Catanduanes finds hope in hydro-power

SAN MIGUEL, Catanduanes – The frequent power outages hounding this island province may become a thing of the past after the P800 million hydropower plant projects of the Sun-west Water and Power Co. Inc. (SUWECO) here are set into motion anytime this month.

With this, Catanduanes will be the first ever province in Bicol to be served with renewable, clean and sustainable energy through the hydropower plant project of Bicolano businessman Elizaldy S. Co, chief executive officer of the Sunwest Group of Companies based in Legazpi City.

The SUWECO, an affiliate of the Sunwest Group of Companies, intends to supply half of the island’s energy demand of 6.5 megawatts.

Article Source: http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2010/aug19/b-story.html

Ex-coop prexy fears more power bill hike

CALABANGA, Camarines Sur — Dr. Domingo C. Yu, former president of Camarines Sur II Electric Cooperative (Casureco II), expressed strong and vehement opposition to the plan of the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation (PSALM) to pass on to consumers its P471-billion stranded debt.

This, after an audit observation report issued by the Commission on Audit (COA) unearthed additional items which are part of what it called “lavish” spending made by PSALM and that the bonuses and part of such expenditures were tucked into its stranded debt recovery which it plans to pass on to the power consumers nationwide.

Yu said such plan will erase the rate reductions earlier ordered by PSALM after PSALM and the National Electrification Administration (NEA) condoned certain loans made by Casureco II and expect higher power rates because the power coop will start paying for the loan amortization for three botched mini-hydro and dendro-thermal projects, such as the Inarihan mini-hydro, Tigman mini-hydro and dendro thermal loan which altogether amounted to P13.2 million.

Article Source: http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2010/aug19/xprex.html

Solon: Healing process, not Truth Commission

PANOTES

DAET, Camarines Norte—Rather than creating the Truth Commission, the administration of President Benigno Aquino III is better off initiating a healing process to move the nation onward, a solon here said Wednesday.

Camarines Norte second district Rep. Elmer Panotes said he stands against the creation of the Truth Commission which will attempt to unveil the facts and figures and personalities behind the alleged crimes of the administration of former president and now Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

“To dwell on the negatives, degrade and point fingers at the past dispensation sets the new administration on the wrong footing. To hype on the disservice of a predecessor is not what the ailing nation needs to restore it to health,” Panotes asserted.

Article Source: http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2010/aug19/xheal.html

Dato’s skyway hangs in the air

PILI, Camarines Sur — Engineers and officials under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) hold their breaths, along with their hope, as the fate of the construction of the unfinished skyway bridges and road that will connect the Second and First Legislative Districts of Camarines Sur province hangs in the balance with the change of national administration.

In the regular session of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan where an endorsement for the project is still under deliberation, representatives of the DPWH and Chief Project Engineer Rusty Rada admitted to the local legislators that they are not yet sure whether or not President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III would still support the projects which were initiated by Camarines Sur First District Rep. Dato Arroyo during his first term.

The project, which was originally budgeted at P1.164 billion, was approved by former President, now Pampanga Congresswoman, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as part of her son’s Tubig-Kalsada-Oportunidad (TKO) initiative under the Bicol River Basin and Watershed Management Project (BRBWMP).

Article Source: http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2010/aug19/xhang.html

All set for Ironman 70.3 Philippines

Pili, Camarines Sur — It’s All systems go for the international event, the 2nd Cobra Ironman 70.3 Philippines slated to kick off at the world-class CamSur Watersports Complex (CWC) on Sunday, August 22.

Gov. LRay Villafuerte plays host to 842 athletes, many of whom come from 36 countries of the world including the Philippines who are here to participate in this spectacular event.

As early as Thursday, August 19, tourists, celebrities, top-notch foreign triathletes and local participants have started to converge at CWC. Some tourists and guests have arrived for early bookings and accommodations while triathletes would want to acclimatize to be able to adapt to the climate and environment here.

Article Source: http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2010/aug19/xsets.html