MCIA issues updated protocols for arriving international passengers

MINERVA BC NEWMAN

LAPULAPU CITY – Starting February 01 all international passengers arriving at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) shall observe updated arrival protocols per resolutions 96 and 97 of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID).

For all types of passengers, MCIA reminds travelers to complete the online MCIA Passenger Arrival Registration Form via https://mactancebuairport.com/covid-19-registration within five days before the scheduled arrival date at MCIA.

Take note of the Barcode/Travel Reference Number (TRN) sent to your email address upon completion of the form.  Passengers must adherence to the mandatory RT-PCR swab testing on the 5th day from the arrival date at MCIA.

For OFWs, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) shall shoulder the cost of quarantine facility and swab test upon arrival. 

For non-OFW Filipinos and foreign nationals, the following required arrangements are shouldered by the passengers:

·         A minimum of seven (7) days hotel booking confirmation at accredited hotels. For the list of accredited hotels, click here or visit https://bit.ly/MCIAAccreditedHotels.

·         RT-PCR swab test cost of P4,100.00 paid upon arrival or pre-paid

·         Step-by-step Arrival Guide

Prior to arrival, fill out the following forms distributed by the airline crew while on flight: Health Declaration Form and Immigration Arrival Card.  Upon arrival passengers must undergo required briefing by the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ).

Once briefing is done, proceed to the Validation Counter and present the following: Barcode/Travel Reference Number (TRN), Passport, Boarding Pass, Health Declaration Form. Keep the printed barcode until the date of your scheduled swab test.

Proceed to thermal scanning by the BOQ and to the Immigration counter for clearance and submit Immigration Arrival Card.

Proceed to the designated counters at the Arrival Reclaim Hall: For OFWs: OWWA Counter for hotel accommodation assignment and for non-OFW Filipinos and foreign nationals, go to the Cashier counter for payment of swab test, PHP and Visa card are accepted. For other currencies, proceed to the foreign exchange counter at the arrivals area.

Proceed to assigned reclaim belt to claim baggage.

Proceed to the designated waiting area and wait for a representative from the respective agencies for Customs clearance: OWWA for OFWs; Accredited hotel representatives for returning non-OFW Filipinos and foreign nationals.

Proceed to Customs counter for clearance.

Proceed to the designated vehicle with the respective agency representative for hotel or quarantine accommodation drop-off.

On swab test date scheduled five (5) days from the arrival date, passengers must submit the printed barcode to the medical personnel then undergo swab testing that will be performed at the designated quarantine facility.

Test results are released within 24-48 hours via the email address provided in the online registration form.

If swab test result is positive, BOQ will coordinate with the passenger for specific instructions. The passenger must comply with the mandated health, safety, and treatment protocols of the DOH and BOQ.

If swab test result is negative, the passenger will receive the test result via email from the BOQ.

For inquiries on test result, please contact the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) via boq@gmcac.ph or call (032) 494-7000, 7688 to 7690.

If swab test result is negative, coordinate with the LGU for further instructions on transport and completion of the remainder of the 14-day quarantine.  Passengers may coordinate with the LGUs for pick up or arrange own transportation depending on the instructions of the LGU.

 Pre-payment instructions for swab test

Pre-payment of swab test for non-OFW Filipinos and foreign nationals is encouraged to facilitate smooth process upon arrival.  To pre-pay for the swab testing, follow the steps:

1.     After completing your online registration and once you receive your barcode/TRN, pay at least 48 hours before your scheduled arrival date.

2.    The following are the available payment methods: Bank Transfer or Direct Deposits (Indicate the passenger’s full name and arrival date in the details/notes section)

United Coconut Planters Bank (UCPB) – SM City Cebu Branch

            Account Name:                     PRIME CARE CEBU

            Account Number:     00-318-1044-220

            Swift Code:                UCPBPHMM

3.    Money Remittance Centers:

Palawan, Cebuana Lhuillier, M Lhuillier, LBC, Western Union, etc.

Payee: Janna Ragas

4.    Other methods

Prime Care Medical Clinic located at APM Mall, across SM City Cebu, North Reclamation Area, Cebu City

Once payment is done, fill out the Prime Care Prepayment Form via bit.ly/PrimeCarePrepayment. Present the prepayment confirmation at the Cashier Counter upon arrival. Cash and credit card are also accepted to process payment.

Passengers are strongly advised to continuously monitor the status of their flights and ensure that they have the necessary documents in compliance with the regulations of the local government of their point of origin and place of destination, the advisory read.

 

 

 

 

DENR orders closure of all open dumpsites in PH by March 2021

MINERVA BC NEWMAN

CEBU CITY –- Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) secretary Roy Cimatu has ordered the officials of the agency’s Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) to step-up all efforts and strictly enforce laws against open dumpsites nationwide as they are prohibited under Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000. 

“All open dumpsites must be closed by the end of March this year.” Cimatu issued this nationwide directive in his message on January 26 in celebration of the 20^th anniversary of RA-9003.

According to Engr. Cindylyn Pepito, chief of the Environmental Education and Information Unit of EMB7 that in compliance with Cimatu’s directive, DENR-EMB-7 under the leadership of regional executive director (RED) Paquito Melicor Jr., and regional director (RD) Lormelyn Claudio organized a seminar on “Capacity Development on Environmental Laws and LGUs’ Compliance to RA 9003 For the Local Government Units for Negros Oriental” on January 28-30, 2021.

The event was participated by the three congressmen of the Province of Negros Oriental with all the Municipal Mayors and Department Heads within their respective districts to discuss thoroughly the current state of the province’s solid waste management and proper disposal of garbage.

DENR Undersecretary for Solid Waste Management and Local Government Units Concerns Benny Antiporda joined the activity via video conferencing and said in his message that DENR is doing its best to help the LGUs in maintaining good environment in their areas.  “With your cooperation, expect the best from us. We will help you,” Antiporda said.

This is the open dumpsite  located at Barangay Calindagan in Dumaguete City

The seminar according to Pepito presented financial mechanism schemes for all LGUs to have ideas on how they can comprehensively establish their Solid Waste Management (SWM) facilities. 

Private waste management service providers also presented different technologies to give options for the LGUs on proper SWM with the different types of waste generated in the household level.

Cease-and-Desist or Closure Orders (CDOs) will be issued to all municipalities in Central Visayas that will continue to operate open dumpsites.   

Pepito said that DENR-EMB7 simultaneously padlocked two open dumpsites located at Barangay Luyang in Carmen in Cebu and in Barangay Kamonggayan, Catungawan Sur in Guindulman town in Bohol on January 25.

Pepito added that the issuance of the CDOs meant that the disposal of any type of garbage or waste is no longer allowed at the dumpsite and any person or entity who shall act in contravention of the closure order shall be liable to the law and eventually cases will be filed against them. (Photos: EMB7 & Syril Repe FB post)

 

 

 

Miss Universe Philippines 3rd Runner-up Pauline Amelinckx at Ubi Festival in Bohol

 LOOK: Miss Universe Philippines 3rd Runner-up Pauline Amelinckx urges everyone to eat Bohol's delicious Ubi root crop and help farmers as she graced the opening of the month-long 21st Bohol Ubi Festival at the old Tagbilaran City airport Monday, January 25.

Amelinckx was named the Miss Universe Philippines Ambassador for Tourism, a title that blends with the Ubi festival, promoted as a farm tourism.

The Boholana stunner from Tubigon visited Gov. Arthur Yap at Capitol to thank him for "supporting her before, during and after the pageant."

Amelinckx turned over to the provincial government the Filipiniana gown she wore in the grandest Philippine beauty competition.  She was accompanied to the Capitol by Boholano fashion designer Mikee Andrei and Fr. Val Pinlac, who chairs the Bohol Arts and Cultural Heritage Council (BACHC). (Photos: PRIMER/Ven Arigo)

 

Bohol presents its BFP elite marine fire force

MINERVA BC NEWMAN

BOHOL Province—The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Bohol presented to governor Arthur Yap on January 27 the newly formed 18-man elite marine firefighters who completed the training and now considered the newly-activated, highly-skilled Bureau of Fire Protection- Marine Fire Search and Rescue Force (BFP-MFSRF) based at the Fire Substation in Lourdes, Panglao in Bohol Province.

BFP Provincial Fire Marshall CInsp. Raul Bustalino said that the group is ready for emergency dispatch as they are trained for highly technical cases; the specialized unit men are skilled in water, underwater, even high angle and mountain searches and rescues, among others.

According to Ven Arigo of the Provincial Information and Media Relations (PRIMER) office that during the presentation event, Bustalino also bared to governor Yap the program and plans of the BFP in Bohol including some of its urgent issues and concerns.  He said that the BFP here still needs funds for additional equipment that can better enable the unit.

Bustalino added that there are still four town in the province that have no fire stations namely; Danao, San Miguel, Duero and Lila and additional fire stations in the province that need to be built.

Arigo went on that the BFP-Bohol chief asked the governor to help the bureau in reaching out to the national government to fast track the release of funds for the fire stations which Yap committed to lobby particularly with the highest command of the BFP and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Yap congratulated the new elite firefighters during the "new year's call" led by the Provincial Fire Marshall and its unit head, Insp. Ben Lopez. (Photos: PRIMER/Ven Arigo)

 

 

MCIA gets ACI airport health accreditation

MINERVA BC NEWMAN

LAPULAPU CITY – The Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) has just received accreditation from the  Airports Council International-Airport Health Accreditation (ACI-AHA) in recognition of the health and safety measures implemented in Terminals 1 & 2 which met the global airport standards such as the ACI Aviation Business Restart and Recovery guidelines; ICAO Council Aviation Restart Task Force (CART) recommendations, as well as other industry best practices.

With this accreditation, MCIA is now recognized as one of the airports globally driving best industry practices for safe travel during the pandemic. The Airport Health Accreditation Certification was awarded to MCIA on January 26, 2021.

 According to Louie Ferrer, President of GMR MEGAWIDE Cebu Airport Corporation (GMCAC), private operator of MCIA that safety is the number one priority at MCIA, especially during this health crisis and GMCAC is committed to implement and deliver best practices in the airport industry, particularly concerning the health and safety of our passengers, staff, and public.

“This health crisis is one that all airport stakeholders and all Filipinos should address, and we are thankful to our partners at MCIA for making safety their number one priority,” Ferrer added.

Airports Council International (ACI) is a global body representing the world’s airport authorities and airports’ interests with governments and international organizations, developing standards, policies, and recommended practices for airports.

Ferrer went on that the benefits of the ACI Airport Health Accreditation proves that MCIA has demonstrated to passengers, staff, regulators, and government that it prioritizes health and safety in a measurable, established manner.

It also validated its own measures throughout the facilities and processes thereby reassuring the travelling public that professional excellence is being implemented to maintain safe hygienic facilities, and it promoted best practices and aligns efforts across the industry to ensure harmonization between ICAO global guidance and industry implementation, MCIA press statement said.

Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA) officer-in-charge Atty. Glenn Napuli bared that the ACI Airport Health Accreditation only confirms that we are on the right track in implementing appropriate health and safety programs in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Napuli added that this motivates them to work harder to serve the public better as their efforts are being recognized. 

GMCAC head of Safety, Quality and Environment John Binamira acknowledged the efforts and contribution of MCIAA, GMCAC and all airport community Stakeholders in getting this certification, he added that they played major roles through their respective procedures which combined to become the total safe travel experience through MCIA.

 “Without the efforts of our community Stakeholders, this success would not have been possible,” Binamira said.  MCIA airport community stakeholders will continue to work together to strengthen public health and safety in its operations, he added. (Photos: MCIA Files)

For Better Connectivity in Bohol

LOOK: Bohol governor  Arthur Yap meets and discusses with Globe and Smart/PLDT representatives on the need for more cell sites, especially in the interior towns, at the Capitol on Tuesday. 

Connectivity was also raised by both the education and security sectors, underscoring ways to fast track the construction of additional cell sites. They identified many areas with slow internet while exploring solutions to drop calls and dead spots through advanced technologies to meet communication requirements. 

In the governor's meeting are Jose Luis Vazquez and David Bautista from Globe; Maryknoll Romerde and Engr. Marino Romerde from Smart; and Edsel Cuasito from PLDT. 

Also present are Board Member Aldner Damalerio, chairman of the SP Committee on ICT;  Dr. Liza Quirog, Office of the Provincial Agriculturist; and Provincial Budget Officer Peter Retutal. 

Yap thanked the telecommunication companies for their continued significant rollout of services in Bohol despite the COVID-19 challenges. The governor also met the telco people last year. (Photos: PRIMER)

DSWD-7 disburses over P22.4B in various aids benefitting over 4.553M families in C.Visayas in 2020

MINERVA BC NEWMAN

CEBU CITY – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-7)-Field Office VII has disbursed more than 22.430-Billion under its various programs and financial assistance that benefitted more than 4,553,956 families, individuals and senior citizens in Central Visayas in 2020.

DSWD-7 regional director Rebecca Geamala said that despite the pandemic in 2020, the DSWD here has stood true to its mandate, serving with love, and commitment and continued to implement its various social protection programs and services to the less fortunate people in the region.

According to DSWD-7 regional information officer Leah Quintana that some of the priority programs the agency implemented include the Emergency Cash Subsidy under the Social Amelioration program (SAP); Pantawid Pamilya (4Ps) cash and livelihood grants; Kapit-Bisig CIDSS projects; Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens and various relief goods and family food packs during calamities and disasters.

Quintana went on that for the Emergency Cash Subsidy under the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) has disbursed to local government units (LGUs) in the region some P12.3B; P7.7 Billion for its 1^st tranche the benefitted 3,000,000 families and P4.6-Billion for its 2^nd tranche for 644,138 families.

These funds were provided for under Republic Act 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Law which targeted low-income families or workers in the informal economy assessed to be the most affected by the declaration of the community quarantine, Quintana added.

The Department also implemented the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act or the Bayanihan 2 in the last quarter of 2020 as the agency’s response and recovery intervention to the COVID-19 pandemic and has continued the conduct of payouts this 2021, Quintana also said.

Quintana bared that under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), the DSWD-7 has given P5.6-Billion cash grants to 277,378 active households and P236-Million funds for its livelihood support fund grants through the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) to 29,077 families and individuals.

Meanwhile, under the Kapit Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS), Quintana bared that the program has funded 731 completed sub-projects in 633 barangays in the region with a budget of more than Php 1.5-Billion.

“Some of these sub-projects are isolation centers, telecommunication equipment, and cash for work scheme,” Quintana added.

Quintana also bared that through its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) the DSWD-7 had served 325,651 clients in the region for educational, medical, transportation, burial, and food and non-food assistance amounting to Php 984 million in 2020.

To help augment the daily subsistence and medical needs of indigent senior citizens, the Department had distributed the cash stipend under the Social Pension Program for Indigent Senior Citizens that benefited 277,712 indigent senior citizens in the region with a total disbursed funds of 1.6-Billion, Quintana added.

The Department also monitored disasters, prepositioned family food packs (FFPs) in the provinces to ensure ample resources for disaster-affected families; mobilized quick response teams (QRTs) and provided augmentation support to the local government units (LGUs) in Central Visayas.

It has distributed family food packs and non-food items with a total cost of assistance of more than Php 210 million last year.

Aside from SAP, promotive programs, AICS, social pension and disaster response, the agency also continued to implement various interventions through the implementation of supplementary feeding program, alternative family care program, residential and non-residential care program among others, Quintana said.

According to Geamala this 2021, the Department marks its 70th anniversary and will continue to live up to its main brand of service which is prompt and compassionate service.

“The year 2020 has brought us to learn more in serving. I believe that DSWD is a second to none agency in helping the poor, socially and economically. I pray that this 2021, DSWD-7 staff will feel the sacred responsibility of loving and caring for our less fortunate brethren,” Geamala stated.

Geamala concluded that DSWD continues to become a haven of rest for those who are bombarded with issues in life, and for people to feel that there is a government agency that they can run to and trust. (Photos: DSWD-7/Kerwin Macopia)

 

 

 

 

 

PH, Hungary to roll our ‘Zone of Peace Dev’t project’ in Negros Oriental

MINERVA BC NEWMAN

NEGROS ORIENTAL— The Philippine and Hungarian governments in a partnership agreement will roll out the “Tamlang Valley Zone of Peace, Integrity, and Development Project” in Tamlang Valley, Siaton town in Negros Oriental in different phases from 2021 to 2024.

The proposed development project in Tamlang Valley is expected to bring infrastructure and institutional developments and enhanced delivery of social services in the province that involve two major components--agricultural development and social service and enterprise development, according to Provincial Agriculture Program Coordinating Officer (APCO) Sarah Perocho of the Department of Agriculture (DA) in a Kapihan sa Philippine Information Agency (PIA) here Tuesday.

The Government of Hungary has committed $100-M for the project, Perocho bared. The Tamlang Valley has a total land area of 20,000 hectares, but the project targets to develop around 4,000 hectares. The Valley covers the towns of Sta. Catalina, Siaton, Valencia, Sibulan, and Pamplona, Perocho added.

The PIA-Negros Oriental reported that under the agricultural development component, projects are focused on infrastructure including construction of roads and bridges, institutional development, and environmental protection while the second component will establish low-cost housing, hospitals, and recreation centers.

The Tamlang Valley Zone of Peace development project will be implemented by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA-7), the Provincial Government of Negros Oriental, and the Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NOCCI) with the goal of ending the insurgency problem in the area, the PIA said.

The target area to be developed initially is 4,000 hectares. NOCCI already submitted a concept paper to the Hungarian Government. The ambassador of Hungary also plans to visit Negros Oriental and talk with the heads of LGUs covering Tamlang Valley, Perecho revealed.

The DA with NOCCI are currently gathering resolutions from the local government units within the Tamlang Valley to support the project for the release of funds. “The LGUs are cooperative and the farmer associations are looking forward for the project to push through,” Perocho added.

Perocho went on that the implementing team has started meeting with the farmers associations and Sta. Catalina Mayor Peve Ligan on January 8 and positive feedbacks and responses are noted.  They want the project to begin as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Provincial Irrigation Officer Engr. Nestor Pastor revealed in the same Kapihan forum that there was already an attempt to bring development interventions in Tamlang Valley over the past years, but the project was stalled due to land issues and bureaucratic processes.

Pastor said the land was covered by the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) and he hopes the implementing agencies can address the issue and he added that NIA has a funding of P15-M to conduct a feasibility study in Tamlang Valley for the proposed irrigation projects there. (Photos: PIA-Negros Oriental)

 

COVID-19 active cases in NegOr is now at 662, catches up with Cebu City at 650

MINERVA BC NEWMAN

DUMAGUETE CITY— Negros Oriental is catching up with Cebu City in terms of the number of active cases of COVID-19 infection with 650 for Cebu City and 662 for Negros Oriental as of January 15, according to the Department of Health (DOH-7)-Central Visayas.

DOH-7 regional director Dr. Jaime Bernadas reported this during the "Pagdu-aw Sa Negros Oriental: Explain, Explain, Explain" event conducted by the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) and the Philippine Information Ahency (PIA) in Dumaguete on January 22.

“Medyo nigukod na gyud ta sa City of Cebu sa active cases. Kung tan-awon nimo ang Cebu City, ang active cases 650. Ang Negros Oriental active cases 662.”  (Negros Oriental is catching up with Cebu City in terms of active COVID-19 cases. Cebu City has 650 while Negros Oriental’s active cases is at 662),” Bernadas said.

Bernadas added that for the past two to three weeks, COVID-19 cases in Negros Oriental and Cebu City saw a sharp increase.

DOH-7 data showed that Dumaguete City, the Province’s capital has registered the highest number of COVID-19 infection during the holiday season, from 101 cases as of Dec. 17, 2020 to 127 as of Jan. 15, 2021.

Bernadas went on the DOH-7 also recorded an increasing monthly trend of active COVID-19 infection in the Negros Oriental from September to December last year due to the volume of incoming Locally Stranded Individuals (LSIs) and Returning Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who came back home after being displaced amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bernadas said that another reason for this is the escalating cases of COVID-19 infection recorded in the local government units that are near or located in the province’s borders such as Guihulngan City, Canlaon City, Basay, Bayawan City, Sta. Catalina, and La Libertad during that time.

He then called on the mayors anew to strengthen their strategies in preventing the spread of the virus, particularly their isolation, containment, and contact tracing measures.

"We should strictly monitor our cases especially those that are positive. Make sure that they are completely isolated, conduct contact tracing, and ensure that their contacts are isolated as well,” Bernadas added.

Bernadas explained that because COVID-19 cases are increasing, the LGUs must also enhance the capacity to address and admit COVID patients, not only in ICUs but in COVID beds, isolation beds and temporary treatment or management facilities or isolation centers because this is the most important thing to do for now.

He urged everyone not to let our guards down even when there are no cases recorded in some towns here like Mabinay, Siaton, and Pamplona over the past weeks; for the public to follow health protocols to avoid contracting the virus and reminded LGUs to enforce these protocols strictly. (Photos: PIA-NegOr)

 

PRSP to hold its 27th PR Congress in February, expands network in VisMin area

MINERVA BC NEWMAN

CEBU CITY --The Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP), the country’s premier association of PR and communications professionals will be holding the biggest and most-awaited annual event, the National Public Relations Congress on February 17-19, first to go fully digital and first to run for three days to adapt to the new normal and embrace new technologies to continue telling the story of brands and organizations.

According to Ana Pista, chairperson of the 27th National Public Relations Congress that the 2021 PR Congress carries the theme “Transcend” with topics for discussion include post-pandemic Philippine PR landscape; industry recovery efforts and pressing issues such as mental health in the workplace; resiliency and sustainability, equality and diversity; and leadership and communication during times of crises, among others.

“As the PR Congress has done since it started, we are bringing together a powerhouse roster of local and international speakers and delivering a lineup of timely and relevant topics and breakout sessions this year.  The Congress will highlight the role of PR in building a society that works for all,” Pista said.

PRSP expects to welcome more than 1,000 PR and communications practitioners to the Congress and hopes to inspire them to go beyond conventional thinking, step out of their comfort zone to address pressing issues and collectively move forward to create a better normal for all.

In another development, the PRSP wants to expand its network in the Visayas and Mindanao with the creation of regional chapters to provide more avenues for collaboration and learning through shared knowledge, technology, training and best PR practices.

PRSP former president Jones Campos said that to have PRSP chapters in Cebu, Davao and other key cities in the Philippines opens more opportunities and integrate a common aspiration to professionalize the industry.

“It will enable a nationwide way of combating fake news, disinformation and misinformation while inculcating competence and ethical practice among PR and communications professionals,” Campos added.

The new chapters will be created initially through the partnership with VisMin PR agencies such as PRWorks, Selrahco and Bigseed.  Jaja Chiongbian-Rama, Founder and Managing Director of Bigseed gladly accepted the idea of having a PRSP chapter in Cebu.

"We welcome this opportunity to connect and collaborate with other agencies and practitioners from around the country. With public relations evolving as the world around us changes, an organization such as the PRSP opens opportunities to set industry standards and provides an avenue for us to support and learn from one another,” Chiongbian-Rama said.

The same sentiment is echoed by Doris Mongaya of PRWorks, saying that the creation of regional chapters will result in greater cooperation of VisMin-based PR professionals among themselves and their Metro Manila counterparts which would lead to the faster development of the whole Philippine PR industry.

 

 

Cebu biz community continues its advocacy for lower power cost in Cebu

MINERVA BC NEWMAN

CEBU CITY – The business sector in Cebu through the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) sustained its advocacy for lower power cost/rates in Cebu as it found several gray areas in the cross ownership of the power players and stakeholders here that could be the major factors to the high cost of electricity in Cebu.

CCCI’s advocacy for lower power rates has gained national attention when the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) and Senator Sherwin Gatchalian joined the CCCI to scrutinize and probe the validity of the present power rates that Visayan Electric is charging the Cebuanos.

ERC chairperson Agnes Devanadera, in a letter to VECO on January 4, 2021 directed the Visayan Electric Company (VECO) to submit an explanation regarding its high electricity rates and its perceived violation of Section 45 (b) of Republic Act 9136 of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA).

Senator Gatchalian on January 16 took notice and reacted to the directive by telling the Commission to demand a refund from VECO if it can be proven their charges were unjustifiable.

CCCI welcomed these developments. “For the longest time, the Cebuanos have been complaining of Cebu’s high electricity rates. We hope that ERC’s probe on VECO’s rates will eventually result to cheap power that will propel Cebu to be more competitive,” CCCI president Felix Taguiam said in press statement sent to media.

VECO’s decision to lower the cost will be its greatest legacy to Cebu, the very place where they came from, Taguiam added.

Looking at a period on the generation charge billed by distribution utilities in Luzon and Visayas in November 2020 ranges from P3.9513 per kwh to P5.0985 per kwh. VECO’s generation charge for November 2020 is P5.0985 per kwh, in turn making it the highest generation charge in the country for that period, according to an ERC press statement on December 28 last year.

CCCI prompted to conduct a survey with its more than 1,000 member-companies and the MSMEs in October 2019 which identified the high cost of utilities, electricity and power as the major cost driver in doing business in Cebu.

As part of the organization’s action agenda CCCI focused on a committee study in December last year and benchmarked the power rates of Cebu’s biggest electric distribution utility (DU) Visayan Electric Company, Inc. (VECO) and found several gray areas that could be the major factors to the high cost of electricity in Cebu.

 Results of the committee study explains CCCI’s position

The committee’s examination of the corporate ownership of the foregoing GenCos, CCCI gathered (1) that CPPC and TVI are associated firms of VECO in that Cebu Private Power Corporation (CPPC) and VECO are associated firms and VECO is a controlling stockholder of CCPC since it directly holds 71.43 percent of CPPC’s total shares.

(2) Therma Visayas, Inc. (TVI) and VECO are associated firms and both TVI and VECO are controlled by Aboitiz Power Corporation (APC) that owns 68.14 percent shares of TVI while it owns 55.25 percent of VECO.

(3) Cebu Energy Development Corporation (CEDC) is not an associated firm of VECO, but the latter indirectly owns and sits in the board. The major shareholders of CEDC are Global Formosa Power Holdings, Inc, which holds 56 percent of its total shares, and Abovant Holdings, Inc. owning 44 percent of CEDC’s shares.  Abovant, is 60 percent owned by APC and 40 percent owned by Vivant Energy Corporation.

 While APC has a controlling stake in VECO, it only has a 26.40 percent indirect ownership of CEDC and, Vivant only has 17.60 percent shares in CEDC.

According to the committee study that while VECO can argue that CEDC is legally not their associated firm, CCCI remained firm in its stand that an indirect ownership and the fact that it sits in the board of the CEDC would signify that VECO has a financial and management stake with CEDC.

The quantity of the power requirement purchased from CEDC, instead of sourcing it from Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) largely contributed to the imposition of unfair selling price to consumers, the committee study revealed.

The Chamber highlighted the issue on cross-ownership between VECO and its associated generation companies which allegedly resulted to the procurement of more than 50 percent of its total demand from associated firms engaged in generation.

“In turn, violating the Republic Act 9136 Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA), Sec. 45. Cross Ownership, Market Power Abuse and Anti-Competitive Behavior,” the study read.

The study also claimed that in totality, VECO’s contracts with its affiliated generation companies is anti- competitive and goes against the policy on promoting efficiency of market competition considering that VECO enjoys a dominant position controlling the power distribution sector within its franchise area.

 On procurement and selection of power supply source

Another sector that the committee study result highlighted is on the inefficient procurement and selection of the power supply source.  According to CCCI that the study indicated that VECO, through its affiliate IPP, has been imposing unfair selling price on its customers and consumers and may indicate an ongoing collusion between VECO and its IPP affiliates.

Based on the published generation cost for power purchased from the different IPPs and Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM), it would seem that on September of 2019, VECO purchased 19.49 percent of its supply requirement from its affiliate TVI at a generation cost of Php7.7196 per kWh; while purchasing almost the same percentage of 19.56 percent from WESM at a cheaper rate of Php5.9823 per kWh, the study revealed.

In a more in-depth investigation, CCCI bared that similar incidence can be observed in January to April and November 2020 generation rates where the lion’s share of total kWh purchased went to TVI at 37.15 percent with rate Php 5.7521 per kWh while the cheapest source, WESM with Php1.2588 per kWh only at 23.79 percent purchased.

Based on its November 2020 generation rates, VECO sourced out approximately 76.3 percent of its power supply from bilateral contracts with independent power producers (IPPs) which are more expensive rates compared to those from the wholesale electric spot market (WESM).

In November 2020, the price difference is noticeably substantial with the WESM rate being as cheap as P1.2588 per kWh; whereas the rate of IPPs like TVI is almost five times higher at P5.7521 per kWh.

 VECO’s great concern for volatility and unpredictability, however according to CCCI seems to be unwarranted considering that this has not affected the WESM’s consistency in almost always being cheaper than the IPP rates.

CCCI argued that while it appears that WESM has indeed been “volatile” and “unpredictable,” inasmuch as its rates vary from as low as ₱1.2588 per kWh to as high as ₱4.7033 per kWh, this has rarely led to the WESM generation rates becoming more expensive than those from the IPPs.

In a CCCI briefer, it noted that in February 2020 when the WESM rate was at P4.7033 per kWh, the said price was still cheaper compared to the cheapest rate charged by VECO’s independent suppliers, which was TVI at the rate of P4.7778 per kWh.

It is further noted that based on the available reports from VECO on its generation rates for the year 2020, the WESM rates have constantly been cheaper than those charged by their IPPs.

VECO’s justification in not allocating or procuring more of its power from the WESM due to alleged “unpredictability and volatility of prices” is extremely not logical and practicable considering that the WESM generation rates for the year 2020 has consistently been cheaper than those charged by IPPs, CCCI briefer read.

 CCCI meets, discuss and negotiates with VECO on the issue

After all the hassles and buzzles of the power rates issue here the CCCI board of trustees reached out to official representatives of VECO in offline and formal conversations, instead of coming forward with the study results to authorities.

According to the CCCI since its first meeting with VECO in December 2019, very little to nothing has been done to address the issues and ultimately bring down the cost of power in Cebu.

Despite the agreed mechanism of an open line of communication and conduct of regular meetings so both parties can openly air and exchange inquiries and information that drives the cost of power and how to address them accordingly, the gray areas uncovered by the study continue to exist to this very day, CCCI statement said.

“We remain firm in our belief that to lower the cost of power will mean not only an atmosphere conducive to competition, but also a transparent, and a responsive power industry, distribution utility.   We will continue to seek ways to be more relevant to our members and be the catalyst of growth for Cebu’s business community,” the statement concluded.