Headed by its project manager, Engr. Jeriel Militar, the Central Philippine University-Affiliated Non-Conventional Energy Center (CPU-ANEC), inaugurated successively a Micro-Hydro Battery Charging Station and a Hybrid Wind-PV Battery Charging Station in Brgys. Balunos and Guipis, Anilao, Iloilo, respectively last September 8, 2000.

The program started at around 10 o’clock in the morning in Brgy. Balunos with the ceremonial ribbon cutting led by Dir. Francisco Benito, Director, Energy Utilization Management Bureau, Department of Energy at the site of the generator which was located on a steep, high and craggy hill. Director Benito himself, Mr. Ed Sonza of the Educational Media Center who video-covered the event, Mr. Sanico and this writer nearly fainted out of exhaustion in going up and down that hill.

The program continued back at the Brgy. Plaza for the Power Switching-On by Director Benito assisted by representatives of Gov. Arthur Defensor and Cong. Narciso Monfort, SP member Romeo Palmares, Mayor Igmedio B. Cabangal, Sr, Mayor Henry Anotado of Dingle, Mr. Gil Altamira, Gen. Manager of Ileco III, Prof. Ricardo Patricio, Director of Planning and Development and Engr. Jeriel Militar, Project Manager, CPU-ANEC, among others. Both Prof. Ricardo Patricio and Engr. Militar delivered shorts messages in behalf of CPU and the CPU-ANEC, respectively. A sumptuous lunch served by the barangay officials and residents capped the event.

Right after the Balunos inauguration, the group proceeded to Guipis, for another inauguration. If in Balunos it was Water-powered, this time in Guipis it is Wind-Powered. A similar program in a school ground was prepared with the same people participating. Another sumptuous meal was served by the barangay officials and residents to cap the event.

It may be recalled that a Wind-PV Battery Charging Station in Brgy. Manganese, Anilao, Iloilo was inaugurated last July 31, 2000. These are the second and third barangays in Anilao where the Barangay Electrification Project (BEP) was implemented by the CPU-ANEC under the Energy Resources for the Alleviation of Poverty (ERAP) Program of the DOE to be inaugurated this year. In addition to these, 14 barangays, mostly island barangays, in the different towns in northern Iloilo are also lined up for electrification this year under the ERAP program.

In all of these projects, the CPU College of Engineering is actively involved through the participation of the senior engineering students and faculty in the design and installation of transmission, distribution and household electrical wirings, fixtures, and equipment as part of the College’s outreach program. To cope with the increasing number of projects, CPU-ANEC has also made preliminary talks with the management of the CPU Katin-aran Center for possible cooperation in the area of community organizing and livelihood training.

Retirement Board inducts new officers
by Edward Pormilos

In an Induction Ceremony held last December 1, 2000, the new officers of the Retirement Board for the term 20001-2002 were sworn into office by no less than the former SEC Chairman Perfecto Yasay. They are Mr. Carl dela
Pena-Chairman, Dr. Wilfredo Espada-Vice Chairman, Mrs. Grace Savella-Secretary, and Mrs. Ma. Rosalene Madero-Treasurer. The other members of the board are Prof. Perla Deocampo, Mr. Roldan Pescos and Mr. James Peter Trasporto. Ex-officio members are Dr. Juanito Acanto-University President and Mr. Edward Pormilos-Retirement Fund Officer.

The Retirement Board is a special committee created to oversee retirement funds of all University employees and to provide service to all retirement plan members.

It is composed of representatives from the Board of Trustees, administration, faculty and staff associations, the University President and the Retirement Fund Officer.

To date, Retirement funds in the hands of the top three banks of the country- BPI, Metrobank and PCI-Equitable has reached a total of P65 million.