Unscrupulous individuals are apparently impersonating a high-ranking official of the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPH), asking through email exorbitant sponsorship fees to line their pockets.
An insider told Biz Buzz the matter is already with the National Bureau of Investigation, which is also busy these days deporting aliens and running after illegal Philippine offshore gaming operators and cybercriminals.
Last week, the IPOPHL issued a notice to the public that certain individuals were pretending to be Deputy Director General Ann Claire Cabochan, targeting suppliers for sponsorship fees of as much as P500,000.
“Scammers repeatedly call the companies, providing bank account details via email for fund transfers,” the IPOPHL said in the notice.
“We take this matter very seriously and are actively cooperating with authorities to investigate this issue,” added the government’s IP-rights body.
The IPOPHL said parties or individuals who have encountered suspicious communication or requests claiming affiliation with them may contact their customer support desk through email customerservice@ipophil.gov.ph or via hotline number (02)7238-6300. —Alden M. Monzon
Old faces make up PEMC’s new board
Familiar names in the power sector will be dominating the new board of directors of the Philippine Electricity Market Corporation (PEMC), the body overseeing the local power spot market.
PEMC, the autonomous group market operator and governing body of the Philippine Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM), revealed its new set of directors and officers at its annual general membership meeting in Mandaluyong last June 19.
Elvin Hayes E. Nidea was re-elected, taking the helm anew as the group’s president, while Noel V. Aboboto of Team Energy Corp. continues to hold the chairmanship.
“PEMC has played a pivotal role in advancing renewable energy integration and sustainability initiatives across the Philippines with the establishment of the REM, ” Nidea said, referring to the Renewable Energy Market or the venue for trading renewable energy certificates.
The other executives elected as part of the board of directors until 2027 are: Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines, Inc.’s Richard J. Nethercott as PEMC market operator; National Grid Corporation of the Philippines’ Ronald Dylan P. Concepcion as system operator; and Dagupan Electric Corporation’s Augusto D. Sarmiento and Manila Electric Co.’s Jose Ronald V. Valles, representing private distribution utilities.
Representatives from generation companies have also secured spots on the board: Danel C. Aboitiz of Aboitiz Power Corporation, Elenita D. Go of SMC Global Power Holdings Corporation, Juan Eugenio L. Roxas of FDC Misamis Power Corporation, and Victor Emmanual B. Santos, Jr. of First Gen Corporation.— Lisbet Esmael
La Mesa to partially open
East Zone concessionaire Manila Water Co. Inc. will partially open the La Mesa Ecopark in Quezon City on June 29 to mark the local observance of environment month.
According to Manila Water, opening the first phase of the ecopark coincides with the close of the Philippine Environment Month.
“Join us in our mission to achieve net-zero and heal the planet by adopting sustainable practices and maintaining an eco-friendly environment,” Manila Water Foundation president Jocot de Dios said in a statement on Tuesday.
The park will feature spaces for environmental learning and leisure activities, including picnic spots and team-building areas. Families and groups can relax and spend time at the viewing deck pavilion and the food park while ecotours can be arranged to include a visit to the La Mesa Ecopark Museum.
“With more spacious areas, the walkways and road networks of the 33-hectare Ecopark were also upgraded to enhance accessibility for persons with disabilities and senior citizens,” Manila Water said.
Aside from expanding parking areas, the listed firm also established a nursery area where plantitos and plantitas may purchase seedlings.
Other amenities include an environmental canopy or boardwalk, landscaped flower hill and amphitheater, a revamped lagoon, wetland habitat and butterfly garden, children’s playground, additional infrastructures for learning hubs, eco-lodging for overnight stays, spaces for outdoor cooking, biking and hiking trails and a campsite rehabilitated by the Quezon City government.
The ecopark received significant contributions from Bloomberry Cultural Foundation Inc., the social development arm of Solaire Resort & Casino, in partnership with the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.
Other improvements for completion by next year include internal water reticulation systems, pipelaying and drainage canals, power lines, additional renewable energy facilities like solar panels and more nature trails.
The La Mesa Ecopark will be open to the public from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesdays to Sundays. An online ticketing system will be introduced to manage the influx of visitors. –– Jordeene B. Lagare