MARINA Hosts Workshop, Meeting on GloFouling Partnerships Project

Wazzup Pilipinas!

To raise awareness on the negative effects of invasive species to the marine environment, the Philippines, through the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), is hosting the National Workshop and Task Force Meeting on GloFouling Partnerships Project on 12 to 13 September 2019.

The said activity is intended to present an overview of the GloFouling Partnerships Project and to bring together the national stakeholders who will be part of the National Task Force and to discuss the National Work Plan.

In his opening remarks, MARINA OIC - Administrator Vice Admiral Narciso A Vingson Jr expressed appreciation for the implementation of the five-year project to address the transfer of aquatic invasive species caused by biofouling of ships through capacity building of developing countries such as the Philippines.

“It is imperative that we identify our respective agencies’ roles and responsibilities to ensure the full and complete implementation of related conventions; know the composition of the national task force; and ensure that all relevant agencies are involved in the creation and finalization of the national work plan,” MARINA OIC – Administrator said to participating government agencies.

During the activity, Mr. John Alonso of the IMO GloFouling Project Coordination Unit spearheads the discussion regarding the project’s structure and partners, role of Lead Partnering Countries such as the Philippines, international regulatory status on biofouling, key elements for the development of a national strategy, introduction and review of legal policy, and capacity building activities at a national level.

Likewise, Assistant Director Sonia Gorgula of the Australia’s Department of Agriculture and Water Resources discusses about invasive species and their impacts, biofouling, and development of a national policy on biofouling management and marine biosafety.

Regional expert from the Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA) and the country’s Project Coordinator, on the other hand, report about the regional and national status of the GloFouling Partnerships Project.

Aside from representatives from the IMO, Australia’s Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, and PEMSEA, the National Workshop and Task Force Meeting are attended by representatives from the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), MARINA, Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Biodiversity Management Bureau (DENR – BMB), DENR – Environmental Management Bureau (DENR – EMB), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), Cebu Port Authority (CPA), University of the Philippines – Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology (UP-IESM), UP – Marine Science Institute (UP-MSI), Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources, Research and Development, UNDP – Manila, and Asian Development Bank – Manila.

The GloFouling Partnerships Project responds to the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 which is to “conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development”, SDG 13 which is to “take urgent action to combat climate change and its impact”, and SDG 15 which is to “protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss”

Araneta Center’s Telecommunications Now Intensified by InfiniVAN

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Araneta Center partners with InfiniVAN, Inc. powering the whole Central Business District (CBD) with an advanced fiber optic telecommunications infrastructure that can include 5G in the future.

InfiniVAN, Inc., a corporate broadband provider and a subsidiary of Japanese firm IPS, has been granted Right of Way for laying its fiber optic-based underground backbone and access network infrastructure in the Araneta Center. 

This is to provide corporate broadband service to tenants and/or locators in office buildings and commercial facilities in Araneta, transforming the business and leisure hub as a first-class data center.

Araneta Center will be equipped by InfiniVAN with a carrier neutral Internet exchange that will make it possible for locators in the various CBDs to use any telecommunications carrier’s facilities. This is through leasing of dark fiber capacities and other infrastructure components (e.g. broadband antennas) installed in Araneta to mobile operators and other service providers for deploying their respective of wireless communications network in the Araneta Center.

The Araneta Center Cyberpark, a multibillion-peso PEZA-Certified complex with two of its five buildings now operational, benefits greatly from this partnership. This will vastly improve the ability of the Cyberpark towers to cater to the very high and quality-sensitive internet connectivity requirements of the BPO industry.

The Araneta Center continues to evolve as a business district. With its convenient location and unparalleled accessibility as a transport hub, it continues to draw premier international BPO companies that addresses and emphasizes employee convenience, which is an important factor when putting together the talent pool. Now, InfiniVAN assures these businesses support for top-of-the-line facilities that boost performance and profitability.

InfiniVAN is also set to implement 5G trials. This will give access to high speed internet connections for world class events.  The Araneta Center with InfiniVAN is preparing to provide top notch technology for large audiences that require a huge amount of simultaneous connections and low latency.

Key points:
1. Araneta Center partners with InfiniVAN to power the Central Business District (CBD) with an advanced fiber optic telecommunications infrastructure including 5G technology.

2. Araneta Center allowed InfiniVAN to lay its fiber optic-based underground backbone and access network infrastructure in Araneta Center paving the way for redundancy for its entire network.

3. This initiative is in line with efforts to transform Araneta Center into a class-leading (carrier-neutral) data center benefiting its tenants and/or locators in office buildings and commercial facilities.

4. This is also set to intensify Araneta Center’s ability to meet the specialized requirements and high demands of offshoring and outsourcing companies in the country.

5. The test implementation of 5G are being planned eventually leading to the integration of the whole Araneta Center into the 5G era.

PHOTO CAPTION:  The contract signing between Araneta Center and InfiniVAN participated in by (Front, L-R) Araneta Center Management Consultant Rowell Recinto, InfiniVAN President Enrique Yu, Araneta Center SVP-Business Development John B. Castelo; with (Back L-R) InfiniVAN Chief Technical Manager Albert Espendido, Araneta Center IT Manager Joel Salamanca, and InfiniVAN Business Development Manager Alex Aquino

Araneta Center, a 35-hectare (90 acre) property right at the heart of Metro Manila, is a haven of of retail, entertainment, residential, hospitality, and office developments that houses 2,108 tenants in over 1.1 million square meters of shopping area, 40,000 BPO employees with eight hectares of PEZA Certified high-tech office spaces for technology-based companies, more than 7,000 residents occupying The Manhattan Residences. Araneta Center is also home to the iconic sports and entertainment mecca, the 20,000-seater Smart Araneta Coliseum, as well as the historic New Frontier Theater that can accommodate more than 2,000 audiences.
Araneta Center Cyberpark cradles the Cyberpark 1 and Cyberpark 2 towers, that both are equipped with 100% back-up generator power, VRV/VRF air-conditioning system, and telecom service providers that ensure high-speed telecom backbone access to their tenants. The towers have automated parking systems, and security features that include metal detectors, CCTVs, and turnstiles. The Cyberpark 2 is also fitted with double-glazed windows for energy efficiency, and will have a rainwater collection tank as added green feature.
InfiniVAN Inc.  is a corporate broadband provider and a subsidiary of Japanese firm IPS, that provides a business internet user experience that is at par with global standards, delivered via end-to-end Fiber Optic Network Infrastructure that is fully redundant and backed up by experienced and reliable management as well as technical support team.

Sec. Cusi Strengthens PH Energy Ties with Japan and Indonesia

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi conducted bilateral meetings with Japan’s Ministry of Economy Trade and Industry of Japan (METI) and the Indonesian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, fellow Association of Southeast Asian Nations Plus Three (ASEAN+3) members, during the 37th ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM37) held in Bangkok, Thailand from 2 to 6 September 2019.

For the Energy Secretary, the annual AMEM presents great opportunities to pursue bilateral talks with the country’s existing and potential energy partners within the region.

“AMEM37 enabled us to engage METI and MEMR on various mutual areas of interest, including energy investment opportunities and joint energy resource exploration and development activities. Given our shared borders, it is imperative that the ASEAN members jointly explore and harness available resources to ensure the region’s energy security and to benefit our people,” Secretary Cusi said.

Sec. Cusi thanked State Minister Yoshihiko Isozaki, head of the METI delegation, for the successful turnover of boom trucks to Philippine electric cooperatives granted by the Japanese Government through Japan International Cooperation Agency's (JICA) Bangsamoro Project.

Thereafter, the Energy Chief emphasized the relevance of Japan’s ongoing initiative on the Distributed Energy System (DES), that will promotes energy innovation and efficiency. He expressed the DOE’s interest to be part of METI’s program to evaluate the potential of island provinces and economic zones for DES power generation and electrification projects.

During the meeting with MEMR, headed by its Vice Minister, Dr. Arcandra Tahar, Secretary Cusi reiterated the country’s aspiration to become the LNG hub in the region, and underscored the need to assess existing development issues on the Philippine Downstream Natural Gas Regulations. Sec. Cusi also proposed the inclusion of Oil Exploration and Development as the 8th Sub-Sector Network in the updated ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation, and for the ASEAN Council on Petroleum. The proposal was welcomed and strongly supported by the Indonesian Vice Energy Minister because it aims to revisit its role as one of the main organizations within the ASEAN.

Joining the Energy Secretary for the two bilateral meetings were DOE Senior Undersecretary Jesus Cristino P. Posadas, Undersecretary Donato D. Marcos, Assistant Secretary Gerardo D. Erguiza Jr., DOE-Energy Policy and Planning Bureau (EPPB) Director Jesus T. Tamang, DOE-EPPB’s Energy Cooperation and Coordination Division Chief Lilian C. Fernandez, and other DOE-EPPB technical personnel.

“While our backgrounds and nationalities may differ on the surface, we share the goal of invigorating the intra-ASEAN energy relations. A united ASEAN in the energy sector is a crucial component in shaping ASEAN’s future,” Secretary Cusi concluded.