Miss Universe 2015 Makes A Stand at Love Gala As Ripple Awards Nominees are Revealed

With the revelation of the 20 Ripple Awards nominees, Miss Universe 2015 and UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador for Asia and the Pacific Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach explained the importance to support and honor HIV and AIDS advocates through events like the Love Gala –Asia’s Premier Charity and Awards event on December 1.

Wurtzbach, who is the Love Gala Ambassador, said, "It's about time that we acknowledge them, gave them their time to shine, especially on an event like this."

"Hopefully, it'll give them a lot more motivation and drive to continue their work," the former Miss Universe said.

Exceptional social advocates, influential people, game-changers, celebrities, local and international officials and advocacy groups are among those who will make a stand during the World AIDS Day celebration on the same day.

Love Gala will take place at the elegant BGC Arts Center in Taguig City.

During the gala, ten (10) outstanding Filipino individuals will be awarded with the first-ever Ripple Awards, which symbolizes a person’s unparalleled dedication and passion in changing the landscape of HIV-AIDS advocacy in the country and the world over.

The Ripple Awards nominations closed last 15 September, and screening commenced after in which viable nominees are further evaluated by a sectoral panel of judges to complete the roster of awardees.

One of the highlights of the Gala is a charity fashion show featuring one-of-a-kind creations by five of the Philippine’s top couturiers who have earned the respect of the international fashion industry, namely: Francis Libiran, Cary Santiago, Nat Manilag, Cheeta Rivera and John Herrera.

The event also boasts of world-class performances by Filipino talents. Conceptual photographer and advocate, Niccolo Cosme, will also display his artworks under his series, “Project Headshot Clinic X,” which celebrates its 10th year on World AIDS Day.

An after party will be held at Nectar Nightclub along BGC Fort Strip.

Help and take part in fighting the HIV epidemic by being a donor-guest and purchasing Love Gala tickets here http://lovegala.org/tickets/. Donor-guests can reserve the following seats: VIP (P7,000.00); Patron (P5,000.00); Balcony A (P1,500.00) and Balcony B (P1,000.00). Ten percent (10%) of the ticket prices will benefit the worthwhile activities of partner organization.

Joining this year’s Love Gala is Miss Universe 2015 and UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador for Asia and the Pacific, Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach.

The Love Gala organization believes that “a single person's act of love can start a wave that can save millions of people.”

The Love Gala is a collaboration of private and public institutions and youth-oriented organizations that aim to augment the efforts in mainstreaming the HIV-AIDS advocacy to a larger audience, as around 30 incidences of HIV infection are observed everyday in the country, according to the latest data from Department of Health.

Institutions and organizations coming together for Love Gala are the following: AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Better Together Initiative, Black Maria Productions, Castro Communications, Decent Image of South Signal Association (DIOSSA), Dentsu, Nectar Nightclub, Philippine National AIDS Council, Pinoy Plus Association Incorporated, Positibong Marino Philippines, Sustained Health Initiatives of the Philippines (SHIP), Taguig City Government, The Red Whistle, The LoveYourself Incorporated, UNAIDS, the US Embassy and World Health Organization-Philippines.

DOTr, Attached Agencies on Heightened Alert for Undas 2017

Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur P. Tugade today ordered the activation of Oplan Biyaheng Ayos: UNDAS 2017, directing all DOTr offices and attached agencies to be on heightened alert to ensure the safety and security of passengers travelling during Undas.

Oplan Biyaheng Ayos: UNDAS 2017 will be implemented from October 30 – November 6, at which time all transportation agencies are ordered to carry out 24/7 operations in terms of providing assistance to motorists and passengers.

All transport terminals, booths, and counters must be manned at all times during the monitored travel period to ensure safety of passengers as well as prevent long queues and other untoward incidents. The concerned offices and agencies were also directed to communicate accidents and emergencies in real time and keep all hotlines and feedback mechanisms operational and adequately manned.

Public advisories such as safety tips, common types of violations at expressways, and safety and security regulations in airports, seaports, and other transportation hubs shall be issued. Tarpaulins bearing emergency and hotline numbers will be posted in conspicuous areas of the agency’s jurisdiction.

DOTr attached agencies and offices were also instructed to submit a post-Undas report for evaluation.

New Policy on Renewable Energy (RE) to Help Rural Communities

In the continuing effort to increase consumer access to clean and sustainable energy, the National Renewable Energy Board (NREB) is conducting a series of public consultations to promulgate a new policy on renewable energy (RE) utilization in the off-grid areas, or for consumers in remote areas like islands, mountains and far-away villages.

The consultations focus on the rules and guidelines for the Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) for Off-grid areas, a policy mechanism requiring electric power industry participants such as generators, distribution utilities, and suppliers to source or produce a specified fraction of the electricity they generate from eligible RE resources.

The consultations are being held with the support of the Department of Energy and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through its Building Low Emission Alternatives to Develop Economic Resilience and Sustainability Project.

“The proposed RPS rules for off-grid areas will contribute to the growth of the renewable energy industry through increased development and utilization of RE resources in the countryside where significant percentage are using expensive fuels. Thus we will be able to diversify energy supply,” Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi said.

“Ultimately, we see this to spur socio-economic development and help address environmental concerns,” he added.

The Luzon leg of the public consultations for RPS was conducted on 5 October in Puerto Princesa City and on 12 October in Pastor Village, Batangas City.

In the Visayas, the public consultation is scheduled Thursday (26 October) in Lahug, Cebu City.

On the other hand, the fourth and last leg of the public consultation will be on 6 November in Cagayan de Oro City.

Among the issues discussed during the earlier consultations include roles and responsibilities, pricing, competitive selection process and public bidding, monitoring and transparency, academic participation, long term plans and programs, technology, transmission, permitting, relevant RE policies and even international commitments on greenhouse gas emission reduction.

The public consultations were attended by participants from national government agencies, RE proponents and developers, distribution utilities, electric cooperatives and the academe, among other energy stakeholders.

Led by NREB RPS Off-grid Committee Chair Urbano Mendiola and NREB Chairman Atty. Jose Layug Jr., the public consultations provided a venue to present the latest draft of the RPS Off-grid guidelines and to gather comments and suggestions from stakeholders before its implementation.

The DOE also welcomes additional recommendations on the NREB proposed policy from the public, especially from the primary RE stakeholders. All interested stakeholders may send comments until 10 November 2017 at email: techsec.nreb@gmail.com. An electronic copy of the NREB proposed policy is downloadable at the DOE official website: www.doe.gov.ph.

The issuance of the RPS guidelines is based on Republic Act No. 9513 or the Renewable Energy Act of 2008, which aims to increase the utilization of RE by enhancing national and local capabilities.