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Macron, Putin to discuss Syria and Iran nuke deal SAINT PETERSBURG―French President Emmanuel Macron will visit Saint Petersburg on Thursday to meet his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, with the Iran nuclear deal as well as the conflicts in Syria and Ukraine on the agenda. The trip is Macron’s first to Russia as president and follows a visit by German Chancellor Angela Merkel last week. Europe and Moscow are making diplomatic overtures to save the Iran deal, now under threat after the recent US withdrawal. The French and Russian leaders will “take the time for an indepth one-on-one discussion”, according the Elysee. Macron will be accompanied by his wife Brigitte during the trip, which will also see him address the Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum. The meeting comes almost exactly a year since the freshly elected Macron hosted Putin in Versailles, when the French leader accused Russian media of producing “lying propaganda” during a joint press conference. This time Putin will welcome the French president to the Kon-
stantin Palace, a former residence of Peter the Great set some 20 kilometers outside Saint Petersburg. The talks take place after President Donald Trump in early May controversially pulled the US out of the 2015 landmark pact with Iran that placed limits on its nuclear program in return for easing economic sanctions. Washington is threatening stinging fresh sanctions if Tehran does not comply with a set of strict new demands. Saving the deal provides a rare point of agreement between Moscow and European countries, which have seen relations tank in recent years over crises in Ukraine and Syria, as well as accusations of meddling in foreign elections and the poisoning of an ex-Russian spy in Britain. “Russia shares the position of the majority of the international community including Western leaders” when it comes to the Iran deal, said Alexander Baunov of the Carnegie Moscow Center. The West has realized that a dialogue with Putin is “inevitable” in order to preserve the accord, he said. AFP
Najib questioned again over corruption scandal PUTRAJAYA―Former Malaysian leader Najib Razak arrived at the anti-graft agency Thursday to be questioned for a second time this week over a multi-billiondollar corruption scandal following his shock election loss. Najib’s coalition suffered a defeat at the May 9 poll which ended their six-decade hold on power, beaten by a reformist alliance led by Mahathir Mohamad. Mahathir, who first served as premier from 1981-2003 and came out of retirement aged 92 to take on Najib, campaigned on claims that the former leader and his cronies looted sovereign wealth fund 1MDB. Billions of dollars were allegedly stolen from the fund in a sophisticated fraud, and used to buy everything from artworks to highend real estate. Since Najib’s ouster, police have seized cash reportedly amounting to at least $25 million, plus jewels and handbags in raids on properties linked to him and his unpopular wife. Najib pushed through a huge media scrum at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission
headquarters in the administrative capital of Putrajaya as he arrived to be quizzed about 1MDB money allegedly ending up in his personal bank accounts. He smiled and waved at journalists as he went into the building. He had already been questioned at the agency for over four hours on Tuesday. Najib is being probed by the anti-corruption body over SRC International, an energy company that was originally a subsidiary of 1MDB. According to an investigation by the Wall Street Journal, 42 million ringgit ($10.6 million) originating from SRC was transferred to Najib’s personal bank accounts, just one small part of the graft scandal. Hundreds of millions of dollars from 1MDB allegedly ended up in Najib’s accounts but the exleader and the investment vehicle have denied any wrongdoing. The US Department of Justice alleges that at least $4.5 billion was looted from the fund, and is seeking to seize assets worth $1.7 billion in the US which it says were bought with stolen money. AFP
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“This action is to reciprocate the Maduro regime’s decision to declare the Charge d’Affaires and Deputy Chief of Mission of the US Embassy in Caracas personae non grata,” State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in a statement Wednesday. The Charge d’Affaires of the Venezuelan embassy and the Dep-
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION FOR THE APPROVAL OF CAPITAL EXPENDITURES (CAPEX) FOR THE YEAR 2017 IMPLEMENTED CAPEX AND THE PROPOSED 2018 TO 2020 PROJECTS, WITH PRAYER FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY,
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Notice is hereby given that on 12 December 2017, Cabanatuan Electric Corporation (CELCOR) filed an Application dated 06 December 2017 (Application) seeking the Commission’s approval of its capital expenditures (CAPEX) for the year 2017 implemented CAPEX and the proposed 2018 to 2020 projects, with prayer for provisional authority. CELCOR alleged the following in its Application: THE APPLICANT 1. Applicant CABANATUAN ELECTRIC CORPORATION (hereinafter referred to as “CELCOR” for brevity) is a domestic corporation duly organized and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the Republic of the Philippines, with principal office address at Brgy. Bitas, Maharlika Highway, Cabanatuan City. 2. It is a duly authorized distribution utility with a franchise area covering the entire territory of Cabanatuan City, Province of Nueva Ecija. The City of Cabanatuan is a chartered city under Republic Act No. 526 entitled “An Act Creating the City of Cabanatuan”. 3.
It was granted franchise renewal by an act of Congress under R.A. 9968 which extended its authority to operate and distribute power to the City of Cabanatuan for another 25 years beginning March 6, 2010 until March 6, 2035.
4.
On August 15, 2015, CELCOR filed its CAPEX expenditure program for the year 2015, which was docketed under ERC Case No. 2015-150 RC. The said application is still awaiting the decision of the Commission.
5.
The program of CELCOR, geared towards improving the services to its customers and ensuring its compliance with various performance standards of the Philippine Distribution Code, is required so that it can fulfill and comply with the stated requirements of Section 2 of its Congressional Franchise. This application is being filed before the Honorable Commission for the consideration and approval of CELCOR’s proposed Capital Expenditure Projects for the period 2017 to 2021 in compliance with the requirements of ERC and other pertinent laws and rules.
A. CAPEX PROJECTS 7.
The CAPEX program of CELCOR was group into Network and NonNetwork with projects that would address the adequacy, safety, reliability, and efficiency of the distribution system and provide the Company with the necessary supporting facilities and equipment for the utility’s operation. Forecasted growth was matched with appropriate projects while compliance with regulatory and statutory requirement was given its due attention in both categories of the program. The following factors greatly influenced the program of CELCOR for the RY 2017 - 2020: a.
b.
d.
e.
Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using nondiscretionary pass/fail criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”. Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least seventy-five percent (75%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines.
The BAC will issue hard copies of Bidding Documents at the BAC Secretariat, Capitol Hills, Cabarroguis, Quirino, upon payment of the applicable non-refundable fee. 6.
The Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) of the Provincial Government of Quirino will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on June 1, 2018, 3:00PM at Special Projects Unit Conference Hall, 2nd Floor, Commercial Bldg., Capitol Compound, Capitol Hills, Cabarroguis, Quirino, which shall be open to prospective bidders.
7.
Bids must be delivered to the address below on or before June 14, 2018, 2:00PM at Special Projects Unit Conference Hall, 2nd Floor, Commercial Bldg., Capitol Compound, Capitol Hills, Cabarroguis, Quirino. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted.
8.
Prospective bidders shall submit their duly accomplished forms as specified in the BD’s in two (2) separate sealed bid envelopes to the BAC Chairman. The first envelope shall contain the technical component of the bid. The second envelope shall contain the financial component of the bid. Contract will be awarded to the Lowest Calculated Responsive Bid as determined in the bid evaluation and the post-qualification. The Provincial Government of Quirino reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders. For further information, please refer to: Engr. Dencio A. Pagbilao Chairman, Bids and Awards Committee Province of Quirino +639175007275 +639177756155
(MS-MAY 25, 2018)
f.
It is imperative for CELCOR to implement this program expenditures to eliminate concerns on metering facility’s inaccuracy and inefficiency as a source of losses. The projects under this category will enable CELCOR to cope up with the very stringent requirements of the system loss cap. Compliance with regulatory and statutory requirements. Apart from the forecasted growth and supply continuity, CELCOR is required to comply with the standards in power quality, service related indices, monitoring of electrical parameters, and maintenance of its facilities. These are mandatory requirements which CELCOR needs to report on a regular basis. Appropriate projects have to be set in place to satisfy these prescribed standards. Work station equipment, data processing software, and automation technology With the robust development in the franchise area, CELCOR is constrained to provide a more reliable service with emphasis on supply continuity and expeditious response to the transmission line concerns in the distribution system. CELCOR would like to use updated technology in operating its power facilities and to benefit from the cost saving that will be derived from lower operational expense while improving its system reliability with the use of SCADA. Complementary support and service efficiency improvement for distribution system operation.
The Network projects of CELCOR require complementing Non-Network project expenditures which will have an impact on its overall objective to improve its business and to be more responsive to the needs of its customers. The projects under this category are an indispensable and significant component of its mandate to provide for the conveyance of power within the franchise area and will serve both the employees’ working environment and data processing requirement. 8. Provided in the Annexes are the individual description of the Network and Non-network projects with their respective Gantt Charts and detailed discussion and information on the major component of the program expenditures. B. LIST OF CAPEX PROJECTS
Therefore, to fulfill the mandate of CELCOR as the duly authorized utility to operate the franchise area in the City of Cabanatuan, CELCOR is hereby proposing the following Network Projects for 2017 - 2020: NETWORK Project Bangad Substation Transformer Correction Schemes Distribution Rehabilitation and Upgrading Proiect Distribution Minor CAPEX Installation of Switch and Fixed Type Capacitors Installation of Mid-feeder Recloser and Sectionalizer Installation of Voltage Regulators Fault Current Indicators Smart Arresters SElL Labelling Street Light Project
9.
(SGD) ENGR. DENCIO A. PAGBILAO BAC Chairman
Regulated service, Metering facility, and support equipment. The forecasted growth in customer connections requires that it be supported by corresponding projects in the metering facility for both refurbishment and growth purposes. It includes the use of electronic meters which will provide a more accurate and dependable registration of energy consumption while providing power quality data for engineering analysis.
The Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) of the Provincial Government of Quirino now invites bids for Construction of PCCP Around the Building, Drainage Canal and Curve & Gutter (Site Development) New QSU Compound. Completion of the Works is required by 180 Calendar Days. Bidders should have completed, within five (5) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders.
A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders from May 25, 2018 to June 14, 2018 from the address below and upon payment of a nonrefundable fee for the Bidding Documents in the amount of Twenty Five Thousand Pesos (P 25,000.00).
Network efficiency and reliability. In addition to the necessary infrastructure for load growth, CELCOR has also programmed the projects that will improve the efficiency of its distribution system and the reliability of its transmission facilities. These are part of its core mandate which the Company needs to undertake to satisfy the demand of its Customers for reliable supply of power.
The Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) of the Provincial Government of Quirino, through the 20% Development Fund under Continuing Appropriation 2016 Project Code 8000.109H intends to apply the sum of P 18,158,133.35 being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for PB-CW-2018-040 Construction of PCCP Around the Building, Drainage Canal and Curve & Gutter (Site Development) New QSU Compound, Zamora, Cabarroguis, Quirino. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.
5.
Capacity addition and improvement of load transfer capability. CELCOR’s analysis of the distribution system and demand forecast indicated the need to add capacity in substation, MV transmission line section, distribution transformers, and additional route for load transfer between substations. These projects will ensure that CELCOR can cope with the growing demand of its customers and will enable it to sustain the requirements of the franchise area for its growing economy.
May 25, 2018
Interested bidders may obtain further information from Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) of the Provincial Government of Quirino and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 9:00 AM to 4:00PM.
ERC CASE NO. 2017-111 RC
TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES:
6.
dent over the weekend. The Venezuelan president declared US charge d’affaires Todd Robinson and deputy head of mission Brian Naranjo “personae non gratae.” Caracas has claimed it was the victim of a “political and financial lynching”―accusations Nauert branded “unjustified.” “Our Embassy officers have carried out their official duties responsibly and consistent with diplomatic practice,” Nauert said. “We reject any suggestion to the contrary.”
Project SCADA Service Drops Smarts Meters Growth Metering Equipment Refurbishment CT Analyzer
CABANATUAN ELECTRIC CORPORATION (CELCOR), Applicant. x-----------------------------------------------x
c.
4.
uty Consul General of the Venezuelan consulate in Houston had likewise been declared personae non grata and were directed to leave within two days, she said. Venezuela’s move to expel US diplomats earlier this week followed a US tightening of sanctions over President Nicolas Maduro’s controversial re-election as presi-
Republic of the Philippines ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City
Construction of PCCP Around the Building, Drainage Canal and Curve & Gutter (Site Development) New QSU Compound Contract No. PB-CW-2018-040
3.
B3
CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor
ASHINGTON―The United States ordered two top Venezuelan diplomats to leave within 48 hours in a tit-for-tat response to Caracas’ expulsion order against the top two US diplomats there.
INVITATION TO BID FOR
2.
World
FRIDAY, MAY 25, 2018
Venezuelan ambassadors told: Leave US in 48 hours W
Republic of the Philippines PROVINCE OF QUIRINO Cabarroguis -oOoBIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE
1.
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Category Capacity Capacity
Cost 124,810,546.21 15,639,834.95
Reliability
38,414,920.87
Reliability
13,074,265.71
Code SS-01 TL-01 BB-01 to BB-06 LL-01 to LL-010 Phases 1,2,3, and 4
Power Quality
9,699,802.00
PQ-01/ 02
Power Quality
6,518,981.50
PQ-03/04
Power Quality Reliability Reliability Safety Safety
9,785,119.50 1,632,000.00 241,800.00 218,845.44 13,462,798.31
PQ-05 FL-01 FL-02 FL-03 SL-01
The complete discussions of the proposals are described in the individual Project Description and Justification attached as Annex” A” . NON-NETWORK 10. And to improve the services that complement Network operations, internal business processing, and customer related services, CELCOR is proposing the following Non Network Projects for 2017-2020:
Maduro announced the expulsions after being officially proclaimed the winner of Sunday’s election in the South American nation mired in an acute economic crisis and facing growing international isolation. The vote was boycotted by the main opposition parties and widely condemned by the international community, including the United States, which denounced it as a “sham.” On Monday, President Donald Trump tightened the sanctions against Caracas, making it harder for the Maduro regime to sell off state assets. AFP
Category Automation Technology Service Drops Meters Meters and Instrument Transformers Testing Equipment Consumer Consumption Rover M Monitoring Remote Communication Communication Equipment Tools and Measuring Devices or Thermal Imaging Infrared Camera Instrument Amprobe Tic 300 AC Voltage Tools and Measuring Devices Detector Instrument Dranetz Explorer Power Quality Tools and Measuring Devices Analyzer Instrument Tools and Measuring Devices Fluke 381 AC/DC Clamp Meter Instrument Phenix Technologies Transformer Tools and Measuring Devices Test Set Instrument Tools and Measuring Devices HT9022 Power Quality Analyzer Instrument Fluke 1555 Insulation Resistance Tools and Measuring Devices Tester Instrument Engineering Analysis Software Engineering Software Lineman Tools and equipment Tools and equipment Computer and Server Upgrading Information System Equipment Microsoft Visual Studio Information System Equipment VMware Enterprises Information System Equipment Finishing works of new Building Structures and Improvement and additional Third Floor Site Development Structures and Improvement Refurbishment of old Building Structures and Improvement Emergency Generator Structures and Improvement New Truck with mounted Transportation Equipment articulated crane Renewal of L300 Vehicles Transportation Equipment
Cost 24,622,298.83 46,584,788.00 84,185,000.00
Code SSD-01 TSD-01 TSD-02
30,374,180.00
TSD-03
2,500,000.00
TSD-04
780,000.00
TSD-05
800,000.00
TSD-06
1,923,300.00
EDS-01
18,332.16
EDS-02
1,650,320.00
EDS-03
40,446.56
EDS-04
3,050,600.55
EDS-05
93,770.00
EDS-06
330,040.48
EDS-07
2,600,000.00 6,698,754.00 5,473,241.00 96,900.00 1,002,311.65
EDS-08 CNM-01 MIS-01 MIS-02 MIS-03
49,391,512.00
ADM-01
20,000,000.00 5,000,000.00 2,615,002.31
ADM-02 ADM-03 ADM-04
9,291,999.97
ST-01
3,862,500.00
SV-01
11. The complete discussions of the proposals are described in the individual Project Description and Justification attached as Annex “B”. C. SOURCES OF FUNDING FOR THE CAPEX PROJECTS The proposed projects of CELCOR for its Network and Non-Network projects shall be funded by its retained earnings and by an increase in capital stocks. 12. To support its requirements, the Board of Directors of CELCOR released Resolution No. 15-17, on May 17, 2017, approving the Distribution Development Plan that it will submit to the DOE which includes its CAPEX programs for the years 2017 to 2020.
D.
PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY
ALLEGATIONS IN FURTHER SUPPORT OF CELCOR’S PRAYER FOR THE IMMEDIATE ISSUANCE OF A PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY 13. CELCOR repleads all the above allegations in further support of its prayer for the immediate issuance by this Honorable Commission of an Order provisionally authorizing it to implement its capital expenditures for 20172020. Project Name Proposed New 25MVA Bangad Substation Distribution Rehabilitation and Upgrading Project Installation of Switch and Fixed Type Capacitors Installation of Midfeeder reclosers / Sectionalizers Installation of Voltage Regulators Other CAPEX (Network Projects) SCADA Regulated Retail Services CELCOR Main Office Development
Estimated Duration of the Project 1 year 3 years 3 years 3 years 1 year 3 years 3 years 4 years 1 year
Presented hereunder is the estimated duration of CELCOR’s proposed capital projects: 15. As of to-date, CELCOR will need at least four (4) years to complete the aforementioned capital projects. Thus, with the grant of a provisional authority, it would be able to immediately proceed with the projects to meet its customer’s requirements. 16. In further support of the aforementioned prayer, CELCOR attaches and marks as Annex “C” hereof the Sworn Statement executed by ENGR. EDWARD S. YAP. CELCOR’S COMPLIANCE WITH THE COMMISSION’S PRE-FILING REQUIREMENTS 17. In compliance with the Rules of Practice and Procedure of this Honorable Commission, CELCOR has furnished the legislative body of the City of Cabanatuan a copy of the present Application inclusive of its annexes. Copy of the Certification issued by the aforementioned legislative body attesting to the fact of service of a copy of the application and its annexes is hereto attached and marked as Annex “D”.
18. Furthermore, CELCOR had also caused the publication of the instant Application in a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines. Copies of the Affidavit of Publication and the newspaper issue where the said Application was published are hereto attached and marked as Annexes “E” and “F” respectively. PRAYER WHEREFORE, in view of all the foregoing, it is respectfully prayed that upon the filing of the instant Application and pending hearing, an Order be immediately issued by this Honorable Commission provisionally authorizing CABANATUAN ELECTRIC CORPORATION to implement its proposed capital expenditures for 2017-2020, and that after due notice and hearing, the same be approved and considered used and useful within the Fourth Regulatory Period. Finally, CELCOR likewise prays that the aforementioned projects be considered as a deferred amount to be included in its Third Regulatory Period reset calculations. The Commission issued an Order with Notice of Public Hearing, both dated 28 February 2018, setting the case for initial hearing on 13 June 2018 at CELCOR’s principal office in Cabanatuan City. On 13 April 2018, CELCOR filed a Manifestation and Motion to Transfer Hearing Venue dated 12 April 2018 (Motion) praying to transfer the hearing venue due to non-availability of hall or room in its main office. Finding the said Motion in order, the Commission granted the same. Accordingly, the Commission hereby sets the instant Application for determination of compliance with the jurisdictional requirements, expository presentation, Pre-trial Conference, and presentation of evidence on 13 June 2018 (Wednesday) at nine o’clock in the morning (9:00 A.M.), at the Nueva Ecija University and Technology (NEUST Campus) - Brgy. Sumacab Este, Cabanatuan City. All persons who have an interest in the subject matter of the instant case may become a party by filing with the Commission a verified Petition to Intervene at least five (5) days prior to the initial hearing and subject to the requirements under Rule 9 of the 2006 Rules of Practice and Procedure, indicating therein the docket number and title of the case and stating the following: 1) The petitioner’s name and address; 2) The nature of petitioner’s interest in the subject matter of the proceeding and the way and manner in which such interest is affected by the issues involved in the proceeding; and 3) A statement of the relief desired. All other persons who may want their views known to the Commission with respect to the subject matter of the case may file their Opposition or Comment thereon at any stage of the proceeding before Applicant rests its case, subject to the requirements under Rule 9 of the 2006 Rules of Practice and Procedure. No particular form of Opposition or Comment is required, but the document, letter, or writing should contain the following: 1) The name and address of such person; 2) A concise statement of the Opposition or Comment; and 3) The grounds relied upon. All such persons who wish to have a copy of the Application may request from Applicant that they be furnished with the same, prior to the date of the initial hearing. Applicant is hereby directed to furnish all those making such request with copies of the Application and its attachments, subject to the reimbursement of reasonable photocopying costs. Any such person may likewise examine the Application and other pertinent records filed with the Commission during the standard office hours. WITNESS, the Honorable Chairperson and CEO AGNES VST DEVANADERA, and the Honorable Commissioners ALFREDO J. NON, GLORIA VICTORIA C. YAPTARUC and GERONIMO D. STA. ANA, Energy Regulatory Commission, this 20th day of April 2018 in Pasig City.
JOSEFINA PATRICIA A. MAGPALE-ASIRIT Oversight Commissioner for Legal (MS-MAY 25 & JUNE 1, 2018)
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