Going digital will benefit grassroots

BY RIZAL RAOUL S. REYES

PEOPLE at the grassroots level should harness digital technology by shifting to cashless transactions because it will bring several benefits to them, according to a pro-consumer rights advocacy group.

“The use of [digital technology] should be extended to market vendors, community shopkeepers, tricycle operators and drivers, farmers and small merchants,” said lawyer Christopher Belmonte, co-convenor of CitizenWatch Philippines.

“Convenience is just one thing. Aside from this,

EU LAWMAKERS WARN OF HUNGARY, POLAND SPYWARE ABUSES

BRUSSELS—European Union lawmakers investigating the use of Pegasus spyware against opposition politicians and journalists on Tuesday raised deep concern about abuses in Hungary and Poland, and lamented a lack of cooperation with their inquiry.

The spyware developed by developed by Israeli cyberintelligence company NSO has been used around the world to break into the phones and computers of political figures, human rights activists, reporters and even Catholic clergy. It was allegedly only made available to government agencies.

Cybersleuths have found traces of Pegasus or other spyware in Poland, Hungary, Spain and Greece. But after a year-long investigation, members of the European Parliament said they had been unable to come up with a smoking gun.

“Do we have evidence? No, because none of the authorities are cooperating,” said Dutch Liberal lawmaker Sophie In‘t Veld, who helped lead the probe.

In’t Veld said the lawmakers suspect, but cannot prove, that Greece exported Predator spyware to Cyprus, which then delivered it to Sudan, where more than 600 people have been killed since April 15 in fighting between the military, led by Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, and a rival paramilitary group.

Dutch conservative lawmaker Jeroen Lenaers said the refusal of Poland’s right-wing government to cooperate appeared to be “part of a wider approach to silence any kind of dissent in Poland and it’s extremely concerning.”

In their final report, the lawmakers said that Poland’s use of Pegasus was part of “a system for the surveillance of the opposition and critics of the government—designed to keep the ruling majority and the government in power.”

They argued that the use of spyware in Hungary was “part of a calculated and strategic campaign to destroy media freedom and freedom of expression by the government.” Hungary’s justice minister refused repeated requests for talks. The lawmakers said they sent questionnaires to authorities in the EU’s 27 member countries but that very few came back with “relevant information.” Some, including the Netherlands, did not reply at all. Others refused to provide information due to what they said were national security grounds.

“The abuse of spyware has nothing to do with national security,” In’t Veld said. She also raised concern about where the victims might turn for help when the authorities are accused of doing the spying. “In not one single case has justice been done so far. Not one,” she said.

NSO has been subject to export limits by the US federal government, which has accused the firm of conducting “transnational repression.” Major technology companies, including Apple and Meta, the owner of WhatsApp, also have brought NSO to court. AP the adoption of cashless payments like GCash would open up to other financial services like loans, savings, investments and others,” added Belmonte. is produced in Bandung, West Java, Indonesia. Oatside control over every step of the manufacturing process, from the ingredient sourcing to production. Consumers like Oatside because of the taste. I, for one, have always thought that oat milk was for adding to coffee but Oatside can actually be enjoyed alone or even with cereal. You can also use oat milk for sauces that need milk, including béchamel sauce. One more thing that consumers like about Oatside is its affordability. It costs way less than other brands in the market.

Although there is a significant amount of economic activity going on in markets, in public transportation, and in the fields, Belmonte noted majority of the transactions are still cash-based. Nevertheless, he is optimistic people will shift to cashless once they see the benefits and, more importantly, once they are shown how.

Belmonte also urged local executives to work with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government as it rolls out Paleng-QR Ph Plus, which aims to promote cashless payments in public markets and local transportation, particularly tricycles, across the country.

Paleng-QR was inspired by student policy competition finalists from the University of the Philippines-Los Baños in 2021.

The program targets to change the paradigm in markets and public transport, because these are basic components of an average Filipino’s typical payment pattern, said the Bangko Sentral on its web site.

“Until a market vendor and a tricycle driver can accept digital payments, transitioning to cashless transactions would be difficult for an average Filipino consumer,” the BSP added.

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“Some stores are already using QR codes to facilitate cashless purchases. They can scan it with their smartphones and confirm payments in seconds. No more exchanges of cash and finding change. It’s so convenient,” Belmonte said.

“Also, important for both seller and buyer is the digital record of the transaction.”

It’s also safe, he added. “No more risks of cash being taken by thieves.”

“The pandemic-induced lockdowns introduced millions of Filipinos to the benefits of cashless payments,” said Belmonte. “Consumers learned to trust cashless transactions even after their initial hesitation. Eventually, many of us now prefer going cashless in our daily purchases.”

This experience does not have to be limited to those working in offices or bigger businesses, or to the younger generation who are digital natives. Vendors and drivers, once they experience going cashless, will likely prefer this over their usual ways, according to CitizenWatch.

“This is a great opportunity to introduce all Filipinos to the formal financial system, which can eventually provide them opportunities to start and grow their business,” Belmonte said.

“Digital payment platforms are an indispensable tool of the digital economy, and we want all Filipinos to participate in this thriving, promising economy.”