This picture may not be as excellent as Sinjin's winning photo, Daragang Magayon (http://www.flickr.com/photos/itsmichaelsinjin/2491305285/), but it is still nonetheless a breathtaking sight. :D

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a346/psychosanctum/LignonPano1resized.jpg
View of Mayon from the Lignon Hill viewing deck

Arguably one of the most photogenic cities in the country, even without Mayon in the frame:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a346/psychosanctum/Untitledresized.jpg
Legazpi as seen from the Lignon Hill viewing deck, even better at night ;)

CICT reports outsourcing investments in 17 areas (http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/infotech/view/20080602-140303/CICT-reports-outsourcing-investments-in-17-areas)
By Lawrence Casiraya, PDI

MANILA, Philippines--Seventeen areas in the country now have investors from the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry, according to the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT). CICT has identified a total of 22 areas in its drive to establish so-called ICT hubs ideal for BPO investors, according to Commissioner Monchito Ibrahim.

The commission is now working on adding Tagbilaran and Tuguegarao the list, he told INQUIRER.net in a phone interview. "Out of these, 17 already have locators and most of them have created their respective ICT councils to take care of HR [human resource] issues," said Ibrahim, who is heading CICT's efforts to establish ICT hubs in partnership with the private sector.

Quezon City, which already has BPO locators in areas like Eastwood City, is the latest to form an ICT council. Metro Manila, which comprises Quezon City and other cities like Makati and Mandaluyong, is considered as just one area or ICT hub. Ibrahim also cited the growing awareness about BPO in cities outside of the Metro Manila. He also noted increased enrollment in ICT-related courses in these areas.

The local BPO industry today generates estimated revenues of $5 billion and the industry is targeting to more than double that in less than three years. Call centers continue to be the biggest revenue contributor although there are non-call center investments as well, even in areas outside Metro Manila.

In Bacolod, for example, major US operator Convergys is opening a call center, the fourth operator to locate. The latest investments in Bacolod also include a software company, and BPO companies that handle services for medical billing and investment banking customers. "Total employment in Bacolod is expected to reach 6,000 by the end of the year. That should result to about P60 million to P90 million in new investments getting in Bacolod's local economy," Ibrahim said.

The 17 areas are as follows: Bacolod, Bacoor, Baguio, Batangas City, Cagayan de Oro, Cainta, Naga City, Cebu, Angeles, Davao, Dumaguete, Iloilo, Legazpi, Lipa, Manila, Sta. Rosa and Dagupan

Is this Misibis???
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k153/sixth2006/DSC00676.jpg

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k153/sixth2006/DSC00677.jpg

;21366800']This picture may not be as excellent as Sinjin's winning photo, Daragang Magayon (http://www.flickr.com/photos/itsmichaelsinjin/2491305285/), but it is still nonetheless a breathtaking sight. :D
]

Thanks for the special mention, Dex! I'm very much flattered. So, please allow me to post it in its full size if it hasn't been done yet. Later on, I'll also try to post my other Legazpi City photos (they're quite few :( )

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3074/2491305285_b0ceaa98fe_b.jpg

Mayon Volcano from Daraga, Albay
http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/7631/53174754qq2.jpg

http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/7667/a2pc1.jpg

^thanks for the lovely photos, sinj.

Meanwhile, great news from the Bicol Infrastructure and Development Thread:


:banana:

Finally our dream will come true now...Maoragon an Bicolano, padi!!! DPWH has finally started the much anticipated Bicol Diversion Road Project popularly known as GMA Highway that will run from San Fernando, Cam. Sur to Sorsogon to Matnog directly by-passing Cities of Naga, Iriga, Ligao and Legazpi. This 4-lane 100 plus kilometers unlimited superhighway will pass along the coastal road of Camarines and across the moutainous part of Albay. This will directly connected to Bicol International Airport which is under construction above the municipality of Daraga. Efforts will be done later to extend the highway to Matnog later.

This Diversion Road will be a 4 lane super highway divided highway but initially will be made 2 lanes asphalted and will run on a 30 meter right of way. Spur roads connecting towns are already been concreted so upon completion of this mega highway, this will serve as the backbone of all tourism and economic activities in Bicol and also Western Visayas in which volumes of regional vehicles are coming from.

Progress have already seen as I manage to check earlier this morning the section of the highway that crosses Ligao to Pioduran road in Brgy. Tula-Tula in Ligao City approximately 10 kilometers from this city. We'll they have started cutting the mountains and dumping those low lying areas. If you happen to stand by in this area, you will exaclty see how straight and wide this highway is based on the right of way. Wow!!!

That's true xp, I was refresh again after my frustration from NS Linkage.. he he he.. I will soon post the picture of the Highway and the Airport.. Bundok kasi and it's hard to reach pa. Gamit ko lang motor kanina papunta ng project.. Maputik nga eh.. he he he... Once you get there, very massive ang construction since they are cutting down the mountain and creating a slope. Very wide and plateau in comparison to the Maharlika Highway in Bicol. I think it's twice wider.

If you plan to go to Legazpi and ride on a plane, you will actually see the mountain being flatenned over the mountainous section of Daraga....

Guys, I saw green light again for the NSLinkage Project. We'll no more halt as the problem has resolved already. PNR is in fullswing again and we see completion early next year. It no more frustration... Im so happy... :banana:

^^ Future GMA Highway in Bicol ^^

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3269/2547651962_08bf22e087_o.jpg


Hope to see construction photos of this highway and the airport soon. :rock: Looks like Monsi's dream highway (or at least a small portion of it) may actually come true. hehe

^^wow, this is really a good news..
sa wakas mabibigyang pansin na rin ang Western Albay.
I hope the project would spur developments and opportunities along the areas of
Ligao, Pio Duran and hopefully the sleepy town of Jovellar and the rest of Albay and Bicol as a whole.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3074/2491305285_b0ceaa98fe_b.jpg

Last update 03-JUN-2008 10:00 GMT ( ) = yesterday's ranking
1. (1)
Ha Long Bay VIET NAM - Asia
2. (2)
Cox's Bazar, Beach BANGLADESH - Asia
3. (3)
Tubbataha Reef PHILIPPINES - Asia
4. (4)
Chocolate Hills PHILIPPINES - Asia
5. (5)
Ganges, River BANGLADESH/ INDIA - Asia
6. (8)
Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park PHILIPPINES - Asia
7. (6)
Mount Everest, Mountain NEPAL - Asia
8. (7)
Amazon River, River/Forest BOLIVIA/ BRAZIL/ COLOMBIA/ ECUADOR/ PERU/ VENEZUELA - South America
9. (9)
Mount Fuji, Mountain JAPAN - Asia
10. (10)
Mayon Volcano PHILIPPINES - Asia

Guys, anyone here can create a banner or badge that campaigns for Mayon Volcano in the New 7 Wonders of Nature using this photo?

hanggang kailan po ba ang voting???
sana makaabot pa.

hanggang kailan po ba ang voting???
sana makaabot pa.

http://www.new7wonders.com/file/inline/id/1636/art/600x/

Baad mawara o magbaba an ranking kun malingaw-lingawan an pagboto.

Siisay daw an Official Supporting Committee (http://www.new7wonders.com/nature/en/nomination/osc/) kan Mayon Volcano?

An sabi "IF YOUR NOMINEE DOES NOT HAVE AN OFFICIAL SUPPORTING COMMITTEE, IT WILL NOT BE ABLE TO BE SELECTED AS A FINALIST."

Dawa halangkaw an ranking kun mayong OSC sayang kan pagal ta. Siguro paaramon an DOT-Bicol, DOT-Albay o DOT-Legazpi manongod digdi.

Sayang ang effort natin jan..Dapat nga lahat ng entry ng Pinas supportahan natin....Base on the list Mt. Mayon is behind Mt. Fuji which is a long time rival of Mt. Mayon which considered by many that is more beautiful than the Japanese mountain...!!

you have to vote for one in each continent right?

Siisay daw an Official Supporting Committee (http://www.new7wonders.com/nature/en/nomination/osc/) kan Mayon Volcano?

An sabi "IF YOUR NOMINEE DOES NOT HAVE AN OFFICIAL SUPPORTING COMMITTEE, IT WILL NOT BE ABLE TO BE SELECTED AS A FINALIST."

Dawa halangkaw an ranking kun mayong OSC sayang kan pagal ta. Siguro paaramon an DOT-Bicol, DOT-Albay o DOT-Legazpi manongod digdi.

I think there is a supporting committee already in place. That's why Mayon reappeared on the nominee list after disappearing for some time. Anyway, it has been reported that the city and provincial government are both launching a 'massive' campaign for Mayon.

Meanwhile:

Arroyo makes surprise stop at Legazpi (http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/regions/view/20080603-140506/Arroyo-makes-surprise-stop-at-Legazpi)
By Joanna Los Baños, PDI

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines -- President Macapagal-Arroyo surprised officials and residents of this city when she arrived unannounced at about 7:30 a.m. Tuesday at the port of Legazpi en route to Manila reportedly after a trip to Samar, Masbate and a beach resort in Sorsogon province. A top Philippine Navy official, who said he was not authorized to speak about the trip, said Arroyo arrived at the Legazpi Port on the BRP Pangulo from a personal visit to a private resort in Sibucay, which he said is a place in Sorsogon along the San Bernardino Strait.

The official could not give further details as, he said, they were not earlier informed of the trip and were not required by the President to go to the resort. But he said Arroyo reportedly went diving. He said the Chief Executive came from Cataingan, Masbate and Samar to visit tourist spots. Arroyo stayed on the BRP Pangulo until about 10 a.m. and proceeded to the Legazpi Airport, where only a few government officials were present.

Legazpi City Mayor Noel E. Rosal, at whose wedding Arroyo stood sponsor, was the only local executive informed of her plan to take off from Legazpi City. Rosal said the President called him up and told him to wait at the airport departure area. He said Arroyo asked about his projects, which, he said, would be inaugurated sometime in October. Rosal said he invited the President to the occasion, to which, he said, she agreed to come. Also present to send off Arroyo were military and police officials.

Here's a recent article about upcoming developments in Legazpi

Major infrastructure projects up in Legaspi City (http://positivenewsmedia.net/am2/publish/Cities_And_Towns_23/Major_infrastructure_projects_up_in_Legaspi_City.shtml)

LEGAZPI CITY, April 4 (PNA) -- A number of high-financed infrastructure projects are in the pipeline for implementation by the city government of Legazpi to expedite the restoration and development of facilities damaged by the super typhoon in late 2006 and the constant perennial flood problem here. Mayor Noel Rosal lamented that although the city has recovered and bounced back from the natural calamities it had suffered, potential investors are still wary of the constant threat of natural calamities.

Thus, he said the city government of Legaspi and the provincial government have adopted disaster mitigation and control measures and resorted to putting up a mega dam project, among others, to control the perennial flooding during heavy rain. Rep. Al Francis Bichara of the second district of Albay and Albay Governor Joey Sarte Salceda concur to give financial support to the proposed mega dam project in the city government to solve the flooding problem.

The mayor is urging local businessmen and investors to continue their business ventures in the city. Mayor Rosal said another ongoing mega project is the Integrated Modern Bus terminal complex which is now under a Built-Operate-Transfer arrangement without any counterpart funds from the city government. It is estimated to cost some P120 million covering a total area of 3.45 hectares, with the main terminal building occupying 1,000 square meters. The project includes a passenger aircon van, jeepney , FX and bus terminal, waiting lounge complete with music and sounds, gift shops, food court, including other facilities such as modern rest rooms for both genders.

The mayor said an added much awaited mega venture in the city is the ongoing "Embarcadero" project located at the Legazpi boulevard facing Albay Gulf. It is envisioned to serve as a multi-purpose commercial and service center to include a mall, call center, restaurants, gift and souvenir shops aside from a lighthouse to guide seafarers in their travel particularly at night.

For golf enthusiasts and players, the full development of the Mayon Golf Course at Barangay Lidong located at the boundary between the Municipality of Sto. Domingo, Albay and the City of Legazpi will be an added project to watch. The mayor disclosed that a Malaysian investor was also interested to finance its development to make it a major site for national and international golf competitions in the country.

Meanwhile, the eco-tourism project that is expected to attract foreign and domestic tourists in the city is the ongoing development of the historical Ligñon hill situated at Barangay Bogtong, this city. A well-paved concrete road meanders to the top of the hill from its foot at the Lakandula Drive. The road is dotted on boths with gemilina and other typhoon-resistant shade trees including decorative flowering plants. A view deck and observatory are expected to be installed on the top of hill to enable the visitors to savor the invigorating and fresh air of its surroundings, enjoy the city's cinemascopic view and the majestic beauty and splendor of Mayon Volcano. The mayor said regulated commercial establishments will be allowed on the hill like restaurants, waiting lounge including restrooms for visitors and early morning physical fitness aficionados.

Moreover, the proposed Bicol museum to be constructed at the former Police Station at Albay District facing Peñaranda Park will be another mega project. The plan is to construct a seven-story edifice to be funded by the Spanish Government. Rosal revealed that the museum will be named after the Spanish Conquistador Don Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, adding that even though the Spanish conqueror founded the City of Manila, Legazpi is the only city in the country named after him.

From among these, the Lignon Hill Development could be finished by October, so that could be the project the mayor is referring to. :rock:

Is this Misibis???
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k153/sixth2006/DSC00676.jpg

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k153/sixth2006/DSC00677.jpg

Yes it is. From this pic, it looks kinda similar to Peninsula de Punta Fuego (http://www.puntafuego.com/), a high-end seaside residential community and resort in Batangas. Here's an aerial photo of Punta Fuego by Storm Crypt (http://flickr.com/photos/storm-crypt/).

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3166/2545082774_893d9b1cb4_o.jpg

^^hindi man lang nabanggit kung ano yung project na tinatanong ni PGMA.
Napapadalas ata xa sa Legazpi ah, hehehe

hope all those projects to be materialized soon

i guess Mayon reappeared because it was renominated.

i guess Mayon reappeared because it was renominated.

Mayon was delisted 2 months ago because:

“Mayon Volcano, which was ranked 21st a week ago was delisted by organizers for voting after entry requirements were clarified with the organizers, but is expected to be back online. Tubbataha, which was nominated by the Department of Tourism, was also delisted last week but got back online after resolving questions on requirements also raised by the organizers.”
Source (http://ourphil.blogspot.com/2008/04/by-obsessingpinoy-as-lot-of-online.html)

So I guess it's back because requirements have been met. Meanwhile:


Legazpi Mayor Calls for Support for Mayon (http://ourphil.blogspot.com/2008/05/legazpi-mayor-calls-for-support-for.html)
bayanihan dot org

Worldwide votes for Mayon Volcano, said to have the world's most perfect cone, for consideration in the "New7 Wonders of the World" list, is being solicited by Legazpi City Mayor Noel Rosal. "I am rallying Filipinos anywhere in the world to cast their votes for this ongoing search, said the Mayor of the Bicol region's prime city.

Foreigners who love the Philippines can also vote and "each vote will be considered a lifetime token of charity for the relief and comfort of the yet to recover victims of disasters brought on by this natural wonder," said Rosal. Rosal said winning a slot in "7Wonders" would boost the local tourism industry and redound to more employment, better livelihood and business opportunities, infrastructure development and enhanced government services for people displaced by the calamities.

"I am optimistic Mayon Volcano would make it to the finals. The city government is launching as soon as possible a massive awareness campaign in the locality and all over the country as well as reach out to Filipinos abroad for their votes," Rosal told reporters.

I still think it's a silly gimmick though. Obviously biased because it's a popularity contest. haha. I'm patriotic but I don't think it's fair to have four Philippine entries in the top ten. The world has thousands of wonders, we can't possibly condense them into a measly list of seven. Yung organizers nito ang masaya because of the huge traffic their site is getting. Pero ok lang :lol: sakyan na lang natin, it's still just another opportunity to promote the Philippines.

Philippines' bets fall in different categories so who knows. If Fuji and Mayon make it in the 21 finalists hehehe...

I would love to see at least only one of these four RP wonders. Four is too much. Of course, it would be more delighting if Mayon makes it; if not, it's all right.

^^wow, the nice banner of legazpi again...

;21430618']Yes it is. From this pic, it looks kinda similar to Peninsula de Punta Fuego (http://www.puntafuego.com/), a high-end seaside residential community and resort in Batangas. Here's an aerial photo of Punta Fuego by Storm Crypt (http://flickr.com/photos/storm-crypt/).

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3166/2545082774_893d9b1cb4_o.jpg


Punta Fuego's really beautiful, I've been there because my tita has a beach house there. It's really been developed and I guess it has come a long way. I hope Misibis would also improve it's infrastructure soon.

Read this to know more.. <a href="http://mickeyeva.multiply.com/journal/item/12">Summer Destinations</a>

Guys watch kaayo trip na trip, i pi feature ang Mayon hehe.
at last may media exposure na rin hehehehe

....

Dawn over the Albay Gulf (with the Sleeping Lion in the distance)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3102/2556058794_9e0e9a8dda_o.jpg
by rempleo
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/roepix/)

;21430072']

Meanwhile:
Arroyo makes surprise stop at Legazpi
By Joanna Los Baños, PDI

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines -- President Macapagal-Arroyo surprised officials and residents of this city when she arrived unannounced at about 7:30 a.m. Tuesday at the port of Legazpi en route to Manila reportedly after a trip to Samar, Masbate and a beach resort in Sorsogon province. A top Philippine Navy official, who said he was not authorized to speak about the trip, said Arroyo arrived at the Legazpi Port on the BRP Pangulo from a personal visit to a private resort in Sibucay, which he said is a place in Sorsogon along the San Bernardino Strait.

The official could not give further details as, he said, they were not earlier informed of the trip and were not required by the President to go to the resort. But he said Arroyo reportedly went diving. He said the Chief Executive came from Cataingan, Masbate and Samar to visit tourist spots. Arroyo stayed on the BRP Pangulo until about 10 a.m. and proceeded to the Legazpi Airport, where only a few government officials were present.

Legazpi City Mayor Noel E. Rosal, at whose wedding Arroyo stood sponsor, was the only local executive informed of her plan to take off from Legazpi City. Rosal said the President called him up and told him to wait at the airport departure area. He said Arroyo asked about his projects, which, he said, would be inaugurated sometime in October. Rosal said he invited the President to the occasion, to which, he said, she agreed to come. Also present to send off Arroyo were military and police officials.



oh... so this explains the deployed police and soldiers on legazpi city we saw during our visit...
i thought the city was under attack by some kind because there are so many of them like someone's going to announce martial law haha

;21374899'] Looks like Monsi's dream highway (or at least a small portion of it) may actually come true. hehe
^ Why, dreams do come true...
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/Legazpeep/SleepingLionRollerCoaster.jpg
^...here's another one...for the Sleeping Lion.

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/Legazpeep/DSC03984.jpg
^...yesterday afternoon, roof now being installed.

^haha, interesting suggestion - a roller coaster on top of the hill. I think a more feasible future project is a cable car system from the Albay Park and Wildlife to the Lignon Hill Viewing deck for visitors who cannot hike up Lignon. :okay:

last June 3, 2008
around 6am...
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k153/sixth2006/DSC01006.jpg

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k153/sixth2006/DSC01008.jpg

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k153/sixth2006/DSC01009.jpg

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k153/sixth2006/DSC01010.jpg

around 9am...
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k153/sixth2006/DSC01028.jpg

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k153/sixth2006/DSC01023.jpg

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k153/sixth2006/DSC01024.jpg

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k153/sixth2006/DSC01025.jpg

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k153/sixth2006/DSC01030.jpg

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k153/sixth2006/DSC01032.jpg

Wow! Legazpi port is looking busier by the day.

I remember in our old threads when embarcadero was still called sunwest wharf. They proposed a cable car from the ground level going on top of the sleeping lion hill. Was hoping that the continue with this proposal.

The roller coaster on top of the hill is actually not a bad idea. It will be the first of this kind in pinas if not in the world. It will be cheaper to build since not much structural scafoldings are needed to support the track but the ride will still give you one heck of a vertigo because of the height during the ride.

though sir Monsi advised me to abstain from internet surfing, here i am, still having fun. Review is going fine. I've got minimal problems by far and I really do need some break. So here's my break... heheh... i have some comments though (they're just comments so pls)...

1) roller coaster on the sleeping lion hill? - never heard of such thing before so it's gonna be really unique but i don't have much knowledge on stuff like this so I'd say, I need more details...

2) the cable car system from sleeping lion hill to lignon hill would be very lengthy (as far as my estimates are concerned) so that could mean it could be very expensive...

3) i have an idea, although not sure of this, I've seen on amazing race where some teams would be wearing a kite-like structure (i don't know if it's called "Glide" or something I forgot) and then they'd be running at the top of a hill, jump and glide... it feels like you're flying... heheh... this is just my idea though...

I actually like talking about our ideas for our city (and province) so let's keep doing it. :) heheh...

last June 3, 2008
around 6am...
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k153/sixth2006/DSC01006.jpg

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k153/sixth2006/DSC01008.jpg


To whom do these private planes belong? GMA's?

though sir Monsi advised me to abstain from internet surfing, here i am, still having fun. Review is going fine. I've got minimal problems by far and I really do need some break. So here's my break... heheh... i have some comments though (they're just comments so pls)...

1) roller coaster on the sleeping lion hill? - never heard of such thing before so it's gonna be really unique but i think it would also be difficult to build coz of the relatively uneven ground (not so sure of this coz im not an engineer so I could probably be wrong). Another thing, the roller coaster might destroy the beautiful view of the sleeping lion hill...

2) the cable car system from sleeping lion hill to lignon hill would be very lengthy (as far as my estimates are concerned) so that could mean it could be very expensive...

3) i have an idea, although not sure of this, I've seen on amazing race where some teams would be wearing a kite-like structure (i don't know if it's called "Glide" or something I forgot) and then they'd be running at the top of a hill, jump and glide... it feels like you're flying... heheh... this is just my idea though...

lol. I meant a cable car system from the Albay Park and Wildlife at the foot of Lignon to the viewing deck on top of Lignon hill. Not from Sleeping Lion to Lignon, that would be kinda ridiculous. :jk: :nocrook:

Good luck sa review!

^^Ah okay... kasi naman we're talking about Sleeping Lion, then you'd switch to Lignon... heheh... heheh, crazy mind... I'm sorry...

The new rector of UST is a Legazpeño. :righton:

University of Sto. Tomas to install new rector June 10 (http://www.gmanews.tv/story/99847/University-of-Sto-Tomas-to-install-new-rector-June-10)
GMANews.tv

MANILA, Philippines - When the school year starts on June 10, the University of Santo Tomas in Manila will formally install (in "traditional" rites) its 95th rector, Fr. Rolando dela Rosa. The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said representatives from both the Catholic Church and the government will attend the event, noting Dela Rosa had served in both areas.

It will be the second stint for Dela Rosa as UST rector. Dela Rosa, 54, first served as UST rector from 1990 to 1998. He also served as Commission on Higher Education (CHED) chairman in 2004. Highlighting the installation rites will be a Misa de Apertura, the traditional opening mass.

De la Rosa was born on June 27, 1953, in Legazpi City. He completed his basic education at the Aquinas University in Rawis, Legazpi City. He studied AB Philosophy and graduated Magna cum Laude from the Dominican House of Studies. He graduated Magna cum Laude from the UST with a degree in Bachelor of Sacred Theology in 1980. He was ordained into the Dominican Order in April 3, 1982.

During his first term as UST rector, he became president of the Association of Catholic Universities of the Philippines and the International Association of Universities of St. Thomas. In 1995 he established and headed the Network of Dominican schools, colleges and universities in the Philippines, more popularly known as DOMNET, which now has a total membership of over 100 schools.

He chaired the Organizing Committee of the International Youth Forum for the World Youth Day in January 1995 hosted by the UST. In 2004, President Arroyo appointed him to head the CHED. When he returned to the academe, he went back to serve UST in various capacities: as Assistant to the Rector for Research and Development and later, as Vice Rector for Finance.

;21488922']^haha, interesting suggestion - a roller coaster on top of the hill. I think a more feasible future project is a cable car system from the Albay Park and Wildlife to the Lignon Hill Viewing deck for visitors who cannot hike up Lignon. :okay:

i dont think it's possible. It would be an airport hazard.

i dont think it's possible. It would be an airport hazard.

Well, it doesn't have to be too close to the airport to become a hazard. hehe. :D Besides, if not a cable car system, a funicular railway (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Funicular) running up the side of the hill is also possible. Anyway, it's only a suggestion and anything is possible for those who think long-term. :okay:

tp7q6qTCcb0
epCLRb-w2_s
^...just days apart...

...The roller coaster on top of the hill is actually not a bad idea. It will be the first of this kind in pinas if not in the world. It will be cheaper to build since not much structural scafoldings are needed to support the track but the ride will still give you one heck of a vertigo because of the height during the ride.
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/Legazpeep/SleepingLionRollerCoaster.jpg
...Yeah, and it will be a crowd-drawer. Here's another one...
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/Legazpeep/BurjAlbai.jpg
^Our answer to Burj Al Arab...(I wish I were a CAD professional!)

last June 3, 2008
around 6am...
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k153/sixth2006/DSC01006.jpg
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k153/sixth2006/DSC01008.jpg
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k153/sixth2006/DSC01009.jpg
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k153/sixth2006/DSC01010.jpg

^...ATO employees do not realize it but they have the best job in the world!

4 RP sites in Top 10 in ‘Nature’s Wonders’ search
By Aurea Calica
Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Four of the country’s top tourist spots have made it to the Top 10 list in the worldwide search for the “Seven Wonders of Nature.”

Senators Pia Cayetano and Richard Gordon attributed the latest development to the “online power” of Filipinos.

As of yesterday, Tubbataha Reef in Palawan was in second place, followed by Chocolate Hills in Bohol (fourth place), Puerto Princesa Subterranean River, also in Palawan (sixth) and Mayon Volcano in Bicol (10th).

Only Tubbataha Reef and Chocolate Hills were previously in the Top 10.

Cayetano hailed Filipinos here and abroad for taking time to go online and acknowledged the critical role played by local governments, environmentalists and non-government organizations in encouraging more Filipinos and even foreigners to vote for the Philippine nominees.

“I hope this strong show of support is reflective of a deeper appreciation of our responsibilities as a people not only to promote, but also to save our natural resources from various threats,” said Cayetano, chairperson of the Senate committee on environment and natural resources.

For his part, Gordon said “this is one contest where Filipinos all around the world can participate in and where victory is practically assured.”

Others in the Top 10 led by first placer Ha Long Bay of Vietnam are: 3. Cox’s Bazaar, Beach (Bangladesh – Asia), 5. Ganges River (Bangladesh/India – Asia), 7. Mount Everest (Nepal – Asia), 8. Amazon River/Forest (Bolivia/Brazil/Colombia/Ecuador/Peru/Venezuela – South America), and 9. Mount Fuji (Japan – Asia).

The search for the Seven Wonders of Nature is organized by the non-profit New Seven Wonders Foundation, which also undertook the “New Seven Wonders of the World” search last year.

The aim of the search is to create public awareness and contribute to the protection of the world’s natural heritage and foster respect for cultural diversity.

The list of nominees and the mechanics for voting are posted on the poll’s official website www.new7wonders.com while the live rankings can be viewed at http://www.new7wonders.com/nature/en/liveranking.

Filipinos can still vote online for the Philippine bets until Dec. 31, after which the Top 77 nominees will be submitted to a panel of experts that will put together a shortlist of 21 finalists by January 2009.

A second round of popular voting for the 21 finalists will then follow until the end of 2009, with the Top Seven nominees being officially declared the new “Seven Wonders of Nature” by year 2010.

Gordon said this would be one way to help speed up the growth of Philippine tourism, which could provide people with the means to raise them out of poverty and give them back their pride.

“We can beg oil and power companies for lower prices all day or argue for the scrapping of taxes, but the real solution for our people’s consumer price woes is to focus on creating more income earning opportunities. Tourism has the capacity to provide such a wealth of opportunities directly to our countrymen and we’ve seen many times over that where tourism advances, poverty retreats,” Gordon said.

Gordon also underscored the importance of ensuring the passage of his Tourism Bill, which along with the establishment of Tourism Enterprise Zones throughout the country, would also provide funding support and incentives for the development of tourism related industries.

“Along with the enactment of the tourism bill, we must revive efforts to open the NAIA (Ninoy Aquino International Airport) Terminal 3 as well as ensure funding support for the upgrading of our country’s airports. Particular attention must be given to provinces like Palawan, especially now that it has caught the world’s eye through the 7 Wonders Campaign,” Gordon said.

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k153/sixth2006/DSC01093-1.jpg

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k153/sixth2006/DSC01092-1.jpg

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k153/sixth2006/DSC01091-1.jpg

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k153/sixth2006/DSC01091-1.jpg
^Hah! Sixtus...I'd been meaning to shoot that tree... here you did it inside the campus...

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/Legazpeep/Tiwibeachfacingopenocean.jpg
^...beach in Tiwi facing the open ocean (Lagonoy Gulf) late this afternoon.

^Hah! Sixtus...I'd been meaning to shoot that tree... here you did it inside the campus...

You just have to ask permission from Guard Boyet. hehehe.
Yung ibang security guards ng Santa Ines... ay mga bago.
As far as I remember, Guard Boyet is on-post since my grade school years
(or even my nursery/kinder/prep years...
still have to check the service record of Guard Boyet).

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k153/sixth2006/DSC01085-1.jpg
^^used to be one-floor building... Mr. Llagas taught us how to make a wooden folding chair; also, drawing/drafting/lettering.
now...second floor is being occupied by students with piano/violin/guitar lessons under Mrs. Kallos.

^hmm, bago na palan ang piano room/music room. hehe. used to be that dark and gloomy room at the back of the GS building beside the kindergarten playground - supposedly haunted. :lol:

i like that beachscape in Tiwi. the sand may be jet black but it's clean and very fine. :okay:

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/Legazpeep/Tiwibeachfacingopenocean.jpg
^...beach in Tiwi facing the open ocean (Lagonoy Gulf) late this afternoon.

You know it just occured to me. When I was a Kid I used to think that black sand beaches are the common and not so desirable beaches.

Ends up... Black sand beaches are actually rare and exotic. Everytime I read articles about our black sand beaches and how amazed they are why its black... reminds me of my amazement every time I see a white sand beach when I was a kid. I guess its because every time we go for summer escapades we always see Black sand beaches of bacacay and sto. domingo. That is whhy we tend to get the notion that black sand beaches are the typical beaches, or is it just me.

We are actually the lucky ones, hahaha. Good to see that Sto. Domingo beaches are taking advantage of this rarity and making at par beach resorts that are comfortable and clean.

sorry double post.

^^yeah eastern coast of Albay really has those fine beaches though they're not white.
i remember whenever we had a family reunion we used to go to a resorts along Sto. Domingo and Bacacay and we really had fun then.

Maligayang ika-110 Araw ng Kalayaan!
Happy 49th Charter Day, Legazpi!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3186/2569512862_eed2445a2c.jpg
by marbleplaty (http://flickr.com/photos/marbleplaty/)

You know it just occured to me. When I was a Kid I used to think that black sand beaches are the common and not so desirable beaches.

Ends up... Black sand beaches are actually rare and exotic. Everytime I read articles about our black sand beaches and how amazed they are why its black... reminds me of my amazement every time I see a white sand beach when I was a kid. I guess its because every time we go for summer escapades we always see Black sand beaches of bacacay and sto. domingo. That is whhy we tend to get the notion that black sand beaches are the typical beaches, or is it just me.

We are actually the lucky ones, hahaha. Good to see that Sto. Domingo beaches are taking advantage of this rarity and making at par beach resorts that are comfortable and clean.

Yep, that was my perception too. but black sand beaches are actually exotic and less common. (and black sand is touted to have therapeutic properties too, they say :lol:) other black sand beaches of the world are located in Hawaii (http://flickr.com/search/?q=black+sand+beach+hawaii) and Iceland (http://flickr.com/search/?w=all&q=black+sand+beach+iceland&m=text)- both volcanic in origin. click the links and check out the pics. they certainly look very familiar for us who grew up frolicking in eastern Albay's beaches. hehe

After the recent update, the following towns and one city in Albay joins Legazpi, Daraga, Tabaco, Bacacay, Malilipot and Sto. Domingo in having high-resolution satellite images in Google Earth.

Ligao City
http://img505.imageshack.us/img505/9007/ligao2007yq0.jpg

Ligao close-up
http://img507.imageshack.us/img507/1377/ligao2005mu8.jpg

Guinobatan
http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/1633/guinobatan2007kn2.jpg

Oas
http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/4528/oas2005wx3.jpg

Tiwi
http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/9478/tiwi2007fn5.jpg

Manito
http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/6218/manito2007dm1.jpg

Malinao
http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/8682/malinao2007df7.jpg

Jovellar
http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/8136/jovellar2007pk6.jpg

Hey, inaaspalto na pala ngayon yung washington drive.! Just noticed it kanina when I roamed around the city taking the letter "B" jeepney... Anyway, happy independence day nga pala sa mga kapwa pinoy ko jan! hehe...:cheers:

Libon as well has high-resolution image.

Libon as well has high-resolution image.

Ok thanks! I overlooked because I couldn't identify Libon, Google's place names/labels aren't accurate :(
Here's Libon, I verified it by checking the geographical coordinates :D

http://img224.imageshack.us/img224/6144/libon2005dn5.jpg

as well as Camalig and some parts of Polangui..so only Rapu Rapu and Pio Duran have no hi-res.

i'm so interseted to see how Pio Duran looks like...

now there's Libon hehehe thanks Dex....

as well as Camalig and some parts of Polangui..so only Rapu Rapu and Pio Duran have no hi-res.

i'm so interseted to see how Pio Duran looks like...

Camalig is covered with clouds, hehe, but the church is visible. :okay:

Meanwhile, news for travellers:

Cebu Pacific to shift to all-inclusive fare format starting June 12 (http://positivenewsmedia.net/am2/publish/Tourism_24/CEB_to_shift_to_all-inclusive_fare_format_starting_June_12.shtml)
by Lynda B. Valencia

MANILA, June 12 (PNA) -- Starting June 12, Cebu Pacific (CEB)of the Gokongwei's, will reduce its domestic fares permanently by as much as 32 percent to encourage more people to fly amid rising fuel prices. Candice Iyog, CEB vice president for marketing said this includes the fuel and insurance surcharge, aviation security fee and 12 percent VAT.

Iyog said the ‘all-in’ pricing format is introduced with a seat sale across CEB’s domestic network, adding, the promotional offer will run from June 12 to 17, 2008 and is valid for travel on July 1 to October 15, 2008. "There are more than half a million seats allocated for this promotion, Iyog said.

‘All-in’ fares for short sectors such as Manila-Legaspi are at P699 one-way while a one-way Manila-Cebu flight would cost P999 and a Manila-Davao sector would cost only P1,499 during the seat sale. At seat sale levels, these reduction represent savings of up to 56 percent over today’s rate, Iyog added. CEB is shifting to an ‘all-in’ pricing format so passengers will immediately know the total amount they need to pay and can easily compare CEB fares with other modes of transportation including ferries and buses, Iyog said. After the seat sale, the one-way Manila-Davao would cost P2,499 ‘all-in’ while a one-way Manila-Cebu is sold at P1,499 while Manila-Legaspi, one-way is P999.

“We would like to continue domestic tourism’s growth momentum by introducing reduced all-in fares. We want to assure the public that CEB will do everything possible to keep air fares down because this is also good for the economy,” Iyog said. Iyog also added that they are doing this to respond to the public’s desire for a more transparent and simple communication of fares.

“We really hope that this new move is deemed as a positive change in the industry and we encourage other airlines to do the same,” Iyog emphasized CEB has a fleet of 10 A319s, eight A320s, and two ATR 72-500 aircraft. The airline flies to 16 international destinations with the addition of Kota Kinabalu next month. It will also add Tuguegarao and Naga, in its domestic network this June and San Jose (Mindoro) next month.

Hotel and resort chain to open high-end resort in Albay
BY RAOUL J. CHEE KEE

There is much to look forward to at a Filipino-owned hotel and resort chain this year. Aside from the construction of a new lobby and the continuous fine-tuning of its amenities and facilities, Discovery Suites in Ortigas will have a new "sibling" by August when Discovery Bay on Misibis Island, Albay begins receiving its first guests.

This was revealed to BusinessWorld by Bobby R. Horrigan, Vice President and General Manager of HSAI-Raintree, the hospitality management firm behind Discovery Suites, Country Suites in Tagaytay and Discovery Shores in Boracay.

During the interview, he said that even before the August 8 opening, Discovery Bay, the five-hectare property to be managed by HSAI-Raintree, had already been made a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH). Its elder sibling, Discovery Shores is also part of the SLH.

An accrediting SLH member visited the island resort recently and is supposed to have remarked that it was even more luxurious than Discovery Shores. And how could it not be?

"The company has already purchased two submarines (submersibles) that will give resort guests the chance to peer at the lush sea life of the Pacific Ocean," Mr. Horrigan said, "while the resort’s two helicopters will be used to fly to the lip of Mayon Volcano to give visitors a bird’s eye view."

He added that unlike Boracay that caters more to the party crowd, Albay is bound to attract eco-tourists and those who prefer nature and adventure.

Other activities and facilities planned at Discovery Bay include horseback-riding around the island and the setting up of a petting zoo. Incidentally, HSAI-Raintree will reopen Venezia, a refurbished city hotel in Legaspi, also in Albay, on June 15.

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/Legazpeep/Tiwibeachfacingopenocean.jpg
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/Legazpeep/DSC04127.jpg
^Same beach (Barangay Bolo, Tiwi), looking southeast...

btw, the new LCC Supermarket along Alternate Rd. opened this week.

Why is the sea in the west?

Why is the sea in the west?

;21657655']

Manito
http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/6218/manito2007dm1.jpg


Here's a zoomed out view of the Albay Gulf para mas clear :okay:. Manito is located directly east of Legazpi across the gulf.

http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/9/albaygulf2nw7.jpg

^^kaya pala anlayo2x ng Manito... it's 40 kms to the south of Legazpi... Tabaco, on the other hand, is around 26 kms to the north...

^^so mas mabilis ang byahe ng Legazpi-Manito kapag bangka ang ginamit?
Kaso wala naman atang na pa ply ng ganitong route diba.

Hope to see Manito expand as it's neighboring Sorsogon City grows fast.

may road na ba connecting Manito to Sorsogon?

i think so, i've checked the website of Manito and it says that a road
from this town leading to Bacon Dist. has been opened. im just not sure if this is really materialized.

Ah now I understand. Thanks, Dex. I honestly wanted to find it out myself. Nalingaw lang ako, Hahaha!

i think so, i've checked the website of Manito and it says that a road
from this town leading to Bacon Dist. has been opened. im just not sure if this is really materialized.

I think it will really take a lot of time before Manito really progresses... there may be a road connection b/w Manito and Bacon but we must also remember that Bacon was once a small town before it was ceded to Sorsogon...

^^siguro nga. What i read on it's website that Manito was once one of the richest settlement but was later left behind by it's neighboring towns. I just hope that power plant something which is said to be the largest single investment in Albay ever to push thru. It can be a great help for the town.

some random shots from early this morning

the new branch of LCC Supermarket along Alt Road opened last June 10
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a346/psychosanctum/Image271-2.jpg

Ibalong Centrum is being renovated, a new roof is being installed, see here from the parking area of Pacific Mall
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a346/psychosanctum/Image268.jpg

(right) a new building in Landco Business Park, still keeping with the theme of the park (arcaded facade with balconies, mezzanine levels, same color scheme)
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a346/psychosanctum/Image267.jpg http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a346/psychosanctum/Image269.jpg
(left)
a distinctive spanish-mediterranean inspired building right beside Pacific Mall

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3269/2574245560_97129629ff_b.jpg
by crendpt (http://www.flickr.com/photos/10667124@N04/)

^^LCC Supermarket looks so refreshing...

Buti at naisipan din nilang ayusin yung bubong ng ICR, sana
maging functional ulit ito tulad ng Albay Astrodome.

^^LCC Supermarket looks so refreshing...

Buti at naisipan din nilang ayusin yung bubong ng ICR, sana
maging functional ulit ito tulad ng Albay Astrodome.

^^LCC Supermarket looks so refreshing...


yup, and it's strategically located too, just a few hundred meters away from several residential subdivisions and the future integrated terminal. it's good they changed the logo. hehe. the new one is much better.

Buti at naisipan din nilang ayusin yung bubong ng ICR, sana
maging functional ulit ito tulad ng Albay Astrodome.

yeah, sayang kasi kung hindi maayos, white elephant sya.

Meanwhile, some minor projects from other towns in Albay: Here's an apartment building being built in Guinobatan

http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/7153/perpectve01vo0.jpg http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/2805/ramistownhouse031gr9.jpg

For more information, click here (http://www.sulit.com.ph/index.php/view+classifieds/id/470712/First+Condo+in+Guinobatan+Albay).

^^kala ko nga hindi na mapapansin yung ICR hehehe. napaka memorable
pa naman nyan sakin hehehe...

^^kapag naging succesful ang LCC dyan sure it will attract more investors to put up their businesses along the vicinity

a nice project for Guinobatan :p

^^kala ko nga hindi na mapapansin yung ICR hehehe. napaka memorable
pa naman nyan sakin hehehe...

^^kapag naging succesful ang LCC dyan sure it will attract more investors to put up their businesses along the vicinity

Actually, the Alternate Road is very attractive to investors. Magandang area. I hope maayos nila drainage sa Legazpi. Haizzz.

as well as Camalig and some parts of Polangui..so only Rapu Rapu and Pio Duran have no hi-res.

i'm so interseted to see how Pio Duran looks like...


Hi guys, it's been a long time (april was my last post) though i always read your thread, like i said before, interesting kasi. .

I'm from Miligan, Pioduran and sadly i have to re-sched my annual holiday but i have some pix of Pioduran coastal areas from my friends.

Now, would someone be a darling and pm me how to post pix. :bash:

Now, would someone be a darling and pm me how to post pix. :bash:

Hi there! Please read this --> How to post photos in SSC (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=458527).

Actually, the Alternate Road is very attractive to investors. Magandang area. I hope maayos nila drainage sa Legazpi. Haizzz.

Dapat lang pagtuunan ng pansin yung drainage system, very frequent na ang
pagbaha dyan sa Legazpi even sa centro hindi na nakaligtas sa floods...

Hi guys, it's been a long time (april was my last post) though i always read your thread, like i said before, interesting kasi. .

I'm from Miligan, Pioduran and sadly i have to re-sched my annual holiday but i have some pix of Pioduran coastal areas from my friends.

i'm looking forward to your pix,:D

Hotel and resort chain to open high-end resort in Albay
BY RAOUL J. CHEE KEE

There is much to look forward to at a Filipino-owned hotel and resort chain this year. Aside from the construction of a new lobby and the continuous fine-tuning of its amenities and facilities, Discovery Suites in Ortigas will have a new "sibling" by August when Discovery Bay on Misibis Island, Albay begins receiving its first guests.

This was revealed to BusinessWorld by Bobby R. Horrigan, Vice President and General Manager of HSAI-Raintree, the hospitality management firm behind Discovery Suites, Country Suites in Tagaytay and Discovery Shores in Boracay.

During the interview, he said that even before the August 8 opening, Discovery Bay, the five-hectare property to be managed by HSAI-Raintree, had already been made a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH). Its elder sibling, Discovery Shores is also part of the SLH.

An accrediting SLH member visited the island resort recently and is supposed to have remarked that it was even more luxurious than Discovery Shores. And how could it not be?

"The company has already purchased two submarines (submersibles) that will give resort guests the chance to peer at the lush sea life of the Pacific Ocean," Mr. Horrigan said, "while the resort’s two helicopters will be used to fly to the lip of Mayon Volcano to give visitors a bird’s eye view."

He added that unlike Boracay that caters more to the party crowd, Albay is bound to attract eco-tourists and those who prefer nature and adventure.

Other activities and facilities planned at Discovery Bay include horseback-riding around the island and the setting up of a petting zoo. Incidentally, HSAI-Raintree will reopen Venezia, a refurbished city hotel in Legaspi, also in Albay, on June 15.

HSAI-Raintree will also manage the Embarcadero according to this (http://www.philstar.com/archives.php?&aid=2008042017&type=2&).

View of Mayon (and part of Mt. Malinao) from Tabaco Bay
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2212/2586085956_6b062fe19a_b.jpg

Mayon's 'backside' (if you are in Legazpi) hehe
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3053/2586068708_f7398931cb_b.jpg

Photos by Jun's Box (http://flickr.com/photos/javaa/)

;21805218']HSAI-Raintree will also manage the Embarcadero according to this (http://www.philstar.com/archives.php?&aid=2008042017&type=2&).

so we're expecting Embarcadero to be like a mini Fisherman's Wharf etc...
because it is being managed by HSAI_Raintree

Co is unstoppable!!! more power to her:)

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/02/Ph_locator_albay_pio_duran.png

http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/9508/picture201405jx8.jpg

The first settlers of Pioduran called the place Panganiran, a muslim word which literally mean the land of “No Return” or the “Land of the Setting Sun”. When the place became a sitio of Malidong, then a barrio of Guinobatan, it was called Malacbalac, reflective of a charitable and hard working people.

House Bill No. 5355, an act creating the municipality of Pioduran in the Province of Albay, gave birth to the youngest town in Albay on June 22, 1963 under the late Congresswoman Josefina Duran in memory of the late husband Congressman Pio Duran by whom the town was named after. However, it was only on March 13, 1964 that the town was formally organized with the appointment of its first set of local officials.


Pio Duran is politically subdivided into 33 barangays.
Agol
Alabangpuro
Basicao Coastal
Basicao Interior
Banawan (Binawan)
Binodegahan
Buenavista
Buyo
Caratagan
Cuyaoyao
Flores Lawinon
Macasitas
Malapay
Malidong
Mamlad
Marigondon
Matanglad
Nablangbulod
Oringon
Palapas
Panganiran Barangay I (Pob.)
Barangay II (Pob.)
Barangay III (Pob.)
Barangay IV (Pob.)
Barangay V (Pob.)
Rawis
Salvacion
Santo Cristo
Sukip
Tibabo
La Medalla
Access to this town is via Guinobatan though a coastal road is being plan to link Pio Duran to other towns.

Lazy Day at the Port
http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/3206/img8847fe5.jpg

Pioduran Greeneries
http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/9153/img8824qp9.jpg

Maonon, Ligao, Albay (next Barrio from Miligan)
http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/17/93641947kw9.jpg

Near Punta, Miligan
http://img371.imageshack.us/img371/3962/90364899va8.jpg

Pioduran Sunset
http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/3272/picture201326if6.jpg

Near Miligan

http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/7138/34387167wm9.jpg http://images.multiply.com//common/dot_clear.gif

http://img363.imageshack.us/img363/2605/img8901fe4jz6.jpg

http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/1888/img8917kc2gt9.jpg
Up north is actually the more "remote" parts of Pioduran coastline. I intend to post all the pix in one big block on my first try, but as you can see i need "idiot's guide" on how to do it, tuloy umabot sa 3 ang post ko, shame on me.


BTW, going to Marigondon, Nipa Beach, Basicao Coastal, Miligan and Ligao Coastal Areas from Pioduran, you can take jeepney or banca (if you want to have a glimpse of Butandings) or take a jeepney if you're from Ligao 2-3 hours travel time depends on how many stops along the way.

Ganda pala ng Pio Duran!!!! :)

thanks tagamiligan for the pics:p

finally nakita ko rin ang Pio Duran, very nice coastline, still untouched.

i Hope that the GMA Highway would be done asap.

thanks tagamiligan for the pics:p

finally nakita ko rin ang Pio Duran, very nice coastline, still untouched.

I do hope that the so-called 'progress' will not harm the natural bio diversity of the place. Pioduran Coastal areas especially Nipa Beach, Miligan, Basicao, Malidong has a great flora and fauna. Sobrang laid back ang buhay dito.

Ganda pala ng Pio Duran!!!! :)


yup, @Mond87, relaxing pa. i miss the place


:cheers:

^thank you for the pics, @TagaMiligan!

Meanwhile, some aerial photos of Legazpi City

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2025/2586762709_b5d0eeb721_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3064/2586762789_d6af31eae6_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3193/2587597276_7baaa8aaa0_o.jpg

by lensalde (http://www.flickr.com/photos/20920242@N06/)

$4 million windmill project to rise in Albay
By Rhaydz B. Barcia

LEGAZPI CITY --- A $4 million windmill project will soon rise in Albay province courtesy of a California-based Filipino-American businessman, the largest single investment that will provide clean energy resources in Cagraray Island, Bacacay town.

This is another milestone energy project that will place the province along the mainstream of clean energy providers in the country after Filipino-American businessman Larry Asera, one of the biggest windmill and solar distributors in California, USA proposed to establish a wind energy system in Bgy. Misibis, Cagraray Island, Bacacay, Albay.

It will be established within the P500-million Misibis Resort and Spa owned by Bicolano business tycoon Elizaldy “Zaldy” S. Co, president of the Sunwestville Realty and Development Corporation, one of the most reputable property developers in the region.

“This is the first green hotel and resort in the Philippines with clean energy resource,” Asera said referring to Co’s resort and hotel.

Asera flew to this city along with his American consultant following the invitation of Co.

Asera and Co agreed on a joint energy venture in anticipation of the wrosening energy crisis beyond 2010.

The Misibis Residential Resort and Spa boasts of exclusive residences with five-star amenities on a 20-hectare property of powdery white sand located in Cagraray Island.

Cagraray Island is considered as the historical jewel of Bicol because of archaeological relics that were found there between 1879 and 1881 by Juan Alvarez Guevara.

According to the archaeological findings, sacred burial jars were found in two of at least 28 caves in the island and local historians suggested that these archaeological evidences could prove that Cagraray Island was the cradle of Bicolano civilization about 200,000 to 300,000 years ago.

Asera said they expect completion of the project by October this year.

Co told Bicol Mail that the project adheres to the principle of creating balance between development and care for the environment.

Co has pioneered the hydro power plant projects in Albay, Antique and in the island province of Catanduanes, but the latter being opposed by Catanduanes Gov. Joseph Cua.

He said the islands of Cagraray and Rapu-Rapu, both in Albay, and the island province of Catanduanes have been identified by the Philippines Wind Atlas and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) as having potential for wind energy sources.

“The installation of wind turbines in the islands of Cagraray, Rapu-Rapu and Catanduanes will provide sustained renewable power resources,” Co said.

Legazpi peace and order council named country’s best
By Florencio P. Narito

LEGAZPI CITY – The selection committee of the National Police Commission (Napolcom) has chosen the Legazpi City Peace and Order Council as the country’s best city peace and order council (CPOC) under the component city category for 2006.

Mayor Noel E. Rosal, Chairman of the Legazpi City POC, said that he had received a reliable repost from Napolcom Central Office that the Legazpi City POC had bested other component city POCs nationwide.

However, Director Pedro Maganon of the Napolcom Bicol regional office said in a telephone interview with this reporter that he had not yet received any official communication on the result of the nationwide search for the best city peace and order council.

In a press statement, City Mayor Rosal said that “the prestigious national award is a fitting recognition of the efficiency, effectiveness and responsiveness of the City Government of Legazpi in the relentless pursuit of the local government’s mandate of promoting peace and order and ensuring public safety among the citizenry in its territorial domain.”

Rosal said that this was the first time under his administration that Legazpi City had won the top national award. He added that Legazpi City had bested Laoag City, its closest national contender including four other equally deserving cities in the country.

Rosal further said that the first time the City of Legazpi had won the much-coveted award was in 1999 when the late Mayor Imelda C. Roces was still the chief executive of the city.

For her efforts in maintaining peace and order in her city, Mayor Roces was later appointed by the President as Napolcom Vice Chairman and Executive Director.

Legazpi City was able to win the award as the best city peace and order council component city category despite the fact the city had been devastated by super Typhoon Reming on Nov. 30, 2006.

Rosal has enjoined the five pillars of the criminal justice system, namely, the police, prosecution, judiciary, correctional institution and the community, to rally behind his administration to make Legazpi City a Peaceful place to live in.

Chamber asks city to void
lease contract with LCC
By Florencio P. Narito

LEGAZPI CITY – The Albay Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has passed a resolution requesting the City Government of Legazpi to rescind the lease contract entered into by and between the city government and Liberty Commercial Center (LCC) for the use of the government lot where the old public market was located before it was burned.

On motion of Leopoldo Andal and seconded by Carlos Los Baños, a resolution was passed urging the City Government of Legazpi for the immediate take-over of the leased property located along Rizal St. and Quezon Ave. because the lease (LCC) had violated Article 11 Section 3 of the contract which stipulated that the lessee had agreed to constract a commercial complex or mall within 20 months upon notice to proceed.

The lease contract was signed on March 7, 1997. After 11 years, however, LCC has not constructed any commercial complex in the site of the old public market.

According to the ACCI officials, the city government property is an eyesore to residence and the visitors to the city. Besides, the city government has been deprived of much-needed revenues because of the non-development of the said property.

“If the lease contract is cancelled, the city government can developed this leased property into a more presentable and productive venture thus creating more job opportunities and more revenues for the city,” said.

Chamber asks city to void
lease contract with LCC
By Florencio P. Narito

LEGAZPI CITY – The Albay Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has passed a resolution requesting the City Government of Legazpi to rescind the lease contract entered into by and between the city government and Liberty Commercial Center (LCC) for the use of the government lot where the old public market was located before it was burned.

On motion of Leopoldo Andal and seconded by Carlos Los Baños, a resolution was passed urging the City Government of Legazpi for the immediate take-over of the leased property located along Rizal St. and Quezon Ave. because the lease (LCC) had violated Article 11 Section 3 of the contract which stipulated that the lessee had agreed to constract a commercial complex or mall within 20 months upon notice to proceed.

The lease contract was signed on March 7, 1997. After 11 years, however, LCC has not constructed any commercial complex in the site of the old public market.

According to the ACCI officials, the city government property is an eyesore to residence and the visitors to the city. Besides, the city government has been deprived of much-needed revenues because of the non-development of the said property.

“If the lease contract is cancelled, the city government can developed this leased property into a more presentable and productive venture thus creating more job opportunities and more revenues for the city,” said.

They should have done this a long time ago. This was a strategy by LCC so that competitors would not be able to penetrate legazpi. There was a bidding around late 90's after the public market caught fire, Robinson's, SM, and other Big manila players bidded to develop the lot.... but apparently LCC won the bidiing with all the public'c eyebrows raised. Apparently people said that there were under the table transactions just to make sure that the Manila Big Boys gets blocked.

We can see it two ways. I think if LCC didn't block off the manila boys, it would been a dead business by now and we wont have a Locally grown retail giant that we can be proud of. But it was also a detriment to the economy of Legazpi cause it would have been generating income if a mall was built there much earlier.

So I think its high time now that LCC gave it up if they don't really intend to develop it. I guess get Elizaldy Co to develop it, he is more pro active and I can see he a more aggressive and creative tycoon with real concerns for the environment and sustainable business ventures.

^^finally, napansin din yung vacant area sa old public market..let's see
what's gonna happen next...

^^thanks for all those good news gcdelapaz,,

UN specialists assess rehab efforts in Albay
by CT Amo

Legazpi City (20 June) -- Top United Nation disaster specialists came over here on Monday, June 16 to discuss ways to help victims of natural disasters who are still staying at temporary holding areas aswell as government agencies and local government units to speed up rehab effortsin the province of Albay.

Andrew Macleod, who has been the UN point man in many relief operations following many natural disasters around the world, called on the various government agencies in Bicol to coordinate possible UN funding for those who were left homeless by the two strong typhoons (Milenyo and Reming) that hit Bicol in 2006.

Macleod said that he was sent to the Philippines to support the on-going recovery efforts as well as to help in disaster preparedness which the provincial authorities will have to implement in the second semester of the year when typhoons regularly batter the Bicol region.

At the emergency meeting held at the Department of Social Welfare and Development(DSWD) regional office here, Macleod elicited feedbacks from the representatives of the different government agencies on the status of the rehabilitation efforts for those affected by typhoon "Reming" which devastated Albay as well as its neighboring provinces Sorsogon, Catanduanes, and Camarines Sur.

In attendance at the meeting were the heads of the various stakeholder agencies including the police and military as well as the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

Macleod said the UN has a standing initial funding of $2 million which could be used for the putting up of core shelters for some 6,764 families who are still staying at temporary shelters, concreting of flooring in some evacuation centers, provision for sanitation and potable water, among others.

Macleod also welcome suggestions to fast-track the rehab efforts in coordination with local units. (PIA)

Guinobatan LGU is best farmers' info and techno service center
By Mike dela Rama

LEGAZPI CITY, June 20 (PNA) - The local government of Guinobatan, Albay has been adjudged as the Best Farmers' Information and Technology Service (FITS) center in Bicol region for their exemplary performance in promoting the Techno-Gabay Program (TGP).

The FITS or Techno Pinoy Center is one of the four major information and technology delivery modalities of Techno Gabay program being implemented by the Bicol consortium for Agriculture Resources Research and Development (BCARRD) and the Bicol University.

In the awarding ceremony held Thursday at Albay capitol People's Hall, BU president Dr. Ma. Patria Faye Lauraya acknowledged the contribution of the local government of Guinobatan, Albay for the success of the TGP program.

"We recognize the efforts of the local government unit of Guinobatan and the Bicol University College of Agriculture and Forestry (BUCAF) for adapting science and technology in order to produce high value commercial vegetables and crops," she said.

The Techno Gabay program aims to facilitate information dissemination regarding science and technologies in agriculture, forestry, natural resource and the environment.

According to Lauraya, the FITS center in Guinobatan is very useful in providing latest information technology among farmers. "The center also provides massive information dissemination using reading materials, audio-video, internet, trainings, techno-demo farms, exhibits and even technical assistance to farmers," she said.

The farmers, traders, researchers, students and other clients are also provided with access to services like soil analysis, pest and disease clinics, consultants in agriculture, forestry, agribusiness and related fields including investment packages.

Lauraya has encouraged young people to give importance to agriculture. "There is a declining enrollment in agriculture and fishery courses because of lack of technology, but this time we are promoting the new technology through FITS center wherein high school graduates are encouraged to enrol in agriculture related courses."

In Bicol region, BCARRD initiated the establishment of FITS in Camarines Norte, Albay, Sorsogon, Camarines Sur, Masbate, and in Virac, Catanduanes.

During the awarding ceremony, BU president Dr. Lauraya handed over to Guinobatan Mayor Juan Garcia a check in the amount of P10,000 and a plaque. (PNA)

Hi there... it has been a long time ive posted from this site. .. btw, need some help from anyone who knows Bicol alot... Me and my officemates will be planning a trip this August. Need some comments and suggestions if this is doable in 4 days...

Our itinerary will be:

Day 1: MNL-WNP (Naga) - Plane
CWC, Naga tour
Day 2: Naga - Caramoan --->> definitely need some guidance...:nuts:
Caramoan - Naga
Day 3: Naga - Legaspi
Cagsawa tour, etc.
Day 4: Legaspi - Naga (My officemates only)
WNP - MNL (Officemates)
LGP - MNL (Me)

......... tour guides??? anyone?.. :banana:
Need some help.. free meal.. heheheh :)

^^you may visit the Albay website, it may be useful for you...
WWW.albay.gov.ph

DTI to open anti-red tape project in Bicol
By Josefina M. Felizardo

LEGAZPI CITY, June 22 (PNA) - The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will launch on June 25 the National Economic Research and Business Assistance Center (NERBAC) in Bicol in support of the anti-red tape program of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

DTI Bicol regional director Jocelyn L. Blanco said that "NERBAC" is a pioneering project providing a single entry point for investors on comprehensive and highly integrated business support by pooling government resources in One-stop Express Business Center, in reducing red tape and improving effectiveness and efficiency in government services".

Blanco said that based on Republic Act No. 7470, NERBAC shall provide prospective entrepreneurs and investors with the basic information on various business options that are open to them in accordance with the investment priorities of the government.

"One of the primary goals of NERBAC Bicol is to make the region attractive to investors," she said.

Blanco likewise said the Center shall also serve as a single window which shall facilitate the processing and documentation of all paper requirements necessary for the establishment of a business enterprise in the country, including credit services.

DTI Assistant Secretary Angel L. Pelayo, who is currently the Caretaker of the Regional Opereations and Development Group(RODG), will be the guest of honor during the launching ceremonies together with local government officials as well as private partners..

Blanco said the signing of the Declaration of Support by the Directors of Member Agencies and the signing of Declaration of Commitment by the Board of Advisers will be the highlight of the activity.

An actual online Business Name Registration with DTI will also be undertaken during the said event.

The Member agencies under the NERBAC includes the Social Security System (SSS), Securities and Exchanges Commission (SEC), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHILHEALTH), Home Development Mutual Fund (PAG-IBIG), Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), Mines and Geo-Sciences Bureau (MGB), Bureau of Customs (BOC), Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), Fiber and Industry Authority (FIDA), Bureau of Fisheries & Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), and Local Government Units (LGUs).

The Board of Advisers is composed of the heads of the following private and government agencies includes the Department of Agriculture (DA), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI-Bciol), Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FIL-CHI CCI), Philippine Exporters Confederation (PHILEXPORT)-Bicol and Orgullo kan Bikol (OK Bikol) Association, Inc. and DTI. (PNA)

wala sigurong kuryente due to bagyo

Hehe! There have been short brownouts only. Thanks to the Highness for sparing Bicol from the typhoon. Kinano ka uli Juds?

Mayon view from Lignon Hill
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3294/2601025246_85ec75c8a2_b.jpg
by crispyparty (http://flickr.com/photos/crispyparty/)

;21881560']^thank you for the pics, @TagaMiligan!

Meanwhile, some aerial photos of Legazpi City

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2025/2586762709_b5d0eeb721_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3064/2586762789_d6af31eae6_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3193/2587597276_7baaa8aaa0_o.jpg

by lensalde (http://www.flickr.com/photos/20920242@N06/)

ganda siguro skyline ng legazpi kung me mga high rise buildings

^^it will take time but it will xurely come. I miss Legazpi! My HOME!!!

WELCOME here at SSC Erikway:banana: taga san ka po?

Hehe! There have been short brownouts only. Thanks to the Highness for sparing Bicol from the typhoon. Kinano ka uli Juds?


Baby will be in Legazpi on July 30. Me and hubby on August 10 till 26th. Malakawtsa muna kami ni agom sa Bangkok for a week sa Jul 31st-Aug 7.

As in the baby will come home earlier? Hahaha! How is that for a baby to travel alone. Jawk!

As in the baby will come home earlier? Hahaha! How is that for a baby to travel alone. Jawk!

Ihahatid ko si baby sa manila, susunduin sya ni mama dun. I then go to bangkok after then go back sa pinas, stay in manila for a couple of days then uwi na sa legazpi.

Okay. Japan-japanun! See you then! Dalhan ako ng santol na Bangkok. :-)

Embarcadero update
Photos by studioworkplus
(http://studioworkplus.multiply.com/)
http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/8223/dsc0065pd9.jpg

http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/2116/embarcadero1dsc0062za3.jpg

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/5684/lionheadlegazpidsc0068tm5.jpg

http://img238.imageshack.us/img238/1290/legazpiportdsc0125zy2.jpg

$4 million windmill project to rise in Albay
By Rhaydz B. Barcia

LEGAZPI CITY --- A $4 million windmill project will soon rise in Albay province courtesy of a California-based Filipino-American businessman, the largest single investment that will provide clean energy resources in Cagraray Island, Bacacay town.

This is another milestone energy project that will place the province along the mainstream of clean energy providers in the country after Filipino-American businessman Larry Asera, one of the biggest windmill and solar distributors in California, USA proposed to establish a wind energy system in Bgy. Misibis, Cagraray Island, Bacacay, Albay.

It will be established within the P500-million Misibis Resort and Spa owned by Bicolano business tycoon Elizaldy “Zaldy” S. Co, president of the Sunwestville Realty and Development Corporation, one of the most reputable property developers in the region.

^Now this is the kind of project I'd like to see more of in Albay. Our province is rich in clean and renewable geothermal energy from the earth, and now we can harness the power of the wind.

Legazpi peace and order council named country’s best
By Florencio P. Narito

LEGAZPI CITY – The selection committee of the National Police Commission (Napolcom) has chosen the Legazpi City Peace and Order Council as the country’s best city peace and order council (CPOC) under the component city category for 2006.

Mayor Noel E. Rosal, Chairman of the Legazpi City POC, said that he had received a reliable repost from Napolcom Central Office that the Legazpi City POC had bested other component city POCs nationwide.


Congratz Legazpi!

Chamber asks city to void
lease contract with LCC
By Florencio P. Narito

LEGAZPI CITY – The Albay Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has passed a resolution requesting the City Government of Legazpi to rescind the lease contract entered into by and between the city government and Liberty Commercial Center (LCC) for the use of the government lot where the old public market was located before it was burned.


The site of the old public market is a prime piece of real estate right in the center of the city. Hope matuloy na ang mga plans for this area. :)

;22027723']Embarcadero update
Photos by studioworkplus
(http://studioworkplus.multiply.com/)
http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/8223/dsc0065pd9.jpg

http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/2116/embarcadero1dsc0062za3.jpg

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/5684/lionheadlegazpidsc0068tm5.jpg

http://img238.imageshack.us/img238/1290/legazpiportdsc0125zy2.jpg

^^i never thought the road leading to Embarcadero could be that wide.
Anyways, it's near to completion huh

^Yup. I'm looking forward to the IT Park, because that will provide jobs to the city's young population. :okay:

Meanwhile, There are still a number of prime lots for sale at Landco Business Park - Legazpi. I hope to see Landco Business Park fully built up in the near future. For now, there are still a lot of open space. Contact 0918-9188496 for details.

http://img397.imageshack.us/img397/1401/landcolotsa1yr6.jpg

Some of the existing buildings and facilities at the Landco Business Park , aside from the Pacific Mall and Metro Gaisano (as of 2008)

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/3356/pict0005bw9.jpg http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/7595/pict0007or3.jpg
Left: Legazpi Eye Center
Right: Jayson Marketing

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/2484/pict0016up0.jpg
DJC Halo-halo of Tiwi

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/5334/pict0015hp7.jpg
Landco Plaza

http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/6374/pict0018um2.jpg

http://img95.imageshack.us/img95/6615/pict0028aq8.jpg

http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/5468/tessdybldgcl4.jpg http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/4544/roadtoterminal1qm5.jpg
Left: Building at the corner of F. Imperial St. and Circumferential Rd
Right: Parking area and access road to integrated terminal + convention center

thnx for the photos dex.nice ones too. dami na ngbago since umalis ako. pero d pa rn ako mawawala pag uwi ko jan. hehehe

Ano man pati ta mawawara ka na taga-Legazpi ka? Haha!

WELCOME here at SSC Erikway:banana: taga san ka po?

daraga tsong.

;22027723']Embarcadero update
Photos by studioworkplus
(http://studioworkplus.multiply.com/)
http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/8223/dsc0065pd9.jpg

http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/2116/embarcadero1dsc0062za3.jpg



nahiling ta ka duman sa blog ni niki dex a. midbid mo sya?

daraga tsong.

nahiling ta ka duman sa blog ni niki dex a. midbid mo sya?

yep. ka-trabaho ko si niki. hehe.

;22028714']Some of the existing buildings and facilities at the Landco Business Park , aside from the Pacific Mall and Metro Gaisano (as of 2008)

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/3356/pict0005bw9.jpg http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/7595/pict0007or3.jpg
Left: Legazpi Eye Center
Right: Jayson Marketing

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/2484/pict0016up0.jpg
DJC Halo-halo of Tiwi

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/5334/pict0015hp7.jpg
Landco Plaza

http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/6374/pict0018um2.jpg

http://img95.imageshack.us/img95/6615/pict0028aq8.jpg

http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/5468/tessdybldgcl4.jpg http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/4544/roadtoterminal1qm5.jpg
Left: Building at the corner of F. Imperial St. and Circumferential Rd
Right: Parking area and access road to integrated terminal + convention center

i like the designs of these buildings, hope to see more of these there
at LANDCO Business Park.:)

daraga tsong.


taga Daraga ka palan,,mas marami ata taga Daraga dito kaysa legazpi ah:)

baga midbid ko si erik... hmmm... mga kataramon pa sana niya gari midbid ko na... heheh... anyways, mauli palan ako kidamlag sa albay tas mabalik giraray didi sa manila sa lunes. heheh... once a month naman palan ako mag-uuli. kung matuparan ko si ate judz, baka mag-irilingan kita. wheheheh...

anyways, salamat po sa concern nindo sir monsi, maray man po ako digdi sa manila. paminsan2x lang ako naga-internet. pag may oras lang tlga kaya... heheh... anyways, don't worry bout me. kaya ko po ini...

Baby will be in Legazpi on July 30. Me and hubby on August 10 till 26th. Malakawtsa muna kami ni agom sa Bangkok for a week sa Jul 31st-Aug 7.

Hiya Jady,
Finally get to see a piccy of the new baby :) Sorry I haven't been on YM for a while, been very hectic with a friends funeral and needing to write a number of memorials.

So lucky going back so soon. We are still aiming to return to the Phils next year, but it may not be until December :-(
However am still planning another Iloilo-Roxas-Masbate-Legazpi run, with a couple of days in the beautiful home of the Mayon Volcano.

Can't wait.

Brad

hiya mate!
Baby is growing fast! We are counting the days. 4 wks to go. Geez very excited to be back home again. You too. Enjoy your fiji trip for the mean time.

baga midbid ko si erik... hmmm... mga kataramon pa sana niya gari midbid ko na... heheh... anyways, mauli palan ako kidamlag sa albay tas mabalik giraray didi sa manila sa lunes. heheh... once a month naman palan ako mag-uuli. kung matuparan ko si ate judz, baka mag-irilingan kita. wheheheh...

anyways, salamat po sa concern nindo sir monsi, maray man po ako digdi sa manila. paminsan2x lang ako naga-internet. pag may oras lang tlga kaya... heheh... anyways, don't worry bout me. kaya ko po ini...

I'll be in Manila from July 28-30 Mond. Maybe we can catch up there. We'll be staying in Kabayan hotel Cubao.

taga Daraga ka palan,,mas marami ata taga Daraga dito kaysa legazpi ah:)

I am from Daraga, Mond is, too. Erik is. Who else?

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k153/sixth2006/DSC01085-1.jpg
^^used to be one-floor building... Mr. Llagas taught us how to make a wooden folding chair; also, drawing/drafting/lettering.
now...second floor is being occupied by students with piano/violin/guitar lessons under Mrs. Kallos.

it's been there for years. hehe
the kindergartens are now occupying the said haunted building. of course, a newly built three storey building...

Sarangani thankful for Albay P.5M calamity assistance

SARANGANI –Vice Gov. Steve Solon expressed gratitude to the provincial government of Albay for extending financial aid to his constituents who were affected by flashfloods over the weekend.

Solon admitted being surprised after finding out that Albay’s local government is exerting efforts to help Sarangani residents devastated by the calamity.

"The calamity relief assistance from Albay is a big help for affected residents," he added.

The Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC) of Albay has pledged a P500,000 donation to Sarangani, a sister province of Albay.

Albay Gov. Joey Salceda who chairs Albay’s PDCC, said he also asked the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Albay to donate P200,000 to four other provinces in Western Visayas which were greatly affected by Typhoon Frank. These provinces are Aklan, Antique, Iloilo and Capiz.

Salceda said he has been assured by members of the provincial board of the immediate approval of his request.

The Albay governor said the donation "is in the spirit of brotherhood of provinces." He said his province was a recipient of similar generosity when it was ravaged by two supertyphoons Milenyo and Reming in 2006.

The two supertyphoons that triggered massive floods, lahar, landslides in Albay, claimed the lives of more than a 1,000 people and displaced 30,000 families.

"It is just proper for us to repay a debt of gratitude to those provinces who also helped us," Salceda said.

Sarangani was one of the provinces that sent relief goods and financial aid to Albay in 2006. Dexter Ganibe, ABS-CBN General Santos City with a report from PNA

I am from Daraga, Mond is, too. Erik is. Who else?

Count me in! Sagpon, Daraga!

Sarangani thankful for Albay P.5M calamity assistance

SARANGANI –Vice Gov. Steve Solon expressed gratitude to the provincial government of Albay for extending financial aid to his constituents who were affected by flashfloods over the weekend.

Solon admitted being surprised after finding out that Albay’s local government is exerting efforts to help Sarangani residents devastated by the calamity.

"The calamity relief assistance from Albay is a big help for affected residents," he added.

The Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC) of Albay has pledged a P500,000 donation to Sarangani, a sister province of Albay.

Albay Gov. Joey Salceda who chairs Albay’s PDCC, said he also asked the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Albay to donate P200,000 to four other provinces in Western Visayas which were greatly affected by Typhoon Frank. These provinces are Aklan, Antique, Iloilo and Capiz.

Salceda said he has been assured by members of the provincial board of the immediate approval of his request.

The Albay governor said the donation "is in the spirit of brotherhood of provinces." He said his province was a recipient of similar generosity when it was ravaged by two supertyphoons Milenyo and Reming in 2006.

The two supertyphoons that triggered massive floods, lahar, landslides in Albay, claimed the lives of more than a 1,000 people and displaced 30,000 families.

"It is just proper for us to repay a debt of gratitude to those provinces who also helped us," Salceda said.

Sarangani was one of the provinces that sent relief goods and financial aid to Albay in 2006. Dexter Ganibe, ABS-CBN General Santos City with a report from PNA

I don't understand this. I mean, there have been more helpless typhoon Reming victims that need help. Hay tigilan ako! I am sorry, but I am speaking in behalf of my family and relatives and all those who have been in evacuation shelters for two years now. Like we need help very badly! Repay? This is a question of priority. I remember the goods na hindi pinamigay tapos nabulok lang. These DSWD people. Brrrrr!

Tax perks await Embarcadero locators

Monday, June 30, 2008

The Embarcadero in Legazpi City, Albay is one notch away from a presidential proclamation as a tourism economic zone after being granted the status of “Tourism Economic Zone with IT Component” by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) last Nov. 28.

The ecozone certification will pave the way for tax holidays and other incentives for Embarcadero itself as well as for the locators at its IT Park and commercial hub.

The Embarcadero is a P1.8-billion IT Park Promenade envisioned as a well-planned information technology ecozone and modern trading hub and global gateway.

Under Resolution No. 07-554, Embarcadero can enjoy exemption from payment of all local and national taxes, except real property taxes on land owned by Embarcadero; employ foreign nationals as provided under Republic Act 7916; have Special Investor’s Resident Visa as provided under Executive Order No. 63; and enjoy incentives under the Build-Operate-Transfer Law, as may be applied.

The Embarcadero IT Park’s communication needs will be supplied by the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co., Bayantel, and Digitel through fiber optic technology, allowing excellent transmission over longer distances and higher data rates.

The IT Park will adopt an underground power and communication system, apart from the satellite, terrestrial and land/submarine-based cable facilities of the telecommunication providers.

The IT Park’s 8,000-seat call center is expected to generate 24,000 jobs for Bicolanos. This, apart from the employment opportunities from the mall, hotel, restaurants and shops in Embarcadero’s commercial hub.

Legazpi City Mayor Noel Rosal has endorsed Embarcadero, saying, “This would be a great opportunity for Legazpi City to have the very first IT ecozone in the Bicol region and in Southern Luzon.”

“We welcome this investment wholeheartedly and warmly. We firmly believe that this would create big economic opportunities for the Legazpeños and the rest of the Bicolano populace for the numerous job opportunities Embarcadero would generate,” he added.

The Embarcadero, along with its sister project Misibis Resorts, Estates & Spa, is expected to attract local and foreign tourists with its intensive campaign to promote the top ecotourism spots in the Bicol region, including a 100-room hotel by the water.

Source: The Philippine Star

^ have they said what call center that will be? or what stores will be in this thing?
i dont think they can open on aug 8...

baga midbid ko si erik... hmmm... mga kataramon pa sana niya gari midbid ko na... heheh... anyways, mauli palan ako kidamlag sa albay tas mabalik giraray didi sa manila sa lunes. heheh... once a month naman palan ako mag-uuli. kung matuparan ko si ate judz, baka mag-irilingan kita. wheheheh...


aba. kilala mo ko a? hehe saka parekoy, di erik name ko for real.

Parang mas ok na ngayon umuwi lagi kung galing ka dyan sa manila. Sabi daw 700+ na lang fare sa Cebu Pacific. Totoo ba yun?

^^once a month na nga ako umuuwi pero nakaka-apekto tlga sa studies...

One-stop business center opens in Bicol (http://positivenewsmedia.net/am2/publish/Business_19/One-stop_business_center_opens_in_Bicol.shtml)
By Leonard D. Acosta

LEGAZPI CITY, June 28 (PNA) ---- A National Economic Research and Business Assistance Center (NERBAC) formally opened on Wednesday in this city, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Bicol said on Thursday. The NERBAC was put up as an inter-agency undertaking designed to give investors in Bicol with “One-Stop Express Business Center” to streamline business registration, accelerate investment and improve business environment by providing the necessary assistance to prospective clients.

DTI Assistant Secretary Angel Pelayo, the guest at the launching ceremony held at the DTI regional office here, said the creation of NERBAC the program would stop or curb “red tape” in the processing of business undertakings by prospective investors in the country. Pelayo said “NERBAC is a pioneering project providing a single entry point for investors on comprehensive and highly integrate business support by pooling government resources in One-Stop Express Business Center, in reducing red tape and improving effectiveness and efficiency in government service.”

With the operationalization of NERBAC, investors may expects fast business registration, licensing, and would facilitate investment incentives and export documentation. The center would be ready with timely and relevant business information. With its battle cry “No to Red Tape”, NERBAC Bicol expects to improve business environment by the single window for business registration, licensing and promotion.

Jocelyn Blanco, DTI regional director said, that NERBAC was a creation of Republic Act No. 7470. The center in Bicol is the 13th NERBAC to be established across the country. Nicolas Beda Priela, regional governor of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) Bicol, reacting to the establishment of the center, said the business sector would expect more support in the establishment of business enterprises in Bicol with less regulations and tedious processing of papers and documents.

The launching ceremony was highlighted by the signing of a declaration of support by the directors of national government agencies that are members of the NERBAC and the declaration of commitment by the Board of Advisers.

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/2484/pict0016up0.jpg
wasnt there a bar on the second floor before.
nagsara na?

Legaspi peeps! Maayong bangi (tama ba to? hehe!! Want to learn Bikolano too)
Got a question:

How was it to recover from the ravages of Typhoon "Durian" (Reming) that hit Bicol in such tremendous force? I'm asking because I wanted to know how will it be in our situation in Iloilo after "Frank." The recovery efforts..

Thanks! :)

Legaspi peeps! Maayong bangi (tama ba to? hehe!! Want to learn Bikolano too)
Got a question:

How was it to recover from the ravages of Typhoon "Durian" (Reming) that hit Bicol in such tremendous force? I'm asking because I wanted to know how will it be in our situation in Iloilo after "Frank." The recovery efforts..

Thanks! :)

;22028542']^Yup. I'm looking forward to the IT Park, because that will provide jobs to the city's young population. :okay:

Meanwhile, There are still a number of prime lots for sale at Landco Business Park - Legazpi. I hope to see Landco Business Park fully built up in the near future. For now, there are still a lot of open space. Contact 0918-9188496 for details.

http://img397.imageshack.us/img397/1401/landcolotsa1yr6.jpg

I just noticed the hotel site at the upper left portion, near the exit to the Ibalong Centrum. Wonder when it will get built.

Legaspi peeps! Maayong bangi (tama ba to? hehe!! Want to learn Bikolano too)
Got a question:

How was it to recover from the ravages of Typhoon "Durian" (Reming) that hit Bicol in such tremendous force? I'm asking because I wanted to know how will it be in our situation in Iloilo after "Frank." The recovery efforts..

Thanks! :)

Hi Bernie. It's Marhay na Banggi hehe. Don't worry, I'm sure Iloilo will recover fast. Dito kasi ang nahirapan talaga maka recover ay yung mga pinaka naapektuhan na mahihirap - like the farmers or those living near the river/gullies. Sa mga cities, medyo mabilis yung pag recover, although marami pang dapat gawin.

@Matt, yup, liit kasi ng space nila. lol

Habagat, first of all it's MARHAY NA BANGUI! (GOOD EVENING) lol, thank you for at least trying to learn our language. although i was not physically present during the typhoon reming in Legazpi, my family were back home so it was even harder for me explaining what's going on outside by watching the news through TFC (since they don't see it there due to power ouitage)
i guess it was the "fast action" of the government officials and the Perseverance of the people, plus the outpouring support of people around the world.
my heart goes out to you and your fellow Ilocanos but this is all i could tell you. take it one day at a time. remember that whatever challenges in our lives that we go through makes us stronger. just put your faith in God and He will show you that there's always light at the end of the tunnel.....
Help will be pouring in before you know it.

Hey Jady when is your schedule for Legazpi? i'll be there from the 27th to Aug 10. if you want to have a get2geder just let me know.
mond n Dex i'll be in Manila fr the 25th to the 27th. ill be staying two nights at Dusit with my daughter. let me know if you want to get2geder too (so you can also meet my daughter lol)
take care

^^ Thanks @Dex and @Beecool (by the way, its Ilonggos). I just don't know how is the experience of recovering from a devastating calamity that most of the old people never experienced except World War II. Thanks for the words of encouragement. :)

Hey Jady when is your schedule for Legazpi? i'll be there from the 27th to Aug 10. if you want to have a get2geder just let me know.
mond n Dex i'll be in Manila fr the 25th to the 27th. ill be staying two nights at Dusit with my daughter. let me know if you want to get2geder too (so you can also meet my daughter lol)
take care

I'll be in manila on the 28th-30th
Bangkok on 31st- August 7th
Manila again on August 7-10
Legazpi on August 10 - 26
Manila on August 26 - 28
Bangkok/Melbourne - August 28-29

Wow. Super-busy ang schedule ng lola. Hehe. Well, basta weekend pwede ako sa get-together.

2 Bicol groups oppose int’l aiport project in Albay


The Bagong Alyansang Makabayan -Albay (Bayan-Albay) and the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas-Bikol (KMPBikol) have expressed fears that the construction of the Bicol International Airport in Barangay Alobo, Daraga, Albay would rob the region of fertile rice and coconut farms.


Fred Mansos, chairman of Bayan-Albay, said that the area identified as ideal for the airport project is planted to rice and coconuts and are thus clearly agricultural. Why is the Arroyo government itself now engaged in land-use conversion? he asked.

Bicol is chronically rice deficient and could not supply the 2.7 million bags of rice that its entire population needs.

"We are not against development but the Bicol International Airport will definitely be a bane not just to the residents of Albay but to the region as well for a number of reasons. First, the area they plan to use is prime agricultural land for rice and coconuts. When they use this land, then definitely this will aggravate the rice crisis being experienced by the country," he said.

"Second, President Arroyo issued a moratorium on land-use conversions of agricultural lands, is the Bicol International Airport exempted from this?"

"Third, the airport will foster environmental destruction and may cause landslides and flooding in the future, considering that Albay is always in the path of typhoons. Fourth, this project will also cause massive displacement of farmers," he said. (Marvyn Benaning)

killjoy naman mga taong ito.

"Why is the Arroyo government engaged in land-use conversion?"

Ano ba yun? ano pala i-convert para dyan sa airport na yan, hangin? :lol:

Minsan, magrereklamo ang mga kiritikong ito na di nag-titrickle down sa mga tao yung sinasabing expansion ng ekonomiya ng PI. Tas pag me ganitong infra, magrereklamo pa rin. :ohno:

^^is there any updates regarding the airport?

I'll be in manila on the 28th-30th
Bangkok on 31st- August 7th
Manila again on August 7-10
Legazpi on August 10 - 26
Manila on August 26 - 28
Bangkok/Melbourne - August 28-29

mall tour ba to?haahaha:lol:

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/2484/pict0016up0.jpg
wasnt there a bar on the second floor before.
nagsara na?

if i am not mistaken, it's called TIMEZONE...

mall tour ba to?haahaha:lol:

maxadong in demand kc!!! hahaha

^^wow good for you hehehe
kaya mo yan!

View of Mayon from Rapu-Rapu and Albay Gulf
Photos by kulvani.masalimuot (http://www.flickr.com/photos/28041075@N06/)

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ganda!!!

so ibalong centrum was closed for a bit?
wonder if anyone has interior shots of ibalong centrum

PGMA boasts completion of RP "cyber corridor" (http://www.gov.ph/news/?i=21421)
MONDAY, JULY 7, 2008 | SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

MANILA (PNA) -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Monday said the best response to rising global commodity prices is to generate compensating gains on the country's asset side, such as outsource business processing.

In her speech during the 8th ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Science and Technology Week and the 50th anniversary of the Department of Science and Technology (DoST) held at the World Trade Center, the President said the completion of the Philippines' so-called "cyber corridor", which encompasses the business processing outsourcing (BPO) centers, is ranked no. 2, next to Bangalore in India, in international data corporations list of top 20 outsourcing cities in Asia and the Pacific.

"If on the liability side of the national balance sheet we sustained a loss from rising prices of commodities that we import -- oil and rice, then we would endeavor to generate compensating gains on the asset side to the commodities that we can export," the President said. The asset side, she said, "consist of hard commodities such as primary products supplemented by soft commodities such as outsource business processing."

The cyber corridor consists of BPO centers in Metro Manila, Tuguegarao, Baguio, Dagupan, Urdaneta in Pangasinan, Cabanatuan, Clark and San Fernando in Pampanga, Subic, Cainta, Bacoor, Sta. Rosa, Lipa, Batangas City, Camarines Sur, Legaspi City, Iloilo, Bacolod, Dumaguete, Cebu, Leyte, Cagayan de Oro, Davao and General Santos City. She said these 24 new "wave" centers "provide the resiliency and redundancy needed to protect our cyber services from interruption such as what happened for a very short while during the Taiwan earthquake."

The President said that with the completion of the new international broadband links of the two telecommunications giants --Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT) in La Union, Pangasinan, and Globe Telecommunications in Cagayan Province-- which will be operational in 2009, no tsunami, nor earthquake can interrupt the gateway services to the Philippines.

"We looked at science and technology," which received 51 percent in this year's national budget, "to do many other things" such as research and development efforts on enhancing agriculture production, disaster prevention, renewable and indigenous energy, cure and prevention of illnesses, and protection to the environment, she said. She thanked the ASEAN members "for working together to achieve one caring and sharing ASEAN community through the empowerment provided by science and technology."

DoST Secretary Estrella Alabastro said this year's ASEAN Science and Technology (S&T) Week aims to promote S&T development and provide opportunities for interaction, networking, and cooperation among ASEAN scientists, technologists, researchers, academicians, government officials, and the private sector.

She said the event is an important one as the region moves closer to economic integration, which poses both enormous development challenges and opportunities. "This is an opportunity to showcase to the world the various advances the country has achieved in the field of S&T," she added. (PNA)

Legazpi Port District
by marbleplaty (http://www.flickr.com/photos/marbleplaty/)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3006/2645574388_e994cee1b5_b.jpg

Highway in Polangui, Albay
by alperez (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alperez/)

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Bacacay Sunset
by marbleplaty (http://www.flickr.com/photos/marbleplaty/)

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Highway in Polangui, Albay
by alperez (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alperez/)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3260/2631737213_57b3fc5594_o.jpg


wow..danda ng highway....Hmmm..anlinis ha...!! sarap 2mira sa pinas kung lahat ng highway kasing ganda nyan..!!

^^very picturesque!!!

Please visit www.missuniverse.com or www.nbc.com to vote for our country's delegate at the current Miss Universe 2008 for the Best National Costume award. Voting closes in two days. Thanks and God bless!

HSAI Raintree branches out (http://www.ttgtravelhub.net/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=9802&Itemid=)
Ollie Quiniquini, Boracay (2007-09-03)

HSAI Raintree is expanding its portfolio with properties in Metro Manila and Bicol. The group will manage and operate a 200-suite hotel at The Fort Bonifacio Global City in Taguig, a luxury resort with 100 rooms and 50 villas on Misibis Island in Albay, and the 36-room Hotel Venezia in Legazpi City. The Misibis resort is scheduled to open on August 8, 2008.

Meanwhile, its Discovery Shores Boracay will offer a full inventory of 88 suites by year-end when its loft units are completed. At present, more than 60 suites are operational. The Discovery Mandala Spa, operated by world famous Mandala Spa Boracay, opens in October.

http://img234.imageshack.us/img234/9149/dbmeu1.jpg
Click for more info
(http://www.discoverysuites.com/images/dbm_fact.pdf)
http://img234.imageshack.us/img234/9740/veneziaat9.jpg
Click for more info (http://www.discoverysuites.com/images/venezia_fact.pdf)

Meanwhile:

More fans push top listers to new 7 wonders of nature search (http://positivenewsmedia.net/am2/publish/Cities_And_Towns_23/More_fans_push_top_listers_to_new_7_wonders_of_nature_search.shtml)

LEGAZPI CITY, July 9 (PNA) – Nature lovers in Bicol have expressed elation over the newest development in the live ranking on the new 7 wonders of nature which includes four of the country’s tourist destinations. Mayon Volcano immediately notched to number 8 this week after the support were fed back to information campaign launched by various groups pioneered by stringers of the Philippines News Agency (PNA).

Tourism regional Director, Maria Ong-Ravanilla said she is hoping that more Bicolano people locally based, working or living abroad, would support by voting for first and foremost, the Mayon Volcano, the Chocolate Hills, Puerto Princesa’s Underground river and the Tubbataha Reef, which now all belong to the top 8.

Mayon Volcano jumped further this week from number 9 slot to the 8th in just a matter of week. The voting may be done by accessing the website www.new7 wonders.com and a voter must use his e-mail address to qualify and is required to vote for seven candidates which includes, in the case of Bicol, the country’s bets.

The live ranking includes top 77 official nominees that will be eligible for consideration by the panel of experts for inclusion in the group of 21 finalist candidates. The ranking is updated twice a day and voting continues until the end of this year. (PNA)

Albay ICT group moves to attract BPO firms to Legazpi

By Erwin Oliva
INQUIRER.net


MANILA, Philippines -- A group representing stakeholders in the information and communications technology (ICT) industry in Albay is moving quickly to attract business process outsourcing (BPO) firms to the province, its president told INQUIRER.net.

Rosemarie Rey, president of the Albay ICT Association (AICTA), said the group is aiming to grow its membership this year, as they anticipate the influx of investments from the BPO industry to Legazpi City.

Rey who represented the AICTA, witnessed the signing of a deal between Embarcadero Land Ventures Inc. and five telecommunications companies as part of a plan to create an IT park in the city. Among the telecommunications companies that have agreed to provide services to the IT park are the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company, Bayantel, Digitel, Globe and PT&T, the group said in a statement.
\
"We helped in the realization of this project because this will lead to more jobs," said Rey who is also president and CEO of Southern Luzon Technological College Foundation, an IT school located in Legaspi City.

Legazpi City is the educational center for the Bicol region, she said.

While the IT park is mainly a private venture, Rey said the group is supporting this project because of BPO opportunities. Her school has been doing outsourcing services for some United States-based companies. The school has served as an "incubation" center for a supply of trained agents for a small operation of more than 20 seats.

IT schools like Southern Luzon Technological College Foundation have been operating facilities for outsourced services, she added.

Legazpi City Mayor Noel E. Rosal said in a statement that the city is ready to provide manpower for the planned IT park.

Zaldy Co, president and CEO of Embarcadero de Legazpi, for his part, added in a statement that the IT park intends to attract talents and skills from the Bicol Region.

The planned IT park is a 15,477 square-meter area located in Legazpi City. It can house about 8,000 seats in three buildings, she said.

http://images.kodakgallery.com/photos4259/5/38/27/42/99/2/299422738505_0_ALB.jpg

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Albay to head Climate Change Adaptation Asia Pacific conference (http://positivenewsmedia.net/am2/publish/Cities_And_Towns_23/Albay_to_head_Climate_Change_Adaptation_Asia_Pacific_conference.shtml)

LEGAZPI CITY, July 11 (PNA) -- The provincial government of Albay will head the Asia Pacific conference on Climate Change Adaptation in the country this coming November. According to Manuel Rangasa, executive director, Center for Initiatives Research on Climate Change Adaptation (CIRCA) this was concurred during the Climate Change Adaptation conference held in Bangkok, Thailand last week.

Rangasa said the Province of Albay will lead the National Conference on Climate Change Adaptation (NCCA) post conference and preparatory meeting in Sulu Hotel, Quezon City, this weekend. This is in preparation for and finalization of first Asia Pacific conference on Climate Change Adaptation in the Philippines.

Albay Governor Joey Salceda, national convenor and green economist, will explain the objective, framework, outputs and outcome of the meeting with a theme "Local government may take the lead." Rangasa said Congresswoman Vilma Cabilao, (1st District, Zamboanga), Chairman of house committee on ecology and Senator Loren Legarda, chair of senate committee on environment, will present their initiatives that would make this world safer and cleaner environment for everyone through climate change adaptation.

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Evan Garcia will also present the role of DFA in the climate change adaptation programs. Meanwhile, Cong. Datu Arroyo of the first district of Camarines Sur is expected to discuss environment concerns and issues in relation to climate change adaptation and mitigation in the said event. (PNA)

Mountain Biking in Mayon's Slopes
by yves (http://yves188.multiply.com/photos/album/137/Mountain_Biking_-_Mayon_Slopes)

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^^sa sto.domingo ba yan, kua dex? I kinda miss Yves... di na siya nagpaparamdam...

^^sa sto.domingo ba yan, kua dex? I kinda miss Yves... di na siya nagpaparamdam...

I think so. hehe. busy yata siya. :okay:

Meanwhile:

A Rainy Day in Legazpi (View from Ligñon Hill)
by corey_allison (http://www.flickr.com/photos/areut/)

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[Amater Resort]

sarap mag swimming dito pag summer super lamig. We've been there twice..
the pix are'nt showing huhuhu..

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/Legazpeep/DSC04609.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/Legazpeep/DSC04671.jpg
^Update...

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/Legazpeep/DSC04014.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/Legazpeep/DSC04672.jpg
^new bus ter, under a BOT scheme...

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http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/Legazpeep/DSC04608.jpg
^NFAROV now squatter-free...

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/Legazpeep/DSC04547.jpg
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/Legazpeep/DSC04555.jpg
^three Sundays ago.

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/Legazpeep/DSC04667.jpg
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/Legazpeep/DSC04669.jpg
^last Saturday...

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/Legazpeep/DSC04094.jpg
With gas breaching P60 per liter, we should go back to pedal power...

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/Legazpeep/DSC04340.jpg
Where on earth can you find I.M. Pei's pyramid and Jorn Otzon's opera house in one locale?

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/Legazpeep/DSC04006.jpg
^BRTTH renovation work last month...

thanks for the photos monsi.
brtth, is that the provincial hospital?

^^yes it is..

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/Legazpeep/DSC04672.jpg
^new bus ter, under a BOT scheme...

looks huge. thanks for the photo updates @Monsi! :bow:

Legazpi Port District
by Royal5 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/poy_45/)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3144/2635596113_f1b679f5c9_b.jpg
instantly recognizable landmarks: pacific mall, a. bichara silverscreens, INC, and the under construction embarcadero :okay:

Hi! I'm Gimo from Legazpi - living and working here. almost 3 mos huling nagbisita dito... jejeje buhay pa pala acct ko. busy kasi sa work. nweis, i've read current and previous threads from bicol - masasabi ko lang wow! nabigyan ako ng bagong pagtingin sa ating lugar... so sige SSC peepz mukhang ala yata active ngayon.

i just finished watching My Kuya's Wedding and realized it was partly shot in legaspi. i saw hotel venezia

Investments, tourism sustain Bicol economy in Q1 '08 (http://positivenewsmedia.net/am2/publish/Business_19/Investments_tourism_sustain_Bicol_economy_in_Q1_08.shtml)
By Mike dela Rama

LEGAZPI CITY, July 16 (PNA) -- The 97-percent growth in investments for the first quarter of 2008 and increasing tourism arrivals helped sustain the Bicol Region economy, despite the damage brought about by incessant rains and the rice shortage. The value of investments generated by the region in the first quarter of the year, as monitored by the Department of Trade and Industry, surged by 97 percent to PhP1.498 billion from PhP759.72 million in the previous quarter.

This was based on the Quarterly Regional Economic Situationer (QRES) report by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Regional Office in Bicol submitted to Albay Governor and Regional Development Council (RDC) chairman Joey Salceda. A remarkable increase of 69 percent was also observed from the investments generated by the region in the same period last year.

The services sector continued to be the biggest contributor to investments (80 percent) followed by industry (18 percent) and agriculture (2 percent),” the report said. Investments in the services sector posted a 114-percent growth over the previous quarter with finance, real estate, insurance and business services and wholesale and retail trade as the main sources of growth.

Albay contributed 83 percent of investments in finance and business services while Camarines Sur, Sorsogon and Albay played a part mainly in wholesale and retail trades. Among the provinces, Sorsogon and Catanduanes posted the highest growth (293 percent and 280 percent, respectively) in investments from the previous year. Albay contributed 39 percent to the region's investments and posted a growth of 221 percent from the preceding quarter.

Bicol recorded 256,746 tourist arrivals this quarter which is 48.6 percent higher than during the same period last year. Domestic and foreign arrivals comprised 86.27 percent and 13.73 percent of the total arrivals, respectively. Most of the foreign tourists were from France, the United States and Japan. Estimated receipts amounted to PhP131 million. Several events, aside from the major festivals, like the Tinagba in Iriga City and Tabak in Tabaco City, contributed to the top performance of the region's tourism for the first quarter.

Governor Salceda said that for the third time, Bicol Region hosted the kick-off of Asia's premier extreme sailing event, the Philippine Hobie Challenge last February 16 in Gubat, Sorsogon. The 260-mile journey from Gubat-Sambuyan-Bacsal-Marambut-Suluan to Siargao enticed both local and foreign water sports enthusiasts. It opened the opportunity for the municipality of Gubat to showcase the town's best.

These developments balanced the damage done by incessant rains, triggered by the tailend of a cold front since January 21 in the region, and dwindling supply of commercial rice in major urban centers. Rice prices rose to between PhP23 and PhP32 per kilo in the region. The QRES noted the need for appropriate interventions toward more efficient production and distribution systems to reduce food prices, as well as the continued push for tourism, infrastructure and more remittances in the area.

Tourism in the Bicol region will continue to boom with the surge in activities at the Camarines Sur Water Sports Complex, the annual Butanding Festival in Donsol, Sorsogon, the Magayon Festival and the Rodeo Masbateño in Masbate in the second quarter of the year, according to the QRES. Continuing inflows of overseas remittances are expected to buoy up strong domestic consumption expenditures. The outlook for inflation will be influenced by the impact of global slowdown and the escalating prices of food and energy products linked to imported oil.

This will further be affected by the impending increase in wages of government employees and private sector workers. An additional wage hike in the private sector may result in the downsizing of small and medium scale enterprises (SMES) and may affect employment. "Construction and rehabilitation of more roads, bridges, air and seaports and post-harvest facilities should contribute to the speedy flow of goods and services," Salceda also said. (PNA)

^^
Wow! Nice news... I hope marami pang improvements ang maitala for the next quarter of this year. Go Bicol! :banana:

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/Legazpeep/DSC04006.jpg
^BRTTH renovation work last month...

^^
There is a rumor that BRTTH will become a medical center soon... I'm not really sure how true the news is. Pero nakuha ko yung info from one of the head nurses sa hospital. Pinagpipilian yung bagong name ng hospital from Bicol General Hospital or Southern Luzon Medical Center. :cheers:

^^pag southern luzon medical center ung name, para sakin, masyadong malayo tau from southern tagalog region w/c is a huge part of the whole southern luzon...

so ibalong centrum was closed for a bit?
wonder if anyone has interior shots of ibalong centrum
^It's not flattering these days, the ground's now dumped with earth to keep it level with the road... below, taken early morning yesterday...
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/Legazpeep/DSC04673.jpg
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/Legazpeep/DSC04692.jpg
^and late afternoon yesterday... the roof's now under repair (the cupola's gone, making it more 'aerodynamic' and typhoon-resistant), thanks to Rep. Bichara and Mayor Rosal. Soon (not another supertyphoon I hope), we'll have two (2) air-conditioned arenas again!

^^
There is a rumor that BRTTH will become a medical center soon... I'm not really sure how true the news is. Pero nakuha ko yung info from one of the head nurses sa hospital. Pinagpipilian yung bagong name ng hospital from Bicol General Hospital or Southern Luzon Medical Center. :cheers:
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/Legazpeep/DSC04007.jpg
^I like the Bicol General Hospital, BGH, easier to remember than the Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital.

Taken last month...
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/Legazpeep/DSC04008a.jpg
^A new building along Rizal in front the De Vera Institute of Technology... old buildings are getting spruced up...one is in front of DOLEV along Capt. F. Aquende (Washington) which I'd been meaning to take a picture of...

^^ beautiful shots sir monsi, glad that you're back:)

;22688824']Investments, tourism sustain Bicol economy in Q1 '08 (http://positivenewsmedia.net/am2/publish/Business_19/Investments_tourism_sustain_Bicol_economy_in_Q1_08.shtml)
By Mike dela Rama

LEGAZPI CITY, July 16 (PNA) -- The 97-percent growth in investments for the first quarter of 2008 and increasing tourism arrivals helped sustain the Bicol Region economy, despite the damage brought about by incessant rains and the rice shortage. The value of investments generated by the region in the first quarter of the year, as monitored by the Department of Trade and Industry, surged by 97 percent to PhP1.498 billion from PhP759.72 million in the previous quarter.

This was based on the Quarterly Regional Economic Situationer (QRES) report by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Regional Office in Bicol submitted to Albay Governor and Regional Development Council (RDC) chairman Joey Salceda. A remarkable increase of 69 percent was also observed from the investments generated by the region in the same period last year.

The services sector continued to be the biggest contributor to investments (80 percent) followed by industry (18 percent) and agriculture (2 percent),” the report said. Investments in the services sector posted a 114-percent growth over the previous quarter with finance, real estate, insurance and business services and wholesale and retail trade as the main sources of growth.

Albay contributed 83 percent of investments in finance and business services while Camarines Sur, Sorsogon and Albay played a part mainly in wholesale and retail trades. Among the provinces, Sorsogon and Catanduanes posted the highest growth (293 percent and 280 percent, respectively) in investments from the previous year. Albay contributed 39 percent to the region's investments and posted a growth of 221 percent from the preceding quarter.

Bicol recorded 256,746 tourist arrivals this quarter which is 48.6 percent higher than during the same period last year. Domestic and foreign arrivals comprised 86.27 percent and 13.73 percent of the total arrivals, respectively. Most of the foreign tourists were from France, the United States and Japan. Estimated receipts amounted to PhP131 million. Several events, aside from the major festivals, like the Tinagba in Iriga City and Tabak in Tabaco City, contributed to the top performance of the region's tourism for the first quarter.

Governor Salceda said that for the third time, Bicol Region hosted the kick-off of Asia's premier extreme sailing event, the Philippine Hobie Challenge last February 16 in Gubat, Sorsogon. The 260-mile journey from Gubat-Sambuyan-Bacsal-Marambut-Suluan to Siargao enticed both local and foreign water sports enthusiasts. It opened the opportunity for the municipality of Gubat to showcase the town's best.

These developments balanced the damage done by incessant rains, triggered by the tailend of a cold front since January 21 in the region, and dwindling supply of commercial rice in major urban centers. Rice prices rose to between PhP23 and PhP32 per kilo in the region. The QRES noted the need for appropriate interventions toward more efficient production and distribution systems to reduce food prices, as well as the continued push for tourism, infrastructure and more remittances in the area.

Tourism in the Bicol region will continue to boom with the surge in activities at the Camarines Sur Water Sports Complex, the annual Butanding Festival in Donsol, Sorsogon, the Magayon Festival and the Rodeo Masbateño in Masbate in the second quarter of the year, according to the QRES. Continuing inflows of overseas remittances are expected to buoy up strong domestic consumption expenditures. The outlook for inflation will be influenced by the impact of global slowdown and the escalating prices of food and energy products linked to imported oil.

This will further be affected by the impending increase in wages of government employees and private sector workers. An additional wage hike in the private sector may result in the downsizing of small and medium scale enterprises (SMES) and may affect employment. "Construction and rehabilitation of more roads, bridges, air and seaports and post-harvest facilities should contribute to the speedy flow of goods and services," Salceda also said. (PNA)

wow:banana: I think Albay should do more with tourism. Investment-wise it's good.

^^pag southern luzon medical center ung name, para sakin, masyadong malayo tau from southern tagalog region w/c is a huge part of the whole southern luzon...

ano bang magiging difference pag nagpalit ng name, or kung maging medical center?
whats the difference between a hospital and medical center?

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/Legazpeep/DSC04007.jpg
^I like the Bicol General Hospital, BGH, easier to remember than the Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital.

There has been a series of name-changing for this hospital with pa-samba doctors and uncaring nurses. Hmp! Kund di ka pa mag-English hindi ka papansinin. Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

ano bang magiging difference pag nagpalit ng name, or kung maging medical center?
whats the difference between a hospital and medical center?

That's exactly what I was thinking. Well, I hope that with the change of the name is more efficient service.

By the way, did you happen to see the figures on Albay's tourist arrivals? I am sad about it.

Hi! I'm Gimo from Legazpi - living and working here. almost 3 mos huling nagbisita dito... jejeje buhay pa pala acct ko. busy kasi sa work. nweis, i've read current and previous threads from bicol - masasabi ko lang wow! nabigyan ako ng bagong pagtingin sa ating lugar... so sige SSC peepz mukhang ala yata active ngayon.

Welcome back!

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/Legazpeep/DSC04547.jpg
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/Legazpeep/DSC04555.jpg
^three Sundays ago.

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/Legazpeep/DSC04667.jpg
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/Legazpeep/DSC04669.jpg
^last Saturday...

I don't see the lighthouse yet in this set of pictures.

Taken last month...
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/Legazpeep/DSC04008a.jpg
^A new building along Rizal in front the De Vera Institute of Technology... old buildings are getting spruced up...one is in front of DOLEV along Capt. F. Aquende (Washington) which I'd been meaning to take a picture of...

^looking good so far. I took a picture of this last year. hehe. What building in front of DOLE-V? There's another quirky-looking building under construction near the AQ Hospital. The renders say it's going to be a kindergarten school.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v653/olineil/lighthouse.jpg
I'm speculating this is the lighthouse. Looks like its cantilevered over the waters. That is one piece of engineering if you ask me. It is very seldom an engineer will have the courage to erect a structure without a foundation directly beneath it. Not that it can't be done... it just needs proper calculations and careful engineering to do this.

Hmm. yeah, that could be it! a lighthouse cantilevered over the water - that should be something. hehe. the views from up there would be great. according to our insider bong_z:

Yes there will be access to the lighthouse. We might have to charge/schedule trips up the lighthouse though so that there won't be too much traffic up there.

Meanwhile, the new Hotel St. Ellis is starting to look exactly like the rendering. :righton:

http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/4999/dsc04609xv2.jpg

http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/2940/dsc04671ma5.jpg
^Update...

;20828266']Hotel St. Ellis construction/renovation in full swing

http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/4092/1000538vl8.jpg

ano ibig sabihin ng cantilever?
pano ang hitsura nyan?

ano ibig sabihin ng cantilever?
pano ang hitsura nyan?
^Like Dolly Parton's, she is often described as "cantilevered beauty.":lol: Seriously, it is a structure, especially a horizontal part; e.g., a beam, of which one end does not have support, i.e., protruding. Oli could explain it to you much better.

^Like Dolly Parton's, she is often described as "cantilevered beauty.":lol: Seriously, it is a structure, especially a horizontal part; e.g., a beam, of which one end does not have support, i.e., protruding. Oli could explain it to you much better.

Nahh... I couldn't have explained it any better. Hehehe... tumpak sya sir monsi.:)

Napocor takes over Albay power co-op

LEGAZPI CITY – The National Power Corp. has taken over the operations and management of the Albay Electric Cooperative (Aleco) following the cooperative’s failure to pay a P1.4-billion debt to the state-owned power agency.

Napocor officials said the move was made to rescue the Aleco from bankruptcy.

Napocor and Aleco officials Thursday signed an operation and management contract that allowed the suspension of Aleco’s debts, gave it a chance to rehabilitate and provided a transition period for privatization.

Albay Gov. Joey Salceda said an operation and management contract with the Napocor was the most viable and efficient solution to Aleco’s financial woes.

“Under the contract, there will be no disconnection. It will offer Aleco access to the financial resources and management expertise of the Napocor,” Salceda said.

He said while the debt payment would be suspended under the one-year contract, the Napocor would also enforce a rehabilitation plan for the ailing power cooperative.

The plan seeks to ensure reliability of supply and the lowering of power rates.

Salceda said the Napocor sought to reduce systems loss, or electricity lost to pilferage and defective equipment, by 14 percent and to modernize its 30-year-old power distribution facilities.

The governor said once Aleco becomes financially viable, private investors would be interested to buy it.

He said though privatization was a long way to go, it would make debt payments easier and allow Aleco to earn and reduce technical losses.

Also, Salceda said he was concerned with Albay’s reputation, so he proposed that a partnership be sealed in the contract between the Napocor and Aleco.

“Rather than a creditor-initiated court proceeding against Aleco, there is an orderly and systematic way of fixing the problem and that is through partnership,” Salceda said.

“Cooperation is better than adversarial relations,” he added.

Bicol militants, however, opposed the takeover.

Tessa Lopez, Bicol spokeperson of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), said it was part of President Macapagal-Arroyo’s policy on the privatization of the power sector.

“The thrust of this policy is to first control the electric cooperatives through takeovers then, eventually, to sell them to the private sector. It is also very dubious that President Arroyo’s relatives are in the energy sector,” Lopez said.

She added that it seemed the Arroyo family was planning to carve a niche in the power sector with Aleco as its “test case.”

“What is needed is for Aleco to be made a genuine cooperative,” Lopez added.

ano bang magiging difference pag nagpalit ng name, or kung maging medical center?
whats the difference between a hospital and medical center?

my point is the appropriateness of the name. wla masyadong pumupuntang mga taga-tagalog region dito...

By the way, did you happen to see the figures on Albay's tourist arrivals? I am sad about it.

im not sad about this one. these are just figures. they are mere reflections of what happened in the past. In short, irrelevant.

Albay ICT group moves to attract BPO firms to Legazpi[/SIZE]
By Erwin Oliva

MANILA, Philippines -- A group representing stakeholders in the information and communications technology (ICT) industry in Albay is moving quickly to attract business process outsourcing (BPO) firms to the province, its president told INQUIRER.net. Rosemarie Rey, president of the Albay ICT Association (AICTA), said the group is aiming to grow its membership this year, as they anticipate the influx of investments from the BPO industry to Legazpi City.

Rey who represented the AICTA, witnessed the signing of a deal between Embarcadero Land Ventures Inc. and five telecommunications companies as part of a plan to create an IT park in the city. Among the telecommunications companies that have agreed to provide services to the IT park are the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company, Bayantel, Digitel, Globe and PT&T, the group said in a statement.

The planned IT park is a 15,477 square-meter area located in Legazpi City. It can house about 8,000 seats in three buildings, she said.

Glad to know that PLDT, Bayantel, Digitel, Globe and PT&T have already struck a deal with Embarcadero to provide services just like what's indicated in the project's brochure below. See scanned copy of the full brochure here (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=20871012&postcount=56)

http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/1578/embbrochuread5.jpg

August 8 is close... I'd be home by then... isn't this the opening of ambarcadero? malapit na pala...

Salceda bucks cut in Albay’s revenue

By Mar Arguelles

LEGAZPI CITY—President Arroyo’s chief economic adviser is scrambling to restrict expenditures of his provincial government as he sought an explanation from the Budget Department for the hefty cut in his province’s Internal Revenue Allotment.

Albay Gov. Joey Sarte Salceda said that he would ask the department to restore the P22.2 million reduction in the allotment.

Salceda said the restriction will not cover significant programs like PhilHealth para sa Masa, scholarships, disaster preparedness and climate change adaptation.

He said the province has spent some P34 million for some 120,000 PhilHealth cards distributed to indigent individuals in the 15 towns and three cities of the province.

“Our new initiatives in social welfare will be restrained since we can not compromise vital ongoing programs and projects,” he said.

Budget Department records indicate that Albay’s IRA this year is at P682 million. Of this, P352 million covering the first semester has already been released.

Salceda laments that the province was expecting some P340 million in IRA allotment for the second semester. But the department’s final notice of revenue allotment was for only P330 million or a 3-percent decrease from what the provincial officials were expecting.

But Budget Department-Bicol regional director Rebecca Olayon said this was not a cut but a readjustment of the IRA allocation computation.

She said the newly created province of the Compostela Valley and the adjustment of devolved agencies in Davao del Norte province in Mindanao affected the computation of the IRA of various local government units.

She said this year there were 18 towns across the country that were converted into cities.

Olayon said her agency had released some P210 billion in IRA share for 2008, a 13-percent increase compared to last year’s P183-billion IRA share.

August 8 is close... I'd be home by then... isn't this the opening of ambarcadero? malapit na pala...

yup, that's the target soft opening...aabot kaya?

i think it would pero i'm expecting na hindi siya as good as they project it to be... baka partial opening pa lang ang lagay niyan... just my forecast...

^^ganon nga siguro :c

Well I guess thats why its called "Soft Openning".

...^looking good so far. I took a picture of this last year. hehe. What building in front of DOLE-V? ...
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/Legazpeep/ANST.jpg
^precarious looking hanging scafoldings...

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/Legazpeep/Bonotbypass.jpg
^soon-to-open bypass road...

^ wheres that located monsi?
anyway, anything up over at MIH?

Napocor takes over Albay power co-op

LEGAZPI CITY – The National Power Corp. has taken over the operations and management of the Albay Electric Cooperative (Aleco) following the cooperative’s failure to pay a P1.4-billion debt to the state-owned power agency.

Napocor officials said the move was made to rescue the Aleco from bankruptcy.

Napocor and Aleco officials Thursday signed an operation and management contract that allowed the suspension of Aleco’s debts, gave it a chance to rehabilitate and provided a transition period for privatization.

Albay Gov. Joey Salceda said an operation and management contract with the Napocor was the most viable and efficient solution to Aleco’s financial woes.

“Under the contract, there will be no disconnection. It will offer Aleco access to the financial resources and management expertise of the Napocor,” Salceda said.

He said while the debt payment would be suspended under the one-year contract, the Napocor would also enforce a rehabilitation plan for the ailing power cooperative.

The plan seeks to ensure reliability of supply and the lowering of power rates.

Salceda said the Napocor sought to reduce systems loss, or electricity lost to pilferage and defective equipment, by 14 percent and to modernize its 30-year-old power distribution facilities.

The governor said once Aleco becomes financially viable, private investors would be interested to buy it.

He said though privatization was a long way to go, it would make debt payments easier and allow Aleco to earn and reduce technical losses.

Also, Salceda said he was concerned with Albay’s reputation, so he proposed that a partnership be sealed in the contract between the Napocor and Aleco.

“Rather than a creditor-initiated court proceeding against Aleco, there is an orderly and systematic way of fixing the problem and that is through partnership,” Salceda said.

“Cooperation is better than adversarial relations,” he added.

Bicol militants, however, opposed the takeover.

Tessa Lopez, Bicol spokeperson of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), said it was part of President Macapagal-Arroyo’s policy on the privatization of the power sector.

“The thrust of this policy is to first control the electric cooperatives through takeovers then, eventually, to sell them to the private sector. It is also very dubious that President Arroyo’s relatives are in the energy sector,” Lopez said.

She added that it seemed the Arroyo family was planning to carve a niche in the power sector with Aleco as its “test case.”

“What is needed is for Aleco to be made a genuine cooperative,” Lopez added.

It's just about time that Napocor do that.

^ wheres that located monsi?
anyway, anything up over at MIH?
^a road that will bypass busy Bonot; its from Bicol Memorial Park to Lakandula Drive near the Gogon Elementary School... work at MIH has slowed down a bit...

^^that bypass road would surely decongest the traffic along Bonot area;
it's quite busy especially in the morning.

^a road that will bypass busy Bonot; its from Bicol Memorial Park to Lakandula Drive near the Gogon Elementary School... work at MIH has slowed down a bit...

Request po... kung ok lang i-mark sya sa google earth image for the benefit of the rest of the peepz outside the country. Salamat sir monsi. :)

Request po... kung ok lang i-mark sya sa google earth image for the benefit of the rest of the peepz outside the country. Salamat sir monsi. :)

http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/1337/legsat1lq8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

sana mas malinaw 'to...

http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/1337/legsat1lq8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

sana mas malinaw 'to...

Salamat na dakulaon! This is very clear indeed. Good to know that they are adding roads. It is desperately needed.

^^because of that road, hindi na kailangang pumasok ng mga buses bound
to Manila sa Penaranda Ext.,luluwag na ang daloy ng trapiko sa area ng Bonot.

Salamat na dakulaon! This is very clear indeed. Good to know that they are adding roads. It is desperately needed.

especially now that Legazpi is growing fast...

City dads to put up walkway and bicycle lanes in Legazpi
(http://positivenewsmedia.net/am2/publish/Cities_And_Towns_23/City_dads_to_put_up_walkway_and_bicycle_lanes_in_Legazpi.shtml)
LEGAZPI CITY, July 24 (PNA) – The City government of Legazpi will put up a “walkway” within the city's main thoroughfares to help the commuters save money from taking a jeepney or tricycle for short trips amidst the fare hikes being implemented due to oil price spikes. Mayor Noel Rosal said the city’s residual budget will be utilized to put up the walkway as short-lived solution to encourage the public to walk instead of riding in a public utility vehicle.

We are not getting rid of the transport sectors but we want to save the pitiable people, practically in this very abnormal economic condition, he said. “We do not know when and where this very unusual economic situation the country is experiencing right now, will lead, so we have to lay down at least palliative solutions to outstrip the country’s crisis," Rosal said.

The spiralling fare hikes and abnormal oil price increases as well as food crisis continue to foster some 14 millions Filipinos suffering from starvation. Rosal showed support to Albay Governor Joey Salceda's move to put up bicycle lanes in the strategic areas in the province of Albay to empower bikers to reach their destination without the need to spend money.

Rosal said the city government of Legazpi will be the first to implement the said bicycle lanes and walkways in the province of Albay.
The mayor admitted that bicycle lanes need a lofty budget construction for widening but he assures the public to source out additional funds for the realization of the project. (PNA)

;23057604']City dads to put up walkway and bicycle lanes in Legazpi
(http://positivenewsmedia.net/am2/publish/Cities_And_Towns_23/City_dads_to_put_up_walkway_and_bicycle_lanes_in_Legazpi.shtml)
LEGAZPI CITY, July 24 (PNA) – The City government of Legazpi will put up a “walkway” within the city's main thoroughfares to help the commuters save money from taking a jeepney or tricycle for short trips amidst the fare hikes being implemented due to oil price spikes. Mayor Noel Rosal said the city’s residual budget will be utilized to put up the walkway as short-lived solution to encourage the public to walk instead of riding in a public utility vehicle.

We are not getting rid of the transport sectors but we want to save the pitiable people, practically in this very abnormal economic condition, he said. “We do not know when and where this very unusual economic situation the country is experiencing right now, will lead, so we have to lay down at least palliative solutions to outstrip the country’s crisis," Rosal said.

The spiralling fare hikes and abnormal oil price increases as well as food crisis continue to foster some 14 millions Filipinos suffering from starvation. Rosal showed support to Albay Governor Joey Salceda's move to put up bicycle lanes in the strategic areas in the province of Albay to empower bikers to reach their destination without the need to spend money.

Rosal said the city government of Legazpi will be the first to implement the said bicycle lanes and walkways in the province of Albay.
The mayor admitted that bicycle lanes need a lofty budget construction for widening but he assures the public to source out additional funds for the realization of the project. (PNA)

Hmmm... reactive governance na naman. Remember my proposal to convert the railway for local use only from daraga-legazpi. We can actually design our own rolling stocks, something simple. rail line settlers use "skates" na de-bomba or de-motor for their personal use. We can actually innovate this just like how we innovated the army jeep and come up with something practical and usable.

Also with all the talk of BRT in the country I just wonder why there is not even a mention of maybe employing this and start studying this transport system and come up with a plan to eventually phase-out the jeepney.

High capacity transport will lower the fares and also lower the demand for fuel since we are effectively transporting larger amount of people with roughly the same amount of fuel that a jeepney needs. Not to mention that it will fix the perennial traffic that is hunting our beloved city nowadays. We can now sideline the jeepneys to do a feeder role on smaller barangay streets to bring commuters to the BRT stations.

I know its ambitious, but lets face it... if we don't get rid of the jeepney our economy will not move. The jeepney was only effective when there was only 20-30 million filipinos. Yes it is part of our history but it is a 40's technology and not meant for the demand of the economy of the 21'st century.

Our government officials should start thinking 10-15 years ahead and not just "current term" solutions!

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/Legazpeep/DSC04780.jpg
^late yesterday afternoon...the tower's rising...

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/Legazpeep/DSC04786.jpg
^Hotel St. Ellis early this morning...

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/Legazpeep/DSC04783.jpg
^early this morning...

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/Legazpeep/DSC04780.jpg
^late yesterday afternoon...the tower's rising...

ohhh! looks like the cantilevered portion is actually an independent structure and not the one supporting the lighthouse. It was an optical illusion that we were seeing on the other angle. Bummer! Hehehehe...

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/Legazpeep/DSC04783.jpg
^early this morning...

kailangan na talaga ng make over ang mga old buildings
sa area na ito to keep pace with Embarcadero.
NFA Regional Office looks neat:)

Hi Peepz! Sorry its kinda big... but I need it to be big enough in order for us appreciate my dream proposal for Legazpi City. I am dreaming big for our city. Here is my 15 year insight answer to Mayor Noel Rosal bike lane dream.

This will definitely cost a lot of money. But if a private consortium will undertake this it can be done in 5-10 years and its well worth the investment.
We can relegate now those pesky jeepneys & tricycle to feeder role. Post away guys! Throw your comments and analysis on how we can improve this proposal.
Maybe just maybe, someone can forward this idea to Mayor Rosal.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v653/olineil/LegazpiCityBRTMap3.jpg

BRT is an idea whose time has arrived. It has many advantages that all communities should consider as part of their planning process:

• BRT systems can operate at speeds nearly twice as fast as conventional buses and roughly equivalent to light rail, getting people quickly to their destination.
• BRT systems are flexible – vehicles can operate on neighborhood streets and on designated roadways.
• BRT systems have capital and operating costs substantially lower than rail. In fact, as noted by a recent Transportation Research Board study, full-featured BRT can perform as well if not better than most rail systems in the world, and this performance can be achieved at a fraction of the cost.
• BRT can promote positive changes in local land use, encouraging appropriate development and enhancing property values.
• BRT can be more accessible to seniors and people with disabilities than traditional bus service.
• BRT can take advantage of compressed natural gas (CNG) and other clean technologies, helping to improve our environment.
• BRT can be developed incrementally, allowing systems to be installed over-time as community needs and demands change.

^^wow!!!that's great. I agree with this BRT System, its a long lasting solution than that
of what is being planned by the city government.

http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/5751/brtep4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
this could be great if materializes:)

few posts to go :banana: THREADXIII

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/Legazpeep/DSC04783.jpg
^early this morning...

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/Legazpeep/DSC04786.jpg
^Hotel St. Ellis early this morning...

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r244/Legazpeep/DSC04780.jpg
^late yesterday afternoon...the tower's rising...

Great updates, sir Monsi! thanks!

Very impressive proposal, Neil. :okay: Yes it is ambitious and will definitely cost a lot of money but it's not impossible. I'm thrilled to see innovative ideas in this thread which may seem out of this world to naysayers and people with traditional and narrow mindsets but actually makes a lot of sense, given the looming energy crisis ahead. It's not enough to just plan for the next year or two. We should plan for 15-20 years down the road.

We can scale it down to fit the needs of the city. For example, we can design our own rolling stock such as this one in Curitiba, Brazil:

http://img92.imageshack.us/img92/1685/800pxbusstops2curitibabns2.jpg

I think Rizal St. is wide enough to accommodate a BRT system such as the one your diagram (Red Line).

Hi Peepz! Sorry its kinda big... but I need it to be big enough in order for us appreciate my dream proposal for Legazpi City. I am dreaming big for our city. Here is my 15 year insight answer to Mayor Noel Rosal bike lane dream.

This will definitely cost a lot of money. But if a private consortium will undertake this it can be done in 5-10 years and its well worth the investment.
We can relegate now those pesky jeepneys & tricycle to feeder role. Post away guys! Throw your comments and analysis on how we can improve this proposal.
Maybe just maybe, someone can forward this idea to Mayor Rosal.


BRT is an idea whose time has arrived. It has many advantages that all communities should consider as part of their planning process:

• BRT systems can operate at speeds nearly twice as fast as conventional buses and roughly equivalent to light rail, getting people quickly to their destination.
• BRT systems are flexible – vehicles can operate on neighborhood streets and on designated roadways.
• BRT systems have capital and operating costs substantially lower than rail. In fact, as noted by a recent Transportation Research Board study, full-featured BRT can perform as well if not better than most rail systems in the world, and this performance can be achieved at a fraction of the cost.
• BRT can promote positive changes in local land use, encouraging appropriate development and enhancing property values.
• BRT can be more accessible to seniors and people with disabilities than traditional bus service.
• BRT can take advantage of compressed natural gas (CNG) and other clean technologies, helping to improve our environment.
• BRT can be developed incrementally, allowing systems to be installed over-time as community needs and demands change.

Wow, ganda nga! Impressive work, Neil!

Does anyone happen to know if any of the city hall people read this forum? They should! Ideas like these shouldn't fall on deaf ears.

few posts to go :banana: THREADXIII

Thread XIII is looming. :cheers:

^^because of that road, hindi na kailangang pumasok ng mga buses bound
to Manila sa Penaranda Ext.,luluwag na ang daloy ng trapiko sa area ng Bonot.

I agree, and hopefully, another route for the PUJs will be opened.

Check this out guys.
http://www.nbrti.org/docs/pdf/ITDP%20BRT%20Planning%20Guide.pdf

It says that Transmilennio in Bogota, Colombia was finished in just 3 years for the whole metro area somewhat equivalent to Manila. So if this is implemented in Legazpi it can be done in 1 year. They also a cost comparison that if you build 40km of LRT the you spend to build this can build us 246Km of BRT. Wow!

Check this out guys.
http://www.nbrti.org/docs/pdf/ITDP%20BRT%20Planning%20Guide.pdf

It says that Transmilennio in Bogota, Colombia was finished in just 3 years for the whole metro area somewhat equivalent to Manila. So if this is implemented in Legazpi it can be done in 1 year. They also a cost comparison that if you build 40km of LRT the you spend to build this can build us 246Km of BRT. Wow!

Very interesting read. With Legazpi's relatively small size, this proposal is actually very feasible pala. :okay:

http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/6404/cooltext74231094yv5.gif

Welcome to Thread XIII
Past Threads: |1 (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=175804&highlight=Legazpi+City)|2 (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=282995&highlight=Legazpi+City)|3 (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=393040&highlight=Legazpi+City)|4 (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=393055&highlight=Legazpi+City)|5 (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=393055&highlight=Legazpi+City)|6 (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=390163&highlight=Legazpi+City)|7 (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=390264&highlight=Legazpi+City)|8 (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=411710&highlight=Legazpi+City)|9 (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=439325&highlight=Legazpi+City)|10 (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=467380&highlight=Legazpi+City)|11 (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=519930&highlight=Legazpi+City)|12 (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=558963)


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Legazpi City | Photo by Jon Albert Cadag (http://www.trekearth.com/members/AvregJo/)

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Legazpi City Hall | Photo by Monsi

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Photo by Ariel Dennis Chua (http://plfoto.info/photodb/folder?folder_id=665171)

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Legazpi @ Night | Photo by Yves Yu (http://dphotography.org/)

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Legazpi Panorama | Photo by Dex Baldon (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dxpsycho/)




FAST FACTS: Legazpi City


Area: 204.20 square kilometers (20,420.40 hectares)
Population:
179,481 (2007 Census)
Growth Rate: 2.63%
Density: 769/square kilometerIncome Class: 1st Class, Partially urban
Cityhood: June 12, 1959
Number of Barangays: 70 (45 urban, 25 rural)
Location:
123°44' Longitude East, 13°08' Latitude North
Situated on the eastern portion of Albay province
Approximately 556 kilometers south of ManilaTopography: Generally plain on the northeastern side with slope ranging from 5 to about 15 degrees while dominantly rolling to hilly on the southern part. Coastal areas vary from plain (northern portion) to hilly terrain (southern portion)
Climate: Average temperature of 27°C; coldest during the month of December at 25°C and the warmest during the month of June at 28°C
Major Economic activities: The commercial activities of the City of Legazpi are characterized by the presence of establishments engaged in various major economic activities. These include establishments in the primary industries such as agriculture, forestry and fishing, mining and quarrying; secondary activities in manufacturing; and in the tertiary industries such as banking and finance, real estate and related services
Revenue Collection Target: P984.4 million (as of 2006 (http://www.pia.gov.ph/Default.asp?m=12&sec=reader&rp=1&fi=p060310.htm&no=1&date=))
Infrastructure and Utilities:
Legazpi Domestic Airport, trunkline (2280 x 36 meters runway, 75 hectares total area)
Legazpi Port, national sub-port of entry (329 meters and 12 meters, total area is 4,942 square meters with an open storage space of 1,738 meters)
Total Road Network: 180.255 kilometers
Total number of bridges: 18 with an aggregate total length of 404.80 linear meters* * *

http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/5945/314815470653bf0b860odo4.jpg
Photo by vamessedup (http://flickr.com/photos/vamessedup/)


FAST FACTS: Albay Province
Area: 2,552.6 square kilometers (255,260 hectares)
Population:

1,190,823 (as of 2007); 22nd largest
Density - 427.4/square kilometer (10th highest)
Growth rate: 1.77%Income Class: 1st Class
Founded: March 10, 1917
Location: Bicol Region, Southern Luzon Island, North-eastern Philippines
Capital: Legazpi City
Congressional Districts: 3
Component Cities: 3

Legazpi
Tabaco
LigaoMunicipalities: 15

Bacacay - 2nd Class
Camalig - 2nd Class
Daraga - 1st Class
Guinobatan - 1st Class
Jovellar - 5th Class
Libon - 2nd Class
Malilipot - 4th Class
Malinao - 4th Class
Manito - 4th Class
Oas - 2nd Class
Pio Duran - 3rd Class
Polangui - 1st Class
Rapu-Rapu - 4th Class
Santo Domingo - 4th Class
Tiwi - 2nd ClassTopography: Plains and flat lands constitute two-fifths of the entire land area. The greater portion of these flat lands is in the northwestern quadrant, forming a large part of the fertile, highly potential basin of the Bicol river system. Albay has a rich reservoir of steam deposits in the town of Tiwi. Mountain ranges provide natural dichotomy for the entire provincial landscape. On the western half portion lie low and rolling mountain ranges of less than 600 meters in height. On the eastern side, comparatively high and volcanic mountain ranges including Mt. Mayon, Malinao and Masaraga sprawl in majestic display. Mayon Volcano, a major tourist attraction, is known for its near perfect cone that rises 8077 feet (2462 meters) above sea level.
Land Use: 55% agricultural areas; 27% pasture land; 12% production forest; 2% mangrove/fshpond; 4% built-up areas
Economic Activities: Agriculture, manufacturing, trading, ceramics, mining, aquaculture, real estate and tourism.
Major Industries:

Agriculture still accounts for the largest share in total production and employment. On agriculture, coconut, rice, abaca and corn are its major crops. Of the total 6,369 manufacturing establishments of varied sizes in the Bicol Region, half is located in Albay.
On large-scale manufacturing industries, 48.6% are operating in Albay. Handicrafts is the major source of rural income. It continues to provide fairly large share in the small-scale industries of the province.
Burias Pass, Albay Gulf, Tabaco Bay, Ticao Pass, Cagraray Pass, Pangasinan Bay are the major fishing rounds. They abound in commercial species of fishes such as, round scads, tuna, signid, big-eye, anchovy and mackerel.Transporation: 1 trunkline airport; 1 international seaport, 1 national port, 3 municipal ports and 4 barangay ports


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Albay Capitol | Photo by Monsi


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May we continue this discussion in our new thread please? :D :rock:

Legazpi City and Albay Province | Thread 13 (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=670594)

7 months, 1000 posts and 33,100+ views later, we move forward to the next thread!

So what was the talk about, again? Hehehe! Woohoo! Thirteenth thread! Congrats, Legazpeeps!

So what was the talk about, again? Hehehe! Woohoo! Thirteenth thread! Congrats, Legazpeeps!

Neil's proposed BRT sytem for Legazpi. hehe. There's actually a very active thread about Bus Rapid Transit systems in the Transport and Infrastructure Subforms --> Click Here (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=589987)

Hmmm... reactive governance na naman. Remember my proposal to convert the railway for local use only from daraga-legazpi. We can actually design our own rolling stocks, something simple. rail line settlers use "skates" na de-bomba or de-motor for their personal use. We can actually innovate this just like how we innovated the army jeep and come up with something practical and usable.

Also with all the talk of BRT in the country I just wonder why there is not even a mention of maybe employing this and start studying this transport system and come up with a plan to eventually phase-out the jeepney.

High capacity transport will lower the fares and also lower the demand for fuel since we are effectively transporting larger amount of people with roughly the same amount of fuel that a jeepney needs. Not to mention that it will fix the perennial traffic that is hunting our beloved city nowadays. We can now sideline the jeepneys to do a feeder role on smaller barangay streets to bring commuters to the BRT stations.

I know its ambitious, but lets face it... if we don't get rid of the jeepney our economy will not move. The jeepney was only effective when there was only 20-30 million filipinos. Yes it is part of our history but it is a 40's technology and not meant for the demand of the economy of the 21'st century.

Our government officials should start thinking 10-15 years ahead and not just "current term" solutions!


Hi Peepz! Sorry its kinda big... but I need it to be big enough in order for us appreciate my dream proposal for Legazpi City. I am dreaming big for our city. Here is my 15 year insight answer to Mayor Noel Rosal bike lane dream.

This will definitely cost a lot of money. But if a private consortium will undertake this it can be done in 5-10 years and its well worth the investment.
We can relegate now those pesky jeepneys & tricycle to feeder role. Post away guys! Throw your comments and analysis on how we can improve this proposal.
Maybe just maybe, someone can forward this idea to Mayor Rosal.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v653/olineil/LegazpiCityBRTMap3.jpg