3 Philippine cities join global partnership to access better digital tool that can help achieve a 1.5C trajectory

Wazzup Pilipinas!?



The cities of Baguio, Makati, and San Fernando (La Union) have joined an international partnership with 47 other cities from 17 countries to use new digital tools, accessible data, and quantified feedback for their transition towards the target of Net-Zero carbon emissions.

Through the partnership, the local governments of these 3 Philippines cities will be able to develop more impactful climate action plans while collaborating with their own city departments, residents, and other cities across countries.

The participation of Baguio, Makati, and San Fernando (LU) is part of their engagement in the One Planet Cities (OPC) project led by WWF-Philippines and is part of the “Year of Climate Action” partnership between WWF and climate technology software company Futureproofed.

“We are delighted to see our Philippine cities take a step further in their journey towards 1.5C alignment while also strengthening both external and internal collaborations. The digital platform provided by WWF and Futureproofed will surely help in complementing the cities’ One Planet City Challenge (OPCC) feedback results, which they can use in their assessment and ways forward to an effective climate action plan for their city,” said Imee Bellen, Project Manager of OPC from WWF-Philippines.

Relevant feedback will be offered to the participating cities, including which measures and policies lead to the most significant emissions reductions and which actions are cost-effective in achieving their part towards the 1.5C trajectory of the 2015 Paris Agreement.

“No matter how good our data, climate transition today is less of an information and technology issue, and more about implementation and cooperation. Sharing knowledge, in real time, across countries, contexts and continents, about what works and what doesn’t; aligning experts within cities and across departments behind an overarching political plan and motivating everyone to take ownership, will lead to success” said in an open letter dated January 27, signed and published by select participating cities, including WWF and Futureproofed for the launch of the “Year of Climate Action”.

As part of their starting activities, more than 30 City Government officials and staff from Baguio, Makati, and San Fernando City have joined the Local City Team Launch sessions last February 15 and 17, 2022, with other cities from Indonesia, Sweden, Turkey, and the United Kingdom.

The sessions consisted of two main parts, with the first one led by Futureproofed City Climate Coach Annabel Vanhoven presenting the role of cities in climate change and an overview on the OPCC and Futureproofed cities.

The second part was a breakout session where participants were divided into groups per city to discuss the status, challenges, and points of collaboration for their climate action plan with the various city departments present.

Meanwhile, results from OPCC, WWF’s friendly competition on climate action among cities globally, will be announced by March 2022, with other local OPC activities in the pipeline for the 16 PH participating cities for the rest of the year.

*Futureproofed is a climate technology software company that provides software-platforms FutureproofedCities and CarbonCap to help cities and organizations to measure, manage and reduce their CO2-emissions. The “Year of Climate Action” partnership with WWF runs for the entire 2022. See futureproofed.com/about

New Philippine ePassport Renewal Center inaugurated in Singapore

Wazzup Pilipinas!?




Hon. Teodoro L. Locsin Jr., Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines, inaugurated the new Philippine ePassport Renewal Center in Singapore on 28 January 2022 in the presence of other distinguished dignitaries. In a bid to ease the ePassport renewal process for Filipino nationals living overseas, the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines and VFS Global had signed a contract on 6 August 2021 to extend Philippine ePassport Renewal services to eight other countries aside from Singapore.

The launch of the VFS Global ePassport Renewal Center in Singapore marked the first time the Department of Foreign Affairs outsourced its ePassport renewal process for its nationals living in the Asia Pacific region. Following the success of the operations in the pilot location in Dubai which operates 12 hours every day, VFS Global successfully expanded its services to one more city in the UAE. This was followed by Centres in other countries like Ireland, Kuwait, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the UK, and the US, amidst the pandemic.

Commenting at the launch of the ePassport Renewal Center (PaRC), Hon. Teodoro L. Locsin Jr., Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Republic of the Philippines, said "The establishment of ePassport Renewal Centers in various parts of the world is an attestation of the President's commitment to ensuring that government services are accessible and convenient to every Filipino. Singapore is certainly a priority for this service, as over 200,000 Filipinos in Singapore will benefit from having the option to renew their passport in another location aside from the Philippine Embassy."

Mr. Jiten Vyas, Regional Group COO, VFS Global, added "We would like to thank the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines for its continued faith in us. Our passport and consular services have been growing from strength to strength, and we look forward to bringing those best-in-class services to Filipino nationals here in Singapore with this new Centre."

Key benefits of the Philippine ePassport Renewal Center:
- Improved passport services to Philippine nationals living overseas

- Reduced crowding at Consulates/Embassies and greater convenience for the customer submitting their application with VFS Global

- Strict verifiable processes to ensure accuracy of biometric data collection

- Flexible 'prime time' services at select locations for submissions beyond regular office hours

- Optional two-way courier services for safe delivery of your passports

- Application tracking facility with the SMS service

- Form filling support

Important information for Philippine ePassport Renewal services customers in Singapore:

As the safety of our customers and employees is our priority, VFS Global has implemented strict health and safety measures in line with Government guidelines for physical distancing at the Centres. Customers must wear a face mask/face covering to enter the premises, and a temperature reading will be required on arrival. Customers exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms, including fever (higher than 37.3 degrees Celsius), cough and difficulty in breathing, will not be allowed to proceed with their applications and be allowed to reschedule their appointments for another day. Customers can visit our website: https://services.vfsglobal.com/sgp/en/phl or email us at info.philippinesg@vfshelpline.com for more details.

Philippine ePassport Renewal Center
Address in Singapore: 79 Anson, 15-02, Singapore 079906
Email id: info.philippinesg@vfshelpline.com
Website: https://services.vfsglobal.com/sgp/en/phl
Submission Timing: 0800 hrs-1600 hrs (Monday to Friday, except holidays)

*VFS Global will be responsible only for accepting applications for client missions. All applications submitted will continue to be assessed and processed by the respective client missions. Timelines for turnaround are as per the discretion of the authorities.

DDS now means "Domagoso Diehard Supporters"

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

So Duterte is inclining to support Iskoterte in the incoming presidential election..Lumabas na din ang totoo..Isko is Duterte 2.0.

Is it true that most of Duterte's cabinet members are supporting Isko? Is Duterte's endorsement imminent? Is this the reason why the pulahans are panicking? Questions, questions...

Duterte will endorse Isko. His attack dog Banat by has been promoting him and attacking MarcosMagnanakaw

"Domagoso Diehard Supporters" as the new "DDS"?

Presidential candidate and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno says he is thankful that many supporters of Pres. Rodrigo Duterte, known as "Diehard Duterte Supporters" (DDS), are now supporting and campaigning for him.  

If it happens, Duterte’s endorsement of Isko will chip away a lot of votes from BBM. It will be catastrophic, but I see it as an advantage for Leni.

However, I think it's all a calculated move. Just like what Duterte did to Cayetano. They are really hoisting Sara to rule by succession and Isko is just running to fragmentalize opposition votes.

Isko’s lust for power is leading him to his downfall. His betrayal of his running mate in his quest to get the DDS vote has red flag written all over it.

Isko Moreno is definition of a garbage politician. Absolutely no decency nor class. Sorry Doc Willie, I may not be voting for you but you deserve every ounce of respect.

You can take Isko out of the slums but you can't take the garbage out of him, and his betrayal of Doc Willie speaks volumes of how worthless and opportunistic he is.

Others are pushing for a ROBREDO-SARA or ISKO-SARA. We should be alarmed because they are pushing for SARA no matter who the President is. Why do you all still want another DUTERTE in a national seat? Haven't we learned enough from his father's term?

From announcing that he’ll retire from politics if he doesn’t win the presidency, to practically begging for PRRD’s endorsement, to now leaving behind Doc Willie Ong as his VP, Isko Moreno’s desperation is scaring me.

Isko is just another self-serving politician who is willing to throw his integrity out the window just to climb to the top of the food chain.  

He promised Manileños he'd serve the 3 terms allowed by law if they wanted him to, but salivated for a highet post.

Isko seems to be just so happy to throw Doc Willie Ong under the bus. I feel so bad for the guy, he could easily have gotten into top 6 of the Senate race if he didn't take Isko's VP offer. Isko's betrayal is beyond description.

He asked a good doctor to be his runningmate, but is now openly campaigning with a group pairing him with another. What Isko did is a big slap on Dr. Willie Ong's face. Isko just used Doc Willie's Popularity in Social Media.

The real reason why Doc Willie Ong was pulled in by Isko is because of his big audience on social media. Isko only cared about gaining an audience and with Ong's large audience, it gave him the support he needed while using Ong for clout.

Isko only cares about his numbers. He should have shut his doors to the idea of Isko-Sara tandem in some parts of Mindanao & Visayas, openly saying that his VP is none other than Doc Willie. 

But apparently, he’s not. 

Posters promoting Isko-Sara tandem (ISSA) seen in Isko Moreno's event in Maguindanao.

Willie Ong agreed to skip Isko's events in Maguindanao after being told by campaign manager Lito Banayo that the mayor's supporters there are already pro-Sara Duterte.

Doc Willie must have felt betrayed. I can only surmise.

In response to Isko's relatively positive reception in Mindanao, pro-BBM influencers are now pushing the "Where's Doc Willie" line to show that Isko abandoned his VP. These are signs that Isko seems to be shaking the tree. The question is if any fruits will drop.

Grabe siya! Hinila niya si Ong maging bise niya na alam ng lahat na malakas na manalo sa pagka Senador tapos ilalaglag lang pala. Tsk tsk tsk!

The worst despicable treachery ever in political history where a presidentiable drop in the bucket his vice presidentiable tandem for a bulging purse rival VP candidate. What Isko did to Erap & Lim, he did it again to Doc Willie, which is consistent with his ignoble character.

At this point, Doc Willie should just drop out. I don't like him, but no one deserves to be disrespected this way. 

Grabe yung pagiging balimbing ni isko, pati running mate??? 

It makes one thing clear: he will jump through hoops just to have power. Kadiri.

If Isko can do this to a supposed political ally....how can we entrust the Philippines to him?

This is Isko’s brand of politics…

Politics of convenience!

Sariling interest lang ang iniisip.

Isko cannot be trusted, period.

What do they have on you, Yorme?

Isko's ditching of Willie is another revelation of his treacherous Political Opportunism. Such flagrant display of betrayal is an indictment of one's character. Remember politicians, if they are not kissing children; they are stealing their candies. 

That is why it is imperative that Kiko Pangilinan also wins. But the problem may be that while the people think election, the Duterte camp thinking is how to keep power by all means and at all cost.

The move to drop Doc Willies from Isko by some is a wake up call to push harder for Kiko Pangilinan. Let’s work harder & smarter to make LeniKiko win. It is non-negotiable! 

Kakampinks are solid, nobody can persuade them to leave Leni and Kiko.

Boy Siko should be worried about this Duterte wannabe because Isko is trying to steal his supporters.