Legazpi, Ligao and Tabaco Cities, and Albay Province - Compiled Threads [Archive] - Page 8

olineil

February 24th, 2006, 02:41 AM

First posted 09:29pm (Mla time) Feb 23, 2006
By Gil Francis Arevalo, Bobby Labalan
Inquirer

Editor's Note: Published on page A18 of the February 24, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

LEGAZPI CITY -- A MINING FIRM THAT IS being besieged following mine spills last year vowed to pump in at least P320 million a year to the town that hosts it in the form of wages and revenue from the purchase of goods and services.

Carlos Dominguez, chair and president of the Lafayette Phil. Inc. (LPI), said direct job and business opportunities would have a multiplier effect and translate to at least P320 million a year for residents of Rapu-Rapu, Albay.

But this did not stop some 2,000 fishermen, who are blaming LPI for loss of income in a fish scare, from filing a class suit against the mining firm.

Lawyer Gil Gojol, who filed the case for the fishermen, said the fishermen want to put a stop to LPI’s mining operation and are demanding compensation.

The complainants are fishermen from the towns of Prieto-Diaz and Gubat and Bacon District in Sorsogon City, Gojol said.

Dominguez said Rapu-Rapu, and the national government, would be the biggest beneficiaries
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of LPI when the firm pays taxes.

“These are just the start,” he said. “We have more in store for our host communities once we resume operations.”

He said the company would pour its resources into improving the town’s and the surrounding villages’ socio-economic condition.

The villages of Pagcolbon and Malobago, he said, would receive P10 million of projects such as street lighting, free electricity and medical support for 1,600 residents.

The two villages are nearest to the LPI project site.

“Schoolchildren will be given the supplies they need, both to make them better pupils and to lessen the financial burden on their parents,” Dominguez added.

“We want to show them that we are doing responsible mining and that our activities are benefiting the local communities in the short and long term,” he said.

Lawyer Gojol said the suit filed by the fishermen seeks to force LPI to pay for the loss of income that was a result of a fish scare that followed two mine spills in the LPI’s Rapu-Rapu project.

Lawyer Julito Sarmiento, LPI corporate secretary and director, said the suit is “an opportunity to find the whole truth about the fish scare and hold all the parties guilty fully liable based not on rumors or emotions but on pure evidence and facts.”

He reiterated that LPI does not use mercury in its operations as its detractors claim.

Dominguez said the other benefits that LPI would bring to Rapu-Rapu and its neighboring towns would be in the form of increased purchase of goods that would run into millions of pesos and perk up business.

He said LPI is now upgrading its facilities, expanding its dams and ponds and its water treatment facilities are being further improved.

He said LPI would not resume operations until it has fully met all requirements to ensure that the Rapu-Rapu project is safe.

PDI Southern Luzon Bureau

olineil

February 24th, 2006, 06:09 AM

spacer

With its rich cultural heritage, abundant marine life, and vibrant people, the province of Masbate is truly one of the country’s most beautiful hidden treasures. Because of its strategic location, lying between the main route south and the sea-lanes of Western Visayas, it has been dubbed as the "Gateway to the Heartland of the Philippines".

Masbate is a melting pot of all the riches of the North and South as it serves as the dividing line between Luzon and the rest of the country. This union of cultures has significantly influenced the creativity of the Masbateños as reflected in their pottery, shell ornaments, and other trimmings. Its residents, who are well-known for their warmth and kindness, speak a blend of five dialects: Bicol, Waray, Hiligaynon, Tagalog, and Cebuano.

The province is gifted with lush commercial fishing grounds and breathtaking dive sites that have made the province a local wonder.

For beach-loving tourists and travelers, beaches with powdery white sand and crystal waters – of which some are "hidden" and unexplored – line the stretch of the province’s coastline.

Also hailed as the "Rodeo Capital of the Philippines", the province of Masbate saddles up every year to celebrate the annual Rodeo Masbateño where Pinoy cowboys from all over the country—and even abroad—invade the province to showcase their lassoing and horse-back riding skills in this action-packed event.

A unique socio-cultural gathering, this rodeo celebration also features trade fairs, exhibits, a Grand Parade of horses, and the search for Miss Rodeo.

Surely, Masbate makes for an exceptionally exhilarating experience with its natural wonders, unique artistry, and distinct culture that continue to captivate and surprise the hearts and eyes of everyone.

olineil

February 24th, 2006, 04:27 PM

Bicol BFAR transfer backed
By Florencio P. Narito

LEGAZPI CITY – Jaime de la Vega, regional director of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), has expressed support to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan resolution authored by Albay Vice Gov. Jesus B. Calisin seeking the transfer of the BFAR regional office from San Agustin, Pili, Camarines Sur to the Government Regional Center in Rawis, Legazpi City.

The City Council of Naga and the Provincial Board of Camarines Sur have passed separate resolutions opposing Calisin’s proposal.

De la Vega in a radio interview last Monday, said that he is in favor of the transfer because there’s a Presidential Proclamation No. 1676, dated Oct. 8 which requires that all regional offices should be relocated at the Government Center in Rawis, Legazpi City.

Secondly, he stressed that the reason for establishing a BFAR regional office in Legazpi City is that Legazpi City is strategically located for closer coordination with other regional and provincial offices.

“If the plan to transfer the BFAR regional office to Legazpi City materializes, we will be hitting two birds with one stone because we can establish the BFAR provincial office for Albay and at the same time establish the BFAR regional office in Legazpi City,” De la Vega said.

However, he stressed that the BFAR office in Pili, Camarines Sur will remain a satellite regional office. “We will hold office here at least two days a week,” he added.

De la Vega admitted that Albay has no BFAR provincial office. “If the plan pushes through, we will establish an extension regional office in Legazpi City,” he said.

“In my honest opinion, having a BFAR regional office in Legazpi City, we will be able to better serve the fishing industry in Bicol,” he added.

[dx]

February 25th, 2006, 07:19 PM

Related airport news:

Friday February 10, 8:21 AM
Arroyo Orders Development of Legazpi Airport

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b332/MatteoMatt/legazpiarrival.jpg

LEGAZPI CITY, Feb 10 President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has ordered the development of an airport of international standard at Barangay Alobo, Daraga, Albay.

According to Albay Gov. Fernando Gonzalez, the President has instructed Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro Mendoza to commence the feasibility study for the proposed project that was endorsed by the Regional Development Council.

With a budget of P3.4 billion (US$65.6 million), the proposed airport has been included in the 2005-2010 Philippine Medium-Term Development Plan for implementation next year, the governor said.

Its development is expected to be completed in seven years, he added.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b332/MatteoMatt/507981224wfoRwF_ph.jpg

In an interview Wednesday, Gonzalez said that the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) has particularly been contained under the immediate need category.

As this developed, City Mayor Noel Rosal said that once the development of the new airport takes place, the Legazpi Domestic Airport here would either be turned into an economic zone or up for sale to partly pay for the loan from where the new airport would get its funding.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b332/MatteoMatt/dsci0016.jpg

The mayor disclosed that the national government has allocated a budget of P500 million for airport development throughout the country, a portion of which could be utilized to develop the proposed airport in Albay.

Rosal said that the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) has initially found the proposed airports site as the cheapest and technically the best in the Bicol region.

- source: http://sg.biz.yahoo.com/060210/16/3ylw5.html

nice..i was the one who took that photo (third one)..hehe..where'd you get it? search engine results? :)

Matteo

February 25th, 2006, 07:37 PM

ah ok. heheh ^^
sa google images nakita ko.
sorry kasi di ko alam kung kanino ifo-photo credit heehee :D
ayan small world

drfeelgood17

February 26th, 2006, 01:48 AM

Welcome Dxpyscho! Do you have any more pics of Legazpi?
How was your birthday Matt? Lots of fun?

[dx]

February 26th, 2006, 06:52 AM

ah ok. heheh ^^
sa google images nakita ko.
sorry kasi di ko alam kung kanino ifo-photo credit heehee :D
ayan small world

haha..ndi, oks nga e..kahit ndi na icredit...bday mo pala, happy bday na rin..oo drfeelgood, ill try to post more pics.. :)

[dx]

February 26th, 2006, 06:58 AM

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/dxpsycho/daraga_church.jpg

Daraga Church - This beautiful church was constucted after the Mayon eruption of 1814 which buried the town of Cagsawa in mud and rocks, killing thousands of people and devastating the town. Only the belfry of the church remained as a testimony to Mayon's destructive power. To prevent a similar disaster from happening, the people of Daraga decided to build a church on top of a hill. This church overlooks the town of Daraga and has a good view of the volcano, looming in the distance.

not in Legazpi, pero very adjacent pa rin..hehe :okay:

[dx]

February 26th, 2006, 07:12 AM

http://www.arrakeen.ch/asia2004/393%20%20Legaspi.JPG

:) Found this sa net, di ko alam kung na-post na 'to dito, sorry kung oversized, tsaka parang ang gulo tingnan.. :tongue4: . A view of Legazpi City, probably taken near MIH. Some notable landmarks: St. Agnes Academy (my alma mater..hehe), Pacific Mall, ICR, LCC, INC church..

olineil

February 26th, 2006, 07:48 AM

Tiga-sain ka sa Legazpi City dxpsycho? Mga uragon kita gabos! :runaway:

[dx]

February 27th, 2006, 03:12 AM

[dx]

February 27th, 2006, 03:13 AM

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/dxpsycho/picture_009.jpg

to drfeelgood. oks man digdi. batch '99 ako..hehe..kamo? :D

drfeelgood17

February 27th, 2006, 03:21 AM

Gurang na batch na ako! :D I left in 1988 - had I stayed on my batch year would have been 91. :)
When was your pic taken?
Paguna ko nagerupt nanaman ang Mayon?

[dx]

February 27th, 2006, 03:26 AM

last year. eu.minor eruption man lng..phreatic.dai man ngani riparo kung dai lang tigbalita...ngunyan lie-low naman sya, pero alert level 2 ata ^^ ..hehe

drfeelgood17

February 27th, 2006, 03:33 AM

last year. eu.minor eruption man lng..phreatic.dai man ngani riparo kung dai lang tigbalita...ngunyan lie-low naman sya, pero alert level 2 ata ^^ ..hehe

gari overactive ang Mayon these days...narumduman ko every 8-10 years sana ang eruptions niya, nguyan gari every 2-3 years na! ano na an?! :eek2:

btw igwa kang pics kan mga new developments sa Legazpi? for example: new buildings, malls, the port area....kulang kita kang mga infrastructure pics...maski may mga tawo :)
thanx

[dx]

February 27th, 2006, 03:54 AM

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/dxpsycho/DSCI0027.jpg
Side entrance - Pacific Mall, Legazpi City

olineil

February 27th, 2006, 09:10 AM

Nice...ano talaga ang purpose kang shelter na iyan sa gilid kang pacific mall...nahiling ko na yan a few years ago.

Dinho

February 27th, 2006, 10:23 AM

Bacolod and Batangas are both on the list.

Hey, why are you calling Bacolod butchokoy city? Just wanted to know.

lewdsaint

February 27th, 2006, 10:58 AM

butchukoy city? where is that?
somebody is reacting. lol

kuya, small cities category lang po yung pinakita ko dun kasi small city daw ang legazpi city.
but click on the powerpoint presenttion link and you'll see baguio, butuan, and butchukoy city sa complete list

Dinho

February 27th, 2006, 11:02 AM

butchukoy city? where is that?
somebody is reacting. lol

They were referring to both Bacolod and Batangas.

lewdsaint

February 27th, 2006, 11:06 AM

Did you confirm it?
You make me laugh! lol

They were referring to both Bacolod and Batangas.

[dx]

February 27th, 2006, 11:32 AM

Nice...ano talaga ang purpose kang shelter na iyan sa gilid kang pacific mall...nahiling ko na yan a few years ago.
Landco Plaza ata..minsan may mga events dyan..

[dx]

February 27th, 2006, 02:29 PM

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/dxpsycho/Picture13.jpg
Lights on..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/dxpsycho/Picture11.jpg
late afternoon...

Photos of Plaza Rizal in Legazpi City, with the Bichara Mall..I think the lampposts are replicas of those found at the Baywalk, Roxas Boulevard in Manila. Sorry for the low res, this was taken using a camera phone from the newest Chowking branch in the City, just beside the park (excellent location). :)

thanks owen :cheers1:

disturbed_guy

February 27th, 2006, 03:56 PM

http://usera.imagecave.com/disturbed_guy/guinobatanchurchint1.jpg

A view of the interior of the Guinobatan Church. Lots of improvements in the physical aspects. Thanks to Msgr. Binlayo and Fr. Crisol for leading the project. Ok naman ang results. A great place to thank God's blessings. Come and visit. Hehe. Deretso sa bahay, kain!....

:runaway:

thanks to tourism.albay.gov.ph for the pic!

drfeelgood17

February 27th, 2006, 04:45 PM

Thanks for the pic disturbed guy and dxpsycho (makulok ang mga nicknames nindo :lol: , gari dakulon ang kapay sa Bikol!!)

Guinobatan church looks great, especially the interior - great conservation work!

drfeelgood17

February 27th, 2006, 04:47 PM

[dx]

February 27th, 2006, 05:34 PM

Thanks for the pic disturbed guy and dxpsycho (makaulok ang mga nicknames nindo :lol: , gari dakulon ang kapay sa Bikol!!)

Guinobatan church looks great, especially the interior - great conservation work!

hahaha..dai man..medyo diit na sayad lng.. :weird: :lol: ..btw, may feature na ba digdi kang mga churches sa Bicol? If i remember it right may initiative 'ata su UAP and some other groups para sa conservation kang mga Bicol Churches.

disturbed_guy

February 27th, 2006, 05:41 PM

thanks doc..
uu nga konti lang ang tuyo sa yutak.. mga ilang pihit na lang, titino din. hehehe.

Matteo

February 27th, 2006, 06:45 PM

Hey, why are you calling Bacolod butchokoy city? Just wanted to know.
and what makes you think i was talking about your bacolod city? or batangas?
i was joking with (whoever that oroginal poster was) because he said he cannot see any city that starts with the letter "B"
(i was actually being sarcastic as well)

dude next time, watch it (or re-read posts again and again for that matter) before you react out of wack.

drfeelgood17

February 27th, 2006, 07:03 PM

Hey Matt, how was your knees up? Hope you had a good time :cheers:

@dxpsycho, I think we posted pics of the different churches in Albay province in the previous editions of the Legazpi thread...

Matt do you remember where do old threads are kept? ...just wanna show our new members, thanx

Matteo

February 27th, 2006, 07:44 PM

hey doc! how are you. i miss you guys.
bday weekend was much fun hehe
daming food! :lol:
but it was really good. 4 days ago, bunch of my friends (actually its our band, i posted a photo in the last Album thread) took me to out to dinner (pre bday hehe) at this one real nice place called Daniel Boulod at the Wynn hotel. i felt really bad cause it was somewhat expensive hihihihi but i felt special :lol:
then dinner with everyone saturday night.
lunch with everyone sunday, then dinner with almost everyone sunday night.
busog na busog hehehe

anyway, good to have legazpi based peeps here now. we get to see more recent photos. keep em coming dudes! :D

Doc, 1, 2 and 3 is in Olineil's singature line

sugarboy

February 27th, 2006, 07:57 PM

sugarboy

February 27th, 2006, 07:59 PM

drfeelgood17

February 27th, 2006, 09:52 PM

^ My understanding is that the Bicharas (of Lebanese origin) are from somewhere else in Albay province, possibly, Ligao. They are neither from Legazpi nor Naga - is that right Matt?

Matteo

February 27th, 2006, 10:01 PM

doc, im not sure.
i think they started their empire hehe (movie theaters, right?) in Naga.
then branched out, built a small mall in Legazpi.

drfeelgood17

February 27th, 2006, 10:13 PM

^ Ok maybe Olineil might know.
Your b-day sounds fun - lots of food, wow! Sounds more like Christmas hehe Lucky you!
To the new members: try and encourage your friends in Legazpi to join up. The more the merrier!

sugarboy

February 28th, 2006, 12:59 AM

doc, im not sure.
i think they started their empire hehe (movie theaters, right?) in Naga.
then branched out, built a small mall in Legazpi.

Are they a political family? Tell me more about them, Matt :)

Matteo

February 28th, 2006, 01:10 AM

[dx]

February 28th, 2006, 01:19 AM

ei matt, good to know you had a great birthday..nice name though for a restaurant, hehe..if it were located anywhere here in Bicol, im sure it would be the butt of jokes..:D :lol:

i have a couple of former schoolmates dyan sa Vegas..though wala masyado contact..

Matteo

February 28th, 2006, 01:28 AM

hey psycho. how are you
i know right hehe. i dont even know how to say the name :lol:
i think its daniel bu-low i duno
anyway, where you located?

Matteo

February 28th, 2006, 01:30 AM

sugarboy

February 28th, 2006, 01:32 AM

hey sugarboy.
last governor of albay province was a Bichara.
thats about as much as i know hehehe.
so yea i guess they can be considered a political family....?
im not too familiar with the clan, but that last bichara governor (Al Francis)
was actually very well respected, in my opinion.
anyone here correct me if im wrong, but i believe he was re-elected for a second term.
he was very instrumental in the development and progress of the province, specially Legazpi city when he held chair, as well as the region as a whole since he was also elected as the regional devt council chairman, or something of that sort. he was responsible for a lot of projects that led to the city's urbanization and development.

by the way, youre from bacolod right?
just to let you know i wasnt talking about bacolod (re: butchukoy city thing)
i wasnt actually talking about any city at all, for that matter.
so i hope you weren't offended. :) but i apologize if did.
i duno where/how Dinho came up with that :D

yes i'm from bacolod but that butchokoy thing doesn't bother me a bit. :lol: in fact it just made me laugh because i noticed how highly-strung some people can be on this forum. over at the Iloilo thread some four hours ago, GreyX closed the thread because of some intense tirades hurled at each other. why can't people just hang loose? :banana2:

re Bicharas, i was wondering about them because I know of a lady in her 60s who's married to a Bichara who doesn't carry the Bichara name for safety reasons daw. why is that? are they "kidnappable"?

drfeelgood17

February 28th, 2006, 01:39 AM

[dx]

February 28th, 2006, 01:45 AM

hey psycho. how are you
i know right hehe. i dont even know how to say the name :lol:
i think its daniel bu-low i duno
anyway, where you located?

nice..may photo pa..hehe..I'm in good, ol' Legazpi City.. :D..'bout the Bicharas, i don't know much about them, pero I had a Bichara schoolmate dati (actually the governor's niece), and she was ok naman..

Matteo

February 28th, 2006, 01:55 AM

isnt Maribeth Bichara the dancer related to them too?
nice psycho. we've been waiting for a legazpi-based forumer so we can have up to date photos posted here! heheheh :lol:
i'm matt and i'm a good boy. heheh
welcome

sugarboy

February 28th, 2006, 01:58 AM

^ Apart from the fact that they are a powerful political clan (with potential enemies), they are also very wealthy...and I suppose lucrative targets for kidnappers! Besides, politicians and their relatives in the RP often don't go out without bodyguards...for good reason! :)

wow! thanks doc! am just wondering, are they still wealthy or was wealthy? or perhaps, like any other regular family, there are the poor cousins i guess.

drfeelgood17

February 28th, 2006, 02:06 AM

I think they are still very wealthy considering they own several malls and other businesses. I don't know about any poor cousins though. The best people to ask are the relatives. :)

sugarboy

February 28th, 2006, 02:11 AM

thanks again doc! actually, i was just wondering because i know of someone who has a collectible from someone in that family in six digits and it seems like the latter is trying to evade payment.

[dx]

February 28th, 2006, 02:16 AM

@ sugarboy, yes they are still wealthy, i think. :dunno: :)
@ matt. i'm dx and yup i'll do my best to post new and up-to-date photos..:okay:

btw, Whatever happened to Bichara's Ligñon Hill plan? It would have been a great addition to the City's growing list of destinations. ok views dun of both Legazpi City and environs tsaka of course, Mayon Volcano. I hope they push through with it. I think nagkaproblema yata because of the erosion. tsaka, wala na si Bichara, bago na governor..:D..tsk

olineil

February 28th, 2006, 02:17 AM

wow! thanks doc! am just wondering, are they still wealthy or was wealthy? or perhaps, like any other regular family, there are the poor cousins i guess.

Yes regarding the Bicharas, they are among the wealthiest Families in Albay. Hacienderos...they have wide expanse of agricultural lands in the third district of albay. But I dont think they are abusados like the Aquino clan when it comes to their workers. So far ive never heard any complaints about this family. Yes, Maribeth Bichara is Al Francis Bichara's sister. I'm hands down on Al-Francis, like what doc said, he was very instrumental in the development of Albay and the Bicol Region. During Al's term RDC chair Bicol Region experienced the best road network (almost every inch of National Highway was asphalt overlayed) was fixed up and maintained properly. I dont know whos heading it now, but this I know, the Quirino Highway ( a vital link of Bicol to Manila) is in terrible shape.

Matteo

February 28th, 2006, 02:19 AM

dxpsycho, you have pics of pacific mall's interior?
ive been itchin to see interior shots of the mall.
wala sa net.

and whats up with the boardwalk? pier area?
whats new over there

[dx]

February 28th, 2006, 02:32 AM

wala ako interior pics e...cge, post n lng ako pag meron na. sa boardwalk, popularly known as "boulevard", ganun pa rin, no new developments yet, pero i hope they start with the wharf project soon..:)

sugarboy

February 28th, 2006, 02:41 AM

olineil

February 28th, 2006, 04:09 AM

LEGAZPI CITY - Philippine democracy is being abused by Imperial Manila, composed of politicians, militants, former congressmen and groups who claim to represent the people.

This was the sentiment in a random interview with Bicolano local leaders, professionals, students and ordinary people in reaction to recent events that unfolded in Metro Manila.

The Bicolanos said the protesters in Manila have no personality to represent the people in the regions.

Felipe Llave, 70, a retired employee of the Philippine National Railways, said those involved in the attempted coup, rallies and calls for Mrs. Arroyo’s resignation are exploiting the democracy of the country.

"They are the problem and not the government," he added.

"It appears that they [protesters] have other intentions and they have different wants and were just using the EDSA revolution as their sounding board," said a native of Camalig, Albay.

Mark Mandane, a college student, said the present political crisis in the country should teach the government to be firm.

"It should allow no ralliers on the streets, especially with politicians and generals accompanying them," Mandane said.

Melinda Jacob, a nursing professor, said: "They keep talking, marching on the streets urging GMA to resign and trying to topple down the government. They want her to resign but who will replace her?"

"What is their problem in Manila? There are others who need their help like the Saint Bernard landslide victims and others who are sick," said Salvación Lorejo, 70, a vendor. PNA

:::Exactly my SENTIMENTS!!!!!:::

olineil

February 28th, 2006, 04:12 AM

Cebu teams will start their bids in the 60th National Students Basketball Championship today in the tournament co-hosted by Legazpi City and Daet City in the Bicol Region.

The University of San Carlos Warriors, in their first appearance in the competition since 1956, will take on Region 4 qualifier San Pedro College of Business Administration of Laguna in the Inter-Collegiate division at the Albay Astrodome in Legazpi.

While 200 kilometers away, first-timer University of Southern Philippines Baby Panthers and perennial participants Salazar Colleges of Science and Institute of Technology Baby Skyblazers will face separate opponents in the high-school division.

The SCSIT Baby Skyblazers will play against St. Clare College of Caloocan City right after the opening ceremony at 1 p.m., while the Baby Panthers will start their campaign later in the afternoon.

Warriors coach Mike Reyes strongly believes his team could make the quarterfinal round.

“I believe we could land at least the No.4 spot since the teams in our group are not very tough,” Reyes told Sun.Star Cebu.

USC is in Group B with SPCBA, National University Bulldogs of the UAAP, Angeles University Foundation of Pampanga, University of Luzon of Dagupan City and Divine World College of Bicol.

“Actually, our teams have a good chance in the nationals, especially the University of San Carlos, because it is a cohesive team. Although ceiling-wise they are short but their game is good enough to bring them to the finals,” said BAP-7 Regional Director Raul Alcoseba. (RCM)

????Bakit wal ung Bicol University????? Marami magagaling na varsitarians dun...

Dinho

February 28th, 2006, 09:20 AM

kuya, small cities category lang po yung pinakita ko dun kasi small city daw ang legazpi city.
but click on the powerpoint presenttion link and you'll see baguio, butuan, and butchukoy city sa complete list

Sugarboy, here is how the discussion went.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=7324314&postcount=173 (http://)

Matteo
naughty but nicer
Location: 89121
Posts: 309 Quote:
Originally Posted by Carlo Dominguez
how come walang cities na nakalista na nagsisimula sa letter B?

kuya, small cities category lang po yung pinakita ko dun kasi small city daw ang legazpi city.
but click on the powerpoint presenttion link and you'll see baguio, butuan, and butchukoy city sa complete list

February 10th, 2006, 09:59 AM #174
Carlo Dominguez
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Baguio City
Posts: 73 butchukoy city? are u joking me?

February 10th, 2006, 11:45 AM #175
drfeelgood17
Location: London/ Legazpi
Posts: 729 Quote:
Originally Posted by Carlo Dominguez
how come walang cities na nakalista na nagsisimula sa letter B?

Bacolod and Batangas are both on the list.

Now I do not understand what Butchokoy means. I may have also misunderstood something here since some of the discussion is in Tagalog. Don't worry, I am not like those people from that thread that Sugarboy was referring to. I am just curious why some people labelled Bacolod as butchokoy city.

Legazpi is so much like Bacolod with a volcano in the background. I wonder which city is actually closer to their respective volcanoes?

disturbed_guy

February 28th, 2006, 03:26 PM

????Bakit wal ung Bicol University????? Marami magagaling na varsitarians dun...

Yup yup.. Too bad :bash: that the university is not into that varsity fame. Kulang ng sistema to handle those bball-gifted students. Bball talents are very evident sa mga colleges. You can clearly see towers in the catwalks. It's always a hot game for everyone. Kaso un nga lang... talagang kulang sa suporta at schemes from the admin..

disturbed_guy

February 28th, 2006, 04:45 PM

http://usera.imagecave.com/disturbed_guy/ohlalapool2.jpg

A view of the Oh La La Paradise Spring Resort in Guinobatan.

Sa pic, it's like a jungle engulfing a clean spring-water pool. Actually, may 2 more pools pa sa site. Malinis ang lugar and well-maintained. Facilities are good. I think there are 22 rooms available and 5 function halls. This would be a great place to visit this summer.

Thanks to tourism.albay.gov.ph for the pic.

[dx]

February 28th, 2006, 04:56 PM

http://usera.imagecave.com/dxpsycho/skyscrapercity/P1010241-copy.jpg
Close-up of Mayon's crater, taken last April 2005. :D..the pool looks cool:cool:, this one looks sizzling, steaming, sulfuric hot..yoiks.^^

Matteo

February 28th, 2006, 06:14 PM

[dx]

March 1st, 2006, 01:44 AM

I have a question. We do know that when we talk of out of town trips/vacations, the people from Metro Manila will not think twice about going to Baguio despite the length of time it takes to drive up there (not counting the incline and zigzag road). I'm sure that Bicol is a province waiting to be discovered by the city folk. Could you guys tell us what would be the key factors in considering Bicol as the destination for our next family vacation? Hope you wouldn't tire of listing the highlights. Also hope you could show us what to expect on the road vis a vis a trip to Baguio (i.e. hours on the road, road conditions, as compared to Baguio etc.)

I've never been to Baguio so I can't compare. But definitely the Bicol region has a lot to offer. You can check out those sites Matt posted. One of the best destinations in Bicol include Donsol, where the whale sharks are (incidentally, now is the peak season for whale shark watching and interaction).

Of course there's Mayon Volcano, Legazpi City, Naga City, Misibis, and other destinations you can visit. Catanduanes and Caramoan in Cam. Sur has some of the best beaches too. By the way, Bicol is not a province, it is a region composed of six provinces, each with their own list of excellent tourist spots.

I think the best that Bicol has to offer is still largely undiscovered by the average tourist. Kahit nga kaming taga-Bicol mismo naaamaze pa rin.."meron pala nyan dito, etc". Some of the best destinations are known only through word of mouth, wala masyado exposure sa media. Ei guys, help us out..hehe, maybe you can also share some of Bicol's best kept secrets here. :)

sugarboy

March 1st, 2006, 01:48 AM

^^ this is actually the reason why i'm asking you guys rather than resorting to the website. the website will indicate the usual attractions but your input will give more weight in terms of swaying city slickers to go your way rather than Baguio.

the input on Donsol is really appreciated. we should spread word about this. :okay:

Matteo

March 1st, 2006, 02:16 AM

I would recommend Misibis resort in Albay.
Although, im not totally sure how the accomodations are at this time since I believe its still under construction and the slated completion is in 2007..?
but I think the beach and the hotel is already open for business....

DXPsycho, anything you can add to this one?

Misibis Resort and Spa

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b332/MatteoMatt/m1.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b332/MatteoMatt/m4.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b332/MatteoMatt/m5.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b332/MatteoMatt/ms4.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b332/MatteoMatt/ms2.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b332/MatteoMatt/ms1.jpg

An off the beaten path retreat, Porta Azure Resort and Spa

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b332/MatteoMatt/55539-med-int08.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b332/MatteoMatt/55535-med-int04.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b332/MatteoMatt/pa_image08.jpg

In Camarines Sur province, Caramoan Peninsula:

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b332/MatteoMatt/306032248ORGPHe_ph.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b332/MatteoMatt/123278968jdSPSH_ph.jpg

Always, Cagsawa Ruins

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b332/MatteoMatt/CagsawaNationalParknow.jpg

and yes, whale sharks in Donsol, Sorsogon:

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b332/MatteoMatt/whaleshark1.jpg

Scuba Diving:

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b332/MatteoMatt/dive1.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b332/MatteoMatt/diving.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b332/MatteoMatt/sanmig2.jpg

Vistas:

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b332/MatteoMatt/sanmig1.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b332/MatteoMatt/Albay45.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b332/MatteoMatt/Albay49.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b332/MatteoMatt/Albay52.jpg

You can climb up Mayon Volcano, resthouse and planetarium.
Is this planetarium open yet or what?

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b332/MatteoMatt/mayonresthouse.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b332/MatteoMatt/mayonplanetarium.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b332/MatteoMatt/mayskyline.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b332/MatteoMatt/mayonplanetarium.jpg

Shopping, Dining:

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b332/MatteoMatt/pacificmall.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b332/MatteoMatt/lccmallatnight.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b332/MatteoMatt/legazpi174.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b332/MatteoMatt/BicharaMall2.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b332/MatteoMatt/303163163iJvtIr_ph.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b332/MatteoMatt/AlbayCapitolrestaurants.jpg

Arts and Culture, Museum

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b332/MatteoMatt/magayonartgallery.jpg

The Basilica in Naga City

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b332/MatteoMatt/basilicaminore.jpg

Getting There
-is not a problem since the region is accessible by all modes of transportation.
Legazpi City's airport is right smack in the business district.
Flight duration is about 45 minutes from Manila, about 13 hours by bus from Manila and a bit shorter by private vehicle:

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b332/MatteoMatt/lcairportandoceanjpg.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b332/MatteoMatt/legazpiarrival.jpg

Rail transportation, not sure though if you wanna take this route heheh

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b332/MatteoMatt/pnrlegaspi.jpg

Bicol's cities, (Naga, Legazpi etc) has an abundance of good quality hotels, inns for a comfortable stay. I mean theyre not 5 star, but theyre comfy :D hehe

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b332/MatteoMatt/AvenRoseSuites.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b332/MatteoMatt/CasablancaHotel.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b332/MatteoMatt/MagayonHotel.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b332/MatteoMatt/AlbayHotel3.jpg

Welcome to Legazpi City!

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b332/MatteoMatt/leg20wall_mayon.jpg

The city is fairly clean and safe :D

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b332/MatteoMatt/divinewordcollege.jpg

now dude, these are just recommendations alright.
Please dont hold me liable for any inaccuracies or outdated information hehehehe :lol:

But yeah, lots of places to see, things to do in Bicol.

[dx]

March 1st, 2006, 02:43 AM

:eek2: nice collection you got there matt.

http://usera.imagecave.com/dxpsycho/skyscrapercity/Picture015.jpg
http://usera.imagecave.com/dxpsycho/skyscrapercity/Picture010.jpg
http://usera.imagecave.com/dxpsycho/skyscrapercity/Picture020.jpg

Here's the beach in Catanduanes we visited last year. It was nice, clean, and very peaceful. The sand was not as fine or as white as those in Boracay though. It was great but we've been told this doesn't even compare to the best beaches in that island. Too bad we didn't have much time to explore; but I'm definitely going back :D. Transportation to and from Catanduanes is fairly ok. There is regular ferry service from Tabaco to Virac and San Andres, and back. I heard the Fastcraft service (similar to those in the Visayas) has been restored, so the trip to Virac is shortened from over 3 hours by ferry to just under 1 1/2 hours. That's good news for me since the trip going there really made me sick :dizzy:..haha..

Matteo

March 1st, 2006, 02:46 AM

^^ hehe psycho. pwedeng paki proofread nalang kasi di ko alam kung gaano ka up to date yung mga info na yan. hehehe
correct mo nalang kung may nagkamali ako

drfeelgood17

March 1st, 2006, 02:55 AM

^ Nice beach and city pics, psycho and Matt! Catanduanes looks really inviting and pristine. I'd like to spend some time there on my next trip back home, as well as at the Misibis resort. Does anyone know if the old Mayon Imperial has been bought? Wasn't it you Matt who said it was for sale?

[dx]

March 1st, 2006, 03:15 AM

hehe. yup, so far up-to-date naman ung mga info..galing ng pics!

[dx]

March 1st, 2006, 03:25 AM

Ei doc. I don't know what the status of that place is. What i do know is that it looks quite spooky and abandoned. Half of it was destroyed in a fire (some say of dubious origins) a few years ago right when some celebrities and guests of the Ibalong Festival were staying there.

drfeelgood17

March 1st, 2006, 03:34 AM

^ That's a pity since it has such a great view of the city and Mayon. I hope it gets a buyer soon, or perhaps be converted to something else.
Sounds like the fire was deliberately started "for insurance purposes" hehe.

sugarboy

March 1st, 2006, 03:52 AM

now this more like it! great job guys! great pics! i know there's more to discover in bicol.

olineil

March 1st, 2006, 06:17 AM

Legazpi City, Albay - Sweet-shooting Niño Ramirez scored 11 of the University of San Carlos Warriors’ 17 points in the first quarter to lead the Cebu team to a 77-63 win over the San Pedro College of Business Administration yesterday morning.

Another stellar performance against its Legazpi City sister-school, Divine World College (DWC), gave the Warriors a 74-62 win in the 60th National Students Inter-Collegiate Championship at the Albay Astrodome.

In its first appearance since the time of Ramon Fernandez, Danny Alfafara and company in 1970, the Warriors played like a well-oiled machine and took control of the game early.

After protecting a single-digit lead in the first half, USC’s defense started to choke the Laguna-based squad, resulting to a 21-8 burst that put the Warriors ahead, 60-41.

The Warriors did it without Ramirez, who was called back to the bench to save his strength for the afternoon game.

Later, the Warriors showed no signs of slowing down until the final quarter, when the game was clearly in the bag.

However, USC coach Mike Reyes is a bit wary about their assignments today. At 1 p.m., the Warriors will play the National Capital Region champions, National University Bulldogs, followed by a match at 5 p.m. against the taller University of Luzon.

In addition, USC lost Ken Sharma, who sprained his left knee after a bad fall in the game against DWC.

“Yun nga eh. We only had three big men and then Ken got injured on a bad fall,” Reyes told Sun.Star Cebu.

Reyes and his coaching staff brought Sharma to the Aquinas University Hospital, where the doctor confirmed the sprained knee.

“But he also said Ken could not play anymore because he needs to rest his injury,” explained Reyes.

Meanwhile in Daet, USP whooped it up after scoring a walk in the park win, 123-59, against the University of Batangas.

The Salazar Colleges of Science and Institute of Technology didn’t have it as easy, losing their first assignment in the national finals. Coach Jojo Romarate’s wards had a clear plan for victory, but fumbled down the stretch, wasting a 10-point cushion at the start of the final period for an eight-point defeat.

Today, the Baby Panthers will play Iloilo Central Commercial High School, while SIT will face St. Clare College. (RCM)

Legazpi Based Dudes...Any pics of this action going on in Albay Astrodome? Thanx

Chris2pher

March 4th, 2006, 05:42 AM

What's up, folks? I have a few pics of my last visit in Bicol that I'd like to share w/ u guys...hope the following images shows up...

=========
Cagsawa Ruins

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f85/robbonto/december9050.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f85/robbonto/december9034.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f85/robbonto/december9043.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f85/robbonto/december9051.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f85/robbonto/december9061.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f85/robbonto/december9064.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f85/robbonto/december2513.jpg

=========
Freedom Park (?)

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f85/robbonto/december9016.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f85/robbonto/december9020.jpg

Chris2pher

March 4th, 2006, 06:19 AM

=========
Legazpi Airport

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f85/robbonto/December27064.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f85/robbonto/December27070.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f85/robbonto/December27077.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f85/robbonto/December27046.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f85/robbonto/December27078.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f85/robbonto/December27081.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f85/robbonto/December27080.jpg

[dx]

March 4th, 2006, 07:09 AM

nice. thanks chris2pher..and welcome :)

drfeelgood17

March 4th, 2006, 09:24 PM

=========
Freedom Park (?)

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f85/robbonto/december9016.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f85/robbonto/december9020.jpg[/QUOTE]

Yes, this is Freedom Park. I remember this one - we used to take evening strolls here. It used to be called Imelda Park. :)
Thanks Chris !

sugarboy

March 5th, 2006, 12:53 AM

^^ that's a nice piece of sculpture!

[dx]

March 5th, 2006, 01:39 AM

di ba this will be the future site of the Plaza Legazpi? are there any renderings available? :)

drfeelgood17

March 5th, 2006, 01:41 AM

^That's what I heard....I've been googling for any renderings/plans, but so far, I've found nothing. Does anyone know when this construction of this plaza will begin?

[dx]

March 5th, 2006, 01:49 AM

I don't have any details either. What i know is that it will be funded through a grant from Spain. Hope they start construction soon. Sana may unique at modern na feature. ala-Calatrava..hehe.:okay:. Kaso mostly residential yung lugar, tago yung park.

drfeelgood17

March 5th, 2006, 01:59 AM

Yun na nga, parang hindi masyadong accessible ang location, via Cruzada, di ba?
They're probably planning something "hispanic" or Filipino-Spanish as for the design. Sana nga matuloy.

Chris2pher

March 5th, 2006, 02:03 AM

I've been there quite a few times also, since a maternal relative of mine lives just nearby the park, pero I've never really realized that that sculpture was made not of stone until someone proved to me that it really isn't when a stone was thrown at it...which was right after that pic was taken. The park is ok, pero garo mas ma-ogmang pumasyar d'yan kadto kaysa sa ngonyan kaya ayos lang sa'ko na ribayan na. :)

[dx]

March 5th, 2006, 02:04 AM

Wala pa ako nakikita renderings kahit dito sa Legazpi. Ano kaya ang design? :) I think we need more parks in the City.

[dx]

March 5th, 2006, 02:10 AM

Chris2pher

March 5th, 2006, 02:13 AM

It sounded tin, to me.

drfeelgood17

March 5th, 2006, 02:17 AM

What does the sculpture actually represent? When I was a kid they used to tell me that it's a sculpture of Ferdinand & Imelda in a passionate embrace!! :laugh:

[dx]

March 5th, 2006, 02:26 AM

@chris i didn't know that..hehe
@doc haha..yikes..pero it is interesting..

Jefferyi

March 5th, 2006, 09:31 AM

I agree. That's a very nice piece of public art with a powerful message. The style kinda reminds me of that sculpture at the entrance of Loyola Memorial Park in Paranaque. I think it symbolizes the Filipino's struggle to hang on despite the hopeless situations. :dunno:

sugarboy

March 5th, 2006, 10:37 AM

Really? what is it made of then? iyo, medyo masamok na sa park na iyan, dapat na talaga i-renovate.

Sculptures like those are usually made of bronze. Am even wondering if this is a work by Eduardo Castrillo.

olineil

March 5th, 2006, 05:43 PM

as far ad I know, the sculpture was a work of a national artist commissioned by Imelda Marcos. Who ever the artist was, I really dont know.

drfeelgood17

March 6th, 2006, 02:23 AM

[QUOTE=Chris2pher]=========
Legazpi Airport

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f85/robbonto/December27064.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f85/robbonto/December27070.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f85/robbonto/December27046.jpg

I see they've enlarged the airport terminal. It looks much better than before, anyway. If I'm not mistaken that guy in the last pic is selling taho! :)

Chris2pher

March 6th, 2006, 10:18 AM

Yep, early am 'yun flight ko noon papuntang Manila kaya tamang-tama 'yun taho...an sarap.

=========
Buhi Lake, Camarines Sur

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f85/robbonto/00003.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f85/robbonto/00002.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f85/robbonto/00004.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f85/robbonto/00001.jpg

sandrin

March 6th, 2006, 06:56 PM

Talks to construct Legazpi airport under way

By RHAYDZ B. BARCIA
The Manila Times Correspondent

DARAGA, Albay - Officials here met over the weekend to discuss the construction of a new airport in Legazpi City.

The meeting took place after President Arroyo ordered the release of P1.2 billion for the construction of the Legazpi City International Airport.

Mayor Gerry Jaucian and the members of the appraisal committee and barangay officials in Alobo, Inarado, Kinawitan, Burgos and Mabini, also discussed the conversion of agricultural lands to industrial lots to reach the minimum number of hectares needed for the project.

"We need at least 200 hectares of land. It is not surprising that many families will be displaced as soon as the construction starts," Jaucian said.

He added that the Legazpi government is putting finishing touches to a plan that would help relocated residents.

The city airport will be privatized to pave the way for its conversion as an international airport to complement the government’s tourism and economic development program here.

"We’re grateful to the President for fulfilling the Bicolanos’ dream to have an international airport. This is the realization of our quest to become one of the booming regions in the country," Jaucian said.

Matteo

March 7th, 2006, 01:13 AM

Where exactly is Alobo?
Is this area in a barrio or something?
And how far is it from the city?

Anyway, those were nice photos chris2pher.
By any chance do you have any interior shots of Pacific Mall, LCC Mall and Bichara Mall? I've always wondered how the insides of these places looked.

I remember LCC before it became a mall.
We would hang out in the 'Boutique Center' to cool off and chase girls hehehe.
Then go up to the 5th floor and spend the afternoon in Glico's <-- is this still there? We would stop by Cherryland Bakeshop to buy chocolates then across the street over at Graceland. My favorite was the 19 pesos special that they have before - A cheeseburger and a drink for 19 pesos.
Is Rosele Center still in business? How about La Trinidiad cinemas?

Man, I miss home... :(

olineil

March 7th, 2006, 02:15 AM

Where exactly is Alobo?
Is this area in a barrio or something?
And how far is it from the city?(

Based on the Barrio's mentioned (Alobo, Inarado, Kinawitan, Burgos and Mabini) I have a slight idea where it is. But I might be wrong. Ive been to Inarado a few times, its roughly 20-30 min from Daraga town center via public transtpo... private car I believe is about 15min. To describe where it is....which I hope I'm right, from daraga town center you need to go on the road uphill going to sorsogon, then about 1.5 km after the GMA 7 compound and just before the NAPOCOR peñafrancia station there is a road turning right. You are gonna go thru a densely forested area with zigzag roads, uphill and downhill ones for a good few min then there will be a clearing, rice fields and flatlands. Thats Inarado. Whew! Did I describe vividly! hehehehe...

olineil

March 7th, 2006, 03:10 AM

Heres a MAP to help clear things out Better:

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a79/olineil3/daragacopy.jpg

drfeelgood17

March 7th, 2006, 04:52 AM

^So basically this new airport is on the way to Sorsogon (Castilla). I heard that the original plan was to build it in a remote corner of Legazpi, on the road to Manito, but this was rejected for various reasons. The reason for the out-of-town location was that it was apparently as far away from Mayon's lahar and lava paths as possible. I suppose one advantage of the latest site is that Donsol's whaleshark spots will now be easily accessible.

drfeelgood17

March 7th, 2006, 05:01 AM

.
I remember LCC before it became a mall.
We would hang out in the 'Boutique Center' to cool off and chase girls hehehe.
Then go up to the 5th floor and spend the afternoon in Glico's <-- is this still there? We would stop by Cherryland Bakeshop to buy chocolates then across the street over at Graceland. My favorite was the 19 pesos special that they have before - A cheeseburger and a drink for 19 pesos.
Is Rosele Center still in business? How about La Trinidiad cinemas?

Man, I miss home... :(

Do you mean the original site on Penaranda St? ....Yeah I remember when it was just a dept store! I used to "escape" to LCC when the classes at St Agnes got too boring. Plus the cinemas were just around the corner. There was a ice-cream stand on the ground floor that made "fried ice-cream". :)

Those were the days Matt! :D

[dx]

March 7th, 2006, 07:05 AM

fried ice cream?! ano yun..haha

wow, youv'e been gone that long.. :) wala na Roselle, matagal na..same with La Trinidad theatre, pero the hotel is still in business

olineil

March 7th, 2006, 11:19 AM

Mauli ako sa katapusan kang abril sa Legazpi!!!!! Yeeeepeeeee!!!! I hope I can take as much Pictures of interest as I can.... Expect a cataclysmic flood of Pics by end May!!!!!!Wooooooooohooooooooo!!!!!!

drfeelgood17

March 7th, 2006, 06:05 PM

^ That's great news Olineil! Wow, I'm excited (on your behalf, hehe).
This forum is gonna be so busy in the next few weeks...can't wait.
Don't forget Matt's special request: interior shots of PM ! :)

Matteo

March 7th, 2006, 06:36 PM

Matteo

March 7th, 2006, 09:32 PM

syangapala.
dxpsycho and chris, you guys need to post your face photos para maisama sa ssc pinas banner

C A G R A R A Y I S L A N D

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b332/MatteoMatt/338927411tIzkDz_ph.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b332/MatteoMatt/338928075HxywwN_ph.jpg

photo credit: elysian_fields

Chris2pher

March 8th, 2006, 03:37 AM

Anyway, those were nice photos chris2pher.
By any chance do you have any interior shots of Pacific Mall, LCC Mall and Bichara Mall? I've always wondered how the insides of these places looked.

Thanks bro! I actually have a few pics inside the mall but, unfortunately, they were all well focused on peopl'es faces. Pero bro, I have one pic na medyo harayo an kua...uni s'ya, photoshoped para mauda su mga tao:

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f85/robbonto/454b1e0b.jpg

olineil Mauli ako sa katapusan kang abril sa Legazpi!!!!! Yeeeepeeeee!!!! I hope I can take as much Pictures of interest as I can.... Expect a cataclysmic flood of Pics by end May!!!!!!Wooooooooohooooooooo!!!!!!

Yey! Ditto! This great! Man, u wanna meet up at the mall? Pa-araon ta lang si Matt! Hehe! :jk: Pero after this semester pa kaya ako makaka-uli, around the third week of May, kaya baka mayo kana d'yan sa Pinas. I'm gonna take lots of pics, aswell. :)

[dx]

March 8th, 2006, 03:40 AM

huwaw, that's great olineil! doc and matt, uwi na rin kayo!. that would be cool..hehehe :righton:

whew, for the ssc pinas banner...uhrmm..hanap muna ako acceptable na pic..wahaha :rofl:

'bout the airport, if it's too remote, i dunno, it kinda defeats the purpose. I've never even been to these places yet. But i know the road going to Sorsogon via Kimantong offers excellent scenic views of Daraga and Legazpi. I think they should build a better highway first that will connect the population centers with the proposed airport. I hope it's all in the plans. If it does get built,it will open up these barrios to urbanization. Its exciting..hehe..I hope I get to see these places become developed in my lifetime. :cool:

Chris2pher

March 8th, 2006, 03:57 AM

Hey, man, sa Legazpi ka palan naka-istar? Igwa pang iba igdi sa SSC na d'yan naka-base ngunyan? Btw, taga-Camarines Sur palan lan ako...sa Pili. And speaking of Airports, I think mas dakula tsaka mas magayon ang Pili Airport compared sa Legazpi. Kaso, mas busy gayod ang Legazpi because it has a daily flight while Pili operates on a every-other-day basis...

[dx]

March 8th, 2006, 04:12 AM

iyo bro, sa Legazpi ako, igwa pa po 'ata, bako lang cguro active..maski ako recently lang ako nag post digdi. :) 'bout Pili airport, dai pa ako naka dyan. Pero mas dakula man gilayon ang Legazpi airport. from wikipedia-> in contrast, its rival Pili only saw jet service in the late '90s; to this day, Pili can only handle half-capacity payload due to its short runway, 1402 x 30 meters, less than two-thirds that of Legazpi's. Legazpi airport has a 2280 x 36 meters runway.

Chris2pher

March 8th, 2006, 04:24 AM

Oh, is that right? But don't they use the same type of plane? Anyway, forgive my ignorance. Pili just seems, to me, to be a little bigger than that of Legazpi. I guess my perception on such angle isn't that reliable.

olineil

March 8th, 2006, 06:59 AM

Thanks bro! I actually have a few pics inside the mall but, unfortunately, they were all well focused on peopl'es faces. Pero bro, I have one pic na medyo harayo an kua...uni s'ya, photoshoped para mauda su mga tao:

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f85/robbonto/454b1e0b.jpg

Yey! Ditto! This great! Man, u wanna meet up at the mall? Pa-araon ta lang si Matt! Hehe! :jk: Pero after this semester pa kaya ako makaka-uli, around the third week of May, kaya baka mayo kana d'yan sa Pinas. I'm gonna take lots of pics, aswell. :)

I hope we could meet...but im gonna be in Legazpi for a week then off to Cebu for another week. Matt, Doc, Dx, and ther rest of the gang. Can you give me photo requests that you guys would like to see. I try to do my best to acquire them. Cheers!

Matteo

March 8th, 2006, 07:18 AM

You sure? i got a lengthy one hehehe

- Pacific Mall, interiors and exteriors
- Bichara Mall, interiors and exteriors
- LCC Mall, interiors and exteriors
- downtown Legazpi City, everything! :lol:
- Misbis Resort
- Albay District
- Bicol University
- Airport
- Pier area, boardwalk?
- anything that looks nice heheh

also, if you're going to:

- Naga City, everything too! :lol:

Matteo

March 8th, 2006, 07:20 AM

chris2pher, ok lang yan kahit may tao, post mo lang :D

olineil

March 8th, 2006, 07:47 AM

yeah, kahit may tao. Dont have to use STAMP tool, just use MARQUEE selection tool> select the face> go to FILTERS menu> BLUR> GAUSSIAN BLUR> then adjust the blur to your liking. Thats it... and of cors, dont forget to post it, nyahahahaha...

Chris2pher

March 8th, 2006, 08:07 AM

Ganun?! Hehe Uhm, u know what, lets just wait for the superb pictures that you're gonna take, olineil. :yes: :runaway:

drfeelgood17

March 9th, 2006, 03:53 AM

hi doc.
good news indeed for olineil. dude IM JEALOUS :D
we should all go...or something.
and we'll meet up with psycho hehehehe

ok new airport.
i really wonder how all this is gonna pan out.
from olineil's description on how to get there, it sounds too remote with all the uphilling and downhilling and zigzagging! :lol:
but then again, maybe they got better plans for this airport. so ok.
in the write-ups they say the other location was Bariis. another area i dont know where either heheh.
anubayan, all these places in the city i was born in i havent even heard of!

i was looking at the map, my grandma's old house was in anislag.
i was always there when i was a kid.
yea and my little brother would always be mesmerized by some red colored balls on some power lines close to the napocor station when we would go visit grandma.

Hey Matt,
I'm jealous too! I'm definitely going next year...not sure which month...but will know towards summer! It would be great if we could have a mini EB there but theres not enough of us.

aBout the airport: I thought Alobo is on the road to Sorsogon, towards Castilla, which as far as I can remember is a pretty flat landscape. So I doubt there are any zizags there, just ricefields, I think. Bariis sounds like it's one of those mountainous barrios behind the Mayon Imperial hotel, but I'm not sure.

Can't wait to go!

drfeelgood17

March 9th, 2006, 03:54 AM

@Olineil, my pic requests are pretty much the same as Matt's, plus any beaches or resorts - are you planning to go butanding-hunting in Donsol?

drfeelgood17

March 9th, 2006, 03:56 AM

fried ice cream?! ano yun..haha

wow, youv'e been gone that long.. :) wala na Roselle, matagal na..same with La Trinidad theatre, pero the hotel is still in business

I know..i've been away ages... :) Last time I went back (2002), there were so many new places I didn't recognize. Wow La Tri must be oldest hotels in Bicol LOL.

[dx]

March 9th, 2006, 08:59 AM

here's a view of quezon avenue at noon. I took this pic last year..it's not really that good, that's why i hesitated posting it..hehe..but i'm posting it anyway.. :hammer:

http://usera.imagecave.com/dxpsycho/skyscrapercity/DSCI0020.jpg

Matteo

March 9th, 2006, 09:09 AM

quezon avenue. hmmm
keep em coming dudes :D hehee
whatever you got

olineil

March 9th, 2006, 09:29 AM

Hey Matt,
I'm jealous too! I'm definitely going next year...not sure which month...but will know towards summer! It would be great if we could have a mini EB there but theres not enough of us.

aBout the airport: I thought Alobo is on the road to Sorsogon, towards Castilla, which as far as I can remember is a pretty flat landscape. So I doubt there are any zizags there, just ricefields, I think. Bariis sounds like it's one of those mountainous barrios behind the Mayon Imperial hotel, but I'm not sure.

Can't wait to go!

Ok now that you mentioned. Yeah I remember, after NAPOCOR Peñafrancia is a vast flatlands. But the Jeepneeys going to Inarado take the 'Yellow Route' i drew, that route is zizag uphill, downhill.

Based on the edited map below i can see 3 possible routes to go to alobo. Or most probably they are gonna build a straiter road direct from the National Highway (Green).

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v653/olineil/Albay/alobo.jpg

olineil

March 9th, 2006, 10:35 AM

Thursday, March 09 2006 @ 03:42 AM GMT

The Albay Public Safety and Disaster Management Office will conduct a series of training and orientation to officials and residents of Southern Leyte regarding disaster preparedness.

Cedric Daep, Albay provincial disaster management chief said the provincial government of Southern Leyte has invited them to share their broad experience in disaster management.

The expertise of Albay in dealing with disasters such as landslide and the eruption of Mayon volcano has prepared us in avoiding casualties," Daep told reporters. "We maintain zero human casualty every time Mayon erupts."

He added that close coordination and cooperation of barangay officials and residents is very important in avoiding the effects of natural calamities.

Daep said the recent tragedy in Southern Leyte could have not been extensive if the residents were fully aware of their environment, adding that detection of landslide- prone areas is important in avoiding future disasters.

-- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by Balita MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.

disturbed_guy

March 9th, 2006, 01:51 PM

great job guys.. nasa mapa na naman ang legazpi.. and it's really good to know na we're on the top 20 cities in the country na very conducive for business..

olineil

March 10th, 2006, 04:09 AM

by AB Calleja, NI Mediavillo

LEGAZPI CITY (10 March) -- The 2006 collection target of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) in Bicol is higher by 14.4 per cent at P2.85 billion compared to the P2.44 billion revenue goal last year.

Among the seven Revenue District Offices (RDOs) in Bicol, the Legazpi City RDO has the highest goal of P984.4 million comprising 34 per cent of the region's total collection target.

BIR Bicol regional director Albert B. Alocilla said that the breakdown of collection goal per RDO is based on the district's previous collections combined with its previous goals. "Legazpi City has the highest goal because it is "the prime district of the region and therefore has the greatest collection potential based on its previous collection set-up."

The Naga City RDO is second with P784.5 million covering 28 per cent of the region's revenue collection goal, followed by Daet, Camarines Norte RDO for P313.3 million; Sorsogon City RDO - P232 million; Masbate City RDO - P216 million; Iriga City RDO - P202 million; and, Virac, Catanduanes RDO for the least collection goal of P119 million for 2006.

Alocilla said the agency has set eight strategic measures for each district's greater performance output in lieu of their respective target collection for 2006. "These objectives are: to exceed collection target, improve taxpayers satisfaction, improve taxpayers compliance, improve taxpayers and taxfilers base; improve processes; improve knowledge management; improve integrity, professionalism, competence and satisfaction of human resource; and to rationalize the budget."

Alocilla also bared that RDO heads and other key officials of the BIR in Bicol have bound themselves in a performance contract signed during the annual Operational Planning Session held March 6, at the BIR regional office here.

The contract is a "sort of binding agreement between management and field officials that collection goals have been set and their signature implies to achieve their respective collection targets".

He added that, "should the officers fail to meet such targets, their reports and explanations will be handed over to the central management for evaluation. Penalties will be immediately imposed if their inefficiencies are not rationally justified."

In 2005, the BIR in Bicol exceeded its tax collection goal by 3 per cent by collecting P2.5 billion more. All the Bicol RDOs surpassed their respective collection goals with percentage ranging from 5 per cent to 12 per cent except for the Legazpi RDO which posted a 13 per cent deficiency over its collection goal. (PIA/RnB) [top]

olineil

March 10th, 2006, 04:58 AM

Legazpi City (10 March) -- "We are overjoyed, we know we can never find another opportunity like this in our lifetime," Genevy Babasa cheerfully replies when asked about their newly constructed school building in Malinao, Albay under the PYPC or the Poder Y Prosperidad Del Comunidad Project.

"We find the school building nice, a place we can be proud of, far better than the old school," Genevy said of the PYPC project.

The PYPC is a community-driven development project implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) through the Agencia Española Cooperacion Internacional (AECI).

DSWD Bicol regional director Eliseo Copian said that the PYPC project supports the government's goal of involving communities in the implementation of projects empowers othe residents.

The Spanish government assisted program aimed to reduce poverty through community empowerment and improve local governance, has allocated P13 million for Bicol with Manito and Malinao towns in Albay as recipient municipalities.

In Manito, there are 11 sub-projects funded with P4.4 million while Malinao has 12 sub-projects funded with P8.6 million grant.

There are already 23 barangays that have completed sub-projects which include road rehabilitation, water system, health station, school building, bridge and a flood control dike.

The local government units of Malinao and Manito pooled their resources in funding the projects with the community residents providing free labor and food for volunteers.

Malinao Mayor Emiliana T. Kare noted that the PYPC is one of the unusual projects of the government. "What makes it unusual is the degree to which the people themselves have identified their needs and organized themselves to construct and build community projects."

"With PYPC we are surviving and growing," Kare stressed.

Malinao and Manito are now preparing for the second cycle of PYPC with a new batch of sub-projects to be funded anew by the Spanish government through the AECI. (DSWD/PIA

olineil

March 10th, 2006, 09:51 AM

http://tourism.albay.gov.ph/images/verarroad.JPG

http://tourism.albay.gov.ph/images/veratrail1.JPG

http://tourism.albay.gov.ph/images/veratrail2.JPG

http://tourism.albay.gov.ph/images/veratrail3.JPG

http://tourism.albay.gov.ph/images/veraq.jpg

http://tourism.albay.gov.ph/images/verastream.JPG

http://tourism.albay.gov.ph/images/vera7.JPG

http://tourism.albay.gov.ph/images/vera2.JPG

http://tourism.albay.gov.ph/images/vera6.JPG

http://tourism.albay.gov.ph/images/vera4.JPG

http://tourism.albay.gov.ph/images/vera3.JPG

http://tourism.albay.gov.ph/images/vera5.JPG

[dx]

March 12th, 2006, 06:32 AM

whew..finally had the time to take some pics sa pacific mall..but we didn't know its prohibited to take pictures of the mall's interiors and exteriors and you have to get a permit to do so..haha..buti n lng nakakakuha na 'ko ng mga pics..was about to take some pics of the exterior pero yung security officer sinita kami..wehehe..:lol:

btw, there's ongoing work there..apparently they are removing the covered pergola in front of the mall and extending the mall up to F. Imperial Street. That's good news, additional mall space..:D It will be finished daw within 5-6 months, said the sekyu..hehe..so here goes..sana ndi ssc forumer si sarge..kundi lagot ako..:lol:

http://usera.imagecave.com/dxpsycho/000_0124.jpg
^^view from entrance
http://usera.imagecave.com/dxpsycho/000_0125.jpg
^^atrium looking towards metro gaisano
http://usera.imagecave.com/dxpsycho/000_0126.jpg
^^atrium roof
http://usera.imagecave.com/dxpsycho/000_0131.jpg
^^atrium pa rin, furniture on sale at the ground floor
http://usera.imagecave.com/dxpsycho/000_0133.jpg
^^three levels of the mall, at the atrium
http://usera.imagecave.com/dxpsycho/000_0128.jpg
^^food plaza
http://usera.imagecave.com/dxpsycho/000_0135.jpg
^^shopper's lane
http://usera.imagecave.com/dxpsycho/000_0132.jpg
^^shopper's lane third level
http://usera.imagecave.com/dxpsycho/000_0129.jpg
^^escalators
http://usera.imagecave.com/dxpsycho/000_0127.jpg
^^view from food plaza, looking towards sleeping lion (kapuntukan hill), most of landco business park is still vacant.

[dx]

March 12th, 2006, 06:42 AM

here are some random pics i took earlier

http://usera.imagecave.com/dxpsycho/000_0116.jpg
^^silverscreens plus plaza rizal
http://usera.imagecave.com/dxpsycho/000_0117.jpg
^^St. Raphael Church belfry...di ko na kinunan yung buong church..there was an ugly clump of transformers blocking the view..and the electrical lines..unsightly..
http://usera.imagecave.com/dxpsycho/000_0118.jpg
^^Peñaranda Street
http://usera.imagecave.com/dxpsycho/000_0119.jpg
^^Rotunda..(dunno the exact name).. there's a fountain at the base, kaso wala ngayon..(natuyo cguro sa sobrang init kanina.. :lol: as usual, there's the omnipresent unsightly electrical lines :(..notice the blue-roofed covered sidewalk extending from the circumferential road to f. imperial street. beyond that is the vacant lot where the public market used to stand, i wonder what they will do with this space.
http://usera.imagecave.com/dxpsycho/000_0120.jpg
^^Rizal Street
http://usera.imagecave.com/dxpsycho/000_0122.jpg
^^Legazpi Public Market
http://usera.imagecave.com/dxpsycho/000_0123.jpg
^^'ala lng...a building in front of Pacific Mall

Chris2pher

March 12th, 2006, 10:12 AM

Hey Dex! Really nice pictures you got there...particularly those street ones. Yeah, right...it was, is, prohibited to take pictures of the mall (I knew because I was also cited for doing so), but that is only if you get caught, right? Hehe...

Btw, forgive my ignorance, but is the Legazpi port, at the moment, exclusive to PAL? I ask because the banner in the last picture seems to insinuate otherwise.

[dx]

March 12th, 2006, 10:29 AM

hmm..nope, it's not exclusive to PAL. Air Philippines now has direct flights to Legazpi from Manila and Cebu. :)

[dx]

March 12th, 2006, 10:52 AM

i already posted this in the weather thread, but i'm gonna post this here..photo taken in sto. domingo, kaninang umaga while the sun was about to rise, may clouds nga lang pero i think it added to the drama, pang wallpaper..:lol:
http://usera.imagecave.com/dxpsycho/sunrise.jpg

Chris2pher

March 12th, 2006, 01:14 PM

Nayss! Yup, quite dramatic...there's this sort of pensive reflection or contemplation that...wait, i don't know what i'm sayin'! :weirdo: Anyways man, keep 'em coming. I'm here to give much appreciation to ur works of art. hehe :booze:

olineil

March 12th, 2006, 03:56 PM

WOOOOOWWWW!!!! What the?! andami na nagbago sa Legazpi. Those Barriers really look very effective in keeping away Jaywalkers and making the traffic flow smoother. Tenkk Padi sa mga pics.

tigidig14

March 12th, 2006, 06:13 PM

di ko na kinunan yung buong church..there was an ugly clump of transformers blocking the view..and the electrical lines..unsightly..
this is funny :lol: otherwise cool pics, thanks for sharing
ano pala pag tumingala ka, kita ba yung mayon?

[dx]

March 12th, 2006, 10:07 PM

this is funny :lol: otherwise cool pics, thanks for sharing
ano pala pag tumingala ka, kita ba yung mayon?

ehehe..thanks.:D..hindi, pag kaharap mo yung simbahan nasa left side mo yung mayon..tsaka kinunan ko yun habang nasa loob ng fastfood.

drfeelgood17

March 12th, 2006, 11:22 PM

:applause: wow galing! Thanks for the latest pics, dxpsycho! Matutuwa si Mattoy sa interior shots of PM :lol: He's been waiting a long time for that.

I like the new building outside PM, when was that built? And where is the new market located? I know that the old one was next to that obelisk - with lots of wires, nakakainis talaga. :bash:
I notice that the pavements now have railings, nice touch - I suppose it's there to stop people from crossing anywhere they want.
I really don't understand why they won't let you take pics of the mall. :)

[dx]

March 13th, 2006, 12:40 AM

haha..oo nga e..bawal lang siguro pag nahuli ka..:bash: the new public market is located where the old terminal used to stand, just a stone's throw away from the PM.

the railings were built late last year. i agree, it did make the downtown area more organized. yup, i like that building too..hehe..'ala lang..ever since the orange-colored Pacific Mall opened parang lahat nang buildings sa Legazpi experimented with color, especially sa Landco Park.

if i find the time, kuha ako pics ng Old Albay District. :D

drfeelgood17

March 13th, 2006, 01:24 AM

^ I wonder what they're going to do with the old market site - I hope they develop the area soon so it doesn't get dilapidated. That's what I notice too - colour overload! hehe But that's much better than the monotonous grey of the past...
Ok...looking forward to your Old Albay pics, which btw, is looking like a new downtown judging from some of the pics I saw.
Yung guardia sa PM, kulang lang ng lagay :jk:

Matteo

March 13th, 2006, 09:51 AM

oooh. thanks much psycho for those.
ive been waiting along time to see interior PM shots hehe.
i noticed there a lot of little kiosks and stands lining the hallways.
dont those kinda block pedestrian traffic? heheh
ok next stop, LCC Mall and Bichara, right? :D

dami nga talagang bago sa city.
Di ko na alam kung saan saan yung mga shots mo except for penaranda street and rizal street :lol:

doc, now we finally know where the new public market is! hehehe

Matteo

March 13th, 2006, 09:54 AM

by the way, bunch of us hiked that veras falls trail before.
man it was a good 4 hour walk, if im not mistaken!

really fun, nonetheless

[dx]

March 13th, 2006, 10:16 AM

hehe..ur welcome..sayang nga i wasn't able to take photos outside. yep, when i get the chance sekyu naman ng bichara tsaka lcc ang makakabangga ko..:lol:

Matteo

March 13th, 2006, 10:51 AM

Matteo

March 13th, 2006, 11:17 AM

http://usera.imagecave.com/dxpsycho/000_0123.jpg

isnt this Dreams Inn ?

olineil

March 13th, 2006, 11:44 AM

ok lang yan hehe
here's the routine: snap and run hehehe
click mo cam tapos takbo agad :lol:

question: is there a golf course in bicol/albay/legazpi?
also, i remember there was a rennaisance gardens subdivision or something planned before. it was close to the airport i think.
was that ever developed?

Psych>> ganito na lang gawin mo. Mag-spokening in dollars ka then wear a flowery shirt looking like a tourist. D ka nyan sisitahin...Hahahaha...

Matt>> Golf Course in Bicol especially near Legazpi i dont think so. Alam ko noon, may driving range malapit sa Lignon Hill. Tsaka sa NAPOCOR Peñafrancia meron small driving range pinagawa ng Dad ng "adakrabs" ko from his own pocket. Sya kc Director noon, di ko lang alam ngayon. In Naga there is currently one under development in Haciendas de Naga. And yes, rennaisance Gardens was developed. Dun ata naka-pwesto yung Venezia Hotel if im not mistaken.

olineil

March 13th, 2006, 11:47 AM

Wait...actually there was one Golf course in Bicol long time ago...meaning time of Marcos. It was next to the abandoned "Kagayonan Beach resort" that was sequestered by the government after the Marcos Fall. The golf course eventually got engulfed by Mayon Eruption. There were lots of Marcos assets in Albay long ago coz the Imperials were major Leeches and Cronies of that frekin' dictator. Hehehehe....

[dx]

March 13th, 2006, 02:44 PM

@olineil..haha..:lol: pwde rin..pero may guard naman tlga dun sa loob nung nagtake ako ng pics, wala lng sa kanila, dun lng tlga sa labas..hehe..hindi umubra yung alibi namin na we're students taking pics para sa school proj.hehe..pero next time 'snap and run' n tlga..hehe..

@matt..yup dreams inn nga, kinunan ko na while on the way to pacific mall, pangit ngayon ung front ng mall, construction area kasi.
kala ko expand nila vertically yung mall, pahaba pa pala..'ala lng, dati, i thought the mall looked like a ship :lol:..
hehe..basta next, LCC tas bichara.:yes:

olineil

March 14th, 2006, 08:40 AM

LEGAZPI CITY—A six-member team from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the loss of state-of-the-art equipment installed around Mount Mayon had hampered its monitoring work. Elmer Gabinete, a member of the team, said the team would not only study Mayon’s deformed edifice and its crater glow but also its current condition. Gabinete begged for the return of the equipment, saying “it will not be useful to anybody but (would be important) to everybody who would be affected by Mayon’s eruption.” The devices, donated by the Japanese government, were reported stolen two years after they were placed in strategic places around the volcano. Edgar Alejo, PDI Southern Luzon Bureau

This is very sad. Sila din naman talo pag-nagerupt na ang mayon. Hayyyy...

olineil

March 14th, 2006, 08:46 AM

First posted 01:59am (Mla time) Mar 12, 2006
Inquirer

Editor's Note: Published on page A14 of the March 12, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

LEGAZPI CITY—The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Albay has requested the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) district office here to investigate the cause of the fish scare that gripped the towns of Prieto Diaz, Gubat and Bacon district in Sorsogon.

The request was made following findings that fish in these towns were safe from mercury, contrary to earlier reports that they had been contaminated with mercury.

Tests made by the University of the Philippines-Natural Sciences Research Institute (UP-NSRI), dated March 1, show that water and fish from around Rapu-Rapu Island and Sorsogon are safe for human consumption.

The UP study reinforces the five previous studies of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) that the mercury contamination of Sorsogon fish and waters near Rapu-Rapu as alleged by antimining groups never existed. The allegation scared people from buying fish, resulting in a drastic drop in the income of 5,000 Sorsogon fishermen.

The Albay provincial board said someone should answer for the fish scare, especially since it was found that it was not caused by contamination from the Rapu-Rapu operations of the Lafayette Mining Inc. (LMI).

In a resolution authored by Vice Gov. James Calisin, the board said the second laboratory tests showed a high mercury content in the waters of Sorsogon, which triggered the “fish scare” that fish and marine products were not fit for human consumption.

“We need to know who brought the samples (that showed high mercury levels),” Calisin said.

The fish and water samples that were found with high mercury content were reportedly not obtained by BFAR personnel but brought by the local government of Prieto Diaz to the BFAR regional office for the laboratory examinations.

“This drew doubts and suspicion that the fish samples that were brought had been contaminated with mercury,” Calisin said.

BFAR’s succeeding tests revealed that fish and other aquatic products in the area were safe for human consumption.

In a phone interview, Sorsogon Vice Gov. Antonio Escudero, who is likely to be subjected to the investigation, said he was ready to face and answer the charges being made by the board. Edgar Alejo, PDI Southern Luzon Bureau

:::: Ain't this typical of the Escuderos? All noise but no substance.

JAMAICUS

March 14th, 2006, 11:49 AM

[dx]

March 14th, 2006, 02:37 PM

Concentrated in one area or from sporadic areas are those places in the pics?

Yup, all are within a few blocks away from each other.

olineil

March 15th, 2006, 04:52 AM

by CT Amo

LEGAZPI CITY (March 14) -— Air Philippines has started its Cebu-Legazpi and Legazpi-Cebu run on Tuesday noon, March 7 with the arrival of Boeing 737-200 series jet plane mostly filled with foreign tourists for the whale shark interaction in Donsol, Sorsogon.

Oliver Mallari, Air Philippines public relationS coordinator, said the plane, with a wide leg room can accommodate some 118 passengers.

“Passengers can really feel comfortable with the amenities provided inside,” said Mallari during the press briefing at the Air Philippines ticket office at the city airport, here.

In 1997, Air Philippines started its Legazpi-Cebu flight with a propeller-driven YS-11 plane but was later discontinued, forcing local officials to request the different air carriers to service the Legazpi -Cebu route.

On the viability of the Cebu-Legazpi route, Tourism Bicol regional director Maira ‘Nini’ Ravanilla said that the management of Air Philippines will not establish a new route if it’s not profitable.

“Based on reports we received, there are forty to sixty passengers who are bumped off daily because they cannot be accommodated by the existing regular flights,” Ravanilla said.

Air Philippines Cebu-Legazpi vice versa flights are scheduled Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays for a one-way plane fare of P3,419.36.

City Mayor Noel Rosal said that the regular flight of Air Philippines is a very welcome event. “This is really good for us. More foreign tourists will be coming to this city with the regular flights from Cebu.”

Diocese of Legazpi Bishop Nestor Cariño cut the ceremonial ribbon assisted by Albay governor Fernando Gonzalez, Mayor Rosal, Director Ravanilla and welcome Air Philippines executives Patty Chong, Ruben Pecsa, Conchita Tabio and Capt. Eduardo Medina.

Also present were Ago Medical and Education Center president Lita Ago, and Donsol, Sorsogon town mayor Salve Ocaya, among others.

For reservations Air Philippines Legazpi City has telephone nos. (052) 820-1186/480-6055; Tabaco City (052) 830-1208/487-1111, and Cebu City (032) 417-2318/20 to 22. (PIA)

drfeelgood17

March 16th, 2006, 01:04 PM

^ Does PAL still fly to Legazpi? I remember the twice-weekly Legazpi to Cebu PAL flights .
Btw...what happened to the so-called "challenge" to Rosal from the Imperials? Have they finally given up?

Chris2pher

March 17th, 2006, 05:07 AM

I remember one recent PAL flight to Manila with a number of pax who were bounded to Cebu -- some even brought livestock with them. So I suppose there wasn't one at the time.

Matteo

March 18th, 2006, 06:19 AM

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b332/MatteoMatt/06031705.jpg

PGMA VISITS LIGAO CITY, ALBAY—President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo points on the scale model the location of the P328-million Ligao-Pio Duran Road project following its groundbreaking Friday (March 17) in Ligao City, Albay. The road project connects Legazpi City and Ligao City and the coastal town of Pio Duran. The President flew to Ligao City to personally check the administration’s programs and projects there. Also in photo are (from left) Albay Vice Governor Jesus Calisin, Rep. Joey Salceda, and Ligao City Mayor Linda Gonzalez (behind the President). (Enrico Borja-OPS-NIB Photo)

- www.pia.gov.ph

Matteo

March 18th, 2006, 06:34 AM

Albay to host 57th Lions National Convention

Albay is going to host the 57th Lions Multi-District State Convention on May 18-19 this year, coinciding with the Lions Week in May 18-24, as proclaimed by Governor Fernando V. Gonzalez,” says Legazpi Host Lions Club President Frank Yap

for full story: http://www.albay.gov.ph/index1.htm

lochinvar

March 18th, 2006, 09:20 AM

JAMAICUS

March 18th, 2006, 11:46 AM

Yup, all are within a few blocks away from each other.

So those pics are the downtown area.

[dx]

March 18th, 2006, 04:52 PM

It seems like the President is lost. She is supposed to be pointing the spot where Pio Duran is. Actually she is pointing at Cagraray Islands. Pio Duran's location is where her left hand is, the one with the wristwatch. It reminded me of the movie MacArthur. MacArthur said he is going to land in Leyte while at the same time pointing his hand at Lingayen Gulf.

Yup, the one who captioned that photo got it wrong. She's probably pointing at the location of the Misibis Resort.

@jamaicus. yup, those pics were of some streets at the Legazpi Port District or Legazpi Downtown Area.

[dx]

March 19th, 2006, 03:21 PM

http://usera.imagecave.com/dxpsycho/000_0266_filtered.jpg
http://usera.imagecave.com/dxpsycho/000_0264.jpg
http://usera.imagecave.com/dxpsycho/000_0263_filtered.jpg
http://usera.imagecave.com/dxpsycho/000_0273e.jpg

pics taken at Manhattan resort in Sto Domingo Albay

Matteo

March 20th, 2006, 01:29 AM

GMA earmarks P3.6B for Albay airport
By Florencio P. Narito

DARAGA, Albay – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has approved a P3.6 billion three-year budget for the establishment of a new international airport at Barangay Alobo here.

To be known as Southern Luzon International Airport (SLIA), the project is expected to start before the end of this year and completed in 2009, according to Daraga Municipal Councilor Jesus Llabore, chairman of the Infrastructure Committee of the Sangguniang Bayan.

He revealed in a telephone interview with this reporter that Cong. Joey Ma. Sarte Salceda (Albay, 3rd dist.), chairman, House Appropriations Committee, is extending his all-out support to the project.

An initial budget of P150 million has been included in the 2006 General Appropriations Act for the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) for the land acquisition of some 180 hectares of private agricultural land.

Llabore said that the DOTC has named the area manager of the Air Transportation Office (ATO) as chairman of the land acquisition committee, with Daraga Mayor Gerry Jaucuan as vice chairman.

Aside from Alobo, four other barangays will be affected by the construction of the runway, the hangar and other offices of the ATO.

These are the barangays of Burgos, Mabini, Gapo and Inarado. The residents will have to be relocated in the neighboring barangays.

The establishment of the SLIA in Daraga town is expected to boost tourism not only in Albay but throughout the Bicol region, Llabore said.

-www.bicolmail.com

olineil

March 20th, 2006, 02:04 AM

sandrin

March 20th, 2006, 02:17 AM

wow an awesome combination of blue and verdant resort, a conducive environment for relaxation indeed..i agree that albay has a lot to offer in pinoy tourism..

olineil

March 20th, 2006, 08:01 AM

[dx]

March 20th, 2006, 12:22 PM

Comelec denies motion to unseat mayor
by Edgar Alejo

LEGAZPI CITY-The Commission on Elections Second Division denied for lack of merit a motion for the issuance of a writ of execution of its order to unseat incumbent Mayor Noel Rosal.

The Comelec Second Division came out with a decision in January declaring Imperial, who asked for a recount, as winner by about 2,000 votes during the May 2004 elections.

The Legazpi City Board of Canvassers had declared Rosal winner in the May 2004 elections with 44,277 votes against Imperial's 33,275.

As a result of the Comelec's January decision in favor of Imperial, the latter filed a motion for the execution of the Comelec decision while Rosal appealed the ruling.

In its March 3 order penned by Presiding Commissioner Florentino Tuason Jr. and Commissioner Romeo Brawner, the Comelec said Imperial had failed to show there were peculiar circumstances in the case to warrant the urgency of the issuance of a writ of execution.

The Comelec added that there were differences in the computations made by the division members as to the margin of votes obtained by the opposing parties.

While then presiding commissioner Mehol Sidain declared a margin of 2,106 votes, Tuason claimed a significant decrease of 65 votes margin.

Tuason and Brawner believed that "to issue a writ of execution at this stage will do more harm or damage rather than serve the interest of the electorate of Legazpi City."

Source: www.inq7.net

[dx]

March 20th, 2006, 01:29 PM

Found these circa 1950's photos of Legazpi's Peñaranda Park at home. Too bad the photos were in a really bad condition. The Albay Cathedral is visible. There's also a group of Agnesians in the second photo..hehe. The park looks very different from what it is now.

I think this pic was taken when our great-grandfather Ramon Arnaldo was mayor of this city in the '50s. Unfortunately, most of my great grandfather's mementos were lost when his house was destroyed by a typhoon back in the '80s. :(

Sayang, maraming mga interesting photos and documents na nawala. I'll try to rummage for more pics..hehe..baka meron pa.

http://usera.imagecave.com/dxpsycho/000_0281.jpg
http://usera.imagecave.com/dxpsycho/000_0285.jpg

drfeelgood17

March 20th, 2006, 05:58 PM

[dx]

March 20th, 2006, 11:18 PM

That'a a great find dxpsycho! :)
That monument in the middle of the plaza, is that the Liberty Bell I keep reading about?
We can make a then and now comparison with the present-day plaza:

The Liberty Bell seems to have vanished...

Yes, it is the Liberty Bell. If i'm not mistaken the original bell is now in the Legazpi City Museum. What we have in the park is a replica. It's in the left side of the photo..behind the tree in front. at the right side is a bust of Peñaranda, also hidden by the bushes. :)

tigidig14

March 21st, 2006, 01:56 AM

pretty nostalgic psycho :D

[dx]

March 22nd, 2006, 05:53 AM

MANILA (AFP) - A volcano in the province of Sorsogon spewed a column of ash nearly a mile (1.5 kms) into the sky late on Tuesday, raising fears of a major eruption.

Officials said they were considered increasing the alert level after Mount Bulusan in the central Philippines belched ash an hour before midnight (1600 GMT).

The Philippine Institute of Seismology and Vulcanology (Phivolcs) said the ash was unlikely to cause any harm.

But researcher Jojo Cordon said more earthquakes had been recorded in the area recently, a possible sign that the volcano may be about to erupt more powerfully.

He said the ash column may have been created by a reaction between water and hot materials, a "possible sign of rising magma".

A four-kilometer (2.4-mile) exclusion zone is already in place around the 1,565-meter (5,133-foot) volcano, which is 600 kms (370 miles) southeast of Manila.

Cordon said Phivolcs is considering raising the alert level for Bulusan from level one to level three, indicating "moderate unrest." The highest alert level is level five, indicating an actual eruption of lava.

He said the institute will be closely monitoring the volcano for further activity.

Bulusan had a series of similar explosions in 1994 and 1995.

-------

From: The Manila Bulletin

Matteo

March 22nd, 2006, 07:04 PM

psycho san na yung lcc and bichara and albay astrodome and albay district pics? teeeheee :D
demanding si matt :D
musta na pala dxpsycho. nag halo halo ka nanaman ano?

drfeelgood17

March 22nd, 2006, 07:40 PM

Matt, it looks like dxpyscho will be dealing with a lot of security guards coz of your pic requests! :hahaha:
My special request is some pics of the boardwalk (at the port area).

Matteo

March 22nd, 2006, 08:48 PM

he seems pilyo and fun-loving naman e hehehe
so mag eenjoy yun mag snap and run :lol:
joke lang psycho. ano pala ang name ni psycho?

ok double request for the boardwalk, pretty please? :D

olineil

March 23rd, 2006, 02:30 AM

[dx]

March 23rd, 2006, 03:13 AM

:lol: :lol: :lol:

@matt ok naman ako, kayo musta? demanding..sorry na. haha..basta, pag me time. kuha ako pix.

@doc.. sige., boardwalk din...dami request..sino pa legazpi-based dito..help..hehe

@neil nope, I'm not an Arnaldo, at least hindi sa name. Our great grandfather had only two daughters, so hindi na napatuloy yung pangalan nya..hehe..i don't know any Arnaldos, pero who knows, we may be distant relatives. Basta, what i know is that our extended family is quite extensive. hehe..di ko na kilala yung iba

Matteo

March 23rd, 2006, 03:16 AM

hehe i meant I was demanding. teeehee
i have a friend named arnaldo. we call him donnie
musta na ang pacific mall?

[dx]

March 23rd, 2006, 03:21 AM

kaya nga..hehe..di ako maka cope sa demand..haha..joke..ok naman pacific mall, nandun pa rin sya..:lol: u/c yung front, may expansion kasi

[dx]

March 23rd, 2006, 07:09 AM

http://usera.imagecave.com/dxpsycho/DSCI0042.jpg
http://usera.imagecave.com/dxpsycho/DSCI0079.jpg
http://usera.imagecave.com/dxpsycho/DSCI0075.jpg
http://usera.imagecave.com/dxpsycho/DSCI0074.jpg
http://usera.imagecave.com/dxpsycho/DSCI0028.jpg

Matteo

March 23rd, 2006, 09:15 AM

are the top photos old, dex?
or is that planetarium a different building?
is it open now by the way?

[dx]

March 23rd, 2006, 09:30 AM

^^ all photos were taken last year. :) i think the planetarium/science centrum is already open. the other buildings are empty and dilapidated. too bad.

btw, dex n lng tawag 'nyo sakin..hehe

Matteo

March 23rd, 2006, 09:58 AM

so where is this planetarium located? by rest house too?
nice photos. i miss home :(

[dx]

March 23rd, 2006, 10:50 AM

yup, just a little further up the road, that yellow building in the last pic. :) so, how long have you been away from home, matt?

JAMAICUS

March 23rd, 2006, 10:56 AM

I love those planetarium pics.

lex_99

March 23rd, 2006, 05:53 PM

Wow! So this MAyon skyline hotel huh?! We miss this place during our Domnet Conference at the Aquinas University. We should supposedbly be going there, but unfortunately was not able to push through. Dont knw what went wrong why the organizers cancelled the itinerary. I miss Legaspi, its been 7 years since my last visit hehe... Anybody from Aquinas here? Guys, your city rocks... I mean literally hehe...kidding! I had so much fun there, my bestfriend and I stroll around the city just by ourselves without the supervision of the nuns and the organizers, and that was the farthest place I went through that time. we bought stuffs at LCC, visit Legaspi astrodome. Im planning to visit the church again I forgot name that is situated at the top of the mountain overlooking the Pacific ocean... Hope you can post Aquinas Univ pics here and legaspi astrodome. thanks

Matteo

March 23rd, 2006, 06:40 PM

whats the mayon skyline hotel?

lex_99

March 23rd, 2006, 07:01 PM

A hotel right at the slopes of Mount Mayon. :)

olineil

March 23rd, 2006, 07:03 PM

whats the mayon skyline hotel?

Thats the neglected building in psychs pic. It used to be called Mayon Ridge View, then Bichara changes it to Mayon Skyline Hotel when it was renovated.

Matteo

March 23rd, 2006, 07:24 PM

that delapidated thing is a hotel?? hehe
nice idea though. its cold up there.
man if i have lotsa lotsa money. ill build my own hotel there hehehe
any updates on misibis? hotels up yet?

lex_99

March 23rd, 2006, 07:34 PM

Haha... Isnt it creepy there. I mean its just situated right below mount mayon. One day you just wake up the lavas all over you hehe... kidding. :)

[dx]

March 24th, 2006, 02:09 AM

...Im planning to visit the church again I forgot name that is situated at the top of the mountain overlooking the Pacific ocean... Hope you can post Aquinas Univ pics here and legaspi astrodome. thanks

Maybe you are referring to the Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine in the hills of Buraguis. The one with a path going up the mountain with life size statues of the Way of the Cross. That place offers excellent views of the city...and the sea.

lex_99

March 24th, 2006, 11:02 AM

Yep. I guess thats it. They said once you go there and will come back something miraculous will happen to you.

Chris2pher

March 24th, 2006, 07:37 PM

Ah, I'd love to visit that church someday, not for anything else but only to experience its surefire awe-inspiring sceneries

Btw, I learned a few days ago, after someone i know inquired about the misibis, that there is an entrance fee of a thousand pesos per individual to access the resorts beach and -- i suppose -- their facilities. But if one is interested, or at least expressed interest, in buying a realty in their proposed community, the fee is waived.

drfeelgood17

March 25th, 2006, 01:47 AM

Yep. I guess thats it. They said once you go there and will come back something miraculous will happen to you.

make sure you go to the right shrine, kung hindi baka makulam ka lang diyan. :jk:

[dx]

March 25th, 2006, 02:17 AM

haha..wala naman sigurong mangkululam dun..:lol: musta doc? :)

drfeelgood17

March 25th, 2006, 03:17 AM

[dx]

March 25th, 2006, 07:25 AM

eto dx...just having a relaxing weekend here with friends. What about you?
I remember Saturdays in Legazpi - time to go to the overcrowded Rawis :hahaha: beach (or was it Sunday)? That beach has great sand but unfortunately it can be rather dangerous coz of the volatile undercurrent.

haha.nice.. we used to frequent Rawis beaches too pag summer, nilalakad lng namin with my brothers, sister, cousins, we would all go home wet, and eat ice cream sticks or chichirya while walking. :lol: good times. :) Yup, it's quite dangerous because the water's very deep.

ako? eto sa work. hehe. tuesdays to saturdays kasi workdays namin.

btw, i was curious bout your signature..hehe..so i googled it. eto pala translation nya sa Bikol:

An gabos na tawo ipinangaking may katalinkasan asin parantay sa dignidad asin derechos. Sinda gabos tinawan nin pag-isip asin conciencia kaya dapat na makipag-iriba sa lambang saro bilang mga magturugang.

overtureph

March 26th, 2006, 07:33 AM

Sense and Sensibility : Viva Albay!

First posted 00:50am (Mla time) Sept 03, 2005
By Bambi Harper
Inquirer News Service

Editor's Note: Published on Page A13 of the September 3, 2005 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

JUST when I was about to write finis to the cause of Filipino heritage, seeing as the nation is losing both the Mehan Garden and the Arroceros Forest Park in one fell swoop with not a single public official protesting the carnage, along comes a letter from Albay Gov. Fernando Gonzalez informing me that the province was launching the Albay Architectural Heritage Project together with the Aquinas University on Aug. 29.

Delighted to get out of the Manila snake pit, still I nearly missed the plane due to a dysfunctional alarm clock and the malfunctioning owner. Leaving the house at 6:15 a.m. for the 7 a.m. flight, we reached the Naia 2 airport terminal in 15 minutes, making me seriously wonder while en route whether I would end up splattered all over the dashboard. I did get there on time, but rattled by the porter who said the passengers on the flight were boarding, I zoomed into the plane like Darna -- only to find I was the second passenger to board. (From now on, I'm not going to believe anyone who tells me I have to be at the airport an hour before departure.)

But back to the conference and the project. Research and documentation comprise the first phase divided into two areas: historical and architectural documentation. Dreaming big, the group hopes that this will eventually lead to restoration projects and the publication and use of historical writings in the schools. The intended outcome of this first phase will be a catalogue of historical structures, "complete with historical data, photographs and architectural plans." The people of Albay feel that it is a project of national importance, given its nature and scope since nothing of this kind has been done. Once finished, other provinces could use it as a reference and model.

Aquinas University's College of Architecture and Fine Arts, headed by its dean, Rino Fernandez, initially documented buildings and ruins in Albay, including the Tabaco Cimborio (I used to think the name referred to tobacco, but the word is actually "tabac," meaning bolo or knife), the churches in Tabaco, Sto. Domingo (this was a town called Libog, but with everyone mispronouncing it and having a good laugh, the townspeople decided to change it), Daraga, Camalig, Ligao and the Albay Cathedral and the ruins of Colegio de San Buenaventura in Guinobatan and Villa Encantada in Malinao.

The college is digitizing the ruins of Budiao, Cagsawa and Sinimbahanan; the churches of Guinobatan and Oas; Spanish bridges in the 3rd district; and the "mojones" in the 1st and 3rd districts. Architectural plans will be drawn up and material regarding the oral traditions, land titles, legal papers, journals, books, maps, plans, paintings, sketches and photographs in libraries and archives will be researched and compiled. Eventually, traveling exhibits will be mounted in all the municipalities of the province to enhance heritage awareness.

There is already a Mayon Volcano Heritage Tour Pamphlet Project being prepared by the Provincial Tourism and Cultural Office with the help of Aquinas University, which can be used for packaged tours of heritage sites around Mayon Volcano to serve both tourists and local tour guides providing information on the sites and including socio-historical, cultural and artistic data. Photos and architectural and structural features of the sites will also be included. This project also aims to raise awareness in order to preserve these heritage sites.

The people of other provinces and cities should be so lucky as to have a governor like Gonzalez. At the conference held at the spanking new Hotel Venezia Convention Hall, Bishop Jose C. Sorra gave an impassioned and stirring address that the Cebu cardinal should have heard so that the parish priest of Argao, guilty of erasing 200 years of history, could be exiled to Burias or perhaps to the Marianas, which unfortunately doesn't belong to us anymore. The presence of Bishop Lucilo Quimpo, representing Bishop Nestor Cariño, and the presence of many of the parish priests of the churches in question manifested their support and solidarity behind the governor's project. And then there was Director Javier Galvan of the Instituto Cervantes who presented a substantial check to fund phase one of the project.

Considering that I was there for only 24 hours, I managed to end up with a python in my freezer, several tons of pili nuts in all forms and configurations, thanks to our generous hosts, and trays of "pinangat" ]a fish dish] to remind me that proteins don't taste good without carbos.

The python ended up in my freezer because I wanted to eat "bayawak" [iguana]. Being innately hospitable and gracious and wanting to oblige eccentric guests, Professors Jazmin Llana and Bonita Mission stopped by a restaurant poetically called Solamente owned by a Mr. Regalado. Alas and alack, there were no lizards but there was a snake and would I care to eat some? Now what self-respecting full-blooded Filipina will turn down such an offer?

Aside from python, we were also served some wonderful crispy snipes and frogs' legs. At the end of this marvelous experience, Regalado asked me if I wanted a python to make into shoes and maybe a belt, which was how I ended up with a 15-foot python (or was it 25?) in the freezer, to the shock of the maid. Now, if I could only find someone who cures skins...

* * *

Comments at bambiharper@yahoo.com

Copyright 2006 Inquirer News Service. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

drfeelgood17

March 26th, 2006, 05:43 PM

haha.nice.. we used to frequent Rawis beaches too pag summer, nilalakad lng namin with my brothers, sister, cousins, we would all go home wet, and eat ice cream sticks or chichirya while walking. :lol: good times. :) Yup, it's quite dangerous because the water's very deep.

ako? eto sa work. hehe. tuesdays to saturdays kasi workdays namin.

btw, i was curious bout your signature..hehe..so i googled it. eto pala translation nya sa Bikol:

An gabos na tawo ipinangaking may katalinkasan asin parantay sa dignidad asin derechos. Sinda gabos tinawan nin pag-isip asin conciencia kaya dapat na makipag-iriba sa lambang saro bilang mga magturugang.

hEY DX!
Well done on the sig! I couldn't find a Bicol version of the Declaration when I first looked - I remember seeing the Tagalog version, though. How's your weekend going? Been to the beach today? :)

[dx]

March 27th, 2006, 12:12 AM

ei doc..nope, no beach today. i'm down with colds :cry: kainis nga e, summer na summer na dito tas sinisipon ako. :ohno:

Dueller23

March 27th, 2006, 04:52 AM

Construction of P2-B Daraga airport set
Posted: 3:04 AM | Mar. 27, 2006

Inquirer

DARAGA, ALBAY-The construction of the first international airport in Southern Luzon has been set for the last quarter of the year following the approval of the 2006 General Appropriations Act. The 2006 GAA or national budget includes the P2-billion allotment for the airport in Daraga.

Site development could be started before the year ends, according to Daraga Mayor Gerry Jaucian.

Called the Southern Luzon International Airport, the project will cover some 24 hectares in barangays Alobo, Kinawitan, Mabini, Burgos and Inarado in this town.

Areas for the runway, airport terminal and control tower are currently being identified in these villages.

The Special Technical Working Group headed by Air Transportation Office chief Frisco Sto. Domingo is handling the technical aspects of the proposed project, Jaucian said.

He disclosed that aside from the P150-million initial funding from Albay 3rd district Rep. Joey Salceda, House appropriations committee chair, Camarines Sur Gov. Luis Raymund Villafuerte, concurrent Regional Development Council (RDC) chair, has pledged P100 million as equity for the project.

The mayor expressed optimism that the international airport, which was expected to spur economic development in this part of the country, would be realized because of the support from the local chief executives in Bicol.

Earlier, members of the RDC--composed mostly of mayors and governors from all over the region--promised to extend whatever resources they could share to the project.

Legazpi City Mayor Noel Rosal, for his part, said the city government accepted Daraga as the site of the international airport.

Rosal said the port would not only benefit the host town and Albay, but also the entire region and Southern Luzon area in terms of business and tourism, once it is fully operational.

The project is expected to be completed by 2009.

Edgar Alejo, Inquirer Southern Luzon Bureau