With a mission to connect Filipinos and Israelis through cutting-edge technologies from various companies in Israel, the “Future Ready Resilience: Israel-Philippines Tech & Innovation Forum” unveiled the latest and state-of-the-art technology that provides solutions to Emergency Preparedness and Response.

The event was held on February 21, 2024, at the Shangri-la The Fort Manila and participated by 8 delegations from Israel and showcased their wide range of technological solutions for emergency preparedness, digitalization, video analytics, AI, defense forces, among others.

In his welcome remarks, Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines H.E. Ilan Fluss shared that Israel, having more than 9,000 startups ranks as the third-largest startup ecosystem worldwide, following Silicon Valley and New York.

Ambassador Fluss also highlighted that this trade mission would serve as a platform for Israeli companies to showcase their cutting-edge technology to enhance public alert and warning systems, command and control, first responder communications, and scheduled simulations. 

“Israel excels in Emergency Preparedness & Response, showcasing an impressive expertise in developing innovative solutions driven by the country’s unique climate, geography, and geopolitical situation. Notably, these advancements include state-of-the-art siren and alert systems, Command & Control, off-grid communication technologies, and aerial support,” underscored Fluss. 

Likewise, the envoy mentioned how the Philippine Red Cross Chairman Richard Gordon played a key role in partnering with Israel’s Red Cross, benefiting both organizations in this collective effort to provide help in times of crisis.

Meanwhile, Chairman Gordon, the keynote speaker of the forum, emphasized the 4Ps: Predict, Plan, Prepare, and Practice. Through the humanitarian assistance provided by the PRC, Gordon mentioned that they remain in service toward social welfare and volunteerism that are “just in time, on time, all the time.”

According to Gordon, there was also a total number of 21,603 blood units, as of February 20, 2024, at 4 PM. PRC has been committed to providing humanitarian aid for emergencies and disaster risks, alongside support through donations and having active volunteers nationwide. 

The 8 Israeli companies that participated in the FUTURE-READY RESILIENCE: Israel-Philippines Tech & Innovation Forum are: 

• RT LTA Systems Ltd. (https://www.rt.co.il/)
  • Specializes in high-performance aerostat technologies 
  • Skystar^TM systems are operationally deployed worldwide and perform emergency response, law enforcement, public safety, security missions, and even VIP protection. The aerostat can have operations at an altitude up to 1,500 ft, hence can carry any payload such as high-resolution camera, communications, radar, and even locate survivors in disaster areas. 

• Corsight AI (https://www.corsight.ai/)
  • Recognized by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
  • Facial recognition solutions that deal with disguises, poor video quality, limited angles, facial coverage, distance, and even darkness

• Octopus Systems (https://octopus-app.com/)
  • Management platform with Command and control app, AI, and personal monitoring app which help in reducing equipment and installation costs
  • Enable customers to access physical and IT security as well as situational awareness

• Steadicopter (https://steadicopter.com/)
  • Advanced unmanned robotic helicopters — full-featured solutions, vertical take-off and landing, steady hovering, and optical vision for day & night 
  • For operational missions, surveillance, defense, UAV

• More Than Security LTD (https://www.morethansec.com/) 
  • Services include civil defense, emergency preparedness, cyber, surveillance, and, border protection and control
  • Team with experts from Israel’s defense and security organizations

• Mer Group (https://mer-group.com/)
  • For emergency response management with expertise focusing on disaster preparedness plans, early warning systems, security and communication systems, critical infrastructure protection, and safe & smart cities
  • Provides end-to-end services from strategy to training/maintenance

• Magna BSP (https://magnabsp.com/)
  • Provides 3D video surveillance solutions — perimeter security, port entry inspection, nuclear facilities, borders, airports/seaports, and other critical infrastructure 
  • AI capabilities in video analytics with highly accurate real-time detection (i.e. small drone detection: EO radar)
• Cinten (https://www.cinten.com/)
  • Customize crisis situations, tabletop exercises, emergency planning, wargame, strategic decision-making processes 
  • Examine response plans while training teams to deal with a range of risks and incidents 

Panel discussions were then followed — led by Economic Counselor Tomer Heyvi focusing on the“Roles of Emerging Technologies in Transforming Emergency Response” as well as Director for HLS, Cyber, Fintech & Aerospace – Israel Export Institute Tal Siman Tov for the second part of discussion about Managing Critical Infrastructure in Emergency Preparedness. With visits like this, more collaborations across various business sectors will forge stronger ties between Israel and the Philippines, establishing more trade and investment opportunities. 

“I am confident that our continued partnership will bring about innovative solutions, foster mutual growth, and further deepen the enduring bond between our two nations,” said Ambassador Fluss. 

Ambassador Ilan Fluss revealed the flourishing relations between Israel and the Philippines in the fields of economy, agriculture, tourism, defense, among others during the Pandesal Forum held in Kamuning Bakery. The Israeli Ambassador also emphasized that he envisions expanding the cooperation between the two countries focusing on innovation and technology.

“Israel is a global hub of innovation and technology. We want to share our know-how with Filipinos and to work together in maximizing their potential while using smart and innovative Israeli technology adjusted to local conditions,” Ambassador Fluss said.

Israel is known as the start-up nation with leading companies in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, water technology, and more. The embassy plans to feature and introduce more of these in the Philippines. 

He specifically mentioned the agriculture sector, which will benefit more in using Israeli innovation. “I recently visited Tarlac State University and I saw the impressive and successful display of the adoption of Israeli smart technology in the province,” he said.

Israel and the Philippines have existing cooperation in the agriculture field. “Every year, Filipino students train in Israel for 11 months to practice smart agriculture,” Ambassador Fluss said. “Israel offers advanced technologies and innovation in farming that it aims to share with the Philippines to contribute to its goal of attaining sustainability and food sufficiency in the country while addressing climate change,” he added.

MASHAV is Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation. Filipinos in various fields were trained in Israel to further their skills in the areas of agriculture, water management, public health, entrepreneurship, innovation, among others.

“The historic visit of President Rodrigo Duterte in Israel in 2018 gave a boost to the relations of our countries. He was the first Philippine president to visit our country,” Ambassador Fluss said.

Ambassador Fluss described the relationship of Israel-PH as a multi-layer partnership. “Cultural activities bring people together. We want to feature and expose more Israeli culture to Filipinos,” he said. He mentioned the first Hebrew to Filipino translation of the Etgar Keret book and the Israeli Film Festival this November as few examples of the embassy’s cultural activities.

“The highlight of the film festival is the documentary of ‘Kuya Noy’ which features the OFW life of a Filipino rock band member Asin. It is important for us to know stories like this since Filipinos are an integral part of our society,” Ambassador Fluss explained.

There are around 30,000 Filipino caregivers in Israel. Their rights are protected with the bilateral labor agreement between the two governments. They are an integral part of the Israeli society. “My father-in-law has a Filipina caregiver. Our family appreciates her care and dedication,” he shared.

In the middle of the pandemic, Israel assisted the Philippines by bringing two delegations of medical experts to the Philippines. The first group shared the Israeli experience in vaccination drive campaigns and the other one shared their knowledge on efficient infection control protocols and hospital management.

Ambassador Ilan Fluss considers himself as a “diplomat balikbayan.” “I was fortunate enough to experience this great and beautiful country, its culture, and its people as the Deputy Chief of Mission at the Israeli Embassy in Manila in 1995. I am delighted to be back to close the circle, this time as the Israeli Ambassador,” he said.

Ambassador Fluss encouraged Filipinos to come visit Israel. “Vaccinated Filipinos can now visit the Holy Land, Old City Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and Beit Shemesh,” he recommended.

Philippine Airlines is aiming to start direct flights to Israel by April next year. This is expected to boost the tourism, economy, and people-to-people relations between Israel and the Philippines. Filipinos are entitled to free visa access to Israel for 90 days.

“Israeli backpackers are excited to visit the Philippines. We are optimistic of the signs of your country opening up and recovering from the economic crisis due to the pandemic. We hope that the tourism industry will bounce back stronger soon,” he said.

Ambassador Fluss also wished good luck to Miss Universe Philippines Beatrice Gomez as she competed in the Miss Universe pageant to be held in December in Eilat, Israel.

The Pandesal Forum was moderated by Mr. Wilson Lee Flores at Kamuning Bakery, an 82-year-old bakery. The famous Filipino pandesal and Israeli challah breads were featured during the forum held on November 18 to signify the friendly relations of Israel and the Philippines.

Read related story:

By Monsi A. Serrano
Photo by Manuel N. Roma, Jr.

New Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Fluss is amazed at the transformation of the Philippines since he last saw the country in 1998 and hopes Israel can be a partner in the development process of the country.

Fluss sat down for an interview with THEPHILBIZNEWS recently and began to reminisce about his stint as Deputy Chief of Mission in the Philippines from 1995-1998.

His reassignment to the country, now as ambassador, is a sentimental journey of sorts so it is foremost among his plans to “support the Philippines and the Filipino people through trade, technology and innovation.”

What has impressed him the most is how the Philippines has developed since he last set foot in the country 23 years ago and gave credit to Filipinos for the transformation.

Now that the world is trying to move out of the pandemic, the ambassador looks forward to closer Israeli-Philippine relations as economies learn to live with COVID-19.

“We would like to partner with the development process in the Philippines. We are coming out of the crisis… we have to recover. The economic and social recovery is difficult. What we would like to see here is partnership,” Fluss told THEPHILBIZNEWS.

He stressed how Israel and the Philippines have maintained strong bilateral ties, dating back to the dark days of the holocaust when Manila opened its doors to the Jews in the time then President Manuel L. Quezon.

Because of these ties, closer cooperation between both peoples is easy, particularly in enhancing business collaborations in the private sector.

“I would also like to partner with the private sectors and create a linkage between private sectors in Israel and in the Philippines,” Fluss said, starting with technology and innovation banking.

“There are many opportunities for the Philippines. Israel is known as the hub of innovation and technology globally,” he said.

The ambassador said Israel is willing to collaborate and share these innovations and advancements in technology with the Philippines to support its economic recovery.

“All multinational companies get help from Israel including in the aspect of research and development centers or scouting activities and all partnerships with Israel are focusing on technology and new solution through innovation. I believe we can use this partnership (in the Philippines). When we bring new technologies basically you create development that makes things easier and faster,” he explained.

Fluss said Israel can share experience on the system that will enable innovation in the Philippines.

“I want to set a private sector get-together and create partnerships and work together in bringing new innovations that are relevant in the situation in the Philippines such as in the agricultural sector, (and) water sector,” he said.

On the climate change front, Fluss said Israel has a very good program to support environmentally sound and sustainable development which it can share with the Philippines.

“There are 1,200 startups dealing with climate change and the government in Israel is supporting them,” he said.