IFEX Philippines Spotlights top EU Brands on May 19-21

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Ten leading companies from the European Union (EU) is set to showcase their food products in the much-awaited 11th edition of IFEX Philippines on May 19-21 at the World Trade Center Metro Manila (WTCMM) and the Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC).

The Department of Trade and Industry, through its Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (DTI-CITEM), presents in IFEX Philippines the top food brands and technologies from EU states, including Belgium, Estonia, France, Germany, Lithuania, Poland, and The Netherlands.

“Since IFEX Philippines is the Asia’s premier ethnic and ingredients show, exhibiting companies from Europe are in a strategic position to penetrate the lucrative Eastern Asian market,” says DTI-CITEM Executive Director Clayton Tugonon.

EU became IFEX Philippines’ first international partner region through a collaboration between DTI-CITEM and the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) and EU-Philippines Business Network (EPBN).

Under the EU Pavilion, 10 companies representing EU are Black Pepper Limited, Düringer Fleischkontor, Foodsniffer, Imepa B.V., Asia Banff International Trading Corporation, Mlekoma, Nestle Philippines, AInc., PW Partners, and Sante and Union de Guyenne Boxdeaux. Through its embassy, Poland will also have its own country exhibit to promote their products.

PHL-China Closer Ties Opens More Trade Opportunities for Agri-Exporters in IFEX Philippines

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“There is a lot of interest from the Chinese market lately because of the ‘Duterte factor.’ The Philippine-China relationship has been growing really fast, it’s now at a golden era. We should capture this momentum. It’s an opportunity to promote to Guangzhou, Shanghai, Xiamen, Beijing, including HK and Macau,” explained Antonio Tiu, chairman and CEO of AgriNurture, Inc., and one of the country’s agri-export pioneers participating in the 11th edition of IFEX Philippines on May 19-21 at the World Trade Center Metro Manila (WTCMM).

Based on China’s National Bureau of Statistics, food imports in China have recorded an annual average growth of almost 15 percent in the past five years. By 2018, China is expected to become the top importer of foreign food products, with the total value of food imports set to reach RMB 480 billion (US$77 billion).

“In the upcoming IFEX Philippines, more exporters are excited to venture in the Chinese market now that the economic superpower is considered as the world’s biggest food importer,” said DTI-CITEM Executive Director Clayton Tugonon. “Philippine companies have an edge in capitalizing on China’s huge food demand, thanks to the latest diplomatic arrangements brought by the efforts of President Rodrigo Duterte.”

China has surpassed the United States to become the world’s largest importer of agricultural products, according to the World Trade Organization (WTO). Even with 500 million farmers, China has been unable to meet the country’s growing demand for agricultural products.

Last March, China signed an agreement to buy USD 1.7 billion worth of fruits and other agricultural products from the Philippines. On February, Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua also encouraged the Philippines to pr oduce more dried mangoes to meet the "insatiable" demand in their country.

Ahead of President Rodrigo Duterte’s visit to Beijing last year, China has lifted restrictions on banana, and pineapple exports; and welcomed exports of Philippine mangoes, coconut and dragon fruit as well as lapu-lapu (grouper), crabs, shrimps, prawns, tuna and bangus (milk fish). Led by Duterte, Philippine delegation also managed to secure a commitment from China to finance $24 billion worth of investment projects and credit facilities for the Philippines.

JC Santos, Resorts World Manila’s ‘Annie,’ Red Turnip’s ‘Tribes’ Triumph in 9th Gawad Buhay

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JC Santos, the young Dulaang UP-trained theater actor who became a TV sensation last year when he was cast as the third wheel to the James Reid-Nadine Lustre tandem in the ABS-CBN teleserye “Till I Met You,” won the Outstanding Male Lead Performance in a Play for Red Turnip’s “Constellations” at the 9th Gawad Buhay, held at the CCP Little Theater this evening.

His co-star in “Constellations,” Cris Villonco, won the Outstanding Female Lead Performance in a Play honors, while the play itself, directed by Rem Zamora, was adjudged Outstanding Production of Existing Material for a Play.

The Gawad Buhay, the Philstage Awards for the Performing Arts, on its ninth year celebrated not only the best performance and technical achievements of its member-companies’ productions in 2016; it also conferred the Natatanging Gawad Buhay for Lifetime Achievement to stalwart actor-directors Soxie Topacio and Joy Virata.

Topacio and Virata are pioneering members and pillars of their respective theater companies, the Philippine Educational Theater Association and Repertory Philippines, both of which are celebrating their 50th anniversary this year. The twin milestone achievement for Philippine theater was a focal point of celebration at the evening’s ceremonies, which also featured a segment jointly honoring Peta founder Cecile Guidote-Alvarez and Rep co-founder Baby Barredo.

The ceremonies were hosted by Jon Santos.

Krystal Brimner, the child actress who appeared as John Lloyd Cruz’ daughter in the Erik Matti thriller “Honor Thy Father,” was adjudged Outstanding Female Lead Performance in a Musical for her turn in “Annie.” The classic Broadway musical, mounted by the Full House Theater Company of Resorts World Manila, won four other awards: Outstanding Female Featured Performance for Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, Outstanding Stage Direction for a Musical for director Michael Williams, and Outstanding Ensemble Performance for a Musical and Outstanding Production of Existing Material for a Musical.

Jef Flores scored an unprecedented back-to-back Gawad Buhay win by copping the Outstanding Male Lead Performance in a Musical for his turn as the young pre-“Rent” Jonathan Larson in 9 Works Theatrical’s “Tick, Tick... Boom!” Only last year, he was the Outstanding Male Lead recipient in the play counterpart for Red Turnip’s “This Is Our Youth.”

In dance, Rita Winder of Ballet Philippines also notched a rare double nomination—Outstanding Female Lead Performance in Modern Dance for “Awitin Mo at Isasayaw Ko,” a dance-musical that featured the music of the 70’s band VST & Co; and Female Lead Performance in Classical Dance, for “Firebird and Other Ballets.”

The trophy for Outstanding Female Featured Performance for Modern Dance went to dance legend Edna Vida, for “Awitin Mo at Isasayaw Ko,” eliciting some of the evening’s loudest cheers.

The most honored production of the night was also in dance—Ballet Philippines’ “Firebird and Other Ballets,” which went home with seven trophies.

Tying with “Annie’s” five wins was Red Turnip’s “Tribes,” which garnered nods for, among others, Outstanding Stage Direction for a Play for Topper Fabregas, and for the featured performances of Angela Padilla and Teroy Guzman. Peta’s “3 Stars and a Sun,” meanwhile, a musical that employed the music of the late rap artist Francis Magalona, earned four wins, including Outstanding Original Musical and for its libretto by Mixkaela Villalon and Rody Vera.

COMPLETE LIST OF 2016 PHILSTAGE GAWAD BUHAY! WINNERS IN VARIOUS CATEGORIES:

Outstanding Original Libretto

Mixkaela Villalon and Rody Vera, “3 Stars and a Sun” (Peta)

Outstanding Translation or Adaptation

Rolando Tinio, “Pangarap sa Isang Gabi ng Gitnang Tag-araw” (Tanghalang Pilipino)

Outstanding Musical Direction

Myke Salomon, “3 Stars and a Sun” (Peta)

Outstanding Original Musical Composition

Malek Lopez, “Opera” (Ballet Philippines)

Outstanding Choreography for a Dance Production

Carlo Pacis, “Weighted Whispers”/from “Firebird and Other Ballets” (Ballet Philippines)

Outstanding Choreography for a Play or Musical

PJ Rebullida, “American Idiot” (9 Works Theatrical)

Outstanding Costume Design

Gino Gonzales, “3 Stars and a Sun” (Peta)

Outstanding Lighting Design

John Batalla, “Almost, Maine” (Repertory Philippines)

Outstanding Sound Design

Teresa Barrozo, “Tribes” (Red Turnip Theater)

Outstanding Set Design

Mio Infante, “American Idiot” (9 Works Theatrical)

Female Lead Performance in a Play

Cris Villonco, “Constellations” (Red Turnip Theater)

Male Lead Performance in a Play

JC Santos, “Constellations” (Red Turnip Theater)

Female Featured Performance in a Play

Angela Padilla, “Tribes” (Red Turnip Theater)

Male Featured Performance in a Play

Teroy Guzman, “Tribes” (Red Turnip Theater)

Female Lead Performance in a Musical

Krystal Brimner, “Annie” (Full House Theater Company)

Male Lead Performance in a Musical

Jef Flores, “Tick, Tick… Boom” (9 Works Theatrical)

Female Featured Performance in a Musical

Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, “Annie” (Full House Theater Company)

Male Featured Performance in a Musical

Ariel Reonal, “Tick, Tick…Boom” (9 Works Theatrical)

Female Lead Performance in Modern Dance

Rita Winder, “Awitin Mo at Isasayaw Ko” (Ballet Philippines)

Male Lead Performance in Modern Dance

JM Cordero, “Awitin Mo at Isasayaw Ko” (Ballet Philippines)

Female Featured Performance in Modern Dance

Edna Vida, “Awitin Mo at Isasayaw Ko” (Ballet Philippines)

Male Featured Performance in Modern Dance

Erl Sorilla, “Simoun” (Ballet Philippines)

Female Lead Performance in Classical Dance

Rita Winder, “Firebird”/from “Firebird and Other Ballets” (Ballet Philippines)

Male Lead Performance in Classical Dance

Rudy de Dios, “Cinderella” (Ballet Manila)

Female Featured Performance in Classical Dance

Denise Parungao, “Firebird”/from “Firebird and Other Ballets” (Ballet Philippines)

Male Featured Performance in Classical Dance

Cyril Fallar, “Firebird”/from “Firebird and Other Ballets” (Ballet Philippines)

Outstanding Modern Dance Production

“Weighted Whispers”/from “Firebird and Other Ballets” (Ballet Philippines)

Outstanding Classical Dance Production

“Firebird”/from “Firebird and Other Ballets” (Ballet Philippines)

Outstanding Stage Direction for a Play

Topper Fabregas, “Tribes” (Red Turnip Theater)

Outstanding Stage Direction for a Musical

Michael Williams, “Annie” (Full House Theater Company)

Outstanding Ensemble Performance for a Play

“Tribes” (Red Turnip Theater)

Outstanding Ensemble Performance for a Musical

“Annie” (Full House Theater Company)

Outstanding Ensemble Performance for Modern Dance

“Weighted Whispers”/from “Firebird and Other Ballets” (Ballet Philippines)

Outstanding Production of Existing Material for a Play

“Constellations” (Red Turnip Theater)

Outstanding Production of Existing Material for a Musical

“Annie” (Full House Theater Company)

Outstanding Musical—Original or Translation/Adaptation

“3 Stars and a Sun” (Peta)

Natatanging Gawad Buhay

Joy Virata (Repertory Philippines)

Soxie Topacio (Peta)

Photo by Jaypee Maristaza

Tugade to Investors: Safety, Transparency, No Corruption—Pillars of Dutertenomics

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As the Philippines ushers in the Golden Age of Infrastructure, Department of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade encouraged investors to do business in the country and assured them of a level playing field without corruption.

In a joint press briefing held before the opening plenary of the World Economic Forum held in Cambodia, economic managers and infrastructure agencies presented the grand infrastructure plan of the Duterte administration called BuildBuildBuild as part of DuterteNomics—the government’s economic agenda. Secretary Tugade said that the aggressive infrastructure push will be supplemented with transparency and accountability.

“Come to the Philippines, we’ll take care of your investments. We create a scenario wherein you get a fair return on your investment because we have a safe, secure, transparent and accountable government, and principally, no corruption. We will give you a level playing field,” Tugade said.

Tugade said the government will make full use of technology to eradicate corruption especially during the bidding process, which he said is already being aired live on social media. He also shared that big-ticket projects under the Build Build Build program may be monitored via a transparency portal (www.build.gov.ph), a real-time tool where progress of projects can be tracked.

He added that investors can count on President Duterte to be uncompromising when it comes to corruption.

“The president will not allow corruption in any form, in any shape. President Duterte will be uncompromising when it comes to corruption,” Tugade said. “That is what the President is impressing in every one of us. So that the businessmen will be assured of a level playing field and a safe and secure place of business.”

The Duterte administration seeks to increase public spending on infrastructure to 5.4% of the Gross Domestic Product in 2017, the highest in more than two decades. The move is consistent with President Rodrigo Duterte’s socioeconomic agenda, which aims to reduce poverty from 26.3% in 2015 to 17% by 2022.

Among the high-impact projects presented by the DOTr are new railway networks including the country’s first subway system, development of new and existing airports, maritime developments including the country’s first barge terminal, and other efficient mass transportation systems.

DOTr to Prioritize Institutionalization of Road Safety Initiatives

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In celebration of the Global Road Safety Week, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced various road safety initiatives of the government to minimize the number of fatal road crashes in the Philippines.

With speed as the Global Road Safety Week’s focus, as expressed in its theme: Save Lives #SlowDown, the DOTr announced two new policies targeting speed as a road safety risk factor.

In a Road Safety forum organized by ImagineLaw last May 9, DOTr Assistant Secretary Mark Richmund De Leon announced that the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of RA 10916 or the Road Speed Limiter Act of 2016, which requires Public Utility Vehicles (PUVs) to install devices designed to limit the maximum speed of vehicles, has been completed and is set to be released in the coming weeks.

A joint memorandum circular on speed limit setting and enforcement will also be issued jointly by the DOTr, DILG and DPWH. With this, the DOTr hopes to increase speed enforcement activities in the Philippines when more LGUs enact and enforce speed limit ordinances. The joint circular also contains coordination mechanisms to allow LGUs to lower speed limits on national roads with high pedestrian mix, such as school zones and market areas.

Apart from these speed-related initiatives, Asec. De Leon announced that the DOTr has recently signed the Implementing Rules and Regulatons of Republic Act No. 10666 or the Safety of Children Aboard Motorcycles Act, and Republic Act No. 10913 or the Anti-Distracted Driving Act. The Safety of Children Aboard Motorcycles Act prohibits children who cannot reach the foot peg of a motorcycle and cannot fully hold on to the driver, from riding motorcycles on thoroughfares with high traffic volumes. Meanwhile, the Anti-Distracted Driving Act prohibits the use of electronic devices while driving.

The Data for Road Incident Visualization Evaluation and Reporting (DRIVER) System, an open-source online platform developed by the DOTr in partnership with the WorldBank, was also presented during the Global Road Safety Week celebration. The program aims to improve road crash data collection and analysis to enable government to introduce more strategic and timely road safety interventions. LGUs will also be able to use the DRIVER System for evaluation, monitoring and local road safety policy-making. With the joint circular and linkages with other government agencies, the DOTr hopes to extend the coverage of the system, from Metro Manila, Metro Cebu and Dipolog to the rest of the country.

To highlight the Global Road Safety Week celebration, representatives from government agencies, civil society organizations, the academe and other stakeholders, signed a declaration of commitment to improve speed limit enforcement in the Philippines.

3 Start-Ups Provide Innovative Solutions On Energy

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Closing Ceremony of the Impact Hub Fellowship on Sustainable Energy Solutions in Partnership with WWF and PEF, and supported by ADB.

After over a year, the second Fellowship incubation program of Impact Hub Manila, in partnership with Peace and Equity Foundation (PEF) and World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and supported by Asian Development Bank (ADB), has come to an end with a closing ceremony last April 18. The Impact Hub Fellowship program focused on addressing the need for sustainable energy solutions by looking for promising entrepreneurs who deliver innovative products or services related to renewable energy, energy efficiency, access to energy, energy systems and energy consumption reduction.

Above photo shows Impact Hub Manila co-founder Mathias Jaeggi opens the ceremony with an inspiring speech.

Out of more than 50 applicants, only three winners were selected namely, HiGi Energy, CleverHeat and Solar Solutions, and went through an intensive 2-month cohort or accelerator program called KICK, where they received training and mentorship. Moreover, they received seed funding of Php500,000.00 each, as well as access to the coworking space and community of Impact Hub Manila. 

The three start-ups shared their journeys and accomplishments in the past year:

HiGi Energy

HiGi converts water hyacinths -- commonly known as pest plants -- and agricultural wastes into cooking energy such as briquettes. Their mission is to give access to affordable, sustainable and clean energy for low-income communities. Leon Kee and Hazel Pajotagana share, “We see ourselves redefining the charcoal industry, and to date we've sold 10,000 pieces in rural areas. We launched visibility in Manila, joined by Reuters, Impact Hub Manila, and International Speakers. We were recognized for the TAYO award, as well as given the Smart Innovation award. We even attracted the attention of ABS-CBN's Atom Araullo for Atom day.” 

Solar Solutions

Solar Solutions provides solar energy facilities focused on empowering local communities by providing them lighting, water purification, mobile charging and refrigeration systems. Raffy Concepcion and Rey Guerrero share, “We were able to partner with the NGO Kasagana Ka - they'll be including the solar sari-sari store in their line of products. .... We were able to meet key partners and referrals because of Impact Hub Manila, ADB, PEF, and WWF. “

CleverHeat

CleverHeat gives access to affordable and sustainable heat-driven refrigeration for farmers, fishermen, and small businesses, significantly cutting down electric consumption and reducing costs. Brian Tan Seng shares, “In Benguet, we saw five truck loads of organic wastes produced every day. It was a chance for us to plug in our solutions such as waste management and post-harvest food waste. Since they didn't want to make use of appliances, such as refrigerators, due to the high cost of electricity, we can provide them with a solution, our solution [in collaboration with Kitchen Energy.]”

The three start-up winners with the Impact Hub Manila co-founders and WWF and PEF representatives.

Represented by WWF and PEF during the ceremony were Attorney Gia Ibay and Ding Fuellos, respectively. Both speakers thanked Impact Hub Manila and the winners for the partnership and opportunity to work on renewable energy.

“We've been looking forward to this for so long. Despite the fact that we're a country filled with conservation, a fruitful collaboration for renewable energy would not have happened without this partnership. Hopefully, the Philippines will prosper even more in this department as well as be a more weather-resilient country in the future,” says Attorney Ibay of WWF.

Impact Hub Manila will be holding its third fellowship program soon this year focused on sustainable energy solutions in partnership with WWF, PEF, ADB and HSBC. Stay tuned for updates on the application period by following Impact Hub Manila on Facebook or subscribing to the newsletter. For more info, visit impacthub.ph.

Impact Hub Manila offers coworking spaces, incubation programs, corporate innovation workshops, and a vibrant learning community. Locally rooted and globally connected, Impact Hub continues to dominate the coworking industry as the largest global network of entrepreneurs with 15,000+ members in 101 Impact Hubs around the world. In partnership with KMC Solutions, Impact Hub Manila offers 6 key locations in Metro Manila for coworking or office space. This allows flexibility and convenience to entrepreneurs and startups who are passionate in collaborating to create an impact. Members can choose their preferred homebase (location) and move around other Impact Hub coworking spaces with no additional costs.

DOTr's Statement of Clarification on New Policy for Clark Airport

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Statement of Clarification
11 May 2017


The Department of Transportation (DOTr) wishes to clarify an erroneous news report stating that the building of a new terminal at Clark International Airport will proceed without public bidding.

What transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said was that they will no longer entertain unsolicited proposals for the project first, and just bid out the operations and maintenance of the airport in the future.

Secretary Tugade also mentioned that he prefers that the government first develops Clark Airport, rather than risk delays in the event a bidding involving private sector players would lead to litigation that would eventually place the project on hold.

This “hybrid” mode of implementation means that the government will not entertain multi-billion peso offers to develop Clark airport and develop it on its own before bidding out the Operation and Maintenance component. This will enable government to fast-track projects without the risk of delay brought about by possible lawsuits filed by losing bidders.

Further, Tugade said Megawide-GMR and JG Summit-Filinvest will be informed of the new policy.

The development of the Clark International Airport now falls under the jurisdiction and responsibility of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), and remains to be one of the priority infrastructure projects of the Duterte administration. The BCDA targets to open the new terminal by 2019.

3 Selected Teams Get A Chance to Fly to Switzerland for Kickstart: The Swiss Accelerator

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Being recognized internationally for a groundbreaking business idea is every entrepreneur’s dream. And this dream may come true for three startups from the Philippines and India: Ascendant Technologies Inc. (Philippines), HDC Agri (Philippines), and Fat Cat Robotics (India), as they have an advantage to be shortlisted and fly halfway across the world to Switzerland to participate in Kickstart: The Swiss Accelerator, an 11-week program that will help scale their promising business ideas related to one of the program’s pillars: Food, FinTech, Healthcare, Robotics and Intelligent Systems and Smart Cities.

Photo above shows the start-ups, Ascendant Technologies Inc. and MachiBox Inc., get mentored by John Lagdameo (Director, JGSOM Business Resource Center, ADMU).

Impact Hub Manila, an incubator and co-working space provider, is the outreach partner for Asia of the Kickstart: The Swiss Accelerator, one of Europe’s largest multi-corporate, zero-equity technology accelerators. As part of this regional campaign, Impact Hub Manila hosted a Roadshow event where 12 teams were pre-selected to get training from three mentors and to showcase their innovative solutions to a jury panel.

“Being part of the largest global network of entrepreneurship and innovation centers, we partner with international organizations and Impact Hubs across the world to give opportunities for Philippine startups and entrepreneurs to showcase their talents,” shares LizAn Kuster, Co-Founder of Impact Hub Manila.

We believe Filipinos have the skills and knowledge to be part of the growing startup scene in a global scale and so Impact Hub creates the platform for them through collaboration,” adds Ces Rondario, Co-founder of Impact Hub Manila.

The Roadshow Event is in partnership with the Embassy of Switzerland in the Philippines, in celebration of the 60th year of Diplomatic Relations between Switzerland and the Philippines. This collaboration is born out of the commitment of the Swiss Embassy to harness creativity, and support enterprising solutions. Deputy Head of Mission Raoul Imbach represented the Embassy of Switzerland in the event as one of the judges. He is a big supporter of the entrepreneurship landscape in the country.

I Can Sing in Japanese! Spring 2017’ and ‘Your Home is My Business! Returns

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This May, Sony GEM brings back all the drama that unfolds with the return of two popular shows - the Finals of the Spring 2017 edition of Nippon Television Network Corporation’s (Nippon TV) singing competition I Can Sing in Japanese!, and the sequel to the highly acclaimed drama Your Home is My Business! Returns.

Filipino singing sensation Krissha Viaje, who won the Asian search of I Can Sing In Japanese! in February, will make her debut in the international stage as she showcases her singing prowess in her own rendition of a hit Japanese song, together with 11 other finalists representing the U. S. A., Belgium, Norway, Argentina, Chile, and from other parts of the world.

This season’s panel of judges consists of R&B and pop singer May J, singer-songwriter Tatsuya Ishii, and famed musician Tetsuya Komuro, who is widely regarded as one of the most successful producers in the Japanese music industry.

Now on its seventh year, the latest edition of the prestigious competition will be hosted by multi-talented artiste, Nakai Masahiro and TV announcer Yukari Nishio. 

DOTr - PPA Moves Toward the Use of Renewable Energy in its Ports Nationwide

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The Department of Transportation (DOTr), through the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), is pursuing the use of renewable energy in all its controlled ports nationwide in a bid to reduce the carbon footprints from ports and to to be at par with international maritime stakeholders.

The “Green Port” project is in accordance with the 25-year port development roadmap adopted by Philippine port stakeholders in a summit held in April this year.

This is also a commitment of the PPA to the Ambisyon Natin 2040 program adopted by the current administration.

“Our international shipping counterparts have already agreed to reduce carbon emissions by a certain percentage in the next decade or so and it is only fitting to do the same in our ports,” says PPA Assistant General Manager for Operations Hector E. Miole.

“The initial outlay might be overwhelming, but its long-term effect to the financial aspect and environmental conservation outweighs all of that,” he added.

For a start, the PPA will replace all its existing fluorescent, incandescent lamps, and bulbs with LED (Light Emitting Diodes) lights in its Corporate Office Building by the middle of this month.

PPA is likewise making an inventory of all streetlights from the South Harbor Expanded Port Zone, the access roads going to its VTMS control tower, as well as the PPA offices at the South Harbor and the North Harbor.

The agency is looking at forging a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Philippine National Oil Company-Renewable Corporation (PNOC-RC) in enforcing this notable project.

Under the proposed MOA, PNOC-RC will provide technical expertise, review and design for the best kind of renewable energy sources, which will be used by the PPA in bidding out the said project. The result of the review is expected to be operational in 6 months upon signing of the MOA. The PPA, for its part, will determine the initial ports that will undergo the same ‘greening’ project.

Initially, the PNOC-RC is offering a guaranteed 100-kilowatt solar panel to be installed at the PPA Head Office, which is enough to cover at least a third of the agency’s lighting requirements. The facility, however, will still be connected to the current electric grid system to source out the remaining power requirement of the office.

Aside from the ‘Greening project’, the 25-year Development Roadmap also includes plans for cruise shipping, industrial ports/zoning management, long-term infrastructure development, inter-connectivity, and supply chain development.