BI's Viado to Meet IBMATA's Ayley To Address PH Border Management Challenges

 

While the Philippines sit on Earth's equator, it's total coastline is 22,548 miles which means management of it would prove challenging for any entity. This week, the International Border Management and Technologies Association's CEO Sharon Ayley will be in talks with the PH Bureau of Immigration very own Commissioner Anthony Viado to take serious steps in addressing what the Philippines is facing with regards to trafficking, security and border practices. 

Ayley says "We hold summits in 5 regions, find information and solutions. Trafficking is an important issue, and there's a need to talk about it, need to communicate not just for professionals but the community. Parents need to talk to children as they are targeting vulnerable people. The best way to protect themselves is by being informed. IBMATA does a series of workshops for this particular subject and this isn't an isolated issue in the Philippines, it is a global problem. The output of that is that technology can help with the problem, to protect the vulnerable people." 

She adds "With advanced analytics and AI tools, it can help us identify unusual travel patterns. It also helps monitoring watch lists, but it's not 100 percent. People in the front lines are working at higher pressure and have to make critical decisions. We need to make sure they have the tools, technology to make sure they have the information and trust their instincts. We need to get them training, help and support that they need."

Here's our talk about PH border challenges, and a few things that the country is doing good at; 

She puts emphasis on the country having multiple ports of entry (we have 7160 islands++) which makes it extra hard to do. She suggests to have it done with standards on each border. With systems in place like biometrics, and e-gates (where I think BI is already doing). This puts legitimate travelers with lesser hindrance so border agents get to concentrate on bigger issues like high risk cases to combat trafficking and other matters. It is here and is happening, we are 2nd globally according to statistics. 

She also suggests data sharing with not just government offices, but other ports elsewhere in the world (with ample security) and see it real time. This also includes biometrics to lessen identification concerns. This will also stop exploitation, and hopefully will put a stop with the issues mentioned earlier. Education, access to information is certainly the first line of defense. They have plans to hold future events and might take on other organization to help host it.

 

Here's hoping that the things they'll be covering this week will get some questions answered and actionable items be accomplished. 

Guam Upfront: The Best of Guam 2016

We were at the #GUAMUPFRONT Media Day to see what Guam Visitors Board has been doing these past few days. I think they just recently participated in the PTAA event in SMX in Manila and represented their country quite beautifully. This isn't the first time they've been here and today they're talking about what the best Guam has to offer this 2016. Guam is a US Territory, you need to apply for a US Visa the regular way. It's near the Philippines and we've only got a two hour difference. There's also 30-35% of Filipinos there so you won't really get homesick at all. It's a multicultural place, Chamorros are locals and they're very proud of their culture.

"It's where America's day begin. We're opening a 27 Million dollar museum at the center of Guam together with the Pacific island games that's happening in the middle of the year. We're also promoting shopping and it's convenient to travel there in 3 1/2 hours through United, you can go to your hotel and swim by walking there. There's no traffic, we have a new campaign video launched in July telling how we're Guamazing!" says Nathan Denight the General Manager of Guam Visitors Bureau.

Guam has lots of things lined up this year, the tours such as Jungle Rules Adventure Tours, 12th Festival of the Pacific Arts in May which the olympics of culture and tradition in the pacific islands which happens only once every 4 years. Neighboring islands will converge there and showcase the reigion's artscape done in a few days courtesy of Guam Visitors Bureau. 

Outrigger Resorts was also there. They got us a personal invitation to any of their 54 properties. The one in Guam Outriggger Premier Resort is in Tumon Bay. They've got the whole shopping district, shops in the actual groud floor plus the beach at the back. They are hospitality and local culture, and have about 600 rooms. They have signature restaurants that serve local and international cuisine. They also have live local bands playing nightly plus Ohana Beach Club on the beach side when you need to. You can have receptions, weddings, take care of the kids, plus spectacular sunsets in Outrigger Guam Beach Resort. We saw photos and videos, it looked so good from I was sitting. 

Pacific Star Resorts shared some photos and had us drool about a lot of things that even the local Chamorros don't know about. When after all that, it was just right in front of their doorstep. 

United Airlines also flies there 13 times a week. If you're up to it, you can get that visa and book on these hotels, fly out the weekend and come back the next week. It's comfy with United.

I wish I could go there, someday I will. 

KUMAGCOW

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