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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)

By Vincent P. Grecia

NewsExpress

Rice retailers, traders and importers in Iloilo province have formed the Iloilo Grains Businessmen Association (IGBA) to strengthen their sector amidst the crisis on the price of rice.

IGBA led by their President Ildefonso Dolorfino and Vice President Charmine Devicente-Guiang took their oath from Provincial Administrator Raul Banias representing Gov. Arthur Defensor, Jr. last September 26, 2023.

Dolorfino said the group was formed following the implementation of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s Executive Order 39 imposing price ceiling on rice.

IGBA has more or less 100 members from the different parts of the province.

He said EO 39 affected their sector but they have to respect the president’s directive.

Dolorfino said based on their monitoring most of their members have complied with EO 39 setting a price cap of PhP 41.00 for regular milled rice and PhP 45.00 well milled rice.

Representatives from the Department of Agriculture, National Food Authority, Bureau of Customs and Department of Trade and Industry also graced the induction of officers of the new group.

Board Members Rolly Distura and Matt Palabrica were also present.

During the open forum after their oathtaking ceremony, Dolorfino stressed that hoarding of rice does not happen here in Western Visayas. Hoarding is one of the factors that contributed to the uncontrolled high price of rice.

“If there were reports of hoarding, it is certain, that it is in some other parts of Luzon,” said former Rey Mayor Grabato, who is also a member of the group.

Banias thanked IGBA for fully supporting the government in the implementation of EO 39.

Palabrica also lauded the organization as he expressed hopes that it will serve as the voice of rice retailers, traders, importers and other stakeholders.

The Department of Health Western Visayas Center for Health Development (DOH 6) reported a total of 27 deaths due to rabies in the region last year.

Noting the third consecutive year of increase in the number of mortalities due to rabies, the health department stressed that the disease continues to be a public health problem in the region.

Based on the report of Senior Health Program Officer Ame Liz G. Mardoquio of the DOH 6’s Rabies Prevention and Control Program, animal bite cases in the region in 2022 accounted for a total of 118,845 with 27 deaths due to rabies.

The number of deaths during the said period noted a 3.38 mortality rate per one million population of the region and increased by two deaths compared to 25 during the previous year.

Most of the deaths were recorded in the province of Negros Occidental with 11. Followed by Capiz with six deaths, Aklan and Iloilo province with four each, and Bacolod City and Iloilo City with one case each.

The report further showed that the majority of the deaths were between the ages of 22 to 50 years old with 11, between three to 15 years with nine deaths, and 56 to 81 years old group with five deaths.

Of the 27 mortality cases, only one of the vectors or rabies virus carriers is vaccinated, while the rest are either unvaccinated or with unknown vaccination status. Only one vector also was identified as a cat and the rest were dogs.

Meanwhile, 12 out of the 27 deaths were attributed to stray vector animals.

With this, the health department in the region is encouraging LGUs to establish or make their respective Rabies Control Committee functional, noting that only 19 out of 133 LGUs in Western Visayas are determined as functional.

Further, DOH 6’s efforts also focus on the legislation and implementation of local ordinances on rabies. To note, only 21 out of 133 LGUs in the region passed and are implementing their own anti-rabies ordinances.

As part of the response measures, DOH 6 noted that there are a total of 86 animal bite treatment centers (ABTCs) across Western Visayas, 66 of which have DOH certification or accreditation.

Apart from these, Mardoquio also stressed that DOH 6 is also working closely with LGUs to eliminate the use of “tandok” for the management of an animal bite.

“Tandok” is a traditional practice, common among rural areas, which uses the method of applying a horn, stone, or wood to the bite wound and is believed to absorb the rabies virus.

Per the DOH report, some bite victims seek the “tandok” application which is an unsafe and risky practice, noting that many of the human deaths due to rabies sought the alternative method but did not seek medical interventions like Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP).

Commuting in Iloilo City is made easier, safer, and more comfortable with the SM Iloilo Electric Bus.

These buses are zero-emission fully electric vehicle that does not cause pollution. It has a ramp and designated seats for PWD passengers. It is quieter and does not produce fumes that may harm the environment.

Starting September 15 until September 23, riding these e-buses is Free. The routes start from Iloilo City Hall and it will pass through all the SM branches from SM Delgado, to SM Strata, SM Savemore in Jaro up until the Ceres Northbound Terminal then back.

On September 25, commuters can download the GET Pass app to continue availing of the free ride. After that, members can now acquire membership tokens once the free ride ends on October 1.

According to Engr. Gilbert Domingo, Mall Manager of SM City Iloilo, the company started the electronic bus rides in its main branches in Manila. For the provinces, Cagayan de Oro started a couple of months ago.

This September, SM City in Partnership with MORE Power brought this latest addition to revolutionizing transportation in Iloilo City, targeting a more sustainable, greener, and eco-friendly way of commuting.

“The SM electric bus is also an affirmation of our sustainability initiative to contribute to a more livable and clean city. And our affirmation to be a strong partner of Iloilo City, in its goal of giving a better way of life to the Ilonggos,” says Engr. Domingo.

Commuters can check the Social media postings of SM City for a detailed schedule and routes.

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas thanked SM Management, MORE Power, and GET Philippines for partnering in reducing the carbon footprint of the city.

“I also would like to congratulate SM for this wonderful partnership that they have with MORE Power. Tuod-tuod na gid ni nga ‘You Have MORE in SM.’ I am glad that we share the vision of making Iloilo City Sustainable and More Livable. This is just the beginning. I am looking forward to seeing more electric buses, in the years to come,” says Mayor Treñas.

According to Niel V. Parcon, Vice President, Corporate Planning and Regulatory of MORE Power, the company is committed to helping the city reduce its carbon emissions and envision a more sustainable future.

“MORE Power is excited about this partnership with SM in introducing to you the SM Iloilo electronic Bus. A game-changing innovation in our city’s transportation landscape. The SM City Iloilo Electronic Bus is not just a mode of transportation, it represents a new era of mobility it is safer and comfortable and environmentally responsible,” says Parcon.

By Vincent P. Grecia

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 6 Regional Director Sanny Boy Oropel assured the commuters and the public that the Ungka Flyover is safe to use temporarily despite the vertical displacement on three of its piers.

Oropel made the assurance following their decision to partially open the Ungka Flyover (UFO) until the budget for its rectification is released.

DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan gave the go signal for the partial opening of the UFO following a series of tests, he said.

Only the two inner lanes of the UFO will be used and only light vehicles will be allowed to pass between the hours of 5-9 am and 4-8 pm.

Light vehicles include traditional passenger jeepneys and modernized units or mini buses. While, tricycles, pedicabs, motorbikes, and bicycles are prohibited.

“For the sake of convenience sang aton man mga pumoluyo, we will be having our partial opening for traffic but gusto ko lang emphasize ini nga anytime that at amount will be release by the DPWH-central office for the rectification it will again be closed. That’s why I am seeking your consideration and understanding kon i-open ta ini masira man gihapon, but considering we don’t have a timeline as to rectification, it might be tomorrow, it might be next year so ma-partial open lang ta anay but during rectification activities it will be again closed to traffic kay amo ni ang procedure sang aton rectification,” Oropel said at their press conference.

Earlier, the DPWH 6 conducted a series of static and dynamic load tests on the flyover in which they have not observed any displacement or movement.

“After continuous monitoring, there was no additional vertical displacement observed since January 2023 after the jet grouting was introduced by the contractor,” Oropel said.

DPWH 6 asked the help of traffic enforcers from the Municipality of Pavia and Iloilo City to ensure that only light vehicles could enter both approaches.

Oropel said that based on the recommendation of third party consultant Abinales Associates Engineers+ Consultants the three spans of Ungka flyover particularly at piers 4, 5 and 6 will be demolished so that heavy equipment could install additional support to the three piers.

A budget of PhP 200 million was allotted in the next year’s national budget for the UFO rectification.

He blamed the flyover’s defective construction to the United Technology Consolidated Partnership (UTCP) which their agency commissioned to do the geotechnical services for the UFO, including soil testing.

“Our legal office will take care of that (referring to the liability of UTCP), what we are focusing now is to put a solution to the problem that we are currently facing which is heavy traffic due to the unusable flyover,” Oropel said.

Iloilo City’s Public Safety and Transportation Management Office (PSTMO) head Jeck Conlu, who was present in the press conference, expressed approval to the partial opening of the UFO.

He assured that PSTMO personnel deployed in the area will help direct traffic flow going to the approach of the flyover.

He added that Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas is happy with the development as it will help ease the traffic congestion in the boundary of Pavia and Iloilo City especially during rush hours.

Second District Representative Michael Gorriceta also favored the partial opening of UFO saying that it will ease the traffic congestion in the Ungka area especially during rush hours.

Earlier, Gorriceta asked DPWH officials to partially open the UFO to address the worsening traffic condition in the area.

Will the lives of more than 610,000 farmer-beneficiaries of the government’s agrarian reform program improve significantly in the years ahead with the New Agrarian Reform Emancipation Act?

That would be the expected end-result of President Marcos Jr.’s recent order to the Department of Agrarian Reform to ensure the “smooth and immediate” enforcement of the New Agrarian Reform Emancipation Act.

What the new law does is to condone all loans, including interest, penalties, and surcharges incurred by over 610,000 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs).

The condonation would cover at least 1.173 million hectares of land and an estimated P57.55 billion in unpaid amortization.

It would also terminate P206.25 million in unpaid just compensation by 10,201 ARBs tilling 11,531 hectares of land acquired through voluntary land transfer or the direct payment scheme.

The President’s recent Executive Order extended for two years EO 4 which provides for a moratorium on the payment of the principal obligation and interest on amortization payable by ARBs.

The two-year extension of the agrarian debt moratorium will benefit some 129,059 ARBs whose land awards did not reach the cut-off on July 24, 2023 to qualify for the condonation of agrarian debt.

The extension of the moratorium on the payment of the amortization and principal on the debt of ARBs will no doubt contribute to a marked improvement in their daily lives as they will have more income to meet their daily needs.

ARB beneficiaries will be freed from the burden of onerous debts and instead reap the benefits from the land they cultivate.

Apart from contributing to their well-being and uplifting their quality of life, the New Agrarian Reform Emancipation Act will also re-energize the agricultural sector as a whole.

This will lead to greater farm productivity particularly at this time when weak harvests of palay and other agricultural crops have jacked up the retail prices of essential foodstuffs and contributed to galloping inflation.

At the same time, the administration should continue to facilitate the delivery of support services to all ARBs.

The farmers should be provided with adequate credit so they can gain access to modern farm equipment and afford basic farm inputs such as seeds, fertilizers and pesticides.

Other vital support services, including post-harvest facilities and farm-to-market roads, will make the lives of agrarian reform beneficiaries a lot better after a long wait for deliverance from poverty. (manilastandard.net)