PBBM appoints Innovation Leader Mike Planas as new PHLPost Chairman

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The Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) welcomed the appointment of Hon. Mike Planas as their new head as Chairman of the Board of Directors. President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. appointed the seasoned public servant and former councilor of Quezon City last May 2024.

The new PHLPost chair is committed to revitalize and upgrade the country's postal service and to lead in its journey towards digital transformation. Under his leadership, PHLPost is envisioned to expand to other business lines such as e-commerce, warehouse facilities and logistics for PHLPost to better meet the evolving demands of the Filipino public.

“Pakinggan natin ang kailangan ng mga Pilipino, and let’s serve them with gravitas.”

He aims to implement it through fostering effective collaboration among PHLPost officials, employees and stakeholders.

The restoration of the Post Office Building is also part of his agenda as the new chair and he is in full support of the efforts to rebuild the iconic building.

Chairman Planas served as multi-term councilor in Quezon City, and former Consultant to the United Nations FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) and created FLAG, the legislative arm of the FAO, adopted worldwide.

He was an alumnus of the University of the Philippines Diliman (UP) BA in Philosophy major in Mathematics with UP College of Law credits. He studied Campaign Management at the prestigious American University, Washington D.C, a leader among universities in global education. He took up Masters in Public Administration in University of Batangas and Asian Institute of Management (AIM) major in Development Management.

He is the current President of the Rotary Club of Quezon City Circle and Chairman of the Quezon City Councilors Foundation Inc. , QCCFI.He is also a National Movement of Young Legislators Alumni, Founding Member, Secretary General and Vice Chairman.
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Energy Think Tank Debuts ‘Watts Up’ University Roadshow to Tackle PH Energy Challenges

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In line with the pressing energy issues in the country, the Center for Energy Research and Policy (CERP) has recently launched the first run of its educational roadshow 'Watts Up: CERP Sparks Energy Dialogue', at the University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD). The event facilitated meaningful dialogue to empower students to shape the future of energy in the country, especially amidst prevalent yellow and red alerts.

The Center for Energy Research and Policy (CERP) launched the first run of its educational roadshow 'Watts Up: CERP Sparks Energy Dialogue' last June 03, 2024, at the University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD). The event facilitated meaningful dialogue on pressing energy issues to empower students to shape the future of energy in the country, especially amidst prevalent yellow and red alerts.

The Department of Energy National Total Electrification Roadmap 2023-2032 report reveals that 8.9 percent of Filipino households, which is equivalent to 2.5 million households, have no access to electricity. Moreover, the Philippines grapples with one of the most expensive power rates in the ASEAN region according to a 2020 study. Atty. Noel Baga, co-convenor of CERP, emphasized the need to prioritize the development of indigenous energy sources, provide energy subsidies to consumers, and allow foreign participation in the energy sector to alleviate the high electricity prices burdening Filipino households.

"Almost 60% of our power supply is from coal, and about 81% of this coal is imported. This is both more costly and less secure," Atty. Baga said. “We have many bills currently pending in the Senate and House to encourage more local and foreign investments in the energy sector, and we must continue to diversify our energy sources,” he added.

Meanwhile, CERP co-convenor and UPD Head of the Laboratory of Electrochemical Engineering (LEE) in the Department of Chemical Engineering Dr. Joey Ocon, illustrated how different energy sources have varying degrees of affordability, sustainability, reliability, and modernity through the “unfortunate tetrahedron” framework, whereby not all factors can be positively reached by a single energy source.

“Balancing the tradeoffs between conventional, renewable, and nuclear energy sources is crucial,” emphasized Dr. Ocon. “There is no silver bullet to developing a sustainable and reliable energy strategy. Each option has its pros and cons,” he noted.

Dr. Ocon also shared that the Philippines scores low in self-sufficiency due to heavy dependence on imported sources. He recommends strictly implementing energy laws, boosting generation capacity, enhancing transmission infrastructure, and streamlining distribution networks to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all, aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 7.

During the Q&A, Atty. Noel Baga and Dr. Joey Ocon further discussed the importance of increasing power supply and streamlining grid interconnections to respond to yellow and red alerts. Atty. Baga underscored the necessity of required reserve power supplies for each sub-region and attracting more investors to the power generation sector.

The discussion then shifted to the Philippines' role in combating climate change. A student asked, "Would transitioning to fully renewable energy in the Philippines significantly mitigate climate change?" Dr. Ocon responded, "Not significantly. We contribute less than 1% of global emissions despite having 1.4% of the world's population. Yet, as a vulnerable archipelago, we must still lead by example.”

Another student inquired about expanding coal and gas power plants. Dr. Ocon explained, "Globally, the impact would be minimal. But our decisions can't be based solely on global metrics. It’s crucial to balance our country's unique needs for affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy."

The UPD roadshow marks the beginning of CERP's efforts to engage Filipino youth in the current energy crisis. CERP is extending this initiative to other universities to broaden student engagement. Through initiatives like these and the dissemination of well-researched findings, CERP aims to urge our leaders to address pressing energy issues and take decisive action.

The Center for Energy Research and Policy is a think tank dedicated to developing a resilient energy landscape for the Philippines, with Atty. Noel M. Baga and Dr. Joey D. Ocon as its convenors. Anchored in inclusivity, CERP unites experts and advocates to foster participatory governance and provides actionable insights on energy development, thereby ensuring efficient, affordable, and sustainable power for the country.

The Impact of Weather on Flight Safety and How Airlines Prepare

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There’s no question that safety is the highest priority for airlines worldwide. Every decision made, every protocol followed, and every piece of technology developed aims to ensure that passengers reach their destinations safely. Pilots even enroll in quality pilot schools that offer excellent pilot training in the Philippines, USA, Australia, Canada, or anywhere in the world, to hone their skills to manage the complexities of air travel and ensure that every flight is as secure as possible. 

However, despite these efforts, certain flight conditions can significantly impact flight safety and present substantial challenges to pilots. Among these, inclement weather conditions stand out as a major factor that can complicate the task of flying. Weather is an uncontrollable variable, and airlines can only do so much to influence it. Yet, airlines aren’t passive in the face of these challenges, as they have comprehensive preparation strategies on how to mitigate the risks posed by adverse weather. 

Let’s explore some of the preparations that airlines undertake to navigate these challenges to keep their passengers and crew safe even when nature throws its worst at them.

Pre-Flight Planning and Briefing

Before each flight, meticulous planning and briefing sessions are conducted to ensure that the crew is well-prepared for the journey ahead. Part of this preparation involves analyzing weather forecasts and assessing potential hazards along the planned route. 

Pilots, along with the airline's operations team, carefully review meteorological data to anticipate any adverse weather conditions that may affect the flight. They also discuss the latest weather updates, including forecasts for departure, en route, and arrival airports. Evaluating the severity of any weather systems in the vicinity helps determine the best course of action to navigate around or through them safely.

Constant Weather Monitoring

Weather conditions can change rapidly, especially during flight. To stay ahead of these changes and ensure the safety of passengers and crew, airlines employ sophisticated weather monitoring systems. 

These systems provide real-time updates on weather patterns, including thunderstorms, turbulence, icing conditions, and low visibility. Pilots continuously monitor weather radar displays and receive regular updates from air traffic control regarding atmospheric conditions along their route. This constant vigilance allows them to anticipate and respond to weather-related challenges promptly, minimizing the risks associated with inclement weather and ensuring a safer travel experience for everyone on board.

Establish Clear Communications with Air Traffic Control

Effective communication between pilots and air traffic control (ATC) is essential for safe flight operations, especially when navigating through challenging weather conditions. Pilots rely on ATC to provide them with timely updates on weather developments and to assist with route adjustments if necessary. During flights, pilots maintain regular contact with ATC regarding weather advisories, updates on air traffic flow, and instructions for navigating around weather systems. ATC controllers, on the other hand, coordinate flight diversions or changes in altitude to avoid severe weather.

Clear and concise communication between pilots and ATC is crucial. It ensures that all parties involved are aware of the latest weather conditions and can collaborate effectively to mitigate any potential risks to flight safety.

Regular Aircraft Maintenance and Inspections

In addition to weather-related factors, ensuring the safety of flights also requires a comprehensive approach to aircraft maintenance and inspections. Airlines adhere to strict maintenance schedules to keep their aircraft in optimal condition, as this maximizes their chances of withstanding various weather conditions. Routine inspections conducted by trained maintenance personnel help identify and address any potential issues before they escalate into safety hazards.

This includes checking critical components such as engines, landing gear, avionics systems, and weather-related equipment like de-icing mechanisms. Through regular maintenance and inspections, airlines can enhance the reliability and safety of their aircraft, reducing the likelihood of weather-related incidents and ensuring a smoother travel experience for passengers.

Flight Diversions

In cases where adverse weather conditions pose a significant threat to flight safety, pilots may opt to divert the aircraft to an alternate airport. While flight diversions may inconvenience passengers and disrupt travel plans, they’re necessary to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone on board.

Flight diversions are a precautionary measure taken to avoid flying through hazardous weather systems or landing in airports experiencing severe weather conditions. When deciding to divert a flight, pilots assess various factors, including the severity and duration of adverse weather, fuel reserves, and the availability of suitable alternate airports. Airline operations teams will also work closely with pilots to identify appropriate diversion airports and coordinate logistical arrangements for the unplanned landing. Once the plan is in place, pilots will inform their passengers and communicate the reason forthe flight diversion.

Cancel or Delay Flights

In some instances, airlines may choose to cancel or delay flights due to forecasted or existing adverse weather conditions. This decision is made with the safety of passengers and crew as the primary consideration. Weather-related flight cancellations or delays are often communicated to passengers through various channels, including airline websites, mobile apps, and customer service representatives.

Airlines strive to keep passengers informed and assist them in rebooking flights or arranging alternative transportation options whenever possible. By preemptively canceling or delaying flights, airlines avoid putting aircraft in potentially dangerous situations and provide passengers with advance notice to make alternate travel arrangements.

Despite the challenges posed by inclement weather conditions, airlines will always prioritize the safety and well-being of passengers and crew above all else. With these safety measures in place, airlines can mitigate the risks associated with adverse weather and ensure a safe travel experience for everyone on board.