A Filipino-Japanese company, Eco-Merge Philippines, is considering to put up four solar power projects in the country, including a facility in Negros Occidental, which will collectively deliver 41 megawatts in the next two to three years.

Eco-Merge president Edgar Morada said the company is working with Snowly Mountains Engineering Corp., an international consultancy to conduct the feasibility study on its four solar projects that would need investments of $150 million to $164 million.

"It is a long-term commitment of Eco-Merge with support from SMEC in this series of projects we are going to have," Morada said, adding that they will eventually venture into other renewable energy sources such as wind and hydro.

OWWA optimistic
over amended law

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration expressed optimism that Republic Act 10022, or the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipino Workers Act of 1995, as amended would create an impact on the working conditions of Filipino workers abroad, a government press release said.

OWWA regional director Samuel Madrid said the Philippine government is trying its best to ensure the safety of overseas Filipino workers and what was stated in their contract is followed.

If there are problems, although, there are only minimal coming from OFWs who are from Western Visayas and concerned agencies like the Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Foreign Affairs, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration and OWWA are quick to respond, he added.

‘P21-B conditional cash
help to ease hunger’

Once the P21-billion conditional cash transfer program goes full swing, the hunger statistics, reported to have risen in the latest survey of the Social Weather Station, will be eased throughout the country, a government press release said.

Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman said that, except for two municipalities, she has completed the validation of the master list of CCT beneficiaries, the press release said.

Now that the budget has been approved, the DSWD will now go full steam with the CCT allowing the poverty and hunger situation throughout the country to ease, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said.

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