Latest news with #AICS
GMA Network
05-06-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
House Bill making AICS 'permanent' approved on final reading
The House of Representatives unanimously approved a bill making the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) a permanent program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on third and final reading late Wednesday night. This happened as all 176 House members voted yes for the passage of House Bill 11395 on An Act Institutionalizing the AICS Program. House Assistant Minority Leader Arlene Brosas of Gabriela party-list, who voted yes with reservations on the measure, said making the AICS program permanent is "necessary" but should not be used by public officials to promote themselves. "We recognize that it is the mandate of the State to provide adequate assistance, social services, projects, and programs geared towards alleviating poverty and improving the quality of life of Filipinos. Sa harap ng hindi maampat-ampat na presyo ng mga bilihin at bayarin, mataas na inflation rate (In the face of unsustainable prices of goods and services, high inflation rate)... The need for an immediate economic relief will always be there," Brosas said. "Hindi natin kinukuwestiyon ang pangangailangan ng mga mamamayan para sa agarang tulong (We do not question the citizens' need for immediate assistance.)... Rather, we are particularly worried about those who are in the position to provide assistance, but takes it as an opportunity to forward their personal and political interests," Brosas added. Brosas said that government policies should not promote political patronage and mendicancy but instead emphasize that government assistance is funded by the taxpayers' money. "As legislators and as public servants, let us be true to our mandate to put forward measures that will alleviate poverty and address the deepening inequality in our country towards genuinely raising the quality of life of Filipinos," Brosas said. Latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) showed that 63% self-rated poverty among Filipinos, the highest in 21 years. The same poll showed that involuntary hunger among Filipino families, on the other hand, doubled to 7.5 million in March 2025 from 2.9 million from June 2022. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
Business Recorder
02-06-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Turning Vision into Reality
Italian Cooperation in Pakistan has a long history of commitment to sustainable development, poverty reduction, and improving the living conditions of the most vulnerable communities. The first development cooperation initiatives date back to the 1980s, focusing on rural development projects aimed at agricultural mechanization and improving crop quality, particularly in olive cultivation. The introduction of selected varieties of Italian olive cultivations has been instrumental in enhancing production efficiency and adapting it to Pakistan's climate. This initiative continues to be promoted in value chain development projects. However, Italy's support for Pakistan has even deeper roots. In 1955, at the initiative of the last Wali Moghul of the Independent State of Swat, Professor Giuseppe Tucci founded the Italian Archaeological Mission in Pakistan. The Italian Archaeological mission has played a pivotal role in the excavation, restoration, and study of Gandharan art, as well as in the analysis of settlements, funerary archaeology (from prehistory to the Islamic period), and rock art, producing over 1,500 publications. Since the establishment of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) in 2016, Italy's development cooperation has been aligned with the objectives of the 2030 Agenda, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable development across key sectors, including education, healthcare, gender equality, natural resource management, and the preservation of cultural heritage. Within this framework and in line with the Government's policies and development plans, AICS in Pakistan has defined a targeted strategic approach, focused on food security, climate resilience, decent work, and cultural heritage valorisation. This approach aims to tackle vulnerabilities in the agricultural sector and address climate change thereby representing the orientation of our action. The environment and people are at the centre of the Italian Cooperation projects, which contribute to a green economy and just society, with special consideration for women and youth. By leveraging the country's capital and resources, encouraging results have been achieved in the agriculture sector; strengthening the Pakistani olive oil value chain by involving institutions, businesses, farmers, youth, women and consumers to improve the productivity and quality of Pakistani olive oil. Also, important activities have been carried out to improve climate adaptation through the environmental monitoring and natural resource management, especially in the mountainous areas. Key partnerships include CIHEAM for the scale-up of the olive sector, UNDP and EvK2-CNR NGO for enhancing climate resilience, and UNESCO to promote inclusive and climate sensitive education. Additionally, we confirm our commitment in Pakistan with new initiatives that are starting with FAO and CESVI NGO in Sindh, with University Ca' Foscari of Venice, ILO and ISCOS NGO in KP, respectively to improve anticipatory action, protect cultural heritage, and promote green jobs and economic inclusion. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
GMA Network
29-05-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
92 Mercury Drug stores to accept guarantee letters from AICS, AKAP beneficiaries
Several Mercury Drug stores nationwide will accept guarantee letters (GL) from the beneficiaries of the Department of Social Welfare and Development's (DSWD) Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) and Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) starting June 2. According to Isa Avendaño-Umali's report on Super Radyo dzBB on Thursday, 92 branches of the pharmacy brand will recognize the letters issued by the DSWD to help beneficiaries save money in purchasing medicines. The participating outlets will accept GLs issued by the DSWD Central Office and field offices in the National Capital Region, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Central Visayas, Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, SOCSKSARGEN, and Caraga. AICS is targeted to individuals or families who are experiencing crisis, tragedy, or severe poverty. On the other hand, AKAP is meant for individuals earning below the minimum wage. — Vince Angelo Ferreras/BM, GMA Integrated News
Business Standard
21-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
40+ Ex-NPDI Leaders Launch FTA Global, Unveiling Industry-First 'Team-as-a-Subscription' Model
PRNewswire Bangalore (Karnataka) [India], May 21: In a bold move set to disrupt the traditional marketing agency model, over 40 senior leaders from Neil Patel Digital India (NPDI) have joined forces to launch FTA Global -- offering Marketing Teams as a Subscription, built on three core principles: Fast, Tactical, and Accountable. No locked-in contracts. Pay only if performance improves. Positioned as an anti-agency, FTA Global is a reset button for how marketing should truly operate. The idea was sparked by NPDI's top performers - leaders who consistently delivered high-impact results but felt disappointed by an outdated industry playbook: rigid scopes, hierarchical delays, and harassment being considered as a new normal by global management. FTA introduces a first-of-its-kind 'Team-as-a-Subscription' (TaaS) model - embedded, full-stack growth pods that operate across SEO, Paid Media, Content, Creative, and Analytics. Traditionally reserved for high-budget brands, these dedicated teams are now accessible through FTA's efficient and AI-powered delivery model. By integrating directly into client workflows, enabling real-time strategy shifts, async-first execution, and outcome-driven focus, the cost savings are passed on to brands, making top-tier execution affordable. The delivery process is further powered by FTA's proprietary Quant SEO framework, which includes the AI Citation Score (AICS), a first-in-industry metric that helps brands increase visibility in AI-generated search results. "We didn't create FTA to be just another agency," said Senthil Kumar Hariram, Founder, FTA Global. "We created it to fix what's broken. Brands don't need decks and delays -- they need agile, embedded teams that deliver outcomes. FTA is our answer to that need." "With our Team-as-a-Subscription model, we're offering something radically different: agile pods, async delivery, and zero fluff. Just fast-moving, accountable execution," he added. FTA is purpose-built to solve real problems with legacy agencies such as disjointed handovers, inflexible scopes, bloated retainers, and lack of strategic agility. With its integrated dedicated team structure and AI-assisted workflows, brands can now scale growth faster, more flexibly, and without long-term contracts. In fact, brands aren't billed if results aren't delivered for the month, putting accountability at the heart of every engagement. With 40+ team members already onboard, FTA plans to grow to 100+ professionals by the end of 2025 and partner with 50+ brands by year-end. About FTA Global FTA Global is a next-generation marketing services company founded by Senthil Kumar Hariram, a veteran with 18+ years of experience who co-built NPDI from the ground up to $5M+ ARR. FTA replaces the outdated agency model with fast, embedded, and accountable growth pods, offered as a monthly subscription. These full-stack teams across SEO, Paid Media, Content, Creative, and Analytics integrate directly into brand workflows to deliver high-impact, measurable growth at speed.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
40+ Ex-NPDI Leaders Launch FTA Global, Unveiling Industry-First 'Team-as-a-Subscription' Model
BANGALORE, India, May 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In a bold move set to disrupt the traditional marketing agency model, over 40 senior leaders from Neil Patel Digital India (NPDI) have joined forces to launch FTA Global — offering Marketing Teams as a Subscription, built on three core principles: Fast, Tactical, and Accountable. No locked-in contracts. Pay only if performance improves. Positioned as an anti-agency, FTA Global is a reset button for how marketing should truly operate. The idea was sparked by NPDI's top performers - leaders who consistently delivered high-impact results but felt disappointed by an outdated industry playbook: rigid scopes, hierarchical delays, and harassment being considered as a new normal by global management. FTA introduces a first-of-its-kind 'Team-as-a-Subscription' (TaaS) model - embedded, full-stack growth pods that operate across SEO, Paid Media, Content, Creative, and Analytics. Traditionally reserved for high-budget brands, these dedicated teams are now accessible through FTA's efficient and AI-powered delivery model. By integrating directly into client workflows, enabling real-time strategy shifts, async-first execution, and outcome-driven focus, the cost savings are passed on to brands, making top-tier execution affordable. The delivery process is further powered by FTA's proprietary Quant SEO framework, which includes the AI Citation Score (AICS), a first-in-industry metric that helps brands increase visibility in AI-generated search results. "We didn't create FTA to be just another agency," said Senthil Kumar Hariram, Founder, FTA Global. "We created it to fix what's broken. Brands don't need decks and delays — they need agile, embedded teams that deliver outcomes. FTA is our answer to that need." "With our Team-as-a-Subscription model, we're offering something radically different: agile pods, async delivery, and zero fluff. Just fast-moving, accountable execution," he added. FTA is purpose-built to solve real problems with legacy agencies such as disjointed handovers, inflexible scopes, bloated retainers, and lack of strategic agility. With its integrated dedicated team structure and AI-assisted workflows, brands can now scale growth faster, more flexibly, and without long-term contracts. In fact, brands aren't billed if results aren't delivered for the month, putting accountability at the heart of every engagement. With 40+ team members already onboard, FTA plans to grow to 100+ professionals by the end of 2025 and partner with 50+ brands by year-end. About FTA Global FTA Global is a next-generation marketing services company founded by Senthil Kumar Hariram, a veteran with 18+ years of experience who co-built NPDI from the ground up to $5M+ ARR. FTA replaces the outdated agency model with fast, embedded, and accountable growth pods, offered as a monthly subscription. These full-stack teams across SEO, Paid Media, Content, Creative, and Analytics integrate directly into brand workflows to deliver high-impact, measurable growth at speed. Logo: View original content to download multimedia:
