PH to Host Largest Regional Energy Conference

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Philippines is slated to hold two important regional energy industry conferences for the next two years.

Led by the Department of Energy (DOE) in cooperation with the Department of Tourism and other local energy industry stakeholders, the country will host two biennial events of the Association of Electricity Supply Industry of East Asia and the Western Pacific (AIESIEP) - the AESIEAP CEO Conference in 2019 and the Conference of Electric Power Supply Industry (CEPSI) in 2020.

The formal announcement of the Philippine hosting of AESIEAP 2019-2020 will be made at a joint press conference to be held at 9:30 AM on Tuesday, 19 March 2019, at the DOE’s headquarters in Taguig City.

DOE Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi said, “AESIEAP 2019-2020 will give the Philippine energy family an opportunity to participate in the discourse on the best power generation, transmission and distribution practices of our neighbors in the region and the Western Pacific. This would help us come up with innovative strategies that would bring us closer to our goal of providing stable, reliable, sustainable, and affordable electricity services throughout the entire archipelago.”

The panel for the joint press conference will be composed of key officials from AESIEAP’s Philippine members. They are DOE Undersecretary and Spokesperson Felix William B. Fuentebella, Meralco President and CEO and AESIEAP 2019-2020 President Oscar S. Reyes, AESIEAP 2019-2020 Secretary-General Rogelio L. Singson, National Power Corporation President Pio J. Benavidez, National Transmission Corporation President Melvin A. Matibag, National Grid Corporation of the Philippines President Anthony L. Almeda, and Meralco Deputy CEO Ray C. Espinosa.

The theme of AESIEAP 2019-2020, “Energized Countries, Empowered Communities”, is relevant to the Philippines as the country seeks to attain total electrification, particularly in underserved and unserved areas, to help bolster sustainable and inclusive economic development.

“After our last hosting in 2000, it is an honor to once again give AESIEAP events a home in our country. In the next two years we will look at how utilizing a smart, synergized, and scalable approach would impact the energy industry,” AESIEAP 2019-2020 President Oscar S. Reyes added.

AESIEAP is the largest organization of power and industry companies in the region, with over 100 members from 25 countries.

On the other hand, CEPSI is considered to be the biggest and most prominent gathering of the electricity supply industry in East Asia and the Western Pacific region.

MARINA Partners with PNU on Exam Assessment

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The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) has partnered with the Philippine Normal University (PNU) on the provision of technical assistance on the assessment of the competence of the seafarers anchored on the new assessment system under MARINA – STCW Circulars 2018-08 and 2018-09.

Through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed today, 15 March 2019, the MARINA – STCW office will be assisted by the PNU in capacitating its Board of Examiners (BOE) and in reviewing the current Table of Specifications (TOS) for the assessment of competence for various theoretical examinations.

The PNU will also work with the MARINA in the review of the tools for assessment using universally-accepted pedagogical methodologies, in the conduct of test item analysis to ensure the validity and reliability of test items, and in the establishment of a system for national and institutional passing percentage.

The implementation of the MARINA-PNU MOA will start on 18 March 2019 until 31 July 2019.

The MARINA expressed its utmost gratitude to the PNU for its willingness to extend its resources to elevate the competencies of MARINA – STCW officials and personnel.

The partnership with the PNU will allow the MARINA – STCW Office to better perform its responsibilities to create and evaluate the database of questions for competence-based examinations; as well as to review and replenish the database examination systems per required competence at a rate of 20% annually.

The MARINA issued STCW Circulars 2018-08 and 2018-09 for the new rules and mandatory minimum requirements in the assessment of competence of seafarers. The full STCW circulars mentioned may be accessed via these links:stcw.marina.gov.ph/stcw-circular-no-2018-08/ and

stcw.marina.gov.ph/stcw-circular-no-2018-09/.

Overstaying Port Containers Get the Boot with Manifesto on Efficient Port Utilization

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Overstaying containers in ports nationwide will soon be cleared, as the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), Bureau of Customs (BOC), together with port management officials, inked a Manifesto of Support today, 15 March 2019, for the efficient utilization of Philippine ports.

The manifesto of support aims to prevent the imbalance of inbound and outbound containers borne by the unscrupulous practice of using the ports for prolonged storage of their containers until the withdrawal of goods will yield to maximum profit.

DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade witnessed the manifesto signing, which was inked by BOC Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero, PPA General Manager Jay Daniel Santiago, International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) Senior Vice President Christian Gonzales, Asian Terminals Inc. (ATI) Senior Vice President Sean Perez, and Association of International Shipping Lines President Patrick Ronas.

“I give my full commitment and full happiness in witnessing the manifesto. Signing this manifesto is one thing, doing and implementing it is another, and going beyond it will equally spell good business relationships within the country... This is not for show. This is for real,” Secretary Tugade emphasized.

Under the manifesto, the PPA will publish a Notice in a newspaper of general circulation, directing all cargo owners, shippers, consignees, logistics operators, and customs brokers to withdraw cleared containers currently being stored at ports within fifteen (15) days from the date of publication. Failure to comply will lead to the transfer of containers to designated Inland Container Depots by the ATI and ICTSI, at the expense of the concerned parties.

Additionally, cleared containers by the BOC that were not removed from the port within thirty (30) days will also be transferred by ATI and ICTSI to their respective Inland Container Depots.

Aside from the removal of overstaying containers, ATI and ICTSI shall regularly provide the government with information on the health of their respective ports, and information on containers that have stayed at the port for at least thirty (30) days from arrival.

“Today is a milestone as all stakeholders from the private sector and the government have come together to implement a sustainable solution to face the problems in our ports,” PPA GM Santiago said.

Meanwhile, international shipping lines are required to promptly remove containers from the Philippines within the period prescribed by the BOC, either by their regular call vessels or by sweeper vessels. The BOC will regularly dispose of seized or abandoned containers to ensure that the Manila International Container Terminal (MICT) and South Harbor (SH) are efficiently utilized.

“We are committed to make sure that our ports remain efficient. Rest assured that the BOC will continue to support undertakings such as this to boost revenue and to improve our position globally as a major player in the industry,” BOC Commissioner Guerrero said.