(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Wednesday, 27 March 2024) Easterlies affecting the eastern section of the country. Butuan City, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur will experience Partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms due to Easterlies / Localized Thunderstorms. Possible flash floods or landslides during severe thunderstorms.


PIA News Service - Friday, Sept. 11, 2009

Mindanao Cluster Science and Techno Fair set in Butuan City

BUTUAN CITY (11 September) – The Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Caraga Region will pay host to this year’s Mindanao Cluster Science and Technology Fair on September 14-18, 2009 in one of the local convention centers here.

In a written statement, DOST-Caraga Regional Director Lyndo Villacorta said the fair will feature DOST products and services, various technologies funded by DOST and an exhibition of DOST-assisted SMEs and the conduct of scientific and technical sessions. 
The fair also features lecture series, demonstrations, science and technology fora, and contests.

The week-long S & T fair will be graced by DOST Secretary Estrella F. Alabastro and, Hon. Juan Miguel F. Zubiri, Senate Minority Leader who will also give his Keynote Address and will likewise induct the Officers of Caraga Inventors Association (CIA 13).

As part of the kick-off activity on the first day of the S & T, a press conference with Sec. Alabastro and Senator Zubiri will take place. Also, a DOST-LGU Convergence forum which include the Disaster Management and Mitigation; Climate Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation; and Climate Change Adaptation Project: Climate Resilient Farming Communities through Innovative Risk Transfer Mechanisms will also be conducted.  

Day two of the S & T fair will include Agusan Marsh Nature Cruise and Technology forum on SMEs Technology Business forum (Food Contamination and its Prevention, Caraga Food Safety Team and CPT & energy Audit for Business).

The third day of the fair is DOST-Academe Innovation Day where Policy Environment for IPR; IP Management & the Innovation Process; Establishing and Operating a Technology Transfer Office; the Filipinovation; and Patent Search & Basic Patent Drafting will be part of the whole day activity.

Technology Forum for the fourth day is all about the Gender Friendly Food Technologies including Meal Management & Food Handling; Complementary Foods for Babies; and Technology Demonstration/Presentation of Products.

The fair also include daily viewing of S & T exhibits. 

The week-long event is part of the Annual Science and Technology Week celebration this year, which embraces the theme "Responding to Global Challenges through Science and Technology". (Nora CL Molde, PIA-Caraga) 
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Power shortage in Mindanao 

Power customers in Mindanao experienced power supply curtailment today due to generation constraints. 

Sources gathered by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), the new operator of the country's transmission system, said that unit numbers 1 and 3 (70 & 60 megawatts, respectively) of the Pulangi IV Hydroelectric Plant (HEP) of the National Power Corporation in Maramag, Bukidnon were shut down starting at 1:00 in the afternoon. 

The plant is a major source of power in Mindanao aside from the Agus HEP’s in Lanao. 

Earlier this month, Western Mindanao Power Corporation (WMPC) has also reduced its generation capacity from 100 to 10 MW due to a fire that caused operations setback in their plant. 

WMPC is an Independent Power Producer (IPP) located in Zamboanga. 

STEAG Power Corporation, another IPP located in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental, has also limited operations from 200 to 150 mw due to technical concerns.The 100 MW Mindanao Geothermal Power Plant (MGPP) in Kidapawan City, however, completed repair works of their steam pipelines on August 27 and is on full stream operations to supply power to Southern Mindanao. 

NGCP is a private company mandated to transmit power from generation to distribution utilities and electric cooperatives. (Glory Rebleza, CCS, D4 – NEMA/ PIA-Caraga)

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SCAA and Civilian folks ambushed by CPP/NPA 

DAYOAN, TAGO, SURIGAO DEL SUR (September 11) - SCAA and civilians were ambushed by CPP/NPA at Km 9, Barangay Puyat, Carmen, Surigao del Sur today. 

Another violation of human rights was perpetrated by the CPP/NPA or the Communist Terrorist (CT) group. An ambushed happened around 6’oclock in the morning when one international hauler truck of SUDECOR Logging Company with civilian folks was ambushed and fired upon by more or less thirty (30) CTs. 

The ambushed resulted to the killing of one Special CAFGU Active Auxiliary (SCAA), one civilian and wounding of eight (8) civilian folks. After the incident, the CTs burned the truck and fled towards different directions. 

This is a clear manifestation that the CPP/NPA or the Communist Terrorist did not follow the rules on IHL and violated the rights of the innocent civilians. (CMO-58IB, 4ID, PA/ PIA Surigao del Sur)