News feature: DOE pushes for e-trike,
energy-efficient public transport
By Venus L. Garcia
BUTUAN CITY, April 17 (PIA) - In its leg of the
information and education campaign through a Multi-Sectoral Forum on the Use of
Alternative Fuels in Caraga region conducted here, the Department of Energy
(DOE) stood at the forefront in capturing the interest of over a hundred
participants to advocate and be part in the localized implementation of
E-trikes.
In his welcome message, representing in behalf of
Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga regional director Abner Caga, deputy
regional director Fryan Abkilan emphasized that the government through the DOE
and PIA has already been conducting series of campaign activities nationwide to
enhance people's awareness, knowledge and understanding about alternative fuels
as future's most cost-effective renewable resources.
"The present administration is in fact
advocating the use of cleaner alternative energy fuels and the use of
electronic vehicles," Abkilan said.
The tips on smart energy use are also elaborated.
There’s an emphasis on employing smart electricity consumption measure or
action at workplace, at home, or wherever people might be to help save energy.
The forum aimed to present the importance of
cleaner alternative energy fuels, energy technologies and the efficient
utilization of energy for people's appreciation.
E-trike to strike out pollution
Apart from compressed natural gas, auto-liquefied
petroleum gas (LPG) for taxis, the electronic vehicles (EV) or E-trikes are
considered to likely improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.
“Through the alternative fuels program, it seeks to
achieve energy security through fuel diversification while meeting
environmental challenges. This is why the DOE is committed to push for
alternative transport utilizing “green vehicles” such as E-trikes. The
introduction of energy-efficient electric vehicles in the market is envisioned
to bring forth a sustainable transport system,” said Engr. Federico Domingo, Jr.,
supervising science research specialist of DOE.
The electric vehicle technology reduces or
eliminates air pollution due to tail pipe emission, and it produces less noise
and vibrations.
According to Engr. Simon Leonor, senior science
specialist of DOE, the government is working into market transformation through
introduction of energy-efficient electric vehicles or the e-trike project. He
said that e-trike uses electric motors and motor controllers for propulsion and
it is powered by on-board battery packs.
Leonor further cited the advantages of electric
vehicle: It is cheaper to run since the cost of charging an EV is equivalent to
paying around 30 percent of the cost per liter of gasoline; EVs can be charged
anywhere with a power point/source, just like charging a mobile phone. “You can
wake up with a ‘full tank’ every morning by plugging in at home, and never have
to go out of your way to a gasoline station,” he added.
As emphasized by Leonor, EVs can convert up to 90
percent of energy from their batteries into driving. This compares to 20-30
percent for a petrol or diesel vehicles.
Meanwhile, Karolline De Vera, science research
specialist I from the DOE mentioned that there is a need to shift into
alternative fuels to avoid or lessen pollution. She said that alternative fuels
are cheaper than oil.
"We aim to shift to the use of alternative
fuels because more than 70% are using oil fuel which is more hazardous to the
environment. That's why it is really advantageous to utilize, patronize and
promote the use of alternative fuels," she emphasized.
Under the alternative fuels program, the country's
dependence on imported oil will be reduced by providing energy consumers with
alternative and advance energy technologies and more environment-friendly fuel
options aside from conventional fuels, such as gasoline and diesel.
The e-trike is under the Market Transformation
program of the Department of Energy. This is part of the P1.7 billion loan
agreement with the Asian Development Bank wherein 3,000 e-trikes are to be
distributed in the different regions of the country.
As part of the contribution to sustainable
transport, Engr. Charito Rosinas, former chief engineer of an international
vessel, expressed interest and is one among those who are at the fence about
investing on E-trike, and this will be the first EVs to roam along the
thoroughfares in Butuan City.
Rosinas is more concerned of the benefits that EVs
may contribute towards a healthy and stable environment. “I am in support to
environmental protection and preservation and I believe EVs will help reduce
the problem on pollution caused by hazardous gas and chemicals emitted by less
efficient vehicles,” Rosinas stated.
Also, Rosinas planned to establish specific routes
within the city and purposely serve the commuters with ease and convenience. He
added that he has long been using electric power via solar energy source in the
household, thus, the same will do well in charging EV batteries in a lesser
cost.
The DOE remains open to all local government units
as E-trike off-takers of their respective localities. Through this, the
Philippines is envisioned to be at the forefront in terms of effectively
implementing an environment-friendly, efficient, and sustainable transport
system. (VLG/JPG/PIA-Caraga)
PNP Caraga implements Election Gun Ban
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, April 16 (PIA) - In line with the
upcoming May 14, 2018 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Elections, the
Philippine National Police (PNP) Caraga has started to enforce the election ban
on firearms, explosives, and other deadly weapons.
PNP Caraga regional director PCSupt. Noli Romana,
reiterated Resolution No. 10197 of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), that
provides among others: “No person shall bear, carry or transport firearms or
deadly weapons in public places, including any building, street, park, private
vehicle or public conveyance, even if licensed to carry the same, unless
authorized in writing by the Commission on Elections.”
Romana underscored that personnel of PNP, Armed
Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and other law enforcement agencies of the
government who are duly deputized by the COMELEC are the only authorized to
carry and possess firearms during the election period.
However, the good director clarified that when in
possession of firearms, the deputized law enforcement officers must be in full
uniform showing clearly and legibly his name, rank and serial number, which
shall remain visible at all times and in the actual performance of his election
duty in the specific area designated by the COMELEC.
It was also learned that the COMELEC may issue
exemption to qualified individuals who by nature are considered high risk
individuals.
“We will apprehend persons including law enforcers
who will violate election gun ban and will set up COMELEC checkpoints to be
manned by local police as part of our security precautions,” emphasized PCSupt.
Romana.
The regional PNP chief further assured that the
Caraga cops will remain vigilant in its law enforcement and security operations
to prevent election-related violence and ensure safe and fair elections.
(JPG/PNP-13/PIA-Caraga)
NFA rice out of stock in SurSur
By Greg Tataro, Jr.
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, April 17 (PIA) - Due
to import delay caused by suspension, the supply of NFA (National Food
Authority) rice in Surigao del Sur will be temporarily out for at least a
month.
May Sara Atomar, the agency’s provincial manager
here, said their last delivery to accredited retailers was made on Friday,
April 13, 2018.
Except for the 100 sacks of rice set aside for the
Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), all three NFA warehouses in the
province had been out of stock since then, she admitted. The said stocks were
already paid by the jail management, Atomar added.
Notwithstanding the situation, commercial rice had
always been available in the market, the NFA chief assured.
Based on regular monitoring, Atomar said that the
modal price of regular-milled, well-milled, and premium commercial rice were
tagged at P41.00, P45.00 and P50.00 per kilo, respectively.
Also, she agreed with the observation that even if
market would be flooded with cheaper NFA rice at P32.00 per kilo, all the same,
it would have little or no effect on prices of commercial rice.
In the meantime, the NFA here said that they would
be awaiting for the arrival of imported rice in May. (Radyo Pilipinas-Tandag/PIA-Surigao
del Sur)
AgSur women producers join "She Shines Grand
Women's Fair"

BAYUGAN CITY, Agusan del Sur, April 17 - Gaisano
Grand Market Place of this city has recently organized "She Shines: Grand
Women's Fair" to promote the products of women entrepreneurs in the
province.
The fair was one of the store's activities to celebrate
Women's Month.
Leizel Flores Batiao and Naome Teriote, key
officers of Gaisano Grand Market Place-Bayugan, partnered with the Department
of Trade and Industry (DTI) Agusan del Sur (AdS) thru Trade Promotion Officer
Corazon de la PeƱa and Jamaica Arenal, together with the staff of Negosyo
Center-Bayugan, Charlott Pingol and Elphie Plaza.
The women producers were Julieta Pielago of
Jaymmarrs Food Products, Bernadette Auxillian of Pidol Miki Factory, Ester
Pelicano of RDP Food Products, Nelfa Capangpangan of Guapz Food Products,
Cleotilde Potencioso of Cleo's Food Products, Rosalina Gomez of BG Food
Products, Alicia Badajos of Shalom Food Products and Marivic Bundy of Bundy
Wine.
Tablea, miki, fruit juices, banana chips, turmeric,
wine, chicharon and other finger foods were the products sold in the fair.
(DTI-Agusan del Sur/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
