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==Shutdown of major dams in So. Cotabato to last only 3 months -- NIA== | |||
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R12&article=1611334297283 | |||
*Friday 13th of April 2012 | |||
:by (DEDoguiles/PIA 12) | |||
KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, April 13 (PIA) -- Shutdown of one of Soccsksargen region’s largest irrigation system will push through as planned starting May 1 but the National Irrigation Administration Office here announced that the closure would be shorter than what was originally planned. | |||
In January, NIA-South Cotabato chief Engr. Ramon Bugacia and provincial agriculturist Reynaldo announced that the two dams of the Ala River Irrigation System (RIS) could be closed until end of August or September for major repairs intended to restore the crop watering system’s efficiency. | |||
Yesterday, in an interview with a radio station here, Engr. Bugacia said, “NIA has made adjustments with the construction schedule” after a series of consultations with affected irrigators’ associations, Department of Agriculture – 12, provincial and municipal agriculture offices, and other stakeholders. | |||
“So from the original plan of four months, total shutdown (of the operations of Ala RIS) has been reduced to three months,” | |||
The two dams of Ala RIS, namely: Dam 1 in Colonggolo, Surallah in South Cotabato and Dam 2 in Bai Sirafinang, Bagumbayan in Sultan Kudarat, have a combined coverage area of 12,046 hectares. | |||
He said, adjustments were made considering the effect of the total shutdown of the irrigation system on the livelihood of the farm families who will lose water supply while the dams are out of operations. According to a report from DA-12, at least 8,850 families are being served by the Ala RIS. | |||
Bugacia explained the dams need to the totally shut down effective May 1 until July 31 because major repair and rehabilitation works will focus on the main diversions (dams) as well as the main canals. | |||
He added, some repair works that would not require closure of the dams have begun. | |||
Data from NIA indicated that P138,225,000 has been allocated by the national government for the rehabilitation of the Ala RIS. | |||
“This is the first time that such amount was allotted to a project NIA-South Cotabato,” he said. Previously, he added, they only received P3 million to P6 million for irrigation development projects. | |||
This would also be the first time that Ala RIS undergoes repair since its opening in 1972. | |||
Repair works in the 40-year old dam, according to Bugacia, would cover protection works on the dams, repair of the mechanical systems that take care of the closing and opening of the water gates, rehabilitation of the main canals, and construction of additional structures and check structures that would extend the coverage area of the irrigation system. | |||
In an earlier interview, provincial agriculturist Legaste assured residents and farmers of South Cotabato that the shutdown of the Ala RIS will result in food shortage in the province. | |||
He explained that farmers in the province were able to immediately replant in January and February which assures of an earlier than expected harvest. | |||
Also, of the 9,000 hectares in South Cotabato that would lose water supply, about 2,000 hectares can still be cultivated because they have alternative water sources. | |||
Contingency plans have also been prepared for those who could not plant rice; these include planting of corn in coordination with hybrid corn companies as well as temporarily shifting to other crops such as watermelon, cantaloupe, and vegetables like okra, squash, upo, patola, and ampalaya. | |||
Bugacia said rehabilitative works of Ala RIS are also set for implementation next year, but these would not require closure of the dams. | |||
==Local officials expect positive results from power summit== | |||
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R12&article=1611334214874 | |||
*Thursday 12th of April 2012 | |||
:by (DEDoguiles/PIA 12) | |||
KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, April 12 (PIA) -- Officials in South Cotabato hope tomorrow’s Energy Summit in Davao City would end with solutions that would address the power crisis in Mindanao. | |||
South Cotabato Gov. Arthur Y. Pingoy Jr., Koronadal City Mayor Peter Miguel, and South Cotabato 1 Electric Cooperative (SOCOTECO 1) General Manager Santiago Tudio said they will be attending the summit. | |||
South Cotabato First District Representative, Daisy Avance-Fuentes has earlier announced in a radio interview that she will join the event. | |||
Gov. Pingoy said, the presence of President Benigno Aquino III during the summit is a positive indication since he could personally join the discussion of the Mindanao energy shortage as well as the proposals to address the power crisis. | |||
“Several proposals and measures will be presented. Hopefully, we will be able to take these up with the president,” he said. | |||
In preparation for the summit, Mayor Miguel has asked city information officer Judith Amido, who also sits as a member of SOCOTECO 1’s board of directors for an in-depth discussion of the power situation particularly in South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat. | |||
He, however, pointed out that he has reservations regarding the suggestion of former Pangasinan Fifth District Representative Mark Conjuangco to put up a nuclear power plant in Lake Sebu. | |||
“I did some research and talked with some Japanese regarding nuclear power plants,” he said. | |||
“I am not in favor of the proposal,” he said, “because even Japan, which is a First World Country, has experienced radiation leaks due to the recent earthquake and tsunami.” | |||
He said lives of millions of Filipinos could be compromised if a disaster like that in Japan occurs in the Philippines. | |||
Meanwhile, GM Tudio said, SOCOTECO 1 supports the move of the Association of Mindanao Rural Electric Cooperative (AMRECO) to oppose the privatization of the Pulangi Hydropower plants. | |||
AMRECO with its 33 member electric cooperative plans to submit a position paper demanding transparency so that the public may know of the real situation regarding the availability of energy supply, especially the contracted capacity from the power generators of the National Power Corporation. | |||
MinDA chair Secretary Luwalhati Antonino, announced everything is set for the Mindanao Energy Summit where 300 to 350 delegates are expected to attend. | |||
MinDA and the Department of Energy spearhead the summit. | |||
“The Power Summit accords us the opportunity to discuss the real Mindanao power situation and the specific short to long term measures that stakeholders wanted acted on jointly by the government and the industry players,”Antonino said. | |||
Antonino said that no less than President Aquino has sought that proposed measures for resolving the Mindanao power problem and putting in place of long term action plan should form part of the shared consensus of the Mindanao stakeholders. | |||
“This is being done for and by the Mindanawons who have a direct stake on the Mindanao power issue and what needs to be done, and the President will be there to see to it that the proposed measures are thoroughly studied and doables carried through,” she added. | |||
Among those expected to take part in the one-day summit are heads and representatives of all electric cooperatives in Mindanao, distribution utilities, generation companies, governors and city mayors, Mindanao lawmakers, business and industry sectors, non-government organizations, civil society groups and consumer advocates. | |||
Antonino said the Summit format was designed to provide opportunity for the key sectors and stakeholder representatives to present their respective issues and recommendations for way forward actions. | |||
The President is expected to respond with specific policy directives. | |||
Earlier today, PCOO Secretary Sonny Coloma confirmed President Aquino will attend and preside the summit. | |||
==Education remedies ignorance, poverty – VP Binay== | ==Education remedies ignorance, poverty – VP Binay== | ||
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R12&article=1611334120313 | *Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R12&article=1611334120313 | ||
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It is well-known to provide top-grade education in the fields of agriculture; arts and science; education; engineering and computing; human ecology and food sciences; industrial technology; business, development economics and management; public health; veterinary medicine; and Middle East and Asian studies. | It is well-known to provide top-grade education in the fields of agriculture; arts and science; education; engineering and computing; human ecology and food sciences; industrial technology; business, development economics and management; public health; veterinary medicine; and Middle East and Asian studies. | ||
==DOST-12 rolls off “Agham at Teknolohiya sa Syudad”== | ==DOST-12 rolls off “Agham at Teknolohiya sa Syudad”== | ||