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Regulator says power distributors need to tap more renewable energy to meet 2040 target

AN ENERGY regulator said distribution utilities need to tap more power from renewable sources if the Philippines is to meet the projected goal of a 55.8% share of renewable energy (RE) in the power mix by 2040.

They said the 1% renewable quota set for the renewable portfolio standards (RPS) program must be increased to at least 2.52%, a National Renewable Energy Board (NREB) official.

The DoE is targeting an RE share in the power mix of 37.3% by 2030 and 55.8% by 2040 in its draft National Renewable Energy Program (NREP).

On Tuesday, NREB Chairperson Monalisa C. Dimalanta said that the DoE held a public consultation last week on the draft of the 2020-2040 National Renewable Energy Program.

“We reached the same conclusion. We will not realize the target RE share by 2030 if we were to retain the RPS level at the current 1%. This level will need to be increased to at least 2.52(%) by 2023 if we are to have a fighting chance to reverse the decline in trajectory (of renewables adoption) over the last 10 years,” Ms. Dimalanta said during the 2nd LNG & Clean Energy Investment virtual summit.

The RPS program requires distribution utilities to tap eligible RE facilities for a portion of their supply needs.

At the consultation, Ms. Dimalanta said that the DoE and NREB presented their projections for RPS quotas of 1%, 2.52%, 2.92% as well as a no-RPS scenario over a 10 and 20-year period.

“In both models, it is only by increasing the RPS levels to more than 2.5% starting 2023 that we can ensure a steady increase in RE share in the system, reverting to its 2008 level of 34% by 2030 and increasingly dominating the mix by 2040 with more than 55% share,” Ms. Dimalanta said.

She added that the NREB also sees the need for three types of programs — mandatory, voluntary, and “transition enablers” — which can help address the country’s so-called “energy trilemma.” The trilemma requires the industry to confront the need for energy affordability and access, energy security, and environmental sustainability.

Mandatory programs include RPS and green energy auction. The voluntary programs include the net-metering program and the green energy option program. Transition enablers involve grid and off-grid solutions.

“The task at hand is beyond what a single agency or group can do. It requires all hands to be on deck and all eyes focused on a shared vision for an energy-secure and sustainable future,” she said. — Angelica Y. Yang

Agricultural trade falls 6.8% by value in fourth quarter

Banana exporters ask gov’t to improve access to key markets

AGRICULTURAL trade fell 6.8% year on year to $4.66 billion in the fourth quarter, reflecting a decline in both exports and imports, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said.

The PSA said agricultural exports fell 10.4% to $1.47 billion in the three months to December. The category accounted for an 8.2% share of the country’s exports during the quarter.

Edible fruits and nuts and peel of citrus fruits and melons accounted for $485.64 million or 33.1% of total agricultural exports.

Exports of animal or vegetable fats and oils and their cleavage products were worth $231.25 million; preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or other parts of plants $197.32 million; and tobacco and manufactured tobacco substitutes $123.78 million.

Agricultural imports during the fourth quarter declined 5% year on year to $3.19 billion, accounting for 13.5% of all imports.

Cereals were the top imported commodity at $523.22 million, followed by residues and waste from food industries and prepared animal fodder at $401.57 million, and miscellaneous edible preparations $393.47 million.

Within ASEAN, Malaysia was the leading destination of Philippine agricultural exports accounting for 40.9% of the total or $71.60 million, while Indonesia was the top source of agricultural imports with 31.9% or $315.51 million.

The PSA said the top agricultural products exported to other ASEAN countries were tobacco and manufactured tobacco substitutes valued at $61.73 million; animal or vegetable fats and oil and their cleavage products, prepared edible fats, and animal or vegetable waxes, $40.31 million; and edible fruit and nut and peel of citrus fruit melons, $11.70 million.

Miscellaneous edible preparations were the top agricultural commodity imported from ASEAN countries, valued at $273.63 million; followed by animal or vegetable fats and oil and their cleavage products, prepared edible fats, and animal or vegetable waxes, $239.03 million; and cereals, $132.44 million.

According to the PSA, the Netherlands was the top buyer of Philippine exports and supplier of agricultural products in the European Union, tallying $90.57 million and $70.92 million. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

DoE extends deadline for RE firms to apply for safety officer permits

THE Department of Energy (DoE) told registered renewable energy (RE) developers that it will extend the deadline to apply for safety officer permits (SOP) to the end of March.

In a statement, the DoE said the SOP deadline has been revised following the full migration of SOP permit applications to the online Energy Virtual One-Stop Shop (EVOSS) platform.

“All RE Developers whose deadline to file has lapsed are hereby allowed to file SOP applications until March 31, 2021,” the DoE said.

The department added that it will not charge penalties for filing beyond the original deadline.

According to a department circular issued in 2012, an RE developer is required to renew its safety officer or safety engineer permit a month before expiry.

“The Bureau shall issue a new permit only after reviewing the qualifications and meritorious service record of the applicant, and compliance with… accreditation requirements,” the DoE said in its Renewable Energy Safety, Health and Environment Rules and Regulations.

In the deadline announcement, the DoE said developers were previously required to file their SOP applications before the permit process was moved to EVOSS. — Angelica Y.
Yang

WWF Philippines, BPI Foundation tie up to establish hydroponic farms

WORLD WIDE Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines and the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) Foundation said they have entered into a partnership to establish so-called “food sheds” — modular, multilevel hydroponic farming structures — in rural areas.

WWF Philippines said in a statement Wednesday that the project hopes to promote food and livelihood security in remote areas.

The project, known as PagSibol, hopes to improve food production in WWF Philippines’ partner communities via hydroponic growing facilities, in which crops are grown not in soil but in liquid, infused with mineral nutrients.

“These food sheds that the BPI Foundation is helping us to put up will guide our communities to further, more sustainable prosperity,” WWF Philippines project manager Muneer Hinay said in the statement.

WWF Philippines said food sheds are low cost and need less land than open-air farms. They also come with space to raise poultry.

It added that the roofed structure will protect the crops from the elements, with the hydroponics enabling year-round cultivation.

“With the added, consistent production provided by a food shed, each of the PagSibol projects’ partner communities will be able to provide for their needs, while selling any surplus for additional income,” WWF Philippines said.

According to WWF Philippines, food and livelihood security remains an issue with an estimated 5.2 million Filipinos experiencing hunger last year and about 4 million out of work as of January 2021.

WWF Philippines said the partner communities include Barangay Bantog, Tarlac City; Barangay Dolores, Ormoc City; Barangays Balugo and Sibulan, Negros Oriental; Barangay Ara-al, La Carlota City; Barangay Mailum, Bago City; Anajawan Island, General Luna, Surigao del Norte; Barangays Basagad, Balo-i and Binuni, in the municipality of Bacolod, both in Lanao del Norte; Barangay Tigbalabag, Zamboanga City; Barangay Kidalapong, Malita, Davao Occidental; and Barangay Dailag, Arakan, North Cotabato. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

Higher vaccine share for capital planned as more doses arrive

THE SECOND batch of coronavirus vaccines donated by the Chinese government arrived in the Philippines on Wednesday, according to authorities heading the country’s pandemic response.

The country took delivery of about 400,000 additional doses of Coronavac developed by China’s Sinovac Biotech Ltd., the Department of Health and the National Task Force against COVID-19 said in a joint statement.

Beijing in late-February donated about 600,000 vials of CoronaVac, which kicked off Manila’s vaccination drive.

The Philippines also previously took delivery of about 525,600 doses of the vaccine developed British firm AstraZeneca, Plc through a global initiative for equal access.

Officials of the inter-agency task force leading the country’s pandemic response, including  vaccine Czar Carlito G. Galvez, Jr, Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III and testing czar Vivencio B. Dizon, received the latest delivery at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

“The arrival of these vaccines could not have occurred at a more opportune time considering the continued rise in cases, which in turn increases the need to inoculate more high-risk individuals as soon as possible,” Mr. Duque was quoted as saying.

In the next two days, the Philippines is also expected to receive about 979,200 more vials of AstraZeneca.

Before the month ends, Manila would also take delivery of about one million Sinovac doses paid for by the Philippine government.

The OCTA Research Team from the University of the Philippines, which has been tracking the pandemic numbers, on Wednesday said all vaccines available in the country must be deployed to the National Capital Region (NCR) and its surrounding provinces where there have been a renewed surge of transmissions.

OCTA member Ranjit S. Rye recommended that at least 4.5 million doses be given to the capital, which has been the epicenter of COVID-19 cases.

“If we win the war in the NCR, we think, we win the battle against COVID in the country,” he said in a mix of Filipino and English.

From the initial 1,125,600 Sinovac and AstraZeneca doses delivered, 818,100 have been released for the first dose, based on Department of Health (DoH) data as of Mar. 23. Of the total released, 251,235 doses or 30.7% went to NCR.

Presidential adviser for entrepreneurship Jose Maria C. Concepcion, in an interview with CNN Philippines on Wednesday, said the private sector already proposed to the task force to allocate its initial donation of vaccines for the capital region.

The private sector and local governments were able to secure about 17 million doses of AstraZeneca through a tripartite agreement with the national government and the manufacturer.  About five million doses were paid for by private firms.

Mr. Concepcion said 2.6 million of private sector-funded AstraZeneca doses are expected to arrive in May. Of this initial batch, about 1.6 million doses would be given to the national government, he said.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario S. Vergeire, in a briefing Wednesday, reiterated that the prioritization framework for vaccination should be observed after reports of some local officials receiving their first dose.

“We are all entitled to be vaccinated. We just need to have this prioritization because we do not have enough vaccines yet. We will get to that point where everyone will be given their shot,” Ms. Vergeire said in a mix of English and Filipino.

Healthcare workers are at the top of the priority list followed by vulnerable groups like senior citizens and those with comorbidities.

The DoH reported 6,666 coronavirus infections on Wednesday, bringing the total to 684,311.

The death toll rose by 47 to 13,039, while recoveries increased by 1,072 to 579,518, it said in a bulletin.

There were 91,754 active cases, 95.3% of which were mild, 2.5% did not show symptoms, 0.8% were critical, 0.9% were severe, and 0.46% were moderate.

Seven laboratories failed to submit their data on Mar. 23, it said. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza and Vann Marlo M. Villegas

Researchers propose 4-week stricter rules if COVID surge stays

MORE stringent rules will have to be considered by the government if coronavirus infections continue to increase after the current two-week semi-lockdown imposed on the capital Metro Manila and four surrounding provinces, researchers said on Wednesday.

If the current coronavirus reproduction rate of 2.0 does not go down to 1.5 within the two-week period from Mar. 22 to Apr. 4, the government should implement the second strictest level tagged as modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ),  the OCTA Research Team from the University of the Philippines said in a televised press briefing.

“Let’s give the bubble a chance, but if the cases continue to go up after next week, then we should think about a stricter quarantine classification,” Ranjit S. Rye, one of the group’s members, said in a mix of English and Filipino.

The “bubble” covers the National Capital Region and the provinces of  Bulacan, Rizal, Laguna, and Cavite.

Mr. Rye said stricter restrictions for four weeks could “knock out” the renewed surge in coronavirus cases and address the weakening capacity of hospitals within these areas.

“For four weeks, it will really knock it out,” he said, noting that it will also coincide with the expected arrival of more vaccines.

He said it is “more realistic” to observe a downtrend in infections “after four weeks of stricter restrictions.”

Mr. Rye said they are suggesting a “soft MECQ,” wherein public transportation will not be limited so it can provide service to workers.

A number of business establishments will also be allowed to continue operations.

Meanwhile, the group Advocates of Science and Technology for the People (AGHAM) on Wednesday pushed for free mass testing and extensive contact tracing to arrest the virus transmission.

“The Philippines must immediately implement free mass testing and more aggressive contact tracing in view of increased transmission of COVID-19,” AGHAM said in a statement.

The group also urged the government to increase its support to the local sector for producing testing kits to make the supply “sufficient, affordable, and not solely dependent on imports.”

“Scientists from UP have already demonstrated that we can make our own testing kits,” it said. “We have competent scientists, technologists, and engineers to propel our country forward in this direction.”

“With a massive budget of at least $2.91B through various loans at its disposal, we expected a system that is prepared to address a possible worse surge of the disease. To say that we are disappointed is an understatement,” it said. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

Military deploys more naval assets in West Philippine Sea

ARMED Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Cirilito E. Sobejana on Wednesday said he has directed the deployment of more naval assets to the West Philippine Sea to monitor about 200 Chinese fishing vessels that massed at a reef within the Philippine territory.

“I directed the Philippine Navy to deploy additional naval assets to the West Philippine Sea to increase our visibility and ensure the security and safety of our fishermen. Of course our marine resources and integrity of our territory,” he told the Commission on Appointments.

“We do not tolerate incursions in our territorial waters from anybody,” he added.

In early February, Mr. Sobejana also ordered increased naval presence in the West Philippine Sea after China passed a new law authorizing its coast guard to fire at foreign vessels.

The commission on Wednesday approved the nomination of Mr. Sobejana to the rank of general as well as the nomination of six other officers and 26 ad interim appointments of senior officers in the armed forces.

The Philippine government on Sunday said it was concerned that more than 200 Chinese militia vessels had moored at the Whitsun Reef or Juan Felipe Reef. The vessels had no actual fishing activities and had full white lights on at night.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. said the country filed a diplomatic protest against the activity. The Foreign Affairs department, in a statement on Tuesday, demanded China to withdraw the fishing vessels and maritime assets at the reef, saying it infringes on Philippine sovereignty.

Mr. Sobejana said the military had conducted maritime patrol in the area and counted 183 vessels at the reef, which were in a formation similar to fishing boats when at rest.

“But the number is quite substantial compared to the formation that I have observed in the Sulu seas. So we are trying to assess why they did such kind of a formation,” he said. 

They have also invited China’s defense attache to the Philippines on Wednesday to discuss the matter, Mr. Sobejana said.

The Chinese Embassy in Manila on Monday said the reef is part of China’s Nansha Qundao and the Chinese vessels had taken shelter near the reef due to rough sea conditions. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

House leader says Finance dep’t assures support to P420-B stimulus package 

HOUSE Speaker Lord Allan Jay Q. Velasco on Wednesday said the Department of Finance has promised to find funding sources for the proposed P420-billion economic stimulus package.

In a statement on Wednesday, Mr. Velasco said he “got an assurance” of support on the proposed Bayanihan to Arise as One Act from Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III during a recent meeting. 

The bill is the third economic relief fund after the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act (Bayanihan I) and the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act (Bayanihan II).

“It’s a matter of finding revenues to be able to fund those programs. Secretary Dominguez did not actually shoot down Bayanihan III,” Mr. Velasco said.

“(H)e (Mr. Dominguez) really wants to help the Filipino people. He just said to give him time to look for the funding,” the solon added.

The proposed third Bayanihan law, filed last month by the speaker and Marikina Representative Stella Luz A. Quimbo, has garnered the support of 224 members of the House of Representatives. 

The proposed economic relief package will consist of P108 billion for social amelioration program assistance to households affected by the pandemic; P100 billion for capacity-building of businesses from critically affected industries; P70 billion capacity-building for agricultural producers; P52 billion for wage subsidies; P30 billion for displaced workers; P30 billion for internet expenses for teachers and students; P25 billion for COVID-19 vaccines and medicines; and P5 billion for the rehabilitation of typhoon-affected areas.

Economic managers have previously said that a third Baynihan fund is not needed, citing that there are already pandemic response measures covered by the 2021 national budget and the Bayanihan II. — Gillian M. Cortez

Electricity lifeline rate extension to 2051 ratified by Senate

THE PROPOSED law that will extend the lifeline rates for the poor until 2051 has been ratified by the Senate, placing the measure up for President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s approval. 

The Senate ratified the bicameral committee report in its last plenary session on Wednesday before the congressional recess until May 17. 

The Senate approved Senate Bill 1877 and House Bill 8145 that would amend Section 73 of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (EPIRA) Law.

Lifeline rate is a subsidy provided to qualified marginalized consumers who cannot pay at full cost. The subsidy will be shouldered by non-lifeline rate consumers.

Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian, chair of the committee on energy, said the approved bicameral report added another criterion for those who will be eligible to the lifeline rate, which is the power consumption level of the household, should be continuously within the threshold to be determined by the Energy Regulatory Commission.

He also said the extension of the lifeline rate will have minimal impact on non-lifeline rate consumers, citing an estimate by the Energy department that they would only be paying P0.0087 per kilowatt hour by 2051 for the subsidy.

“In short, the relief provided to millions of poor households through this extension will far outweigh the minimal cost shouldered by more affluent consumers,” Mr. Gatchalian said.

“The changes in the bicam report as discussed will allow for the even more efficient and fiscally responsible implementation of the extended lifeline rate,” he added.

The House of Representatives ratified the bicameral committee report last Monday. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

Nationwide round-up (03/24/21)

IBP rallies judicial sector to act faster on cases of killing of lawyers, judges

THE Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) welcomed the vow of the Supreme Court on Tuesday to help protect lawyers and judges amid the rise of violence against them, and called on legal practitioners to do their part in speeding up the litigation of these cases. “Lawyers, judges, prosecutors, and all workers in the justice sector can and should do so much to deliver justice a lot faster. Only when the evil-doers are swiftly and surely held accountable that the criminals fear the law and respect the rights of others,” the IBP, the official organization of Philippine lawyers, said in its statement on Wednesday. “While we vigorously pushback against any threat, violence, or disregard of due process, we will move forward and focus on what we can do to deliver ‘Justice Bilis’ (swift justice),” it added. In a mobile message on Wednesday, IBP President Domingo Egon Q. Cayosa explained that Justice Bilis is “a campaign and major program of our leadership and the 24th IBP Board” aimed at resolving cases much faster by improving technology in the Supreme Court to be able to conduct hearings via videoconferencing. Meanwhile, eight senators who are also lawyers filed a resolution on Wednesday condemning the spate of killings of lawyers and added their voice to those calling on President Rodrigo R. Duterte to take “necessary steps” to ensure the safety of members of the legal profession. The resolution was filed by Senate Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon, Senators Juan Edgardo M. Angara, Pia S. Cayetano, Leila M. de Lima, Richard J. Gordon, Francisco N. Pangilinan, Aquilino L. Pimentel III, and Francisco N. Tolentino. They noted that the 54 lawyers had been killed since 2016 and only five cases have reached the courts, citing data from the Department of Justice. The Free Legal Assistance Group reported 100 lawyers who have been killed in the last 20 years. — Bianca Angelica D. Añago and Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

House panel approves consolidated bills on better health crisis response

A House of Representatives panel on Wednesday approved the proposed law that will strengthen the country’s response to public health crises. The House committee on appropriations approved the substitute bill consolidating 14 related measures that aim to boost the management of public health emergencies. Quezon Representative Angelina “Helen” DL Tan said during the hearing that the country has a long way to go before it can effectively implement International Health Regulations crafted by the World Health Organization for controlling the global spread of diseases. “The bills aim to establish a health security national action plan and strengthen institutional capacity to prevent diseases prevention, surveillance, control, and response systems and implement contingency plans to deal with public health events,” she said.

OCCUPATIONAL DISEASE
In the upper chamber, Senator Risa N. Hontiveros-Baraquel on Wednesday called for the inclusion of coronavirus infection among the occupational diseases that workers can avail insurance for under the government’s compensation program for employees. She urged the Department of Labor and Employment and Employees Compensation Commission to declare COVID-19 as an occupational disease under the Employees Compensation Act and Employees Compensation Program. Ms. Hontiveros said workers are at high risk offices, factories, and mass transportation are the new “hot spots” of virus transmission. “Employees should not be burdened with proving that they contracted the virus from work, because traveling between home and the workplace via public transport is in itself a work-related sacrifice that our workers make,” she said in Filipino. — Gillian M. Cortez and Vann Marlo M. Villegas

Regional Updates (03/24/21)

2 more Abu Sayyaf members in abduction of Indonesians killed

ANOTHER two members of the Abu Sayyaf who were involved in the kidnapping of five Indonesians in January last year were killed Tuesday afternoon in post-rescue operations, the military reported. Their leader Majan Sahidjuan was killed over the weekend in an island in Tawi-Tawi, a province in the country’s south. Several other members of the kidnap-for-ransom group were killed Thursday last week when three of the abductees were rescued. The latest two fatalities, along with the last of the Indonesian captives who has been rescued, managed to escape during the weekend encounter but were later tracked and killed in a gunfight. The four rescued Indonesians were flown to Manila and handed over on Tuesday to Indonesian Embassy officials. The first three victims told the military one of them was killed by their captors while trying to escape during an encounter between their kidnappers and government forces in Patikul, Sulu in September. They were kidnapped in January last year from a vessel in waters off Malaysia. Lt. Gen. Corleto S. Vinluan, Jr., commander of the Western Mindanao Command, lauded the troops and acknowledged the contribution of other sectors. “We also have to give due recognition to the support of the local government officials, our partners from the PNP (Philippine National Police), and community who directed our troops to the terrorists’ location,” he said. The Abu Sayyaf group first became notorious for hijacking and kidnapping activities, but later became involved in terrorism and linked with the extremist Islamic State. — MSJ

Supreme Court orders further reduction in onsite manpower

THE Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday ordered to “drastically reduce” the number of onsite personnel in all courts within the National Capital Region and the provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal from Mar. 24 to 26, following a directive to operate with a 30% to 50% skeletal workforce from Mar. 23 to 31. The order cites the “alarming increase” of coronavirus cases in these areas, which have been placed under more stringent restrictions by the national government until Apr. 4. The high court said the number of personnel who will work onsite should just be “as sufficient to attend to all urgent matters, preferably by videoconferencing.” In another circular also released Tuesday night, Chief Justice Diosdado M. Peralta allowed all courts and offices in Metro Manila and the four surrounding provinces to maintain less than 30% of staff until Apr. 16. All judges in the area are allowed to conduct fully-remote videoconferencing hearings as an alternative without the need for approval from the Office of the Court Administrator. — Bianca Angelica D. Añago

Phivolcs warns of increased Taal Volcano seismic activity

STATE scientists on Wednesday warned of increasing seismic activity at Taal Volcano, which heightens the possibility of a magmatic eruption. “Overall seismic energy release has markedly increased since yesterday afternoon compared to previous seismic swarms. Sulfur dioxide gas emission in the previous week has been generally high with a peak of 1,184 tons/day on 21 Mar. 2021,” the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said in an advisory released at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday. “The above parameters indicate that magma has been migrating across shallow depths beneath Taal Volcano Island, increasing the possibilities of magmatic eruption.” Phivolcs maintained the alert level at 2 out of five levels. “Alert Level 2 (Increased Unrest) is currently maintained over Taal Volcano but that unrest has been elevating and is under constant evaluation,” Phivolcs said, “sudden steam-driven or phreatic explosions, volcanic earthquakes, minor ashfall, and lethal accumulations or expulsions of volcanic gas can occur and threaten areas within and around” the island. Taal Volcano, which last erupted in January 2020, has been exhibiting “unrest” since Feb. 13 this year with 2,015 volcanic tremors recorded. — MSJ

Keep ears to the ground to come up with helpful solutions, Filipina tech leaders say

Keeping your ears to the ground and sincerely listening to what people say allows you to come up with helpful solutions, according to Filipina tech leaders who participated in a forum organized by local startup enabler QBO Innovation Hub. 

“I really empathize with women who have to juggle responsibilities. It is a struggle,” said Grace T. Vera Cruz, president of mobile technology company Grab Philippines. “I love compassion as a word, and we live it [at Grab].” 

Grab employees with children can talk about coping mechanisms, working from home, and other concerns in a forum called Parents at Grab. Drivers can also check in and discuss their concerns through Zoom calls and Facebook live events. 

Telecommunications company PLDT, Inc. meanwhile, asked employees what they needed and gave them what they asked for: vitamin C and masks, early in the pandemic; chairs, when the disadvantages of not having a proper home office started surfacing.  

“Six months into the pandemic, everyone asked for chairs,” said Katrina L. Abelarde, first vice-president and head of PLDT-Smart’s International Carrier Group. “Apparently, a lot were sitting on beds and it was giving them backaches. We tried morning workouts but that didn’t work out, so we gave away chairs.” 

Reaching out also proved beneficial to Frontlearners, said Elaine P. De Velez, co-founder and chief executive officer. The education technology (edtech) company tweaked its e-learning content and learning management system to make it more relevant to its school clientele. 

Ms. De Velez said there was a forced migration to digital last year as many schools grasped at learning continuity. For some customers who had been using the platform for years, it was business as usual. For others who had only recently come onboard, the company proved to be a welcome solution. “Some schools had no I.T. (information technology) department,” she added, “whereas others had an I.T. department but no edtech component. We reached out to them in whatever stage of technological adaptation they were in.”

Talking things through with people you trust, enabling people to succeed, and inspiring others by being the best person you can be are among the pieces of advice Ms. Vera Cruz shared at the online event. 

“We want to leverage what we have to empower everyone to fulfill their own missions and also solve the problems they might have in their lives,” she said. — Patricia B. Mirasol

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