Electricity consumers call for transparency on RE projects amid Solar PH mess

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Metro Manila (January 22) – Electricity consumers are calling for transparency on all renewable energy (RE) project contracts and a swift, comprehensive probe into the controversy surrounding Batangas First District Rep. Leandro Leviste’s solar energy firm.

“We believe that the issues involving the congressman’s company are not fabricated, nor are they an isolated case,” says Kuryente.org National Coordinator Bas Umali. “Much like the public’s demand for justice on the flood control ‘ghost’ project scandal, we electricity consumers also demand transparency in all renewable energy project contracts and the status of their completion.”

Earlier, the Department of Energy (DOE) terminated 33 service contracts of Leviste’s Solar Philippines Power Project Holdings Inc. (SPPPHI) and announced a P24 billion penalty, due to its failure to deliver on its power production commitments. In total, the DOE cancelled 163 RE service contracts with a total potential capacity of over 17,900 megawatts.

“The company’s failure to fulfill contractual obligations has a direct impact on us consumers, who have long been suffering from high electricity prices. If supply were greater, there would be a higher chance of lowering electricity rates; thousands of megawatts could have been added to the capacity of our energy sector,” says Umali.

Leviste had previously claimed that the cancellation of the contracts was politically motivated amid his recent exposés related to the flood control corruption mess, while Secretary Garin asserted that the cancellations began in early 2024, before the flood control scandal was on the public radar.

Despite the terminated contracts, Garin assured the public that the government will hatch a catch-up plan to proceed with reaching the 35% target RE in the country’s power mix by 2030.

“We hope the DOE will resolve this matter urgently and will not exercise leniency knowing that the person and company involved is connected to an influential family,” adds Umali. “The DOE must also inform the public with regard to the status of other concessions with similar cases.”

Enhanced Alternative Learning System expands flexible pathways for out-of-school learners

 

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MAKATI CITY, 22 January 2026 — The Department of Education (DepEd) has rolled out an enhanced Alternative Learning System (ALS) aimed at widening flexible learning pathways for out-of-school children, youth, and adults, aligning the program more closely with the formal K to 12 curriculum while strengthening employability and life skills. 

Education Secretary Sonny Angara underscored the human impact of the reforms, citing the the dedication of Mang Eduardo Saplala, an 81-year-old Aeta from Porac, Pampanga, who is currently enrolled in ALS in the province.

Saplala, a member of the Aeta community in Barangay Camias, is taking up Basic Literacy Program (BLP) under DepEd’s ALS program in the province. His return to learning was enabled by community-based instruction, flexible pacing, and competency-based assessment—features now embedded more formally under the updated guidelines.  

“Patunay si Mang Eduardo na walang edad ang edukasyon. Sa Alternative Learning System, may ikalawang pagkakataon ang bawat Pilipino,” Angara said. “Pinapalakas natin ang ALS para maging tunay na alternatibo—hindi pansamantala, hindi panghuli, kundi isang lehitimong landas ng edukasyon.”

He added that the program’s expansion is anchored on President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s push for inclusive growth. “Sa malinaw na direksyon ng Pangulo, isinusulong natin ang edukasyong may dangal at oportunidad, lalo na para sa mga naiwan o napag-iwanan ng sistema,” Angara said.

In DepEd Order No. 1, s. 2026, DepEd has standardized ALS delivery across regions while expanding learning options for out-of-school children, youth, and adults. The policy aligns ALS competencies more closely with the formal K to 12 curriculum and institutionalizes flexible learning modalities and recognition of prior learning, and introduces micro-certification,  

In the policy, learners progress based on demonstrated mastery rather than age or length of participation. Individual learning agreements and portfolio-based assessments are now central to tracking progress, allowing learners to enter, pause, and resume education depending on their circumstances.

It also clarifies equivalent pathways across ALS programs, including Basic Literacy, Accreditation and Equivalency at the elementary and junior high school levels, and senior high school offerings. ALS completers may transition to formal schooling, pursue technical-vocational certification, or enter employment, depending on their goals and competencies.

The enhanced framework likewise affirms the role of local governments, universities and colleges, non-government organizations, and private entities in implementing ALS, including the operation of community learning centers and access to facilities, learning resources, and specialized instruction through existing coordination mechanisms.

DepEd also institutionalized capacity-building programs for ALS teachers and implementers, including training on the revised curriculum, learner assessment, and blended learning delivery. Monitoring and evaluation mechanisms were tightened to ensure consistent standards and track learner completion and transition outcomes nationwide.

Beginning School Year 2026–2027, all schools division offices are directed to fully implement the revised ALS curriculum for Basic Literacy and Accreditation and Equivalency programs, with separate guidelines to follow for a strengthened ALS senior high school track.

For DepEd, cases like Saplala’s are no longer framed as isolated success stories but as outcomes the enhanced policy is designed to produce—accessible, flexible, and credible education pathways that allow Filipinos to reenter learning at any stage of life

Unified 911 system gets revolutionary upgrade via unified dispatch using mission critical technology

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True to the Department of the Interior and Local Governments’ (DILG) vision of providing the country with a world-class emergency response system, Unified 911 command centers will soon get next-level critical communication software that will also equip first responders with state of the art tools.



Called the Unified Platform for Communications & Dispatch (UPCAD), the system consists of a field-proven dispatch console designed to meet the challenges of a demanding public safety environment plus robust smartphones, feature phones and tablets for first responders that meet high durability standards built for industrial and mission-critical use,



The global best practice on dispatch and communication for first responders on the ground was shared at the Unified Dispatch and Communications Forum held at Solaire North on January 21, an event focused on empowering first responders through connected command.

Representatives from government offices involved in peace and order, civil defense, fire protection, maritime security, the air force, civil aviation and the embassies of France and the United States attended the event.



NGA 911 Philippines and Next Generation Core Services (NGCS), providers of the next-generation advanced emergency response technology used in the unified 911 system together with PLDT and ePLDT, which provides the telecommunications infrastructure and cloud hosting services for unified 911, hosted the event. Streamwide S.A., a French software company specializing in communication and operational solutions for mission critical communications, and Rug Gear, designer and manufacturer of ultra-durable emergency communication tools, also collaborated in the event..



Demonstrations held at the forum showed how the new software delivers instant, rich data to the field and tracks real-time positions with geolocation services. These boost coordination with secure Mission Critical Data (IM) and leverage Mission Critical Video as live feeds are shared from the scene.



Called TOTR or Team On The Run, the integrated communication approach will introduce modern cellular networks and data capabilities as tools to provide instant, secure and feature-rich coordination beyond traditional land mobile and hand-held radios.



The cutting edge mission critical technology will be integrated into national 911 services in February and ensure uninterrupted, secure, and reliable communication during emergencies, faster response times, greater situational awareness, and better public safety outcomes – despite climate, physical and situational challenges during the emergency. Agencies, LGUs and first responders will be linked with one another to apply solutions to emergencies.



“Unified Dispatch is not just about connecting platforms. It’s connecting people, agencies and decisions seamlessly and in real time. It’s the police, military, coast guard, disaster response and LGUs seeing the same operational picture. The calls, data and intelligence flowing securely across agencies and command centers empowered with clarity instead of complexity. The first responders are supported by technology that works with them, not against them,” explained Ishka Villacisneros, Chief Financial Officer of NGA 911 in the USA and President of NGA 911 Philippines.



As things stand, the Philippines is the only country in Southeast Asia with a complete Next Generation 911 call system, she noted, and shared that other neighboring countries are looking at the Philippines as the model for public safety in the region.



Rob Llaguno, Country Head of NGA 911 Philippines, who has spent the past five years working for a national public safety system, said “A truly effective emergency response system requires the combined efforts of the national and local governments, private and public sectors and civilian and uniformed services. A unified dispatch and communications system will empower first responders through connected command. It will improve interoperability and ensure all Filipino citizens in the country are properly served and given protection and peace of mind.”