^^uhmmm...cge ma abre ako batchoyan, bwehehehe

^^yes, eon, i'm still connected to Johns Hopkins, do you know anyone from there? The Hospital has been rated No.1 in the US for 17 years now (sorry, i just had to post that, proud syempre! hehehe).

ikaw lang kilala ko da!:lol: obcourse, you should be proud!:cheers: as all other filipino staff nurses in that hospital. im sure your contributions are great in making it number 1!

hehe! maayoong aga! im trying 2 surf d net thru mobile. bdlay ah! hehe!

welcme bak space!

anyway, the city is on hyperstate. dinagyang, paraw, candelaria & chinse new year will b held in no less than a month period. hpwever, we should also challenge ourselves in making iloilo an all year round destination. its just the beginning of a new day for us. after laying in slumber for decades. :okay:

pero ang kuryente tani palihug lang! deasia pagayo sg serbisyo kg supply! paging PECO!!! :bash:

^^hahaha! you don't need to page them berns!:lol: they have already been paged a long time ago by the government and private sectors and the public-at-large.

ikaw lang kilala ko da!:lol: obcourse, you should be proud!:cheers: as all other filipino staff nurses in that hospital. im sure your contributions are great in making it number 1!

^^:) damo dri ilonggo, kay man ang Director for International Recruitment sang Johns Hopkins Hospital ilongga, utod ni Mrs. Trompeta (of DOT Reg. VI?). Taga St.Pauls sya.

^^that's very good then! you all make us proud!:)

hehe! maayoong aga! im trying 2 surf d net thru mobile. bdlay ah! hehe!

welcme bak space!

anyway, the city is on hyperstate. dinagyang, paraw, candelaria & chinse new year will b held in no less than a month period. hpwever, we should also challenge ourselves in making iloilo an all year round destination. its just the beginning of a new day for us. after laying in slumber for decades. :okay:

pero ang kuryente tani palihug lang! deasia pagayo sg serbisyo kg supply! paging PECO!!! :bash:

^^ :wave:hi Berns! bag-o aton username ah? guin request mo pa change haw?

my sentiments are exactly the same as yours re: iloilo as an all-year destination.

^^that's very good then! you all make us proud!:)

^^OT: as painful as may be, i think i need to offically leave hopkins this year to start work here in NJ instead.:cry:

^^haha! yeah. regarding a theme park, before that happens we should improve further our local market. also, theme parks consume humongous chunk of electricity.

another factor we have to consider or a challnge is how to make the very thrifty ilonggo to invest their money from their banks. daku gani sa banko pero dira lang na asta. we should us our money for our projects & businesses here. :okay:

^^OT: as painful as may be, i think i need to offically leave hopkins this year to start work here in NJ instead.:cry:
OT:
whatever the reasons, i hope your decisions will give you peace of mind!

^^haha! yeah. regarding a theme park, before that happens we should improve further our local market. also, theme parks consume humongous chunk of electricity.

another factor we have to consider or a challnge is how to make the very thrifty ilonggo to invest their money from their banks. daku gani sa banko pero dira lang na asta. we should us our money for our projects & businesses here. :okay:


^^ yup, but don't you worry the P7 billion consunji coal plant is in the works. i just wish they would do more work on the transmission and connection of power lines. since this is the primary scapegoat of the damned Patay Electric Company, :bash:

OT:
whatever the reasons, i hope your decisions will give you peace of mind!

^^yup, hoping for the best always!:)

^^haha! yeah. regarding a theme park, before that happens we should improve further our local market. also, theme parks consume humongous chunk of electricity.

another factor we have to consider or a challnge is how to make the very thrifty ilonggo to invest their money from their banks. daku gani sa banko pero dira lang na asta. we should us our money for our projects & businesses here. :okay:

in order for our economy to expand, we must improve various facets of our consumption side to include not only the necessities but also on some leisure, entertainment and tourist industries and on investments and manufacturing.

we dont have a problem on the savings side. in fact, that's our strength.

To encourage the Ilonggo to part with his money, I think the Gov't must help stimulate activity in the local economy as well by i.e. building necessary infrastructures, this may include Powerplants, convention centers, arenas, themeparks etc., IMO

These are not only "back to back fiestas", these are "back-to-back-to-back-to-back fiestas".

Hala Bira Iloilo

Iloilo City gears for back-to-back fiestas


source: [url=http://www.theguardianiloilo.ph/] The Guardian ILOILO/url]

To encourage the Ilonggo to part with his money, I think the Gov't must help stimulate activity in the local economy as well by i.e. building necessary infrastructures, this may include Powerplants, convention centers, arenas, themeparks etc., IMO

indeed! sometimes, a government-led pump-priming economic activity is the catalyst that would stimulate growth and development. with the support infrastructures in place, that would encourage in turn the private sector to either expand or create entirely new industries.

These are not only "back to back fiestas", these are "back-to-back-to-back-to-back fiestas".

Hala Bira Iloilo

let the festival season in the city begin!:cheers:

Thanks guys for the accolade.

Welcome habagatcentral1!!!!
Ay si bernie gali ni sya? :D
Joining the bandwagon of name-changers ha...

Hi shy,
new year, new name...ma change man ako guro ay, hehehe

finally! may ara na ko sang wow Philippines jingle sa blog ko... check it guys, http://www.iloiloonfoot.blogspot.com.... yey! what do you think?

Iloilo City to host Nat'l corn congress

A gathering of some 1,500 corn producers from the different regions of the country will converge in Iloilo City on January 9-11, 2008 for the National Corn Congress with Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap gracing the affair.

In a PIA interview, Director Larry Nacionales of the Department of Agriculture, Region VI, disclosed that the activity is facilitated by PhilMaize and supported by the DA.

"The activity is very significant for our local corn producers here to also get new breakthroughs, new technologies that will be presented during the three-day activity. This will help improve corn production output of our farmers here," Nacionales said.

Nacionales explained that activity will best discuss the requirement of corn not only for human consumption but also as a good source of feeds to support the livestock industry.

"We need to produce or expand corn production, and Secretary Yap is expected to announce during the affair that we have a good corn production performance, a double growth rate in Western Visayas," Director Nacionales said but take note that the official figure of the production output was not available as of press time.

More assistance will be extended by the government on this sector, said Nacionales as he stressed that a lot of good and well known speakers on corn production will be featured in the National Corn Congress, where new technologies, access to rural credit, post-harvest technology, and marketing will be presented.

"While we expect that there will be some discussions between Secretary Yap and the corn producers on how to further strengthen the corn industry, the highlight of Corn Congress will be a field trip to the corn-area of the province of Iloilo in Sara and San Dionisio," Director Nacionales concluded.(PIA/T.Villavert)

http://www.thenewstoday.info/2008/01/04/iloilo.city.to.host.natl.corn.congress.html

finally! may ara na ko sang wow Philippines jingle sa blog ko... check it guys, http://www.iloiloonfoot.blogspot.com.... yey! what do you think?

^^gian, wala ako mabati-an nga jingle...:?

^^ wala... ulihi gid man magupdate ang blogger kun kaisa... try mu bala click ang "walkathon"

^^or maybe click the "refresh" label in the right click key while you're in the site.

^^i did,pero wala man guihapon.

^^so most likely, it's the case as what @pacific said:nuts:

^^that should be the case then...:nuts::nuts::nuts:

Three years ago, one with the passion for promoting the already rising Iloilo, started this thread. Because of neglected and sometimes lack of promotion from our turf, this high school graduate started in what will be one of Ilonggo's most powerful tool in palautwasan and promotion on the net. He realized the potential of the internet as a powerful tool not just for the local promotion but for opening international gates in cyberspace.

As time goes by, what was once a solo flight was accompanied by several overseas Ilonggos whom they missed their pinalanggang banwa dearly and wanted to know the updates back there. Overnight, it has become a medicine of homesickness, these OFW Ilonggos who contribute greatly to the economy of our nation and our locale.

The thread was filled with pictures, perhaps the most numerous pictures of Iloilo in the cyberspace, thus attracted more lurkers and new forumers. Along with its attraction, came a healthy exchange of ideas about our pinalanggang banwa. Ideas that reflect our passion and disgust for some things in our banwa. As the community grew, so its competition. Several years ago, Skyscrapercity was a hot bed of regionalistic pride, island mentality or sometimes crab mentality. City versus city was prevalent all over the forums. Back then the forumers were bombarded with seemingly mudslinging and comparing posts, who's better and we're better than this or that, bunch of losers and sometimes personal attacks. All of these were encountered, yet the Ilonggo spirit wasn't dampened. Learned their lessons that when doing crab mentality, you cannot gain anything nor give any help and may sometimes bring shame to your locale. The forumers learned hard about this era, ushering what seems to be Pax SSC Pilipinas.

Reality has a firm grip on this thread, promotion was there but at the same time this was one of the best venues of palautwasan as what I've said earlier. Issues that matter for the development of atong pinalanggang banwa. It's good to praise our achievements but we also have to realize that we've got so many things to do in our threads. It became also a venue of hot debates such as the coal issue, the Capitol seige and more. Later the forumers based in Iloilo knew that influential policy-makers, businessmen and some of those in the LGU or NGOs has been lurking here for already several months. Wanting to hear what their kasimanwas think and feel on certain issues. We wanted to be heard, and so it was...in cyberspace.

Along with the evolution of the Iloilo thread came the birth of several threads such as NIA, Western Visayas Language thread, Yloylo Campeon de Herencia, Projects and u/cs, Transportation and Infra thread and Iririmaw ta Kasimanwa Samahan thread. It disected the general Ilonggo culture into several sections to understand who we really are and what we're doing in the city.

August 2006 was the first EB of Iloilo based forumers. To my surprise, they are young students by that time. Young but got the vision for their banwa. It was the start of the several meetings and an online samahan that will be knitted by one passion, thus creating Iririmaw ta Kasimanwa.

Indeed, within three years, the thread has developed its own character and trademark. Has somewhat contributed to the development of the city and the province as the palautwasan kag promotion. Indeed, it has severed or has created links with other cities in the Philippines. Indeed, it has promoted what Ilonggo spirit is, out of the stereotypical form. Three years have passed and still we move on. The Glorious Past, the Tragedy of our Queen and the Renaisannce, these are part of who we are and what we are made of. This is Iloilo. Together, lets help build our pinalanggang banwa's foundation to economic & cultural powerhouse. One that we lost, one that we cherished, one that we are proud of. And as 2008 begins, with investments coming and new issues confronting us, show to the world how we Ilonggos brave the storms and survive it with a smile and retaining our genteel and gracious nature.

From one spark of hope, three years ago, to one of Iloilo's venue for development, culture, politics and issues. It has built its trademark in SSC, it has built friendships with differences and distances seen not as an obstruction to keep the fire of passion burning.

Old World Charm with a Vibrant Future, that is Iloilo!

__________
Coinciding our anniversary, I hope that we can have a meet and lots of surprises awaits this January. Truly the fiesta mood is starting already! :)

^^very well written berns!:applause::cheers:

Thanks for this write up!

Ari na ko di subong sa Manila. Thanks also for the short meeting dira sa Iloilo before I went here. Hope to see you and the rest of the gang soon. Tani mapasugtan lang ako balik dira sa Iloilo sa Dinagyang.

Additional photos of Jeep ni Pogi

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e248/lewdsaint/PC300817.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e248/lewdsaint/PC300789.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e248/lewdsaint/PC300793.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e248/lewdsaint/PC300808.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e248/lewdsaint/PC300798.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e248/lewdsaint/PC300797.jpg

another jeep ni pogi photos

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e248/lewdsaint/PC300788.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e248/lewdsaint/PC300811.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e248/lewdsaint/PC300819.jpg

so inspiring bern, very personal and passionate. Goodwork !

Hats off talaga ako sa mga Ilonggo forumers here, each and everyone here plays a vital part in SSC-Iloilo. I'm glad to have known you guys. People who have the same love and loyalty
for our beloved city and province of Iloilo. I'm very proud to be a part of this group. The city that we love and our own lives are now so intertwined ,let us together face the future with optimism and hope, battle the ills and problems that continue to stifle our growth and rejoice in celebration of the achievements we have made.

^^really sleek looking jeepneys we have here!:)

may ara pa!

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e248/lewdsaint/PC300799.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e248/lewdsaint/PC300795.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e248/lewdsaint/PC300796.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e248/lewdsaint/PC300787.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e248/lewdsaint/PC300794.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e248/lewdsaint/PC300807.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e248/lewdsaint/PC300806.jpg

^^mostly rear shots naman! all have nice interiors if i may add!

not only the interiors as well as the engines.

nami tani kung mabatian nyo pa gid ang sound system sang jeep.

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e248/lewdsaint/PC300784.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e248/lewdsaint/PC300820.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e248/lewdsaint/PC300819.jpg

^^yeah, the sound systems too!:) not only many of them sound great, many are also creatively installed! is this a contest @lewd?

Yeah! ABS-CBN Jeep ni Pogi Contest last Dec. 30, 2007 at SM City Iloilo.

Damo pa ko kita mas maayo nga jeepneys gabyahe nga wala nag-intra. Basi mga Kapuso jeepneys siguro ato. :lol:

^^:lol: who won?

^^who won? , i like the one with the abs-cbn logo. ganda nang mga lights nila, i bet maganda rin ang mga audio systems nyan, i miss riding on these jeepneys.

wala ko kabalo...hehehe! I leave after I took the shots because I watched the fireworks show.

While we are in the middle of Thread 41, allow me to show the updated Iloilo Thread post stats.

On January 8, it will be the 3rd year anniversary of SSC Iloilo Thread!!!!

Can't wait for the 8th to post this kasi I might not have the time to do it kaya heto na sya. JC, ari na ginapingita mo.


2007 STATS:

MOST PROLIFIC POSTER (PINAKA-ADIK):
spacewagon1 – 1,526 posts in 2007; 2,693 posts to date

1ST RUNNER-UP (ADIK):
berniemacksouthcentr(al) – 1,061 posts in 2007; 1,466 posts to date

2ND RUNNER-UP (ADIK-ADIK):
kirby21 – 658 posts in 2007; 3,266 posts to date


THOSE WHO NEVER MISSED POSTING IN ALL 11 THREADS OF 2007

incognito_rn – 483 posts in 2007; 765 posts to date
whyte – 420 posts in 2007; 699 posts to date
chymera00 – 246 posts in 2007; 1,190 posts to date
IAMME – 193 posts in 2007; 353 posts to date
soulmaker27 – 170 posts in 2007; 400 posts to date
lewdsaint – 155 posts in 2007; 543 posts to date
Pacific_leopard – 108 posts in 2007; 396 posts to date
shyaman – 107 posts in 2007; 356 posts to date


OLD-TIMERS WHO WERE ACTIVE IN MOST OF THE 2007 THREADS:

wecky – 6/11 (posted in 6 out of 11 threads in 2007); 325 posts in 2007; 2,472 posts to date
BYAHILO/ericd001 – 10/11; 223 posts in 2007; 387 posts to date
METROPOLITAN_ILOILO – 9/11; 131 posts in 2007; 365 posts to date
daks2003 – 9/11; 116 posts in 2007; 289 posts to date
oboi_1 – 7/11; 85 posts in 2007; 218 posts to date
lei_tomo – 10/11; 79 posts in 2007; 86 posts to date
SamwiseGamgee – 10/11; 78 posts in 2007; 114 posts to date
alimol – 8/11; 38 posts in 2007; 147 posts to date
SugarFreak – 8/11; 37 posts in 2007; 54 posts to date
ferrersky – 9/11; 34 posts in 2007; 114 posts to date
adelro2049 – 9/11; 22 posts in 2007; 28 posts to date
kianshi – 8/11; 17 posts in 2007; 61 posts to date
Rolls-Royce – 7/11; 17 posts in 2007; 30 posts to date
toluene – 7/11; 10 posts in 2007; 20 posts to date


NOW YOU SEE, NOW YOU DON’T OLD-TIMERS:

COLLIN_JASPER – 4/11; 144 posts in 2007; 228 posts to date
van1975/blueguy - 5/11; 45 posts in 2007; 126 posts to date
caloy – 4/11; 24 posts in 2007; 201 posts to date
freezing_pt – 4/11; 17 posts in 2007; 147 posts to date
lex_99 – 5/11; 14 posts in 2007; 70 posts to date


MAJOR NEW PLAYERS:

eonynx – first posted in Thread 36; 347 posts to date
iloilocitykid – first posted in Thread 38; 360 posts to date
totopurz – first posted in Thread 32; 67 posts to date


OLD TIMERS WHO WERE “MISSING” OR WERE MISSED IN THIS THREAD

akaiski_2074 – 9 posts in 2007; last posted in Thread 26
al_teeway – 2 posts in 2007 (Thread 30 & 40)
Animo – 2 posts in 2007 (Thread 31)
Askal82 – 0 posts in 2007
irong206 – 6 posts in 2007; last posted in Thread 32
Jonjon75 – 0 posts in 2007; 1,027 posts to date
marsleg - 0 posts in 2007; 561 posts to date
NTB – 14 posts in 2007, 13 in Thread 30, 1 in Thread 40
sugarboy – 10 posts in 2007, all in Thread 34
taga_uma – 1 post in 2007, in Thread 40
Virtute – 0 posts in 2007
Weina – 0 posts in 2007


NEW PLAYERS WHO INSPIRED (FOR A WHILE) AND EXPIRED

GoodSuccess – 33 posts in total; 32 posts in Thread 30, 1 post in Thread 34
Risk_Taker – 92 posts; first posted in Thread 33, last posted in Thread 37


And now the data...

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q128/shyaman_king/scan0001.jpg

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q128/shyaman_king/scan0002.jpg

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q128/shyaman_king/scan0003.jpg

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q128/shyaman_king/scan0004.jpg

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q128/shyaman_king/scan0005.jpg

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q128/shyaman_king/scan0006.jpg

Shy, Madamo gid nga SALAMAT sa imo kapisan kag pagka metikoloso! So I was absent sa duwa ka thread hehehe. Hope to see you posting again soon.

my first post for 2008 ! :banana::banana::banana:

Belated Happy Christmas and New Year to all!

'twas a long vacation off SSC. I really really missed posting and I think I missed so much infos and news here as well. I'll try to catch up na lang.

Cheers!

To start with, let me post some more news clips: :banana::banana:

Space, hahaha missing in action. Good thing IloilocityKid keep us posted with latest news, same with fundador and Incognito... who never ever missed to post daily updates! I salute you guys! :cheers:

City’s P930.8-M budget ok’d

ILOILO City – The Iloilo City government will operate on a P930.8-million budget this year as contained in the Executive Budget approved by the Sangguniang Panlungsod.

source: Panay News (http://www.panaynewsphilippines.com/iloilo5.htm)

^^^^ good initial budget for the year. I hope less supplemental budget will be up before the year ends.

Great! what a news to start the 2008!

Iloilo City to host Nat'l corn congress

A gathering of some 1,500 corn producers from the different regions of the country will converge in Iloilo City on January 9-11, 2008 for the National Corn Congress with Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap gracing the affair.

source: The News Today (http://www.thenewstoday.info/2008/01/04/iloilo.city.to.host.natl.corn.congress.html)

Cool! First convention for 2008! More to come! :cheers:

DMCI in P7.4-B coal-fed power plant

DMCI Power Corp., a subsidiary of DMCI Holdings, is investing P7.35 billion for a 200-megawatt coal-fired power plant in Iloilo.

The project is among the P21.586-billion worth of projects approved by the Board of Investments during its last board meeting on Thursday.

Source: Manila Bulletin (http://www.mb.com.ph/archive.php?date=2007-12-29)

Wow! A multibillion investment! really 2008 will be rolling with huge investments and hopefully influx of more multibillion projects be it public or private. :banana:

Iloilo City gears for back-to-back fiestas

Long before the dust of Christmas holidays settle down, Iloilo City is in frenzy girding up to hold four major festivals starting this month until middle of February.

source: [url=http://www.theguardianiloilo.ph/] The Guardian ILOILO/url]

YES! 4 in a row... really a very busy 1st Quarter for ILOILO. And just like any other sentiments here... I wish we could KEEP the momentum up and running the whole YEAR.

Three years ago, one with the passion for promoting the already rising Iloilo, started this thread. Because of neglected and sometimes lack of promotion from our turf, this high school graduate started in what will be one of Ilonggo's most powerful tool in palautwasan and promotion on the net. He realized the potential of the internet as a powerful tool not just for the local promotion but for opening international gates in cyberspace.

As time goes by, what was once a solo flight was accompanied by several overseas Ilonggos whom they missed their pinalanggang banwa dearly and wanted to know the updates back there. Overnight, it has become a medicine of homesickness, these OFW Ilonggos who contribute greatly to the economy of our nation and our locale.

The thread was filled with pictures, perhaps the most numerous pictures of Iloilo in the cyberspace, thus attracted more lurkers and new forumers. Along with its attraction, came a healthy exchange of ideas about our pinalanggang banwa. Ideas that reflect our passion and disgust for some things in our banwa. As the community grew, so its competition. Several years ago, Skyscrapercity was a hot bed of regionalistic pride, island mentality or sometimes crab mentality. City versus city was prevalent all over the forums. Back then the forumers were bombarded with seemingly mudslinging and comparing posts, who's better and we're better than this or that, bunch of losers and sometimes personal attacks. All of these were encountered, yet the Ilonggo spirit wasn't dampened. Learned their lessons that when doing crab mentality, you cannot gain anything nor give any help and may sometimes bring shame to your locale. The forumers learned hard about this era, ushering what seems to be Pax SSC Pilipinas.

Reality has a firm grip on this thread, promotion was there but at the same time this was one of the best venues of palautwasan as what I've said earlier. Issues that matter for the development of atong pinalanggang banwa. It's good to praise our achievements but we also have to realize that we've got so many things to do in our threads. It became also a venue of hot debates such as the coal issue, the Capitol seige and more. Later the forumers based in Iloilo knew that influential policy-makers, businessmen and some of those in the LGU or NGOs has been lurking here for already several months. Wanting to hear what their kasimanwas think and feel on certain issues. We wanted to be heard, and so it was...in cyberspace.

Along with the evolution of the Iloilo thread came the birth of several threads such as NIA, Western Visayas Language thread, Yloylo Campeon de Herencia, Projects and u/cs, Transportation and Infra thread and Iririmaw ta Kasimanwa Samahan thread. It disected the general Ilonggo culture into several sections to understand who we really are and what we're doing in the city.

August 2006 was the first EB of Iloilo based forumers. To my surprise, they are young students by that time. Young but got the vision for their banwa. It was the start of the several meetings and an online samahan that will be knitted by one passion, thus creating Iririmaw ta Kasimanwa.

Indeed, within three years, the thread has developed its own character and trademark. Has somewhat contributed to the development of the city and the province as the palautwasan kag promotion. Indeed, it has severed or has created links with other cities in the Philippines. Indeed, it has promoted what Ilonggo spirit is, out of the stereotypical form. Three years have passed and still we move on. The Glorious Past, the Tragedy of our Queen and the Renaisannce, these are part of who we are and what we are made of. This is Iloilo. Together, lets help build our pinalanggang banwa's foundation to economic & cultural powerhouse. One that we lost, one that we cherished, one that we are proud of. And as 2008 begins, with investments coming and new issues confronting us, show to the world how we Ilonggos brave the storms and survive it with a smile and retaining our genteel and gracious nature.

From one spark of hope, three years ago, to one of Iloilo's venue for development, culture, politics and issues. It has built its trademark in SSC, it has built friendships with differences and distances seen not as an obstruction to keep the fire of passion burning.

Old World Charm with a Vibrant Future, that is Iloilo!

__________
Coinciding our anniversary, I hope that we can have a meet and lots of surprises awaits this January. Truly the fiesta mood is starting already! :)

Beautiful piece.... I couldn't have said it better. Thanks for writing about this... Berns wrote the year ender reflection while Shy made the year ender stats.

ONLY in SSC ILOILO!

We don't just TALK, we DISCUSS! So for all SSC ILOILO Ilonggo LURKERS out there... come out... Share your mind. Let us hear you out!

:)

^^ you did not meet with Chy,soul,Gian? kasi nandoon rin sila taking pics of the fireworks show at SM city.

Megaworld set to complete first solar-powered BPO building

Friday, December 28, 2007

Megaworld Corporation, the country's top residential condominium and business process outsourcing (BPO) office building developer, is proving to be a pioneer once more by being the first to install solar panels in a BPO office project — One Campus Place in McKinley Hill Cyberpark, Fort Bonifacio. The project is set to be completed soon.

Megaworld has commenced the installation of a 30-kW solar power generating system, one of the biggest in the Philippines. Solar panels capture the sun's energy and convert it to electricity.

"This is clean energy that reduces dependency on fossil fuels and has zero carbon emissions," explained Megaworld FVP Jericho Go. Sealed, maintenance-free, gel-valve regulated batteries will be used; therefore, no acidic or toxic fumes will be emitted. Highly sophisticated electronics, on par with European and American systems, will have better cooling, higher efficiency, and electronic instead of mechanical changeovers.

"In light of the recently concluded UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in Bali and the urgent need to address this issue, designing a green building is one of Megaworld's contributions to environmental conservation and the prevention of global warming," added Go.

"Since the building is partly electrified by solar power, this will cut down demand for electricity from power stations. This will mean less burning of fossil fuels in power plants and fewer carbon emissions. At the moment, 90 percent of the world's energy comes from conventional sources: coal, oil, wood, and nuclear power. But these have caused serious environmental damage. While One Campus Place is only one building, this is Megaworld's first step in the right direction to help combat global warming."

According to the report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released just before the convention, world temperatures could rise from 1.1 to 6.4 C during the 21st century. This will probably result in sea levels rising by at least 7 inches and in more frequent warm spells, heat waves and heavy rainfall. Droughts, tropical cyclones and extreme high tides will likely increase in occurrence.

To install the solar power generating system at One Campus Place, Megaworld hired a consultant from India, which has been using the system for 15 years now. Prominent Indian BPO companies such as Wipro and Infosys use renewable energy.

Solar power is not the only green aspect of One Campus Place. Its windows will be double-glazed, thus insulating the rooms from heat and noise. Each building will be oriented in a north-south direction, hence controlling heat convection and radiation from sunlight. Large north-south windows will allow natural lighting. The much fewer
east-west windows, on the other hand, will be installed with lightweight aluminum sunscreen.

Air conditioning will be done per zone through variable refrigerant flow. In lieu of a centralized cooling tower and chilled water pump system, there will be a self-modulating, localized condenser that will be turned on only when cooling of a particular area is required.

Since One Campus Place will have only six office floors, there is projected less need to use the elevators. Instead, staff will be encouraged to take the wide stairs. This will translate not only to energy conservation but also a healthy working environment.

"We will likewise conserve water," added Go. "The restrooms will be installed with waterless toilet fixtures, or self-enclosing automatic top closets, which are expected to save half a million gallons of water a year. For landscape irrigation, an underground cistern will collect and filter treated rainwater for use in watering the plants."

True to being a green building, One Campus Place will be encircled by lush trees and landscaped gardens typical of a campus setting, making it ideal for refreshing breaks and perking up employees' innovation.

"With the strong response to One Campus Place, Megaworld is closely studying the addition of environment-friendly features in our upcoming BPO building projects," Go declared.

Located in a gated one-hectare complex with maximum security, One Campus Place consists of two six-storey building. Each building will have 10,600 square meters of prime office space. Building-by-building addition will follow the BPO firm's expansion requirements and timeline.

Since its location, the 14-hectare McKinley Hill Cyberpark, has been declared an Information Technology Park, One Campus Place locators will be entitled to incentives, including income tax holidays of up to eight years.

McKinley Hill Cyberpark is part of the 50-hectare McKinley Hill Village, the largest mixed-use township development of Megaworld to date that offers residents and locators a total Live-Work-Play-Learn environment.

McKinley Hill is easily accessible from Makati, Ortigas, and the airport via C5 and EDSA. The township's main artery, Upper McKinley Road, connects directly to McKinley Road and to Makati City's main thoroughfare, Ayala Avenue.

Interested BPO locators may inquire about McKinley Hill Cyberpark by calling (02) 912-0708, sending an email to jcespinosa@megaworldcorp.com, or checking out www.megaworldcorp.com.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Real%20Estate&p=49&type=2&sec=37&aid=200712271\6

Hopefully, Megaworld would be consistent and consider renewable energy sources for their Iloilo property.

^^wow! first solar-powered bpo building! sana nga for iloilo, they would consider it!

^^^ wa-ay ko sila nakita kay upod ko man barkada ko kag misis ko

Here is my video sa fireworks show
Onn5bKHMvwU

wala ko kabalo...hehehe! I leave after I took the shots because I watched the fireworks show.

^^ This is new...and I'm hoping for this too. Megaworld is very very aware about our energy situation down here and this initiative seems to be one of the options. :okay:

However, damn PECO for their service! :bash:

@Nong Lew. Nga-a wala sound man?

^^ah, matagal na pala tayong member nang Billionaires Club :cheers2:. with better tax and fiscal management plus investments , i'm sure IC can do a billion easily again.
i think we crossed a billion budget since 2005 pa. We always have an initial budget less than a million and after 3-4 months, more supplemental budgets were brewing. For the last 2 years, Iloilo City has a budget of 1.2 billion give or take. By posting our budget less than what we are expecting is a good sign. However, after a year or so, we are hitting more tan half additional budget. I hope it would be a case this year. The budget doesn't correlate with the income of the city. The income is actually much higher to play with a budget like this. At present, I'm not s sure the actual annual income of Iloilo City. Any reports?


^^Hi Space! welcome back, Happy New Year to you, Summa cum Laude!
I agree with you , i hope to see more inputs from our other forumers
and welcome newbies too.



^^ Owow! complete ang greetings ni Lei, :banana:
summa ro-rot ka mo. I'm fine, Incognito and I've enjoyed holidays to the max. The only thing that I haven't done last year was to watch the London's Fireworks Display as I was so bloody tired and drunk all along. I was just grateful that our friend's neighbours dd not report us to the police for causing too much noise. he he. All in all, it was a lovely holiday, indeed.

^^i do wish more people would invest in these areas, More Resorts,Theme parks. My personal wish is a National Aquarium to be based in the City, complete with Dolphins etc... just my :2cents:

I loved the idea of National Aquarium with a SeaWorld (Florida) type of theme resort. Do you think someone will invest such kind of project in Iloilo?


^^ Iloilo is the Place to be in the First Quarter of the Year, with all these upcoming events, Its super busy and in a "hyper" state in the city. :cheers2:
This means more tourists and more money coming in.

Hope we can sustain this till the end of the year, and the LGU/private entities can conjure up additional activities and events at the middle and end of the year.

That's the problem. The first quarter seems ballistic with loads of activities on going then after that, we're back o our serene state. he he. I think the city needs to be more diverse by creating more activities and building tourism-related projects to entice our tourism industry for the whole year.

^^good that peace and order is being addressed especially during these events. Hoping for a fun,exciting and orderly Dinagyang!!! yeah!!![/QUOTE]

hehe! maayoong aga! im trying 2 surf d net thru mobile. bdlay ah! hehe!

welcme bak space!

anyway, the city is on hyperstate. dinagyang, paraw, candelaria & chinse new year will b held in no less than a month period. hpwever, we should also challenge ourselves in making iloilo an all year round destination. its just the beginning of a new day for us. after laying in slumber for decades. :okay:

pero ang kuryente tani palihug lang! deasia pagayo sg serbisyo kg supply! paging PECO!!! :bash:
thank you. And I'm glad to be here again. Another year added, another new ideas and things to learn. Cheers.

good, so they can generate their own power for their development here. and they won't require/rely a lot of electricity from PECO. hopefully nga e-consider nila ito for iloilo.

lipat ko mag-ON sang sound!



@Nong Lew. Nga-a wala sound man?

^^^ wa-ay ko sila nakita kay upod ko man barkada ko kag misis ko

Here is my video sa fireworks show
Onn5bKHMvwU

^^Wow, very nice, actually i can hear very faint exploding sounds. jkl
:banana::banana::banana:

These are not only "back to back fiestas", these are "back-to-back-to-back-to-back fiestas".

Hala Bira Iloilo
we're in fiesta fever NOW. The Hala Bira Iloilo, Sulong sa Pagbag-o is once again be heard all over radio stations including once posted in the cyberspace. It's nice to hear once more that we are moving forward and ... onwards we go!

indeed! sometimes, a government-led pump-priming economic activity is the catalyst that would stimulate growth and development. with the support infrastructures in place, that would encourage in turn the private sector to either expand or create entirely new industries.
I hope to see better infrastructures in the near future.

Three years ago, one with the passion for promoting the already rising Iloilo, started this thread. Because of neglected and sometimes lack of promotion from our turf, this high school graduate started in what will be one of Ilonggo's most powerful tool in palautwasan and promotion on the net. He realized the potential of the internet as a powerful tool not just for the local promotion but for opening international gates in cyberspace.

As time goes by, what was once a solo flight was accompanied by several overseas Ilonggos whom they missed their pinalanggang banwa dearly and wanted to know the updates back there. Overnight, it has become a medicine of homesickness, these OFW Ilonggos who contribute greatly to the economy of our nation and our locale.

The thread was filled with pictures, perhaps the most numerous pictures of Iloilo in the cyberspace, thus attracted more lurkers and new forumers. Along with its attraction, came a healthy exchange of ideas about our pinalanggang banwa. Ideas that reflect our passion and disgust for some things in our banwa. As the community grew, so its competition. Several years ago, Skyscrapercity was a hot bed of regionalistic pride, island mentality or sometimes crab mentality. City versus city was prevalent all over the forums. Back then the forumers were bombarded with seemingly mudslinging and comparing posts, who's better and we're better than this or that, bunch of losers and sometimes personal attacks. All of these were encountered, yet the Ilonggo spirit wasn't dampened. Learned their lessons that when doing crab mentality, you cannot gain anything nor give any help and may sometimes bring shame to your locale. The forumers learned hard about this era, ushering what seems to be Pax SSC Pilipinas.

Reality has a firm grip on this thread, promotion was there but at the same time this was one of the best venues of palautwasan as what I've said earlier. Issues that matter for the development of atong pinalanggang banwa. It's good to praise our achievements but we also have to realize that we've got so many things to do in our threads. It became also a venue of hot debates such as the coal issue, the Capitol seige and more. Later the forumers based in Iloilo knew that influential policy-makers, businessmen and some of those in the LGU or NGOs has been lurking here for already several months. Wanting to hear what their kasimanwas think and feel on certain issues. We wanted to be heard, and so it was...in cyberspace.

Along with the evolution of the Iloilo thread came the birth of several threads such as NIA, Western Visayas Language thread, Yloylo Campeon de Herencia, Projects and u/cs, Transportation and Infra thread and Iririmaw ta Kasimanwa Samahan thread. It disected the general Ilonggo culture into several sections to understand who we really are and what we're doing in the city.

August 2006 was the first EB of Iloilo based forumers. To my surprise, they are young students by that time. Young but got the vision for their banwa. It was the start of the several meetings and an online samahan that will be knitted by one passion, thus creating Iririmaw ta Kasimanwa.

Indeed, within three years, the thread has developed its own character and trademark. Has somewhat contributed to the development of the city and the province as the palautwasan kag promotion. Indeed, it has severed or has created links with other cities in the Philippines. Indeed, it has promoted what Ilonggo spirit is, out of the stereotypical form. Three years have passed and still we move on. The Glorious Past, the Tragedy of our Queen and the Renaisannce, these are part of who we are and what we are made of. This is Iloilo. Together, lets help build our pinalanggang banwa's foundation to economic & cultural powerhouse. One that we lost, one that we cherished, one that we are proud of. And as 2008 begins, with investments coming and new issues confronting us, show to the world how we Ilonggos brave the storms and survive it with a smile and retaining our genteel and gracious nature.

From one spark of hope, three years ago, to one of Iloilo's venue for development, culture, politics and issues. It has built its trademark in SSC, it has built friendships with differences and distances seen not as an obstruction to keep the fire of passion burning.

Old World Charm with a Vibrant Future, that is Iloilo!

__________
Coinciding our anniversary, I hope that we can have a meet and lots of surprises awaits this January. Truly the fiesta mood is starting already! :)
What a great message indeed. And thanks for posting, Bernie. It started as a dream after all. And now the dream is turning into a reality. I'm glad one way or the other, we are heard from a distance. Hala Bira ILOILO ! :banana::banana::banana:

^^Wow, very nice, actually i can hear very faint exploding sounds. jkl
:banana::banana::banana:

nice vid indeed!:)

Space, teh, nag hatag na ang Salutatorian sang iya nga speech. now, we want to here your Valedictory address. hehehe
diin na si kirby man?

^^
yeah go Space! the top poster! Give us your power speech!

Anyway nice to know that our thread is moving fast (on the dark side, i have to read about 5 pages again in order to post). Just glad to see familair posters and new ones infusing new ideas and much needed support like eonynx, fundador, iloilocity kid.... ang iba ni sa ila mas madamo pa post sa akon. hehehe

Mabuhay kita tanan!

Hala Bira ILOILO! DAGYANG NA! :banana::banana::banana:

^^wow! first solar-powered bpo building! sana nga for iloilo, they would consider it!



http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Real%20Estate&p=49&type=2&sec=37&aid=200712271\6

Hopefully, Megaworld would be consistent and consider renewable energy sources for their Iloilo property.

^^ This is new...and I'm hoping for this too. Megaworld is very very aware about our energy situation down here and this initiative seems to be one of the options. :okay:

However, damn PECO for their service! :bash:

@Nong Lew. Nga-a wala sound man?
this is indeed a GOOD NEWS to all and I think Megaworld is very much willing to implement this continuously BUT this is NOT the answer to the problem of Iloilo City. Iloilo City is not compose of Megaworld alone ket alone 1 or 2 buildings of Megaworld. Iloilo City has numerous business establishments across its six districts burgeoning with economic activities right now. This project of Megaworld will lessen the impact of energy-needed by its projects but will not touch any issues that will solve the problem of city's energy needs.

To say the list, COAL POWER PLANTS remain the answer to our power crisis in Iloilo (City and Province) to date.

Space, teh, nag hatag na ang Salutatorian sang iya nga speech. now, we want to here your Valedictory address. hehehe
diin na si kirby man?
i loved that. I'll compose tonight as I am not in my serious mood til now. he he. March pa man ang graduation ah. he he. Kirby's till having a bad hangover. I spent my holiday with Kirbs and some of our cousins, so medyo lipong pa to. :bash::bash:

^^mu na valedictory speech mo para sa PECO @ space?:lol:

i loved that. I'll compose tonight as I am not in my serious mood til now. he he. March pa man ang graduation ah. he he. Kirby's till having a bad hangover. I spent my holiday with Kirbs and some of our cousins, so medyo lipong pa to. :bash::bash:

^^bwahahah, its been 5 days since the new year, grabe guid guro inyo celebrasyon. knock out pa guihapon si kirbs, daw pyerde nyo pa ang mga native dira sa imnanay bah, j/k!

^^
yeah go Space! the top poster! Give us your power speech!

Anyway nice to know that our thread is moving fast (on the dark side, i have to read about 5 pages again in order to post). Just glad to see familair posters and new ones infusing new ideas and much needed support like eonynx, fundador, iloilocity kid.... ang iba ni sa ila mas madamo pa post sa akon. hehehe

Mabuhay kita tanan!

Hala Bira ILOILO! DAGYANG NA! :banana::banana::banana:
a year-ender report gid iya? he he.

Hi Metro. Nice to see you once more. I hope to see more developments coming .... soon. :banana::banana::banana::banana:

^^mu na valedictory speech mo para sa PECO @ space?:lol:

he he. Nothing against PECO at all but they are useless IMO. We need bigger support coming from our coal investors. Apart from coal, I want to know more what's with other energy investors updates for our city. Any idea? Is PhilBIO crap or what? Because til now, its approval remains hanging.

^^mu na valedictory speech mo para sa PECO @ space?:lol:

^^eon, resident poet , isa gani ka poem dira for 2008 para ma-inspire aton valedictorian and fellow SSCers. :)

^^accdg to reports, uncertain pa

^^eon, resident poet , isa gani ka poem dira for 2008 para ma-inspire aton valedictorian and fellow SSCers. :)

hahaha! may fever pa ko subong! dason lang!:lol:

^^ay, ganun wawa naman, nosocomial infection! j/k!
ako man gani feeling ko man i'm getting sick, the cold weather here
is getting unbearable. OT.

sin-o ang hindi makadumdum sini?

One of the most famous ilonggo bands
Ulihing Tubu Band

Thanks to roulitte2 for posting these songs in YouTube.

Kanami pamatian ah!

Bakya ni Neneng
54TGX4vRTl4

Joselito
5YB1j9bWMf0

ISTAMBAY
5YB1j9bWMf0

@bernie, that was a nice salutatory address. Daw sa matulo luha ko samtang ginabasa ko ba.

To those who still do not know, it was @chymera who started it all in January 2005. :applause: He's a bit low profile now compared to 2 years ago but he will always be the man.


@lew, I reposted your posts in the Philippine Jeepney thread.

BTW buhi pa gali nang Ulihing Tubo? They were rocking since the 80s pa!

old videos na 'na!

thanks for posting those pics in other thread, shy.

syempre, si toto chy is the best! very talented kid. www.exploreiloilo.com
give yourself a pat in the back as well bong este shy!

@bernie, that was a nice salutatory address. Daw sa matulo luha ko samtang ginabasa ko ba.

To those who still do not know, it was @chymera who started it all in January 2005. :applause: He's a bit low profile now compared to 2 years ago but he will always be the man.


@lew, I reposted your posts in the Philippine Jeepney thread.

BTW buhi pa gali nang Ulihing Tubo? They were rocking since the 80s pa!

yup! the talented web designer and photographer! and a soon-to-be ulirang nurse!:applause: kudos to you chy for starting it all!:okay:

Gokongweis’ Passi Sugar Mill to operate in Iloilo this year

01/05/2008

Business tycoon, the Gokongweis, is expected to operate the Passi Sugar Central and the New Frontier Sugar Mill in Passi City this year in Iloilo, a high-ranking official said.

Iloilo Provincial Planning and Development Officer (IPPDO) Mario Nillos said the Gokongweis had bought the Passi Sugar Mill since last year as part of their investment portfolio. The Gokongweis also owned the popular Robinson Galleria chain mall.

Other multimillion-investment lined up in Iloilo is the Casa Azucarrera de Passi, which will greatly benefit the sugar planters in the central part of the province, particularly Passi City, Duenas and Dingle.

Nillos, meanwhile, is hopeful that the David M. Consunji, Inc. (DMCI) could already put up a 100-megawatt coal-fired power plant this year in the coastal town of Concepcion, 111 kilometers away from this city, to meet the power demand of the province.

Nillos said DMCI over the years has been working on its social acceptability and other technical aspects of the feasibility study for its plant.

He added with the operation of the New Iloilo Airport Development Project in the towns of Sta. Barbara and Cabatuan, there are really many other bright prospects for Iloilo province this 2008.

“There is now a need for the provincial government to have its own Investment Code that would package all the investments here,” added Nillos. PNA

Link : http://www.tribune.net.ph/business/20080105bus10.html

Hala! Ato si Toto Chy subong sa Guimaras. Hay, how I wish I could get an excursion from time to time. Sometimes its so difficult to be a tambay you know, wahahaha!!!
:lol:

Anyway, Space...your message to the world beh palihog. hehehe!!:D I've done my part. I was inspired by the anniversary and surprises coming up. :D

Anyway, just met up with Iloilocitykid earlier this afternoon. Young yet so many things he wanted to share, and has a passion to love and help Iloilo further.
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/80490012-1.jpg

^^ Thanks @lew for the news item. This is good news! I hope that with Gokongwei's ownership now of the 2 old sugar centrals in Passi will see them upgraded including the infrastructure within the sugar central complex.

I still remember as late as the early 80s, these sugar central complex were a symbol of modernity with all the new houses and office buildings. Currently, these structures are all in sorry state.

^^Yesssss, another Sugar Mill by the Gokongweis, woohooo!

So far, Kid and I went to Riverside Boardwalk and was surprised that bulldozers have reclaimed the remaining buffer zone between the Riverside Boardwalk and Iloilo River. Looks like the Iloilo Boulevard at this area will be pushing through, although I think its more of a leisure stroll road rather than a major thoroughfare. Too narrow kasi.

^^good,that you are able to meet up with kid berns. hope we can entice more ilonggos to join SSC-Iloilo.

re:boardwalk its better cguro na for pedestrian/bikes lang, more leisurely.

^^ Going to and from Molo I guess, basing on the reclaimed land.

@berns, nice meeting you. Salamat sa Deco's :lol:

^^ Your welcome. :)

By the way, the Fort San Pedro walkway submurged. Maybe its the engineering of creating a breakwater that was a flaw thats why the seawall of Fort San Pedro eroded.

^^any plans in renovating it?

^^ Those plans have been there for years! :bash: Hay, di na lang ko maghambal kay I just don't want to give you false hopes. :D Lets wait and see. :D

Vice guv favors One Negros Federal State

BACOLOD CITY -- Negros Occidental Vice Gov. Isidro Zayco supports the move to change the Constitution to a federal form of government by province but not by region as a federal state.

Zayco said he supports the move to create a One Negros Federal State that would combine as one federal state the Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental provinces.

"This was planned long ago. Right now, there are already several access roads going to Negros Oriental. This would separate Negros Occidental from Region 6 (Western Visayas) where it belongs now," Zayco said.

He said the Panay Federal State can be composed of Iloilo, Antique, Aklan, Guimaras and Capiz provinces.

"I find it hard combining Negros with provinces like Antique, Guimaras and Capiz into one region state because the question then would be, who will subsidize them?," he said.

Zayco said he is supportive of the moves to change the present form of government to federalism because this would mean independence for the provinces.

"We can have independence in our revenues, in education, the police even the judiciary without going to the national government. This is good for the province," Zayco stressed.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, he said, made mention about the drafting of a roadmap to federalism by year 2012.

Zayco said there were already local campaigns last year in support for federalism and he has been giving his support to such moves. (PNA)

http://www.thenewstoday.info/2008/01/04/vice.guv.favors.one.negros.federal.state.html

^^Federalism anyone?

^^ Hay, that topic again...Such a headache! Pahuwaya na bala anay ang ina nga issue. Kakapuy na ina about federalism, parliamentarism, and more isms in conversion of our national government.

And wow, grabe naman ang expression na "Who would support Antique, Guimaras and Capiz" when it comes to fiscal grabs. I so hate the sarcastic underestimation of these provinces! Antique might be poor but its largely untapped. Guimaras might be the next eco-tourism destination and Capiz is an aqua-agriculture hub.

For now, I just want to let this issue pass. Para na kasing sirang piniratang DVD. :lol:

^^ Let the issue pass, I agree. Politics has become relatively stable. :)

I'm just excited about the updates in SMallville. There's a concert area, a new bar, a sort of dining/shopping place, a boulevard of some sort and there's more to come.

Regarding Arthur's Suites, is it open? It's finished from the view outside.

^^ Well, for one. The predictions of 2008 indicates that there would be another destabilization plot....Like every other year has eversince! :nuts:

^^bwahahaha, nakita mo man gle ang nakita ko, tumaas tuloy yung kilay ko, ano na lang kaya pag Antique with its rich mineral deposits and possible oil field in its coast finally see this realized. Hmmm...

nevermind, i will keep quite na rin berns. :D

^^ And what's new? I find predictions quite broad, IMO. They seem to say things that people know that will happen or say things that are too general and obvious that it'll happen. :)

Dinagyang is coming fast. Hold your horses, the tourist arrivals in the city has just increased with the coming of Koreans, Chinese, Americans, British and other nationalities in the city. I've noticed there's a lot of them nowadays, mostly with their wives while there's also those who travel for the adventure. For Koreans, well, you know them.. coming here to learn english.

Last year (or maybe 2006), the tourism arrivals decreased in Iloilo...City that is. But in Iloilo Province, it has increased. :D

^^ Overall, did it increase? In a way, let's look at it positively. At least the tourism efforts in the province are improving. Iloilo City's tourism potential is yet to be realized. The potential we have just tapped is probably a little over 5% (in my etimates). There's tonnes to be developed like San Pedro Area (beautiful Guimaras Sunset), the old downtown of Iloilo (too bad it's a crime haven), the Calle Real, the Iloilo River, Jaro, Molo (Chinatown of Iloilo) and the Uptown Area. I'd also like if there was more development in LaPuz Area. :)

^^ Lapuz then was zoned for industrial. When it comes to being tourist-friendly, Iloilo City has to do it not just within Dinagyang but beyond the fiesta months. We need better facilities and more tourist attractions in the city. Because to tell you frankly, you can finish Iloilo City in just a day and leave for Boracay. They have to make Iloilo City a destination and not just a transit hub.

Anyway, Iloilo province has a lot of potential untapped or was tapped but forgotten. The Capitol needs to increase its efforts to promote Iloilo.

^^Geez, if only our leaders have the same thoughts and ideas as you guys.

^^ They have the ideas but they lack (maybe) the will to do it.

^^maybe neither. j/k

^^ Hmm, let me guess. Still with the old era? Wahehehe!!! :D

But anyway, what's your comment with Cong. Gonzales Jr. pushing through a congressional inquiry about PECO's :puke: service and energy costs? Although I openly declare my opposition with the DOJ secretary here but this effort by his son is a good one...

Sakit naman gid sa ulo, sa pobre man ukon sa manggaranon! Therefore delcaring Iloilo City at the Guiness Book of World Records as "The Largest X'mas Light in the Philippines!" as according to Bombo. :lol:

^^ lols. I know some them have neither :lol:

^^ of our national government.
Antique might be poor but its largely untapped. Guimaras might be the next eco-tourism destination and Capiz is an aqua-agriculture hub.
:

roxas city, capiz is rich! it's the seafood capital of wv, if not of the country.

^^ It's the country's seafood capital :) . . . This I like

^^that's why it is never to be underestimated!

roxas city, capiz is rich! it's the seafood capital of wv, if not of the country.

^^ It's the country's seafood capital :) . . . This I like

I think Capiz has just pulled itself out of one of the country's poorest provinces but I'm not sure. However, much of Panay has been largely untapped. Mostly either absorbed by Iloilo City's commerce or Boracay's lure. Hopefully the RDC can do some comprehensive plans for development for Panay.

^^ Yes. What it needs is promotion. I used to mistake Navotas as the fishing capital eh.

I think Capiz has just pulled itself out of one of the country's poorest provinces but I'm not sure. However, much of Panay has been largely untapped. Mostly either absorbed by Iloilo City's commerce or Boracay's lure. Hopefully the RDC can do some comprehensive plans for development for Panay.

do we have something like a panay council for economic development?

I think Capiz has just pulled itself out of one of the country's poorest provinces but I'm not sure. However, much of Panay has been largely untapped. Mostly either absorbed by Iloilo City's commerce or Boracay's lure. Hopefully the RDC can do some comprehensive plans for development for Panay.


I'd like to see the economic power houses connect from Boracay to Aklan to Roxas to Pototan/Passi to Iloilo City to Guimaras to Bacolod to Kabankalan by a train system. I think there'd be a secondary route from Boracay to San Jose to Iloilo and then so on. With this, the economy will flow smoothly.

do we have something like a panay council for economic development?

I don't think so. The biggest council right now, i think, is the MIGEDC. So far, I hope there's one for the whole of Panay.

^^^^at best, that's still quite a distant dream!:lol: the railway system, i mean!

and heto pa, if Mar Roxas wins the Presidency, its a big shot in the arm for Roxas City and Capiz Province, you can include Panay/WV in that too.

do we have something like a panay council for economic development?

I think we only have RDC-6. Regional Dev't Council lead by Tya'y Sally Zaldivar Perez. MIGEDC is limited to Metro Iloilo and Guimaras alone.

I'd like to see the economic power houses connect from Boracay to Aklan to Roxas to Pototan/Passi to Iloilo City to Guimaras to Bacolod to Kabankalan by a train system. I think there'd be a secondary route from Boracay to San Jose to Iloilo and then so on. With this, the economy will flow smoothly.

But of course, we need to prioritize to smoothen our roads first in Panay Island. Much of it is in bad shape especially in the SNRH (Strong Republic Nautical Highway) and improvement of our road system in Iloilo City and the rest of 4 provinces plus Guimaras.

^^ Being Ilonggo, yes of course. Right now, he's done some good projects for us and also, he's one majority votes here last elections. :) I wish there'd be more of Franklin Drilon and Miriam Santiago.

^^miriam, i think, is an INHS alumnus?

I think we only have RDC-6.



But of course, we need to prioritize to smoothen our roads first in Panay Island. Much of it is in bad shape especially in the SNRH (Strong Republic Nautical Highway) and improvement of our road system in Iloilo City and the rest of 4 provinces plus Guimaras.

RDC? Never heard of that though.:nuts:

yes, Roads are in bad shape. The Boracay-Iloilo Superhighway in Pototan to Passi Area is in terrible shape. :ohno:

^^RDC is the Regional Development Council

^^miriam, i think, is an INHS alumnus?

Yes, class of 1960's something/1950's..not quite sure. But she's a valedictorian, the youngest editor-in-chief of the school paper, and an all-round girl. Genius but in her case though, too much of the genius has caused her to be somewhat unstable. :ohno: I'd still vote for her if I could. :)

do we have something like a panay council for economic development?
^^Western Visayas Regional Development Council (RDC).

^^^^haha! no comment na lang ako dyan!:D but she's indeed brilliant! she's also the former editor of the Philippine Collegian.

^^ I see. I wonder if they have a website. :)

I would rather say its just a road from ILO to Bora. Goodness, sakit sa buli pagabot Caticlan! Good thing Capiz has already fixed some portions of it but Dingle-Passi area is battered with a lunar surfaced road!

Anyway, guys this is up to you:
Can we change our title for Iloilo even just for this month of festivities? Then we can get back to our Old World Vibrant Future by Feb? What do you think?

^^haha! no comment na lang ako dyan!:D but she's indeed brilliant! she's also the former editor of the Philippine Collegian.

There I am again with the finger pointing and name calling :ohno:.. Sorry (to the senator)..

^^website of wv RDC?

I would rather say its just a road from ILO to Bora. Goodness, sakit sa buli pagabot Caticlan! Good thing Capiz has already fixed some portions of it but Dingle-Passi area is battered with a lunar surfaced road!

Anyway, guys this is up to you:
Can we change our title for Iloilo even just for this month of festivities? Then we can get back to our Old World Vibrant Future by Feb? What do you think?

I think berns, let's have the title themed for the festivals and let it stay until March since the festival season ends in March with the Holy Week, just my suggestion.

^^website of wv RDC?

Yep. I'll try to find it later, if they have :)

I would rather say its just a road from ILO to Bora. Goodness, sakit sa buli pagabot Caticlan! Good thing Capiz has already fixed some portions of it but Dingle-Passi area is battered with a lunar surfaced road!

Anyway, guys this is up to you:
Can we change our title for Iloilo even just for this month of festivities? Then we can get back to our Old World Vibrant Future by Feb? What do you think?

^^ For me, its perfectly fine. just request the mods to do it.

^^if we ever get to do this, i think it's proper that we inform @samwise first because this has already been voted. but that's a good suggestion berns! and also ask for the mods' stand on this matter obcourse!

^^ Yes. We should have a proper procedure here since we all agreed with having our title Old World Vibrant Future. Especially, the 1st quarter of every year means special for Iloilo. But that will be upon your reactions and the decisions.

Anyway, I was surprised that our thread was moving fast within the last 2-3 days! :D

^^ok lang sa akon!:) as long as we should inform first the people who need to be informed, out of respect and courtesy!:)

^^ Probably because it's the time when school and work is off and they have more time to go to ssc, like me.

^^ok lang sa akon!:) as long as we should inform first the people who need to be informed, out of respect and courtesy!:)

I agree. Samwise did a good job in making the most suitable title for our city and province. :)

^^

Anyway, I was surprised that our thread was moving fast within the last 2-3 days! :D

i'm always here because im sick and filed for a leave!:nuts::lol:

Yes, class of 1960's something/1950's..not quite sure. But she's a valedictorian, the youngest editor-in-chief of the school paper, and an all-round girl. Genius but in her case though, too much of the genius has caused her to be somewhat unstable. :ohno: I'd still vote for her if I could. :)

^^same pala tayo, in 1992, i was your age i was a supporter already of Miriam.
It was presidential election year. so campaign to the max ako, hehehe

^^ yeah but even though she didn't we got a good president along the way, Fidel Ramos.

^^uhmmm...no comment.

^^ ??? :lol: I think he was a good president basing from his economic revolutions.

^^wether he was a great president or not, the way he solved the country's power crisis back then was commendable! a feat hopefully replicated by our leaders in iloilo!

^^ Oh I see. We have leaders now acting on the problem..that's all that matters now :)

^^ Actually Fidel Ramos reminds me of those days of childhood in Manila....The days when the whole Philippines was what seems to be "The Largest X'mas Light in Asia",m wahehehehee!!!! :lol: But he did survived his term though and most of the Philippines has a stable power supply unlike before (yet we're still expensive regionalwise)

^^ Yeah and what came after him was..well, no comment. :)

Anybody here has any idea when the Medicus Condo Clinic Tower 2 is gonna be built? When we went to the Riverside Area kanina, I thought it was going to be the Medicus Tower but it's part of the boulevard (i think).

-dp-

^^ Actually Fidel Ramos reminds me of those days of childhood in Manila....The days when the whole Philippines was what seems to be "The Largest X'mas Light in Asia",m wahehehehee!!!! :lol: But he did survived his term though and most of the Philippines has a stable power supply unlike before (yet we're still expensive regionalwise)

im no great fan of his but it was his isolated effort in putting the power crisis back then through fish bowl attention that solved it! and he solved it with flying colors! i hope our local leaders could pick from that and do the same!

^^ So...will this happen to Iloilo now? Wahehehe!!! Twinkol Twinkol Litol Star ta sa gab-i pirmi kon indi naton ni masolusyonan at hanggang sa twinkol twinkol na lang ang atong handumanan sa atong pinalanggang banwa kon indi ni masolusyonan. :no:

Ramos did solve the energy crisis in his term, but he is now blamed
for the residual problems we are suffering now on our power sector.
questionable deals and laws, etc. He stayed comfortably in Malacanang with the support of the Military, being an ex-miltaryman himself.

^^nga man berns, wala ka pa nasanagan sang mga bituon da haw? mas sanag pa na sa PECO!:lol: anyway got to doze off! gudnight iloilo!;)

Same here, hehehe!!! Mas sanag pa gid ang mga bitu-on sa kalangiton kon ikumparar sa PECO! :lol: Anyway, got to go now. Maayong gab-i Iloilo! :D

goodnyt! Bern and Eon,gnyt!
lantaw ko anay PBB Big Night, hehehe

I loved that Nursery Rhyme ..."twinkol, twinkol litol star" daw amo gid kita sina sa Iloilo brought by PECO and all .... well, all means .... he he

Gokongweis’ Passi Sugar Mill to operate in Iloilo this year

01/05/2008

Business tycoon, the Gokongweis, is expected to operate the Passi Sugar Central and the New Frontier Sugar Mill in Passi City this year in Iloilo, a high-ranking official said.

Iloilo Provincial Planning and Development Officer (IPPDO) Mario Nillos said the Gokongweis had bought the Passi Sugar Mill since last year as part of their investment portfolio. The Gokongweis also owned the popular Robinson Galleria chain mall.

Other multimillion-investment lined up in Iloilo is the Casa Azucarrera de Passi, which will greatly benefit the sugar planters in the central part of the province, particularly Passi City, Duenas and Dingle.

Nillos, meanwhile, is hopeful that the David M. Consunji, Inc. (DMCI) could already put up a 100-megawatt coal-fired power plant this year in the coastal town of Concepcion, 111 kilometers away from this city, to meet the power demand of the province.

Nillos said DMCI over the years has been working on its social acceptability and other technical aspects of the feasibility study for its plant.

He added with the operation of the New Iloilo Airport Development Project in the towns of Sta. Barbara and Cabatuan, there are really many other bright prospects for Iloilo province this 2008.

“There is now a need for the provincial government to have its own Investment Code that would package all the investments here,” added Nillos. PNA

Link : http://www.tribune.net.ph/business/20080105bus10.html

magnifico ! Looks like Iloilo's Sugar Industry will start to pick up again this year! More to go for Passi City ! :banana::banana::banana:

Hala! Ato si Toto Chy subong sa Guimaras. Hay, how I wish I could get an excursion from time to time. Sometimes its so difficult to be a tambay you know, wahahaha!!!
:lol:

Anyway, Space...your message to the world beh palihog. hehehe!!:D I've done my part. I was inspired by the anniversary and surprises coming up. :D

Anyway, just met up with Iloilocitykid earlier this afternoon. Young yet so many things he wanted to share, and has a passion to love and help Iloilo further.
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/80490012-1.jpg
gee, you're making me nervous by reminding me to address the world ... he he. I would really loved to pero speechless ako ... sa mata makikita ang aking tunay na damdamin ... for Iloilo

P5.1-B worth of projects
for WV this year – DPWH

ILOILO City – For this year, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will be implementing some P5.1-billion worth of projects in Western Visayas.

Of the total amount, P1.16 billion will be spent for construction of roads to decongest traffic and address bottlenecks, and to complete the road network from Aklan to Iloilo.

Another P1.3 billion is allotted for the rehabilitation of damaged pavement roads and P600 million for road upgrading from gravel to concrete cement.

Meantime, P1.6 billion will be sourced out from the Japan Bank of International Cooperation (JBIC) and the National Roads Improvement Management Projects of the World Bank.

Included in the foreign-assisted projects are flood control, highways, roads and bridges.

DPWH will also embark on improvement of deteriorated asphalt pavement to cemented pavement projects to cover areas from Iloilo to Capiz worth P264 million; and P70 million for the Altavas, Aklan to Jamindan, Capiz road network.

Twelve bridges under the Urgent Bridge Project worth P91.64 million will also be constructed in the province of Antique.

In 2007, the DPWH has completed some P2.4 billion projects in Western Visayas.

source: Panay News (http://www.panaynewsphilippines.com/iloilo4.htm)

^^^^ Hala Bira na !!! :banana::banana::banana::banana:

So far, Kid and I went to Riverside Boardwalk and was surprised that bulldozers have reclaimed the remaining buffer zone between the Riverside Boardwalk and Iloilo River. Looks like the Iloilo Boulevard at this area will be pushing through, although I think its more of a leisure stroll road rather than a major thoroughfare. Too narrow kasi.

then thats more like it. :banana:
the area is too narrow indeed and it'll have more traffic congestion (thus polluting the river and riverside boardwalk)

pwede syang bike lane or something pero bisan minor thoriughfare daw indi gid pwede.

P5.1-B worth of projects
for WV this year – DPWH

ILOILO City – For this year, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will be implementing some P5.1-billion worth of projects in Western Visayas.

Of the total amount, P1.16 billion will be spent for construction of roads to decongest traffic and address bottlenecks, and to complete the road network from Aklan to Iloilo.

Another P1.3 billion is allotted for the rehabilitation of damaged pavement roads and P600 million for road upgrading from gravel to concrete cement.

Meantime, P1.6 billion will be sourced out from the Japan Bank of International Cooperation (JBIC) and the National Roads Improvement Management Projects of the World Bank.

Included in the foreign-assisted projects are flood control, highways, roads and bridges.

DPWH will also embark on improvement of deteriorated asphalt pavement to cemented pavement projects to cover areas from Iloilo to Capiz worth P264 million; and P70 million for the Altavas, Aklan to Jamindan, Capiz road network.

Twelve bridges under the Urgent Bridge Project worth P91.64 million will also be constructed in the province of Antique.

In 2007, the DPWH has completed some P2.4 billion projects in Western Visayas.

source: Panay News (http://www.panaynewsphilippines.com/iloilo4.htm)

^^^^ Hala Bira na !!! :banana::banana::banana::banana:

really big infra projects amounting to "only" 5.1billion as compared to the approximate 20billion rehab of panay railways. :lol:

but still no definite plans for a super hiway to kalibo/caticlan and roxas city

there's no way we can promote Iloilo by settling on historical sites only let alone Calle Real. These old structures will be complementary only, if ever, we will have bigger theme parks in the city and province. Just look at Disneyland. Or the local counterpart, Enchanted Kingdom. These are bigger attractions, not only for single tourists but the entire FAMILY. If ever we'll have better and bigger theme parks in Iloilo, we can at least compete with Aklan's Sampaguita Garden or their Sammy's Circus. Just think that even Aklan with Boracay as premiere destination in the country today is still not opting to limit its tourism attraction to the island alone. We're still far from progressing with our tourism industry. We still have much to learn from our neighbouring Aklan. I just hope that we'll continue to keep our minds open to other alternatives in the future. With gastronomical tours, its a new approach, Whyte. And I think you really started off it well on your own. Congrats.

yup.we certainly cannot rely on these historical sites alone to be our main attractions. if land developers can just have a much better vision esp on riverside properties esp that piece of land between marina resto-gaisano city
then it can be a man made attraction.

smallville is getting to be an attraction in itself so if that area will flourish up to the riverside boardwalk and then to the megaworld citi then its another attraction for the city.but i hope it will be a much greener attraction. with parks etc

Iloilo City gears for back-to-back fiestas

Long before the dust of Christmas holidays settle down, Iloilo City is in frenzy girding up to hold four major festivals starting this month until middle of February.

Mayor Jerry P. Treñas said the festivals clearly established the city as the festival capital of the country and a major lure to foreign and domestic tourists to visit Iloilo city and province and the rest of Western Visayas.

First to unfold this month is the highly acclaimed Dinagyang Festival with highlights slated on Jan. 25-27. The festival was selected as the best tourism event of the country by the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP) for the past three years.

On the other hand, a festival delegation from Batanes is expected to arrive here nearly next week to participate in the Dinagyang ati-atihan contest. Headed by Iloilo-born Cong. Carlo Oliver Diasnes of Batanes, the Ivatan Festival will compete in the January 27 competition highlight to show off the cultural and tourism attraction of the Ivatans of Batanes off the tip of Luzon.

Closely following the Dinagyang is the country’s grandest and biggest religious fiesta of Jaro district here on Feb. 2. The fiesta is characterized by grand coronation of fiesta queens selected from affluent Ilonggo families in the country and the grand procession and religious events in honor of patron saint Our Lady of the Candles.

Back to back with the two festivals is the Iloilo Chinese New Year on Feb. 6-7, which this city started celebrating the festival since five years ago as the only city outside Metro Manila honoring the celebration of ethnic Filipino Chinese residents.

The fourth festival is on Feb. 16-17, with major events along the eight kilometer stretch of the Iloilo Strait. The Iloilo Paraw Regatta was selected as the third best tourism event of the country by ATOP.

Treñas said foreign and national dignitaries have already signified intentions to see and join the festivals here. The opening salvo of the Dinagyang Festival will be on Jan. 18 and the competition highlights will be on Jan. 25 for the drum and bugle contest, Jan. 26 for the Kasadyahan mardi gras contest and Jan. 27 for the Dinagyang ati-atihan contest. (LCP/PIO)

source: [url=http://www.theguardianiloilo.ph/] The Guardian ILOILO/url]


:banana::banana::banana:
a big celebration in the city for almsot every weekend starting the last weekend of january.

hopefully the city can capitalize on this back2back2back2back celebs and promoted these well enough.

So far, Kid and I went to Riverside Boardwalk and was surprised that bulldozers have reclaimed the remaining buffer zone between the Riverside Boardwalk and Iloilo River. Looks like the Iloilo Boulevard at this area will be pushing through, although I think its more of a leisure stroll road rather than a major thoroughfare. Too narrow kasi.
that's a nice one. I rather have it than a proper main thoroughfare for buses, jeepneys, cabs, etc. It would be nice, I guess, if this kind of boulevard will promote cycling for all Ilonggos. It's more healthy than riding public utility vehicles and all. So constructions ongoing right now? Good.

^^ Hay, that topic again...Such a headache! Pahuwaya na bala anay ang ina nga issue. Kakapuy na ina about federalism, parliamentarism, and more isms in conversion of our national government.

And wow, grabe naman ang expression na "Who would support Antique, Guimaras and Capiz" when it comes to fiscal grabs. I so hate the sarcastic underestimation of these provinces! Antique might be poor but its largely untapped. Guimaras might be the next eco-tourism destination and Capiz is an aqua-agriculture hub.

For now, I just want to let this issue pass. Para na kasing sirang piniratang DVD. :lol:
he he he. I think ILOILO will. Being the regional capital, we cannot simply ignore these neighbouring provinces. Besides, we co-exist in one island alone. And in as much as we would like to rise above other provinces in the region, we need them in some way or the other.

To some, Zayco's message is a bit absurd YET I would really love to see if Governors of Provinces of Antique, Capiz and Guimaras will take it relatively as a challenge rather than an offshot remark. Iloilo City has already extended its all hand to the Province of Guimaras by including the whole Province to the Metro-region. Somehow, this move helps Guimaras to find its way to its feet inorder to make a bigger and better contribution to the development of the region. We must be a bit patience with Guimaras right now. To say the least, the potential of these three provinces mentioned is yet untapped and I believed that it only needs a surer and constant push for economic development and these provinces will definitely make it big, too. We'll see. :)

^^bwahahaha, nakita mo man gle ang nakita ko, tumaas tuloy yung kilay ko, ano na lang kaya pag Antique with its rich mineral deposits and possible oil field in its coast finally see this realized. Hmmm...

nevermind, i will keep quite na rin berns. :D
I've read it earlier, too when it was posted in the news. It made me a smile indeed. How can you undermine the capacities of these provinces? What are the bases? he he. Anyhow, let's pass this one thing for the meantime. Maybe it wasn't his intention to create any harm at all.

It would be nice if the leaders of these three provinces will read the statement IMO. Maybe then they'll think of better ideas and move quickly to improve their services and promotion and seek for investors to invest in their province. :cheers:

^^ And what's new? I find predictions quite broad, IMO. They seem to say things that people know that will happen or say things that are too general and obvious that it'll happen. :)

Dinagyang is coming fast. Hold your horses, the tourist arrivals in the city has just increased with the coming of Koreans, Chinese, Americans, British and other nationalities in the city. I've noticed there's a lot of them nowadays, mostly with their wives while there's also those who travel for the adventure. For Koreans, well, you know them.. coming here to learn english.
full-packed na kita for Dinagyang. Barely three weeks to go and Hala Bira will be heard all over the city and province na. How I wish we cqan maintain the nflux of tourist in the city and province all year thru.

^^ Overall, did it increase? In a way, let's look at it positively. At least the tourism efforts in the province are improving. Iloilo City's tourism potential is yet to be realized. The potential we have just tapped is probably a little over 5% (in my etimates). There's tonnes to be developed like San Pedro Area (beautiful Guimaras Sunset), the old downtown of Iloilo (too bad it's a crime haven), the Calle Real, the Iloilo River, Jaro, Molo (Chinatown of Iloilo) and the Uptown Area. I'd also like if there was more development in LaPuz Area. :)
I think tourism activities and tourist arrivals have somehow increased, too. I don't know how we can contrast or compare the presence of tourist and its impact between the city and the province. And we don't have a proper gauge to say that city has less tourists compare to province cos 99.9 % of these visitors either passed in the city for entry or dropped by to shop in the city for all purposes. If any stats will show about the correlation or difference between the two, I think it will be hazy to the truth.

^^ Lapuz then was zoned for industrial. When it comes to being tourist-friendly, Iloilo City has to do it not just within Dinagyang but beyond the fiesta months. We need better facilities and more tourist attractions in the city. Because to tell you frankly, you can finish Iloilo City in just a day and leave for Boracay. They have to make Iloilo City a destination and not just a transit hub.

Anyway, Iloilo province has a lot of potential untapped or was tapped but forgotten. The Capitol needs to increase its efforts to promote Iloilo.
that's true. The city needs to develop better and newer tourist facilties whilst the province needs bigger and aggressive promotion for its tourist attractions. Would it be nice if the Province will invest strongly on its tourism department by hiring more able and committed people for promotion purposes? Those people who have the passion for the province to succeed in his tourism industry.

I think we only have RDC-6. Regional Dev't Council lead by Tya'y Sally Zaldivar Perez. MIGEDC is limited to Metro Iloilo and Guimaras alone.



But of course, we need to prioritize to smoothen our roads first in Panay Island. Much of it is in bad shape especially in the SNRH (Strong Republic Nautical Highway) and improvement of our road system in Iloilo City and the rest of 4 provinces plus Guimaras.
There's a brewing Panay Development Authority in the making. There were few articles about this before actually but wasn't given much emphasis as MIGEDC is on its infancy stage yet and still aggressively promoting hence it was overshadowed. If I have time, I'll try to locate those articles about Panay Development Authority.

:banana::banana::banana:
a big celebration in the city for almsot every weekend starting the last weekend of january.

hopefully the city can capitalize on this back2back2back2back celebs and promoted these well enough.

watch out for all the festivals coming. Indeed, Iloilo is the festival capital of the Philippines. :banana::banana::banana:

Iloilo hotels now fully booked for Dinagyang fest

Iloilo hotels are now fully booked for the Dinagyang Festival, particularly in the evening of Jan 25 to 27, according to Robert Ferrer, president of the Iloilo Hotels, Resorts and Restaurants Association (IHRRA).

Iloilo hotels here, including the new ones, have 1, 800 room capacities. If each room is good for double occupancy only around 3, 600 persons could be accommodated.

Ferrer said guests who could not get rooms may opt to stay at pensions, lodging houses, dormitory, motels and resorts near the city, just like in 2007.
He added that all hotel promotions, discounts and other special rates will be suspended during the festival. (PNA)

source: The Iloilo Daily Informer (http://dailyinformer.info/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1698&Itemid=137)

Prov’l planning office
bares 2008 direction

ILOILO – For this year, Provincial Planning and Development Officer Mario Nillos has identified the two-prong direction to be pursued by the province.

Nillos said setting the phase during the last part of 2007, the province will now be pursuing the two-prong direction which are job generation and enhancing of the delivery of basic social services to its populace.

He said that with the upbeat mood for development in Iloilo City now, the province would surely benefit with the overspill of investments.

Thus, the provincial government is making its own leg work to attract investors for the outlying municipalities.

"With more investments in the province, there would also be more jobs for its residents," Nillos said.

The other direction being pursued upon by the provincial government is the enhancing of basic social services for the people.

This will be in the form of more health services, education and other pro-poor services aimed to improve the standard of living of the people.

source: Panay News (http://www.panaynewsphilippines.com/iloilo3.htm)

Vice guv favors One Negros Federal State

BACOLOD CITY -- Negros Occidental Vice Gov. Isidro Zayco supports the move to change the Constitution to a federal form of government by province but not by region as a federal state.

Zayco said he supports the move to create a One Negros Federal State that would combine as one federal state the Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental provinces.

"This was planned long ago. Right now, there are already several access roads going to Negros Oriental. This would separate Negros Occidental from Region 6 (Western Visayas) where it belongs now," Zayco said.

He said the Panay Federal State can be composed of Iloilo, Antique, Aklan, Guimaras and Capiz provinces.

"I find it hard combining Negros with provinces like Antique, Guimaras and Capiz into one region state because the question then would be, who will subsidize them?," he said.

Zayco said he is supportive of the moves to change the present form of government to federalism because this would mean independence for the provinces.

"We can have independence in our revenues, in education, the police even the judiciary without going to the national government. This is good for the province," Zayco stressed.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, he said, made mention about the drafting of a roadmap to federalism by year 2012.

Zayco said there were already local campaigns last year in support for federalism and he has been giving his support to such moves. (PNA)

http://www.thenewstoday.info/2008/01/04/vice.guv.favors.one.negros.federal.state.html

^^Federalism anyone?

Let's Go Back to History

Sorry guys, I just can't keep onreading your opinions without posting a comment. I have been reading SSC for a long time just to keep myself updated with what really is happening in Iloilo. I am an Ilonggo by blood, was born and educated and also worked in the early years of my profession in Iloilo, then transferred to Manila and currently now in a foreign land.

Yes, it's really good for the province. Let's go back to history a bit. . . If you remember during the time of Marcos when the Department of Labor, by virtue of the Executive Order was transferred to Bacolod, it was already a clear indicator that indeed there is a need to separate Negros Occidental and the whole of Negros Island. As far as I can remember, the then Sec. of Labor Blas Ople was the one who initiated the transfer and even said after the transfer of the DOLE regional office that "hope other regional offices will also follow." Well nobody opposed during the time because politicians in Iloilo were not so strong with the strongman. . . Remember what happened to Panay Railways? Who's administration has it stopped? During Ambassador Benedicto, during the Marcos regime. Iloilo is the only province outside Manila to have a railway system. And it was established only a year or two after Manila (circa 1904-05). We really dont' know what happend but it's all part of history.

I just remember when I was yet a student at the University of San Agustin when our professor inEthics, an active Ilonggo broadcaster / DJ - DYSA -FM, when they plead for the then strong KBS (Kanlaon Broadcasting System) / RPN and other TV network to put up a TV station in Iloilo because as a regional capital, wala sya TV station kundi lahat ay feed lang from Bacolod. Accoding to our professor, ang comment daw ni Kitchie Benedicto was "Bakit, kaya ba ng Iloilo ang mag-advertise?" - (Well, bahala na kayo sa emotion nyo). So they just kept quiet lang daw and of course DYSA - FM and AM was still there, hanggang dumating ang DYMB - FM. I like to listen to classical music played by DYSA - FM noon - I think ngayon yan yong nasa 100.7 mhz (di ko maalala ang name)

Pero balik tayo sa federalization, few years back, I think not more than 10 years ago, there was a move by solons from Negros Occidental to create a Negros Region, with Negros Oriental from Region 7, integrated with Negros Occidental and with a move to make Bacolod City the capital. But Neg Oriental solons disagreed because of the much further distance they would travel to Bacolod City than Cebu. The Neg Oriental side would only agree if the capital would be in the central of the Negros island, and that would be San Carlos City. But then of course comparing San Carlos City with Bacolod, rural pa sya. So, they have not come to an agreement kaya they made this proposal again.

There was even a move before to move the regional capital to Bacolod. Pero if they move it there, paano ang ibang provinces sa Panay Island? Byahe pa?
So, yon lang ang nangyari, ang DOLE lang, kasi dahil dami daw labor problems sa Negros Occidental, dahil sa sicada and the sugar industry.

So to make it materialize, federal na lang eh! So yon bale friends ang istorya.

Iloilo kasi has long been the center of culture, education, etc in that part of the country. Kung hindi lang corrupt ang mga mayor noon, Iloilo has already moved ahead of other cities. Somebody mentioned about San Miguel Brewery, that is true and many other establishments na sana nakatayo na ngayon and the ilonggos sanaare benfitting from it na.

Anyway guys,thank you, I'll jst keep on reading again and if there a need for clarification or explanation, i'll just come in.

^^ Reason why San Miguel Brewery left us? (As accdg to bern) Cojuangco owns San Miguel and he has two places in the country that he possesses vast tracts of land, one is Negros, the other is Tarlac. That's why it's easier for him to establish a brewery in his own hometown rather than buy a lot in the Pavia.


Iloilo hotels now fully booked for Dinagyang fest

Iloilo hotels are now fully booked for the Dinagyang Festival, particularly in the evening of Jan 25 to 27, according to Robert Ferrer, president of the Iloilo Hotels, Resorts and Restaurants Association (IHRRA).

Iloilo hotels here, including the new ones, have 1, 800 room capacities. If each room is good for double occupancy only around 3, 600 persons could be accommodated.

Ferrer said guests who could not get rooms may opt to stay at pensions, lodging houses, dormitory, motels and resorts near the city, just like in 2007.
He added that all hotel promotions, discounts and other special rates will be suspended during the festival. (PNA)

source: The Iloilo Daily Informer (http://dailyinformer.info/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1698&Itemid=137)

1,800 rooms only? That's very low. Did this include the three other hotels that are opening? (Urban Inn, Moritz and Arthur's Suites.)

Let's Go Back to History

Sorry guys, I just can't keep onreading your opinions without posting a comment. I have been reading SSC for a long time just to keep myself updated with what really is happening in Iloilo. I am an Ilonggo by blood, was born and educated and also worked in the early years of my profession in Iloilo, then transferred to Manila and currently now in a foreign land.

Yes, it's really good for the province. Let's go back to history a bit. . . If you remember during the time of Marcos when the Department of Labor, by virtue of the Executive Order was transferred to Bacolod, it was already a clear indicator that indeed there is a need to separate Negros Occidental and the whole of Negros Island. As far as I can remember, the then Sec. of Labor Blas Ople was the one who initiated the transfer and even said after the transfer of the DOLE regional office that "hope other regional offices will also follow." Well nobody opposed during the time because politicians in Iloilo were not so strong with the strongman. . . Remember what happened to Panay Railways? Who's administration has it stopped? During Ambassador Benedicto, during the Marcos regime. Iloilo is the only province outside Manila to have a railway system. And it was established only a year or two after Manila (circa 1904-05). We really dont' know what happend but it's all part of history.[QUOTE/]

so it's all about politics then? just because iloilo politicians at that time were not strong with the late strong man, the move by that time for separation had taken a strong footing. let me tell you a bit a bout the so-called history that you were pointing out! not based on politics but from the common ethno-linguistic background. it is simply this, the migration history as various landlords and sacadas from both islands migrated and re-migrated throughout in the last 300 years or so. that cannot be denied by a single mere executive order just for the sake of political connections of the moment.

[QUOTE=jncp0910@yahoo.com;17511785]

I just remember when I was yet a student at the University of San Agustin when our professor inEthics, an active Ilonggo broadcaster / DJ - DYSA -FM, when they plead for the then strong KBS (Kanlaon Broadcasting System) / RPN and other TV network to put up a TV station in Iloilo because as a regional capital, wala sya TV station kundi lahat ay feed lang from Bacolod. Accoding to our professor, ang comment daw ni Kitchie Benedicto was [B]"Bakit, kaya ba ng Iloilo ang mag-advertise?" - [B](Well, bahala na kayo sa emotion nyo). So they just kept quiet lang daw and of course DYSA - FM and AM was still there, hanggang dumating ang DYMB - FM. I like to listen to classical music played by DYSA - FM noon - I think ngayon yan yong nasa 100.7 mhz (di ko maalala ang name)[QUOTE/]

granting that iloilo doesnt know how to advertize, i wonder what does that got to do with the topic of federalism. it would take more than that to make or unmake federalism. let me tell you this, we are in favor of decentralization of political and well as administrative divisions. but let us base it along cultural, historical and ethno-linguistic lines. but then obcourse, if people from bacolod and neg. occ would really want to separate from panay, we in panay have absolutely no preblems with that!;)

[QUOTE/jncp0910@yahoo.com;17511785]

Pero balik tayo sa federalization, few years back, I think not more than 10 years ago, there was a move by solons from Negros Occidental to create a Negros Region, with Negros Oriental from Region 7, integrated with Negros Occidental and with a move to make Bacolod City the capital. But Neg Oriental solons disagreed because of the much further distance they would travel to Bacolod City than Cebu. The Neg Oriental side would only agree if the capital would be in the central of the Negros island, and that would be San Carlos City. But then of course comparing San Carlos City with Bacolod, rural pa sya. So, they have not come to an agreement kaya they made this proposal again.

There was even a move before to move the regional capital to Bacolod. Pero if they move it there, paano ang ibang provinces sa Panay Island? Byahe pa?
So, yon lang ang nangyari, ang DOLE lang, kasi dahil dami daw labor problems sa Negros Occidental, dahil sa sicada and the sugar industry.

So to make it materialize, federal na lang eh! So yon bale friends ang istorya.[QUOTE/]

whose mve was it to move the regional capital at that time? your politicians in bacolod?

[QUOTE=jncp0910@yahoo.com;17511785]

Iloilo kasi has long been the center of culture, education, etc in that part of the country. Kung hindi lang corrupt ang mga mayor noon, Iloilo has already moved ahead of other cities. Somebody mentioned about San Miguel Brewery, that is true and many other establishments na sana nakatayo na ngayon and the ilonggos sanaare benfitting from it na.
[QUOTE/]

this issue is now water under the bridge.iloilo city had long moved on and making good strides with her present progress! and as you said it, it has long been the center of culture, education in that part of the country. so why move the center elsewhere. tell me, would it be better to change the status quo?
[QUOTE=jncp0910@yahoo.com;17511785]

Anyway guys,thank you, I'll jst keep on reading again and if there a need for clarification or explanation, i'll just come in.

lastly, i find it intriguing that you were born, raised, and educated in iloilo but your heart appears to be not with it! i hope, i just misinterpreted you!!

if the majority sentiments of the bacolod and negros occidental people is really to seprate from us panay island and create a new island region, then so be it!;) i don't know about the negros oriental side if which side they would chose to be grouped, the cebu province or negros occ. province? and i im not sure even if cebu province would be willing to part ways with negros oriental? just some of my questions! greetings!;)

this issue is now water under the bridge.iloilo city had long moved on and making good strides with her present progress! and as you said it, it has long been the center of culture, education in that part of the country. so why move the center elsewhere. tell me, would it be better to change the status quo?

lastly, i find it intriguing that you were born, raised, and educated in iloilo but your heart appears to be not with it! i hope, i just misinterpreted you!!

if the majority sentiments of the bacolod and negros occidental people is really to seprate from us panay island and create a new island region, then so be it! i don't know about the negros oriental side if which side they would chose to be grouped, the cebu province or negros occ. province? and i im sure even if cebu province would be willing to part ways with negros oriental? just some of my questions! greetings!


I've thought of it for a while and if Neg Occ and Neg Or would form one other region, would it mean less IRA/Budget allotment to Region Six and Region 7?

^^it doesnt matter @iloilocitykid if there would be less IRA! iloilo had long been very good in generating her own local, internal income!;) in many ways, we in the province and the whole of panay island is self sufficient.

^^ Self-sufficient except for power. ANd power is the most important part of progressing. And despite our deficiencies, we are one of the most progressive places in the country. :)

^^@ iloilocitykid, we produce things that are essential for our existence. our middle class is strong! we dont have the very glaring gap between the rich and poor! we have our schools. we have our manpower. suffice it to say this topic was even only touched briefly in this thread!;) no big deal! this power crisis is just a blip in an otherwise continous march of our progress. but i tell you, knowing the resilient ilonggo spirit, this will be behind us sooooon! (how soon though):nuts::lol:

^^ How soon? Maybe 2010 :( Still a long way to go...

^^yup! but all in all, we're still self sufficient!:cheers: and the people who dominate our economy are our middle class and huge number of ofws. we're not a spend-and-spend type of economy. we are the spend-thrift-spend-thrift type! proof of that is our banks' money are used by other cities for their investments- be it the main financier or just for those other cities' marginal investments!;)

Any updates on the Iloilo Flood Control Project?

^^ Ahead of schedule! :)

^^yup! but all in all, we're still self sufficient!:cheers: and the people who dominate our economy are our middle class and huge number of ofws. we're not a spend-and-spend type of economy. we are the spend-thrift-spend-thrift type! proof of that is our banks' money are used by other cities for their investments- be it the main financier or just for those other cities' marginal investments!;)

And not just any other city, it's being used by the BIG Three Cities, MNL, CEB, DVO. :cheers:

So in that way, we are a BIG help to our country.

^^Exactly!

Let's Go Back to History

Sorry guys, I just can't keep onreading your opinions without posting a comment. I have been reading SSC for a long time just to keep myself updated with what really is happening in Iloilo. I am an Ilonggo by blood, was
born and educated and also worked in the early years of my profession in Iloilo, then transferred to Manila and currently now in a foreign land.

Yes, it's really good for the province. Let's go back to history a bit. . . If you remember during the time of Marcos when the Department of Labor, by virtue of the Executive Order was transferred to Bacolod, it was already a clear indicator that indeed there is a need to separate Negros Occidental and the whole of Negros Island. As far as I can remember, the then Sec. of Labor Blas Ople was the one who initiated the transfer and even said after the transfer of the DOLE regional office that "hope other regional offices will also follow." Well nobody opposed during the time because politicians in Iloilo were not so strong with the strongman. . . Remember what happened to Panay Railways? Who's administration has it stopped? During Ambassador Benedicto, during the Marcos regime. Iloilo is the only province outside Manila to have a railway system. And it was established only a year or two after Manila (circa 1904-05). We really dont' know what happend but it's all part of history.

I just remember when I was yet a student at the University of San Agustin when our professor inEthics, an active Ilonggo broadcaster / DJ - DYSA -FM, when they plead for the then strong KBS (Kanlaon Broadcasting System) / RPN and other TV network to put up a TV station in Iloilo because as a regional capital, wala sya TV station kundi lahat ay feed lang from Bacolod. Accoding to our professor, ang comment daw ni Kitchie Benedicto was "Bakit, kaya ba ng Iloilo ang mag-advertise?" - (Well, bahala na kayo sa emotion nyo). So they just kept quiet lang daw and of course DYSA - FM and AM was still there, hanggang dumating ang DYMB - FM. I like to listen to classical music played by DYSA - FM noon - I think ngayon yan yong nasa 100.7 mhz (di ko maalala ang name)

Pero balik tayo sa federalization, few years back, I think not more than 10 years ago, there was a move by solons from Negros Occidental to create a Negros Region, with Negros Oriental from Region 7, integrated with Negros Occidental and with a move to make Bacolod City the capital. But Neg Oriental solons disagreed because of the much further distance they would travel to Bacolod City than Cebu. The Neg Oriental side would only agree if the capital would be in the central of the Negros island, and that would be San Carlos City. But then of course comparing San Carlos City with Bacolod, rural pa sya. So, they have not come to an agreement kaya they made this proposal again.

There was even a move before to move the regional capital to Bacolod. Pero if they move it there, paano ang ibang provinces sa Panay Island? Byahe pa?
So, yon lang ang nangyari, ang DOLE lang, kasi dahil dami daw labor problems sa Negros Occidental, dahil sa sicada and the sugar industry.

So to make it materialize, federal na lang eh! So yon bale friends ang istorya.

Iloilo kasi has long been the center of culture, education, etc in that part of the country. Kung hindi lang corrupt ang mga mayor noon, Iloilo has already moved ahead of other cities. Somebody mentioned about San Miguel Brewery, that is true and many other establishments na sana nakatayo na ngayon and the ilonggos sanaare benfitting from it na.

Anyway guys,thank you, I'll jst keep on reading again and if there a need for clarification or explanation, i'll just come in.

Welcome to SSC...

First of all,Are you reacting to the news that you quoted or to our collective comments? (because you quoted my news clip instead.)

When The Philippines as a collective whole decide that Federalism is the way to go, The country's different provinces,regions will surely be reorganized and realigned into different ethno-linguistic groups, culture, geography, economy and other factors;and that includes Western Visayas. If Negros Occidental and Panay with Guimaras decide to separate, I have no objections with that, as long as the people find it just and right. Goodluck to any newly formed Federal State.

We are aware of our cities History, and if you have been "lurking" long here you would realize also this to be true among the regular forumers here. Like what eonynx said "Its water under the Bridge" .

Again, we welcome you for posting and encourage you to participate more to our forum here and be an active member and not just be a lurker.

Since your a newbie here's a link about: Forum rules in SSC Philippines
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=458529

^^ It's a big lie when people think we're poor just because we are savvy. They still have yet to know what we are and how we possess. Go Iloilo. :)

If I remember it correctly, we're the least IRA dependent. Hala Bira Ilo-Ilo!

Iloilo hotels now fully booked for Dinagyang fest

Iloilo hotels are now fully booked for the Dinagyang Festival, particularly in the evening of Jan 25 to 27, according to Robert Ferrer, president of the Iloilo Hotels, Resorts and Restaurants Association (IHRRA).

Iloilo hotels here, including the new ones, have 1, 800 room capacities. If each room is good for double occupancy only around 3, 600 persons could be accommodated.

Ferrer said guests who could not get rooms may opt to stay at pensions, lodging houses, dormitory, motels and resorts near the city, just like in 2007.
He added that all hotel promotions, discounts and other special rates will be suspended during the festival. (PNA)

source: The Iloilo Daily Informer (http://dailyinformer.info/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1698&Itemid=137)

^^ Reason why San Miguel Brewery left us? (As accdg to bern) Cojuangco owns San Miguel and he has two places in the country that he possesses vast tracts of land, one is Negros, the other is Tarlac. That's why it's easier for him to establish a brewery in his own hometown rather than buy a lot in the Pavia.



1,800 rooms only? That's very low. Did this include the three other hotels that are opening? (Urban Inn, Moritz and Arthur's Suites.)

^^really amo lang ina kadamo? sana more peeps will invest on these services. Hoping for a 5 star hotel to open,:)

^^ Two Plans to build a five star hotel. One is a sure thing, that's from Megaworld. Another is from Florete. Hoping to see more this year.

Hi Kid! i never heard of the one planned by Mr. Florete though...

^^ Hi po. I've read it here eh. They said that the plan was to build the hotel on the old site of Nes and Tat's hence the new site of the restaurant.

^^Hmmm, i seem to have missed that post. hala may "po" na guid ya? hihihi
Bernie! guin "po" na ako ni kid, bwehehehe j/k

^^ Daw alog ko noh..hehe

Florete's Hotel isn't really confirmed yet but you know him, an avid business man for his city

I've thought of it for a while and if Neg Occ and Neg Or would form one other region, would it mean less IRA/Budget allotment to Region Six and Region 7?

there will be a greater impact for the three regions, just in case (WV, CV and the newly-formed region) in terms of economy, income, maybe classifications, etc. Province-wise, there is no or minimal impact it will create for us here in Iloilo as we are the regional capital and we would not be affected at all plus the fact that we are less IRA-dependent from other provinces in the region including Negros. The budget will definitely be cut off and the RDC will be hugely affected since big contributions are coming from the province of Aklan, Negros and Iloilo. By taking Negros out of WV, the region's budget will be plummeted thereby giving a big toll on our shoulders in Iloilo to support poorer provinces. But in saying so, as resilient as we are in Iloilo, we can definitely make it. It would just take a bit of time to settle back to where it should be but I think it's greatly possible. With the increasing tourism industry of Guimaras right now, we can definitely pull some things for the better - give or take.

^^ Daw alog ko noh..hehe

Florete's Hotel isn't really confirmed yet but you know him, an avid business man for his city

you sound more like of a celebrity ... po, po (is a trademark of our Superstar ... he he).

I bet this is a proposal made by Florete already but there was no definite plan yet as to when the construction starts, the number of days, the capacity of the hotel, the number of rooms, the amenities, so on and so forth. Plus the fact that we don't know exactly the day Nes and Tats will move to their new home and close the old ones. We'll just wait and see na lang.

^^ Tama! Kaya ta ni! :)

^^ Self-sufficient except for power. ANd power is the most important part of progressing. And despite our deficiencies, we are one of the most progressive places in the country. :)
the power problem of Iloilo has now reach on its peak and I'm glad that the concern was now discussed in the executive level. BY creating an humongous drive of presenting the issue to the national level, Iloilo is now gaining momentum to solve its energy problem.

DMCI will definitely start the construction of coal-fired power plant this year as it has been given an approval by DENR when it comes to environmental and hazardous effect. MOreso, talks of putting up another coal plant in the city is on its progressive stage plus other renewable energy providers are also keen to invest in Iloilo's power sector. As the ball rolls for solving this concern, I hope that we, Ilonggos, will be more open-minded and practical in dealing the issue.

^^ Tama! Kaya ta ni! :)
he he. I believe so.

Also, the Province of Aklan will not be affected at all since most of their income comes from their self-generating tourism industry that at this time is gaining more and more momentum than before. So in all in all, the WV will still stand on its own BUT with a little bit of stir somehow. Who knows, in few years time, Guimaras, Antique and Capiz will take a progressive turn? There's a wide area of development and there's still a great void needed to be filled up when it comes to promotion, etc.

Region 6 benefits P684-M
worth of pro-poor projects

ILOILO City – Western Visayas get to avail itself of some P684 million worth of pro-poor projects during the four-year implementation of the Kapit Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) Project.

KALAHI-CIDSS is a World Bank-funded project being implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). The Project banks on the community-driven development approach to realize interventions that would respond to the felt needs of communities.

Since its launch in 2003, KALAHI-CIDSS funded some 673 sub-projects in 19 covered municipalities in Iloilo, Capiz and Negros Occidental. Of the 673, 462 projects are now completed and operational in 647 barangays.

Sub-projects prioritized include 193 road projects, 103 health stations, 79 water system, 73 school buildings, 68 day care centers, 46 post-harvest facilities, 29 bridges, 18 drainage system, 15 pre and post-harvest facilities, 14 common service facilities, nine irrigation systems, six electrification projects and six artificial coral reefs. Other projects include cooperative building, river dredging, technology and livelihood development center, solar charging station, bio-disposal, protection railing, seawall, breakwater, Science laboratory room with facilities and solid waste management facilities.

All sub-projects have a total cost of some P684 million. Of this, KALAHI-CIDSS grant amounted to P497 million while local counterpart contribution totaled to P187 million.

More than the infrastructure projects and common service facilities however, KALAHI-CIDSS puts much emphasis on the pro-active role of communities in prioritizing, implementing and managing the sub-projects they themselves identified. A series of trainings on basic bookkeeping, the basic procurement process and operation and maintenance were also provided to the communities.

source: Panay News (http://www.panaynewsphilippines.com/iloilo5.htm)

Welcome to SSC...

First of all,Are you reacting to the news that you quoted or to our collective comments? (because you quoted my news clip instead.)

When The Philippines as a collective whole decide that Federalism is the way to go, The country's different provinces,regions will surely be reorganized and realigned into different ethno-linguistic groups, culture, geography, economy and other factors;and that includes Western Visayas. If Negros Occidental and Panay with Guimaras decide to separate, I have no objections with that, as long as the people find it just and right. Goodluck to any newly formed Federal State.

We are aware of our cities History, and if you have been "lurking" long here you would realize also this to be true among the regular forumers here. Like what eonynx said "Its water under the Bridge" .

Again, we welcome you for posting and encourage you to participate more to our forum here and be an active member and not just be a lurker.

Since your a newbie here's a link about: Forum rules in SSC Philippines
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=458529


Actually mine is not a reaction or a comment, but just a little discussion of the past. When I was there, Iloilo was already progressing but seemed halted again during the administration of the old man from Baluarte? The progress became rapid only during the time of Mr. Malabor and much more with the present administration.

Well, anyway, setting aside those difficult times for the city, I was so delighted when I saw the first time a forum about Iloilo and the website designed by chymaera. . . it's so beautiful! Sorry, if I didn't show my affection. Don't misinterpret me as alien to the city. . . he he he. . . I was a tour guide of the government's tourism department in Iloilo and also of a shipping firm ( in their luxury ship that brought tourists to the city) with head office in Iloilo before. So my heart is with Iloilo!

I would have joined you years ago but I forgot the password given by SSC for two times, so I did content myself with just reading your write up. With my registration just few hours ago, I can join you now.

With your discussion, I am updated and the rest of other Ilonggos in other parts of the world.

The last time I was there was last year when I watched dinagyang. I was just surpirsed that there was no more merry making because before major streests in the downtown area, J. M Basa, Iznart, Ledesma, and Delgado - Valeria were full of people. But last after the contest, wala na. I think they should return it because tourists would also want to enjoy this and not just to see performance of Ati tribes. But they should increase police visibility. Any move from the organizer on this?

^^i think it was reported either in this thread or the dinagyang thread that there are moves to increase the police visibility throughout the celebrations.

Welcome jncp0910@yahoo.com! :) Enjoy posting, reading and lurking here in SSC..

Basta ako wala gakabalaka... :D Hindi tanan nga nauna madaug... hindi tanan nga gadaug nagapanguna... :D The Future is so bright that it will burn our eyes. :D

the power problem of Iloilo has now reach on its peak and I'm glad that the concern was now discussed in the executive level. BY creating an humongous drive of presenting the issue to the national level, Iloilo is now gaining momentum to solve its energy problem.

DMCI will definitely start the construction of coal-fired power plant this year as it has been given an approval by DENR when it comes to environmental and hazardous effect. MOreso, talks of putting up another coal plant in the city is on its progressive stage plus other renewable energy providers are also keen to invest in Iloilo's power sector. As the ball rolls for solving this concern, I hope that we, Ilonggos, will be more open-minded and practical in dealing the issue.

Sorry, but I really doubt DMCI can start construction this year, they have not yet replied to the issues raised by Rise on the 'Motion for Reconsideration' on the ECC (Environmental Compliance Certificate) that the DENR Secretary has given due course. A major development also is that First Gen backed-out of their partnership with DMCI in November 2007 and the Lopez group is now concentrating on making PNOC-EDC "the largest geothermal producer in the world."

Geothermal is cheaper than coal and the Visayas is richly endowed with it. The Visayas is now second in the whole world to the entire USA in terms of geothermal production. This is our chance to be the first in the whole world!

Why settle for the more expensive and dirty coal?????
GO for the best choice and more reliable source, GO RENEWABLE!!!!

Here's a pertinent article, God bless us all:

First Gen buys out partner in PNOC-EDC

By Abigail L. Ho
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 00:13:00 01/03/2008

First Gen Corp. said it had bought out its Dutch partner Spalmare Holding BV in Red Vulcan Holdings Corp., the consortium that has acquired 60 percent of the formerly government-owned geothermal power producer PNOC Energy Development Corp. (PNOC-EDC).

The transaction, done through wholly owned subsidiary Prime Terracota Holdings Corp., made First Gen the 100-percent direct and indirect owner of Red Vulcan, First Gen assistant corporate secretary Rachel Hernandez told the stock exchange.

“However, Spalmare has an option, exercisable until Feb. 27, 2008, to rejoin the consortium and fund its equity portion, failing which the option will lapse,” she said.

First Gen did not disclose the financial details of the buyout.

In an earlier interview, First Gen president and chief operating officer Federico Lopez said the company aimed to make PNOC-EDC an even bigger geothermal energy company in the coming years.

“PNOC-EDC is the second largest geothermal energy producer in the world,” Lopez said. “We intend to make it even bigger under First Gen.”

First Gen vice chairman and chief executive Peter Garrucho said the purchase of the controlling stake in PNOC-EDC for P58.5 billion was a “transformational moment” in First Gen’s nine-year history.

With the acquisition of PNOC-EDC, First Gen now has control of 16 percent of the country’s total installed power generation capacity and 60 percent of the total installed geothermal energy capacity.

The company said, “The PNOC-EDC acquisition certainly makes First Gen one of the biggest clean and green energy producers in the world, with over 90 percent of its total installed capacity portfolio utilizing clean technology.” Edited by INQUIRER.net

http://business.inquirer.net/money/breakingnews/view/20080103-110009/First_Gen_buys_out_partner_in_PNOC-EDC

^^ But Geothermal Energy takes years to develop we now lack power or we're power deficient. IMO, coal is a more immediate answer..but if we can, someday, tap geothermal, then we could do so.

Ay mabot lang na sa PECO ah.... now I am forced to build a Nuclear Fusion Plant in the Province.

Sorry, but I really doubt DMCI can start construction this year, they have not yet replied to the issues raised by Rise on the 'Motion for Reconsideration' on the ECC (Environmental Compliance Certificate) that the DENR Secretary has given due course. A major development also is that First Gen backed-out of their partnership with DMCI in November 2007 and the Lopez group is now concentrating on making PNOC-EDC "the largest geothermal producer in the world."

Geothermal is cheaper than coal and the Visayas is richly endowed with it. The Visayas is now second in the whole world to the entire USA in terms of geothermal production. This is our chance to be the first in the whole world!

Why settle for the more expensive and dirty coal?????
GO for the best choice and more reliable source, GO RENEWABLE!!!!

Here's a pertinent article, God bless us all:

First Gen buys out partner in PNOC-EDC

By Abigail L. Ho
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 00:13:00 01/03/2008

First Gen Corp. said it had bought out its Dutch partner Spalmare Holding BV in Red Vulcan Holdings Corp., the consortium that has acquired 60 percent of the formerly government-owned geothermal power producer PNOC Energy Development Corp. (PNOC-EDC).

The transaction, done through wholly owned subsidiary Prime Terracota Holdings Corp., made First Gen the 100-percent direct and indirect owner of Red Vulcan, First Gen assistant corporate secretary Rachel Hernandez told the stock exchange.

“However, Spalmare has an option, exercisable until Feb. 27, 2008, to rejoin the consortium and fund its equity portion, failing which the option will lapse,” she said.

First Gen did not disclose the financial details of the buyout.

In an earlier interview, First Gen president and chief operating officer Federico Lopez said the company aimed to make PNOC-EDC an even bigger geothermal energy company in the coming years.

“PNOC-EDC is the second largest geothermal energy producer in the world,” Lopez said. “We intend to make it even bigger under First Gen.”

First Gen vice chairman and chief executive Peter Garrucho said the purchase of the controlling stake in PNOC-EDC for P58.5 billion was a “transformational moment” in First Gen’s nine-year history.

With the acquisition of PNOC-EDC, First Gen now has control of 16 percent of the country’s total installed power generation capacity and 60 percent of the total installed geothermal energy capacity.

The company said, “The PNOC-EDC acquisition certainly makes First Gen one of the biggest clean and green energy producers in the world, with over 90 percent of its total installed capacity portfolio utilizing clean technology.” Edited by INQUIRER.net

http://business.inquirer.net/money/breakingnews/view/20080103-110009/First_Gen_buys_out_partner_in_PNOC-EDC

^^No doubt, its the best source of clean power. tapping this source of power for panay is needed, the question is when will we be able to get this power for our island?

^^ But Geothermal Energy takes years to develop we now lack power or we're power deficient. IMO, coal is a more immediate answer..but if we can, someday, tap geothermal, then we could do so.

Kid, we are now second in the whole world in geothermal production . . .

Visayas has been supplying Metro Manila 400MW traveling more than 700 kilometers from Leyte to the Napocor Batangas Power Station where these electricity are distributed. Luzon is buying geothermal because it is much cheaper than coal!

Palinpinon in Negros (which is only 160 kilometers away from Iloilo City) produces 190MW during peak hours out of its almost 300MW potential. We still have the North Negros (Mt. Mandalagan) geothermal field where we are drawing only 48 MW out of its 70MW potential. Dauin's 40MW potential in Negros Oriental is still untapped.

Leyte's more than 1,000MW production can be doubled if there is demand. Transco is now building a transmission line to Mindanao to utilize excess capacity of Leyte.

It is so much faster and cheaper to implement the 100MW Negros-Panay submarine cable uprating (3 months @ $40 million) than building a coal power plant (3 years @ $165 million).

We don't need rocket scientists to see our problems . . . these are greed and bureaucratic corruption!

Ay mabot lang na sa PECO ah.... now I am forced to build a Nuclear Fusion Plant in the Province.
^^di ba may naga study na sina as to where they can put a possible nuclear power plant in the country? I think they already identified possible sites already.
but this technology takes a long time to develop and not popular with environmentalists( not to mention the enivironment,heheh)

In a debate by Republican Presidential Candidates last night someone from the group (I think it was Former Mayor Giuliani of NYC)said that the US has hot opened a new nuclear power plant in 30 years and its difficult to open a new one.

So if the US isn't looking at nuclear power anymore,why should we?

Kid, we are now second in the whole world in geothermal production . . .

Visayas has been supplying Metro Manila 400MW traveling more than 700 kilometers from Leyte to the Napocor Batangas Power Station where these electricity are distributed. Luzon is buying geothermal because it is much cheaper than coal!

Palinpinon in Negros (which is only 160 kilometers away from Iloilo City) produces 190MW during peak hours out of its almost 300MW potential. We still have the North Negros (Mt. Mandalagan) geothermal field where we are drawing only 48 MW out of its 70MW potential. Dauin's 40MW potential in Negros Oriental is still untapped.

Leyte's more than 1,000MW production can be doubled if there is demand. Transco is now building a transmission line to Mindanao to utilize excess capacity of Leyte.

It is so much faster and cheaper to implement the 100MW Negros-Panay submarine cable uprating (3 months @ $40 million) than building a coal power plant (3 years @ $165 million).

We don't need rocket scientists to see our problems . . . these are greed and bureaucratic corruption!

^^interesting info, totopurz.

While the whole country is enjoying a relatively cheaper,cleaner,stable energy; Panay has been suffering.

Its hard to believe that the Gov't and the power producers are not aware
of this option.

Kid, we are now second in the whole world in geothermal production . . .

Visayas has been supplying Metro Manila 400MW traveling more than 700 kilometers from Leyte to the Napocor Batangas Power Station where these electricity are distributed. Luzon is buying geothermal because it is much cheaper than coal!

Palinpinon in Negros (which is only 160 kilometers away from Iloilo City) produces 190MW during peak hours out of its almost 300MW potential. We still have the North Negros (Mt. Mandalagan) geothermal field where we are drawing only 48 MW out of its 70MW potential. Dauin's 40MW potential in Negros Oriental is still untapped.

Leyte's more than 1,000MW production can be doubled if there is demand. Transco is now building a transmission line to Mindanao to utilize excess capacity of Leyte.

It is so much faster and cheaper to implement the 100MW Negros-Panay submarine cable uprating (3 months @ $40 million) than building a coal power plant (3 years @ $165 million).

We don't need rocket scientists to see our problems . . . these are greed and bureaucratic corruption!


I've heard it'll the 100MW Neg-Panay Bridge cannot sustain by 2010. I don't know if this is true.

^^interesting info, totopurz.

While the whole country is enjoying a relatively cheaper,cleaner,stable energy; Panay has been suffering.

Its hard to believe that the Gov't and the power producers are not aware
of this option.

and Ilonggos are supposedly educated people, just look at how our bureaucrats 'believe' that pwitis (firecrackers) really caused the new year's eve brown-out.

How on earth could pwitis, known to man since the time of Genghis Khan, could plunge the entire City into darkness. How many pwitis could have hit, at exactly the same moment, Peco's distribution lines to cause a city-wide brown-out?

This could be an item for the Guinness Book of World Records!

bugtaw na, please!

I've heard it'll the 100MW Neg-Panay Bridge cannot sustain by 2010. I don't know if this is true.

Listen again, please: There is now an existing 100 MW cable that will be uprated by another 100 MW that would total 200MW. Now, what will be our baseload demand by 2010 . . . currently for Panay and Guimaras Islands it is around 112 MW (40MW Iloilo City and 70MW for the rest of Panay and Guimaras), in the next 3 years it will be around 127 MW.

How can 200 MW be insufficient for the 127 MW demand? and if they do construct the 165 MW coal-fired power plant, who will inevitably pay for the excess baseload electricity of more than 200MW?

It is very important to differentiate baseload from peak demands.

In 1997 we believed Peco-PPC that diesel power plants will give us cheaper and more reliable electricity. Obviously we were misled because diesel power plants now generate at almost P8/kwh while geothermal generates at less than P3/kwh while coal is about P4.30/kwh. There are power plants suitable for each type of demand.

Daw wala ta nagakadudla, now Peco-PPC is orchestrating a scenario for the entry of a coal-fired power plant to give us, again daw, cheaper and more reliable electricity.

But simple arithmetic would show that coal will be more expensive. Peak demand in Iloilo City is from 10am to 4pm or 6 hours per day. Now, for the simple calculations of the costs during peak hours:

for diesel: P8/kwh (6hours) = P48

for coal (this plant runs 24 hours / 7 days a week):
24 hours (P4.3/kwh) = P103.20
divided by 6 hours peak demand = P17.2/kwh

We have to be critical with data presented to us. we're suffering now because of complacency . . . we can't afford to be complacent now!

^^Orchestrated talaga! i have this feeling also that they do this drama on us, to make the Panaynons continue to suffer with high electricity costs. It seems like for them we are toys. Pinag-lalaruan lang tayo.

Parang may unholy alliance na nangyayari between these power contractors and companies, to make our collective ilonggo lives a misery.

I'm not surprised if our local officials are part of it. Ma-kuryente sana ang mga gahaman na mga taong ito. :bash:

Listen again, please: There is now an existing 100 MW cable that will be uprated by another 100 MW that would total 200MW. Now, what will be our baseload demand by 2010 . . . currently for Panay and Guimaras Islands it is around 112 MW (40MW Iloilo City and 70MW for the rest of Panay and Guimaras), in the next 3 years it will be around 127 MW.

How can 200 MW be insufficient for the 127 MW demand? and if they do construct the 165 MW coal-fired power plant, who will inevitably pay for the excess baseload electricity of more than 200MW?

It is very important to differentiate baseload from peak demands.

In 1997 we believed Peco-PPC that diesel power plants will give us cheaper and more reliable electricity. Obviously we were misled because diesel power plants now generate at almost P8/kwh while geothermal generates at less than P3/kwh while coal is about P4.30/kwh. There are power plants suitable for each type of demand.

Daw wala ta nagakadudla, now Peco-PPC is orchestrating a scenario for the entry of a coal-fired power plant to give us, again daw, cheaper and more reliable electricity.

But simple arithmetic would show that coal will be more expensive. Peak demand in Iloilo City is from 10am to 4pm or 6 hours per day. Now, for the simple calculations of the costs during peak hours:

for diesel: P8/kwh (6hours) = P48

for coal (this plant runs 24 hours / 7 days a week):
24 hours (P4.3/kwh) = P103.20
divided by 6 hours peak demand = P17.2/kwh

We have to be critical with data presented to us. we're suffering now because of complacency . . . we can't afford to be complacent now!

very informative @totopurz! so aside from geothermal, what are the status now of those 2 companies that are keen on planning to invest on renewable sources of power for panay?

^^Orchestrated talaga! i have this feeling also that they do this drama on us, to make the Panaynons continue to suffer with high electricity costs. It seems like for them we are toys. Pinag-lalaruan lang tayo.

Parang may unholy alliance na nangyayari between these power contractors and companies, to make our collective ilonggo lives a misery.

I'm not surprised if our local officials are part of it. Ma-kuryente sana ang mga gahaman na mga taong ito. :bash:

orchestrated or not, the evidence of their poor service is there anyway!:lol:

Galing ni totopurz.. However, it's too evident that the government will pursue the coal-plant and even majority of the people don't care whether it's coal or not as long as there's no brownouts. The Church is also not placing enough evidence to support their claim for not using coal. :(

Sorry, but I really doubt DMCI can start construction this year, they have not yet replied to the issues raised by Rise on the 'Motion for Reconsideration' on the ECC (Environmental Compliance Certificate) that the DENR Secretary has given due course. A major development also is that First Gen backed-out of their partnership with DMCI in November 2007 and the Lopez group is now concentrating on making PNOC-EDC "the largest geothermal producer in the world." Geothermal is cheaper than coal and the Visayas is richly endowed with it. The Visayas is now second in the whole world to the entire USA in terms of geothermal production. This is our chance to be the first in the whole world!

Why settle for the more expensive and dirty coal?????
GO for the best choice and more reliable source, GO RENEWABLE!!!!



so it's good then that the lopezes are finally making concrete steps regarding their come back in iloilo.

Galing ni totopurz.. However, it's too evident that the government will pursue the coal-plant and even majority of the people don't care whether it's coal or not as long as there's no brownouts. The Church is also not placing enough evidence to support their claim for not using coal. :(

coal is the fossil fuel of choice of many developing countries. the clean version that is! but as presented by totopurz, we appear to have realistic options to go renewable. i wont be surprised though if this clean coal thing still pushes through. and i would appreciate it greatly of renewable and/or geothermal sources are tapped by our city/province.

^^ Everybody here actually supports the renewable energy but there's lack of knowledge to people(including me) who don't know much about this renewable energy and that we might think it's not enough. :(

^^because, by and large, renewable technology is a fairly new technology! even among all the developing world, it is not universally used! fossil fuel pa rin. the only difference this time is it is clinicalized- clean technology

^^ Yes. I've also heard that Negros won't allow us to connect with their power lines or something even though they have extra power. Is this true? Kulang guid powers sang mga politicos ta di? hehe

^^true or not, it would be nice if we have the option to internally generate our own power. meaning, within the island that is compliant with environmental requirements of our laws.

^^ We don't have geothermal or hydropower :( That's how deficient our island is, contraty to the fact that we're that rich :(

^^well, we have coal. and we have that renewable energy also either as a main source or as an adjunct source using our city's garbage recycled to power.

^^ It's nice if we become 100% independent from coal or other naturally dangerous fuels (what isn't dangerous nowadays anyways?). If we turn to geothermal, there's still a lot of work though but it's a big possibility. If we turn to hydropower, then there's a chance since we're surrounded by water. If we turn to ethanol, it's good too but there's also a price.

^^ethanol, imo, if it would be utilized would never really take center stage without some major overhaul in our economic system. it's succes is still not yet universal to make it as a 100% replacement for fossil fuel. if we go totally ethanol, prices of corn, sugar, or other sources from which ethanol would be derived will skyrocket. and guess who will suffer. the ordinary folks like us. the only place where ethanol have such succes is in brazil. and this technology had been there since, i think, the 60s.

at best, pockets of areas will be pilot sites for this technilogy. but i dont believe, at least, for a foreseeable future, that it will change our power sources' landscape. in the game of a give-and-take-scenario, there is too much to give or surrendered for this technology to have universal application in the near future. unless. some killer technology is suddenly invented and sold to the third world countries cheaply. but if we base it on present trends, ethanol it's a gradual rather than sudden assimilation. we in iloilo dont have the luxury to embrace such gradual prospects.

^^ Ethanol is good for the environment and yes, the Basics of Economics apply (i think so) here when there's a bigger demand for the crops to be used as fuel. So it's still us that suffer. Plus if it's ethanol, are we sure it won't ravage the land for fuel and there's none left for food? Brazil is so vast and we're so small. Heck being a pioneer in rice technology, we still import rice because our arable land is so small. :(

^^ethanol is applicable in our set-up! but at best, it should be a gradual process, like say, 20-30 years. this to give time for our economy to adapt to its application. but as i said, our power crisis in iloilo couldnt wait for 20-30 years. so our realistic options right now are those things posted by @totopurz and clean coal

^^ What I don't understand is that even Mayor Jerry Trenas, the guy I find "least corrupt" doesn't support green technology. There must be a reason behind.

^^let's see the development in the coming months! this problem will eventually bottom out, hopefully. now that we have these embarassing events to speak of, things have a way of seeking higher ground! i hope, the concrete steps RISE is pushing will indeed happen just as i hope our clean coal prospects will be a reality.

And RISE should get more exposure to the media. The most powerful force in the country is the Media. :)

So, for all of us forumers here in Iloilo: What do you think about a congressional inquiry of PECO and PPC? I just watched Inday Perla Zulueta's show earlier and they said (NPC, TRANSCO, PPC & PECO) agreed that it was a "attempted pangangawat" kuno of a cable in La Paz. Same with the New YEar Quitis! In other words, they are blaming it to transmission in which personally I do not instantly believe.

Why a city turned darked because of one measley firecracker?
I wasn't that very convinced on PECO's explanation of defence of their blackout last X'mas and New Year (even though I live in ILECO area, hehe!)

I'm convinced about the Geothermal energy though

@TotoPurz. Is it possible that I can meet you sometime? I really wanted to hear the sides of this issue so that we Ilonggos could be educated regarding this. :) And also, may I ask, what is it all about the Visayas Energy Crisis of 2009-2010 in which Cebu is quite worried also? (Regarding CNP Grid that is)

^^imo, they (PECO, et al) very well deserve that congressional inquiry. if only to earn them a spotlight at a national level. at least, hopefully, that would somehow change the direction of their service to the city

And RISE should get more exposure to the media. The most powerful force in the country is the Media. :)

to their credit, i think they have been doing that intensively and extensively

So, for all of us forumers here in Iloilo: What do you think about a congressional inquiry of PECO and PPC? I just watched Inday Perla Zulueta's show earlier and they said (NPC, TRANSCO, PPC & PECO) agreed that it was a "attempted pangangawat" kuno of a cable in La Paz. Same with the New YEar Quitis! In other words, they are blaming it to transmission in which personally I do not instantly believe.

Why a city turned darked because of one measley firecracker?
I wasn't that very convinced on PECO's explanation of defence of their blackout last X'mas and New Year (even though I live in ILECO area, hehe!)

I'm convinced about the Geothermal energy though

@TotoPurz. Is it possible that I can meet you sometime? I really wanted to hear the sides of this issue so that we Ilonggos could be educated regarding this. :) And also, may I ask, what is it all about the Visayas Energy Crisis of 2009-2010 in which Cebu is quite worried also? (Regarding CNP Grid that is)

Boycott Peco :bash:...Salig sila may monopoly sila..

^^well, since they are a monopoly, we don't have any alternatives to them, do we?:lol:

^^ :lol: Yes..that's a joke.hehe..But we do have the Solar Electric Company! That's still a renewable source of energy, though very costly at the initial payments but in the long run, quite economical.

Gokongweis’ Passi Sugar Mill to operate in Iloilo this year


Regarding this, I'd like to share a photo I took last week.

http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/8513/imgp7038vl6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)



I loved the idea of National Aquarium with a SeaWorld (Florida) type of theme resort. Do you think someone will invest such kind of project in Iloilo?


The closest we have to Seaworld right now is FishWorld, a modest Aqua-Museum in Tigbauan. It's a good stop on the South-Panay tourist trail. People usually visit FishWorld/SEAFDEC before proceeding to Racso's, Garin Farm, and Miagao Church.

http://www.seafdec.org.ph/images1/fishworld01.gif

I have a friend whose dream is to put up a big aquarium in Iloilo, similar to those they have in Japan. Considering the huge student population of Iloilo, bastante na ina sa field trips pa lang. Okay, we just lack the funds :lol:

^^good,that you are able to meet up with kid berns. hope we can entice more ilonggos to join SSC-Iloilo.

re:boardwalk its better cguro na for pedestrian/bikes lang, more leisurely.

Maybe they could develop a larger version of Roxas City's riverside/seaside park/plaza:
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1015/681529997_2eb7faa2ef.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e248/lewdsaint/P1021050.jpg
photo courtesy of lewdsaint


Regarding Arthur's Suites, is it open? It's finished from the view outside.
I heard it will open this January. Most likely in time for Dinagyang.

Listen again, please: There is now an existing 100 MW cable that will be uprated by another 100 MW that would total 200MW. Now, what will be our baseload demand by 2010 . . . currently for Panay and Guimaras Islands it is around 112 MW (40MW Iloilo City and 70MW for the rest of Panay and Guimaras), in the next 3 years it will be around 127 MW.
...


So they will uprate the submarine cable already? Yay!:banana: The Lopez group should first secure their energy source before they operate their shipyard.

And RISE should get more exposure to the media. The most powerful force in the country is the Media. :)

Ahh.. the media. The coal proponents have fully utilized (or even abused) the media to bombard our minds into thinking we do need coal power plants. RISE and other environmentalists should be given equal opportunity. What happened to the media which are supposedly unbiased?

BTW, if they are going to build coal plant in Concepcion, de we really need another coal plant in the city?:nuts:

^^ Media? Unbiassed? Please. They do not even mind it right now because of the "credibility wars". :lol:

But anyway, I hope TotoPurz can give insights to these excerpts that I remember in Perla Zulueta's show earlier this morning (NPC, PECO, TRANSCO & PPC were questioned by the panelists in the show):

-PPC & PECO were once of one company(?) until EPIRA came.
-NAPOCOR may or may not approve the baseload needed for the city.
-Back then, with the opening of the diesel power plant in Ingore, they said that we have the most affordable until the fuel prices spiralled up, giving to P8/kWh.
-If it wasn't for NPC inter-connection, perhaps PECO consumers could've paid more than P10/kWh.
-PECO is investing millions in upgrading their facilities, in fact they are constructing a building in Diversion Road Mandurriao this year.
-Coal will be P3-P4 pesos lesser than present diesel.

Amo na lang ang nadumduma to. I think they mentioned about February upgrading or something.


In other side, I overheard Congressman Gonzales Jr. in a local media mentioning that it was better if the government will handle the power sector of the city for a while because of the dubious service PECO offers.

Another question: Is Iloilo affected by the said Visayas Energy Crisis of 2009?

^^if it's visayas-wide, then most likely, iloilo is affected

^^ Then most likely, we are the 1st ones to be hit because of our distance with the source (Leyte Geothermal). Cebu pa nga lang gani gaproblema na sa ila supply sa kuryente nga mas lapit pa sa ila Leyte, kita pa nga ara sa punta sang CNP Grid.

Are our renewable energy sources substantial enough to sustain a city of Iloilo's size?

What kinds of renewable energy sources are we looking at?

Solar? - small scale
Wind? - small scale
Geothermal? - I think Palinpinon is up to near capacity; no prospect in Panay
Hydro-electric? - don't have
Waste to energy? - small scale

IMO, the coal plant is a bitter pill that we have to swallow.

Hay, grabe na ni. We have to weigh things pala. Geothermal could take years (and even decades) to obtain its full potential and development. But anyway, PNOC-EC or other private institutions must also develop the potential of geothermal in our country.

The only thing we are having right now is the immediate need.

Are our renewable energy sources substantial enough to sustain a city of Iloilo's size?

What kinds of renewable energy sources are we looking at?

Solar? - small scale
Wind? - small scale
Geothermal? - I think Palinpinon is up to near capacity; no prospect in Panay
Hydro-electric? - don't have
Waste to energy? - small scale

IMO, the coal plant is a bitter pill that we have to swallow.

To quote totopurz...


...
Palinpinon in Negros (which is only 160 kilometers away from Iloilo City) produces 190MW during peak hours out of its almost 300MW potential. We still have the North Negros (Mt. Mandalagan) geothermal field where we are drawing only 48 MW out of its 70MW potential. Dauin's 40MW potential in Negros Oriental is still untapped.

Leyte's more than 1,000MW production can be doubled if there is demand. Transco is now building a transmission line to Mindanao to utilize excess capacity of Leyte.

It is so much faster and cheaper to implement the 100MW Negros-Panay submarine cable uprating (3 months @ $40 million) than building a coal power plant (3 years @ $165 million).

We don't need rocket scientists to see our problems . . . these are greed and bureaucratic corruption!

I'm not sure of what he means by untapped potential. Are the present facilities able to produce more power without upgrading (which might take time)? If yes, then the uprating of the submarine cable should be an immediate solution.

Leyte is also producing excess power. If Mindanao and Luzon can tap this, why not Iloilo?

^^and this immediate need situation limits our options for the moment. the advocacies of RISE appear to be good ones. but for a large scale demand, we cannot just suddenly wean ourselves totally from fossil fuels!
like it or not, these fossil sources are here to stay. and besides, what we are about to use are the improved versions. i would say the best solution for our power security is the combination of these clean fossil fuels and renewable sources. both for our immediate and long-term power security.

^^ Dauin is (I think located) near the Cuernos de Negros, a volcano in Negros Oriental. Much of Negros is untapped regarding the geothermal source. But again, if we are to develop geothermal energy, it needs time. We have to drill holes and check out the sources if it would last for years before putting up a plant. Because for a geothermal power to be effective, it has at least 100 years of sustainability.

To quote totopurz...



I'm not sure of what he means by untapped potential. Are the present facilities able to produce more power without upgrading (which might take time)? If yes, then the uprating of the submarine cable should be an immediate solution.

Leyte is also producing excess power. If Mindanao and Luzon can tap this, why not Iloilo?

as ive said, these are great other options! they said there's a visayas-wide projected energy shortfall like 2 years from now as posted by bernie. will the leyte plant adequately remedy this projected shortfall? yup, iloilo could also use it! it is already servicing manila and mindanao. but woudnt that be asking too much of 1 or 2 plants servicing many of the islands scattered all over our country? a coal plant plus these various renewable sources of energy options should all be welcomed. they are all great long term investments.

investments on these renewable sources, if realized, can be nice springboards to our long-term goals to eventually go green in the distant future. clean coal on the other hand, is a globally tested formula, that can address our short to medium-term power needs

Uprating the submarine cable will only take 3 months. Within 3 months, our ability to source power outside Panay will be increased by 100MW.

I don't know just how much Leyte and Negros will be able to allocate for Panay considering Luzon and Mindanao also need the energy. I also have no idea how long it takes to increase the capacity of the geothermal plants. Can we generate more power with the push of a button or we need billions of pesos in investments? @totopurz, please tell us so our forumers and equally-important lurkers will know.

One thing is for sure, there is tremendous untapped potential for sustainable geothermal energy. I prefer the immediate development of geothermal vs the immediate construction of coal plants.

We cannot aspire to have an exclusive source of electricity for Iloilo. Our country must share energy resources, especially geothermal. It's not good to have too much excess energy production because consumers might be compelled to pay for unused power.

^^ok, i hope we could recieve more stats! do we need to produce too much for our needs? we dont!:) our reserves do give us the security that in turn gives stable power prices! but this could only be achieved if there are existing plants (wether coal or geothermal)that can harness them. yes, we cannot aspire to have exclusive use of power in iloilo. and resources must be shared, yes! but too much concentration of power sources on just few locations is, imo, not giving our country that power security in the long term

If we plan to uprate the Negros-Panay submarine cable to tap excess Leyte power, I think Leyte-Cebu and Cebu-Negros submarine cables, which were designed to certaincapacities only, should also be upgraded.

The costs would certainly not be just S40M.

As it is, Leyte is already supplying 440MW to Luzon, 400MW to Cebu, 500MW to Mindanao and 100MW to Bohol.

^^thanks for the stats @sam! i hope totopurz could post his stats so we'll see two sides of the coin.

aren't we had enough of stats posted in the past? There's no blocking renewable energy entering the province or city BUT to say that it can solve the power crisis of city and province right now is a big NO-NO. And we can not wait for 2 decades before this thing will be realised. No matter how good the renewable they are talking about here, there's no investor willing to invest in Iloilo City. The Leyte Geothermal will soon be used by Luzon and the rest of the region near Leyte. And Iloilo, in its sad state remains the tailend of this distribution. We have to have our own in the city. Let's just make the energy market in Iloilo open to all investors. I think it's more viable than choosing one after the other. :)

4 new call centers set to open in Iloilo City
By Jeehan V. Fernandez

AT LEAST four new call centers are expected to open in Iloilo City starting this January, announced Mayor Jerry Treñas.

This, even as the Year 2007 saw the coming of private investments in the metropolis.

“It was a record and a banner year for investments,” Treñas assessed the previous year while referring to the entry of several giant call centers in the city.

The mayor explained the city is becoming a hotspot for call centers with more prospective investors signifying interest to expand their operations here.

Treñas is optimistic that TeleTech will open at SM City-Iloilo and three other call center firms will start operating this January.

“Iloilo City is hot for call centers. For the next few months, there’s this ‘rush’ in call center investments. A huge human resources requirement search is evident on streamers posted all over the city announcing job fairs of various call center companies,” said Treñas.

He disclosed that call center company Western Wats Philippines has eyed by January the opening of 2,000 initial seats and another 2,000 for expansion which translates to at least 3,000 new jobs.

Treñas also revealed the prospects of call center firms Sutherland Global and Sitel that have planned to branch out in the city this year.

He said there are available areas for call center locators including parking area of Robinson’s Place Iloilo which could accommodate 4,000 seats and Amigo Mall’s second floor with another 4,000 seats.

These spaces have been registered with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza) which offers several tax incentives for investors.

On top of these, Treñas boasted of the “biggest investment” courtesy of giant real estate developer Megaworld Corp. pouring in P1.5 billion to develop the 54-hectare old airport property in Mandurriao district while developments are set to kick off this first quarter.

“These investments will really turn into employment opportunities for the people. Works will be available during construction stage and sustainable jobs ultimately,” stressed Treñas.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI-Iloilo) provincial director Diosdado Cadena Jr. noted the three existing call centers in the city including Callbox, ePLDT Ventus and Echo have employed an initial of 2,000 workers but continue hiring.

Megaworld is expected to propel the call center “hit” even as it has vowed to put Iloilo in the world map of rising BPO industry.

The BPO sector includes call centers, medical and legal transcriptions, software development, architecture and animation using state-of-the-art computer technology.

source: The Guardian ILOILO (http://www.theguardianiloilo.ph/)

aren't we had enough of stats posted in the past? There's no blocking renewable energy entering the province or city BUT to say that it can solve the power crisis of city and province right now is a big NO-NO. And we can not wait for 2 decades before this thing will be realised. No matter how good the renewable they are talking about here, there's no investor willing to invest in Iloilo City. The Leyte Geothermal will soon be used by Luzon and the rest of the region near Leyte. And Iloilo, in its sad state remains the tailend of this distribution. We have to have our own in the city. Let's just make the energy market in Iloilo open to all investors. I think it's more viable than choosing one after the other. :)

i am of the same view!

Dinagyang packs up Iloilo hotels
By Jeehan V. Fernandez

HOTELS here are now fully booked for Dinagyang Festival, the city’s premiere fiesta with highlights on Jan. 25-27, said Robert Ferrer, president of Iloilo Hotels, Resorts and Restaurants Association (IHRRA).

The hotels in the metropolis have around 1,800 room capacities although these are usually good for double occupancy.

Are there enough rooms for visitors who will come in droves to witness Dinagyang?

“Guests who could not get rooms may opt to stay at pensions, lodging houses, dormitories, motels and resorts near the city, just like they did last Dinagyang,” Ferrer said.

Last year, Mayor Jerry Treñas had downplayed the supposed shortage of accommodation here to host the influx of visitors flocking to see the big event.

“I think that should not be the problem or the attitude. The visitors coming over have relatives, friends and business partners where they could stay if the hotels are already fully-booked,” Treñas explained.

“If they could not be accommodated in the hotels, they could be billeted in other places around the city. I encourage more visitors to come. And to the residents, if they have guests, let them stay in your house,” he stressed.

The mayor said the constraint in hotel rooms should not hinder the visitors to witness the Dinagyang spectacle.

“Let not be the limited hotel rooms an obstacle for guests to enjoy and taste the experience of Dinagyang,” said Treñas.

The private sector has been urged to establish more hotel facilities that would cater to the increasing number of domestic and foreign tourists especially during peak season like Dinagyang.

source: The Guardian ILOILO (http://www.theguardianiloilo.ph/)

Power plant, sugar mills
among big projects in Iloilo for 2008

ILOILO – Hopefully this year, the David M. Consunji, Inc. (DMCI) could already put up a 100-megawatt coal-fired power plant in the coastal town of Concepcion, 111 kilometers away from this city, said Iloilo Provincial Planning and Development Officer (IPPDO) Mario Nillos.

The power plant is expected to meet the power demand of the province.

Nillos said DMCI over the years has been working for its social acceptability in the provincve, and other technical aspects of the project.

The other investors on the agri-industrial side are the Gokongweis who have bought the Passi Sugar Central and the New Frontier Sugar Mill in Passi City which are expected to start operation this year.

Another multi-million investment is the Casa Azucarrera de Passi which will benefit sugar planters in the central part of the province, particularly Passi City, Dueñas and Dingle.

source: Panay News (http://www.panaynewsphilippines.com/iloilo3.htm)

i am of the same view!
that's WHY .... he he. I'm not into of too much blah .. blah anymore. Besides, it's the people and the officials to decide and not a certain organisation. :)

Fireworks to welcome festival guests

ILOILO City – The Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation Inc (IDFI) has designed a new event that would welcome visitors and invited guests to this year’s Dinagyang Festival.

IDFI Executive Director Benito Jimena said the foundation has decided to include the Dinagyang Fireworks Invitational Competition in the special events on January 25 after the afternoon fluvial procession.

Jimena said they have already coordinated with the association of fireworks’ suppliers, dealers and manufacturers in the country, and he was informed that at least five groups have signified their interests to participate.

Each entry, according to Jimena, will be given five minutes to showcase their fireworks.

Meanwhile, Jimena also announced that the Drum and Bugle Corps Competition, which they have decided to revive this year, is now gaining support from various schools all over Iloilo.

source: Panay News (http://www.panaynewsphilippines.com/iloilo4.htm)

^^^^RISE does appear to have good, concrete plans. together with clean coal, imo, this combination is our best option! we need all possible, sensible sources we can get.

BEFORE GMA STEPS DOWN IN 2010
DPWH vows to finish 3 big
infra projects in WV

ILOILO City – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) promised to complete President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s three big infrastructure projects in Western Visayas before the end of 2010.

DPWH Regional Director Rolando Asis said this region is a recipient of three major projects:
• the P548.2-million road widening project from Iloilo City leading to the new airport in Cabatuan town
• the P676-million Metro Iloilo Radial Road; and
• the P453-million Pandan to Libertad Road up to the boundary of Antique and Aklan provinces.

The road widening project includes the asphalt overlay and expansion of the present two-lane road to four lanes and construction of bridges within the road sections, which will be constructed in three phases.

Asis said the first phase of the project from the junction of Pavia to Sta. Barbara town has been completed and DPWH is just waiting for the release of the budget for the second phase worth P268 million.

The third phase of the project is worth P230.2 million, the fund of which will be released in 2009.

The construction of the first phase of the Metro Iloilo Radial Road worth P50 million from the town proper of Zarraga towards Cabatuan airport is now ongoing.

The second phase of the project is estimated to cost P355 million to be released this year while the final stage of the construction is P271 million, which will be included in the 2009 budget.

The last project, which is the construction of the Pandan to Libertad Road up to the boundary of Antique and Aklan provinces, will be up for bidding in June.

The upgrading of the 27-kilometer road from gravel to cement concrete pavement is expected to be finished at the first quarter of 2010.

Asis said they expect the release of P198 million for the first phase of the construction this year, P186 million in 2009 and the remaining P68.5 million in 2010.

He added that the last project was originally included in the Japan Bank of International Cooperation (JBIC) projects but Philippine government decided to have it funded locally after some delays in the release of funds.

source: Panay News (http://www.panaynewsphilippines.com/iloilo5.htm)

^^^^RISE does appear to have good, concrete plans. together with clean coal, imo, this combination is our best option! we need all possible, sensible sources we can get.
of course, anything goes as long as may ara. OKs?

BEFORE GMA STEPS DOWN IN 2010
DPWH vows to finish 3 big
infra projects in WV

ILOILO City – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) promised to complete President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s three big infrastructure projects in Western Visayas before the end of 2010.

DPWH Regional Director Rolando Asis said this region is a recipient of three major projects:
• the P548.2-million road widening project from Iloilo City leading to the new airport in Cabatuan town
• the P676-million Metro Iloilo Radial Road; and
• the P453-million Pandan to Libertad Road up to the boundary of Antique and Aklan provinces.

The road widening project includes the asphalt overlay and expansion of the present two-lane road to four lanes and construction of bridges within the road sections, which will be constructed in three phases.

Asis said the first phase of the project from the junction of Pavia to Sta. Barbara town has been completed and DPWH is just waiting for the release of the budget for the second phase worth P268 million.

The third phase of the project is worth P230.2 million, the fund of which will be released in 2009.

The construction of the first phase of the Metro Iloilo Radial Road worth P50 million from the town proper of Zarraga towards Cabatuan airport is now ongoing.



finally, a road connecting zarraga and the airport is in the offing. this would greatly benefit the central and northern iloilo/panay residents.

of course, anything goes as long as may ara. OKs?

ok!;)

^^Orchestrated talaga! i have this feeling also that they do this drama on us, to make the Panaynons continue to suffer with high electricity costs. It seems like for them we are toys. Pinag-lalaruan lang tayo.

Parang may unholy alliance na nangyayari between these power contractors and companies, to make our collective ilonggo lives a misery.

I'm not surprised if our local officials are part of it. Ma-kuryente sana ang mga gahaman na mga taong ito. :bash:


Yes, I've got the same feeling before when they planned to move regional offices in a neighboring city!

Kaya with the lack of power in the city and without any quick alternative source for power, I would go for the coal-powered generation. Of course this should be monitored by DENR and other groups. If we just listen to protests which may not have a sound basis, the growth of the city will be retarded and the next time we know it, andoon na pala sa other cities and development na ini-expect natin. I think, our officials should not be complacent about this.

History will always be the basis!

^^ Yes. I've also heard that Negros won't allow us to connect with their power lines or something even though they have extra power. Is this true? Kulang guid powers sang mga politicos ta di? hehe

Yes kid, may point ka. And aside, kung medyo mahisaon ka, then don't share your neighbor / or a friend the thing that you have that will propel him, or else maunahan ka. Di bah? . . . he he he. . .

So I think aside from the progressive mind, our politicos should also possess strong powers.

^^the reason that neg occ cannot provide additional energy most likely is, they're running at full capacity. not because of some simple reason as "hisa", imo.