President Aquino returns to Bohol to inspect
repaired bridges
(TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol) President Benigno S
Aquino III returned on Thursday to Bohol province to personally inspect the
repaired bridges after the province was hit by magnitude-7.2 earthquake last
October 15.
Upon his arrival, the Chief Executive presided
over a meeting attended by Cabinet Secretaries, Bohol Governor Edgar M. Chatto
and officials of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council
and other local officials at the Cafe Dolores, Bohol Tropics Resort Club,
Graham Avenue in Tagbilaran City.
Joining the President during the meeting were
Defense Secretary and National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council
Chairman Voltaire T. Gazmin, Public Works and Highways Secretary Secretary
Rogelio Singson, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, Social Welfare Secretary
Corazon Soliman, Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho L. Petilla, Transportation
Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya, Health Secretary Enrique Ona, Interior and Local
Government Secretary Manuel Roxas, among others.
President Aquino was briefed on the progress of
the rehabilitation efforts for Bohol.
Around 2 p.m., the President went to the
municipality of Alburquerque where he inspected the Tagbuane Bridge that was
damaged by the strong earthquake.
The bridge, with 39.624 -meter length, was
declared impassable after the earthquake, prompting the Department of Public
Works and Highway (DPWH) to provide bridging equipment intended for the
temporary steel bridge.
The infrastructure works on the Tagbuane Bridge
started on October 28. The bridge became passable on November 3.
The DPWH decided to install temporary steel
bridges on the sites of the collapsed structures. The building of temporary
bridges would take three to four weeks while the permanent bridges would take
time.
Restoring the damaged roads would also take
weeks, officials said.
After inspecting the Tagbuane Bridge, the
President proceeded to Maribojoc town to inspect the Abatan Bridge
The President's visit was his third to Bohol
province since the October 15 earthquake. PND (js)
President Aquino issues directives to prevent
Yolanda disaster
President Benigno S. Aquino III has issued
directives to appropriate government agencies to prevent a repeat of the loss
of lives and property caused by natural disasters like super typhoon “Yolanda”
(Haiyan).
At a media briefing, Presidential Communications
Operations Office Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. said this is aside from
the President’s approval in principle of the Cabinet’s recommendations on
critical actions to be taken after Yolanda.
“Livelihood assistance for farmers and fishermen
has also been prioritized due to the extreme damage to crops and coconut trees
and the disruption of fishing activities in the typhoon aftermath,” he added.
He said the President will meet with the Cabinet
anew Friday afternoon to resume discussions on the rehabilitation and
reconstruction plans.
Such plans will also cover the work that will be
done in Bohol, Zamboanga and Central Luzon post-Typhoon Santi.
Coloma said the proposed supplemental budget for
this is P38.8 billion, nearly 80 percent of which is for the reconstruction of
destroyed or damaged homes and repair of classrooms, hospitals, public markets
and public facilities like town halls and government offices.
Coloma also said President Aquino issued the
following directives to the following officials and agencies:
- To Department of Science and Technology
Secretary Mario Montejo: to update the list of the most severely affected towns
and cities as priority areas for rehabilitation and reconstruction, based on a
50-km radius covered by the movement of the eye of Typhoon Yolanda. The center
of Yolanda had packed winds of up to 250 kph and a powerful storm surge.
- To Department of Environment and Natural
Resources Secretary Ramon Paje: to issue a detailed Memorandum Order on the
implementation of No-Build Zones. This bars the building of structures within
three meters in urban areas, 20 meters in agricultural areas; and 40 meters in
forest areas.
- The DENR was also ordered to implement a
mangrove reforestation program to the coastlines of Leyte and Samar provinces
and similarly affected areas.
- To Secretaries Joseph Abaya (transportation)
and Rogelio Singson (Public Works): To prioritize the repair and rebuilding of
Tacloban Airport, considered the hub of transport in Eastern Visayas.
The two were also directed to study the
construction of an “all-weather airport” in line with the DPWH’s program to
make structures more resilient.
- To all government agencies: to submit to DOST
and DPWH complete geo-tagging reports on damaged public facilities, which will
be a basis for post-disaster needs assessment and appropriate recovery and
reconstruction plans.
- To DOST and the Communications Group: Fine-tune
communication, education and information programs; use available resources of
government media.
Coloma noted that in communicating the dangers
of a storm surge, Montejo had said a storm surge cannot be likened to a tsunami
since there are differences, including in the preparation time involved.
“Secretary Montejo clarified that a storm surge
requires organized evacuation that can be undertaken within a 24- to 48-hour
preparation period while a tsunami alert requires outright, spontaneous
evacuation where the lead time can be as short as 30 minutes,” he said.
Coloma likewise said President Aquino ordered
the issuance of Memorandum Circular No. 59, which directs government financial
institutions (GFIs) to grant a six-month moratorium on outstanding loan payments.
This will also extend interest-free loans to
people affected by Yolanda.
Covered by the circular are: Land Bank of the
Philippines, Development Bank of the Philippines, Government Service Insurance
System, Social Security System, National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation
(Pag-IBIG), People’s Credit and Finance Corp., Philippine Postal Savings Bank,
Philippine Retirement Authority, Quedan Rural Credit and Guaranty Corp. United
Coconut Planters Bank. PND (jl)
Palace vows political will in enforcing no-build
zones during mangrove reforestation
Spurred by the huge loss of life and property in
the wake of Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), Malacañang on Thursday assured it
will practice political will in enforcing the no-build zones in high-risk
areas.
However, Presidential Communications Operations
Office Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. said the government will also
provide assistance to fishermen and residents who may be affected.
“You can be certain that even with more
political will the government will implement this policy given the widespread
loss of life and damage wrought by Typhoon Yolanda,” Coloma said at a media
briefing.
Citing data from the Department of Environment
and Natural Resources, he said mangroves should be restored especially in
coastal areas, to provide protection from storm surges.
Such mangroves may also provide spawning grounds
for crustaceans and shellfish, Coloma added.
“Kung napanatili iyong mga mangrove forest na
dati ay natural feature of our coastlines siguro ay naiwasan iyong ganyang
lalim at lawak ng kalamidad (Had we maintained our mangrove forests which are a
natural feature of our coastlines, we could have avoided the Yolanda tragedy),”
he added.
However, Coloma also said the government will
assist fishermen in the area, and may build waterways to provide them
continuing access to fishing areas.
Coloma said the government will extend
assistance to the fishermen, who he said are not barred from fishing.
“Ide-designate lang siguro further out dahil
kinakailangang mag-umpisa na iyong mangrove replanting at reforestation (We
might designate fishing zones while the mangrove replanting and reforestation
is ongoing),” the Communication Secretary said.
He added Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson
had indicated the mangrove planting will be done purposively so as not to
dislocate or diminish the income of fishermen.
On the other hand, Coloma said the government
will be level-headed in convincing residents in high-risk areas to leave their
homes.
“Dadaanin naman po sa mahinahon at mahusay na
paliwanagan at pakikipag-usap upang kumbinsihin sila that it is for their
enlightened self-interest, that their lives and safety are adequately protected
by the government (We will use level-headed explanation in convincing them it
is for their enlightened self-interest, that their lives and safety are
adequately protected by the government),” he said. PND (jl)
Palace prepared to certify supplemental budget
bill as urgent if needed
If needed, Malacañang is prepared to certify as
urgent a proposed measure that will provide a supplemental budget of P38.8
billion for post-Typhoon Yolanda rehabilitation work in 2014.
Presidential Communications Operations Office
Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. said Thursday such an action will depend
on how the bill fares in both houses of Congress.
“Palagi naming ine-emphasize that we are
prepared to do what is needed. Depende ito sa proseso nila (We have always
emphasized we are prepared to do what is needed. It will depend on Congress’
processes),” Coloma said at a media briefing.
He said the usefulness of certifying a bill as
urgent will come in if there are few session days left, and a bill has to be
passed on second and third reading on the same day.
The present legislative calendar of the 16th
Congress indicates both houses of Congress will go on Christmas break from Dec.
21 to Jan. 19, 2014.
Coloma said the matter of whether President
Benigno S. Aquino III will certify the bill as urgent will now depend on Congress.
“Handa ang Pangulo to do what is needed ...
Hinihintay ang senyales mula sa Kongreso (The President is prepared to do what
is needed. For now, the ball is in Congress’ court),” he said. PND (jl)
President Aquino inspects the repaired Abatan
Bridge damaged by earthquake in Bohol
(MARIBOJOC, Bohol) President Benigno S. Aquino
III inspected the repaired Abatan Bridge which was damaged by magnitude-7.2
earthquake last October 15, as part of the efforts to restore normalcy in the
province of Bohol.
After inspecting the Abatan Bridge in Barangay
Lingkod here, the Chief Executive briefly monitored the traffic situation.
The Abatan Bridge which links Bohol northern
towns from the capital city of Tagbilaran, was reopened to traffic after 18
days of infrastructure works.
He then proceeded to the nearby Brgy. Lingkod
Livelihood Product Center where he was briefed by Public Works and Highways
Secretary Rogelio Singson about the progress of the infrastructure projects in
the province.
The Abatan Bridge became impassable after the
strong earthquake that shook the province.
In response to President Aquino's directive,
Singson immediately deployed engineers to assess structural integrity of
structures in the province.
The full scale operation on the damaged Abatan
Bridge started on November 6. Mobilization of personnel and equipment was
hampered by landslide along the only access road leading to the Abatan Bridge
project site.
Typhoons Yolanda and Zoraida also delayed the
completion of the building of the temporary bridge.
The President earlier inspected Tagbuane Bridge
in the municipality of Alburquerque. PND (js)
Sound economic fundamental a buffer against
downside risks, Palace says
Malacanang welcomed the 7 percent gross domestic
product (GDP) growth in the third quarter of this year noting that this
positive development will serve as the country’s shield against the risks posed
by the natural disasters that hit the country recently.
“This achievement is proof positive that the
country’s sound macro-economic fundamentals provide a solid buffer against
downside risks such as natural disasters,” Presidential Communications
Operations Office Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. said in a statement on
Thursday.
“Our economic management team is determined to
adopt appropriate measures for overcoming the challenges to the economy,” he
said.
In light of this development, Coloma said the
Aquino administration remains committed to implementing reforms that
strengthens the country’s public institutions, and establishes a stable
infrastructure for good governance that sustains inclusive growth.
Citing NEDA’s statement, Coloma said the 7
percent third quarter growth rate boosts the 2013 first nine months growth to
7.4 percent from 6.7 percent last year.
With this figure, Coloma said the Philippines
remains a star performer among counties in Asia based on the observations of
reputable financial analysts.
According to the report of the National
Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB), the third quarter growth was driven by
the services sector with the robust performance of the real state, renting and
business activities, trade and financial intermediation sustained by the
accelerated growth of the industry sector.
On the demand side, the growth came from
increased investments in fixed capital, reinforced by consumer and government
spending and the robust growth in external trade.
The NSCB also reported that on a seasonally
adjusted basis, the GDP posted a positive growth of 1.1 percent in the third
quarter of 2013 but this was a deceleration from 1.6 percent in the previous
quarter.
It also noted that the agriculture sector
rebounded its seasonally adjusted growth to 0.7 percent from a decline of 0.7
percent in the previous quarter while the industry sector decelerated to 0.3
percent from 1.4 percent.
The services sector on the other hand, recorded
a 1.6 percent seasonally adjusted growth for the third quarter of 2013 from 2.1
percent in the previous quarter with the positive growth of all its subsectors,
the NSCB said. PND (as)
Palace targets 2-3 months’ stay for
Yolanda-affected families in bunkhouses
Malacañang is targeting a two- to three-month
bunkhouse stay for residents affected by super typhoon "Yolanda"
(Haiyan), before having them moved to permanent housing facilities.
Presidential Communications Operations Office
Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. said Thursday the government wants to
ensure a good quality of life for the affected residents.
“After a two- to three-month transition,
kailangan sila ilipat sa permanent housing kaya inihahanda yan ng NHA (After a
two- to three-month transition, they should be moved to permanent housing
facilities).
That is being arranged by the National Housing
Authority),” Coloma said at a media briefing.
He said the government will also prioritize the
procurement of housing materials such as coco lumber, galvanized iron sheets
and other basic materials to help residents repair their homes.
The government is building bunkhouses to
accommodate families whose homes were destroyed by Yolanda when the cyclone
battered Visayas and Southern Luzon last November 8.
Coloma said the government expects the
rehabilitation program for Yolanda-affected areas may take a long time.
“We realize there are some programs that will
involve multi-year programs,” he said.
The Communications Secretary also reassured the
public the government will respect ancestral domains in making the appropriate
arrangements.
“Gagalangin ang kanilang karapatan at hahanapan
ng paraan para maging kapakinabang sa nakararami (We will respect their rights
and look for the best way that is satisfactory for all concerned),” he said.
PND (jl)
Bunkhouses construction start in Basey town
(BASEY, Samar) Nearly three weeks after the
onslaught of super typhoon "Yolanda," local government officials here
are now focusing on providing temporary and permanent relocation sites for
displaced families in this town.
Basey Vice Mayor Paul Charles Adona said the
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has started the construction of
18 units of bunkhouses in Barangay Canmanila Sitio Bangon here.
"There are 51,000 families displaced by
typhoon Yolanda in our town," Adona said adding that the evacuees are
currently housed in two evacuation centers at Basey Church and Basey Elementary
School.
The bunkhouses, which can accommodate 24
families each, are expected to be completed within two weeks according to DPWH
Eastern Visayas regional director Rolando Asis.
Adona said those who will occupy the bunkhouses
will be determined by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, which
earlier said that they will prioritize families with vulnerable members
including babies, pregnant women, elderly and persons with disabilities.
The Vice Mayor said the permanent relocation
houses for displaced families will also be constructed in Barangay Canmanila.
"President Aquino ordered to relocate the
people to safer grounds," he said adding that people who are living near
the coastal areas will be prioritized.
"We will be drafting an ordinance
preventing people to reside 20 meters from the sea wall, which is considered as
danger zone," he noted.
He said the local government has P50 million
standby fund ready to be used for the building of permanent houses.
"We are hoping to finalize the negotiation
with the owner of the property next week so we can start with the
construction," Adona said.
Basey is one of the areas hit hardest by Typhoon
Yolanda, the strongest cyclone to hit the country, which has left at least
5,000 people dead.
The DPWH is also constructing 18 units of
bunkhouses in the nearby town of Amambucale in Marabut, also part of Western
Samar. PND (jb)
Pacquiao is not being harassed by the government,
says President Aquino
(TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol) President Benigno S.
Aquino III said Sarangani Representative Emmanuel ‘Manny’ Pacquiao is neither
being singled out nor ‘harassed’ by his administration when it comes to his
taxes.
The Chief Executive instead urged the celebrated
boxing hero to simply answer all the questions of the Bureau of Internal
Revenue (BIR) concerning his tax liabilities before a proper venue and not
through media.
“If he did right, then I’m sure he will be able
to prove that he did right, and therefore there is no issue. So the way to
settle it is to answer all of these queries by the BIR and not to engage in a
media war," President Aquino told reporters here.
"The media will not decide who is right or
wrong. It will be our courts eventually, if it gets to that, who will
decide."
It has been two years since Pacquiao was
assessed by the BIR with a P2.2-billion tax evasion case, the President said,
but the boxing icon merely took a ‘cavalier’ attitude toward it and did not
respond to any of the legitimate summonses issued by the agency.
Pacquiao implied in his recent press statements
that there was something ‘political’ about the BIR’s freeze order on his
assets, days after his recent victory in Macau, which the President did not
seem to understand.
“Bakit siya iha-harrass? ‘Di ba, saan ba logic
‘non? I understand parang the accounts total 1.1-million pesos. What is that
compared to all of his winnings?” the President asked.
President Aquino also apparently did not
subscribe to Pacquiao’s defense that his earnings in the United States, every
time he steps into a boxing ring there, were already taxed by its own Internal
Revenue Service which has all the documents to provide the BIR.
He earns abroad, he pays taxes there, ‘yung tax
rate nila at tax rate natin magkaiba yata. My understanding—I am not, of
course, an expert on the Internal Revenue Code—but the bottom line is the
difference ng tax rate natin at tax rate doon still has to be made up,” he
said.
“Dulo nito siguro, and with all due to respect
to Congressman Pacquiao, if he believes that he has complied with all the
necessary rules and all the necessary laws, then I’m sure he has all the
evidence to—parang to afford,” the President emphasized. PND (hdc)
President Aquino says Bohol returns to normalcy
in the aftermath of earthquake
(Maribojoc, Bohol) President Benigno S. Aquino
III said the province of Bohol appears to be returning to normalcy following
the devastation brought by magnitude 7.2 earthquake last October 15.
In his speech at the Barangay Lingkod Livelihood
Product Center here, the Chief Executive said on Thursday that the
rehabilitation efforts for the province of Bohol are in full swing to help the
people to recover from the devastation wrought by the strong earthquake.
"Talaga pong ibang-iba na nga po ang
sitwasyon ngayon dito sa Bohol kumpara nang huli tayong nagkita noong Oktubre.
Nang tumungo tayo rito, halos nasa gitna pa tayo ng sakuna, at may mga nakaamba
pa ring mga peligro. Niyayanig pa tayo ng mga aftershock, marami pang bitak sa
mga kalsada at nagkalat ang mga bakas ng gumuhong estruktura." the
President said.
"Unti-unti na nga pong bumabalik sa normal
ang pamumuhay rito sa Bohol. Isang matingkad na halimbawa nito ang pagkakaroon
na ng kuryente sa mga apektadong lugar," he said.
President Aquino lauded his Cabinet Secretaries
who continue to work hard to speed up the rehabilitation efforts for the
affected communities.
The Department of Energy, the National
Electrification Administration, National Grid Corporation of the Philippines,
and electric cooperatives are undertaking major power restoration works, the President
noted.
"Naibalik po ito agad sa normal sa loob
lang ng anim na araw, ‘yung pagkakabit po sa grid. Nang humagupit naman ang
bagyong Yolanda, nadagdagan ang pinsala sa mga transmission lines, kaya may
agam-agam na matagal pa bago bumalik ang kuryente," he said.
"Pero ang good news po, sa loob lamang ng
labing-anim na araw, natugunan na ang problema sa kuryente na dulot ng nagdaang
super typhoon Yolanda," the President said.
President Aquino also commended the National
Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, Department of Social Welfare
and Development, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of
Transportation and Communications, National Housing Authority, among others,
for their contributions to effectively implement the relief and rehabilitation
efforts for the affected communities.
"Matapos po nating isaayos ang mga kalsada,
sumunod ang mas agarang paghahatid ng ayuda sa mga komunidad. Tinutukan din
natin ang rehabilitasyon ng paliparan at ng mga pantalan. Bahagi ng pagbisita
natin rito ang pagkamusta sa ipapagawa nating New Bohol Airport na siguradong
lalapagan ng mga bagong oportunidad," he said.
The President said the government is embarking
on the housing projects for displaced residents.
"Nakita ko rin ho kanina ang buhay na
minumungkahi ng Habitat for Humanity, kung saan parte kongkreto, parte kahoy,
parte bakal. At parang ito ‘yung mas matibay, mas matibay sa earthquake, mas
matibay rin pati sa bagyo," he said.
Various infrastructure projects to repair
damaged roads and bridges and public structures are now in place.
"Pinag-aaralan na rin ng National Museum,
National Commission for Culture and the Arts, at National Historical Commission
of the Philippines, ang rehabilitasyon ng mga gumuhong simbahan na ating National
Cultural Treasures," he said.
"Sa pakikipagtulungan po ng gobyerno at
pribadong sektor, makakaasa po tayo: Darating ang panahon na maitatayo ang mga
ito, at muling ibabantayog ang mayamang kultura at pananalig ng mga
Boholano," the President.
The President, likewise, lauded the Bohol local
officials and residents for showing resilience during the calamity.
"Muli’t muli nating patunayan na walang
hamon na hindi natin kayang lampasan, lalo’t may malasakit ang Pilipino sa
kapwa Pilipino. Tulad ng ipinakita ng bawat Boholano, sabay-sabay tayong
babangon sa anumang pagkadapa, at sa kahit anumang yanig at pagsubok,
kapit-bisig na titindig ang buong bansa," he said. PND (js)
President Aquino says Bohol returns to normalcy
in the aftermath of earthquake
(Maribojoc, Bohol) President Benigno S. Aquino
III said the province of Bohol appears to be returning to normalcy following
the devastation brought by magnitude 7.2 earthquake last October 15.
In his speech at the Barangay Lingkod Livelihood
Product Center here, the Chief Executive said on Thursday that the
rehabilitation efforts for the province of Bohol are in full swing to help the
people to recover from the devastation wrought by the strong earthquake.
"Talaga pong ibang-iba na nga po ang
sitwasyon ngayon dito sa Bohol kumpara nang huli tayong nagkita noong Oktubre.
Nang tumungo tayo rito, halos nasa gitna pa tayo ng sakuna, at may mga nakaamba
pa ring mga peligro. Niyayanig pa tayo ng mga aftershock, marami pang bitak sa
mga kalsada at nagkalat ang mga bakas ng gumuhong estruktura." the
President said.
"Unti-unti na nga pong bumabalik sa normal
ang pamumuhay rito sa Bohol. Isang matingkad na halimbawa nito ang pagkakaroon
na ng kuryente sa mga apektadong lugar," he said.
President Aquino lauded his Cabinet Secretaries
who continue to work hard to speed up the rehabilitation efforts for the
affected communities.
The Department of Energy, the National
Electrification Administration, National Grid Corporation of the Philippines,
and electric cooperatives are undertaking major power restoration works, the
President noted.
"Naibalik po ito agad sa normal sa loob
lang ng anim na araw, ‘yung pagkakabit po sa grid. Nang humagupit naman ang
bagyong Yolanda, nadagdagan ang pinsala sa mga transmission lines, kaya may
agam-agam na matagal pa bago bumalik ang kuryente," he said.
"Pero ang good news po, sa loob lamang ng
labing-anim na araw, natugunan na ang problema sa kuryente na dulot ng nagdaang
super typhoon Yolanda," the President said.
President Aquino also commended the National
Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, Department of Social Welfare
and Development, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of
Transportation and Communications, National Housing Authority, among others,
for their contributions to effectively implement the relief and rehabilitation
efforts for the affected communities.
"Matapos po nating isaayos ang mga kalsada,
sumunod ang mas agarang paghahatid ng ayuda sa mga komunidad. Tinutukan din
natin ang rehabilitasyon ng paliparan at ng mga pantalan. Bahagi ng pagbisita
natin rito ang pagkamusta sa ipapagawa nating New Bohol Airport na siguradong
lalapagan ng mga bagong oportunidad," he said.
The President said the government is embarking
on the housing projects for displaced residents.
"Nakita ko rin ho kanina ang buhay na
minumungkahi ng Habitat for Humanity, kung saan parte kongkreto, parte kahoy,
parte bakal. At parang ito ‘yung mas matibay, mas matibay sa earthquake, mas
matibay rin pati sa bagyo," he said.
Various infrastructure projects to repair
damaged roads and bridges and public structures are now in place.
"Pinag-aaralan na rin ng National Museum,
National Commission for Culture and the Arts, at National Historical Commission
of the Philippines, ang rehabilitasyon ng mga gumuhong simbahan na ating
National Cultural Treasures," he said.
"Sa pakikipagtulungan po ng gobyerno at
pribadong sektor, makakaasa po tayo: Darating ang panahon na maitatayo ang mga
ito, at muling ibabantayog ang mayamang kultura at pananalig ng mga
Boholano," the President.
The President, likewise, lauded the Bohol local
officials and residents for showing resilience during the calamity.
"Muli’t muli nating patunayan na walang
hamon na hindi natin kayang lampasan, lalo’t may malasakit ang Pilipino sa
kapwa Pilipino. Tulad ng ipinakita ng bawat Boholano, sabay-sabay tayong
babangon sa anumang pagkadapa, at sa kahit anumang yanig at pagsubok,
kapit-bisig na titindig ang buong bansa," he said. PND (js)
President Aquino continues to address scarce
power supply in Bohol
(Tagbilaran City, Bohol) President Benigno S.
Aquino III said on Thursday the government is implementing measures to find
sources of power supply to address the brownouts in the province of Bohol.
During his meeting with Cabinet Secretaries,
national government and local officials at the Cafe Dolores, Bohol Tropics Resort
Club, Graham Avenue here in Tagbilaran City, the Chief Executive said the
government is now addressing the scarcity of power supply not only in Bohol but
also in some Visayas regions.
Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho L. Petilla
reported to the President that the Department of Energy and the local electric
cooperative are now implementing measures to ensure that power is restored in
the entire province.
While power is restored in Tagbilaran and other
munipalities in the province, these areas continue to experience rotation
brownouts lasting to two to six hours a day.
The power was totally cut off in Bohol province
following the magnitude 7.2 earthquake last October 15. The DOE started
restoring power supply in the province of Bohol, except in communities that
were abandoned by residents.
With the restoration work still on-going in
Bohol, super typhoon "Yolanda" cut the transmission lines in Visayas
regions.
The scarcity of power supply in Bohol is brought
about by the devastation unleashed by typhoon Yolanda in neighbouring Leyte.
"First, ang earthquake had damages to the
lines, reforms, etc. Tapos ‘nung nire-repair natin ‘yan, biglang pumasok naman
si ‘Yolanda’, sinundan pa ni ‘Zoraida'. Ang apektado ang geothermal plant in
Leyte, and your electricity in Bohol is sourced from—well, part, not really
sourced—the lines go through Leyte. They were damaged," the President said
in an interview with the media here.
"Over 200 transmission towers of the grid
have been affected. We really have to rebuild that and, also, interconnection
between Luzon and Visayas, na-damage rin. Ang 520-megawatt plant in Leyte,
nabawasan ang Visayas grid by 400," he said
"What they can produce right now is about
120. So doon nagmula, nabawasan ka na ng source, apektado pa ‘yung transmission
lines. And makaka-draw by December of over a hundred megawatts from the Luzon
grid that will augment and, therefore, will eliminate the problem of brownouts
for Bohol," he said.
Petilla assured to work doubly hard so that
power supply to Eastern and Central Visayas will increase before Christmas, the
President said.
"Hopefully, the brownouts will be
lessened," the President said. PND (js)