By Jac Macatimbol Iligan City - IndoPhil Asia Equities, Inc. is a corporation aimed to build Euro-Hydropower plant in Limunsudan, Rogongon this city, whose representative appeared before the session at the Sangguniang Panglunsod (SP) of the local government unit (LGU) of Iligan City on July 13, 2016. The said company is a registered developer and operator of run-of-the-river type Hydro Power Plants have projects scattered all over Mindanao, armed with 25 years of collective experience. Euro-Hydro envisions to modernize the rural areas by providing safe, cheap and sustainable source of electricity. The proposed Euro-Hydro projects will surely help address the power shortage of the island-region. In its four (4) years of operation as a power generation corporation, it has already evaluated nine (9) Detailed Feasibility Studies (DFS) and Detailed Engineering Design (DED) which include 2.4 megawatts (MW) New Bataan Mini Hydro Electric Power Plant (MHEP), 4.0 MW Ruparan Mini Hydro Electric Power Plant, 0.6 MW Marbel Mini Hydro Electric Power Plant, 4.73 MW Sawaga Mini Hydro Electric Power Plant, 17.80 MW Bayug Large Hydro Electric Power Plant, 9.0 MW Lake Sebu Mini Hydro Electric Power Plant, 2.8 MW Alamada Mini Hydro Electric Power Plant, 3.6 MW Titunod Mini Hydro Electric Power Plant and 5.7 MW Polandoc Mini Hydro Electric Power Plant. These HEP’s are set for construction starting this year. “ Accordingly, the communities will benefit from the project; it will open 500 opportunities for the community people. 70% of the employees will come from the community, 10% employees from existing Electric Hydropower plant (EHPP) and 20% will be professionals for the technical operation. The company has already signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Indigenous Peoples and Datu Lantong Abungan, the Tribal chieftain in Limunsudan. Certain percentage of the gross income will be given to the Local government unit (LGU) and Community. The company also promised to provide livelihood programs, scholarship programs and other development activities as part of the corporate social responsibility (CSR). They are also willing to provide facilities to improve the Limunsudan falls to boost tourist attraction. Iligan City Councilor Atty Demy Plando said that the euro-hydropower plant will produce 17-20 megawatts (MW). The Local government of Iligan City have no investment to be poured in, it’s purely coming from the investors. Plando said that there are 3 mini hydropower plants to be constructed in Bayug river complex in Rogongon. The main hydropower plant will be constructed in Bayug proper in Limunsudan falls, the other plants will be constructed in upper Bayug and lower Bayug rivers respectively. Plando said that the project will also include the development of the tourism industry of Limunsudan falls. He said that all the development projects to be implemented in Rogongon is consistent with Indigenous peoples Rights Act (IPRA) subject to the compliance of the First prior inform consent (FPIC). Councilor Plando is the Chairman of the Committee on Trade, commerce and industry; Committee on laws; and member of the committee on environment of the SP of iligan City. The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) on its meeting with the Mindanao Power Monitoring Council (MPMC) in Davao City on February last year allegedly mentioned that there were 230 applications on investments on renewable energy to be processed this year that will potentially generate a total power capacity to at least 2000 MW. According to the Mindanao Power Monitoring Council (MPMC), the Mindanao power requirement is 1400 MW but the total power generating capacity in Mindanao have at least 1900 MW. That’s why MPMC reported that there is at least 400 MW power surplus if all the power generating plants will operate normally. Environmentalist Senator Migz Zubiri, during the 57thAraw ng Lanao del Norte celebration on July 4, 2016 as the invited Guest speaker, said that they constructed 10.5 MW of solar power in Bukidnon but it will generate power only up to 4:00 O’clock in the afternoon. He said that it needs base load to supplement energy for the rest of the night. Zubiri said that the Agus-Pulangui hydropower complex shall be rehabilitated in two options through privatization or the government will put in budget for maintenance to operate in full capacity. The people in Mindanao in few years back opposed the privatization of the Agus-pulangui hrypower plants which have total generating power capacity to at least 600 to 800 MW but its operational efficiency is only way below 50 percent. Senator Zubiri said that Mindanao will need reserve power to at least 1000 MW in preparation for Mindanao development in the next 10 years. Iligan City was dubbed as the City of waterfalls, the Indophil euro-hydro power company is also willing to work with Iligan City LGU to establish potable water for Limunsudan and other neighboring Barangays. City Councilor Datu Rolando So-ong, the mandatory representative of the Higaonon tribe to the City council, said he is optimistic that the project will really help the communities thinking of the opportunity it will provide not only jobs and affordable electricity but development in general, and will make life easier for the people. So-ong also nominated Councilor Samuel Huertas and the Committee on Environment to author the resolution. Councilor Ryan Ong suggested to conduct a public hearing concerning the impact of the project to the environment. The First and Second public hearing will be conducted in Limunsudan, Rogongon, the third public hearing will be held at SP Session Hall. The company has not yet been issued with the Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). Accordingly they applied the ECC on 2014 but DENR was too busy to visit and assess the area. The first Public Hearing for the Euro-Hydro Power Plant was conducted on July 16, 2016. The SP invited the public who are interested to attend the public hearing may come with their own vehicle and bring their own meals.With reports & photo by Jun Enriquez
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By Jun Enriquez Tubod, Lanao del Norte - Power supply in Mindanao is always a problem. This was the perception of Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri during his visit in Tubod, Lanao del as the invited Guest Speaker of the 57th Araw ng Lanao del Norte celebration on July 4, 2016. It is an indication of a continuing development scaling up that makes power shortage in Mindanao in the next few years. Senator Zubiri, a native of Bukidnon acclaimed to be an environmentalist said that renewable energy will answer the needs of the energy in the country. He said they constructed solar power of 10.5 megawatts (MW) in Bukidnon and will generate power only until 4:00 Oclock in the afternoon. He said “we cannot afford to have brown outs in the next 12 hours during the rest of the evening”. He said there must be a base load to fill the power gap, Hydropower plant also encountered problem on maintenance citing the Pulangui IV hydropower plant in Bukidnon did not operate in full capacity due to the siltation of soil in the lake coming from the mountains. The generation capacity in Pulangui IV plant reduced from 220 MW to 110 MW. He said the Pulangui lake had become less water and reduced into a river. The silted portion was cultivated into a farm. Zubiri said there is a need to rehabilitate the Agus-Pulangui hydropower plants to go back to its full capacity with two options, it might be privatized or the government may put in some money for the rehabilitation but majority of the people of Mindanao opposed privatization. He said whoever controls the Agus-Pulangui hydropower plant should make sure that the prices of the power shall be maintained otherwise the people in Mindanao will suffer. He projected that there is a need to have reserve energy for Mindanao in preparation for economic development. Zubiri said Luzon has reserve power of about 1,500 MW and Mindanao may need about 1000 MW reserve power in the next 10 years. Zubiri said if there is enough reserve power in Mindanao businesses will be moving in. he said budget allocation for Mindanao will be prioritized and the Mindanao Railway system should be realized to sustain economic development. Mindanao in the past received 19-20 percent of the national budget in terms of infrastructure but he is confident that this will be reversed because Mindanao contributed high share of income in the national coffers in terms of Gross domestic product (GDP). The Government will develop the areas that has not been develop, pro-poor programs will be implemented to uplift the lives of the poor Mindanawans from poverty, prevent criminality and lawlessness with the armed group and this will make less people go to the mountains to fight against the government if more people will have better education. It is also an opportunity of other regions in the country experienced the same situation. Zubiri said in order for our government sustain its development, it should implement the Freedom of Information Bill (FOI) for transparency in all of government transactions. Zubiri said he was the author of FOI Bill in the Senate and they ratified it during his stint, but was not successfully done in the lower house. He is hoping that President Duterte will make to issue executive order to quickly implement the FOI in the executive department to protect the interest of the people from corruption in the government that hinders development. The provincial government of Lanao del Norte headed by Governor Imelda Angging Dimaporo expressed her heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Senator Zubiri for gracing the occasion of the 57th Araw ng Lanao del Norte celebrations. Dimaporo also extended her thanks to the people of Lanao del Norte represented by the Mayors from the 20 municipalities in joining the celebration. By Jun Enriquez Iligan City – it’s an opportunity for the local inventors and innovators to keep open of their technical knowledge to be an entries to the Mindanao Startup Challenge 2016 at the Center of Innovation & Technopreneurship (CIT) at Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) this city. The CIT started of accepting entries since June 6, 2016 and will accept applications until August 20, 2016. The first round of judging will be on August 24 and on August 30 will be the announcement of top 30 teams. On September 3 will be the second round of judging, then the announcement of the top 15 teams will be on September 8. On September 15-17 will be the 3-day boot camp and on September 23, 2016 will be the start of incubation program for the top 5 teams. The CIT is the first business incubator in Mindanao funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) that aims to create a progressive entrepreneurial ecosystem through various community building activities and technology-based business support services to enable budding entrepreneurs in the region to fulfill their startup dreams. They offer incubation program that includes business mentoring and trainings, infrastructures and linkages to potential partners, mentors and inventors. The objective of the program is to provide a nurturing environment for technology-based and social enterprises in the early stages of their development specifically aim to develop the entrepreneurial and innovative culture at Mindanao with a dynamic and collaborative environment. The project is very first Mindanao startup challenge that aims to help budding technology entrepreneurs transform their ideas into successful businesses. This year’s roadshow includes Butuan, Agusan, Surigao, pagadian, Dipolog, General Santos City, Cotabato, Misamis Oriental, marawi, Tawi-tawi and Ozamiz City. The roadshow will have 3-5 - hour event which aims to bring together different technical startup enthusiasts, aspiring entrepreneurs, researchers, inventors and spread the word about startups and technopreneurships through the ideation and design thinking workshops. Dr. Jinky B. Bornales, Vice Chancellor for research and extension, and the project leader reminded that in the application phase, there must have a minimum of 2 persons and a maximum of 5 members per entry. At least 1 member must have technical expertise relevant to the proposed product or service. The group can submit more than 1 entry. Students, faculties, alumni, industry practitioners are welcome to join. Family members within the second degree of CIT at MSU-IIT and any person, directly or indirectly, involved in the running of the program are not allowed to apply. All entries must have been received by the CIT on or before August 20, 2016, 11:59 PM. Beyond the deadline no more entries will be accepted. All applicants must completely fill out and submit the application form available at www.msuiit.edu.ph/offices/cit. Dr. Sukarno Tanggol, Chancellor, MSU-IIT said that they started to develop technical research for the project for many years and provide equipment especially computers, build infrastructure to house the required facilities intended for the Mindanao startup challenge 2016. Dr. Tanggol said that he is hoping for the success of the project to provide opportunity to the creative individuals. By Jun Enriquez Manila (Published at "TINGOG BALITA MINDANAW", July 8, 2016) - In the inaugural speech of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on June 30, 2016 at Malacanang Palace, Manila, after taking his oath administered by Justice Beinvenido Reyes, Duterte said he will listen to the voice of the people and supply their needs. He said that our country was bedeviled by corruption, criminality and rampant sale of illegal drugs and breakdown of law and order. A social disease denuded the fiber of Philippine society must stop by all means the laws allows. The erosion of trust and faith in the Judiciary. There are people do not approve my method of fighting illegal drugs but illegal drugs destroys individuals. Duterte appealed “Allow us to level up the governance consistent to our mandate”. Duterte said he knows the limits of the power of the President and knew what is legal and what is not. He said the rule of law is uncompromising. He addressed to the Legislative and Judiciary, and said you mind your work and I will mind mine. “Malasakit sa tunay na pagbabago”, means sincerity on meaningful change. “Tinud-anay nga kabag-ohan mao kini ang tumong sa atong goberno”, meaning genuine change is the goal of our governance. People are hungry of meaningful change. Change will start in us, love of country, help the helpless and work towards a better Philippines that needs shoulder - to - shoulder of the people. It is not to add more to those who have much but provide to those who have little. Work for the poor but not to discourage the rich. Duterte ordered all departments to reduce the processing time of all applications and refrain from changing and bending of the approved contracts during the period of project implementation. His administration will Advocates transparency and abhor secrecy. He will honor international treaties and agreements. The Call for peace to continue the talks with the MILF and MNLF is one of his priority programs. Duterte said he was elected as President to serve the people not to serve anyone but everyone, no friends to serve and no enemies to harm. He urged everyone to embark for a better tomorrow. He said he was in Malacanang because he loves the country and people, and starts to work for the nation.
In another development, in the morning of July 1, 2016, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa sworn to office at Camp Crame, Manila. Dela Rosa said of his being a PNP chief is a destiny like President Duterte. He said words are not enough and expressed his endless and unquestionable loyalty. Dela Rosa said that they were together with President Duterte in past years as mayor in Davao City in fighting criminalities and became victorious of what is Davao City now. He said to President Duterte “dili gyod ko magpaulaw kanimo Sir” I will not make myself shameful to you Sir. Dela Rosa said to the PNP ranks, “starting today I am your father”. He said if you are with me then we will fight together, if you are not with me then you are finish! He ordered PNP officials link in drugs to surrender within 48 hours or you may go to full time drug lords or otherwise your birthday will transfer to November 2. The issue is no longer “kung magkano ang nakolekta sa kotong kundi kung magkano ang nabentang droga”. Our mission is the ending the ills of the society. He urged the people to pray for them to succeed their mission “at upang hindi maabuso ang karapatang pantao”, means not to abuse the Human Rights. In the afternoon of July 1, 2016, Lt. Gen. Ricardo Visaya was installed as the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) at camp Aguinaldo. Visaya promised the AFP under his watch will push a final step to fight against internal security threats within the mandate of the President’s thrust to refocus their mission on internal conflicts especially in fighting the Abu Sayyaf Group in Basilan and Jolo. Visaya said in his acceptance speech “we will focus our military operations against the Abu Sayyaf Group including their terrorist cells and their allies”. Visaya said that the military will concentrate their target on the locations and sanctuaries of the Abu Sayyaf to finish them out. PNP Chief Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, during his acceptance speech as PNP Chief on July 1, 2016 and gave 48 hours to Police Generals linked to illegal drug syndicate to surrender but nothing happened. During the Philippine Air Force Anniversary on July 5, 2016, President Duterte named the five generals linked to the illegal drug syndicate in the country, they are Gen. Marcelo Garbo, Gen. Vicente Loot, Gen. Bernardo Diaz, Gen. Joel Pagdilao and Gen. Edgardo Tinio. However, they were given their rights to answer accusations . In some areas locally, there were 160 individuals surrendered to police in Iligan City linked to drugs, at least 150 persons surrendered in Linamon, Lanao del Norte, there were 116 persons surrendered in Basilan and at least 150 persons surrendered in Valencia, Bukidnon. These numobers is expected to increase because there are some feelers received from the PNP in different parts of the country that there are individuals expressed themselves to surrender. After AFP Chief Ricardo Visaya sworn in as AFP Chief, information gathered from the Civil Military Officer (CMO) of a certain Captain Reyes of 35th Infantry Battalion , Philippine Army, said that military offensive against Abu sayyaf group (ASG) started in July 6, 2016 at Maligay, Paticul, Jolo Sulu, There were 20 ASG members engaged in armed encounter with the military resulted to the killing of one ASG member and others have survived and fled to nowhere. On July 7, 2016, a military offensive against ASG in Tipo-tipo Basilan was going on. An estimated 100 ASG members engaged in a firefight against the military and it goes heavy exchanging of continues firing. The military used two attack helicopters and two plane bombers from the Philippine Air Force (PAF) and bombed the targets to the ASG locations and followed by the artillery canons from the 18th Infantry battalion fired continuous shelling to the ASG targets. The ASG attempted to occupy the Town hall of Tipo-tipo and to raise the ISIS flag. The police force in Basilan headed by Police Sr. Supt Oscar Nantes covered and protected the town hall of Tipo-tipo not to be occupied by the ASG. Information gathered from Provincial Social welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) recorded the results of the heavy fighting by the government forces against the terrorist ASG and was able to displaced 1,312 families with number of dependents accounted at 7,078. There were 3 municipalities affected of the conflict to include Albarka, Tipo-tipo and Ungkaya Pukan. There were 8 Barangays affected of the continuous fighting, the Barangays of Migcawa, Bohepiang, Sitio Layohan, Bguindan, Silangkim, Tipo-tipo proper, Sungkayot, Bohesuyaki. There are evacuation centers that can be found in Tipo-tipo Barangays of Cabangal, Manunggul, Kailih, Sitio Subah, Amaloy, Camalig, Sitio Punubato, Materling. The immediate needs for the evacuees are food items with estimated amount needed is 365,000 pesos for the initial relief to be sourced out from the funds of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM). On July 10, 2016 reports received from the military that there were 9 ASG members killed and 1 casualty from the military. Sporadic armed encounter of the military forces against the ASG still going on. On July 14, 2016 at 8:00 O’clock in the morning, there were three personnel of the Field Artillery Battalion attached to the Marine Battalion Landing Team-10 were shot to death by unidentified gunmen believed to be members of the ASG in Indanan, Sulu. Reports from ground units disclosed the three soldiers were procuring provisions in Barangay Manilop, Indanan when they were waylaid and shot by the suspects. The bodies of the victims were recovered and immediately transported by troops to Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista. Their names are still withheld pending notification from victims’ relatives. With reports from Mike Navarro of Basilan, Mel Velez of Bukidnon & via PTV4 satellite monitor (updated July 15, 2016). By ICRC News Bureau The combined efforts of the ICRC, the PRC Marawi Chapter, the local government unit, and other nongovernment organizations made possible the distribution of emergency food rations, essential household items, and hygiene kits to more than 2,300 conflict-affected families, most of them displaced since February from six barangays in Lanao del Sur. CC BY-NC-ND / ICRC / A.G. Marohom Manila (ICRC) – The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) expresses its concern for thousands of people from Butig, Lanao del Sur, who remain displaced following clashes between government forces and an armed group in late May to early June.
“Thousands of civilians in Butig were forced to flee their homes in February, when the first clashes began. Some were able to return in April, and just when they started planting a new crop, they were forced to flee their homes again in May, when hostilities resumed,” said Dominic Earnshaw, head of the ICRC office in Cotabato. “Now many of the displaced are living with relatives and depend heavily on their kin and the authorities, as they are still too afraid to go back home. Civilian houses were also destroyed in the fighting. We ask all sides in the conflict to exercise utmost precaution to protect civilians and their property,” he added. Between June 8 and July 2, the ICRC, together with the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), provided food and household items to around 12,500 people displaced from Butig. The distributions took place in Butig and neighboring Lumbayanague municipalities as well as in Marawi City. The ICRC-PRC assistance augmented the aid provided by the government and helped families meet their basic needs. Each displaced family received 25 kilograms of rice, 12 tins of sardines, 2 liters of cooking oil, 2 liters of soy sauce, 2 kilograms of sugar, 500 grams of salt, and essential household items including two blankets, two mosquito nets, one sleeping mat, and one hygiene kit. Prior to its relief operation in Butig, the ICRC conducted its own assessments and coordinated closely with community leaders, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and nongovernment organizations. The ICRC is a neutral, impartial, and independent humanitarian organization whose mandate is to protect and assist people affected by armed conflict and other situations of violence. It has had an established presence in the Philippines for more than 70 years and a permanent presence in Mindanao since 1982. |
AuthorA news blog started by CSO-FP Managing Director, Mr. Jun Enriquez to keep the people of Lanao, Mindanao and the Philippines updated on current local issues especially the peace and order situation in conflict affected areas. Archives
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