DOE Opens Applications for its First Nominated Petroleum Blocks

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Department of Energy (DOE) shall be conducting the opening of applications for nominated areas under the Philippine Conventional Energy Contracting Program (PCECP) on August 16 (Sulu Sea Basin), 19 (Northwest Palawan Basin), and 20 (Southeast Luzon Basin) at the agency's headquarters.

Each of the three nominating companies has complied with area clearance and nomination requirements prescribed under Department Circular (DC) No. 2017-12-0017 on the PCECP Circular and Guidelines.

Challengers have until 11:00 AM on each day to submit their application requirements before bids are opened at 1:30 PM.

The DOE has set up a one-stop-shop at the venue to accommodate any last-minute submissions from challengers until the prescribed deadline.

Members of the Centralized Review and Evaluation Committee (C-REC) will be spearheading the bid opening activity to run the "completeness check" for each submitted PROPOSAL. The lack of any documentary requisite in the PCECP Guidelines and Application Checklist, which includes legal, technical and financial qualification documents, will warrant an automatic disqualification.

On the other hand, qualified applications shall be subjected to further exhaustive evaluations from the C-REC, before the endorsement of the highest-ranked application to the Secretary. This would then be followed by the signing of a corresponding Service Contract by the President.

The DOE is pushing to reinvigorate petroleum exploration and development activities in the country to serve as a cushioning measure against the volatility of oil prices, which has a direct impact on the costs of transport and power. One successful case is the Malampaya Deep Water Gas-to-Power Project, the largest natural gas industrial project in the Philippines, which recovered all costs in four years.

Thus, the Department is committed to 'Explore, Explore, Explore' in its pursuit of energy independence, security, and sustainability through the effective and reasonable development of all indigenous energy resources in the Philippines.

Avéne Thermal Spring Water – A Gift from Nature for Good Looking Skin

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Redness, flushing and irritation are common problems for sensitive skin sufferers. Treating sensitive skin can be quite tricky, if not downright frustrating, but now there is a solution and it is water.

This isn’t just regular water, however. It is spring water from France called Avéne, a French brand based around the science of the local spring water that originates from the beautiful mountains of Cevennes in France. This one-of-a-kind product contains minerals with healthy benefits and therapeutic properties proven to soothe, soften, and restore the natural balance of every skin type, especially sensitive skin.

The French Academy of Medicine recognizes the many benefits of Avène Thermal Spring Water to be anti-irritating, soothing and anti-inflammatory. Known for its healing power, Avène soothes and heals skin with dermatitis, ichthyosis (extremely dry skin), eczema and psoriasis. It helps reduce inflammation, relieve irritation and speed healing.

But besides its almost miraculous effect on sensitive, afflicted skin, Avène Thermal Spring Water has many cosmetic properties as well. Misting skin with Avène is a very pleasurable experience in itself, but the best is yet to come because it does help to make skin soft, fresh-looking and dewy as well.

Here is a “good-looking skin regimen” with the help of Avène Thermal Spring Water:

In the morning:

· Spray it on first thing to gently awaken your complexion and give it a special glow and radiance.

During the day:

· When you’re hot, tired, or icky, mist your face, neck and arms to feel its soothing properties and leave your skin feeling soft and fresh.

· Use it to soothe reddened skin and to feel nice and cool after staying out in the sun.

· You can also spray on Avène following hair removal to remove the sting or discomfort.

· Spray Avène on puffy eyelids to create a sense of relaxation and to lessen the puffiness.

· Use it to set your makeup.

· After removing makeup, spray it on to brighten your complexion.

Once you start using Avène Thermal Spring Water, you’ll find you’ve got to use it again and again. It comes in three sizes to ensure you always have some on hand: regular size (300 ml) for your bathroom, medium size (150 ml) for your bag, and a convenient pocket size (50 ml) for traveling.

Avène is available at Watsons and at department stores and malls. For more information about Avène Thermal Spring Water, please visit www.eau-thermal-avene.ph. Or like @EauThermalAvène.PH on Facebook and @avènephilippines on IG.

4 Effective Ways to Invest in Real Estate Market

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Almost we all have to do real estate transaction at a certain time of our lives, but many of us find it quite difficult to handle. On the other hand, if you have good budget and interest in real estate sector, then you can get benefit of this lucrative market that is full of opportunities for making an investment and get the best deals available in the market. Actually, real estate beyond just buying home for yourself and your family and here are four different types of investment methods in real estate market.

1. Buy a Property and Become Landlord

Buying a property and renting it out is not a new perception rather it’s being used over centuries. It’s ideal for those who can do renovation on their own and dealing with tenants doesn’t bother them. Rental property is a consistent source of income and you can increase the income by increasing the value of the property i.e. paint the property, add wooden work, improve aesthetic appeal. Buying a property also deducts tax expenses and any losses can offset gains in other investments. Buyers agents in Melbourne can help you find the best properties.

Paying mortgage, taxes, and other maintenance charges is landlord’s responsibility and if he doesn’t charge enough rent, he will endure loss. It’s recommended to buy property in an area where its value increases over the time and the property has future prospects. 

2. Real Estate Investment Groups

Those who want to own a rental property without becoming the landlord then they should go for real estate investment groups. This type of real estate investment is like a mutual fund and rental properties where a company builds multiple sets of apartments and asks investors to buy these apartments through a company. It’s not necessary that only one person buys all apartments, but they are managed by the same company. The term managing include cleaning, maintenance, improvement, and renovation of the property. The company charges a certain amount to tenants for the aforementioned services.

The quality of an investment group isn’t independent rather it depends on the company offering it. Although, its known as a safe way of investment in real estate, but often they are vulnerable to the fees that mutual funds industry have to pay.

3. Real Estate Trading

More commonly, it’s called flippig. The type of investment is perfect for those who have great experience in real estate sector and efficient in valuation and marketing. It’s not wrong to say flipping is a wild side of real estate as they buy property to hold it for a short time period and sale it after two to three months when come across a profitable deal. Most of them don’t invest money in property and sale it as it is, but some of them spend money on renovation and earn a handsome profit through it.

Flippers have to face severe situations when they can’t sell a property on-time and it takes more time to find a good buyer than expected.

4. Real Estate Investment Trusts

In Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), a corporation buys a property from investors’ money. It’s similar to another stock market where corporation pays 90% of taxable profit to keep status as REIT. In such situations, the company don’t have to pay corporate tax from the income and it also decides whether or not they have to distribute its tax among dividends. Probably, it’s a more formalized version of a real estate investment that reflects the value of underlying investment. Wall Street is the best example of Real Estate Investment Trusts when you talk about the financial innovation in the real estate sector.