DOE Lifts Suspension Order on Semirara

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Department of Energy (DOE) has lifted the suspension of Semirara Mining and Power Corporation’s (SMPC) operations for its Coal Operating Contract (COC) No. 5 upon the recommendation of the DOE-Investigation Committee (DOE-IC).

In a letter dated September 17, the DOE confirmed SMPC’s compliance to the agency’s recommendations after a series of site visits and a thorough review of the Committee on the company’s strengthened commitment to implement safety precautions, procedures, and plans in its coal mining operations. The lifting paves the way for the resumption of the operations in Semirara Island located in Caluya, Antique.

In its recommendation, the DOE-IC found that SMPC has substantially complied with the conditions set forth by the agency to ensure paramount safety of SMPC employees.

The DOE-IC’s recommendations include, but not limited to, hiring of Safety Consultant; upgrading Mining Protocol (e.g, construction of a standard buffer zone to ensure bottom support, among others), and Safety Program on Hazard Identification Risk Assessment and Control of its mining personnel; providing a detailed Mining Plan incorporating the geotechnical study; and upgrading the company’s Alert/Evacuation Procedures.

To ensure the safety of the coal-mining site, the DOE-IC will continue to oversee and monitor the mining operations in COC No.5 to ensure persistent compliance of SMPC to the abovementioned recommendations.

Southeast Asia’s Leading Wedding Portal Bridestory Expands to the Philippines

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Bridestory, Southeast Asia’s leading wedding marketplace that helps couples with their weddings and provides a platform for wedding professionals, is expanding to the Philippines.

Several weeks ago, Bridestory launched a local website for the Philippine market (www.bridestory.com.ph). The company will also launch a mobile app for wedding vendors across the globe later this month.

The Indonesia-based online wedding platform seeks to establish more presence in the country to administer their on-ground operations more efficiently.

Bridestory, which has over 200 curated vendors in the Philippines, currently manages its relationships with Filipino vendors from its Jakarta headquarters.

Bridestory has received investments from Rocket Internet, Sovereign’s Capital, Fenox Venture Capital, East Ventures, Lippo Digital Ventures, Skystar Capital, and BEENOS Plaza in the past year.

“Bridestory is like Pinterest for weddings but more,” said Kevin Mintaraga, Chief Executive Officer of the firm. He adds that Bridestory combines the convenience of having a wedding directory and an inspiration site in one portal.

Christmas Countdown at DOT Makati

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Department of Tourism (DOT) office along Senator Gil J. Puyat Avenue and Jupiter Street in Makati City opens its doors again to the public as a must-experience venue for its “Countdown to Christmas: Celebrating the Regions” beginning September 21 until December 18.

This Yuletide countdown will showcase the best tourism products and services of the Philippines’ 16 regions for a period of two weeks each. It will be the tourism regions’ yearly showcase during the Christmas season by promoting their diverse cultures through vignette fiesta performances, native arts and crafts, locally processed and packed food products as well as travel packages featuring both popular and emerging tourist destinations. The kick-off is also in time for the tourism month.

This year, the focus will be on Community-based Ecotourism (CBET) sites with their products and services. There will be a travel consultant or concierge to share information and give professional advice to visitors. The building’s ground and second floors will be converted into an Eco Store where the regions’ native products, especially gifts for Christmas, will be on sale on said duration.

Tourism Secretary Ramon R. Jimenez, Jr. remarked, “The Philippines holds the distinction of having the longest Christmas season in the world, starting early in September and even lasting until January 6 or the feast of the Three Kings. The success of this project which debuted last year inspired us to continue and give our foreign and local tourists alike a glimpse how Christmas is celebrated across the archipelago and how our brand of fun becomes more vivid this time of the year.”