Lifestyle

In response to the increasing market demand for sustainability innovations, Enercon Asia, a premier supplier of all-inclusive energy and power system integrator solutions, is happy to announce the expansion of its services into the Philippines and the launch of an advanced smart energy assessment and monitoring system.

Businesses all around the world are adopting more energy-efficient technologies to reduce their use of energy in the face of the global issue of achieving energy sustainability. Since the Philippine Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has acknowledged the need for more energy-efficient usage, this trend is particularly noticeable there.

Enercon has launched its Remote Energy Monitoring System in response to the pressing need for cutting-edge energy saving solutions. The power grid, solar panels, batteries, generators, and other energy sources are all easily connected to an Internet of Things (IoT) power monitoring system. It also comes with a data-driven platform to help organizations become ready for sustainability reporting and management.

Dr. Azhar Othman, Executive Chairman, Enercon Asia, “Our goal is to advance towards a more intelligent and sustainable energy landscape while assisting businesses in navigating the complexities of energy efficiency. We aim to empower businesses to actively monitor their energy consumption, address challenges in establishing carbon reduction goals, and most importantly, achieve a significant reduction in power consumption costs.”

In addition to catering to commercial and industrial sectors, Enercon strategically positions itself to support rapidly growing industries such as microgrids and data centers. Projections from the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) indicate a fivefold increase in data center capacity by 2029. Enercon’s timely launch of the Remote Energy Monitoring System, combined with their proficiency in integrating Data Centre Power system solutions, is well-positioned to support businesses in adapting to the ever-changing landscape of energy consumption efficiency.

“Recognising that power consumption constitutes a significant operating expense for many facilities and building owners, we are committed to helping them better manage their energy usage. Through site verification, measurement, monitoring, and analysis with state-of-the-art smart energy monitoring equipment, our teams ensure that clients have a thorough understanding of their energy consumption patterns, on top of meeting compliance requirements. By incorporating preventive and predictive measurements, our solution furnishes businesses with insights into their energy consumption patterns. Moreover, it facilitates remote monitoring of facilities’ energy usage, empowering businesses with enhanced control and efficiency in overseeing their energy resources,” said Roland Lim, CEO of Enercon Asia.

Enercon has been a leader in power generation and control for the commercial, industrial, and rising sectors for the last fifty years. Enercon provides more than just energy audits; its services also include asset management, which includes routine preventive maintenance, updating and retrofitting electrical equipment, as well as comprehensive commissioning, testing, and training. Power systems’ continued longevity and efficiency are guaranteed by this all-encompassing strategy. With the support of a group of energy experts and auditors, Enercon is already an ESCO registered business in the Philippines, helping businesses adhere to RA-11285, the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act.

For more information, visit https://enercon-asia.com.

In order to future-proof operations and reduce carbon emissions, Schneider Electric, a leader in energy management and digital automation, emphasizes the significance of a green approach to data center architecture and operations. As a result, the sector will become more resilient to rising demand and sustainable.

Power Up: Fuel Your Path For Success was an event held by the corporation recently to address the difficulties and current state of the data center market with players in the field.

The worldwide data center research group Uptime Institute projected a 500% increase in global data generation between 2019 and 2025. Because data centers require a lot of energy to operate, their sector is thought to be responsible for 1% of the world’s electricity usage.

“Data centers have become integral to our rapidly growing internet economy. The need to transition to sustainable operations has become more pronounced,” said Carlos Leviste, Business Development and Marketing Director at Schneider Electric Philippines. He added that industries have previously leaned heavily on fuel alone to run their operations. As data center facilities are energy-intensive, data centers play a pivotal role in sustainability. The most efficient way would be to shift to electricity and digital.

However, there is a growing preference across industries for maximizing energy management systems and digital tools, which not only drive operational efficiency but also promote sustainability. Data centers, equipped with smarter operations, can optimize costs, speed, and capital to prepare them for future technological integrations and risk mitigation.

Schneider Electric is at the forefront of this advancement with its extensive suite of digital solutions to improve the efficiency and sustainability of data centers. For instance, APC, Schneider Electric’s flagship brand, offer high-efficiency uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), cooling units, and monitoring systems to foresee any unwanted downtime within the data centers and pinpoint inefficiencies to their operations.

In particular, the oil-free cooling centrifugal compressors with magnetic bearings chiller systems that Schneider Electric utilizes allows data centers to consume power more efficiently and sustainably.

Similarly, Schneider Electric provides renewable Power & Grid solutions that can help produce electricity sustainably to fuel data center facilities’ increasing needs.

“Through these solutions, data center facilities can reduce operational costs in design and engineering, function using grid-compliant assets and software with reduced cybersecurity risks and ensure proactive maintenance of assets to maintain optimum uninterrupted performance,” said Sara El Fanidi, Power and Grid Sales Leader of Schneider Electric APAC.

Schneider Electric has expanded its EcoXpertTM Partner Program to include new industry certifications, further demonstrating its dedication to sustainable digital transformation. By enabling partners to become dependable consultants on data center and critical infrastructure solutions, these certifications hope to ensure that data centers are not just resilient and efficient, but also sustainable.

Schneider Electric is redefining the data center industry by leveraging the power of digital transformation and linked infrastructure to create a new standard that puts sustainability, dependability, efficiency, and resilience ahead of quickly shifting needs.

The Philippines’ connectivity reliability has been improved with the completion of Eastern Communications’ “Express Route” project, which was part of the joint venture that is the Philippine Domestic Submarine Cable Network (PDSCN). The initiative’s goal is to provide robust and inclusive internet connectivity, with an emphasis on improving services in regions that are frequently affected by typhoons and natural calamities.

Lucena City, Quezon; Boac, Marinduque; Calatrava, Tablas Island, Romblon; Roxas City, Capiz; Placer, Masbate; Palompon, Leyte; Lapu-Lapu, Cebu; Talisay City, Cebu; Tagbilaran City, Bohol; and Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental are locations covered by the PDSCN Express Route, which went into effect on February 9.

With the PDSCN Express Route active, Eastern Communications is ready to facilitate on-ground connections and offer improved bandwidth to meet the varied needs of Filipinos, particularly in areas prone to cable faults, typhoons, and natural disasters.

“We celebrate the completion of Eastern’s PDSCN Express Route with all Filipinos. Together, we welcome a new era of possibilities and build a more reliable connectivity infrastructure for all,” said Delfin Lopez, Eastern Communications’ AVP and Head of Network Planning, Engineering and Implementation.

The PDSCN Express Route is a 1,000-kilometer network of submarine and terrestrial fiber optic cables connecting South Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The route was strategically designed to be composed of at least 80 percent of cables laid via submarine and less than 20 percent of cables laid in-land. By minimizing the terrestrial fiber network, the Express Route aims to reduce the likelihood and frequency of network faults caused by cable cuts on road networks.

“While roadwork development is in place in these areas, the completion of the PDSCN Express Route becomes pivotal in laying a solid groundwork for a more reliable connectivity and driving digital empowerment nationwide,” said Eastern Communications’ PDSCN Consultant Albert Tuason.

The entire PDSCN initiative, which commenced last July 2022 in Subic, Zambales, has been a collaborative effort with co-owners Globe Group and InfiniVAN Inc., and spans a total cable distance of 2,500 kilometers, with landing cables established in 32 Point of Interconnect (POI) sites.

As the PDSCN initiative continues to unfold, it holds the promise of transforming the digital landscape of the Philippines, paving the way for a more connected and resilient nation.

Building a digitally empowered Philippines

Eastern Communications’ winning entry at the 2023 Asian Telecom Awards, entitled “Eastern Communications Strengthens Infrastructure & Product Portfolio to Swiften Digitalization of Philippine Businesses,” highlighted the PDSCN project as one of the infrastructure and product expansion efforts recognized. The winning entry highlights Eastern’s support for digitizing cities and urban centers primed for rapid growth and opportunities. The B2B Client Initiative of the Year award went to the submission.

Additionally, at the 2023 Asian Experience Awards, Eastern Communications received recognition as the recipient of the Philippines Customer Experience of the Year award in the Telecommunications category. The company highlights its commitment to satisfying client demands and providing “high-tech and high-touch service,” and as it grows across the country, it hopes to recreate its unique and genuine customer experiences.

For additional information regarding business-grade ICT and internet solutions offered by Eastern Communications, please visit www.eastern.com.ph or call 5300-7000.

On the 82nd anniversary of the Battle of Bataan, descendants of our World War II Filipino and American veterans, along with military personnel, representatives from the local and national government, the diplomatic community, students, families, and more, will once again walk in our heroes’ footsteps at the Bataan Death March Commemmorative Walk.

This coming March 16 and 17, 2024, the Philippine Veterans Bank (PVB), in collaboration with the Department of National Defense (DND), the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO), and the Philippine Veterans Bank (PVB), will host the annual Freedom March, a 160-kilometer memorial walk for the WWII heroes.

Starting in Mariveles, Bataan, and ending in Capas, Tarlac, the Freedom March will follow the real historical path of the Death March.

The public is cordially invited to participate in this solemn remembrance of the bravery and selflessness of the American and Filipino warriors who fought in one of history’s most tragic periods at the Battle of Bataan.

“The Freedom March isn’t just a journey over land; it’s a journey through time, honoring the undying spirit of those who walked before us,” Mike Villa-Real, PVB first vice president for marketing and communications, said. “This year, as we walk, we don’t just tread on the ground; we walk alongside the echoes of bravery and resilience that resonate through our nation’s history.”

The Freedom March encapsulates the route taken by approximately 66,000 Filipino and 10,000 American POWs. It stretches from Mariveles and Saysain Point in Bagac town, Bataan province, to Camp O’Donnell in Capas town, Tarlac province.

This path, steeped in history, offers a tangible connection to the past, turning every step into a personal encounter with history. This act of remembrance reinforces the narratives of endurance and resilience that form the bedrock of our heritage.

According to  Villa-Real, the 2024 Freedom March is designed to be a powerful educational experience, providing participants with an opportunity to connect deeply with history. Unlike the original Death March’s grueling journey, the event features a symbolic 10-kilometer walk, making it accessible for more individuals who wish to participate in this act of remembrance. Participants may opt to join certain segments of the walk that may start in a location nearest and most convenient for them.

 The march symbolizes a united front in honoring the sacrifices made for our nation’s freedom. “Each step taken in the Freedom March is a step of gratitude, a step of understanding, and a step towards ensuring that the legacy of our heroes endures,” added Villa-Real.

Everyone is cordially invited to join the Freedom March, which is a call to action to not only walk but also to fully engage with the profound lessons of history. Participants who are interested can sign up at bit.ly/freedom-march-2024. It costs nothing to register.

“As we march, we do more than remember; we pledge to carry the torch of their legacy forward, shining a light for future generations,” concludes Villa-Real.

Visit https://www.facebook.com/veteransbankmarch for additional details about the event.

Close to 5,000 employee volunteering hours also clocked in for Manulife’s community investment across Asia

In line with its global Impact Agenda, which aims to provide significant programs that promote long-term health and well-being, foster equitable economic opportunities, and expedite a sustainable future for environmental preservation, the domestic division of top global insurer Manulife has extended its partnership with eminent nature conservation organization Haribon Foundation by means of the Forests for Life initiative.

“As we reach and engage more communities across the country through our Impact Agenda, we will continue to strengthen our community investments that will not only help us build a better business to better the world, but also foster kindness, generosity, and the bayanihan spirit among many Filipinos,” said Rahul Hora, President and Chief Executive Officer, Manulife Philippines.

11,250 seedlings to be planted in 2024

Manulife Philippines pledges to plant 11,250 native tree seedlings in Masinloc, Zambales this year through the Haribon Foundation. This extends Manulife’s partnership with Haribon, which started in 2022 with an aim to plant 15,000 seedlings in the provinces of Quezon and Rizal to aid in the restoration of Philippine rainforests.

The town of Masinloc is home to a 30,000-hectare reforestation area known as the Important Bird and Biodiversity Area, which is part of the Zambales highlands and is home to several endangered bird and non-bird species. The region’s biodiversity was destroyed when chromite mining operations were conducted there in the past. In order for the devastated environment to recover today, replanting and conservation are crucial.

To help advance positive environmental change, Manulife has been working on implementing its sustainability action plans. In 2022, Manulife contributed USD 25.1 million in total community investments globally. There are also 1.3 billion trees planted by Manulife Investment Management all over the world since 1985, testifying to its longstanding commitment to create more nature-positive world for its communities*.

Manulife Volunteer Days launched in 10 markets in Asia, including the Philippines

Employee giving and volunteering is also part of Manulife’s community engagement initiatives for its Impact Agenda. During the “Season of Giving” last year, the company launched its Manulife Volunteer Days, a week-long program that provided more than 56 volunteering opportunities for employees globally to volunteer for chosen organizations within their communities. These range from tree-planting, financial literacy activities for students, and other engagement activities for ethnic minorities, elderlies, and various communities in need.

In addition, Manulife also launched the Move for your Community in Asia, where more than 1,700 employees from 10 markets, including colleagues from Manulife Philippines, Manulife China Bank Life and Manulife Investment Management Philippines, accomplished various step goals in five days, achieving 34 million steps in total. These recorded steps were converted to community investments, such as the 900 Peso Smart learning kits for elementary school students in the Philippines through the Corazon Sanchez Atayde Memorial Foundation and Gawad Kalinga Community Development Foundation.

“Since 2017, our financial literacy program Peso Smart has been instrumental in promoting the value of basic financial skills such as saving, budgeting, and investing among young children,” Rahul added. “As Peso Smart has expanded over the years to cater to broader segments — including parents, educators, and university students — we hope we can financially empower more Filipinos to live worry-free and confidently, while securing a better future.”

Additional community investments from Move for your Community in Asia include 10,000 lunches for students in Vietnam through the Lotus Charity Foundation, 10,000 reusable box lunches for students across all campuses of the Rabbit School in Cambodia, and a public sanitation and clean water facility in Indonesia through Dompet Dhuafa.

See this video or visit https://www.manulife.com.ph/ImpactAgenda for the complete account of how Manulife develops its Impact Agenda in the Philippines. Visit Manulife’s website at https://manulife.com.ph for additional details.

*Source: Manulife ESG Report 2022

As the digital landscape rapidly evolves, so do the benefits and risks to young people

The most important risks that children face online are being discussed, along with steps that can be taken to guarantee that every kid may interact and connect safely, by a group of international experts on online safety and members of ChildFund’s WEB Safe & Wise Children’s Advisory Council, who are assembled in Manila today. The Philippines is the hub for the production of materials related to child sex abuse, according to UNICEF and the International Justice Mission.

Dr. Najat is on the speaking roster with prominent Philippine government individuals, such as Senator Risa Hontiveros and Undersecretary Angelo Tapales from the Council for the Welfare of Children. In addition to Dr. Mikiko Otani, the immediate past chair of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child, Maalla M’jid, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations on Violence against Children, Julie Inman Grant, Australia’s eSafety Commissioner, representatives from UNICEF East Asia and Pacific Office, ECPAT Philippines, International Justice Mission, ChildFund, and members of the tech industry including CleanDNS. There were young people from Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Mozambique, Paraguay, Philippines, Uganda, and Vietnam among the Children’s Advisory Council members present.

“As the digital landscape continues to rapidly evolve, new opportunities for children and young people increase, but so do the threats they face online,” says Senior Advisor, Advocacy and Policy, Ryan DeSouza, who is leading ChildFund’s WEB Safe & Wise initiative. “It’s imperative, therefore, that we work together—and with children—to create a better digital world. ChildFund Alliance launched WEB Safe & Wise as a frontline defense against some of the most urgent risks to children online, including the online sexual exploitation and abuse of children.”

An estimated 750,000 individuals are looking to connect with children online for sexual purposes at any one time— whether on social media, online gaming sites, or via email. Reports of online child sexual abuse material (CSAM) have increased 15,000% over the last 15 years. In 2022, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) analyzed over 32 million reports of CSAM received from across the globe and reported an 87% increase from 2019. Last year, 9 in 10 victims were between the ages of 3 and 12 years.

In the Philippines, the harm is so prevalent, UNICEF and the International Justice Mission (IJM) identified the country as the center of child sex abuse materials production. In the recent Scale of Harm report by the IJM, researchers found nearly half a million Filipino children in 2022 were trafficked online via live streaming, often by relatives or people they know, in order to produce child sexual exploitation material.

The Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) in the Philippines promises to work closely with other government agencies to address online child sexual abuse and exploitation. In a recent interview, Undersecretary Angelo Tapales said his department is working with the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development, as well as with the private sector to curb the violence and sexual abuse against children.

“Alarmingly, new forms of abuse, such as AI-generated imagery and financial sexual extortion, are significantly on the rise, with dreadful consequences,” explains ChildFund Alliance Secretary General Meg Gardinier. “Our goal, by working closely with children and young people is to identify solutions they believe can both benefit them, and also keep them safer, when they engage online.”

The Children’s Advisory Council, includes youth members from across the globe. Ten of the 15 members traveled to Manila to participate in the Safer Internet Day event. Council member Azumi, who is from the Philippines said she believes it is urgent that “all young people be given a voice in the fight for a safer online world.” Tihitina from Ethiopia explained that she is “eager to work on creating a web safe environment for children and young people, and to contribute to driving change.” Moisés from Mexico, said he seeks “ways to solve the challenges that girls, boys, and young people face in the online environment.”

All members of the Council play a key role in determining the planning and implementation of WEB Safe & Wise activities. The platform provides a range of resources for young people as well as adults, including guidance on Talking to Young People About Online Safety, definitions related to online safety, and key do’s and don’ts when engaging online.

“This is a crime that is unconcerned about borders,” shared Chris Lewis-Evans, who focuses on detecting and disrupting online harms in his role as director of Internet Harms Mitigation and Governmental Engagement at CleanDNS. Chris spent more than 20 years with the UK’s National Cyber Crime Unit. He explained how the advancement of WEB3—a decentralized online ecosystem along with other emerging technologies like AI—poses additional security risks. “There’s an absence of clear abuse reporting mechanisms, defined jurisdictional responsibilities, and clear accountability structures,” says Chris. “This leaves more children vulnerable to more forms of online abuse.”

“Countries need legislation that protects children from the looming dangers of digital predation, coercion, and other terrible abuses that are being facilitated against children online,” explains ChildFund Alliance Board Chair

Simon Whyte. “A key goal of WEB Safe & Wise is to strengthen laws and policies that provide this protection, and to get there, it’s critical that people understand the gravity of this threat.”

ChildFund advocates for the establishment of official authorities, the outlawing of the internet exploitation of minors, and the provision of funds for the education of parents and other caregivers. It is highly recommended that technology partners collaborate in developing industry safety guidelines that are standardized to shield young users from offensive information on all platforms.

“On Safer Internet Day 2024, I propose we all commit to making every day safer for children online,” said Ryan DeSouza. “We need to end this global crisis before it harms countless more children. We can and must do better.”

To participate in our campaign and obtain additional information, please go to https://websafeandwise.childfundalliance.org/.