Power transmission network operator NGCP reinforces its commitment to deliver reliable transmission services across the country by enhancing the safety and security of its transmission assets through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA).

NGCP sealed its partnership with NICA in a signing ceremony at the Malacañan Palace on 13 March 2023 witnessed by no less than the President of the Philippines, His Excellency Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.

Signing the MOU are NGCP President and CEO Mr. Anthony L. Almeda and NICA Director General Retired Police Lt. Gen. Ricardo F. De Leon.

Under the MOU, NICA commits to supply NGCP with intelligence information to support the protection of power transmission assets operated and maintained by NGCP across the country, while NGCP commits to provide technical assistance to NICA to support and further establish their cybersecurity capability.

“NGCP has dealt with sabotage and bombing incidents in the past years which affected not only the reliable delivery of power in the areas affected, but other incidents also resulted in the injury of transmission line personnel and military escorts patrolling the areas to conduct line clearing and maintenance activities. The Memorandum of Understanding that NGCP and NICA will be signing today will be a shared commitment to exchange intelligence and provide support to accomplish our respective mandates”, NGCP said.

In his speech, President Marcos highlighted the importance of the MOU in reinforcing the country’s security measures. “Since NGCP is a critical, critical part of our security, (…) now we have made more robust the defenses against any possible attacks on our power systems, on any other elements in our everyday lives that require power, and for that matter, that require the exchange of secure information amongst ourselves in society,” said Pres. Marcos.

“I thank the NGCP for taking the initiative here. There have been fears that the involvement of any foreign entity in our power transmission system would present a security threat to the Philippines. (…) This is a very good step towards answering that challenge,” the President added.

President Marcos also emphasized that, “It is but one step because we are continuing to do this not only with NGCP but we are developing our cybersystems so that we are secure and so that the data that we need to collect and to disseminate is available to us, and we are able to do and handle the data in a secure fashion without the risk of it being used somehow against the Philippines. Let this be an example to all the other sectors that could be assessed to be at risk when it comes to cybersecurity. It is a good signal to all of us who have concerns in this regard – that we are doing many things to make sure that the Philippines remains secure, that the Philippines remains in accordance with international law, that the Philippines and its people can rest assured that their territory, their data, their personal information will not be used against us, and that they can feel secure.”

The MOU signing was also witnessed by Department of National Defense Officer-in-Charge Senior Undersecretary Carlito Galvez, Jr., and representatives from the National Security Council and the Department of Energy. (PR)

TACLOBAN CITY– In line with the observance of the National Fire Prevention Month, the Tacloban City Fire Station (TCFS) welcomed schools from a public school in the city as part of its week-long community relation activity that ended on March 17.

The activity was aimed to teach students from selected elementary schools the basic skills and knowledge on fire prevention, SFO1 Marites de la Rosa, TCFS community relations unit head, said.

“During the community relation week activity, we have an open house, fire exhibit, and poster-making contest among our students in relation to the fire prevention month,” she said.

The activity also included a tour visit inside the TCFS facilities, an exhibit on firefighting and rescue equipment, tools, and gears along with a lecture and demonstration on fire prevention as well as basic life support, de la Rosa further said.

Michael Angelo Palacio, teacher of the Kapangian Elementary School, said that they were happy to be given the opportunity to visit the city fire office as it provided an opportunity for his students to learn fire prevention and what to do in case of a fire incident.

“The visit provided the students the knowledge on how to be safe in case of a fire incident, especially so that our school is located in a fire hazard zone,” Palacio, who is also t school-based disaster risk reduction officer of Kapangian Elementary School, said.
(MARCO JEMSBOY ARCENA, LNU Intern)

NSSDEO, Brgy. Burabud, Laoang, Northern Samar– The DPWH-Northern Samar Second District Engineering Office (NSSDEO) with the supervision of OIC-District Engineer Charlito S. Carlobos has proposed eight (8) Farm-to-Market Roads (FMRs) in the second district of Northern Samar.

These FMR projects are the following: (1) Sitio Malaguinara Brgy. Zone 3-Malobago FMR; (2) Balud-Dale FMR, both located in San Roque; (3) Anongo-San Vicente FMR in Catubig; (4) Bagacay FMR in Lapinig; (5) Cabulaloan-Yabyaban-Cabagngan FMR in Laoang; (6) Magsaysay-Catotoogan-San Antonio; (7) Sta. Fe-San Miguel FMR both in Las Navas; and (8) Quezon-Henogawe-San Jose FMR in Mapanas.

These projects are significant as it plays vital role in reducing poverty of those living remote areas since it speed-up movement of people, goods and services.

By constructing of these road projects, the programs and services of the government would smoothly reach the remote barangays of these municipalities. The project also offers holistic approach that would resolve social unrest rooted in poverty. Moreover, FMRs build peace which is essential in the economic development of the province.
(LYCA MAE T. QUILICOL, PIO Alternate)

TACLOBAN CITY– The Leyte Second District Engineering Office (L2DEO) of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) supports the 2023 National Women’s Month Celebration through a month-long Zumba activity every purple Wednesday.

District Engineer Leo Edward Oppura encouraged all employees of their office, including the men, to join the fitness activity to promote gender equality and disparity.

“Being physically active helps us strengthen bones and muscles, and improve our ability to do our daily tasks in the office and in our home. Let us take this opportunity to gain some health benefits,” he said.

The Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) launched the 2023 National Women’s Month Celebration marking a juncture in the advancement of women’s rights in a new recurring theme from this year to 2028: We for gender equality and inclusive society.

The theme aligns with the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 which aims for “deep economic and social transformation to reinvigorate job creation and accelerate poverty reduction by steering the economy back on the high-growth path.”

The plan also highlights that growth must be inclusive, building an environment that provides equal opportunities to all Filipinos and equipping them with skills to participate fully in an innovative and globally competitive economy.

Meanwhile, Oppura commended all the women, especially the civil engineers of the district office for their commitment to their work, hard labor, and constant effort to serve and provide the public with high-quality infrastructure projects.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

ORMOC CITY – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) – Leyte 4th District Engineering Office (DEO) District Engineer Arnaldo R. Bonifacio along with Assistant District Engineer Rosita A. Tinawin, Planning and Design Section Chief Peter Scheler V. Soco, and project engineers officially turn over the Rehabilitation and Upgrading of Ormoc Water System in Brgy. Milagro, Ormoc City to the Local Government Unit of Ormoc on Wednesday, March 15, 2023.

During her speech, ADE Tinawin stated that the water system consists of four sources with a total estimated discharge of 70 liters per second. The filtration’s capacity is 5 megaliters per day while the transfer tank storage capacity is 20 cubic meters which will be distributed to the three major reservoirs in Ormoc City located in NHA Housing Dolores, Brgy. Dolores and Brgy. San Pablo.

The project, which is funded under General Appropriations Act (GAA) 2022 and has a total allocation of Php 97,999,992.30, aims to improve the water supply and distribution system by upgrading these three reservoirs thereby meeting the demand for quality and sufficient water source utilized by the different barangays.

Ormoc City Mayor Lucy Torres Gomez graced the event along with City Councilors, Local Government Unit Department Heads, and stakeholders. (PR)