Cusi Pushes Strict Energy Safety Standards

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi emphasized over the weekend the need to ensure the safety and security of all energy-related undertakings whether in the transport of fuel products or in operating and maintaining energy facilities.

Cusi expressed this sentiment as he administered the Oath of Office of the new Board Members of the Safety and Health Association of the Philippine Energy Sector, Inc. (SHAPES) at the DOE office in Taguig City.

SHAPES is an organization composed of safety, health and environmental professionals.

“We at the DOE put a premium on ensuring the safety of communities and the environment, especially the energy sector workers.

Our manpower in the energy sector is our most important asset as we work with the private sector towards an adequate, stable and sustainable energy supply for our country,” said Cusi.

Cusi invited SHAPES to be one of the private sector partners of the DOE in minimizing the dangers or hazards that are inherent in the power sector.

The DOE Chief cited as an example the ever-present hazard in transporting and storing petroleum products like gasoline, diesel and liquefied petroleum gas.

For this reason, Cusi said the DOE is always working with all the stakeholders to elevate the safety standards and protocols.

Cusi also asked SHAPES to look into the country’s adoption of modular power plants, some of which are being run in other countries by competent Filipino engineers and technicians.

“If it can be done in other countries with Filipinos working on modular nuclear power plants, why not here in the Philippines?” asked Cusi.

In conclusion, the Energy Chief also stressed the need to reintroduce a nuclear energy curriculum in the Philippine academic sector.

Photo Caption:

SAFETY MANAGERS: Taking their Oath of Office before Energy Secretary G. Cusi (center) as the new members of the Board of Directors of SHAPES, Inc. are (from left) Safety Consultant Edmundo M. Ruiz, PEME Consultancy, Inc. Vice President Josefino C. Adajar, DOE Renewable Energy Management Bureau Director Mario C. Marasigan, ANNADIM Enterprises owner Angelita N. Dimzon, Energy Development Corporation (EDC) Senior Manager for Environmental Management Regina Victoria J. Pascual, Aboitiz Power Corporation’s Asst. Vice President for Environment Management Socorro Patindol, PEME Consultancy Inc. President Joel B. Ello, EDC Head for Safety Performance and Operations Management Nestor Evaristo and Diplomate in Occupational Medicine Dr. Neil Rodrigo.

DOTr Commends Those Who Assisted During Transport Strikes

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Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur P. Tugade today commended various bus operators, transport organizations and government agencies for their assistance during the February 6 and 27, 2017 transport strikes.

During the recently concluded “Parangal” held today, 13 March 2017 at the Camp Aguinaldo Grandstand and Parade Grounds in Quezon City, Secretary Tugade recognized and thanked various bus operators, transport groups and the Joint Quick Response Team—National Capital Region(JQRT-NCR) for their effort and/or for providing resources that minimized the impact of the strike to commuters.

The Department of Transportation, through the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), gave Certificates of Commendation to 24 private bus companies/operators who shared resources to augment transport services during the strike. These operators include the following: St. Rose Transit; RRCG; Marikina Auto Line/G Liner Erjohn & Almark; TAS Transport/ San Agustin Bus Co./Batman Express; Malanday Metrolink; Vil 5000/Hi-Star; MannRose Transit/Tessele One-Liner; Jayross Lucky Seven Tours; JAC Liner; Jam Liner/ PhilTourister; Golden Bee Transport; Baliwag Transit; First North Luzon/Bataan Transit; Luzon Cisco; Pangasinan 5 Star; Victory Liner; SOLUBOA; CEM Transit; BBL Trans; ES Transport/ Kellen Transport; HM Transport/ Worthy Transport/ Pascual Liner; Jasper Jean Liner, Inc.; and Thelman Transit.

Also commended were transport groups and a civic group which actively supported the government during the February “tigil pasada.” The transport groups include the following: Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association (FEJODAP); Pangkalahatang Sanggunian Manila and Suburbs Drivers Association Nationwide (PASANG MASDA); Alliance of Concerned Transport Operators (ACTO); Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (ALTODAP); Liga ng mga Tsuper at Operators sa Pilipinas (LTOP); 1-United Transport Koalisyon or 1-UTAK; Coalition of Operators, Drivers, Employees atbp. (CODE-X); and the National Center for Commuter Safety and Protection (NCCSP).

From the government, the following members of the Joint Quick Response Team—NCR were also awarded Certificates of Commendation: Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Philippine National Police (PNP), Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Office for Transportation Security (OTS), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and the Department of Health (DOH).

TPB COO Cesar Montano Accused of Corruption

Wazzup Pilipinas!
It seems not all are starstruck by Cesar Montano who's now the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB).

The news must be true since the complaints are coming from TPB employees themselves who have inside information of what's happening within the agency.

When most newbies at work try to impress, Montano seemed to have irked his staff so soon. With charges of nepotism, conflict of interest, incompetence - quite a litany of complaints all pointing to mismanagement and corruption.

The complaint listed several alleged misdeeds of Montano highlighted by accusations of entering into multi-million pesos’ worth of questionable contracts.

One of the questionable contracts was TPB’s cash sponsorship worth P16.5 million to a company that handled the production of a rally for President Rodrigo Duterte staged Feb. 25 at the Luneta, attended by people brought in by local government units.

Another was TPB’s cash sponsorship worth P12 million of a concert overseas featuring James Reid and Nadine Lustre.

Montano allegedly entered into contracts with producers to hold concerts and events where he was one of the performers.