Development
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Improved Farm Road Transforms Market Access in Naujan
A newly concreted farm-to-market road is bringing benefits to agricultural villages in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro. Farmers and residents in Brgy. Metolza, Naujan now enjoy improved access to markets following the completion of a concrete farm-to-market…
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Bridge Widening Project Improves Traffic, Safety in San Jose
A recently completed bridge widening project in Occidental Mindoro has reportedly improved traffic flow and safety on a crucial section of the island’s west coastal road, officials say. The Palanghiran Bridge in Barangay Mapaya, San…
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New Road Opens in Calapan City
A new 1.1km road linking two barangays in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro has opened ahead of schedule, according to the DPWH. The Tawiran-Guinobatan Road now connects the barangays of Tawiran and Guinobatan, reducing travel times…
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Cong. Panaligan: PH to Add New Guided Missile Frigate to Navy Fleet
The Philippine Navy is set to strengthen its maritime capabilities with the addition of a new guided missile frigate currently undergoing sea trials in South Korean waters, according to Oriental Mindoro Congressman Arnan Panaligan, vice-chairman…
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Six Power Firms Win 57-MW Supply Contracts in Mindoro
Six power companies secured contracts to build new power plants in Oriental Mindoro after winning bids for 57 megawatts of guaranteed dependable capacity, the National Electrification Administration (NEA) has announced. DMCI Power Corp. emerged as…
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DPWH Completes Two Farm-to-Market Roads in Occidental Mindoro
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has completed two farm-to-market roads (FMRs) in Occidental Mindoro, boosting agricultural trade and economic productivity. In Barangay Purnaga, Magsaysay, a 1.61-kilometer, two-lane road project costing P19.79 million…
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Oriental Mindoro’s Economy Grows by 5.1% in 2023, Driven by Services Sector
The economy of Oriental Mindoro recorded a growth of 5.1 percent in 2023, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority’s (PSA) Provincial Product Accounts (PPA) released the other day. The growth rate, based on constant 2018…
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ORMECO Completes P700-M Hydro Power Plant Loan Payment
The Oriental Mindoro Electric Cooperative (Ormeco) announced it had completed the full payment of its P700-million loan from the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP). The loan, secured in November 2009, financed the Linao-Cawayan Mini-Hydro…
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P269-B Northern Mindoro Wind Power Project Gets BOI Green Lane Status
The Philippine Board of Investments (BOI) has awarded green lane certification to a P269-billion offshore wind power project in Northern Mindoro, part of three renewable energy ventures worth P694 billion, signaling one of the largest…
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Former Mindoro Congresswoman Named UN ‘Biodiversity Champion’
Former Occidental Mindoro Congresswoman Josephine Ramirez-Sato has been named a “Champion of Change” by the UN Development Programme (UNDP) for her work in biodiversity conservation, making her the only Asian among four global honorees. Ramirez-Sato…
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.
