Cusi Vows Long-Term Energy Security in Mindanao

Wazzup Pilipinas!

With the launch of the Mindanao Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) today (28 June), Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi pledged his full commitment to President Duterte’s people-centered policies and government’s long term economic vision for the country.

“I will see to the accomplishment of the paramount objective of guaranteeing long-term energy security in Mindanao,” Sec. Cusi averred in his Keynote Speech during the unveiling of the Mindanao WESM that took place at the SMX Convention Center in Lanang Premier, Davao City.

WESM provides a competitive and transparent power market for Mindanao electricity consumers.

The Secretary said “The launch of the Mindanao WESM brings us one step closer to the fulfillment of the intent to restructure the electric power industry –to introduce higher efficiency, greater innovation and end-user choice, as well as enhance the entry of competitive market forces.”

By providing a healthy and genuinely fair competition in the power market, Sec. Cusi underlined that “WESM is calculated to bring forth the beneficial effects of improved consumer services, lower electricity rates, and reasonable returns to investments.”

Specifically, WESM will provide a cost-effective mechanism for dispatching power capacities in Mindanao, which is already experiencing improved generation supply since the first half of 2016.

According to the Electric Power Industry Management Bureau data, Mindanao now stood a total installed capacity of 3,352 megawatts (MW) as of first half of 2017, in which available capacity is around 2,100 MW against the actual peak demand of 1,696 MW posted in April 2017.

Additionally, the increase in generation capacity will continue until 2019 with an expected around 1,300 MW additional capacities to operate, and another 1,500 MW by 2022 from the indicative power projects.

The Energy Chief further informed that “The WESM in Mindanao also complements the Retail Competition Open Access and the Competitive Selection Process, which are all kindred programs under the Administration’s energy regulatory agenda.”

The Secretary also highlighted the role of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) and the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) both armed with a strengthened fair competition policy to serve as watchful eyes against unwanted market abuses and anti-competitive behaviors.

In conclusion, the Secretary shared the lined up energy projects the DOE targeted for the region in the next years to come: additional power generation projects across Mindanao; the Visayas-Mindanao grid interconnection and the continuing mission to significantly boost the household electrification level in Mindanao.

LGUs, National Government Agencies, Express Support for Manila-Clark Railway Project

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Local government units (LGUs) have gathered together with unison of voice in expressing their unwavering support and commitment for the construction of the Manila-Clark Railway.

In a successful station marking activity on Monday, local leaders in the City Governments of Marilao, Meycauayan, Valenzuela, Caloocan, and Manila showed their appreciation for the “much-anticipated” and “long-overdue” construction of the rail line, which took more than 12 years and three administrations before gaining actual momentum through the Duterte Administration’s BUILD BUILD BUILD infrastructure flagship program.

“[We are] gathered here not to celebrate but to make a pact that as we want to finish this project, you all are here to give us the needed support so that we finish this project. We have been waiting for this project for more than 12 years. Now, you have a President, a no non-sense performer. You have a no non-sense cabinet. Wala pong bahid pulitika. Now, we are ready to put into a reality a dream that has been there for many years. Give us your trust and confidence. Give us your prayers,” says Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade who led the station markings in all five locations.

Despite differing partisan leanings, LGU leaders are unanimous in their approval on the necessity of constructing the rail line, citing the development it will potentially spur.

“Taos-puso kaming nagpapasalamat na kahit isang maliit na bayan ay nalagyan ng ganitong istasyon—isa sa mga susi sa lahat ng aspeto ng [kabuhayan] ng ating mamamayan,” says Mayor Juanito Santiago of Marilao, Bulacan.

“Bagaman ako ay nasa oposisyon, nais ko pong sabihin sa inyo na buong-buo po ang aking suporta sa proyektong ito,” says Caloocan 2nd District Representative Edgar Erice.

Composed of 17 stations connecting Manila to Central Luzon, the 106-km elevated Manila-Clark railway project is expected to accommodate around 350,000 passengers on its opening year, and shall commence on the last quarter of 2017 through Official Development Assistance (ODA) funding from Japan.

The construction of the first phase covering the end-point station of Tutuban in Manila going to Malolos in Bulacan is estimated to cost around Php105-billion, while the remaining stations

included in the second phase linking Malolos to the New Clark City in Tarlac would cost around Php211-billion, with a total project cost of Php316-billion.

During the station marking event, Japanese Ambassador Kazuhide Ishikawa gave the assurance in behalf of the Japanese government that they shall continue to provide the necessary assistance to the Philippine government for the completion of the project.

“While the Philippines is keen to BUILD, BUILD, BUILD, the Japanese government will be here to ASSIST, ASSIST, ASSIST,” Ambassador Ishikawa said.

Secretaries of the Department of Budget and Management, Department of Public Works and Highways, National Economic Development Authority, Bases Conversion and Development Authority, and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority also attended the event to express their support and commitment to support the project until completion.

Aside from the Manila-Clark railway project, Japan will likewise fund the Manila-Los Baños segment as part of the North-South Commuter Railway Project. China, on the other hand, is keen to fund the Php151-billion, 581 km. railway (known as the PNR South Long Haul) that will connect Matnog in Sosogon, and Batangas to the National Capital Region.

Ragnarok Online Philippines: Open Beta Testing is Here!

Wazzup Pilipinas!

After the original launch in 2003, millions of users in the Philippines alone flooded the game and its servers for more than a decade.

It has been two years of hiatus since it was out of the Philippines, publishing partners Electronics Extreme and ELITE officially announces that the OPEN BETA TEST (Commercial Launch) of the historical MMORPG Ragnarok Online Philippines will rise on June 29, 2017 at 3 o’clock in the afternoon.

Ragnarok Online has been revolutionized while keeping the best loved aspects of the original. Aptly named Revo-classic, Electronics Extreme made massive improvements to the traditional game features and set a FREE-TO-PLAY / FREE-TO-WIN game model to maintain the game balance.

Job class updates (Class 2-2) will go live within six months after the OBT commercial launch and High Class 1-2 character jobs will be made available within one to two years.

All concerns about botting and other cheating software are going to be resolved with the collaboration with game security service, CheatDefender, assuring the gamers of the best game experience. 

In addition to the release of multiple maps and item mall, the game play is set to have an overabundance of exciting activities. The game has been optimized from carefully gathered feedback from gamers and fans to create the best experience for the well-loved classic.

THE NEW ERA OF THE LEGENDARY RAGNAROK ONLINE HAS RISEN.

What are you waiting for? REGISTER an account NOW.

For more updates and details, kindly check out their official website at https://ragnarokonline.com.ph or the official Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/RagnarokOnline.com.ph/ or you can follow them on their Twitter page/Instagram at  @ragnarok ph