Resilience Reimagined PROtecTOURS and Tourism Risk at i4C.PH 2026

 Tourism feeds into the Philippine economy through employment, foreign visitor spending, and supply chains across transport, food service, and hospitality. Security across that ecosystem involves multiple overlapping risks, and addressing them requires coordination between sectors that have historically operated independently.

PROtecTOURS runs on November 5 at Hall 3 as part of i4C.PH 2026, a one-day professional platform for tourism and hospitality stakeholders covering guest safety, property crisis management, physical security, and payment and cyber threat resilience. The session is organized around five operational areas drawn from the Department of Tourism’s framework: Attractions, Accessibility, Accommodations, Amenities, and Activities. Heritage sites and theme parks face crowd management and access control issues. Transit routes, from airport corridors to local roads, require coordination across agencies that rarely share protocols. Hotels and resorts handle perimeter security, internal emergencies, and guest data simultaneously. The commercial infrastructure surrounding tourist zones carries food safety, sanitation, and power continuity risks. Guided activities and water sports require real-time incident tracking and safety standards that many operators have yet to formalize.

Failures in one area affect the others. A compromised booking system can disable access controls and strand guests during an evacuation. Damage to port or road infrastructure delays emergency response teams during a disaster. Hospitality professionals generally train for operations and service delivery, and crisis coordination and incident response are areas where many organizations carry gaps. Closing those gaps takes structured, scenario-based practice across departments and agencies.

i4C.PH 2026 is the Philippines’ national capability-building platform covering physical security and safety, disaster risk and crisis management, and cybersecurity. PROtecTOURS sits within that architecture as a focused session for the tourism sector. Participants engage with live simulations inside multi-hazard scenarios, testing how their organizations communicate and coordinate under pressure. Government regulators, destination managers, security professionals, and technology providers work through the same scenarios together. Protocol frameworks produced during these sessions are reviewed and endorsed by the participants.

For tourism operators, the sessions offer a way to pressure-test their own procedures, seeing where accommodation protocols hold and where they break down, where accessibility infrastructure fails first, and how a cyber incident translates into a physical safety problem. The Philippines has managed typhoons, a prolonged pandemic, and economic disruption that each tested the tourism sector in different ways. PROtecTOURS at i4C.PH gives practitioners a structured setting to take what those events revealed and convert it into standards they can apply going forward.

Building a more resilient tourism sector takes sustained effort across many kinds of institutions and conversations. i4C.PH 2026 is one of them. Click here to register now or scan the QR Code above. Or visit the i4C.PH Website to learn more. We hope to see you there.

About Ace And Assiociates Risk Management, Inc.

Ace and Associates Risk Management, Inc. (AAA) provides asset protection and risk management consultancy services, with an emphasis on the convergence of all aspects of security from conception to implementation. Its team combines globally accepted corporate best practices with knowledge of local conditions. AAA is one of the conceptualizers of i4C.PH, together with Resilient.PH and Security Matters. i4C.PH: Resilience Reimagined is a national, multi-sector platform that advances integrated security, crisis resilience and digital trust across the Philippines. It convenes leaders and practitioners from government, defense, public safety, critical infrastructure, industry, technology and academia around the convergence of physical security and safety, cybersecurity, and disaster and crisis management. The program follows the Resilience Programming Framework (RPF) from The Resilient.PH, a systems-based approach that treats resilience as a continuum from foresight and prevention through preparedness, response, recovery and long-term adaptation.

ASSIST Tackles Global Poverty Through Long-Term Self-Reliance

Marking the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, social impact organization, Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation (ASSIST) is calling for practical, market-driven programs that help families achieve long-term financial independence.

MANILA, Philippines – Marking the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, social impact organization, Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation (ASSIST) is calling for a stronger focus on practical, market-driven programs that help families achieve long-term financial independence. 

Moving beyond short-term relief, ASSIST is driving long-term economic transformation across Asia by empowering vulnerable communities with the tools needed for lasting self-reliance. Through comprehensive vocational training, accessible education, and targeted small business support, the organization equips individuals with marketable skills and entrepreneurial resources. By creating sustainable avenues for reliable income and strengthening local economies, ASSIST is helping families break the cycle of intergenerational poverty and build a resilient, self-sufficient future.

While emergency relief provides immediate help during crises, breaking the poverty cycle long-term requires systemic changes. Rapid shifts across local economies, alongside growing skills gaps—leave millions of first-time jobseekers as well as skilled workers struggling to secure stable work. 

To address these challenges directly, ASSIST runs targeted programs across three key areas:

Workforce Upskilling & TVET Development: Aligning technical and vocational training with actual employers needs to help job seekers secure reliable incomes. Training and intervention programs include sustainABILITY, which addresses green skills shortages in vocational schools, and NextGen Workforce, which prepares young people for modern job markets.

Inclusive Education & Digital Access: Helping bridge generational poverty by bringing technology and fundamental learning resources directly into community centers. Through projects like Adopt-A-Madrasah, ASSIST integrates digital tools, basic literacy, and financial education into traditional madrasah communities.

Small Business Support & Ecosystem Research: While starting a small business can break the cycle of poverty, early-stage ventures often struggle against local market barriers. ASSIST is proud to support UNDP-led research initiatives, such as the Youth Co:Lab Ecosystem Diagnostics Study, which map the critical policy and market challenges confronting young Pinoy entrepreneurs. These actionable findings help guide mentorship and local support networks to help small business owners achieve lasting financial security.

At the heart of these initiatives is a conviction that long-term change comes from within the communities themselves. As Karthik Subburaman, Executive Director of ASSIST, emphasizes:

"A community's future is built on its economic self-reliance. When we equip workers, youth, and small business owners with market-relevant skills and resources, we do more than just help them earn a living—we restore agency and open up generational pathways out of poverty."

By focusing on this vision of sustainable empowerment, ASSIST continues to help families move beyond basic survival toward lasting independence, paving the way for resilient and self-sufficient local economies.

Over its 20-year history, ASSIST has impacted more than 6000 individuals employed, 46,252 workforce reached, and 1,469 muslim students upskilled. In commemoration of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, the organization invites corporate partners, educators, and policymakers to invest in practical, skill-based economic programs.

Visit assistasia.org to learn more about our work or complete the Partnerships Form to collaborate on sustainable, community-driven development initiatives. Together, let’s transform economic vulnerability into long-term success.

About Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation (ASSIST)

ASSIST (Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation) is an Asian NGO with an established on-the-ground presence across the region. Operating as Partners for Progress, ASSIST collaborates with corporate and institutional funders to convert strategic investments into lasting local capacity—driven by programs it owns and partnerships it trusts.

Ajinomoto Philippines Supports Healthier Coastal Communities Through Dampalit Cleanup Drive

 

Joining the International Coastal Clean Up Day celebration, Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation (APC) took action at the Dampalit Mega Dike in Malabon, through a coastal cleanup drive in partnership with the Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation (ASSIST) and the Department of Environment and National Resources (DENR).

Located along the coast of Barangay Dampalit, the 8.6-kilometer Dampalit Mega Dike serves as an important flood-control structure and habitat for coastal and marine biodiversity in the CAMANAVA area. This underscores the importance of keeping its coastal spaces clean and protected.

APC President Daizaburo Koga said, “Addressing plastic pollution in beaches, rivers and waterways is a huge challenge, but small actions can collectively create a wave of change. Every piece of waste we collect helps create a cleaner coast, protect marine life, and preserve our oceans for future generations.” With 40 volunteers on the ground, more than 500 kilograms of solid waste were collected during the activity.

ASSIST highlighted the importance of sustained partnerships in translating environmental goals into meaningful action. “We are happy to see the continued growth of Ajinomoto's partnership with ASSIST for marine conservation and waste reduction. ASSIST is proud to work alongside partners like Ajinomoto who remain consistently committed to driving real, lasting environmental change—and we hope to see even more organizations follow suit,” said Francis Macatulad - ASSIST Director for Business Development.

The coastal cleanup is part of APC’s dedicated efforts to translate its sustainability commitments into concrete initiatives.The company always finds ways to contribute to Ajinomoto Group’s global goal of extending the healthy life expectancy of one billion people and reducing its environmental impact by 50% by 2030.

About Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation (ASSIST)
ASSIST (Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation) is a self-sustaining pan-Asian NGO working at the intersection of social impact and sustainable transformation. True to its role as a Partner for Progress, ASSIST collaborates with corporate and institutional funders to deliver co-created initiatives as well as award-winning flagship programs that convert social investments into lasting local capacity. Explore our work and partner with us: www.assistasia.org

B1G2 Technologies Appointed KinoSec Distributor in the Philippines

B1G2 Technologies International Inc. has been appointed as the official distributor of KinoSec in the Philippines, bringing autonomous penetration testing technology to enterprises, managed service providers (MSPs), managed security service providers (MSSPs), and IT service companies.

KinoSec is making waves in cybersecurity with its autonomous penetration testing platform, designed to identify and validate vulnerabilities across web applications, APIs, cloud environments, and networks.

The platform's capabilities include a standout benchmark result: KinoSec's Zeus engine achieved a 99.04% exploitation success rate across a 104-challenge black-box web benchmark, outperforming the published results of a five-person human pentesting team at 87.5%. KinoSec also reports that Zeus can pentest 1,000 companies in a single day, compared with the typical capacity of a human pentester handling 5–10 companies per month.

From AI Innovation to the DEF CON Competition Stage

KinoSec's momentum extends beyond product performance. At DEF CON 34 in August 2026, KinoSec won the Hack The Box Capture the Flag (HTB CTF) competition, solving all 37 of 37 challenges and finishing first against human teams working under the same time constraints. KinoSec was also named a Circle of Excellence awardee for Most Innovative Company of 2026 at the 17th Asia CEO Awards. KinoSec has also joined the NVIDIA Inception Program, which supports startups developing AI and data science technologies.

KinoSec reports a 99.04% success rate on the 104-challenge XBOW benchmark, successfully exploiting 103 challenges under fully autonomous, black-box testing conditions—with no source-code access.

The result highlights KinoSec’s ability to identify and validate exploitable vulnerabilities across web applications and digital attack surfaces, helping security teams move beyond basic vulnerability scanning toward more practical, attacker-focused testing.

Expanding Access to Autonomous Security in the Philippines

Through this partnership, B1G2 Technologies will help introduce KinoSec's technology to the Philippine market, complementing its existing cybersecurity solutions and services, including vulnerability assessment and penetration testing (VAPT).

The collaboration also creates opportunities for service providers to expand their offerings through white-label autonomous pentesting—enabling eligible partners to deliver security testing and branded reports under their own company names without having to build an entire pentesting operation from scratch.

“Organizations need to understand not just where vulnerabilities exist, but which weaknesses can actually be exploited. KinoSec gives us an exciting opportunity to help businesses and cybersecurity partners adopt a more proactive, scalable approach to security testing,” said Mr. Ciriaco Santos III, President of B1G2 Technologies International Inc.

New Growth Opportunities for Cybersecurity Service Providers

B1G2 Technologies is actively looking for MSPs, MSSPs, IT service providers, and cybersecurity partners interested in expanding their service portfolios with autonomous penetration testing. Partners can explore opportunities to offer recurring security testing, white-label reports, and scalable services to their customers.

Organizations interested in becoming a B1G2 Technologies partner or requesting a product demonstration may contact marketing@b1g2.io or visit https://b1g2.io

About B1G2 Technologies International Inc.

B1G2 Technologies International Inc. provides cybersecurity solutions and services to Philippine organizations, with a portfolio spanning endpoint security, cloud security, threat intelligence, cybersecurity awareness, and vulnerability assessment and penetration testing. B1G2 is the exclusive distributor of ESET in the Philippines.