MinDA, DOE launch web portal for RE projects in
Mindanao, aim to streamline applications
MANILA, Oct. 14 (PIA) – An online web portal
designed to track and monitor renewable energy (RE) projects in Mindanao was
launched at the Diamond Hotel, here on Monday, in line with the goal to achieve
a balanced mix of fossil-fueled and RE sources across the island-region.
The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) and
the Department of Energy (DoE) through the Mindanao Power Monitoring Committee
(MPMC) have officially launched the One-Stop Facilitation and Monitoring (OSFM)
Web Portal, pushing forward the move to streamline application process for the
region’s RE projects.
Speaking before partner agencies and other
guests from the power sector, MinDA Chair, Sec. Luwalhati Antonino emphasized
the importance of ensuring that the entry of additional capacities to be
introduced in the island-region should put a specific focus on the accelerated
deployment of RE sources.
Committed capacities to be positioned starting
next year have provided excess net reserves for the island region since 2009,
however, most of these projects are centered on fossil-fueled power sources –
particularly coal-fired power plants.
“While we welcome a regime of reliable power
supply in Mindanao with the installation of baseload plants, it behooves upon
us to also undertake deliberate and purposive efforts to accelerate the
deployment of RE capacities,” said Antonino.
Antonino further stressed that the development
of RE sources in the island-region is imperative in the thrust of substantial
investment and trade opportunities for Mindanao.
“This is in line with the Mindanao Development
Corridors, one of MinDA’s flagship programs which is concentrated on the
expansion of logistical, infrastructural, and connectivity endeavors within the
island-region,” she said.
Antonino added that reliable, affordable, and
sustainable power through RE projects is essential in the full realization of
the said strategy.
“It is important to stress that RE development
plays a huge part in aggressive and effective investment programming and
promotions that will complement MinDA’s Growth Corridors and help us achieve a
balanced and inclusive growth among our regions in Mindanao,” she said.
The OSFM web portal is established to allow
fast-track processing of RE power project applications through a monitoring system
that includes facilitative tracking and real-time status updates for partner
government agencies and project stakeholders.
During the web portal’s launch, a ceremonial
turnover of computer certificates took place, while stakeholders were shown a
demonstration of how the facility can be used in tracking and monitoring
ongoing RE project applications.
Romeo Montenegro, MinDA’s director for
Investment Promotions and Public Affairs and the head of the MPMC’s technical
working group stressed that the OSFM web portal is just an initial phase in the
vision of the MPMC towards RE development, which is also in line with the
Mindanao 2020 development strategy.
“The One-Stop web portal is but a first step
towards achieving the goal of a streamlined application process for RE
development, which is also consistent with the Mindanao 2020 strategy on the
diversification of energy mix for the island region,” said Montenegro.
Established through Executive Order No. 81, MPMC
plays an active part in spearheading and coordinating efforts to address and
improve the overall power situation and concerns in Mindanao.
(MinDA/PIA-Caraga)
POPCOM initiates intervention to prevent teenage
pregnancy
By May Ann O. Escobal
BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 14 (PIA) - Alarmed with the
increasing incidence of teenage pregnancy in Caraga region, the Commission on
Population (POPCOM) Caraga is actively initiating various interventions to help
the young people become more aware of the information they need for their
health, development and total well-being. POPCOM is looking that through these
interventions, youth will be able to build life skills, develop capabilities to
manage their future and become responsible citizens of tomorrow.
POPCOM Caraga Regional Director Alexander A.
Makinano urged everyone to harness the life skills of the youth in facing
squarely the demands and challenges of everyday life. Makinano further
emphasized that the youth should take advantage of all opportunities that may
come in order to prepare themselves for adulthood because this will ensure a
healthy lifestyle for themselves and their future family, including their
capability to fully realize their potentials.
POPCOM official mentioned that the agency’s
newest interactive-educational intervention is the U4U Teen Trail Initiative
which aims to deliver critical information to prevent teen pregnancy and reduce
the prevalence of STIs through online and mobile platforms.
Part of POPCOM’s tool in its continuing
communication is the Sexually Healthy and Personally Effective (SHAPE) training
package – a vital tool and a vehicle for working with families, communities and
schools, in providing appropriate information and assistance needed by
adolescents for developing positive and responsible lifestyle choices and
behaviors. (POPCOM-13/PIA-Caraga)
Caraga regional development body backs Men's Day
By May Ann O. Escobal
BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 14 (PIA) - The Caraga Regional
Development Council approved the call spearheaded by the Commission on
Population (POPCOM) for the declaration of November 19, 2014 and every year
thereafter as International Men’s Day with the passage of RDC ExeCom Resolution
No. 6, series of 2014.
This approval opens up a new horizon not only
for POPCOM and other regional line agencies and institutions in the region but
the women and men as well who are advocates of Men’s Involvement in
Reproductive Health and Reproductive Parenthood.
The date for the celebration is the same date
celebrated by many other countries which for a moment pause to give way and
honor for the men to celebrate and highlight their contributions towards the
attainment among others, of a healthy lifestyle and involvement in responsible
parenting, which in the end helps in realization of gender equity and equality
in all phases of life.
POPCOM Caraga will lead the various activities
by merging the central theme of the International Men’s Day Celebration with
that of the advocacy of the agency as concretized in the Kalalakihang Tumutugon
sa Responsibilidad at Obligasyon sa Kalusugan ng Ina at Pamilya (KATROPA)
Modules.
POPCOM Caraga Regional Director Alexander A.
Makinano stated that the support given by the council for this celebration will
not only recognize men as equal partners of women but will help improve gender
relations, promoting gender equality, and highlighting positive male role
models. “Through this occasion, men will celebrate their achievements and
contributions, in particular their contributions to community, family,
marriage, and child care while highlighting the discrimination against them”,
Makinano emphasized.
POPCOM official underscored the significance of
this celebration for it aimed to encourage men to excel in all areas as equal
partners of women in nation-building. (POPCOM-13/PIA-Caraga)
National Crime Prevention Month celebration
culminates in Surigao City
SURIGAO CITY, Oct. 14 (PIA) – The celebration of
the 2014 National Crime Prevention Month culminated with a quiz bee,
extemporaneous speech and poster making contest spearheaded by the Philippine
National Police (PNP) Surigao City Police Office held recently at the Surigao
City Cultural Center.
According to City PNP-Police community relations
officer P/Insp Tessiel Moleta, these activities were conducted yearly by the
city PNP with much emphasis on crime prevention since it is their primary
concern and mandate.
Declared winners of the quiz bee contest were
Ace B. Correos of Caraga Regional Science High School (1st place); Emelou L.
Dumas of Cantiasay National High School (2nd place); and Gena S. Bernardino of
Rizal National High School (3rd place).
For extemporaneous speech contest, 1st place -
Alimaxcel F. Mora of Wilfredo D. Rafols Memorial High School; 2nd place - Mary
Jane P. Graven of Taft National High School; and 3rd place - Christine Ann
Origenes of Saint Paul University-Surigao.
The on-the-spot poster making contest winners
were Geramel Vic F. Llego of Caraga Regional Science High School (1st place);
Richard Andy N. Delfinado of Rizal National High School (2nd place); and Angelo
Joshua A. Elemos of Surigao City National High School (3rd place).
The Crime Pevention Month celebration was also
supported by the local government of Surigao City. (SDR/City PNP-Police
Community Office/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
