Business

DOST-6 photoA limited manufacturing agreement was recently signed for the first Filipino-made diesel engine for farming.The 12-horsepower single-cylinder diesel engine (SCDE) was developed by the Department of Science and Technology–Metals Industry Research and Development Center (DOST-MIRDC), Supercast Foundry and Machinery Corp. in Valenzuela, Metro Manila, and RU Foundry and Machine Shop Corp. owned by Bacolod City businessman Ramon Uy.“Being able to manufacture our very own prime mover diesel engine, we level up our agro-machinery sector and of course, more importantly, boost the productivity and profitability of our farmers and fisherfolks,” Rowen Gelonga, DOST Region 6 director, said during the recent virtual signing.As an agricultural country, the Philippines has bee...

Negros Occidental Electric Cooperative (NOCECO) and Northern Negros Electric Cooperative (NONECO) have increased their power rates in October.Jonas Discaya, general manager of NOCECO, said the new residential rate is P9.4417 per kilowatt hour (kWh) from P8.3121/kWh in September, posting an increase of P1.1296.He said the main driver of the higher electricity rates this month were the P1.1409/kWh increase in the generation charge, the P2.3344/kWh increase in Wholesale Electricity Spot Market, the 0.0102/kWh adjustment in the power supply agreement (PSA) from KEPCO SPC Power Corporation.Also contributing to the overall increase are the adjustments in the system loss rate, subsidy rate, and value-added tax in generation rate, he said.He also noted a reduction of P0.0826/kWh in...

The Central Negros Electric Cooperative Inc. (CENECO) has increased its residential rates by P0.2268 per kilowatt hour (kWh) in October.Maria Agnes Claro, officer-in-charge of the Office of the General Manager, said Monday, October 26, that the power rate for this billing month was at P10.4110/kWh from P10.1842/kWh in September.She attributed the rate hike to the increase in generation, transmission, system loss, and other pass through charges.The pass-through charges equivalent to P9.2244/kWh of the total power rate include the generation and transmission charges, Energy Regulatory Commission-approved adjustments, government subsidies and taxes, she said.Only P1.1866/kWh of the power rate goes to CENECO through distribution, supply, metering charges and the reinvestment fu...

Capitol PIO photoThe provincial government of Negros Occidental turned over 215 breeder piglets to the local government units in the Fifth District on Wednesday.Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, along with other officials, turned over the livelihood project to livestock breeders and members of the Alliance of Hog Raisers Association of Negros Occidental (AHRANO) at the covered court in Binalbagan town.The activity was attended by Mayors Raymund Tongson Jr. of Himamaylan City, Alejandro Mirasol of Binalbagan, Irene Montilla of Isabela, and Jose Nadie Arceo of Hinigaran, and Vice Mayors Manuel Vera of La Castellana and Adrian Villaflor of Moises Padilla.The program, which is part of the Provincial Animal Genetic Improvement Program under the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO), in...

DAR photoAt least 26 agrarian reform beneficiaries organizations (ARBOs) in Western Visayas will supply their produce to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) to reduce the poverty incidence.Shiela Enciso, director of the Department of Agrarian Reform Region 6, and Jail Senior Superintendent Baby Noel Montalvo, director of BJMP-6, recently signed the Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (EPAHP) to address concerns on hunger and poverty.Representatives from the farmer organizations and the BJMP wardens also signed the marketing agreement, which would allow the farmers to directly market their produce such as vegetables, livestock, and poultry to the BJMP.Cabinet Secretary Karlo Alexei Nograles, who was the keynote speaker during the program launching, ...

The provincial government through Governor Eugenio Governor Lacson turned over checks worth P2.4 million to Barangays 2 in San Carlos City, Buenavista in Murcia, 19-A, 13, and 12 in Victorias City, Bulad in Isabela, Daan Banwa in Kabankalan City, and Bacuyangan in Hinobaan.Each of the barangays received P300,000 for projects, such as rehabilitation of barangay health center, construction of drainage system and pathways, acquisition of multi-purpose vehicle, procurement of garbage collector truck, construction of multi-purpose pavement, rubble riprap, solar dryer pavement, and installation of solar power streetlights, respectively.The checks were received by the punong barangays and LGU authorized representatives in a ceremonial turn over held at the Capitol grounds on Tuesday.

The Social Security System (SSS) has extended once again its contribution payment deadline to give its covered employers and members more time to settle their overdue contributions in the past months this year, in consideration of the Covid-19 situation.The circular stated that regular employers may pay their employees’ contributions from February to October until November 30.Moreover, contribution payments from January to September of self-employed, voluntary, and non-working spouse (SE/VM/NWS) members and household employers for their employees may also be paid until the said deadline.Likewise, employers with SSS-approved installment proposals are given until November 30 to deposit their post-dated checks, which fall due from March to October.Contribution payments of empl...

Teleperformance Philippines’ digital recruitment innovation Smart 1Question Interview Bot won a Gold Award at the recently concluded Festival of Media APAC Awards 2020 and a Bronze Stevie at the 2020 Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards.Receiving a Gold Award in the Best Use of Digital Media: Social Media Category and a Bronze Stevie Award for the Innovative Use of Technology in Human Resources, Teleperformance Philippines’ 1Question Interview Bot leveraged smart technology to make the job application process much easier for Filipino jobseekers, a press release from the company said.Job hunting on-ground has proven to be a challenging endeavor, especially in the midst of a pandemic. To help jobseekers start their career in the Information Technology-Business Process Management (IT-BPM) indus...

The Central Negros Electric Cooperative has extended the grace period for its consumers who failed to settle their September electricity bill.In an advisory yesterday, Ceneco reiterated that the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act provided for a 30-day grace period for electricity bills falling under the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) from September 8 to 30 in Bacolod City.“Payments can still be extended up to three months if the said bill remains unpaid,” it said in the advisory.The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has yet to issue the implementing guidelines pertaining to the provision of the Bayanihan 2 Act, it added.Meanwhile, Ceneco said it will continue to issue a notice of disconnection and implement its regular schedule of disconnection activities.M...

The Central Negros Electric Cooperative Inc. announced that several of its consumers in Bago City, Negros Occidental will experience power outage on October 17.Maria Agnes Claro, officer-in-charge of the Office of the General Manager, said that maintenance activities will be conducted during the period to ensure the reliability of distribution lines to avoid further serious damages that will result in major interruptions.As a result, a portion of the Sum-ag Feeder 2 will experience power interruption from 7 to 9 a.m.Affected areas are Prk. Nami-nami, Brgy. Tabunan, Brgy. Dulao, Brgy. Atipuluan and a portion of Prk. Sampaguita, Brgy. Abuanan, all in Bago City.Electricity consumers are advised that in the event of any power interruption, electrical switches should be turned o...