DOE: 3 quake-hit power facilities still up for repair

TACLOBAN CITY, Aug. 18  -- The Department of Energy (DOE) reported that three more power plants damaged by the July 6, 2017 earthquake are still up for restoration for another month.

DOE Visayas field office Director Antonio Labios said that as of August 11   facilities under repair are the 186-megawatt (MW) Mahanagdong Units of Unified Leyte Geothermal Plants, 40-MW capacity from Unit 1 of Tongonan Power Plant, and the 400-MW High Voltage Direct Current cable facilities linking Luzon and Visayas grids.

“The transfer of power between Luzon to Visayas is still not possible at the moment. The NGCP (National Grid Corporation of the Philippines) are still on the process  of procuring  spare parts from abroad,” Labios said.

The ongoing restoration is the cause of rotational brownout in Eastern Visayas region, the official said. The target is to fully complete the repair within September.

The DOE is continuously monitoring the power situation within the Visayas grid to ensure that the remaining damaged facilities will be restored as soon as possible.

Labios presented before members of the Regional Development Council on the real power situation in Leyte and Samar provinces during a meeting here on Friday.

The official clarified that contrary to previous press releases, power supply is not yet fully back in quake-hit provinces in Eastern Visayas. (SQM/with reports by Madelene B. Perez, OJT/PNA) 

Samar officials to join ruling party

TACLOBAN CITY, Aug. 17 -- Majority of local officials in Samar province will join the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) party of President Rodrigo Duterte, Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan confirmed on Thursday.

At least 19 out of 24 mayors and all provincial board members in Samar province will move to PDP-Laban. They will take their oath as new party members next week.

Tan said she and her mother, Samar 2nd District Rep. Milagrosa Tan  have earlier joined the ruling party. To be sworn in also is her brother, Vice Governor Stephen James Tan. 

The governor and the congresswoman ran in the 2016 elections under the Nationalist People’s Coalition.

“President Duterte is very supportive to the province and there is no reason for us to go against him,” Tan told reporters.

Not only the Chief Executive but also cabinet members have been extending support to the local development programs, she said. 

Once officially sworn in as PDP-Laban members, the Tan family of Samar will be the third political clan in Eastern Visayas to join the PDP-Laban.

The Mercado clan of Southern Leyte and all 19 mayors in the province were also sworn in as new ruling party members.

They were followed by Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico Petilla and his brother, former Energy secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla, a senatorial bet under the Liberal Party in the 2016 elections.

Leyte 5^th District Rep. Jose Carlos Cari, cousin of the Petillas,  also joined the administration party. Her mother, Baybay City Mayor Carmen Cari said she would also move to PDP-Laban.

Last week, the Espina family of Biliran and all eight mayors of the province joined the administration party. (RTA/LAAA/PNA)

East Visayas peace council seeks P12-B fund vs insurgency

TACLOBAN CITY, Aug. 17 --The Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) in Eastern Visayas has proposed for the allocation of PHP12 billion “peace fund” from the national government for rebel-infested areas in the region.

“If we have a common fund, it will be easier for us to access the budget because it takes time if the funding requirement is delegated to national government agencies because of prioritization,” said Samar Governor and RPOC chairperson Sharee Ann Tan on Thursday. 

The official, however, clarified that she has nothing against national government agencies controlling the budget and implementing projects because they could easily work with the local government unit.

“The only problem is, it takes some time before the project is implemented by the agency and it takes away the sense of urgency,” Tan added.

She said the “peace fund” would be used to finance projects identified by locals.

The funding can be allocated by tranche every year, according to her.

Under the proposal, the budget will not only focus on funding infrastructure projects, but also include livelihood support to make the program more integrated.

The Philippine Army has tagged 32 towns and one city in Eastern Visayas as priority in their anti-insurgency drive, citing recent reports of attacks and fortification activities of armed rebels.

These areas are San Isidro, Victoria, Bobon, Catarman, Lope de Vega, Las Navas, Silvino Lobos, Laoang, Palapag, and Lapinig in Northern Samar; Matuguinao, San Jorge, San Jose de Buan, Jiabong, Motiong, Hinabangan, Calbiga, Pinabacdao, Basey, and Marabut in Samar.

Also listed are Arteche, Oras, Dolores, Can-avid, Balangiga, and Giporlos in Eastern Samar; Carigara, Jaro, Albuera, Burauen, Mahaplag, Baybay City, and Hilongos in Leyte.

Insurgency remains a top concern, especially in areas inaccessible or isolated making residents vulnerable to influence of rebellion.

Among the reasons why insurgency thrives in remote villages are land reform issues, lack of economic activities, and poor road network. (RTA/PNA)

Region 8 bizmen urged to invest in coconut

PALO, Leyte, Aug. 17  --The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) on Thursday urged businessmen in Eastern Visayas to take advantage of growing demand for coconut products.

Speakingduring the 7^th Eastern Visayas Regional Business Conference at the Oriental Hotel here, PCCI President George Barcelon said investing in coconut development in the region is worthwhile.

“There's a lot of opportunity in agriculture. One of this is coconut, the primary agricultural product of Eastern Visayas. The market for coconut is expected to grow 25 percent every year in the future,” said Barcelon.

He encouraged chamber members to contribute to the full recovery of the industry in the region after super typhoon "Yolanda" heavily destroyed coconut trees when it struck in 2013.

The growth demand is buoyed by investments of giant firms such as Coca Cola, Pepsi-Co, and Vita Coco in selling of coconut drinks, according to the official. 

Coconut water is a clear liquid in the fruit’s centern which contains calcium, magnesium and potassium. It is an increasingly popular drink in the US and even in Philippines, said Barcelon.

Eastern Visayas, with an annual average yield of one billion nuts, reported 33.82 million trees damaged by the 2013 disaster, almost half of the previously 72.75 million thriving coconut trees.

The Philippine Coconut Authority said massive replanting is ongoing to ensure full production recovery in the region.

The holding of business conference is a proof of recovery from the Yolanda’s devastation, according to Wilson Uy, PCCI Leyte-Tacloban chapter president.

“Despite the destruction, we rose up and fought back with the help of local as well as international organizations. It is evident in the growth we have generated in agriculture, tourism, infrastructure, information technology and other sectors,” Uy told the participants.

The gathering aims to promote the region as a business destination and highlight its investment potentials. (SQM/with reports from Reynadel F. Costillas &  Patricia P. Salvo, OJTs/PNA)

Hybrid cars to help fight drugs, terrorism in Eastern Visayas

PALO, Leyte, Aug. 16 -- The Philippine National Police (PNP) is eyeing a more effective drive against illegal drugs and terrorism with the Japanese donation of 45 hybrid patrol cars in Eastern Visayas.

Police Director Jose Ma Victor Ramos, chief of PNP logistics, said the donation from the Japanese government was very timely as it would augment mobility assets of the police regional office here.

“This will be used to serve the people. This will capacitate policemen to win the fight against illegal drugs and terrorism. Government will save a lot with the fuel cost,” Ramos said.

Takuei Nakayama, first secretary of Japan Embassy in Manila said the donation further strengthened diplomatic ties between Philippines and Japan.

“We saw the extent of damage caused by super typhoon 'Yolanda' in this region same as the destruction wrought by tsunami in Japan. These cars will be used not just against criminality, but also during emergency situations,” Takuei said.

“The Japanese government sincerely hopes that these patrol cars will have a great help in the region.”  

The 45 cars comprise the second batch of Toyota hybrid cars donated by Japan to the country. Last February 18, the foreign government distributed 32 units to national government agencies in the National Capital Region and Eastern Visayas.

Still up for distribution are 11 hybrid meant for central offices of government agencies in Manila.

Of the 45 units, 20 are for Leyte police provincial office; eight for Eastern Samar; eight for regional office; three for Tacloban City; two for Ormoc City; and one each for Samar, Biliran, Northern Samar, and the police regional public safety battalion.

Department of Energy (DOE) Undersecretary Benito Ranque said the donation is part of the promotion of hybrid cars to attain sustainable energy consumption.

“The Philippine government has increasingly recognized that technology and innovation are the key components for the socio-economic developments and resiliency,” Ranque said.

PNP Eastern Visayas Regional Director Chief Supt. Elmer Beltejar thanked the DOE for prioritizing the police regional office here. The new vehicles are meant to replace police cars damaged by "Yolanda" in 2013.

“For the entrusted officers, I want all provincial chiefs, city head and directors to be responsible of proper maintenance of this patrol cars,” Beltejar said.

The Japanese government and the energy department provide maintenance fund of PHP200 per year for five years.

The hybrid cars are powered using electricity and fuel.

The Japanese government provided to the Philippine government 500-million-yen (about PHP250 million) grant for the procurement and delivery of the hybrid vehicles under the Japan Non-Project Grant Aid. (SQM/with reports by Patricia P. Salvo, Reynadel F. Costillas, OJTs/PNA)