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Australia Day 2024
Climate change is a challenge we’re all facing. . . This is why we’ll be continuing to support the clean energy transition here in the Philippines. I’m also looking forward to continuing the work to develop a sustainable mining sector......»»
Meralco eyes cutting 2030 direct emissions by over 20%
The Manila Electric Company, the country’s largest distribution utility, has unveiled its plans to slash its 2030 direct emissions by over 20 percent in line with the company’s goal to become coal-free before 2050. This target covers the company’s projected 2030 baseline Scope 1 emissions, which refer to greenhouse gas emissions directly generated by the company from thermal power generation and from the use of fuel for vehicles and other equipment. Meralco’s just, orderly, and affordable transition to clean energy is the central thrust of its long-term sustainability strategy, which begins with the company’s investment in renewable energy to serve the country’s growing energy demand with greener power. This includes the distribution utility’s program to source an increasing portion of its supply portfolio from RE. Initial target exceeded Meralco has so far contracted 1,880 megawatts of RE capacity from various suppliers, already exceeding its initial target of 1,500 MW. Through Meralco’s strategic sourcing initiatives, RE is expected to account for 22 percent of the distribution utility’s supply portfolio by 2030, and 18 percent of that of Meralco’s retail electricity supplier, MPower, by 2025. “We recognize our impact on the planet, and we will do more as part of our earnest commitment to sustainability. As we chart the path towards a brighter and greener energy future, Meralco will continue to evolve and elevate its sustainability agenda to continue powering the good life for all,” Meralco first vice president and chief sustainability officer Raymond B. Ravelo said. To further strengthen its decarbonization efforts, Meralco, through its power generation arm, Meralco PowerGen Corporation, is accelerating its RE buildout to develop greener generating capacities to power the country with sustainable energy. Committed to invest P18-B Earlier this year, MGen committed to invest at least P18 billion for its RE buildout which will cover capacities from clean technologies such as solar and wind which the company aims to build through 2030. “In the coming years, Meralco will accelerate its shift to green energy through the adoption of next-generation clean technologies. Ultimately, we will drive deep decarbonization to advance long-term energy security with earth-friendly power,” Mr. Ravelo said. The post Meralco eyes cutting 2030 direct emissions by over 20% appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
A new era begins at Gucci
Gucci is at another tipping point in its 101-year-old history. New CEO. New creative director. The brand even wiped its Instagram clean of old posts. New slate......»»
High BoI figures show capital swing
As a testament to the strides taken to raise the country’s laggard investments, the country’s main investment promotion agency, the Board of Investments reported registering P720 billion worth of investments for the year until August. In a forum on Thursday, BoI Governor Marjorie Ramos-Samaniego said they now see positive investment growth for the rest of the year. “As of August of 2023, the BoI approvals amounted to 72 percent of the P1-trillion investment target for the year,” she added. Last Tuesday, BoI chairperson and Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual said he is confident of hitting and even surpassing the 2023 investment approvals target of P1.5 trillion. He said the investment promotion agency has projects in the pipeline, some of which came from past foreign trips of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and the investment missions of the Department of Trade and Industry. Last year, the BoI approved an estimated P729 billion worth of new projects, which is 11 percent higher than the P655.4 billion approved in 2021. On Thursday, the BoI announced that it granted green lane endorsement to five floating solar power projects in Laguna Lake under Executive Order 18 or “Constituting Green Lanes for Strategic Investments,” meant to expedite, streamline and automate government approval and registration process of priority and strategic investments. “In keeping with the government’s goal of accelerating the realization of green investments in the Philippines, the BOI has given the go-ahead to ACEN Corporation’s requests for Green Lane processing of several renewable energy ventures located in Laguna Lake,” Pascual explained. The approved projects include SolarAce4, AC Laguna, AC Subic, GigaWind1 and Ingrid Floating Solar Power Plants, which are consistent with the government’s mission to accelerate the growth of eco-friendly investments. In accordance with EO 18, the five renewable energy. or RE, projects are now identified and designated as strategic investments, which are expected to be completed between 2026 and 2027. Obtaining green lane status expedites permit and license issuance, including resolving strategic investment issues. Trade Undersecretary and BoI managing head Ceferino Rodolfo awarded the Green Lane Certificates of Endorsement to ACEN president and CEO Eric Francia in an awarding ceremony at the BoI Main Office in Makati City last 6 September 2023. BoI Governor Ramos-Samaniego and Executive Director Bobby Fondevilla of the Investment Assistance Center are present in the ceremony, and ACEN representatives namely Anabelle Natividad, authorized representative; Atty. Lucky Aranas, project lawyer; and Miguel Ignacio, project manager. SolarAce4 covers 100 hectares of the lake surface area in Santa Cruz, Laguna, and will produce a 140-megawatt peak of clean energy. AC Laguna Floating Solar Power Plant — AC Laguna is located on 200 hectares of lake surface area in Victoria and Pila, Laguna, and will generate 280MWp of clean energy. The AC SUBIC Floating Solar Power Plant, occupying 200 hectares of lake surface area in Victoria and Santa Cruz, Laguna, is expected to produce 280MWp of clean energy. GigaWind1 Floating Solar Power Plant covers 200 hectares of lake surface area in Kalayaan and Paete, Laguna and will generate 280MWp of sustainable energy. Finally, Ingrid Floating Solar Power Plant is located on 100 hectares of lake surface area in Lumban, Laguna and will produce 140MWp of clean energy. At the forefront of Asia Pacific’s renewables revolution, ACEN is the first energy company in Southeast Asia to announce a Net Zero roadmap. ACEN, established in 2011, is the renewable energy platform of the Ayala Group. Its portfolio continues to grow with new solar and wind farms under construction in the Philippines, Australia, Vietnam, Lao PDR and India. ACEN aims to be the largest listed renewables platform in Southeast Asia and is targeting to reach 20 GW of renewable capacity by 2030. Its key markets are the Philippines, Australia, Vietnam, Indonesia and India. The post High BoI figures show capital swing appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Unity, cooperation key to climate crisis – Mayor Abby
Makati City Mayor Abby Binay batted for unity and cooperation among world leaders to further understand the urgency to mitigate climate crisis. This is what the city mayor said as she advocated for creating a cleaner and more sustainable world, when she went to Melbourne, Australia to attend one of the world’s premiere forums on climate change and promoting the use of clean energy in other cities and countries around the globe. The lady mayor was the speaker at the Cities Power Partnership’s Climate Summit for Local Government which started on 6 September and lasted for three days. The mayor delivered a keynote address to the session supported by the Global Covenant of Mayors where she is also a board member and a representative of Southeast Asia. “Makati is not a perfect city, but we have a lot of studies that we could share to other cities. I will continue to do my part for other leaders like me to further understand the urgency to mitigate climate crisis and remind everyone of the importance of unity and cooperation,” Binay said. Spearheaded by Australia’s top officials and leaders, the Cities Power Partnership’s Climate Summit for Local Government has been regarded as one of the most important events in the country as all its mayors and members of their council attend the momentous event. “This means key decision makers and thought leaders were given the chance to exchange ideas and suggestions for the conceptualization of stronger and more effective programs for climate action,” Binay explained. The local chief executive said she spoke about “COP28 and the Opportunities for Cities” as part of her preparations for the upcoming 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference or Conference of the Parties to be held from November to December in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. She stressed the significance of such conferences to countries committed to a sustainable, resilient, and climate-responsive future. The post Unity, cooperation key to climate crisis – Mayor Abby appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Farmers ask for subsidies as farm gate prices decline due to storms, wet season
Palay farmgate prices continue to decline and are expected to drop even more when harvest peaks in late September and October. This was the assessment made by the Department of Agriculture's Rice Industry Development that saw palay farm gate prices from a high of P22 to P25 a kilo in June and July, the onset of harvest in Nueva Ecija in early September, and continue to drop at P17 and P18 a kilo last week. DA-RID said a field survey done by the National Rice Program in several towns of Nueva Ecija this week showed palay farm gate prices continue to drop, which farmers said might drop to as low as P16 or P15 when harvest for the wet season crops begins to peak by mid- September. Farmers are also appealing to the President to intervene, so that they would get better rates for their produce and not be at the mercy of prices to be dictated by the traders, agents and millers. It added that farmers lamented that their production had been substantially decimated by the recent prolonged downpour caused by the typhoon and habagat, resulting in many of their standing crops bending to the soil, making them irrecoverable. "But for some who harvested earlier, they were able to benefit from the high prices from their palay and did not suffer losses, unlike the majority who would be harvesting in the coming weeks," the NRP reported. An inspection done by the DA-NRP also showed that heavily affected by the prolonged downpour from habagat and typhoons, were the farms of Licab, Quezon, Zaragoza and other areas. The field survey revealed that most of the Nueva Ecija farmers interviewed said they were saddened by the abrupt decline in palay farmgate prices from about P22 to P24 in late August to just P16 to P17 a kilo now, they said. Aside from the rains, another factor that led to the sudden decline in palay prices was the imposition of price cap on 5 September. “We’re afraid that traders, millers, and other merchants would buy our harvest at a uniform lower price,” they said. Many farms in Nueva Ecija are beginning to harvest their wet season crop, which is expected to peak by mid-September until late October. The National Food Authority does not buy fresh palay, but only those with a moisture content of 14.1 to 30 percent, clean and dry, which costs P19 per kilo. During the field interview, the farmers, a seed grower and members of a farm coop in Aliaga, Quezon and Licab, all in Nueva Ecija, also suggested that if rice vendors of Metro Manila are to be given subsidy for what they claim as “losses” for selling stocks they bought at high prices, but they must sell at P41 for regular milled and P45 for well milled, then they too should be given subsidies for the losses they have suffered from the reduced price ceilings of rice which caused palay prices to slides down. They also appealed to the President to order NFA to buy fresh (wet) palay at the farmgate level, which traders have been leaving them with no choice but to sell wet palay at a loss. With the recent prolonged rains from habagat, farmer Servillano Yabut, also director of the Farmer Business Service Cooperative of Aliaga said he expects to harvest only 60 to 70 percent of their planted palay with an average yield of 130 cavans per hectare and rice recovery of only 65 cavans. Five years ago, Marcelo Tudayan of Aliaga sold his palay at the farm gate price for as high as P22.50 but now he said he would be lucky to sell at P17 a kilo. He explained that back then, the cost of inputs was low which enabled them to still earn, but now that the cost of all inputs—principally fertilizers—has soared, he does not expect to earn any. The cost of petrochemical fertilizers soared with the global price hikes for oil as a result of the 2-year old war in Ukraine and the worldwide disruptions in the supply chain because of the pandemic. During the dry season crop of 2023, the top five production areas of Nueva Ecija: Guimba with 124,943.56 metric tons; San Antonio with 112, 126.97 mt; Munoz with 85,947.21 mt; Talavera with 72,681.60 and Gapan with 67,265.69 mt. But in terms of yield per hectare during the dry season crop, the top five LGUs were: Munoz with 9.5 mt; San Antonio, 9.2 mt; Sto. Domingo, 8.89 mt; Jaen, 8.55 mt and Sta. Rosa, 8.44 mt. These LGUs have yet to start the wet season harvest by mid-September to October, but a few harvests have already been made at Aliaga and parts of Quezon and Licab. The Masagana Rice Industry Development Program aims to raise farmers' income through better-yielding seed varieties (both inbred and hybrid) and increase their savings from production costs through a cocktail of fertilizers (organic, biofertilizer, and chemical nutrients) and linking them with potential buyers and credit facilities. The post Farmers ask for subsidies as farm gate prices decline due to storms, wet season appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Salt maker request: Redeem our dying industry, amend ‘Asin’Law
A gourmet salt manufacturer in Albuquerque, Bohol is asking for the country’s lawmakers to amend Republic Act 8172, otherwise known as the Act for Salt Iodization Nationwide or ASIN Law, as the statute continues to kill their industry that has been operating in Albuquerque for more than a century now. In an interview, Nestor Manungas, proprietor of ASINAN ni Tan Inong, the maker of the unique Asin Tibuok, said RA 8172 has been hindering them to manufacture the condiment because the law mandates that salt produced in the country should contain iodine. “We cannot do that in our product because our way of producing Asin Tibuok is completely different from the normal way of making salt. We use direct heat, so minerals, like iodine, will definitely wear out or destroy the product,” he said. Signed into law by late-President Fidel V. Ramos in 1995, RA 8172 seeks to eliminate iodine deficiency disorders by mandating all salt producers and manufacturers to iodize their products. Ease of Doing Business Also, Manungas hit the Food and Drug Administration for being so sluggish in releasing approvals on their product, despite the presence of the Ease of Doing Business Law. “The US FDA is even better, we got it quickly. But here, we got them (FDA permit) more than two years ago. Although the Department of Trade and Industry helped us in the process, but it’s still too long. Other manufacturers have already given up on operating here because of bureaucratic hardships in acquiring business operation permits,” according to Manungas. Manungas’ Asin Tibuok, under the company Tan Inong Manufacturing Corporation, is currently making waves in terms of exports in various parts of the world, particularly in the United States, Europe, Australia, Japan and China. “This year we have a huge demand in Europe. Foreigners appreciate our salt as they find it totally different from Himalayan salt because it has a smoky flavor that they like in the taste of their food. But hopefully, we can sell on a large scale here in the country. I hope the business founded by our ancestors will not be dissolved,” he said. Stringent process Making Asin Tibuok, said to be on the brink of extinction, is not easy as it is very labor-intensive. Traditionally, Asin Tibuok making begins by soaking coconut husks for three months in saltwater coming from pools by the mangrove at the back of the manufacturing house of Manungas in Albuquerque. These husks will go through the burning process in a highly controlled manner. Subsequently, the ashes collected from the burnt are manually poured on large filters and more seawater will be poured through the ashes to make a very highly concentrated brine. After this, specially made clay pots are placed over a wood fire, and the concentrated brine is transferred continuously for eight hours into the boiling pots. Manungas and his assistants usually keep a close eye on evaporation so that the pots will not crack, resulting in a smoky sphere of salt that can weigh as much as one kilo. These pots of rocky salt are priced at P800. Business group support Since last year, the Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food Inc. has been urging lawmakers to amend Republic Act 8172 to revive the country’s salt production industry. Its president, Danilo Fausto said the country continues to import 93 percent of its salt requirement, even though the Philippines has the second longest shoreline in the world. “We have 36,000 kilometers of shoreline. It’s really embarrassing that we are importing salt from Australia and China, and some also in Thailand and New Zealand,” Fausto said. Fausto added the country in 2021 imported 646,000 metric tons of salt, which is being used as fertilizer for coconut trees. On the other hand, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry is also pushing for amendments to the Asin Law to help local manufacturers in the country, aside from other monumental reforms that would help micro, small, and medium enterprises to recoup from the ill effects of the pandemic and economic headwinds. But during his second State of the Nation Address, the proposed amendment for the ASIN Law was not included on the priority bills President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. requested for lawmakers of the House of Representatives to focus on. The post Salt maker request: Redeem our dying industry, amend ‘Asin’Law appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Marcos: Gov’t to address taxation issues raised by investors
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. told business leaders that the government will be introducing amendments to the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises or CREATE Act to address the issues on taxation raised by several investors. “We’re working on those issues and... we will be introducing the amendments for the CREATE law to take care of this,” Marcos said at the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Business Advisory Council or ABAC meeting on Friday, 28 July in Cebu City. Marcos told executives of three major companies in Cebu City, including the Marubeni Corp., Austal Ltd., and Tsuneishi Heavy Industries-Cebu Inc., that the government will be considering whatever amendments the business leaders wish to add. “If you have your own amendments with you, we’d like to see, we will be happy to look at one. I want to hear from everyone what their ideas are, or even just, from your experience in other countries, what has worked for you,” the President said. Among the raised issues were the 12-percent Value Added Tax imposed on indirect exporters supplying goods and services to export-oriented enterprises; non-refund of VAT incurred by the domestic market enterprises or DMEs on their local purchases; tedious documentary requirements, slow process; and the unpredictability of VAT refund claims. Marcos administration noted that the proposed amendments to the CREATE Act and Implementing Rules and Regulations “will allow the sales of indirect exporters to export-oriented enterprises to be subject to VAT zero-rating”—provided such sales are directly and exclusively used in the registered project or activity of the exporters. The proposed amendments also include that DMEs under the five percent gross income tax regime will have the option to register as VAT taxpayers. This will allow DMEs to charge output VAT to domestic customers, or to receive a refund from the Bureau of Internal Revenue. This coincides with the BIR issuing several directives “to streamline the procedures and reduce documentary requirements” for filing and processing VAT refunds. The Marubeni Corp., with 2022 Philippine revenue of P20.7 billion, started overseas activities in Manila in 1909 as a trader of textiles and abaca—with its primary business encompassing infrastructure development, investments in power, water, heavy equipment, healthcare, large-scale import and export of commodities, among others. While Austal Ltd., the world’s largest aluminum shipbuilder, is seeking clarification on the 12-percent VAT exemption on locally built vessels. It operates industry-leading shipyards in Australia, the United States, the Philippines, and Vietnam. Meanwhile, THI, involved in reclamation plans to expand its business in Cebu by expanding its current 32-hectare reclamation at the northern in Buanoy, Balamban, Cebu. THI obtained its reclamation permit in 2008. “I’ll talk to Secretary and I think that they’re undergoing that review process now. Because we have to be very careful,” Marcos said during the meeting with THI officials. Marcos earlier said the economies must “transform” their business activities to help in resolving key challenges and demands affecting the Asia-Pacific region. “Today’s global challenges such as climate change, ocean waste, and pollution, shift to clean energy, smart city agglomeration, they all require the economies the transformation of economic and business activities to ensure that these critical issues are effectively addressed,” he said. The post Marcos: Gov’t to address taxation issues raised by investors appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Transfer of oil from decaying tanker begins
The United Nations said on Tuesday it had begun transferring one million barrels of oil from a rusting super-tanker off war-torn Yemen, in a bid to avert a catastrophic spill. “The United Nations has begun an operation to defuse what might be the world’s largest ticking time bomb,” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a statement. “A complex maritime salvage effort is now underway in the Red Sea off the coast of war-torn Yemen to transfer one million barrels of oil from the decaying FSO Safer to a replacement vessel.” The operation began at 10:45 a.m. Yemen time, the statement said. The transfer of 1.14 million barrels of Marib light crude from the 47-year-old FSO Safer to the new vessel is expected to take around three weeks. The UN hopes the $143 million operation will eliminate the risk of an environmental disaster that it estimates would cost $20 billion to clean up. Because of the Safer’s position in the Red Sea, a spill would also cost billions of dollars per day in shipping disruptions through the Bab al-Mandab Strait to the Suez Canal, while devastating coastal fishing communities, ecosystems and lifeline ports. The Safer, a floating storage and offloading facility, has been moored around 50 kilometers from the port of Hodeida since the 1980s. It has not been serviced since war broke out eight years ago between Yemen’s Huthi rebels, who control the capital Sanaa and the waters where the Safer is positioned, and a Saudi-led coalition backing the internationally recognized government based in the southern Yemeni city of Aden. WITH AFP The post Transfer of oil from decaying tanker begins appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Celebrity chef Jereme Leung returns for‘Flavors of the Orient’
Over the years, the inventiveness of celebrity master chef Jereme Leung has garnered a loyal following. Modern Chinese food inspired by Chinese culinary traditions defines his cuisine and creativity is his game. [caption id="attachment_159822" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] Steamed Sea Garoupa withsun-dried ginger, red chili, black bean paste and superb chicken stock.[/caption] When you see him in his restaurants going around and speaking to the guests, take the opportunity to ask for his recommendations. With his innovative cooking, it would be a mistake not to try it. That’s why, it’s best to visit Conrad Manila for its Legendary Chef Series and experience a rare chance to meet the world-renowned chef and savor his exceptional culinary creations that will leave epicurean enthusiasts in awe and craving for more. The exclusive engagement, dubbed “Flavors of the Orient” and ongoing until 23 July at China Blue, presents a delicious set menu meticulously curated by Leung and his team led by chef Eng Yew Khor. The limited-time offering showcases a symphony of flavors, combining Cantonese culinary traditions and gastronomic innovation — a feat Leung has mastered from age 13 when he began his culinary career in Hong Kong. Leung is a culinary visionary who is known for conceptualizing Conrad Manila’s China Blue, that’s why it was named after him — China Blue by Jereme Leung. “Master chef Jereme Leung’s limited engagement at Conrad Manila brings a lot of excitement as he once again delights guests with his magical culinary touch on extraordinary dishes most fitting during this period of our Legendary Chefs Series,” says Conrad Manila general manager Fabio Berto. “We are certain that his exclusive new gastronomic repertoire will further heighten the culinary reputation of the already well-loved China Blue.” Oriental choices The culinary spectacle begins with an enticing appetizer featuring marinated lobster enriched with coriander lime jelly dressing and crispy bean curd sheet, accompanied by deep-fried kataifi seafood and otak otak with lemongrass. “The lobster roll’s dressing is very Southeast Asian,” says 52-year-old Leung, who arrived in Manila a few days ago to personally prepare the dishes for the limited lunch and dinner treat. “It’s not spicy but refreshing. The crispy sheet is bean curd, steamed and deep fried. When it’s hot and fresh, it’s super crispy and melts in your mouth.” The otak-otak, Leung explains, is a Malaysian fish cake wrapped in banana leaf. But, instead of fish, he substitutes it with cuttlefish and shrimp. The kataifi, on the other hand, is a pastry deep-fried on lemongrass skewer. The journey continues with a flavorful double-boiled merry fruit peach gum with sea cucumber, black chicken dumpling, dry moon clam Matsutake mushroom soup. “The soup is a special one,” says Leung. “The base is made of chicken and matsutake mushroom which is very intense in taste. I personally hand-carried the dried mushroom from Hunan.” Another special ingredient is the merry fruit from Guangdong Province. It is a medicinal fruit that has a nutty flavor that offers a strong, potent taste. Leung’s repertoire continues to impress with his main courses — the steamed sea garoupa garnished with sun-dried ginger, red chili, black bean paste and superior chicken stock; and the slow-cooked beef short ribs, coated in green pepper and barbecue sauce. “It’s a live fish that we clean, cover in salt and air dry in a temperature-controlled room for hours to remove its moisture and to make the flesh firmer,” explains Leung. “The braised beef is slow-cooked for several hours.” To accompany the main course, Leung offers black sesame fried rice with dry scallops, seafood, and spring onion egg white pearl. And, to complete the feast, a refreshing serving of hawthorn ice cream, Chinese sweet vinegar caramel, and the delightful touch of traditional onion pancake leave the palate with a lingering note of sweetness. Yes, each of Leung’s dishes has a unique quality and taste, a special touch to make it stand out. The food presentation does an excellent job of increasing one’s appetite. “The objective of the menu is to introduce some of the less common ingredients here,” shares Leung, who, as of this writing, is simultaneously opening five restaurants in China, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Macau. “But while they are less common in this country, they are common ingredients in different regions of China. It’s an interesting exchange of knowledge.” He adds: “My cuisine is about adapting ourselves based on what we see in the local market. While we retain our own recipes, we create dishes depending on the availability of the ingredients in the market. Our creation is not just out of the blue. It’s something that we think, try, and work on over and over again to make sure we please our diners.” For reservation on Conrad Manila’s Legendary Chefs Series, call 8833-9999, 0917-650 3591, or email MNLMB.FB @conradhotels.com. The post Celebrity chef Jereme Leung returns for‘Flavors of the Orient’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Pride screenings showcase a rainbow of stories
Cinema is one of the most engaging artforms and creative expressions through which the LGBTQ+ community documents their lived experiences, conveys their desires and struggles, celebrates their identities and advocates for reforms and deeper understanding. Thus, film screenings are popular activities during LGBTQ+ Pride Month. This year, several institutions, streaming service companies and film groups are mounting screenings, giving these works more opportunities to reach more audiences. Here is a rundown: FDCP’s Pelikulaya LGBTQIA+ Film Festival The Film Development Council of the Philippines brings back the Pelikulaya LGBTQIA+ Film Festival this year with the theme “Mga Kuwentong Mapagpalaya” (Liberating Stories), and the aim is training the spotlight “on underrepresented members of the LGBTQIA+ community to promote a better understanding of inclusivity, diversity and equality.” According to Tirso Cruz III, FDCP chairman and chief executive officer, Pelikulaya “aims to raise awareness of LGBTQIA+ issues. We believe that by using the power of film, we can do our part in showcasing films that celebrate LGBTQIA+ stories. Hoping to create understanding of the lives, perspectives and advocacies shown in each film.” “With that, the FDCP sends our love and gratitude to you all for being with us, and we hope you’ll have a memorable experience in all of our Cinematheque Centres across the Philippines,” he added. To be held from 23 to 30 June, Pelikulaya will screen titles at the Cinematheque Centres in Manila, Davao, Iloilo, Nabunturan and Bacolod, and several theaters in Metro Manila including Cinema ‘76 and UP Film Institute’s Cine Adarna/Videotheque. Some of the titles will also be available for streaming on JuanFlix (www.juanflix.com.ph) starting 30 June with a subscription fee. A special screening of a digitally restored and remastered version of Wong Kar Wai’s Happy Together will kick off the festival on 23 June at the Shangri-La Plaza Mall in Mandaluyong City. Aside from Happy Together, films that will be screened at the Cinematheque Centres are Girl (directed by Lukas Dhont); Portrait of a Lady on Fire (directed by Celine Sciamma); Women Do Cry (directed by Vesela Kazako and Mina Mileva); Billie and Emma (directed by Samantha Lee); Mamu, and a Mother Too (directed by Rod Singh); Metamorphosis (directed by J.E. Tiglao); and The Boy Foretold by the Stars (directed by Dolly Dulu). Ishmael Bernal’s Manila by Night will have a free screening. Priced from P100 to P200, tickets to Manila screenings may be purchased through bit.ly/CCManilaTickets. [caption id="attachment_146567" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Lukas Dhont’s ‘Girl’ is inspired by a true story of a young trans girl who aspired to be a ballerina.[/caption] Short films will be screened for free at the Cinematheque Centres, and the lineup includes Alingasngas ng mga Kuliglig (directed by Vahn Leinard Pascual); Love in the Ungodly Hour (directed by Bradley Jason Pantajo); Dikit (directed by Gabriela Serrano); Gulis (directed by Kyle Jumayne Francisco); Noontime Drama (directed by Kim Timan and Sam Villa-Real); and Nang Maglublob ako sa Isang Mangkok ng Liwanag (directed by Kukay Zinampan). [caption id="attachment_146563" align="aligncenter" width="525"] ‘Dikit,’ a short film by Gabriela Serrano.[/caption] To be available for streaming on JuanFlix are Sila-Sila (directed by Giancarlo Abrahan); Metamorphosis; Mamu, and a Mother Too; Rome and Juliet (directed by Connie Macatuno); How to Die Young in Manila (directed by Petersen Vargas); Nang Maglublob ako sa Isang Mangkok ng Liwanag; and This is Not A Coming Out Story (directed by Mark Felix Ebreo). Portrait of a Lady on Fire and Women Do Cry will be also be available on a pay-per-view basis. At Cinema ’76 Cinema ’76 Film Society is bringing in acclaimed movies this Pride Month. Headlining is Happy Together, the 1997 Cannes-winning romantic drama directed by renowned Hong Kong filmmaker Wong Kar-Wai and featuring Tony Leung and the late Leslie Cheung as two lovers caught in a turbulent affair. Aside from Happy Together, two films featuring transgender experiences will also be shown. Girl is the debut film of Belgian filmmaker Lukas Dhont and won the Camera d’Or for Best Feature Film at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival. The film was inspired by a true story of a young trans girl who aspired to be a ballerina. On the other hand, Fanny: The Right to Rock is a documentary by Canadian filmmaker Bobbi Jo Hart about Fanny, the legendary Filipina-American-fronted rock band whose trailblazing impact in music was written out of history. The film touches on the place of women, women of color, queers and older women in a straight male-dominated industry. [caption id="attachment_146564" align="aligncenter" width="525"] ‘Fanny The Right to Rock,’ a documentary about a forgotten queer band.[/caption] The three films will have a limited run from 21 to 27 June at Cinema ’76 on Tomas Morato Avenue in Quezon City. On iWantTFC A streaming platform with international reach, iWantTFC celebrates all types of love with a special selection of movies and series called Love is Love that includes Drag You and Me, iWantTFC’s latest original series that tackles drag culture and stars Andrea Brillantes, JC Alcantara and Christian Bables. Other iWantTFC originals that viewers may stream are the Girls’ Love series Sleep with Me, starring Janine Gutierrez and Lovi Poe, and Fluid, Boys’ Love (BL) rom-com Oh, Mando! and advocacy series Mga Batang Poz. [caption id="attachment_146566" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Photograph courtesy of Dreamscape Entetainment | ‘Drag You and Me’ is an iWantTFC original series that tackles drag culture.[/caption] There are also empowering movies and series about loving freely and living authentically, such as The Boy Foretold by the Stars and its sequel series Love Beneath the Stars, Black Sheep’s hit series Hello Stranger starring Tony Labrusca and JC Alcantara, and the Star Cinema film My Lockdown Romance, starring Jameson Blake and Joao Constancia. Stories on learning how to embrace one’s sexuality and being true to oneself are told by The Panti Sisters, Die Beautiful, The Third Party and Baka Bukas. Thai BL series, such as 2gether the Series, Still 2gether, A Tale of a Thousand Stars and Bad Buddy are also available to stream as well as well-loved and classic LGBTQ-themed movies, such as T-Bird at Ako, Si Chedeng at si Apple and In My Life. These can be viewed on the iWantTFC app (iOs and Android) and website (iwanttfc.com). In other select countries, watch iWantTFC on a larger screen with select devices, including VEWD, ROKU and Amazon Fire streaming devices, Android TV, select Samsung Smart TV models, Telstra TV (in Australia) and VIDAA. On Jungo Pinoy New Filipino streaming app Jungo Pinoy, which boasts of having the largest Filipino-dubbed movie library in the world, as well as original films and TV series, also has a selection of LGBTQ-themed and queer-created films and series, which can be viewed either for free or through a subscription plan. Recommended watch includes: eCupid (exclusive Filipino-dubbed), a romantic comedy directed by JC Calciano and starring Morgan Fairchild, Houston Rhines and Noah Schuffman, tells the story of a gay man nearing 30 years old tapping into an otherworldly internet advertisement that begins to control his life. Hoping to end his seven-year romance rut, he uses the site to get everything he wants until he discovers that what he thought he wanted wasn’t the thing that would ultimately make him happy. Ten Year Plan (exclusive Filipino-dubbed) is another romantic comedy directed by Calciano and starring Jack Turner and Michael Adam Hamilton. In the film, two best friends make a pact to be together in a decade if neither finds love. With two months left until their deadline, they both scramble to find someone to avoid being each other’s last resort. [caption id="attachment_146565" align="aligncenter" width="525"] ‘TEN Year Plan,’ directed by JC Calciano.[/caption] Adan is a Filipino lesbian mystery and romance movie starring Cindy Miranda, Rhen Escano and Ruby Ruiz. In the movie, a naive provincial girl finds a way to be independent through the help of her girl best friend, but their actions have consequences. [caption id="attachment_146562" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Photographs Courtesy oF JUNGO PINOY | ‘ADAN’ tells about a lesbian story.[/caption] Daddy Issues, starring Jo Ashe and Rachel Barry, is a comedy about loss and starting over. In the film, when her emotionally distant father dies and leaves her his company, a hapless stand-up comic moves to Los Angeles to take over the family business. Tucked is about an aging drag queen who forms an unlikely friendship with a younger queen. As they discover more about each other, they realize how to truly be themselves. Starring Derren Nesbit and Jordan Stephens, this film is about love, loss and friendship. Lady Gaga: iTunes Festival features the pop star’s performance at the Itunes Music Festival, which also marked the world premiere of tracks from her album ARTPOP. [caption id="attachment_146570" align="aligncenter" width="525"] PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF JUNGO PINOY | WATCH pop star Lady Gaga perform in ‘Lady Gaga iTunes Festival.’[/caption] Sam Smith: Austin City Limits features the non-binary English singer and songwriter performing their greatest hits, such as “Nirvana” and “I Know I’m Not the Only One” on the stage at Austin City Limits. [caption id="attachment_146569" align="aligncenter" width="525"] ‘Sam Smith: Austin City Limits.’[/caption] At the Quezon City Public Library A weekly film screening is part of the celebration of LGBTQ+ Pride Month of one of the country’s most active public libraries, the Quezon City Public Library (QCPL). With the theme, “Equality for All,” their celebration aims “to highlight the unique contributions and lived experiences of the members of the LGBTQIA+ community through various library activities and informational resources.” “This celebration also forwards an aspiration: that one day, we will be able to genuinely acknowledge the existence of our fellow LGBTQIA+ brothers and sisters as equally valuable as everyone. And that they too deserve equal opportunity in any given situation and honest representation in all of its forms, shapes and sizes,” the library explained. The film screenings started with Love, Simon and Everything Everywhere All at Once on 9 June and All My Life and Bekikang on 16 June. Other films to be shown are Perks of Being A Wall Flower and Boys in the Band on 23 June, and Eternals and Imitation Game on 30 June. Screenings are from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Conference Room of QCPL. Contact the library to reserve slots. At the UPFI Film Center The University of the Philippines Film Institute also had screenings of LGBTQ+ films on 17 June, in partnership with the UP Diliman Gender Office. Shown were short films Gutab, Dory, Niknik, Kurozetto, Bakit, Papa? and Nang Maglublob Ako sa isang Mangkok ng Liwanag. The post Pride screenings showcase a rainbow of stories appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Too hot for pets?
If you think the current weather is hot for humans, it feels incredibly hotter for pets. Dr. Sarah Machell, a licensed veterinarian and medical director of the telehealth app Vetster, said a pet’s capacity and tolerance for heat is “much, much less than humans.” Pets can’t sweat so they pant instead as it is their only way to cool off. [caption id="attachment_139793" align="aligncenter" width="525"] PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF UNSPLASH/MEL ELIAS | WALK your dogs in the early mornings or evenings.[/caption] In the article “Veterinary Viewpoints: Keeping pets and livestock healthy during summer heat” by the Oklahoma State University, it says Brachycephalic breeds (pets with pushed in snouts) like pugs, English bulldogs and Persian cats are specifically prone to overheating. It also doesn’t help that they have a naturally high body temperature of 38 to 39.2 degrees Celsius. One of the best ways to help pets feel relaxed and comfortable is to ensure they have access to cool and clean water. Refill their water bowls, preferably with several ice cubes, regularly. Dogs will not drink hot water even if they are thirsty. Let them rest in well-ventilated areas. If they’re outdoors, make sure they’re under the shade of a tree or structures with good airflow. If your pet uses a dog crate, elevate it, remove its fabric covers and install a fan. Use cooling mats if you must. Walk them in the early mornings or evenings. Give them frozen treats. These are usually made by freezing dog-friendly and cat-friendly treats into ice cube trays or molds. Animal Welfare Victoria in Australia reminds that hairless and light-coated dogs and white cats should be applied with zinc or sunscreen on their ear tips and noses if they’ll be under the sun for a time. Nordic breeds of dogs, who are prone to auto-immune-related sun diseases. Should the unfortunate occur, a pet insurance plan can help finance the expenses of veterinary and hospital. The post Too hot for pets? appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Spanish firm investing $38M in Phl wind market
Spanish firm BlueFloat Energy is investing as much as $38 million or P1.2 trillion at current exchange rates to build 7.6 gigawatts of offshore wind projects, or OSW across the country in the next decade. At a press briefing on Friday, BlueFloat Energy CEO Carlos Martin announced that the company has secured wind energy contracts for four sites in Central Luzon, South Luzon, Northern Luzon and Southern Mindoro. Each site can have a capacity that ranges from 1.5 GW as the smallest to 3.5 GW as the highest. “In terms of the investment, the general rule is one megawatt of offshore wind requires an investment between $3 million to $5 million,” Martin said. “We can expect the first of these projects to be in the execution phase and nearing completion by the end of the decade or by 2030,” he added. Martin pointed out that its massive investment in the Philippines is the company’s largest foray in terms of the total pipeline of projects under development. BlueFloat Energy has ongoing project developments in Australia, New Zealand and Taiwan. Meanwhile, BlueFloat Energy Country Manager Raymund Pascual pointed out that the Philippines’ aggressive clean energy development has caught the attention of many foreign investors. “The demographics we have been seeing are favorable and one of them is the updated Philippine Development Plan from 2023-2028, which suggests a whole-of-country approach,” Pascual said. “There will be international partnerships whenever necessary,” he added. The government is racing to maximize wind energy as a viable power source as demand grows bigger. The Philippines OSW Roadmap launched last year showcased that the country has 178 GW potential OSW resources. With more foreign firms pouring in investments in the country, the Board of Investments is optimistic to hit or even exceed its P1.5-trillion target investments for the year. BOI Managing Head Ceferino Rodolfo recently said the government’s target will be achievable through the five major renewable energy projects that will be finalized this year. BlueFloat’s investment was among the five deals. Initially, the BOI set a P1-trillion investment target for the year, but with a “very healthy flow of investment project applications,” the agency hiked its target to P1.5 trillion. ### The post Spanish firm investing $38M in Phl wind market appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Preserving heritage: Ethiopian quest to recreate ancient manuscripts
Armed with a bamboo ink pen and a steady hand, Ethiopian Orthodox priest Zelalem Mola carefully copies text in the ancient Ge'ez language from a religious book onto a goatskin parchment. This painstaking task is preserving an ancient tradition, all the while bringing him closer to God, says the 42-year-old. At the Hamere Berhan Institute in Addis Ababa, priests and lay worshippers work by hand to replicate sometimes centuries-old religious manuscripts and sacred artwork. The parchments, pens, and inks are all prepared at the institute, which lies in the Piasa district in the historic heart of the Ethiopian capital. Yeshiemebet Sisay, 29, who is in charge of communications at Hamere Berhan, says the work began four years ago. "Ancient parchment manuscripts are disappearing from our culture, which motivated us to start this project," she says. The precious works are kept mainly in monasteries, where prayers or religious chants are conducted using only parchment rather than paper manuscripts. "However, this custom is rapidly fading... We thought if we could learn skills from our priests, we could work on it ourselves, so that is how we began," adds Yeshiemebet. 'It's hard work' In the institute's courtyard, workers stretch the goatskins tightly over metal frames to dry under a weak sun that barely pierces the milky sky. "After the goatskin is immersed in the water for three to four days, we make holes on the edge of the skin and tie it to the metal so that it can stretch," says Tinsaye Chere Ayele. "After that, we remove the extra layer of fat on the skin's inside to make it clean." Alongside two other colleagues, the 20-year-old carries out his task using a makeshift scraper, seemingly oblivious to the stench emanating from the animal hide. Once clean and dry, the skins are stripped of the goat hair and then cut to the desired size for use as pages of a book or for painting. Yeshiemebet says most of the manuscripts are commissioned by individuals who then donate them to churches or monasteries. Some customers order for themselves small collections of prayers or paintings to have "reproductions of ancient Ethiopian works", she adds. "Small books can take one or two months. If it is a collective work, large books can take one to two years. "If it's an individual task, it can take even longer," she says, leafing through books clad in red leather, their texts adorned with brightly colored illuminations and religious images. Sitting in one of the institute's rooms, with parchment pages placed on his knees, Zelalem patiently copies a book entitled "Zena Selassie" ("History of the Trinity"). "It is going to take a lot of time. It's hard work, starting with the preparation of the parchment and the inks. This one could take up to six months to complete," the priest says. "We make a stylus from bamboo, sharpening the tip with a razor blade." The scribes use different pens for each color used in the text -- black or red -- and either a fine or broad tip, with the inks made from various local plants. 'Talking to saints and God' Like most other religious works, "Zena Selassie" is written in Ge'ez. This dead language remains the liturgical language of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and its alpha syllabic system -- where the characters represent syllables -- is still used to write Ethiopia's national language Amharic as well as Tigrinya, which is spoken in Tigray and neighboring Eritrea. "We copy from paper to parchment to preserve (the writings) as the paper book can be easily damaged, while this one will last a long time if we protect it from water and fire," says Zelalem. Replicating the manuscripts "needs patience and focus. It begins with a prayer in the morning, at lunchtime, and ends with prayer." "It is difficult for an individual to write and finish a book, just to sit the whole day, but thanks to our devotion, a light shines brightly within us," Zelalem adds. "It takes so much effort that it makes us worthy in the eyes of God." This spiritual dimension also guides Lidetu Tasew, who is in charge of education and training at the institute, where he teaches painting and illuminations. "Spending time here painting saints is like talking to saints and to God," says the 26-year-old, who was brought up in a church. "We have been taught that wherever we paint saints, there is the spirit of God." The post Preserving heritage: Ethiopian quest to recreate ancient manuscripts appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Biden cuts back Asia tour as hopes rise of debt deal
Joe Biden and opposition Republican leaders on Tuesday offered hope of a deal that could avoid a catastrophic US debt default, although the president was forced to shorten an upcoming Asia tour for further crisis talks. After the latest negotiations ended without a breakthrough, Republican House speaker Kevin McCarthy told reporters there was still "a lot of work to do" to break the high-stakes standoff with Democrat Biden over the borrowing limit. But while stark differences remained, the White House said Biden was "optimistic that there is a path to a responsible, bipartisan budget agreement if both sides negotiate in good faith." And McCarthy likewise indicated he ultimately expected a deal, even if so far "nothing has been resolved." "America is the number one economy in the world. And when we get done with these negotiations, America's economy is going to be stronger," he said. The US president -- who flies to Japan on Wednesday for a G7 summit -- scrapped subsequent stops in Papua New Guinea and Australia, instead returning to Washington on Sunday. The Treasury has warned of grim consequences if the country runs out of cash to pay its bills, which would leave it unable to pay federal workers and trigger a likely surge in interest rates with knock-on effects for businesses, mortgages -- and global markets. The United States could begin defaulting on its debts "potentially as early as June 1," Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Monday, while the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office has forecast June 15. The White House said Biden had directed his staff "to continue to meet daily on outstanding issues," and that he would confer with Republican leaders on his return from the G7 meetings. Republicans have continued to insist Biden agree to significant spending cuts in exchange for their support to raise the debt ceiling, ignoring Democratic calls for a "clean" increase of the borrowing limit with no strings attached. Democrats have accused Republicans of using extreme tactics to push their agenda ahead of the so-called "X-date" at which the United States starts defaulting on its debts. In a sign of growing nervousness over what would be the first-ever US debt default, more than 140 top US chief executives sent a letter to Biden and congressional leaders stressing the need for an agreement. "We strongly urge that an accord be reached quickly so that the country can avert this potentially devastating scenario," the letter signed by the CEOs from Pfizer and Morgan Stanley, among others, said. Republicans, who regained control of the House in the 2022 midterm elections, are using their newfound clout to demand cuts of $130 billion from federal agencies and programs in exchange for support for lifting the debt ceiling. This would limit spending in the 2024 fiscal year to 2022 levels. They also want to expedite domestic energy production projects, simplify the process for obtaining permits for pipelines and refineries and claw back unspent Covid relief funding. There are now only three days remaining when the House and Senate are both in session before June 1 -- the day the Treasury predicts the United States could run out of money. Some senators have acknowledged that they may have to cancel the Memorial Day recess beginning Thursday to get a deal finalized. As the X-date draws closer, Democrats in Congress have begun considering a range of alternatives, including using an arcane congressional procedure to bypass McCarthy. They've also contemplated asking Biden to invoke the 14th Amendment to raise the debt ceiling unilaterally, which some legal scholars believe would allow the Treasury to simply ignore the debt limit. But Biden has cautioned that such a move could be challenged in court and has continued to call publicly for Republicans to support a clean increase to the debt ceiling. The post Biden cuts back Asia tour as hopes rise of debt deal appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
RCEP key energy plan factor — Lotilla
The Department of Energy on Wednesday said where it concerns the Regional Economic Partnership or RCEP which Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo Pascual said is set for roll out on 2 June 2023, it would welcome the National Economic and Development Authority Board’s endorsement of an executive order implementing tariff commitments under the major trade bloc deal that would elevate the country’s energy programs. Tariff commitments under the RCEP will be implemented in the country 60 days after the government deposited the instrument of ratification with the ASEAN Secretary-General last 3 April. Pascual presented to the NEDA Board, chaired by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the executive order that would operationalize the implementation of the country’s tariff commitments under the RCEP agreement. Progressive trade liberalization With this, Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla said he believes that the RCEP Agreement is reflective of the country’s interest to progressively liberalize trade and create a competitive investment environment in the region for the Philippine energy sector. He said RCEP, a major trade breakthrough that entered into force on 1 January 2022 for ten original parties namely Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, Japan, Laos, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, provides opportunities for expanded market access and establishes clear, stable, and predictable rules on trade in energy goods and services, including investments among participating countries. RCEP entered into force for the Republic of Korea on 1 February 2022, for Malaysia on 18 March 2022 and for Indonesia on 2 January 2023. Aggressive push Further, Lotilla said energy-related trade in services would further improve the business climate of the energy sector in the country, “supportive of the Department’s aggressive push for the exploration, development, and utilization of the country’s indigenous energy resources as we are transitioning to a low-carbon future.” Even before the country acceded to RCEP, the ASEAN and ASEAN+1 Free Trade Partners already enjoyed zero percent tariff rates on energy goods covered under Chapter 27 of the Tariff Book published by the Tariff Commission. This is preserved in the RCEP Agreement as a reaffirmation of the continued cooperation on energy trade in the region. Tariff elimination important According to Lotilla, tariff elimination is important to ensure an unhampered supply of commodities, considering the reduced production from the Malampaya reserves. Also, the zero percent tariff rates are also applicable to liquefied natural gas, with the Philippines considering this as transition fuel for power plants supporting variable renewable energy coming into play this year in the country. “Thus, RCEP would not cause any adverse impact on imported energy goods such as oil and gas,” Lotilla said. “In addition, the zero percent tariff rates on coal products were extended to Most-Favored-Nation countries in light of the Russia-Ukraine crisis, which affected the global economic situation and the steady supply of commodities in the world.” In evaluating international agreements affecting the Philippine energy sector, the DoE considers investments, energy security, and access to technologies, maintaining that the energy sector is a capital-intensive undertaking where Filipino capital may not be sufficient. Advanced technological capabilities Lotilla said developed RCEP Partner Countries have advanced technological capabilities. Services by these countries in the Philippines could enhance technology transfer to local counterpart companies and the DoE. He also stressed that international energy cooperation is vital in pursuing collaborative activities with other countries to achieve greater energy self-sufficiency, security and sustainability. “These efforts are geared towards ensuring the country has enough energy supply to power Filipino households and communities. The DoE remains at the forefront in supporting President Marcos Jr. on this undertaking. As articulated in the latest 2020-2040 Philippine Energy Plan, the DoE works steadily across borders, consistent with its thrust of fostering stronger international relations and partnerships meant to elevate the country’s energy programs and projects to attract foreign investments,” he said. “Above all, the DoE is one with the Philippine government in assuring the public that the RCEP Agreement will not adversely impact the country’s energy supply chain. At the very least, it will further boost and encourage trade and investments in the country toward affordable, reliable, resilient, secure, clean, sustainable, climate-centered, and accessible energy,” Lotilla stressed. The post RCEP key energy plan factor — Lotilla appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
ACEN earmarks P70B for RE dev’t
ACEN Corp., the listed energy platform of the Ayala Group, is planning to spend as much as P70 billion this year to bankroll the development of renewable energy across its global markets. “We expect to invest around P50 billion or possibly up to about P70 billion in capital expenditures for this year,” ACEN President Eric Francia said in a press briefing on Monday. “We also have more than P30 billion in cash from our consolidated balance sheet to help finance our capex. Obviously, we will deploy quite a bit of that cash with that level,” he added. Capital requirement To fund the balance of the company’s capital requirement, ACEN chief finance officer Maria Corazon Dizon said the company will borrow about P30 billion. “We are also looking at equity offering by way of the preferred shares (on top of the) P30 billion borrowing,” she said. ACEN targets to build 8,000 megawatts of renewable energy locally by 2030 to help augment clean energy take-up in the country’s energy mix. It is part of a larger plan to develop a total of 20,000 MW of RE across all the markets where it operates. International expansion “International expansion is a part of our strategy to accelerate growth and diversify our portfolio. However, the Philippines shall remain our home market and shall continue to be our core and largest market,” Francia said. Under the updated Philippine Energy Development Plan, the government is now gunning to increase the share of renewable energy in the country’s total energy mix to 35 percent by 2030 and 50 percent by 2040. Last year, renewable energy only took up 22.8 percent of the total mix. ACEN ended 2022 with over 4,000 MW of net attributable capacity, with 98 percent coming from renewable technologies across its key markets in the Philippines, Australia, Vietnam, India and Indonesia. It is part of a larger plan to develop a total of 20,000 MW of RE across all the markets where it operates. Meanwhile, it has around 2,400 MW of capacity under construction, 1,000 MW of which is in the Philippines. ACEN said the majority of these ongoing developments will be operational by the end of the year. ACEN aims to deliver reduction-led decarbonization by 2040, with an interim target for 2030, and a net zero status by 2050. The post ACEN earmarks P70B for RE dev’t appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
No FTAs during Biden’s term ‘understandable’— Pascual
Following the pronouncement of United States Trade Representative Ambassador Katherine Tai that a bilateral free trade agreement or FTA between the United States and the Philippines was unlikely as the Biden administration was more focused on its Indo-Pacific Economic Framework or IPEF initiative, Trade Secretary Fred Pascual said on Wednesday that the decision of the world’s superpower is understandable. “She cannot say otherwise because their President (Biden) has already made the pronouncement that there will be no FTAs during his term. So, she is just voicing that, and we understand the discussion on this, and we understand where she is coming from,” Pascual told reporters in an ambush interview at an event in Taguig City. “But it will not prevent us from further pushing (for an FTA),” the Trade chief insisted. On Tuesday night, Ambassador Tai told selected Philippine media that in terms of a more “traditional” FTA, their government is not currently negotiating any such agreements with trading partners in particular because they don’t want to see that traditional FTA being appropriate for the types of challenges and opportunities that they are facing right now. Phl gov’t to push for U.S. GSP renewal Further, Pascual said if the US government is not yet ready for an FTA, then the government will resort to the renewal of the US Generalized System of Preferences or GSP, which lapsed in December 2020. “We want that (US-GSP) to be renewed. We are currently using the platform of the IPEF to push for this formalized trade relations between the Philippines and the US,” Pascual said. On Tuesday, Pascual said he and Ambassador Tai held a wide-ranging and “productive meeting,” reaffirming their shared commitment to deepening the US — Philippines bilateral trade relationship and strengthening ties in the Indo-Pacific region, in the presence of the US Ambassador to the Philippines, MaryKay Carlson. Ambassador Tai and Secretary Pascual are looking ahead to the upcoming IPEF Framework negotiating round, and Tai acknowledged the Philippines for the constructive feedback it has provided and noted the tangible economic benefits of the Trade pillar. Pascual clarified that “IPEF is a framework and not a trade agreement that does not cover market access or tariffs but provides a way of addressing process constraints.” In May 2022, the United States launched the IPEF with Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Fiji India, Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. IPEF discussions The IPEF launch began discussions of future negotiations on the following pillars, namely trade, supply chains, clean energy, decarbonization, infrastructure, and tax and anti-corruption. The IPEF is designed to be flexible, meaning that IPEF partners are not required to join all four pillars. “There will be agreements on certain rules, the rules of the game, and these are the things that are being negotiated. We have a working group on trade, and there are other groups for supply chain, environment, and governance. Tariff and market access has a separate forum,” Pascual said. The post No FTAs during Biden’s term ‘understandable’— Pascual appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Pascual awaits IPEF rounds
The country’s Trade chief Fred Pascual is looking forward to the rounds of negotiations for the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity or IPEF, seen by the United States government as advancing resilience, sustainability, inclusiveness, economic growth, fairness, and competitiveness for its partner economies, including the Philippines. On Tuesday, DTI-Director of Bureau of International Trade Relations Angelo Salvador Benedictos said the Philippines is looking forward to being included in IPEF, as the country is about to renew the expired US Generalized System of Preferences, a separate trade scheme that ushers’ duty-free importation of select goods from eligible developing countries. Earlier, Pascual said he and US Trade Representative Katherine Tai held a wide-ranging and “productive meeting,” reaffirming their shared commitment to deepening the US — Philippines bilateral trade relationship and strengthening ties in the Indo-Pacific region, in the presence of the US Ambassador to the Philippines, MaryKay Carlson. Constructive feedback Ambassador Tai and Secretary Pascual looked ahead to the upcoming IPEF Framework negotiating round, and Tai acknowledged the Philippines for the constructive feedback it has provided and noted the tangible economic benefits of the Trade pillar. In May 2022, the United States launched the IPEF with Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Fiji India, Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. The IPEF launch began discussions of future negotiations on the following pillars, namely trade, supply chains, clean energy, decarbonization, infrastructure and tax and anti-corruption. The IPEF is designed to be flexible, meaning that IPEF partners are not required to join all four pillars. On the other hand, Ambassador Tai, during his meeting with Pascual, highlighted the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Ministers Responsible for Trade meeting in Detroit as an opportunity to demonstrate that resiliency, sustainability, and inclusivity are core values in trade policy. They also noted the importance of identifying opportunities to enhance the resilience of supply chains and helping micro, small, and medium enterprises participate in the global economy. Lastly, Ambassador Tai and Secretary Pascual touched on several bilateral trade topics and highlighted the importance of the US – Philippines Trade and Investment Framework and instructed their teams to engage the TIFA working groups and they look forward to holding the next meeting soon. FTA more preferred than GSP During his talk at the launch of the US-Philippines Economic Impact Study by the Ateneo School of Government on Monday, Director Benedictos maintained that the Philippine government prefers a free trade agreement as they “believe this is a more permanent mechanism compared to GSP.” “When both sides are ready this will probably happen,” he added, as the US is the Philippines’ 5th largest source of investment in 2022 amounting to P5.06 billion. Records showed that in January 2023, the US was among the top three sources of foreign direct investments and the country’s top source of cash remittances. The post Pascual awaits IPEF rounds appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
ACEN opens 1st phase of Australia project
ACEN Australia, a subsidiary of the Ayala Group’s ACEN, has officially commenced stage 1 of its New England Solar project, marking a milestone in its six-year journey to generate clean renewable energy into the National Electricity Market......»»