NEWS BRIEFS

Poll candidates reminded on poster rules

BAGUIO CITY – Mayor Mauricio Domogan reminded election aspirants to abide by rules and regulations governing posting of election materials.

This after the mayor received reports that some candidates have started indiscriminately sticking posters in various areas in the city to the dismay of residents.

The mayor said there are rules issued by the Commission on Elections as to when and where these poll materials can be posted and the candidates and their campaign personnel should abide by them.

“Not all areas are open for posting these election posters.  I hope the different political parties will remind their  campaigners of the rules because it is their obligation to do so,” the mayor said.

He said the way the candidates treat the rules is a manifestation of their true character which can be seen by the electorate.

“Abiding by the rules is a test of character of those vying for elective positions.  The voters will see who are really worthy just by looking at who are following the rules,” he said. – Aileen P. Refuerzo

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 “Gulayan sa Paaralan” 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 Basa Iñigo

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 Mandirigma ng 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