Sec. Alfonso Cusi Statement on ERC Commissioners Suspension

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The following statement has been issued by the Department of Energy last 23 December 2017 on the Suspension of 4 ERC Commissioners.

“The law requires us to abide by the year-long suspension order of the Office of the Ombudsman against the four (4) ERC Commissioners. We have already requested for the designation of acting commissioners so that ERC can continue its functions.

We wish to assure all stakeholders that the suspension will not cause any debilitating effect to the power supply and services in the Philippines.

The suspension may cause further delays in power projects which require approval from a collegial commission. However, we will see to it that this will not have any significant impact in the short and medium term. The execution of the Power Development Plan covering the medium and long-term up to 2040 will continue unhindered.

The DOE has been pushing for reserve capacities for possible contingencies. This will ensure an uninterrupted supply at all times for power security and reliability.

Thus, we are certain that we can overcome this recent challenge to the energy sector.”

For concerns please contact DOE HOTLINE: ‎8402167.

CHED Completes Release of Allowances of 2,828 Eligible Faculty Scholars

Wazzup Pilipinas!

After facing initial challenges in the release of allowances to 4,096 scholars under the Commission’s K to 12 Transition Program, CHED has announced that it has finally completed the release of the allowances to eligible faculty and staff grantees today.

Following the ongoing effort since November 2017 during which the Commission resumed processing of allowances after the COA Notice of Suspensions, CHED has now completed the release of allowances to 2,828 eligible scholars, of which 2,247 is for full release, and 581 is for partial release.

Scholars may check their status through the online public tracker which is updated regularly: http://chedk12.com/sgsdisbursement. CHED Regional Offices have likewise been mobilized to communicate with the scholars to update them of their status.

Due to accounting and auditing rules, the Commission can only release partial allowances to scholars with remaining deficiencies in terms of submission. Meanwhile, for 1,268 scholars who have been unable to submit valid enrollment forms, releases remain on hold. Release of allowances under the Program are triggered by the complete submission of valid enrollment forms and authenticated copies of grades for the previous semester.

The Commission is also continuously processing the full release of allowances to scholars who are able to submit pending documents as they come, and resolving issues on documentary submissions, within the bounds of government accounting and auditing rules, to facilitate releases for remaining scholars at the soonest possible time.

The K to 12 Transition Program began in 2016 to prevent the massive displacement of higher education faculty and staff in colleges and universities due to the implementation of Senior High School (SHS), while upgrading the quality of higher education.

President Duterte, DOTr To Inaugurate New Air Traffic Management System

Wazzup Pilipinas!

In a move to make the air traffic and navigation of the country at par with international standards, the Department of Transportation (DOTr), through the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), is set to inaugurate today the new communications, navigation, surveillance/air traffic management (CNS/ATM) systems.

The inauguration will be led by no less than President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, and will be joined by DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade, along with several high ranking government and transportation officials at the Philippine Air Traffic Management Center, CAAP Compound, NAIA Road, Pasay City.

Representatives from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) are also expected to grace the event.

CNS/ATM is a state-of-the art computer and satellite-based air traffic management technology, which is similar to that being used by Australia, Taiwan, and other European countries. With the use of CNS/ATM systems, air travel is expected to be more definite, aircraft identification to be more established, and safety of security of passengers are guaranteed.

Apart from these, the system also brings with it better air traffic flow and space management, which optimizes airport capacity and efficient use of airspace that will in turn minimize delays by helping aircraft operators meet their departure and arrival schedules.

In short, the CNS/ATM technology enhances safety, reliability, and efficiency of air traffic service in the Philippine airspace.

The CNS/ATM project started in 2009 but due to delay in construction and other challenges, it did not hit its target completion in 2016. Upon the assumption of Secretary Tugade, there were only three (3) radars --- in NAIA, Clark, and Tagaytay, which cover only 30% of the Philippine airspace. So immediately ordered CAAP to fast-track the project.

Under the leadership of Secretary Tugade, 10 additional radars have been installed. This means that the country has now a total of 13 radars, and one satellite radar, that will enable the air sector to cover 100% of the entire Philippine airspace.