At the heart of Zamboanga City is a restaurant regarded as one of the top tourist destinations across the region. This is Alavar Seafood Restaurant, which rose to fame as the go-to spot for one of Zamboanga’s culinary highlights, the curacha.

But while the restaurant earned its status, it had to do so while facing challenges that came with the city’s then-poor state of power distribution, and only found relief after the Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative (ZAMCELCO) finally changed management in 2019.

Jomari Alfaro, Alavar Seafood Restaurant’s owner, summed up the situation as “very bad.” “There was almost no electricity every day. It would take 10 to 15 days before the electricity would come back.”

Alfaro revealed that they had to invest and rely on a backup power generator “to help continue running our business” – and lamented on the fact that other businesses who could not do the same would have had to stop operations.

It was a frustrating situation, Alfaro shared, but business-owners like him finally found hope in the new ZAMCELCO management.

As 2019 and the next few years rolled in, a noticeable transformation in the city’s power situation was felt by Alfaro and those like him who were reliant on stable electricity to keep their business running.

“Aside from the lessened power interruption, the new ZAMCELCO cared to change the lampposts from the previous provider, as those were made from wood and can be particularly dangerous in the event of calamities strike,” he noted.

But it wasn’t just infrastructure changes that marked the new ZAMCELCO’s approach. Alfaro enthusiastically shared how the cooperative’s customer service initiatives would proactively reach out to consumers via messaging apps, “where customers like us can send in their complaints or feedback and would be responded to by their friendly staff.”

The stable and reliable electricity supply introduced by ZAMCELCO’s improved operations had an immediate impact on businesses in the city, Alfaro affirmed. “Before, if it rained in our area we would instantly lose electricity, and it would take a long time before power was restored.”

The constant power outages were not only disruptive to daily operations, but also dampened the spirit of entrepreneurship in the region.

With the improved power situation, the Alavar Seafood Restaurant’s operations transformed as well, Alfaro shared enthusiastically. “Now I can run my business smoothly and give my customers the 100% service that they deserve from me and my staff,” he shared.

The sporadic power interruptions have been replaced by more manageable and informed disruptions, allowing Alfaro to serve his patrons without uncertainty.

And beyond the business perspective, Alfaro also spoke passionately about the broader positive effects of ZAMCELCO’s revamped approach. “With the improvements, I’m now happy in Zamboanga. You can actually feel and see how they care for you,” he said. From actively improving infrastructure, to establishing real-time customer communication channels, ZAMCELCO’s commitment to listening and enhancing its systems has not only brightened Alfaro’s life but also countless others in the community.

The improved energy service, Alfaro believes, isn’t just about electricity but about a partnership that propels Zamboanga City towards a brighter future. “Seeing the changes in the quality of electricity they now provide us has not only helped me but also thousands of Zamboangueños,” he said.

ZAMCELCO’s initiatives continue to be a partner in the city’s development, and its approach underscored the importance of collaboration between businesses, the cooperative, and the local government. “Taking over as the new ZAMCELCO, we knew that we must touch base and foster a healthy relationship with the local businesses–it all starts with knowing what this critical sector needs, and how we can incorporate that into our long-term plans,” said the cooperative’s Board of Directors President Jeffrey Russ Taripe.

And all the dialogue with and feedback from businesses, including other groups in the city, were eventually distilled into ZAMCELCO’s energy roadmap: the GetSET Twenty-25 Zamboanga campaign, wherein SET stands for “stable electricity in 2025”. Through this, said Chief Management Officer Rommel Agan, the cooperative sought to “pave the way for stability, reliability, and prosperity–lighting up not only the city streets but as well as the dreams of every Zamboangueño it serves.”

The story of Jomari Alfaro and Alavar’s Seafood Resto & Miguel’s Food Products is but one example of how ZAMCELCO’s evolution shaped a more vibrant and empowered Zamboanga City, ready to showcase to its guests the best that the region has to offer.

The National Electrification Administration (NEA) has recognized the various innovative improvements introduced and implemented by the management and Board of the New Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative (ZAMCELCO), especially in terms of its over-all performance and service to its member-consumers in providing reliable power service.

NEA Administrator Antonio “Nani” Almeda noted that ZAMCELCO has improved in its key performance-indicators (KPI) such as lowering its systems loss, increasing collection efficiency, and sound fiscal management.  

Almeda was recently in Zamboanga City to meet with ZAMCELCO’s board and management to personally inspect and audit the state of affairs in the franchise territory. “The figures won’t lie,” Almeda said. “The figures of its key performance standard, which landed ZAMCELCO to category B. We are happy on that note. And that only proves that ZAMCELCO has been improving its key performance indicators and lots of factors have to be considered from lowering of its systems loss, other improvements need to be done, collection efficiency, ensure soundness of management with collaboration of Crown Investment and ZAMCELCO is working,” he continued.

The NEA official also noted how the previous local power cooperative was ailing and nearing bankruptcy, which suddenly took a turn for the better when Crown took over ZAMCELCO in 2018 through the Investment Management Contract (IMC).

“Remember, ZAMCELCO was an ailing cooperative and the entrance of Crown and the infusion of P2.5 billion enabled ZAMCELCO address the technical deficiencies. Hopefully, it will soon be upgraded to category A,” he pointed out.

Almeda also said NEA records with regards to the power rates of different cooperatives in Mindanao show that ZAMCELCO is in fact the second lowest when it comes to power rate. “Admittedly, Crown has boosted the capacity buildup of ZAMCELCO in terms of performance and service,” he commented. “ZAMCELCO has gone a long way in improving its services.”

Currently, ZAMCELCO has embarked on further improving its power facilities by upgrading its equipment in all substations, including the consistent training of its technical personnel. According to ZAMCELCO Chief Management Officer Rommel Agan, its engineers and technical personnel are now more professionally qualified, equipped, and empowered.

Residents are also attesting to the improved services, with some saying that the difference from before “has been felt.”

The Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative (ZAMCELCO) marked another milestone in its performance as it surpassed its previous rating in the annual assessment conducted by the National Electrification Administration (NEA).

ZAMCELCO’s rating rose from C in 2021 to B in 2022, indicating improvements in the quality of electricity distribution in Zamboanga City and institutional management within the cooperative.

The NEA’s rating system is based on multiple criteria, including institutional-governance parameters, financial parameters, technical parameters, level of electrification, and reportorial requirement. ZAMCELCO’s consistent improvements across these domains propelled the cooperative’s ascent to the B rating.

Rommel Agan, Chief Management Officer of ZAMCELCO, expressed his gratitude at the achievement, stating, “we’re thankful for this nod from the NEA, which further lets us know that ZAMCELCO is on the right track.”

The journey towards this milestone began when ZAMCELCO came under new management at the end of 2018. Since then, the cooperative has witnessed significant enhancements to its services, as reflected in the NEA’s ratings. From a rating of D in 2018 to C in 2019 and C again in 2021, ZAMCELCO’s progress has been consistently positive, culminating in the B rating in NEA’s 2022 assessment.

Despite the rising electricity demand in Zamboanga City, which grew from 539,902,082 kWh in 2018 to 609,425,759 kWh in 2022, ZAMCELCO’s new management has continued to uphold its commitment to superior service. The joint venture of Crown Investment Holdings Inc. and Desco Inc., which won the P2.5-billion investor-manager contract bid in 2018, played a crucial role in spearheading the cooperative’s revival, and enabled ZAMCELCO to operate efficiently to distribute power to its 125,000 billed customers.

ZAMCELCO’s management recently announced the cooperative’s “GetSET25 Zamboanga” campaign, seeking to meet rising demand for energy with stable electricity and economic rates for its consumers–and committed themselves to a deadline of 2025.

“The steady improvements to our services tie back to our vision of being an invaluable partner of the local government to develop Zamboanga City into one of the country’s most economically-competitive cities,” Agan shared, “and of course, to empower the communities we serve.”

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) pledged its commitment to President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s 2023 energy initiatives, as expressed in his recent State of the Nation Address (SONA).

NGCP vows to concentrate all available resources toward the completion of ongoing transmission projects while expediting others in the pipeline.

Recognizing the importance of increasing the presence of renewable energy in the country’s energy mix, NGCP will draw on its strategic partnership with the State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC).

Leveraging SGCC’s expertise in renewable energy integration, NGCP hopes to bolster its capabilities to hasten the transition to renewable and sustainable energy sources. The collaboration with SGCC allows NGCP to accommodate the increasing adoption of renewable energy technologies into the national grid.

NGCP also prioritized improving disaster-resilience of the grid infrastructure. They vowed to intensify its ongoing and continuous upgrade of its equipment and manpower, especially those that will prevent disruptions, or provide expedient repair, in case of natural disasters. Currently, NGCP has been developing local talent by investing in world-class training and scholarships for aspiring Filipino engineers.

“We agree with the President’s sentiments. Even before the SONA, NGCP has already been working towards the vision that he mentioned,” said Anthony Almeda, NGCP’s President and CEO.

“After hearing it straight from him – his vision that is completely aligned with ours – we know we are on the right track and we’re more motivated to complete all our objectives in a prompt manner,” he emphasized.

Among the top priorities on NGCP’s agenda are the swift completion of the Mindanao-Visayas Interconnection Project (MVIP) and Stage 3 of the Cebu-Negros-Panay Interconnection Project (CNP3).

Both of these crucial projects have been partially energized, with the MVIP on track to be fully energized to 450MW by the third quarter of this year. To expedite these projects, NGCP called upon all Local Government Units to extend essential support by promptly granting relevant permits and providing necessary assistance in addressing right-of-way issues that have hindered the smooth implementation of these projects.

“We reiterate our call for what the president termed as a ‘cohesive, centralized, and systematic approach’ to planning, including that for energy for stability, resiliency, and independence. We echo the President’s observation that while national goals are all within reach, ‘this will require not just the work of a single person or a single branch of government nor even the whole government acting alone, but the collective efforts achieved only by all Filipinos working together,’ ” Almeda concluded

The Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company (Metrobank), through its Branch Banking Sector (BBS), stepped up its employee volunteerism program, as it partnered with its corporate social responsibility arm, Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI), in organizing a series of feeding activities to benefit underprivileged individuals in the City of Manila.
Bannered under its social response program ‘Helping Hands,’ more than 200 employees from different Metrobank branches in Metro Manila volunteered to reach out to close to 3,500 individuals, mostly street dwellers, through the distribution of hot meals as well as loot bags containing grocery items, toiletries, candies, and biscuits.
The activities were made possible through a partnership agreement with Caritas Manila, Inc. in support of the implementation of their Damayan Feeding Program. For four Saturdays – April 15, 19, and May 20, 27, Metrobankers extended time and effort to serve the needy.

Serving as distribution venues were: Our Lady of Remedies Parish in Malate; Our Lady of the Abandoned Parish in Santa Ana; St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Ermita; and barangays near San Fernando Dilao Parish in Paco and San Agustin Church in Intramuros.
These feeding centers organized by the said parishes provide food for thousands of homeless individuals, made possible through the support of organizations committing time and resources to help the needy.

This series of volunteerism activities for Metrobankers will be sustained for the rest of the year as the feeding program is the first among the planned activities. The next activity will be a mangrove reforestation project in partnership with Toyota Motor Philippines and the Lian Fisherfolk Association, Inc.

The Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI) was established on January 8, 1979 by Dr. George S. K. Ty, sixteen (16) years after he founded the Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company (Metrobank). MBFI envisions to be the country’s premier corporate philanthropic foundation contributing a significant impact on social development. Its flagship programs include the Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos; Metrobank Art & Design Excellence (MADE); Metrobank Scholarship Program (MSP); Metrobank MTAP-DepEd Math Challenge (MMC); Grants and Social Development Partnerships, Disaster Response, National Teachers’ Month (NTM) celebration, and the Metrobank Foundation Professorial Chair Lectures. MBFI is also the principal owner of the Manila Doctors Hospital (MDH), one of the leading centers of wellness in the country.

As a development organization, MBFI aims to uplift individuals and the sectors they represent and strategically link with institutions for a shared purpose. By creating and propagating a culture of excellence and providing solutions to stakeholder’s needs, the Foundation continuously expands its scope of reach and be at the forefront in serving communities. As the heart of the Metrobank Group, “Excel. Engage. Empower” or the 3Es remains its roadmap.

In a recent hearing at the Senate Committee on Energy, representatives from the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) reiterated its denial that partners from the State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC) have total control over their operations.

The Energy Committee, chaired by Sen. Raffy Tulfo, questioned if the China-based corporation, who owns 40% of the NGCP, can derail operations based on their positions in the board. NGCP’s Corporate Communications Head, Atty. Cynthia Alabanza clarified that only four of their corporation’s 10-person board are Chinese and cannot strong-arm any decisions. She also stressed that the rest of the board and all other employees and staff of the NGCP are Filipino.

Senators Tulfo and Sherwin Gatchalian then raised concerns about how a certain provision in NGCP’s bylaws disallows the board to convene without the presence of any of the Chinese stakeholders.

Alabanza countered that the provision is a simple courtesy to the partners that can only be invoked twice and insisted that the rest of the Filipino board still has more control.

“As regards the concerns raised by Senators Gatchalian and Tulfo on the ability of the Chinese shareholders to defeat the will of the Filipino Board, this fear is not only speculative, it is without basis,” she emphasized.

“At best, the minority shareholders can delay convening the board, but the board cannot be held hostage indefinitely. Any urgent matter that needs immediate attention can be decided on by the President and CEO, a Filipino. If needed, this may later be ratified by the board,” she continued.

NGCP also highlighted that the 40% stake of SGCC is constitutionally allowed and necessary because the Philippines did not have any local bidders that are capable of meeting the technical requirements for what the NGCP needs to achieve.

It can be recalled that the NGCP took over operations from National Transmission Corporation (TransCo) when the government mandated that grid operations be privatized. SGCC participated and won the open bid to become the foreign technical partner who has the experience and expertise required by Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA).

“Our foreign technical experts in the past were engaged by NGCP in full compliance with all [Philippine] laws. They provided technical assistance and advice. None of them was an ‘executive’ or ‘managing’ officer of the company,” Alabanza reiterated.

Senator Tulfo also accused the NGCP of “underspending” or not allocating enough budget for service improvements. NGCP was quick to reply that they have invested more than PhP300 billion since 2009 and have far outspent the government in terms of transmission infrastructure investments.

“We remain committed to addressing all energy industry challenges, insofar as transmission is concerned, and we continue to pledge our cooperation and devotion to finding holistic and long-term solutions,” Alabanza concluded.

While the Department of Energy (DOE) has already expressed their disappointment with the low turnout in the second round of the Green Energy Auction Program (GEA-2) bidding, the initiative may have been hindered even before the auction officially opened.

A number of renewable energy (RE) executives shared that the Energy Regulatory Commission’s (ERC) price cap for the GEA-2 would make it nearly impossible to submit a functional bid, with one describing the rate ceiling as “unrealistic”.

“The framework of the auction is to set a price cap and bid below the price cap. It seems, however, that the regulators are setting a floor price,” noted Tetchi Cruz-Capellan, chief executive officer of Sun Asia Energy.

“We urge ERC to seriously examine the tariff rates in the GEA Program. The rates are not reflecting the realities of the current demand and supply of electricity in the country, nor is it encouraging developers to build,” she added.

During Monday’s bidding, the DOE received only 3,580.76 megawatts (MW) of committed capacities, or around 30 percent of the total 11,600 MW available. This leaves more than 8,000 MW of unsubscribed capacity. Under the GEA-2, winning bidders must make their committed capacities available by 2024 to 2026.

The ERC pegged the prices for GEA-2 at P4.4043 per kilowatt hour (kWh) for ground-mounted solar, P4.8738 per kWh for rooftop solar, P5.3948 per kWh for floating solar, P5.8481 per kWh for onshore wind, P5.4024 per kWh for biomass and P6.2683 per kWh for biomass waste-to-energy.

Atty. Jose M. Layug, Jr., co-chairman of the European Chamber of Commerce’s Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Committee, agreed that the setting the price at that level may have exposed potential bidders to financial losses.

“We should look into the setting of the Green Energy Auction Reserve (GEAR) prices for each RE technology that may expose potential bidders to risk of financial losses, including comparative price levels in Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) and other retail markets.

Also, developers should be given a practical timeframe to sufficiently prepare for the bids,” he emphasized.

“As we have seen during the Feed-in-Tariff (FIT) regime, price is ultimately the most significant factor in endeavors like this, so it should be set at a level that is most optimal to all stakeholders.

Nevertheless, we laud the efforts of the DOE in the aggressive transition to renewables with the ambitious RE installation projects, and we fully support their efforts to push for more RE capacities,” Layug underscored.

For her part, Cappellan expressed hope that future bidding procedures would not follow the same path. “We are hopeful that ERC will listen to the developers and seriously consider what the market is telling them — that their price cap is way below the current market realities,” she explained.

To this end, Cappellan executive mentioned that the Philippine Solar and Storage Energy Alliance (PSSEA) sent a comprehensive study to the ERC providing a sound framework for green energy tariff structures, but the document failed to convince the regulatory body.

“We believe that for the industry to deliver the ambitious target of the President, there has to be an honest-to-goodness realization of the current market prices. Without this, future GEAP will fail to entice developers,” Capellan concluded.

As of this writing, Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla has yet to issue any statements about whether or not the 8,000 MW of unsubscribed capacity would be up for rebidding.

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Futura by Filinvest, the smart-value brand of full-range property developer Filinvest Land, Inc. (FLI), introduces condominium living to General Santos City with Futura Bay, the first master-planned condo community.

“With spacious units and generous open spaces, Futura Bay allows your family to experience a modern and convenient lifestyle in a progressive locale, right at the heart of the city. Futura Bay offers spacious units, relaxing amenities and access to natural attractions. It is your healthy city home and future-proofed investment,” said Aven Valderrama, FLI First Vice President, Mid-Rise Buildings Brand and Product Head.

Thanks to robust demand and the project’s attractive location, Futura Bay’s first batch of inventories has already completely sold out.

Strategically located on Honorio Arriola Street, across KCC Mall, Futura Bay’s convenient location ensures proximity to educational institutions, hospitals, and leisure establishments in the city.

Upon completion, Futura Bay will feature three (3) master-planned mid-rise residential buildings with nine (9) storeys each. Over 40% of Futura Bay has been allotted to greenery and amenities, contributing to a truly refreshing lifestyle for its residents and aligning with FLI’s commitment to Dreams Built Green – building green developments promoting Health and Life Tech.

Futura Bay homebuyers have a wide choice of smart-value and generous living space layouts: studio (22 square meters), one-bedroom (28 square meters), and two-bedroom (32 square meters) units. All these units are Internet-ready and feature unobstructed layouts (no visible columns) – perfect for up-and-coming young professionals and growing young families.

Complementing the development are Futura Bay’s modern and complete amenities, including a swimming pool, clubhouse, playground, a pet zone for fur parents, as well as security amenities that include a perimeter fence, CCTV, and 24/7 security.

Futura by Filinvest continues to break new ground all over the country with the goal of helping more Filipino families achieve their dream of owning a home.

Futura by Filinvest is part of FLI’s diverse property portfolio, which spans over 50 years of experience, totaling over 280 projects in 55 key areas nationwide. A multi-awarded, green, and sustainable developer, FLI is committed to building the Filipino dream, one home at a time, across the Philippines. 

Families interested in taking the first step to a brighter future with Futura by Filinvest can contact (0917) 545-7788 or (0919) 076-4836 or visit www.futurabyfilinvest.com.

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BONIFACIO, MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL – Local police officers escorted suspended Mayor Samson Dumanjug from the municipal hall on Friday, after resisting a 60-day suspension order for betrayal of public trust.

Dumanjug had to be ushered out by the police for defying the provincial government’s 60-day preventive suspension of him and his wife Vice Mayor Evelyn Dumanjug. Reports said that instead of vacating as ordered, the couple barred access to the Mayor’s Office, the Vice Mayor’s Office, and the Sangguniang Bayan Session Hall.

According to Governor Henry S. Oaminal, Dumanjug and his wife also reportedly occupied an area of the municipal hall’s second floor to live and sleep in “as if it is their own private property,”.

Oaminal also refuted Dumanjug’s claims of political persecution, stating that it is the consequences of “their own doing.”

“Who committed the issue of graft and corruption? Who committed the issue of delivery of secondhand equipment, overpriced, and underfixed?,” Oaminal said.

The mayoral couple is implicated in overpriced, single-bidder, and substandard procurements for the municipality of Bonifacio, leading to some questionable equipment purchases, so the Sangguniang Lungsod issued the suspension order.

According to documentary evidence submitted to the Sanggunian, Dumanjug awarded to Avantrac Heavy Machinery, a Cebu-based company, the supply of one Amphibious Excavator for the price of PhP 29,995,000. However, it was later discovered that the actual market price of the excavator is only PhP 17,892,000; a difference of over 12 million pesos. He also awarded RDAK Transport Equipment a supply contract for a Garbage Compactor Truck priced at PhP 7,495,495; but the market value, at PhP 2,850,000 was also inflated by PhP 4.6 million.

Councilors Ricky R. Bulahan and Alberto A. Cuizon, the two highest ranking Sangguniang Bayan members, will assume their post as Acting Mayor and Acting Vice Mayor, respectively, while the Dumanjugs are suspended. Bulahan noted that after fulfilling the order to act as Municipal Mayor, he had to work in a different building while the Dumajug camped out in the appropriate offices.

“After we received the order, we immediately worked to execute our function so we don’t have any delays in serving the public. However, we had to take half the Department of Interior and Local Government office below the legislative building, since the Dumanjugs have occupied the right ones,” said Bulahan

According to Bonifacio police chief PMaj. Ritchel Sumagang, the suspended Mayor may be charged with a violation of Article 151 of the Revised Penal Code for Resistance and Disobedience to a Person in Authority, as well as a violation of Article 237 or Prolonging Performance of Duties and Powers.

“I’m hopeful for a resolution to this regrettable situation very soon, so that our municipal staff in Bonifacio can continue serving Misamisnons unimpeded, and everyone can do their job effectively,” Oaminal concluded.

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