ACEN executes deals with InLife, ETM for energy transitionMANILA, Philippines — ACEN Corp. has executed option agreements with The Insular Life Assurance Co. Ltd. (InLife) and ETM Philippines Holdings Inc. as part of the company’s overall energy transition mechanism to enable more renewables. ACEN last July approved the divestment of all its shares in SLTEC, through energy transition financing. The shares will be acquired by ETM Philippines and InLife for P3.7 billion. ETM Philippines is a special purpose vehicle that allows financial investors to invest in energy transition by accelerating the retirement of coal-fired power plants, and to fund the development of new clean energy technologies. Through the energy transition mechanism, SLTEC’s coal power plant will be decommissioned by 2040, 15 years ahead of the end of its technical life and transitioned into cleaner technology.

MMDA deploying 1,500 personnel for UndasCaretakers clean and paint the tombs at the Manila North Cemetery in Manila on October 22, 2022 in preparation for the All Souls' Day. MANILA, Philippines — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority will be deploying 1,500 personnel in key locations in Metro Manila to ensure order during this year's traditional observance of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day on November 1 and 2, it said Tuesday. MMDA chair Carlo Dimayuga said in a statement sent to reporters Tuesday afternoon that the personnel from the Traffic Discipline Office, Road Emergency Group, Metro Parkways Clearing Group, and Task Force Special Operations would be deployed upon activation of the "Oplan Undas 2022" from October 28 until November 2. Related Stories LIST: Manila road closures for Undas 2022"The MMDA is all set to undertake measures on traffic management, cleanup operations, road emergency and public assistance, and clearing of road obstructions in preparation for Undas," he said. Aside from bus terminals, traffic personnel will be deployed to major roads leading to cemeteries and transportation hubs as thousands are expected to travel to their provinces to pay respect to their loved ones.

Customers can also place an order via the Mang Inasal delivery app or through other food delivery apps such as GrabFood and Foodpanda. CONTRIBUTED PosterMANG INASAL, the country's "Ihaw-Sarap" expert, introduces the all-new Mang Inasal Family Fiesta, a special bundled group meal, composed of chargrilled favorites, including chicken inasal (roasted), pork barbecue or grilled liempo (pork belly) that are perfect for office parties, family reunions and different gatherings this holiday season. "Mang Inasal Family Fiesta brings together all our 'Ihaw-Sarap' favorites na pang-salu-salo (that are for celebrations)," says Mang Inasal Business Unit head Mike Castro. "Whether you're team chicken inasal, team pork or team kahit ano (whatever), the package has something for everyone to enjoy." For families or groups that love chicken inasal, the all-chicken inasal bundle is for them, offering six pieces of chicken paa (leg) and java rice platter.

PLDT invests P4.4 billion to expand international capacityPLDT announced it has begun the initial phase of construction for the Asia Direct Cable (ADC) set to raise its capacity in providing connectivity by 36 terabits per second. MANILA, Philippines — Telco giant PLDT Inc. has invested $75 million or around P4.4 billion to expand its international capacity by laying down a 9,400-kilometer subsea cable traversing East and Southeast Asia. Upon completion, PLDT said ADC would link seven international cable landing points across areas in East and Southeast Asia. It will also provide an additional 36 terabits per second in international capacity for the delivery of data around East and Southeast Asia. Prior to the ADC, PLDT in July activated the Jupiter cable system that scaled up the telco giant’s international capacity to 60 terabits per second.

MANILA, Philippines — A Muntinlupa City court yesterday issued a subpoena to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) as the lawyer of detained former senator Leila de Lima questioned the real name of prosecution witness Herbert Colangco. In one drug case filed against De Lima, Tacardon said it was found that his name is Roy Vincent Colangco. “The PSA was subpoenaed to present his birth certificate to the court,” Tacardon told reporters. Ragos had recanted his allegations that De Lima was involved in the illegal drug trade when she was justice secretary. The court set the next hearing on De Lima’s other drug case on Nov. 7.

PHOTO BY JOHN RYAN BALDEMORComplementary to CAIR, the Industry 4.0 Pilot Factory will host pilot, demonstration, and learning laboratories for relevant technologies. The Pilot Factory can serve as prototyping sandbox and as a platform to showcase use-cases of products. Space for the Pilot Factory at Bonifacio Global City has already been offered by a partner conglomerate. Provided for by the Go Negosyo Act, these centers serve as mentoring hubs, and provide links to business development services. To support MSMEs, DTI will initiate and onboard MSMEs to e-commerce using a platform that DTI will soon launch in collaboration with the DICT.

MMDA enforcer in viral video axed for extortion tryTraffic enforcer Wilson Palilio, assigned at the MMDA Bus Management and Dispatch System, was dismissed from the service. Traffic enforcer Wilson Palilio, assigned at the MMDA Bus Management and Dispatch System, was dismissed from the service. The MMDA said social media user Alden Chua Tan uploaded a viral video showing Palilio and Musni apprehending motorists for traffic violations along Mindanao Avenue Extension. When Tan asked if their operation was legitimate and if they had identification cards, the MMDA traffic enforcers fled. The MMDA said Palilio’s employment was terminated while the case of Musni is still being investigated.

Customs eyes full digitalization next yearCustoms Commissioner Yogi Filemon Ruiz said the BOC is on track in the system overhaul in the agency to increase productivity and efficiency. “The remaining customs processes that we need to digitalize, we need to address some court orders. “I have to be fast on this because the President gave very specific instructions to go full digitalization and streamline customs processes,” he said. Currently, the World Bank is supporting the digitalization of the BOC through an $88.28 million financing for the Philippine Customs Modernization Program. The Customs chief stressed the agency would continue to push for its digitalization efforts until it achieves a fully-automated customs procedure.

After all, the PSAs being fixed-rate agreements would still be good for consumers in the long run. But SMC believes that its power subsidiary SMCGP will weather its present challenges as it remains in a stable position to navigate these circumstances. Meralco will also be forced to source up to 1,000 megawatts from the WESM and to enter into higher-priced emergency power supply agreements. And because of this, Meralco said that it would also exhaust all available remedies to prevent the termination of its power supply deals with SMC. Bottom line is, it is the public which eventually will have to contend with higher electricity costs with the termination of SMC’s PSAs.

Singapore firm helps DA push for cage-free egg productionMarket vendor in marikina wet and dry market said prices of eggs in the market is possible to increase due to feeds hike. MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) has teamed up with Singapore-based consulting company Global Food Partners to help egg farmers employ practices on cage-free egg production amid growing demand for the product. According to the DA, more and more egg producers in the Philippines are seeking to adopt cage-free egg practices, and have expressed the need for technical training in cage-free production. ATI OIC director Remelyn Recoter said the government is committed to supporting farmers who are interested in adopting cage-free egg practices. The course features seven modules to help egg farmers, veterinarians, auditors, students and others involved in egg production, establish a basic understanding of animal welfare and cage-free egg production as well as put the knowledge into your daily practices.

Customs collections closing in on P1 trillion markIf realized, the BOC could generate from P953 billion to as much as P968 billion for the year. MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Customs (BOC) is expecting to rake in over P900 billion in collections this year, exceeding the P733 billion target and effectively closing in on the P1-trillion mark as the economy continues to reopen. The BOC is targeting to collect P733 billion this year. This is already 87 percent of its original target of P733 billion. For the business community, if you have a predictable and transparent Customs administration, then it’s very favorable to them,” he said.

Citing economic reasons, President Marcos on Thursday said he would name a health secretary once the country’s coronavirus situation “normalizes” from its current state of calamity. ProclamationsThe country remains in “a state of calamity due to the coronavirus,” as declared in 2020 by Mr. Marcos’ predecessor Rodrigo Duterte in Proclamation No. Mr. Marcos said it was not yet time to lift the state of calamity. Because, for example, if I lift the state of calamity, our health workers will not get their benefits that are in the law. For more information on COVID-19, call the DOH Hotline: (02) 86517800 local 1149/1150.

Philippines opens doors to investors in EV technologyMANILA, Philippines — The Philippines is inviting investments in technologies related to electric vehicles (EVs) as it eyes to join the global value chain, according to the chief of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). “Together with EV technologies, those related to renewable energy and battery form part of the DTI green metals initiative. Among the green metals used in cleaner-energy applications are copper, nickel, cobalt, lithium, and rare earth metals. “Fortunately, the Philippines is rich in these green metals. We want to link with global value chains involving Norway energy companies, especially the renewable ones,”Pascual said.

A male owner of a Sham Shui Po shop was on Wednesday arrested by customs for selling a program online that allows users to bypass the paywall and watch paid TV channels for free ahead of next month's FIFA World Cup. Customs recently receive a complaint from Now TV, the copyright owner of those paid TV channels, that a seller has been promoting on online platforms a program that can stream its TV channels for free. Customs stressed that the copyright owner had applied an effective technological measure to protect its own copyright work. Those who wish to watch the paid TV channels legitimately must subscribe to the service and watch the channels either by using the official decoder or logging in to the online service account. The arrestee's program, with an annual fee ranging between HK$240 and HK$280, can live-stream the paid TV channels online as well.

At Little Taj Indian Street Kitchen, you'll get to go to India while in Boracay. Little India started off sharing space with its sister resto Nonie's at Station X, but with a constant clamor for its flavorful fare, it was quickly launched as the standalone Little Taj Indian Street Kitchen in May 2022. In Boracay's Little Taj, you'll easily find an island fave and surely keep coming back. Little Taj is the latest baby of island resto duo Patrick and Shria Florencio of the Nonie's Group. At Little Taj, everyone's pretty vishesh and is treated like a VIP, whether you're an island local or a tourist on a beach escape.