Difference between revisions of "Catanduanes News"

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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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==Public urged to join Project 11-11-11==
==Catanduanes to host 9th Regional OSY Encampment==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r05&id=60162
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R05&article=841336486212
*By: PIA
*By: Edna A. Bagadiong
*''October 20, 2011''
*''Friday, May 11, 2012''


VIRAC, Catanduanes- Congressman Cesar V. Sarmiento of the lone district of Catanduanes is asking the support of the public for his "Project 11-11-11".
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.


Project 11-11-11 is a tree-planting activity which aims to plant 111,111 trees on November 11, 2011 in the 11 towns of the province.
The event with the theme, “Kung ALS Learner Ka, Naiiba Ka," will be participated by 13 divisions from Bicol region.


The solon has started the same project last January 11, 2011 which targeted 11 thousand trees in the 11 towns of Catanduanes. The province-wide activity resulted in the planting of about 34,000 trees.
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.


"We have done that before, we can make things happen again this time" said Sarmiento as he asked for support from his constituents to make the event successful.
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.


"Paging all Catandunganons, let's get together writing HISTORY in the field of environmental protection" he added.
Participants in the activity are ALL OSYs enrolled in ALS learning programs.


==3 students to represent Catanduanes in the 20th PSQ Regional Finals==
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.
*Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r05&id=59945
*By: PIA
*''October 19, 2011''


VIRAC, Catanduanes- Three freshmen students from Catanduanes State Colleges (CSC) and Catanduanes College will represent the province in the 20th Philippine Statistical Quiz (PSQ) Regional finals on November 17 in Legazpi City.
==Virac to hold Chess fest==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R05&article=841336542214
*By: Edna A. Bagadiong
*''Wednesday, May 09, 2012''


William Angelo Gonzales and Acer Villanueva of CSC got the first and second place during the provincial elimination held by the NSO Catanduanes Provincial Office last October 10, while Eunice Isuela of Catanduanes College took the last spot after finishing third.
VIRAC, Catanduanes- Virac is spearheading a chess tournament from May 26-27 to be held at Virac ABC Hall.


The contestants will be accompanied by their coaches Vicente Padilla of CSC and Nieva Vega of Catanduanes College for the regional finals.
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 winner of the regional elimination will be the representative to the PSQ National Finals on December 6.
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.


The PSQ seeks to assess the competency and skills of students in statistics as acquired from the secondary curriculum; promote, enhance and instill awareness and appreciation of the importance and value of science, statistics in particular, among studentry; and, generate public awareness on the important uses of statistics and win overall support for all government statistical activities.
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.


==6 sitios in Catanduanes to have electricity==
Deadline for the registration of enthusiasts is on May 25.
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r05&id=58845
*By: Edna A Bagadiong
*''October 12, 2011''


VIRAC, Catanduanes- Six sitios in three towns of the province will be able to have power soon after the National Electrification Administration (NEA) released the amount of P2,004,067.48 for the project.
==6-hr brownouts plague Catanduanes==
*Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/189165/6-hr-brownouts-plague-catanduanes
*By: Fernan Gianan
*''Monday, May 07, 2012''


The funding was secured by Congressman Cesar V. Sarmiento from the NEA during the House Committee deliberation on the agency’s budget recently.
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.


According to NEA Deputy Administrator for Field Operations, Edilberto Bassig , the sitios covered by the project are Abaca and Harapan in Brgy. Abihao (Baras), Caranguian in Barangay Oga (Pandan), Buenavista in Barangay Salvacion (Pandan), Caruyo in Brgy. Balangonan (Pandan), Dayhagan in Brgy. Suchan (Bagamanoc).
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.


First Catanduanes Electric Cooperative, Inc.
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.


(FICELCO), however, revealed that the project would actually involve eight sitios with a total cost of P1,864,799.80, as a number of the sitios in the NEA list have already been energized.
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.


The cooperative management is reportedly including other unenergized sitios in the bidding, set for October 13. The unexpended funding would either be returned to NEA or allocated for the extension of distribution lines to unserved sitios.
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 residents of the covered barangays are thankful for the continuous effort of the government for the improvement of their areas.  
“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.


==1st LGU inter-office ballroom competition set==
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.
*Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=58613
*By: EABagadiong
*''October 11, 2011''


VIRAC, Catanduanes- In connection with the celebration of the Catandungan Festival 2011, an LGU Inter-Office Ballroom Competition will be held on October 26, 2011, 8:00 p.m. at the Provincial Capitol Dome, Virac, Catanduanes.
The trio account for 80 percent of the total power demand during rainy days when they deliver a total of 5.4 MW.


The said contest is open to all municipal LGUs and to local and national offices in the province. There will be three (3) categories to be contested namely: Cha-cha, Tango and Rumba. Only permanent employees will be allowed to join the contest with only one pair representing each office or agency. The time allotment is only two minutes per dance category, hence a total of 6 minutes per agency. Live band will play the music during the competition.
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.


Criteria for judging are the following: Interpretation (grace, rhythm, expression and rapport with partners), 30%; Mastery (precision, uniformity, steps and movements), 25%; Variety of steps (easy and difficult), 25%; Stage Presence (discipline and projection), 10% and Appropriateness of attire is 10% for a total of 100%.
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.


Members of the committee for the siad event are Prof. Rico M. Romero, Chairman; Prof. Chatita Lorenzana, member; Mr. Carlos Donn Bagadiong, Member, Mr. Christopher Tud, member and Ms. Jeny Magallanes, member.
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.


In line of this, a workshop will be conducted before the said competition and a final rehearsal will also be held.
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.


==Classes suspended due to typhoon Pedring==
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.
*Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=56318
*By: PIA
*''September 27, 2011''


VIRAC, Catanduanes- Classes in all levels of public and private schools in the province were suspended amid the passing of typhoon "Pedring" in the province.
==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''


Weather disturbance brought by Pedring also caused the cancellation of flights via Manila to Virac and vice versa. Vessels are also not allowed to sail due to big wvaes and strong winds.
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 Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) noted a number of landslides in the municipality of Viga, Catanduanes.
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.


Roads in some areas are also not passable due to flash floods and heavy rain.
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.


Moreover, MDRRMCs are advised to take appropriate actions and raise warnings in their area of jurisdictions.
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.


==DILG awards ‘Seal of Good Housekeeping’ to 3 Catanduanes towns==
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).
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r05&id=55382
*By: Edna A Bagadiong
*''September 21, 2011''


VIRAC, Catanduanes- The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) here bestowed its ‘Seal of Good Housekeeping’ to the towns of Pandan, Viga and San Miguel for passing the agency’s 2011 assessment on good governance and performance.
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).


According to DILG Sec. Jesse Robredo in a letter to the town executives last week, the said achievement was an affirmation of the towns’ commitment to good governance and performance particularly in demonstrating transparency and greater accountability, putting value on the full disclosure policy to encourage constituents’ and stakeholders’ participation in governance, and the practice of sound fiscal management highlighted by the absence of diverse COA opinion in the financial statements and transactions.
==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''


He likewise urged the mayors of the towns to continue improving the performance towards excellence in local governance for a more efficient and effective service delivery to the people and continuing improvement in the development outcomes.
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.


The said towns moreover are entitled to access the Performance Challenge Fund (PCF), a subsidy to assist the LGU to jumpstart local development initiatives aligned with the thrusts and priorities of the national government in the form of P1 million according to DILG officials, for 20% Local Development Projects in the annual Investment Program (AIP) and funded out of the 20% Local Development Fund.
“We will exercise all of our rights,” the President assured.


The LGUs were given 30 days within which to submit a letter of intent proposal documents, Sanggunian resolution authorizing the LCE to enter into a memorandum of agreement, approving the allocation of counterpart funds to the PCF subsidy, and certifying that the project is included in the 2011 AIP.
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.


According to DILG provincial office, the said towns made the grade during round 1 during the assessment while San Andres and Virac passed the second round which will also be awarded the Seal of Good Housekeeping coming days.
The Malampaya natural gas field currently supplies about 40 percent of Luzon’s energy needs.


==Gov't gives priority to Catanduanes==
“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.
*Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/334888/govt-gives-priority-catanduanes
*By: BEN R. ROSARIO
*''September 19, 2011''


Government has strongly moved to swiftly upgrade the country’s poor provinces by prioritizing them in the budgeting process.
The President added there are other oil and gas finds within Philippine territory that would help the country in its goal towards energy sufficiency.


Typhoon-beleaguered Catanduanes is among the provinces that will receive huge funding for its national roads.
He said 66.8 percent of the country’s energy requirements are met by indigenous resources.


Rep. Cesar Sarmiento disclosed that the P682.7-million concrete paving of the Catanduanes Circumferential Improvement Road, project is under way.
“But we expect that to increase as we go along,” he said.


Sarmiento and Gov. Joseph Cua recently led the groundbreaking ceremonies in Baras town to signal start of the project that will pave a total 29 kilometers of national road covering the towns of Bato, Baras, Gigmoto, Panganiban, Viga, Caramoran, and San Andres.
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.


The P682.7-million outlay is part of three-year plan to upgrade by 2014 all the 315 national roads in the province.
“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.


Sarmiento said Catanduanes expects another P500 million in national funds next year for similar concreting projects as it anticipates releases from P1.4 billion committed by the Japan International Cooperation “Agency for the provincial highway.
“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.


The solon said the bidding process for the Catanduanes Circumferential Road Project under the JICA Road Upgrading and Preservation Project has started.
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.


Acquisition of road right-of-way on lands to be traversed by the highway has also begun.
Malacañang had said it is a welcome development, particularly to secure the energy needs of the country.


Willy Galang of the DPWH Environmental and Social Safeguards Office said the distribution of road rights documents to landowners along the Viga Pandan national road is ongoing.
==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''


Payment of government obligations will start in the first quarter of 2010.
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.


Sarmiento lauded the Aquino administration for including the province in the priority list of developmental projects.
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.


==Rep. Sarmiento calls to care for the environment==
“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.
*Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=54362
*By: Edna A Bagadiong
*''September 15, 2011''


VIRAC, Catanduanes- Amid reports from local tabloids in the province regarding the rampant illegal cutting of trees in Catanduanes, Cong. Cesar V. Sarmiento has called on his constituents to show care to the environment.
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.”


"Illegal cutting of trees in our place is getting rampant (again) according to newspaper reports. This is alarming and disturbing because if these activities remain unabated - that will lead to great destruction of our island", Sarmiento said.
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.”


Moreover, the congressman said that everyone must take part in solving such problem and it can be done by reporting any incident of illegal cutting of trees to the concerned authorities.
Last weekend, the embassy announced the release of an additional 600 million yen (about P315 million) in fresh development aid to the Philippines.


He also urged the (multi-agency) Task Force Anti-Illegal Logging to be more aggressive in tracking down these illegal activities via filing of charges against the violators and making your accomplishments known to the public.
The grant will go to the rehabilitation of an undisclosed number of roads and other public infrastructure damaged by recent typhoons, the embassy said.
 
"Do your share in saving our province from landslides, floods and disasters - in doing so you are protecting the lives and properties of our kababayans (who may be your relative and/or friend)", he added.
 
It can be noted that the government has implemented total log ban to reduce forest and other environmental destruction.
 
==NSO Catanduanes gathers data on energy use of households==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r05&id=53960
*By: PIA
*''September 13, 2011''
 
VIRAC, Catanduanes- The National Statistics Office (NSO) provincial office here will conduct the 2011 Household Energy Consumption Survey (2011 HECS) this month NSO Catanduanes stated that the 2011 HECS is a special survey that gathers information on households’ utilization of fuels, supply systems and the pattern of energy use and other variables that may be useful to assess the current energy profiles of different households and communities in the country.
 
The data collected from this survey, according to the office, shall provide the Department of Energy (DOE) with updated and reliable bases for an effective household energy strategy for the Philippines.
 
The primary goal of the 2011 HECS is to generate comprehensive and reliable data/information on household energy consumption, and analyze end-use energy consumption and preferences in the residential sector. The survey results will be used for formulating and implementing policies and programs that aim to improve the quality of life of the Filipinos.
 
Like all censuses and surveys undertaken by NSO, the conduct of these two surveys is authorized by various legislative acts and presidential directives including Commonwealth Act No. 591, Presidential Decree No. 418, Executive Order No. 121, Executive Order No. 352, Executive Order No. 5.
 
Furthermore, the survey aims to provide detailed information about the changing energy consumption patterns in Filipino households, as well as socio-economic conditions affecting energy use; establish the fuel/energy mix of the residential sector based on tis energy consumption; determine the most energy consuming appliances, devices and equipment for household activities;
assess the current energy efficiency and conservation techniques in the residential sector vis-à-vis government programs for implementation of energy consumption regulation for household appliances and equipment; measure and analyze the incidence of inter-fuel substitution in the households and; determine awareness and/or perception of the household on major energy issues (i.e. nuclear energy) and developments (energy labeling program, renewable energy, natural gas) in the energy sector.
 
The reporting unit is the household. Pursuant to the provision of Section 4 of Act 591, information obtained from the respondents shall be held strictly confidential and shall not be divulged to any person except authorized NSO personnel acting in the performance of their duties and Section 3 of the same law provides the penalty clause for non-compliance of the survey.
 
In the province, five (5) sample barangays, will be ivisited in the municipalities of Baras- 2 barangays, Caramoran- 1 barangay, Pandan-1 barangay and San Andres-2 barangays.
 
==Sanggunian to conduct forum on power system reliability and sustainability==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r05&id=53489
*By: Edna A Bagadiong
*''September 10, 2011''
 
VIRAC, Catanduanes- The Provincial Government through the SP Committee on energy chaired by Hon. PBM Roger F. Pereyra will be holding a "Forum on Catanduanes Power System Reliability and Sustainability" on Tuesday, September 20, 2011, 8:00 in the morning at the Provincial Capitol Dome.
 
The forum aims to clarify issues regarding the power and electricity supply in the province.
 
A program will be held in connection with the activity. Governor Joseph C. Cua is expected to deliver his message during the opening program. A Bird's Eye View of Catanduanes Power Outlook will be given by Hon. Roger Pereyra.
 
Engr. Rodolfo G. Mendoza, OIC-General Manager (FICELCO) will give a talk regarding FICELCO then and Now Gaps and Current Concerns.
 
Moreover, First Catanduanes Electric Cooeprative, Inc. (FICELCO), Catanduanes Power Generation, Inc. (CPGI), Sunwest Water and Electric Power Co. Inc. (SUWECO)and National Power Corporation (NPC) will present solutions to power problems- short and long term action plans.
 
After the Presentation of Proposed Compromise Undertaking Agreement by Engr. Serafin Marcaida, SPUG-Catanduanes, an open forum will be held.
 
A Memorandum of Joint Undertaking will takaplace after with NEA, FICELCO, CPGI, SUWECO, NPC, LGU and LCE as signatories to be witnessed by Business Sector, Church Academe, PNP, UKAG, PWEE PMA, Catanduanes Chapter Hotel and Rest. Ass., NGOs and POs.
 
==Rep. Sarmiento allocates P1.5M for TESDA Scholarship==
*Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r05&id=53252
*By: Edna A Bagadiong
*''September 08, 2011''
 
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).
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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).
 
==5 cops wounded in NPA attack in Catanduanes==
*Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/09/03/11/5-cops-wounded-npa-attack-cantaduanes
*By: Dexter Ganibe
*''September 03, 2011''
 
Five policemen were wounded in an ambush by suspected members of the New People’s Army on Saturday in Catanduanes province.
 
Radio dzMM reported that the five police officers sustained bullet wounds on their arms and legs. They are all out of danger.
 
Among those wounded is the deputy chief of police of Caramoran Police Station, Inspector Rene Bea.
 
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.
 
The policemen said some of the suspects were possibly wounded in the incident.
 
==Refund of reconnection fee from Virac water service provider sought==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r05&id=52115
*By: Edna A. Bagadiong
*''September 02, 2011''
 
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.
 
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 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.
 
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.
 
UKAG is still waiting for the immediate response of VIWAD on the issue.
 
==Typhoon Mina's death toll reaches 29; 5 still missing==
*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.
 
The NDRRMC said in its 6 a.m. update that the three additional fatalities were recorded in La Union, Baguio City and Abra.
 
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.
 
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.
 
The damage to agriculture and infrastructure from the typhoon, the strongest so far to hit the country, has been pegged at P1.409 billion.
 
==Tagalog news: Mga kawani ng pamahalaan sa Catanduanes, handa sa pagdiriwang ng anibersaryo ng Serbisyo Sibil==
*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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
Isasagawa naman sa Setyembre 23 ang Orientation on Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, CACGO Business Meeting at Government Workers Fellowship Night.
 
Ang pagdiriwang ngayong taon ay nakapokus sa adhikain ni Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III na daang matuwid sa kanyang pakikipaglaban sa korapsyon sa pamahalaan.
 
Umaasa naman ang mga organizers na magiging matagumpay ang naturang selebrasyon.
 
==‘Mina’ death toll climbs to 22–NDRRMC==
*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.
 
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.
 
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
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.
 
Meanwhile, casualties from Abra were identified as Dindo Candido and Bragas Domingo.
 
In Zambales, the lone fatality was identified as Ruel Cabalic Soria of San Marcelino town, who died due to drowning.
 
In '''Catanduanes''', one person was also confirmed dead due to drowning and was identified as Nelson Vergara of Baras town.
 
In Zamboanga del Sur, Jerffrey Entag Pagatpat of Bayog town was also confirmed dead due to a landslide incident.
 
Several others remain missing in La Union, Ilocos Sur, Kalinga, Benguet, Abra, including five fishermen from Infanta, Pangasinan, the NDRRMC said.
 
Mina has left the Philippine Area of Responsibility and was moving towards Taiwan, the NDRRMC 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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