News and Articles
We should be responsible stewards of our environment
October 4, 2021by Orlando Oxales originally published in The Manila Standard “Proper waste disposal is a matter of discipline.” We cannot deny how plastics are an essential element of every aspect of technological innovation, not just in food packaging but as an indispensable material for any manufactured product we have today. Try to look at anything you use, anything […]
A disjointed and stressed health system
September 27, 2021by Orlando Oxales originally published in The Manila Standard “We must remember the lessons of this crisis and choose our next leaders wisely.” I felt a restrained sense of ire in the voices of the speakers in last Friday’s most recent virtual town hall discussion of think tank Stratbase ADR Institute. Various representatives of health stakeholders, seemingly […]
They may be trying to do it again
September 20, 2021It has been 49 years since President Ferdinand E. Marcos signed Proclamation No. 1081 declaring the Philippines under Martial Law. September 21, 1972 was the start of 14 years of authoritarian rule that destroyed our democratic institutions and established a dictatorship that preached the ideology of a so called “new society”. Martial law was […]
Malampaya issues and dynamics
September 20, 2021Energy regulators need to act faster on power plant builds to move our power situation from barely sufficient to surplus. Before economic recovery can take off, our energy supply must be at a level of stability and affordability to attract new investments that we will need to compete versus other economies that experts already predict will recover earlier than ours.
What’s happening with Malampaya?
September 16, 2021On September 11, natural gas supply from the Malampaya gas field came to an abrupt stop. The shutdown occurred weeks before the gas field’s scheduled maintenance shutdown in October. As a result, two gas-fired power plants of First Gen Corporation, Sta. Rita (1,000 MW) and San Lorenzo (500 MW), shifted to high-cost liquid fuel […]
Arrogance, impunity, greed
September 6, 2021by Orlando Oxales originally published in The Manila Standard “Only a credible investigation will settle this corruption issue that is a painful betrayal of public trust.” Disappointment, frustration, and rage are probably mild descriptions of what I am—and I am sure many Filipinos are—feeling after the developing exposés of the past few weeks. It started with the […]
Pass Senate Bill 2272
August 26, 2021Pass Senate Bill 2272 As schools are poised to resume classes this September, Citizen Watch Philippines lauds the passing of House Bill 9913 in the third and final reading under the House of Representatives. We strongly support the call of the education sector and most especially the linked sectors of its ecosystem in this urgent […]
Collaborative thrust for Digital Skills Readiness
August 23, 2021Collaborative thrust for Digital Skills Readiness Educational institutions need the support of the government and the private sector to address gaps in digital skills readiness. To survive and live through the pandemic, consumers must have the competence to use digital technologies effectively, safely, and responsively. More resources must be invested in people, focusing on their […]
Education for the digital economy
August 16, 2021by Orlando Oxales originally published in The Manila Standard “In a digital economy, businesses will demand workers with new skill sets that our education system must produce.” Before the pandemic, education for Filipinos was the traditional brick and mortar, laddered progression of curriculum requisites before the student finally achieved those coveted academic degrees as proof of one’s […]
Power regulators and industry must find fast and sustainable solutions
August 11, 2021The Malampaya gas field contributes Malampaya gas field contributes 27% of Luzon’s electricity requirements as the sole source of fuel for gas-fired power plants, however its remaining reserves are projected to be completely exhausted in 2027. Amid its looming depletion, Malampaya is scheduled to undergo preventive maintenance from October 2 to 22 and will be […]