Energy Investments are Top Priority – Cusi

Wazzup Pilipinas!

INVEST, INVEST, INVEST: DOE Sec. Alfonso G. Cusi addresses the stakeholders on the government’s aggressive call to capitalize and develop business opportunities in the country during the Energy Investment Forum 2018 at the Shangri-La at the Fort on Tuesday (4 December) for the National Energy Consciousness Month.

Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi today emphasizes that the call to invest in the energy sector is the Duterte Administration’s top priority.

“Ensuring reliable, sufficient and affordable electricity in the country entails close cooperation and collaboration with all our partners in the industry,” Sec. Cusi said.

“We need to step up to further strengthen and sustain our partnership, especially in terms of building energy resilient infrastructures, as well as in the exploration and development of our indigenous energy resources,” he added.

As a policy support to the Ease of Doing Business Act, the DOE is closely working with the legislators for the passage of the Energy Virtual One Stop Shop (EVOSS), which enables the streamlining of the permitting process of energy projects for their entire project cycle.

Sec. Cusi laid down the needed investments for the country, including the power requirement of a total of 43,765 megawatts of additional capacity by 2040. He underscored the DOE, National Electrification Administration and Philippine Rural Electric Cooperatives’ strengthened collaboration to provide electricity to unserved and underserved areas by 2020, as well as initiatives to develop mini-grids.

The DOE chief also highlighted the Philippine Conventional Energy Contracting Program for petroleum (PCECP), which entices investors to “Explore, Explore, Explore” the 14 pre-determined areas (PDAs) for oil and gas exploration in the country.

Likewise, Sec. Cusi mentioned the new option to nominate development areas outside of the 14 PDAs. “You will nominate and apply for it, then we will process it accordingly.”

On natural gas prospects, Sec. Cusi announced that the DOE continues to welcome proposals for the establishment of an integrated liquefied natural gas receiving and distributing facility, and storage facilities that would support the emergence of a strong strategic petroleum reserve for the country.

Sec. Cusi made these pronouncements during his keynote address at the 2018 Energy Investment Forum with the theme, “Transcending Investments: Role in Encouraging”, held at the Shangri-La at the Fort as part of the National Energy Consciousness Month celebration.

Also present in the investment forum as panelists are Ako Bicol Partylist Representative Rodel M. Batocabe, DOE Undersecretary Felix William B. Fuentebella, Energy Regulatory Commission‘s Judith L. Mangosing, National Grid Corporation of the Philippines‘ Darryl Lon A. Ortiz, Board of Investments' Nestor P. Arcansalin and Asian Development Bank’s Andrew Jeffries.

DOE Assistant Secretary Robert B. Uy closed the program by emphasizing the wide range of business ventures to explore in the Philippines.

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GUARANTEED PROCESSING: “We guarantee timely processing for energy projects of national significance,” Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi said during his keynote address at the Energy Investment Forum 2018 on 4 December at Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.  He added that ensuring the Philippines will achieve energy security, sustainability and self-sufficiency is the government’s top priority. “I don't want you to waste time waiting for your projects," Sec. Cusi said.

Indie-Siyensya to Honor Winning Science Films on Nov. 28

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The Department of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute will award the winners of the third Indie-Siyensya science filmmaking competition on November 28, Wednesday, at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.

The winners were chosen by Indie-Siyensya's distinguished board of judges from the final entries submitted in the Youth and Open categories, with the themes "What My Community Needs Now" and "What My Country Needs Now," respectively.

Three films from each category will receive trophies and cash prizes: 100,000 pesos for the Best Film, 50,000 pesos for the second prize and 25,000 pesos for the third prize. The competition's main organizer will also give a special Viewer’s Choice Award, with a cash prize of 10,000 pesos, to the film with the most number of votes from the Indie-Siyensya audience.

Judging this year's Indie-Siyensya are advocacy filmmaker and educator Seymour Sanchez from the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde Digital Filmmaking program and Far Eastern University Department of Communication; Prof. Patrick Campos, director of the University of the Philippines Film Institute; Prof. Garry Jay Montemayor, chair of the Department of Science Communication, College of Development Communication, UP Los Baños; Dr. Mudjekeewis "Mudjie" Santos, father and founder of the Genetic Fingerprinting Laboratory under the Department of Agriculture-National Fisheries Research and Development Institute; and astrophysicist and data scientist Dr. Reinabelle "Reina" Reyes, who became known as "the Filipina who proved Einstein right" with her work on his Theory of Relativity.

The judges screened more than 300 film concept proposals for short documentaries that capture science as it works to answer the needs of communities and the country. The criteria for judging are Scientific Content and Adherence to the Theme (50% for the Youth category and 40% for the Open category), Execution of Idea (30% for both categories), and Film Techniques (20% for Youth and 30% for Open).

“We were surprised by the number of individuals and groups interested in joining this year’s Indie-Siyensya. We’re hopeful that projects like this will encourage more students to choose science courses,” DOST-SEI Director Dr. Josette Biyo shared.

Indie-Siyensya partnered with the Film Development Council of the Philippines to hold a free science communication and film workshop last July 6 at the Cinematheque Centre Manila. The workshop, which aims to help equip participants with the skills needed to create visually appealing and credible science films, was facilitated by Montemayor, 2017 Breakthrough Junior Challenge Challenge winner Hillary Diane Andales and director of photography Joshua Reyles.

Aside from organizing Indie-Siyensya, DOST-SEI primarily spearheads the country’s premier science scholarship programs and conducts teacher training and science promotion programs for the youth.

Planning a Holiday To Philippines? Incorporate a Visit to Calauit Safari Park – A Great Safari Experience

Wazzup Pilipinas!

When the word Safari is mentioned, most people only think of an African Safari adventure mainly due to the African jungle and the abundance of wildlife choice available for sighting in the African bush. However, unknown to many, Philippines is home to Calauit Safari Park that is located in the Calauit Island which is part of the Calamin Islands chain.

If you are planning to have a holiday in Philippines, then you seriously need to consider making a visit to Calauit Safari Park. The park was established in the year 1976 after H.E. President Kenyatta (Then President of the Republic of Kenya) made a request to other countries to help in protecting African wildlife that was threatened by the war and drought.

The Government of Philippines opted for Calauit Island due to the fact that it was ideally located and had vegetation, size, and terrain that was ideal for the wildlife park. The tribes that resided in the island were thus relocated so that they could make way for 8 different species of the African wildlife.

Wildlife to Spot in Calauit Island
By visiting Calauit Island, you will likely spot the following animals:

Reticulated Giraffe – It is also referred to as Somali Giraffe and it originates from the Horn of Africa. Mainly, this species resides in Northern parts of Kenya, Somalia, and Southern part of Ethiopia.  As of the year 2017, it was reported that there were twenty-seven reticulated giraffes in Calauit safari park.

Grevy’s Zebra – This is usually the largest zebra species. Even though only fifteen zebras had been brought from in to the park, as of the year 2016, it was reported that there were about 34 Grevy’s zebra in the park. The increased population of the Zebra has been attributed to the absence of natural predators in the park.

Philippine Crocodile – At the moment, there are four Philippines crocodiles residing in the park even though there has been attempts to increasing the crocodile population through breeding with success been experienced as some of the eggs that had been laid by the female crocodile were hatched.

The Palawan Bearded Pig – This is one of the endangered pig species. As a result, the management of the park have dedicated a lot of efforts to ensuring that the pigs are safeguarded.

Mousedeer – It is also referred to as Balabac Chevrotain and in Filipino (Philippines native language), it is referred to as Pilandok. The population of the mousedeer in Calauit safari park is more than twenty-two.

Bearcart – This is usually a viverrid native to South and Southeast Asia. It is quite endangered as 30% of its population is reported to have died in the last 30 years. There are a few bearcats in Calauit safari park.

Therefore, if you hoping to visit Philippines anytime soon, you might consider including a visit to Calauit safari park in your itinerary – you definitely will love the experience.

Written by Ray Kiarie. A senior safari consultant at Safari Fellows. Ray has spent much of his time travelling to various safari destinations in East Africa region. When not designing custom safaris, you are likely to find him on a safari with his camera gear as he is in love with wildlife photography.