Mar 31, 2009

P34-M infra projects implemented by city government of Tacloban

By Jose Rodriguez T. Señase

Leyte Samar Daily Express

TACLOBAN CITY -- More than P34 million worth of infrastructure projects were implemented by the City Government of Tacloban in different barangays here since January of last year.

From January to December 2008, the city was able to implement 21 infrastructure projects worth P 28 million.

These projects included construction of mini-gymnasiums in Brgys. 107 (Sta. Elena), 105 (Suhi); 103 (Palanog), 12 (GE Palanog); and 68 (Anibong); repair and construction of drainage systems in Barangays 92 (Apitong), 86 ( San Jose ), and 3 (Nula-Tula) and at the Shopping Center; and the construction and rehabilitation of riprap in Brgy. 100 (Scandinavian Village).

Then from January to March this 2009, the city government was able to push through with the implementation of 11 infra projects at a cost of P6 million.

These included construction, repair, and rehabilitation of mini-gyms in Barangays 64 (Bliss Sagkahan) and 82 (Villa Dolina); Repair and Rehabilitation of Concrete Stairways in Brgy. 3 (Upper Nula-Tula); and Road Reblocking in Brgy. 110 (Utap).

Also completed this year were construction of Alternative Learning Center at the San Jose Elementary School; Renovation of GMAC Building in Brgy. 98 (Camansihay); improvement of Mini-Library at the Paglaum Elementary School; construction of 10 Concrete Pathways in Brgy. 103 (Palanog); 50-meter Lined Canal in Brgy. 75; and two Elevated Pathways in Brgy. 67 (Anibong).

It was learned that to cushion the impact of the global economic crisis, the administration of City Mayor Alfred Romualdez had implemented some of those projects "bayanihan" style, with barangay residents taking charge of the labor, and the city government supplying the construction materials.

Mar 31, 2009

ERC lowers power rates in Visayas areas

By Jenette Fariola-Ruedas

ABS CBN News - Philippines

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has agreed to reduce power rates in Eastern Visayas and in some parts of Visayas.

This was announced after a hearing held in Cebu City last March 20 regarding a proposed power rate hike. According to the new order, the power rate charge of National Power Corporation (Napocor) of P4.039 per kilowatt hour will be lowered to P3.7255 per kilowatt hour.

The ERC had also issued an order to reduce the original rate of 1.1460 per kilowatt hour in Eastern Visayas to 1.08 per kilowatt hour.

Leyte Electric Cooperative (LEYECO II) said however that even with the reduction, power rates remain high.

"It is not justifiable according to our reports, we will continue to fight against the planned increase," said Ma. Rosario Avestruz, Institutional Service Department manager.

LEYECO II, together with other electric cooperatives in the region, are hoping that power rates could be lowered more in another hearing set by the ERC.

Mar 30, 2009

Businesses opening in Leyte despite economic slump

By Ahlette C. Reyes

Leyte Samar Daily Express

TACLOBAN CITY -- Despite the economic slump felt the world over, the country not exempted, businesses in and outside Leyte continue to open and start-up their operations.

This was noted by Leyte Gov. Carlos Jericho Petilla, who, together with showbiz hunk Jomari Yllana, led the opening of the Tacloban branch of the Rapidi Auto Service Center, one of the country's leading auto repair service center.

Gov. Petilla said it is good to note that there remain businessmen and local investors who are willing to take the risk of opening new businesses even with the economic experts forecast a slowdown in many businesses all over the world.

"I'm quite happy that despite the gloomy picture painted when it comes to risks in opening up businesses at this time of the economy, we have brave businessmen who still make a go at it," the governor said.

The Rapidi shop that opened in Tacloban is outfitted with state- of-the-art equipment manned by highly competent and technical people who undergo international standard training and are supplied only with certified spare parts and products to guarantee total customer satisfaction.

Guest to the opening of the newest car care center, Jomari Yllana, also own a Rapidi shop himself located in Metro manila.

Meanwhile, Gov. Petilla also made a similar observation in Tanauan town during his latest visit thereafter learning that a number of businesses recently opened and set up their operations in the municipality this year.

He said this turn out of businesses in Tanauan, Leyte could be accounted to the fact that the town, under the administration of Mayor Roque Tiu, has managed to streamline their business processes, making the start-up of businesses and investments there much easier and uncomplicated.

"That is one of the reason why Tanauan has been named for consecutive years now as the country's Most Business Friendly Municipality," the governor said.

The governor otherwise encouraged businessmen and investors to look for alternative location of their businesses, such as Tanauan, for an easier and less expensive start-up.

Mar 29, 2009

Leyteños cap Earth Hour with party, concert

By Joey A. Gabieta, Carla Gomez

Inquirer.net - Philippines

TACLOBAN CITY -- Leyteños turned Earth Hour Saturday night into a big walk-in-the-boulevard party and rock concert when at least a thousand paraded with only candles on hand at the city's darkened three-kilometer boulevard.

Establishments along the boulevard also joined in the worldwide campaign to switch off lights for an hour as part of an affirmative action to help mitigate effects of climate change.

Earth Hour is about taking simple steps everyday that collectively reduce carbon emissions - from businesses turning off their lights when their offices are empty to households turning off appliances rather than leaving them on standby.

This city of more than 217,000 was practically plunged into darkness as homes, establishments and public buildings switched off their lights to join the worldwide campaign.

The street lights at Magsaysay Boulevard, the city's main boulevard, were switched off at the stroke of 8:30 p.m. as more than 600 individuals representing various groups and organizations walked around the city' streets and urged others to join campaign.

Both the provincial capitol and city hall buildings were in complete darkness for an hour as well as the main office building of the Leyte II Electric Cooperative (Leyeco) II, the power utility that serves this city and the towns of Palo and Babatngon.

Jonathan Calvara, President of JCI Candahug Liberation, Inc, which organized the walk in the boulevard, said that they were glad that majority of the people knew about the Earth Hour campaign to preserve Mother Earth.

Business establishments and houses where the parade passed through voluntarily switched off their lights.

Aside from Calvario' group, several fraternity organizations, newly recruited policemen, bikers' group and ordinary civilians joined the parade that took five kilometers to complete.

The campaign ended with a rock concert at the boulevard participated in by local bands.




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