Public WiFi to boost e-commerce in PHL; Tomas fires 540 health workers; 30 cops get P.5M reward-Cebu News Digest for July 13, 2016.

This is the roundup of stories that came out in local publications today, July 13, 2016.

Improved internet services leads to GDP growth.

AN online firm sees the government’s initiative to roll out free public WiFi spots around the country and the president Rodrigo Duterte’s warning to telcos to improve internet service as a boost for online commerce. The free public WiFi project of the Department of Science and Technology covers 1,435 Classes 1 and 2 municipalities. World Bank studies also show that every 10 percent increase in broadband internet penetration translates into a 1.38 percent increase in a country’s gross domestic product.

It’s a clear win together (initiative)…(public WiFi) would benefit the whole community…for everyone to become better and informed consumers. OLX Philippines general manager Giancarlo Bonsei.

Read: Sun.Star Cebu: Philippine economy to boost from public WiFi.

Freeman: Slow internet hinders online biz in PHL.

Tomas fires 540 health workers.

Close to 600 barangay health workers were fired by Mayor Tomas Osmena, becoming the latest casualties in his cleansing of Cebu City Hall. However, Philip Zafra of Tisa and Ramil Ayuman of Apas will defy the order of Tomas, which they say will affect their barangay’s health services.

All barangay health workers who are receiving salary and/or honorarium from the city government are terminated from service effective today. All officers in charge of the concerned departments and/or agencies are hereby directed to implement this order immediately. Tomas Osmena memo terminating barangay health workers.

We have to be circumspect. Just because the barangay captain is from the ooposition, he would also go after the barangay because in that sense, te services will be paralyzed. We are here to serve, but they are making it difficult for us. Tisa barangay captain Philipp Zafra.

Read: Sun.Star Cebu: After daycare workers, it’s the turn of 540 health workers to lose jobs.

War against drugs

In the latest war against drugs stories, 30 police officers will preceive close to half a million peso as a reward from the Capitol, while a Cebu City councilor wants Osmena to shed light on his alleged relationship with slain druglord Jeffrey “Jaguar” Diaz. Osmena earlier admitted that Jaguar tried to contribute millions to his campaign.