by magnolia_eic | Mar 19, 2010 | Headlines, National News
PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Wednesday assured her government’s resolve to broker peace in the strife-torn southern Philippines, citing that it has “taken heavy political risks” to achieve lasting peace in the region, as she also encouraged fellow NAM member-states to pursue interfaith dialogue to promote peace and development globally.
But the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) said it is not likely to sign a peace deal with President Arroyo, who is to step down in May when her term ends, Ghazali Jaafar, the MILF’s deputy chieftain, said.
Speaking before the 123 foreign and local delegates participating in the Special Non-Aligned Movement Ministerial Meeting on Interfaith Dialogue and Cooperation for Peace and Development (SNAMMM), including 83 foreign ministers from the influential group, Mrs. Arroyo laid down her government’s relentless peacekeeping initiatives in the South, as she noted that interfaith dialogue has been substantial element to the Mindanao peace process.
President Arroyo explained that her government is not just resorting into military solution in addressing armed conflict in Mindanao, but also sticking with “a solution of dialogue, a solution of community development, a solution of talking peace.”
Jaafar said there is not enough time to strike a final peace deal with the present dispensation, but he expressed optimism the next president will honor all agreement signed under the outgoing leadership. (PIA-Bohol)
by magnolia_eic | Mar 19, 2010 | Headlines, National News
CHIEF Justice Reynato Puno has designated Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio as acting chief justice while he is on sabbatical leave from March 18 to 30.
Carpio, as acting chief justice, is authorized “to exercise the powers and prerogatives of and pertaining to the position of chief justice on matters that cannot wait for the chief justice, effective March 18 until the undersigned reports back to work.”
Among the functions that Carpio is expected to perform is to sit as ex-officio chair of the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC), which is expected to deliberate on the next moves it will take following the high court’s ruling on the appointment of Puno’s successor.
Carpio will also temporarily assume the position of chairman of the Presidential Electoral Tribunal during Puno’s absence.
The SC on Wednesday upheld the authority of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to appoint the successor of Puno, who will be retiring on May 17 at the age of 70. (PIA-Bohol)
by magnolia_eic | Mar 19, 2010 | Election 2010, Local News / Bohol Balita
BOHOLANO leaders and even candidates running this May 10 elections are expected to sign up on a Covenant for Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies during the upcoming Province-wide Climate Change Summit set next week.
Expected to put up their pledges during the Summit setMarch 29-30 at the Bohol Tropics Resort are Congressional and Provincial Candidates as well as local leaders.
Convened by the Provincial Government of Bohol in partnership with Philippine Australia Alumni Association Inc., Bohol Chapter, the summit adopts the theme “meeting the Challenges of Climate Change at the Local level through Adaptation and Mitigation Strategies.
Organizers at the Bohl Environment Management Offfice said it is high time to egnerate early commitments from politicians so it would be easier to make them accountable when they fail to realize their commitments. (PIA)
by magnolia_eic | Mar 19, 2010 | Headlines, National News
THE Department of Energy (DoE) hopes to snowball a plan for all power consumers to join in observing Earth Hour 2010.
And by voluntarily turning off their lights from 8:30-9:30 p.m. on March 27, the government wishes to increase awareness on climate change issues.
There is more to it than just switching off the lights for an hour once a year, says Lou Arciaga, DoE Science and Research specialist and Public Information Officer-designate as quoted in reports.
The explained that just as the Earth Hour 2010 puts up a global call for action to every individual, business and community throughout the world, It’s also about giving people a voice in the future of our planet and working together to create a sustainable low carbon future.”
Earth Hour started in 2007 in Sydney, Australia, when 2.2 million homes and business firms turned their lights off for an hour to make a stand against climate change.
In 2008, it became a global sustainability movement with more than 50 million people across 35 countries participating. (PIA)
by magnolia_eic | Mar 19, 2010 | Local News / Bohol Balita
POWER gerenation from Bohol’s hydro-power plants have reportedly decreased due to insufficient water levels that can sustainably spin the turbines.
According the Bohol Electric Cooperative I General manager Carlos Itable, all of Bohol’s hydro electric power supplies decreased its generation due to low water supply.
He said that even the Ewon Sevilla hydro, now operated by Sta. Clara Development has to contend with 580 mega watt power generation output.
Ewon hydro facility is capable to generating 1.2 MegaWatts of power.
Hanopol’s maximum power of 2.5MW is now running at 1.8 MW.
Over this, the PDCC would explore the possibility of asking Salcon Power Utilities to allow the operation of the two standby diesel power plants to supplement the needed power for Bohol. (PIA Bohol)
