DOE Backs E-Vehicles Development

Wazzup Piipinas!

Electric vehicles (EV) are the future of motoring and the Department of Energy (DOE) under Secretary Alfonso Cusi has assured industry stakeholders of its full support for the continued development of EVs or e-vehicles in the country.

With Assistant Secretary Leonido Pulido III speaking on behalf of Cusi, the DOE made the assurance during the ASEAN Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Summit at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

“Through a concerted effort, we have to develop a conducive, open-access and non-discriminatory environment for EVs to thrive and settle into the mainstream,” said Pulido.

The DOE official stressed that the industry must ensure the operation of adequate recharging stations and after sales support if e-vehicles are to take the place of vehicles running on fossil fuels like gasoline and diesel

“The industry should be bent on continuing to improve the performance, mileage and durability of EVs, so that these vehicles develop over time both in capacity and reputation that will match and stand toe-to-toe — or wheel-to-wheel — with their petroleum-powered counterparts,”

Pulido pointed out.

Pulido underlined the government’s efforts to incentivize the industry, including the programs being implemented of the Bureau of Investments for nascent industries such as EVs.

The DOE has drawn up an Alternative Fuel Roadmap, which embodies the country’s immediate and long-term strategies concerning the said industry, the DOE official said.

Last May, the DOE in partnership with the Japan Government turned over the “next-generation vehicles” to selected government agencies, especially in the Yolanda-stricken areas, for practical testing and operation, research and development, and technical familiarization.

It also formulated with the help of various stakeholders the Philippine Energy Standards and Labeling Program, which aims to ensure that all energy-consuming products, including light vehicles, will meet the set energy performance requirements for consumer benefit.

Pulido asked EV stakeholders to spread positive awareness of the benefits of using e-vehicles.

MSAP ICE Awards 2017 is Now Open for Entries

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Media Specialists Association of the Philippines (MSAP) continues to recognize excellent and exemplary work in media thinking and communications with the 2nd ICE Awards.

Now open for entries for campaigns that ran from May 2015 until June 2017 that fall under the following ten categories: Best in insight, Best in Creative Use of Media, Multi-media, Single Medium, Activation, Branded Content, Digital, Data, Not-for-Profit Campaign, and Effectiveness Award.

All qualified participants can submit their entries starting July 15 to 22 for early bird submission at P5,000 per entry or P20,000 for 5 entries; and regular submission dates from July 23 to 30 at P7,000 per entry or P25,000 for 5 entries. All MSAP members, creative agencies of the MSAP members, and members of KBP/GM7, UPMG, OAAP, OMAG, IMMAP can join the ICE Awards.

All campaign entries will go through strict screening processes and will be judged based on three standards: Insights, Creativity, and Effectiveness. The entries that will garner the highest scores will be qualified to vie for ICE Awards two major prizes: Media Agency of the Year and Advertiser of the Year.

Announcement of winners will be on September 9, 2017 at the final night of the 2017 Media Congress in Baguio City. To learn more about ICE Awards and the entry submission process, please visit http://www.iceawards.com.ph/.

MAD Volunteers Brave Martial Law in Mindanao; Bring School Treats for Kids

Wazzup Pilipinas!

In spite of the crossfire gripping Marawi City and the declaration of martial law in Mindanao, no fear had ceased the passion, determination and courage of 17 millennial volunteers from across the country to hold its 34th outreach program called “I am M.A.D. (Making A Difference) Camp” in Zamboanga City, recently.

I am MAD volunteers spearheaded the distribution of “Bag of Dreams” gift packs of school supplies for 73 school children of Muruk Elementary School in Brgy. Upper Pasonanca, about 13 kilometers from the city proper.

The three-day camp gave both the volunteers and kids a time to interact through educational and entertaining activities which included the ‘share your dream’ getting-to-know-you session, team-building, storytelling, games, arts and crafts that promote the organization’s four key advocacies anchored on the Department of Education’s core values—love of God (maka-Diyos), love for others (makatao), love of environment (makakalikasan), and love of country (makabayan). All these are integrated in the “10 I am MAD Commitments”.

To support the program, I am MAD Zamboanga chapter led by Meryl Hilda Jalani, raised P60,000 by selling school supplies and holding a mini-art exhibit months before the actual camp. A portion of the proceeds was also shared to evacuees from Marawi City.