Philippines' First Barge Terminal Starts Construction

Wazzup Pilipinas!

To further efforts in decongesting Metro Manila traffic and effectively maximizing the use of the country’s nautical highways, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the International Container Services, Inc. (ICTSI) held the groundbreaking ceremony of the Philippine’s first container Roll-on Roll-off (RORO) Barge Terminal earlier today, 21 April 2017. 

The Cavite Gateway Terminal (CGT), a six-hectare property currently being developed in Brgy. Capipisa in Tanza, Cavite, will enable containerized cargo transport through barges moving between ICTSI’s International Container Terminal in Manila and Cavite. Phase 1, which will cost USD 30 million (PhP 1.5 billion), features an annual capacity of 115,000 TEUs – equivalent to 140,000 fewer truck trips on city roads each year. This project will be constructed at no cost to government, and is expected to be operational by Q1 2018.

Leading the ceremony are (from left to right): ICTSI Vice President and Head of Asia Pacific and MICT Christian R. Gonzalez, Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur P. Tugade, ICTSI Chairman and President Enrique K. Razon Jr., former Cavite Governor Juanito “Jonvic” C. Remulla Jr., and Tanza Mayor Yuri A. Pacumio.

Jose Cuervo Especial Silver and the Origins of Margarita

Wazzup Pilipinas!

One of Jose Cuervo’s greatest contributions to the world of alcohol is the Especial Siler. Crafted by the masters at La Rojeña, this clear and impeccable offering balances the subtleties of agave, fresh herbs, and caramel. It can be savored on its own, chilled or on the rocks, or as a mixer to a classic and pallet-pleasing cocktail.

Compadres, there’s no better way to truly savor the taste of Jose Cuervo’s world-famous Especial Silver than in a Margarita. For as long as tequila has been enjoyed, there has always been a few who have dared to extract its purity in order to take the agave flavor to new, uncharted places. No other drink, in the hundreds of years of tequila distillation has won as many hearts as the Margarita.

Its tradition dates back to the late 1930’s in a small speakeasy between Tijuana and Rosarito, Mexico where a bartender by the name of Carlos Herrera concocted the first glass for one of his regulars, a certain Marjorie King. Now, Marjorie was a dancer, a very popular dancer and she was allergic to almost every form of alcohol, except for tequila.  So, Carlos Herrara, obviously looking to impress this remarkably beautiful woman, crafted a drink that not only fit her tastes but also embodied the characteristics that made her such a unique woman. And from there, the famous drink was born.

So, in the spirit of the Margarita, Jose Cuervo presents it’s Silver Margarita; a chance for people of all kinds to truly savor this icon drink at its purest by utilizing Especial Silver. Tequila at it’s purest and most potent form, Especial Silver is an unaged ‘blanco’ that contains over 51% Blue Agave.

Cusi: PHL Aims for 20,000MW RE Capacities

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso Cusi said today that the Philippines endeavors to add at least 20,000 megawatts of renewable energy (RE) capacities by 2040 to sustain economic gains and continuously elevate the quality of life in the country.

Cusi issued the statement during the launch by the DOE and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) of the Renewables Readiness Assessment (RRA) for the country at the Energy Center at Bonifacio Global City.

“RRA is a collaboration among the DOE, IRENA and other renewable energy stakeholders from both the public and private sectors. It is vital in our vision towards attaining 20,000 megawatts of renewable energy capacities by 2040,” said Cusi.

The DOE chief said that with the Philippine governments’ aggressive stance towards building RE capacities, there is a “need to identify and analyze key challenges to further guide our stakeholders in our policies, regulatory and institutional framework.”

He said that formulating RRA involved research, interviews, focus group discussions and several multi-stakeholder consultations.

The goal, he added, is to provide a comprehensive and detailed analyses of the country’s RE profile in order to recommend measures to deal with the pertinent issues in the industry.

Cusi said that the Philippine RRA will also contribute to a database of the status of renewables readiness across member countries of IRENA.

The DOE-Renewable Energy Management Bureau (REMB) also prepared the launching ceremony of the RRA to serve as a forum with industry stakeholders to inform them on its results, solicit their views in carrying out the recommendations and discuss opportunities and challenges of the RE sector.

The launching was graced by DOE Assistant Secretary Roberto Uy, DOE-REMB Director Mario Marasigan, DOE-REMB Assistant Director Marissa Cerezo, National Renewable Energy Board (NREB) Chairperson Atty. Jose Layug Jr., IRENA Senior Programme Officer Gurbuz Gunol and IRENA Regional Programme Officer for Asia-Pacific Yong Chen.

IRENA is an intergovernmental organization that supports countries in transitioning into a sustainable energy future. It serves as the principal platform for international cooperation and an avenue to explore other values of renewable energy as it promotes widespread adoption and sustainable use of all forms in the pursuit of sustainable development.

“The DOE is committed to provide a level of playing field among RE developers to assure the country of its indigenous and sustainable energy for the consuming public,” said Cusi.

Cover photo caption: RRAP turnover: Gurbuz Gunol, IRENA Senior Programme Officer (left), turns over a copy of the Renewable Resource Assessment Publication to Department of Energy Assistant Secretary Robert Uy on Friday, 21 April 2017, in Taguig City. With them are NREB Chairman Jose Layug Jr. (2nd from left) and DOE-REMB Director Mario Marasigan (right).