KALIBO, Aklan (PNA) — Filipino-owned Sunwest Water and Electric Company (SUWECO) aims to invest as much as R2.8 billion for a hydropower project in Libacao, Aklan. Aklan Electric Cooperative (AKELCO) general manager Chito Peralta said AKELCO expects to sign a memorandum of agreement with SUWECO and the Libacao local government for the project soon, although he said the power output of said hydropower plant as yet to be ascertained. SUWECO is owned by Bicol-based businessman and resort owner Elizaldy Co.
REGISTRATION ASSISTANCE
ILOILO CITY, Iloilo (PNA) — Western Visayas Commission on Elections Director Dennis Ausan, along with other election officers are in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) to assist in the ongoing general voters’ registration. Ausan left July 4 with Iloilo Provincial Election Supervisor Elizabeth Doronila and other election officers and will be there several weeks to supervise voters registration. Some 43 data capturing machines, three from Iloilo City and the rest from the province, were brought by the team to be used in the ARMM. ARMM elections will be synchronized with the 2013 elections.
TERM EXTENSION
DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental (PNA) — The House Committee on Local Government has approved a proposal to extend the term of barangay officials to five years. Committee chairman Rep. George Arnaiz (2nd district, Negros Oriental) said the proposal was approved at the committee level before Congress went into recess and is already submitted to the committee on rules before going to the plenary for discussions. The proposal is for the conduct of barangay elections on the last Monday of October 2015, and thereafter will be five years for every term. Arnaiz said under the proposal, barangays officials will still have a three-term limit with five years for every term.
O.C.D.-7 PARTNERSHIP
CEBU CITY, Cebu (PIA) — Firms in Cebu City’s economic zones recently conducted an earthquake drill with the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Region 7. OCD-7 regional director Minda Morante said the agency held on separate occasions an earthquake drill with business establishments within the IT Park and Cebu Business Park, considered as economic zones. “This is the first time in the country where business locators in economic zones themselves made the initial step in forging public-private partnership to educate employees on the importance of disaster preparedness,” said Morante. Over 40 business locators participated in the quake drill.
P.C.R. CELEBRATION
CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar (PIA) — Human development activities were organized by the Samar police to mark the 17th Police-Community Relations celebration in July. Badminton and basketball exhibition games featuring Philippine National Police officers and Barangay Maulong players, fun run and feeding program for Day Care and elementary pupils at Barangays Pupua and Maulong were some of the activities organized by the police here. PCR Chief, Police Chief Inspector Felipe Tan said the month-long activities are geared towards building closer connection with the community.