DICT to launch training on rural impact sourcing
hub, technical in AgNor
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, July 10 (PIA) – The Department of
Information and Communications Technology (DICT) will officially launch the
Rural Impact Sourcing (RIS) Hub and Technical Training on July 10, 2017 at the
Social Hall of Cabadbaran City hall, Agusan del Norte.
Cluster director Eva May Dela Rosa of DICT Caraga
said that RIS Program is intended to create meaningful ICT-enabled jobs in
socio-economically disadvantaged areas in the country.
“It aims to help address the unemployment in the
countryside and support more Filipinos to gain employment through the online
freelancing industry,” stressed Dela Rosa.
Dela Rosa added that technology empowerment for
economic development (Tech4Ed) Centers will be established and utilized to
serve as training centers in selected communities. These centers will also
serve as RIS hubs where beneficiaries, after the training can do jobs online
with its facilities.
The DICT has developed a module that will provide
technical training on ICT-related jobs. “The training primarily will increase
the people’s hireability by focusing on development and improvement on their
ICT skills and utilize it for employment opportunities as well as serve as a
venue to promote the use of e-commerce as the trainee will be paired with
Micro-Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to develop their project,” added
Dela Rosa. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
DOE invites Koreans to invest for energy projects
in PH
BUTUAN CITY, July 10 - The Philippines' Department
of Energy (DOE) through Secretary Alfonso Cusi announced on Friday to Asian
energy sector players and government officials that the Philippines will
require 43,765 megawatts (MW) of additional electricity capacity by 2040.
Represented by DOE Undersecretary Felix William
Fuentebella, he told the Korea-Asia Energy Cooperation that the required
additional capacity represents a three-fold increase in the Philippines' demand
for energy.
Fuentebella also expounded on the energy policies
and thrusts of the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte during the
seminar at the Plaza Hotel in Seoul, Korea.
The DOE official briefed the audience of promising
investment prospects in the Philippine energy sector.
"To address this need, the Philippines would
need 70 percent base load power plants, 20 prcent medium range power plants and
10 percent peak load power plants,” said Fuentebella.
Fuentebella cited the demand for new power plants
in areas identified by the DOE in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
Major energy projects were also highlighted in the
presentation, such as the Integrated LNG Terminal and Visayas-Mindanao
Interconnection Project along with their corresponding costs and projected
timelines for completion.
To highlight the Philippines as an attractive
destination for energy investors, Fuentebella announced that President Duterte
recently signed Executive Order No. 30 giving priority status to energy
projects.
Under E.O. 30, an Energy Investment Coordinating
Council was created to streamline regulatory procedures affecting energy
projects of national significance.
The said EO also reduced to 30 days the processing
time for applications for energy-related undertakings and projects.
In the open
forum, the DOE official said the Philippine government is open to looking at
micro-grids to augment the energy supply given the country's archipelagic
location.
He said the DOE would soon release guidelines
pertaining to the Green Energy Option.
Following the seminar, several Korean companies
expressed interest in exploring energy investment opportunities in the
Philippines.
Fuentebella provided a comprehensive overview of
the Philippines’ primary energy mix, energy demand and supply outlooks from 2016-2040
as well as strategic directions. (DOE/PIA-Caraga)
Power in quake-hit Visayas to be restored ASAP -
DOE
BUTUAN CITY, July 10 – “We will bring back power as
fast and as safely as is humanly possible to areas in the Visayas affected by a
strong quake that rocked the region.”
This was the consensus reached by the energy family
under the Department of Energy (DOE), as well as their private sector partners,
during a recent emergency meeting called by Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi at
the DOE headquarters.
Cusi assured the public that the DOE and all of its
attached instrumentalities and commercial partners are on top of the situation.
"We are all working round the clock and all hands are on deck," said
Cusi.
According to the Energy Development Corp. (EDC) and
Green Core Geothermal, they are providing generator sets in coordination with
the local officials of Municipality of Kananga and Ormoc City to critical
facilities like municipal halls, hospitals and water districts.
EDC and Green Core said that impact assessment
measures are being undertaken at their geothermal power plants.
Based on the technical assessment of the companies,
the marshalling stations or the central switching station of Leyte power plants
will be restored within three to five days to enable importation of power
supply from Cebu to the provinces of Leyte, Samar and Bohol.
For transmission, the National Grid Corporation of
the Philippines (NGCP) is undergoing further assessment of their transmission
facilities in determining the specific timeline on the restoration of the
damaged facilities.
To augment the power supply in the affected
provinces, the government, through the DOE, is working with alternative power
suppliers, such as Trans Asia and Salcon Power to deploy Power Barges 101, 102,
and 103 and the unutilized 16 MW diesel-fired power plants.
Also, to fast track the restoration further, the
National Electrification Administration prepared the mechanism for a “quick
response fund” to be allocated to ECs with damaged facilities.
The DOE coordinated with the concerned agencies to
determine the timelines and other significant details in the deployment of the
power barges and dispatching of the diesel power plant.
To supervise these complex yet integrated tasks,
Sec. Cusi created a Project Management Team for the earthquake-affected areas.
"We are on top of the situation and we will
deliver the much-needed energy services immediately," Cusi concluded.
The DOE Central Office and Visayas Field Office
(VFO) are open to accommodate inquiries and support from the public through the
hotline number 479-2900 loc. 329 for consumer concerns and (032)
253-7222; 253-2150 for the VFO concerns. (DOE/PIA-Caraga)
Agusan Norte regulates selling of firecrackers
By Aimee B. Sienes
BUTUAN CITY, July 10 - The provincial government of
Agusan del Norte is now regulating the sale, manufacture, distribution and use
of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices in the province.
This came into law after the Sangguniang
Panlalawigan passed and approved Provincial Ordinance No. 457-2017, otherwise
known as the “Firecrackers and Pyrotechnic Devices Ordinance in the Province of
Agusan del Norte,” authored by Provincial Board Member Elizabeth Marie R. Calo,
during its 44th regular session recently.
Under the said ordinance, the sale, manufacture,
distribution and use of the following firecrackers and other pyrotechnic
devices in the province are prohibited: 1. atomic big, triangulo, super lolo,
giant whistle bomb and other types equivalent to the foregoing explosive
content; 2. firecrackers which are overweight or more than 0.2 grams or more
than 1/3 teaspoon in explosive content; 3. firecrackers which are oversized;
firecrackers which fuse burns in less than 3 seconds or more than 6 seconds;
and 4. imported finished products and firecrackers with mixture of phosphorous
or sulfur with that of chlorate and polyvinyl pipe “boga.”
It is also prohibited under the said ordinance the
manufacturing, selling and distributing firecrackers and other pyrotechnic
devices without the necessary occupancy permit or business or permit to
operate. In case of a dealer, the transporting of the cited firecrackers and
other pyrotechnic devices without a “Permit to Transport.” And the
manufacturing, selling and distributing imported firecrackers/fireworks in the
market.
The local government units through the local chief
executives are mandated to cause the enactment of an ordinance that regulates
the manufacture, sale, distribution and use of any firecracker and pyrotechnic
device and promote an alternative form of revelry.
Any person violating the said ordinance shall be
punished by a fine of P5,000.00 or imprisonment of not less than 6 motnhs or
not more than 1 year, or both fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the
court, in addition to the cancellation of license and business permit and the
confiscation by the province of the inventory stock. (LGU- Agusan del
Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)
Population event highlights FP for dev’t. in Caraga
BUTUAN CITY, July 10 - The celebration of World
Population Day (WPD) on July 11 links the proper planning of the number, timing
and spacing of children to the attainment of socio-economic development of the
nation.
The Commission on Population (POPCOM) will convene
the Population Workers and Volunteers of Butuan and of the Province of Agusan
for a Family Planning Forum here with the theme “Family Planning: Empowering
People, Developing Nations” with Tagalog sub-theme “Pagpaplano ng Pamilya:
Lakas ng sambayan, kaunlaran ng pamayanan.”
The said forum is designed to update the population
workers/volunteers on Responsible Parenthood- Reproductive Health Law,
particularly the Executive Order No. 12.
Experts defined unmet need for family planning as
the proportion of currently married women who do not want any more children or
prefer to space births but are not using any method of family planning.
“Part of our
commitment to attain zero unmet need for modern family planning is to mobilize
all stakeholders as they are the ones closest to these couples who can easily
deliver appropriate information in matters relating to being responsible
parents and planning their families," POPCOM Caraga Regional Director
Alexander A. Makinano said.
“The top reasons identified on high unmet need
indicate lack of correct information which can be addressed when we will
mobilize the population volunteers in coordination with other health service
providers in the field. That is why we
need to equip and update them on important policies for them to be effective in
creating demand for family planning services," Makinano added.
(POPCOM-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
E-Power Mo! to bring DOE closer to consumers
BUTUAN CITY, July 10 - Recognizing the public’s
vital role in the energy chain, the Department of Energy (DOE), in partnership
with the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) and Philippine
Information Agency (PIA), will launch the “E-Power Mo!” on Wednesday, July 12,
2017 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City.
Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi said that there is
a "need to send across the message of the energy sector to the entire
energy chain, from the industry players down to the general public.”
The conference for energy consumers and
stakeholders, “E-Power Mo!” aims to provide essential information on the
fast-evolving developments in the energy sector, proper energy utilization and
energy resiliency.
E-Power Mo will also launch President Rodrigo
Duterte’s energy roadmap and policies designed to empower the consumers
specifically to: Develop and utilize the energy resources available to
Filipinos for wealth creation and global competition (E-Power Mo!); Undertake
safety and savings measures through energy efficiency (E-Safety Mo!); Secure
the delivery of quality, reliable and affordable energy services (E-Secure
Mo!); and, Empower consumers through a wide range of options in utilizing
conventional, renewable and alternative energy sources. (E-Diskarte Mo!).
The DOE will aggressively implement this strategic
energy information, education and communication campaign so that ordinary
Filipinos would be encouraged to use energy responsibly and would be partners
in advancing the country's economic growth. (DOE/PIA-Caraga)
DPWH, DOE to relocate power distribution lines
BUTUAN CITY, July 10 - The Department of Energy
(DOE) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) signed today a
circular to guide electric cooperatives on a unified mechanism concerning
relocation of their power facilities affected by government construction.
The DOE-DPWH Joint Circular prescribes uniform
guidelines and procedures for the proper payment of compensation and/or
recovery of cost in the event of the need to relocate the
distribution/subtransmission lines of electric cooperatives.
“We have to address situations where the facilities
of electric cooperatives need to be relocated due to government projects, such
as road-widening, bridge construction, among others, and provide a unified
mechanism for reasonable compensation to them for every affected facility,”
Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said during the signing of the Joint Circular
along with DPWH Undersecretary Karen Jimeno, representing DPWH Secretary Mark
Villar.
Based on the Circular, the government agency
implementing a public works project shall coordinate with the National
Electrification Administration (NEA) and Electric Cooperatives to address all
right-of-way concerns related to the affected facility, including claims for
compensation and determination of relocation sites.
“This joint initiative is in cognizance of the need
to provide continuous, adequate and reliable electricity services to consumers
while government projects are underway," Cusi pointed out.
It also provides an appropriate formula in the
determination of proper compensation to the electric cooperative for the cost
of the removal of affected facility.
“With this Joint Circular, we will be able to
accelerate and expand access to electricity services by our people,” Cusi
concluded. (DOE/PIA-Caraga)
Surigao Norte solon heads ASEAN inter-parliamentary
assembly fact-finding committee to combat illegal drugs
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, July 10 – Chairman
of the 13th ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly Fact-Finding Committee to Combat
Illegal Drugs (AIFOCOM) Surigao del
Norte 2nd district representative Robert Ace S. Barbers led the ASEAN delegates
in the dawning of a new era in fighting illegal drugs in the ASEAN region.
The 13th AIFOCOM Meeting was held from July 4 to
July 8, 2017 at Conrad Manila Hotel in Manila.
In his speech during the meeting, Rep. Barbers said
no other president had ever shown the same resolve as President Rodrigo
Duterte.
He said that that Duterte’s exemplary courage to
unmask politicians, generals, judges and other public officials who are in the
narco-list is fundamental to the success of the war on drugs.
Barbers said the effects of President Duterte’s
exposΓ© is so striking that it has affected the organizational structure of drug
syndicates. It has prevented these people from plying their trade, thus
achieving the goal of limiting the supply of illegal drugs.
He said since the supply has plummeted, they are
now costlier than ever. Drug habits in the Philippines can now be considered unaffordable,
and because of this, drug abuse has dramatically declined.
“It is imperative that we support the war on drugs
as a nation. We do not want to see our country plunge into the devastating
world of narcotics. In a narco-state, no legitimate investor will come in, no
legitimate business will thrive. So let us do our share to eliminate this
menace from our society,” Barbers added. (2nd District Congressional
Office/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
Congressional migrant workers scholarship for OFW
dependents in Caraga now open region
BUTUAN CITY, July 10 - For School Year 2017-2018,
the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) opens applications for the
Congressional Migrant Workers Scholarships Program (CMWSP) to active Overseas
Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their immediate descendant or direct dependent who
intend to pursue priority fields in Science and Technology such as Basic
Sciences, Applied Sciences and Science Teaching.
Similar to the Education for Development
Scholarship Program (EDSP), the CMWSP is also a competitive grant given to the
applicants who can ace and land in the top 200 OWWA examinees nationwide in the
highly demanding examination administered by the Department of Science and
Technology – Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI).
For the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) applicant,
he/she must not be more than 45 years of age, must be a high school graduate
with a general average of 80% or higher in fourth year high school, have not
earned more than two years of post-secondary or undergraduate course and
without failing grade in any academic subject.
Those immediate descendants or direct dependents of
OFWs applicants must be 21 years and below, single and a grade 12 senior high
school student at the time of application. He/she should belong to the top 20
percent of the graduating class duly certified by the School Principal and must
have no units in any undergraduate course. A qualified dependent are those
child of a married or unmarried OFW and/or brother or sister of an unmarried
OFW and must be single.
To qualify, the OFW should be an active member of
OWWA at the time of application and must be earning an annual family gross
income of USD 4,800.00 and below.
The scholar will continue until the completion of
the course regardless of subsequent status of OFW membership provided that the
terms of the scholarship agreement are complied upon.
Deadline for filing of applications will be on July
25, 2017. Application forms are available at the OWWA Regional Welfare Office
Caraga; their School Principal or Guidance Counselor (if available); PESO
Office in the Local Government Units (Municipal and Provincial); and Active OFW
Family Circle/ Organizations (OFCs). Filing and submission will be at the
Regional Office only.
Interested applicants may contact or visit the
regional office for any inquiry regarding the program. OWWA Regional Office is
located at Nimfa Tiu Bldg., II J.P. Rosales Ave., Butuan City. They may also
call the contact numbers (085) 815-1894/342-6178 or hotline numbers 09399259895
for smart and 09173150590 for globe. (JPIM, OWWA-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
Tagalog News: DOST secretary pinangunahan ang
ginawang campus inauguration ng Pisay Caraga
Ni Jennifer P. Gaitano
LUNGSOD NG BUTUAN, Hulyo 10 (PIA) - Kasabay ng
ika-limang taong anibersaryo ng Philippine Science High School (PSHS)
kamakailan, pinasinayaan din ang bagong “Pisay” campus sa barangay Tiniwisan
dito sa lungsod sa pangunguna ni Department of Science and Technology (DOST)
Secretary Fortunato Dela PeΓ±a at Agusan del Norte 1st district representative
Lawrence Fortun.
Sinabi ni Sec. Dela PeΓ±a na ang bagong campus ng
Pisay ay sisimulang gamitin sa pagbubukas ng klase sa Agosto 7, 2017.
Sa kanyang mensahe, ibinunyag ni Dela PeΓ±a na ang
Pisay Caraga ay pang-13 campus na naitatag sa bansa. Ito ay pang-apat sa
Mindanao kung saan ang naunang tatlong PSHS campus sa Mindanao ay nasa
Koronadal, Balo-i, Lanao del Norte at lungsod ng Davao.
Pinasalamatan din ni Dela PeΓ±a ang Caraga State
University (CSU) na siyang nagbigay ng pansamantalang gusali at silid-aralan
para magamit ng mga mag-aaral habang hinihintay matapos ang konstraksyon ng
Pisay caraga campus.
Magkakaroon na din anya ng sariling gymnasium ang
Pisay Caraga bago matapos ang taong 2018. Ma-eenjoy na din umano ng mga 343
scholars ang mga pasilidad na nasa loob ng Pisay campus.
Ayon naman kay Ruwina Gonzaga, ang campus director
ng Pisay Caraga, malapit nang matapos ang buong konstraksyon ng nasabing campus
kabilang na dito ang perimeter fence at iba pang pasilidad. Ang naturang
proyekto ay nagkahahalaga umano ng P308-milyon na pinundohan ng pamahalaan na
itinayo sa loob ng may limang ektaryang lupain.
Samantala, binigyang-diin din ni Cong. Lawrence Fortun
ang kahalagahan ng pagkakaroon ng magandang edukasyon. Hinikayat niya ang mga
mag-aaral ng Pisay Caraga na mas lalung pagbutihin ang kanilang pag-aaral sa
syensya at teknolohiya at maging magaling na scientists sa rehiyon, at nang
matulungang maipalago ang agricultural facilities o technologies na ginagamit
ngayon ng mga farmers.
Personal ding binati ni Butuan City mayor Ronnie
Vicente Lagnada ang lahat ng mag-aaral, guro at magulang na dumalo sa
inugurasyon at sinabing positibo siyang malayo ang mararating ng mga mag-aaral
sa Pisay Caraga at matutulungan din umano ng mga mag-aaral na mapahusay at
mapalago ang eco-tourism ng lungsod gamit ang kanilang madidiskubre at
mabubuong bagong teknolohiya. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
