DIPOLOG CITY, Philippines – The city government here is planning to construct a mini hydropower plant to supplement the growing power supply needs of the industrial, commercial, and residential sectors in the city.

Mayor Evelyn Uy said electrical engineers and hydropower plant operators, and experts had recommended the tapping of the Dipolog or Dapitan Rivers as a source of hydropower for the city. Uy said the plan is part of the city government’s effort to help address the rising power demand in the city.

“We should be prepared as early as now. The electricity demand is growing but the supply is not increasing, in fact, it is decreasing,” she said. (Nonoy Lacson)

Joint project

DAVAO CITY – Strengthened public-private partnerships among the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) industries of an economic sub-region cooperation in Southeast Asia is seen to address the prevailing digital divide and lagging infrastructure development in the area.

In a joint statement issued during the recent 4th BIMP-EAGA (Brunei Darussalam Indonesia Malaysia Philippines-East Asean Growth Area) ICT-CEO Forum last month, key ICT industry players in EAGA vowed to continue encouraging the EAGA governments and the private sector to strengthen the Public-Private Partnership as a key strategy to accelerate the growth of the ICT industry. (Mick Basa)

Alternative power

KIDAPAWAN CITY (PIA) – North Cotabato Gov. Emmylou “Lala” Talino-Mendoza said the provincial government welcomes development of renewable energy (RE) that would improve the power supply in the province and the rest of Mindanao.

But she added that the local government would only agree to proposals for RE projects if the welfare of the province and its residents is assured. Mendoza confirmed that the Energy Development Corporation has negotiated with the provincial government regarding its plan to dig a third geothermal power well at Mount Apo. Another investor also indicated interest in establishing a mini-hydro power plant along the Pulangi River.

'Green talents'

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental, Philippines (PIA) – Interested applicants for the “Green Talents” Competition have until July 29 to submit their applications, the Department of Science and Technology (DoST) said. “How can green growth for all be achieved? What can be done to implement sustainability strategies into society?”

DoST Region-10 Director Alfonso Alamban said young scientists from all over the world who are seeking solutions to these and other pressing questions related to sustainability research are invited to participate in the prestigious “Green Talents” competition of the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF).

Additional fund

KORONADAL CITY (PIA) – South Cotabato’s Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) has agreed to grant Gov. Arthur Y. Pingoy Jr. an additional P72.2 million for the completion of the provincial government’s financial building complex and other purposes.

The SP, headed by Vice Gov. Elmo Tolosa, passed Appropriation Ordinance No. 2 granting the second release of the provincial government’s supplemental budget. Tolosa said at least P60 million has been allocated for the completion and expansion of the finance building complex’s annex.