Day: October 23, 2024

MANILA: The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said the mining sector is on standby and ready to assist in disaster response as Severe Tropical Storm Kristine batters many parts of the country. During the situation briefing led by President Ferdinand R. Marcos on Wednesday at the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) office in Quezon City, Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga said they have reached out to the private sector, particularly the mining industry, to help the government with its disaster response operations. ‘They may be called to assist in response and recovery, probably rescue

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) 10 (Northern Mindanao) has renewed the mandate of Task Force “Kinaiyahan,” strengthening efforts to protect Cagayan de Oro’s rivers through a new memorandum of agreement signed by public and private stakeholders. During the task force’s third-quarter meeting, MGB-10 Director Rodante Felina highlighted the role of local governments since the original agreement was signed in 2013. “The commitment of local governments has been a core component in realizing this environmental vision,” Felina said. The task force will now expand its coverage to include both the Iponan and Cagayan de Oro Rivers and nearby areas, focusing

MANILA: The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday said it deployed Health Emergency Response Teams (HERTs) in evacuation centers in provinces affected by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine. In a public advisory, the DOH said the HERTs were positioned in Albay, Camarines Sur, Matnog Port and other areas severely damaged by Kristine. Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said three DOH Philippine Emergency Medical Assistance Teams (PEMAT) are ready to respond should there be a need for additional emergency teams as Kristine hits the ground. “We (DOH) got verified for three international medical teams, level 1. This is a 30-man team complete with

The National Irrigation Administration (NIA)-Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) said three big-ticket irrigation projects will further boost the region’s food production capacity. A total of PHP4.25 billion worth of projects for implementation from 2023 to 2027 will boost production and add to the current 113,539 hectares of irrigated land. To date, about 61 percent of the 185,406 has. farmland are irrigated, or a gap of 71,867 has. Engineer Benito Espique, NIA-CAR regional manager, in an interview Wednesday, identified one of the big-ticket projects as the PHP1.493-billion Alfonso Lista Pump Irrigation Project in Ifugao province that will irrigate 2,300 has. and will

The Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative (INEC) has suspended the implementation of disconnection service for unpaid electricity bills effective Wednesday. This was contained in the Oct. 23, 2024 memorandum issued by INEC acting general manager Cipriano Martinez III, addressed to all area managers, supervisors, meter readers, and disconnectors. “Because of (Severe Tropical Storm) typhoon Kristine and in consideration of the safety of our member-consumer-owners, the operation for disconnection is hereby suspended starting today until further notice,’ Martinez said in a statement. Since the latter part of 2023, the lone power distribution utility in the province has been aggressive in cutting off