PH, NZ Sign Amendment on Geothermal Energy Cooperation

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Philippines and New Zealand signed an amendment on their arrangement on geothermal energy cooperation.

Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi and New Zealand Ambassador to the Philippines David Strachan signed the amendment on Tuesday (November 14, 2017) at the New World Hotel in the presence of New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern as witness.

The signing of the amendment extended the arrangement signed on October 2012 until October 2020.

The amendment aims to further strengthen and enhance the cooperation between the two countries on geothermal energy cooperation through government-level collaboration and the facilitation of private sector activities.

The amendment also provides for the continuous exchange of experiences and technical assistance in the field of geothermal energy exploration, development and utilization through capacity building and share of information, knowledge and current trends on geothermal energy.

The signing ceremony is part of the ASEAN Summit hosted by the Philippines.

Squad Goals for World AIDS Day

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Dubbed as #LoveSquad, LoveYourself encourages interested groups and individuals, who are seeking life-saving medical intervention like HIV screening, to register at go.loveyourself.ph/lovesquad.

LoveYourself Executive Director Ronivin G. Pagtakhan said “We are getting more aggressive in our strategies to reach the untapped populations for HIV screening, education and other interventions.”

Pagtakhan pointed out, “The incidences of HIV infection already reached 30 individuals per day according to latest DOH data, and that is something we want to see reversing the soonest.”

“This HIV screening day will serve both groups and individuals, and we promise, as always, to ensure utmost confidentiality and promptness of procedure to best protect and serve our clients,” Pagtakhan underlined.

#LoveSquad is completely anonymous because only a code and contact information are given. It eliminates the filling out of lengthy identification forms leading to reduced screening period and increased efficiency.

Relatively, #LoveSquad will be using 3rd generation rapid test kits that only a small pinprick and drop of blood will be needed. Thus, the waiting time of the results will only take 15-20 minutes from the time of pricking.

Over the course of the HIV screening, #LoveSquad counselors will also provide information on safer sex practices to lower the risk of contracting the virus, and an explanation on the test results.

Groups and individuals who will sign up at go.loveyourself.ph/lovesquad will just need to arrive on the said testing venue between 10:00 a.m. -7:00 p.m. to avail of the free, anonymous, and fast community-based HIV screening.

The #LoveSquad is also LoveYourself’s contribution to the commemoration of World AIDS Day, apart from its major participation in holding the first Love Gala -the Asia’s Premier and Awards event which entails the pioneer Ripple Awards for outstanding HIV and AIDS movers in the Philippines and Asia.

#LoveSquad is supported by DOH- Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc., Blued, Victoria Court, and Save the Children.

For more details on LoveYourself’s services, individuals may visit the group’s official website at www.loveyourself.ph or follow and like its social media channels: Facebook- @loveyourself.ph, Twitter- @loveyourselfph, and Instagram- @loveyourself.ph.

DOTr Update on Maria Isabel Lopez

A summon has already been issued by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to Ms. Lopez yesterday, 12 November 2017, for committing the following violations:

1. Disregarding traffic signs

2. Violation of the Anti Distracted Driving Act

3. Reckless driving

LTO Chief Edgar Galvante says that proper investigation procedures will be observed, and that LTO shall ensure that their decision will be anchored on the truth, and adherence to the rule of law.