Cusi Pushes Smart Energy Use As a Way of Life

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Buy fuel efficient vehicles, choose household appliances with excellent energy efficiency ratings and unplug the latter when not in use for long periods of time.

These were some of the smart energy utilizations tips which Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi on Thursday (January 5) pushed to become a way of life for Filipinos starting this new year.

“I’d like to emphasize the concept of smart energy utilization so consumers can save on energy costs based on strategies already laid down by the government,” said Cusi.

Among the strategies being referred to by the secretary of the Department of Energy (DOE) is the use by consumers of the Minimum Energy Performance Standard in the purchase and the proper use of energy efficient appliances.

Sec. Cusi said that the Yellow/Energy Labels on common household appliances state the energy efficiency ratings of the latter and should be used by consumers as a guide in purchasing said items.

Consumers should also turn off and unplug unused appliances to avoid electricity wastages, said the DOE chief, who added that regularly cleaning light bulbs, refrigerator, television, electric fan and air-conditioners can save power.

In view of the effects on oil and vehicle prices of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN), Cusi urged consumers to be more rational in their choice of vehicles to buy, as well as in their fuel purchases.

Planning trips and properly maintaining vehicles will also save consumers money while prolonging the service life of their rides, added Cusi.

The DOE also offered the following tips:

• Gas up wisely by using quality and clean fuels and by not filling fuel tank up to the brim and tighten gas cap to avoid spillage;

• Avoid overloading; accelerate with care and anticipate stops;

• Avoid idling of vehicles; shift gears sensibly and pick a lane and stay on it;

• Use windows and air-conditioning wisely; keep the music volume down or turn off other unused and fancy car accessories;

• Check tires regularly; change oil and oil filters; and ensure regular and proper maintenance of the vehicles.

For those planning to buy new vehicles, the DOE said consumers should go for fuel economy.

According to the DOE’s data, a liter of diesel saved reduces emission of about 2.7 kilograms of carbon dioxide (CO2), while a liter of gasoline saved would be equivalent to 2.3 kilograms of CO2 release avoided.

“It’s the benefit for the consumers that is my primary concern,” concluded Cusi.

Telcos Have 6 Months to Comply with One-Year Prepaid Load Validity

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In order to avoid any public inconvenience, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has given telecommunication companies six (6) months to adjust their systems to the one-year validity of regular prepaid load.

This is in clarification of the Department’s previous pronouncement that starting January 5, the expiry date of regular prepaid load is valid for one year from the date of top-up.

The 6-month period, starting January 5, 2018, was allowed to prevent telcos’ systems from crashing if changes are made abruptly, which may cause serious damage to the industry and disturb the consuming public.

“We apologize for giving the public false expectations, but if we have to err, it would be on the side of being 100% certain that nothing untoward will happen,” said DICT OIC Eliseo M. Rio Jr. in a statement.

Rio, though, emphasized that the adjustment period poses the challenge for telcos to fulfill the new validity period as soon as possible.

“However, the 6-month period is only a time limit where the telcos can be penalized if they have not complied by then,” Rio added.

“We expect the two telcos to really compete by racing to comply, because the winner can attract the subscribers of the other telco. With this, we expect their compliance earlier than the deadline. This will show that there is real competition on their part.”
NTC was instructed to closely monitor and address all complaints of prepaid loads being eaten up before the present expiration periods lapsed during the adjustment period.

Prepaid credits purchased for promos and other services with specific period of use are excluded from the coverage of the one-year validity.

Pinoy Boxer Michael Dasmarinas Gears Up for His IBO World Title Fight

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Photo Caption: Filipino fighter Michael Dasmarinas in top form, and ready for his IBO world title fight for Ringstar’s ‘Roar of Singapore IV - The Night of Champions’


Filipino boxer Michael “Hot & Spicy” Dasmarinas, gears up for the biggest fight of his life, as he goes for an IBO world championship title on April 20, 2018, at Ringstar Boxing’s ‘Roar of Singapore IV - The Night of Champions’, to be held at the 10,000-seater Singapore Indoor Stadium.

Dasmarinas currently ranked 12th best boxer in the world by WBC, will go up against French boxer Karim Guerfi, who is currently ranked 4th by WBC. The fight is also touted by the Singapore promoter as the main event of the evening and will draw much international attention to the Camarines Sur-native.

Dasmarinas had an impressive win and KO’d his Thai opponent Phupha Por Nobnom, during the 2nd round of his match, at Ringstar’s ‘Roar of Singapore
III - The Chosen Wan’, last October 20, 2017, at the Suntec Convention Center, a win which gave way for this world title match.

Michael Dasmarinas says, “Nakakagalak po at nabigyan tayo ng Ringstar ng ganitong pagkakataong mapakita ang ating galing bilang Pilipino. Ngayon po ay puspusan ang aking paghahanda. Tuloy-tuloy po ang ating ensayo dahil nais ko po makamit ang IBO world title na ito. Samahan niyo po ako magdasal na makuha natin ang panalong ito. Ang panalo ko po ay pagkapanalo rin ng Pilipinas.” (I am happy that I am being given this opportunity by Ringstar to show my talent as a Filipino boxer. I am now training continuously, so that I can win this IBO world title bout. Please join me in praying, so that we can win. My win, will also be a win for the Philippines.)

Ringstar Boxing Founder & CEO Scott Farrel on the other hand says, “This is potentially one of the fight of the year nominees for 2018. Michael Dasmarinas WBC ranked 12 vs. Karim Guerif WBC ranked 4, will be a real war which both the Philippine and French boxing fans would love to see. Ringstar is all about a neutral fight platform, giving a genuine unbiased opportunity for both these great fighters to lift the IBO world title.”

Farrel continues, “If Dasmarinas is successful in this fight, he will be catapulted into the top 10, and in line to face the current great champions of the bantamweight division. He has the chance now to move forward and aim for greatness, like what his country’s very own hero Manny Pacquiao has achieved. I wish both fighters the best of luck, and I look forward to promoting this fight. This fight is a must-watch for all boxing fans, we have a Filipino boxer vs. a French boxer headlining a Singapore event, going head-to-head for the biggest fight night of their lives, with the IBO world title at stake.”

For 2018, Ringstar is set to bring its live events across Asia - China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Philippines included. While for 2019, Ringstar plans to do a minimum of ten shows per year and have a combined viewing audience of over 1 billion viewers, making it Asia’s top fight media property.