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<center>[[Catanduanes Province, Philippines|<font size=4>'''Province of Catanduanes'''</font>]] - [[Catanduanes Archived News|<font size=4 color=green>'''Archived News'''</font>]]</center>
<center>[[Catanduanes Province, Philippines|<font size=4>'''Province of Catanduanes'''</font>]] - [[Catanduanes Archived News|<font size=4 color=green>'''Archived News'''</font>]]</center>
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==Rep. Sarmiento allocates P1.5M for TESDA Scholarship==
==Catanduanes to host 9th Regional OSY Encampment==
*Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r05&id=53252
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R05&article=841336486212
*By: Edna A Bagadiong
*By: Edna A. Bagadiong
*''September 08, 2011''
*''Friday, May 11, 2012''


VIRAC, Catanduanes- Congressman Cesar V. Sarmiento of the lone district of Catanduanes announced last week an additional P1.5 million allocation for scholarships in technical and vocational courses for the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
BATO, Catanduanes- The Bato Central Elementary School in Bato East District, Catanduanes will host the 9th Regional Alternative Learning System (ALS) Out-of-School Youth (OSY) Summer Encampment 2012 of the Department of Education (DepEd) from May 21 to 25.


The allocation is for scholarship slots at the newly-started training centers in Viga and Pandan, while some will be given to the TESDA-operated Cabugao School of Handicraft and Cottage Industries in Bato.
The event with the theme, “Kung ALS Learner Ka, Naiiba Ka," will be participated by 13 divisions from Bicol region.


According to Sarmiento, the additional funding will make the scholarship program more proportionate and balance with those from the northern towns requiring less expense in studying closer to their home.
According to Mayor Rodriguez, the hosting of the said camp is part of the preparation on being a Hall of Famer of their town in the National Literacy Awards.


He likewise urged scholars to be diligent and creative in learning and using their skills in preparation for the job opportunities that will come their way from considerable number of vital infrastructure projects set to be implemented in Catanduanes.
The activity aims to: (a) equip OSYs with life skills (LS) and lifelong learning (LLL) necessary to become effective, efficient, and responsive citizens; (b) inculcate in the minds of OSYs spiritual and moral values; (c) strengthen self-reliant, dynamic, and creative future leaders to become effective catalysts/agents of change; and (d) acquaint the OSYs on ALS programs and projects.


Of the P1 million charged to Sarmiento's Priority Development Fund (PDAF) and the P1.5 million released from he Private Education Student Fund Assistance which is allocated to congressional districts nationwide, a total of 349 scholarships slots have been opened for Catanduanes Youths.
Participants in the activity are ALL OSYs enrolled in ALS learning programs.


The scholarship slots are divided in the following courses: Massage Therapy (37), Bartending (54), Computer Hardware Servicing (70), Commercial Cooking (70), Food and Beverage Services (30), Housekeeping (52) and Front Office Services (36).  
There will be a registration fee of P550 per participant for training materials and food for resource speakers. Around 500 are expected to participate in the camp.


==5 cops wounded in NPA attack in Catanduanes==
==Virac to hold Chess fest==
*Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/09/03/11/5-cops-wounded-npa-attack-cantaduanes
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R05&article=841336542214
*By: Dexter Ganibe
*By: Edna A. Bagadiong
*''September 03, 2011''
*''Wednesday, May 09, 2012''


Five policemen were wounded in an ambush by suspected members of the New People’s Army on Saturday in Catanduanes province.
VIRAC, Catanduanes- Virac is spearheading a chess tournament from May 26-27 to be held at Virac ABC Hall.


Radio dzMM reported that the five police officers sustained bullet wounds on their arms and legs. They are all out of danger.
The activity aims to develop and promote sports awareness of the participants especially the youth. It intends to bring out youth excellence in sports as a way to divert their attention from unconstructive and harmful activities that could ruin their lives and future.


Among those wounded is the deputy chief of police of Caramoran Police Station, Inspector Rene Bea.
The tournament offers P5,000 for the first placer in the open category, with the age 16-under champion and age 12-under champion to earn P2,500 and P2,000, respectively. A Eureka chess set will also be given to champions in the three categories.


Bea and his men were on board a patrol car transporting a shooting victim when they were attacked by an unknown number of rebels along Barangay Mabini.
According to tournament coordinator Bonifacio Molina, those who are interested must bring a valid ID or photocopy of birth certificate. A registration fee of P200 for the open category and P100 for the age categories will be required per participant.


The policemen said some of the suspects were possibly wounded in the incident.  
Deadline for the registration of enthusiasts is on May 25.


==Refund of reconnection fee from Virac water service provider sought==
==6-hr brownouts plague Catanduanes==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r05&id=52115
*Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/189165/6-hr-brownouts-plague-catanduanes
*By: Edna A. Bagadiong
*By: Fernan Gianan
*''September 02, 2011''
*''Monday, May 07, 2012''


VIRAC, Catanduanes- The United Katandungan Against Graft and Corruption (UKAG) urged the Virac Water District (VIWAD) to cease and desist from imposing the P600 reconnection fee and to refund customers who have been charged the fee.
VIRAC, Catanduanes–Just three days after President Benigno Aquino III led the ceremonial switch-on of the much-touted mini-hydroelectric plants of Sunwest Water and Electric Co. here, the entire Catanduanes grid began experiencing six-hour brownouts beginning Saturday when a bunker-fuel generating set conked out and the three hydro power plants on stream failed to deliver due to low water levels.


UKAG president Eddie Rodulfo in his letter dated August 22 described the implementation of VIWAD Board Resolution No. 33, series of 2010 which increases the reconnection fee from P100 to P600 effective last January as immoral, unreasonable, arbitrary and illegal.
The First Catanduanes Electric Cooperative Inc. (Ficelco) began implementing “load shedding” in all 11 towns after the 3.6-megawatt generator set of the Catanduanes Power Generation Inc. (CPGI) broke down.


The anti-graft group noted that the increase did not undergo public hearing, which it said is a mandatory requirement pursuant to Sec. 63 of Presidential Decree 198. It also cited Letter of Instruction No. 700 which states that such hearings shall be conducted prior to any proposed increase in water rates.
This immediately took out 2.5 MW from the grid, resulting in a deficiency of 2 MW during peak load and 1 MW during off-peak hours.


VIWAD board and management has come under fire from consumers for implementing the recconection fee of P600 which they described as unconscionable and excessive compared to FICELCO's P50.
Despite its admitted lack of funds for the continued operation of its genset, CPGI recently resumed power generation, although for 10 to 11 hours daily, after shutting it down for a few weeks.


UKAG is still waiting for the immediate response of VIWAD on the issue.
An official of the cooperative, who requested anonymity as he was not authorized to disclose details, told the INQUIRER last weekend that the company sent technicians from Manila to repair the genset.


==Typhoon Mina's death toll reaches 29; 5 still missing==
“The CPGI plant was repaired Sunday night but it operated for only two hours while unannounced, short duration brownouts continued to be experienced,” said this coop official.
*Source: http://www.philstar.com/nation/article.aspx?publicationsubcategoryid=200&articleid=722668
*By: Angelo L. Gutierrez
*''September 01, 2011''


The death toll from Typhoon Mina (international name Namnadol) has increased to 29 with five more people still missing, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported today.
Edwin Tatel, plant supervisor of the National Power Corporation’s (Napocor) Catanduanes grid, revealed that Sunwest’s three mini-hydro power plants–Solong, Hitoma I and Balongbong–have been contributing barely 25 percent of its nominal capability due to low water levels in their respective reservoirs brought about by the lack of rain in past weeks.


The NDRRMC said in its 6 a.m. update that the three additional fatalities were recorded in La Union, Baguio City and Abra.
The trio account for 80 percent of the total power demand during rainy days when they deliver a total of 5.4 MW.


The five missing people were Fred Nantes Sr., a fisherman from '''Catanduanes'''; Roger Marqued, who was swept by Buaya River's strong current at the height of the typhoon; Apolonio Licupa of Liwan West, Rizal in Kalinga province; Antonia Tacio, who was buried by the pile of garbage in Benguet; and Dagul Joaquin from Abra.
Part of the slack is taken up by the Monark mobile gensets which is rented by Napocor at high cost and operating for at least 12 hours daily as per contract.


The NDRRMC said that a total of 348, 473 were affected by the typhoon in seven regions in Luzon and at least 44,300 remained in evacuation centers.
Napocor officials have said that should CPGI’s genset be sidelined, the Monark gensets would be operated beyond the contracted hours but this would severely impact Napocor’s budgetary allocations for the Catanduanes grid.


The damage to agriculture and infrastructure from the typhoon, the strongest so far to hit the country, has been pegged at P1.409 billion.
Among the issues presented to Malacañang officials for possible consideration by the President during his May 2 visit here were the possibility of the Department of Budget and Management’s restoring the budget for the aborted purchase of three new diesel gensets for Napocor’s Marinawa plant and funding for the 69-KV transmission line.


==Tagalog news: Mga kawani ng pamahalaan sa Catanduanes, handa sa pagdiriwang ng anibersaryo ng Serbisyo Sibil==
The request for the restoration of the genset funding was allegedly set aside but Governor Joseph Cua said he was able to ask the President to reconsider the provision of P250 million for the transmission line, with the matter referred to Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras during Cua’s brief conversation with Mr. Aquino during the latter’s visit in the province for the inauguration of the state-of the-art Doppler radar in Bato town.
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=51677
*By: EABagadiong
*''August 31, 2011''


VIRAC, Catanduanes- Pangungunahan ng Catanduanes Association of Chiefs of Government Offices (CACGO) at ng Catanduanes Council of Personnel Officers (CCPO) ang pagdiriwang ng Serbisyo Sibil na may temang: "Championing R.A.C.E.: Public Service Excellence at Full Speed" (Responsive, Accessible, Corteous and Effective Public Service.
The island grid has around 35,000 member-consumers paying probably one of the highest power costs in the country at about P12 per kilowatt hour despite the operation of the three hydro plants.


Sa isang memorandum na ipinalabas ni Governor Joseph C. Cua,nanawagan sa mga kawani ng pamahalaan na makiisa sa iba't-ibang aktibidad ng pagdiriwang.
==2010 Catanduanes PGR lower than 2000 - NSO==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R05&article=841335793779
*By: Edna A. Bagadiong
*''Friday, May 04, 2012''


Sa Setyembre 5, 2011, maraming Health and Wellness activities ang isasagawa katulad ng Walk For Fun kung saan inaasahang lalahok lahat na public workers at Hataw para sa mga empleyado ng pamahalaan.
VIRAC, Catanduanes- President Benigno S. Aquino III signed Proclamation No. 362 on March 30, 2012 declaring as official the 2010 Population of the Philippines by Province, City/Municipality and Barangay based on the 2010 Census of Population and Housing (2010 CPH) conducted by the National Statistics Office.


Sa Setyembre 9 naman ay isasagawa ang isang Environment Awareness and Protection kung saan isang Beach Clean-Up at Family Day ang isasagawa. Ayon sa mga organizers ng mga aktibidad, ang mga naturang gawain ay mahalaga upang mapanatili ang malinis na kapaligiran. Mahalaga rin umano ang family day upang magkaroon ng pagkakataong makapagrelax ang mga empleyado kasama ang kanilang pamilya.
The total population of the province of Catanduanes as of May 1, 2010 was 246,300 based on the 2010 CPH. The 2010 population is higher by 30,944 compared to the 2000 population of 215,356. In 1990, the total population was 187,000.


Isasagawa naman sa Setyembre 23 ang Orientation on Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, CACGO Business Meeting at Government Workers Fellowship Night.
This translates to an average annual population growth rate (PGR) of 1.35 percent for the period 2000 to 2010 which is slightly lower by 0.07 percent than the 1990-2000 PGR of 1.42 percent.


Ang pagdiriwang ngayong taon ay nakapokus sa adhikain ni Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III na daang matuwid sa kanyang pakikipaglaban sa korapsyon sa pamahalaan.
Virac has the largest population with 66,951, followed by San Andres with 35,779 and Caramoran with 28,063. The combined population of these three areas comprised 53.1 percent of the province of Catanduanes population.


Umaasa naman ang mga organizers na magiging matagumpay ang naturang selebrasyon.
Four municipalities had an average annual PGR which is higher than the provincial average for the period 2000 to 2010. These are Caramoran (1.66 percent), Bagamanoc (1.62 percent), Virac (1.61 percent), and San Miguel (1.46 percent).


==‘Mina’ death toll climbs to 22–NDRRMC==
Among the top five barangays with largest population are San Isidro Village (4,262), Cavinitan (3,484), Cabugao (2,989), Bigaa (2,777), and Cabcab (2,750).
*Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/50251/mina-death-toll-climbs-to-22-ndrrmc
*By: Kate Evangelista
*''August 30, 2011''


The death toll due to typhoon “Mina” (international name: Nanmadol) has climbed to 22 while 12 others remain missing, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Tuesday.
==Gas Find At Recto Bank To Address Energy Woes==
*Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/358623/gas-find-at-recto-bank-to-address-energy-woes
*By: MADEL R. SABATER
*''Thursday, May 03, 2012''


In its latest situation report, the NDRRMC said that 70,820 families or 300,959 persons were affected by Typhoon Mina in 16 provinces in Regions 1(Ilocos), 2(Cagayan), 3(Central Luzon), 5(Biicol), 6(Western Visayas), the National Capital Region and the Cordillera Administrative Region.
BATO, Catanduanes – President Benigno S. Aquino III yesterday said the Philippine government will exercise its rights at the Recto Bank, noting it would help the country in its goal towards energy sufficiency.


In its latest tally, the NDRRMC identified the casualties as Mark Errol Colipano, 23 of Quezon City who died after being buried under a collapsed concrete wall; John Rey Bautista and Reajen Bautista from
“We will exercise all of our rights,” the President assured.
San Fabian Pangasinan who were buried in a mudslide; Andes Calaro, 82, of Sarrat, Ilocos Norte and Pablo Lazaro of Piddig, Ilocos Norte who both drowned; Rome Ping-ilin from Mt. Province, Romeo Dang-alan, Jr. of Gregorio del Pilar, Rustom Paul Joaquin or Quirino and Mark Lester Agdeppa of Sinait, all in Ilocos Sur and who all died due to drowning.


In Benguet province, eight people were confirmed dead all due to various landslide incidents and were identified as Apolinario Flores, Gefonie Cael, Revillar Flores, odolfo Gagucas, Alex Magno, Floro Sulliven, Franco Flores and Noemi Cael.
Business conglomerate Manny V. Pangilinan had said the standoff between the Philippines and China may affect oil and gas explorations at the Recto Bank, which was discovered to contain more natural gas than the Malampaya natural gas field in Palawan.


Meanwhile, casualties from Abra were identified as Dindo Candido and Bragas Domingo.
The Malampaya natural gas field currently supplies about 40 percent of Luzon’s energy needs.


In Zambales, the lone fatality was identified as Ruel Cabalic Soria of San Marcelino town, who died due to drowning.
“There are realities, they’re a very big country economically, po¬litically, and even population-wise when there is no comparison with us. But that doesn’t change the fact that we believe we are in the right and we are obligated to fight for that which is right,” he stressed.


In '''Catanduanes''', one person was also confirmed dead due to drowning and was identified as Nelson Vergara of Baras town.
The President added there are other oil and gas finds within Philippine territory that would help the country in its goal towards energy sufficiency.


In Zamboanga del Sur, Jerffrey Entag Pagatpat of Bayog town was also confirmed dead due to a landslide incident.
He said 66.8 percent of the country’s energy requirements are met by indigenous resources.


Several others remain missing in La Union, Ilocos Sur, Kalinga, Benguet, Abra, including five fishermen from Infanta, Pangasinan, the NDRRMC said.
“But we expect that to increase as we go along,” he said.


Mina has left the Philippine Area of Responsibility and was moving towards Taiwan, the NDRRMC said.
President Aquino said the country continues to conduct a dialogue with China to resolve the territorial dispute, but insisted that the Recto Bank is part of Philippine territory.
 
“Sumama ‘yung problem sa Recto (Recto Bank became part of the problem) because of the nine dash theory that was espoused publicly in 2009,” he said.
 
“The UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) gives us, we believe, certain rights together with China who is also a signatory, amongst them the exclu¬sive economic zone. This is clearly within our exclusive economic zone. Recto (Bank) is about 150 kilome¬ters from Palawan, and China’s closest island or territory is Hainan at 570-plus kilometers. The UNCLOS gives us 200 miles which will not be equivalent to 500,” he stressed.
 
It can be recalled that a service contract owned by Pangilinan discovered that Recto Bank contains some 16.612 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.
 
Malacañang had said it is a welcome development, particularly to secure the energy needs of the country.
 
==Japan finances upgrade of Philippine weather stations==
*Source: http://globalnation.inquirer.net/35407/japan-finances-upgrade-of-philippine-weather-stations
*By: Jerry E. Esplanada
*''Tuesday, May 01, 2012''
 
Japan financed the modernization of the government’s meteorological radar stations in Catanduanes, Cagayan and Samar to the tune of 3.35 billion yen (about P1.77 billion), according to the Japanese Embassy.
 
Consul General Motohiko Kato, the embassy’s deputy chief of mission, is scheduled to attend Wednesday’s inauguration of the refurbished radar station in Virac, Catanduanes.
 
“The project, funded by a Japanese government grant amounting to 3.35 billion yen, aims to effectively prevent damages that tropical cyclones and other severe weather phenomena may cause by enhancing the weather monitoring and information dissemination capability of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration,” the embassy said in a press statement.
 
It said the project included the “installation of meteorological data display and satellite data communication systems and the replacement of old meteorological radar systems in Virac, as well as in Aparri, Cagayan and Guiuan, Samar, with Doppler (S-band) radar systems.”
 
The embassy said “this project is expected to further strengthen the strategic partnership between Japan and the Philippines, as well as consolidate the bonds of friendship between the peoples of the two countries.”
 
Last weekend, the embassy announced the release of an additional 600 million yen (about P315 million) in fresh development aid to the Philippines.
 
The grant will go to the rehabilitation of an undisclosed number of roads and other public infrastructure damaged by recent typhoons, the embassy said.

Latest revision as of 14:36, 11 May 2012

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Province of Catanduanes - Archived News

Catanduanes to host 9th Regional OSY Encampment

BATO, Catanduanes- The Bato Central Elementary School in Bato East District, Catanduanes will host the 9th Regional Alternative Learning System (ALS) Out-of-School Youth (OSY) Summer Encampment 2012 of the Department of Education (DepEd) from May 21 to 25.

The event with the theme, “Kung ALS Learner Ka, Naiiba Ka," will be participated by 13 divisions from Bicol region.

According to Mayor Rodriguez, the hosting of the said camp is part of the preparation on being a Hall of Famer of their town in the National Literacy Awards.

The activity aims to: (a) equip OSYs with life skills (LS) and lifelong learning (LLL) necessary to become effective, efficient, and responsive citizens; (b) inculcate in the minds of OSYs spiritual and moral values; (c) strengthen self-reliant, dynamic, and creative future leaders to become effective catalysts/agents of change; and (d) acquaint the OSYs on ALS programs and projects.

Participants in the activity are ALL OSYs enrolled in ALS learning programs.

There will be a registration fee of P550 per participant for training materials and food for resource speakers. Around 500 are expected to participate in the camp.

Virac to hold Chess fest

VIRAC, Catanduanes- Virac is spearheading a chess tournament from May 26-27 to be held at Virac ABC Hall.

The activity aims to develop and promote sports awareness of the participants especially the youth. It intends to bring out youth excellence in sports as a way to divert their attention from unconstructive and harmful activities that could ruin their lives and future.

The tournament offers P5,000 for the first placer in the open category, with the age 16-under champion and age 12-under champion to earn P2,500 and P2,000, respectively. A Eureka chess set will also be given to champions in the three categories.

According to tournament coordinator Bonifacio Molina, those who are interested must bring a valid ID or photocopy of birth certificate. A registration fee of P200 for the open category and P100 for the age categories will be required per participant.

Deadline for the registration of enthusiasts is on May 25.

6-hr brownouts plague Catanduanes

VIRAC, Catanduanes–Just three days after President Benigno Aquino III led the ceremonial switch-on of the much-touted mini-hydroelectric plants of Sunwest Water and Electric Co. here, the entire Catanduanes grid began experiencing six-hour brownouts beginning Saturday when a bunker-fuel generating set conked out and the three hydro power plants on stream failed to deliver due to low water levels.

The First Catanduanes Electric Cooperative Inc. (Ficelco) began implementing “load shedding” in all 11 towns after the 3.6-megawatt generator set of the Catanduanes Power Generation Inc. (CPGI) broke down.

This immediately took out 2.5 MW from the grid, resulting in a deficiency of 2 MW during peak load and 1 MW during off-peak hours.

Despite its admitted lack of funds for the continued operation of its genset, CPGI recently resumed power generation, although for 10 to 11 hours daily, after shutting it down for a few weeks.

An official of the cooperative, who requested anonymity as he was not authorized to disclose details, told the INQUIRER last weekend that the company sent technicians from Manila to repair the genset.

“The CPGI plant was repaired Sunday night but it operated for only two hours while unannounced, short duration brownouts continued to be experienced,” said this coop official.

Edwin Tatel, plant supervisor of the National Power Corporation’s (Napocor) Catanduanes grid, revealed that Sunwest’s three mini-hydro power plants–Solong, Hitoma I and Balongbong–have been contributing barely 25 percent of its nominal capability due to low water levels in their respective reservoirs brought about by the lack of rain in past weeks.

The trio account for 80 percent of the total power demand during rainy days when they deliver a total of 5.4 MW.

Part of the slack is taken up by the Monark mobile gensets which is rented by Napocor at high cost and operating for at least 12 hours daily as per contract.

Napocor officials have said that should CPGI’s genset be sidelined, the Monark gensets would be operated beyond the contracted hours but this would severely impact Napocor’s budgetary allocations for the Catanduanes grid.

Among the issues presented to Malacañang officials for possible consideration by the President during his May 2 visit here were the possibility of the Department of Budget and Management’s restoring the budget for the aborted purchase of three new diesel gensets for Napocor’s Marinawa plant and funding for the 69-KV transmission line.

The request for the restoration of the genset funding was allegedly set aside but Governor Joseph Cua said he was able to ask the President to reconsider the provision of P250 million for the transmission line, with the matter referred to Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras during Cua’s brief conversation with Mr. Aquino during the latter’s visit in the province for the inauguration of the state-of the-art Doppler radar in Bato town.

The island grid has around 35,000 member-consumers paying probably one of the highest power costs in the country at about P12 per kilowatt hour despite the operation of the three hydro plants.

2010 Catanduanes PGR lower than 2000 - NSO

VIRAC, Catanduanes- President Benigno S. Aquino III signed Proclamation No. 362 on March 30, 2012 declaring as official the 2010 Population of the Philippines by Province, City/Municipality and Barangay based on the 2010 Census of Population and Housing (2010 CPH) conducted by the National Statistics Office.

The total population of the province of Catanduanes as of May 1, 2010 was 246,300 based on the 2010 CPH. The 2010 population is higher by 30,944 compared to the 2000 population of 215,356. In 1990, the total population was 187,000.

This translates to an average annual population growth rate (PGR) of 1.35 percent for the period 2000 to 2010 which is slightly lower by 0.07 percent than the 1990-2000 PGR of 1.42 percent.

Virac has the largest population with 66,951, followed by San Andres with 35,779 and Caramoran with 28,063. The combined population of these three areas comprised 53.1 percent of the province of Catanduanes population.

Four municipalities had an average annual PGR which is higher than the provincial average for the period 2000 to 2010. These are Caramoran (1.66 percent), Bagamanoc (1.62 percent), Virac (1.61 percent), and San Miguel (1.46 percent).

Among the top five barangays with largest population are San Isidro Village (4,262), Cavinitan (3,484), Cabugao (2,989), Bigaa (2,777), and Cabcab (2,750).

Gas Find At Recto Bank To Address Energy Woes

BATO, Catanduanes – President Benigno S. Aquino III yesterday said the Philippine government will exercise its rights at the Recto Bank, noting it would help the country in its goal towards energy sufficiency.

“We will exercise all of our rights,” the President assured.

Business conglomerate Manny V. Pangilinan had said the standoff between the Philippines and China may affect oil and gas explorations at the Recto Bank, which was discovered to contain more natural gas than the Malampaya natural gas field in Palawan.

The Malampaya natural gas field currently supplies about 40 percent of Luzon’s energy needs.

“There are realities, they’re a very big country economically, po¬litically, and even population-wise when there is no comparison with us. But that doesn’t change the fact that we believe we are in the right and we are obligated to fight for that which is right,” he stressed.

The President added there are other oil and gas finds within Philippine territory that would help the country in its goal towards energy sufficiency.

He said 66.8 percent of the country’s energy requirements are met by indigenous resources.

“But we expect that to increase as we go along,” he said.

President Aquino said the country continues to conduct a dialogue with China to resolve the territorial dispute, but insisted that the Recto Bank is part of Philippine territory.

“Sumama ‘yung problem sa Recto (Recto Bank became part of the problem) because of the nine dash theory that was espoused publicly in 2009,” he said.

“The UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) gives us, we believe, certain rights together with China who is also a signatory, amongst them the exclu¬sive economic zone. This is clearly within our exclusive economic zone. Recto (Bank) is about 150 kilome¬ters from Palawan, and China’s closest island or territory is Hainan at 570-plus kilometers. The UNCLOS gives us 200 miles which will not be equivalent to 500,” he stressed.

It can be recalled that a service contract owned by Pangilinan discovered that Recto Bank contains some 16.612 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.

Malacañang had said it is a welcome development, particularly to secure the energy needs of the country.

Japan finances upgrade of Philippine weather stations

Japan financed the modernization of the government’s meteorological radar stations in Catanduanes, Cagayan and Samar to the tune of 3.35 billion yen (about P1.77 billion), according to the Japanese Embassy.

Consul General Motohiko Kato, the embassy’s deputy chief of mission, is scheduled to attend Wednesday’s inauguration of the refurbished radar station in Virac, Catanduanes.

“The project, funded by a Japanese government grant amounting to 3.35 billion yen, aims to effectively prevent damages that tropical cyclones and other severe weather phenomena may cause by enhancing the weather monitoring and information dissemination capability of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration,” the embassy said in a press statement.

It said the project included the “installation of meteorological data display and satellite data communication systems and the replacement of old meteorological radar systems in Virac, as well as in Aparri, Cagayan and Guiuan, Samar, with Doppler (S-band) radar systems.”

The embassy said “this project is expected to further strengthen the strategic partnership between Japan and the Philippines, as well as consolidate the bonds of friendship between the peoples of the two countries.”

Last weekend, the embassy announced the release of an additional 600 million yen (about P315 million) in fresh development aid to the Philippines.

The grant will go to the rehabilitation of an undisclosed number of roads and other public infrastructure damaged by recent typhoons, the embassy said.

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