ASEAN Ministers to Enhance Energy Cooperation

AMEM REPORTS: Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi and delegates meet the press in concluding the 35th ASEAN Ministers Energy Meeting and Associated Meetings (AMEM35) at the Conrad Hotel. In photo along with AMEM35 Chair and Philippine Department of Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi (center) are (L-R) ASEAN Center for Energy Executive Director Dr. Sanjayan Velautham, ASEAN Secretariat Deputy Secretary General of ASEAN Community and Corporate Affairs AKP Mochtan PhD, AMEM35 Vice Chair and Singapore Ministry of Trade and Industry S. Iswaran, and International Renewable Energy Agency Director General Adnan Amin.

(Manila, Philippines). ASEAN Member States (AMS) together with the ASEAN Secretariat, development partners and stakeholders have agreed on various energy cooperation projects to propel regional economic progress.

At the conclusion of the ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM35), the Philippines' Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi pointed out that the agreements on enhanced cooperation are intended to achieve a “One ASEAN Community Through Resilient and Sustainable Energy.”

The series of AMEM35 meetings included the 14th ASEAN+3 (China, Japan and Korea) Ministers on Energy Meeting; the First AMEM-International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Dialogue; the ASEAN Energy Business Forum (AEBF); and the 11th East Asia Summit-Energy Ministers Meeting or the AMEM+8 (Australia, China, India, Japan, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Russian Federation and the US).

Regional Energy Policy and Planning

The AMS, development partners and affiliate international organizations discussed the outlook for global and ASEAN energy and member states’ support for the implementation of the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) 2016-2025.

They agreed on the need for sustained cooperation to ensure security of energy supply and promote a low-carbon energy sector.

The AMS also gave due recognition to best practices and developments in the energy industry through the ASEAN Energy Awards.

Renewable Energy

The AMS agreed to boost efforts to attain ASEAN’s aspirational target of 23% Renewable Energy (RE) share in the region-wide energy mix by 2025.

The Ministers were also united in forging sustainable renewable energy cooperation together with the active participation of IRENA.

"We have a long way to go, so we have devised a Renewable Energy Outlook as guide to narrow the gap on the RE initiatives in the region,” Cusi said.

Trans-ASEAN Gas Pipeline (TAGP)

The AMS agreed to ensure accessibility and security of oil and gas supply in the region, through their continuing efforts on the intra-ASEAN Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Cooperation initiated by the ASEAN Council on Petroleum (ASCOPE).

The participants also stressed the pivotal role of natural gas to the region’s sustainable growth and the need to implement the long-term goal of open access to gas markets in the region; identify commercial opportunities; share best practices; and enhance policy development.

Clean Coal Technology

The AMS acknowledged the importance of promoting highly efficient and clean coal technologies in the regional drive to lower carbon emissions and a more sustainable future for the region and the world. At present, coal continues to be a major fuel source in the region.

Energy Efficiency and Conservation

The AMS agreed to work towards achieving by 2020 the ASEAN’s energy intensity reduction target by 20% based on 2005 levels. Currently, the ASEAN is at 18.3% level.

The Energy Ministers emphasized the need to foster innovative solutions and encourage countries to continue information sharing, best practices, capacity building, better business models and other alternative and emerging efficient energy technologies.

Civilian Nuclear Energy

The AMS discussed how to enhance the Member States’ capabilities on civilian nuclear energy for its safe and efficient development. The AMS invited development partners who are experts in the field, including Canada, China, Japan, Russia and the United States, to share their experiences.

ASEAN Power Grid

The AMS has already embarked on multilateral electricity trade in the ASEAN Power Grid through the signing of the Phase 1 of the Energy Purchase and Wheeling Agreement among Lao PDR, Thailand and Malaysia under the Lao PDR-Thailand-Malaysia-Singapore Power Integration Project (LTMS-PIP).

ASEAN Energy Investment

The AMS agreed to target an increase in the average GDP growth to 6% across the region, and recognized the vital role of the private sector and their active participation in the ASEAN region. The AMEM35 and the ASEAN Energy Business Forum had a joint opening ceremony to underscore the fact that the ASEAN is a sweet spot for business growth and development.

Finally, Cusi said: “The Philippines takes pride in hosting the AMEM35 as this showcases not only our capability to manage an international energy event, but the beauty and culture of the country as well the talents and hospitality of Filipinos.”

PH Wins Big in ASEAN Energy Awards 2017

Department of Energy Officer-in-Charge, Director for Electric Power Industry Management Bureau, Mario C. Marasigan, and other Filipino awardees were recipients of the ASEAN Excellence in Energy Management by Individual award during the ASEAN Energy Awards held on Wednesday 27 September 2017 at the SMX Convention Center, Pasay City. Marasigan was given the award for his contributions in the renewable energy, energy efficiency and conservation sectors. The ASEAN Energy Awards is held annually where the ASEAN Ministers on Energy recognize best practices in the field of energy.

Philippine energy sector participants took center stage during the ASEAN Energy Awards held Wednesday night (27 September) at the SMX Convention Center, Pasay City as the Department of Energy (DOE) proudly hosted the 35th ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM35).

As host and chair of AMEM35, DOE Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi emphasized during the gala dinner and awards night, “With the theme ‘One ASEAN Community through Resilient and Sustainable Energy,’ energy cooperation is geared towards adapting to abrupt and erratic changes in the environment and anticipating the growing energy demands of the region.”

Cusi pointed out that "As energy resources face scarcity, we in the ASEAN region will exert all efforts to tap the diverse energy options and innovations around us.”




In the said the awards night, the ASEAN gave due recognition to 86 firms and individuals for their contributions in the fields of renewable energy, energy efficiency and conservation, and coal resource utilization and development.

Individuals and companies vied in six (6) areas, namely: ASEAN Coal Awards 2017; ASEAN Best Practices Competition for Energy Management in Buildings and Industry; ASEAN Best Practices Competition for Energy Efficient Buildings; ASEAN Best Practices Competition For Green Building; Renewable Energy Competition Project; and ASEAN Excellence in Energy Management by Individual.

Philippine awardees include:

ASEAN Excellence in Energy Management
· DOE Director Mario C. Marasigan as Former Senior Official on Energy Leader

ASEAN Coal Awards 2017
· Best Practices Category (Clean Coal Use and Technology-Power Generation; 2nd Runner-up for Large or greater than 500 megawatts ton/year) –UNIDO BAT/BEP Program and Heat Rate Improvement by AES Philippines-Masinloc Power Partners Co. Ltd.

· Best Practices Category (Clean Coal Use and Technology- Industry; Winner for Small or equal/less than100 MW/year) –Coral Bay Nickel Project by Coral Bay Nickel Corp.

· The 2nd runner-up for the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Category - Strategic, Holistic, and Meaningful Approach to Corporate Social Responsibility through the Health, Education, Livelihood, and Environment (HELEN) Framework by AES Philippines-Masinloc Partners Co. Ltd.

ASEAN Best Practices Competition for Energy Management in Building and Industries
· Building Category (Large; Winner) – BPI-PHILAM Life Makati Condominium Corp.

· Industry Category (Small and Medium; Winner) –Maynilad Water Services, Inc. and La Mesa Treatment Plant 2

Renewable Energy Competition Project
· On-Grid: National Grid Category (Winner) – 20 MW Maibarara Geothermal Project.

The energy chief also highlighted the importance of technologies meeting regional standards, mainstreaming of energy efficiency and conservation complemented by innovations and a strong policy framework.

The Secretary said that “the ASEAN is collaborating not only for energy security and accessibility but for sustainability and resiliency as well.”

“Let us continue to have the wisdom in guiding our sector towards achieving our common objectives and work in one community by continuously sharing resources and technologies towards regional economic growth,” Cusi said.

The ASEAN Energy Awards is the recognition body of the 10 member states for best practices in the development of the region-wide energy industry.

Playboy Founder Hugh Hefner Dies at 91

He peacefully passed away today from natural causes at his home, The Playboy Mansion.

I wanted him to die more like in a 19 person orgy where he was the only male. Dude busted a nut and his soul ascended. That would be a more appropriate way to go for the man who had the most beautiful women around him.

To a man who absolutely carpéd the heck out of the diem, Hugh Hefner built Playboy empire and embodied it. His death at 91 is so sad because the man is the magazine’s very public avatar. Hugh styled himself as an emblem of the sexual revolution. He lived a life by his standards. Many may not agree how he lived it but deep down wished they did.

He lived the life loving the most beautiful things in life - women! To honor his legacy, all erections will be at half-mast. Seriously, we owe him the success of our sexual fantasies. I'd like to thank Hugh Hefner for giving right arms around the world a solid workout for decades.

The man will be dearly missed. May his legacy inspire many to follow, not to create another Playboy empire, but to be a visionary just like him. He founded Playboy with $600 and another $1,000 borrowed from his mother. Iconic success from nothing.

They say when you die you go to a better place, but Hugh Hefner just downgraded significantly because I think he was already in the best place having built his empire satisfying all the sexual fantasies of every man, and making women wanting more to make themselves attractive and sexually pleasing to men.

What can I say? He taught me it was okay to be horny for half human/half rabbit hybrid creatures.

Thank you for the countless titties, asses and pussies you've provided throughout my youth. He dedicated his whole life to give us an unending supply of photos of naked women.

Rest in Peace, Hugh Hefner. You dirty man, you. You empowered so many women. Your legacy will live forever.

Hugh Hefner was on to something very unique at the time when he launched his magazine, Playboy. Has there been a man as similarly as brave as him to endure the controversies thrown at him?

We should all pay our respects to him tonight, and then avoid shaking hands at all costs with each other tomorrow.

"Life's too short to be living somebody else's dream." - Hugh Hefner