NewsExpress

#NewsExpress #Iloilo #RegionalNews

Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) of the Philippines, Inc.
National President Atty. Bienvenida A. Gruta, Dr. Leonida Bayani-Ortiz, Chairperson, 75 th Anniversary Ad-
hoc Committee, and Ms. Neriza B. Llena, National Executive Director, awarded the Blue Triangle for
Exemplary Leadership to Emee E. Saplada (inset), President, Iloilo YWCA Inc. and Vice President for
Administration and Management of the YWCA of the Philippines, Inc. and 4 Stars Award and Most
Participative Local Association during the association’s 75 th Anniversary and 39 th Mid-Biennium Meeting
with the theme: “Y’er’s, Rise Up and Shine!” held at Manila Prince Hotel, Ermita, Manila last April 28-29,

2023. Others in photo are: Dr. Lorena Opong (VP Program and Membership), Rosemarie T. Tarol
      (Chairperson, Training Committee), Young Woman/ Youth Leaders Kimberly Kim Soldevilla, Marie
      Silarde, Josel Ann A. Carado, Airame Aliman and Excel Babe Alcubilla.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has instructed the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) to immediately address the power crisis that brought massive blackouts to the islands of Panay, Guimaras
and Negros last week.
This was relayed by Energy Secretary Raphael Perpetuo Lotilla to Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. with the assurance that the President has been apprised of the situation and that he is closely monitoring the measures
being done by NGCP.
The NGCP has also been told to be transparent and continuously update local officials, distribution utilities, power generators, the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) of
the status of the Visayas grid on a regular basis.
Defensor convened the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and the Provincial Civil Defense Cluster on May 2 so they can immediately act on instructions and information critical in the
immediate resolution of the power crisis.
The governor disclosed that the President has specifically instructed the NGCP to make sure that a massive blackout in the grid will not happen again by synchronizing the “protection relays of transmission,
generation and distribution in the next two weeks.”
The NGCP was also told to immediately finish the third stage of the Cebu-Negros-Panay backbone project (CNP3) which involves linking Negros and Cebu by laying an overhead line from Bacolod City to San
Carlos City then to San Carlos City to Toledo City, Cebu through a submarine cable.
The whole CNP project involves the construction of a 238km long circuit, 230kV capacity transmission line linking the three islands of Cebu, Negros and Panay, which includes the expansion of the Barotac Viejo
substation, the E.B Magalona cable terminal station and the Bacolod substation.
Defensor also disclosed that the NGCP has been instructed by the President “to review the reliability of each Visayas sub-grids” and fast-tract the signing of the Ancillary Service Procurement Agreement (ASPA)
with the ERC.
Ancillary services support the transmission of power from generators to consumers to maintain reliable operations and are necessary to manage power fluctuations.

Treñas orders energy-saving measures in Iloilo City

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas called on all public and private establishments in the city to adopt
energy-saving measures in the wake of recent power outages.
Based on Executive Order No. 49 which he issued recently the energy-saving measures will be
carried out in the City Hall and in the barangay facilities, schools, parks and Esplanade, among
others.
Treñas, said while efforts have been made to expand energy production to cope with the demand,
there are still problems with consumption that result in power outages and unscheduled interruption.
“While we demand from the NGCP (National Grid Corp. of the Philippines) and other energy
suppliers and power distribution companies to improve their services, it cannot be said that one of
the ways to deal with the constantly expanding need for energy and the issues it brings is to focus
on energy conservation,” he said.
The order prohibits the unnecessary use of office facilities while lights, air-conditioning units, and
computer monitors have to be turned off during lunch break, provided they are not considered front-
line service offices.
The use of devices with high electricity consumption, such as electric stoves, irons, and similar
devices, is prohibited while charging cellular phones and similar gadgets is highly discouraged in
office premises.
Street lights in all public thoroughfares shall be turned on at 6 p.m. and off at 4 a.m. the next day
while those in public plazas and parks will be off at 11 p.m., provided minimal lighting is maintained
for safety and security.
“The public is highly encouraged not to roam around these areas once the majority of lights are off,”
the EO said.
Barangays are also encouraged to adopt energy-saving practices while conducting fiesta
celebrations.
The use of high volumes of water is also highly discouraged as the EO calls for the prudent use of
water.
The energy-saving measures take effect immediately until August 30 this year or until such time the
supply and transmission of electricity shall improve and stabilize, the order read.
The mayor has also ordered City Engineer Salvador Pedregosa, City Architect Regie Gregorio, and
City Environment and Natural Resources Officer Neil Ravena to look into the feasibility of
establishing solar charging stations at the plazas and esplanades for the use of the general public.

Ravena, during their executive meeting on Tuesday afternoon, said they would identify the top five
schools with the biggest consumption for an energy audit to determine their high-electricity
consuming facilities. (PNA)

Following the opening of the first Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) regional office in the
Visayas here, the Iloilo City government and other stakeholders signified support for the
implementation of the anti-red tape and ease of doing business mandate.
During the recent opening of its regional office in Western Visayas at the National Food
Authority (NFA) 6 Compound in Jaro district, ARTA Director General Secretary Ernesto
Perez highlighted the scaling up of the implementation of ARTA’s capacitating and
enabling function as well its enforcement mandate in Western Visayas.
“We are very optimistic, following the directive of the President for government officials
to go down to the people and hear their concerns directly so that nobody is left behind,”
said Perez.
The ARTA chief also underscored the significance of streamlining and digitalizing the
government processes to fight red tape and corruption, as well as attracting investors to
do business here.
As a response, Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas signified the support of the city
government under his watch to the ARTA mandate.
“Iloilo City, under my watch, is one in ensuring the ease of doing business in the
delivery of our services. Through this office (ARTA RFO 6), we are certain that the red
tape in the whole region will be abolished and services for our people will be more
accessible,” Treñas stressed.
To note, the ARTA Central Office is being housed in the NFA Central Office, and the
same goes for the ARTA regional office in Western Visayas and so on to the other
regional offices of ARTA which have been and will be put up across the country.
On the part of the private sector, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI)
Western Visayas Regional Governor and Regional Development Council (RDC) 6 Co-
Chairperson lawyer Jobert Peñaflorida signified support to the anti-red tape mandate,
citing that through such the private sector can do business better.
The ARTA RFO Western Visayas is currently the fourth in the country and one of the
eight regional offices to be put up by the agency nationwide. (PIA6)