DOE Asks NAPOCOR to Work for Total Electrification

LEVEL UP: Speaking on behalf of DOE Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi during the National Power Corporation’s (NAPOCOR) 81st Anniversary, Usec. William Felix Fuentebella challenged the power firm to further raise the bar of excellence, stepping up their performance to ensure the delivery of quality, reliable and affordable electricity services, especially to far-flung off-grid areas.

Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi urged the National Power Corporation (NAPOCOR) on Monday to work for a more stable and affordable power supply as the government moves for the total electrification of the country, specially the far-flung communities.

Cusi made the exhortation through Energy Undersecretary Wimpy Fuentebella who represented the DOE chief on the occasion of NAPOCOR’s 81st anniversary celebration held at the NPC building in Quezon City.

Cusi stressed that the Duterte administration wants to provide power to all of the remote, underserved or unserved areas in the Philippines.

“In serving the country’s peripheries, the NPC must double its efforts to lower electricity prices, achieve stable power supply and enhance the resilience of electric power infrastructures to ensure continued growth,” Fuentebella said.

During the NAPOCOR anniversary program, the Missionary Electrification Development Plan (MEDP) was highlighted as the DOE’s vision and ‎‎2016-2020 roadmap for off-grid power development projects.

With the National Electrification Administration (NEA), NAPOCOR will move to provide resilient, reliable and high-quality electricity services to off-grid provinces in the country.

“All these require the re-thinking of our current electric power infrastructure,” said Fuentebella, who batted for the introduction of innovative and emerging technologies.

During the celebration, NAPOCOR President Pio J. Benavidez turned over to the DOE a copy of ‎‎‎‎2018-2022 National Power Corporation Missionary Electrification Plan (MEP ‎‎‎2018-2022) which forms a major part of the MEDP.

The rationalization of the Universal Charge for Missionary Electrification (UC-ME) should make the power industry in off-grid areas more self-reliant and less dependent on subsidies in the long run, said the DOE official.

“I understand that there is so much to be done. But looking ahead, all this would mean that the country’s rural communities would be in a far better position than they are today,” Fuentebella said.
       
The DOE underscored the role NAPOCOR plays in the energy sector’s total electrification goal as mandated under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) of 2001.

Due to the influx of new economic activities and eco-tourism in off-grid provinces, additional power supply is needed to be consistent with the government’s objective of bringing economic development in these areas, the DOE concluded.

Sebastian Castro and Fifth Solomon Encourage Your Squad to Know Your HIV Status

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The LoveYourself, Inc. redefines its semi-annual community-based HIV screening day by extending loving oneself to also taking care of friends with its new campaign, the #LoveSquad.

“We chose LoveSquad for this HIV screening day, because it is always better to have friends supporting one another, especially to potentially life changing events in their lives, like knowing one’s HIV status,” said LoveYourself, Inc. Executive Director Ronivin G. Pagtakhan.

This year’s #LoveSquad is led by Blued ambassador Sebastian Castro and Fifth Solomon, who urge groups and individuals to know their HIV status.

LoveYourself also encourages all fitness buffs, jet-setters, bookworms, and all lovers of life out there to #LoveSquad on 26 November 2017 (Sunday) at Victoria Court Malate as it offers a fast, easy, and totally anonymous HIV screening day.

The event starts from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and interested clients should register at go.loveyourself.ph/lovesquad.

Pagtakhan pointed out, “The objective of #LoveSquad is to reach out to key-affected populations like the youth to promote HIV screening as a regular part of one’s self-care routine and of course, to remove its stigma.”

Targeting the millenials and beyond, #LoveSquad is LoveYourself’s response to the growing number of HIV cases in this age bracket.

According to the Department of Health-Epidemiology Bureau data, a total of 1,013 individuals were diagnosed in June, to which twenty-seven (27) years old is the median age. In particular, the age group 25-34 years old composed the half of the newly diagnosed individuals with HIV and about 32% were aged 15-24 years old.

LoveYourself’s army of trained counselors will assist clients as they undergo HIV screening and the results will only take up to 15-20 minutes.

On results reliability, #LoveSquad will use the 3rd generation rapid test kits for its accuracy as previously tested.

The #LoveSquad is also LoveYourself’s contribution to the commemoration of World AIDS Day, apart from its major participation in holding the first Love Gala -the Asia’s Premier and Awards Gala which also cover the pioneer Ripple Awards for outstanding HIV and AIDS movers in the Philippines and Asia.

#LoveSquad is supported by DOH- Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc., Blued, Victoria Court, and Save the Children.

For more details on #LoveSquad and other LoveYourself’s services, individuals may visit the group’s official website at www.loveyourself.ph or follow and like its social media channels: Facebook- @loveyourself.ph, Twitter- @loveyourselfph, and Instagram- @loveyourself.ph.

LoveYourself has two established community-based clinics - LoveYourself Anglo along Shaw and LoveYourself Uni in Taft-Buendia. Both clinics are open every Wednesdays to Saturdays from 12:00 nn -7:00 p.m., and Sundays at 9:00 a.m.-2:00p.m.

Plan International Philippines Partners with the Department of Education to Implement Flexible Learning Programs

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Non-profit organization Plan International, through a continuous partnership with the Department of Education, is guiding more than 18,000 girls and boys to have access to quality education and essential life skills needed for a better future.

In July 2013, Plan International, with support from Dubai Cares[1], started the Real Assets through Improved Skills and Education for Children Girls (RAISE) program in the Philippines to address the challenges faced by disadvantaged children and youth in accessing quality education and developing essential life skills.

It began in the provinces of Northern Samar and Masbate, which both remained to be among the poorest provinces in the country with a poverty incidence of 43.5 percent and 40.6 percent[2], respectively.

Targeting the underserved children and youth demographic, particularly girls aged 10 to 19 years old, the program aimed to support their completion of primary and secondary education, and contribute to the reduction of the dropout rate in the two provinces.