Govt ready to extend help to victims of Cebu sea mishap, says Malacanang

The government said it is ready to extend assistance to the victims of a sea mishap in Talisay City, Cebu, in addition to the help being extended by the shipping companies.

“Handa naman tayong magbigay ng kahit anong assistance na kailangan nila. As of the current situation, the management of 2Go Shipping Lines is providing relief assistance to them,” Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a radio interview over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan on Saturday.

As of the moment, Valte said the shipping company has extended temporary shelters, hot meals, and medical assistance to the survivors. Other survivors are also being given accommodation while the situation is being sorted out, she added.

The Philippine Coast Guard reported that as of 10 a.m. Saturday the casualty figure was pegged at 26 while there were 629 survivors.

Different concerned government agencies and search and rescue assets are working together as a response to the accident, Valte said.

Among the agencies involved in the search and rescue efforts include the Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Fire Protection, the AFP Search and Rescue Group, and the LGU disaster volunteers, she said.

The Department of Health (DOH) and the All Terrain Medical and Relief Organization are also cooperating to lend their expertise, she added.

After the search and rescue as well as search and retrieval, the thrust will shift to determining the one accountable for the sea tragedy, Valte said.

“Magsi-shift na yan kasi since it is a maritime accident, it has to be determined kung sino ang at fault,” she said.

The accident happened Friday evening in Lawis Ledge in Talisay City, Cebu when MV Sulpicio Express 7 and the MV St. Thomas Aquinas 1 got into a collision.

Palace: OFWs affected by Egypt conflict could avail of government assistance

Malacanang said the government is ready to extend assistance to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who will opt to return to the Philippines because of the ongoing tensions in Egypt.

In a radio interview over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan on Saturday, Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) has not received any requests for voluntary repatriation although there are reports of some Filipinos being injured in the conflict.

“But in case some of them decide to come home, may mga ready assistance ang DOLE natin for them. Merong mga small loan facilities that they can avail of; likewise, there is assistance that is given,” Valte said. “Tutulungan natin silang makapag-startup ng kanilang maliit na negosyo.”

The DOLE is giving assistance package to returning OFWs for the time being while they prepare to apply for another work abroad, she said.

Violence in Egypt has been continuing in the fourth day of the military government’s crackdown against protesters allied with the country’s former leader.

A mosque in Cairo became a makeshift morgue and field hospital for the Muslim Brotherhood, a pro-Mohamed Morsy group during clashes Friday. The protesters promised a “day of anger” over the military’s ouster of President Mohamed Morsy.

State-run media estimated the death toll in the area from 17 to 54.

US President Barack Obama condemned the crackdown on protesters on Thursday and canceled scheduled joint exercises by the US and Egyptian military.

KBP, media groups in Misamis Occidental to help NGCP's “Stay Safe” campaign

By Rutchie C. Aguhob

OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental, Aug. 16 (PIA) -- The Kapisanan ng mga Brodkasters sa Plipinas (KBP) and other media groups in Misamis Occidental Chapter, has vowed to support the “Stay Safe” campaign of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP).

“The campaign will avoid a repeat of what happened in Barangay Carangan, this city, last summer, when a 31-year old man got electrocuted because the ‘kuhit’ or bamboo pole he was carrying to pick some star apple, locally known as ‘kaimito’ touched the transmission wire,” Delia Rosal, KBP President in the province, said.

Lawyer Cynthia Perez-Alabanza, head of corporate communications and NGCP spokesperson, said they have included information, education and communication (IEC) materials for their “Stay Safe” campaign in the covers of notebooks, NGCP donated during the Balik Eskwela Program.

Recipients of the notebooks, at the beginning of the school year, were elementary school pupils, in areas that play host to the transmission towers, among which is Barangay Casusan, Aloran town, this province.

Meanwhile, Alabanza said the IEC materials are general reminders not to plant trees that will grow more than 3 meters high beneath electrical transmission towers, which, if left untrimmed, may cause the line to trip, resulting in blackouts.

“In fact, in January 2013, alone, the Balo-i-Agus 2 138KV line tripped seven (7) times because of trees deliberately planted by landowners beneath the lines,” she said.

The other rules of NGCP’s “Stay Safe” campaign are as follows:

Do not build a fire, under transmission towers, as fire can cause power interruptions in the area and avoid the construction of houses or any structure immediately under them.

Do not park your vehicles or put antennas near or under transmission lines. Do not carry long sticks or any object that might get near or come in contact with the power transmission lines.

Immediately report to NGCP any incident of leaning/damaged poles or towers/ sagging power lines and identify its poles/tower number, as well as, tangled branches of trees.

Avoid kite-flying near transmission lines, as well as, climbing transmission structures, which may cause accidents and electrocution, and most of all, avoid buying and/or selling of pilfered tower parts, as these are punishable by law. (RCAguhob/PIA10-Misamis Occidental)

DA holds agribiz ,  rice techno investment forum

By Jorie C. Valcorza

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, August 16 (PIA) - The Department of Agriculture – Agribusiness Marketing Assistance Division (DA-AMAD) has conducted an Agribusiness and Rice Technology Investment Forum here to sustain efforts and further improve the implementation of programs and delivery of services to attain sufficiency in rice.

The symposium served as a venue of information for the Local Government Units (LGUs), academe and rice farmers on newly developed technologies on rice with optimism to sustain the economic growth in the countryside. Likewise, it is seen to raise a stronger cooperation and harmonization towards adopting the new promising varieties of lowland and upland rice to alleviate poverty, ensure food security and to provide a healthier, safer and more sustainable environment.

Lorena Duna and Fe Abragan, researchers from the department’s station, Northern Mindanao Integrated Agriculture and Research Center, shared their studies on the tolerant varieties of rice under adverse environment conditions: submergence, drought and saline, as well as, other promising upland and lowland varieties in the region.

According to them, a farmer’s basis for selection of rice lines/varieties are generally on yield, eating quality, tolerance to stress condition; adaptability to specific locations and resistance to pests and diseases.

They added that this approach is useful in ensuring faster adoption and utilization of new rice technologies developed by researchers to improve varietal promotions, extension work and the rice self- sufficiency program of the government.

Dr. Nonilona Daquiado of Central Mindanao University, Professor of the Soil Department likewise presented the methane gas emission characteristics of some Philippine lowland rice varieties.

She noted that proper selection of low-methane (CH4 ) emitting variety is an important factor to consider to minimize annual CH4 emissions in the tropical paddy soils in the country and recommended further studies on screening of rice varieties for a suitable and eco-friendly mitigating option.

“This is the imperative move that could answer the increasing demands for higher rice production and to cope with the growing annual per capita consumption of 119.1 kg in 2008-2009 from only 105.8 kg in 1999-2000. (SVAdecer, DA 10/JCV/PIA)

NEDA-10 recognized as Outstanding Partner for Development Reports

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, August 15 (PIA) -- The National Economic and Development Authority Regional Office X (NEDA-10), headed by Director Leon M. Dacanay, Jr., is again a recipient of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Stakeholders’ Award as Outstanding Partner for Reports on Regional Economic Developments.

Signed by BSP Governor Amando M. Tetangco, Jr., the award was given in recognition of NEDA-10’s exemplary support as a source of regular and updated socio-economic information contributing to BSP’s policy and decision-making.

NEDA-10 which serves as the technical arm of the Regional Development Council (RDC) has been a recipient of this award since 2012.

For 2013, NEDA Regional Offices VI and X are the only recipients of this award among NEDA regional offices nationwide.

Other awardees from Region X included the 1st Valley Rural Bank of Lanao del Norte with the Pagtugon Award for Rural and Cooperative Banks and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Regional Welfare Office X as Outstanding Partner on Financial Learning Campaign. (Peleta B. Abejo/NEDA-10/PIA-10)

ATI to maximize reach of Farmers’ Contact Center

CAGAGAY DE ORO CITY, Aug 15 (PIA) – The Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) is working to reach out and provide technical assistance to more farmers through the Farmers’ Contact Center (FCC).

FCC serves as a support center of the Department of Agriculture (DA) that delivers farm and business advisories through the use of information and communication technology (ICT) that is coordinated by the ATI.

The concept of FCC evolved from a text support center of e-learning and later expanded to cover all questions related to agriculture and fisheries technologies in 2009.

Antonieta J. Arceo, Chief of the Knowledge Product Management Division (KPMD) of ATI said they wanted to maximize the FCC services by coming up with a comprehensive communication plan.

“When the program was launched, we focused more on tapping experts from the DA family, as well as, with the local government units for queries needing field validations,” she recalled.

“Now we wanted an aggressive promotion of the services of the FCC and we are collaborating to our stakeholders in the regions by engaging them in the framing of the communication and advocacy plan,” Arceo added.

The team was here in the city, yesterday, for the second leg of the consultation workshop and will continue to cover other regions until early of September.

Meanwhile, FCC can be reached on the following portals: 1-800-10-982-AGRI (1-800-10-982-2474) for Provincial Toll-free calls; 982-AGRI (982-2474) for calls within Metro Manila; 0920-946-AGRI (0920-946-2474) for Mobile calls; 391-DA (391-32) for Smart and Talk ‘N Text and 0920-946-AGRI (0920-946-2474) for Globe, TM, and Sun Cellular or email them at info@e-extension.gov.ph. (JCV/PIA)

DILG, Napolcom, PNP to act as Comelec deputies for the Oct. 2013 elections

By Rutchie C. Aguhob

OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental, Aug. 15 (PIA) -- The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) will act as deputy of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), relative to the Oct. 28, 2013 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).

The deputation order, which is covered by Comelec Resolution No. 9733, promulgated last July 3, includes those of the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) and the Philippine National Police (PNP), Atty. Cerilo E. Nala, Jr., Provincial Election Supervisor (PES) of Misamis Occidental, said.

As such, the agencies have been told not to effect any changes in the assignments of the PNP personnel without the prior written permission of the Comelec, during the election period from September 28, 2013 to November 12, 2013.

Among the tasks of the agencies, during the election period, are the following:

Provide security to polling places, polling/voting centers, and such other places or buildings, including election paraphernalia, equipment, forms and supplies that will be used by the Comelec.

Make available, at the least time possible, land, air and water-craft assets, communication systems and other equipment, in connection with the delivery and retrieval of election equipment, documents, supplies, forms and paraphernalia.

Look into the existence of any armed group organized to commit, or which is committing or attempting to commit, acts of terrorism, or threats to intimidate or coerce any prson to vote for or against a candidate, and to suppress or prevent said acts of terrorism or threats.

Assist the Comelec in implementing more effectively, election laws and/or rules and regulations, particularly, the laws governing prohibition against military, policemen and provincial guards acting as bodyguards or security guards of the candidates, the use of armored vehicles and air or water-craft, and the prohibition on bearing, carrying or transporting firearms and other deadly weapons in public places.

Provide security escorts to candidates subject to the conditions and restrictions on the Resolution imposing the gun ban and make effective measures to prevent members of civilian vigilante units and barangay tanods from engaging in partisan political activities or any act of terrorism, intimidation, coercion, harassment or reprisal.

Take steps to prevent private security agencies from acting as private armies of any candidate or as campaigners for terrorist or violent acts against persons in connection with the Oct. 28, 2013 BSKE. (RCAguhob/PIA10-Misamis Occidental)

DOT to organize ‘special press tour’ in CdeO

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Aug 16 -- The Department of Tourism will soon create a separate marketing communications program for Mindanao by bringing in local and foreign press not later than next week here in Cagayan de Oro City.

This was committed by Tourism Secretary Ramon R. Jimenez Jr. when he led on August 14 the opening of the three-day 17th Kumbira at Limketkai Mall Atrium along with Mayor Oscar Moreno and his wife Arlene, DOT-10 regional director Catalino Chan lll and Nelia Lee, president of the Cagayan de Oro Hotel and Restaurant Association, the organizer.

In his speech as guest of honor, Jimenez said he had already instructed the chairman of the department’s tourism board to organize and manage a ‘special visit’ for local and foreign press here in Cagayan de Oro City not later than next week.

“This (press tour) will give emphasis on the Asian market such as Korea, Japan and China and show to them that the future of Philippine tourism is here, right here in this region,” the Tourism secretary stressed. “We will ask them to chronicle the truth that the fun and excitement was here, is here and will always be here,” he added.

The media tour apparently serves as the secretary’s response to some critics that tourism industry in Mindanao is facing ‘image problem’ due to the series of bombing incidents in Cagayan de Oro and in some parts of Mindanao.

“I’ve heard some people having serious doubts on the viability of tourism in Mindanao, but to them I say, come at Kumbira. Come and taste its creativity, pride and fun,” challenged Jimenez, referring to one of the crowd-drawing pre-fiesta core events.

Considered as the country’s longest running culinary show and live competitions with over 18,000 students, professional chefs and food enthusiasts nationwide participating in, the annual event showcases the best and latest culinary creations in the region as well as highlighting local brands and products, with the theme: “Negosyo Kulinarya- Building Home-Grown Brands.”

Jimenez cited that Kumbira, now on its 17th year, is not just the country’s ‘finest’ as it is drawn from local roots, but the only ‘genuine culinary show’ in the Philippines.

The tourism secretary likewise urged young participants and culinary students to strive for excellence saying that ‘be good at what you do because everything that you’re doing today is just a rehearsal of what you’ll end up in the future’. (CIO)

Coal-fired power plant maintenance works on track

VILLANUEVA, Misamis Oriental, Aug. 16 (PIA) -- The on-going repair works for Unit 2 of Mindanao Coal-Fired Power Plant is on track and on schedule.

Unit 1 of STEAG State Power Inc. (SPI) 210 MW (net) went on-line and was synchronized to the Mindanao grid at 2 p.m. of August 13, or about 34 hours ahead of schedule. Steag's Unit 1, which has a net generating capacity of 105 MW, was shut down for a scheduled preventive maintenance last July 27, 2013.

Meanwhile, SPI Plant Manager Dr. Carsten Evers estimates the on-going repair works for Unit 2 to be completed on or before September 15, 2013. Unit 2, which also has a net generating capacity of 105 MW, went offline last July 29, 2013 following some technical problems.

Dr. Evers said that parallel maintenance works for Unit 2 are now being carried out side by side with the repair works to optimize the time and bring the unit back to service as soon as possible. This move supersedes earlier plans to shut down Unit 2 for preventive maintenance as originally scheduled on September 21 to October 27, 2013.

Dr. Evers expressed confidence that despite the unplanned shut down of unit 2, SPI is expected to sustain its remarkably high plant-wide availability performance. Since start of full commercial operations in November 2006, SPI sustained an average availability of 93% and a less than one percent rate for unplanned outage.

SPI has delivered more than 9.6 billion kWh of electricity to the Mindanao grid representing about 20% of the island's total electric power supply.

The company’s power plant at the PHIVIDEC Industrial Estate in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental is considered as Mindanao's most modern. It utilizes state-of-the-art technologies that enabled it to sustain through the years a highly efficient, reliable and responsible power plant operation.

SPI is a leader in highly advanced coal power generation technology. It was established as a special purpose company to finance, build, operate and maintain Mindanao's 1st and so far the only coal-fired power plant in the island. SPI is majority owned by Steag GmbH which is one of the largest electricity producers in Germany and an active global player in energy development and services. (Jerome Soldevilla/SPI/EOR/PIA10)