Are You Ready
to LEAP?
D U s l e a d A b o i t i z g r o u pwide tree planting activity - Page 27
CONTENTS
DECEMBER 2010
VOLUME 1 NUMBER 4
with fiber optics ...................................................... 8 With the increasing demand for real-time data and communications applications, Davao Light interconnected all its buildings and substations using fiber optics.
AYA 138kV switching station and substation now operational ............................................................. 9 Named after and dedicated to the late EVP-COO of VECO, Alfonso Aboitiz, VECO has completed the construction of its 138kV AYA switching station and substation.
MEZ installs two sets of AVR .................................. 10 SEZ finishes admin building construction ............... 11 A joint innovation to reduce systems loss .............. 11 Davao Light and Cotabato Light collaborated to come up with ways on how to reduce systems loss by fabricating a relay-driven circuit breaker.
AboitizPower DUs hold first videocon .................... 12 AP DUs marked a milestone last September 27, 2010. They had their first ever video conference participated by each one's finance officers.
COVER STORY AboitizPower DUs take first LEAP ......................... 14 AP DUs celebrate a Sustainable Christmas in their first-ever simultaneous AboitizPower L.E.A.P. activity.
REGULARS From the Editor ....................................................... 7 Team Members Page ............................................ 31
NEWS
CUSTOMER WELFARE Davao Light applies new pole numbering system ... 17
Davao Light interconnects all its offices and facilities
Davao Light completes line upgrading in F. Torres... 17
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CONTENTS
VOLUME 1 NUMBER 4
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Good power quality equals better customer service .................................................................. 18 In delivering efficient power to its customers, Cotabato Light conducted regular check-ups of all its power transformers using a state-of-the-art thermal imaging device.
MEZ conducts substation PMS ............................... 18 VECO payments now accepted at BDO .................. 18 SEZ acquires fault locator ...................................... 19
FEATURES Cotabato Light radio program turns two ................ 20 Cotabato Light's radio program continued to be the voice of its concessionaires by begin a public service program that informs and tackles issues concerning electricity.
An Assembly of Champions: AboitizPower gathers to L.E.A.P. ................................................................. 21 Before cascading to their team memebers, 11 brand champions from different AboitizPower BUs gather together to L.E.A.P.
CSR & SUSTAINABILITY
Soaring High at Seven! Subic EnerZone celebrates 7th DUs lead Aboitiz groupwide tree planting activity... 27 Anniversary .......................................................... 22 AP DUs spearhead separate tree-planting activitiees nationwide With the theme "Soaring High at Seven," SEZ celebrated its 7th Anniversary with "great" things in mind, highlighted by the blessing of its admin building's 2nd floor office.
during the Aboitiz Simultaneous Groupwide tree-planting.
Davao Light turns over new library hub building.... 28
VECO promotes IT in Tungkop, Minglanilla ............ 28 Davao Light Recognition Night: Kaibigans go western ................................................................ 23 VECO fosters safety through rewiring .................... 29 Cowboys and cowgirls ruled Davao Light's annual Recognition Night. Team leaders and team members once again experienced an evening to remember.
SEZ set to renew Adopt-an-Ambulance Program ... 29
SEZ participates in International Coastal Cleanup ... 30 SEZ continues FTOP ............................................... 24 Subic EnerZone participated in the International Coastal Cleanup Day last September 25, 2010. The activity is the world's largest,
Cotabato Light conducts business briefing ............. 24 one-day volunteer effort to clean up the marine environment.
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FROM THE EDITOR
STRENGTH IN COLLABORATION. AboitizPower officers: Chairman Enrique Aboitiz, Jr. President & CEO Erramon I. Aboitiz EVP—Power Distribution Group Jaime Jose Aboitiz The Post staff: Editor In Chief /Layout Artist Raymund Tamayo News Editor Ruann May Pogado Features Editor Dianne Iris Ubasa Customer Welfare Editor Ethel Natera CSR & Sustainability Editor Donjie Vertuoso Contributing to this issue Ross Luga Vic Sumalinog Emily Cancio Jade Hazel Gamas Bong Saniel Jade Aniceto Jickjick Eufan Judith Ocaña ivan Jones Colita Gerard Castillon Kim Khyber Anton Niño Ang John Louis Ducos Anielou Gelacio Ryan Griva Ethel Navarro Editorial Adviser Sebastian Lacson
It is always a pleasure to see groups of people come together and make something good happen for a common goal. For the AboitizPower Distribution Units (AP DUs), collaboration has been the "new normal" these days. It all started with the creation of this wonderful magazine. Before, a distant possibility and, now in its fourth issue, a cornerstone joining Davao Light, Cotabato Light, VECO, SEZ, MEZ, and BEZ together. With all the simultaneous groupwide activities, from branding to tree-planting to technical support, the DUs have discovered that collaboration can be done, and, more importantly, the results are better when everyone was involved.
today's challenges is to continue to have collaboration. This kind of diverse teamwork broadens the group's perspective and problem-solving skills. I think of it as like a newly-shipped modern painting: together, different departments from a museum or gallery - the owners, curators, installers, framers, assistants, and carpenters - have to figure out how best to display it. The result can be sublime. Likewise, in the AP DU group, collaboration can turn a complex communications problem into a perfectly executed strategic solution. There is always strength in collaboration. With that, I'd like to congratulate everyone who were involved during this month's L.E.A.P. activity. I believe that it can only get better as everything else is.
An example of another collaborative effort to behold was the recent L.E.A.P. (Learn and Experience AboitizPower) activity done in chorus across all the DUs. Harmonized by a single theme of "Having a Sustainable Christmas," the message was delivered loud and clear to all AP DU team members, that we are proactive and experts in our fields and we want to spearhead a sustainable lifestyle along with it for the future generations. Such teamwork can really reach a wider audience in just a short time. We again witnessed that there is strength in collaboration.
To end, I'd like us to be reminded that the only thing that is permanent in this world is change. The times are calling for us to have a united stand in the messages we want to tell our stakeholders. Let's take courage in each other's assurance that we are all in this together. In the words of Sir Jon Ramon Aboitiz, "Welcome to the new normal!"
Gone were the days when a single individual was enough to accomplish a worthwhile endeavor. We are now in the age of teamwork and synergy, when a meeting of minds is necessary if we want to produce something better.
Raymund Tamayo editor-in-chief
Speaking of "better," I can't help to reiterate that the best way to tide through
Write to us: Canal Road corner Labitan St. Central Business District Subic Bay Freeport Zone or send an email to: raymund.tamayo@aboitiz.com
NEWS
DAVAO LIGHT INTERCONNECTS ALL ITS OFFICES AND FACILITIES WITH FIBER OPTICS of maintenance works or restoration of power supply as the service interruption is kept to the barest minimum. Security IP cameras and wireless access points in each substation are added services of the wide range of applications of optical fiber network. In the past, emergency crews have to be dispatched to the site to turn off/on the switches along the distribution lines to allow the maintenance crews to carry out line repair and upgrading works without compromising safety.
Systems Operations manager Ledio Peñafiel instructs his staff on the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system as supervisor Roger Alinsub observes. The SCADA allows engineers to remotely control switches in the substations and along the distribution lines. The interconnection of the company facilities using fiber optics allows the use of the SCADA.
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ith the increasing demand for real-time data and communications applications, Davao Light has interconnected all its buildings, branch, and two subtransmission and 22 distribution substations with the use of fiber optics. Davao Light’s optical fiber network stretches 65 kilometers from north to south, from San Vicente, Panabo City, Davao del Norte to Toril, Davao City. Engr. Ron Chan, AVP for Engineering, spearheaded the interconnection project. On Davao Light’s Toril link, its subsidiary, Hedcor, Inc. is patching its 18-km fiber optic backbone from Sibulan hydro power plant
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through its sophisticated optical ground wire of 69-kV line. This will enable the two companies to share critical information, such as Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) parameters during operation, as well as interconnecting computer networks and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) application. This will directly link Hedcor Sibulan’s Plants A and B to Davao Light’s 138-kV ERA subtransmission substation control center for efficient and real-time data logging. Chan said linkage of all the various electrical network facilities of the company is necessary for the implementation of the SCADA system and allow reliable remote data monitoring and control. It is also the key to efficient implementation
Same is also true for unscheduled brownouts wherein the linemen/ substation personnel will have to manually turn the switches on to restore power supply. With the fiber optics as main communication backbone, Davao Light does not only have a more reliable data communication infrastructure but a tremendous expansion of the data bandwidth as well, essential to the delivery of better service. Optical fiber is an ideal medium for telecommunication and networking because it is flexible and can be bundled as cables. It is especially advantageous for long distance communications. Because light is immune to electrical noise and interference, it propagates through the fiber with little attenuation compared to electrical cables. This allows long distances to be spanned with only a few repeaters. Installation of these fiber optic cables on top of electric posts along with other utility wires and cables makes is suitable for the electric utility. -BY RUANN MAY POGADO
NEWS
AYA 138kV switching station and substation now operational
(inset) Sandro Aboitiz, son of the late Alfonso Y. Aboitiz, in whose memory the new AYA 138kV switching station and substation is dedicated, switches on the new facility. Looking on, from left, are Naga City Mayor Val Chiong, VECO President Dennis Garcia and VECO EVP & COO Jimmy Aboitiz. (main) Antonio Aboitiz joins Sandro and Jimmy Aboitiz in front of the substation.
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elivering efficient and reliable power to its customers is an obligation that VECO takes seriously. The completion of the AYA Switching Station and Substation is another milestone towards fulfilling this obligation. Through a dedicated 138kV tie line, power from the Cebu Energy Development Corp. (CEDC) in Toledo City is directly delivered to VECO without passing through the Cebu-Negros-Panay grid. Procuring power through an embedded generator lowers the transmission cost to customers, especially when VECO can draw the maximum load, and supply power to the remaining VECO substations as well. Both VECO President Dennis Garcia and EVP & COO Jimmy Aboitiz emphasized this
in their messages during the substation’s blessing and dedication ceremonies. The AYA project is the finishing touch to VECO’s ambitious blueprint to procure the maximum available power from CEDC’s coal-fired plant through a 36-kilometer, 138kV tie line. Power has been running through 350, 105-feet high quality steel poles, lined up from Toledo to Naga. Last Sept. 17, the tie line initially transmitted 31 megawatts (MW) to the AYA substation. At present, the substation has been able to draw 57MW from CEDC, half from its contracted 105MW with VECO. Today, VECO maintains 16 substations in Cebu: Ermita, Calamba, Ayala, Mabolo,
Carreta, Banilad, Mandaue, Paknaan/ Tabok, Cabancalan, Consolacion, Pardo, Naga, Mandaue Reclamation Area, Camputhaw, Cemex, and the new AYA station. The AYA Switching Station and Substation is dedicated to the late Alfonso Y. Aboitiz, former EVP-COO of VECO, who is credited with transforming the company and bringing it closer to achieving its vision to become a world-class utility. VECO is the second largest electric utility in the country, which serves over 300,000 customers in a franchise area that covers the cities of Cebu, Mandaue, Talisay and Naga, and the municipalities of Consolacion, Liloan, Minglanilla, and San Fernando. -BY ETHEL NATERA
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NEWS
A panoramic view of Mactan EnerZone's 25MVA Substation.
MEZ INSTALLS TWO SETS OF AVR
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actan EnerZone Corporation (MEZ) energized two sets of Automatic Voltage Regulators (AVR) in its 25MVA Substation at the Mactan Export Processing Zone 2, January 6. The project was completed after two separate days of interruptions. First day of the project was last December 19, 2010, when the mounting of the fabricated steel members was done. Assisting MEZ was Subic EnerZone’s (SEZ) Project Engineer John Louis Ducos. All steel members were made of C-channel, the
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same size as that of SEZ’s Cubi Substation take-off structure. Major works were done on December 27, 2010, where conductors and other electrical components were installed. MEZ planned to de-energize the feeder of its 33MVA transformer to give way for future reconstruction of the existing feeder takeoff. Because of capacity limitation in the existing 336.4MCM ACSR risers, it was agreed to bundle the risers from the
vacuum circuit breakers to the AVR’s 13.8kV bus to carry the total load of MEZ. Presently, the 25MVA transformer and the 33MVA feeders were already de-energized and power passed thru the tie-breaker of the two substations. The installation of AVR is in line with MEZ’s continued effort in providing reliable power to its customers. The project was headed by MEZ Head of Technical Operations Ronald Allan Petilo and Project Engineer Kim Khyber Anton Niño Ang. -BY KIM KHYBER ANTON NIÑO ANG
NEWS
SEZ FINISHES ADMIN BLDG CONSTRUCTION
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ubic EnerZone Corporation (SEZ) completed the construction of its administration building’s 2nd floor last October 2010, before the company’s 7th Anniversary celebration. The blessing was held simultaneous with the company’s 7th Anniversary, October 28, 2010. Since the building’s construction in 2005, its 2nd floor was left unfinished for possible future utilization. In 2010, with the growing SEZ family, the facility was completed to provide additional office space and conference rooms for the company’s team members. Four additional offices and 3 meeting rooms were put into place. The three meeting rooms can be converted into one conference room that can accommodate 50 to 70 persons. Currently, the provision was used in major activities of the company during the last quarter of 2010. SEZ’s 7th Anniversary was held there, while The project started in June 2010 with SEZ’s accredited contractor GMJ 2005 Constructor and Development Corporation. -BY JOHN LOUIS DUCOS
The recently completed 2nd floor of Subic EnerZone's administration building. Blessing rites was held simultaneous with the company's 7th Anniversary celebration.
A JOINT INNOVATION TO REDUCE SYSTEMS LOSS
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avao Light representatives recently collaborated with Cotabato Light engineers to come up with ways on how to reduce systems losses in light of the rampant pilferage of power supply. From Oct. 27 to 29, 2010, Davao Light SEED Supervisor Joe Mascardo and Planning and Design Engineer Jay Duluguin went to Cotabato Light to team up with engineers there on the fabrication of relay-driven circuit breaker, an equipment used to limit
the load at designated load centers at high system loss areas. The relay-driven circuit breaker is among the innovations by Cotabato Light metering section on how to adapt with changes. Every segment of pilferage-prone areas has also been properly metered and monitored – from the single cluster meter-on-pole installations to a cluster of clustered meters known as elevated meter centers. -BY IVAN JONES COLITA
Davao Light's Joe Mascardo and Cotabato Light's Rodolfo Garmes Jr. work hand in hand on a relay-driven circuit breaker.
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NEWS
ABOITIZPOWER DUs HOLD FIRST VIDEOCON
Accounting Department Supervisor Corinne Manalo and Junior Accountant Anielou Gelacio inside Subic EnerZone's board room during the first AP DU video conference.
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ast September 27, 2010, AboitizPower (AP) Distribution Utilities (DUs) marked a milestone as it held its very first video conference amongst them. DUs who participated in the meeting were Visayan Electric Company, Davao Light, Cotabato Light, Subic EnerZone, Mactan EnerZone, and Balamban EnerZone. AP CFO Ma. Chona Tiu and AP AVP– Finance Carlos Payot called the meeting to discuss parameters and timelines for the preparation of the 2011 Annual Budget. Attendees from the different companies were: Nelson Perez, Psyche Salares, Sasha Jamero and Yvonne Alicaway of VECO; Herbert Cabatingan, Mirza Lea Querikiol
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and Dianne Iris Ubasa of MEZ and BEZ; Corinne Manalo and Anielou Gelacio of SEZ; Gedeon Gavan, Dave Bacalso, Zendy Cunanan and Joseph Macuto of Davao Light; and Mary Mae Siang and Lysette Leong of Cotabato Light. Videocon facilities were set-up in each of the company’s board rooms. Representatives from MEZ and BEZ were in VECO as theirs is not yet available.
The videocon ran smoothly with the help of each group’s IT specialists. -BY ANIELOU GELACIO
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COVER STORY
AboitizPower DUs take VECO
DAVAO LIGHT
DAVAO LIGHT
VECO
DAVAO LIGHT
DAVAO LIGHT
COTABATO LIGHT
VECO 14
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COVER STORY
e first L.E.A.P. A
boitizPower (AP) Distribution Utilities (DUs) Davao Light, Cotabato Light, Visayan Electric Company (VECO), Subic EnerZone (SEZ), Mactan EnerZone (MEZ), and Balamban EnerZone (BEZ) held their first simultaneous L.E.A.P. (Learn and Experience AboitizPower) activity last December 9, 2010. "Having a Sustainable Christmas" was the theme for the program's initial installment. LEAP is a branding program designed to help team members from across the group live out AP's brand promise of "Better Solutions." It was created to bring teams closer and to energize each one to find better solutions, stoking our Aboitiz brand promise of Passion for Better Ways. LEAP is also aimed to empower all AP team members (TMs) with the idea that every one is a brand champion. Brand champions Ross Luga (Davao Light), Donjie Vertuoso (Cotabato Light), Jade Aniceto (VECO), Dianne Iris Ubasa (MEZ and BEZ), and Raymund Tamayo (SEZ) facilitated the event in their respective companies. LEAP is going to be a quarterly gathering for each DU and will carry a different theme every time. It will be an avenue to learn more about the AP brand, share best practices, and bond through activities. Following a similar program format, each DU's brand champion facilitated icebreakers and games then went on into the AboitizPower brand refresher presentation. An executive from each company also gave their welcome messages. The highlight of the program was the Sustainable Christmas Ornament contest, which was done per company separately. The contest featured creative works of
BY RAYMUND TAMAYO
art by TMs, who grouped themselves in fabricating different Christmas ornaments, such as Christmas tree decors, lanterns and belens. A group of company executives, and for some the brand champion himself, acted as judges. AP brand items were given away as prizes. In VECO, team leaders (TLs) participated in the activity, led by AP EVP for Distribution Jim Aboitiz. In his message, Sir Jim reminded everyone on the importance of learning about the AP brand, and the need to become brand champions as well. The sole entry from VECO's HR department won the Sustainable Christmas contest, with a lantern made of recycled vendo machine coffee cups. In Davao Light, the activity was done in two batches, the admin division in the morning and the engineering division in the afternoon. The Network and Infrastructure Department won the Sustainable Christmas contest for admin, while the Geographic and Information Systems Department won for engineering. Davao Light's brand team also presented a music video of all the brand activities the company's TMs had for the past years. In Cotabato Light, 58 TMs and TLs attended the event. The creativity and resourcefulness of the company's TMs were showcased in the contest, with the Power Plant Department winning. In SEZ, the Power Metering Department and the Tranmission & Distribution Department were tied in claiming the top prize. A short video by AP President and CEO Erramon I. Aboitiz was presented to inspire TMs about the group's vision and direction. To cap the afternoon, AP brand journals were distributed to each attendee. -WITH REPORTS FROM RUANN MAY POGADO, JICKJICK EUFAN, AND DONJIE VERTUOSO
COTABATO LIGHT
SEZ
SEZ
SEZ
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CUSTOMER WELFARE
DAVAO LIGHT APPLIES NEW POLE NUMBERING SYSTEM
Davao Light completes line upgrading in F. Torres Davao Light recently finished the line upgrading works of its distribution lines along F. Torres Street due to the growing demand for power in the area. They rehabilitated the lines by replacing the power cables with bigger ones and the wooden poles with the concrete type. F. Torres Street, the city’s downtown food strip, comes alive at night, especially on Friday and Saturday. Ensuring power service reliability is essential to the continued upbeat business atmosphere in the area. -BY EMILY CANCIO
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f you see vertically painted numbers on electric poles in Davao City, those are the present reference codes being followed by Davao Light as part of the pole numbering project completed in 2009. The paint numbering replaces the old system where numbers are etched on aluminum plates and attached around the lower part of the pole. The new system is more advantageous than the old one; the boldly painted numbers are visible from afar and can be clearly read by a person on the ground. And because the numbering convention has been reduced from 10 digits to seven, it is easier to record a set of numbers or memorize it, if one has to. Like the aluminum material, paint is also cost effective as it can stand weather changes. Meanwhile, wires holding the plates wear out due to rust and could eventually detach from the poles.
The innovation was a result of the Geographic Information System (GIS) department’s search for solutions to address a number of concerns with the old system – missing tags, indecipherable numbers, and difficulty of securing a pole number by the customers for reporting purposes. The data support section of the GIS department, headed by supervisor Russel Bolivar, implemented the numbering project on poles. The pole number is an important reference key of the GIS department’s homegrown developed mapping system called Automated Tool for Location of Assets. The software is being used for practically all field operations of the distribution utility which include metering, meter reading, responding to emergency calls, street lighting, and bill delivery because of its capability to locate the customers and distribution line assets. -BY ROSS LUGA
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CUSTOMER WELFARE
MEZ CONDUCTS S/S PMS
Power Quality Engr. Gerard Alvarado thoroughly scans line hardware and equipment at the Sinsuat Substation using world-class thermal imaging equipment as part of the preventice maintenance and condition monitoring measures designed to keep all Cotabato Light substations in top condition.
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Good power quality equals better customer service
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o fulfill its mission to deliver efficient power supply and provide excellent customer service, Cotabato Light’s Power Quality Section conducts a regular check-up of all its power transformers using world-class thermal imaging equipment. The thermal scanners allow easier detection of defects on lines, line hardware and equipment from afar while it is live and running. The checking can be done without interrupting or isolating the system, and even without opening or touching
its components. The heat dissipated by the equipment or its parts will show its condition. Equipment or parts that register above-normal temperatures mean that the machine has to be commissioned. Regular check-ups of lines, line hardware and equipment are very important as it helps determine a problem at an early stage, thus enabling its repair before it loses its efficiency. Such practice is considered more cost effective and minimizes or avoids downtime. -BY GERARD CASTILLON
VECO payments now accepted at BDO VECO customers may now pay their electric bills at any Banco de Oro (BDO) branch nationwide. Starting November 4, 2010 all BDO branches started accepting cash and check payments for both green and red bills of VECO, even if the due date indicated on the bill has lapsed. A BDO transaction receipt will be issued as proof of payment. BDO collection reports are electronically sent daily to VECO, so customers are assured that their payments made during the day are posted on VECO’s records on
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the same day. BDO is VECO’s second partner to engage in the collection of over-the-counter (OTC) electric bill payments in 2010, following a deal closed with 2GO in August. Aside from BDO, VECO’s other authorized nationwide collecting banks are UnionBank, RCBC, Bank of Commerce, and Metrobank. Other official third-party collection agents include 2GO on Legaspi St. and at SM, Ayala, and Gaisano South, and though ECPay’s USSC (formerly RCPI) – Western Union. -BY BONG SANIEL
actan EnerZone Corporation (MEZ) conducted the annual preventive maintenance of its two substations last December 19 and 27, 2010. MEZ personnel were assisted by team members (TMs) from sister companies Balamban EnerZone (BEZ) and Subic EnerZone (SEZ). MEZ and BEZ TMs were in charge of line rehabilitation, tie breaker relay configuration, riser installation, and feeder removal. SEZ did the primary current injection test, and tests on vacuum circuit breakers and disconnect switches. SEZ TMs who supported were Substation Engineer Richard Bulaon, and technicians Fernando Solis and Eugene Candaliza. An accredited company contractor tested the 25MVA and 33MVA Power Transformer. Tests conducted were transformer turns ratio, insulation power factor, winding resistance, SF6 power circuit breaker contact resistance, and grounding resistance. The interruption took 76 hours affecting 78 locators. The activity was done to ensure that all electrical equipment of MEZ is in proper working condition to give reliable and efficient power to the consumers of Mactan Export Processing Zone 2. -BY KIM KHYBER ANTON NIÑO ANG
CUSTOMER WELFARE
SEZ ACQUIRES FAULT LOCATOR
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estoring power of kilometer-long electrical underground systems are challenging because you can not see the buried cables used. Adding to the difficulty is the limited skills of the linemen in analyzing data and interpreting results to locate cable faults. From the trial and error method of finding underground cable faults, Subic EnerZone Corporation (SEZ) evolved into a more efficient and reliable fault-finding methodology. Just recently, the company purchased a 3.2 million peso Megger Fault Locator equipment to make trouble shooting of underground power cables faster. Inside SEZ’s franchise area are four underground distribution power line systems located at the Subic Bay Industrial Park, the airport, and two naval depots. The equipment has three major parts namely: the Portable Fault Locator (PFL) 20A, Cable Route Tracer L1070 & L1071, and the Pin Point Locator MPP1000. The PFL 20A is capable to perform five diagnostic tests, including the Time Domain Reflectometry where it displays the approximate distance of the fault from the apparatus. Using the Pin Point Locator MPP1000, operators can identify exactly the location of the fault based on the approximate distance given by the PFL 20A. The MPP1000 can detect both electromagnetic and acoustic pulses generated by the PFL 20A. If a cable route is unknown, the Cable Route Tracer can help. A special feature of the tracer is it can display the depth of the cable in the ground. An electrical fault is defined as any defect in an electrical line, such as an open circuit, short circuit, or ground. -BY RYAN GRIVA
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FEATURES
COTABATO LIGHT RADIO PROGRAM TURNS TWO
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wo years ago, Cotabato Light launched a radio program considered the first of its kind among Aboitiz companies and a benchmark for corporate communications (CorpCom) strategies. After turning two last Nov. 8, 2010 the radio program, which airs live at the Notre Dame Broadcasting Company every Saturday from 9 to 9:30 a.m., continues to address customers’ concerns by keeping them informed and updated about the power utility’s plans, programs and activities.
Topics discussed during the program include industry and company news, scheduled power service interruptions, rate adjustments, anti-pilferage information, billing and collection concerns, CSR activities, and safety and energy conservation tips. Also during the program, customers are given the opportunity to interact and air their concerns, make inquiries and raise suggestions.
Analyn Ballesteros, an avid listener, gladly shared her thoughts: “Congratulations! It’s already a hobby listening to you every Saturday morning. “I appreciate your bits of information, company updates and of course, your useful energy tips. Your radio program has made you closer to all especially to your customers and definitely you became our friends on air,” Ballesteros added. Branding and CorpCom Officer Donjie Vertuoso achors the radio program. His co-anchors are VP Cris Ferolino, Billing Staff Anna Jane Utod and Planning Design Engineer Cris Ven. Guest anchors include PP Operation Supervisor John Bulosan, collection staff Arlene Valdez, MMD supervisor Oliver Makilang and the rest of the Cotabato Light CorpCom team. -BY GERARD CASTILLON
Cotabato Light's radio program continues to be the voice of its concessionaires by being a public service program that informs and tackles issues concerning electricity. On its second anniversary program, on air were (from left) Donjie Vertuoso, Jane Utod, Charlie Jason Venzon and Cotabato Light VP and Resident Manager Crisente Ferolino.
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FEATURES
FEATURES
AN ASSEMBLY OF
CHAMPIONS ABOITIZPOWER GATHERS TO LEAP
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boitizPower business units (BU) recently gathered to Learn and Experience AboitizPower (LEAP), held at the Picasso Residences Hotel and Red Box Greenbelt, Makati City. Eleven brand champions from Davao Light, Cotabato Light, VECO, Subic EnerZone, Mactan EnerZOne, Balamban EnerZone, Hedcor, SNAP, AESI, APRI, and Therma Luzon. AboitizPower Brand Manager Ria Calleja and staff Mia Bontol and Kate Alconga facilitated the event. AEV Chief Reputation Officer Sebastian Lacson said in his message that “for our brand to become strong and successful, we need to collaborate all our efforts. Each of us should be an ambassador of the AboitizPower brand, constantly communicating and living it.” Resource speakers were from Mindshare Inc., Blitz Marketing and Events, Brain Juice, Inc., and Chris Cahilig consultancy. -BY DONJIE VERTUOSO
BRAND CHAMPIONS: AboitizPower BUs brand champions "leap" for a photo with their Cleanergy jackets on.
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SOARING HIGH AT SEVEN! Subic EnerZone celebrates 7th Anniversary
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ith the theme “Soaring High at Seven,” Subic EnerZone Corporation (SEZ) celebrated its seventh anniversary highlighted by the blessing of its administration building’s second floor last Oct. 28, 2010. To start the day’s celebration, SEZ SVP and COO Dante Pollescas facilitated a team members’ (TMs) meeting where he presented the plans of AboitizPower and the status of SEZ projects. He also encouraged the team to “recognize that we are here not only to be good, but to be very good… (and that) the greatest barrier to ‘being great’ is settling to ‘being good.’ We should realize that we are all destined to do great things.” Earlier that day, Pollescas handed a ceremonial check for P40 million to Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman Feliciano Salonga as SEZ’s annual payment to the SBMA. The company pays P40 million for the lease of SBMA’s power facilities and other properties in the Freeport Zone. After the team meeting was the blessing of the administration building second floor and the newly renovated gym. A dinner party and games followed, where winners were given Aboitiz
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brand items. A local acoustic band provided the music the entire evening, which was capped by performances of company TMs. The following day, the TMs distributed gifts to about 120 children ages between 5 and 10 years old from the Pastolan Village in the Freeport. Each child received a shoebox containing toys, school supplies, assorted candies, and other presents. The children were also treated to fun games and magic tricks by the clown “Amazing Mark.” In cooperation with the Aboitiz Foundation, the event was made possible through the Samaritan’s Purse organization, a nondenominational evangelical Christian group. -BY ANIELOU GELACIO AND ETHEL NAVARRO
FEATURES
FEATURES Davao Light Recognition Night
Kaibigans go Western BY JADE HAZEL GAMAS
O
ne would think it was a filming location of a western movie about hoedowns or rodeos. But, it
wasn’t. It was just the Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao filled with Davao Light Kaibigans dressed in their best cowboy outfits – hats, vests, kerchiefs, miniskirts, jeans, and boots. Cowboys and cowgirls ruled last Oct. 9 for Davao Light’s annual Recognition Night. It was a time to enjoy the great food and drinks, the cold night air, the funny antics of celebrity comedian Ruben Gonzaga, and the company of fellow Kaibigans.
It was also a time to be inspired as some were recognized for their length of service to the company. Davao Light President Jimmy Aboitiz was present to award the service awardees for 2010. The Sinag Award was also launched during the event. This is Davao Light’s “bright idea reward and recognition program” in which a group of individuals will be recognized for their “bright idea” through project proposals that introduce an innovative solution to workplace challenges, thereby increasing company efficiency. The night ended with the awarding of the best dressed Cowboy and Cowgirl.
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FEATURES
SEZ continues FTOP Subic EnerZone Corporation’s (SEZ) Field Trip Orientation Program (FTOP) continues by hosting three more schools in 2010. 100 students from Batangas State University, 20 from Far Eastern University, and another 100 from Technological University of the Philippines were received in the program last September 23, October 15, and November 19, 2010 respectively. FTOP is a project by SEZ’s Human Resources (HR) department which started in 2009. It includes an hour of presentations about the Aboitiz brand, Subic EnerZone brief company overview, and HR best practices. It also comprises two technical presentations from the Substation and Electrical Engineering Department (SEED) and the Transmission and Distribution (T&D) Department, a 10-minute visit to the hotline tools room, and a half hour tour in SEZ’s Remy Field Central Control Station where they will see all the equipment discussed in real life. Speakers for the branding and company overview part were HR Manager Mars Escobar and HR staff Raymund Tamayo, while for the technical operations part were SEED Supervisor Justin Jay Navarro and T&D Supervisor Ryan Griva. Facilitator and tour guide for the hotline tool room and substation visits is project engineer John Louis Ducos. -BY ETHEL NAVARRO
Raymund Tamayo presents Subic EnerZone's company profile in one of their Field Trip Orientation Programs.
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Power Generation Manager Engr. Genciano Ticzon presents to the business briefing attendees the Power Plant Division performance and plans.
COTABATO LIGHT CONDUCTS BUSINESS BRIEFING
C
otabato Light team leaders and team members recently conducted a business briefing to ensure that they provide a more efficient and effective service to their customers. The business briefing for the first semester aimed to ensure adequate, timely and updated information about the company. It was held at the Cotabato Light Conference Room. The briefing exposed participants to different business-related information ranging from monthly performance reports to plans and directions that the company is taking. Highlights of the activity were the presentations from the different departments of Cotabato Light – Engineering, Power Plant, and Administrative. The presenters also gave updates on the recent compact fluorescent lamp (CFL)
exchange project of the Department of Energy (DOE). The DOE gave 33,000 CFLs to Cotabato Light for distribution to all its qualified residential customers. The DOE's CFL “Palit-ilaw Program” started on Aug. 10. “We really appreciate this kind of briefing, which makes us feel that we are part of this company. And by that, we’ve become more conscious of what’s happening, become more efficient and effective at work and to be able to hit the target or to reach the goals set by the company,” said billing staff Anna Jane Utod. Through this business briefing, Cotabato Light team leaders and team members have developed a level of awareness to the problems, issues, and improvements enough for them to realign their departmental plans and initiatives, thereby creating a collective support and team effort for a more efficient operation and better customer service. -BY GERARD CASTILLON
CSR & SUSTAINABILITY
DUs lead Aboitiz groupwide tree planting activity
(main) All smiles was Cotabato Light VP & Resident Manager Cris Ferolino (in red shirt) while preparing to plant his tree. (inset) Davao Light team members do their share in caring for Mother Earth.
A
boitizPower Distribution Units (DUs) Davao Light & Power Company, Cotabato Light & Power Company, Visayan Electric Company (VECO), Subic EnerZone Corporation (SEZ), Mactan EnerZone Corporation (MEZ), and Balamban EnerZone Corporation (BEZ) led the Aboitiz Groupwide Tree-Planting activity last October 16, 2010. “We plant trees because we want our indigenous birds and other animal species to thrive and inhabit our forests. We plant trees because we care for the next
generation. We plant trees because of our Passion for a Better World,” Aboitiz Equity Ventures (AEV) President and Chief Executive Officer Erramon Aboitiz said before the tree-planting began. In Luzon, 80 SEZ team members and contractors planted 1,000 trees in a 1 hectare land at the Mt. Sta. Rita Reforestation area in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone. The tree-planting site, under the care of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Ecology Department, is a 140-hectare mountainous grassland
designated for replanting through a program called “Adopt-a-Forest.” In Visayas, more than 150 team members and contractors from VECO, MEZ, and BEZ joined over 500 Cebu-based Aboitiz team members at the VECO Reforestation Park in Barangay Tabunan, Cebu City in planting 15,000 trees, from which 2,500 were dedicated to runners of the Aboitiz Race to Reduce Challenge in August 2010. In Mindanao, over 300 Aboitiz team members, spearheaded by Davao Light, planted 4,000 trees in Magtuod, New Carmen and New Valencia. Meanwhile, Cotabato Light led a 75-member Aboitiz contingent at planting 1,020 trees in Barrio Lomboy, Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao. According to reports, an estimated 2,000 employees from 20 Aboitiz Group companies trooped to take part in the groupwide activity, and a total of about 30,000 trees were planted by the whole group in 2010. Other Aboitiz companies who participated were AEV, ATS, Pilmico Foods, PANC, UnionBank, Aboitizland, Cebu Industrial Park Developers Inc., Therma Marine, 2GO, Abojeb, SNAP, Hedcor, APRI, RAFI, and Aboitiz Foundation. -BY RAYMUND TAMAYO, DONJIE VERTUOSO, JADE ANICETO, AND VIC SUMALINOG
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CSR & SUSTAINABILITY
Davao Light turns over new library hub building (inset) Davao Light EVP Art Milan (third from left) hands over to DepEd Division Superintendent Helen Paguican the ceremonial key to the newly constructed library hub (main photo) for the second district of Davao City. The hub is inside the campus of F. Bustamante Central Elementary School in Tibungco.
T
he Department of Education (DepEd) in Davao City now has a new library hub equipped with books and facilities that are learning aids for students. Davao Light recently turned over to DepEd the library hub located at the F. Bustamante Central Elementary School campus. The hub has a librarian’s office,
VECO promotes IT in Tungkop, Minglanilla The Tungkop National High School in Minglanilla town received 10 brand new computer units and a printer, and was given a year’s worth of Internet access from the Visayan Electric Company (VECO) as part of the company’s commitment to corporate social responsibility. VECO VP for Administration and Customer Service Group Ricardo Lacson Jr. facilitated the turnover together with Tungkop National High School principal Zenita Obeso, students and PTCA president
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a conference and computer room, a bookbinding room, a comfort room, and bookshelves. All windows are in steel casement and have built-in iron grills to ensure the security of books. The project is part of Davao Light’s continuing support to the DepEd’s “Adopt-a-School” program. It cost about P1.5 million with the electric utility putting up P1.350 million. The Davao City Government, under then Mayor Rodrigo
Teofilo Omambac. In her welcome address, Obeso thanked VECO for the donation and assured to take care of the facility to benefit more students in the future. Lacson, in his speech, promised to implement more CSR projects in Minglanilla. -BY JUDITH OCAÑA
Duterte, put in P150,000 as counterpart. Davao Light EVP Art Milan, during the turnover ceremony, told DepEd officials that in partnering with the city government, the company was guided by its motto of “Passion to Serve.” Mayor Sara Duterte thanked Davao Light for being supportive to the cause for literacy. She cited the many city-initiated programs where it made its assistance readily available. -BY VIC SUMALINOG
Tungkop National High School in Minglanilla town received 10 brand new computer units with Internet connection from VECO VP for Administration and Customer Service Group Ricardo Lacson, Jr. At extreme left is PTCA President Teofilo Omambac.
CSR & SUSTAINABILITY
VECO VP for Administration and Customer Service Group Ricky Lacson (right) and Garing Barangay Captain Ronaldo Alimoren turn on the power switch of Garing National High School's newly rehabilitated electrical system in a ceremonial lighting.
VECO FOSTERS SAFETY THROUGH REWIRING Four public schools in Consolacion, Liloan, Talisay and Cebu City are the beneficiaries of a recently completed energy audit and electrical-system upgrade courtesy of Visayan Electric Company, Inc. (VECO). The project answers the need to provide safety for the lives of students, teachers and the surrounding communities which might be affected by fire. VECO installed standard electrical wirings and safe circuit systems to replace all the sub-standard lines in Garing National High School in Liloan, Arcelo Memorial High School in Consolacion, Pasil Night High School in Cebu City and Cansojong National High School in Talisay City. Unknowingly for years, the school and the students were exposed to the hazards of fire and even death. As the company that distributes power
to Metro Cebu, VECO takes note of faulty electrical wirings and substandard materials which are the major causes of fires. This is why it took the opportunity to undertake this energy audit and upgrading of electrical system project. Last November 18, 2010, the first project turnover was at Garing National High School, followed by Arcelo Memorial High School on the next day. Expressions of gratitude were exchanged between VECO's EVP & COO Jaime Jose Aboitiz and the schools' Parent Teachers’ Association (PTA) during the turnover ceremonies. Aboitiz thanked the school for accepting VECO in their community and for giving the utility a chance to help the institution. Also present during the turnover
ceremonies were VECO's VP for Admin and Customer Service Ricardo Lacson, Comrel Manager Eric Ching and CorpCom Manager Ethel Natera. The PTA and the students in return were also thankful for VECO's rewiring project that eliminated the chance of fire and keeping the children's lives safe. On the other hand, Pasil Night High School and Cansojoing National High School's electrical wirings have been completed and scheduled for formal turnover on January 2011. Ching spearheaded this Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) undertaking. This project is the first in a series of rewiring of public schools which were former recipients of Aboitiz Foundation's infrastructure projects. -BY JUDITH OCAÑA
SEZ set to renew Adopt-an-Ambulance Program Subic EnerZone Corporation (SEZ) will renew its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Adopt-an-Ambulance Program on May 2011. The company’s tie-up with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority’s Emergency Medical Services (SBMA-EMS) group is now on its fifth year, starting in 2007. Adopt-an-Ambulance is a MOA between SEZ and the SBMA that allocates P100,000 for eight ambulances adopted by the company. The said amount is for the maintenance repairs of the vehicles. The SBMA-EMS is part of the agency’s primary rescue group composed of personnel from Fire, Law Enforcement, and Public Health and Safety departments. This year, the MOA will take effect from May to December 2011, and will be subject for evaluation and renewal on January 2012. -BY RAYMUND TAMAYO
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SEZ PARTICIPATES IN INTERNATIONAL COASTAL CLEANUP Subic EnerZone Corporation (SEZ) participated in the International Coastal Cleanup Day last September 25. The activity is the world’s largest, one-day volunteer effort to clean up the marine environment. Every September, volunteers from over 100 countries descend on local beaches, rivers, lakes and canals to show their commitment to cleaner waterways. For the Subic Bay Freeport, the cleanup, which was held at the two-kilometer beachfront along Waterfront Road, was spearheaded by the Lighthouse Marina Resort (LMR) in coordination with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority. The activity was also supported by the International Yachting Fellowship of Rotarians, Rotary Club of Cubao West, Philippine Marketing Association of Zambales, Moonbay Marina Complex, Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce, Greater Subic Bay Tourism Bureau, and Ideal Niche Business Solutions. 34 SEZ volunteers joined about 4,000 residents, employees, students and some visitors of the freeport in the coastal cleanup. SBMA administrator Armand Arreza said the marine trash monitoring activity will help policymakers draw better solutions to the problem on marine trash, with the recorded data going to Ocean Conservancy, a non-stock, non-profit organization founded in 1972 to identify global marine threats. He said the clean-up drive “is a manifestation of SBMA support to activities that aim to protect and conserve the environment, particularly to keep Subic Bay free of pollution.” A total of 3,927 volunteers scoured the stretch of the beach here, armed with sticks and trash bags to pick up litters and
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trash along the way. Some local divers also collected trash in the bay, bringing to shore mostly plastic materials washed into the bay through various tributary rivers. LMR resident manager Argee Gomez, who coordinated the event, said the project forms part of efforts by Subic stakeholders to reduce trash and other debris at the Subic’s beachfront, which is one of the most prominent and visited areas inside the free port. “It is imperative that a pro-active, continuous and sustainable clean-up program be put in place here,” Gomez said, pointing out that Subic Bay is considered the biggest natural asset of the of the free port. Gomez also said the 3,927 volunteers in
Subic collected a total of 6,075 kilos of trash from collections made in the beach cleanup and underwater dives. In 2009, Gomez added, some 74,500 volunteers from 60 provinces collected a total of 327,345 kilos of garbage from activities that covered a total of 2,427 kilometers of beaches. Among the worldwide participants that year, the Philippines ranked second to the United States, which had a total of 218,799 volunteers. The International Coastal Clean-up Day started in 1986 in Texas and is being observed every third Saturday of September each year. Aside from the clean-up drive, the Subic activity also included a public forum on conservation, climate change and waste management. Organizers also put up a photo contest that covered the actual clean-up drive. -BY RAYMUND TAMAYO
The SEZ Beach Cleanup team poses for a shot before the activity.
TEAM MEMBERS PAGE
MOVEMENTS AND PROMOTIONS Bienamer Garcia
Ma. Cielita "Sye" A単iga
VP - Distribution Customer Services AboitizPower
VP - Distribution Human Resources AboitizPower
Arnold Arsolon
Warell Kern Sario
AVP - Special Projects Davao Light
General Manager Subic EnerZone
Frederick Coronel Reynold Felix Head - Panabo Branch Davao Light
Manager Performance-Based Regulatory Subic EnerZone
Mars Escobar Manager Human Resources Subic EnerZone, Mactan EnerZone, Balamban EnerZone
Socrates Arce Manager Distribution Services Davao Light
Ryan Griva Supervisor Transmission & Distribution Subic EnerZone
Eddie Abella Supervisor Procurement & Logistics Davao Light
Paul Michael Cazar Manager Engineering Cotabato Light
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