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Oro City commits to LED streetlight retrofit

PIA Press Release
2010/05/20

Oro City commits to LED streetlight retrofit

by Janinah Jimmin M. Molina

Cagayan de Oro City (20 May) -- Under its Philippine Energy Efficiency Project (PEEP), the Department of Energy (DOE) initiated a Public Lighting Retrofit Program for Cagayan de Oro City.

Thus, the DOE signed a Memorandum of Agreement together with the City Government of Cagayan de Oro and Cagayan Electric Power and Light Company, Inc. (CEPALCO) on May 18, 2010 at the City Mayor's Office.

This initiative is being supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

Salient features of the project include the utilization of energy efficient lamps, and the latest lighting technologies such as High-Pressure Sodium (HPS), metal halide and Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs).

Four areas in the country are beneficiaries of the program and one of which is Cagayan de Oro.

The project costs about 20 million pesos which covers the installation fee and needed materials.

This undertaking aims to replace about 2,000 units of mercury vapor lamps ranging from 70 watts ? 500 watts with 70 watts HPS lamps in the streetlights of 27 barangays in Cagayan de Oro City.

Through this, the probable annual energy savings would be 787, 611 kilowatts.

Carbon dioxide emission can also be decreased by about 354, 425 kilograms, yearly.

Hence, the city could save on expenditures as well as reduce on carbon dioxide emission.

"The intention of the government is to reduce consumption of electricity through the utilization of efficient lights and lighting system," said Energy Assistant Secretary Mario C. Marasigan.

He also expressed his gratitude regarding their team-up with the City of Cagayan de Oro, the local government units (LGUs) and CEPALCO in putting up 1,998 retrofitted streetlights in four major intersections within the city.

Accordingly, these retrofitted streetlights have the same features that can be seen in other countries as well as in Metro Manila.

In addition, the DOE is looking forward to a possible reduction in consumption of public light of around 180 kilowatts. Thus, these 180 kilowatts can go to other consumers.

Asec. Marasigan stated, "Nothing is lost, but there is always energy efficiency."

He also addressed the project's feature on carbon dioxide reduction feature as helpful in lessening climate change.

Furthermore, Jaime Rafael U. Paguio, Vice President and Department Head of CEPALCO's Customer Services said, "CEPALCO is also going to put some money in the retrofitting project."

He also promised that they will cooperate with city Mayor Constantino Jaraula in implementing the project.

Meanwhile, Mayor Jaraula disclosed, "We are very proud to have been chosen as the pilot city in regard to retrofitting."

He also commended CEPALCO as the number one efficient producer, generator and distributor all throughout the country.

Officials from the City Mayor's Office also attended the MOA signing activity. (XU DevCom/PIA)

Peaceful polls boost furniture exports growth (Business Mirror)

Written by Bong D. Fabe / Correspondent

WEDNESDAY, 19 MAY 2010 00:05

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY—The generally peaceful conduct of the elections is seen to boost furniture exports by 5-10 percent this year and another 10-15 percent in 2011. This as industry players exploit more robust markets abroad, said Emmanuel P. Padiernos, vice president for Market Development of the Chamber of Furniture Industries of the Philippines (CFIP). In 2009, the Philippines total furniture exports amounted to $240.3 million, an increase of $20.7 million from the 2008 figure of $219.6 million, he said. “With the positive effect of the last election [generally peaceful, new leaders and better image of the country], buyers will be more comfortable to come to the Philippines to replenish their much-needed stocks,” he said in an e-mailed statement. Padiernos said the growth of the sector would also be buoyed by the furniture industry’s efforts to expand its market in the region. “Although a lot of our members are still apprehensive of China’s copying our products, we are considering penetrating the China market aside from India, Australia and of course, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean),” he added. Crucial to attain this and next year’s revenue goals is an aggressive market promotion, he said. This plus the slowly recovering traditional markets such as the US and Europe could boost the growth of the industry. He explained that in 2009, the upturn of these traditional markets helped the country’s furniture exporters achieve a 9.4-percent growth.