ZONTA CLUB OF CEBU II HOLDS FORUM ON IMAGE-BASED ABUSE and ITS  HARMFUL EFFECTS

Those who upload or post photos and videos with sexual content on social media without the consent of the concerned person/s are punishable under the Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act and other legal frameworks, said Atty. Mark Lawrence Badayos, resource speaker during the webinar on Revenge Porn and Deeper Harms organized by the Zonta Club of Cebu II. 

The webinar is among the various activities conducted by the Zonta Club of Cebu II in celebration of the 18 Days of Activism to Stop Gender-based Violence.

 Photo or Video Voyeurism refers to the act of taking a photo or video coverage, of a person or group of persons in intimate privacy or any similar activity or of capturing an image of the private area of a person or persons without the latter’s consent, under circumstances in which such person/s has/have a reasonable expectation of privacy and the broadcasting, selling, exhibiting of these.

To combat this grave misuse of modern technology the Philippine Congress has legislated Republic Act No. 9995, otherwise known as the Anti-voyeurism Act, one of the progressive laws that have been enacted to protect the intimate privacy of an individual against unscrupulous individuals who use the modern technology abuse and debase their intended victims.

Atty. Badayos discussed the mental and physical impact of this abuse on the victim such as post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression; loss of bodily control/autonomy; fear of physical attack and further abuse; loss of self-dignity and respect; and, inhibition of sexual expression and the consequences like the loss of livelihood and employment; being ostracized by families, friends and other circles and the normalization and tolerance of sexual abuse.

The online forum on Revenge Porn and Deeper Harms marks the last day of the 18 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence observed by Zonta Club of Cebu II.

 “As we close the advocacy of the 18 Days of Activism through this last webinar on ‘Image-based Sexual Abuse,’ the insights given this afternoon by our resource speaker show that the need for the creation and the passing of new statutes that would protect the people’s rights in a different circumstance now involving technology,” Dr. Elsa Basubas, chairperson of Abay sa Kahayag committee, said in her closing remarks.

Zonta Club of Cebu II believes in and supports survivors of gender-based violence in all its forms including image-based sexual abuse. We hope we can empower our young men and women through human rights education and experience-sharing so that we will become advocates for a violent-free world.

 Cebu Cordova Link Expressway wins top award in CEMEX Building Award 2022

The Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) won First Place in the Infrastructure International Category of the 2022 Premio Obras CEMEX or the CEMEX Building Award 2022, announced during the ceremonies held at the Hyatt Regency Polanco in Mexico City recently.

CCLEX, currently the longest bridge in the country at 8.9 kilometers, was built by the Cebu Cordova Link Joint venture composed of Spain-based Acciona Construccion, S.A., and Philippine-based firms First Balfour and DMCI. CCLEX connects mainland Cebu from Cebu City to Cordova town on Mactan Island.

"Thank you very much for this nomination; we are very proud of this award, especially for the Filipino people. On behalf of the contractors, the Cebu Link Joint Venture, particularly Acciona, DMCI, and First Belfour, thank you very much," said Engineer Benjamin Dublin, Acting Project Director from Cebu Link Joint Venture, when he accepted the award.

"We would like to also extend our thanks to CEMEX Philippines for helping us through thick and thin for the successful project and also for the organizers, the CEMEX board of directors; thank you very much," Dublin added.

The CEMEX Building Award is an initiative created and organized by CEMEX to recognize the best of architecture and construction works in the world, including the people who make these works possible, such as architects, engineers, investors, and builders. It is one of the most recognized awards in the construction industry, as it encourages creativity, sustainability, and innovation.

"The CEMEX Building Award is an opportunity to remain close to our clients and offer a space to exhibit the best of construction on a global level," said Fernando González, CEMEX CEO. "It is a recognition of these projects' significant contribution to building a better future through innovation and sustainability in construction."

CEMEX Philippines, through its subsidiary APO Cement Corporation, was the exclusive cement supplier of CCLEX.

"This recognition is a tribute to the excellent construction and design processes of CLJV, and we are proud to be the main cement supplier and partner in this landmark project that creates value for present and future generations," said Luis Franco, President of CEMEX Philippines.

"We look forward to continuing promoting the best and most sustainable projects through the exchange of creative ideas and construction innovation aimed at building a better and more sustainable future," Franco added.

Premio Obras 2022 received 394 projects in its Mexico Edition, of which 21 works were recognized in their respective categories and special prizes. For the International Edition, the jury selected 26 finalist projects from 11 countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Egypt, Spain, Philippines, France, Jamaica, Mexico, Montenegro, Panama, and Poland.

The jury for this edition was made up of renowned architects and engineers from six countries: Colombia, the United States, Mexico, Panama, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic. The judges evaluated the projects for their construction and architecture processes and solutions, as well as the incorporation of sustainable attributes and value creation.