NEWS BRIEFS

Sual Power Plant eyeing eco-friendly coal unloader

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan  – The management of the coal-fired Sual Power Plant is eyeing the installation  of a new coal unloading system to the plant.

In a letter to the provincial board, Toshiro Kume, the Japanese officer-in-charge of the Team Energy Corporation, cited the need to improve the coal unloading system of the plant to ensure the uninterrupted operations of the two power units of the Sual Coal-Fired Thermal Power Project (SCFTPP).

“To augment its two existing ship unloaders, a third unloader that also serves as a back-up, was determined to be technically feasible for installation at SCFTPP’s unloading jetty,” he said in the letter adopted by the provincial board during its regular session.

Kume said that a revision to the existing memorandum of agreement (MOA) related to the construction and operation of SCFTPP in Barangay Pangascasan, Sual, shall be made to allow the company to adopt alternative technologies in its coal unloading system.

The corporation particularly wants to amend the Paragraph 1 Section C of the MOA’s Terms and Conditions stating, “The coal unloading system shall be the continuous dust free unloader type and not grab type.”

With this, the firm proposed the following amendment, “The coal unloading system shall have measures and controls which shall ensure that coal spillages and escape of fugitive dust are monitored, minimized, and contained, in compliance with health, environmental, and safety standards.”

The MOA, defining respective commitments, was signed on Dec. 3, 1994 by and among the province of Pangasinan, the municipality of Sual, the barangay of Pangascasan, the National Power Corporation, and the Pangasinan Electric Corporation.

Kume then requested “for an opportunity to present this new technology, initially to you and the members of the Committee on Environment, and finally to the honorable members of the Provincial Council.” -- PNA

Dengue cases post 660 percent rise in Baguio

BAGUIO CITY – Dengue fever cases shot up further last October chalking up a whopping 664.7 percent increase with a total of 260 cases from last year’s record of 34 incidents.

The figure topped the 510.71 percent increase in cases posted last August where a total of 342 cases were listed as against the 56 cases for the same period last year.

Records from the City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (CESU) under Dr. DonnabelTubera of the City Health Services Office showed from Jan. 1 to Nov. 4 this year, the city had a total of 1,187 cases as against the 374 cases listed during the same period last year for a 217.38 percent increase, with no fatality.

 The incidents started to rise in June by 42.85 percent and ballooned in July with a 211.76 percentage hike.  

This peaked in August with 510.71 percent surge and dropped a little last September with a 322.95 percent increase.

For October, 28 barangays exhibited a clustering of cases led by Irisan with 18 cases; Loakan Proper and Bakakeng Central with 11 cases each; and Bakakeng Norte and Camp 7 with 10 each.

The other barangays  are Trancoville, ABCR, Pacdal, Aisn Road, Dominican Mirador, City Camp Central, Honeymonn-Holyghost, Camp Allen, Middle Rock Quarry, Kias, Gabriela Silang, San Vicente, Loakan-Liwanag, Loakan-Apugan, City Camp Proper, San Luis Village, Pinget, Sta. Escolastica, Victoria Village, Sto. Tomas Proper, Fairview, Slaughterhouse, Camp 7 and Poliwes.  

Mayor Mauricio Domogan and city health officer Dr. Rowena Galpo reiterated the need to sustain the 4 o’clock habit strategy focusing on the stop, look and listen strategy: stop - shift task for mosquito control, look – search and eliminate mosquito breeding places, and listen – heed instructions for the synchronized implementation of the 4 o’clock habit wherein folks should clean their surroundings.-- Aileen P. Refuerzo

Abra veterans’ monthly pension suspended

BANGUED, Abra --- Though old and gray, veterans are never remiss from their social obligations, said Veterans Federation of the Philippines regional president DarlitoDumlao, thus their concerns must be addressed by government..

He  cited the  VFP-Abra District especially post commanders of Bucay, Manabo, Penarubbia, Lagangilang, Dolores, La Paz, Bangued and Pidigan for actively giving him feedbacks from veterans in the said areas.

One problem faced by Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) pensioners in Abra was suspension of their monthly pension due to failure to  submit  their Pensioners Update Form (PUF) as primary requirement.

“PUF should be filed every year at PVAO. The pensioners should submit PUF a month before their birthday. This way, PVAO would verify that they are still alive,” said Dumlao who is from Pidigan, Abra.

Hopefully, their accounts would be reactivated sooner, he said.

Dumlao said he requested the national headquarters to confer World War II living veterans in Abra  the recognition they deserve. “They have fought for this country. It’s time to give back to these heroes.” he stressed.

 He said he also proposed wheelchairs, crutches and canes especially for those who have gone weak over the years.

Meanwhile, Dumlao announced the  VFP  regional assembly of district presidents all over the Cordillera Region  is set this November in Baguio City with National President Col. Emmanuelle de Ocampo as guest of honor. PVAO Administrator Lt. Gen. Ernesto Carolina was also invited in the event. -- Ginalyn B. Brioso

CSC-CAR hosts Luzon-wide convention of HR practitioners

BAGUIO CITY -- The Civil Service Commission – Cordillera Administrative Region is hosting the 5th Luzon Convention of Human Resource Management Practitioners on Dec. 1-3, here at CAP-John Hay Trade and Cultural Center, Camp John Hay.

Marilyn E. Ta, Director 4 of CSC-CAR bared this saying theme of the conference is “Transformational Leadership: HRMPs’ Emerging Role in Human Resource and Organization Development”, with a total of 1600 Human Resource Management Practitioners (HRMPs) from seven regions of Luzon who confirmed their attendance.

Aligned with the CSC Roadmap for Reforms, the event aims to gather HRMPs from Regions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, NCR and the Cordillera Administrative Region to discuss various topics along the field of human resource (HR) and organization development.

Ta said the event is also intended as an avenue for HRMPs to enhance personal and work competencies for service excellence; and provide them opportunities to benchmark policies, systems, processes and practices on HR and OD from invited leaders and learning service providers.   

Among the highlights of the event is the presence of CSC dignitaries such as Civil Service Institute Executive Director Arthur Luis P. Florentin who is among the plenary speakers, Commissioners Robert S. Martinez as keynote speaker, and Nieves L. Osorio who will give the “challenge” to the participants.

Ta said event will promote, showcase and celebrate Cordillera culture and ingenuity.

More EU aid for Lando victims

The European Commission is providing an additional 300,000 euros  for victims of Typhoon Lando.

The donation will benefit around 12,000 small landholders, farm tenants and agricultural workers in Nueva Ecija.

 “With the destruction of many farms and agricultural land, these most vulnerable people lost their only source of livelihood,” said Ambassador Franz Jessen of the European Union (EU). 

“This emergency assistance will not only enable them to meet their most urgent needs, but also help them create alternative sources of income through activities that can be set up quickly so they can get back on their feet,” Jessen said.

A consortium of non-government organizations, including CARE Netherlands, Action Against Hunger and Save the Children, will implement the program.

Last month, the European Union donated 200,000 euros to the International Federation of the Red Cross for 2,500 families affected by Lando.

Pangasinan council rejects measure for NFA rice deal

ALCALA, Pangasinan – The mayor of this town has expressed concern over the disapproval by the municipal council of a resolution seeking to procure rice from the National Food Authority (NFA).

Mayor Ryan Paolo Mencias is worried that the council’s action would give the municipal government a hard time in procuring NFA rice during emergencies.

“Many residents of Alcala feared that no rice subsidy would come to the town during calamities,” Mencias posted on his social media account.

The Sangguniang Bayan (SB), presided over by Vice Mayor JojoCallejo, on Sept. 28 rejected Resolution 2015-35 seeking to give Mencias authority to enter into a deal with the NFA.

Had the measure been approved, the NFA will reserve a maximum of 1,000 sacks of rice on a credit basis for the town.

 “The SB members who rejected the measure are accountable if no rice subsidy and other relief goods are delivered to the people when the need arises,” Councilor Fe Peregrino said.

Mencias said a majority of Pangasinan towns have availed themselves of this NFA program. He said those who rejected the measure are known allies of the vice mayor.

With the disapproval of the measure, the municipal government would be compelled to buy from private rice retailers, which Mencias said would entail additional cost. 

Mencias and Callejo were running mates during the 2013 elections. In April, Callejo declared his intent to run for mayor in 2016, while Mencias is seeking re-election.-- Eva Visperas

Winners bared in PopDev Week poster making, quiz bee

BONTOC, Mountain Province – In observance of the Population and Development Week every Nov. 23-29, secondary students in the province gathered for a poster making contest and Population Education (Pop-Ed) quiz bee on Nov. 21.

Pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 76 issued in 1992, the observance cites importance of population management in improving the quality of life of every Filipino.

The competition focused on this year’s theme “Ang Pamilyang Pilipino: KapagPlanado, Panalo!” in observance of the Family Planning Month last August.

In the Poster Making-1st Category participated by Grade 9 students,Ysha C. Mantias of the Mountain Province General Comprehensive High School in Bontoc emerged as the champion. Ashley A. Pag-ang of Tamboan National High School in Besao grabbed second while Aiden Josh B. Wandag of Sagada National High School took home the 3rd place.

For the Poster Making -2nd Category comprising Grade 10 students, LJ Babaran of MPGCHS was the champion, followed by Sherwin B. Becyagen of Otucan- Bila National High School in the municipality of Bauko and Jayvee Posd of Besao National High School landed in 3rd place.

In the Pop-Ed quiz bee, St. James High School in Besao landed the champion after their student,Khenn K. Ambucay garnered the highest score. Second place is Czarille B. Panitew of Guina-ang National High School in Bontoc and Ciara D. Bumatang of Sagada National High School landed in 3rd place.

The Population Development Office here said that Ambucay will represent Mountain Province in the regional Pop-Ed quiz bee. In an interview with Roger Gawidan, a teacher of St. James High School and the coach of Ambucay, he shared that their one week review before the competition paid off.  He added that they have focused in all the available reading and reference materials the school has. In relation to this, Gawidan is hopeful that Ambucay will land a spot in the regional Pop-Ed quiz representing the province.

The judges in the contests were Jhay Sapdoy of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) – Mountain Province, Health Education and Promotions Officer (HEPO) II Prima Donna L. Te-elan of the Provincial Health Office and Faith Pec-ao of the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian.

Champions in the said competitions received P1, 000 each, P750.00 each for the second place and P500.00 each for the third place.

The activity was spearheaded by the Population Development Office of the Provincial Government of Mountain Province. -- Alpine L. Killa

NGCP boosts substation serving Ilocos wind farms  

SAN ESTEBAN, Ilocos |Sur -- Power grid operator and transmission service provider National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) recently announced an increase in the capacity of its substation here with the upgrading of its power transformer from 50megaVolt amperes (50MVA) to 100MVA and increase power for Luzon grid.

With this expansion, NGCP had boosted the capability and reliability of the power transformer to accommodate the growing generation capacity from wind farms in Ilocos Norte such as the Energy Development Corporation in Burgos, North Luzon Renewable Energy Corporation in Pagudpud, and North Luzon Wind Power Corporation in Bangui.

NGCP’s San Esteban Substation is a critical link to the grid as it transmits around 280megawatts to the Luzon Grid.

This project also caters to the increasing load demand from connected power customersAbra Electric Cooperative (ABRECO), Ilocos Sur Electric Cooperative (ISECO), and Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative (INEC).

The upgraded transformer was energized at last Sept. 5.

The San Esteban Substation now has two100-MVA power transformers.

NGCP is a privately-owned corporation in charge of operating, maintaining, and developing the country’s power grid. It transmits high-voltage electricity through “power superhighways” that include the interconnected system of transmission lines, towers, substations, and related assets.

The consortium, which holds the 25-year concession contract to operate the country’s power transmission network, is comprised of Monte Oro Grid Resources Corp. led by Henry Sy, Jr., Calaca High Power Corporation led by Robert Coyiuto, Jr., and the State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC) as technical partner.

‘Snow’ greets visitors in Baguio Christmas Village

BAGUIO CITY --  Baguio Country Club is now treating its visitors to an unforgettable “Christmas Village,” in time for the Christmas season.

This year, the Christmas Village impressed once more with snowflakes falling overhead; Santa’s sleigh pulled by reindeers across town; and snowcapped model houses set in medieval Europe.

Local officials led by Mayor Mauricio Domogan graced the ribbon-cutting event, after which, visitors rushed in to enjoy its amenities, but mostly spend time frolicking in the snow.

“It is a magical place to be a child again,” said one visitor who clutched her toddler in winter clothes.

With the theme of this year’s Yuletide setup being “Christmas Wonderland,” that was the precise reaction organizers wanted to get out of holidaymakers, said BCC media relations officer Andrew Pinero.

Set on a 2,048 square meter area, 25 Christmas trees of various sizes, 15 miniature houses, and eight snowmen figures were mapped out, Pinero said.

The landscape also features famous Disney characters and princesses.

What’s more impressive, said Pinero, is that most of the materials used in creating the village decor are empty plastic bottles, shampoo and lotion bottles, recycled paper, condemned golf balls, beer cases, oil cans, and other reused materials.

With nightly entertainment being part of the BCC program, the Christmas Village offers an experience worth remembering, he said.

The entrance fees are P100 for adults and teens; P40 for children aged 4-12; and absolutely free for kids aged three and below.

“As part of the facilities Christmas spirit to the community, we invite orphans and streetchildren from DSWD and other private orphanage associations to bring their children here on Thursdays on scheduled basis to enjoy the facility from morning till lunch free of charge and we feed them after,” Pinero added.

Paoay Convent ruins revived as new tourist attraction

PAOAY, Ilocos Norte — The provincial government repaired the old Paoay Convent ruins to bring another tourist attraction back to life at the premises of the Saint Augustine Church (Paoay Church), a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)  recognized world heritage site.

The newly-refurbished convent’s ruins were formally opened last Nov. 12 by Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos who was then celebrating her 60th birth anniversary.

“This is really a magical day as we bring new life to a building that in the past used to house so many of our priests,” she said.

The Paoay Convent ruins used to be an abandoned building long forgotten near the Paoay Church and only used as a “horror house” during the “Tumba Festival” held every November 1.

But now, big plans are ahead for the convent ruins as it will soon host a bookstore, a restaurant and souvenir shops, said the governor.

The restoration of the Paoay Convent Ruins is a partnership between the provincial government and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Laoag wherein an agreement was reached for the “edifice not to remain as ruins” but to be “developed for practical usage.”

Father Danilo Laeda said the Paoay Convent served as the residence of the Augustinian priests assigned to the Paoay Church until 1983, when it was damaged by a 5.3-magnitude earthquake. – Freddie G. Lazaro

Agri-fair set in Dagupan Dec 9

DAGUPAN CITY, Pangasinan — An Agriculture Fair 2015, slated on Dec. 9-10 at the Senior Citizen’s Park, will highlight this city’s celebration of 401 years of its parish church. The exhibition will feature an array of organically-grown products from the different public schools as well as exhibitors coming from nearby towns and provinces. It was also announced that the regular exhibitors and all “GulayansaPaaralan” exhibitors are encourage to join the search for the Best Exhibitor. Dagupan is also celebrating its fiesta, with the theme “Happy City, Happy Family,” from December 4 to December 31. – Liezle BasaIñigo

Ilocos Norte rice supply enough

LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte — The National Food Authority (NFA) assured the sufficiency of rice supply in the province even after the effect of El Niño. Veralow DG. De Vera, the assistant provincial manager of NFA-Ilocos Norte, said there is enough stock of rice during the lean month period next year with their warehouses in Dingras town and in Laoag City having a total of 60,000 bags of imported rice stocks and about 22,235 more bags arriving this month. -- Freddie G. Lazaro

Red Cross sets million volunteer run Dec. 3

BAGUIO CITY  -     The Philippine Red Cross will be holding its nationwide “Million Volunteer Run Year 3” this Dec. 13.

“PRC will target to register three million runners nationwide, increase the numbers of volunteers and set a world record through the Guinness Book of World Records as the biggest Humanitarian Run,” said PRC Baguio City Chapter chair Erdolfo Balajadia.

The MVR 3 is a humanitarian run that participatory and non-competitive which aims to raise funds for capability building of the PRC and to serve as a driving force in advancing the spirit of volunteerism to address today’s humanitarian challenges.

Participants in the said humanitarian event will be issued singlets and race bibs with the P400.00 registration fee.

The starting line will take place at the Melvin Jones and the finish line will be at the Burnham Lake Drive.

Interested individuals can register at the various Red Cross chapters or contact MVR Baguio Chapter coordinator Gerald 

Alejo, Jr. with contact number 0908 285 3788.  – Jho Arranz

Imee unveils proud mural of Basi Revolt

PIDDIG, Ilocos Norte — Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos inaugurated recently a 10-foot mural of the Basi Revolt, titled Mga Mandirigmang Basi” inside the municipal hall, here, to relive the legacy of the 1807 uprising that inspired the “one great Ilocano nation.”

Marcos said the mural represents the history and unity of the great Ilocanos, which highlights the heroism of Ilocano Pedro Mateo and the great Tinnguian warrior Saralogo Ambaristo, who strategized, trained, and brought forth the first Ilocano army.

“Truly, this Basi Revolt is something that we must often reminisce; no matter how many forces try to pull apart the lowland, upland and even midland Ilocanos; the truth is we are one great Ilocano nation and this pure Ilocano- initiated uprising should we uphold its legacy until today,” Marcos said at the ceremonial unveiling of the mural last Wednesday. – Freddie G. Lazaro