Cusi Assures Full Power Restoration in Typhoon-stricken Areas

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Department of Energy (DOE) and its partners in the power sector are prioritizing the resumption of electricity in areas of Southern Luzon and Eastern Mindanao rendered without power by a series of typhoons.

“Our priority is to ensure that the restoration of power in typhoon-affected areas is on schedule. We have asked rehabilitation personnel to work double-time, especially in areas where power facilities were badly damaged,” said Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi.

An 11 January 2017 report of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) noted that all transmission lines affected by Tropical Depression (TD) Auring in Caraga are now completely restored.

NGCP reported earlier that all transmission facilities affected by Typhoon Nina have been restored as well.

Distribution utilities in Dinagat Islands, Siargao, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur affected by Tropical Depression Auring are now in the process of bringing back electricity services after NGCP worked to normalize transmission services in the said areas.

For its part, the National Electrification Administration (NEA) has reported that 80.69% or 1,368,040 of the total households affected by Typhoon Nina had already been re-energized as of 8 a.m. today (12 January).

Earlier this week, electricity supply was restored in the provinces of Batangas, Occidental Mindoro, Camarines Norte and Sorsogon, NEA said.

A total of 322,818 households are undergoing rehabilitation in the following areas with the following level of restoration: Quezon (92.89%), Oriental Mindoro (98.44%), Marinduque (28.79%), Camarines Sur (47.68%), Albay (64.20%) and Catanduanes (31.65 %).

“We understand and are one with our kababayans in the remaining areas still without power. We will make sure that electricity services in all areas are restored,” Secretary Cusi said.

Davao’s Kadayawan Street Dance Tradition Goes to Hong Kong for Chinese New Year

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Hong Kong Tourism Board invites you to celebrate the city’s biggest and most colorful festival at the Cathay Pacific International Chinese New Year Night Parade on January 28 at Tsim Sha Tsui. This highly received entertainment event, now on its 22nd edition, features a series of world-class performances including the famous street dance display of Davao’s Kadayawan festival.

The Kadayawan festival is a thanksgiving harvest festival, which showcases Davao’s rich culture, diversity and the unification of the province’s resident indigenous groups. The main highlight of the Kadayawan festival is the Indak-Indak Kadalanan or street dancing, which will be brought to Hong Kong as part of the line-up in this year’s Chinese New Year celebration with the theme, “Best Fortune. World Party.”

The festivity begins with a fun-filled, interactive street party, followed by a parade with spectacular floats and a wide variety of local and international performing talent, including marching bands, cheerleaders, dance troupes, and roving costumed characters.

Along with the Kadayawan street dance performance, some of the most talented groups from all over the world will be featured in the parade, including the acrobatic Wheelartistics Wuppertal from Germany, world class marching band Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps from the USA and dance group Giant Flowers and Butterflies from France plus many more. 

DOE Revokes SCC of Pasig LPG Firm; Explosion Probe Underway

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi vowed today to get to the bottom of the explosion in a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) refilling plant in Pasig City as he ordered close coordination by his staff with the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) unit now investigating the incident.

“Public safety is always our priority and the DOE (Department of Energy) is looking closely at this unfortunate incident which injured at least 20 people. Our common objective with the BFP is to ensure that this does not happen again,” said Secretary Cusi.

To ensure their safe operation, LPG refilling plants are tasked to comply with the Philippine National Standards (PNS) for Refilling Plants and the DOE Circular on LPG Industry Rules.

A Standards Compliance Certificate (SCC) is issued once an LPG refilling plant complies with the minimum requirements of the PNS and the DOE circular. Other government agencies like the BFP, as well as local government units (LGUs) have their own requirements for compliance by LPG refilling companies.

Initial reports have said that the company involved in the incident have secured an SCC and all other prerequisite requirements from the BFP and the Pasig government.

Cusi said the DOE will revoke the company’s SCC because of the incident and that it cannot operate until it is able to secure a new SCC after all pertinent investigations have been concluded to the DOE’s satisfaction.

“Violations of the DOE Circular on LPG Rules merit administrative sanctions on those responsible,” Cusi stressed.

LPG refilling firms are also required to comply with provisions of the Fire Code of the Philippines and local government ordinances, if any, with regards to operational safety. Overall, the BFP is mandated to ensure against fire hazards in all businesses in the Philippines.