MANILA, Philippines – In the context of the current global energy crisis and net-zero targets to fight climate change, scientists, policy makers and industry are working together to explore potential solutions that no longer rely on the earth’s fast-depleting and polluting fossil fuel energy sources while ensuring energy independence to the countries. Offshore wind has emerged as one of the game changers in this global energy transition, providing scaled solutions to the governments looking to shift towards renewable energy sources while achieving energy security.

The Philippine offshore wind roadmap released in April 2022 by the Department of Energy and the World Bank Group, estimated that the Philippines has the potential to install 21GW of offshore wind power by 2040. BlueFloat Energy has been working more than 18 months on unlocking this offshore wind potential by exploring the development of floating wind. An agile and fast-growing offshore wind developer with a focus on floating wind technologies, BlueFloat Energy has announced today its market entry in the Philippines through the acquisition of the Wind Energy Service Contracts (WESCs) for four sites in the Philippines – Central Luzon, South Luzon, Northern Luzon, and Southern Mindoro.

Carlos Martin, CEO of BlueFloat Energy, said during his visit to the country announcing the company´s market entry into the Philippines: “We are thrilled to bring BlueFloat Energy’s expertise and experience in offshore wind energy to the Philippines. We believe that by tapping into the country’s vast clean energy potential, we can make a significant contribution towards reducing carbon emissions and fostering a sustainable future for generations to come.”

Offshore wind opportunity

The Philippines, known for its abundant natural resources and favorable coastal conditions, is well-positioned to harness the power of offshore wind. The country’s total technical potential for offshore wind is estimated at 178 GW in the World Bank’s offshore wind roadmap for the Philippines. Large areas around the country’s coast have technically extractable wind resources.

BlueFloat Energy plans to leverage its floating wind expertise and global experience to develop projects along the Philippine coasts.

Raymund Pascual, Country Manager of BlueFloat Energy in the Philippines, said: “We see and believe that our plan aligns well to enable the Transformative Agenda of the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 as it focuses on developing and protecting the capabilities of individuals and families, enables production sectors to generate more quality jobs and competitive products, and of course consequently, economic prosperity.”

BlueFloat Energy will work closely with the local communities, government entities, and other stakeholders to ensure that its projects comply with environmental regulations, respect local cultures, and provide long-term benefits for the communities in which it operates.

BlueFloat Energy’s entry into the Philippine market fits well within the company’s strategy for the Asia Pacific region, with project developments already underway in Australia (first feasibility license application submitted for Greater Gippsland area in April this year), New Zealand and Taiwan. BlueFloat Energy now looks forward to supporting the Philippine government in the deployment of the cutting-edge floating wind technology and paving the way for the energy transition.

For information about BlueFloat Energy. – Rappler.com

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, has launched the first ever Refugee Film Festival in the Philippines, which will be featuring six films focused on the extraordinary stories of the forcibly displaced.

With the theme “Hope Away from Home,” the first Refugee Film Festival organized by UNHCR in partnership with the University of the Philippines Asian Center and the Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development (PLCPD) runs from June 20 to 22 at the UPFI Film Center at the University of the Philippines Diliman.

Opening the film festival is Quezon’s Game by Matthew Rosen, a biographical film set in 1938 that follows the story of Philippine President Manuel Quezon and several other notable figures as they set out to rescue Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi persecution. This humanitarian legacy of the Philippines opening its doors to refugees fleeing war and persecution began since the early 1920s and continues to this very day.

Other films in the Refugee Film Festival are Flee by Jonas Poher Rasmussen, Wandering: A Rohingya Story by Mélanie Carrier and Olivier Higgins, Captains of Zaatari by Ali El Arabi, A House in Pieces by Jean Claire Dy and Manuel Domes, and The Swimmers by Sally El Hosaini.

“Our hope is that the Refugee Film Festival will raise awareness among more Filipinos on the plight and rights of those forced to flee,” said UNHCR Philippines head of national office Maria Ermina Valdeavilla-Gallardo.

Multi-awarded broadcast journalist Atom Araullo also marked his fourth year as UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador during the launch and called on fellow journalists and Filipinos to support the activities planned for World Refugee Day this year.

“Thank you to UNHCR for this opportunity to continue advocating for the protection of the forcibly displaced. As Goodwill Ambassador for UNHCR Philippines, I have had the honor and privilege of documenting and sharing to the world such important and compelling stories of survival and hope. As I mark my fourth year as Goodwill Ambassador, I hope that more Filipinos will become aware of these realities and stand in solidarity with people forced to flee,” said Atom.

“We are grateful that Atom continues to lend his storytelling expertise to shine a light on the plight of refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced, and those who are stateless and at risk of statelessness,” said Valdeavilla-Gallardo.

Atom began advocating for people forced to flee as a High-Profile Supporter in 2017 and was appointed UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador in 2019. Joining UNHCR’s field missions and protection monitoring work for internally displaced persons in Mindanao, Atom has personally witnessed the strength and resilience of the most vulnerable communities in the face of multiple crises. He has also visited Azraq refugee camp in Jordan and Kutupalong refugee camp in Bangladesh, where he contributed to the efforts of drawing attention to the Syrian and Rohingya refugee crises, respectively.

Also present during the launch were representatives of the partner agencies of the UNHCR including state counsel Alden Luna of the Department of Justice – Refugees and Stateless Persons Protection Unit, UP Asian Center dean Dr. Henelito Sevilla Jr., and executive director Romeo Dongeto of the Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development (PLCPD).

“The Refugee Film Festival serves as a good eye-opener to the current global refugee crises and the importance of fostering a climate of acceptance, compassion, and inclusion in the world. As a partner of UNHCR Philippines, we are committed to advancing the institutionalization of policies and laws that safeguard the rights of forcibly displaced and stateless people through legislation,” said Dongeto.

With the speed and scale of global forced displacement outpacing long-term solutions, there is a need to continue working together to advocate for inclusion and opportunities that will provide refugees with better chances of survival.

Kindly also access this link for further details on the film festival as well as the registration process: World Refugee Day 2023 – UNHCR Philippines. – Rappler.com

Medical education is now more accessible to students in Visayas and Mindanao as the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) approved the application for government authority to operate the Doctor of Medicine program of two new compliant state universities and colleges (SUCs) – Bohol Island State University (BISU) in Tagbilaran, Bohol and University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP), Cagayan de Oro City.

“CHED has increased the number of HEIs offering medical programs from 8 to 17 over the past year. The expansion of medical education will facilitate the implementation of Republic Act No. 11509 or “An Act Establishing a Medical Scholarship and Return Service program for Deserving Students,” said CHED Chairman Popoy de Vera.

RA 11509 or more popularly known as the Doktor para sa Bayan Law aims to increase the number of doctors who will serve in far flung areas by establishing a medical scholarship and return service (MSRS) program for deserving students in SUCs or in partner private HEIs in regions where no SUCs offer a medical course.

“The approval to operate the Doctor of Medicine program in BISU and USTP expands the opportunities for the poor but deserving students through scholarship support under the Doktor Para sa Bayan Act. Now we can produce more doctors through our top SUCs, who will go to underserved areas and local governments in need of health personnel,” De Vera added.

As reported by the Technical Panel for Medicine Chairperson Joselito Villaruz, “Based on the Technical Evaluators (TE) and Technical Panel for Medicine’s (TPMed) assessment and verification of the applicant SUCs, BISU and USTP have already complied with all the minimum requirements to operate the Doctor of Medicine program.”

De Vera emphasized that these SUCs which were approved can accept students this coming school year and will be evaluated after two years for their Government Recognition, which will entitle them to offer the full 4-year program.

“The approval of CHED on the medical program of BISU is a very welcome development. I am very grateful to CHED, especially Chairman De Vera, Commissioner Mark Libre for the guidance and support throughout BISU’s application. I congratulate BISU officials led by President Anthony Penaso and the technical team who worked to achieve this milestone,” said 1st District of Bohol Representative Edgar Chatto.

“The opening of the medical school in BISU not only opens doors to deserving Boholano students who dream of becoming doctors but also contributes to the goal of upgrading Bohol’s health care system, complementing the modernization of our apex referral hospital – Governor Celestino Gallares Multi-Specialty Medical Complex,” he added.

Students who are interested to apply for the MSRS program should apply for admission in the following SUCs and private HEIs:

– Rappler.com

KAKAKOMPYUTER MO YAN! (KMY!) explores the Philippine internet and networking culture through new and experimental modes of expression online and offline, highlighting counternarratives from those that have been underrepresented & marginalized in its tellings.

In navigating local histories and their intertwining with emerging technologies and network cultures, themes of labor, maintenance, justice, and identity are called into question. Where are the borders of the Filipino internet drawn? How do we shape technology, and how does it shape us?

We seek submissions of projects, performances, art, and writing that explore Filipino internet culture and networking history.

Conducted under the Philippine Internet Archive of Developh, KMY! takes form through art exhibitions, (web)site-specific installations, performances, workshops, and activations. 

KMY! will launch on November 1 with the Bad Internet pavilion of the Wrong Biennale 2023 and will show physically in Metro Manila in late October or early November.

More than cursory takes on nostalgia, we are interested in personal or research-based narratives that call on underlooked parts of our local internet cultures: studies of strange Filipino Facebook groups, examinations of tech labor and the BPO industry, spirituality and devotion (from fan culture to Poong Hesus Nazareno processions conducted on Roblox), materiality and infrastructures of the internet, and more.

Submission details

Medium: Works of any form are welcome, but note we are primarily browser-based. We encourage you to think about how your works are to be preserved and presented in physical space as well, but this does not need to be a primary component.

• We have desktop performances, fake torrenting platforms, games, interactive essays, and the like lined up!
• We’re particularly interested in submissions that make use of video, sound, and the full affordances of the web. We are interested in performance, experimental, and explicitly political and/or research-based work.
• Works in English and/or any Philippine language are highly encouraged.

Timeline

• Descriptions and previews of pieces should be ready by August 2023.
• Work should be completed by September 2023.
• Digital exhibition will be launch online on November 1, 2023 until forever in kakakompyutermoyan.com, and until March 1, 2024 for the Wrong Biennale.
• Physical exhibition will be in late October/November 2023 in Metro Manila, Philippines.

Commitment

• Editors schedule online check-in calls once a month, but are happy to adapt to your preferred meeting style. We will provide technical support in “installing” your piece in the digital and physical space. We do not have the capacity to help with major technical needs for the piece itself (e.g. If you propose a game, please do not expect us to code the game for you).

Fees

• We are self-funded by Developh and offer a small honorarium of P3000/$50 for individuals or P4500/$80 for groups (paid to the whole group), upon exhibition. These fees may be adjusted depending on the result of our funding applications. 

How to submit?

Submit your work to submit@kakakompyutermoyan.com by July 1, 2023. We will respond to applicants on a rolling basis, so we encourage you to submit as soon as possible so we can provide you with support on your submission.

In your email, please include a short description of you and your work (such as links to your work or other platforms where we can learn more about you). Please describe a short proposal of your project, its concept, its content and form, and your intended angle. If you have any, you may include sketches, sample texts, references, prototypes, etc. to help us understand your work.

We accept proposals for new work or continuing work, or already-completed work.

For more details and frequently asked questions on KMY!’s call for submissions, you may visit kakakompyutermoyan.com/opencall. – Rappler.com

Students up to college level may enjoy reduced library day pass and monthly pass rates until December 2023.

A valid student ID or proof of enrollment is required. See the reduced rates below.

For more information about the library guidelines and procedures, visit www.filipinaslibrary.org.ph/booking/.

For inquiries, you may email asklibrarian@filipinaslibrary.org.ph.

Established in 1996, the Filipinas Heritage Library (FHL) is the other half of Ayala Foundation’s Arts and Culture Division. As a one-stop digital research center on the Philippines, its mission is to spark and stoke interest in the visual, aural, and printed story of the Filipino.

To learn more about FHL, visit www.filipinaslibrary.org.ph – Rappler.com

The Social Security System (SSS) announces that Social Security Disability Benefit claim applications can already be filed online through the My.SSS Portal since January 2023.

SSS president and CEO Rolando Ledesma Macasaet said the provision of the online facility is part of the SSS’ continuous compliance with the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Services Delivery Act of 2018 through the streamlining, simplification, and automation of all its benefit processes.

“With the implementation of Online Filing of Disability Claim Applications under our Social Security Program, we are proud to say that we have finally put all SSS benefit and loan programs onto online platforms. Our members can access them at their convenience 24/7, without the need to visit our branches,” Macasaet said.

To use the online Disability Claim Application (DCA) facility, members must have a registered account in the My.SSS Portal in the SSS website at www.sss.gov.ph and a Unified Multi-Purpose Identification (UMID) Card enrolled as an ATM or an approved disbursement account in the Disbursement Account Enrollment Module (DAEM).

Members can access this facility by logging in to their My.SSS account and clicking “Apply for Disability Claim” under the Benefits Tab. The system will validate the member’s records and eligibility to the benefit upon online application, where the results will be displayed on-screen.

Qualified members will be required to upload supporting documents, such as a medical certificate issued or accomplished by their attending physician within the last six months, and other documents deemed necessary by the SSS.

All DCAs are subject to medical evaluation. Members who are required to report for Physical Examination and Interview (PEI) at the Medical Evaluation Center of any SSS Branch will be given 20 days from the date of e-mail notification to comply. Otherwise, the transaction will be rejected.

Applicable notifications will be sent to the registered e-mail addresses of members, such as acknowledgment of successful submission; compliance to report for PEI; approval, rejection, or denial of claim; and/or other notifications deemed necessary by the SSS.

Meanwhile, DCAs with the following conditions must be filed at any SSS Branch:

1. The member is incapacitated, under guardianship, or confined in an applicable institution, such as a penitentiary, correctional, or rehabilitation institution
2. The Portability Law or Bilateral Social Security Agreement will be applied.
3. With adjustment or for re-adjudication of claim
4. Unclaimed benefit of deceased member
5. Other conditions/cases as may be determined by the SSS

The SSS Disability Benefit is a cash benefit granted to a member who becomes permanently disabled either partially or totally. A member must have at least 36 monthly contributions before the semester of disability to qualify for a lifetime monthly pension, in case of total disability cases; or a monthly pension for a specified number of months for partial disability cases.

Those who have not met the said required number of contributions but have at least one monthly contribution before the semester of disability will only qualify for a lump sum disability benefit, based on the guidelines provided under the Social Security Law.

For more details about the program, members may read SSS Circular No. 2022-039 at https://bit.ly/SSSCI2022-039 or watch the eSSSkwela Webinar Episode 9 on YouTube at https://bit.ly/eSSSkwelaEP9. Other information about the SSS Disability Benefit can also be accessed in the Knowledgebase Section of the uSSSap Tayo Portal at https://crms.sss.gov.ph. – Rappler.com