Alsons Power and Holcim Philippines Seal Retail Electricity Partnership

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

The Alsons Power Group, the power business unit of the Alcantara Group, has signed its first retail electricity supply (RES) agreement with Holcim Philippines, Inc., a leader in innovative and sustainable building materials in the country.

Under the terms of this partnership, Alsons Power will supply 80% of the energy requirements of Holcim Philippines' facilities in Davao and Lugait, Misamis Oriental. Holcim Philippines is optimistic that its RES deal will yield substantial savings on electricity costs, given Alsons Power's track record of being one of the most dependable and cost-effective suppliers in the market.

“We are confident that our partnership with Alsons Power will help us achieve our business goals and sustainability aspirations. Partnering with Alsons Power is the right choice given its strong and trusted reputation for providing reliable and affordable electricity in its three decades in the energy industry,” said Holcim Philippines Senior Vice President and Head of Supply Chain Edwin Villas.

Alsons Power, through its subsidiary Alsons Power Supply Corporation, has officially entered the Retail Competition and Open Access (RCOA) market following the program's launch in Mindanao earlier this year.

With a diversified power portfolio, Alsons Power assures its RES partners of consistent and dependable electricity. The Alcantara-led power business unit offers affordable power supply options tailored to the specific needs of its customers and designed to reduce costs. Additionally, RES customers will have access to a wide range of value-added services, including energy management, energy audits, and other supportive measures to help enhance efficiency and performance.

“We are delighted to announce Holcim Philippines as our inaugural partner for our retail electricity supply service. Leveraging our extensive expertise and robust power portfolio, we are fully committed to powering Holcim Philippines as they continue to advance the country’s progress through their world-class construction and building solutions,” said Alsons Power Chief Executive Officer Antonio Miguel B. Alcantara. “This partnership with Holcim marks a great start for our RES business. We are eager to provide a reliable and affordable power supply to other industries and businesses as we continue to grow our RES portfolio.”

The Alcantara Group has maintained a long-standing relationship with Holcim since 1968, beginning with a partnership in the cement industry. In 1998, Alsons Power entered into a power supply arrangement with Holcim’s cement plant in Vietnam. Further strengthening their relationship, Holcim Philippines tapped Alsons Power in 2013 to provide emergency power supply to their Lugait and Davao plants.

With its successful RES deal with Holcim Philippines, Alsons Power looks forward to collaborating with other industry players, particularly in the Visayas region, where power supply is forecasted to be in short supply next year.

Alsons Power operates four power facilities with a combined capacity of 468 megawatts, serving over eight million people in the Southern Philippines. The Group is actively expanding its renewable energy portfolio, with several solar and hydropower projects at various stages of development. Currently, Alsons Power is gearing up for the commercial launch of its first foray into the renewable energy landscape—the 14.5-megawatt Siguil Hydro Power Plant in Maasim, Sarangani.

Over 2,000 Batanes LGU workers are now SSS members under the KaSSSangga Collect Program

Wazzup Pilipinas!?



The Social Security System (SSS) said that over 2,000 job order (JO) workers of the Provincial Local Government (PLGU) of Batanes will now have social security protection under the KaSSSangga Collect Program (KCP) after Batanes becomes the newest implementer of the program.

SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Rolando Ledesma Macasaet and Batanes Governor Marilou H. Cayco inked a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) that allows the provincial government’s JO workers to get social security coverage from SSS under the KCP.


“This only shows SSS is committed to its mandate of expanding social security protection and services to all working Filipinos up to the last mile provinces in the Philippines like Batanes,” Macasaet said.


Macasaet explained that under the KCP, PLGU’s JO workers will be registered as SSS self-employed members. At the same time, PLGU Batanes will serve as the SSS collecting partner, who shall collect the contributions of the JO workers through a salary deduction scheme and remit them to the SSS.


“The timely remittance of monthly premiums will ensure that JO workers are qualified to avail of SSS benefits and loan privileges in times of emergencies,” Macasaet said.


He explained that JO workers, as self-employed members, could avail of SSS benefits like sickness, maternity, disability, retirement, death, and funeral. “They can also avail of loan privileges such as salary and calamity loans.”


In addition to SSS benefits, he added that they are entitled to receive Employees’ Compensation (EC) benefits in case of work-connected sickness, injury, or death.

New Protocols for Acne Scar Treatment Promise Precise and Consistent Results

New protocols for acne scars offer precise, individualised treatment for better results. Sozo Aesthetic Clinic provides solutions that transform skin health and boost self-confidence.

Acne scars have long been a challenging issue for those seeking clear, smooth skin. These scars, often the remnants of severe acne, can significantly impact a person’s self-esteem and quality of life. Traditional treatments have varied in effectiveness, leading many to learn to live with these marks. However, recent protocols to treat acne scars are set to change this narrative.

Acne scars come in various forms, including rolling, boxcars, and icepick scars. Each type of scar presents different challenges, requiring targeted approaches for effective treatment. Historically, a one-size-fits-all method has often failed to deliver the desired results, leaving patients disheartened. The updated protocols now offer a more precise and individualised treatment plan, significantly improving outcomes.

The key to this lies in the comprehensive array of lasers and procedures now available. These tools are meticulously chosen to address the specific needs of each type of acne scar, ensuring optimal results for every patient.

These protocols are set to make waves in the dermatological community as soon as possible. They represent a significant leap forward, providing solutions that many believed were out of reach. This development not only addresses the physical appearance of scars but also offers a considerable boost in confidence and quality of life for patients.

"Say goodbye to your acne scars!" — resonates as a powerful statement reflecting the potential of these new treatments. By targeting the root of the problem with precision, patients no longer need to feel burdened by their scars, which extend beyond the physical. The ability to significantly improve these scars offers an emotional and psychological uplift, enhancing overall well-being. Instead, they can look forward to clearer skin and a renewed sense of self-assurance. It is possible for acne scar improvements even up to 90%!

Sozo Aesthetic Clinic provides effective acne scar treatments that include various advanced methods, such as lasers, radiofrequency microneedling, chemical peels, TCA CROSS, and subcision with dermal fillers.

Laser treatments like Fractional CO2, Fraxel Dual, Pico lasers, and Pulse-dye lasers use focused light beams to break down scar tissue and stimulate collagen production, improving skin texture and reducing scar visibility.

Moreover, technologies like INFINI (radiofrequency microneedling) combines microneedling and RF energy to enhance collagen and elastin production, while chemical peels and TCA CROSS target overactive sebaceous glands and ice-pick scars. Subcision with dermal fillers releases fibrous tissue beneath the skin, and fillers elevate and even out depressions. Each treatment offers different benefits that a patient can look forward to.

For more information, visit Sozo Aesthetic Clinic at 1 Raffles Place #05-12/13, One Raffles Place (Shopping Mall), Singapore 048616. They can also be reached at ask@sozoclinic.sg or contact 6935 1811 and via WhatsApp at 9610 5102.

About Sozo Aesthetic Clinic

Sozo Aesthetic Clinic is a Medical Aesthetics & Hair Clinic with forward-thinking experts who embrace new technology to improve patient outcomes. Sozo is one of the earliest clinic in Singapore and South-East Asia to offer Lutronic’s PicoPlus, a multi-wavelength Picosecond laser, experts in Regenera Activa – regenerative medicine’s answer to hair loss. And offers one of the most comprehensive range of Acne Scar treatments in the region.

This press release has also been published on VRITIMES