NGCP continues to upgrade Cebu's power transmission network
Thursday 10th of May 2012
CEBU CITY, May 10 (PIA) ---The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) continues to develop and strengthen the power transmission network with its expansion projects in Cebu.
According to a press release from NGCP that in the last quarter of 2010, it has launched the Compostela Substation Expansion Project, that aimed to increase the substation capacity by installing an additional 150MVA transformer and its related accessories.
Another similar project in the island is the expansion of the Talavera substation in Toledo City, which involves the installation of an additional 50MVA transformer. Both transformers are estimated to be energized before the end of this year, the release said.
Late last year, the Colon-Cebu (formerly New Naga-Banilad) 138-kV Transmission Project was launched.
It involved the construction of approximately 26 kilometers of 138kV double circuit transmission line from Naga to Banilad, and the associated expansion works at Colon and Cebu substations .
This project is expected to be completed in 2013. Several electric cooperatives and directly connected industries with a combined load of approximately 400 MW will benefit from the project, according to NCGP and most of them play a crucial role in the economic development of Cebu.
NGCP information officer Elmer Cruz said these major customers include the Visayan Electric Company (VECO), Mactan Electric Company (MECO), Mactan Enerzone Corp. (Aboitiz Land, Inc.), General Milling Corporation-Cebu, and Water Front Hotel and Casino.
Two major projects are in their pre-construction stage. These are: Calung-calung-Toledo-Colon 138kV Transmission line project; and Cebu-Mandaue-Lapu-Lapu 138kV Transmission Line, Cruz added.
These projects are expected to accommodate the load growth, enhance system reliability, and maintain power quality delivered to electricity users.
NGCP is a privately owned corporation in charge of operating, maintaining, and developing the country’s power grid and electricity superhighways.(mbcn/hfg/PIA-RO7 & NGCP)
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NGO, architects to conserve Cebu’s Gabaldon schools
CEBU CITY May 10 (PIA) --- A Cebu-based Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI), University of San Carlos College of Architecture and Fine Arts-Conservation and Heritage Research Institute and Workshop (USC CAFA-CHERISH) and the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) Cebu District-1 signed an agreement recently to focus energies on the Conservation Management Plan Training Workshop for architects.
It was held on April 3 at the University of San Carlos Main Campus with a pool of architects from the five UAP District-1 chapters who underwent training on developing a conservation management plan, which will serve as pre-requisite for the restoration of the Gabaldon school buildings in Cebu.
Gabaldons are post-American war era school buildings serving as signal that formal public education system already started in the Philippines.
Architect Maria Sarah Abadia, UAP-chapter 1 regional director declared that the architects know much about restoration and conservation.
We are very thankful that our profession is given respect in projects like the Gabaldon Restoration Project. With RAFI partnering with us, we feel respected.”
Chosen architects from the five UAP Chapters comprised of Cebu Chapter, Sugbo Chapter, Rajah Humabon Chapter, Lapu-Lapu Chapter, and Leon Kilat Chapter.
The chapters already started the process in crafting a conservation management plan for the Gabaldon school buildings in the municipalities of Liloan, Consolacion, and Argao all in Cebu.
The Gabaldon Restoration Project is a sub-component of RAFI’s School Rehabilitation Program (SRP) which is also one of the initiatives of RAFI under its Education Development Unit.
For more information about the Gabaldon Restoration Project and School Rehabilitation Program, please contact 418-7234 loc. 209 and look for Jicel Reve Gabriel. (mbcn/AS/PIA-7,CEBU)
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DOH: Higher Dengue Cases in 2012
By Hazel F. Gloria
CEBU CITY, May 10 (PIA) --- The Department of Health (DOH-7) noted a 6.1 percent increase in dengue cases in Central Visayas for the period from January 1 to May 5, 2012 compared to the same period in 2011 based on the findings of the Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (RESU).
DOH-7 regional Director Dr. Asuncion Anden said that from January 1 to May 5, 2012 there were 2,049 dengue cases with 19 deaths recorded compared to last year's 1,931 dengue cases with 14 deaths.
Highest cases of dengue this were in Cebu City with 1,053 and 9 deaths. Lapu-Lapu City follows with 115 cases and 2 deaths while Minglanilla has 110 dengue cases with one death and Talisay City at 93 with no death and Liloan at 78 with one death.
According to Anden it had been good news for Mandaue City after dropping from the second highest cases in 2011 to seventh place in 2012.
"Its dengue cases went down to more than 50 percent, base on the findings," Anden said.
Ages people with dengue cases range from one month to 87 years old but most of those affected were under the 6-10 years old group.
Government's program against dengue is called "Aksyon Barangay Kontra Dengue" or ABaKaDa, Anden said. This involves regular clean-up in the communities with the leaders and the people in the barangay.
"Yet, there are those who continuously ignore the importance of being clean, that is why there are still victims of this epidemic disease," Anden noted.
The DOH director repeatedly reminded the people to always check and clean those materials that may store water where mosquitoes can breed. (mbcn/hfg/PIA-RO7 & Mayette A. Baring/CNU Intern)