Energy Family Working 24/7 Amidst Typhoon Ompong -Cusi

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Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi today assured the public that the energy family is on top of the situation amidst the anticipated onslaught of Typhoon Ompong to ensure safe and secure energy.

“The entire energy family is closely monitoring Typhoon Ompong. The men and women of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, the National Power Corporation (NPC) the National Electrification Administration, our electric cooperatives, and private energy companies are prepared and ready to respond,” he said.   

Based on the consolidated report of the Task Force on Energy Resiliency, NPC monitors the operations of hydroelectric dams, particularly its water levels to ensure safe and efficient operations. As of the 12 noon report, Ambuklao and Binga Dams in Benguet are already conducting water spills following water levels at 751.02meters above sea level (masl) and 573.85masl, respectively. The discharges are made to maintain normal water level in the reservoir.

San Roque Dam gates are still closed at 2:00 p.m. with water level at 274.26 masl and Angat Dam at 206.40 masl.

For the transmission system, NGCP reported that affected lines are Palanas Cara – Catarman – Allen – Lao – Ang 69kiloVolt (kV) Line affecting the Northern Samar Electric Cooperative, Inc. (NORSAMELCO). NGCP mobilized line crews and are currently conducting aerial and ground patrols to assess the impact of the southwest monsoon to expedite restoration of affected facilities.

The Paranas – Quinapondan 69 kV affecting Eastern Samar Electric Cooperative, Inc. (ESAMELCO) was restored 8:54 a.m. today just two hours after it went off.

On the distribution side, NEA reported that power in affected electric cooperatives in Samar provinces have been restored before noon time Friday. These are NORSAMELCO, ESAMELCO and Samar I & II Electric Cooperatives, Inc.

In case a State of Calamity is declared, the DOE reminds all oil companies that price freeze on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and kerosene products will take effect for 15 days after the announcement.

The DOE family assures the public that the energy sector is synergized in responding to these trying times.

UE Short Films Make it to Pagwanawanan, Nabifilmex Festivals

 

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An experimental video and an animated film from the University of the East (UE) College of Fine Arts, Architecture and Design will compete under the student category of the Pagwanawanan Film Festival on September 21 at PUÓN/Alfredo F. Tadiar Library along Ortega Highway in San Fernando, La Union. 

Marangle (Farm) by Angeline Tabilog and Maling Akala: Ang Misteryo ng Unamuno (Misconception: The Mystery of Unamuno) by Elvin Jay Macanlalay and Arvileen Yongzon will vie for the top prize along with three other student films, Halal by Dahren Tagtag (Cebu), Layag by Romsky Chelle Dela Cruz (Pangasinan) and Si Kokak at Ako by Ralph Santos, Vince Basa and Winstone Arradaza (La Union).

The nine-minute film Marangle, which was entirely shot in San Simon, Pampanga, tackles the life of a farmer who risks everything, including his land, just to have an opportunity to work abroad and provide a better future for his family.

A final project for the video production subject under Prof. Richard Legaspi, it competed with other experimental films at Sinepiyu 2017 and was exhibited as part of the Cinebalu program of the 17th Kota Kinabalu International Film Festival in Borneo. It also competed at the 28th Gawad CCP Para sa Alternatibong Pelikula at Video or Gawad Alternatibo independent film and video festival of the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

Tabilog got the support of director of photography Isabelo Bucao, assistant director Rhuva Patiag, writer Gerard Halabaso, production manager Aldric Matthew Manapat, production designer Chelsea Mae Natividad, costume designer Erica Balaan and production staff Cyrill Mustera, Jayson Torres and Kent Santos.

Maling Akala, on the other hand, takes on a legendary Philippine mythical creature and a mischievous child as they journey through the woods after a calamity hit their village, Unamuno. Their paths cross and they go on an adventure together. Produced by Piko Productions as a requirement for Prof. Ronwell Bacani’s class, the five-minute animated film was selected as one of the finalists at the Animahenasyon: 11th Philippine Animation Festival, Gawad Alternatibo in 2017 and Recoletos Film Festival last February.

Meanwhile, Maling Akala will also be exhibited as part of the open-air film screenings at Nabifilmex 6 in Compostela Valley along with two UE CFAD documentaries, How the Beasts Got Hyped by Macanlalay, Bryan Marticio and Mars Sanchez and Yero (Corrugated Galvanized Iron) by John Lanbert Rafols, John Nico Nunag and Jay Condeno. They will be shown along with other selected entries at the Nabunturan Municipal Plaza from September 19 to 21.

How the Beasts Got Hyped focuses on the daily routine of hypebeasts, which share a mutual interest for street-style fashion, providing a sense of community for its followers, while Yero shows the life and daily struggles of two factory workers, Armando Bucog and Rowil Galicia, inside a corrugated iron factory. Both documentaries, which were also produced under Legaspi’s video production class like Marangle, previously competed this year at the 30th Gawad Alternatibo.

DOE Brings Energy Investment Forum to Visayas

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VISAYAN ENERGY OPPORTUNITIES: Department of Energy Assistant Secretary Redentor Delola presents the Philippine energy situation and the various energy investment opportunities in the Visayas region during the 2018 Visayas Energy Investment Forum held at Cebu Parklane Hotel on Thursday, 13 September 2018.

CEBU CITY - More energy investments are expected in the Visayas region with the Department of Energy (DoE) holding of the 2018 Visayas Energy Investment Forum on Thursday, 13 September 2018, at the Cebu Parklane International Hotel in Cebu City.

“We are aggressive in linking investors with various sector partners in order for us to speed up the materialization of energy projects, not only for the Visayas but for the entire country,” said Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi in a message to the forum participants read by DoE Assistant Secretary Redentor E. Delola.

The forum aims to update stakeholders on the investment opportunities in the energy sector, financing facility available for energy projects, the government’s role in facilitating the implementation of energy projects and private sector experience in the development and implementation of an energy project.

Delola presented the Philippine energy situation, Visayas power situation and the investment needed. This was followed by a panel discussion on the topic “Transcending Investments: Role in Encouraging Investors in the Energy Sector.”

The panel discussants were composed of DoE Asec. Delola, National Grid Corporation of the Philippines’ Engr. Christian B. Ereño, Department of Agrarian Reform’s Atty. Jamila Bunsa, Regional Development Council-Infrastructure Development Committee VII Glenn Anthony Soco and Atty. Marissa P. Anino of the Development Bank of the Philippines.

Other energy investment fora are slated for Mindanao on 11 October and Luzon on 4 December.