SU hosts 3rd NZCA assembly in Dumaguete City

DUMAGUETE CITY -- Silliman University (SU) hosted the 3rd quarterly assembly of the Net Zero Carbon Alliance (NZCA), a pioneering multi-sectoral consortium seeking to achieve collective carbon neutrality beginning in the Philippine private sector on July 28 this year. 

SU shared its best practices in sustainability and decarbonization. The leading sustainable university that is 100 percent powered by renewable energy was represented by its student government president, Dignity Lagunay, and its Vice President for Development, Prof. Jane Annette Belarmino.

Dr. Nida Calumpong, one of SU’s renowned scientists talked about mangrove carbon stock assessment, one of the carbon strategies that NZCA partners considered in carbon neutrality roadmap.

Ava Taniajura, managing director for the Philippine operations of the leading global assurance body, British Standards Institution (BSI) presented the difference between carbon neutrality and net zero and the role of carbon capture strategies in both programs.

NZCA was conceived and established in 2021 by renewable energy (RE) leader and geothermal energy producer Energy Development Corporation (EDC) to encourage and support as many Philippine enterprises as possible to commit to attaining net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, or carbon neutrality by 2050.

NZCA is also EDC’s response to its renewed mission under the Lopez Group of Companies to forge collaborative pathways for a decarbonized and regenerative future, being the full RE subsidiary of Lopez energy arm First Gen Corporation.

Its assemblies are held every quarter for its partners to discuss best practices related to each component of the NZCA framework for carbon neutrality that centers on reducing carbon emissions and offsetting residual carbon emissions that can no longer be removed.

Among its partners who are expected to attend the internal hybrid event are real estate developer Arthaland, sustainable cement company Cemex, leading fiber internet service provider Converge ICT Solutions, Inc., global leader in water, sustainability communications agency Drink, hygiene and infection prevention solutions and services Ecolab.

Other partners also include the Lopez Group affiliate First Balfour construction company, air transport firm INAEC Aviation Corporation, leading eco-friendly, boutique property developer Menarco Development Corporation, renowned multidisciplinary professional services firm SGV & Co., and the local offices of leading multinational firms Knowles Electronics, Mondelez International, Monde Nissin, and Unilever.  

Energy Development Corporation (EDC) is First Gen Corporation’s 100-percent RE subsidiary with over 1,480MW total installed capacity which accounts for 19 percent of the country’s total installed RE capacity. Its 1,188MW geothermal portfolio comprises 62 percent of the country’s total installed geothermal capacity and is the third largest geothermal producer in the world. (PR/Photos: SU-OIP/Google Images)

 

Corporate PPAs, pandemic disrupt power change in renewable energy adoption in Asia

CEBU CITY – Asian Power gathered energy industry leaders and experts in a zoom webinar, “Powering the Future: Assessing Corporate PPA Momentum and Fuel Market Turbulence Post-COVID,” last June 14 where the leaders analyzed the implications of Corporate Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) and the pandemic disruptions on the energy sector.

Joining the host and moderator, Asian Power’s Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Tim Charlton, are Mike Thomas, Managing Director of The Lantau Group; Leon Liew, Chief Strategy Officer at Solarvest Holdings Berhad; Ganesha Pillai A/L. Prathapa Senan, Assistant Director Strategic Planning Unit (Energy Analyst) at SEDA Malaysia; and Anthony Philip Segadelli, Chief Engineer and Managing Director at Owl Energy shared their insights and analyze the implications of the changes the energy sector is witnessing.

According to Asian Power, today’s energy sector is at a crossroads with Corporate PPAs gaining traction as a means for companies to curb emissions, while the pandemic’s upheaval casts uncertainty on fuel markets.

As PPAs pave the way for an increase in renewable energy sourcing, the pandemic's aftermath leaves the sector navigating an unpredictable landscape 

Post-COVID green acceleration

Thomas of The Lantau Group addressed the topic of “PPAs in a New Energy Age of Slow Thinking and Fast Games.” He pointed out the disconnect between decarbonization plans and the realities of current forecasts, despite some progress made.

 

Thomas noted that the transition to renewable energy is not happening fast enough to meet governments' ambitious targets. Despite this, the post-COVID period presented an opportunity to speed up this adoption amidst fuel market turbulence.

“The economics of renewable energy [in the Asia Pacific have significantly] improved—they are becoming robust approaching, if not well past commerciality, in many applications,” Thomas said.

He emphasized governments’ target of net-zero emissions by 2050, or a few decades after. This may seem far away but is best prepared for as soon as possible so the adoption of renewables is more effective, he stated.

He highlighted the importance of adapting to the rapidly changing energy sector and the need for countries to position themselves as leaders in renewable energy adoption by implementing the right mechanisms, programmes, and policies.

Thomas drew attention to the challenges associated with decarbonization efforts, comparing it to a game of musical chairs, given the challenges and uncertainties associated with fuel mixes, resource availability, and transmission system dynamics.

In light of the challenges and opportunities Thomas went on to discuss the vital role that PPAs play in bolstering the adoption of renewable energy. He described PPAs as a key enabler in this transition, allowing for financial security and predictability which are critical in attracting investments for renewable energy projects.

"Power Purchase Agreements are indispensable tools in this new energy age," Thomas asserted. Corporate PPAs, in particular, are becoming more prominent as businesses are increasingly recognizing the economic and environmental benefits of sourcing renewable energy. This trend has been bolstered by the decline in renewable energy costs, Thomas added.

Corporate PPAs facilitate agreements between energy producers and businesses, where the latter commit to purchasing energy over a period of time. This not only provides renewable energy projects with a reliable revenue stream but also allows companies to secure stable energy prices and reduce their carbon footprint.

These agreements have the potential to serve as a bridge between government objectives and market realities. By promoting market-driven solutions through PPAs, it is possible to mobilize the private sector and create a synergy that accelerates the transition to a cleaner energy landscape, Thomas noted.

He further emphasized that PPAs are not just contracts, but crucial catalysts in creating a sustainable balance between ecological imperatives and economic viability in the race to decarbonize the energy sector.

Sustainable energy’s future challenges

Liew of Solarvest Holdings, Pillai of SEDA Malaysia, and Segadelli of Owl Energy in a panel discussion shared their insights on Thomas’ presentation.

Liew stressed the need to increase generation capacity to meet growing demand, especially if Malaysia aims to become a developed country like Singapore. Coal and gas will continue to be major contributors to energy demand as there are limited options available: hydro and solar, he noted.

Meanwhile, wind power is not economically viable due to low wind speeds and inconsistent wind direction. Hydroelectric power plants require specific geographic conditions, and most of the economically feasible hydro dams have already been built. Therefore, solar power becomes the only scalable option for clean energy in Malaysia, Liew said.

“If you look at Malaysia, the demand is about 20 gigawatts and from the 20 gigawatts, you have more than 40 percent coming from coal and another 40 percent coming from gas and the remaining 20 percent is coming from a combination of hydro and solar,” Liew said.

He acknowledged the energy trilemma in Malaysia, which includes affordability, reliability, and sustainability, adding that the reliability of power supply has improved in recent years compared to a decade ago, but there is still room for further sustainability improvements.  He also mentioned the government's plans to increase renewable energy to 31 percent by 2025 and 40 percent by 2035.

“Malaysia also recently launched a corporate virtual PPA. So it means that the consumer in a certain part, let's say in the south of Malaysia, would like to install their data center, they want a solar farm but there is no land around, they can sign a virtual PPA with some land in the northern part of Malaysia,” Liew added.

Renewable energy options

For his part, Pillai noted that Malaysia also has other renewable energy sources, such as biogas and biomass, that can be explored. He highlighted the potential for developing these energy sources.

Pillai mentioned that after 2025, Malaysia is considering new energy sources to support the grid, including green hydrogen, both for domestic use and for potential export once the infrastructure and assets are in place. The aim is to gradually reduce reliance on coal and transition to more sustainable energy sources.

Malaysia has committed to not renewing or building new coal plants, he said. Instead, the focus is on phasing out coal and replacing it with sustainable sources such as gas and renewable energy.

Meanwhile, Segadelli discussed renewable energy developments in Asia as well, focusing on Thailand and the Philippines. He said that Thailand has been taking active steps to accelerate its goal of carbon neutrality by 2065, specifically mentioning the country’s newly launched optional carbon market that provides revenue opportunities, as well as its release of 1,500 megawatts of PPAs for wind, solar, biomass, and waste-to-energy projects.

 “Thailand has a plan for being carbon neutral by 2065, but thankfully, Thailand is actually doing more to try and bring it forward than their projection says, for example, they have just released 1,500 megawatts of PPAs,” Segadelli stated.

Turning to the Philippines, Segadelli mentioned Owl Energy’s involvement in Solar Philippines’ 850-megawatt solar plus base project aimed at providing continuous power for 13 hours a day. He said that large-scale solar-plus-storage projects, however, are relatively limited in the region, particularly in the Philippines, where the power market is more privatized and less government-led compared to Thailand.

Thomas reiterated that goals set concerning decarbonization are just going to be moved forward, meaning a lot of stakeholder pressure, growth in resources, and more opportunities will be created.

“We could do more, faster even with the things that exist, even if that doesn't solve all the problems. We could see this accelerating and that's exciting,” Thomas said. (Photos & PR: Tin Hill/Janine Ballesteros)

 

VISCOM sustains gains in neutralizing the CPP-NPA in the Visayas region

CAMP LAPULAPU, Cebu City-- The Visayas Command (VISCOM) sustains its gains in its fight against the CPP-NPA in the Visayas region with the recent encounters, surrender of NPA terrorists and recovering weapons and war materials in Iloilo and Samar in July this year.

Members of the 61st Infantry Battalion under the 301st Infantry Brigade of Joint Task Force Spear neutralized two NPA terrorists and seized several war materials during an encounter with a group of NPA terrorists under Southern Front of the Komiteng Rehiyon Panay (KR Panay) in Brgy Ayabang, Leon, Iloilo.

The recovered war materiel includes one M16 Rifle; two Shotguns; one Cal. 45 pistol; 11 cellphones; a laptop computer; a tablet; four backpacks containing subversive documents and several extortion letters. 

In Northern Samar, two NPA leaders fell, as the combined elements of the 4th Scout Ranger Battalion and 19th Infantry Battalion under the 803rd Infantry Brigade of Joint Task Force (JTF) Storm conducted a focused military operation encountered a group of NPA terrorists under Front Committee 1 (FC1) of Sub-Regional Committee Emporium (SRC Emporium) in Brgy Cagbigajo, Pambujan, Northern Samar.

The firefight lasted for about 20 minutes and resulted in the death of the two NPA Leaders who were later identified as Jerry Lutao alias Nadi, the Head of the Front Operation Command (FOC) and Sandatahang Yunit Propaganda (SYP); and Brando Oblado alias Idol, the Leader of Squad 2, both under FC1 of SRC Emporium.

Recovered war materiel included two M16 rifles, one M14 rifle, personal belongings, and several subversive documents. The latest debacle of the CPP-NPA is the fourth huge setback they suffered in six days. From July 17 to 22, five NPA terrorists died during the encounters and 10 firearms were recovered.

Meanwhile, one soldier was wounded during the encounter and he was immediately evacuated to the nearest medical institution for treatment and is now in stable condition.

Army negotiates the surrender of two NPA terrorists in Borongan City, Eastern Samar

In two separate engagements on July 23, members of the 78th Infantry Battalion under the 802nd Infantry Brigade of Joint Task Force (JTF) Storm successfully negotiated the surrender of two NPA terrorists in Borongan City, Eastern Samar.

The surrendered NPA personalities were both members of Apoy Platoon under the NPA’s Sub-Regional Committee Sesame (SRC Sesame) of the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC). They yielded several war materiel including, one M16A1 rifle; one M16 Bushmaster rifle; 12 assorted M16 magazine assemblies; and hundreds of 5.56 mm live ammunition.

On the same day, members of the 20th Infantry Battalion under the 803rd Infantry Brigade of JTF Storm successfully recovered an arms cache in Barangay Aguinaldo, Las Navas, Northern Samar that contained several war materiel including, two M16 rifles; four assorted M16 magazines; 125 rounds of 5.56 mm live ammunition; and two improvised hand grenades.

The recovery of the arms cache was made possible through an incessant engagement with the former rebel who returned to the folds of the law last July 22.

"With the pronouncement of our President to grant amnesty to former rebels, we will sustain our relentless focused military operations to pressure the ranks of the CPP-NPA for them to lay down their arms and return to the folds of the law,” Lieutenant General Benedict M Arevalo PA, VISCOM Commander commended the troops for their unrelenting drive to free the people from the menace of the CPP-NPA.

Arevalo said that the AFP remains committed to end the local communist armed conflict in the region as soon as possible. He urged the few remaining members of the CPP-NPA to heed the call of the government for peace, unity, and reconciliation.

“We abhor the idea of bloodshed and as much as possible, we do not want to see another Filipino dying for the sake of false ideology.  Follow the lead of your former comrades who are now living a peaceful and progressive lives under the care of our government. Lay down your arms and return to the folds of the law while you still can,” Arevalo concluded. (Photos: VISCOM)

 

 

 

“Voile”, a convergence of creativity, spirituality

 CEBU CITY – The "Voile" dinner and fashion show for a cause at Waterfront on July 12 was a convergence of creativity and spirituality that centers around appropriate church attire and raising funds for the projects and activities of the Church and the Five Loaves & Two Fish, Inc. (FLTF) local community in Cebu.

The Church is a sacred place - genuinely holy ground. It is a consecrated place where people meet God. "Voile" (Veil) is a chance for introspection and growth. It encourages everyone to deepen their relationship with God by helping those in need and dressing their best as a sign of gratitude and utmost reverence.

Clothes are a basic human need, whether one wears a gown with high heels, a custom-tailored suit, or a t-shirt with sneakers, no one can escape fashion's purpose. Today, its purpose goes beyond imperceptible ways of covering one's body.

As one of the primary drivers of the industrial revolution, the fashion industry has played a significant role in bringing about changes that promote the common good – a catalyst for ripples of good changes. It includes one's church attire meant to respect God's provision and those who grow and make our clothes.

"Voile" represents a fusion of aesthetics, spirituality, and altruism. It stands as a testament to the power of collaboration, where individuals from diverse backgrounds unite to make a difference.

The organizers emphasized that the event is a powerful reminder that authentic worship goes beyond mere words and encompasses all aspects of oneself, including outward appearance - dressing in one's finest Sunday attire, showing reverence to God, and recognizing that dressing well is a form of worship.

A Collaboration for the Divine

The fashion show showcased the designs of seven famous Cebu designers, namely; Edwin Ao for Men's Line for Worship; Jun Escario for Christening; Marichu Tan for Reflection; Philip Rodriguez for Weddings; Philipp Tampus for Fiesta; Protacio for Mourning and Ren Manabat for Sunday's Best. From intricate cuts to experimental designs, the works featured in Voile prove that it's Cebu's most prominent fashion show of the season.

"Voile" is directed by extraordinaire Joey Alberto. The fashion show included 60 stunning top runway Bigseed x MAC models. Makeup artists Emi Ayag, Erica Florita Enriquez, Aura Verallo, Tatiana Mondares Agustin, Suzaine Christi Smith, Defney Centino, Gel Encarquez, Josel Espinosa, Zosimo Polo Jr., Chay Enriquez, Jaymie Caberte, Rallion Santos and Gino Fonghe masterfully painted the models whose beautiful faces strut down the runway. In addition, all seven designers showcased their Christmas collections.

An Iconic Charity Walk

Its iconic charity walks with real people models composed of Cebu's most charitable personalities amplify the show.  Amanda Ouano, Mayor Rajiv Enad, Lheslen Enad, and Dr. Ron Del Mar wore the statement pieces by Protacio.

The designer's edgy pieces four mourning are some of the crowd's favorites, exuding effortless elegance while highlighting the designer's signature dichotomous style interludes.  Congressman Edu Rama, clad in a creation of Edwin Ao, looked sharp in the designer's precise and modern attire made out of a delicate fabric, a juxtaposition Edwin Ao is known for.

Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama and Cebu City First Lady Malou Rama wore the classic creations of Philip Rodriguez. Mayor Mike looked dashing in his modern Filipino barong. The mint terno donned by his first lady embodies romanticism. Joining Cebu's power couple on the runway was Bunny Pages. Philip Rodriguez's works are perfect for precious moments such as June weddings. His delicate and expertly made formal wear proved his name is synonymous with Cebu's fashion.

Jun Escario's works were a marriage of blush and neutrals showcasing tulle appliques. His collections are known for their luxurious, feminine, and glamorous aesthetic. Jaja Chiongbian-Rama looked ethereal in his pearl dress, reflecting the solemnity and bliss of Christening.  Mayor Samsam Gullas also donned a Jun Escario creation during the show.

Designer Philipp Tampus' designs favored earth tones with playful sleeves, silhouettes, and prints. His ultra-feminine creations favored quiet luxury without the absence of charm and whimsy. During the charity walk, Jasmine "Daday" Chan wore a Philipp Tampus attire made of lace and floral print – a charming contrast to her edgy makeup. Joining her was Cebu City Councilor Dondon Hontiveros, also sporting a well-crafted men's wear for an elevated fiesta look.

Marichu Tan's creativity shone as she went out with electric pleats, beads, using organdy and three-dimensional lace. Dr. Jenny Limquiaco, Dr. Albert and Dr. Claudia Rafanan, and Dr. Vivina Chiu wore her high-quality creations with the finest chic details, favoring elegance.

Ren Manabat's finely-detailed Sunday's Best-inspired outfits were a beautiful play of volume, shapes, and colors. Mayor Mytha Basubas Canoy looked regal in his stand-out collection.

Voile was co-presented by the City of Cebu, the Kabilin Center, The Archdiocese of Cebu, and Samuel O. Lao & Associates (Sola). The show is made possible by the generosity of the City of Cebu, Forza Sports Foundation Inc., Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. Duros Land Properties Inc.

Knight Willington and Dame Ellen Chan Lim, Honorable Mayor Mytha Basubas Canoy, Seahorse Houseboats and Yachts Cebu, Marina Seaview Restaurant, Balik Batik, We Franchise Consultancy, Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino, University of Cebu, Oro China, Garces Food Catering, RMA News, Cebu Online News Press Corps, Inewsph, Newstar Philippines, and Merian's Flower Shop also co-presented the event. (Photos: Voile/Robby Alugar)

 

Recycling plastic wastes in PH can reduce GHG emission by over 12M tonnes by 2030

CEBU CITY – Recycling all mismanaged plastic wastes in the Philippines could reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by over 12M tonnes by 2030, revealed a new report from the Circulate Initiative, “The Climate Benefits of Plastic Waste Management in India and Southeast Asia”, outlining crucial insights into the link between plastic waste management and climate change in the Philippines.

Circulate Initiative is a non-profit organization dedicated to solving the ocean plastic pollution challenge in emerging markets. 

“Ongoing negotiations for the international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution are putting the spotlight on the importance of circular economy solutions. Our research demonstrates that investing in effective plastic waste management and recycling can shift the dial to tackle plastic pollution and climate change simultaneously,” The Circulate Initiative’s Research Director, Umesh Madhavan said.

The report draws on data from the latest edition of The Circulate Initiative’s Plastic Lifecycle Assessment Calculator for the Environment and Society (PLACES), the first open-access climate impact calculator that tracks the GHG emissions, energy and water consumption of plastic waste management and recycling solutions across South and Southeast Asia.

The findings reveal that investing in plastic waste management and recycling can significantly shift the dial when it comes to reaching the Philippines’ climate goals. In fact, recycling all mismanaged plastic waste can reduce GHG emissions by 12.2 million tonnes, the equivalent of taking over 2.7 million cars off the road for a year.

According to Circulate Initiative, the report illustrates the potential of investing in effective plastic waste management and recycling across six regional markets, including the Philippines, to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and combat climate change.

A global hotspot for plastic pollution leakage due to insufficient infrastructure, accurate data on plastic waste management solutions in the Philippines will be crucial to inform action plans in addressing plastic pollution and climate change, the report reads.

The report has key takeaways

Recycling all mismanaged plastic waste in the Philippines by 2030 can reduce GHG emissions by 12.2 million tonnes, equivalent to taking over 2.7 million cars off the road for a year.  Recycling 100 percent of the polyethylene terephthalate (PET) consumed annually in the Philippines can result in more than 500,000 tonnes of GHG emissions reduction.

Open burning is the primary carbon footprint hotspot associated with plastic waste treatment in the Philippines, accounting for 86 percent. Diverting just one tonne of plastic waste from open burning towards proper collection and recycling can result in avoiding more than three tonnes of GHG emissions.

The report revealed that recycling all mismanaged plastic waste across India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam would lead to 229 million tonnes in GHG emissions reduction by 2030, the equivalent of shutting down 61 coal-fired power plants for a year.

Collaborative research across Asia for PLACES

Developed in collaboration with the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), PLACES now cover four additional markets, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam, and provides updated data for India and Indonesia.

A*STAR’s Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology (SIMTech) contributed as the research partner for the study and quantified the environmental impact of end-of-life pathways for plastic waste.

Since its launch in 2021, PLACES has been used by corporations, investors, recyclers, waste management service providers and city planners to generate market-specific data to quantify the environmental impact of waste management and recycling interventions.

“With the addition of new markets, PLACES will support a broader scope of investors, local governments and corporations in the region to assess opportunities in the plastics circular economy based on their environmental impact,” Madhavan noted.

The Circulate Initiative and The PLACES

The Circulate Initiative is a non-profit organization that works to solve the plastic pollution challenge and build circular and equitable economies across emerging markets. It delivers cutting-edge research, builds high-impact programs, and drives collective action with industry stakeholders including businesses, investors, and policymakers. For more information, visit: https://www.thecirculateinitiative.org/ 

 The Plastic Lifecycle Assessment Calculator for the Environment and Society (PLACES) is an open-access GHG calculator that tracks the environmental impact of plastic waste management and recycling solutions that prevent plastic pollution in six countries, namely India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.

The tool allows users to assess the environmental impact of plastic waste management, recycling interventions and the extent to which investments in circularity can generate quantifiable climate benefits, specific to the unique characteristics of Asian waste management systems. For more information, please visit: https://www.thecirculateinitiative.org/ghg-calculator. (Photos: Circulate Initiative/Google Images)

 

 

NGCP to fulfill PBBM’s vision for PH energy

CEBU CITY – In the recent State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. reiterated his resolve to energize the country 100% and increase the presence of renewable resources in the country’s energy mix, as his vision for the Philippine energy situation.

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) has pledged its commitment to fulfil the PBBM’s 2023 energy initiatives as expressed in his SONA.   NGCP vows to concentrate all available resources toward the completion of ongoing transmission projects while expediting others in the pipeline.

“We agree with the President’s sentiments. Even before the SONA, NGCP has already been working towards the vision that he mentioned.  After hearing it straight from him–his vision that is completely aligned with ours–we know we are on the right track and we’re more motivated to complete all our objectives in a prompt manner,” NGCP President and CEO, Anthony Almeda said.  

Recognizing the challenges ahead, NGCP draws on its strategic partnership with the State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC) leveraging on its expertise in renewable energy integration and NGCP hopes to bolster its capabilities to hasten the transition to renewable and sustainable energy sources.

According to NGCP, the collaboration with SGCC allows corporation to accommodate the increasing adoption of renewable energy technologies into the national grid and also prioritizing to improve the disaster resilience of the grid infrastructure.

NGCP will intensify its ongoing and continuous upgrade of equipment and manpower, especially those that will prevent disruptions, or provide expedient repair, in case of natural disasters.  Currently, NGCP has been developing local talent by investing in world-class training and scholarships for aspiring Filipino engineers.

 Among the top priorities on NGCP's agenda are the swift completion of the Mindanao-Visayas Interconnection Project (MVIP) and Stage 3 of the Cebu-Negros-Panay Interconnection Project (CNP). Both crucial projects have been partially energized, with the MVIP on track to be fully energized to 450MW by the third quarter of this year.

To expedite these projects, NGCP called upon all local government units to extend essential support by promptly granting relevant permits and providing necessary assistance in addressing right-of-way issues that have hindered the smooth implementation of these projects, NGCP bared.

NGCP reiterate its call for what the President termed as a ‘cohesive, centralized, and systematic approach’ to planning, including that for energy for stability, resiliency, and independence, echoing the President’s observation that “all efforts require not just the work of a single person or a single branch of government nor even the whole government acting alone, but the collective efforts achieved only by all Filipinos working together.” (Photos: NGCP-Facebook)

 

 

SM Cares launches Emergency Preparedness Forum for PWDs, Senior Citizens in Consolacion

CONSOLACION, Cebu -- SM Cares launched the Emergency Preparedness Forum for senior citizens (SC) and persons with disabilities (PWDs) in SM City Consolacion in celebration of National Disaster Resilience Month, attended by various SC and PWD groups with the goal to educate and equip the attendees on understanding natural hazards, such as earthquakes, floods, and volcanic eruptions, and how to prepare for such situations.

“At sa paghahanda sa sakuna, SM Cares believes that no one should be left behind, may edad man o may kapansanan. Sa pamamagitan ng Emergency Preparedness Forum na ito, tuturuan natin ang mga Persons with Disabilities at Senior Citizens ng iba’t-ibang survival tips na maghahanda sainyo sa iba’t-ibang uri ng sakuna”, Estrella Wamilda, mall manager, said in her opening message.

Speakers invited were Atty. Frank Quijano, Chairperson of the National Commission of Senior Citizens, Jeffrey Perez from PHIVOLCS, and the renowned survival expert Dr. Ted Esguerra who talked about Survival Tips for Senior Citizens and PWDs.

Since the forum first began in 2015, SM Cares has been able to provide training to 7,417 senior citizens and PWDs across the country since the forum’s conception, and was awarded Gold in 2020 and Silver in 2023 at the Public Relations Society of the Philippines’ annual Anvil Awards.

SM Cares is the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Supermalls, supporting initiatives focused on communities and the environment. Its advocacies include Programs for the Environment, Persons with Disabilities, Women & Breastfeeding Mothers, Children & Youth, Senior Citizens, and the SM Bike-friendly initiative. (Photos: SM Cares)