The eMagazine of Philippine Information Agency 10
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2016
Regional Organic Trade Fair held
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Eyeing to boost organic farming market and investments in northern Mindanao, the Department of Agriculture (DA) region 10 recently staged the 3rd Regional Organic Trade Fair on November 18-20, 2016 in Cagayan de Oro.
Some 23 exhibitors joined the event showcasing organic products and other value-adding product innovations in the region through exhibits, food tasting, demonstrations, and business matching. DA said one of the highlights of the event is the ‘hydrophonic planting’ technology which the agency is currently undertaking in partnership with Xavier University College of Agriculture, a technique of growing plants in a less soil medium, or on an aquatic-based environment, known for lowering water consumption through recycling. Meanwhile, under the organic
agriculture program production and technology, support have been given in terms of organic seeds, organic fertilizers and other inputs, bio control agents, planting materials and the likes, while composting facilities for vermin and biodegradable wastes are also established. In the recent press conference, DA cited that the region is still faced with the challenge of expanding organic agriculture coverage. As of December last year, the region reflects lowest coverage of areas devoted and converted into organic agriculture. (JCV/PIA-10)
DTI-10 confers Bagwis awards to LanaoNorte, Iligan City upstanding stores ILIGAN CITY – Six business establishments who partnered with government in advancing consumer welfare were conferred Bagwis Awards—four silver and two bronze, all from Iligan City and Lanao del Norte (LDN). The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), region 10, has given the awardees due recognition during the awarding ceremony in Mallberry Suites in Cagayan de Oro in October 2016, each awardee received a plaque showing a wing with stretched feathers depicting readiness to fly in competitive market and provide a higher quality service.
In recognition of business establishments welfare in Iligan City and in Lanao del Norte, DTI handed over the Bagwis Awards to the following six business establishments under the auspices of DTI Lanao del Norte/Iligan City Provincial Office, along with 20 firms from the other cities and municipalities of Region 10.
The silver awardees were Crown Paper & Stationeries Supply, with business on office and school supplies; and S-Bros Grocers Corporation, on general merchandise business. All are from Iligan City. Also, Marnick Minimart in Kapatagan town, LDN, on grocery; and JI & JE General Merchandise in Maranding, Lala, LDN, with business on grocery/general merchandise. While recognized bronze awardees were Jeracines Iligan Ent., Iligan City, with business on hardware/construction supplies; and J+ Hardware & General Merchandise, in Maranding, Lala, LDN, with business on hardware/general merchandise. In celebrating the 10th year anniversary of the Bagwis Program, DTI likewise gave recognition to the first batch of Bagwis Award recipients
in 2006 who are able to sustain and live up to its reputation in upholding fair and honest business practices for the past decade. The awardees are Crown Paper & Stationer Supply, Iligan City (Silver), Iligan Galaxy Xpress Mart, Iligan City (Silver), Emcor, Inc.-Lala, LDN (Silver), Krisland Commercial Corp., Iligan City (Bronze), and Full Line Store, Inc./Trendline Center, Iligan City (Bronze). For a store to qualify for the Bagwis Award, it must comply the following five factors/ criteria: compliance with fair trade laws and imposes reasonable prices; good customer relation; equitable store management; socially committed; and ISO 9001 compliant/aligned. (DTI-LN-CWD/EGR/PIA-10 LDN))
NGCP new 230KV line to strengthen power in Western Mindanao CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The new Baloi-Kauswagan-Aurora 230KV line project of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) is seen to strengthen delivery of power throughout Western Mindanao. Emmanuel D. Abellanosa, head of Mindanao Operations and Maintenance of NGCP said that load in Mindanao is increasing since demand
is also increasing. We have new coal power plants in Misamis Oriental and Lanao del Norte. Specifically, the GN power plant in Lanao del Norte, once
up and running will be connected through this line, he said. Right now, transmission lines are at 138KV built in the 70s. According to Abellanosa, NGCP horizon is five years and above, that is why this 230KV line will meet even the future power requirement of the island. However, NGCP also discussed right of way (ROW) issues of its transmission lines. During NGCP’s project presentation on 17 November in its regional office in Iligan City together with Iligan City based media and CDO Energy Press Corps, Abellanosa said that some of the blackouts are caused by right of way issues such as intentionally planting of trees or houses underneath the transmission lines. In Lanao del Norte, barangays under the municipality of Baloi which have row issues are Ma. Cristina, Nangka, Abaga, Buenavista, Pacalundo, Basagad and Adapon Ali. Meanwhile, for the municipality of Pantar, barangays included are Lower Kalanganan and West Pantar and in Tangkal town, Puuna Kapatagan. In Lanao del Sur, barangays with row issues include in Marawi City, barangays Cormatan, Matampay, Guimba, Mipaga and Rurug and part of Iligan City, barangays Cacar, Ditucalan and Iligan City. Abellanosa said, so far they have done various negotiations and meetings with the claimants and implemented Commission on Elections
(COMELEC) resolution 10067 to make sure no power outage in the last election. One successful payment scheme NGCP implemented was the Kaliwaan Scheme Payment Batch 1. The objective for this scheme payment was to pay the ROW claimants along Baloi-Agus 2 138KV transmission line for the May 9 elections this year. Since Baloi-Agus2 was isolated, after the Kaliwaan payment scheme, this transmission line was energized and synchronized to the Grid on 3 May this year. Since its success, NGCP will hold batch 2 of Kaliwaan scheme payment. However, Abellanosa clarified that this is only a short term answer to this problem. NGCP is hoping and seeking help to push for the lobby of the AntiDisturbance Power Bill which is now in Congress. This law if approved will criminalize acts such as intentionally planting of trees or building houses under transmission lines. This will mean that anyone who will do this act shall be penalized or put in prison. This new 230 KV Line is a first in Mindanao according to Luisito Cruz, Engineer, Mindanao projects Division of NGCP. This will serve as Mindanao backbone once grid from Visayas will be connected to Mindanao. If there is low supply in Mindanao, power from Visayas can be tapped and vice versa. (JMOR/PIA10)