People's Day in San Jose

The first People's Day for this month was held in Barangay San Jose on February 3, 2010. San Jose is in the Lower Happy Valley area of the 2nd District of Calbayog. Located 13.5 kilometers away from the city proper, four-wheel vehicles can now access the said barangay in less than 30 minutes.

Mayor Mel Sarmiento led the City officials in the said activity. Also present were some representatives from the Department of Health (DOH-8) who were on hand to promote proper dental hygiene and other related activities in observance of Dental Month. They distributed dental hygiene kits during the medical mission which followed the City Officials' meeting with the folks from Barangay San Jose.

People's Day is a weekly activity of the City Government of Calbayog. Initially held at the City Hall sala, it has now visited a good number of barangays in Calbayog. Aimed at bringing the government closer to the people, it has the City Officials and the Department Managers gather in one place to attend to the various needs of the constituents.

Mayor Mel Sarmiento (in green) with (l-r) Councilors Noel Sermense, Ver Porlares and Danny Bernate, PNP Chief P/Supt Lito Bigoy, DepEd ASDS Raul Agban, City Agriculturist Adela Ocenar, City Engineer Oscar Hugo and Ass't CENRO Lorenzo Ras, Jr.

DepEd Calbayog ASDS Raul Agban with some teachers at the makeshift faculty room. The LGU has pledged to put in place a better structure for the faculty of San Jose Elementary School.

Mayor Mel Sarmiento with some City Officials and Barangay San Jose Officials as they inspected some of the facilities of the San Jose Elementary School. In photo are Councilors Jonas Montealto, Noel Sermense and Susano Salurio. (Photos courtesy of the CTIO)

Medical Mission in Barangay San Jose

Let me give you some pictures taken during the medical mission in San Jose, one of the barangays in the Lower Happy Valley area in the 2nd District of Calbayog. This was held on February 3, 2010.

The personnel from the City Health Office provided services to 423 patients (363 for medical services and 60 for dental services)

(photos courtesy of the CTIO)

Figures from the other Medical missions which were held during the various People's Days are as follows:

• Barangay Pilar on January 23, 2010. 715 for medical services and 80 for dental services.
• Barangay Peña on January 27, 2010. 565 for medical services and 95 for dental services.
• Barnagay Aguit-itan on February 10, 2010. 363 for medical services and 60 dental for dental services
• Barangay Lonoy on February 17, 2010. 264 for medical services and 59 for dental services.

NGCP Power System update

Let me give another POWER SYSTEM UPDATE (as of February 23, 2010). this was sent to me via email by Belinda Sales Canlas of the Corporate Communications Division of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP)

According to transmission utility and system operator National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), no Luzon grid customers are expected to experience power interruptions today as long as all running power plants stay connected and synchronized to the grid. With 662 MW of reserves, the Luzon grid remains stable and under normal status.
The power grid status today is as follows:

Grid / Available Capacity / Peak Demand / Reserves / Generation Deficiency
LUZON / 7,382 MW/ 6,720 MW/ 662 MW / 0 MW
VISAYAS / 1,129 MW / 1,167 MW / 0 MW / 38 MW
MINDANAO / 842 MW / 1,200 MW / 0 MW / 358 MW

The Visayas islands will continue to experience generation deficiency. Geothermal plants, which comprise around 70% of Visayas grid’s power source, have a total available capacity of 730 MW out of the total rated capacity of 936 MW.

The Luzon grid is already exporting up to 20 MW to augment the available capacity of Visayas.

In Mindanao, the generation deficiency is now at 358 MW, a marked increase from yesterday’s deficit of 183 MW.

The said deficiency is caused mainly by the reduced capabilities of hydro-electric plants due to low elevation at water reservoirs. Today, there has been an 80% and 60% reduction in the available capabilities of Agus and Pulangi Plants, respectively. Reduction in the capabilities of Agus and Pulangi Plants yesterday was at 70%.

Agus Plant is now running at 120 MW out of total rated capacity of 727 MW while Pulangi is running at 100 MW out of total rated capacity of 255 MW.

Also contributing to the deficiency in Mindanao is the non-availability of Iligan Diesel Power Plant (35 MW) and the planned outage of Power Barge 117 (50 MW).

The continuing generation deficiency will result in the curtailment of power load transmitted to Mindanao grid users.

Customers are advised to coordinate with distribution utilities or electric cooperatives in their area for information on the schedule and areas to be affected by the power interruptions.

NGCP will continue to monitor power grid conditions. As System Operator, it operates the power system or grid in accordance with the Philippine Grid Code. It is also the country's only utility responsible for transmitting high-voltage power from generators to distributors. NGCP does not own nor operate and maintain any power generation and distribution facilities.

Fireams confiscated during the PNP raid at the Happy Valley area

Here are some pictures taken by Henry Puyat. It's the firearms which the PNP ocnfiscated during their raid at the Lower Happy Valley area.

For related news reports please scroll down, or check these links: link 1, link 2.

Alleged leader of partisan armed group killed in shoot out with police

(This news report appears in today's edition of the Leyte-Samar Daily Express)

CALBAYOG CITY- An alleged leader of a partisan armed group operating in Calbayog City was killed in a shoot out Sunday morning as 20 of his members were also apprehended.
Killed was Michael Tirga who died on the spot due to a bullet wound he sustained at his left breast, Superintendent Ramil Ramirez, police chief of Calbayog, said.

Tirga has a standing warrant of arrest for murder issued by Judge Manuel Torrevillas, Jr, presiding judge of the Regional Trial Court Branch 32 issued on January 30, 2009, Ramirez said.

“But based on the intelligence reports that we have gathered, he was the leader of a partisan armed group identified with a local politician,” Ramirez said.

He declined to identify any local politician who is supporting the group of Tirga.

The presence of Tirga in the area, some 12 kms away from the city proper of Calbayog, was through the information of their intelligence assets, the city police chief said.

During the serving of the warrant, Tirga managed to engage the members of the RMG in a shoot out that also resulted to the injury of one PO1 Ablinga, Ramirez said. The police officer was wounded on his left arms and was rushed to the Our Lady of Porciuncula Hospital, Inc. in Calbayog City.

On the same day, the members of the RMG also conducted simultaneous operations against identified members of the group of Tirga in the villages of Sinantan, Navarro, Patong, Hibatang and Rawis, some of Calbayog’s remotest villages.

The operations in those barangays resulted to the arrest of 20 men, two of them were of minor ages.

Some of these arrested men have standing warrants of arrest for murder and illegal logging, Ramirez said.

All are now detained at the city police jail while the two minors were brought to the city social welfare office.

Ramirez said that the arrests of those men also netted for the discovery and confiscation of assorted firearms at their respective houses.

But one of those arrested, Jesus Jalayajay, denied that he was a member of the any partisan armed group.

“I am just an ordinary farmer. That is why, I was surprised that they arrested us,” the 37- year- old Jalayahay said.

Meantime, both Samar Rep. Reynaldo Uy and Mayor Mel Senen Sarmiento commended successful operations of the police authorities, saying this will help achieve the goal of the Commission on Elections of peaceful and orderly elections.

“I am commending the operations of the RMG which resulted to the neutralization of this armed group. This will really help us in having peaceful and orderly elections,” Uy said.

“I grew up with a family of priests. (And) we have been fighting for peace ( in our area), he said. (JOEY A. GABIETA)

PNP neutralizes armed group, confiscates 41 firearms

(This article appears in today's edition of the Leyte-Samar Daily Express)

CAMP RUPERTO KANGLEON, PALO,Leyte - An alleged leader of a private armed group (PAG) operating in Samar and a long time fugitive from the law was killed while a policeman was seriously wounded in a raid conducted by the police authorities yesterday morning, Chief Supt. Rey L. Lañada, Eastern Visayas PNP regional chief reported.

Lañada said that around 11 a.m. yesterday a joint operation of the Special Task Group composed of the Regional Public Safety Management Battalion (RPSMB), Regional Intelligence Division (RID), Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) along with operatives of the Calbayog City police and Gandara PNP both in Samar province conducted the raid resulting to the killing of Michael Terga believed to be the leader of “‘Terga” private armed group and the arrest of two other wanted persons in their safe houses in Brgy. San Jose, Patong and Sinatan in Calbayog City.

He said that 20 other armed persons allegedly member of the Terga armed group were apprehended separately in the three mentioned barangays during the raid and 41 firearms were confiscated from the suspects.

Senior Supt. Raul Saysay, commander of the RPSMB-8, said that the police operatives was fired upon by the armed group wounding PO1 Alexis Ablinga. He was immediately rushed to a private hospital in Tacloban City. In recognition of their exemplary performance in line of duty resulting to the neutralization of the Terga armed group, Ablinga and the other policemen will be awarded with a medalya ng Kagalingan by Chief Supt. Lañada on Tuesday.

The confiscate firearms as reported by Lañada were seven short guns, 4 M16 Armalite rifle, two .45 pistols, one INGRAM machine pistol, 1357 revolver, three Cal. .38, one Cal. .22 Magnum, 18 Improvised shotguns, and six magazine fed shotguns, one KG9 Submachine gun, five cal. .22 rifles, three airguns, five magazines for M16, three magazines for cal. 45 pistol and assorted ammunitions.

“This is so far the biggest accomplishment of the command in the campaign against private armed groups, and we are looking ahead to completely dismantle other existing PAGS in Samar in our future operations. We are hoping the cooperation and support of the community”, Lañada told reporters.

Only last week, the police regional office 8 ranked number-one among other 15 regions nationwide in the campaign against PAGs.

Early this year when Lañada assumed office here he created a special unit that would focus and concentrate on the neutralization of PAGs operating all over the region as part of the measures to ensure an honest, orderly and peaceful elections on May.

Just a couple of weeks ago, the police authorities in the region also dismantled the Moloboco private armed group allegedly controlled by a former mayor in Samar.

Nine members of the Moloboco private armed group operating in the first district of Samar were also arrested in a special police operations.

The PNP officials have named eight private armed groups in the region which is now subject for their intelligence build-up and surveillance operations. (MIRIAM GARCIA DESACADA)

CLEEP benefits more than 7,000 E Visayans

Calbayog City - President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s Comprehensive Livelihood Emergency Employment Program (CLEEP) has benefited some 7, 112 Eastern Visayans during its implementation.

In the recently held Regional Development Council (RDC) meeting, the region’s National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) reported that eight government agencies have implemented CLEEP.

Of the eight, the Departmet of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR hired some 3,054 Bantay Gubat and Upland Devlopment Program jobs.

Self Employment Asistance –Kaunlaran (SEA-K) from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) followed next with some 1,488 job takers.

Meanwhile, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) came to a close third by employing some 1,310 Bantay Dagat operators.

Other agencies which provided CLEEP are DOH, DPWH, DOT, DTI and DOLE.

PGMA offered the program to enable the people especially the vulnerable sectors to sope-up with th economic crisis. (Ninfa B. Quirante with report from NEDA)

COMELEC conducts voters' education program in Calbayog

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) conducted a Voters' Education Program in Calbayog. The said event was held last Saturday at the Calbayog City Sports Center.

Atty. Nick Mendros, the Acting Regional Director of COMELEC-8 led the activity. Invited to the event were personalities from the various political parties, City and Barangay Officials, the local media and members of various socio-civic groups.

Here are some photos courtesy of Henry Puyat.

Atty. Nick Mendros explaining some features of the official ballot for the forthcoming elections.

Some local officals, members of the media and non-government organizations as they participated in the open forum.

Breasfeeding advocates find ally in Eastern Visayas RDC

(From the Philippine Information Agency website)

Calbayog City (19 February) -- Breastfeeding advocates have found a new and formidable partner in its advocacy-Eastern Visayas RDC.

Yesterday, the Eastern Visayas Regional Development Council (RDC) proposed for the Establishment of Breastfeeding Rooms/ Corners in Government offices.

In the latest RDC meeting held at the Calbayog Sports Center, sponsored by Mayor Mel Senen Sarmiento, Regional Director Forter Puguon of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) presented the reasons why such move is pushed.

The move, said Puguon"s presentation is consistent with the United Nations Millennium Development Goal (MDG) number one which is eradicating extreme poverty and hunger. "Breastfeeding," added Puguon "will also try to reduce chid mortality."

The DOLE Director also said that doing the act of establishment of breastfeeding rooms/corners in government offices will create an atmosphere of harmonizing with the right of the child and the UN MDG.

"It is also anchored in the global strategy on Infant and yopung Child Feeding (IYF-DOH)," stressed the presenter.

Aside from the given reasons, breastfeeding is also consistent with the much publicized Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos and the Updated Medium Term Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (MTPPAN) for 2008-2010, he added.

Because mothers refuse to breastfeed, 30% of under five children are underweight, according to the data presented.

The data stressed that only 16.1% of Filipinos are exclusively breastfed.

Meanwhile, a Filipina mom blogger wrote:

"Marketing by milk formula companies has become increasingly aggressive. The number of women who breastfeed their infants has gone down dramatically in just a few years, while the sales and profits of the companies have risen. The irony, in the words of Sen. Edgardo Angara, author of the Rooming-In and Breastfeeding Act of 1992, is that each year we import $400 million in milk formula, but spend P536 million to bury 15,000 bottle-fed babies, and another P3.5 billion to treat infant malnutrition and diarrhea. We needlessly fritter away our foreign exchange reserves. We forget nature"s first form of immunization, enabling the infant to fight serious infection. We forgo the benefits of birth spacing as a form of natural birth control."

As the RDC meeting folded up, RDC members could not decide yet whether to support the move or not, one member asked whether this does not violate a Civil Service rule, they still have to ask.

Another said, "Then, if bringing babies in the office may transgress civil service rules, at least let the mother express her milk in the workplace and store it in a refrigerator that the office can supply-at the very least." (Nimfa Quirante/ PIA-Samar)

The RDC-8 meeting in Calbayog

The Regional Development Council of Region 8 (RDC-8) held its meeting in Calbayog City yesterday. It was held at the CAlbayog City Sports Center. The officials present included Presidential Assitant Cynthia Nierras and NEDA Regional Director Buenaventura Go-Soco, among others.

Calbayog City Mayor and RDC-8 Chair Mel Senen Sarmiento presiding over the RDC meeting. With him are (r) Hon. Cynthia Nierras, Presidential Assistant for Region 8; and NEDA-8 Regional Director Buenaventura Go-Soco. (Photo by Henry Puyat)

The Eastern Visayas Regional Development Council

The Regional Development Council of Eastern Visayas also referred to as RDC VIII was organized in 1974 through Letter of Implementation (LOI)No. 22 issued on December 31, 1972. pursuant to the Integrated Reorganization Plan of 1972. Its primary task is to coordinate policy formulation, development planning and monitoring in the region.

To make the RDC more effective in accelerating administrative decentralization, it was reorganized through Executive Order No. 308 issued on November 5, 1987. This was subsequently amended by EO Nos. 318, 347, 366, 455, and 505. The latest issuance was Executive Order 325 issued on April 12, 1996, which was also called for the reorganization of the Regional Development Councils. Thus, this site was updated to be consistent with this amendment and to explain improvements in procedures.

The passage of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code on October 11, 1991, brought added dimension to the role of the RDC. While it performed various tasks like coordinating, planning and investment programming activities of line agencies and local government units, endorsing agency and local government projects, reviewing and endorsing budgets of selected agencies, it also performed an important role in strengthening the autonomy of the local governments. In addition, the Council also coordinated the development activities of national government agencies and pursued the acceleration of regional socio-economic development activities.

The existence of the RDC is also pursuant to Section 14, Article X of the 1987 Constitution which provides that the President shall create Regional Development Councils (RDCs) and other similar bodies composed of local government officials, regional heads of departments and other government offices and representatives from non-government organizations within the regions.

The RDC is the primary institution in the region which sets the direction of economic and social development of the region and through which regional development efforts are coordinated. (From the RDC8 website)

DOLE turns-over NEGO-KART Livelihood Fund to Calbayog Vendors

Mayor Mel Sarmiento as he congratulated a CALRIVA member during the turn-over of the NEGO-KART Livelihood Fund in Cabayog City. Looking on is DOLE-8 Regional Director, Atty. Forter Puguon.

Mayor Mel Sarmiento attended yesterday's turn-over ceremony of NEGO-KART Livelihood Fund to the Calbayog Riverview Vendors Association (CALRIVA). The simple turn-over ceremony was held at the City Treasurer's Office. In attednance with the CALRIVA members were DOLE Region 8 Director, Atty. Forter Puguon, Calbayog CSWDO Betty Jane Vergara - Arnejo and Calbayog PESO Manager Felipe Gonzaga.

Some members of the Calbayog Riverview Vendors Association (CALRIVA)

CSWDO Betty Jane Vergara - Arnejo delivering her welcome speech.

PESO Manager Felipe Gonzaga introducing the NEGO-KART beneficiaries.

DOLE-8 RD, Atty. Forter Puguon as he turned-over the 150 thousand-peso check to Mayor Mel Sarmiento

Mayor Mel Sermiento delivering his speech after he accepted the NEGO-KART fund from DOLE-8 RD Forter Puguon.

The Nego-Kart (Negosyo sa Kariton) project is one of the DOLE’s Priority Projects for 2009-2010 which is intended to provide decent livelihood mainly for the benefit of marginal workers in the country’s informal sector, specifically the ambulant workers in major cities of the country. Through the project, DOLE intends that the income level of the ambulant vendors would at least be at par with that of minimum wage earners.

In the case of Eastern Visayas it will be implemented in Maasin City, Ormoc City, Tacloban City and Calbayog City with the aim of providing ambulant vendors with services that will enable them to increase, upgrade and diversify their products or services and market these to greater number of buyers or customers. The said cities will be given 25 nego karts.

The services and assistance provided under this project are assessment of a vending cart and accessory livelihood tools, provision of working capital with a maximum of P15,000 for procurement or production of marketable goods or services trainings on production skills, entrepreneurship and business management, and business permit will be provided for them to operate in designated areas.

The beneficiaries of this project will be assisted in forming their organization that will promote mutual aid and protection coverage under Social Security System, Phil. Health and other common concerns.

DOLE will not directly release the amount to the vendor, they release it through the Local Government Unit as one of their Accredited Co-Partner which will be the one who will purchase the needed materials or amount for the beneficiaries. This assistance is not a loan but a grant that will be given to ambulant vendors, but the amount should be spent according to the proposal submitted and approved by the regional office of DOLE.

To avail of this grant, the vendors should see the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) of the City and try to signify their interest. They are not required to pay, it is given to them for free.

2010 Civil Registration Month

The City of Calbayog through the Local Civil Registry Office is observing the 2010 Civil Registration Month Celebration.

The Calbayog City Civil Registrar Fe Queroljico, together with the City and Municipal Registrars of Samar joined the program launching at the National Statistics Office (NSO) in Catbalogan on February 1, 2010. They also participated in the Mobile Clinic held at the Catbalogan Plaza on February 2, 2010.

Other activities which the Calbayog LCR will spearhead in Calbayog during the month-long celebration include the following:

• Mobile Civil Registrations and Mass Weddings.
• Legitimation of Children.
• Distribution of Flyers / Pamphlets regarding Civil Registration; R.A. 9048 & R.A. 9255 at school campuses.
• Information Education Campaign thru school-hopping in selected national and private high schools.
• Issuance of Certifications free of charge on February 26, 2010 (one-day only) on a first come first serve basis.

This year's Civil Registration Month Celebration is anchored on a theme: "Tamang Rehistro: Lahat Panalo"

Power Situation Update from the NGCP

Let me give you a power system update from the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP). It was sent to me via e-mail by Ms. Belinda Sales - Canlas of NGCP Corporate Communications Division.

POWER SYSTEM UPDATE as of February 15, 2010

Power system operator National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) has announced that the nationwide electricity grid will continue to have lean contingency reserves today.

Electricity supply generated from power plants continues to be low and may not be enough to meet the demand of all power grid users.

The power grid status today is as follows:

LUZON: Available Capacity: 7,247MW / Peak Demand: 6,551 MW/ Reserves: 696 MW
VISAYAS: Available Capacity: 1,061 MW/ Peak Demand: 1,176 / Reserves: -115 MW
MINDANAO: Available Capacity: 1,094 MW/ Peak Demand: 1,210 / Reserves: -116 MW

On maintenance shutdown in Luzon are the following power plants:

(Plant / Rated Capacity (in MW) / Available Capacity (MW))
LUZON

• Binga 1 / Hydro / 100 / 0
• Bacman 4 / Geothermal / 20 / 0
• Ilijan A1 / Gas / 204 / 0
• Sta. Rita 1 / Gas / 265 / 0
• Ilijan A2 / Gas / 204 / 0
• Ilijan A3 / Gas / 204 / 0
• Makban 7 / Geothermal / 40 / 20
• Sta. Rita 3 / Gas / 265 / 0

VISAYAS

• CDPP1 U3 / Diesel / 43.8 / 25
• CTPP1 / Coal / 50 / 0
• MAHA A U1 / Geothermal / 60 / 0
• Maha A TCP / 6.35 / 0

MINDANAO

• AGUS 5 / Hydro / 55 / 41
• PB 118 Unit 2 / Diesel / 100 / 96

Maintenance shutdowns are conducted to make way for preventive maintenance works or repairs which will improve power facilities and services.

Aside from the shutdown of the above mentioned plants, the onset of the el niño dry spell has also limited the available capacity of most hydro power plants.

As the System Operator, NGCP’s main responsibilities are to transmit high-voltage power from generators to distributors and to operate the power system in accordance with the Philippine Grid Code. NGCP does not own nor operate and maintain any power generation and distribution facilities.

As a result of the very thin reserves, the system may be forced to implement load curtailment among grid users to ration the available power and to ensure the reliability and stability of the entire transmission network.

Customers are advised to coordinate with distribution utilities in their area for the schedule of power interruptions, if there are any.

RDC-8 to meet in Calbayog

The Regional Development Council of Region 8 (RDC-8) will meet in Calbayog City. This will be held on Thursday next week, February 18, 2010.

RDC-8 Chair and Calbayog City Mayor Mel Senen Sarmiento will preside over the meeting which will be held at the Calbayog City Sports Center.

Seminar for Pedicab Drivers

The CSWDO with the PNP and IJM-Calbayog recently conducted a Pedicab Drivers' Seminar on Traffic Rules, City Ordinances, Values Enhancement and Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act (R.A. 9208).

The seminar was held at the SK Dormitory Covered Court in Brgy. Pagbalican, Calbayog City. Approximately 2,000 PD cab drivers participated in the activity.

The IJM billboard announcing the seminar. Noteworthy is its message: HIBARO-AN AN BALAUD. ISUMBONG AN MGA TRAFFICKERS. An "Anti-Trafficking n Persons Act of 2003" nahatag sin pinakadako nga sirot sin pagkapreso sa bug-os nga kinabuhi ug multa nga P 2-5 M para san matalapas sini nga balaud. Tawag o Text 0908-627-8639.

A new firetruck for Calbayog

Mayor Mel Senen Sarmiento attended the blessing for the new firetruck which the DILG recently turned-over to the City of Calbayog. The said firetruck will be stationed at the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Office in Oquendo.

The blessing which was officiated by Fr. Erwin Rodriguez was held last Wednesday, February 3, 2009 at the BFP Office in Barangay Hamorawon. In attendance were the officers of BFP Calbayog headed by Calbayog BFP Chief Senior Inspector Joelito Sabandal.

Mayor Mel Sarmiento with Sr. Insp. Joelito Sabandal

Mayor Sarmiento with Fr. Erwin Rodriguez and Sr. Insp. Joelito Sabandal.

Power Situation Update from the NGCP

Expect power interruptions in the next few days. Let me give you the advisory which I got via email from Ms. Belinda Sales Canlas, Corporate Communications Officer - Visayas of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP)

Power Situation Update as of February 1, 2010
The Visayas Grid will be experiencing a shortfall today during peak hours due to zero contingency reserve and generation deficiency.

As the System Operator, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines(NGCP) issued the grid operation notice to inform grid users of the existing system condition. A "Red Alert" is will be issued when the contingency reserve is zero or a generation deficiency exists or if there is critical loading or imminent overloading of transmission lines or equipment.

The grid will experience a deficit of up to 220 megawatts (MW) during weekday peak hours with the shutdown of the 50-MW Cebu Thermal 1 Plant, the120-MW Mahanagdong geothermal power plant in Leyte, and the 50-MW gas turbines of Salcon Power.

The first two plants are under preventive maintenance shutdown to make way for maintenance works or repairs, which will improve power facilities and services.

Unit 2 of Mahanagdong is expected to be back online on February 8. Unit 1will be back to the grid on February 16. Cebu Thermal, on the other hand,will be available starting February 23.

It is to be noted that NGCP does not own nor operate and maintain these power generation and the distribution facilities. As the System Operator, NGCP's main responsibilities are to transmit power and operate the power system in accordance with the Philippine Grid Code.

To reduce the impact of would-be power interruptions among customers, the Luzon grid started augmenting 70 to 100 MW of power this morning to the Visayas grid and a total of 150 MW as of 2PM today. As of this writing, there were no brownouts experienced in the major cities in Cebu, Negros, and Panay islands yet.

Belinda Sales Canlas
Corporate Communications Officer-Visayas