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State regulatory body National Electrification Administration has already started to evaluate the joint venture agreement between the Central Negros Electric Cooperative (CENECO) and the Negros Electric Power Corporation.

The National Electrification Administration (NEA) has convened to assess the joint venture agreement (JVA) of Primelectric/Negros Electric and Power Corporation (NEPC), a sister company of MORE Power, along with Central Negros Electric Cooperative, Inc. (CENECO), on Wednesday, October 4, 2023, which is aimed at promoting quality service to the consumers.

NEA Administrator Antonio Almeda said during the hearing that along with scrutinizing CENECO’s donated capital and viability, the board would also address the concerns of the oppositors to improve the JVA of the involved parties.

“I hope we can address the concerns of the oppositors. We must also consider them. Regarding the participation of the Member-Consumer-Owners, it has been concluded during the plebiscite so we will put this into motion with all the required legal objectivity,” NEA Administrator Almeda emphasized.

Primelectric/NEPC and CENECO presented before the board of NEA to tackle its joint venture, including the agreement’s implications, in order to strengthen its service to the consumers.

“This venture seeks to magnify the electric industry in Central Negros by not just streamlining the internal and external operations of concerned parties but also rehabilitating and modernizing the distribution system, which is deemed crucial in providing quality service to our consumers,” Primelectric/NEPC President Roel Castro said during the hearing.

On the other hand, CENECO acting general manager Atty. Arnel Lapore also supported the critical role the JVA plays in the area, adding that it “strongly” supports the NEA’s goal to achieve efficient service for all consumers.

“I’m one with NEA in facilitating the service for the benefit of our consumers. That’s why I strongly support and cooperate through this JVA to ensure we deliver quality operations internally and externally. Rest assured that we duly consider all the suggestions raised by Admin Almeda during the hearing,” Lapore said.

Additionally, Castro highlighted during the meeting that NEPC’s target P2.1 billion investment in the capex of its operations is aimed at putting up cutting-edge and top-of-the-line systems for a better consumer experience.

“We need to rehabilitate the system because if you don’t put in the additional P2 billion investment or even bigger, you will be inheriting a distribution system that is just the same as now that is inefficient. That’s why we have to put (the investment) in P2.1 billion to start rehabilitating and improving the system,” declared the Primelectric/NEPC president.

Castro highlighted that along with rehabilitating the distribution system, the P2.1 billion investment will aid in reducing the system’s losses and improve reliability.

“The P2.1 billion will result in reduced system losses and much better reliability but will not lead to any immediate increase in the Distribution System and Metering rates for the consumers once NEPC operates,” he added.

Castro also emphasized during the hearing the NEPC’s commitment to achieve the 100 percent total electrification target in the franchise area by 2028 “in alignment” with the present administration’s agenda of achieving sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

“On behalf of NEPC, we have our commitment to continue, and we will achieve the 100 percent target in alignment with the government’s direction,” Castro noted.

“It will now be fully funded by NEPC, and thus, we are shifting the burden of electrification from the government to the private sector,” he added.

By establishing connections between sitios and the electricity grid, the Sitio Electrification Program intends to achieve its goal of energizing communities through on-grid electrification.

To efficiently execute these programs, the NEPC vowed to work closely with the NEA along with other agencies involved in the hearing to substantiate the NEA’s goal for the nation.

“We will ensure that Primelectric/NEPC will collaborate with NEA and CENECO because we have the same mission to bring light to the progression of the Filipino people and make their lives even more comfortable,” Castro remarked.

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas has been cleared of charges against him before the Office of the Ombudsman.

In a decision dated Feb. 27, 2023, received Oct. 9, Ombudsman dismissed for lack of substantial evidence the case for conduct unbecoming of a public official, grave abuse of authority, and grave misconduct filed by Jun A. Capulot and Plaridel C. Nava II.

The complainants alleged of ostentatious and immoderate spending during the height of Covid-19 pandemic on their filing April 4, 2022.

This, after the mayor entered into loan contract with Development Bank of the Philippines some P1.75-billion for the new public markets and seven-storey parking building.

In his counter-affidavit, Treñas denied accusations and clarified that the loan is valid as it complied with rules pertaining to loan acquisition of a public corporation.

“The Finance Committee studied the contract of loan and the City Council approved a resolution authorizing respondent to execute the contract. The loan was to fund the rehabilitation of the Jaro Big, Arevalo and La Paz Public Markets,” the Ombudsman decision reads.

They also questioned the approval of purchase of 15 brand new motor vehicles for the use of City Council members and procurement of Covid-19 vaccines, and request for supplemental budget to cover, among others, the salaries of newly-created plantilla, additional job hires and executive assistants.

“The purchase of the motor vehicles passed through public bidding and was approved or authorized by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). The number of Covid-19 vaccines purchased was not excessive as it was duly approved by the National Government through the Department of Health and National Task Force Against Covid-19. The enactment of the supplemental budget is within the prerogative of the Sangguniang Panlungsod and not the executive department. The ordinance was reviewed and approved by the Department of Budget and Management,” the decision added.

“The transactions were all in accordance with existing rules and regulations. The public funds disbursed were used in the implementation of various disease control and containment activities in order to manage transmission of Covid-19 virus,” the decision also stated.

The City Government was lauded for its successful response to the Covid-19 pandemic which Treñas received the Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award in the 2021 Search for Outstanding Government Workers because of his efforts. The recognition was given by the Civil Service Commission Regional Office 6. (Iloilo City PIO)

By Vincent P. Grecia

The Iloilo provincial government has launched a 24/7 operation to help Ilonggo Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who are affected by the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. ordered the reactivation of the provincial government’s 24/7 Operation Bulig Ilonggo Migrants Desk to attend to OFWs and their families who are caught in the middle of the ongoing tension between Israel and Palestine.

The help desk will be managed by the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) and the Provincial Civil Defense Office.

“We want to let them know that we have a help desk that will assist them in times of crisis,” PESO head Francisco Heler Jr. said.

The provincial government also reactivated its Task Force Bulig Ilonggo and created a social media chat to proactively respond to the families of war victims.

OIC-Governor and Provincial Administrator Raul Banias said he is closely coordinating with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).

He said the provincial government will extend immediate assistance to the Ilonggo victims.

“The governor also gave instructions that our OpCen will proactively call or inform our local government units and even the barangays just in case they receive a report of an Ilonggo affected by the war. Governor Toto is closely monitoring the situation and also the Opcen,” Banias said.

IGovernor Defensor issued Executive Order No. 004 Series of 2020 creating the Task Force Bulig Ilonggo for OFWs and their families in war-crises-prone areas in the Middle East and establishing an assistance desk.

Families of Ilonggos affected by the Israel-Hamas War, may call the following hotlines: 0998 968 6800; 0998 968 6801; 0961 680 4428; 0977 451 7156; 0998 357 5791; 0921 952 8750; 0916 758 3156; and 0917 754 3833. (Capitol news)

Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. urged the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to expedite the expansion of the Iloilo International Airport in the municipality of Cabatuan.

The governor met with DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista on Sept. 29, 2023, to present the urgent need to expand the facility due to the increase in passenger traffic following the rapid development in the city and province of Iloilo.

“Our problem is very practical. We could no longer fit in our terminal. Even before the pandemic, it was already congested. And we are about to reach the pre-pandemic levels,” he said.

In a letter to Governor Defensor, National Economic and Development Authority VI Regional Director and Regional Development Council VI Vice Chairperson Engr. Arecio A. Casing Jr. said that as of September 2023, the Unsolicited proposal (USP) submitted by Prime Asset Ventures, Inc. (PAVI) is still under evaluation by the DOTr and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines.

The proposed expansion covers the upgrade of the passenger terminal building (PTB), construction of an apron adjacent to the PTB, installation of the required equipment for the passenger services, and modernization of the appurtenant facilities.

The expansion will be implemented under a public-private partnership (PPP) scheme. RDC VI endorsed the proposed expansion under a PPP scheme through Resolution Nos. 39 and 40 on Sept. 26, 2014.

PAVI was also instructed to submit documents in compliance with the revised guidelines of the build-operate-and-transfer (BOT) Law, implementing rules and regulations, and the new Investment Coordination Committee (ICC) Guidelines and Checklists.

Defensor said he was told by Secretary Bautista that the NEDA Board is targeted to issue the approval in the first quarter of 2024.

“We want to lobby to make it faster and avoid further delay,” Defensor said.

The governor is also pushing for the resumption of the international flights at the Iloilo International Airport. (Capitol news)

By Remegio G. Castor

Central Philippine University (CPU) has a new president in the person of Rev. Dr. Ernest Howard B. Dagohoy.

The CPU Board of Trustees and the Corporation announced Dagohoy’s election and confirmation as the university’s 18^th President last October 2, 2023.

Dagohoy, who hails from San Jose de Buenavista, Antique, is the first Pastor to become CPU President since the American Baptist missionaries. He is also the fifth Filipino President of CPU.

Dagohoy finished his Bachelor of Theology degree at CPU in 1988.

He has served as University Chaplain and as weekend pastor of Malublub Baptist Church in Badiangan, Iloilo.

He also served as CPUR Senator and Governor of College of Theology.

Dagohoy also finished Master of Divinity at Asian Theological Seminary and Doctor of Ministry at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Prior to his election as the new CPU President, Dagohoy served as adjunct professor of Theology Ministry at Houston Baptist University in Texas, USA.

Dagohoy will succeed outgoing President Dr. Teodoro Robles. He will serve for five years from November 1, 2023 to October 31, 2028.

In an interview with Iloilo City-based radio station RMN-DYRI, Dagohoy thanked the CPU Corporation and Board of Trustees and the entire CPU community for their trust and confidence in giving him the significant role of leading one of the country’s prestigious universities.

He said that his administration will focus on five long-term programs, namely, Spiritual Vitality, Academic Excellence, Faculty and Staff Development, Student Success, and Alumni Engagement.

He admitted that as Dr. Robles successor, he has a big shoes to fill but he will try his best to do the meet the expectations of the Centralian community.

CPU was established in 1905 through the benevolent grant of the American industrialist and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller. It is the first Baptist and second-American founded university in the Philippines and Asia. The university was initially known as the Jaro Industrial School and Bible School, under the supervision of the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society.

CPU played a pioneering role in nursing education in Philippines by establishing the Union Mission Hospital Training School for Nurses in 1906, which later became the CPU – College of Nursing, the first nursing school in the Philippines. 

Additionally, the university was the first to establish a Baptist theological seminary in the country, the CPU College of Theology; the first student council in Southeast Asia, the CPU Republic; and the first government-recognized agricultural school outside of Luzon, the CPU College of Agriculture, Resource, and Environmental Sciences.

The Department of Energy (DOE) during the 3rd Quarter Regional Development Council (RDC) 6 meeting revealed that Western Visayas is poised as the Renewable Energy (RE) center of the country with a total of 113 renewable energy service contracts already awarded.

As of June 2023, these renewable energy projects progress through different stages of permitting and development with an existing installed capacity of 775.7 Megawatts (MW) and a potential capacity of 16,500.7 MW, and DOE awaits its integration into the local communities.

According to DOE, most of these contracts are wind energy sources, with a vast potential capacity of 14,943 MW.

Energy Secretary Raphael Perpetuo Lotilla, in his message read by Undersecretary Giovanni Carlo Bacordo during the RDC meeting, said that renewable energy is the way forward and the DOE is amplifying efforts to advocate for greater utilization of renewable energy, aligning with our overarching government objectives.

“Our shared goal is to achieve 35 percent renewable energy (RE) in our power generation mix by 2030, with an ambitious target of 50 percent by 2040. These targets are not arbitrary. They are enshrined in both the Philippine Energy Plan and the National Renewable Energy Plan, reflecting our commitment to combating climate change and transitioning toward a more sustainable and environmentally friendly power generation landscape,” Lotilla added.

DOE urges the local government units (LGUs) in the region to actively participate in the Energy Virtual One-Stop Shop (EVOSS) System by incorporating their permitting processes into the System while also encouraging all permitting 

agencies to take a proactive role in guiding and facilitating these renewable energy initiatives.

“By doing so, we can expedite the permitting process for these energy projects that will provide livelihood and development opportunities to the host communities sooner, rather than later,” Lotilla said.

DOE also gave updates on the high-impact energy projects mentioned during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s second State of the Nation Address (SONA) like the Mindanao-Visayas Interconnection Project and the Cebu-Negros-Panay (CNP) Transmission Line Project.

The MVIP with a transfer capacity of 450 MW, will link Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, facilitating power sharing and optimizing energy resources at a current load of 270 MW, the interconnection is targeted to be fully operational by October 2023.

On the other hand, the Cebu-Negros-Panay (CNP) Transmission Line Project, designed at 800 MW, will enhance the efficient transfer of energy within the Visayas sub-grid, particularly from Negros Island which is currently operating at 270 MW, the CNP Stage 3 Project is targeted for full operation by National Grid Corporation of the Philippines in October 2023.

Lotilla shared that RDC VI is showing what the energy future will be like and how it will be done, and this must be replicated by other RDCs. (PIA6)

Passi City is now in the thick of preparations as host of the 18th National Scout Jamboree this coming December 11 to 17.

More than 40,000 Scouters from the 124 local councils nationwide are expected to participate in the event which happens only every four years. Other National Scout Organizations from other countries were also invited to join this national scout event.

Passi City Mayor and Western Visayas Scouting Committee Chairman atty. Stephen Palmares recently met members of the Regional Scouting Committee (RSC) to discuss preparations as to campsite requirements including water supply, among others, according to a post on the Facebook page of the city.

Palmares said the Passi City Scouts Support Hotline is now operational and caters to queries about the upcoming national event.

During the RSC meeting, 18th NSJ Deputy Program Director Leo D. Lao presented the status of the preparations and highlights of the jamboree while Site 

Development Plan Committee Co-Chairman Daryl Villanueva, Jr. from the Schools Division of Passi City, also presented the map of the campsite and the blueprint of the campgrounds.

Palmares informed the RSC members that the City of Passi will donate 1,000 square meters of land to the Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP) Western Visayas Regional Office.

On Sept. 21 to 23, the BSP National Executive Board will convene and will conduct an inspection of the campsite, as part of the preparatory activities.

“Youth Engagement: Sustaining Relevance and Strengthening Resilience” is the theme of the 18th National Scout Jamboree, per BSP National Office Memorandum No. 24 series of 2023.

The week-long national scout event aims to provide a progressive, exciting, challenging, safe and enjoyable learning environment for the Scouts in order to enhance their full Social, Physical, Intellectual, Character, Emotional and Spiritual potentials as an active citizen making real contribution in creating a better community. (PIA6)