Surigao Airport is Now Open for Commercial Operations

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) issued today notice to airmen (NOTAM- CO161/17) opening Surigao Airport for commercial operations effective today, 6:00 am. February 23,2017.

Department of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade together with DOTr Assistant Secretary Leah Quiambao, Under Secretary Artemio Tuazon and CAAP officials flew in yesterday at the Surigao airport to inspect the partially renovated runway and checks on the progress of repairs of the damaged airport terminal complex.

CAAP Deputy Director General for Operations Capt. Manuel Antonio “Skee” Tamayo said that a 1000-meter length out of 1700-meter Surigao Airport runway was declared usable and safe for aircraft operations.

Currently, PalExpress and Cebu Pacific are operating on the said airport using their turbo propeller aircraft type like Q4 and ATR’s.

Tamayo said that coring test on the runway and sub surface soil exploration survey was conducted by DPWH-CARAGA and CAAP technical team since February 15,2017.

He said that a 24/7 repairs and rehabilitation of the damaged portions of the airport complex are on effect. Tamayo added that by estimate, it would take 4 months to complete the renovation of the airport terminal and 9 months to fully restore the 1700-meter runway. 

 
Surigao Airport was declared close for operations last February 11,2017 after a strong earthquake with 6.7 magnitude hit Surigao del Norte that partially damaged the concrete 1700-meter runway.

6th First Lego League Philippines Robotics Competition

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Students from Grace Christian College were hailed as champions during the 6th First Lego League Philippines (FLL PHL) recently held at the Quezon City Interactive Science Center. The FLL PHL champion will represent the country at the FLL World Championships, to be held on April 25 to 27 in St. Louis, Missouri, USA.

Other FLL PHL winners to compete in international competitions are students from the Benigno Aquino High School (second place) and Dr. Yanga's Colleges, Inc. (third place) to compete in the FLL Open European Championships on May 25 to 28 in Aarhus, Denmark; and Batasan Hills National High School (fourth place) and De La Salle Santiago Zobel School - Team B (fifth place) to compete in the FLL Asia Pacific Open Championship on July 6 to 9 in Sydney, Australia.

The 6th FLL PHL was participated by over 140 students from various schools in the country. These young robotics geniuses, ages 9 to 16, competed in Robot Design, Robot Presentation, and Team building challenges.

“The overall vision and mission of FLL Philippines is, said Mylene Abiva, National Organizer, FLL Philippines and the Philippine Robotics Olympiad. “The students will want to learn more about computers and robotics, and they will pursue Engineering, Computer Science or other Science and Technology course in University”. Abiva added.

Batasan Hills National High    School

Benigno Aquino High School

Dr. Yanga's Colleges, Inc.

For more details, please contact FELTA Multi-Media Inc., at tel no: 912-1397 or email: felta@pldtdsl.net or visit www.felta.ph.

DOE Commits to Uphold Consumers' Power of Choice

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The Department of Energy said its mandate is to implement the law and consumers should have the freedom of choice as to which power provider they prefer to deal with.

The DOE reiterated its mandate after the Supreme Court issued a Temporary Restraining Order against the implementation of the Retail Competition and Open Access (RCOA), a key provision of Republic Act 9136 or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 or EPIRA.

Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi said the DOE is duty-bound to implement the law which seeks to uphold the freedom of choice of the consumers and to promote market competition.

“The provisions in the EPIRA mandates the DOE to ensure the security, reliability and availability of transparent and reasonably-priced electricity in the country,” Cusi expressed.

“One of the provisions of the law is the implementation of the Retail Competition and Open Access (RCOA), which allows consumers to directly contract power supply from licensed Retail Electricity Suppliers (RES),” Cusi clarified.

“The spirit of the RCOA is giving the consumers the freedom of choice which would result in higher productivity for them. And the power of choice can only be maximized when there is a level playing field for all suppliers,” Cusi assured.

"It is hoped that whatever the Decision by the Supreme Court, it will redound to the ultimate benefit of the consumers which is really the intent and the spirit of RCOA." Cusi concluded.