The eMagazine of Philippine Information Agency 10
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2016
EMB chief presents soln to coal power plant woes
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – After piloting a full monitoring, carbon sequestering system here in the region, Environment Management Bureau Regional Director Sabdullah Abubacar bared new hope in environment protection amidst industrialization during the recent press forum with Philippine Information Agency (PIA).
Challenged to answer woes for issuing permits for coal powered plants, the EMB and STEAG State Power Incorporated (SPI) embarked into a partnership that seeks to address issues on carbon emissions. As STEAG is required to establish continuous emission monitoring system for self-monitoring, the EMB was able to persuade the company to make it available online for EMB’s monitoring purposes. “Before we used the telemetry system in monitoring air quality and it’s a little costly, now we can even see their real time emissions. Dusts for example, the standard is 150 mg/m³ a nationwide, but STEAG is complying more than what is required and they pegged at below 50 mg/m³ since their operation in 2007,” Abubacar said. Meanwhile, to sequester greenhouse gas emissions, the EMB employed the “carbon sink” project or the establishment of mini-forest computed based on carbon per year emissions and its equivalent in hectarage. STEAG piloted the project and was required to plant and maintain at least 1,200 hectares, the 200 hectares natural forest is now maintained at the Mapawa Nature Park. “We piloted it here and if Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will make 100 percent carbon sequestration a policy to all environmental critical projects like cement factories and similar power plants then it is expected
that whole Philippine timberlands that is now denuded, will be covered with trees. DENR’s current forest protection and maintenance program is up to three years, and these as are the gaps that the companies can fill, not only limited to coal but also to all environment critical projects,” Abubacar stressed. Gabino Ramon Mejia Vice President of GNPower, a 540 MW coal power plant that will rise in Lanao del Norte, meanwhile noted on the same forum that there is no perfect energy resource, and that coal fired power plants are actually cheaper when compared to renewable energy resources and this means a lot to consumers. STEAG State Power Inc. Communications Officer Jerome Soldevilla in his message likewise said that power is essential to any development and for progress to happen, adding further that the key is efficiency, and that is to minimize the effects of power generation process at the same time being compliant to the applicable environmental social rules and regulations. “The way forward is to cut back on carbon emissions, half the world’s electricity is supplied by coal, if all will improve on their efficiency rating, then we can perhaps slow down the effect until such time we are able to develop sustainable and commercially viable technology to source our power from renewable resources,” Soldevilla said. (JCV/PIA-10)
SP backs opening of NHS in Brgy Tuburan CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The city council of Cagayan de Oro City has supported the opening of a national high school in Barangay Tuburan. With the intention to open schools in every barangay, the Cagayan de Oro City Council headed by Vice Mayor Raineir Joaquin V. Uy during its regular session adopted a resolution favorably endorsing and interposing no objection to the separation of Tagpangi National High School-Tuburan Annex from its mother school, Tagpangi National High School, to be named as Tuburan National High School. The resolution was endorsed by the committees on education and on laws and rules chaired by Councilors Suzette Magtajas-Daba and Ian Mark Nacaya, respectively, in response to the resolution of the Barangay Council of Tuburan. According to the barangay, in 2003, the barangay approved a resolution requesting the city mayor to open a secondary school in Tuburan.
The following year, the DepEd regional director interposed no objection to the operation of Tuburan National High School subject to some terms and conditions such as the acquisition of a school site. Barangay officials said the city government under the leadership of Mayor Oscar Moreno identified an area for the establishment of the Tuburan National High School. Tagpangi National High School has been existing for 12 years as an annex school, the barangay cited in the resolution. The barangay council also requested the city government to donate a 12,080 square meter lot in Tuburan in favor of Deped to be used as the site of the Tuburan National High School. (SP)
DTI-ARMM holds 1st ARMM franchising expo MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur – The Department of Trade and Industry in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DTI-ARMM) conducted the 1st franchising expo on October 4, at the region’s seat in Cotabato City.
DTI-ARMM Secretary Atty. Anwar Malang said the expo, attended by officials and employees of the different line agencies, academe, and local businessmen, was aimed to provide the participants knowledge on entrepreneurship and business development. The activity featured four speakers who discussed the various aspects of business and franchising opportunities in the region. It also featured talks from experts on trends in the field of franchising. Atty. Malang sees an upward growth of the region’s economy noting that the franchising expo provides an opportunity for business seekers and those who are planning to expand an existing business to gain valuable knowledge, insight, and guidance. Norma Arcega-Oro, DTI-ARMM
senior trade-industry development specialist, discussed ways and techniques on how to start a business. A team from Metrobank, meanwhile, shared inputs on how to fund a business venture and manage capital. Jed Arboleda, Philippine Franchise Association (PFA) consultant, said the potential for the growth of franchising in the ARMM is high. “Franchising is one of the best ways to increase the number of stores because you use other people’s money,” he said. He also discussed ways on how to invest in the right franchise educating the participants in making wise decisions before investing. The general public can join a business matching event today at the ORG Compound in Cotabato City. The activity is a joint effort of the DTIARMM and PFA. (BPI/APB/PIA-10)