Wednesday, April 24, 2024

Tag: NorMin

NGCP energizes P52-B Mindanao-Visayas interconnection

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Transmission firm National Grid Corporation of the Philippines has energized the Mindanao-Visayas Interconnection Project (MVIP) —an initiative aimed to improve power stability and reliability across the country

In a statement, the NGCP said an initial load of 22.5 megawatts (MW) was carried by the high-voltage submarine and overhead lines from Mindanao to Visayas during the project’s energization on April 30.

The NGCP said the MVIP is comprised of a 184 circuit-kilometer (ckm) High-Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) submarine transmission line connecting the power grids of Mindanao and Visayas with a transfer capacity of 450 MW expandable to as much as 900 MW.

“We expect to gradually increase the MVIP’s transfer capacity to 50MW by mid-May, and 112MW by the end of the month, before energizing to its full transfer capacity of 450MW by the third quarter of this year,” the grid operator said.

The company said the project also includes converter stations in both regions and more than 500 km of overhead lines to facilitate the flow of electricity.

The MVIP will benefit consumers by providing them with a more reliable and sustainable power transmission service that will lessen the instances of power interruptions, according to the NGCP.

It will also promote energy resource sharing, as excess power generated in one region can now be transmitted to the other, the grid operator said.

“The completion of the Mindanao-Visayas Interconnection Project is a significant achievement for us and the Philippines as a whole. This will not only improve the reliability of our transmission services but will lead to efficient energy utilization as one Philippine grid,” the NGCP said.

The company said parts of the MVIP were completed in 2022, such as the Lala-Aurora 138kV Transmission Line, the 350kV Submarine Cable, and Cable Terminal Stations in Santander, Cebu, and Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte.

“NGCP is committed to providing the Filipino people with a reliable transmission network which is the backbone of the nation’s development. The completion of the MVIP is a significant step towards achieving that goal,” the NGCP said. (Ted Cordero/GMA News)

Northern Mindanao tourism bounces back by 177% in 2022

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Tourism in Northern Mindanao Region bounced back by 177 percent last year following the easing of restrictions from coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) protocols, an official said on April 28, 2023

Mylah Faye Aurora Cariño, the region’s National Economic Development Authority (NEDA-10) director, said the exceptional achievement can be attributed to “revenge travels” or the return of travelers’ influx to the region.

“The region’s annual tourist arrivals, domestic and foreign, in 2022 increased by 177% to 1.66 million from 599,000 in 2021,” Cariño said in a statement.

Cariño said the continued easing of pandemic-related mobility restrictions also led to increased demand for travel and tourism-related services in the region.

She described the expansion of Northern Mindanao’s economy last year as a sign of the region’s “further recovery from the pandemic and its resilience amid external headwinds.”

The Philippine Statistics Authority-10, meanwhile, also recorded Northern Mindanao’s services sector with a growth of 10.1 percent in 2022, describing it as a signal of the region’s recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. (Nef Luczon/PNA)

DOT mulls ‘tourism summit’ in Bukidnon amid opening of new routes

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Tourism in Northern Mindanao (DOT-10) is eyeing a “tourism summit” in Bukidnon province in line with the opening of new air routes this year

In an interview, DOT-10 Director Marie Ellaine Salvaña-Unchuan said the summit was proposed by Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri during his recent visit to the Kaamulan Festival celebration.

The proposal, she said, aims to put the province, especially its capital Malaybalay City, as a “Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions” (MICE) destination in Northern Mindanao.

“This is also in anticipation of the opening of its new airport (in Don Carlos town), accommodation facilities, and huge sports complex (in Malaybalay City),” Unchuan said.

Unchuan said the senator has asked the agency to prepare a tourism master plan for Bukidnon due to its potential for farm and mountain tourism which will be included as the main agenda of the summit.

Meanwhile, in preparation for the May 6 opening of the Cebu Pacific Airlines’ Clark to Laguindingan flight, DOT-10 said it will hold a familiarization tour for tourism operators, media, and social media influencers both from Region 3’s Clark in Pampanga and Northern Mindanao,

“This is a big opportunity for both regions to showcase their potential to the rest of the country and the world,” Unchuan said. (Ercel Maandig/PNA)

 

OFW from Bukidnon awaiting repatriation from war-torn Sudan

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – An overseas Filipino worker from Impasug-ong town in Bukidnon province has requested repatriation from war-torn Sudan

Overseas Workers Welfare Administration-Northern Mindanao (Region 10) Director Harry Borres confirmed that there is one OFW from Bukidnon awaiting evacuation from Sudan.

Borres did identify the OFW.

He assured assistance to the OFW but said they are still “waiting for the fund and a copy of the guidelines” from the OWWA central office regarding financial aid for the Bukidnon OFW’s family.

Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Susan “Toots” Ople had earlier assured financial assistance for the families of OFWs in Sudan apart from the $200 financial aid for the workers.

Officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs, DMW, and OWWA welcomed the first 17 repatriated OFWs from Sudan who initially sought refuge in Athens, Greece, and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on April 29.

Borres said the Bukidnon OFW is not yet on the list of those repatriated from Sudan.

“The name of the worker is not yet on the list of repatriated OFWs from Sudan. Maybe it is still in the (Philippine) embassy in Cairo,” Borres said.

Borres did not divulge further information about the Bukidnon OFW. (Franck Dick Rosete/Manila Bulletin)

NPA weapons seized in Bukidnon, Surigao

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BUTUAN CITY – The military recovered high-powered firearms in two encounters with the New People’s Army in Bukidnon and Surigao del Sur on April 30 and May 2

Major Francisco P. Garello Jr., chief of the 4th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office (PAO), said the 1st Special Forces Battalion led by Lt. Col. Roger Anthony E. Nuylan Jr. under the 403rd Infantry (Peacemaker) Brigade captured three M16 Armalite rifles, magazines and live ammunition, backpacks, medical kits with assorted medicines, and personal belongings after a gun battle in Cambangon, Barangay Lilingayon, Valencia City, Bukidnon on April 30.

“Out-gunned and out-positioned, the rebels ran away in different directions, dragging along with them their undetermined number of casualties, after a 25-minute fierce firefight,” Garello said.

He said troops are pursuing the fleeing 30 fully armed combined elements of the Platun Ipad and Platun Huawei of the Sub-Regional Committee 5 (SRC5) of the Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC) in Cambangon.

Nuylan said they have been pursuing them since last month.

“We have been tracking the same terrorist group we encountered last April 12 in Bubong, Lanao del Sur,” he said.

“They continue evading our troops due to exhaustion with limited ammunition and food supplies. But we will pursue them, we will not give them breathing space until they realize the futility in fighting the government and that the only option left for them is to surrender voluntarily,” Nuylan added.

Two days later on May 2 in Barangay Maitum, Tandag City, Surigao del Sur, the 2nd Scout Ranger Battalion (SRBn) under the operational control of the 901st Infantry Brigade encountered 10 communist guerillas believed to be members of the weakened Guerilla Front 30 of the CPP-NPA Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC).

Soldiers recovered an AK-47 rifle, a grenade, and assorted personal belongings and supplies after the skirmish.

Troops were responding to reports regarding the presence of NPA rebels in the barangay extorting food supplies and conducting recruitment when the encounter occurred, Brig. Gen. George Banzon, commanding general of the Army 901st Infantry Brigade, said.

No casualty was reported on the government side in the two encounters. (Mike Crismundo/Manila Bulletin)

Miss Philippines Earth dazzles in Bukidnon preliminary events

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CAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines – People in four Bukidnon towns were treated to a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle as the Miss Philippines Earth 2023 preliminary competitions came to Mindanao’s food basket for the first time

Twenty-nine Miss Philippines Earth candidates showcased their poise and physique, donning Bukidnon native dresses and swimsuits, during a summer-themed preliminary event before a jam-packed crowd in Talakag town, Bukidnon, on Wednesday night, April 19.

The national beauty pageant is held yearly to crown “the most beautiful and environmentally-conscious and aware woman” in the country and send her to compete in the international competition Miss Earth.

Before the town center event, the candidates went to the upland village of Miarayon, also in Talakag town, the vegetable center of Northern Mindanao, to see the agricultural fields.

The candidates were also in Manolo Fortich town earlier, where they rubbed elbows with local government officials in Bukidnon.

“This is a coming of age for these towns. For so long, these towns have been in the backwaters. Now, the world is looking at us,” Bukidnon 1st District Representative Jose Manuel Alba told Rappler.

Alba brought the entire production of the Miss Philippines Earth 2023 to Bukidnon.

After the preliminary events of the pageant in the towns of Manolo Fortich, Talakag, Sumilao, and Baungon until the weekend, the candidates will travel for the coronation night in Toledo City, Cebu, in the Visayas.

He said it was the first time the Bukidnon towns saw a big production and prestigious national beauty pageant.

“Our market is the nation, eventually. We want the country to see the potential of these towns,” Alba said.

He said Manolo Fortich town alone was transformed into a first-class municipality from its humble origin as a place for herds of cows that were brought to Cagayan de Oro City to be shipped to Manila many years ago.

“Hundreds of cows were driven along the rolling plains of Manolo Fortich every month. The town was the watering hole for the cows and cowboys to drink and rest before continuing the journey to Cagayan de Oro,” said Manuel Fortich, the US-based son of the late former Bukidnon governor Carlos “Totoy” Fortich.

He said the town was transformed after World War II when the government granted homestead lands to fleeing residents who escaped the Japanese occupation.

Alba said the same is true in the case of Talakag town, which was founded by homestead lands granted to residents who fled the war.

“Now, Talakag is another first-class municipality, the vegetable center of Northern Mindanao. We are promoting its agro-tourism program,” Alba said.

Cagayan de Oro Councilor Malvern Esparcia said he was impressed with how the contestants, in Bukidnon native dresses, ramped up the stage in Talakag to the ethnic music of a local band.

“This itself is a message that these towns are not about to dump their traditions while they embrace modern inroads to their communities,” Esparcia said. (Froilan Gallardo/Rappler)

Bukidnon cop chief relieved

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines — The head of the Bukidnon police has been relieved from his post

Col. Reynante Reyes’ relief is effective April 15 as ordered by Northern Mindanao police director Brig. Gen. Lawrence Coop.

Col. Danildo Tumanda was named Bukidnon police officer-in-charge.

Maj. Joann Navarro, Northern Mindanao police spokesperson, said Reyes was relieved from his post amid an investigation he is facing due to complaints coursed through Malacañang’s Citizens’ Complaint Hotline 8888.

Navarro said among the complaints is that the police official goes on foreign trips without filing a vacation leave. (Philstar.net)

OPAPRU: Success of Mindanao peace process due to stakeholders

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MANILA – The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU) on April 17, 2023, attributed the success of the Mindanao peace process to the support provided by local and international stakeholders

“The success of the Mindanao peace process has vibrant support from the stakeholders as well as the international community,” it said in a statement.

OPAPRU bared this after the Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian compared the situation of China with Taiwan to those in Mindanao.

“We took note about the statement of Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian comparing the internal tension in China with Taiwan to the Mindanao peace process,” the body said.

OPAPRU said the Bangsamoro peace process ever since has been facilitated by a third-party country to ensure fairness and maintain the integrity of the peace negotiations.

“Now in its implementation phase, the role of the international community in the southern peace process is very crucial to help deliver the peace dividends,” it added.

OPAPRU also noted that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., during the UN General Assembly, has earlier showcased the positive experience in the Bangsamoro peace process which other countries with internal conflicts can replicate.

“We encourage countries with similar situations such as ours to follow the same path in resolving conflicts peacefully and not resort to the unnecessary threat of force, intimidation, and/or violence,” it added.

OPAPRU also believes that the success of the Bangsamoro peace process can be replicated no matter how difficult it is.

“We believe that to address the Taiwan Strait Crisis, we need genuine and inclusive dialogue, respect, and good faith by all parties,” it noted. (Priam Nepomuceno /PNA)

DA fosters local production of veggie seeds for increased food sufficiency, income in NorMin

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) under the leadership of OIC-Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, received an assortment of vegetable (ampalaya, pole sitao, cucumber, okra, upo) seeds from the Institute of Plant Breeding (IPB) last March 31, 2023, at the agency compound, in this city

The said provisions were handed over by IPB Director Dr. Fe M. dela Cueva and received by DA-10 consultant Joel S. Rudinas on behalf of RED Collado.

The Bureau of Plant Industry Region 10 (BPI-10) OIC-Manager Arnold dela Cruz also supported the said activity.

According to Rudinas, the seeds are in support of the agency’s bid to stimulate local production of vegetable seeds, concomitant with its goal to ensure food security and sufficiency, high-quality yield, and increased income of farmers in the region.

“The sample seeds we received from IPB will be thoroughly studied in our [research] stations for us to determine its performance,” Rudinas said.

With feedback from local farmers here and through the close coordination of DA and IPB, Rudinas is optimistic about breeder seeds with properties that are resistant to challenges in climate and tailor-fit to the agricultural conditions of Region 10.

The breeder seeds, Rudinas said, will be reproduced and distributed by DA to barangays and sitios that are part of 4th, 5th, and 6th class municipalities.

“We want to have a network of seed production and local seed availability. It is our hope that eventually, these communities we provide seeds will develop their own seed systems, securing their own source of seeds, food, and income,” he added.

For her part, IPB Director dela Cueva said they are eager to support DA-10 for the success of this endeavor, including hosting capability-building training for seed reproduction. (DA-10)

 

Army vows strengthened ties with IP communities

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The 4th Infantry Division (4ID) of the Philippine Army on April 5, 2023, vowed to continue strengthening relations with the indigenous peoples (IP) communities in the Northern Mindanao and Caraga regions

In a statement, MGen. Jose Maria Cuerpo II, 4ID Commander, said part of his leadership includes working closely with IPs to facilitate peace and development in the indigenous cultural communities so they would not get recruited by communist rebels, and prevent their villages from becoming rebel mass bases.

“Let’s re-establish our warm and strong relationship. We are committed to supporting and assisting our IPs in providing lasting solutions to the issues we have discussed,” he said.

With the help of other local government units and line government agencies under the Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (TF-ELCAC), Cuerpo said the issues and concerns of IP will be discussed and eventually resolved.

On April 5, the 4ID addressed concerns from more than 100 IP leaders from the two regions who paid a visit to its headquarters here, which was also facilitated by the National Commission on Indigenous People.

Cuerpo and other 4ID officials held discussions on IPs being enlisted in the Army, the support for the institutionalization of the Indigenous Defense System, additional military detachments in ancestral domains, military reservations, and ancestral land security.

Datu Jimmy Guinsod, the Provincial Indigenous People’s Mandatory Representative of Surigao del Sur province, said the 4ID’s gesture of showing importance to them and giving protection to their ancestral domains were highly commendable.

Bae Anna Jessa Mae Crisostomo, the spokesperson for the Mindanao Indigenous People’s Youth Organization and the National TF-ELCAC Focal Person for IP Concerns, said that by partnering with the 4ID and IP communities, everyone can contribute to ensuring peace and development in ancestral domains.

During the dialogue, Cuerpo was conferred with the title “Datu Uma-angkag,” which means a brave and charismatic warrior, for participating in the event. (Nef Luczon/PNA)