100 Days Accomplishment Report of Department of Energy

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The targetted ten thousand (10,000) household electrification of depressed areas was achieved within the President Duterte’s first 100 days through the DOE’s partnership with MERALCO and the National Housing Authority.

As of September 29, 2016, the 13,224 households were energized in the towns of Gaya-Gaya (Towerville), San Jose del Monte, Malolos, Balagtas, Sta Maria in Bulacan; Lucena City in Quezon province; Masinag in Antipolo; Cainta; Marikina; Angono; Calamba and San Pablo in Laguna; Isla Puting Bato in Parola; Happy Land Aroma and the BASECO Compound in Tondo; Espana; Malate; Tutuban; Balagtas; Balintawak; Paranaque City and Caloocan City.

The DOE facilitated private sector participation for the provision of adequate supply of electricity in the following missionary areas:

• Camotes Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Camotes Islands)
• Quezon Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Polillo Island)
• Tawi-Tawi Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Bongao)
• Province of Siquijor Electric Cooperative, Inc. (additional supply in Siquijor)
• Lubang Electric Cooperative (Lubang Island)
• Marinduque Electric Cooperative, Inc. 

The DOE ordered the technical audit of the power generating plants in response to recent spate of power interruptions (yellow and red alert occurrences) in July and August of 2016.

The DOE signed Memorandum of Agreements (MOAs) with the Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC)-accredited Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers of the Philippines (IIEE) and the Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineers (PSME). These professional associations, known for their technical knowledge, expertise and competence to assist the DOE in addressing the current power situation, are providing pro-bono services to augment the DOE’s Technical Audit Team for the country’s generation, transmission and distribution facilities.

Similarly, the DOE directed the technical audit of all electric cooperatives served by the NPC-Small Power Utilities Group in order to ensure the reliable quality, and affordable supply of electricity which started in Oriental Mindoro. This includes the review of all their power supply contracts.

Further, DOE directed NEA to come up with their recommendations in addressing the financial and management problems of the ten (10) ailing cooperatives, namely:

1. Abra Electric Cooperative, Inc. (ABRECO)
2. Pampanga III Electric Cooperative, Inc. (PELCO III)
3. Camarines Sur III Electric Cooperative (CASURECO III)
4. Albay Electric Cooperative, Inc. (ALECO)
5. Masbate Electric Cooperative, Inc. (MASELCO)
6. Maguindanao Electric Cooperative, Inc. (MAGELCO)
7. Lanao Sur Electric Cooperative, Inc. (LASURECO)
8. Basilan Electric Cooperative, Inc. (BASELCO)
9. Sulu Electric Cooperative, Inc. (SULECO)
10. Tawi-Tawi Electric Cooperative, Inc. (TAWELCO)

DOE has successfully intervened on behalf of the electricity consumers of BUSECO and FIBECO from having their electricity supply disconnected. 

Consistent with its mandate to protect the consumers, the DOE endorsed to the Department of Finance (DOF) and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) the exemption of the Systems Loss Charge from VAT because it is not actually used by the consumers and to attain the policy of true cost under Republic Act No. 9136 otherwise known as EPIRA.

The Philippine government, with the DOE as lead agency, hosted the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and International Framework for Nuclear Energy Cooperation (IFNEC) Conference on the prospects of nuclear power in the Asia-Pacific region from 30 August to 1 September 2016 at the Diamond Hotel in Manila.

This is part of the country’s commitment in exploring all energy resources to ensure supply security and stability.

The DOE actively participated in the 34th ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM34) and its Associated Meetings in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, where DOE Secretary Cusi was elected as Vice Chairman.

As the Chair of the ASEAN in 2017, Secretary Cusi formally accepted, on behalf of the Philippine government the hosting of AMEM35 and its Associated Meetings in Manila from 18 to 22 September 2017. The country hosted the same meetings twice- in 1997 and 2004.

On-going set-up of One-Stop Shop for DOE services with the USAID assisted Energy Virtual One Shared System (EVOSS) scheduled for full launch in the 4th Quarter of 2016.

The EVOSS is designed to serve as platform to investors and other government’s agencies to monitor and update on the status of the various applications. At present, on-going activities include the improvement of the system and web portal, data gathering and including the pilot testing. Attached is the EVOSS schedule of activities.

The DOE is currently reviewing the DOE’s Citizen Charter to further streamline the permitting process for power development projects. This will significantly reduce the time to process applications.

To make frontline services responsive to the people’s needs, the DOE launched the DOE Rapid Response & Delivery (RRD-AC), with the on-going transfer to the DOE Records Section and the development of the DOE Citizen Action and Response Enhanced System. The DOE-RRD-AC will have information kiosks for the processing of permits and will have an Officer of the Day on duty for immediate assistance to investors.

The DOE finalized the APEC-funded Guidelines on Improving Energy Resiliency in Off-grid Areas applicable to APEC member countries. This forms part of the economy’s readiness and adaptation to climate change.

Completed the Philippine Energy Plan 2016-2030 Update which will roadmap the strategic direction for the short, medium and long term energy sub-sectors such as renewable energy, oil and gas exploration, oil downstream and upstream and energy efficiency. A Power Development Plan 2017 -2030 based on economic growth, forecast assumptions and elasticity has been initiated.

The DOE has tightened its link with the academe, opening its doors to a succession of groups of students at various levels from elementary to college from all over the country through lectures, discussions and experiments related to the electricity supply chain, energy efficiency and conservation. At the DOE Lighting and Testing Laboratory, they learned about comparing and calculating the energy efficiency cost of operating various household appliances. Certificates of Pledges of Commitment as “Energy Cost Busters” were given encouraging especially the children to apply practical measures in saving energy and money.

Pursuant to the Department of Energy’s commitment to maintain and strengthen the predictability, certainty and consistency of investment rules of the country, the DOE affirmed its position in its Motion for Reconsideration pending before the Commission on Audit that the income tax of the Malampaya contractor shall form part of the 60% government share.

Task Force Kapatid facilitating the repair/rehabilitation of lines and restoration of electric service during disasters in coordination with the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) is in place along with an Electric Cooperatives Resiliency Program intended for the putting up of material buffer stocks needed for immediate line repair/rehabilitation. Likewise, implementing Rules relative to Vulnerability Risk Assessment (VRA) and Emergency Response Planning (ERP) to mitigate the impact of calamities is being adhered to.

DOE tightened its synchronization efforts with the ERC as strategic partners in ensuring quality, reliable, secured and affordable electric power supply.

Designer Kaye Morales Highlights Her Identity at Manila FAME

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Fashion designer Kaye Morales will present her latest capsule collection at the upcoming Manila FAME on October 20 to 22, 2016 at the World Trade Center, Pasay City. Her new bag collection as well as limited edition series of colorful and edgy accessories that reflect her identity and her vivacious personality will be featured at the event.

An outspoken LGBT advocate, Morales’ interests in water sports & pop-art inspired her latest collection.

“I’ve been fascinated with bags that have unusual designs, from there, I thought of starting my line and creating my own customized bags that speak about my identity and jolly personality and the things that I like,” Morales said.

Kaye Morales has been in the fashion industry for almost a decade now. Her last collection, Rebel, was released at Philippine Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2016 before she departed for London to further her studies. Morales’ past collections have been featured not just locally, but at internationally recognized fashion shows such as: Vancouver Fashion Week 2013 and Los Angeles Style Fashion Week 2014.

PH Mobile Internet Ranks 6th in APAC in Latest Akamai Report

Wazzup Pilipinas!

For the first time in many years, Akamai Technologies included the Philippines in the country ranking for mobile internet speeds. And the results did not disappoint Filipino consumers.

With an average speed of 8.5 Mbps, the Philippines ranked 6th in the average mobile internet connection speed according to the 2nd Akamai State of Internet Report. The latest Akamai report also reveals that the Philippines also achieved 105.1 Mbps peak mobile speed which in the third highest in Asia Pacific next to Australia and Thailand.

Globe Telecom’s efforts to improve internet experience of its customers advanced significantly in the first 100 days of the Duterte administration, as the company managed to drive the mobile internet speed ranking of the Philippines with its 1st world internet campaign.

Globe President & CEO Ernest Cu reiterated the company’s commitment to improve the state of internet in the Philippines in order to make the nation admired globally. “More and more Filipinos are becoming dependent on fast and reliable internet connectivity, it is imperative that telco operators like Globe work closely with the government in expanding and improving telecommunication services,” Cu said.

Cu emphasized Globe is maximizing the use of additional frequency assets it obtained from the sellout of San Miguel’s telco assets in line with its commitment to the National Telecommunications Commission to deploy about 4,500 multiband, multimode software defined radio base station equipment to 95% of total municipalities and cities in the country, intended to improve overall customer experience in terms of speed and reliability of mobile internet services.

To date, Globe has already completed deployment of LTE 700 in 200 sites, mostly in Metro Manila as well as LTE 2600 in 900 sites, mostly in Visayas and Mindanao. According to Cu, sites where the LTE 700 and LTE 2600 have been deployed cover major business districts and highly-urbanized and populated areas in the country.

Cu further disclosed that Globe also expanded its GoWiFi network as it recently completed deployment of the service in close to 500 sites that include Ayala Malls, fast food chains, bus terminals, convenience stores and other public places. He added that Globe is working on widening its WiFi coverage and plan to deploy GoWiFi services in close to 1,000 sites across the country. This will provide WiFi coverage not only Metro Manila but also in Davao, Cebu, Bulacan, Cavite, Cagayan Valley, Cagayan de Oro, Nueva Vizcaya, Dumaguete, Zamboanga and Boracay.

Launched in 2015, GoWiFi, the company’ premium open national WiFi network, is now serving close to 3 million customers per month. The company’s national WiFi network is open to any customer with a WiFi enabled device. While customers are able to access the service for free for 30 minutes a day, customers can easily purchase GoWiFi credits which they can use in any GoWiFi hotspot.

According to Cu, the company is also about to complete deployment of free Wi-Fi services in all MRT Line 3 stations, enabling Globe customers riding the MRT to efficiently make use of their transit time as they are now able to access the internet for free.

The deployment of free Wi-Fi services is expected to benefit around 350,000 daily passengers of MRT Line 3. Each passenger will be given free Wi-Fi access for 30 minutes daily, said Cu, emphasizing that provision of free WiFi services in all MRT3 stations is part of the company’s initiative to enhance network capacities.

Aside from MRT Line 3, Globe also signed an agreement to provide free Wi-Fi services in all 20 LRT stations. In addition to deployment of WiFi services, Globe will also provide fiber optic cable system that will extend the length of the entire LRT 1 and cover all LRT stations and LRMC’s depot in Pasay City. Globe also recently signed with the Metro Manila Development Authority a similar agreement that will allow the telco provider to deploy wireless infrastructure in MMDA controlled areas as part of its efforts to enhance network coverage and capacities.

The 2Q Akamai report also showed the Philippines has average internet speed of 4.3 Mbps in fixed broadband, up by 24% QoQ and 27% YoY. The country registered the strongest growth in Asia Pacific region in terms of “above 4Mbps connectivity adoption” at 33% adoption rate, growing 79% QoQ and 116% YoY.

For above 10 Mbps connectivity adopted, the country showed a 5% adoption, growing by 86% QoQ and 683% YoY. For 15Mbps connectivity adoption rate, the country is at a nascent 2.1% adoption, up 109% QoQ and 872% YoY.