Eight power projects to boost Mindanao’s power
supply by 2016
By Apipa P. Bagumbaran
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, March 25 (PIA) -- The Department of Energy (DOE)
projected that eight power projects in Mindanao will boost the region’s power
supply by 588 megawatts (MW) and help ease power shortfalls starting this year
until 2016.
DOE Policy and Planning Bureau Chief Michael Sinocruz disclosed during the Regional Media Workshop on Power Industry and Renewable Development in Mindanao last March 22 that three of these committed power generation projects is expected to generate additional 38 MW this year.
These include the 15-MW Mapalad Diesel Power Plant in Iligan City, the 15-MW EEI Power Corporation Peaking Plant in Tagum City, and eight-MW Cabulig Hydro project in Jasaan, Misamis Oriental.
He said Mindanao will also have additional 150 MW power from the Phase 1 of the Therma South Coal project in Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur in 2014 and another 150 MW from the project’s Phase 2 in 2015.
The Mt. Apo 3 Geothermal project in Kidapawan, North Cotabato will likewise contribute 50 MW in 2015.
This is in addition to the 100 MW that will be generated from the first phase of the Southern Mindanao Coal project in Maasim, Sarangani in 2015 and another 100 MW under the second phase of the project in 2016, he added.
Romeo Montenegro, Investment and Public Affairs Director of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), meanwhile stressed that the Mindanao power situation is expected to improve only until 2016 when committed projects come on stream.
He said the outlook for cheap hydro-electric power from the Agus and Pulangi is compromised by the siltation of river systems and dams, as well as, of aging plants.
The long dry spell in the summer months, he further said, is also expected to reduce the output of the Agus-Pulangi hydro-electric plants (HEP).
According to him, deficit could persist with around 300 to 400 MW if no immediate measures are taken.
Sinocruz reiterated that the DOE is fast tracking measures to ease the power supply in Mindanao in the immediate terms.
Among these immediate measures is the utilization of available capacity such as the uprating of the HEPs which will increase the capacity of Agus 1 HEP from 45 to 80MW and the Agus 2 HEP from 120 to 180 MW.
The operation of the 100-MW Iligan Diesel Power Plant will also contribute 15 MW in April, 30 MW in May, 50 MW in June and 98 MW in September, he said.
Another initiative is the Interruptible Load Program (ILP) where around 200-300 MW power can be tapped through the utilization of the embedded generators of distribution utilities and other voluntary load participants. (APB/PIA-10)
CSC-10 to accept nominations for search of outstanding state workers until March 29
By Apipa P. Bagumbaran
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, March 24 (PIA) -- The Civil Service Commission in
Region 10 (CSC-10) announced that interested nominators for the 2013 Search for
Outstanding Officials and Employees have until March 29 to submit their
nominations.
The search is open to any public official and employee, or a group of employees, who have exceptional or extraordinary performance or any superior accomplishments that had nationwide impact on public interest, security, and patrimony.
This prestigious annual search is administered by the Honor Awards Program (HAP) Secretariat of the CSC and forms part of the Commission’s advocacy in promoting a culture of excellence and in recognizing and rewarding men and women for outstanding work performance or for consistent manifestation of exemplary ethical behavior in public service.
Lawyer Lourdes Clavite-Vidal, CSC-10 regional director, said the search has three awards categories, namely, the Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award, the Outstanding Public Officials and Employees Award or the Dangal ng Bayan Award, and the CSC Pagasa Award.
She said the Dangal ng Bayan award is an individual nomination while the other two categories include group or team nominations in addition to individual nominations.
Nominations may be submitted to the CSC regional office 10 at Vamenta Blvd., Carmen, this city, or to the Civil Service field offices in the region.
The complete guidelines, nomination forms, and documentation requirements can be secured from the CSC regional and field offices. These can also be downloaded from the CSC website www.csc.gov.ph.
For further inquiries, visit the CSC regional office or contact them at telephone numbers (08822)71-00-57 or (088) 858-7563. Queries may likewise be sent through their email at pald_csc10@yahoo.com.ph. (APB-PIA 10)
Bayani Challenge can combat poverty in the country - GK Founder
By Rutchie C. Aguhob
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Mar. 24 (PIA) -- Gawad Kalinga (GK) Founder Tony
Meloto called on the Filipino youth to show their love of country by developing
the culture of heroism, as this could become a leverage in combating poverty.
The call was sounded by the GK Founder at the opening ceremonies of the March 23-27, 2013 Bayani Challenge, held at Bulua Covered Court in Cagayan de Oro City, attended by volunteers from various schools, government agencies and non-government organizations in the city.
“The Bayani Challenge is the most exciting event that is happening, today, in 37 different sites, in 33 provinces, nationwide. ‘Pagganitong nagsasama ang lahat ng Pilipino, matatapos na ang kahirapan sa Pilipinas,’ (If all Filipinos stay united, like this, then poverty in the country will be put to an end),” Meloto said.
“Ang Pilipinas ang pinakamagandang bansa sa Asya. Payamanin natin ito, para wala ng Pilipino na puputa sa ibang bansa para magtrabaho!” (The Philippines is the most beautiful country in Asia. Let us develop and enrich it, so no more Filipinos will go abroad to work),” he told the volunteers, who were mostly students.
“Kung araw-araw nating gagawin ang pagtutulungan at wala nang awayan, babalik ang tiwala natin sa isat-isa. Marami tayong magagawa para masiguro ang kinabukasan ng mga kabataan. Lahat tayo ay magiging bayani at hindi natin mararanasan ang magutom,” (If we do the Bayani Challenge, everyday, and stop the bickerings, our trust with each other will come back. We can do so much for the future of the children. We will become heroes and will never go hungry), Meloto said.
A new version of the EDSA People Power, the event challenges all Filipinos to put a halt to bickering and complaining and take the opportunity to be part of the solution and become a modern day hero.
It invites volunteers to join the activity to compose the “Army of Hope Builders” who will work together to rebuild schools, homes and communities, in the Bayani Challenge identified areas.
Meanwhile, the five-day event in Cagayan de Oro includes a variety of activities to build houses at the GK SM-BDO and GK Shell Villages in Barangay Canitoan and refurbish schools in Bulua Central School, Puerto National High School, and Kilometro 5 Elementary School.
Also included are the conduct of operation “Tuli” at GK Berjaya Village in Barangay Upper Camaman-an, clean-up in the coastal barangays, conduct of Paraisong Pambata sessions at the Canitoan Elementary School and at Xavier Ecoville.
Nightly cultural shows have also been arranged where the GK songs and dances take place, including the conduct of Pilipinas Natin, Bayani Hunt competitions and Talentadong Bayani, as well as a victory/awarding program. (RCAguhob/PIA10-Misamis Occidental)
Foreign exchange scholars join Bayani Challenge, Cag. de Oro
By Rutchie C. Aguhob
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Mar. 24 (PIA) -- Twenty year old Johannes Zlatkov
from Germany has been in the Philippines for the past nine months, as a Gawad
Kalinga (GK) volunteer.
He worked as pre-school teacher assistant at Sibol School, GK Village Pasil, Barangay Kauswagan, Cagayan de Oro City, but since 30 of his pupils already graduated, last March 22, he is on the look-out for more open-air and out-door exercise.
There are two months more for left for him to spend in the country before he joins the American Field Service, he said.
“I find it pretty exciting to join the Bayani Challenge set from March 23-27, and see how I can be of help in rebuilding houses and refurbishing schools among its the activities,” he said.
And so, for the experience, he brought along his friends, Foreign exchange scholars Astrid Camps, 16 and Frangois Fontaine, 18, both from Belguim, who are studying International Studies (IS) and Engineering at the Liceo de Cagayan, respectively, and Annisa Bella Sunoto, 17, from Indonesia , another FES at Xavier University High School.
Braving all the heat of the day, the first activity of Zlatkov and his FES friends was the hollow-block relay, at 1:00 p.m., on March 23, the first day of the five-day Bayani Challenge at the GK Shell Village, Canitoan Reloction Site.
Meanwhile, Arlene C. Granada, 33, expressed her delight to see foreigners joining the Bayani Challenge.
Granada is mother of three children aged 14 yrs. old, 12 yrs. old and 6 yrs. old, who became a beneficiary of the GK House in the area, after her abode in Barangay Carmen was completely destroyed by Typhoon Sendong in 2011.
“If these foreigners made the effort to build houses for us, what more for the Filipinos who are living in the Philippines? The Bayani Challenge could be a change to show love of country, by joining its different activities," Granada added. (RCAguhob/PIA10-Misamis Occidental)
Ozamiz Fire Brigade Olympic winners bared
By Rutchie C. Aguhob
OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental, Mar. 23 (PIA) -- The Medina Hospital
Fire Brigade won first place in the Fire Brigade Olympics, Industrial Establishments
Category conducted at the City Hall Compound, Friday, March 22.
Winning second place in the same category was Misamis University Medical Center Fire Brigade while the third place went to the City Rescue Fire Brigade.
In the Barangay Fire Volunteer Brigade Category, the first place winner was Barangay Maningcol Fire Brigade, second was Barangay Carmen Annex Fire Brigade and third was Barangay San Roque Fire Brigade.
Other participants in the competition were the Karancho Group, and the fire brigades of Barangays Tinago, Malaubang, Baňadero and Aguada.
The conduct of the Fire Brigade Olympics was among the activities of the Fire Prevention Month of March centered on the theme: “Sunog at Sakuna, Paghandaan. Kalikasan ay Pangalagaan nang Matamasan ang Pag-unlad ng Bayan,” (Prevent Fire Accidents. Protect and Take Care of the Environment to Enjoy Community Progress).
“The olympics was more of a test about the application of skills, the volunteers’ teamwork and how fast they were able to respond to situations of fire occurrence,” Fire/Sr. Insp. Clint S. Cha, City Fire Marshall, said.
This, as the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) has intensified its campaign to train more volunteers from the barangays, industrial establishments and other groups who will serve as first responders in case of fire in the areas where they work or live.
He said the training skills included fire suppression, bucket relay, rappelling, evacuation and application of first aid, among others.
Also intensified by BFP-Ozamiz during the month-long observance of the Fire Prevention Month, this March, are fire safety inspection on buildings and business establishments for compliance of the Accessibility Law and the Fire Code of the Philippines, as well as the inspection of the city fire hydrants for leaks.
Another Fire Brigade Olympics have been scheduled in Tangub City on March 26, to be participated in by the fire brigades coming from the different towns and other cities of Misamis Occidental, the Ozamiz City Fire Marshall added. (RCAguhob/PIA10-Misamis Occidental)
Ozamiz ventures to re-number their passenger motorelas
By Rutchie C. Aguhob
OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental, Mar. 23 (PIA) -- The Ozamiz City
Government is bent on implementing a project to re-number their passenger motor
cabs more popularly known as “motorelas” that are plying the streets of the
city.
Along this line, Mayor Nova Princess E. Parojinog-Echavez has urged the owners/ operators of these motorelas to prepare the necessary documents, such as, their receipts of updated fees, and renewed licenses, among others, to facilitate the re-numbering.
It has been observed that there are motorelas plying the streets without any franchise, making their operations illegal or “colorum” and so re-numbering them can help for them legalize their trade, the Mayor said.
This way, the operators can now operate their motorelas legally and don’t have to hide themselves from the traffic officers, because they can show proof that they have complied with the law about their operations.
Meanwhile, data at the City Treasurer’s Office (CTO) show that there are 2,600 existing franchises for motorelas on record, Josephine Requilme, Collection Officer IV, said.
It can be recalled that the last numbering of the motorelas was done, sometime in 2008.
On the other hand, expired franchises may be given to others, when found out that they have not renewed their franchises, to facilitate the re-numbering of the passenger motorelas in the city, Requilme added. (JLCanumay/RCAguhob/PIA10-Misamis Occidental)
Kapatagan town renews commitment to peace
By Apipa P. Bagumbaran
MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, March 22 (PIA) -- Stakeholders from several
sectors, including peace advocates in the municipality of Kapatagan, have
renewed their commitment to peace by entering into a covenant last March 18.
The covenant calls for the continuous unification of Muslims and Christians, reconciliation of tribal and family differences and respect for the different cultures and traditions for a peaceful and progressive Kapatagan.
The renewal of commitment marked the town’s 11th anniversary of being a peace zone.
Barangay Daguan was the first to be declared as a zone of peace in March 18, 2002. The declaration was later expanded to cover the other 14 barangays of the municipality.
Municipal Mayor Nhazruddin Maglangit said the declaration was made possible under the leadership of his wife and former town mayor Raida Maglangit, now a commissioner of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF).
He said the town was dubbed as a "No man's land" 10 years ago because it was plagued by armed conflict and clan wars. He added that there was only one school and mosque left then in Barangay Daguan.
Today, the town is thriving with improved infrastructure facilities and livelihood projects.
Police Senior Insp. Barlowe D. Espiga, Kapatagan chief of police, said the town has also obtained a zero mortality rate when it comes to rido (family feud) because disputes were settled immediately.
Kapatagan won the Gawad Galing Pook Award in 2010. (APB/PIA10)
Pag-IBIG membership now mandatory to all
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, March 22 (PIA) -- Membership to the Pag-IBIG Fund
(Home Development Mutual Fund) is now mandatory for all Social Security System
(SSS) and Government Service Insurance System (GSIS)-covered employees.
Membership also includes uniformed members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology and Filipinos employed by foreign-based employers.
Republic Act (RA) 9679 states: “Spouses who devote full-time to managing the household and family affairs, unless they also engage in another vocation or employment which is subject to mandatory coverage, may be covered by the Fund on a voluntary basis adopting as a basis of contributions one-half (U2) of the monthly compensation income of the employed spouse.”
Ferdinand Saniel, department manager, Pag-IBIG Fund Cagayan de Oro Branch, said RA 9679 aims to have more Filipino workers enjoy the benefits reserved only for Pag-IBIG fund members.
The benefits include dividend earnings at rates that are higher than bank rates, savings that are government-guaranteed and tax-free to both short and long term loans. Housing loan packages also have the lowest interest rates (7.9 percent for regular loan and 4.5 percent for low-income earners) and easy payment terms (maximum of 30 years term).
Saniel said the P100 monthly contribution for each employee will already give them access to the benefits from Pag-IBIG Fund.
“We would like to solicit the agency or office’s support to provide us the opportunity to inform their colleagues and employees of our products and services,” Saniel said.
For housing programs and packages, Pag-IBIG Fund will provide the pre-qualification of the employee’s eligibility to avail of a loan with Pag-IBIG including the loan amount they can avail themselves of, home matching to facilitate employee’s choice of housing units and on hand and immediate answers to queries with partner developers.
For details of this undertaking, agencies and offices can get in touch with Alymore A. Camacho, Stephannie Ingrid V. Sepulveda or Jackeylou M. Asuncion, Housing Relations Officers at (088) 856-2131 or at email address: ro_cagayandeoro@pagibigfund.gov.ph. (RTP/EOR-PIA10)
BFP Ozamiz intensifies training of barangay volunteer & industrial fire brigades
By Rutchie C. Aguhob
OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental, March 22 (PIA) -- The Bureau of Fire
Protection (BFP) has intensified the training and organization of the Barangay
Volunteer and Industrial Fire Brigades in the city.
“These volunteers will serve as the first responders in the barangays and in the industrial establishments where they are working, during the occurrence of fire,” Senior Insp. Clint S. Cha, City Fire Marshall said.
Cha said the BFP in the city has lined up a series of activities in observance of the Fire Prevention Month of March, all focusing on the theme: “Sunog at Sakuna, Paghandaan. Kalikasan ay Pangalagaan nang Matamasan ang Pag-unlad ng Bayan,” (Prevent Fire Accidents. Protect and Take Care of the Environment to Attain Community Progress).
Cha said one of these activities is the conduct of a Fire Brigade Olympics for both barangay volunteers and industrial fire brigades at the city hall grounds today.
Other activities include the conduct of intensified fire safety inspection on buildings, other similar structures and business establishments, to see if they have complied with the requirements of the Accessibility Law and the Fire Code of the Philippines.
Also included are the intensified fire prevention awareness program and the inspection of the city’s fire hydrants, Cha said.
Cha said the absence of roads and accessibility to the barangays and to the establishments prevent fire trucks and other fire-fighting equipment to go where they are needed during fire incidents.
He said training volunteers on fire prevention and safety, as well as enhancing their skills in fire suppression, such as bucket relay, rappelling, evacuation and first aid can help whenever there is fire in their areas since they themselves live in the communities.
Cha said last March 1, some 200 volunteers participated in the unity walk and motorcade along the main roads of the city as a kick-off activity of the March Fire Prevention Month celebration. (RCAguhob/PIA10-Misamis Occidental)
Oro Chamber, City LGU launch Emergency Call 888
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, March 25 -- After conducting a series of
stakeholders’ meeting, the country’s Hall of Fame Most Outstanding Chamber of
Commerce—the Oro Chamber in cooperation with the National Telecommunications
Commission (NTC), City Government of Cagayan de Oro and the Philippine National
Police (PNP) launched this Monday, March 25 EMERGENCY CALL 888.
EMERGENCY CALL 888 is an improvement of the previous disaster response hotline 888 operated during typhoon Pablo. This emergency direct call access will enable local residents to immediately report to police authorities’ suspicious individuals and unlawful activities in the area.
This emergency number can be reached through landline and cellphone and covers the entire city of Cagayan de Oro— the 1st and 2nd District including its 80 Barangays.
“This launching is hoped to effectively diminish and prevent crimes from happening in the city,” Oro Chamber President Efren Uy shared.
Uy said Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (COCPO) Chief PSSupt. Graciano Mijares assured us that the assigned officers from the Cagayan de Oro Police Office (COCPO) will immediately respond to the reports communicated through this emergency number 888.
"We from the Chamber expect that this information be disseminated to each and every Kagay-anon through every method possible-- text, email, social media, word of mouth and others. We would also like to emphasize the serious repercussions that will await people who will send scam reports to the said hotline," said Uy.
This launching is supported by PLDT-Philcom, the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (CDRRMC), NTC, Pueblo de Oro Corporation and other telephone companies.
The Chamber Executive is likewise calling the city police and the entire PNP in the region to heighten the security in the City of Cagayan de Oro and Province of Misamis Oriental and nearby areas.
Local residents and the business community are also advised to be vigilant at all times while appropriate CCTV camera equipment should also be put up in every business establishment in the area. (Oro Chamber/PIA10)
NPA shoots civilians in MisOr, 1 NPA dies in Bukidnon
Said incident followed after the rebels harassed the Command Post of Army's Bravo Company, 58th Infantry “Dimalulupig” Battalion in the area.
The wounded civilian is a certain Virgilio Legazpi, of legal age, poultry owner, and fondly called “Tatay Beloy” by the residents. Tatay Beloy went out of his hut with his step-daughter heading towards their poultry house to attend to some farm chores when the armed rebels fired upon them hitting the victim in his stomach.
The troops responded to aid the two civilians in an aim to extricate them from the rebels volume of fire but the latter continuously fired upon to these unarmed and innocent civilians. After the continuous effort to repel the enemy fires, the encounter ended.
Tatay Beloy was given first aid by his daughter using medical items from the Combat Life Saver kit of the troops. He was then evacuated to Bagong Lipunan Hospital in Gingoog City for immediate medical treatment with the help of the Local Government Unit of Medina.
Tatay Beloy was out of danger as of this writing.
Meanwhile, another encounter ensued between the rebels and the troops from 5th Scout Ranger Company, 2nd Scout Ranger Battalion, Special Operations Command operationally controlled by 403rd Infantry “Peacemaker” Brigade at Barangay Dalwangan, Malaybalay City at 11:35 before noon last Sunday.
The exchange of fire lasted for 15 minutes. After which, the troops searched the encounter site and found one dead body of a rebel (name still unknown) and one M14 rifle. The rebels fled unconcerned of their dead comrade who was left in the place of incident.
The troops turned-over the body to the local officials of the Barangay Dalwangan, Malaybalay City for proper disposition.
Colonel Francisco Pabayo INF (GSC) PA, Commander of 403rd Infantry “Peacemaker” Brigade said, “We are saddened by the actions of these rebels of targeting unarmed civilians, they are becoming more desperate that they will consider almost killing civilians as retaliation to their failed attack against the military post. I challenge these rebels that, if they are really concerned to the people as they always claimed, spare them because these civilians cannot defend themselves on their own.”
Lieutenant Colonel Eugenio Julio C Osias IV, 4ID Spokesperson said “These rebels continue to loss the support of the people who already realized that these NPAs are mere criminals who take pride of launching atrocities unmindful of hurting civilians. I also felt sorry for the family of the rebel who died in the said encounter. This incident should not have happened if only these rebels heed the peaceful offer of the government for a meaningful reconciliation.” (4CMO/4ID/PIA10)
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