Latest news with #IRR
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
Guntur IRR Phase-3 back on track
GUNTUR: In a major push to Guntur's long-stalled infrastructure development, the phase-3 of the city's Inner Ring Road (IRR) project is finally moving forward. The Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA) has recently released an e-procurement notification inviting tenders for the construction of the 4.5-kilometre stretch between Swarnabharathi Nagar and Palakaluru. Estimated to cost Rs 48 crore, this stretch will complete the long-pending IRR corridor and significantly ease urban traffic pressure. The IRR project, first conceptualised by the VGTM (Vijayawada-Guntur-Tenali-Mangalagiri) Urban Development Authority in 2005, was envisioned as a strategic bypass to channel traffic from Palnadu and western Guntur toward NH-65 and Vijayawada, without overloading the city's narrow arterial roads. While phases 1 and 2, covering 6.7 kilometres, were completed by 2018, the final leg was left in limbo due to shifting jurisdictions, compensation disputes, and a lack of political will during the previous administration.
IOL News
4 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Exploring mixed reactions to the Freedom From Poverty Bill: A new approach to replacing BEE and employment equity
The Institute of Race Relations has introduced a new Bill that seeks to replace the Black Economic Empowerment and Employment Equity. Pictured is Minister of Employment and Labour, Nomakhosazana Meth. Image: GCIS The Freedom From Poverty Bill, introduced by the Institution of Race Relations (IRR) as a replacement for the Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) and the Employment Equity Act (EEA), has been met with mixed views. Under the bill, there is Economic Empowerment for the Disadvantaged (EED), which is codified as an alternative to BEE and a proposal for true transformation, as it will be based on need, not race. It was launched this week as part of the #WhatSACanBe campaign in a webinar discussion between IRR Head of Policy, Dr Anthea Jeffery, and IRR Strategic Engagements Manager, Makone Maja. The BEE aims to correct past inequalities and is governed by the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act. Its application is limited to people who are black, of mixed race, and Indian, and excludes white people, including those with disabilities. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Explaining the difference between the two policies, Jeffery said the BEE uses race as a proxy for disadvantage, EED targets the poor, and identifies disadvantage based on a means test. 'This would enable poor whites to benefit too, but 99% of its benefits would in practice go to poor black people. Its non-racial focus would reduce racial divisions, put an end to race classification, and comply with the Constitution's founding value of non-racialism. 'The EED is voluntary, which means companies would no longer be required to keep the current BEE scorecard to aid them in state procurement contracts, or race-based ownership deals, management posts, and procurement contracts. EED's scorecard incentivises companies for their key contributions to the economy by rewarding them with EED points for these actions. With EED, the points cannot be redeemed to gain from preferential procurement,' Jeffery said. She added that EED introduces education and health voucher-based support for poor people to be used at schools or health facilities of their choice. This, she said, will redirect much of the revenue now spent on dysfunctional schools, hospitals, and housing developments into tax-funded vouchers for low-income families. The bill states that a system of tax-funded vouchers must be created and administered by provincial administrations, with the help of public-private partnerships where necessary, and it will go hand in hand with social grants. An emphasis was made that this will not take away social grants. 'In the instance of schools, the voucher will go with the child to the school of the family's choice. The vouchers will fund teachers' salaries, study materials, maintaining the school grounds, and more. Parents can remove their children from poor-performing schools and take the vouchers with them. This will engender competition and incentivise excellence at all levels of the supply-side of education and raise due diligence on the demand-side. The health vouchers will operate the same way,' Jeffery said. Maja said ending fake transformation, which only enriches those at the very top, is critical to truly changing South Africa's economy. 'True transformation would move the needle on the numbers of unemployment, economic growth, and the rates of poverty and decline of state services and infrastructure. All of which have either stagnated or, in some instances, worsened since the advent of fake transformation,' said Maja. Dr Rowena Bernard, a senior lecturer at the University of KwaZulu-Natal's School of Law, said the proposed EED excludes racial criteria and any form of racial classification as a basis for empowerment. She added that it emphasises merit, skills, objective criteria, and measurable socio-economic disadvantage, and no EED measure may rely on demographic representativity, racial criteria, racial targets or quotas, or any form of classification by race. The focus of the BEE is on redistribution instead of growth. It is based on racial classification and preference, which goes against the founding principles of the Constitution. The BEE tends to benefit only a small elite of South Africans; unfortunately, the vast majority of black South Africans still receive limited benefits from the policy. South Africa's progress in reducing poverty and inequality, and improving socio-economic rights has been relatively slow, Bernard said. 'The BEE overlooks contributions made by the private sector in terms of upward mobility by investing, employing, innovating, and paying taxes. According to the BEE policy, businesses are to be measured according to a scorecard to determine their compliance level. The elements in the generic scorecard relate to ownership, which measures the economic interest, voting rights, and net value of shares held by black people. 'Management control assesses the number of executive boards, senior, middle, and junior management positions held by black members in a business. Skills development focuses on skills development initiatives and training for black employees.' Under the EED, existing race-based contracts or empowerment schemes will be reviewed within 18 months and may also be terminated by a court or tribunal if they are tainted by inflated pricing, corruption, undue influence, or other damaging or unlawful conduct. She added that the EED proposes the introduction of a voucher system in the three critical areas of education, housing, and health, affecting the lives of the vast majority of South Africans. 'This proposed voucher system will be available to all South Africans and will not be based on any racial criteria. A means test will be used to determine an individual's eligibility for the voucher. 'This means that people earning below the threshold would be granted education vouchers, up to a certain amount; this voucher would then be used at the school of their choice. This would be done by redirecting the education budget. This system would give children from lower-income families the right to make their own educational choice. This would also have an effect on failing state schools, which many children have to attend because they have little other choice. This allows for better choices and better education opportunities,' she said. Bernard added that the vouchers would work similarly for housing and healthcare, as people would no longer have to solely rely on government services. 'Access to the vouchers would enable people to improve their living conditions, not rely on the inferior, low-cost houses built and provided by the South African government. They will be able to use the voucher to either build better quality homes or rent proper homes. It is envisioned that it will reduce homelessness, housing instability, and overcrowding. Health vouchers will increase access to healthcare. People will no longer have to rely on free public health care treatment, which will increase access to better quality health care,' she said. The EED, she said, brings in a new perspective to address the real challenges all South Africans experience regardless of their race. It provides realistic options to empower and uplift those who are disadvantaged. Bernard said the bill may have serious consequences for employment laws. 'Affirmative action measures and policies will also be affected as employers will not be able to introduce preferential policies that result in racial preferencing. All employees will have equal opportunities in relation to promotions and fair labour practices. All employees will have equal opportunities to receive training and skills development,' she said. She added that it may result in financial strain and capacity issues as employers will be expected to review and change existing employment policies and practices. There may be an increase in employee grievances concerning unfair discrimination claims, which will lead to a strain on the resources of the employer and the court system. 'The EED Bill will certainly benefit the majority of black employees, but the proposed non-racial approach would reaffirm the Constitution's founding values of equality and human dignity,' she said. However, Professor Ntsikelelo Breakfast said the IRR is using non-racialism to block transformation. 'The issue of transformation is not debatable, because it comes from the Constitution. The preamble of the Constitution talks about the transformation, which is a historical appreciation. So, we can't have nation-building and social cohesion without transformation. 'We can't be united when the rugby national team is playing, but when it comes to other issues, we don't want to talk about them. It looks like some people want to preserve their privileges. In my opinion, people are not being honest, because if you look at poverty and unemployment, those social cleavages have a colour,' Breakfast said. He added that the BEE has not achieved its intended objective, but that doesn't mean that transformation must take a back seat. 'We need to call out people who are pushing back from transformation, while at the same time talking about social cohesion and nation-building. Unemployment, inequality, and poverty still indicate that race is an issue. How do you transcend racial categorisation but still have these issues along racial lines? If this bill goes to Parliament, it won't be adopted by the majority. I don't think this policy is proposed in good faith. I find it very suspicious,' he said.
GMA Network
15-07-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
DICT defends Konektadong Pinoy Act, welcomes dialogue
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) on Tuesday addressed several issues concerning the Konektadong Pinoy Bill, saying it welcomes the public dialogue surrounding the measure, which is now awaiting the President's signature. In a statement, the DICT said it acknowledges the concerns raised by various stakeholders regarding potential regulatory and cybersecurity risks. 'We affirm our shared commitment with civil society, industry, and government partners to uphold national security, consumer protection, and universal access to secure, affordable, and reliable internet,' the ICT Department said. The agency, moreover, issued clarifications to address pressing issues on the Konektadong Pinoy bill. 'The DICT will never allow deregulation at the expense of security or public interest. The Konektadong Pinoy Bill does not weaken the role of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC),' it said. 'On the contrary, it modernizes and strengthens NTC's mandate to respond faster and more effectively to digital-age challenges — including the ability to issue compliance directives on cybersecurity, quality of service, and fair competition under streamlined frameworks,' it added. The DICT further said that it is already preparing complementary Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) that explicitly reinforce the NTC's role as the technical regulator with teeth — not just a passive licensing body. On the issues of foreign ownership and national security, the ICT Department stressed, 'National security is a non-negotiable priority.' 'The DICT, in coordination with national security agencies, will ensure that no foreign-controlled entity gains access to critical digital infrastructure without undergoing multi-layered vetting and continuous monitoring,' it said. 'The bill introduces open access within defined segments — particularly the middle mile and last mile — to address the broadband gap. But backbone and core infrastructure remain governed by existing ownership and security laws, including the Public Service Act and Cybercrime Prevention Act,' it added. Critics of the measure, including the Philippine Chamber of Telecommunications Operators (PCTO), composed of the country's leading telcos, and the Philippine Association of Private Telecommunications Companies (PAPTELCO), have flagged security issues as it would allow new entrants to not require a legislative franchise. Under the measure, new data transmission players are no longer required to secure a legislative franchise or Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN). Meanwhile, cybersecurity stakeholders — Women in Security Alliance Philippines (WiSAP), Scam Watch Pilipinas, BPO Security Council, PhilDev S&T Foundation, and the Philippines CIO Association — urged President Ferdinand Marcos to address the cybersecurity risks found in the Konektadong Pinoy Bill either 'through a veto with recommendations, immediate amendments post-enactment, or complementary executive actions.' The DICT addressed issues on the removal of the legislative franchise requirement in the bill, saying it 'was carefully deliberated to accelerate deployment in underserved areas, especially in remote provinces.' 'It does not apply to telcos.' 'The DICT emphasizes that all entities must still secure proper permits, undergo security reviews, and be subject to the oversight of DICT and its attached agencies,' it added. The agency said that there will be no 'grace period' for negligence. 'The three-year clause cited in the bill refers only to minimum standards for legacy compliance, not to active threat management. All new entrants will be required to comply with baseline cybersecurity controls before operations begin, under the direct supervision of the DICT and the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC),' the DICT said. The ICT Department said it is actively consulting with legal, civil society, and cybersecurity partners 'as we finalize the IRR and bicameral inputs.' 'We invite groups to submit position papers, recommend safeguards, and participate in our technical working groups. This law is not an endpoint — it is a starting point for deeper reform, built on transparency, accountability, and collaboration,' it said. The agency said that it is reaffirming its 'core objective,' which is 'to make the internet a right, not a privilege.' 'We are open to better ideas. But we must act decisively and together—because every day without action is another day of digital exclusion for millions of Filipinos. Let's connect the country—securely, inclusively, and responsibly,' the DICT said. — BAP, GMA Integrated News
_2025_07_12_19_30_14.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
GMA Network
15-07-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
Cybersecurity groups urge Marcos to ensure safeguards in Konektadong Pinoy Act
Cybersecurity stakeholders urged President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. to address the cybersecurity risks found in the Konektadong Pinoy Bill, which is now awaiting the signature of the country's chief executive to become a law. 'We understand that the Konektadong Pinoy Bill is already awaiting the signature of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.,' Women in Security Alliance Philippines (WiSAP), Scam Watch Pilipinas, BPO Security Council, PhilDev S&T Foundation, and the Philippines CIO Association said in a joint statement on Tuesda 'However, we firmly believe that cybersecurity safeguards must still be addressed,' the cybersecurity groups said. ISPs In particular, the groups flagged a provision in the bill which 'allows new internet service providers (ISPs) to operate for up to three years without full compliance with cybersecurity and data privacy regulations.' 'This grace period, written into the law, cannot be undone or corrected by the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). It opens a dangerous window that hackers, scammers, and potentially even state-sponsored actors could exploit — threatening the security of critical infrastructure and sensitive citizen data,' the groups said. With this, the cybersecurity stakeholders called on Marcos to ensure the safeguards are addressed, 'whether through a veto with recommendations, immediate amendments post-enactment, or complementary executive actions.' The groups recommended the following safeguards: Remove the three-year grace period and require that all Data Transmission Industry Participants (DTIPs) and related entities comply with stringent cybersecurity and data protection controls upon engagement, aligned with global standards and practices Mandate a comprehensive risk assessment approach that considers cybersecurity, privacy, technology architecture, geopolitical concerns, and economic viability — especially for providers with foreign ownership or control Explicitly require national security and cybersecurity vetting for all prospectiv infrastructure providers involved in building or operating critical data infrastructure Include clear penalties for negligence leading to breaches of critical infrastructure, subject to investigation by regulatory agencies 'We recognize the value of a well-crafted IRR, but rules and regulations cannot compensate for omissions in the law itself,' the groups said. 'By embedding these essential safeguards into the legislation, it will align the bill with existing Philippine cybersecurity and data privacy laws, ensuring that our nation's digital infrastructure is protected from evolving threats that could compromise our sovereignty and long-term digital future,' they added. Telcos In particular, the groups flagged a provision in the bill that 'allows new internet service providers (ISPs) to operate for up to three years without full compliance with cybersecurity and data privacy regulations.' PCTO called for a review of the ratified version of the measure, citing national security concerns and weakening of regulatory oversight among new entrants in the country's connectivity service sector. PAPTELCO, on the other hand, urged Marcos to veto the bill, also flagging national security issues, as new players would no longer be required to secure a legislative franchise. Under the measure, new data transmission players are no longer required to secure a legislative franchise or Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN). The cybersecurity groups, meanwhile, said they support the measure's aim of expanding internet access and modernizing the country's digital infrastructure. However, they said that 'we are concerned that certain provisions may unintentionally expose the Philippines to heightened cyber threats — unless stronger safeguards are embedded directly into the law.' 'The bill also appears to ease the entry of entities — including foreign-controlled firms —into building highly sensitive infrastructure such as international cable landing stations and satellite gateways,' the groups said. 'Without a legally mandated national security vetting process, the IRR alone cannot provide the level of scrutiny and accountability required,' they added. Data access Cybersecurity stakeholders, meanwhile, noted that such raises the risk of unauthorized data access or disruptions to national infrastructure. 'Given the strategic nature of these assets, we strongly recommend that the law explicitly mandate both national security and cybersecurity vetting for all prospective infrastructure providers, regardless of origin,' the groups said. 'This would help ensure transparency, protect national interests, and uphold the integrity of our digital infrastructure —without unnecessarily discouraging investment or international cooperation. Yes, the bill seeks to connect more Filipinos — but if cybersecurity is treated as an afterthought, it also opens the door to serious threats,' they said. Technology industry groups —Global AI Council Philippines, the Blockchain Council of the Philippines, the Cybersecurity Council of the Philippines, the Data Center Association of the Philippines, the Fintech Philippines Association, and Go Digital Philippines— threw support for the Konektadong Pinoy Act, saying it can "help close the country's connectivity gap." Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Henry Aguda is also backing the passage into law of the Konektadong Pinoy Act, saying it would increase competition in the country's telecoms space and eventually lower the cost of services for the benefit of the consuming public. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
The Citizen
11-07-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
IRR survey: Growing number of South Africans oppose race-based laws
The Institute of Race Relations (IRR) has reported growing public support for its call to repeal South Africa's remaining race-based laws, following the momentum of its #WhatSACanBe campaign. Launched four months ago, the campaign promotes evidence-based policies aimed at driving economic growth and social progress. One of its key proposals is the No More Race Laws Bill. This draft legislation is designed to repeal race-based laws and end mandatory racial classification in South African law. The campaign emerges in response to the Employment Equity Amendment Act, introduced by Minister of Employment and Labour, Nomakhosazana Meth. The Act enforces race-based targets for businesses and requires individuals and companies to report on racial and gender classifications to demonstrate compliance. Makone Maja, strategic engagements manager at the IRR, criticised the legislation. 'This makes Minister Meth the perfect recipient of the No More Race Laws petition,' said Maja. 'The petition is anchored in the tenets of the No More Race Laws Bill and has so far received 12 373 signatures from ordinary South Africans who have had enough of race laws that rob the people they claim to benefit, while enabling the political elite to amass enormous wealth.' Maja argued that such laws support what the IRR describes as a system of 'fake transformation' that fails to uplift the nearly half of the population still living in poverty. According to the IRR, the Ministry of Employment and Labour has failed to deliver on job creation and continues to back legislation that undermines economic growth. The organisation noted that South Africa continues to face some of the highest unemployment rates since the dawn of democracy, particularly among the youth. 'Blame for the last 10 years of little to no growth can be laid squarely at the door of laws that favour patronage over merit and value-for-money procurement,' Maja added. 'We can no longer afford to insist that race is relevant at the expense of true development and economic growth.' The IRR intends to deliver both the draft bill and the petition signatures to Minister Meth, urging her to take the first step toward inclusive, merit-based job creation by removing race-based policies. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
