Last Call for Orgs to Showcase Innovations at 2018 EAS Congress Exhibition

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The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA) is calling on organizations to join the 2018 East Asian Seas (EAS) Congress Exhibition happening on November 27 to 29, 2018 at the Iloilo Convention Center, Iloilo City.

With only two months left before the EAS Congress, a few booths remain up for grabs for organizations who want to showcase their innovations and progress on various aspects of sustainable coastal and ocean management, including tools, technologies, products, experiences and best practices. The triennial exhibition coincides with the EAS Congress International Conference that will see some 1,000 local and international delegates in attendance.

Themed “25 Years of Partnerships for Healthy Oceans, People and Economies: Moving as One with the Global Ocean Agenda”, the 2018 EAS Congress Exhibition aims to share information on various initiatives and tools contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (particularly SDG 14 or Life Below Water), the Sustainable Strategy for the Seas of East Asia (SDS- SEA) and blue economy development in the region.

With categories such as Governance & Management, Science & Technology and Blue Economy & Industry, the exhibition aims to provide a venue for sharing contributions and initiatives within the ocean community, as well as provide a platform for partnership/networking to connect with other experts and organizations towards accelerating the achievement of sustainable development targets for coasts and oceans.

The 2018 EAS Congress Environmental Exhibition is open to institutions, organizations and groups who wish to showcase their innovations and progress on various aspects of the sustainable coastal and ocean management, not only in the East Asia Seas but also around the world.

Registration for the exhibit is until September 30, 2018. For more details on how to participate, download the 2^nd Exhibitors’ Prospectus by visiting the EAS 2018 Congress website at http://eascongress2018.pemsea.org/.

Palawan Store Owners Benefit from Smart Load Sales

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Store owners and small business proprietors in Palawan have reported a boost in their livelihood, thanks to additional income streams brought about by sales of Smart Communications prepaid products, specifically, load credits.

For Glecy de Lima, owner of a sari-sari (small grocery) store at a fishing community in Roxas, being a Smart retailer has given her another source of income. “I get an additional amount of at least P500 a week from selling Smart load, which I use as additional investment for my business,” said De Lima.

Load retailers are part of Smart’s Ka-Partner loyalty and rewards program, which gives incentives to help them grow their businesses and enhance their livelihood, while enabling communities to stay connected.

Ka-Partners or load retailers are usually found at our neighborhood sari-sari or grocery stores. Sometimes, they can also be our friend or relative from whom we can buy load, wherever they may be.

De Lima, who has been a Smart load retailer for three years now, said most of her load buyers are students and fishermen. “They are Smart users because the signal here is strong,” De Lima said.

Ryan Abadilla, customer development manager, sees more opportunities for Smart Ka-Partner retailers in Palawan, considered one of the most beautiful island destinations in the world. “With improved connectivity, tourists can upload photos, update their social media, and keep in touch with their families via messaging apps faster.” With more tourists coming in, “local businesses will also flourish.”

In Puerto Princesa, Honda Bay area store owner Evelyn Juntado has seen more than 100 percent increase in her Smart load sales. From P2,000 last year, she is now able to sell about P5,000 worth of load in a week.

Load sales account for a significant share of Smart’s revenues—a fact that does not go unrecognized. To pay tribute to load sellers for their significant contribution to the company’s growth, Smart holds an annual national convention for its Ka-Partner retailers.

Thousands of load retailers from all over the Philippines attend the Smart Ka-Partner retailers conventions, which feature entertainment, games, and raffle prizes. Up for grabs are grocery items, mobile gadgets, a brand-new motorcycle or car, and cash prizes of up to P1 million.

This year, Smart will hold five retailer conventions in various locations across the country, with the theme “Bilis Asenso sa LTE,” as more and more load retailers are seeing increases in their earnings because of Smart LTE.

Smart’s fast LTE connection is felt by De Lima’s customers, who usually avail of regular Smart load or call, text and data packages such as All Out Surf 30 and Giga Surf 50. “They use it to surf the internet, browse Facebook, and call relatives abroad,” she said.

The data bundles allow mobile users and tourists to share with their family and loved ones photos and videos of their beach and island getaways, plus give them free access to YouTube for one hour daily.

High-speed internet also allows store owners like Juntado to earn more. She is active on Facebook because she also has an online selling business, which has gotten more inquiries and transactions with the fast LTE network of Smart.

Smart is rolling out more LTE sites across Palawan, the country’s largest province in terms of land area. Initial internal tests in areas like the Puerto Princesa International Airport and Honda Bay wharf have shown LTE download speeds between 12 and 60 Mbps, depending on the device.

DOE Spurs Energy Sector Typhoon Readiness

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The Department of Energy (DoE) yesterday kicked into high gear to ensure appropriate contingency measures and response mechanisms are in place to minimize the adverse impact of Typhoon Ompong (international name Mangkhut) on energy infrastructure and people’s lives.

Acting through the inter-agency Task Force on Energy Resiliency, Energy Secretary Alfonso G.  Cusi directed energy industry players to secure the safety of personnel and facilities, as well as the strategic supply of power and oil.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Typhoon Ompong is expected to cross the area of Northern Luzon after entering the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Wednesday afternoon.

“We directed the energy family and the industry players, particularly those who will be hit by the typhoon based on the forecast, to monitor and report the situation in their respective areas of responsibility,” Sec. Cusi said.

Cusi also advised them to undertake precautionary measures and adopt established safety protocols, contingency and action plans to prepare for the onslaught.

The DOE and the Philippine Information Agency are continuously releasing #ESafety tips to guide consumers on the safe utilization of energy in times of emergency.

Some #ESafety tips to observe during typhoons include:

•preparing fully charged flashlights, moving electrical equipment to higher ground, turning off electrical switches, and unplugging electric appliances before evacuating to safer places

•after the storm, consumers are advised to avoid downed and drowned electric posts and wires, wear safety gear such as rubber boots and gloves, have their electrical system tested by licensed electricians, and check the fuse of their main switch before turning it on.