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Friday, May 15, 2020

The “New Normal” can—and must—be a green one



Wazzup Pilipinas!

Businesses have ground to a halt all across the country in the face of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Whole industries have dried up as we enter into the third month of lockdown measures.

As we progress ever further into the pandemic, the question remains – how are we to recover? And what will the new normal look like?

We must make the “new normal” a green one. And we have what it takes to do just that.

Over the past few years, scientists have marked an 18% increase in global carbon emissions compared to the years before. Even if our emissions have gone down under the lockdown, they still remain incredibly high. Once countries and their economies begin to move and open up once more, we will see a resumption of those high emissions, and things will return to how they were before the pandemic.

As a nation, we have recognized the need to address our emissions. President Duterte, in his 2019 State of the Nation Address, stressed the need for the energy sector to transition toward renewables.

The energy sector is the largest source of carbon emissions out of all our industries, having produced 54% of greenhouse gases in 2016. The country has initially committed to reducing our emissions by 70% by 2030. Civil society groups, coal-affected communities, and power consumers have already called for clean and affordable renewable energy. Meantime, businesses like AC Energy Philippines have already responded to these calls and commitments from the national, with the company committing to completely divest out of fossil fuels by 2030.

This transition should have happened many years ago – but progress has been slow.

Now, we’ve seen what clearer skies can look like. While emissions may not have drastically gone down under the lockdown, many of us have observed how clear the skies are compared to what many may even remember. This will not continue if energy-intensive industries and unsustainable transport modes are to return to normal. For us to keep our emissions low, we must make our various sectors such as businesses, industries, and even cities, more sustainable and environmentally-responsive –and this pandemic is teaching us why.

First, we need to be more self-reliant as a country, even in terms of our energy needs. Much of the coal we use to power our plants is imported. With whole countries in lockdown, this importation has stopped.

Meanwhile, we have abundant indigenous and renewable energy sources right here in the Philippines, that are ready and available for use whenever we need them. According to the Department of Energy, the country’s renewable energy potential is vast with at least 4,000 megawatts (MW) for geothermal, 76,600 MW for wind, 10,000 MW for hydropower, 5 kilowatt-hours per square meter per day for solar, 170,000 MW for ocean, and 500MW for biomass. The recent proposed auctioning of 2,000 MW and identification of competitive renewable energy zones (CREZs) of renewable energy capacity is a good start. However, we need to be able to support ourselves, which is why we must continue to explore and use these renewable sources of power.

Second, there is a need to address our looming power needs. The lockdown has caused a delay in the construction and commissioning of several fossil-fueled power plants that had been slated for operation. This could lead to supply challenges in the future. Commercial and industrial power demand may have decreased during the lockdown, but this has been offset by an increase in power demand from our own homes. Once community quarantines are lifted or eased, we can expect a surge in demand. There is immense opportunity, therefore, for us to plug our growing gaps in local power production, if only we were to tap into our bountiful sources of clean, renewable, and indigenous energy and implement stronger energy efficiency initiatives.

Finally, we need to stray away from thinking that our economic recovery will be a choice between livelihood and the environment. This dichotomy does not exist; sustainable business can easily meet our needs as a country. We’ve seen that investing in natural capital for ecosystem resilience, especially in climate-responsive sectors such as sustainable agriculture, does not only come with the associated environmental and health benefits, but can also provide a much needed economic boost.

It is possible for our economy to recover on the back of green industry, so long as companies are innovative and we create the environment for sustainable businesses to thrive. It is not a choice between the economy and the planet.

Top economic experts have already pointed out the vast economic and environmental potential in putting investments into sustainable industries. These experts have pointed at investments in clean energy infrastructure, clean research and development spending, and the greenification of buildings and public spaces as great ways for us to expand the economy post-lockdown while addressing the looming climate crisis. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas recognizes this with their recent sustainable banking framework, thus setting the foundation for integration of sustainability in the banking sector and increasing financing flows and investments to green and sustainable economic development.

As of this writing, the government continues to prepare stimulus packages to help our businesses and industries, and society as a whole, return to normal after the lockdown. There are plenty of avenues for us, now, to build a sustainable future. The opportunity exists not just in the production of power. We can improve our homes, buildings and infrastructures by retrofitting and making them more energy-efficient. We can pursue sustainable development with urban nature-based solutions in the expansion of our cities. We can take a look at our transportation system and look for solutions that are sustainable, pollution-free, and accessible for all. Investing in all of this will create many, greener jobs and livelihoods for the disenfranchised of Filipino society. Our economy needs a boost, yes, but we can still reimagine our country as a greener one - so long as we put our money where our mouth is. If we don’t, we’ll continue on our old path towards catastrophic climate change.

2020 marks the first time in more than 10 years that we’ll feel the full effect of the


Renewable Energy

Law as all policies and mechanisms under the Law are now in place. The chance for a greener future is here. The pandemic has asked us to dramatically rethink our way of life and the way we do business. Even as our healthcare systems get strengthened, industries like the power sector have been given the opportunity to make themselves sustainable, so long as we allow them to do so.

Changing development pathways to make development more ecologically-responsive and sustainable can make our economic recovery even meet our own climate goals. With the help of the appropriate policies, a clear sustainable development direction, and strong public support, we’re moving forward with our climate action, but we need to move faster. The process of building the “new normal” has begun – we must make sure that it will be a green one.



Written by Atty. Angela Ibay, WWF-Philippines Head of Climate and Energy

Thursday, May 14, 2020

Pia, Gazini and Catriona headline the country's first online AIDS Candlelight Memorial



Wazzup Pilipinas!

Advocacy queens Pia Wurtzbach and Catriona Gray will be leading side by side the first-ever online concert ceremony of the Philippine International AIDS Candlelight Memorial (IACM) on Sunday, May 17, at 4PM.

Dubbed as "Light Up," the online concert ceremony has two parts: Commemoration and Celebration.

UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador for Asia and the Pacific and Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach will head the Light Up's commemoration part alongside community movers, government officials, and private institutions. One of the highlights of the commemorative event is a ceremonial candle lighting to be led by Miss Universe - Philippines 2019 Gazini Ganados.

Staunch HIV advocate, Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, will top bill Light Up's celebration part, showcasing a free online concert. Performing at the show are exceptional Filipino artists: Katrina Velarde, Nina, 4th Impact, Jed Madela, The Company, Ice Seguerra, Zeus Collins, Anna Ramsey, Phi Palmos, Adrian Lindayag, Addlib Divas, Nicole Asensio, Arman Ferrer, Globe Voices@Work, and drag queen performers and with special participation from Lea Salonga, Morissette Amon, Jed Madela, Radha, and many more.

Hosted by Tim Yap and Patrixia Santos, the Philippine IACM online concert ceremony will be live on Facebook at bit.ly/LightUpPH2020. The country's 2020 IACM shift to an online concert ceremony was in response to the government's imposition of social distancing protocols as the nation grapples with the COVID19 pandemic.

This year's celebration also includes a photo essay contest featuring the HIV story of any Filipino who is part of the advocacy. Interested participants may still join until May 15, at 6PM. Visit this link: bit.ly/LightUpMyHIVStory for the mechanics and win as much as PhP25,000.00. It will also benefit the Duyan Program of The Project Red Ribbon Care Management Foundation (TRR) that aims to provide care and support to children living with HIV in the Philippines.

The Department of Health (DOH) reported that since 1984, 3,730 Filipinos have died of HIV-related complications and 74,807 have contracted the virus. In the same DOH report, 3,029 newly diagnosed people living with HIV were recorded for the last quarter of 2019. It has to be noted that HIV testing and effective HIV treatment therapy are given by the government and community-based organizations for free.

Light Up is presented by the DOH, TRR, and The LoveYourself, Inc.; sponsored by AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), Camber Pharmaceutical Inc. by Hetero, Champion Community Centers, Frontrow Cares, Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc., Premiere Condoms, Teleperformance Philippines, and Sustainability of HIV Services for Key Populations in Asia (SKPA); and supported by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, EON Foundation, the National Youth Commission (NYC), Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA), PhilHealth, Positibong Marino Philippines, Inc., The Red Whistle, Sustained Health Initiatives of the Philippines, and UNAIDS.

The IACM happens every third Sunday of May to commemorate the courage of the people who succumbed to AIDS. It also celebrates the continuing battle by the people living with HIV and the progress the community has made through the years.

Digital Marketing Tools For Real Estate That Will Help You In 2020


Wazzup Pilipinas!

The real estate sector has grown tremendously in the last few years. Today, digital real estate marketing tools have become more important than ever. 

Not only do they highly simplify the marketing process, but also help your business grow at a higher pace. This is because digital marketing tools and techniques help you reach a broader consumer base.
One of the essential aspects of a real estate business is its ability to provide an entirely credible virtual experience of its offerings, such as videos, 360 degrees virtual tours, 3D models, and much more.
Some of the best digital marketing tools for real estate companies in 2020 are:
  • InVideo
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Evite
  • Placester CRM
  • MailChimp
  • YouTube
  • DocuSign
  • Realeflow
  • RealScout
  • Facebook
  • 99Designs
  • ScheduleOnce
  • Fiverr
  • Upwork
The above tools take care of a variety of digital marketing needs, such as establishing a mailing list, circulating invites for open houses and events, as well as providing virtual experiences, amongst much more.
Virtual Experiences
Virtual experience tools such as InVideo, Kuula, Envisioneer, and LiveTour allow real estate companies and agents to provide an immersive visual experience to buyers and investors. 

This helps them assess the size, plans, layout, and other design elements of the space. These are also perfect for reaching investors across the world, who may not always be able to visit the location immediately. It also provides a plethora of choices, animations, and designs. 

Besides being very easy to use, real estate companies can use them to create multilingual videos to access a wider client base. The templates are reusable and can be modified to suit a wide variety of requirements.

Marketing Through Emails
Another popular digital marketing technique in the real estate sector nowadays is through Email Marketing Services (EMS), such as MailChimp, which helps collate a comprehensive mailing list for companies. 

It helps them keep track of different lists, and groups and quicken the entire communication process. This can be used to notify existing, and potential clients about events, offers, promotions, and other relevant information. 

EMS also helps maintain client databases segregated according to geographical locations, linguistic needs, budgets, preferences, and much more.

Social Media Platforms
Additionally, real estate companies are also significantly increasing the use of social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube, to promote their projects better. 

These platforms help them arrange and display a wide variety of pictures, videos, posters, designs, and other visually attractive features. They also provide an easy and relatively informal way of getting in touch with clients, answering queries, and solving grievances.

Event Management and Organization Apps
One of the main aspects of any real estate company is to organize open houses and other social events, such as promotions and launches of new projects.

Event management and organization apps such as Evite, Eventbrite, and Boomset, help real estate companies better create, distribute, and keep track of all their social events. 

They also help them create distinct and personalized invites, which truly reflect the company’s persona. To help with better designing needs, 99Designs is a very popular option for graphics, logos, models, and more.

Collaboration Platforms
Collaboration platforms such as Placester CRM, Fiverr, Upwork, and more, help connect real estate companies with brokers, agents as well as clients. These can also be used for further marketing of jobs as well as projects, directly to prospective employees or clients. 

This helps better streamline the search process, by considering several criteria such as work experience, speciality, skills, and location, to provide a more holistic match between companies and agents, or clients. 

They also optimize the entire application process for agents to make it quicker, simpler, and much more transparent. Tools that offer a range of video templates are highly in-demand and very useful for the same.

Digital Contracts and Documents
Many real estate companies nowadays use apps such as DocuSign to easily and securely sign essential documents in the process of buying and selling property. 

These apps also allow the easy sharing, uploading, and editing of documents across a variety of platforms. This enables the easier distribution of marketing and promotional materials such as prospectuses and brochures as well. Furthermore, it speeds up the closing of deals and ensures transparency at all steps.

Property Search and Scheduling Apps
Real estate companies can use calendar and scheduling apps such as ScheduleOnce, to help their client’s book appointments, meetings, and property viewings with a range of brokers and agents.

This allows for easy cancellation and rescheduling, if needed, as well as provides a comprehensive platform to manage client meetings. 

Most of these scheduling apps also provide property search features, which allow clients to browse through a range of options, before scheduling a meeting or property viewing. Real estate companies can also create their own personalized websites, providing all the details of their various offerings and projects. 

This helps create a more credible image of the company and can be a one-stop solution for all client needs. It can also be used to create a stronger brand and product image for the company.
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