Getting Ready for Typhoon Karen

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Upon the instruction of Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi, the Department of Energy (DOE) and its attached and partner agencies are closely monitoring the status and readiness of areas to be affected by Typhoon Karen, DOE Undersecretary Wimpy Fuentebella said today.

Secretary Cusi's marching orders to the DOE energy family is to minimize the impact of the storm on energy facilities. Typhoon Karen is expected to make land fall over the Quezon-Aurora area early Sunday morning, according to the weather bureau PAGASA.

Secretary Cusi directed the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) and the National Electrification Administration (NEA) to ensure the easy mobilization of assets for the rehabilitation of affected areas.

Among the measures are close coordination with the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NRRMC), the release of regular advisories and assigning on a 24/7 basis technical people for monitoring, preparedness and rehabilitation efforts.

NGCP has reported that the Sorsogon-Irosin 69kV line servicing Sorsogon I and II Electric Cooperatives (SORECO I and SORECO II) had an outage at 12:49 p.m. today and restoration is underway.

The affected towns were Gubat, Irosin, Bulan, Sta. Magdalena and Matnog.

Meanwhile, the Gumaca-Lopez-Tagkawayan and the Camarines Norte Electric Cooperative (CANORECO) 69kV lines, which tripped earlier, were promptly put back online.

The sole transmission concessionaire has committed to inspect and restore the lines in the affected areas as soon as the weather would allow.

On the distribution side, NEA has provided advisories to all affected electric cooperatives to initiate pre-and post-Typhoon disaster risk reduction measures.

"The cooperatives must implement contingency measures such as the inspection and conduct of preventive maintenance and rehabilitation in the entire distribution system, in coordination with concerned government agencies and local government units," Sec Cusi recommended.

Secretary Cusi is urging the public to immediately report to the nearest authority any incidents affecting the power supply facilities.

The public is also advised to exercise emergency and safety measures as follows:

1. Charge flashlights and mobile phones
2. Be informed on the latest news updates
3. Switch-off circuit breaker and other electrical systems to avoid electrocution, among other electrical mishap.
4. After the typhoon, check first before using the electrical systems to avoid short circuits.

"Generation, transmission, and distribution facilities must be all operational to normalize power situation in the affected areas," Secretary Cusi concluded.

NBA 2K17 Is Now Available

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2K today announced that NBA 2K17, the next iteration of the top-selling and top-rated NBA video game simulation series*, is now available for purchase at retail and online vendors worldwide. Continuing the success of one of the most dominant entertainment franchises over the last decade, NBA 2K17 introduces an all-new MyCAREER storyline featuring award winning actor Michael B. Jordan, in addition to the most realistic on-court NBA simulation to date. Additionally, fans that participated in “The Prelude”, a free downloadable experience available prior to launch, can continue their MyCAREER experience onward today as they progress through the NBA Draft presented by State Farm and to their NBA team.

“We’re thrilled to deliver an even more ambitious and authentic basketball experience in NBA 2K17,” said Greg Thomas, President of Visual Concepts. “Both new fans and NBA 2K veterans will have the most comprehensive experience in our franchise’s history, starting with an unparalleled MyCAREER showcase placing gamers throughout a unique, compelling storyline.”

NBA 2K17 on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Windows PC delivers dynamic new features including: 

• Best-in-Class Gameplay: NBA 2K17 puts shot creation and making in your hands like never before. Advanced Skill Shooting gives you complete control over the power and aim of your perimeter shots as well as your ability to finish inside the paint;
• USA Basketball: Take the court as the USA Basketball Men’s National Team with Coach K on the sidelines, or relive the glory of the ’92 Dream Team. Earn USA Basketball MyTEAM cards and gear up your MyPLAYER with official USA Basketball wearables;
• MyCAREER: It’s all-new and all about basketball in 2K17 – and you’re in control. Your on-court performance and career decisions lead to different outcomes as you determine your path through an immersive new narrative, featuring Michael B. Jordan. Additionally, new player controls give you unparalleled supremacy on the court;
• Unrivaled Presentation: The most realistic and dynamic in-game commentary to date featuring the most broadcasting talent ever assembled in a sports game, including new additions Chris Webber, Steve Smith, David Aldridge & Brent Barry. For the first time in a sports videogame, broadcast teams will change from game to game to ensure a unique experience each time you play; 
• 2K BEATS: Imagine Dragons, Grimes, Noah “40” Shabib of OVO Sound and Michael B. Jordan curate another electric 2K soundtrack, featuring 50 songs;
• MyNBA2K17 Mobile Companion Application: Available for free in the App Store for iOS and on Google Play for Android, MyNBA2K17 directly connects players to the console version of NBA 2K17, including the debut of all-new face simulation technology, enabling fans to bring their visual appearance in-game. 

“We couldn’t be more excited to celebrate the launch of NBA 2K17 as the franchise continues to set the standard for sports simulation authenticity,” said Alfie Brody, VP of Marketing for NBA 2K. “We consistently challenge ourselves to bring our fans new, compelling ways to connect with our brand and, more importantly, each other through an unparalleled digital experience that will be found in this year’s title.”

The NBA 2K17 Standard Edition is now available in both digital and physical formats for US$59.99 on Xbox One, Xbox 360, PlayStation®4 and PlayStation®3 computer entertainment systems, and Windows PC platforms. The NBA 2K17 Kobe Bryant Legend Edition is also available in digital and physical formats for US$79.99 on Xbox One and PlayStation®4 system. Also available is the NBA 2K17 Kobe Bryant Legend Edition Gold offering fans the ultimate value at US$99.99 with all of the regular NBA 2K17 Legend Edition contents plus bonus items. All fans who pre-ordered any version of NBA 2K17 received their copy at Early Tip-Off four days early, September 16.

Developed by Visual Concepts, NBA 2K17 is rated E for Everyone by the ESRB.

Follow @NBA2K on social media and look for the hashtag #ThisIsNotAGame for the latest NBA 2K17 news.

*According to 2008 - 2016 Metacritic.com and The NPD Group estimates of U.S. retail video game sales through August 2016.

2K is a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO).

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FOR ACCESS TO NBA 2K17 VIDEOS: https://www.youtube.com/user/2KGamesAsia/videos

Hontiveros Visits Zika Epicenter, Pushes Barangay-Led Prevention Measures

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In Barangay Benedicto, Iloilo City where four cases of Zika virus have been reported, Akbayan Senator Risa Hontiveros’ visit on Saturday served as a positive challenge to push for barangay-led prevention measures.

“Sa barangay nangyari, sa barangay ang solusyon”, urged Hontiveros. In a meeting with local leaders and residents, the neophyte Senator explained that the frontline of health systems is at the barangay level and should be harnessed in matters of public health.

Yesterday, the Department of Health also reported Zika cases in Makati and Mandaluyong. These bring the number of Zika cases in the Philippines to 17. The senator urged the public to stay calm and asked the government to heighten its response.

“The best response to the Zika virus is education and prevention. We must strengthen our information, detection and monitoring drive to prevent the further spread of the disease, and to provide immediate care to those infected with the virus,” Hontiveros said.

Hontiveros, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, also distributed in Iloilo City ‘anti-Zika packets’ that contained commodities against mosquito-borne infections like Zika. The packets included mosquito nets, education materials and others.

The Akbayan Senator said the activity is part of the health promotion and disease prevention strategies that she wants all barangay health units to implement to reduce the public’s risk of contracting the virus.

“Coming here is a gesture: the message is that fear should not cloud our action towards preventing the spread of Zika”, Hontiveros said