DOE Lays Down Action Plan to Resolve Palawan Power Woes

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Department of Energy (DOE) has laid down the roadmap for action that would address the persistent power woes hounding Palawan during the meeting of the DOE-led Inter-Agency Coordinating Committee and Task Force Palawan Electric Cooperative (IACC-TF PALECO) with the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD) and PALECO representatives, which was held on 25 July in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.



Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi created Task Force PALECO earlier this year to conduct an exhaustive assessment and audit of the power situation in the province. This included the determination of the root causes for the frequent power outages, as well as the consolidation of all recommendations from other concerned agencies into the Task Force’s Final Report.



Among the findings of TF PALECO were the uncoordinated synchronization of the protection system of PALECO and the National Power Corporation’s (NPC) transmission lines; obstructing vegetation along both the long NPC transmission lines and PALECO distribution lines; overloaded substations; the unstable temporary generators; derailed coal power plant; and the slow coordination among various government agencies on distribution line maintenance and improvements.



“We immediately directed PALECO and all relevant government agencies to carry out the recommendations in the final report of the Task Force. The livelihood of consumers and the operations of crucial infrastructure, such as hospitals and government offices hang in the balance. We will not stop working until we finally bring this power issue to an end,” Secretary Cusi stressed.



One of the major problems identified in the audit is the existence of a heavy vegetation problem on the NPC transmission lines in Palawan, especially in the southern towns. To solve this, the PCSD, through the Department of Environmental and Natural Resources (DENR), will issue PALECO a special permit for the transportation of the required tools and equipment to be used for the necessary tree cutting and clearing operations. The NPC likewise guaranteed the immediate upgrade of its line protection devices, which minimize the effects of transmission line trippings.



Meanwhile, the National Electrification Administration (NEA) has activated the “Task Force Kapatid” program, which would involve the active participation of 10 electric cooperatives (ECs) to help with the rehabilitation of PALECO. Under this program, the participating ECs will be deploying six engineers and 60 linemen to help PALECO until October 2019. The necessary tools and equipment to effect improvements in PALECO’s distribution system will also be provided.



Furthermore, Palawan Governor Jose C. Alvarez, head of the PCSD, assured the DOE of its efficient coordination with Local Government Units (LGUs) in securing all relevant certificates needed by PALECO.



During the meeting, PALECO also had the opportunity to discuss the progress it has made in the implementation of the action plan it has previously submitted to the DOE. Their presentation prompted various public and private stakeholders to pledge their support to the local EC and guide it towards the necessary steps to effectively and efficiently improve the power supply condition in Palawan.



DOE Undersecretary Vice Admiral Alexander S. Lopez (ret.) led the presentation of the IACC-TF PALECO, together with Assistant Secretary Redentor E. Delola, and DOE-Electric Power Industry Management Bureau Director Mario C. Marasigan. PCSD Executive Director Nelson P. Devanadera and representatives from NEA, NPC, DENR, as well as officials from LGUs, Non-Government Organizations, and the Western Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, were also in attendance.



According to Secretary Cusi, PALECO will have until the end of 2019 to complete its rehabilitation. “As members of the energy family, it is our primary duty to provide reliable, stable, and affordable electricity services to our countrymen. Help will always be given to those in need of it. However, we must also ensure that those of us in the energy sector are serving our people in the best manner at all times,” he concluded.

Advocates to Convene in Largest Youth-led Peace-centric Cultural Event for Peace in September

Wazzup Pilipinas!

With the country’s recent development towards unity through the establishment of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), a new beginning for peace springs not only in the region but throughout the Philippines. Along with peacebuilding, this aching part of the country has been longing for sustainable development in securing its future, and it is high time to put the youth in its center.

Sigaw ng Kabataan Coalition, an independent non-partisan national alliance of young leaders and youth organizations in the Philippines, together with the Rotary Satellite Club of Fort BGC Titans of Rotary International District 3830 supported by the Pilipinas Rotaract Multi-District Information Organization and many other partner agencies, will be hosting the Philippine Intercultural Youth Convention (PIYC) 2019, with the theme "New Beginnings for Peace, New Challenges for Development," on September 21-22, 2019 in Tanghalang Bautista, Quezon City University, Quirino Highway, Quezon City.

The PIYC 2019, a DILG and NYC endorsed activity aims to provide a platform for the exchange of Philippine cultures and discussions on national issues that highlight the role of the youth in peace and development. Philippine government leaders as well as non-government and international partners will enrich forums on youth in peace, peace amidst diversity, vulnerabilities in conflict, and the essence of peacebuilding in the attainment of quality education, poverty alleviation, access to healthcare, and sustainable livelihood.

Two days of uniting youth leaders across Philippine regions, tribes and Indigenous people’s groups, PIYC 2019 will also bring the country’s rich cultural experience in one venue through segments such as the Cultural Festival, an exhibition of cultures, a cultural networking night, and many other cultural presentations. Its aim to engage the youth with government and non-government actors that will also be facilitated with a flow of plenary and breakout sessions.

The road to sustainable development is founded on the stability of peace, and PIYC 2019 hopes to integrate the Filipino youth in building this strong foundation.

You may register at www.piyc-skc.com/registration to be a part of the biggest youth-led peace-centric cultural event in the country. The event is also open for partnerships with organizations who can send a delegation of more than ten youth leaders.

For inquiries, you may reach the organizers at piyc.skc@gmail.com.

PIA Develops Strategic Communications Curriculum for PMA

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) and the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) explore areas of cooperation on developing a curriculum on communication and public information for the Academy.

In a meeting, PIA Director-General Harold Clavite presented the Agency’s programs and services, capabilities and networks anchored on the Philippine Information Highway, a flagship program of PIA that can be of help to the PMA.

He discussed two proposals- a short-term module on strategic communications and a curriculum on the National Strategy Management Program Major in Strategic Communications.

Clavite, who is also a board member of the Philippine Army’s multi-sector advisory board (MSAB), expressed his intent of institutionalizing the ongoing engagements of PIA with the military’s civil military operations across the country. The engagement of PIA and the Philippine Army was likewise strengthened in the information management and strategic communications support group of Task Force Bangon Marawi, headed by Clavite.

Dr. Joey Alagaran, head of the PIA’s Policy and Communication Research Division detailed the 54-hour course outline as to theories, concepts, processes and practices of Strategic Communications including national security administration.

On the proposed BS National Strategy Management Program, Alagaran identified the curriculum’s objectives to develop the cadets communication creativity, critical thinking and collaborative skill; equip them with decision making/implementation capabilities and engagement on Strategic Communications and integrate the knowledge and skills and discipline from their military program.

PMA Dean of Academics B/Gen. Cheston Valencerina cited the need for collaboration saying that communication is “winning the war by not firing a bullet.”

Clavite further emphasized the need for future military officers to be adept with the latest trends in strategic communications and multimedia strategies in the advent of increased usage of the internet and new media platforms.

Further exchanges of ideas and inputs ensued between the Academy’s faculty members and PIA regional heads present in the meeting.
Witnessed by Asst. Supt B/Gen. Nestor Florence DC Rayos and Commandant B/Gen. Bartolome Vicente Bacarro, the tie-up is hoped to be realized with the forging of a PIA-PMA Memorandum of Understanding this year.