Bringing back the use of clean energy in Mindanao

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In a report by the Department of Energy in 2021, 31% of the installed energy capacity of Mindanao comes from renewable energy sources as of 2020. This was way lower than the 2011 data, where 65% of the total power generation mix in the island came from clean power.

Over the years, the continued power supply problems paved the way for oil and coal-based power sources to be the primary sources of electricity, which now constitute 68% of installed energy capacity.



Reaching the poorest through Mindanao REACH

To promote renewable energy in the region, the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), Ateneo de Davao University's Mindanao Renewable Energy Research and Development Center, and PEF inked a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to establish the Mindanao Renewable Energy Advocacy and Coordination Hub or Mindanao REACH on June 24, 2022.

The Mindanao REACH seeks to establish a platform for multi-stakeholder, grassroots-based strategies of promoting renewable energy in poor communities which are underserved and unserved by traditional grid-based electricity.

The hub will also advocate measures that would promote RE to revise fossil-dependence on Mindanao, electrify off-grid communities to attain inclusive growth and provide access to information relating to RE.

“We intend to make the center a venue for knowledge sharing, capacity building, and advocacy initiatives to push for renewable energy transition and ultimately address poverty,” MinDa Secretary Maria Belen Acosta said during the ceremonial signing of the MOA.

PEF Executive Director Roberto Calingo meanwhile emphasized the need to establish the hub with rising fuel costs and exhausting fossil fuel reserves.

“The need of having energy sufficiency together with food sufficiency has been more urgent,” he said.

Also present in the ceremonial signing are Climate Change Commission Executive Director Robert Borje, MinDA Assistant Secretary Romeo Montenegro, and ADDU School of Engineering and Architecture Dean Dr. Randell Espina, representing ADDU President Fr. Joel Tabora.

Digitalization of services remains a top priority, says SSS chief

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Social Security System (SSS) President and CEO Michael G. Regino announced on Monday that the digitalization of the pension fund’s services remains one of its top priorities in the coming years.

PCEO Regino said that as online transactions become the new norm, more notably during this COVID-19 pandemic, the SSS plans to add more services to its online channels such as the My.SSS Portal, SSS Mobile App, Text-SSS, uSSSap Tayo Portal, and Self-service Express Terminals.

“In 2021, out of the 52.62 million transactions we received, excluding inquiries, 43.52 million or 82.7 percent were made using our online channels,” Regino said.

Currently, there are more than 30 member services and over 20 employer services that can conveniently be accessed through the My.SSS Portal. These services cover transactions for membership, contributions, loan granting and repayments, benefit disbursements, among others. Some of these services can also be accessed through other SSS online channels.

“Since the My.SSS Portal is our main online channel, almost all of the new online services are made available here first. However, intensified efforts are also put towards making the services in this portal accessible in the SSS Mobile App for smartphone users, Regino added.

“We are gradually implementing mandatory online transactions for our programs. However, those without the personal means to transact with us online may use the e-Centers in our branches,” he concluded.

Information about SSS online services including how-to guides can be accessed through the uSSSap Tayo Portal at https://crms.sss.gov.ph; and SSS' social media accounts at “Philippine Social Security System – SSS” for Facebook, “mysssph” for Instagram and YouTube, and “PHLSSS” for Twitter. The SSS also has a Viber Community at “MySSSPH Updates.”

PH Digicon 2022 to harness the ‘Boundless’ spirit of businesses, returns as in-person event

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PLDT Enterprise sets the stage for the most prestigious digital thought leadership conference, the Philippine Digital Convention (PH Digicon). Its 2022 run marks the return of an onsite PH Digicon for delegates, with its last face-to-face conference held in 2019.

“We are thrilled for the return of PH Digicon as an in-person event where we could physically connect and interact with delegates,” said Jojo G. Gendrano, FVP and Head of PLDT and Smart Enterprise. He highlighted that this year’s edition will carry the theme Boundless, aligned with how enterprises of all sizes have been resilient and capable of reaching new heights amid crisis.

“The recent years presented businesses with restrictions that challenged their pursuit for growth, yet they persevered. For this year’s PH Digicon, we aim to capitalize on lessons learned from the pandemic for them to fully grasp their ability to be Boundless,” Gendrano explained.

Thought leaders will share the latest digital trends and innovations that can empower businesses to reinvent their operations and accelerate growth. Participants can also engage with multi-industry global leaders to learn about the latest business models and technologies that thrive in today’s dynamic business landscape.

PLDT Group President and CEO Alfredo S. Panlilio hopes that the relevant insights to be presented at the PH Digicon 2022 will help enterprises maximize opportunities and prosper in the digital age. “We enjoin enterprises to push past boundaries, pursue endless possibilities, and reach greater heights in the new world of business, re-shaped over the past two years,” Panlilio said.

Now on its 9th year, PH Digicon 2022 will feature distinguished speakers in its plenary sessions, while fellowship nights will allow delegates to network with global leaders, sponsors, and fellow participants from across all industries. “This event offers an excellent platform for all industry stakeholders to explore the possibilities gained from digital transformation. We are all excited to discover what the future holds for different enterprises,” Gendrano said.

PH Digicon 2022 will happen on October 27 and 28, 2022 at the Marriott Grand Ballroom in Pasay City, with a hybrid setup designed for virtual attendees to watch via a live broadcast. "Though restrictions have eased for in-person engagements, we will implement the necessary health protocols to ensure that our attendees will have a safe physical event experience," Gendrano shared. The two-day convention is expected to attract a total of 10,000 delegates from around the world.

The convention’s previous run, titled Revolution, attracted over 7,000 local and international delegates from across the globe, including 1,200 C-level executives, entrepreneurs, and key officers. Over 3,000 participating companies joined 70 online activities over 30 hours of live stream sessions throughout the three-day, fully-virtual event. Top executives such as PLDT Inc. and Metro Pacific Investments Corporation Chairman Manuel V Pangilinan, Nokia Senior Vice President and Head of Asia Pacific and Japan John Harrington, Huawei Asia Pacific Enterprise Business Group President Nicholas Ma, NTT Global Data Center President Yasuo Suzuki, Cisco Asia Pacific, Japan and Greater China President Dave West headlined the 2021 leg along with over 100 thought leaders and industry experts from various regions.

PLDT Enterprise launched PH Digicon in 2014 as an avenue where global industry mavens, thought leaders, and pioneers in technology come together to drive technological empowerment among enterprises across the country.

Registration details for PH Digicon 2022 will be available soon. For more information, visit www.pldtenterprise.com/phdigicon2022