Achieving PH Energy Resiliency is a Shared Responsibility--Cusi

Wazzup Pilipinas!

JOINT EFFORT: Speaking at the first anniversary of the E-Power Mo Campaign, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi urged all stakeholders to join the effort to raise awareness towards an energy resilient Philippines. The E-Power Mo movement is the Department of Energy’s vehicle to help empower consumers with information on proper and prudent use of energy.

Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi today stressed that the effort of achieving energy resiliency for the Philippines is a shared responsibility between the government and the public.

“Lahat po tayo ay mahalagang bahagi ng layuning ito [energy resiliency advocacy],” (Each one of us has an important role to play in this energy resiliency advocacy) Sec. Cusi said in his message to an estimated 500 participants in the 6th E-Power Mo conference of the Department of Energy (DOE). 

The E-Power Mo movement, which marks its first anniversary today, focuses on adopting strategies and providing consumers with knowledge not only on the proper use of energy, but also in helping the country become energy resilient.

“We all know that the Philippines is extremely vulnerable to natural disasters,” Cusi pointed out, citing the World Risk Index that ranked our country in third place, as well as our previous experience on disasters like super-typhoon "Yolanda."

These factors have prompted the DOE to institutionalize the Energy Resiliency Policy (ERP) in the energy sector in January 2018, according to Cusi.

The ERP aims to strengthen the existing energy systems and assist in the quick restoration and provision of alternative energy sources to cushion the adverse impact of natural disasters on consumers.

Meanwhile, Undersecretary Jesus Cristino P. Posadas cited the DOE’s active role in three significant international events on energy resiliency advocacy. These include hosting the 12th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Energy Ministers Meeting in 2015, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Ministers on Energy Meeting and the Asia Cooperation Dialogue Energy Working Group Meeting. The DOE also co-chaired the relevant meetings of the APEC Energy Resiliency Task Force with the United States.

According to Posadas, the DOE encouraged the other member states in these international gatherings to share their expertise and best practices in pursuing initiatives and action plans on increasing the resiliency of energy infrastructures.

Among the topics discussed during the plenary session are the DOE’s efforts in the implementation of the ERP, the effects of a magnitude 7.2 earthquake on the country’s energy systems, the Philippine disaster risk reduction and management system, and disaster risk financing and insurance strategies.

Also included in the discussions was the importance of the support of the government’s communications system to disseminate to the grassroots the message of E-Power Mo.

There were also six breakout sessions that covered various topics, including downstream oil and natural gas; upstream coal, oil and gas; renewable energy; power industry; alternative fuels and energy efficiency and the consumer sector.

After the main session, DOE spokesperson and Undersecretary Felix William B. Fuentebella, together with Assistant Secretaries Robert B. Uy and Leonido J. Pulido III held a press conference.

The E-Power Mo movement was launched at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City in July 2017 and has been mirrored in Cebu, Davao and Clark in the same year, and in Baguio just last April.

The campaign is being undertaken in cooperation with the Presidential Communications Operations Office through the Philippine Information Agency and Radio-TV Malacañang, and with the assistance of USAID’s Building Low Emission Alternatives to Develop Economic Resilience and Sustainability (B-LEADERS).

Cusi Turns Over PEMC Chairmanship

Wazzup Pilipinas!

THE TORCH IS PASSED: Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi turns over the Chairmanship of the Philippine Electricity Market Corporation (PEMC) to Mr. Noel V. Aboboto, upon the latter's unanimous election during today's PEM Board meeting. This is a vital step towards the full independence of the country's electricity market, where PEMC will stand as its governing body and the DOE will maintain policy oversight.

Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi turned over the Chairmanship of the Philippine Electricity Market Corporation (PEMC) to Mr. Noel V. Aboboto, who was unanimously elected by the new members of the PEM Board today.

The Secretary said, “We welcome the election of Mr. Aboboto as the new PEMC Chair. Great strides have been made this week in finally fulfilling EPIRA’s vision for the institutionalization of a truly independent market operator (IMO). From the very beginning, we were clear that we would pave the way for the market’s self-governance. I am happy to see it come to fruition and I sincerely hope that the IMO and PEMC would serve both the energy industry and the consuming public well in the years to come.”

Upon Mr. Aboboto’s election, Secretary Cusi immediately gave him the floor to preside over the rest of the PEM Board meeting.

In addition to Aboboto’s election as chairman, independent director Atty. Oscar E. Ala was elected as PEMC’s president, while Elenita Go of SMC Global Power was voted as the treasurer.

i-ACT Apprehends Colorum Vehicle, Surprised to Discover Police Uniform and PNP Commemorative Plate

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Even before the start of Inter-Agency Council for Traffic’s (i-ACT) Team Bravo’s operations Tuesday morning, the PNP Highway Patrol Group (HPG) members of I-ACT already turned over a colorum vehicle apprehended earlier that day. Upon inspection of the vehicle, the team discovered a used police uniform, a PNP commemorative plate, and an unlicensed radio communication device. 

Initial reports from the Land Transportation Office (LTO) confirmed that the van is indeed a private vehicle, which means it may not be used for public utility purposes. During apprehension, the HPG confirmed there were paying passengers inside.

Usec. Thomas “Tim” Orbos, undersecretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and over-all chairman of i-ACT, is closely monitoring the investigation of the case. 

“Internal cleansing sa atin mismo sa loob ng gobyerno ang isa sa mga layunin ng i-ACT. Kasama natin ang mga leader ng PNP-HPG at iba pang mga ahensya ng pamahalaan para siguraduhin na tayo mismo sa serbisyo ay hindi sumusuway sa batas,” Orbos said. “Utos ng Presidente na alisin ang mga colorum. Lalo pang hindi makakalusot ito kung mapapatunayan na pulis o nagpapanggap na pulis ang nagmamaneho.” 

DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade warned people in government service to obey the law, or be ready to face the consequences.

"Kung mga taong gobyerno mismo ang nasa likod ng mga kolorum, mas matindi dapat ang parusa niyan. Ang tagapagpatupad ng batas ang kauna-unahang dapat sumunod dito," said Secretary Tugade.

Further reports shall be given to the public as the investigation progresses.