BiliranIsland.com Staff
BiliranIsland.com
First Posted 08:50:00 06/04/2015
First Posted 22:19:00 06/04/2015

Vice President Jejomar Binay visits Biliran Province today. Estimated time of arrival, 6:30 pm in Biliran town, followed by a short program. Tomorrow, 8am in Naval, then Capitol; then 12 noon in Almeria, 1:20 pm in Kawayan, 3 pm in Culaba, 4:40 pm in Caibiran, then 6:40 pm back in Biliran town. Saturday 8 am in Cabucgayan.

VP Jojo Binay to distribute wheelchairs, medical requirement in @biliranisland.

Vice President Jojo Binay was welcomed by a large crowd in Biliran town late today, June 4, 2015.

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BiliranIsland.com Staff
BiliranIsland.com
First Posted 12:06:00 06/04/2015

His days in selling illegal drugs are over with the arrest this time of the members of the police forces of Naval led by Police Chief Inspector Renecio L. Raquipo, chief of Naval police station, of a person included in the PNP-Naval watchlist of persons involved in illegal drug activity in Naval.

Anthony “Tonik” Catam-isan , 38 years old, was arrested in a buy-bust operation on June 3, 2015 at around 11:30 in the evening at Sitio Santol in Barangay P.I. Garcia, Naval, Biliran.

Also arrested were his two lookouts named Ariel Solite,37 years old and Paul John Dela Pena 23 years old, both are residents of P.I. Garcia, Naval, Biliran.

Seized and recovered from Catam-isan during the buy-bust operation were one piece small heat sealed transparent plastic sachet containing white crystalline substance believed to be shabu, one piece five hundred peso and two pieces lighters.

Suspects were temporarily detained in Naval polce station for documentation and for proper disposition.

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THE VICE PRESIDENT’S SCHEDULE FOR TOMORROW, 6 JUNE 2015

Media Advisory
OVP Media
5 June 2015

At 8:00 a.m. tomorrow, 6 June, Vice President Jejomar C. Binay will lead the inauguration of the Office of Senior Citizens’ Affairs center of Cabucgayan, Biliran. He will also talk with the local leaders and residents of Cabucgayan and distribute wheelchairs to senior citizens at the Cabucgayan Bus Terminal beside Public Market.

He will meet with the local government officials and residents of Leyte and distribute wheelchairs and medical equipment for senior citizens at the Leyte Public Market, Leyte at 10:00 am.

The Vice President will also visit Capoocan, Leyte at 12:00 nn. He will also meet with the local government officials, residents of Capoocan and distribute wheelchairs and medical equipment at Capoocan Municipal Gym, Capoocan, Leyte.

Media representatives are invited to cover the events. For any questions, please contact Hans Arao (0999-8825126), OVP Media staff on site.

For more information, you can reach the OVP Media Affairs at (02) 833-2148 or atmedia@ovp.gov.ph.

For updates, follow Vice President Binay on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/JCBinay) and Twitter (https://twitter.com/VPJojoBinay).

Thank you.

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by: Flordelis E. Jackson

NAVAL, Biliran – Some 451 Pantawid Pamilya High School Graduates of 2015 in the province of Biliran were honored and given recognition by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Regional Office 8 in ceremonies held at the Naval Gymnasium in Naval, the capital town of Biliran province on Monday, June 8.

The occasion dubbed as “Pagdiriwang Para sa Pantawid Pamilya Graduates ng 2015” was graced by Naval Mayor Susan Parilla and Vice-Mayor Redentor Villordon.

Also present were the teachers and school heads of schools where the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) student-beneficiaries finished their high school education; representatives from the Department of Education (DepEd) Division of Biliran; DSWD 8 officials and 4Ps staff and the links of the program in the province and in the municipalities of Biliran.

The parents and families were also present to witness the occasion.

The presentation of 4Ps student-beneficiaries to the guests and to the audience was done by Marichu Bustillos, regional program coordinator of 4Ps in Eastern Visayas representing DSWD 8 Regional Director Nestor Ramos.

The graduates in their school uniforms were applauded as they stood up to be honored and recognized.

According to Ms. Bustillos, Biliran province has a total of 451 Pantawid Pamilya High School Graduates of 2015. Of the total number, 117 were achievers, meaning, they graduated valedictorian, salutatorian, first to third honorable mention and other special awards.

Vice-Mayor Redentor Villordon who was the keynote speaker of the occasion, congratulated the graduates for the achievement they have reached in life.

He told the first batch of Pantawid Pamilya Graduates of 2015 in Biliran province to follow his simple guide to success.

First, he said, is to strive for simplicity, as he told the graduates to follow a simple life and buy only the things they need most in their daily life as students.

The second guide he said, is to practice gratefulness. “Don’t forget to thank all who have helped and touched your lives and God who is instrumental of what you are now”, he said further.

“Be generous and share your blessings as you reach the peak of your success when you have more in life and most of all focus on positivity – look at the good things in life as this will help you make good decisions for a better future”, he said.

Vice-Mayor Villordon adviced the Pantawid Pamilya High School Graduates of 2015 in Biliran province to continue their studies in college, saying, the government has various programs to help students from poor families pursue their studies.

For her part, Mayor Susan Parilla in her message, likewise congratulated the first batch of Pantawid Pamilya Graduates of 2015 in the province for having finished their studies in high school.

She said, their graduation in high school will open better opportunities ahead.

“Never stop learning and find comfort in educating yourselves. The choice is at the tip of your fingers. To be educated means more potentials, so continue the road to progress because the government will continue to support your education”, she said.

On the other hand, Marichu Bustillos, regional program coordinator of 4Ps of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) regional office 8 in Tacloban City in her closing message informed that there is a scholarship program called the Expanded Students Grant in Aid Program for Poverty Alleviation (ESGPPA) where national agencies like the Department of Labor (DOLE), DSWD, Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC) and the students work in partnership to break the poverty cycle affecting the poor but deserving Filipino youth and their family.

“At present, there are 2,031 ESGPPA scholars in the region. These scholars are enrolled in courses aligned with the government’s key priority areas such as agriculture, education, fishery, environmental management and engineering”, she informed.

“Now we have eight ESGPPA graduates in Eastern Visayas and one of them is Milanne Salas, 4Ps beneficiary from Dagami, Leyte who graduated cum laude with the degree of Bachelor in Secondary Education major in Mathematics from the Leyte Normal University (LNU) in Tacloban City” she said.

During the program, the graduates who were achievers gave their testimonials and messages of how they were able to finish high school through 4Ps.

Ms. Salas who was invited to attend the occasion likewise shared here experience as 4Ps beneficiary.

Region 8 in Eastern Visayas, according to Bustillos, has a total of 11,425 Pantawid Pamilya High School Graduates of 2015. Of the number, 2,394 were achievers.

She informed that DSWD will continue to support the rights of children to education through the various poverty alleviation and human development programs which empower children and even families and the entire community.

In closing, she told the graduates “Ang pagtatapos ninyo ay tagumpay ng Pilipino dahil Kaya Ko, Kaya Mo, Kaya Natin ang Pagbabago”. # (PIA 8 Biliran)

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by: Rodrigo S. Victoria

NAVAL, Biliran, – Several bags of organic and inorganic fertilizers and several pieces of shovels, pick mattocks, rakes, bolos, hatchets, knapsack sprayers, sprinklers and plastic drums under the phase II of the AKBay Pinoy program of the Department of Agriculture (DA) were received by identified farmers, this town recently.

AKBay or Agrikultura, Kaagapay ng Bayang Pinoy is a newly approved program under the 2KR- Japanese Grant Assistance for the food security project for underprivileged farmers program where inclusion of farm families as program beneficiaries is recommended and the DA-regional field units as fund conduits.

The program is aimed to assist the poorest sector of agriculture and fisheries particularly in areas included in the accelerated hunger mitigation program in several identified priority provinces in the country.

Each of the 108 identified farmer-recipients of the AKBay Pinoy phase II in Naval received three bags of 50 kgs. organic fertilizers, 2 bags of 50 kgs. complete fertilizer, one bag of 50 kgs. Urea fertilizer, several packs of vegetable seeds and one set of farm tools.

Benedict E.Montera, regional AKBay coordinator of the DA regional field unit in Region 8 informed that each farmer received some P15 thousand worth of farm implements and tools.

Montera revealed that DA has released P137M for the AKBay Pinoy program under phase I and II totalling to some 8,500 farmers and fisherfolks recipients in the whole of Eastern Visayas.

He added that some 177 identified fisherfolks in Naval will each receive one unit banca and a 12-horse power engine under the phase II of the AKBay Pinoy.

For her part, Naval Mayor Susan V. Parilla thanked the government of Japan for funding such laudable program for farmers and fisherfolks.

Parilla added that the farm implements and farm tools given to identified beneficiary will greatly help in the progress and development of the farmers and the agricultural productivity and food security of the town.

The awarding of the farm implements and farm tools under the phase II of the AKBay Pinoy program was held on June 4, 2015 at the Naval Gymnasium. # (fj/PIA 8 Biliran)

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by: Rodrigo S. Victoria

NAVAL, Biliran – The lady chief of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in Region 8 sought the help of the municipal and barangay officials in the monitoring on the use of toolkits distributed to training graduates.

No less than Cleta Omega, regional director of TESDA-8 attended the graduation and distribution of national training certificates and toolkits to some 50 graduates of Maripipi town held at the town covered court on Tuesday, June 9.

There were 20 trainees who graduated in preparing and cooking hot meals leading to cookery NC II and 30 trainees who graduated in preparing and cooking cold meals leading to cookery NC II.

Omega appealed to the local government officials of Maripipi town to also help TESDA 8 in monitoring if the distributed toolkits were used by the graduates and see to it that it will not be sold by the beneficiaries because the acquisition is quite hard on the part of the government.

She also shared to the graduates in Maripipi town in Biliran province the same reminder she will always tell during previous graduations and distributions of toolkits she attended to accept complaints from customers since this is the only way to improve their work performance and to give the best kind of service to them.

“Do not sell your toolkits since these will be a big help in your livelihood or in augmenting your income”, Omega told the graduates.

Meanwhile, Omega and the rest of the TESDA family proceeded to Sambawan Island Dive Camp and Resort, a famous tourist destination in the island town of Maripipi and one of the most sought of tourist destinations in Biliran province at present, to relish the beauty of nature after the graduation and distribution of toolkits.# (fj/PIA 8 Biliran)

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By: Rodrigo S. Victoria

NAVAL, Biliran– The natural underwater beauty of the most sought after tourist destination in the province of Biliran which is the Sambawan Island Dive Camp and Beach Resort, will be more appreciated with the proposal of the tourism department to train snorkelling guides for the area.

Recently, the regional office of the Department of Tourism in Eastern Visayas in coordination with the Biliran provincial tourism and information office (BPTIO) commissioned the Blue Water Consultancy and Training Services to assess and evaluate the highly valuable community-based tourism product in the municipalities of Maripipi, Kawayan, Almeria, Naval and Cabucgayan.

Luis Mencias and Alex Amable of the Blue Water Consultancy and Training Services together with Patrick Steven Buena, the tourism development area (TDA) manager for Biliran province and some staff of BPTIO started the three-day per town assessment and evaluation of the tourist attractions to be given focus of the five identified towns in Biliran province which started in Maripipi on June 9, 2015.

In a meeting with Sonia Alavera, local civil registrar who is also the designated tourism officer; Marianito Atiga, committee chairman on tourism of SB-Maripipi and Nestor Macorol, private developer of Sambawan Dive Camp and Beach Resort, all of Maripipi, and Buena of DOT 8, Mencias proposed the training on snorkelling guide for Sambawan Island Dive Camp and Beach Resort.

Mencias presented to the group the conduct of a six-day training on snorkelling guide for Sambawan and other identified dive sites in Maripipi town.

Mencias who has 20 years of diving experience and a former expert of the Philippine Commission for Scuba Sports Diving, said that the proposed training on snorkelling guide is open to all Maripipinhons who are interested and willing to undergo the whole day training within six days.

Qualifications required for a trainee are the following: 18 years old and above, physically fit and able to read and write, Mencias enumerated.

He proposed to train at least a maximum of 24 persons for the six-day training on snorkelling guide which he suggested will be given subsidy while they are on training since they will be out in their livelihood.

The trainees on snorkelling guide will also be taught on Buhay Dagat, a holistic concept on how to help preserve the biodiversity of marine life which is the main source of the tourism industry in the area.

In an earlier interview, Biliran Governor Gerardo J, Espina, Jr. promised to allocate a bigger fund for next year to further promote and develop the province’ tourism industry especially that many local and foreign tourists have already took notice of some tourist destinations in the province especially the Sambawan Island Dive Camp and Beach Resort which was recently featured on the front page in one of the national broadsheets in the country. (fj/PIA 8 Biliran)

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by: Rodrigo S. Victoria

NAVAL, Biliran – A top official of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in the province of Biliran highly emphasized that the establishment of Go Negosyo center in the province will strengthened the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and will also help create jobs.

“The establishment of Go Negosyo center in the province of Biliran is a big boost to MSMEs because it will help and answer the needs of the business sector in further improving their trade”, Engr. Celerina T. Bato, provincial director of DTI-Biliran said in her overview presentation during the orientation and briefing on Republic Act No. 10644 or the Go Negosyo Act, this town, recently.

Engr. Bato also informed that the Go Negosyo center will further spur the economic growth and development of the province with more jobs to be created out of its establishment.

She informed that DTI will establish a model C Go Negosyo center in Naval this year, and most probably be upgraded into model B by 2016.

“The establishment of model C Go Negosyo centers in the other towns in the province of Biliran will be established in 2016 and will just be upgraded later into model B in the succeeding year” Bato further said.

For her part, Naval Mayor Susan V. Parilla promised to provide a space inside the town’s treasurer’s office for the Go Negosyo center.

Parilla hopes that the establishment of the Go Negosyo center will also help augment the income of the town aside from the big help it can extend to the business sector of the town.

The orientation briefing on RA 10644 or the Go Negosyo Act in Naval that was attended by the different business stakeholders of the town was rendered by Pedro Bimbo B. Tan, Go Negosyo regional coordinator of DTI-8. # (fj/PIA 8 Biliran)

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by: Rodrigo S. Victoria

NAVAL, Biliran – The celebration of Independence Day in the province of Biliran on June 12 was given more significance by the officers and members of the Rotary Club of Biliran Island as they distributed several pieces of school uniforms and bags to the identified elementary pupils in the two barangays of Culaba town.

This year’s celebration of the Independence Day, which is the 117th anniversary in the Philippines, is anchored on the theme: “Kalayaan 2015: Tagumpay ng Pagbabagong Nasimulan, Abot-Kamay na ng Bayan” suited the celebration as it is the initial activity conducted by the group which is geared towards disbanding the chain of absence of basic school supplies necessary in the pursuit of achieving basic education.

“Providing the basic necessities to elementary pupils in depressed areas like decent school uniforms and bags will help boost their morale to continue going to school” Ferdinand D. Morillo, president of the Rotary Club of Biliran Island said in the group’s initiated service project.

Morillo added that the entanglement of some of our less fortunate kids in the rural community who really wanted to go to school to attain basic education is partly attributed to the absence of basic school needs like uniforms and bags.

“The provision of basic school needs to these indigent elementary pupils is like giving them wings to fly to pursue their goals and things they wanted to achieve through their schooling in the first step of education” he emphasized.

The Rotary Club of Biliran service project was materialized with funding coming from contributions of the officers and members of the club and from various local and foreign donors, Morillo clarified.

The Rotary Club of Biliran Island distributed some 43 school uniforms consisting of blue short pants and white t-shirt for boys and blue skirt and white t-shirt for girls and bags in Rufino Gonzal elementary School in Sitio Patag in Barangay Patag and some 36 sets of school uniforms and bags in Bacolod elementary school in Barangay Bacolod, all of Culaba, Biliran.

Aida Bernabe, principal of Patag elementary school, Patag barangay captain Gerardo Merwa and Andy Acuin, elementary school teacher of Bacolod elementary school expressed their gratitude to the officers and members of the Rotary Club of Biliran Island for the provision of school uniforms and bags to the indigent pupils in Patag. # fj/PIA 8 Biliran)

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by: Rodrigo S. Victoria

NAVAL, Biliran, – It’s still almost half a month away before the first day in the observance of nutrition month in July in Biliran province, yet the public has something to be excited of as the provincial nutrition committee will spearhead a one-hour Zumba dance cum exercise on July 1,Wednesday.

The members of the Biliran provincial nutrition committee in a meeting on June 16 decided to conduct a Zumba dance cum exercise dubbed as “Zumba Para sa Masa” during the opening salvo of the nutrition month celebration.

The dance cum exercise activity will be held at the Naval Gymnasium and will start at around 5:00 o’clock until 6:00 o’ clock in the morning.

Interested individuals and groups willing to participate in the scheduled zumba dance cum exercise are advised to be at the venue as early as 4:30 o’clock in the morning for the activity to be able to start on time.

Rio Rosales, nutrition program coordinator in Biliran province urged the general public to join the launching activity on July 1 because aside from being free of charge there will be some surprises that will be given to the participants.

“This is one way for ourselve to enjoy while unknowingly reducing our weights and keeping us fit and healthy”, Rosales said emphasizing that the activity fits this year’s nutrition month celebration theme which is “Timbang Iwasto sa Tamang Nutrisyon at Ehersisyo”.

The zumba dance cum exercise will be followed after by a motorcade around the town and hanging of streamers in the different offices and strategic places in poblacion Naval.

A radio guesting of Rio Rosales in the regular radio program of PIA Kapihan at Pulong-Pulong ng Bayan will be held on July 2, Thursday, live at Radyo Natin-Naval from 11:00 o’clock in the morning until 12:00 o’clock noon to give the general public relevant and helpful information in connection with nutrition and health.

The members of the Biliran provincial nutrition committee will conduct the annual monitoring and evaluation of local level program implementation on nutrition (MELLPI) in the eight towns of Biliran province.

The schedule in the conduct of the MELLPI are as follows: June 22 – Culaba (morning),Caibiran (afternoon); June 23 – Cabucgayan (morning), Biliran (afternoon); June 24 – Almeria (morning), Naval )afternoon); June 25 – Maripipi (morning);Kawayan (afternoon); and June 26 is the consolidation of results to be held at the Biliran provincial conference room in Naval, Biliran. # (fj/PIA 8 Biliran)

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BiliranIsland.com Staff
BiliranIsland.com
First Posted 13:41:00 06/19/2015

The search is on for Biliran Prettiest on Facebook. Nominate your candidate and post her photo and name on our wall.

Mechanics:

Visit http://facebook.com/biliranisland and click like

Post a Photo of your candidate in her best post on our wall

Share it with your friends and get the most likes until July 8, 2015 midnight. A valid entry must have a minimum of 200 likes.

Requirements: Must be a native-born Biliranon, single, age 16 to 30.

Prizes: Winner P 5, 000.00, 2nd P 3,000, 3rd P 2,000

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Leyte Samar Daily Express

MARIPIPI, Biliran- The stunning views down under the Sambawan Island obviously made him fell in love with the place which is fast emerging as a top tourist draw of this island town.

Martin Bailey, a Scot, said that while he has seen and dived in some of the world-and the country’s- known diving sites, Sambawan offers a different kind of experience reason why he keeps coming back. “Still a virgin dive site; truly a gem which your government should protect so this won’t be abused by the people,” Bailey said.
According to him, out of the 11 diving sites of Sambawan, he went to seven of them, giving him up close encounters with its natural inhabitants. In his countless dives to these sites, Bailey encountered fishes of various varieties and kinds such as yellow tail, pick handle and great barracudas, fusiliers, blue spotted stingray, cuttlefish, huge tasseled scorpion fish, pinnate batfish and surgeon fish.

The Scot had also seen with reef sharks, nurse sharks and bull sharks during his dives in Sambawan, a strip of rocky islets which is rich of marine life and coral reefs.
Bailey, a master diver, said that he learned about Sambawan through surfing the internet looking for diving sites in the country. He said that aside from doing his dives in the morning, he also does dives even at night time. “Night diving is better than going into the water in the morning because the true color of corals can be seen at night. They illuminate when lights flash unto them,” Bailey explains.

Sambawan, composed of rocky islets with white sand beach and rich marine life and coral gardens lays on the western part of Maripipi town. It was declared as fish sanctuary by the municipal government of Maripipi to preserve its rich resources to include its colorful corals. “You can still see damaged corals. I hope that people who will visit this place are more responsible in protecting the environment. I can say that this is a virgin place that needs to be taken care of and protected so more people would enjoy,” Bailey added.

Fishing has been prohibited in the island especially on areas declared as fish sanctuary, said Sonia Alavera, designated tourism officer of Maripipi. Since the promotion of Sambawan as one of the tourist destinations in Biliran, it is slowly but steadily attracting tourists. Snorkeling and camping are other activities that can be done at Sambawan. A private developer was tapped by the local government unit to develop and provide more facilities in the island for tourists to enjoy.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

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by: Mary Lailani Pitao-Tupaz

NAVAL, Biliran – Senior high school, the additional two years in high school under the new curriculum, the K-12 Program, aims to hone the appropriate skills of students preparing them for work and livelihood as they graduate senior high school, as well as help them decide to choose their field of study as they enter college education.

Dr. Ronico Y. Amistoso, PSDS Division Coordinator for Senior High School in the Division of Biliran, explained the benefits and advantages of adding two years senior high school in the new curriculum in his two consecutive guestings at the Kapihan at Pulong-Pulong ng Bayan hosted by PIA-Biliran over Radyo Natin Naval in June 11 and 18.

The advantages of finishing senior high school were evident in the four model schools in the entire division of Biliran where majority of the 50 graduates landed in jobs and became entrepreneurs and into on call services in their chosen track of specialization since they already have reached the maturity age of 18 on their graduation in senior high, Dr. Amistoso informed.

He added that, out of the 13 senior high school graduates in Manlabang National High School, five went to college, five got jobs, and three others are now employed in Tacloban and Manila.

Further, he informed that out of the 10 graduates at the Naval National High School, five landed a job and five are in Manila.

One is in college, 10 have jobs already, and three are waiting for employment from the 14 graduates at the Naval School of Fisheries, he said.

From the Maripipi National Vocational School where 13 finished senior high school, seven landed a job within the province, two into on call services and four remained undecided, he added.

With the current statistics in the employment opportunities of senior high school graduates, Dr. Amistoso is encouraging students, parents, and other stakeholders to support the program and visit their office for further information.

Currently, four out of the 20 secondary schools in the entire division are implementing this school year, the senior high school leading to technical-vocational education.

Naval School of Fisheries, Cabucgayan National School of Arts and Trade, Manlabang National High School, and Maripipi National Vocational School chose the tech-voc education track because they are better prepared in this field.

The Division Senior High School Coordinator said, once the new curriculum is fully implemented, DepEd will see to it that all the academic, technical-vocational, arts and design, and sports track will be offered in every municipality to cater to every student’s inclination.

Moreover, students who finish Grade 10 are given their certificate of completion while those who will graduate in Grade 12 are given their high school diploma.

DepEd will ensure that students who finish Grade 12 pass the competency assessment and get their NC-II certificate that proves their capability for employment, Amistoso added. # (fj/PIA8 Biliran)

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Philippine Daily Inquirer

A lawyer and former Leyte representative yesterday questioned the results of the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey, saying it was skewed to favor Sen. Grace Poe over Vice President Jejomar Binay.

Former Biliran, Leyte, Rep. Glenn Chong, a convenor of the Citizens for Clean and Credible Elections, said the distribution of the sample size of 1,200 respondents did not reflect the actual voter distribution in the four geographic sites commonly used by pollsters: Metro Manila, the Balance or Rest of Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao.

In a non-commissioned survey conducted June 5 to 8, SWS asked 300 respondents each from the four sites to give up to three names of persons they thought should succeed President Aquino. Poe was named by 42 percent of the respondents; Binay, 34 percent; and Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, 21 percent.

“[There was] a skewing of sample size in favor of, or against, the Top 2 main contenders,” Chong said in a statement posted on his Facebook account, referring to Poe and Binay.

Saying that he was not for Binay, Chong said his suspicions had two assumptions: one, that the “obvious” campaign for Poe and the “demolition” of Binay would be “most apparent and effective” in areas closest to Metro Manila; and two, that Poe traces her roots to the Visayas while Binay traces his within the Balance or Rest of Luzon.

Using Commission on Elections data as of October 2013, Chong said the proper number of respondents should have been 138 for Metro Manila; 248 for the Visayas; 537 for the Balance or Rest of Luzon; and 277 for Mindanao.

According to Chong, Metro Manila has a voting population of 5,996,193 or 11.53 percent of the national voting population of 52,006,910, so the “correct sample size” should be only 138 respondents which is 11.53 percent of 1,200 respondents.

“By arbitrarily polling 300 respondents in Metro Manila or 162 more respondents than necessary, the survey results were affected by up to a maximum of 13.5 percentage points (12 respondents = 1 percentage point). This situation clearly favors Poe as against Binay under Assumption No. 1,” said Chong, who rounded off most of his computations.

Visayas meanwhile has a voting population of 10,735,024 or 20.64 percent of the total, so the correct sample size should be 248 respondents. The additional 52 respondents affected the survey results by up to a maximum of 4.3 percentage points, which “clearly favors Poe against Binay under Assumption No. 2,” the former congressman said.

The Balance or Rest of Luzon meanwhile has a voting population of 23,277,506 or 44.76 percent of nationwide voting population and should have had 537 respondents or 44.76 percent of 1,200 respondents.

With 237 less respondents than necessary, the survey results were affected by up to a maximum of 19.75 percentage points, “(which) clearly favors Poe against Binay under Assumption No. 2,” Chong said.

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Written by Juzel L. Danganan
ZamboTimes.com

MANILA — The Philippines seized the second spot for the biggest geothermal capacity in the world for 2014, with a total capacity of 1.9 Gigawatts (GWs), according to the Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century (REN21).

In a chart, the study revealed the Philippines holds the second spot for total capacity of geothermal fields for 2014.

The United States won the top spot with a capacity of 3.5 GW, while Indonesia came in third at 1.4 GW.

Both Mexico and New Zealand followed with a capacity of 1 GW.

The study noted the increase of capacity for the Philippines was brought by the operations of the 49.4-Megawatts (MW) Nasulo facility in 2014 and the 20-MW Maibarara power plant in 2013.
It added the Renewable Energy Act of 2008, had driven geothermal energy development to become more attractive.

The report said the Philippines saw huge geothermal capacity gains from 2010-2030, after gaining 1.5 GW of capacity within only two decades.

Aside from the spot for generation capacity, the report said the Philippines has also grabbed the second place for the main geothermal field operators for 2014, through the Energy Development Corporation (EDC) holding 1.2 GW.

It was topped by US-based Chevron and Calpine, which operates geothermal fields at 1.3 GW each.

Mexican state utility Comision Federal de Electricidad (CFE) and Italy’s Enel Green Power came in the fourth place, with 1 GW each, while US-based Ormat controlled 0.9 GW of geothermal power.

On a global scale, geothermal power capacity for 2014 reached 74 Terawatts (TW), having a 1.8 percent growth since 2013.

Data from the Department of Energy (DOE) confirmed the 1.9 MW figure for the Philippines, with the country generating 1,868 MW of geothermal capacity, an increase of 20 MW over installed capacity in 2012.

The DOE said it has no estimate yet on how much geothermal potential capacity the Philippines has, but reported four reconnaissance geological and geochemical surveys were conducted in Cagayan, Laguna, Camarines Norte and Antique.

However, the DOE awarded a service contract to Filtech Energy Drilling Corporation (FEDCO) on February 2014, to pre-develop the geothermal areas in Calamba, Laguna.

It has also awarded the Certificate of Commerciality (COC) to Biliran Geothermal Inc. for the 50-MW Biliran Geothermal Project. It targets to complete construction by November 2018.

To stimulate more power capacity, the DOE has also offered geothermal sites through the launch of the Open and Competitive Selection Process (OCSP) held on February 2015. (PNA)
CTB/JLD

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By: Riza T. Olchondra
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Biliran Geothermal Inc. (BGI) is on track to develop the next major geothermal power project in the Philippines.

BGI proposes to build a geothermal power plant in the island-province of Biliran in Eastern Visayas. The project, which may have up to 50 megawatts (MW) of capacity, will boost the renewable energy component of the Philippines’ energy mix as coal and other sources grow.

“They hope to start development within the year if possible,” DOE director for Renewable Energy Management Bureau said in a text message.

Steam tests for the 20-MW Maibarara geothermal project in Batangas shows it is ready for a 10-MW expansion and the DOE hopes there will be other geothermal projects to boost clean energy use in the country.

“So far, we are looking at Biliran. It needs full confirmation so development has not started yet,” Marasigan said.

BGI declared commerciality—indicating its intention to develop the project up to commercial operation—late last year. Its geothermal project is targeted to be in full operation by 2016, augmenting power supply in the Visayas.

“Initially, their successful identification of resource indicated 20 MW but now the declaration of commerciality is 40 to 50 MW. We are evaluating their declaration,” Marasigan said.

Marasigan said the DOE was evaluating whether BGI could produce the energy it wanted based on the geothermal resource it intended to harness. Before approving the development work, the department wants to determine where BGI is planning to sell its power output.

“They are now doing confirmatory drilling. Based on their declaration, they have identified the source of the 40 to 50 MW. They just have to redevelop the hole. The additional holes will be more on reinjection then they can build the power plant,” Marasigan said.

DOE data shows that the Biliran geothermal concession covers an area of 260 square kilometers in Barangays Cabibihan and Villa Vicenta in the municipality of Caibiran.

The project was awarded to BGI, a joint venture between Filtech Energy Drilling Corp. (Fedco) and Iceland-based Orka Energy Holding in July 2008.

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Naval, Biliran – Biliran Governor Gerry Boy Espina hands over 30 motorized banca to fishermen from Naval and Kawayan towns today, June 25. Funded by BFAR, the distribution of 30 units was an initial release from the 212 motorized banca under the Aquafarm Rehabilitation and Development Program. The 182 units are to be distributed in the coming weeks as beneficiaries were already identified.

The boats are made of fiberglass and fitted with 7.5HP engine, and delivered in running condition to the beneficiaries. The fishermen were glad to receive the units, as the boats can help them recover their fishing livelihood from the ravages of Typhoon Yolanda.

Gov. Gerry Boy Espina meets the beneficiaries of the fiberglass motorized banca under the provincial government’s aquafarm rehabilitation program funded by BFAR, June 25. The 30 units comprise the initial distribution from the 212 motorized bancas intended for fishermen provincewide.

Beneficiaries of the 30 fiberglass motorized bancas inspect the units awarded to them during the distribution ceremony led by Gov. Gerry Boy Espina, June 25. BFAR funded 212 of these motorized bancas for the provincial government’s aquafarm rehabilitation program.

Fishermen unpacks brand new 7.5HP engines for fitting to the 30 fiberglass motorized bancas distributed by Gov. Gerry Boy Espina today, June 30. A total of 212 units will be awarded to fishermen around the province under the aquafarm rehabilitation program of the provincial government funded by BFAR.

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BiliranIsland.com Staff
BiliranIsland.com
First Posted 19:28:00 06/27/2015

One person died while seven others incurred minor injuries last June 21, 2015, after the engine of a MPV (multi-cab) vehicle malfunctioned. The victims were on their way to relaxation when the accident occurred inside the Bethany compound in the upland of Almeria town.

Alicia Elatico Bornillo reported to the Almeria Police Station that they were on board a Suzuki multi-cab with place No. GTR 658 from Brgy. San Isidro, Biliran when the driver lost control of the vehicle. It was on its way uphill in the Bethany premises when the engine malfunctioned, veered off the road and fell off the cliff.

The fatality, Zita Corpin Elatico, 47 years old, incurred severe injury and was pronounced DOA (dead on arrival) by the attending physician of the Biliran Provincial Hospital.

The road accident is still under police investigation.

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BiliranIsland.com Staff
BiliranIsland.com
First Posted 09:09:00 06/30/2015

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) will be interrupting power to BILECO franchise for a maximum of eleven (11) hours on July 5, 2015, Sunday, from 6:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

The post 11-hr brown-out in Biliran on July 5, Sunday appeared first on Biliran Blogs.

Philippine Daily Inquirer

The proposed 50-megawatt (MW) Biliran Geothermal Inc. (BGI) is set for development in stages and the first phase is scheduled for completion in the fourth quarter of 2016.

The project is seen to be the next major geothermal power project in the Philippines.

“Biliran targets 50 MW but on staggered/phased development of 10 MW (per phase). The first unit is expected to be completed in October 2016,” DOE director for Renewable Energy Management Bureau Mario Marasigan said in a text message.

BGI proposes to build a geothermal power plant in the island-province of Biliran in Eastern Visayas. The project, which may have up to 50 MW of capacity, will boost the renewable energy component of the Philippines’ energy mix as coal and other sources grow.

The Department of Energy (DOE) hopes the geothermal project to be finished soon to complement the 20-MW Maibarara geothermal project in Batangas, which is set for a 10-MW expansion, and other renewable energy projects in the country.

“So far we are looking at Biliran, although it needs full confirmation. So development has not yet started,” Marasigan said.

The geothermal project is targeted to be in full operation by 2016, augmenting power supply in the Visayas.

BGI said it was undertaking confirmatory drilling and might start development within this year if all would go according to plan, Marasigan said.

“Initially, their successful identification of resource indicated 20 MW but now the declaration of commerciality is 40 MW to 50MW. We are evaluating their declaration,” Marasigan said.

The DOE is evaluating whether BGI can produce the energy it wants based on the geothermal resource it plans to harness.

Before approving development work, the department wants to know where BGI plans to sell its power output.

BGI declared commerciality, indicating its intention to develop the project up to commercial operation, late last year.

DOE records showed that the Biliran geothermal concession was awarded to BGI in July 2008. The project site covers an area of 260 square kilometers in Barangays Cabibihan and Villa Vicenta in the municipality of Caibiran.

BGI is a joint venture between Filtech Energy Drilling Corp. (Fedco) and Iceland-based Orka Energy Holding ehf.

Orka Energy specializes in geothermal resources development for electricity generation and district heating. It has projects in the Philippines, Singapore, and China.

Fedco, which was incorporated in 2005, explores, drills, develops, exploits and manages geothermal resources for energy investors.

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