business to have less expenses. I believe that this stage is the chance of businesses to be better. Furthermore, it is where the challenge starts and they should do something about it.

Resource optimization

Resource optimization is the process of using the businesses resources to effectively do their operations. An example of this is where the company has continuous operations. In addition, they are doing good in maintaining the productivity of their business. What can a company do to make a difference in resource optimization? In sustainability, the company is now utilizing their resources such as using clean renewable energy, socially responsible and profitable. In this stage, they are using their renewable resources such as using solar panels to generate electricity to use in their operations and making gender equality for their social responsibility. It is important for the business to optimize their resources because this will improve their operations.

Market differentiation

Market differentiation is where the company has begun being recognized by their stakeholders. Some examples of this company are where the company is recognized in the industry. Companies like Ayala Corporation, Manila water and other companies that provide sustainability reports. What can a company do to be recognized in their industry through sustainability? The company should make a proper presentation in their sustainability report. They should report their sustainability with greater detail and always provide true information. It is important that businesses should be able to report their sustainability. With this, they would be able to comply with regulations in sustainability reporting. I believe businesses should always provide transparency in their reports. There is no point in lying on sustainability reports just because they want to comply.

Purpose driven

Purpose driven is a stage in sustainability where the company is consistent with their reporting, utilized their resources and complied with the regulations. A good example of this is where the companies are sharing their sustainability expertise to other companies. What can a company do to share their sustainability to be purpose driven? The company should make standards in maintaining their sustainability models. They may achieve this by improving their triple bottom line approach. They should also teach corporations to become sustainable. Purpose driven companies are able to provide knowledge to other companies that want to become sustainable also. It is important for companies to share this knowledge since this will help the environmental, social and financial issues of the companies in the previous stages.

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flippinflipnews · 2 years

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SC OKs filing of cases vs. ex-solon for pork barrel anomaly

MANILA – The Supreme Court dismissed a petition filed by a former Nueva Ecija lawmaker who challenged the Office of the Ombudsman’s findings to indict him in connection with Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) irregularities in 2007.

In a resolution uploaded online on Friday, the SC First Division affirmed the resolutions of the Ombudsman in 2016 and 2017 finding probable cause to charge former Nueva Ecija 4th District Rep. Rodolfo Antonino with malversation and violation of Republic Act (RA) 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act regarding the utilization of his allotment of PDAF, also known as pork barrel.

“Petitioner (Antonino) failed to show that the Ombudsman acted in a capricious and whimsical manner,” the SC said, adding that it “defers to the discretion of the Ombudsman considering that its finding of probable cause to indict petitioner (Antonino) for two counts of malversation under Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code and two counts of violation of Section 3(e) of RA 3019 is fully supported by the evidence on record.”

The cases arose from a request made by Antonino for the immediate release of PHP15 million for livelihood projects.

Upon the issuance of a notice of cash allocation by the Department of Budget and Management on Feb. 23, 2007, Antonino requested then Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap to transfer the PHP15 million to the National Agribusiness Corporation (Nabcor).

Nabcor entered into a memorandum of agreement with the Buhay Mo Mahal Ko Foundation Inc. (BMMKFI), identified as project implementer.

On March 22, 2007, BMMKFI procured from CC Barredo Enterprises 7,275 sets of Livelihood Technology Kits (LTKs) at PHP2,000 per set for a total of PHP14.550 million.

Nabcor deducted PHP450,000 as management fee from the lawmaker’s PDAF allocation.

The LTKs were to be distributed to seven constituent municipalities and the city of the congressional district.

The Ombudsman Field Investigation Unit discovered that no LTKs were distributed to the intended beneficiaries and the designation of the project implementers were undertaken “without complying with the technical, legal and financial qualifications of a supplier or contractor” as well as provisions of the Government Procurement Act on the conduct of competitive public bidding.

The Ombudsman also found that BMMKFI’s selection was without any appropriation law or ordinance, violating National Budget Circular No. 476, which only allows a direct release of PDAF allocations to government agencies expressly identified in the project menu of the pertinent General Appropriations Act.

Antonino denied the charges and claimed his signatures were falsified in documents which purportedly show that he gave his PDAF allocation to Nabcor and BMMKFI.

He also denied the selection of BMMKFI and CC Barredo in the livelihood projects, adding he was unaware of such projects.

The Ombudsman ruled in 2017 that it is the legislator who exercises actual control and custody of the PDAF share allocated to him.

In denying Antonino’s challenge to the Ombudsman's findings, the SC cited that it “maintains non-interference in the Ombudsman’s determination of the existence of probable cause”.

“This stems from the Ombudsman’s constitutional mandate to investigate and prosecute illegal, unjust, improper or inefficient acts of public officials,” adding that the lawmaker’s defense of forgery cannot be presumed and must be proved by convincing evidence in a full-blown trial. (PNA)

#FlippinFlipNews

#News #Philippine News #Philippines #Balita #Pilipinas #Filipino #Pinoy #FlippinFlipNews #FlippinFlips #PH

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classyfoxdestiny · 3 years

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Accenture, the silent partner cleaning up Facebook for $500 million a year

In 2019, Julie Sweet, the newly appointed chief executive officer of global consulting firm Accenture, held a meeting with top managers. She had a question: Should Accenture get out of some of the work it was doing for a leading client, Facebook?

For years, tensions had mounted within Accenture over a certain task that it performed for the social network. In eight-hour shifts, thousands of its full-time employees and contractors were sorting through Facebook’s most noxious posts, including images, videos and messages about suicides, beheadings and sexual acts, trying to prevent them from spreading online.

Some of those Accenture workers, who reviewed hundreds of Facebook posts in a shift, said they had started experiencing depression, anxiety and paranoia. In the United States, one worker had joined a class-action lawsuit to protest the working conditions. News coverage linked Accenture to the grisly work. So Sweet had ordered a review to discuss the growing ethical, legal and reputational risks.

At the meeting in Accenture’s Washington office, she and Ellyn Shook, head of human resources, voiced concerns about the psychological toll of the work for Facebook and the damage to the firm’s reputation, attendees said. Some executives who oversaw the account argued that the problems were manageable. They said the social network was too lucrative a client to lose.

The meeting ended with no resolution.

Facebook and Accenture have rarely talked about their arrangement or even acknowledged that they work with each other. But their secretive relationship lies at the heart of an effort by the world’s largest social media company to distance itself from the most toxic part of its business.

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For years, Facebook has been under scrutiny for the violent and hateful content that flows through its site. CEO Mark Zuckerberg has repeatedly pledged to clean up the platform. He has promoted the use of artificial intelligence to weed out toxic posts and touted efforts to hire thousands of workers to remove the messages that AI doesn’t.

But behind the scenes, Facebook has quietly paid others to take on much of the responsibility. Since 2012, the company has hired at least 10 consulting and staffing firms globally to sift through its posts, along with a wider web of subcontractors, according to interviews and public records.

No company has been more crucial to that endeavor than Accenture. The Fortune 500 firm, better known for providing high-end tech, accounting and consulting services to multinational companies and governments, has become Facebook’s single biggest partner in moderating content, according to an examination by The New York Times.

Accenture has taken on the work — and given it a veneer of respectability — because Facebook has signed contracts with it for content moderation and other services worth at least $500 million a year, according to The Times’ examination. Accenture employs more than a third of the 15,000 people whom Facebook has said it has hired to inspect its posts. And while the agreements provide only a small fraction of Accenture’s annual revenue, they give it an important lifeline into Silicon Valley. Within Accenture, Facebook is known as a “diamond client.”

Their contracts, which have not previously been reported, have redefined the traditional boundaries of an outsourcing relationship. Accenture has absorbed the worst facets of moderating content and made Facebook’s content issues its own. As a cost of doing business, it has dealt with workers’ mental health issues from reviewing the posts. It has grappled with labor activism when those workers pushed for more pay and benefits. And it has silently borne public scrutiny when they have spoken out against the work.

Those issues have been compounded by Facebook’s demanding hiring targets and performance goals and so many shifts in its content policies that Accenture struggled to keep up, 15 current and former employees said. And when faced with legal action from moderators about the work, Accenture stayed quiet as Facebook argued that it was not liable because the workers belonged to Accenture and others.

“You couldn’t have Facebook as we know it today without Accenture,” said Cori Crider, a co-founder of Foxglove, a law firm that represents content moderators. “Enablers like Accenture, for eye-watering fees, have let Facebook hold the core human problem of its business at arm’s length.”

The Times interviewed more than 40 current and former Accenture and Facebook employees, labor lawyers and others about the companies’ relationship, which also includes accounting and advertising work. Most spoke anonymously because of nondisclosure agreements and fear of reprisal. The Times also reviewed Facebook and Accenture documents, legal records and regulatory filings.

Facebook and Accenture declined to make executives available for comment. Drew Pusateri, a Facebook spokesperson, said the company was aware that content moderation “jobs can be difficult, which is why we work closely with our partners to constantly evaluate how to best support these teams.”

Stacey Jones, an Accenture spokesperson, said the work was a public service that was “essential to protecting our society by keeping the internet safe.”

Neither company mentioned the other by name.

Pornographic Posts Much of Facebook’s work with Accenture traces back to a nudity problem.

In 2007, millions of users joined the social network every month — and many posted naked photos. A settlement that Facebook reached that year with Andrew Cuomo, who was New York’s attorney general, required the company to take down pornographic posts flagged by users within 24 hours.

Facebook employees who policed content were soon overwhelmed by the volume of work, members of the team said. Sheryl Sandberg, the company’s chief operating officer, and other executives pushed the team to find automated solutions for combing through the content, three of them said.

Facebook also began looking at outsourcing, they said. Outsourcing was cheaper than hiring people and provided tax and regulatory benefits, along with the flexibility to grow or shrink quickly in regions where the company did not have offices or language expertise. Sandberg helped champion the outsourcing idea, they said, and midlevel managers worked out the details.

By 2011, Facebook was working with oDesk, a service that recruited freelancers to review content. But in 2012, after news site Gawker reported that oDesk workers in Morocco and elsewhere were paid as little as $1 per hour for the work, Facebook began seeking another partner.

Facebook landed on Accenture. Formerly known as Andersen Consulting, the firm had rebranded as Accenture in 2001 after a break with accounting firm Arthur Andersen. And it wanted to gain traction in Silicon Valley.

In 2010, Accenture scored an accounting contract with Facebook. By 2012, that had expanded to include a deal for moderating content, particularly outside the United States.

That year, Facebook sent employees to Manila, Philippines, and Warsaw, Poland, to train Accenture workers to sort through posts, two former Facebook employees involved with the trip said. Accenture’s workers were taught to use a Facebook software system and the platform’s guidelines for leaving content up, taking it down or escalating it for review.

‘Honey Badger’ What started as a few dozen Accenture moderators grew rapidly.

By 2015, Accenture’s office in the San Francisco Bay Area had set up a team, code-named Honey Badger, just for Facebook’s needs, former employees said. Accenture went from providing about 300 workers in 2015 to about 3,000 in 2016. They are a mix of full-time employees and contractors, depending on the location and task.

The firm soon parlayed its work with Facebook into moderation contracts with YouTube, Twitter, Pinterest and others, executives said. (The digital content moderation industry is projected to reach $8.8 billion next year, according to Everest Group, roughly double the 2020 total.) Facebook also gave Accenture contracts in areas like checking for fake or duplicate user accounts and monitoring celebrity and brand accounts to ensure they were not flooded with abuse.

After federal authorities discovered in 2016 that Russian operatives had used Facebook to spread divisive posts to U.S. voters for the presidential election, the company ramped up the number of moderators. It said it would hire more than 3,000 people — on top of the 4,500 it already had — to police the platform.

“If we’re going to build a safe community, we need to respond quickly,” Zuckerberg said in a 2017 post.

The next year, Facebook hired Arun Chandra, a former Hewlett Packard Enterprise executive, as vice president of scaled operations to help oversee the relationship with Accenture and others. His division is overseen by Sandberg.

Facebook also spread the content work to other firms, such as Cognizant and TaskUs. Facebook now provides a third of TaskUs’ business, or $150 million a year, according to regulatory filings.

The work was challenging. While more than 90% of objectionable material that comes across Facebook and Instagram is removed by AI, outsourced workers must decide whether to leave up the posts that the AI doesn’t catch.

They receive a performance score that is based on correctly reviewing posts against Facebook’s policies. If they make mistakes more than 5% of the time, they can be fired, Accenture employees said.

But Facebook’s rules about what was acceptable changed constantly, causing confusion. When people used a gas station emoji as slang for selling marijuana, workers deleted the posts for violating the company’s content policy on drugs. Facebook then told moderators not to remove the posts, before later reversing course.

Facebook also tweaked its moderation technology, adding new keyboard shortcuts to speed up the review process. But the updates were sometimes released with little warning, increasing errors.

As of May, Accenture billed Facebook for roughly 1,900 full-time moderators in Manila; 1,300 in Mumbai, India; 850 in Lisbon; 780 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; 300 in Warsaw; 300 in Mountain View, California; 225 in Dublin; and 135 in Austin, Texas, according to staffing records reviewed by The Times.

At the end of each month, Accenture sent invoices to Facebook detailing the hours worked by its moderators and the volume of content reviewed. Each U.S. moderator generated $50 or more per hour for Accenture, two people with knowledge of the billing said. In contrast, moderators in some U.S. cities received starting pay of $18 an hour.

Psychological Costs Within Accenture, workers began questioning the effects of viewing so many hateful posts.

Accenture hired mental health counselors to handle the fallout. Izabela Dziugieł, a counselor who worked in Accenture’s Warsaw office, said she told managers in 2018 that they were hiring people ill-prepared to sort through the content. Her office handled posts from the Middle East, including gruesome images and videos of the Syrian war.

“They would just hire anybody,” said Dziugiel, who previously treated soldiers with post-traumatic stress disorder. She left the firm in 2019.

In Dublin, one Accenture moderator who sifted through Facebook content left a suicide note on his desk in 2018, said a mental health counselor who was involved in the episode. The worker was found safe.

Joshua Sklar, a moderator in Austin who quit in April, said he had reviewed 500 to 700 posts a shift, including images of dead bodies after car crashes and videos of animals being tortured.

“One video that I watched was a guy who was filming himself raping a little girl,” said Sklar, who described his experience in an internal post that later became public. “It was just awful.”

If workers went around Accenture’s chain of command and directly communicated with Facebook about content issues, they risked being reprimanded, he added. That made Facebook slower to learn about and react to problems, he said.

Facebook said anyone filtering content could escalate concerns.

Another former moderator in Austin, Spencer Darr, said in a legal hearing in June that the job had required him to make unimaginable decisions, such as whether to delete a video of a dog being skinned alive or simply mark it as disturbing. “Content moderators’ job is an impossible one,” he said.

In 2018, Accenture introduced WeCare — policies that mental health counselors said limited their ability to treat workers. Their titles were changed to “wellness coaches” and they were instructed not to give psychological assessments or diagnoses, but to provide “short-term support” like taking walks or listening to calming music. The goal, according to a 2018 Accenture guidebook, was to teach moderators “how to respond to difficult situations and content.”

Accenture’s Jones said the company was “committed to helping our people who do this important work succeed both professionally and personally.” Workers can see outside psychologists.

By 2019, scrutiny of the industry was growing. That year, Cognizant said it was exiting content moderation after tech site The Verge described the low pay and mental health effects of workers at an Arizona office. Cognizant said the decision would cost it at least $240 million in revenue and lead to 6,000 job cuts.

Internal Debate More than one Accenture chief executive debated doing business with Facebook.

In 2017, Pierre Nanterme, Accenture’s chief at the time, questioned the ethics of the work and whether it fit the firm’s long-term strategy of providing services with high profit margins and technical expertise, three executives involved in the discussions said.

No actions were taken. Nanterme died of cancer in January 2019.

Five months later, Sweet, a longtime Accenture lawyer and executive, was named chief executive. She soon ordered the review of the moderation business, three former colleagues said.

Executives prepared reports and debated how the work compared with jobs like an ambulance driver. Consultants were sent to observe moderators and their managers.

The office in Austin, which had opened in 2017, was selected for an audit as part of Sweet’s review. The city was also home to a Facebook office and had large populations of Spanish and Arabic speakers to read non-English posts. At its peak, Accenture’s Austin office had about 300 moderators parsing through Facebook posts.

But some workers there became unhappy about the pay and viewing so much toxic content. Organizing through text messages and internal message boards, they called for better wages and benefits. Some shared their stories with the media.

Last year, a worker in Austin was one of two from Accenture who joined a class-action suit against Facebook filed by U.S. moderators. Facebook argued that it was not liable because the workers were employed by firms like Accenture, according to court records. After the judge in the case ruled against Facebook, the company reached a $52 million settlement with the workers in May 2020.

For Sweet, the debate over the Facebook contracts stretched out over several meetings, former executives said. She subsequently made several changes.

In December 2019, Accenture created a two-page legal disclosure to inform moderators about the risks of the job. The work had “the potential to negatively impact your emotional or mental health,” the document said.

Last October, Accenture went further. It listed content moderation for the first time as a risk factor in its annual report, saying it could leave the firm vulnerable to media scrutiny and legal trouble. Accenture also restricted new moderation clients, two people with knowledge of the policy shift said. Any new contracts required approval from senior management.

But Sweet also left some things untouched, they said.

Among them: the contracts with Facebook. Ultimately, the people said, the client was too valuable to walk away from.

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.

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