The eMagazine of Philippine Information Agency 10
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2016
Duterte leads inauguration of coal power plant in Villanueva town
VILLANUEVA, Misamis Oriental – President Rodrigo Roa Duterte visited anew Region 10 on September 22, 2016 to lead the unveiling of Inaugural Marker and Ceremonial Switch-on of Misamis Power Plant located at Villanueva town, Misamis Oriental.
MPC, which is under the management of FilInvest Development Corporation, is a 3 x 135 MW or 405 MW Circulating Fluidized Bed Coal Power Plant and is considered the biggest base load power plant in Mindanao. In his speech, President Duterte congratulated owners Gutianon family “for their sheer enterprise not only in the development of the Philippines but sharing the money to help the Philippines raise the standard of living.” “The big ones are really big and they are big because maybe God gave them so much so that also they can help so much of our fellowmen,” he said. The coal power plant to date is already in its full operation and has employed more than 5,000 local employees during its construction and currently managing 200 regular employees. The president also stressed the importance of electricity and how helpful and contributing FDC has been in the Mindanao Grid. “Itong electricity, it was really the carabao. Pag wala kang energy, patay ka. And to me, this would be alleviate [alleviating] including the Zamboanga peninsula, hirap talaga sila doon. Almost every now and then, humingi ng tulong for a re-distribution of the power from the grid (This electricity, it was really the carabao. If you don’t have energy, you die. And to me, this would be alleviating including the Zamboanga peninsula, they are really having difficulties there. Almost every
now and then, they have been asking for help for a re-distribution of the power from the grid),” he shared. Moreover, Duterte stated that he never thought Mindanao will develop so fast, reason that in the few years, it is very much possible that it will tinker and will as well use other energy sources like solar or a better technology but not expensive. FDC President and CEO Josephine Gotianun said that FDC wants to help this administration “by providing power at the most affordable cost and the most reliable way with technology that protects the environment.” This plant envisions of ending the recurring power crisis that Mindanao region experienced for years. FDC MPC Head Juan Eugenio L. Roxas said during an interview that Mindanao is suffering from rotating brown-outs that even reach up to eight hours, especially on summer. “With this power plant, this will augment the supply of Mindanao and hopefully, we no longer experience the rotating brown-out that happens every summer,” he said. All three units are synchronized to the Mindanao Grid. Even at the start of synchronization, FDC MPC has already contributed to the stability of Mindanao Grid. Long term contractual commitments have been secured for more than 85% of the project’s net capacity with various distribution utilities and large industrial customers covering 205 municipalities and barangays in Mindanao.
Roxas also tackled that the power plant has passed the clean air standards. “Obviously, there are environmental concerns but at this point we don’t have a choice. This coal plant has passed, if not, surpassed the standard not only the clean air act of the country but also World Bank standards,” he said.
The FDC MPC head said that this is because power plant is brand new; all three units are running and are fully operational. Further, the company is expecting a very high demand in the coming years and has plans of expansion, as during this administration of President Duterte, businessmen and investors are coming in Mindanao. (IJBD/PIA10)
Discounted products on sale in Mambajao MAMBAJAO, Camiguin – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Camiguin Provincial Office extended a “Diskwento Caravan” (carnival discount caravan) early this month at the Mambajao Food Terminal, more known to locals as the “bagsakan center.” The caravan offered various basic products marked down by as much as 2% to 10%, regularly initiated by the DTI. Products sold include fresh vegetables, dairy products, canned goods, hotdog, fruit preserves, juices, chips and pastries, laundry soap, bath items, toiletries, honey based products, bottled water and many other prime goods. This time, it was participated by various distributors of companies such as San Miguel Foods, Purefoods, Coca Cola, Magnolia, Virginia Foods, Mega Foods, Kopiko, Johnson & Johnson, Knor Products, Surf and Nestle Phils.
DTI has been conducting Diskwento Caravans for many years now across the country and this is the 5th time for the province of Camiguin. It aims to give consumers opportunity to enjoy their basic right which is access to basic and prime commodities at affordable prices. (Zita Maestrado-Abellare with reports from Varry Labial, DTI-Camiguin/ PIACam i-Net)
Dads look into security concerns in schools CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – City Solon discussed measures to ensure safety in schools. During the 11th regular session of the 18th City Council headed by City Vice Mayor Raineir Joaquin V. Uy, Councilor Suzette M. Daba, chairman of the committee on education reported on what transpired during the meeting last week in relation to the tragic stabbing incident at the PN Roa National High School in Barangay Canitoan,
hidden inside. A day after the meeting, the committee went to PNRNHS and attended the General Parents-Teachers Association (GPTA) meeting, she said. Councilor Daba said she is grateful for the quick response of the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (COCPO) in providing a
this city. She said invited during the meeting were the principal and assistant principal of PN Roa NHS, representatives from DepEd and COCPO, barangay chairman of Canitoan, among others. According to councilor Daba, one of the matters discussed was the need for police visibility. She reported that some teachers are hesitant to report to their classes because they have been receiving outside information that there is a long list of teachers who are going be the next victim. “Though not yet verified, we cannot just wait and see if it’s true or not so we have decided that a police officer should be assigned at the school in order to neutralize the tension within the premises as well as to secure the safety of the teachers and students,” she stressed. Councilor Daba said they have also agreed that a waiver must be signed by the parents allowing the security personnel to check the school bags of students to make sure that there are no deadly weapons
police officer-on-duty and also for the effort of the barangay chairman by deploying some of his tanods (barangay police officers), all for the purpose of securing the area. She reported that the parents have no objection on the waiver and consequently approved and signed each of their copies. In reaction to this, Councilor George S. Goking suggested that the school’s PTA create their safety and security committee while Councilor Eric D. Salcedo said that the Barangay Council Protection for Children (BCPC) must be re-activated. For his part, Councilor Teodulfo E. Lao, Jr. expressed his observation that police authorities and security personnel should be proactive by conducting a day-to-day visit of school premises to avoid tragic and unfortunate incidents like this in the future. All the remarks and suggestions were noted and referred by Vice Mayor Uy to the committees on education, barangay affairs, and police, fire and public safety chaired by Councilors Daba, Yan Lam Lim and Romeo V. Calizo, respectively. (JAO)