PH Team Clinches Runner-Up Spot at Lenovo Legion of Champions Series II

Wazzup Pilipinas!

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Wargods Redlyt from the Philippines took home the First Runner-up award after facing off against

Asia Pacific’s best LoL players at Lenovo’s Legion of Champions Series II. 

Wargods Redlyt from the Philippines emerged as the First Runner-up of Lenovo’s Legion of Champions Series II Grand Finale after a grueling three-day competition that saw Asia Pacific’s best League of Legends players battle it out for supremacy last January 26 to 28 in Bangkok, Thailand.

The team took home a cash prize of 100,000 THB or approximately PHP 165,000. Argma from Hong Kong was crowned as grand champion after defeating Wargods Redlyt in a fierce and highly entertaining final matchup. Meanwhile, Fire Dragon from Malaysia was declared second runner-up.

“This was our first time competing outside the country and we are very and happy and humbled to represent the Philippines in a huge gaming event,” said Wilson Marañon of Wargods Redlyt.

Wargods Redlyt won the right to represent the Philippines after besting 113 other teams through seven elimination rounds during the national qualifiers held last December.

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“Reaching the finals was beyond our expectations. It was a tough competition. We still can’t believe that we reached that far,” added Marañon.

Lenovo Legion gaming devices were used throughout the whole tournament, thus giving every team world-class experience in speed, performance, and consistency. Together with Intel, Legion of Champions Series II is one of Lenovo’s major efforts in nurturing the next-generation gamers and growing the gaming community in Asia.

“All of the devices that we used provided high performance and really helped our game. We thank Lenovo for all the support that they have given us, and we hope that the Legion of Champions tournament will continue its success,” said Marañon

For a recap of the Legion of Champions Series II, visit https://legionlenovo.com/loc2018/

New DOE Policy to Establish WESM's Independent Market Operator

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Department of Energy (DOE) issued a policy that would guide the establishment of an Independent Market Operator (IMO) of the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM). The WESM serves as a venue to trade electricity as a commodity.

Under Department Circular No. DC2018-01-0002 otherwise known as Adopting Policies for the Effective and Efficient Transition to the IMO for the WESM, the DOE and the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) will ensure fair competition and the promotion of public interest as envisioned in the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA).

“WESM is an added option for the electricity sources of our consumers, especially addressing the stability and efficiency of power supply,” Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said.

Cusi added that the WESM and IMO would be consistent with the wisdom of EPIRA to ensure quality, reliable, secure, affordable and reasonable prices and electricity supply through a transparent, free and competitive power market.

The policy on IMO outlines the mandates of the DOE and the ERC over the operator; its guiding principles; its composition, including the Board of at least five (5) members; its functions; and WESM’s new governing and governance structure and the conditions for transition.

In particular, the issuance will provide guidelines on the procedures for:

·        Establishing the merit order dispatch instructions for each time period;

·        Determining the market-clearing price for each time period;

·        Administering the market, including criteria for admission to and termination from the market which includes security or performance bond requirements, voting rights of the participants, surveillance and assurance of compliance of the participants with the rules and the formation of the wholesale electricity spot market governing body;

·        Prescribing guidelines for the market operation in system emergencies; and

·        Amending the rules.

The Circular on IMO was published on 4 February (Sunday) in two (2) newspapers of general circulation, which will take effect immediately after its publication.

“This policy on IMO will ensure full public accountability to safeguard, foremost, our energy consumers,” Cusi emphasized.

DOTr-CAB Intensifies Public Assistance Efforts in Commercial Airports

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Department of Transportation- Civil Aeronautics Board (DOTr- CAB) has intensified its public assistance initiatives, setting up Passenger Rights Assistance Desks (PRADs) in commercial airports to help travelers with various concerns.  

CAB Executive Director Carmelo Arcilla said that since the implementation of the Air Passenger Bill of Rights (APBR) in 2012, the Board has been very active in implementing measures to ensure passenger rights protection and awareness.

For the first semester of 2017, Arcilla reported that a total of 132 Passenger Rights Assistance Officers (PRAOs) have been deployed to man the 31 PRADs in the country, including the NAIA terminals and commercial airports outside Metro Manila. 

Aside from the establishment of PRADs, he said that CAB has conducted APBR orientation to airport operators, air transport regulators, and air carriers. CAB also continuous to monitor airline operations via flight inspections and resolve complaints on possible APBR violations. For public education and awareness, leaflets on passenger rights are being distributed in airports, while CAB officials make the rounds in different campuses all over the country.

CAB, in partnership with Dynamic Outsource Solution 1 Inc. (DOS-1), also launched Hotline 165-66 for 24/7 passenger assistance. CAB also launched the first phase of a system software designed for online application for approval of flight schedules. The second phase of the system is expected to be launched this month.

Streamlining business processes

Upon the directive of President Rodrigo Duterte, CAB has instituted reforms to streamline and simplify business processes. For example, the requirements in applying for a permit to operate transport services is now down to six, from a maximum of 36. The 24 requirements for renewal of application have been cut to just three basic requirements.

“We were able to reduce the use of paper by 70 % through the implementation of the less-paper transaction program,” Arcilla said. 

CAB, an attached agency of the DOTr, is mandated to regulate the economic aspect of air transportation, and shall have the general supervision, control and jurisdiction over air carriers, general sales agents, cargo sales agents, and air freight forwarders as well as their property, property rights, equipment, facilities, and franchise.