Author: malaysiang

BACOLOD: The Negros Occidental provincial government will soon utilize solar power to energize its main office buildings as part of the initiatives to go renewable to ensure power security for Negrenses.

Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said in a statement on Tuesday the province will bid out the works for the utilization of solar panels, based on the result of the energy audit.

‘As a result of this energy audit, the provincial government will soon bid out the solarization of seven provincial buildings, the biggest of which is the Negros First Cyber Centre,’ he said.

Lacson said that since 2023, he initiated the energy audit for the Provincial Capitol and other key provincial buildings to ‘set an example in action, not just words.’

‘I enjoin everyone, particularly our local government units, to do the same, starting with grid tied rooftop solar systems,’ he added.

On Monday afternoon, Lacson and former governor Rafael Coscolluela, the provincial consultant on energy and environment concerns, led the launch o
f the SecuRE Negros campaign as a commitment to energy security through the support for distributed energy systems or distributed energy resource models, and the use of renewable energy sources.

Negros Occidental has a total installed renewable energy capacity of 510 megawatts produced by 16 power plants, among these are eight biomass and six solar plants and one battery energy storage system.

However, the province does not directly consume the power it produces, the study showed.

The governor acknowledged that ensuring energy security for the province is ‘not an easy, short-term endeavor,’ adding that ‘it requires careful study, strategic planning and implementation, and continuous consultation.’

‘In this, we have been proactive, strategic, and consultative,’ he said.

Lacson said the province has been proactive by anticipating future energy challenges given the periodic power outages the Negrenses have been experiencing for so long through a research-based assessment of the real power situation as a bas
is for policy-making.

The Provincial Power Sector Study Group was created in 2021 to assess the province’s current power situation and propose policy measures and other recommendations, and Negros Occidental Power Sector Assessment Study research team was subsequently formed in 2022.

‘We have been strategic by utilizing the information collected from the study and examining it against the backdrop of bigger challenges such as impending energy and climate crises,’ he said.

‘We have been and continue to be consultative because what affects us all must involve us all. We are for a just transition that is fair and inclusive, too, not just any transition,’ he added.

Lacson said that this year, the province will conduct power summits to consult all stakeholders to develop the Negros Occidental Energy Development Road Map, hold a Renewable Energy Week, and ask the Provincial Board to pass a Renewable Energy Ordinance.

‘These are only for 2024. We will have more to work on together after we have jointly develope
d the Negros Occidental Energy Development Road Map,’ he said.

Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. expressed confidence on Tuesday that the Philippines will take the lead in promoting the rule of law, social stability, and economic prosperity in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

This, as he led the oathtaking of the new officers of the Philippine National Committee of ASEAN Law Association (ALA) Philippines, Inc. at Malacañan Palace in Manila.

‘I am glad to administer your oaths of office today for it signals your devotion to lend your legal expertise to promote close relations, cooperation, and mutual understanding amongst magistrates, lawyers, and teachers of law in ASEAN member countries,’ Marcos said.

‘Your representation to the international bodies, such as the ALA, reflects our country’s continued commitment to strengthen our multilateral cooperation with our neighboring countries.’

The President said the election of the new ALA Philippines officers is vital in reaching the country’s goal of a ‘just global community amidst the critical g
eopolitical issues that we are being confronted with in the region.’

He said he is optimistic that they would be instrumental in harmonizing the respective national laws of every ASEAN country to achieve a common consensus on concerns within the region.

Marcos also hailed the Supreme Court for accepting the hosting of the Council of ASEAN Chief Justice Meeting, as well as Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo for accepting the position of Philippine National Committee chairperson of ALA Philippines.

‘By taking on these challenges, you have proven that we are one with our ASEAN counterparts to facilitate legal collaboration, interconnectivity, and integration amongst them,’ he said.

Marcos also pledged to support the judiciary in implementing the Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022-2027.

He said his administration respects and adheres to the judiciary’s autonomy, adding that he also aims to strengthen the partnership between the executive and the judiciary.

‘Under the leadership of Chief Justice Gesm
undo and the commitment of the Associate Justices of the Supreme Court and other public servants in the judiciary, the Filipino people can now rest assured that responsive and real-time justice can be delivered,’ Marcos said.

The ALA was established by ASEAN lawyers in February 1979 in Jakarta, Indonesia through the proposal of Singaporean Professor Tan Sook Yee and the late former senator Edgardo Angara.

It was formed to create a regional organization for lawyers in ASEAN to promote close relations, cooperation, and mutual understanding among them in the region.

It aims to provide organizational cooperation in law research, provide organizational facilities for ASEAN cooperation in conflict avoidance, arbitration, and resolution of legal disputes; and push for cooperation with international, regional, national, and other organizations.

The ALA Philippines Inc. was founded on June 25, 1981 by Angara and 13 other legal luminaries in the country.

Source: Philippines News Agency

COTABATO: Mamasapano town, a former war zone in Maguindanao del Sur is being transformed into a rice zone, with farmers in the area earning double under for selling palay or unhusked rice, a regional lawmaker said Tuesday.

‘In Bagong Pilipinas of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., a small farmers’ cooperative Al-Rahman Farmers MPC FARM, embarked on a very humble effort to support the President’s food security program,’ Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) member Suharto Ambolodto said in a statement.

BTA is the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) provisional lawmaking body.

The farmers’ group effort, he said, is being supported by the Army’s 601st Infantry Brigade and the 6th Civil-Military Battalion, both under the 6th Infantry Division in Central Mindanao.

‘Farmers in Mamasapano are now earning double for selling palay or unhusked rice, raising the hope to turn the municipality from a war zone to a rice zone under Bagong Pilipinas,’ Ambolodto said, referring to the erstwhile conflic
t-affected areas collectively known as the SPMS box (Shariff Aguak, Pagatin (Datu Saudi), Mamasapano and Datu Salibo).

The village of Tukanalipao in Mamasapano town was the site of the bloody encounter between the police’s elite Special Action Force and Moro extremists on Jan. 25, 2015.

Top rice producer

Barely nine years after the tragic incident, however, the town has blossomed into one of the top rice-producing towns in the province, with rice farmers now selling more than PHP22 per kilogram for palay, double the usual price of PHP13 per kilo.

“Farmers in Mamasapano used to earn only PHP65,000 per hectare at PHP13 per kilogram and 5 metric tons (MT). Now at PHP22 per kilogram and 11.3 MT, one hectare can earn PHP248,000 or a PHP183,000 improvement,” Ambolodto said.

He further noted that Mamasapano farmers surpassed in September last year the 2025 Department of Agriculture’s palay harvest target of 5 MT per hectare by harvesting 86 percent more at 9.3 MT per hectare.

The productive harvests meant loca
l farmer cooperatives could now sell rice at a lower price to their members, Ambolodto said, citing the case of the Al-Rahman Cooperative which sells its rice for PHP39 per kilo.

Meanwhile, Kagui Mustapha, 60, a farmer in Tukanalipao, said the assistance from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fishery and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR) has also helped them improve their rice productivity.

‘MAFAR and BARMM have provided us with post-harvest facilities like solar dryers, improved roads leading to the market center, and increased our output,’ he said in the vernacular, adding that the prevailing general peace and order situation has greatly improved.

Under the current administration, the Philippines reaped its biggest harvest of 20 million metric tons of palay in 2023, putting the Chief Executive’s agenda to achieve a robust Filipino agriculture sector front and center.

The President’s direction toward stronger Filipino rice production also allowed the government to reduce rice imports by 300,000 metric tons.

Unity, tra
nsformation

Earlier, the BARMM government had supported President Marcos and his Bagong Pilipinas campaign for unity and transformation.

In a separate statement, the Chief Minister of BARMM, Ahod Ebrahim, has expressed his firm commitment to adhering to the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) provisions that recognize the legitimacy and fairness of the Bangsamoro cause and aspirations towards their right to self-determination.

‘We, therefore, urge everyone to help protect the gains of the peace process, let us continue to support the current administration and allow peace and civility to reign over the affairs of our land,’ Ebrahim, also the figurehead of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, said.

Under Bagong Pilipinas, BARMM leaders also affirmed that most of the region is becoming more peaceful, drastically reducing the threat of violent extremism.

Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: The public trust and approval ratings of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. improved in the fourth quarter of 2023, according to a survey released on Tuesday by the OCTA Research Group.

Results of the Dec. 10-14, 2023 ‘Tugon ng Masa’ survey showed that Marcos scored a 76 percent trust rating and a 71 percent approval rating.

Marcos’ trust score is 3 points higher compared to the 73 percent recorded in October 2023, while his performance rating is 6 points higher than the third quarter’s 65 percent.

“While President Marcos Jr.’s trust ratings improved during the survey, this is within the margin of error. On the other hand, his performance ratings increased significantly compared to the 3rd quarter survey conducted in October 2023,” OCTA said.

Only 9 percent disapproved of the work done by President Marcos, while only 8 percent distrust him.

Across major areas, the President’s highest trust rating is in the Visayas at 79 percent, while his highest satisfaction rating is in Balance Luzon at 77 perce
nt.

His lowest trust and approval ratings are recorded in Mindanao at 69 percent and 57 percent, respectively.

Vice President

Meanwhile, Vice President Sara Duterte obtained a trust rating of 77 percent, which is 2 points higher than the 75 percent recorded in October 2023.

Duterte got an approval score of 75 percent, up by 5 points from October 2023’s 70 percent rating.

The Vice President’s performance was disapproved by 7 percent, while only 5 percent distrust her.

Duterte received the highest trust and satisfaction ratings among those in Mindanao at 99 percent and 97 percent, respectively.

Duterte got her lowest ratings for both trust and satisfaction in Balance Luzon with 64 percent and 61 percent, respectively.

Other officials

For congressional leaders, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri got a satisfaction rating of 60 percent and House Speaker Martin Romualdez obtained a 65 percent approval rating.

For trustworthiness, Zubiri posted a 59 percent rating, and Romualdez got a 64 percent score.

Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo received a satisfaction of 18 percent for his quarterly performance, and only 23 percent trust him.

The survey was conducted using face-to-face interviews with 1,200 respondents aged 18 years and above.

The survey has a +/-3 percent margin of error and a confidence level of 95 percent.

Source: Philippines News Agency