Public and private sectors meet to improve local economy in Mahinog

Mahinog Mayor Alex R. Jajalla welcomes participants to the LRED workshop

Mahinog, Camiguin (August 9, 2012) -  Local Government officials and leaders of private sectors participated today in the Local and Regional Economic Development (LRED) Sensitizing Workshop conducted by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) at Queobe Eco Park and Training Center.

Camiguin DTI Provincial Director Joselito S. Enot gives the opening remarks during the LRED workshop

The workshop, the first in a series of four different workshops to be facilitated by the DTI, is to identify and implement local projects to boost the local economy, especially those that can be done from 6 months to one year.

DTI Provincial Director Joselito S. Enot said he sees the potential of Mahinog as an emerging growth area in Camiguin.

For one, he said, the presence of the principal port in Benoni gives the municipality a competitive advantage over other towns in the province.

In addition to the port is the presence of tourist destinations like Mantigue island and Zipline in Benoni lagoon, which can be compared to other prime destinations in the country.

These potentials, he said, if fully tapped, can bring in more economic development in the town.

Mahinog Mayor Alex Jajalla praised the DTI for introducing the LRED concept in Mahinog.

LRED is a process by which stakeholders from both public and private sectors are mobilized to become partners in a joint effort to improve the economy of a locality and increase its competitiveness.

“LRED intervention is a big step to create more jobs, small business enterprises and income especially for our residents,” Jajalla said.

To achieve this, he emphasized, both the public and private sectors need to play key roles to do their part to drive the economic development of the town. (Homer R. Jajalla)

LGU Mahinog gets P235,560 DOLE grant for women's livelihood projects

Mahinog, Camiguin. - MAYOR Alex R. Jajalla recently received P235,560 in grant from the Department of Labor and Employment, Regional Office No. 10 (DOLE-10) under the leadership of Director Johnson G. Cañete.

The livelihood grant was released by Ricardo D. de Dios, Officer-In-Charge of the DOLE Camiguin Provincial Field Office, and turned-over to Governor Jurdin Jesus M. Romualdo during a simple turn over ceremony held in Mahinog municipal hall last March 23.

Mahinog Public Employment Service Office (PESO) Manager Elvira V. Capagngan said the amount was intended for swine fattening project of Mga Kababaihan Laban sa Kahirapan, a women’s association in the municipality of Mahinog composed of 16 members.

Jajalla expressed gratitude to DOLE for its continued support towards the welfare and development of the workers of the informal sector of the municipality.

The release of the grant was in line with President Benigno Aquino III’s 22-Point Labor and Employment Agenda, to alleviate poverty in the countryside by generating community livelihood and employment for nation building.

Mahinog thanks Japan for flood control projects

(Mayor Alex R. Jajalla delivering his welcome remarks at the inauguration ceremony)

MAHINOG, Camiguin, January 9, 2012– Town mayor Alex R. Jajalla expressed gratitude to the Japan government for the construction of P568-million worth of flood control projects at the inauguration ceremony here in barangay Pontod on Satuday.

“On behalf of the municipal government and the people of Mahinog, I wish to convey our endless gratitude to the Japanese government through Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) represented today by His Excellency Akio Isomata, Minister for Economic Affairs, Embassy of Japan in the Philippines, for extending its assistance in the completion of two Sabo dams and reconstruction of heavily damaged bridge that would help save lives and property particularly in the Municipality of Mahinog," the local chief executive said.

(The Embassy of Japan’s Minister for Economic Affairs, Mr. Akio Isomata delivering his remarks at the inauguration ceremony)

It can be recalled that Camiguin was hit by massive flash flood triggered by typhoon “Nanang” in 2001 that left untold death and destruction in various parts of the island province. The hardest hit was barangay Hubangon in the municipality of Mahinog.

Jajalla said with traumatic experiences after the flood, people were afraid every time it rains hard.

“The mere thought of knowing a tropical storm is coming, sends shivers down the spines of many people, especially in barangay Hubangon, the hardest hit during Nanang.”

“We were too scared every moment it rains very hard. We felt insecure and nervous, fearing the worst flood was to hit again,” Jajalla said.

He said after the project was in place, people can now sleep very well.

“Now with the huge Sabo dam in place, people will now feel safe and assured of safety as we will no longer fear being hit by flood as we know this dam is designed to control flooding, or lessen flood damage in low lying areas,” the mayor added.

(Upper Sabo dam site at Pontod, Mahinog, Camiguin)

Jajalla also acknowledged Governor Jurdin Jesus M. Romualdo and Congressman Pedro P. Romualdo for giving their best effort from conception to completion of this important project that will play a very important role in Camiguin's economy and disaster risk reduction management campaign.

(Minister Isomata (left) receiving plaque of recognition from Camiguin Congressman Pedro P. Romualdo and Governor Jurdin Jesus M. Romualdo while DPWH Secretary Rogelio L. Singson looks on)

“This project will not only provide the community for safer living condition; it will become an asset for greater economic productivity in this beautiful island of Camiguin,” Jajalla said.

“The new bridge that we also unveil today is more than just a bridge that links the entire province. This is, indeed, a bridge to the highway of opportunity that would drive trade and commerce, trigger local economy and generate job creation in the entire province,” the mayor added.

(The Embassy of Japan’s Minister for Economic Affairs, Mr. Akio Isomata (2nd from left), assisted by DPWH Secretary Rogelio L. Singson (3rd from left), Camiguin Congressman Pedro P. Romualdo (4th from L), Camiguin Governor Jurdin Jesus M. Romualdo (5th from L) and Mahinog Mayor Alex R. Jajalla (6th from L), unveil the inaugural marker during the inauguration ceremony of the the P568-million sabo dam and bridge projects at barangay Pontod in the municipality of Mahinog recently)

Jajalla stressed though this project is a major achievement to celebrate, much work still remains to ensure that people are safe and better lives are achieved.

“After this project, more long-term and sustainable development approaches are still needed to be done,” he stressed.

“The issue on climate change must be tackled urgently, with fresh perspective, in the light of rapid climate change that led to an increase in natural disasters that hit most parts of the country this year including the massive flooding that hit Cagayan de Oro and Iligan recently.”

“We will continue to lobby developed country governments like Japan to show more urgency in dealing with climate change and continue to provide additional grant aid projects related to climate change,” he said.

The local chief executive expressed hope that JICA will return back to Camiguin for more development assistance projects that will improve the quality of life among Camiguingnons.

“His Excellency Minister Isomata, with thankful hearts, kindly convey our endless gratitude to your government and your people for making these projects possible."

"In the meantime, the people of the municipality of Mahinog will look forward to welcoming you back soon,” Jajalla concluded.

For his part, Isomata said that Japan will continue to help “in whatever way we can” to help Filipinos better prepare for natural disasters.

“This project reaffirms the continued commitment of Japan to extend cooperation in minimizing threats of disaster and we will continue to help Philippines in whatever way we can," he said.

However, he reminded the public not to become complacent with the project, but remain vigilant and prepared for disaster.

"Disaster happens when everybody is just about to forget it," he stressed.


Aside from Minister Isomata (6th from L), the inauguration was also graced by DPWH Secretary Rogelio L. Singson (5th from L), Camiguin Governor Jurdin Jesus M. Romualdo (7th from L), Camiguin Congressman Pedro P. Romualdo (4th from L), Ms. Sachido Takeda (8th from L), Senior representative of the Philippine Office of Japan International Cooperation Agency, Mahinog Mayor Alex R. Jajalla (2nd from L), among others.

Municipal Govt of Mahinog endorses EDC’s Camiguin wind farm project

Reinero Medrano, manager of EDC Corporate Social Responsibility, made presentation on the wind farm project in Camiguin at the municipal council session

Mahinog, Camiguin – The Municipal Council of Mahinog recently endorsed the Lopez-led Energy Development Corp. (EDC) application to put up a wind farm in Camiguin particularly in Lowan hills in barangay Owakan in the town of Mahinog.

In February last year, the Dept. of Energy (DOE) approved a Wind Energy Service Contract (WESC) to the Energy Development Corporation (EDC) for the Camiguin Wind Project.

EDC is Philippine’s leading geothermal energy provider, accounting for 62% of the country’s installed geothermal capacity.

It operates 5 geothermal sites in Leyte, Bicol, Cotabato, Northern Negros and Southern Negros, including the Pantabangan-Masiway hydro power complex in Nueva Ecija.

When completed the wind farm project in Camiguin is expected to generate more than 15 Megawatts of energy, Reinero Medrano, EDC Corporate Social Responsibility Program Officer, said on Monday during the SB session.

It will augment the supply of power in Camiguin, or even sell its power excess to the mainland, he added.

“This project will harness the power of the wind in Camiguin to generate clean and renewable electricity and will establish Camiguin as one of the wind energy sites in the Philippines,” Medrano said.

He added, however, that as of now, an additional wind data gathering must be conducted at the site to validate the wind potential at a height ranging from 60 –84 meters.

A wind mast to be installed is scheduled to start in the first quarter of 2012 and is expected to be complete after at least 2 to 4 weeks, Medrano disclosed.

The data gathering phase will begin immediately after the masts are installed, he added.

The project has 3 phases which include: 1) Wind data gathering; 2) Development, construction & installation of wind farm, substation facilities and power transmission line and its associated interconnection facilities; 3) Operations and maintenance of wind farm, substation facilities and power transmission line and its associated interconnection facilities.

To date, the country's first wind project and the biggest wind farm in Southeast Asia is the 33-MW wind farm of NorthWind Power Development Corp. located in Bangui, Ilocos Norte.

Camiguin posts 17.15% increase in tourist arrivals for the first half of the year

Provincial Tourism Officer Candice Naomi L. Boromeo

A TOTAL of 183,162 local and foreign tourists were recorded to have visited the island, from January to June, this year.

“This figure, was actually 26,816 tourists or 17.15 percent higher compared to 156,346 tourists during the same period, last year,” Candice Naomi L. Boromeo, Provincial Tourism Officer, said.

Records at the Provincial Tourism Office (PTO), also, show that the most number of tourists visited the island during the 2nd quarter with 131,181, compared to the 1st quarter with only 49,981.

Of this figure, domestic tourists registered at 145,460, followed by “Panaad” or traditional walk of penitence during the Holy Week, 33,215, foreign tourists, 4,264, “balikbayans” or Filipinos living abroad but are in the country for a vacation, 257.

The PTO data also show that the most number of tourists visited Camiguin during the month of April with 60,222, followed by May, 42,515, and June, 30,444.

During the 1st quarter, the month of March recorded the most number of tourists with 23,781, followed by January, 15,344 and lowest in February with 10,856.

Meanwhile, Borromeo said Camiguin posted an increase of 15,404 visitors or 5.07 percent, last year, from the previous full year’s bulk of 319,168 in 2010.

It also recorded, in 2009, some 303,764 tourist arrivals, posting some 21,595 or 7.65 percent increase from the 2008 figure.

She, however, noted that the figure covers only guests and visitors staying in cottages and hotels.

The month of April continually posts the highest influx of visitors, as tourist and Christian devotees, alike, flock the island to observe or experience the 64-km ‘Panaad,’ she said.

This was followed by October, as another tourist come on in the island, the ‘Lanzones Festival’ is celebrated every third week of the month.

During this occasion, the island comes alive in a weeklong festivity which showcases the province agri-cottage exhibits and food trade expo, indigenous sports and highlighted with the tableau of local culture portrayed though dances.

Borromeo said the PTO, likewise, records bigger number of tourist arrivals during vacation times, specifically, in the months of May and December with the majority of the arrivals composed mostly of domestic tourists.

“Foreign and ‘balikbayan’ tourist still post increases from January to June, this year, compared to last year,” she added. (Jorie C. Valcorza, PIA 10)

Camiguin’s first zipline set to rise in Mahinog

Site development plan for the zipline project in Benoni Lagoon

in the town of Mahinog, Camiguin

Mahinog, Camiguin – J and A Fishpen and Restaurant announced it will open a three-lane zipline this coming December in Benoni Lagoon here.

This was learned from Apolinario B. Alambatin of J and A Fishpen and Restaurant during a project presentation at the Municipal Council Session presided over by Vice Mayor Rogerio C. Acle this morning Sept. 19, 2011.

Alambatin said this will be the first zipline in the island province of Camiguin and this can be found in municipality of Mahinog.

The zipline has a distance of more than 700 meters from station 1 to station 2 that will cross over a lagoon, the first zipline in the region across a body of water, which makes the ride even more exciting.

An additional 360-meter zipline is also being eyed in same area.

Meanwhile, the municipal council here passed a resolution endorsing this project seen to boost tourism industry in the island province of Camiguin especially in the town of Mahinog.

Mahinog holds public hearing on proposed new revenue code

THE Sangguniang Bayan (SB) Committee on Ways and Means is fast tracking the passage of the proposed Municipal Revenue Code of Mahinog in a bid to update the existing tax code which was last passed in 1992.

Yesterday, a public hearing attended by more than 200 participants representing various sectors was conducted at the municipal gymnasium to gather public input on the proposed revenue measures which are needed to spur local growth.

Councilor Jonard B. Labadan (above photo), SB Ways and Means Committee Chairman, stressed the need to pass a new revenue measures because it has already been almost twenty years already that the municipality is operating with the old one.

“In 1992, we are the first municipality in Camiguin that was able to come up with a model revenue code, and now we are left behind because we are the only municipality in the province to have been unable to update it,” Labadan told participants at the hearing.

He added Mahinognons are still fortunate because for almost 20 years fees and charges in Mahinog have remained unchanged and are even considered minimal compared to other local government units in Camiguin.

At the public hearing, municipal treasurer Judith P. Baita (above photo) presented the salient provisions of the proposed Revenue Code of the Municipality of Mahinog.

Baita said the proposed revision includes ten percent (10%) increases of the rates in the existing 1992 revenue code as allowed by Republic Act 7160 otherwise known as The Local Government Code of 1991.

Under the code, local government units are authorized to adjust their tax rates once every five (5) years but such adjustment should not exceed ten percent (10%) of the rates fixed under the code.

Baita stressed it has been 3 times, or more than 15 years, that LGU chose not to take the opportunity to adjust its tax rates, then it is high time now “to awake from long sleep” and pass a new revenue code in order to keep pace with the changing times.

Dr. Perla J. Garot, a participant from the business sector, said tax amendments are appropriate as long as the money is spent properly and it is also important that during the public hearings taxpayers should be made to understand how tax money is used.

Mayor Alex R. Jajalla, in a statement, said the new revenue measures is needed to finance more developmental projects as he assured that every centavo of money collected form local taxes will be judiciously used for the purpose it was collected.

LGU Mahinog to receive P1M award from DILG for excellent performance

MAHINOG, Camiguin - The Local Government Unit of Mahinog will receive a Performance Challenge Fund (PCF) of P1-million from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) for their “good housekeeping” or excellent performance in good governance.

The recognition will be held on August 19, 2011 at Pearlmont Inn, Limketkai Drive, Cagayan de Oro City at which event the LGU Mahinog together with other LGU qualifiers in the region will be conferred with the "seal of good housekeeping," according to DILG-X regional director Loreto T. Bhagwani in a fax message sent to the office of the mayor of Mahinog.

The “good housekeeping seal” is given to LGUs that have excelled in key government areas which include planning, fiscal management, transparency and accountability, and valuing performance management.

These LGUs have also fully complied with the full disclosure policy and have no adverse reports from the Commission on Audit (COA).

The DILG established this program as a way of rewarding LGUs for their high performance, reports said.

Out of the 5 municipalities in the province of Camiguin, only the town of Mahinog passed the standards of the Seal of Good Housekeeping (SGH) program, it was learned.

Among the 4th to 6th class municipalities and cities in the region (Northern Mindanao) that passed the standards are the following:

1. Sumilao Bukidnon

2. Mahinog, Camiguin

3. Aloran, Misamis Occidental

4. Bonifacio, Misamis Occidental

5. Don Victoriano, Misamis Occidental

6. Lopez Jaena, Misamis Occidental

7. Tudela, Misamis Occidental

8. Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte

9. Kolambugan, Lanao del Norte

10. Linamon, Lanao del Norte

11. Magsaysay, Lanao del Norte

12. Matungao, Lanao del Norte

13. Munai, Lanao del Norte

14. Salvador, Lanao del Norte

15. Alubijid, Misamis Oriental

16. Gitagum, Misamis Oriental

17. Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental

18. Libertad, Misamis Oriental

19. Sugbongcogon, Misamis Oriental

20. Tangub City

Mahinog mayor Alex R. Jajalla said that the prize will be used to augment funds for the establishment of a passenger terminal going to Mantigue Island in Katunggan Park, in sitio Queobe in barangay San Miguel.

Once the project is completed, ferry and passenger terminal going to Mantigue island will be relocated from barangay San Roque to Barangay San Miguel, where the Katunggan Park (that mangrove area) is located and a mangrove boardwalk was constructed.

For this year, the municipality allocated additional PhP 100,000.00 for the project, which may serve as counterpart fund of the LGU to the PCF.

The project is geared to boost tourism and local economic development in the town, local officials said in a resolution.

Meanwhile, the Sangguniang Bayan on Monday passed a resolution authorizing the mayor to sign the MOA with the DILG to access the PCF.

Ocean Jet to serve Jagna-Benoni-Balingoan daily

MV Oceanjet 7

THE Municipal Council of Mahinog today approved a resolution interposing no objection for Ocean Jet of Ocean Fast Ferries, Inc. (OFFI) to operate fast ferries between Benoni and Balingoan and Jagna routes.

OFFI, a domestic shipping company based in Cebu City and operates several fast ferries in Central Visayas, is applying with the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) for a special permit to operate in Jagna, Bohol-Benoni, Mahinog, Camiguin-Balingoan, Misamis Oriental routes.

MV Ocean Jet 7 is expected to start operating daily before holy week, according to Mr. Peter Randy Gaquit, Balingoan-Benoni Operations.

According to the resolution of the municipal council, the economic growth in Camiguin as a tourist island province requires an efficient water transport industry to ferry passengers and cargo at reasonable and competitive rates.

The entry of new operators into these routes should be encouraged as it will enhance the level of competition and bring about reasonable rates and improved quality of fast craft and ferry services, it added.

Ocean Fast Ferries, Inc. (OFFI) entry to this island province is a welcome development taking into consideration the economic and beneficial effect which the service will bring to the province and neighboring islands or region, the resolution said.

There is only one fast ferry that operates Cagayan de Oro-Benoni-Jagna connection which is currently served by Paras Sea Cat.

With Ocean Jet, this is the first and only fast craft that serves Jagna-Benoni-Balingoan routes.

Municipal hall workers to get P20,000 additional Christmas bonus

MUNICIPAL hall workers will be richer by a few thousands of pesos this Christmas. It is expected boost the local economy here.

This, after Mayor Alex R. Jajalla today approves the release of additional Christmas bonus to municipal hall employees following a resolution that the Municipal Council of Mahinog, Camiguin approved on Monday authorizing the release of funds.

“We want to make our municipal hall workers happy this Christmas,” the mayor said.

Municipal treasurer Judith P. Baita said the office of the treasurer will give out the additional Christmas gifts before the 15th of the month.

Those who will receive P20,000 as additional cash gifts will be permanent and casual employees of the municipal government. Employees on job order and honorarium basis can also have additional cash gifts of as much as P5,000 and P1,000, respectively.

In addition, all employees will also get P1,000 worth of grocery items.

Acting municipal budget officer Benito C. Paderanga said the additional cash gifts to about 150 municipal hall employees would cost the municipal government a total of P1.715 million.

The amounts will come from the year-end savings of appropriation, he disclosed.

The additional bonus is on top of the final half of the 13th month pay and P5,000-cash gift that government workers received last month. Half of this was released in the middle of the year.

Councilor warns vs. influx of hogs in Camiguin starting to affect backyard raisers

Councilor Liberato E. Babanto

MAHINOG, Camiguin – A town councilor here expressed alarm that if situation will remain that big time hog traders from mainland continue to supply and dominate the local market, the province’s swine industry will be affected and can eventually kill the livelihood of local backyard hog raisers in this island province of Camiguin.

In a privilege speech he delivered at the municipal council session this morning, Councilor Liberato E. Babanto proposed for a regulation on trading and entry of hogs in Camiguin.

He said local hog raisers can not compete with mainland hog traders due to the high cost of inputs prevailing in the island province.

He observed since the influx of stocks from mainland, backyard pig farmers have hard time to sell their pigs to local meat vendors who opted to buy stocks from mainland traders since they offer much lower price.

Present farm gate price of pig from local backyard raisers is P95 to P100 per kilo. But in order to compete with the mainland traders, local farmers are forced to drop prices way below production cost.

“This is a very big concern and government needs to do something to address the plight of small hog growers in the province," Babanto said.

“Before, it is easy to sell live pigs since there are many buyers even coming from nearby provinces and there were even times when supply of local hogs deeply declined,” he said.

“Today, local hog farmers now have difficulty to sell their products to the local butcher since they prefer mainland hogs due to lower price,” the councilor lamented.

But despite this, consumers have still wondered why meat prices in the local market have never gone down.

The issue was referred to the committee on agriculture to come up with possible recommendation to address the concerns of backyard hog raisers.

Lgu Mahinog, DENR sign MOA for P525 thousand mangrove boardwalk project

Mahinog, Camiguin - The Municipal Government of Mahinog and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Region 10 recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the construction of the P525 thousand mangrove boardwalk projects in Queobe, in barangay San Miguel here.

The MOA was signed by Mahinog Mayor Alex R. Jajalla (left) for the municipal government of Mahinog and DENR regional technical director for research Danilo Cacanindin (center) on behalf of the DENR. Vice Mayor Rogerio C. Acle (right) was on hand to witness the signing.

According to municipal planning and development coordinator Engr. Benito C. Paderanga, P400 thousand comes from the DENR, while P125 thousand is the counterpart of the LGU Mahinog.

The LGU Mahinog has partially developed the area which is now known as Queobe Eco-Park and Training Center with the construction and establishment of amenities including dormitories, training center, cottages, campsite, parking area, flower garden and nursery.

Queobe Eco Park and Training Center

Paderanga said the over-all project objective are to pursue a sustainable ecological tourism development with emphasis on safeguarding and conserving the bio-diversity in the mangrove area.

The project was also aimed to provide a learning environment on mangrove existence specifically on ecological protection and enhancement.

Moreover, the project is expected to create employment opportunities, boost the local economy and generate income for the LGU, as well.

This wooden boardwalk located near Benoni lagoon and port area will provide safe recreational places for people to walk while enjoying the natural ambience and learning the unique characteristics of the mangrove ecosystem.

Queobe eco park has an excellent vantage point overlooking the mangrove boarwalk, Benoni lagoon, Benoni port, including Mantigue island. These are all parts of a development plan vigorously pursued by the municipal government of Mahinog, with the ultimate goal of optimizing the potential of the area in order to provide employment opportunities and boost the local economy.

Mahinog LGU intensifies measures against coconut theft

New members of Mahinog Sanitary Pulis (SaPul) recently took their oath of office before Mayor Alex R. Jajalla. Among the functions of SaPul is to enforce anti coconut theft ordinance in addition to their primary responsibility to implement the Lex's Clean Mahinog Program

BEFORE you harvest coconut or sell copra in Mahinog, get a permit from the barangay of origin. Said permit would be issued by the barangay captain to prove you are the lawful owner of coconuts being harvested or sold.

This is contained under Municipal Ordinance (MO) No. 8-1988 as amended by MO No. 2008-110 that the Municipal Government of Mahinog is vigorously implementing right now.

The ordinance requires anyone to obtain first a permit from the barangay captain before harvesting coconut. The measure was aimed at both deterring coconut thieves and helping law enforcement identify stolen coconuts or copra once brought to the market or found in anyone's possession.

In an executive order, Mayor Alex R. Jajalla in effect had authorized the Sanitary Pulis (SaPul) to enforce the ordinance in addition to their primary authority to implement the Lex's Clean Mahinog program.

The mayor said this move is in answer to earful of complaints from coconut owners who had been complaining of low harvest from their plantation due to thievery.

"Without a special measure to address this problem, coconut will remain as it has been in the past the favorite resort of thieves," he added.

In applying for a permit, applicants have to disclose the following: name of declared owner of the property; address; location of property; approximate no. of coconut trees to be harvested; date of harvest, among others. The applicant shall pay a permit fee to the barangay treasurer in the amount of Twenty Pesos per harvest.

The municipal government has worked closely with copra buyers to ensure that individuals who sell copra to them has a permit earlier secured from the barangay captain.

According to the ordinance, it is the responsibility of copra buyers to report to authorities if seller has no permit. Failure to do so shall be the ground for the revocation of business permit. In case buyer has no business permit, he/she shall be penalized by a fine of One Thousand Pesos or imprisonment of ten days.

Any person without a permit found selling, transporting or possessing coconut or copra shall be fined One Hundred Pesos or imprisonment of not more than ten days for the first offense; Two Hundred Pesos or imprisonment of not more than twenty days for the second offense; Three Hundred Pesos plus confiscation of coconut or copra or imprisonment of not more than sixty days for the third and succeeding offenses. This is apart from the appropriate crimes penalized in the Revised Penal Code.

According to the mayor, the implementation of this ordinance will surely benefit coconut farmers aimed to improve their income and living condition.

Camiguin faces blackout, prompting Camelco to prepare contingency measures

Romualdo A MAJOR power outage can happen anytime in Camiguin once the island's submarine cable is damaged. "This is a serious cause for concern for all Camiguingnons," Camiguin Governor Jurdin Jesus M. Romualdo said since about a month ago, raising concern over the deteriorating condition of the island's submarine cable. He said the island's undersea cable that linked power from the mainland Mindanao has only a lifetime of 25 years. The submarine cable was laid in 1987. This prompted the Camiguin Electric Cooperative (Camelco) to conduct a series of public hearings in the five municipalities to appraise the people about the power situation in this island province and find solution to the problem. Romualdo warned that unless remedies are taken now, Camiguin will be like Siargao island, which has just experienced prolonged blackout after its underwater power line was reportedly cut off due to wear and tear. "We are not sure when it (blackout) will happen to us, it may be tonight, tomorrow or next year," the governor said at the public hearing conducted in Mahinog gym recently. "But we are working as fast as we can to prepare for it," he added, aware that the situation could have serious repercussion in the island's economy. Recently, the provincial government had purchased power generating sets to ensure uninterrupted power supply in Camiguin General Hospital. "I want to ensure that if this happens, business would go on as usual in our hospital because life is important to me," the governor said in the local dialect. For his part, Camelco manager Adrian A. Ebcas presented several options to solve the capacity requirement problem and probable blackouts. One option, he said, is the immediate replacement of aging submarine cable with the installation of 13.2kv submarine cable including acquisition of 69 kv line, among others, to reduce systems loss. He added this is also to save consumers from constant payment of Residual Connection Charges to National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP). This, he said, will cost the electric cooperative over 400 million pesos in loans to finance the project and for the consumers to pay two pesos per kwhr more on its bill from the present ten pesos per kwhr to recover the investment cost. Another option, he said, is that instead of buying power from the mainland, Camelco will just invite independent power producer (IPP) to build 8Mw Diesel Plant in Camiguin. For this option, he said, electric consumers will bear the burden of paying additional six pesos per kwhr on top of the current rate. On the other hand, Ebcas disclosed that Camiguin, according to the Department of Energy, has resource potential for wind energy sources that can be developed. These sources are situated in Lowan in the town of Mahinog. This, if developed, could provide substantial power supply for Camiguin with a generation capacity from 15mw to 25 mw and could even export its excess power to the mainland. Camiguin, as of now, has a power demand of 2.8Mw and is expected to reach by 7Mw in 15 years, it was learned. Among the options, Ebcas said the best way to cope with the situation is to install a new submarine cable to replace the old ones, adding submarine cable is also necessary once Camiguin will finally have its own source of wind energy and export power to the mainland. "This will yield additional revenues not only to Camelco, but also to local government units concerned" the Camelco manager said. (Homer R. Jajalla)  

Ebcas

Farmers' production goes up in Camiguin after government intervention

AIMED at increasing local farmers’ production and reducing its dependence from the mainland, the Provincial Government through the Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO) spent about Php5.5 million on crop production projects in 2009.

As a result, the crop sector shared almost 60 percent (%) of the total agricultural output last year. Such increase is expected to put down the market value of farms products thus making it more affordable to the public.

The palay production showed an increase of 11 percent (%), while corn increased at 2 percent (%). Other products that contributed to a better yield are banana, root crop, coconut and lanzones fruits.

To sustain the growth, the provincial government has invested on agri-infrastructure projects and completed last year the construction of the Multi-Purpose Drying Pavement and the rehabilitation of communal irrigation projects.

PAO also reported the release of Php1 million worth of loan assistance in 2009 for different livelihood programs under the Plant Now Pay Later program (PNPL).

Rice and coconut farmers likewise continue to enjoy the fertilizer subsidy program. (Mahinog IO, with a report from Jorie C. Valcorza / PIA)

DTI reveals top investors in Camiguin

Mambajao, Camiguin (13 January) -- Lanzones growers and traders ranks first in the new list released by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for 2009 top investments in the island province.

Owing to its famous sweet and luscious fruit, growers and traders recorded a total of 60 million investments for last year.

Vjandep's irresistible bun with yema-like filling which has become a 'pasalubong' delicacy likewise made it to the third, posting about 18.5 million capital.

Other players include Bahay Bakasyan sa Camiguin with more than 54.5 million and the Camiguin Telephone Cooperative (CAMTECO) for its fiber optics project amounting to 15 million.

Some cottages and hotel operators such as the Sunriser pension house, European Inn and Puesta del Sol beach Bongalows also made it to the top 10.

While Lasacar Construction, Caltex Refilling Station, Balbagon Arrastre and Stevedoring Services completes the list.

According to DTI, such undertakings were able to generate some 2,531 additional employments in the locality.

DTI reports show a total investment of about 276 million in 2009. The leading investment area is on infrastructure and services with a noted amount of 87.6 million, trading followed with 73.3 million and agriculture-based investments pegging at 71.5 million.

Of the 276 million investments the consumers / manufacturers contributed some 23 milllion and 21 million was also generated from other areas such as tourism. (Jorie C. Valcorza-PIA-10)