PGMA inaugurates NCRPO High -
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today unveiled the P60-million Regional Tactical Operation and
The high-tech facility comes with television monitors that show what is happening in major thoroughfares of Metro Manila 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It was donated by 15 government agencies and private companies.
Among those who made the funds available to set up the facility include Smart Philippines and the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Apart from the electronic equipment, RTOIC also boasts of 11 wooden boats and six rubber boats that can be deployed for rescue and relief operations in any part of the country.
The President ordered NCRPO-Regional Director Roberto Rosales to make the equipment available to towns and cities outside of Metro Manila, or wherever they are needed.
According to Rosales, the closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras, GPRS (global positioning response systems), police cars, and Blackberry cell phones have enabled the police to make the city peaceful and orderly.
Among those who attended the launch of the RTOIC and the new rescue assets of PNP were PNP Director General Jesus Verzosa, Northern Police District Superintendent Samuel Pagdilao, and the chief executives of the sponsoring companies.
Rosales said he invited the Armed Forces of the
The center has a video wall consisting of 42 units of 40-inch large format display (LFD) monitors that have been configured to show video feeds from all CCTV cameras in
Its data storage can handle six months of video data and two years of backup, making it useful not just in responding tactical situations but in providing a rich database of information that can be used for strategic planning and other police administration purposes.
PGMA supports P269-M road, bridge, cut-off-channel construction plan in Candaba
CANDABA, Pampanga, Nov. 12 (PNA) -- President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has approved in principle the proposal of Mayor Jerry Pelayo for the upgrading of roads and construction of new bridge and cut-off-channel along Candaba-Baliwag-Sta. Ana road in the portion of Barangay Pasig here.
In an interview with Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Assistant Regional Director Marcelina Ocampo, she said that there was an instruction from the higher ups to prepare an estimate on the total cost of the proposed infrastructure projects in this town.
Ocampo said if the construction projects would be realized, it would mitigate and address the perennial flooding along the national road in
She said that the road proposals are as follows: cut-off channel, flood mitigation works – P63 million; bank protection works and critical sections of Pampanga River – P71.4 million; improvement/concreting of diversion road including upgrading of flooded road section towards Poblacion – P50 million; construction of new bridge that will cross through the cut-off-road section P85 million with a total funding estimate of P269.4 million.
Reports have it that President Arroyo has personally talked to Pelayo through phone recently informing about her approval on the mayor’s proposal to mitigate and address the perennial flooding along the national road in barangay Pasig.
Pelayo said he cast no doubt that their proposals would be speedily approved by concerned officials as the President has already given his nod on these projects that would ease the burden of his constituents who regularly use the national road in getting in and out of the town proper.
Ocampo said there is a dire need of constructing a diversion road that would traverse in small creek and other vacant space along the way.
She said that several years ago, the government has already acquired huge open space, hence, they see no problem in lot acquisition.
However, she said there are residential houses that would be affected.
Ocampo said she suggested to Pelayo the resettlement of some affected residents living along the area.
She also explained that the cut-off-channel will give a small split flow and would lessen the strong current in the main river channel that would mitigate further erosion of riverbanks along the
In reaction to the proposal of the mayor, the residents here said they are very thankful to President Arroyo and Pelayo for their strong commitment for the full development of the municipality and for the upliftment of the lives of the Candabenios.
MILF role in Sinnott’s release a step to peace – Malacañang
Malacañang today expressed gratitude to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) for brokering the safe release of Irish priest Father Michael Sinnott.
The MILF turned the priest over to government officials in Barangay Sangali in
In an interview with members of the media, Press Secretary Cerge Remonde described the gesture as a manifestation of the MILF’s sincerity and commitment to the cause of peace.
He added that the palace is now more hopeful than ever that “the GRP (Government of the Republic of the
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) made a similar observation, saying “the MILF central leadership played an indispensable role in securing the priest’s release.”
"These circumstances underscore the obligation of both sides to maintain an environment conducive to the conduct of peace talks, which we all hope will bring lasting peace and progress to
The European Union also chimed in, noting that Sinnott's release will make a positive effect on the peace negotiation.
Sinnott was abducted on Oct. 11 in
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Visits
United States Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will visit
During her visit, the Secretary will participate in events that will be open to media representatives who: (a) have the ID/accreditation that Malacanang will issue for coverage of the visit; and (b) will be at the designated areas for journalists no later than the time set for their assembly at the specified venues.
Following are the Secretary’s activities that are open to the media, and the guidelines for attending the events:
November 12 (Thursday)
Arrival at the Ninoy
Meeting with Secretary Alberto Romulo. The two officials will be available for photo spray before their meeting followed by a joint press availability at the
Opening of a book fair at
Courtesy call and Dinner hosted by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and bestowing of the Order of Sikatuna. There will be photo opportunities at Bahay Pangarap. For details please contact Rose Garcia-Coni or Lori G. Delos Reyes at 0918-979-5974, 0918-534-4934, 0920-931-8088, 309-1095 or 536-7448.
November 13 (Friday)
A Student Forum at the
Wreath-laying at the
Departure at the Ninoy
PSALM turns over administration of Sual, Pagbilao power plants to IPPAs
The Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation (PSALM) has formally turned over the administration of the contracted capacities of the National Power Corporation in the coal-fired Sual and Pagbilao power plants to their new independent power producer administrators (IPPAs), San Miguel Energy Corporation (SMEC) and Therma Luzon Inc., respectively.
Sans the fanfare, the turnover was held a few months after PSALM successfully conducted last 28 August 2009 the second round of bidding for the appointment of IPPAs to administer the contracted capacities of National Power in the Sual and the Pagbilao power facilities.
The turnover of the management of the contracted capacity of the Sual power plant was conducted at 12 midnight of 06 November 2009 in Pangasinan through a meter reading of the power generation and an inventory of the coal and oil supply as stipulated in the Administration Agreement. The meter reading was held to verify the quantity of electricity delivered by the IPP to the grid reckoned from the time SMEC, as administrator, took over the management of the contracted capacity of the Sual facility.
The same procedure was carried out at the Pagbilao plant in Quezon at 12 midnight of 01 October 2009.
Both activities were witnessed by officials and representatives from the National Grid Corporation of the
The turnover grants SMEC and Therma Luzon the authority to administer the trading of the power produced by their respective power facilities in the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM), thereby spurring competition in the electricity market.
Aside from trading their power output in the WESM, SMEC and Therma Luzon will be responsible for procuring coal and other fuel for their power plants, and closely coordinating with the plant operators to ensure that the power they generate matches their respective bids.
With the successful appointment of the Sual and Pagbilao IPPAs, PSALM is set to bid out National Power’s contracted capacities in the 345-MW San Roque Multipurpose Hydroelectric Power Plant, the 70-MW Bakun Hydroelectric Power Plant, and the 30.75-MW Benguet Mini-Hydro power plants, which are all located in Northern Luzon. Nine bidders are expected to participate in the bidding scheduled on 11 December 2009.
PSALM aims to transfer the management and control of at least 70% of the total energy output of the IPP power plants under contract with National Power to the IPPAs by 2010. PSALM has so far achieved 34.66% of this target.
