LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte (PIA) — Wind power developers are awaiting confirmation of wind power’s commerciality before they start developing wind farms in Ilocos Norte. Department of Energy (DOE)’s confirmation will give the green light for developers to move from pre-development and exploration stage to development and commercial stage. UPC Renewables managing director Troels Carstensen, said his firm’s 550 megawatt-wind project in Brgys. Balaoi and Caparispisan in Pagudpud town has been in the exploration stage since 2008. “Ilocos Norte has the best wind resource in the country,” he said during a forum on the DoE’s Philippine Energy Plan last week.

PWD VOTERS

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union (PIA) — An election officer expressed hope more persons with disabilities (PWDs) would vote during the midterm elections in 2013. Lawyer Jugeeh Almoite Denla, acting San Fernando City election officer, said PWDs will have accessible polling sites on election day to ensure their full participation and right to suffrage. She said provision of accessible polling sites follows Resolution 9485, which also includes the rules and regulations for PWD voting, promulgated last June 29. Under the resolution, accessible PWD polling places will be constituted by maintaining the existing precinct assignment of the PWD but the polling place must be assigned at the ground floor of the voting center.