30 More Years Of Lifeline Rate To Almost 6M Families

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Almost six million "poorest of the poor" Filipino families are now set to be given aid in their monthly electricity bill for 30 more years following the approval of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the law on Extending and Enhancing the Implementation of the Lifeline Rate.

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), Department of Energy (DOE) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) jointly signed the IRR of Republic Act No. 11552 on October 28, 2022. RA 11552 is also known as “An Act Extending and Enhancing the implementation of the Lifeline Rate, Amending for the Purpose Section 73 of Republic Act. No. 9136 (Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2021).”

DOE Secretary Raphael P.M. Lotilla said “the lifeline rate program in the Philippines is one of the best designed lifeline rate programs in the world; ours is better targeted.”

The DOE, led by Lotilla, has been tasked to formulate and promulgate the policy guidelines of RA 11552, ensuring the law and its IRR are lawfully implemented. The task is consistent with President Ferdinand "Bong Bong" Marcos Jr.’s administration's steadfast commitment in seeing to it that the benefits of the government's energy policies and programs are felt by the poorest of the poor.



A fair and equitable lifeline subsidy implementation


Qualified marginalized electricity end-users are targets of the signed IRR, pursuant to R.A.1152, in terms of ensuring the subsidy given to the beneficiaries is distributed fairly. The DSWD has expressed its commitment to assist in the implementation in order for the IRR to meet the “fair and equitable” objective.

Thirty more years of subsidy to 6 million electricity consumers

An amendment made on Section 73 of the EPIRA (RA No. 10150) revamps the 20-year-coverage subsidy provision to electricity consumers, giving the subsidy an extended timeline (additional 30 years). This means that those from the marginalized sector who consume electricity will continue to enjoy government subsidy in their electricity bill for 30 more years after the first 20 years in the original RA is up. It’s practically like one person enjoying the benefit of a partially-subsidized electricity bill in almost his entire adult life.

ERC records show that for the first six months of 2022, beneficiaries have already benefitted from the lifeline rate program an average of P541 Million worth of subsidy per month. The actual discounts vary, depending on the lifeline program’s per Distribution Utility (DU) computation approved by the ERC.

 

Qualified households—target of the extended subsidy timeframe

Priority among the end users of the extended subsidy timeframe are qualified household beneficiaries under the “Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program” (4Ps) Act, the master list of which is with the DSWD. The 4Ps is aimed at national poverty reduction through the provision of cash transfer to extremely poor households to improve health, nutrition and education.

ERC Chairman and CEO Monalisa Dimalanta says the ERC will provide the criteria for qualifications of a marginalized end-user while the DSWD will provide the list of qualified household-beneficiaries in order to ensure a uniform and objective procedure of identifying potential beneficiaries.

CAPTION:

(L-R): DOE Secretary Raphael P.M. Lotilla, ERC Chairperson and CEO Monalisa C. Dimalanta, DSWD Undersecretary for Special Concerns Vilma B. Cabrera and other ERC Officials and employees at the ceremonial signing.

Dimalanta stresses that the IRR is a product of an effective inter-agency collaboration to deliver better public service.

As mandated by the law, the ERC, DOE and DSWD, in consultation with the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) and other public and private stakeholders, with the approval of the Joint Congressional Energy Commission (JCPC), shall issue, adopt and promulgate the rules and regulations to implement the provisions of RA No. 11552.

The GrowHub Innovations Company and Tangobar Announce Partnership for Sustainable Regional Community Development and ASEAN market penetration

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The GrowHub Innovations Company ("The GrowHub"), Asia Pacific's only Web 3-enabled plug-and-play ecosystem builder for food traceability and carbon credits, announced its strategic partnership with Kyoto's leading craft canning producer and food experience provider Tangobar LLC. ("tangobar"). 

Tangobar is committed to the development of canned foods using local agricultural and marine products as well as food promotion events. The GrowHub will be providing its proprietary Web-3 technology to Tangobar to support the sustainable development of the local community in Kyoto Prefecture (Kyoto by the Sea) and the penetration of its products in the ASEAN market.

With a goal of maximizing local food resources, knowledge, and techniques to promote the diversity of Kyoto's rich landscape, Tangobar seeks to create a harmonious relationship between food producers and consumers to develop a sustainable food culture that is beneficial for all. The GrowHub's mission of fostering sustainable and conscious trade and providing authentic food that consumers can trust via Web-3 technology aligns with Tangobar's efforts to contribute to the local environment and communities.

The GrowHub's unique blockchain solution, which enables direct two-way communication with consumers, will enable Tangobar to tell the rich story of its products and the local community in northern Kyoto while providing them the insights needed to expand and create demand for their product offerings among ASEAN consumers. By creating demand for food experience programs and local food processing, Tangobar hopes to contribute to new employment opportunities and sustainable economic growth in the region.

Dr. Daiki Nakaoka, the Country Head of The GrowHub Japan shared, "We are very pleased to partner with Tangobar, which contributes to the sustainable development of local communities. While many rural areas in Japan have wonderful food resources, they are faced with the challenges of increasing employment opportunities for locals and re-innovating food experience programs with environmental considerations. This partnership significantly enhances the opportunities for local communities to thrive in ASEAN in a sustainable manner."

According to the ASEAN Food and Nutrition Security Report 2021, the shift in food retailing is resulting in increased consumption of unhealthy foods and diminishing the often critical role of informal traders in meeting the food and nutrition needs of communities. It is crucial for food producers to showcase transparency and provide extensive background on ingredients/products to end food consumers. By scaling-up sustainable agricultural practices in ASEAN, The GrowHub supports the livelihoods of small-scale food producers, while helping curb carbon gas emissions to push back impending catastrophe.

Mr. Naoya Seki, Founder, and CEO of Tangobar mentioned, "The GrowHub is a key player in distributing products that contribute to the development of a sustainable environment and society in ASEAN. It is beyond challenging to scale local food resources to potential consumers beyond Japan. As such, The GrowHub comes in as a bridge to enable us to communicate directly with ASEAN consumers. Through this, we are better able to tailor our products according to the needs and demands of new audiences. We are looking forward to our strong partnership with The GrowHub and future roadmaps for consumers to visit our production facilities in Kyoto."

With the mission of "bringing consumers and producers closer together", Tangobar commits to utilise local food resources, food knowledge, and techniques to improve the holistic well-being of people and nature. Moving forward, The Growhub will continue to strengthen Tangobar's food offerings in the landscape and contribute to the sustainable development of local food communities in ASEAN.

Maligayang Pasko: The Filipino Christmas Traditions Noon at Ngayon

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Christmas is a season of joy, hope, and love. This is the time of the year when we put aside our differences and come together to celebrate life. For Filipinos, Christmas is a very exceptional time as we have our unique traditions that make the joyous season more special.

Through the years, the Philippines’ Christmas celebrations are always a time for family, feast, and joy. Filipino Christmas traditions have changed over the years, but some things remain the same. Here's a look at how Filipino Christmas traditions have changed over the years, and what remains the same.

One of the most popular Filipino Christmas symbol is the parol. A parol is a star-shaped lantern that is traditionally made from bamboo and decorated with colorful paper. In the past, parols were used to guide people to church on Christmas Eve. Today, they are used as decorations and are often seen hanging in front of homes and businesses.

The beginning of “Ber” months in the country is always a sign that Christmas is just around the corner. Christmas songs and carols are played in every street, every household, transportations, malls, it's literally being played everywhere! Christmas in the Philippines would not be complete without these sounds of carols being played and sung. Caroling is a popular Christmas tradition in the Philippines, and it is not uncommon to see groups of carolers going door-to-door to sing Christmas carols – only here in the Philippines!

All over the world, Christmas gift-giving is often done in a group setting, with family, friends, and co-workers gathering to exchange gifts. But here in the Philippines, we have a tradition known as "Monito-Monita". It typically involves Secret Santa-style gift exchange, where each person draws the name of another person in the group and gives them a gift.

And to give us more gift-giving ideas this Christmas season, the WORLD BAZAAR FESTIVAL is back on-ground at the World Trade Center Manila from December 10-19, 2022. As one of the country’s top shopping destinations, the World Bazaar Festival 2022 provides a wide array of perfect gift ideas for our loved ones. Find the latest trendy wears, clothing and accessories available at Woobie’s Designers’ Avenue and Celebrity Pavilion. And to set your shopping mood, World Bazaar Festival also prepared a food crawl avenue called Woobie’s Food World and Woobie’s Goodies which delivers countless food choices and showcases everyday food feast at the convenience of bazaar shoppers.

The World Bazaar Festival continues to be the longest Christmas Charity Bazaar in the country today. For the benefit of ABS CBN Foundation, the event organizer, Worldbex Services International, is true to their commitment towards Social Responsibility and charitable duties. The World Bazaar Festival continues to remind all of us that Christmas is indeed a season of joy, hope, and love and it will always be in the heart of every Filipino all over the World.

The spirit of gift-giving is a very notable Christmas culture in the Philippines. Some traditions may have changed over the years, but some things remain the same. Families still gather together to celebrate, hear the mass and complete the “Simbang Gabi,” eat Noche Buena as one family and exchange Love for one another. Christmas is still a time for feast, and traditional Filipino dishes are still enjoyed by many. Indeed, Christmas in the Philippines is incomparable among every country in the world – for Filipinos, PASKO is truly a time for Jesus, family, feast, and joy.

WORLD BAZAAR FESTIVAL is organized by Worldbex Services International.

Website: https://worldbazaarfestival.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/worldbazaarfestival

Instagram: https://instagram.com/worldbazaarfestival?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=