Category: General

KUALA LUMPUR, The government is planning some initiatives to encourage the installation and utilisation of solar energy systems in government hospitals through collaboration with the private sector to support energy transition efforts at the organisational level based on service-oriented approaches.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said that this, which is part of the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR), will involve discussions with the Ministry of Health (MOH) besides taking into account existing financial allocations.

‘What we plan is for them to work with the private sector as a service provider, where they (the private sector) will handle the installation, but there will be profit-sharing in terms of energy savings besides benefits in carbon trading.’

He said this to reporters after launching the solar power generation system with a capacity of 420 kilowatts for facilities under IHH Healthcare Malaysia at the Prince Court Medical Centre here today.

Earlier in his speech, Fadill
ah, who is also Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA), said that 88 per cent of the quota of 1,100 megawatts (MW) of the Net Energy Metering (NEM) Programme for solar panel installation on building rooftops for commercial and industrial users has been successfully allocated to various parties so far.

He said the current focus of energy transition will be on efforts to harness the potential of available renewable energy sources in the country, such as solar, biomass, biogas, and hydroelectric power.

‘Among the renewable energy sources with potential, easy development at optimum cost, and utility-scale is utilising solar resources on the rooftops of premises and buildings,’ he said.

Fadillah also praised the efforts of IHH Healthcare Malaysia, which utilised rooftop spaces in all 16 hospitals under its group across Malaysia for solar panel installation.

‘IHH Healthcare’s initiative is a significant achievement towards Malaysia’s commitment to sustainability and renewable energy, in
line with the country’s goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050,’ he said.

According to IHH Healthcare’s statement, among the hospitals that have generated solar energy as of today are Penang Gleneagles Hospital, Pantai Laguna Merbok Hospital, Pantai Klang Hospital, Pantai Cheras Hospital, Pantai Kuala Lumpur Hospital, Pantai Ampang Hospital, and Pantai Batu Pahat Hospital.

The full launch of solar energy in all IHH Healthcare Malaysia hospital networks is expected to be completed by the end of 2025, witnessing a strategic partnership with Ditrolic Energy, one of the largest renewable energy developers in Malaysia and Southeast Asia.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

MANILA: Several participating stalls in the recently held ‘Kadiwa ng Pangulo’ (KNP) program in the Bicol Region sold rice at PHP20 per kg.

In a news release Sunday evening, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), citing information from the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), said the PHP20 per kg. rice was sold on April 25 during the launch of the KNP at NIA’s Albay-Catanduanes Irrigation Management Office (ACIMO) in Ligao City, Albay.

Among those prioritized to receive PHP20 per kg. rice are members of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries, elderlies, and persons with special needs, according to the PCO.

Regular customers, on the other hand, were able to buy rice at PHP35 per kg.

‘It serves as a way for Irrigators Associations (IAs) to return the blessings they received from the government to less privileged people for their community,’ the NIA said as quoted by the PCO news release.

Aside from rice, the NIA said that different fruits and vegetables, several delicacies
, and other farm products were also sold at affordable prices.

The project was made possible through the efforts of NIA Regional Manager Engr. Gaudencio M. De Vera, Albay-Catanduanes IMO Manager Engr. Jessie D. Baynas, and ACIMO IA Federation president Melanio Bañares.

The NIA emphasized that it remains committed to increasing rice production towards the realization of the ‘Bagong Pilipinas’ envisioned by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr

Source: Philippines News Agency

BURAUEN: The Mahagnao Volcano Natural Park (MVNP) is one of the emerging destinations in Leyte province and nature lovers could check out this newest attraction that offers camping activities.

Municipal tourism officer Carmela Crebillo said there has been growing interest among camping enthusiasts to stay overnight at MVNP since March after a group shared on social media a view of the picturesque sunset in the area.

In February, a group of local travelers posted a photo of their overnight experience while in the vicinity of MVNP in nearby La Paz town.

Due to the limited space on the Lapaz side of the natural park, many came to the Burauen side of the ecotourism destination.

‘We have been meeting with the people’s organization to discuss the limitations of camping activities and tour packages for campers. We want people to provide an opportunity to explore nature while preserving it for future generations,’ Crebillo said on Monday.

Elma Retostos, president of the MVNP ecotourism association, said with a m
inimal cost of PHP300, they could rent a tent and a blanket. For those with tents, they have to pay PHP200 for the space and blanket.

Members of the local people’s organization also cook food for tourists.

Bonfires are only allowed until 10 p.m. to respect other campers who would like to have a peaceful and good night’s sleep.

‘Every week, five to 10 groups are coming to camp here. Most come here on weekends,’ Retostos said.

Crebillo said more tourists have been exploring MVNP to experience its naturally cool environment.

‘The weather is hot, and people prefer communing with nature instead of going to malls. It’s the perfect place to relax and escape from the scorching weather in the city,’ Crebillo added.

The community has been offering two tour packages for years: the Tanguile and Bulkan trails.

The Tanguile Trail is named after the dipterocarp Tanguile trees dominant in the area, giving visitors the experience of what it is to ‘commune with nature and immerse in a forest atmosphere.’

The trail brin
gs a sense of relaxation through your five senses: seeing the forest surrounding you, hearing the chirping birds and forest winds, touching the cold ground by walking barefoot, inhaling the wonder of blooms, and tasting the sweetness of young melastoma plant pods.

The trail ends at Malagsum Lake, one of three lakes in Mahagnao known for its green, acidic water, a sanctuary for about 2,000 wild ducks of several species.

The Bulkan (local term for volcano) trail, on the other hand, gives visitors a chance to see Philippine Macaque monkeys while hiking through a dry stream bed.

Through this trail, one can reach the top of the inactive volcano, overlooking two lakes in Mahagnao.

Along the way, tourists will find some sulfuric gems, but picking them up is strictly prohibited.

The biggest lake in Mahagnao village has a length of 15,590 meters and a surface area of about 16 hectares, making it ideal for boating, kayaking, and stand-up paddling.

Tourists will also discover the local cuisine through a buffet lun
ch of rice, native chicken cooked in coconut milk, local fish simmered in vinegar, fried local fish, mixed local vegetables, fried dried fish, camote (sweet potato roll), fruits, and coconut juice.

The cost of each tour package is PHP1,035 per person for a group of five, according to Retostos.

Proclaimed as a national park in 1937, MVNP is endowed with different natural attractions: a lake, falls, multi-colored mud, virgin forests, and a lagoon.

In 2018, the park was proclaimed a protected area through legislation.

Mahagnao, located 860 meters above sea level, is 18 kilometers away from the town center of Burauen.

Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: Immigration authorities foiled another human trafficking attempt which led to the rescue of a female victim and the arrest of her escort.

In a statement Monday, BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco, citing the report of the BI’s Immigration Protection and Border Enforcement Section (I-PROBES), said the victim identified as alias ‘Nina’ was rescued at the Davao International Airport on April 27, after attempting to board a Scoot Airlines flight to Singapore.

The victim claimed to be traveling to the Singapore as a tourist with her employer, but later admitted that she was recruited to work as a household service worker in the United Arab Emirates for an undisclosed amount.

Upon verification of records of the victim’s escort, BI officers found that he has previously sponsored a trip of another woman, who failed to return the country on her declared return date.

He admitted to have previously escorted another female victim, who left for Singapore but transferred to Thailand.

The BI suspected that the ma
n was recruiting Filipinos to work in the Middle East but left his victims stranded.

Tansingco, meanwhile, warned the public against this scheme, noting that rescue or repatriation of victims becomes a challenge when the Philippine government has no record of a worker’s whereabouts.

‘These traffickers dupe victims into agreeing to such schemes, only to leave them penniless in the middle of an unfamiliar foreign country,’ he added.

‘Aspiring workers should never ever agree to such arrangements,’ the BI chief added.

Both were turned over to the Inter-Agency Council against Trafficking.

The male escort would face human trafficking charges over the incident.

Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Monday called for the proper enforcement of traffic laws around bicycle lanes as part of the Marcos administration’s push toward active transportation and the prioritization of cyclists and pedestrians.

In his speech during the inauguration of an expanded protected bike lane network in San Fernando, Pampanga, DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista urged the Land Transportation Office, the Philippine National Police, and local government units to strictly enforce active transport measures, including the proper use of bike lanes.

‘Kailangan siguro tamang enforcement para magamit natin nang maayos ang ating mga bike lanes (We probably need proper enforcement so we can also properly use these bike lanes),’ Bautista said.

Wider use of active transportation, he said, will both reduce vehicular congestion as well as have health benefits for those who adopt it.

‘Binibigyan ng DOTr ng priority ‘yung mga recipients ng active transport kasi sila po ay talagang kailangang tul
ungan (We are prioritizing recipients of active transport because they do need our help),’ he said.

The recently inaugurated Active Transport Infrastructure in Pampanga is a protected bike lane network that spans a total of 37.5 kilometers along Jose Abad Santos Avenue, Manila North Road, Lazatin, and Capitol Boulevards.

It is part of the DOTr’s Active Transport Program under the National Transport Policy and the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028.

Source: Philippines News Agency

ILOILO CITY: The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDDRMC) on Monday approved a resolution recommending that Iloilo province be placed under a state of calamity due to the El Niño phenomenon.

‘We need a declaration so that we can access more funds for El Niño adjustment measures. The declaration of the state of calamity can be helpful to us now,’ Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr., who sits as chair of the PDRRMC, said in an interview.

Among the adjusted measures to be enforced is to focus on other aspects of agriculture not too dependent on water.

This included diversion to animal-raising instead of planting palay.

During the meeting, Iloilo PDRRM officer Cornelio Salinas presented that the value of damages caused by El Niño has reached PHP1.025 billion as of April 26 with 88, 764 farmers and fisherfolk affected.

The rice commodity incurred the biggest damage valued at over PHP653 million affecting 12,590 farmers covering 12,069.49 hectares of standing crops, while the highest
number of farmers affected belong to the high-value crops, with losses amounting to more than PHP137 million.

The corn commodity suffered more than PHP219 million in losses affecting 3,901 farmers, while fisheries had PHP17 million for 295 affected fisherfolk.

Further, 51 farms were also affected under the livestock and poultry category, with losses valued at PHP200,000.

Salinas said three municipalities, namely Sara, Estancia, and Bingawan already declared the state of calamity, while municipalities of Balasan, New Lucena, and San Dionisio are expected to declare the same anytime soon.

Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Monday said the country’s newly-acquired TPS-P14ME Mobile Air Surveillance Radar System from Japan will expand the country’s “domain awareness” capabilities.

“It adds our scope of domain awareness particularly in the aerial domain, it adds eyes, kumbaga nadadagdagan tayo ng mata (we will be having more eyes or surveillance capabilities),” Teodoro said during the turnover rites for the mobile radar unit in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

Teodoro led ranking military and defense officials in receiving the radar system from Japanese State Minister of Defense Oniki Makoto.

The mobile radar system is part of the PHP5.5 billion government-to-government deal signed by DND and Japan’s Mitsubishi Electric Company (MELCO) in August 2020.

The deal also includes fixed FPS-3ME air surveillance radar systems for the Philippine Air Force (PAF).

One of the FPS-3ME systems was already delivered and installed at Wallace Air Station in San Fernando
, La Union on Dec. 20, 2023, while the two others are units expected to be delivered within the next two years.

“These are Armed Forces radars, we will integrate them within our system and we will devise a method where we can operate with them when necessary,” Teodoro added.

‘Critical component’ of PAF surveillance

Meanwhile, PAF chief Lt. Gen. Stephen Parreño said the TPS-P14ME “is a critical component of our surveillance and early warning capability.”

He said this system is ideal for the mobile platform due to its simplicity and energy efficiency.

“Truly it will play a significant role in bolstering the PAF’s capabilities in maintaining situational awareness in our airspace, ensuring that we maintain a watchful eye on the horizon for potential threats anytime, anywhere, crucial in light of an ever-changing geopolitical landscape in the region,” Parreño said.

This mobile radar system will be utilized by the PAF’s 580th Aircraft Control and Warning.

The pre-delivery inspection of the mobile radar syste
m took place in Japan on Oct. 4 to 8, 2023.

The TPS-P14ME is capable of “high resolution surveillance of air and surface targets including aircraft, drones, maritime vessels, enabling us to track and identify potential threats with precision and accuracy.”

PAF spokesperson Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo, meanwhile, said one of the advantages of a mobile radar system is its “flexibility” and the capability to be deployed easily to different locations, allowing the military to quickly set up surveillance operations in remote or strategic areas.

“The TPS-P14ME Mobile Air Surveillance Radar System significantly enhances the PAF’s operational capabilities by providing real-time situational awareness, early warning detection, and precise target tracking capabilities,” she said.

The acquisition of the TPS-P14ME is also a key milestone in the ongoing Armed Forces of the Philippines modernization efforts and symbolizes the deepening ties between the Philippines and Japan, Castillo added.

Source: Philippines News Age
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