Mindanao projected to need 10,200 MW additional capacity by 2040

October 12, 2018 | 6:38 pm

DAVAO CITY — Energy officials said more investors are needed in the power supply sector, particularly for Mindanao, to meet the island’s projected 10,200-megawatt (MW) additional capacity requirement by 2040.
Department of Energy (DoE) Assistant Secretary Redentor E. Delola, speaking at the 2018 Mindanao Energy Investment Forum held here Oct. 11, said that while a 1,400-MW surplus power for the southern mainland is expected within the medium term, more generation plants are needed for the long term.
“This surplus will, however, not last for very long considering Mindanao’s growth. There is a need for more power plants and more sources of energy to avoid a repeat of the Mindanao power crisis four years ago,” he said.
A total of 1,332.43 MW of committed power projects are expected to enter the grid between 2018 to 2025.
Mr. Delola said they are also hopeful that another 1,937.28 MW of proposed power projects will push through before 2025.
Mindanao currently has a capacity of about 2,400 MW, based on data from the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP).
The NGCP’s Mindanao-Visayas Interconnection Project (MVIP), which will loop in Mindanao to the linked Visayas-Luzon grids, is also underway and targeted for completion by 2020. The MVIP will pave the way for a nationwide sharing of supply.
The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), meanwhile, said the guiding policy is to put premium on renewable energy investments to achieve a balanced mix of 50-50 with fossil fuel sources.
The present mix in Mindanao is 60% fossil fuel, mainly from coal-fired plants, and 40% green energy.
“We want to make renewable energy as attractive to investors….What we want in the future is essentially to make renewable energy as attractive as conventional energy,” MinDA Assistant Secretary Romeo M. Montenegro said at the forum.
“Our target is to have a diversified mix of energy source but we put a premium on renewable energy,” he added.
Mr. Montenegro, who also heads the technical working group of the Mindanao Power Monitoring Committee, said they are glad to see the emergence of generation assets located at load points which decentralizes sourcing and minimizes supply disruptions.
There are currently 33 embedded power plants and 20 grid-connected plants in Mindanao. — Carmencita A. Carillo

Locsin appointed next DFA chief

October 12, 2018 | 6:38 pm

By Camille A. Aguinaldo, Reporter
PERMANENT Representative to the United Nations (UN) Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. is the next Foreign Affairs Secretary.
At a press conference in Bali, Indonesia on Friday, President Rodrigo R. Duterte said he has asked Mr. Locsin if he could succeed Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter S. Cayetano, who will run for Taguig representative in the 2019 midterm elections.
“I don’t know if I have to… I do not have his permission. Mahirap kasi (It’s difficult because) if I give out his name tapos tatanggapin niya (then he’ll take it). Bong (referring to Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence T. Go), tawagan mo nga si Teddy Boy Locsin, sabihin mo kung pwede bang i-mention niya pangalan dito? Okay raw sabi niya (call Teddy Boy Locsin and ask him if I can mention his name here? It’s okay, he said),” Mr. Duterte said.
Responding to inquiries on Twitter on Friday, Mr. Locsin said, “I was asked I said yes.”
Mr. Locsin, a lawyer and veteran journalist, was press secretary and speechwriter of President Corazon C. Aquino. He also served as Makati representative from 2001 to 2010.
Mr. Cayetano said he believes Mr. Locsin will do a better job as the country’s top diplomat. He also urged the department’s personnel to support the next Secretary.
“I truly believe in my replacement, Ambassador Teddy or Teddyboy Locsin. I know him personally. I’ve worked with him in Congress. Hindi kami pareho parati ng pag-iisip. May mga issues na magkaiba kami pero (We don’t always think similarly. There are issues where we differ but) he listens,” he said in his farewell speech during flag ceremonies at the Department of Foreign Affairs’ (DFA) ASEAN office.
“He’s done a good job in the United Nations. On Monday, I will sit down with him. We’ll brief him on all the reforms. I think he will even do a better job than I did but he needs your support,” he added.
Mr. Cayetano also noted the reforms introduced in the DFA on his watch, which included the launching of the e-payment system, the Passport on Wheels program, and the portal for first-time Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) and the additional consular offices nationwide.
For her part, Senator Loren B. Legarda, chairperson of the Senate committee on foreign relations, welcomed Mr. Locsin’s appointment as DFA secretary.
“His stint as Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations seemed to have foreshadowed his appointment as the country’s top diplomat. I am certain he will not waver in protecting our people and our nation’s interests,” she said in a statement.
“As Chair of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, I will work with him in advancing the Philippines’ diplomatic relations with other nations and upholding the four pillars of Philippine foreign policy,” she added.

Nancy Binay, Dela Rosa lead Day 2 of filing of candidacies

October 12, 2018 | 6:37 pm

By Charmaine A. Tadalan, Reporter
REELECTIONIST Senator Maria Lourdes Nancy S. Binay on Friday filed her certificate of candidacy (CoC) at the Commission on Election (Comelec) amid rivalry between her siblings over the Makati City mayoral post.
The Senator was accompanied by Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” S. Binay, Jr., who recently disclosed that he will go against sister and incumbent Makati City Mayor Abigail S. Binay.
She, however, refused to address the issue as they have yet to discuss as a family. “Pagbalik ng parents namin, mag-uusap kaming buong pamilya. So, at the moment, hold muna ‘yang Binay vs. Binay hanggang di pa kami nakakapag usap,” she told reporters, Friday. (When our parents return, we’ll discuss as a family. So at the moment, let’s hold that Binay vs. Binay issue until we’ve talked about it.)
For his part, Mr. Binay, former Makati mayor, said, “Well, if I would put into weight itong mga taong nagka-clamor (these people who are clamoring [for my candidacy]), of course gusto ko silang paglingkuran (I want to serve them), of course kailangan ko rin kausapin ‘yung tatay ko (I also need to talk to my father).”
Another senatorial aspirant who filed his candidacy on Friday is former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Ronald dela Rosa, who said he’ll be push for reinstating capital punishment, should he win a seat in the chamber.
“Sabi ko (I said) restoration of death penalty talaga,” Mr. dela Rosa said, adding that he will propose to impose it on drug-related crimes and other heinous crimes, such as rape and murder.
‘OVERWHELMING POPULARITY’
Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador S. Panelo, in his first press briefing as President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s new spokesperson, expressed confidence the candidates endorsed by the President will win.
“I think so, considering the overwhelming popularity of the President. I think the people who support him will support the candidates that he will endorse. And that’s logical and understandable,” Mr. Panelo said.
Another senatorial aspirant who filed his candidacy on Friday is lawyer Lorenzo G. Gadon, who led the impeachment moves against then Chief Justice Maria Lourdes P.A. Sereno.
“The form that he submitted in the first instance was not the form he should have submitted,” Comelec Spokesperson James B. Jimenez said of Mr. Gadon’s initial CoC.
Also on Friday, party-lists Gabriela, Kabataan and Acts-Teachers filed their certificate of nomination and acceptance (CoNA).
Gabriela’s party-list nominees include incumbent Representative Arlene Brosas, Bai Ali Indayla, and Lucy Francisco.
Kabataan party-list nominees are: Rep. Sarah Jane T. Elago, Erika Cruz from the National Capital Region, and Vennel Chenfoo from Southern Mindanao.
ACT Teachers Party-List nominees will be Rep. France Castro, Benjie Valbuena, and Jeanette Cawiding.
Comelec Chair Sheriff M. Abbas confirmed receipt of a letter from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Department of Interior and Local Government to disqualify candidates that are included in the narco list of those agencies.
DILG Asec. Jonathan E. Malaya said the final list will come from the PDEA.
TINDIG PILIPINAS
Also on Friday, an opposition coalition formally backed five senatorial hopefuls for next year’s midterm elections.
Tindig Pilipinas endorsed De La Salle University College of Law founding dean Jose Manuel I. Diokno, Magdalo Party-list representative Gary C. Alejano, and civic leader Samira A. Gutoc-Tomawis in a press conference on Friday, Oct. 12, in Cubao, Quezon City.
Mr. Diokno was already introduced by the Liberal Party (LP) last month as part of its senatorial slate, together with reelectionist Senator Paolo Benigno A. Aquino IV and former deputy House speaker Lorenzo R. Tanada III, who were also both endorsed by Tindig Pilipinas.
Mr. Alejano and Ms. Gutoc-Tomawis will be part of the LP lineup.
“They will fight for all of us. They will be our fighters against poverty, for social inclusion, and for the nation’s sovereignty,” the group said.
When asked about their election chances, Ms. Gutoc-Tomawis said, “Para sa aking mga taga-Mindanao (For my fellow Mindanaoans), definitely, surveys are not measurement of performance level. In fact, marami po akong mga kababayan na as far as Tawi-Tawi na hindi naabot ng survey.” (Many of my countrymen as far as Tawi-Tawi have not been polled.)
She added, “On name recall..siyempre hindi kami artista….Iakyat niyo ang antas ng diskusyon. Iakyat niyo ang antas ng diskurso….Bigyan niyo po ng chance ang mga nasa highlands.” (We’re not celebrities. Raise the level of discussion. Give a chance to those in the highlands.)
Mr. Alejano said he does not care what the surveys show but what the people want: “Hindi kami tumitingin sa survey, kami ay tumingin sa sintemyento ng taong bayan.”
Mr. Diokno said he would just like to focus on providing justice to people once elected.
Among the three of them, only the names of Messrs. Alejano and Diokno have appeared in the Social Weather Stations survey sponsored by Presidential Political Adviser Francis N. Tolentino, although Mr. Alejano placed 22^nd with 4% voters preference rating, and Mr. Diokno placed 23^rd-24^th with 3% rating.
Former senator and interior secretary Manuel A. Roxas II is so far the only oppositionist in the so-called “Magic 12,” in reference to the 12 seats available in next year’s midterm polls. He ranked seventh with a voter’s preference rating of 30%.
The LP will announce its final lineup on Oct. 24. — with Vince Angelo C. Ferreras and Camille A. Aguinaldo

Carpio accepts CJ nomination, JBC extends application

October 12, 2018 | 6:37 pm

By Vann Marlo M. Villegas
ASSOCIATE Justice Antonio T. Carpio confirmed on Friday that he has accepted his automatic nomination for Chief Justice.
Mr. Carpio previously declined his automatic nomination when Maria Lourdes P.A. Sereno was ousted as chief justice via quo warranto, saying he voted against that petition by the Solicitor-General.
Meanwhile, the Judicial and Bar Council has extended the deadline on applications for chief justice from Oct. 15 to Oct. 26.
Ms. Sereno’s successor, Teresita J. Leonardo-De Castro, retired on Oct. 10 upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70.
Out of the five most senior justices automatically nominated for chief justice, only Justices Carpio, Diosdado M. Peralta, and Lucas P. Bersamin have accepted their nominations. The JBC has interviewed Messrs. Peralta and Bersamin.
Senior Associate Justice Mariano C. Del Castillo has declined his automatic nomination as chief justice, citing his retirement next year.
He also said, in a statement released by the SC Public Information Office, that his chairmanship of the 2018 Bar Examinations could affect his service as chief justice.
“I am honored to be automatically nominated to the post of Chief Justice of the Supreme Court…My compulsory retirement next year, however, compels me to respectfully decline the nomination,” Mr. Del Castillo said in the statement.
“I foresee that, as Chairperson of the 2018 Bar Examinations, my work will extend to the months just prior to my retirement. That will leave me not much time to embark on notable projects that a Chief Justice will normally want to have an imprint on,” he added.
Mr. Del Castillo is set to retire on July 29, 2019 when he reaches the mandatory retirement age of 70.
Senior Associate Justice Estela M. Perlas-Bernabe has yet to accept her nomination.

Faeldon appointed BuCor chief

October 12, 2018 | 6:37 pm

By Vann Marlo M. Villegas
PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte has appointed Nicanor A. Faeldon, Department of National Defense (DND) deputy administrator of the Office of Civil Defense, as director-general of Bureau of Corrections, Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra said on Friday.
“The DOJ has interposed no objections to the proposed appointment of Mr. Faeldon, and is now seeking the favorable endorsement of the Civil Service Commission as part of the requirements under the Bureau of Corrections Act of 2013,” Mr. Guevarra told reporters in a text message.
Mr. Faeldon will replace former Philippine National Police chief Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, who filed his certificate of candidacy for senator also on Friday.
Mr. Faeldon was appointed by Mr. Duterte to the DND in December 2017. Prior to that, he resigned as Bureau of Customs chief following the controversy on the entry of P6.4 billion worth of methamphetamine hydrochloride or “shabu” in a Valenzuela warehouse in May that year.
In May this year, the Office of the Ombudsman recommended the filing of graft charges against Mr. Faeldon in connection with the shabu shipment.
He is also among the mutineers granted amnesty in 2011 by former president Benigno S.C. Aquino III, together with Sen. Antonio F. Trillanes IV, whose amnesty however has been revoked by .
Mr. Guevarra also said he has designated Jose Mari Ronaldo P. Ledesma as Officer in Charge-Associate Commissioner of the Bureau of Immigration and Griftom Medina as Acting Chief of the bureau’s Ports Operations Division, replacing Marc Red A. Mariñas who will run for mayor of Muntinlupa City.

DOJ submits opposition to Trillanes appeal in rebellion case

October 12, 2018 | 6:37 pm

By Vann Marlo M. Villegas
THE Department of Justice (DoJ) opposed an appeal by Sen. Antonio F. Trillanes IV to reverse the order of Makati Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 150 for his arrest and travel ban and the reception of evidence.
In another development, Makati RTC Branch 148 has set for resolution the DoJ’s urgent motion for Mr. Trillanes’s arrest and travel ban in connection with his coup d’etat case.
In its comment/opposition before Branch 150, the DoJ said the Court has already sided with the prosecution’s urgent motion seeking the warrant of arrest and hold departure order against Sen. Trillanes in connection with his rebellion case from his involvement in the 2007 Manila Peninsula Siege.
“Thus, there is no basis for the accused request to set the case for reception of evidence on the factual issues referred by the Supreme Court because this Honorable Court already ruled in favor of the Proclamation No. 572 dated August 31, 2018 after both parties were able to present evidence,” the comment stated.
It also claimed the existence of a Certificate of Amnesty does not prove that the Senator complied with the requirements for amnesty. According to President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s proclamation, Mr. Trillanes did not comply with the requirements for amnesty.
Judge Elmo M. Alameda of Makati RTC Branch 150 granted the request of Mr. Trillanes’s legal counsel Reynaldo B. Robles to submit his reply in five days and also gave the prosecution the same period to file its rejoinder if necessary.
Mr. Robles, in an interview with reporters after the hearing, said Branch 150 did not consider their testimonies through affidavit forms, and also noted that Mr. Alameda invoked the best-evidence rule in his order.
He pointed out that the application of the best-evidence rule should not be applicable to Mr. Trillanes’s case as the Court is dealing with “factual issues.”
Mr. Robles said: “Hindi naman applicable dito ‘yun e….Ang pinaguusapan ang laman ng dokumento, ang best evidence ay yung best dokumento, hindi ba? Ang pinaguusapan dito, nag-file ba o hindi, yung act of physical filing.” (It is not applicable in this case….If what is in question is the content of the document, the best evidence is the best document, right? What is tackled here is whether he physically filed his or not.)
Branch 148, under Judge Andres B. Soriano, has admitted the evidence submitted by Mr. Trillanes except the printouts of the Facebook page of the Department of National Defense and printouts of throwback pictures of the senator as they were “not duly authenticated, presented and identified by any witness in the Court.”
The DOJ on Oct. 10 filed its comment comment/opposition to Mr. Trillanes’s formal offer of documentary evidence.
The coup d’etat charge against Mr. Trillanes in this court is non-bailable.
Mr. Trillanes’s rebellion and coup d’etat cases were dismissed in 2011 following the granting of his amnesty that year by President Benigno S.C. Aquino III. Mr. Duterte’s proclamation, however, declared as void from the beginning the amnesty of Mr. Trillanes.

Groundbreaking set on Marawi’s rehabilitation

October 12, 2018 | 6:36 pm

By Camille A. Aguinaldo, Reporter
THE groundbreaking of the rehabilitation of Marawi City’s most affected area is scheduled on Oct. 17, a year after the Islamic City’s liberation from Islamic State terrorists, Task Force Bangon Marawi chair Eduardo D. Del Rosario said on Friday.
“Well, actually, we are already prepared for the groundbreaking. Our people are now on the ground preparing for this. And since October 17 is very significant, as the declared date of liberation of Marawi, as declared by our President. So, we find it fitting that the groundbreaking will be on October 17 also,” Mr. Del Rosario said in a press briefing at the Palace.
Asked if the President will attend the groundbreaking rites, Mr. Del Rosario said they are still awaiting the response of the Office of the President.
“If the President could not make it on October 17, we are open to have it one week later. But we are now doubling our efforts in the preparation of the groundbreaking activity. Because we would like to highlight the importance of this groundbreaking, and the President’s presence is very important,” he said.
Mr. Del Rosario said the debris cleaning in the most affected area will be the first task in rebuilding Marawi City, followed by road network construction with underground utilities, then the construction of facilities, such as the classrooms, barangay centers, and markets.
He said a local construction company will be in charge of clearing out the debris in the pilot area, which is around six hectares. The debris cleaning project is worth P75 million.
On concerns over the unexploded bombs, Mr. Del Rosario said the military was able to retrieve already 80% of the ordnances. But he assured that the pilot area will also be screened once again of ordnances before the debris clearing.
“So what we will do now, the strategy that we will apply for this pilot project, there will be six hectares before the contractor will clear the debris, it will be subjected to another clearing of unexploded ordnances. So it will undertake the same process. But we were told that the contractor has the capability to look for unexploded ordnances,” Mr. Del Rosario said.
He also pointed out that other projects in the rehabilitation area have yet to undergo negotiations.
He noted too that the working budget of the whole rehabilitation in the most affected area in Marawi City is around P15 to 16 billion. The task force’s target for rehabilitation completion is the first quarter of 2021.

Set yourself up for success: Goal-setting for wellness

October 12, 2018 | 2:32 pm

With any grand adventure into the unknown, the smart traveler carries with them a map to guide them to their destination. In business, teams conduct studies and build out strategy plans before launching new projects. When the destination is clear, the path to get there reveals itself. The traveler only needs to take the steps.
Your personal wellness journey is no different.
As a wellness coach, I’ve found that it’s my clients who articulate and commit to certain goals before starting a new workout program that achieve the best results. Most importantly, they appreciate the journey they’ve undertaken.
But is it enough to just list down goals? Often, I hear clients say: “I just want to get healthier” or “I’d want to lose some weight”. Don’t get me wrong, simple, general goals are better than having no goals at all. But to make the process more effective, I like having my clients set their goals following the S.M.A.R.T principle:

Specific,
Measurable,
Achievable,
Relevant,
and Time-bound.

These guidelines make the goal-setting process not just aspirational, but strategic. And it’s just as effective for personal wellness, as it is for pursuing any professional goal.
Let’s go back to one of my examples. “I just want to get healthier.” There as countless ways of measuring health, and even more ways to get healthy. But what path is right for you? Broad goals aren’t helpful. Specific goals call for specific actions, and those are always going to be easier to follow.
So maybe we use the second example, “I’d want to lose some weight.” That’s a bit more specific. A week without rice will likely reflect on the weighing scale. A month of non-stop high intensity interval training will definitely reflect on the weighing scale. But so would simply spending a week without rice. If you’re looking to lose, say, 30 lbs, maybe the no-rice diet won’t cut it.
Always make sure the goals are measurable, as hard data will not only contextualize your program, but motivate you as you chart your progress.
Of course, goals need to be achievable or else the client gives up when the goal is near impossible. If you say your goal is to get strong enough to lift a truck, you’re just setting yourself up for failure. There’s nothing wrong with being optimistic, so long as you keep goals realistic.
But even realistic programs can be difficult. When you get derailed, it takes a lot of motivation to get back on the path. A personally relevant goal will handle that for you. If you’re trying to lose weight so you can finish that 10km company fun run your team is organizing, then you have some skin in the game to keep you motivated.
And when you build a timeframe into your goals, you ensure two things: that you start now and not later, and that the journey you’re embarking on is a sustainable one. If you have three months until that fun run, you know you need to start your endurance training as soon as possible. But also that you aren’t pushing yourself that way forever.

The gun-start program

In Village Fitness, I’ve conceptualized what’s called a Gun-start program, where clients can articulate their ultimate wellness goal and the coaches help them set mini-goals under the four pillars of wellness: Exercise, Nutrition, Supplementation, and Lifestyle.
We also list down three concrete follow-up actions that put the context of time in achieving those goals. Once my client and I are finished with the consultation, I ask them to review the goals they’ve set and sign the document, placing their commitment to fulfilling them. I also sign the document, signaling my commitment to helping them achieve those goals.
Keep in mind that wellness goals vary per individual and that you should take your time in really searching for that deep “Why” that should propel you take the actions that you need to.
Having a personal trainer with experience working with various clients is vital in ensuring you not only build a solid program, but set the right kind of goals for yourself. For some, building up their physique is the end goal, and that’s fine. But as one of my clients once said to me: “The gym is not only for aesthetics but it’s also a place for healing”.
Find your personal wellness goals, define them, make them concrete, and watch how you motivate yourself to do things you never thought you could.

Ryan Fermin is an entrepreneur and fitness professional focusing on sports science, strength training, and conditioning. Find him on Instagram at @coach.ryfit.

Today’s tech revolution needs leaders with the right ‘heartware’

October 12, 2018 | 2:13 pm

In the past few years alone, new technologies have changed nearly every aspect of every industry. A smartphone in every pocket means any service needs to be on-demand to be competitive. Social media has completely rebuilt the advertising and journalism business models. Bleeding edge frontiers like artificial intelligence have turned computer science from a specialized course into a basic component of today’s high school curriculum.
They’re calling it the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). If the past few years have seen new technologies change nearly every aspect of every industry, the next few will see monumental changes in industries that haven’t even been invented yet.

Designing humans into obsolescence

According to this year’s edition of the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) “The Future of Jobs Report”, four new technologies in particular will largely affect business growth until 2022: ubiquitous high-speed mobile internet, artificial intelligence, widespread adoption of big data analytics, and cloud technology.
The report found that Filipino companies have already been utilizing these technologies in one form or another. Big data analytics was the most commonly implemented at 92% of businesses surveyed; the internet of things and app and web-enabled markets followed at 83% and 81%, respectively. Rapid adoption of these technologies have created new openings in many of these companies looking for data analysts and software and applications developers.
And now, the elephant in the room: job automation. A majority of businesses surveyed by the WEF reported that streamlining workflows by implementing new technologies will inevitably cut down on their manpower. For the jobs that survive the tech-culling, massive reskilling will be required — with tech and programming knowledge in high demand.
At first glance, these trends paint a bleak, robotic picture of the future. But while humanity seems to be designing itself into obsolescence with each new advancement in technology, some experts project that these massive industry-shattering changes may make humans and human work more essential than ever.

From working with tech, to working alongside tech

A study by Oxford University revealed that routine jobs — like those of telemarketers, loan officers, even runway models — had a 98% chance of being automated due to their routine nature. A machine can run a spiel, or process your financial history, or follow a route down the catwalk.
So what will keep humans in the playing field? Two things.
First, soft skills. As of today, machines are still incapable of capacities like emotional intelligence, critical thinking, and creativity. But more than soft skills, are the character, drive, and core values that make human beings human.
That’s the second advantage human workers have over tech. Delane Lim, Chairman of the ASEAN Youth Community (AYC) calls it ‘heartware’, and believes these will be vital in managing the transition from humans using tech, to humans working alongside tech.
The advent of 4IR poses overwhelming challenges. Tons of new information and rapidly advancing technologies will affect interpersonal relationships in ways we have yet to anticipate.
With these huge developments happening so rapidly, it would be easy for most to sink. It’s the heartware that will keep humans afloat.

Developing your ‘heartware’

This is the drive of the AYC, the Singapore-based regional empowerment program that aims to prepare the young Southeast Asian not only for 4IR but also for the lofty economic goals of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC).
The development of one’s heartware will mean identifying and solidifying one’s purpose and personal value. This in turn, also develops one’s “personal leadership” — the figurative lighthouse that guides one through periods of personal and professional struggle. When one’s heartware is strong and sound, then the individual is resilient enough to push through in the right direction. After that, the acquisition of soft and hard skills will naturally follow.
For workers thrust into the fourth industrial revolution, well-developed heartware will be a powerful asset in their careers. For leaders guiding entire organizations through these particularly tumultuous times, it’s absolutely essential.
“Without heartware, we’ll just be electric,” Mr. Lim said. “That’s why humanity is important. There is a need for a human touch. Because today, employers are not just looking at you being technology-savvy, but for the ability to connect with people, the ability to communicate with people. I think these are two very important gaps we have to close.”

DENR lifts ECC suspension for compliant Boracay establishments

October 12, 2018 | 2:03 pm

By Anna Gabriela A. Mogato

THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources has lifted the suspension on the environmental compliance certificates (ECC) of “complying” businesses in Boracay, weeks ahead of the island’s reopening to the general public.

In a statement on Friday, Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu announced that he had issued the Memorandum Circular 2018-14 dated October 5, green-lighting the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) in Region 6 to lift the suspension on ECCs made last July. The suspension was intended to give the Department of Environment and Natural Resources time to review business compliance to both local and national laws.

Shortly after lifting the suspension, Mr. Cimatu said that “the EMB Regional Office 6 shall continue to monitor establishments despite such lifting of suspension of their respective ECCs.”

“[EMB will also] monitor all establishments issued with Certificate of Non-Coverage (CNC) to ensure their compliance with environmental laws and assure that no violation against the same is committed,” he added.

CNCs are issued to proposed projects that are deemed unlikely to cause environmental problems. Business that pose potential environmental risks, on the other hand, are required to secure ECCs.

The DENR also began to issue Certificates of Conditional Approval (CCAs) to businesses that are “90% to 95%” compliant with environmental regulations.

These businesses have complied with all regulations save for sewage treatment facilities, which may still be under construction. As of Oct. 8, 159 establishments have received their CCAs.

These businesses can proceed to have their permits assessed by the Department of Interior and Local Government before receiving clearance from Department of Tourism to operate once the island opens.

Fintech lender First Circle to expand, boost financial literacy nationwide

October 12, 2018 | 1:53 pm

Online lending firm First Circle is expanding its coverage to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) outside Metro Manila.
This follows news of the firm’s latest partnerships with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, to provide P1.5 billion in loans to local businesses.
“We want to work with as many [SMEs] as we can,” Chief Commercial Officer Axel Regnström told SparkUp. As the nation’s first fintech-powered online lending firm, First Circle has leveraged its digital tools to streamline its services and expand rapidly. They are currently looking to work with prospective clients from CALABARZON, Cebu, and Mindanao.
“That’s the beauty of working with technology, because we’re not as limited as maybe as bank is with how many employees we have,” he added. “We can use the technology to process customers in a faster, [more efficient] way. That means we can work with more customers without having to at least drastically expand our operation.”
Through its services, clients can receive their loans within three to five days by simply uploading the necessary documents online through their mobile devices or computers. And Mr. Regnström says the firm plans to speed up processing times even further.
“We don’t really think that that’s good enough,” Mr. Regnström said. “We think that you should have money within 24 hours in your bank account and that’s really the ambition. If you have the purchase order, why can’t you have the money [right away]?”

Expanding its services

Through the P1.5 billion worth of available loan and an average loan size of P500,000, Regnström said that the number of businesses the initial credit line could cover around 1,500 clients but this is not completely set in stone.
Since publicly launching in 2016, First Circle claims to have serviced more than a thousand clients, lending about P1 billion, with no collateral needed. At an average loan size of P500,000, Regnström says their pool of P1.5 billion in available loans could cover another 1,500 businesses.
“We’re getting additional funding so we can expand that credit line further. While 1,500 customers is a good number, we want that to be in tens of thousands, hundreds [of thousands],” Mr. Regnström said.
As it continues to expand its client base, the company is looking beyond the Philippines and into other Southeast Asian markets such as those in Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, and Cambodia.
“There’s a lot of potential to expand our fintech products [out there],” Mr. Regnström said.

Financial literacy

In partnership with DTI, First Circle is looking to improve financial literacy among local firms, targeting those unfamiliar with modern financial products.
According to Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez, DTI plans to include First Circle speakers in seminars conducted across its 950 Negosyo centers nationwide. Mr. Lopez has also invited First Circle to participate in its SME Academy, launching on Oct. 27.
The academy, housed in the former Philippine Trade Training Center in Pasay City, will offer seminars covering various financial literacy modules and entrepreneurship courses.
“We’re a fintech [company], so we’re a bit new and the SME owners are a bit older on average,” Mr. Regnström said. “So we’re going to have to teach them to adopt a tech product. But once they adopt a tech product, and they see how powerful it is, how it can work for them, then [they’d be more open to use it].”

Reimagining PUVs

October 12, 2018 | 9:15 am

The Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program is a large-scale initiative of the Philippine government aimed at transforming the entire public transportation system. Launched by the Department of Transportation (DoTr) in 2017, it “envisions a restructured, modern, well-managed and environmentally sustainable transport sector where drivers and operators have stable, sufficient and dignified livelihoods while commuters get to their destinations quickly, safely and comfortably.”

A key component of this program is fleet modernization: replacing public utility vehicles (PUVs) that are more than 15 years old with those that are safe, reliable, efficient and environment-friendly.

In April of this year, DoTr mounted an exhibition, “Public Transport Modernization Expo: Modernong Sasakyan, Progresibong Bayan,” at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City, to showcase the modern PUVs and give them the public, particularly the operators and drivers of PUVs, a lowdown on the benefits of the modernization program and its components.

Among the prototypes on display were low-floor public utility buses, jeepneys and e-tricycles. The exhibit was also an occasion for the attendees to ask the manufacturers and body builders of the PUV prototypes questions regarding the design of the vehicles, their technical specifications, performance and efficiency, among other things.

Isuzu Philippines Corp. was one of the participating brands. It put on view three prototypes, all sharing the Isuzu QKR platform, which run on a Euro 4-compliant 4JH1-TC diesel engine capable of providing maximum power of 106 PS at 3,200 rpm and maximum torque of 230 N-m from 1,400-3,200 rpm.

One of the prototypes, a collaboration with Centro Manufacturing Corporation, was the Isuzu-CENTRO Class II jeepney substitute, which had a 23-passenger standard type cabin, side-facing fixed foam seats, sliding windows and electric folding service door. The Isuzu-ALMAZORA Class II prototype, meanwhile, had a special structural body designed by Almazora Motors Corp., and featured side-facing fiber glass seats with cushions and panoramic glass windows. The third prototype Isuzu Philippines displayed was a collaboration with Santarosa Motor Works called Isuzu-SANTAROSA Class III PUV, which had 23 front-facing seats and Galvannealed sheet body panels. All three were fully air-conditioned.

“Our latest PUV display is a result of the test and development process we had with our previous prototypes. We try to work with different local body manufacturers to give our transport groups more designs to choose from,” Hajime Koso, president of Isuzu Philippines, was quoted as saying in a press release. “Rest assured that we work closely with them to ensure the quality and safety of these new products,”

Hino Motors Philippines, the official distributor of Hino trucks and buses in the country, also participated in the expo, showing off its modern jeepney prototypes. These prototypes came in four variants: Hino four- and six-wheelers for Class II and III in air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned versions. These Euro 4-powered Hino jeepneys had a seating capacity of 23 to 30 passengers.

The Hino Class III model is minibus-like with front-facing passenger seats. The Hino Class II PUV, which was designed to look more like a conventional jeepney, had side-facing passenger seats and covered open-air windows and could accommodate standing passengers.

“Our active participation in the government’s project is driven by our Hino’s Total Support mantra. We are committed to providing reliable and innovative transport system solutions for the welfare of all our stakeholders — including our natural resources such as the air we breathe. We believe that this is the first step toward an upgraded and greener transport system,” Vicente Mills, Jr., chairman of Hino Motors Philippines, said in a statement.

The Bureau of Philippine Standards of the Department of Trade and Industry has set standards on the dimensions of PUVs. Class 1 vehicles have a passenger capacity of nine to 22. Class 2 vehicles can carry more than 22 passengers who can either seat or stand. Class 3 vehicles can accommodate of 22 or more sitting passengers. Class 4 vehicles have the same seating capacity as Class 3 vehicles, but they have provisions for cargo.

Last July, DoTr dispatched 150 modern jeepneys to operators. These vehicles had side doors, doing away with the old rear entrance of conventional jeepneys, and a higher ceiling for standing passengers. There were units that had provisions for persons with disabilities, a Wi-Fi connection, a global positioning system or GPS, closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera, dash camera, speed limiter and automatic fare collection system.

Thomas M. Orbos, undersecretary for road transport and infrastructure at DoTr, was quoted in a BusinessWorld report as saying that the rollout of the modern jeepneys was only the first step in providing commuters with the public transportation they deserve.

“Commuters are suffering from smoke-belching, unsafe, and damaged jeepneys because this was what we’re used to. That shouldn’t be the case. It’s the government’s job to give the public what they deserve,” he said.

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