Hybrid wave energy for PHL marine transport pushed

A seafarer-turned-businessman is asking the government’s support for his proposal for a wave energy to be implemented in the Philippine marine-transportation sector.

Engr. Jonathan Salvador, owner of a shipyard in Barangay Lagatik, New Washington, Aklan, said in an interview with the BusinessMirror on Tuesday that he is asking the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to support his proposal. He said his idea of hybrid wave energy has been endorsed by the College of Fisheries and Marine Sciences of the Aklan State University (ASU) based in this town.

The ASU has endorsed Salvador’s idea to the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD) of the DOST.

The proposal is dubbed as the “Development of a Hybrid Fast Craft Passenger and Cargo Vessel Using Multi and Alternative Energy Source from Ocean Waters”.

“In my proposal, we will be using gas to start the engine. Then, when the vessel is in the middle of the sea, we will be using wave energy. We will be using the Trimaran Model, an innovation of the Filipino traditional motorboat,” Salvador said, adding that the boat is safe and environment-friendly.

Salvador said he has finished preparing a module for the wave-energy concept, but could not release it to the public yet for intellectual property-rights issues.

“I am confident with my concept because I have already shown it to my European counterparts,” he said.

He explained that wave energy is feasible being a renewable energy.

“As the vessel runs into the sea, it creates friction. We could use the friction generated to create electricity. As the vessel runs through the smooth sea, the ship captain can have an option to use gas or navigate the boat to create additional friction. The boat could also run faster compared to traditional boats,” he told the BusinessMirror.

With the Philippines as an archipelago, the use of wave energy is feasible, and the boats could travel short distances for a start.

In 2002 Salvador said he has written a letter to then-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for the implementation of the Strong Republic Nautical Highway (SRNH), which was acknowledged by Malacanang.

In 2003 Arroyo opened the SRNH, connecting islands for tourism and trade. The SRNH policy was formulated in the time of President Fidel V. Ramos.

Engr. Nonilo Peña, chief of the Science Research Specialist, Energy and Utilities Systems Technology Development Division of PCIEERD, has written a letter to ASU, dated April 21, indicating that the proposal for the use of wave energy has passed the initial screening for the PCIEERD Special Call for Proposal for 2016.

Peña has recommended to ASU that Salvador and the university provide a more comprehensive discussion on the current marine-transport scenario, and include statistical data, provide a concept design and indicate the raw materials to be used in the hull.

He added the proponent should consult with the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers, or at least a naval architect, as part of the project team.

“I had already complied with all such requirements. I was told that the PCIEERD may release its decision to my proposal this June or July,” Salvador said.

“There is a huge potential in the research and use of wave energy, since it is now starting research,” Salvador added.

Salvador has worked for 20 years with a Norwegian shipping company. He later decided to put up a shipyard in the province that repairs boats mostly from the island of Boracay.

He received the Outstanding Aklanon Award in 2009 for his ingenuity in the field of marine transport.

Italian man quizzed over bomb joke at Kalibo airport

(photo courtesy of Barangay 92,9 FM)

A 40-year-old Italian man has been questioned by the police after joking he has a bomb inside his baggage while at the pre-departure area of the Kalibo International Airport, Wednesday afternoon.

In a police blotter report, Aviation Security (AVSEC) officials identified the suspect as Christiano De Angeliz.

Based on AVSEC investigation, Angeliz was at the departure area asking to rebook his flights. But the foreigner, felt disappointed when he was informed by the attendant there was a rebooking fee, he felt disappointed.

The airport attendant identified as Christine Rose Teodosio then asked Angeliz a security question of "what was inside his baggage". It was then that Angeliz reportedly responded that there's a bomb inside.

During this time, Teodosio gave Angeliz his boarding pass to supposedly board the plane to Metro Manila. A few minutes after, Teodosio realized that he received a bomb joke causing her to call the attention of the police security officials.

AVSEC officials then went inside the departure area and invited Angeliz for questioning.

The AVSEC is currently studying the filing of criminal complaints against Angeliz for violating the bomb joke law in Philippine airports.

Aklan PNP: Maute family in Boracay shuns terrorism in Marawi

A Maute family in this resort island has shunned terrorism in Marawi City and has pledged cooperation to the Aklan Provincial Police Office (APPO.)

SPO1 Nida Gregas-Lachica, information officer of the APPO, in an interview on Thursday said the Maute family has recently coordinated with the Boracay Philippine National Police to clarify themselves.

"The family has been living in Boracay as a trader for the past eight years. They also testified that they are not connected to the Maute in Marawi," Gregas said.

A Maute family is being pinpointed by the military in Marawi to have pledged alliance to the ISIS together with the Abu Sayyaf Group. Some of the Maute families in Metro Manila and other parts of the country had been questioned relative to their possible connections to the terrorists.

Meanwhile, Gregas said that the APPO has also monitored four families who evacuated from the Marawi City.

"They arrived in Barangay Aquino, Ibajay Aklan on May 28 around 11:00 p.m. They had relatives there. Both the provincial and municipal offices of the Department of Social Welfare and Development had provided initial assistance to the evacuees," Gregas said.

It was gathered that the head of the family is a resident of Marawi and has since been working in the Commission of Audit.

"Two of the four families will be going back to Iligan City this weekend. The two others are planning to stay for good in the province for the education of their children," Gregas said.

Both the Maute in Boracay and evacuees from Marawi City underwent profiling by the police.

Aklan SP to form 'Task Force: Protect'

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Aklan is eyeing the formation of task force to provide security in this resort island.

Provincial board member Jay Tejada, member of the committee on laws and ordinances, said Wednesday that the task force will be named "Task Force: Protect" and will include the Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Coast Guard, and the local government, among others.

"The technical draft is still at the committee level. The legislation is aimed to provide necessary details for the rule of engagement of the task force," said Tejada.

The piece of legislation is being crafted to update Boracay's security amid global terrorism scare.

Boracay official calls for vigilance

An official of this island called on the hotel industry and the public to remain vigilant after the recent attack at Resorts World Manila in Pasay City.

Rowen Aguirre, island administrator, said the attack can happen anywhere including Boracay.

“We are currently studying the incident at Resorts World, how it happened and how it could be prevented in the future,” Aguirre said.

Aguirre also chairs a local joint task force here composed of the Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and the Philippine Coast Guard, among others.

He said Boracay hotel owners are wary of possible tourism industry loss once a terrorist act is not prevented in the resort-island.

But according to intelligence sources, there is no terror threat in Boracay as of the moment.

On Friday morning, a lone gun man entered Resorts World Manila. He fired shots from an assault rifle and set gambling tables on fire.

As of this writing, 37 people were killed in the incident.