Achieving PH Energy Resiliency is a Shared Responsibility--Cusi

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JOINT EFFORT: Speaking at the first anniversary of the E-Power Mo Campaign, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi urged all stakeholders to join the effort to raise awareness towards an energy resilient Philippines. The E-Power Mo movement is the Department of Energy’s vehicle to help empower consumers with information on proper and prudent use of energy.

Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi today stressed that the effort of achieving energy resiliency for the Philippines is a shared responsibility between the government and the public.

“Lahat po tayo ay mahalagang bahagi ng layuning ito [energy resiliency advocacy],” (Each one of us has an important role to play in this energy resiliency advocacy) Sec. Cusi said in his message to an estimated 500 participants in the 6th E-Power Mo conference of the Department of Energy (DOE). 

The E-Power Mo movement, which marks its first anniversary today, focuses on adopting strategies and providing consumers with knowledge not only on the proper use of energy, but also in helping the country become energy resilient.

“We all know that the Philippines is extremely vulnerable to natural disasters,” Cusi pointed out, citing the World Risk Index that ranked our country in third place, as well as our previous experience on disasters like super-typhoon "Yolanda."

These factors have prompted the DOE to institutionalize the Energy Resiliency Policy (ERP) in the energy sector in January 2018, according to Cusi.

The ERP aims to strengthen the existing energy systems and assist in the quick restoration and provision of alternative energy sources to cushion the adverse impact of natural disasters on consumers.

Meanwhile, Undersecretary Jesus Cristino P. Posadas cited the DOE’s active role in three significant international events on energy resiliency advocacy. These include hosting the 12th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Energy Ministers Meeting in 2015, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Ministers on Energy Meeting and the Asia Cooperation Dialogue Energy Working Group Meeting. The DOE also co-chaired the relevant meetings of the APEC Energy Resiliency Task Force with the United States.

According to Posadas, the DOE encouraged the other member states in these international gatherings to share their expertise and best practices in pursuing initiatives and action plans on increasing the resiliency of energy infrastructures.

Among the topics discussed during the plenary session are the DOE’s efforts in the implementation of the ERP, the effects of a magnitude 7.2 earthquake on the country’s energy systems, the Philippine disaster risk reduction and management system, and disaster risk financing and insurance strategies.

Also included in the discussions was the importance of the support of the government’s communications system to disseminate to the grassroots the message of E-Power Mo.

There were also six breakout sessions that covered various topics, including downstream oil and natural gas; upstream coal, oil and gas; renewable energy; power industry; alternative fuels and energy efficiency and the consumer sector.

After the main session, DOE spokesperson and Undersecretary Felix William B. Fuentebella, together with Assistant Secretaries Robert B. Uy and Leonido J. Pulido III held a press conference.

The E-Power Mo movement was launched at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City in July 2017 and has been mirrored in Cebu, Davao and Clark in the same year, and in Baguio just last April.

The campaign is being undertaken in cooperation with the Presidential Communications Operations Office through the Philippine Information Agency and Radio-TV Malacañang, and with the assistance of USAID’s Building Low Emission Alternatives to Develop Economic Resilience and Sustainability (B-LEADERS).

Cusi Turns Over PEMC Chairmanship

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THE TORCH IS PASSED: Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi turns over the Chairmanship of the Philippine Electricity Market Corporation (PEMC) to Mr. Noel V. Aboboto, upon the latter's unanimous election during today's PEM Board meeting. This is a vital step towards the full independence of the country's electricity market, where PEMC will stand as its governing body and the DOE will maintain policy oversight.

Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi turned over the Chairmanship of the Philippine Electricity Market Corporation (PEMC) to Mr. Noel V. Aboboto, who was unanimously elected by the new members of the PEM Board today.

The Secretary said, “We welcome the election of Mr. Aboboto as the new PEMC Chair. Great strides have been made this week in finally fulfilling EPIRA’s vision for the institutionalization of a truly independent market operator (IMO). From the very beginning, we were clear that we would pave the way for the market’s self-governance. I am happy to see it come to fruition and I sincerely hope that the IMO and PEMC would serve both the energy industry and the consuming public well in the years to come.”

Upon Mr. Aboboto’s election, Secretary Cusi immediately gave him the floor to preside over the rest of the PEM Board meeting.

In addition to Aboboto’s election as chairman, independent director Atty. Oscar E. Ala was elected as PEMC’s president, while Elenita Go of SMC Global Power was voted as the treasurer.

i-ACT Apprehends Colorum Vehicle, Surprised to Discover Police Uniform and PNP Commemorative Plate

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Even before the start of Inter-Agency Council for Traffic’s (i-ACT) Team Bravo’s operations Tuesday morning, the PNP Highway Patrol Group (HPG) members of I-ACT already turned over a colorum vehicle apprehended earlier that day. Upon inspection of the vehicle, the team discovered a used police uniform, a PNP commemorative plate, and an unlicensed radio communication device. 

Initial reports from the Land Transportation Office (LTO) confirmed that the van is indeed a private vehicle, which means it may not be used for public utility purposes. During apprehension, the HPG confirmed there were paying passengers inside.

Usec. Thomas “Tim” Orbos, undersecretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and over-all chairman of i-ACT, is closely monitoring the investigation of the case. 

“Internal cleansing sa atin mismo sa loob ng gobyerno ang isa sa mga layunin ng i-ACT. Kasama natin ang mga leader ng PNP-HPG at iba pang mga ahensya ng pamahalaan para siguraduhin na tayo mismo sa serbisyo ay hindi sumusuway sa batas,” Orbos said. “Utos ng Presidente na alisin ang mga colorum. Lalo pang hindi makakalusot ito kung mapapatunayan na pulis o nagpapanggap na pulis ang nagmamaneho.” 

DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade warned people in government service to obey the law, or be ready to face the consequences.

"Kung mga taong gobyerno mismo ang nasa likod ng mga kolorum, mas matindi dapat ang parusa niyan. Ang tagapagpatupad ng batas ang kauna-unahang dapat sumunod dito," said Secretary Tugade.

Further reports shall be given to the public as the investigation progresses.

Tugade Orders Filing of Criminal Cases vs Erring Officers, Employees

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In line with the government’s relentless efforts to fight and eradicate corruption, Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade recently ordered the filing of cases against erring officers and employees. 

In a Memorandum dated 13 June 2018, Undersecretary for Legal Affairs and Procurement Reinier Paul Yebra stressed that public accountability should not stop at the termination of the erring employee. 

“The instruction of Secretary Tugade is very clear. Erring officers should also be made criminally liable, when all the elements of a crime appear to be present,” Usec. Yebra said.

“Sec. Tugade ordered to institute the filing of appropriate criminal cases within 15 days from the termination of the erring officer or employee in the Department,” Usec. Yebra added.

The DOTr, under the leadership of Secretary Tugade, has suspended and terminated a number of erring officers and employees due to corruption charges and other illegal activities.

Seafarers Advised by Tugade to Manage their Finances, Don't Get Involved in Drugs, and Wave the Filipino Flag

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Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade has some words of advice to Filipino seafarers, and those aspiring to get into the maritime industry. 

He offered these pieces of advice during the celebration of the National Seafarer’s Day yesterday, 25 June 2018, at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City. With a theme centered on promoting seafarers’ wellbeing, the celebration aimed to bring to the front issues that affect seafarers’ mental health, as well as strategies that will help address their stress, and other concerns. 

Among the issues Secretary Tugade highlighted is substance abuse. He called on Filipino seafarers to observe protocol, and not allow themselves to be instruments of illegal drugs.

“Nakikiusap po ako at nagsusumamo, sa inyong paglayag huwag kayong pumayag na maging instrumento ng bawal na gamot. ‘Wag kayong gumamit, huwag maging carrier at huwag kayong magtulak ng droga, dahil ýan ay ikalulugmok ninyo, ýan ay pagsisisihan ninyo,” Tugade said. 

Through the efforts of the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), several reforms have already been put in place, showing the government’s commitment in promoting the wellbeing of seafarers. Secretary Tugade said many processes have been simplified, and may be done online.

“Naalala ko noong ako ay nag-uumpisa. Nag-inspeksyon ako alas-sais y medya ng umaga, at nakita ko, yung mga seafarer na naghihintay, ang iba natutulog sa bangketa sa kalsada upang magampanan ang kanilang application. Napakalungkot na pangitain. Kaya ang sabi ko, ayoko nang makakita ng ganito. Kanina tinanong ko ang ating mahal na MARINA Administrator Rey Guerrero. Sabi ko, ‘may natutulog pa ba sa bangketa upang maghintay sa kanilang aplikasyon?’ Ang sabi niya, ‘Sir, wala na po,’” he recalled.

Among these processes is the application of the Seafarer’s Identification and Record Book or the Seaman’s Book, which used to take weeks and can now be done online in one day.

Secretary Tugade also tackled what has been a pressing concern for many OFW families: the management of their finances. 

“Sana marunong tayong i-manage ang ating kikitain. Sana marunong tayong maging masinop, dumiskarte at pangalagaan ang pera. Sapagkat may isang katotohanan sa inyong propesyon: hindi po kayo magiging marinero habambuhay,” Tugade said. 

He also discussed a common problem among seafarer families with regards to remittance: “’Wag na kayong maglalagay ng maraming allotment at allottee. Ibigay sa tama at tumpak na allottee. Kunsomisyon lang ang aabutin nila.”

Filipino mariners are the most preferred seafarers in the world and the “biggest nationality bloc” in the global shipping industry, according to the Department of Labor and Employment. They are also among the major drivers of the economy, with remittances amounting to $5.87 billion in 2017, representing 21% of the total remittances of overseas Filipino workers. 

MARINA Administrator Rey Leonardo Guerrero assured that all seafarers will be given the proper skills training so that they can carry on with the Filipino brand of excellence.

“Filipino seafarers are known all around the world because of their industry and efficiency. Ngayon, ang trabaho namin sa MARINA ay masiguro na ang mga advantages na iyon ay ma-maintain, maalagaan, at mas mapag-ibayo pa,” Guerrero said.

During the celebration, MARINA awarded Filipino seafarers who have made a mark in the global maritime industry. Many of these seafarers responded to distress calls at sea and saved numerous lives. Secretary Tugade called them the “heroes of the maritime industry.”

Secretary Tugade said this brand of service is what makes the Filipino seafarer stand out. It is also because of this that he reminded seafarers of their duty and responsibility as ambassadors of the country. 

“Kayo ay maglalakbay sa karagatan. Ang dala ninyo áy ‘di lang inyong sarili; ang dala ninyo ay inyong pagka-Pilipino, ang bansa nating Pilipinas. Kaya sa inyong paglayag, sa inyong pakikitungo sa iba’t ibang nasyon at ibang tao, pakiusap, ipagmalaki ninyo ang Pilipinas, ipagranya niyo ang pagka-Pilipino niyo. Bitbitin niyo, ‘pagkat yun lang po ang iisang bayan natin,” Secretary Tugade said.

Secretary Tugade, who delivered the keynote speech on behalf of President Rodrigo Duterte, also assured seafarers that the President values their contributions and greatly respects the work that they do. 

“Nararamdaman ng ating Pangulo ang inyong sakripisyo. Damdam niya ang kalungkutan at hirap na sa inyong paglayag ay iiwan ninyo ang mahal sa buhay upang magampanan ang tungkulin. Alam rin niya ang inyong kontribusyon sa ekonomiya at kanya itong kinikilala. The President sends his congratulations. Ang sabi nya maraming salamat. Binibigyan niya kayo ng halaga. Mahal niya kayo at matindi ang kanyang respeto sa inyong propesyon,” he assured the seafarers.

Top Cloud Threats Your Business Should Look Out For

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Big data has driven the need for companies to find a powerful repository for every bit of customer information that's available on the internet. In line with this, cloud services are becoming very handy for enterprises. But at the same time, cloud storage is also paving the way for hackers and fraudsters to use sensitive corporate data to their advantage.

Today, there are many forms of cloud threats that may put your corporate and customer data at serious risk-from system vulnerabilities to malware attacks and lack of due diligence. They may also hamper the continuity of your day-to-day operations.

Cloud data attacks are likewise very detrimental to your company image, which could affect customer trust and loyalty. Indeed, there is so much that your company could lose over cloud security threats.

To prevent these threats, you need to be proactive in securing your cloud data. Your cloud service provider is not the only one responsible for your data, but you, as the customer, also have to understand how you could reinforce the security of your network right from your own backyard.

This infographic from Transcosmos should help you identify and curb the threats that are looming in the cloud.

Pinoy mobile POS solution wins in Epson Regional App Challenge

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A digitalized order management app for laundry services, conceptualized by a Filipino team, MobileMINDS, bagged first runner-up in the recently concluded Epson Regional App Challenge 2018, a first-ever application development competition organized by Epson.

The Epson Regional App Challenge aims to encourage developers to create innovative mobile Point of Sale (mPOS) solutions within the Independent Software Vendor (ISV) community, as well as to increase awareness and interest in mPOS products.

A total of 56 teams from Southeast Asia participated, with five finalists from Indonesia, Philippines, and Malaysia. These final contenders were selected to develop an application that utilizes a receipt printer that would reduce the operational cost of business and enhance its productivity.

The winning entry, ‘Wartal’ from Indonesia, developed by Lazuardi Widya Adyafora and Ibnu Isnaini Hakim, was designed for Indonesian small family warung shops, to connect directly with manufacturers and helped manage the delivery of goods, as well as track transactions with its customers. When combined with a mobile receipt printer, it enables the shop to automatically issue receipts to customers upon scanning of the purchased item.

Meanwhile, the first runner-up winner, ‘Rover Fieldmate’ app, conceptualized by Jason Russ Unson and Miguel Luis Ting, helps laundry businesses digitalize the process of their services, from pick up to delivery. Through the use of a mobile receipt printer, the app can issue receipts and tags for labeling of laundry for its customers.

The winners were announced during a prize ceremony held earlier this year. They received cash prizes, as well as Epson Moverio BT-300 Smartglasses.

With the said competition, Epson provided a platform for aspiring start-ups and developers to develop an application that would meet a business need. This was also intended to contribute towards innovation and grow the developer community and applications supporting receipt printers in the region.

“Indeed, it was an opportunity for developers to showcase their innovations with many interesting possibilities and business ideas coming to the fore. We are glad to see how the features of Epson POS printers are able to complement the applications to provide effective business solutions. We wish our winning teams all the best in their business ventures to turn their ideas into reality,” said Jocelyn Tan, Regional Manager, Printer (Home, SOHO & Biz) & Wearable Division, Epson Singapore.

The Regional App Challenge is an initiative of the Epson POS Developer Programme, which aims to develop a community of certified mPOS partners. Certified partners receive support and benefits from Epson.

Fujitsu PH Advocates ‘Co-creation’ in Realizing Success for Business, Society

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Fujitsu Philippines, a leading Information Technology (IT) systems integrator and solutions provider, proposes a new approach for businesses and society to realize success in shaping a better future.

In its recently released Fujitsu Technology and Service Vision, the company’s global theme revolves around “Co-creation for Success.” It encompasses Fujitsu’s learnings in its co-creation projects with customers and partners in different countries, which delivered successful outcomes, ranging from improvement of efficiency in manufacturing to the transformation of the customer experience in retail and financial services.

“Fujitsu understands that co-creation is shifting into a new phase, from proof of concept to new business creation. Our vision for this year introduces key success factors for digital transformation, while proposing a new approach to transforming data into value, trends in breakthrough technologies, and new business and societal models in the era of IoT, AI, and Blockchain,” said Raul “Cricket” Santiago, president and CEO of Fujitsu Philippines.

Santiago also noted that the rapid advancements in digital economy are transforming the way people live, as well as on how businesses across different industries work. However, they also create many challenges. Fujitsu’s new tech and service vision 2018, thus, introduces three key trends that can help organizations have valuable insights in tackling today’s business adversaries.

Six success factors for digital transformation. The digital landscape is uneven and, the transformation is taking place at different speeds across different industries. Nevertheless, Fujitsu revealed that organizations that delivered greater outcomes showed higher capabilities across six factor—Leadership, People, Agility, Business Integration, Ecosystem, and Value from Data.

“We call these six success factors the 'digital muscles.' The stronger their digital muscles, the better the likelihood of delivering success. It also indicates that digital transformation is not just about introducing digital technology, but also a journey affecting every part of the enterprise,” Santiago noted.

Fujitsu's approach to creating value from data. Deep learning and other AI technologies are evolving remarkably, but exploiting data is not just a technology challenge. Fujitsu believes that it is crucial to apply the most appropriate AI technologies across different types of data to generate substantial business and societal outcomes. It also requires the integration of business experience and technological know-how.

Fujitsu provides a digital business platform, solutions, and services, which connect AI, IoT, Cloud and Security technologies. In addition, the company is pushing the boundaries of technology to solve business and social challenges.

For instance, Fujitsu realized the implementation of 'Explainable AI.' The company’s Human Centric AI, Zinrai, explained the logic behind its insights, while other existing AI technologies are not yet able to do so. Another breakthrough technology is Fujitsu's new computing architecture, called Digital Annealer, that can solve complex combinatorial optimization problems that conventional computers cannot handle.

An autonomous and distributed society, where people and AI will collaborate. In this era of IoT, AI, and Blockchain, Fujitsu believes a new type of organization, called a Learning Enterprise, will emerge. In this business setup, people will collaborate with AI to learn from experience and data, and continuously create innovation.

“Data is causing the transformation of entire industries, a significant shift from vertically integrated value chains to distributed ecosystems. In a hyperconnected world, Blockchain and new advanced security technologies will underwrite uncertainty in transactions and assure the trustworthiness of data,” Santiago said.

Fujitsu first published the Fujitsu Technology and Service Vision in April 2013 and has updated it, annually, since then. The key concept of this vision is how digital technology can empower people to create significant value for business and society. Fujitsu calls this approach Human-centric Innovation, the key to driving digital transformation.

Through the years, Fujitsu’s vision also evolved in accordance with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The company leverages its knowledge gained in using the latest digital technologies in building and operating systems in a wide range of industries.

“At Fujitsu, this vision is our way of proving that we can be the business partner of choice for co-creation in digital transformation. We want to play a big role in our customers' success and help society shape a better tomorrow,” said Santiago.

To know more about Fujitsu Philippines, Inc., visit their website athttp://www.fujitsu.com/ph.

Ley La Salle Proudly Presents Luculentus 2018

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In the words of  Confuscius: The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential, these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence.
Back on its second year, Ley La Salle—the professional organization for legal management students and aspiring lawyers at De La Salle University—brings you Luculentus 2018!

“Luculentus” is a Latin word which directly translates to “brilliant”.  The aim of this event is to gather and find the most brilliant Legal Management/Studies students studying around the metro. But who knows?  Untapped potentials might even be discovered during the event.

Having its pioneer year in 2017, this year’s Luculentus aims to rebrand itself by looking for more participating schools and by challenging them with questions derived from different legal courses. This event will be held on June 30, 2018, Saturday, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM at the Bro. Andrew Gonzalez Hall 20th Floor Multipurpose Hall.

How to Make a Custom Pushpin Travel Map in 10 Steps

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Summer marks the season of travel. Many of us set off on road trips and overseas adventures to explore this wonderful world. We return home with a nice sun tan, passports full of stamps, hundreds of photos and memories to last a lifetime. But when the dust settles and schedules resume, those magical moments from our travels tend to fade. So why not keep your adventures alive with a pushpin travel map. 

A pushpin travel map is the perfect way to showcase your memories, plan for upcoming adventures and map out your dream destinations. There are many options out there to purchase a pre-made map, however, they are often costly and lack the sentiment that goes into creating your own. That’s why Car Rentals created this beautiful step-by-step guide that walks you through how to create your very own map customized to your living space and budget.This guide comes complete with photography examples and a material list to create a travel map that doubles as inspiration and home decor.

To make the project even more budget friendly, they include a selection of pinning legends that match several map aesthetics. In 2-3 hours, you can create your own pushpin travel map and start pinning your favorite locations!

You can find the full guide here.