New SOPs set to improve power transmission service- NGCP

QUEZON CITY, Aug 31 (PIA) – In a move to continuously improve its daily operations, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) recently revised some of its technical Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), especially those pertaining to the inspection of lines and substation equipment.

While most of the SOPs inherited from the former grid operator National Transmission Corporation were already enhanced by concessionaire NGCP since it took over in 2009, the privately owned corporation is bent on finding more ways to better enhance the delivery of high-voltage electricity to its power customers.

“NGCP operates almost 20,000 circuit-kilometers of transmission lines and more than 27,000 megavolt amperes of substation capacity across the country. It’s a huge responsibility that NGCP takes very seriously,” asserted Venusto D. Hamoy, NGCP’s Deputy Assistant Chief Technical Officer for Operations and Maintenance.

The revisions cover the SOPs on inspection of critical substation equipment such as Power Transformer and Shunt Reactor. NGCP created a new inspection checklist to ensure that all parts of the substation equipment function at optimal conditions.

NGCP also improved its line patrolling and vegetation management on lands along the Right-of-Way. Line patrolling, which includes activities like tower-to-tower inspection and aerial patrol, were made more stringent to thoroughly assess the status of transmission lines. For aerial line inspection, NGCP procured gimbal cameras to be installed on helicopters. The cameras are expected to arrive before the end of the year.

“We are working on the more detailed reporting of transmission line and substation inspections as a proactive measure to avoid line trippings that may disrupt services to our customers,” Hamoy added.

Aside from the new procedures, NGCP also conducted a series of training seminars for its engineers. Before the first half of 2013 ended, all substation engineers were given a refresher on substation operations and protocols while a more advanced substation course is scheduled to be rolled out by the 3rd quarter of this year.

NGCP also purchased more than a hundred line trucks and new personal protective equipment for its line personnel to be distributed to all its field offices.

“All these changes and purchases are expected to uplift the level of our day-to-day operations and to develop the skills of our personnel. We acknowledge that these seemingly small changes have a big impact on power delivery to the whole country,” explained Hamoy.

NGCP is a privately owned corporation in charge of operating, maintaining, and developing the country’s power grid. It transmits high-voltage electricity through “power superhighways” that include the interconnected system of transmission lines, towers, substations, and related assets. NGCP’s regular maintenance activities and assistance to other members of the power industry aim to enhance the reliability and quality of electricity delivered to customers. (NGCP)###

For media inquiries, please contact:

Atty. Cynthia D. Perez-Alabanza, Spokesperson- 09175707884

Corporate Communications Department- 09175374740/09178791170/ 981-2143/ 981-4021

For regular updates, you may visit our official website at www.ngcp.ph, follow us on Twitter at @NGCP_ALERT, or connect with us on Facebook through www.facebook.com/NGCPph.

NGCP, Quezon Avenue corner BIR Road, Diliman, Quezon City 1100 • Tel. No.: +632.981.2100 • Website: www.ngcp.ph

Mga CSO at PO dapat na magpa-akredit sa mga LGU

Ni: Bennie A. Recebido

LUNGSOD NG SORSOGON, Agosto 29 (PIA) – Matapos na maghayag ang Malakanyang na hihigpitan na nila ang pagbibigay ng pondo sa mga Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) bunsod ng naging kontrobersyal na isyu ng pork barrel, naging maigting din ang panawagan ng Integrated Rural Development Foundation of the Philippines (IRDF) at ilan pang mga NGO sa mga Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) at People’s Organizations (Pos) sa Sorsogon na asikasuhin na ang kanilang akreditasyon.

Ayon kay Ma. Libertad M. Dometita, Project Coordinator on Good Governance Project ng IRDF, isa sa ipinatutupad nila ngayon sa Sorsogon ay ang Participatory Governance Project kung saan ang pinaka-malaking bahagi nito ay ang bigyang kapasidad ang iba’t-ibang CSOs lalo na ang mga People’s Organizations (POs) upang mas maging epektibo at mahusay sa pakikilahok sa pamahalaan. Ang mga ganitong proyekto ang magsisiguro na malinis, sapat at legal ang hangarin at gawain ng mga CSOs.

Maging ang iba’-tibang sangay ng pamahalaan tulad ng Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) at Department of Agriculture  (DA) ay naglahad ng instensyong paigtingin ang akreditasyon at monitoring sa mga NGOs.

Matatandaang may panawagan ang Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) base sa inilabas nitong Memorandum Circular 2013-70 noong Hulyo 24, 2013 na gawin na ang akreditasyon ng mga CSOs at malagay na sa pwesto ang mga mapipili para sa mga Local Special Bodies.

Base sa nasabing Memorandum Circular, naatasan ang mga Local Government Unit (LGUs) na tapusin ang prosesyo ng akreditasyon sa loob ng Agosto at mabuo ang lahat ng Local Special Bodies bago matapos ang Setyembre. 

Ito ay mandato ng Local Government Code upang mapalakas ang partisipayon ng CSOs sa mga proseso ng pamamahala. Dapat may representasyon ang mga CSOs na hindi bababa sa 25 porsyento ng Local Development Council.

Ayon sa IRDF, mas marami ang matitinong NGOs na dalisay ang gawain upang pagsilbihan ang mahihirap na Pilipino. Hindi sila dapat na paparusahan dahil sa baluktot na gawain ng iilan at pekeng NGOs.  Hindi ang sektor ng NGOs ang dapat na higpitan kundi ang proseso ng pagbibigay ng pondo mula man ito sa pork barrel o sa regular na pondong national o local na pamahalaan. (BARecebido, PIA-5/Sorsogon)

Kasanggayahan Festival 2013 to highlight the beginning of Christian Civilization in Southern Bicolandia

By: Bennie A. Recebido

SORSOGON CITY, Aug 27 (PIA) – This October, the province of Sorsogon will again celebrate the Kasanggayahan Festival and for this year, one historical importance, marking the beginning of Christianization in Southern Bicol will be given the highlight.

Different from the previous celebrations, this year’s Kasanggayahan Festival will offer local folks as well as domestic and foreign visitors a candid display of its distinctiveness as a province, being the birthplace of Christian civilization in Southern Bicolandia.

Highlights of the activities for Kasanggayahan Festival 2013 will be displayed starting from October 17, the date when Sorsogon obtained official independence from the province of Albay, and will end on October 23, 2013. However, the usual month-long activities like the trade fair, art exhibits, nightly shows and the traditional “Pantomina sa Tinampo" will still be showcased.

The Provincial Government of Sorsogon under the auspices of Governor Raul R. Lee spearheads the major activities for this year’s festival in close coordination with the Kasanggayahan Foundation, Inc. (KFI), the group that officially oversees the conduct of Kasanggayahan Festival since its organization in 1995.

It can be noted that Gov. Lee was persistent in promoting the distinctive nature of Sorsogon by attracting more tourists to come to the province. He said Sorsogon has a lot of potentials, be it in tourism, culture and arts, agriculture and natural resources that should be given outstanding recognitions every time the Kasanggayahan Festival is celebrated.

KFI President Msgr. Francisco P. Monje said that one week may be too short for a grandiose celebration of a festival, but the organizers have made it a point to haul out the distinct mark of Sorsogon “which the province and we, Sorsoganons, could proudly claim we own: the site of the First Mass in Luzon where Christianization in Bicol emanated”.

The first day of the weeklong celebration will be highlighted by the Re-enactment of the First Mass in Luzon through a progressive street dance presentation from Magsaysay Street to Rizal Street going to the Provincial Gymnasium where an “Inculturated Mass” will be offered as a culmination activity.

Mr. Dan Razo, in charge of the Cultural Affairs and Executive Director of the Community-Based Theater Group (CBTG) said the re-enactment will start at 3:00 o’clock in the afternoon. Fourteen “Higantes” will be portraying the role of Spaniards and villagers while a large number of street dancers will add up to the flavor of the presentation.

A mini-stage and bleachers will be put up in one strategic location where guests, visitors and viewers can comfortably position themselves.

“What will make the mood festive are the hullabaloos of the “Higantes” and the street dancers as well as the participation of the onlookers. Leaves, banners, and other stuff will be distributed to the crowd which they can use as they join the street presentation,” Mr. Razo said.

The traditional pilgrimage and commemorative mass will still be offered in Sitio Gibalon in Brgy. Siuton, Magallanes. According to the organizers, the mass in Gibalon will not be scrapped since it is in this place that the original first mass in Luzon was held. The distinct mark of Sorsogon will be brought to the city so as to heighten awareness and encourage more participation of the public in promoting Sorsogon, as explained by the organizers.

The street presentation will re-enact how the Spanish Conquistador Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, who was then based in Panay Island, dispatched sometime in 1565 to this part of the island, an expeditionary group headed by Capitan Luis Enriquez de Guzman together with their chaplain, Augustinian friar Fray Alonso Jimenez, to gather additional strength in Panay and, at the same time, evangelize the villagers they might come upon during their journey.

The group came upon a small, but thriving fishing village at the mouth of the Hibal-ong River, now the Ginangra River, in what is now the municipality of Magallanes.

This was Hibal-ong, or Gibalong, the very first Christian settlement in the island of Luzon and where the first Mass in Luzon Island was said to have been celebrated by Fray Jimenez.

Meanwhile, based from the accounts translated from the original Spanish by Fr. Francisco Mallari, S.J., Mariano Goyena del Prado narrates that in 1569, Capitan Luis Enriques de Guzman went ashore for the first time on Bikol soil in the continent of Luzon, and for the first time also, Missionary Father Alonso Jimenez proclaimed the gospel.

Late poet and historian Rev. Fr. Isidoro D. Dino, in his article, "Sorsogon: Birthplace of Christian Civilization in Southern Bicolandia," also wrote: "At the barrio of Hibal-ong, Capt. de Guzman and Fray Jimenez put up a temporary chapel at the banks of the Ginangra River and held the first Mass on the island of Luzon”. This provides evidence that the Bicol peninsula had become a part of Christian civilization even before Manila became Christianized.

Samuel K. Tan, Ph.D., former National Historical Institute (NHI) chair and executive director, recounted that after conducting initial research, data seem to imply that, indeed, Sorsogon was the site of the First Mass in Luzon. (BARecebido, PIA-5/Sorsogon)

Mga pagbabago sa DAR Sorsogon sanhi ng Rationalization

Ni: Bennie A. Recebido

LUNGSOD NG SORSOGON, Agosto 28 (PIA) – Matapos ipalabas nitong Huwebes, Agosto 22, 2013 ng Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Central Office ang Partial List of Designation and Assignments of Third Level Officials sa bisa ng Special Order No. 478, napag-alaman nilang marami ang mga naging pagbabago sa kanilang ahensya.

Ito ang ipinaabot ni DAR Sorsogon Public Information Officer Alura A. Jaso kung saan sa ngayon ay patuloy umano ang pagpapatupad ng kanilang ahensya ng Rationalization kung kaya’t may ilang mga posisyong nabago na ang pangalan, tulad ng Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer (PARO) na sa ngayon ay tinatawag na nilang Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer (PARPO).

Aniya, hindi lamang pangalan ng posisyon ang nabago kundi maging ang mga humahawak ng posisyon sa loob ng ahensya ay nabago rin.

Sa probinsya ng Sorsogon, ang dating hepe sa Operation Division ng DAR na si Ginoong Felix E. Fruto, ay siya na ngayong designadong OIC PARPO II habang ang dating hepe naman sa Support Services Division na si Ginang Lucia S. Vitug, ang siya na ngayong designadong OIC PARPO I.

Sa Provincial Agrarian Reform Adjudication (PARAD) Office, nananatili ang pagiging PARAD Officer ni Atty. Raddy Tolentino. Habang sa DAR Regional Office V naman, si Dir. Luis B. Bueno, Jr. na ang bag-ong designadong OIC Director IV.

Ayon pa kay PIO Jaso, sa mga susunod na araw ay aabangan din ang pag-upo sa pwesto ng bagong Division Chief sa mga nabakanteng pwesto, pati na rin ang pagkakaroon ng bagong posisyon ng iba pang mga manggagawa sa DAR. (BARecebido, PIA-5/Sorsogon)

Sorsogon City to hold 2nd Scott Kelby Worldwide Photowalk

By: Bennie A. Recebido

SORSOGON CITY, August 27 (PIA) - For the 2nd time, the Sorsogon province will gain international exposure in a worldwide photowalk both by professional and photography enthusiasts from Bicol and Sorsogon in a half day event to capture the culture and beauty of the province through the lens.

According to local multimedia artist/photographer Geri Matthew Despi Carretero, Art Director of Kurit-Lagting, on October 5, 2013 (Saturday), the whole world will be walking again with Scott Kelby, president of the National Association of Photoshop Professionals (NAPP) and the number one bestselling technology and photography book author, in his Sixth Annual Worldwide Photo Walk— the world’s largest global social photography event in the history of photography.

Interested participants may contact Carretero through cellphone number: 09158779491 or email at www.gmcarretero.weebly.com. It has only 50 slots available on a first come-first served basis.

Kurit-Lagting Art Group is the lead convenor of this worldwide event in Sorsogon City. Kurit Lagting is the newest accredited member organization of the Sorsogon Arts Council under the Visual Arts discipline.

The said Photowalk will start at 2:30 p.m. at the Sorsogon City Public Market and will walk towards three barangays of Sorsogon City, the Barangays of Sirangan, Talisay and Bitan-o.

Carretero was also the leader of the walk last year in line with the celebration of Kasanggayahan Festival 2012.

To sign-up pls visit: http://worldwidephotowalk.com/walk/sorsogon-city-bicol-philippines-sorsogon-public-market/ where you can join to participate in the Photo Walk which is free and open to anyone who owns a camera – even disposable cameras.

More Photo Walk details are available at: http://worldwidephotowalk.com/ or visit the Scott Kelby Photo Walk G+ page. (BARecebido, PIA-5/Sorsogon)

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(Tagalog)

Lungsod ng Sorsogon magsasagawa ng pangalawang Scott Kelby Worldwide Photowalk

LUNGSOD NG SORSOGON, Agosto 28 (PIA) – Sa pangalawang pagkakataon, muli na namang makakakuha ng international exposure ang lalawigan ng Sorsogon kaugnay ng gagawing kalahating araw na Worldwide Photowalk ng mga propesyunal at mga mahihilig sa potograpiya mula sa rehiyon ng Bicol at lungsod ng Sorsogon upang maipakita sa pamamagitan ng pagkuha ng larawan ang kultura at kagandahan ng probinsya ng Sorsogon.

Sinabi ni Geri Matthew Despi Carretero, isang local multimedia artist, photographer, at Art Director ng Kurit-Lagting, na sa darating na ika-5 ng Oktubre 2013 (Sabado), muli na namang magsasama-sama sa isang Photowalk ang buong mundo kasabay si Scott Kelby, pangulo ng National Association of Photoshop Professionals  (NAPP) at may-akda ng nangunguna sa bentahang libro sa teknolohiya at potograpiya, sa kanyang ika-anim na taunang Worldwide Photowalk – ang pinakamalaking  global social photography sa kasaysayan.

Magsisimula ang nasabing Photowalk sa ganap na 2:30 ng hapon sa Sorsogon City Public Market at sama-samang maglalakad patungo sa tatlong mga barangay sa lungsod, ang Brgy. Sirangan, Talisay at Bitan-o.

Ang mga interesadong lumahok ay maaring makipag-ugnayan kay Ginoong Carretero sa numerong 09158779491 o mag-log-in sa www.gmcarretero.webbly.com. 50 slot lamang umano ang nakalaan para sa mga nais lumahok sa nasabing worldwide photowalk.

Si Ginoong Carretero din ang nanguna sa kaparehong kaganapan noong nakaraang taon kaugnay ng pagdiriwang ng Kasanggayahan Festival 2012.

Ang Scott Kelby Worldwide Photowalk sa Sorsogon City ay pangungunahan ng grupong Kurit-Lagting. Ang Kurit-Lagting ang pinakabagong akridetadong organisasyon ng Sorsogon Arts sa ilalim ng Visual Arts Discipline.

Sa mga interesadong lalahok maaaring bisitahin ang http://worldwidephotowalk.com/walk/sorsogon-city-bicol-philippines-sorsogon-public-market/ kung saan maaaring sumali upang makalahok nang libre. Bukas umano ito sa sinumang may sariling kamera.

Para sa iba pang detalye ukol sa naturang aktibidad, maaaring bumisita sa http://worldwidephotowalk.com/ o maaaring bisitahin ang Scott Kelby Photo Walk G+ page. (BARecebido/AJamisola, PIA-5/Sorsogon)