MAHINOG, Camiguin (PIA) – The Municipal Council here recently endorsed the Lopez-led Energy Development Corporation (EDC) application to set up a wind farm in Camiguin, particularly at the Lowan Hills in Barangay Owakan, this town.

In February last year, the Department of Energy (DoE) approved a Wind Energy Service Contract (WESC) to the EDC for the Camiguin Wind Project. EDC is Philippines’ leading geothermal energy provider, accounting for 62 percent of the country’s installed geothermal capacity.

It operates five geothermal sites in Leyte, Bicol, Cotabato, Northern Negros, and Southern Negros, including the Pantabangan-Masiway hydropower complex in Nueva Ecija.

Livelihood aid

ZAMBOANGA CITY (PIA) – At least 35 out-of-school youth (OSY) recently completed their free livelihood training jointly sponsored by one of the city councilors and the Brotherhood for Livelihood Philippines (BLP).

The three-day fish processing training was geared at developing and sharing skills to the OSY for them to be more productive in life, and to have opportunity to earn a living for themselves and their families. The OSY-participants came from far-flung villages of Bunguiao, Bolong, and Sitio Patis.

The participants were taught how to make spicy tuyo, tuna flakes, Spanish-style sardines in tomato sauce, and corn oil.

Science achievers

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato – Dr. Zenaida Hadji Raof Laidan, Region-12 director of the Department of Science and Technology (DoST), has been named as one of the top 10 female achievers in Mindanao, said the Mindanao Commission on Women (MCW). Laidan was recognized for her significant work in advancing the status of women in Mindanao through Science and Technology innovation.

Laidan described her feat as a challenge “that would inspire me to keep doing things very well,” The MCW acknowledged Laidan’s distinct contributions, like advocating halal science – making her one of the prime movers of halal industry development in the country.” (Tony Pe. Rimando)

Peace partners

DAVAO CITY (PIA) – The Mindanao Commission on Women (MCW) recently launched a “Women’s Peace Table” here signifying Mindanao women’s desire to take part in peace negotiations.

MCW chief executive officer Irene M. Santiago said the “Women’s Peace Table” aims to connect the formal peace negotiations between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to the women not only in Mindanao but also the rest of the country.

Santiago said they want to convey to the two panels that Mindanao women are “eager to participate in the negotiations as a vital actor and to be a partner in the tremendous task of post-war reconstruction and recovery.”

Seaweed training

KORONADAL CITY (PIA) – At least 15 members of a cooperative in Sarangani were trained on processing and value addition of seaweeds into income-generating products recently.

The two-day training, specifically intended for members of the Sarangani Seaweed Producers Cooperative, was implemented by the Post Harvest Section (PHS) of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in Region 12, in coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry-Sarangani Province (DTI-SP) at the Municipal Hall of Alabel town in Sarangani.