Development
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ERC approves P90-B Batangas-Mindoro Power Interconnection Project
The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has given the green light to a P90 billion transmission project that will connect Mindoro Island to the main Luzon power grid, a move expected to improve electricity reliability and…
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ERC Suspends Electricity Disconnections After Typhoons
ERC Suspends Electricity Disconnections After Typhoons The national government has ordered all power distributors to suspend electricity disconnections until year-end following the devastation caused by two major typhoons that killed hundreds and displaced millions in…
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New Tuna Processing Facility Promises Higher Incomes for Mindoro Fishermen
A new tuna processing facility in Rizal, Occidental Mindoro promises to improve incomes for fishermen by allowing them to add value to their catch rather than selling raw fish at lower prices. The facility in…
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Mindoro eyed as renewable energy hub in DMCI rural development plan
The island province of Mindoro could become a major renewable energy hub under Philippine conglomerate DMCI Holdings’ rural development strategy, with plans to tap power from massive wind and solar projects in nearby Semirara Island.…
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San Jose market vendors protest delayed project linked to corruption scandal
Market vendors in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro have been holding protests demanding transparency over a stalled P193-million-peso public market project, one year after construction was meant to begin. The two-storey market is a joint venture…
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Mindoro electricity costs may drop as NAPOCOR shifts from diesel to renewables
Residents of Mindoro and other off-grid island provinces could see their electricity costs fall as the government-run National Power Corporation (Napocor) accelerates a shift away from expensive diesel-fired generation toward renewable energy sources. Napocor president…
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OMECO signs deal to bring power to remote barangays
The Occidental Mindoro Electric Cooperative (OMECO) signed a memorandum of agreement with the National Electrification Administration (NEA) on Friday to secure government subsidies for expanding electricity access to remote areas under the 2025 General Appropriations…
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Calapan Port Opens New Gate 4, Introduces Drive-Through System for Batangas-Bound Cargo
The Port of Calapan will redirect all rolling cargo bound for Batangas through its newly constructed Gate 4 starting Monday, September 15, 2025 at 8:00 a.m., according to an advisory from port management. The permanent…
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Mindoro Provinces Among Top Recipients of Multi-Billion Peso Flood Control Contracts
Oriental and Occidental Mindoro rank among the top 20 provinces nationwide in flood control project spending, with contracts totaling nearly P20 billion combined, according to data from sumbongsapangulo.ph. Oriental Mindoro placed 11th with P11.1 billion…
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US Energy Firm Proposes $25M Natural Gas Power Plant to End Occidental Mindoro’s Chronic Blackouts
An American energy corporation has proposed a $25 million natural gas power plant project to address Occidental Mindoro’s decades-long power crisis, provincial officials announced. Rise Capital Group Nash Oil, Gas, and Power Inc. (RCNO), led…
Founder’S Profile
Romel “Direk” Ferriol Bernardo
Bernardo Creative Ventures, Inc., the company behind Direk Fuels, Oriental Mindoro’s homegrown gas station chain, and Direk Builders, which rents out heavy equipment, is expanding its portfolio by venturing into online media and content production.
The company’s entry into news media is not surprising, as its founder and CEO, Romel “Direk” Bernardo, was a television writer, producer, and director for over 15 years. From 2002 to 2007, he served as a researcher, writer, and producer for GMA-7’s top-rating show Imbestigador before becoming the executive producer for ABS-CBN’s award-winning documentary program, The Correspondents.
