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Western Visayas ARBs unburdened by new law
ILOILO CITY — The Department of Agrarian Reform in Western Visayas on Monday disclosed that at least 170,096 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries in the region became recipients of the newly-signed Republic Act 11953 or the New Agrarian Emancipation Act, one of the priority measures under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. DAR regional director for Western Visayas Atty. Sheila Enciso said that the law condones the principal payment, interests and penalties. “Last 7 July, our President signed the New Agrarian Emancipation Act where our farmer-beneficiaries will become debt-free from the lands that were awarded to them,” said Enciso, adding that beneficiaries can already purchase farm inputs for higher production and pay for their household expenses using the amount supposedly intended for their amortization. The DAR regional director also said that the bulk of beneficiaries came from Negros Occidental with 134,447, while other farmer-beneficiaries were from Aklan with 641; Antique, 433; Capiz, 24, 194; Guimaras 2,298; and Iloilo, 8,083. It covered around 209,865 hectares, with Negros Occidental having the biggest area at 68,469, while in other provinces, Aklan has 1,198; Antique, 605; Capiz, 30,255; Guimaras, 3,428; and Iloilo with 5,910. The new law covers ARBs whose land was awarded under Presidential Decree 27 or the Tenant Emancipation Decree in 1972, Republic Act 6657 or the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law of 1988, and Republic Act 9700 that extends the acquisition and distribution of agricultural lands under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program. DAR, Land Bank of the Philippines and other concerned agencies have 60 days to craft the Implementing Rules and Regulations, expected to be published by September. There will also be an inventory to harmonize the data of the LBP and the DAR, she said. The regional director hoped that beneficiaries will continue to hold on to their awarded lots even if under the law they can be disposed of after 10 years. Enciso said the land is a very expensive commodity and since they acquired it at a lower price, they may hold onto it until they can pass it on to their children. “We encourage our farmers to join cooperatives or form organizations because the full support services given by DAR and other government agencies are coursed through the organization,” said Enciso. Other support services are provided by the Department of Agriculture and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, among others. The post Western Visayas ARBs unburdened by new law appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
ASF still No. 1 concern — DA
The Department of Agriculture on Monday said African swine fever is still a major concern of the livestock industry in the country. In a press briefing, Arnel De Mesa, DA's Assistant Secretary for Operations, said ASF is still rampant in Visayan region, particularly in the areas of Aklan, Antique; Negros Oriental and Occidental. However, clinical trials for an ASF vaccine is showing effectiveness, according to De Mesa, based on a report of the DA's Bureau of Animal Industry. He added that they are now just waiting for the vaccine's certificate of product registration for hog raisers to buy the vaccines from Vietnam. The BAI said Vietnam has allocated 600,000 doses of vaccine for Philippines use. Following the impact of the ASF outbreak on the country, the Integrated National Swine Production Initiatives for Recovery and Expansion Program of the DA turned over 120 pigs to four cooperatives in Lipa City, Batangas. The DA said the distribution formed part of the commitment of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. that all farmers and fishers will receive assistance from the government to ensure improved production and income. The Buklod ng Cumba Multi-Purpose Cooperative, L7 Livestock Agriculture Cooperative, Sto. Toribio Farmers Agriculture Cooperative and Malitlit Consumers Cooperative each received 30 swine breeder stocks from the DA. The distributed breeder stocks were born from grandparent pigs donated by the DA-National Livestock Program to select farm-cooperators such as EVG Farm and Phillac Farms, Inc. Lipa Mayor Eric Africa said that under his leadership, the city government will continue to collaborate with the DA and the City Veterinary Office in providing technical and financial assistance to ASF-affected hog farmers and to support the DA’s initiatives toward agricultural development and the attainment of food security. Supported by the DA Administrative Orders No. 6 and 7 in 2021, the INSPIRE Program is one of the DA’s twin programs against ASF — the other being the Bantay ASF sa Barangay program for intensified disease surveillance and control in the barangay level. The program focuses on calibrated hog re-population, establishment of swine farms and facilities and ensuring easy access to insurance and credit services for hog farmers to improve swine production and to ensure the sufficiency of pork and pork products in the country. The INSPIRE Program is spearheaded by the DA-NLP with support from its livestock attached agencies, the DA Regional Field Offices, local government units and other stakeholders including farmers’ cooperatives and associations. On its official website, the DA-NLP reported having distributed 19,486 pigs for its implementation of sentinel protocol, reaching 8,161 beneficiaries nationwide. The post ASF still No. 1 concern — DA appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Public service without break
I am proud of the hard work that we have all put into advancing legislative measures with the common goal of providing a safer and better life for Filipinos While we are now on our session break, I believe that there can be no pause in our duties as public servants The Senate adjourned sine die last 31 May 31 its First Regular Session of the 19th Congress. Our first such session under the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., I am proud of the hard work that we have all put into advancing legislative measures with the common goal of providing a safer and better life for Filipinos. Six of the proposed measures that hurdled the Senate are now laws, including several of my co-authored and co-sponsored bills, such as the SIM Registration Act, postponement of the December 2022 Barangay and SK Elections, and naturalization of our national basketball team key player, Justin Brownlee. Senate Bill 1849, which I co-sponsored, has also been enacted, amending certain provisions of Republic Act No. 11709 to establish a fixed term and retirement age for some officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines that would hopefully better promote their welfare. I likewise co-sponsored RA 11938, converting the municipality of Carmona, Cavite into a city. As Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, I am also particularly happy that the Bicameral Conference Report on our proposed Regional Specialty Centers Act has already been ratified, marking a significant milestone towards improving access to specialized healthcare across the country. As the principal sponsor of the measure, I cannot emphasize enough the importance of establishing more specialty centers in various regions to ensure that our Filipinos have better access to the specialized medical services they require. This measure is a steadfast commitment, and a collective vision to improve our healthcare system. It is our people’s experiences and stories that have driven us to aim for a healthcare system that is compassionate, accessible, and designed to meet the needs of Filipinos. Likewise approved on third and final reading in the Senate are several bills that I co-authored and co-sponsored, such as: (1) the proposed Walkable and Bikeable Communities Act which seeks to establish safe routes for cyclists, pedestrians, and slow vehicles across the entire country; (2) Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act which aims to institutionalize the grant of a teaching allowance for public school teachers; (3) No Permit, No Exam Prohibition Act which seeks to protect students from preventing them in taking exams due to outstanding financial obligations; (4) New Agrarian Emancipation Act which seeks to condone almost P58 billion worth of loans that agrarian reform beneficiaries incurred in owning lands under the government’s agrarian reform programs; (5) Trabaho Para sa Bayan Act which aims to stimulate economic growth for decent job generation; and (6) Senate Bill No. 2021 which aims to improve the competitiveness of MSMEs by granting them access to shared facilities and services, technology, and skills training. The proposed National Day for Awareness on the Hijab and Other Traditional Garments and Attire Act, and the Cultural Mapping Act, which I both co-authored, have also hurdled the Senate. Meanwhile, I likewise filed several other measures in a bid to bring services closer to our people, especially the needy, the hopeless, and the helpless. These include bills establishing Mental Health Offices in higher educational institutions, mandating financial literacy and entrepreneurship as core subjects in the junior and senior high school curricula, and institutionalizing a technical-vocational program specifically for rehabilitated drug dependents. To improve the resilience of the agricultural sector, I also filed a bill seeking to provide immediate financial assistance to ARBs in the event of natural calamities and another measure that proposes to expand the services of the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation and encourage private sector participation in agricultural insurance. Among others, I also filed bills seeking to institutionalize the Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino Program (4PH), a flagship housing program of President Marcos, Jr.; establish a comprehensive framework to accelerate infrastructure flagship programs; strengthen our coast guard; better protect our kasambahays, freelance and media workers; and provide equitable incentives to our para-athletes. After a hectic yet fruitful legislative year, I continue to personally visit our kababayans in need to provide the necessary aid. On June 1, I was in Samal, Bataan with my team to witness the groundbreaking of the town’s Super Health Center and distribute aid to 500 of its struggling residents. We also visited Balanga City to provide similar assistance to 1,008 indigents. Batangas was our destination the following day where I inspected the Super Health Center and a multipurpose building which will be the new municipal hall in Ibaan. I also led relief operations for 1,000 of my fellow Batanguenos in Ibaan and 1,086 in Sta. Teresita. Meanwhile, I was in Naga City, Camarines Sur on June 3 where I attended the 1st Bicol Social Media Summit and assisted 1,500 indigent residents. I then conducted a monitoring visit to the Malasakit Center at the Bicol Medical Center in the city and likewise aided 824 patients and 2,702 frontliners. The DSWD also committed to providing financial assistance to qualified beneficiaries. Thereafter, I inspected a bypass road in the city, a project I also supported as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance. Across the country, my outreach teams aided 5,102 Typhoon Agaton victims in Banate, Iloilo; 170 fire-hit families in Parañaque City; five fire-hit families in Cotabato City and three more in Catbalogan City, Samar. Indigent families were also aided, including 420 in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija; 598 in Socorro, Surigao del Norte; 1,000 in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur; 40 in Island Garden City of Samal, Davao del Norte; 520 in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur; 180 in Sibalom, Antique; 518 in Kalibo, Aklan; 83 TESDA graduates in Carcar City, Cebu; and 408 barangay health workers in Sariaya, Quezon. My staff likewise attended the groundbreaking of the Super Health Center in Socorro, Surigao del Norte. While we are now on our session break, I believe that there can be no pause in our duties as public servants. As we have always done and as we are mandated to do, we should continue spending the days ahead trying to help uplift the lives of our Filipino people. The post Public service without break appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Tablas Strait oil spill reaches Antique
ILOILO CITY, Iloilo, Philippines — The oil spill from the tanker MT Empress Princess that sunk off Naujan, Oriental Mindoro, on Feb. 28 has already reached the island town of Caluya, between Mindoro and Panay, only about 18 nautical miles west of Boracay Island in Aklan. According to Com. Jansen Benjamin, public information officer of […] The post Tablas Strait oil spill reaches Antique appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
‘Paeng’ to exit Luzon landmass within 6 to 12 hours; out of PAR by Monday – PAGASA
The state weather bureau, on Saturday evening, Oct. 29, said severe tropical storm Paeng (international name: Nalgae) will likely exit the Luzon landmass within 6 to 12 hours, adding that based on the latest forecast track, it may leave the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) on Monday, Oct. 31. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), in its bulletin issued at 11 p.m., said Paeng has crossed the Laguna de Bay and the Metro Manila-Rizal-Bulacan area and is now in the vicinity of Baliuag, Bulacan. Paeng has maximum sustained winds of 95 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 160 kph. “Paeng may maintain its strength from the remainder of its traverse of the Luzon landmass, although the possibility of slight weakening is not ruled out within the next 6 hours,” said PAGASA. (MB Visual Content Group) Hazards affecting PH The weather disturbance, before it emerges over the West Philippine Sea, will continue to bring heavy to intense rains in Metro Manila, Zambales, Bataan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Rizal, Laguna, Cavite, Batangas, and the northern portion of mainland Quezon until Sunday, Oct. 30. Meanwhile, moderate to at times intense rains may be experienced over mainland Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region, Mindoro Provinces, the central portion of Quezon including Polillo islands, and the rest of Central Luzon. “Under these conditions, widespread flooding and rain-induced landslides are expected,” PAGASA said. Wind Signals in effect Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals (TCWS) are still raised due to the weather disturbance. Wind Signal no. 3 remained hoisted in the northern portion of Metro Manila, Bataan, the southern portion of Zambales, Pampanga, Bulacan, and the southern portion of Tarlac. Areas placed under Signal No. 2 were Pangasinan, the southern portion of Aurora, the rest of Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, the rest of Zambales, Laguna, Batangas, the northern and central portions of Quezon including Polillo Islands, Rizal, Cavite, the rest of Metro Manila, Cavite, the northern portion of Oriental Mindoro, and the northern portion of Occidental Mindoro including Lubang Islands. Meanwhile, Signal No. 1 was hoisted over La Union, Kalinga, Abra, Benguet, Ifugao, Ilocos Sur, Mountain Province, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Isabela, the rest of Aurora, the rest of Quezon, Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Albay, Sorsogon, the western portion of Masbate including Burias and Ticao Islands, the rest of Occidental Mindoro, the rest of Oriental Mindoro, Palawan including Calamian Islands, Cuyo Islands, Romblon, and Marinduque, Capiz, Aklan, and the northern portion of Antique including Caluya Islands. Wind Signals in other areas were lifted by PAGASA......»»
Tropical Cyclone Paeng Tracker
Latest track and intensity forecast of Paeng (PAGASA) 11 p.m., Oct. 29 The state weather bureau, on Saturday evening, Oct. 29, said severe tropical storm Paeng (international name: Nalgae) will likely exit the Luzon landmass within 6 to 12 hours, adding that based on the latest forecast track, it may leave the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) on Monday, Oct. 31. Paeng has crossed the Laguna de Bay and the Metro Manila-Rizal-Bulacan area and is now in the vicinity of Baliuag, Bulacan. It has maximum sustained winds of 95 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 160 kph. 8 p.m., Oct. 29 Severe tropical storm Paeng (international name: Nalgae) is now traversing the northern portion of Cavite. It was last spotted in the vicinity of General Mariano Alvarez, Cavite, packing maximum winds of 95 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 115 kph. After traversing the Cavite area, the weather disturbance will cross the southern portion of Bataan. Signal No. 3 remained hoisted in the following areas in Luzon: the central and southern portions of Zambales, Bataan, the southern portion of Bulacan, the western portion of Pampanga, Metro Manila, the southwestern portion of Quezon, Laguna, Batangas, Cavite, Rizal, the northwestern portion of Occidental Mindoro including Lubang Islands, and the northwestern portion of Oriental Mindoro. 5 p.m., Oct. 29 Paeng was last seen in the vicinity of San Pablo City, Laguna. Although it already made landfall five times, the state weather bureau said Paeng may “maintain its strength while traversing the Luzon landmass.” Its fifth and latest landfall scenario was recorded in Sariaya, Quezon at 1:40 p.m. Based on PAGASA’s latest forecast track, Paeng will continue to barrel through the Philippine landmass and will traverse the Cavite-Batangas area. 2 p.m., Oct. 29 Severe tropical storm Paeng (international name: Nalgae) is about to make its 5th landfall, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). It was last spotted over the coastal waters of San Juan, Batangas with maximum sustained winds of 95 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 130 kph. Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals are still raised as Paeng barrels through the country’s landmass. Signal No. 3 remained hoisted in Metro Manila, Bataan, the southern portion of Zambales, Marinduque, the northern and central portions of Quezon including Polillo Islands, Laguna, Batangas, Cavite, Rizal, the northwestern portion of Occidental Mindoro including Lubang Islands, and the northern portion of Oriental Mindoro. 11 a.m., Oct. 29 In less than 24 hours, severe tropical storm Paeng (international name: Nalgae) already made landfall four times. Its most recent landfall scenario was recorded in Santa Cruz, Marinduque at 8:40 a.m. According to PAGASA, it may make another landfall in the vicinity of the southeastern portion of Batangas before traversing the Cavite-Metro Manila-Bataan Peninsula area on Saturday, Oct. 29. Paeng may exit the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) on Monday evening, Oct. 31. 8 a.m., Oct. 29 Paeng made its third landfall over Buenavista, Quezon at 6 a.m., said the state weather bureau. Based on the latest forecast track, the center of Paeng is expected to pass close or make landfall in the vicinity of Marinduque on Saturday morning, Oct. 29 before traversing the CALABARZON-Metro Manila-Bataan Peninsula area for the remainder of the day. Wind Signal No. 3 was hoisted in Camarines Norte, the western portion of Camarines Sur, Marinduque, Quezon including Polillo Islands, Laguna, Batangas, Cavite, Metro Manila, and Rizal as Paeng barrels through Luzon. Areas under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 include Catanduanes, Albay, the western portion of Sorsogon, the western portion of Masbate including Burias Island, the southern portion of Aurora, Bulacan, Pampanga, Bataan, Tarlac, Zambales, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, the rest of Camarines Sur, Romblon, Oriental Mindoro, and Occidental Mindoro including Lubang Islands. Meanwhile, Wind Signal No. 1 was raised in Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Kalinga, Ifugao, Mountain Province, Benguet, Ilocos Sur, La Union, the rest of Aurora, the rest of Sorsogon, the rest of Masbate including Ticao Island, and the northern portion of Palawan including Calamian and Cuyo Islands, Northern Samar, Samar, Eastern Samar, Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Cebu including Bantayan and Camotes Islands, Bohol, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Guimaras, Aklan, Antique, Capiz, and Iloilo. 5 a.m., Oct. 29 Severe tropical storm Paeng (international name: Nalgae) was last spotted in the vicinity of Siruma, Camarines Sur. It has maximum sustained winds of 95 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 160 kph. The weather disturbance made its first landfall in Virac, Catanduanes at 1:10 a.m. Its second landfall was recorded in Caramoan, Camarines Sur at 1:40 a.m. 2 a.m., Oct. 29 Cyclone Paeng (international name: Nalgae) intensified into a severe tropical storm. Due to this weather disturbance, heavy to intense rains will persist over Bicol region, Western Visayas, Quezon, Polillo Islands, Marinduque, Romblon, Samar, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Occidental Mindoro and Oriental Mindoro until Saturday morning. Paeng will then begin to drench Metro Manila and nearby areas with intense rains as it further traverses Luzon. “Heavy to intense rains to at times torrential rains possible over Metro Manila, CALABARZON, Marinduque, Occidental Mindoro, and Oriental Mindoro [on Saturday morning through evening],” said PAGASA. PAGASA is still not ruling out the possibility of a landfall scenario over the Albay-Catanduanes area in the next 6 hours. Paeng may weaken into a tropical storm after its interaction with the Luzon landmass. 11 p.m., Oct. 28 The center of tropical storm Paeng was already over the coastal waters of Rapu-Rapu, Albay, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). Paeng was moving west-northwestward at a speed of 25 kilometers per hour (kph), while packing maximum sustained winds of 85 kph near the center and gusts of up to 105 kph. Based on its latest track, the storm may make landfall in Albay-Camarines Sur area or Catanduanes late Friday night, Oct. 28, or early Saturday morning, Oct. 29. After its landfall, PAGASA said the storm may likely to cross the Bicol peninsula until early Saturday afternoon and cross Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) and Metro Manila until evening. “After emerging over Manila Bay, Paeng will briefly pass very close or over the Bataan peninsula between tomorrow late evening (Oct. 29) and Sunday early morning (Oct. 30),” PAGASA said. 8 p.m., Oct. 28 The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) last spotted tropical storm Paeng (international name: Nalgae) 100 kilometers (km) east-northeast of Catarman, Northern Samar or 165 km east of Juban, Sorsogon. “On the forecast track the center of Paeng may make its initial landfall in the vicinity of Albay or Sorsgon this late evening (Oct. 28) or tomorrow early morning (Oct. 29) and traverse the Bicol Peninsula before emerging over the coastal waters of Quezon. Between tomorrow afternoon and evening (Oct. 29), the center of Paeng may make another landfall over the east coast of Quezon,” PAGASA said. However, PAGASA has not ruled out a possible change in the landfall scenario due to the southward shift in the forecast track. As of 8 p.m., Paeng was moving at a speed of 25 kilometers per hour (kph), while it maintained maximum sustained winds of 85 kph near the center and gusts of up to 105 kph. 5 p.m., Oct. 28 The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said tropical storm Paeng (international name: Nalgae) was last spotted 180 kilometers east of Catarman, Northern Samar. It was moving west-northwestward at a speed of 25 kilometers per hour (kph), while packing maximum sustained winds of 85 kph near the center and gusts of up to 105 kph. “Tropical storm Paeng is forecast to continue moving west-northwestward through Sunday (Oct. 30). On the forecast track the center of Paeng may make landfall or pass close to Northern Samar tonight (Oct. 28),” PAGASA said. “Afterwards, this tropical cyclone will traverse the Bicol Region this late evening (Oct. 28) through tomorrow morning (Oct. 29). Between tomorrow afternoon and evening, the center of Paeng may make another landfall over the east coast of Quezon, including Polillo Islands,” it added. Paeng is also expected to intensify into a severe tropical storm in 12 hours. 2 p.m., Oct. 28 The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) last spotted tropical storm Paeng 155 kilometers (km) east-northeast of Borongan City, Eastern Samar or 245 km east-southeast of Catarman, Northern Samar. It was moving westward at a speed of 30 kilometers per hour (kph), while it maintained maximum sustained winds of 75 kph near the center and gusts of up to 90 kph. Based on the latest analysis, a possible close approach or landfall in Eastern Samar or Northern Samar this afternoon or evening is “not ruled out.” “Afterwards, Paeng will move generally west-northwestward and may traverse the Bicol Region tonight (Oct. 28) through tomorrow morning (Oct. 29). Between tomorrow afternoon and evening, the center of Paeng may make another landfall over the east coast of Quezon, including Polillo Islands, or Aurora,” PAGASA said. 11 a.m., Oct. 28 The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said tropical storm Paeng (international name: Nalgae) was estimated 220 kilometers (km) east-northeast of Borongan City, Eastern Samar, or 305 km of Catarman, Northern Samar. The movement of the storm accelerated to a speed of 25 kilometers per hour (kph) west-northwest toward the Bicol Region. After its landfall in Catanduanes early Saturday morning, Oct. 29, Paeng may pass the northern part of Camarines Sur, then the eastern part of Camarines Norte. By Sunday morning, Oct. 30, PAGASA said the center of Paeng may make another landfall over the coastal area of eastern Quezon, including Polillo Islands, or Aurora. Meanwhile, Paeng has maintained its maximum sustained winds of 75 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 90 kph. “Paeng is forecast to further intensify while moving over the warm waters of the Philippine Sea and may reach the severe tropical storm category within 24 hours,” PAGASA said. However, it pointed out that because of a landfall scenario in Bicol Region, Paeng is now less likely to intensify into a typhoon and there is an “increasing likelihood” that Paeng may remain a severe tropical storm. “Per latest track and intensity forecast, the highest wind signal that will likely be hoisted is Wind Signal No. 3 in anticipation of storm-force conditions associated with Paeng,” PAGASA said. 5 a.m., Oct. 28 The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) last spotted tropical storm Paeng 410 kilometers east of Borongan City, Eastern Samar, and it was moving westward at 15 kilometers per hour (kph). It said Paeng may move west-northwestward over the Philippine Sea until Sunday, Oct. 30, while moving toward the central or southern portion of Luzon. Paeng is still expected to make landfall in or pass very close to Catanduanes by Saturday morning, Oct. 29. Meanwhile, another landfall scenario is likely over Aurora or the coastal areas of eastern Quezon, including Polillo Islands on Sunday morning. “Considering the southward shift in the forecast track, a possible landfall in the eastern portion of Bicol Region is not ruled out at this time,” PAGASA pointed out. PAGASA said Paeng slightly intensified packing maximum sustained winds of 75 kph near the center and gusts of up to 90 kph. 11 p.m., Oct. 27 The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) last spotted tropical storm Paeng 485 kilometers east of Borongan City, Eastern Samar, and it was slowly moving westward. It is packing maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gusts of up to 80 kph. “On the forecast track, Paeng may make landfall or pass very close to Catanduanes on Saturday. Another landfall scenario is possible on Sunday (Oct. 30) over Aurora or the east coast of Quezon,” PAGASA said. “Considering the southward shift in the forecast track, a possible landfall in the eastern portion of Bicol Region is not ruled out at this time,” it added. 5 p.m., Oct. 27 Tropical storm Paeng (international name: Nalgae) maintained its strength while traversing the Philippine Sea. Last spotted 510 kilometers (km) east of Borongan City, eastern Samar, the weather disturbance was packing winds of 65 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 80 kph. “Paeng is forecast to further intensify while moving over the warm waters of the Philippine Sea. It is forecast to reach severe tropical storm category within 24 hours and may intensify into a typhoon by Saturday, [Oct. 29]. The occurrence of rapid intensification in the next 72 hours is not ruled out,” said the state weather bureau. Meanwhile, the following areas were placed under Wind Signal No. 1 as of 5 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 27: the eastern portion of Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, and Masbate including Ticao Island and Burias Island, eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Samar, Biliran, and the northern portion of Leyte. 11 a.m., Oct. 27 The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said tropical storm Paeng was estimated 540 kilometers east of Borongan City in Eastern Samar as of 10 a.m., and is moving west-northwestward at 10 kph. “Tropical storm Paeng is forecast to track generally west-northwestward over the Philippine Sea through Sunday (Oct. 30), while moving towards the central or northern portion of Luzon,” PAGASA said. “On the forecast track, Paeng may pass close to Catanduanes on Saturday (Oct. 29), and a landfall scenario is possible on Sunday within any of the coastal areas along the eastern portions of Central Luzon or mainland Cagayan Valley,” it added. However, PAGASA has not ruled out a possible southward shift in the forecast landfall, which could be over the eastern portion of Southern Luzon, due to the recent shift in Paeng’s track. 5 a.m., Oct. 27 The center of tropical depression Paeng was last spotted 660 kilometers east of Borongan City, Eastern Samar. “Tropical depression Paeng is forecast to track generally west-northwestward over the Philippine Sea through Sunday (Oct. 30), while moving towards the northern or central portion of Luzon. On the forecast track, a landfall scenario is possible on Sunday within any of the coastal areas along the eastern portions of Central Luzon or mainland Cagayan Valley,” the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said. It pointed out that with the recent shift in the forecast track, “a possible southward shift in the possible area of landfall—i.e. towards the eastern portions of Central or Southern Luzon—is not ruled out at this time.” As of Wednesday, the weather disturbance has maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gusts of up to 70 kph. “Paeng may further intensify while moving over warm waters of the Philippine Sea. It is forecast to reach tropical storm category within 24 hours and may become a typhoon by Saturday (Oct. 29). The occurrence of rapid intensification in the next 72 hours is not ruled out,” PAGASA said. 11 p.m., Oct. 26 Tropical depression Paeng was last spotted 725 kilometers east of Borongan City, Eastern Samar. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said it is likely to move west until Thursday morning or noon, Oct. 27, before turning west-northwest or northwest the rest of Thursday until Sunday afternoon, Oct. 30, while approaching Northern Luzon. “On the forecast track, a landfall scenario is possible within any of the coastal areas along the eastern portion of mainland Cagayan Valley or the northern portion of Aurora on Sunday,” PAGASA said. As of Wednesday, tropical depression Paeng maintained its maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gusts of up to 55 kph. “Based on the latest forecast scenario, tropical cyclone wind signal may be hoisted for some areas in Eastern Visayas and Bicol Region tomorrow morning (Oct. 27) at the earliest,” it added. 5 p.m., Oct. 26 Tropical depression Paeng was estimated to be 945 kilometers (km) east of Eastern Visayas, and was moving westward at 10 kilometers per hour. “On the forecast track, this tropical cyclone is forecast to maintain this heading until it makes landfall on the eastern coast of Isabela or Cagayan,” said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). It has maintained its maximum sustained winds of 45 kph near the center and gusts of up to 55 kph. “Paeng is forecast to intensify into a tropical storm tomorrow (Oct. 27) [while] further intensification is likely while moving over the Philippine Sea and may reach the typhoon category prior to its landfall,” PAGASA said. A typhoon has maximum sustained winds of 118 kph to 184 kph. 11 a.m., Oct. 26 The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said tropical depression Paeng was estimated at 965 kilometers east of Eastern Visayas and was moving slowly west-northwestward. “Tropical depression Paeng is forecast to track generally westward until tomorrow afternoon (Oct. 27), then it will turn west-northwestward for the remainder of tomorrow through Saturday morning (Oct. 29). Afterwards, Paeng will begin to move northwestward on Saturday afternoon or evening and may pass close to Northern Luzon on Sunday (Oct. 30) or Monday (Oct. 31),” PAGASA said. It added that a landfall scenario in Northern Luzon is not ruled out. Paeng has maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 55 kph. “Based on the latest forecast scenario, tropical cyclone wind signal may be hoisted for some areas in Eastern Visayas and Bicol Region tomorrow morning (Oct. 27) at the earliest,” PAGASA said. “Per latest track and intensity forecast, the most likely highest wind signal that will be hoisted is Wind Signal No. 4,” it added. 8 a.m., Oct. 26 The low pressure area (LPA) east of Visayas became a tropical depression. The tropical depression, which will be locally known as “Paeng,” is the country’s 15th tropical cyclone for 2022 and the fourth for October......»»
NGCP says power restoration in Panay island ongoing
ILOILO CITY - The restoration of power supply in Panay island is ongoing following an outage that affected the provinces of Aklan, Antique, Iloilo, and Capiz around 6:55 a.m. on Wednesday.The unscheduled power interruption was caused by the tripping of the Negros-Panay 138- kilovolt submarin.....»»
NGCP says power restoration in Panay island ongoing
ILOILO CITY - The restoration of power supply in Panay island is ongoing following an outage that affected the provinces of Aklan, Antique, Iloilo, and Capiz around 6:55 a.m. on Wednesday.The unscheduled power interruption was caused by the tripping of the Negros-Panay 138- kilovolt s.....»»
Globe Reports 600 New Cell Sites, Upgrades ‘Obsolete’ 3G Network
Philippine telecommunications giant Globe Telecom, Inc. said that it has completed at least 641 new cell towers and upgraded 8,175 more during the first half of 2021. Globe announced in a statement Tuesday that the upgrades to their network include upgrading the now “obsolete” 3G network to 4G LTE in places such as Aklan, Antique, […].....»»
Electric cooperatives’ sales revenues up 9% to P54.074-B
Despite the continued wreck of the coronavirus pandemic, the higher electricity usage of consumers had jacked up the overall revenues of the country’s electric cooperatives within April-June this year to P54.074 billion, higher by 9.0-percent from P49.672 billion in the first quarter. The energy sales specifically had escalated by 12-percent in the second quarter of this year, according to the National Electrification Administration (NEA), and that was because of the residential end-users who were mostly confined in their homes at the height of the lockdown period which straddled the months of April and May. NEA stated that based on the statistical report of its Information Technology and Communication Services Department (ITCSD), the nationwide aggregate sales of the ECs climbed to 5,988 gigawatts hours (GWh) within April-June stretch versus the leaner 5,337 GWh in the first quarter. “This was due to the 9.0-percent increase in electricity consumption by the residential sector,” NEA Edgardo R. Masongsong has emphasized. In particular, household end-users posted 3,693 GWh power consumption in the second quarter due to the scorching weather during the summer months; while it was at lower 2,806 GWh in the relatively colder periods of January to March. However, the outcome was a reverse in the commercial sector because the health crisis forced many businesses to either close or reduce operations especially within the March-May duration of the enhanced community quarantines (ECQ) in various parts of the country. The electrification agency pointed out “the pandemic restrictions pushed the energy sales in the commercial sector to fall by 6.0-percent from 1,165 GWh to 982 GWh.” Within the industrial segment of end-users, this was likewise down by 3.0percent to 957 GWh from a heftier consumption of 1,000GWh in the initial quarter of the year. Further, the power usage of public buildings and other consumers had been slightly down by 1.0-percent to 356GWh from 366GWh. Masongsong particularly highlighted that “sales and revenues of power cooperatives operating in Aklan, Benguet, Palawan, Bohol and Siargao island, which are highly dependent on tourism, fell sharply in the second quarter as a result of the community quarantines imposed in these areas.” Of all the service areas of the ECs, NEA noted that Aklan Electric Cooperative (AKELCO) logged the biggest downturn in energy sales at 20-percent, which could be equivalent to P149 million in unrealized revenues. Another power utility which registered sizeable two-digit sales decline of 18-percent had been Benguet Electric Cooperative (BENECO), and that redounds to P145 million revenue loss. For Palawan Electric Cooperative (PALECO), its energy sales had been down by 9.0-percent or equivalent P53 million loss; Bohol Electric Cooperative (BOHECO) sales fell 6.0-percent or a resulting loss of P50 million; and Siargao Electric Cooperative Inc. (SIARELCO) had its sales trimmed by 8.0-percent and that was tantamount to revenue loss of P7.0 million......»»
Globe Telecom Installing 800 cell sites this year
Globe Telecom Inc. will install at least 800 cell sites in the last three months of 2020 to end the year of its network expansion on a high note. In Metro Manila and Rizal, Globe intends to build at least 319 cell sites and at least 100 in North Luzon, with Bulacan, Pampanga and Pangasinan topping the 15 provinces with the most builds. Cavite, on the other hand, tops the 12 provinces in South Luzon which Globe targets for expansion. The rest include Albay, Batangas, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Quezon, Laguna, Marinduque, Masbate, Occidental Mindoro, Palawan and Romblon. The telco will put up 64 towers and small cell sites in the region. In Visayas, Globe plans on 147 installations in Cebu while builds are also set in Aklan, Antique, Bohol, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, Leyte, Negros Occidental, Siquijor, Samar and Negros Oriental. The telco will build a total of 190 installations in these provinces. Globe will also put up 166 cell sites in Mindanao with Davao Del Sur getting the most number among the 23 provinces and one city covered by its expansion. “Putting up more cell sites expsnds our coverage and gives users better data experience,” according to Joel Agustin, Globe Senior Vice President for Program Delivery, Network Technical Group. “We expect mobile signals to improve moving forward especially in challenged areas. As we increase site density, connectivity will be made available and accessible to more communities,” he added. Using newer technologies like easy macro and small cell sites, Globe will also address the need for more capacity in areas where it can not immediately build towers......»»
Danao City ‘gun maker’ nabbed in raid
CEBU CITY, Philippines – A 39-year-old man, who was accused of the illegal manufacture of guns, was arrested in a raid in his residence in Sitio Sapangdako, Barangay Matija, Danao City in northern Cebu, Tuesday dawn, March 26. In a report, the Cebu Police Provincial Office (CPPO) said that the raid was based on a.....»»
Sarah Geronimo meets with Fil-Am producers in LA
Sarah Geronimo has made two historic feats just weeks apart this month, but the talented singer-actress revealed that she still had hesitations and apprehensions......»»
Missing man found dead in Barangay Bonbon
CEBU CITY, Philippines — A 50-year-old man who had been missing for two weeks was found dead in Sitio Golivas, Barangay Bonbon, Cebu City. The victim was identified as Adriano Fuentes Durano, a resident of Kiniasan, Barangay Bonbon, Cebu City. Police Major Philip John Libres, chief of Malubog Police Community Precinct, stated that on Tuesday.....»»
Earth Hour electricity savings reached 132.11 megawatts – DOE
Electricity savings from last Saturday’s Earth Hour increased by 110.73 percent to 132.11 megawatts from last year’s savings of 62.69 MW, according to the Department of Energy......»»
Samal residents rally vs power woes
Electricity consumers in the Island Garden City of Samal in Davao del Norte province joined an interfaith prayer rally over the weekend to protest the continued power woes in their area......»»
Mission impossible: Embracing the nuclear ‘explosion’
A nuclear “explosion” of sorts could be on the horizon for the Philippines – one which could ensure a sustainable, sufficient and clean source of electricity for future generations, or one which could put the country in a deep hole......»»
SMC starts works on Pangasinan tollway
Food-to-infrastructure conglomerate San Miguel Corp. (SMC) has started the civil works for the Pangasinan Link Expressway (PLEX), laying the bedrock for a P34-billion project that would improve travel and tourism in Northern Luzon......»»
3 dead, 592 others afflicted with measles in BARMM since January
Three children in the Bangsamoro region died from measles in the past 10 weeks while 592 others contracted the viral, supposedly vaccine-preventable disease during the period, regional officials reported on Saturday......»»
Visita Iglesia 2024: San Fernando Rey Parish Church in Liloan
CEBU CITY, Philippines — The Liloan town in northern Cebu is known to be the home of the delightful ‘rosquillos.’ But apart from their signature delicacy, a seemingly unique placement of a religious structure was built in this town. If you plan to have a Visita Iglesia this Holy Week, you may want to include.....»»