Negros Island [Archive] - Page 8

Sleepwalker

April 21st, 2010, 04:23 AM

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Ethanol distillery to hike production to 40 million liters (http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=568404&publicationSubCategoryId=108)
By Jessica B. Natad (The Freeman) Updated April 21, 2010 12:00 AM

CEBU, Philippines - The first integrated fuel ethanol distillery in the country aims to increase this year its ethanol supply to Petron by five million liters.

Shivah Mehrabi, corporate communications manager of San Carlos Bioenergy Inc. (SCBI), said in a phone interview that the company’s distillery has the maximum capacity to produce 40 million liters of fuel-grade ethanol this year.

“(All of this) will be supplied to Petron. Since we have an agreement (that they are our first customer,) Petron is our priority. If they decline to purchase (our product,) then that is the time that we can sell to other fuel retailers. So far, Petron has purchased all our production,” she told The Freeman.

SCBI, incorporated in May 2005, operates the first integrated ethanol distillery and power cogeneration plant in the Philippines and the Southeast Asian region. It is located in San Carlos Agro-industrial Economic Zone on the eastern coast of Negros Occidental.

The plant’s developer, Bronzeoak Philippines, provided the expertise in biomass power plant engineering while its principal sponsor, Zabaleta and Company, provided sugar-based agricultural experience.

Mehrabi said SCBI was able to deliver 35 million liters of ethanol to Petron last year. Petron has rolled-out a portion of these to the Visayas market.

The sale of fuel grade ethanol to one of the major local gasoline retailers in the country displaces approximately 15-percent of the country’s petroleum imports, generating a balance of payment and foreign currency benefits to the Philippines, according to SCBI’s website.

When asked if this locally-produced ethanol can help bring down the cost of gasoline in the country, Mehrabi expressed doubt, saying that the price of ethanol is also dependent on the supply of sugarcane.

“There are times when the supply (of sugarcane) is scarce. This could affect our selling price,” she said.

The ethanol distillery, which processes a feedstock of mixed juice from sugarcane, also provides a ready market for sugarcane growers in Negros Occidental, Mehrabi said.

SCBI needs approximately 400,000 tons of sugarcane per year, all of which will come from the 9,000-hectare San Carlos Sugar District.

Ethanol fuel, which can be used as transport fuel, is the same type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages. It is mainly used as a biofuel additive for gasoline. Unlike petroleum, bioethanol is a form of renewable energy that can be produced from agricultural feedstocks such as sugarcane, potato, and maize.

The state-of-the art SCBI includes a cane mill, distillery, cogeneration plant, carbon dioxide recovery plant, anaerobic digestion plant, and fuel ethanol storage and loading facilities.

The distillery will process sugar cane crushed on-site and the cogeneration plant will utilize the residual sugar cane pulp known as bagasse as its primary fuel. The methane produced during anaerobic digestion will be used as supplemental fuel for the boiler. By-products include food grade carbon dioxide which is captured for sale as well as fertilizer produced from the liquid effluent and solid waste, which will be recycled for the use of cane farmers supplying the plant.

The project is registered with the Board of the Investments and enjoys incentives under the local government code.

national guard

April 27th, 2010, 02:49 AM

PIA Press Release
2010/04/26

Negros Occidental opens contest for environment week theme and logo (http://www.pia.gov.ph/default.asp?m=12&fi=p100426.htm&no=42&r=R06&y=10&mo=04)

Negros Occidental (26 April) -- The Provincial Government of Negros Occidental through the Provincial Environment Management Office is launching a search for the 18th Environment Week Theme and Logo to be adapted for the celebration in June.

The search for the best theme is open to all Negrenses and must be relevant to the pressing environmental issues particularly on biodiversity conservation such as wildlife, forest, marine or coastal conservation.

Theme must not be more than five words and must be original.

Those who are interested to create a logo for the 18th Provincial Environment Week Celebration may submit an 8x11 inches three-color design in GIF or TIF or JPEG format not more than 900 KB.

Logo concept and design must also be anchored on the biodiversity conservation such as wildlife, forest, marine or coastal conservation. Logo design contest is also open to all Negrenses.

Entries must be submitted via email to pemo_cei@yahoo.com or submit to the Provincial Environment Management Office (PEMO) located at #49 North Capitol Road, Bacolod City.

Deadline for the submission of entries is on or before May 7, 2010. Awarding ceremonies is on June 25, 2010 at 2p.m. at the Negros Occidental Multi-Purpose Activity Center.

Winners for both logo and theme will be awarded P3,000 each. The winning logo and theme will be used officially for the celebration of the 18th Provincial Environment Week on June 21-25, 2010.

PEMO is urging students and even professionals to join in the contest and contribute for the preservation and conservation of the environment.

Interested parties may call PEMO at 434-5396 and look for Olive. (PEMO/PIA/EAD)

neon96

April 27th, 2010, 08:44 PM

TRAVEL AGENT SCAM WARNING!!!!!!

I was browsing through this thread and came upon a list of travel agents in Bacolod City and found the travel agent that scammed me twice, first on my mother's plane ticket from the US and also on visa processing of a relatives. I just wanted to warm everyone not to deal with this travel agent. We are already filing a lawsuit against this agent. I am just putting this out there so that nobody will get scammed like what happened to us. The travel agent is found below :

Aeros Friend Travel & Tour Svs.
1st Floor Plaza Mart
Paddy S. Abaring
709-6082

national guard

April 27th, 2010, 09:04 PM

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Celebrate Negros Biodiversity (http://www.visayandailystar.com/2010/Starlife/2010/April/25/feature1.htm)

Twenty-seven days to go. The countdown for the celebration of the International Biodiversity Day on May 22 is on a fever pitch.

The Big Day is a highlight of the International Year of Biodiversity declared by the United Nations to celebrate life on earth and the value of biodiversity to people's lives and for our lives. It is also an occasion for people of the word to take action to safeguard the variety of life on earth this year.

The Philippines, being a 'center of the center' of marine shore fish biodiversity, has been named one of the participating countries in the implementation of a "global action day and media event". The country is a member of the 'Coral Triangle' region, a global epicenter of marine species diversity and a top priority area in marine conservation.

The Philippine IBD2010 activities are funded by the German Ministries for Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety and for Economic Cooperation and Development, together with GEO Magazine with the Provincial Government - through its Provincial Environment management Office - as the local organizing committee. The Departments of Foreign Affairs and the Environment and Natural Resources are as the national focal points.

Symbolizing the Negros celebration is the artwork of Razceljan Salvarita, a StarLife contributor, an artist and environmental protection advocate, who interpreted his idea of biodiversity through an illustration of a marine turtle and the Visayan Spotted Deer to represent the diverse marine and terrestrial ecosystems in Negros island which are being protected by diverse stakeholders.

Part of the celebration calendar are the environmental camps, the children's book launch, visual arts competitions (see boxed item below), a puppet show and a concert.

Ari Barcelona, spokesperson of the local organizing group, said seven environmental camps -- marine and forest -- are scheduled until May 22.

The marine camps, Barcelona said, will be held on May 4 and 5, May 20-21 and May 20-21 at the Museo sang Bata sa Negros and the Sagat Marine Reserve in Sagay City and at Danjugan Island in Barangay Bulata, Cauayan on May 4-6, May 13-14 and May 17-18.

The forest camp will be held at the North Negros Natural Park in Silay City on May 14-16 and May 20-22.

The various camps will be held for young people, local leaders and volunteers.

The Sagay Marine Reserve is located on a 32,000-ha. area that is rich in natural coastal resources, including mangrove plantations, seagrass beds, various species of algae, black and soft corals as well as giant clams and marine turtles. Giant fruit bats find home in the mangrove areas. The reserve also produces abalones, pearl oysters, nylon shells and blue craps.

The Northern Negros Natural Park has a land area of 80,545 has. With only less than one-fourth remaining as forestal place. Almost 150 bird species are found in the area as well as 30 mamamlian species, 18 reptile species, 165 tree species and another 257 species of plants.

The other campsite, Danjugan, an island of 43 has. in southern Negros, has seven habitat types and at least 572 fish species, dozens of corals, 70 bird species, 22 butterfly species, nine bat species, sea eagles and several endangered and threatened species of Giant Manta Ray Napoleon Wrasee and Whale sharks, among others.

On the week of the culminating activity, organizers will launch of the book, Where Is My Home, written by German Marielle van Riel, a former development worker, which has been translated into two dialects. The launch will be held at the SM Activity Center on May 17 at 4 pm. The launch will be followed by a book reading session for children from orphanages and pre-schools in the city.

Entries in the photo exhibit will be displayed also at the SM Activity Center from May 17 to 21.

The Big Day will take off with a foot parade at the Bacolod Plaza, which will be followed by the commemorative program at the Capitol Park, after which the canvas painting will be held. A concert and awarding program will cap the activity starting 6:30 p.m.

The IBD parade will be participated in by representatives of towns and cities with each local government unit delegation garbed in a costume or mask as well as showcasing a mascot symbolizing an environmental icon or landmark in the community. The parade will also see the participation of non-governmental organizations, clubs and school groups.

The Capitol Park program will also be followed by a puppet show and theater presentation by the Animo Puppet Theater Group, a community based project of Tinagong Paraiso youth volunteers in Barangay Banago.

Individuals or groups interest to support or participate in the IBD2010 and related activities may check out www.ibd-ph.com or its Facebook account, International Biodiversity Day2010, Negros Occidental, Philippines.

Linguine

May 8th, 2010, 12:28 PM

Negros Occidental Provincial Capitol Lagoon and Park

http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af351/linguine16/IMG_1898.jpg

Linguine

May 9th, 2010, 04:12 AM

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL PROVINCIAL CAPITOL COMPLEX

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national guard

May 9th, 2010, 04:15 AM

^^ Tahum nga mga pics of our Provincial Capitol complex :okay:
Thanks guid sir for making this thread alive!:okay::)

Linguine

May 9th, 2010, 04:18 AM

^^ Tahum nga mga pics of our Provincial Capitol complex :okay:
Thanks guid sir for making this thread alive!:okay::)

Thanks man migs ah......daw naganahan lang kay katahum gid sang aton ciudad kag probinsya.....:okay:.....:cheers::cheers::cheers:

Linguine

May 9th, 2010, 04:28 AM

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL PROVINCIAL CAPITOL LAGOON AND PARK

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national guard

May 13th, 2010, 04:55 AM

COMELEC Winners in Towns and Cities of Negros Occidental (http://www.ndb-online.com/may1310/negros-local-news/COMELEC-Winners-in-Towns-and-Cities-of-Negros-Occidental)

Governor: Alfredo G. Marañon, Jr.
Vice Gov: Genaro "Lim-ao"Alvarez, Jr.

Prov’l Board Members:

1st District: Nehemias dela Cruz, Sr. & Renato Gustilo
2nd District: Dr. Miller Serondo & Salvador Escalante
3rd District: Patrick Lacson & Manuel Frederick Ko
4th District: Mae Javellana & Jose Benito Alonso
5th District: Dr. Melvin Ibañez & Emilio Yulo, III
6th District: Pedro Zayco, Jr. & Helen Zafra

Congressman:
Lone District of Bacolod City: Dr. Anthony Rolando Golez, Jr.
1st District: Julio Ledesma, IV
2nd District: Alfredo Marañon, III
3rd District: Alfredo "Albee" Benitez
4th District: Jeffrey P. Ferrer
5th District: Ignacio T. Arroyo, Jr.
6th District: Mercedes Alvarez

Mayors:

Bacolod City: Evelio R. Leonardia
Bago City: Ramon Torres
Cadiz City: Patrick Escalante
Binalbagan: Alejandro Mirasol
Calatrava: Araceli Somosa
Candoni: Jechonias Manzano
EB Magalona: David Lacson
Escalante: Melecio Yap, Jr.
Himamaylan: Agustin Ernesto Bascon
Hinigaran: Hermilo Aguilar
Hinoba-an: Ma. Theresa Bilbao
Isabela: Francis Malabor
Kabankalan: Isidro P. Zayco
La Carlota City: Atty. Juliet Marie Ferrer
La Castellana: Alberto Nicor, Jr.
Manapla: Lourdes Escalante
Moises Padilla: Francisco Nazareno
Murcia: Andrew Montelibano
Pontevedra: Jose Maria Alonso
Pulupandan: Atty.Magdaleno Peña
Sagay City: Leo Rafael Cueva
Salvador Benedicto: Marxlen dela Cruz
San Carlos City: Gerardo Valmayor
San Enrique: Mario Magno
Silay City: Jose Montelibano
Sipalay City: Oscar Montilla
Talisay City: Eric Saratan
Toboso: Evello Valencia
Valladolid: Romel Yogore
Victorias City: Severo Palanca

Negros Daily Bulletin (http://www.ndb-online.com/may1310/negros-local-news/COMELEC-Winners-in-Towns-and-Cities-of-Negros-Occidental)

　

national guard

May 13th, 2010, 05:29 AM

Bitay very hopeful for Negros (http://www.visayandailystar.com/2010/May/13/topstory6.htm)
BY CARLA GOMEZ

Former Negros Occidental Gov. Daniel “Bitay” Lacson Jr. yesterday said he is very hopeful that the new team in Malacañang headed by president-elect Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III and the team at the Capitol led by governor-elect Alfredo Marañon Jr. will be able to deliver the goods to Negros Occidental.

“Like President Corazon Aquino who sat down with us in Negros to see what else we needed to help Negros rise from the ashes,” Lacson said “I think Noy knows the problems of the sugar industry, of the denuded forests, the lack of irrigation, the lack of micro credit and livelihood for the smallest guy. There is no doubt in my mind that it will be part of his top priorities.”

Lacson was governor of Negros Occidental during Corazon Aquino’s presidency.

He and Marañon have long talked about making Negros Occidental a mini-Taiwan and about diversification, Lacson also said.

Lacson said that while he campaigned for Aquino and Roxas, he has no intention of accepting a Cabinet position if offered to him because living in Manila is out of the question for him.

“I only helped (Aquino and Roxas) because I wanted the right guys to be in place so that the hopes and dreams of Negros will be carried to Malacañang,” he said.*CPG

national guard

May 14th, 2010, 11:31 AM

Mud house building gab held
(http://www.visayandailystar.com/2010/May/14/people.htm)

The Philippine Reef and Rainforest Conservation Foundation Inc. and Tapulanga Foundation Inc. held the 2nd Mud House Building Workshop in Negros Occidental recently, a Tapulanga Foundation press release said.

The Akubo Prayer House was built in St. Francis of Assisi School of Silay City. It was donated by Akubo Software Inc.

Mudhouse building technology has been around for at least 6,000 years. It is still being used in countries like Thailand, India and Australia, the press release said.

Built with abundant natural material, mudhouses are sustainable, low-cost and an eco-friendly housing option.

Mudhouses are ideal in tropical climates. They are well insulated, staying cool in the summer and keep the warmth in cold weather, and building with mud allows the builder the creative freedom to turn a home into a natural sculpture, the press release added.*

national guard

June 1st, 2010, 03:13 AM

Neg. Occ. anti-rabies drive gets boost from Bill Gates (http://www.visayandailystar.com/2010/June/01/topstory10.htm)

The Negros Occidental provincial government, through the Provincial Veterinary Office, released 27,600 vials of rabies vaccines worth P5.3 million to all cities and towns in the province yesterday, Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Renante Decena said yesterday.

This is part of the 3-year free dog vaccines under the bill and Melinda Gates Foundation program implemented by the Department of Health and Bureau of Animal Industry, which also includes free rabies pre-exposure vaccination for 1,200 paravets worth P0.5 million Rabipur vaccines, Decena said in a press release.

Decena said they have informed all city and municipal mayors to synchronize massive vaccination of dogs including puppies, in June and July, by mobilizing the barangay and school officials for information dissemination that dog owners should submit and handle their pets while city vet and livestock technicians, together with paravets, will conduct dog examination and vaccination.

With the onset of the rainy season, the PVO also released P2 million vet drugs, vitamins and electrolytes to local government units outbreak of endemic animal diseases such as Hog Cholera of pigs, New Castle Disease of chicken, Hemorrhagic Septicemia of cattle and other parasitic disease, he said.

Veterinary medical missions prioritize to critical areas with high density animal population and history of animal disease sporadic cases last year, Decena also said.*

Linguine

June 7th, 2010, 06:03 AM

from Bacolod main thread.....

Sagay City
Dry Goods Section

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4069/4641607141_ed420d6d0c_o.jpg

UK Ukay Ukay Section

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Big Pots fronting the Hallway

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4034/4642215818_6b73e8c43a_o.jpg

photos from Negrosanon

national guard

June 9th, 2010, 07:08 AM

To Ease Monopoly Negros Electric Coops Form Power Consortium (http://ndb-online.com/jun0910/negros-local-news/To-Ease-Monopoly-Negros-Electric-Coops-Form-Power-Consortium)
By Edith B. Colmo

Every time there is power failure, consumers always blame the electric cooperative, eventhough it is beyond its control. Specially frequent power outages affect all businesses, the consumers are grinding their teeth against the electric coops despite the fact that the main cause of power failure is the insufficient power supply, or due to technical problems on the part of the power supplier which is Green Core.

Engr. Eduard Gasambelo, CENECO Board president, and Sulpicio Lagarde, Jr, general manager, briefed the officials of Bacolod City during their meeting yesterday, about the real power situation in the island. City officials present were Mayor Evelio Leonardia, Vice Mayor Thaddy Sayson, and the incumbent and incoming members of the sangguniang panlungsond.

Lagarde briefed city officials on the present poor and insufficient power situation in the Negros Island.He reported that the electric cooperatives in Negros Island have joined efforts to form the Negros Power Supply Aggregation Group (NPSAG). This comprises CENECO, VMC Rural EC (VRESCO) in north Negros Occidental, NOCECO in the south, and Negros Oriental EC (NORECO) 1 and 2 in Oriental Negros, with CENECO as its lead EC. They will finalize plans when they meet again July 1

GM Lagarde said, they consolidate forces for the purchase of power from energy supplier as a group, so that the supplier can not monopolize it enough to dictate the price.

What is presently happening according to Engr. Gasambelo, is that, the power supplier has not unbundled its rates as per EPIRA Law, but instead cartels it, which is disadvantageous to consumers. Electric Coops are only distributors of power supply, Gasambelo stressed. So every time the power supplier increases its supply, the increase is also passed on to the consumers.

When the ECs are deemed an aggregate group, the power supplier can not dictate anymore the price of power because the ECs are united not to get their power but transact with other suppliers. Leyte with 11 ECs are already an aggregate according to Engr. Gasambelo, and it is doing well. More so in Mindanao with 21 ECs. We are also inviting Iloilo to join the aggregate group. It’s better in Negros because there are only 5 ECs, and all are categorized as A+ coops," Gasambelo stressed.*

Linguine

June 9th, 2010, 08:29 AM

Linguine

June 11th, 2010, 09:29 AM

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source (http://www.eastviewhotel.com/)

Alinghi

June 11th, 2010, 05:45 PM

Palinpinon Geothermal Power Plant back to normal operations soon

DUMAGUETE CITY, June 11 (PNA) –The Palinpinon I and II geothermal power plants in Palinpinon, Valencia, Negros Oriental will soon be back to normal operations by June 17, after completing the maintenance shutdown of some of its units last month, according to authorities of the Green Core Geothermal Inc.

GCGI, a subsidiary of geothermal giant Energy Development Corp., had acquired last October the Palinpinon power plants, formerly operated by the National Power Corp. prior to privatization.

The geothermal plants are about 27 years old now and need to be rehabilitated to bring back their full operating capacity of 192.5 megawatts, they said.

Engr. Debonaire Mamhot of GCGI-Palinpinon’s Plant Technical Services said the geothermal power plants were currently operating at a combined maximum capacity of 181 megawatts (MW), just about enough to meet the demands of its clients.

Their customers include, among others, electric cooperatives in Negros Occidental and Panay, like Ceneco, Akelco, Eleco I, EMDC, Capelco and Guimelco, in Negros Oriental and Panay, which were part of the purchase of the Palinpinon power plants.

The scheduled shut down of the units at PAL I and PAL II last month had resulted in power outages in these areas, with the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines, the firm in charge of power transmission, deciding on the schedules for manual load shedding and rotating brownouts especially during peak hours.

Emeterio Busmeon, maintenance department manager, said that GCGI was working to maximize the Palinpinon power plants’ full capacity, and in fact, the company is currently drilling additional one well that can generate between five to eight MW.

He said that the power plants needed preventive maintenance once every two years, and due to the increasing demand for electricity, they should be brought back their maximum operating capacity.

Another preventive maintenance shut down has been scheduled for PAL II on July 2, lasting for 15 days, and on Sept. 8 for Unit 2 of PAL I, for 30 days.

GCGI-Palinpinon authorities have assured that they will find ways to serve their customers during these times, such as augmenting power supply through purchase of electricity from another source.

On top of this, GCGI has calendared during its first three years of operation a substantial rehabilitation of the Palinpinon power plants, such as replacement of turbines and rotors, amounting to about P2 billion.

Mamhot, meanwhile, clarified that Negros Oriental Electric Cooperatives I and II (Noreco I and Noreco 2), are not among their customers as these are buying their power from another source.

However, GCGI is hoping to work out an agreement with Noreco 1 and Noreco 2 for a power supply agreement, although negotiations between these companies are still ongoing.

Linguine

June 15th, 2010, 02:38 PM

False killer whales
in Pulupandan
BY CARLA GOMEZ

False killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens), the third largest members of the oceanic dolphin family, and more than 66 bird species have been spotted in Pulupandan town in recent months.

Residents have counted about 15 false killer whales near the Pulupandan shoreline in Barangay Zone 1A and frolicking near the pier area, mostly in the afternoon, since February, Pulupandan town administrator Federico Infante said yesterday.

The False Killer Whale is black with a grey throat and neck. It has a slender body with an elongated tapered head and 44 teeth. The dorsal fin is sickle-shaped and its flippers are narrow, short and pointed. It can grow up to 20 feet.

It appears that the dolphins and birds have returned to Pulupandan since Asian Alcohol Corp. in Pulupandan town, which produced P3.5 million worth of alcohol a day, closed down in June last year, Infante said.

It closed down after the driver of a backhoe allegedly accidentally dug up the pipe supplying water to AAC, but which its lawyer, Roger Reyes, said appeared to be deliberate.

Pulupandan Mayor Magdaleno Peña had sought the closure of the firm claiming it was polluting Pulupandan air and water, but Asian Alcohol officials said they were implementing anti-pollution measures.

Since Asian Alcohol closed down marine life has returned to Pulupandan that is a coastal town, Infante said.

The environment is healing itself and the false killer whales are probably in Pulupandan waters because there are a lot of small shrimps that they can eat near the Pulupandan pier.

In the Bago River area in Pulupandan located in barangays Culo, Ubay and Tapong more than 66 bird species have also been spotted, he added.

Infante said the false killer whales and birds could become tourist attractions for the town.*CPG

source (http://www.visayandailystar.com/2010/June/15/topstory5.htm)

Linguine

June 18th, 2010, 02:57 PM

para sa mga biking enthusiasts......

http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af351/linguine16/IMG_2078.jpg

Linguine

June 19th, 2010, 08:33 AM

melba's farm

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Meet me at Melba's Farm

By Betsy Gazo

MEET me at Melba's Farm because I'm likely to go back. The fresh air, lots of greenery, and its relative convenience getting there make it a magnet for nature lovers like me.

Melba is Melba Carranza, the present owner's mother. Alvin Carranza had converted the family farm into something more sustainable. The cozy but airy clubhouse sits at 600 feet above sea level and offers unexpectedly modern facilities and an expectedly wonderful panorama of the city below. There's wifi access, wide-screen television and even a phone in case you want to call the folks back home. From Lopue's East, where Melba's Farm Coordinator Nicky Burgos met my group, take a 30-minute travel to this 12-hectare property in Barangay Alangilan. If you don't have your own transportation, that's no excuse for you to not arrange with the Farm to pick you up.

Melba's Farm is only a year old yet already boasts of having ample attractions to make a visit really worthwhile. The family room annexed to the clubhouse can accommodate four comfortably and the view is delightful from the room's own deck. Your overnight stay comes with your own pretty towels and slippers so you can enjoy a refreshing bath in the roomy bathtub. The eternity pool is not too large and just right for a cozy dip with your friends and family. Although the pool is filled with spring water sourced from the mountain, it is still treated for health purposes.

So, there! That's a worry-free swim for you. I can eschew the swim but I can't pass up the chance to hike around the premises. Farm Administrator Raymond de Asis showed us the trees planted by some Ms. Earth candidates. Then, we took a hike in "the tube," a sloping decades-old pathway that was once filled with water to float down timber during ILCO's logging days. The American-owned lumber company used to be the largest lumber company in the world with logs and furniture shipped to the United States.

The hike got us hungry so the very early lunch prepared by Raymond's wife Chinky de Asis was timely and healthy, too. There was Steamed Hainanese Chicken with Candied Ginger and Spicy Tamarind Sauce; Chinky's version of the okoy made of carrot and yellow camote strips; lots of fruits - watermelon, Indian mango, star fruit or galangan, and pineapple. But what made me go back to the buffet table again and again was the best-tasting crispy kangkong I ever tried. If it weren't unethical, I would have asked for the batter recipe. The leaves are thinly coated with the batter so one actually can taste the kangkong. VGKK (Very Good KangKong).

I like the resort's nature-loving principles. It absolutely discourages the use of plastic bags in the area. In fact, Chinky showed an alternative to paper by wrapping our dining utensils with wilted bamboo leaves tied with organic string (must be banana fiber strips). Solar panels catch the sunlight and power the clubhouse's appliances. Isn't it nice of them to be so thoughtful of the environment?

Straddling the boundary between Bacolod and Talisay, Melba's Farm is not far from Buro-Buro and the polo club. You can play polo, shop for organic herbs and vegetables and, then, relax at Melba's. What a truly country-field way to spend a weekend.

source (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/bacolod/meet-me-melbas-farm)

thesugarfairy

June 19th, 2010, 06:09 PM

FUN and ADVENTURE Starts at Home!

Verdana Homes ASYANA Phase 2 Launch
Ayala Land Negros
By: Jaime H. Baloyo Jr.

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June 19, 2010 -- It was an afternoon of Fun and Activities for the Young ones and the Young-at-hearts alike at the Launching of Verdana Homes ASYANA Phase 2 held at the Club Verdana, Plantazionne Verdana Homes in the vast Ayala Property in Talisay City, Negros Occidental, Philippines.

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Verdana Homes ASYANA is Ayala Land’s newest residential offering in Negros designed to bring home countless possibilities for fun and adventure.

Envisioned as a community for active families, the village amenities place value on quality family time through open space planning, numerous parks, long trails and other recreational conveniences. Verdana Homes ASYANA showcases the best of Asian designs through Modern-Asian Architecture.

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Located 7 kilometers North of Bacolod City, the Provincial Capital of the Province of Negros Occidental, Verdana Homes ASYANA is adjacent to Plantazionne Verdana Homes, also an Ayala Land project. It is 10 minutes away from major centers like Malls, Hospitals and the Bacolod City Lacson Tourism Strip.

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The Launch was graced by people from all walks of life. During the Program Proper, The Wu Shu Federation of the Philippines – Bacolod Negros Chapter performed a very energetic Lion Dance and a Wu Shu Presentation after it. Ms. Therese Borromeo, Ayala Land Negros Branch Manager also gave her Welcome Remarks to the Guests.

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It was truly Fun at the launch. With Asian Festival Inspired theme, different Food Kiosks invaded Club Verdana. From the Filipino Ensaymaditas and Puto Cheese, Ginataan and Bibingka; The Chinese Buchi, Siopao and Siomai to the Japanese Tempura and Fishball and my Uber favourite, California Maki, it sure satisfied mine and my comrades’ (from Skyscrapercity) palate.

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The kid’s were also the happiest of the bunch, with Carnival Fair, Anime Sketching and Caricature Workshops and lots of classic Filipino Games to enjoy, everything was a blast!

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I and my group were also busy entertaining ourselves during the launch. We had fun at the Photo Booth and we almost drown ourselves with photos. Photoshoot here, Photoshoot there, Photoshoot everywhere. The scenery in Beautiful Ayala Negros is incomparable. It almost makes you feel like you’re in a foreign land.

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Verdana Homes ASYANA offers more than Fun and Adventure. It also offers Comfort Living as Ayala Land Negros will turn this vast Landscape into a Community within a Community, A City within a City. Future developments include a Community Mall, BPO Park, Schools, Sports Center, a Hotel and a lot more.

Skyscrapercity Bacolod Forumer, Jamie Baloyo was given the chance to Interview Ayala Land Negros Branch Manager, Ms. Therese Borromeo and here is what she has to say:

Jamie: Ms. Therese, what makes Verdana Homes ASYANA unique among other residential projects?

Ms. Therese: Verdana Homes ASYANA is the First (if not the Only) of its kind Project in Negros or even the Philippines that Incorporates Nature as its inspiration in creating a Resort – like community with a Balinese design – inspired clubhouse, set on a linear park along the river. Each of the four Pocket Parks in Verdana homes ASYANA is conceptually themed. Inspired by four natural elements: Wood, Wind, Water and Earth, exemplifying creative use of materials to provide a sustainable setting for community enjoyment.

Jamie: You said that Verdana Homes ASYANA will be a community within a community, a city within a city. What do you mean by this?

Ms. Therese: Ayala Land Negros future developments include the community mall, the BPO Park, an Integrated School and a Sports Complex all designed to create a community within a community. We will be launching series of Developments within this year to realize this concept of a City within a City. It will not only bring comfort living to our Homeowners, but it will also create a new Hub in Metro Bacolod.

Jamie: Ayala Land Negros will be Launching series of projects within this year. Can you give me a hint about the Upcoming Projects of Ayala Land Negros?

Ms. Therese: We will be launching projects in August and October. But I will not disclose any as there was no formal Press Release yet. But soon as I have it, I will inform you guys. And you will again be our invited guests for these Launches.

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From Left to Right: Ms. Therese Borromeo, Branch Manager ALI Negros; Jaime H. Baloyo, Skyscrapercity Forumer/Blogger; Ms. Jeanette Japzon, Corporate Communications Officer ALI VisMin.

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Ms. Anne Lizares and Mr. Ferdinand Limsiaco, Property Specialist ALI Negros

Verdana Homes ASYANA is the newest residential offering of Ayala Land Negros offering Quality comfortable living with your family and the first to fully integrate 4 Natural Elements in a Residential Development and Ayala Land Negros is a Community where comfort and luxury co-exists.

With Ayala’s superior property management and 24 – hour security to constantly ensure peace of mind and enduring value for your property, YOU CAN NEVER GO WRONG.

For Site tours and inquiries, please contact the AYALA LAND Sales Team.

Ayala Land VisMin Sales Office
Ayala North Point Village
National Highway, Talisay City
Negros Occidental, 6115

Tel Nos. 63 (34) 7088900 - 02
Facsimile No: 63 (34) 7088880
Email: asyana@ayalalandvismin.com.ph

Look for: Ferdinand Limsiaco
Property Specialist
Mobile: (63) (919) 481.8892
E – Mail: flimsiaco@yahoo.com | felimsiaco@ayalalandvismin.com.ph

Or Contact: Jamie H. Baloyo
E – Mail: jhbaloyo@yahoo.com.ph

Special Thanks to Mr. Ferdinand Limsiaco, Property Specialist - ALI Negros for the Invites and Ms. Jeanette Japzon, Corporate Communications Officer - ALI VisMin for the future VIP Invites. :D :D :D

VERDANA HOMES ASYANA: By Ayala Land Inc.

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Linguine

June 23rd, 2010, 07:56 AM

‘More passengers fly Cebu Pacific’

BACOLOD City – More passengers to and from this city fly Cebu Pacific than any other local airline, a press statement from the company said, citing reports from the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB).

CAB reported Cebu Pacific flew a total of 138,376 passengers in the first quarter of 2010.

Philippine Airlines and Air Philippines, however, had only 118, 779 in the same period, combined.

CAB added that in 2009, Cebu Pacific flew 499,911 passengers, or 22,003 more passengers than the combined total number of passengers of Philippine Airlines and Air Philippines.

“We consider Bacolod as an important market for us. In fact, we will be increasing the frequency of our Cebu-Bacolod flights due to demand,” said Candice Iyog, Cebu Pacific vice president for marketing and distribution.

Cebu Pacific, Asia’s third-largest low-cost carrier, flies five times daily from Manila to Bacolod, and 11 times weekly from Cebu to Bacolod, the company’s statement read.

The lowest year-round “Go Lite” fares for these routes are P748 and P648, respectively. Those with check-in luggage will just add P100 upon booking, it added.

“Starting November 24, Cebu-Bacolod flights will be increased from 11 times weekly to twice daily frequencies,” Iyog added.

Iyog said Cebu Pacific offers the lowest year-round fares and convenient flight schedule for leisure and business travelers.

“We encourage passengers to book their flights early to avail of our trademark low fares,” she said.

Cebu Pacific is the only low-cost carrier flying to the three major North Asian countries Japan, China and South Korea, the press statement read.

For booking and inquiries, passengers can visit www.cebupacificair.com or http://funtours.cebupacificair.com, visit nearest travel agents or call (02) 7020-888 or (032) 230-8888. (Danny Dangcalan)/PN

:banana::banana::banana::banana::banana:

Linguine

June 24th, 2010, 08:12 AM

Negros power co-ops form group for joint contracts with generators

BACOLOD CITY -- Negros island’s five electric cooperatives will launch a partnership to ensure power supply next week.

To be launched on July 2, the Negros-Power Supply Aggregation Group is composed of the Central Negros Electric Cooperative (CENECO), the V-M-C Rural Electric Service Cooperative (VRESCO), Negros Occidental Electric Cooperative (NOCECO), the Negros Oriental Electric Cooperative I (NORECO) and the Negros Oriental Electric Cooperative II.

Edward Gasambelo, chairman of the group, said plans of creating an aggregate group started years ago on the premise that "there is strength in numbers."

"The power shortage in the Negros Island is a pressing concern that we should collectively solve immediately," Mr. Gasambelo said.

The group, as a legal entity representing the five electric cooperatives, will jointly enter into contracts with generating companies and wholesalers to provide cheap power.

The venture is expected to foster a stronger negotiating power for the group, they said in a memorandum of agreement signed by Mr. Gasambelo with VRESCO President Armando Valmayor, NOCECO President John Peter Milan, NORECO I President Anito Mercado, and NORECO II President Lennie Joy Alviola.

Daily rotating brownouts have plagued Negrenses in the past three months, particularly those under the CENECO coverage areas, as generator Green Core Geothermal, Inc. conducts maintenance operations on its Palinpinon plants in Valencia, Negros Oriental.

Since May 19, the CENECO management has been advised by Green Core on power interruptions until yesterday due to preventive maintenance work.

The recent daily rotating brownouts in Bacolod City and its neighboring areas, which have eventually decreased in the past days, came on the heels of similar power interruptions in April when Green Core also conducted preventive maintenance work to prepare for the May 10 elections.

Green Core has a total rated capacity of 192.5 megawatts for its two Palinpinon plants, but both plants have a dependable capacity of only 173 MW -- 97 MW from Palinpinon I and 76 MW from Palinpinon II.

CENECO sources 100% of its 100-MW power requirement from Green Core, which also supplies 22 MW to VRESCO in northern Negros, and 2 MW to Gaisano City mall in Bacolod. The surplus is supplied to Panay and other areas in Negros Island.

Manolo Candelaria, Green Core power and steam sales deputy manager, said in a statement that the contracts inherited from the National Power Corp. did not require nor prepare customers to source out replacement power during preventive maintenance work.

As the electric cooperatives lacks reserves, any breakdown or preventive maintenance work results in manual load shedding, he said.

"The immediate solution is for electric cooperatives to find replacement power to bridge the power supply gap in the [Visayas] region and for existing power generators to keep their facilities in good condition," Mr. Candelaria said. -- Nanette L. Guadalquiver

source (http://www.bworldonline.com/main/content.php?id=13123)

Linguine

June 24th, 2010, 08:14 AM

MBCCI to discuss power woes
at Visayas business conference

Three officers of the Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry will attend the three-day 19th Visayas Area Business Conference today until Saturday at the City Sports Club Cebu in Cebu City, an MBCCI press release said.

The officers are MBCCI President Roberto Montelibano Jr., Vice President for Internal Affairs Frank Carbon, and Vice President for External Affairs Jose Ma. Zayco.

The conference, with the theme “Public-Private Partnership Towards Sustainable Development,” gathers about 250 business people from 17 Chambers in the Visayas, and about 150 from the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, government, academe, and private sector.

The conference provides the local private sector a venue to share and discuss related information and insights as well as address pressing concerns that affect the economy, in general, the press release said.

Carbon said the conference is very important as one of the main topics in the plenary sessions is “Sustainable Power for the Visayas.”

He said they will bring up to the plenary the power concerns of Cental Negros Electric Cooperative, particularly in Bacolod.

In the said plenary, National Grid Corporation of the Philippines president Roque Corpus will talk about the “Power Situation in the Visayas.”

Energy Undersecretary Mario Marasigan, meanwhile, will discuss “Renewable Energy and The Green Fund,” while Rep. Mark Cojuangco (Pangasinan, 5th District) will talk about Nuclear Energy on the topic “Exploring the Alternatives for Sustainable Energy.”

Some governors of Regions VI, VII and VIII will talk about the Best Practices in Power and Energy Management.

Carbon said that on the last day of the conference, the Visayas chambers are expected to adopt the resolutions presented at the plenary, including a resolution to address the chronic power shortage problem in Negros Occidental.

These resolutions will then be presented to the Philippine Business Conference and Exposition to be hosted by the PCCI in Manila this year.

The resolutions in the PBCE will then be presented to President Benigno Aquino III.

The PCCI hopes that these resolutions will be included in the executive-legislative agenda of the president, the press release said.*

source (http://www.visayandailystar.com/2010/June/24/businessnews1.htm)

Linguine

June 24th, 2010, 09:21 AM

Freddie, investors
tackle power options
BY CARLA GOMEZ

Governor-elect Alfredo Marañon Jr. yesterday asked power investors to give him specifics on their proposal to build a 16-megawatt bunker-c fired power plant in Negros Occidental that could be up and running by 2011 as a short-term solution to the power shortage hitting the province.

Marañon, who was accompanied by lawyer Jose Ma. Valencia, was briefed by Alto Power Management Corp. and Conal Holdings Corp. executives Tirso Santillan and Edgar Sevilles in Bacolod City on their proposed Negros Power Development Program, which includes the building of hydro power plants.

Concern has been raised over power shortages hitting Negros Occidental that is not expected to ease until alternative sources of power are found.

source (http://www.visayandailystar.com/)

Linguine

June 24th, 2010, 11:26 AM

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dali na lang......:banana::banana::banana:

Linguine

June 30th, 2010, 11:33 AM

St. John the Baptist catholic church......Bago City, Negros Occidental

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Linguine

July 1st, 2010, 08:48 AM

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Riverboat Cruise

trixter

July 1st, 2010, 07:36 PM

If you have something to sell, buy, lease / rent or you have job opening post it in our classified ads for free.
You could also get ideas and variety of information here.
We also have a forum available where you could discuss about anything that is related to the whole Negros Island.

Hope you could visit the FREE local classified ads for Negros

http://www.negroshub.com

Hope to see you all there also and maybe put some post there also

Thanks

Linguine

July 2nd, 2010, 04:19 PM

more pics from Bantayan Park.....

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Baranggay booths

Linguine

July 2nd, 2010, 04:21 PM

Bago City.....Bantayan Park

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nami na di kuhaan pics kon sunset.....

national guard

July 6th, 2010, 04:54 AM

PIA Press Release (http://www.pia.gov.ph/default.asp?m=12&r=R06&y=10&mo=07&fi=p100705.htm&no=22)
2010/07/05

Negros Occidental builds tramlines for fast, cheap and easy transport of agri products

Negros Occidental (5 July) -- The Office of the Provincial Agriculturist in Negros Occidental is speeding up the construction of agricultural tramlines in seven sites in the province to make transport of farmers? products easy, fast and cheap.

"Tramlines, or what locals call 'cable car', are constructed in valleys or low-lying areas were road construction is almost impossible. These are important vehicles for farmers in the mountains to bring produce to the nearest roads," said Provincial Agriculturist Igmedio Tabianan.

These structures, worth almost P14 million, are being funded by the Philippine Center for Post-Harvest Development and Mechanization (PhMech), formerly Bureau of Post-Harvest Research and Extension (BPRE) of the Department of Agriculture.
The tramlines in Barangay Cabatangan, Talisay City (370 meters) and Sitio Tabadiang, Barangay Minoyan, Murcia (470 meters) will be completed by end of July, said Engr. Jose Albert Barrogo of the OPA Agricultural Engineering Division.

Construction of tramlines in Sitio Kapaklan, Barangay Kapitan Ramon, Silay City (880 meters) and Barangay Tagukon, Kabankalan City (340 meters) is ongoing.

More structures will be constructed in three sites this year. These will be in Sitio Bais, Barangay Yubo (650 meters) and Sitio Nailab, Barangay Ara-al (900 meters), both in La Carlota City. The structure that will connect Codcod and Kinabong in Don Salvador Benedicto has the longest distance of 1.76 kilometers.

"With tramlines in the Negros countryside, we will see a more developed highland farming. It will serve 2,000 to 8,000 farmers planting high-value commercial crops in 2,000 to 4,000 hectares of production areas," said Tabianan.

"It will also increase farmers? income by 8 to 15 percent due to less hauling cost of farm input and harvest output. Product quality will improve and post-harvest losses will decrease by 2 to 5 percent," Tabianan added.

The tramline has an engine assembly, engine house, towers and anchorage, cables and accessories, a waiting shed, and a carrier measuring 1.5 meters long, 0.8 meters wide and 0.7 meters tall with an allowable capacity of 350 kilograms.

"Tramlines will be turned over to the barangays for operation and maintenance after OPA organizes farmers in the sites and after PhMech transfers the technology," said Barrogo. (OPA-FITS-Negros Occ. (PIA/EAD)

Linguine

July 12th, 2010, 03:28 AM

Making a splash in Bago City
By Betsy Gazo

MY FRIENDS and I didn't mind leaving early for Bago City to celebrate the Feast of St. John the Baptist and its 435th Founding Day last June 24. Dear friend Francis Lagradilla of the Bago City Tourism Office had Facebook-ed me the day before: The church schedule for the procession of St. John the Baptist will take off from the church at 6:30 a.m., going to Bantayan Park and fluvial procession will follow around 7 a.m. due to high tide time. Please come early before 8 a.m. Thank you.

So, my colleagues in the tourism industry Maricar Dabao, E Azuelo and I joined many others who made a beeline to Bantayan Park to witness the parade on water of 24 gaily decorated pump boats. Bantayan Park is a boulevard that is a long stretch and rip-raped river bank that has become a hang-out for relaxing for the Bagonhons owing to the quiet atmosphere. At dawn, it is host to people who love jogging and morning exercises; in the evening, for those who enjoy stargazing and simply enjoying the cool breeze and sound of water splashing against the sea wall.

Bantayan Park is also the site of the annual Agro-Industrial Cultural Educational Fair, which is held for a week every February during its City Charter Celebration. This one is quite a fun experience and the last time I was there, it was very well-attended. Each of the 24 barangays of the city has a pavilion to represent their local government unit and also to display their products. I enjoyed shopping for fruits, eggs lain by native chickens, duck eggs, aged vinegar, and root crops. I could have bought more but I ran out of money. (blush)

Back to the fluvial procession, we three plus photographer par excellence Ronnie Baldonado were the judges who had to consider the top three boats that symbolized best the theme of the feast which was to honor San Juan. The tourism office was very hospitable and had assigned one personnel to accompany each of us as we walked to and fro the boulevard to view the boats. There was a lot of creativity in action (we delighted in the neat and orderly rendition of one barangay that made use of carton egg trays) and mucho show of the bayanihan spirit. Drumbeat punctuated the air and a boat or two had pretty "mermaids" to add interest to their decorations.

The celebration dubbed Biray sa Bantayan 2010 was sponsored by the City Government of Bago and Purok SUNFLOWER, Barangay Poblacion (Bantayan Park is part of Purok Sunflower.) It started with a procession of the image of Bago City's Patron Saint St. John the Baptist from the ancient Roman Catholic Church to Bantayan Park. This was followed by the blessing of the river cruise raft M/V St. John the Baptist. The Fluvial Procession which was organized very well by the Tourism Affairs Office came next. At the same time, the Philippine Independent Church had their own procession of the image of St. John through the major city streets.

Aside from the Agro-Industrial Fair and the Feast of St. John the Baptist, Bantayan Park also hosts the Water Sports Exhibition and Competition every August. For lovers of rock band music, Friday Night is the night for live bands. Nearby is the newly opened Wellness Center aptly called Paradise. Prices for massage and other services are quite competitive. Visitors can also hie off to Balay Kalan-an for coffee, a Filipino breakfast (which we had) and lunch. See, Bago City has enough amenities for a long stay.

The highlight of the day it seemed was the hour-long river cruise which had us float on the calm waters of Bago River. What a blast we had!!! Now, this is something to experience. Jaded city lovers will have their eyes opened to a different view of Negros Occidental. I can't wait to do it again. Sadya gid ya. And we enjoyed observing how the boatmen maneuvered flatboats they use to carry sand and gravel that they quarry from the river. A boatman uses a long pole, sticks it into the bottom of the river and moves the boat by walking from one end of the boat to the other. In effect, operating the boat requires total body movement and not just the arms. This surely beats going to the gym! Firm up while you earn!!

I'd like to thank the Bago City Officials for this esteemed invitation. Thank you, everyone, you made your city proud.

Published in the Sun.Star Bacolod newspaper on July 10, 2010.

Linguine

July 12th, 2010, 06:40 AM

Don Salvador Benedicto

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long walk home.......

Linguine

July 14th, 2010, 10:22 AM

The Cruise

By Mimi Olarga

THE river has always serve man in so many ways. Besides being used as a mode of passage for water vessels like rafts and boats, the river is also a resource of water and food, an easy way of laundry, a refuge for travelers and a cause for adventure.

The novel of becoming of Tom and Huck, the adventure fantasy of the Narnia chronicles, or the Lord of the Rings series have scenes depicting the river as a source of escape, of exploit, or of quest.

For most of us Hiligaynon-speaking folks, our "Hiligaynon" is derived from the local term "ilig" or flow. This term sprung from the folks from the "iraya" or from the hinterland who commissioned a "manug-ilig" or raft man to bring them to the "ilawod" or the coastal area for the former to barter their goods with traders for necessary home items. Thus, we now understand why our regional lingua franca is termed as "Hiligaynon," why there is such a dialect as "kinaray-a," and why our Western Visayan epic is entitled "Hinilawod."

In the Visayan area, when one speaks of a river cruise, one immediately thinks of Bohol. The Loboc river, with its mother and baby falls, the time spent aboard a bamboo hut on top of a mechanized boat, with the serenading troubadours entertaining the tourists. Now, an Ilonggo does not have to go to the far Bohol because we are very proud to have our own.

In the famous "city of shells' Sagay, there is now an eco-tourism project spanning the 13.5 kilometer span of Himuga-an River. The once-a-day cruise, which starts in Barangay Paraiso to Tan-aw River in Old Sagay, allows the tourists to experience the wonders and beauty of nature and to rediscover bits and pieces of the local culture of the Sagay.

So on board the native bamboo hut on board an engine-powered banca which can accommodate a minimum of 20 per cruise but a maximum of 40-45 people, we took our Himuga-an River Cruise at one o'clock in the afternoon. Why at this hour? Our amiable guide from the Sagay City Tourism Office, Ms. Isabel, explained that we have to travel during high tide.

Together with our local guide, Joy, the two folk singers, and the two local women who managed the food table, Ms. Isabel proceeded to enumerate where the P250 per person river cruise fee would go. It is so inspiring to note that what we paid would help mainly the local folks in Barangay Fabrica and the City of Sagay, as well. We also learned from Ms. Isabel that "himuga-an" comes from word "puga" or to wring water from the laundered clothes. This is really an affirmation of how the river had served the people in the early days.

Joy, our local guide, told us historical bits about the Insular Lumber Company or lLCO, then considered as the biggest lumber mill in Asia; Fabrica as then the most productive of all the baranggays of Sagay, and the way of life of the people at that time.

In the course of our one and half voyage in the river, we noticed that Himuga-an River is wider than Loboc, our travel is more relaxed, and the water is clean. Moreover, our folk singers are a powerhouse of local songs. The very reason why they were hired and paid to sing us the wonderful lutes of "Kakahuyan", "Dandansoy", "Turagsoy", "Dalawidawidaw", "Istorya Sang Mga Isda", "Usahay", "Kapaligiran" and more. The native songs really made us appreciate more our culture and loosen up weary spirit.

We also passed a growing marshland which our guides called the "carabao island." True to its name, there were plenty of local oxens there which grazed on the verdant pasture of the islet.

After partaking of the "puto", "alope", "kutsinta", "bitso-bitso", "valenciana", the native delicacies served by the women of the barangay and sipping either hot coffee or cold soft drinks, we reached the Himuga-an Baybay of old Sagay. There, we docked and disembarked the boat. Filled to our hearts' content, our cruise of the Himuga-an River was a very enriching experience. It was a way of re-affirming the ways the river has served man, and a reminder of what we can do in return. More than that, our river cruise made us learn more from our local history and appreciate our culture.

So the next time you are tempted to take a Loboc route, think twice. Within our province is our own Himuga-an River Cruise. All it takes is just a call to the Tourism Office of Sagay City three days in advance before your schedule cruise.

Published in the Sun.Star Bacolod newspaper on July 10, 2010.

Linguine

July 14th, 2010, 12:38 PM

Choco hills, San Carlos City

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Linguine

July 15th, 2010, 08:40 AM

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source (http://www.gustilotowncenter.com/)

Linguine

July 18th, 2010, 11:09 AM

Mt. Kanlaon

http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af351/linguine16/IMG_2252.jpg

http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af351/linguine16/IMG_2249-1.jpg

Linguine

July 22nd, 2010, 03:19 AM

A taste of Bacolod

Thursday, 22 July 2010
BY ANNA MARIE PERIQUET

There is one thing that binds Roberto Montelibano and Jose Maria Cajili: the Bacolod palate.

Montelibano and Cajili are just among the brave entrepreneurs of Bacolod who ventured in the food industry, hoping to offer their townsfolk a lasting tang on their lips, and the rest of the country with such tasty homegrown flavor.

Montelibano founded in 1993 GH Foods Inc., which produces the American variety of cucumber (gherkins) into sweet pickles (Whole Pickles, Pickle Chips, Pickle Relish and Mixed Pickles). Also produced by GHFI are nata de coco, kaong, and coconut milk.

According to Montelibano, GHFI was set up to provide flavorsome complements to some of the common finds in the Filipino plate. He said that their products, which are freshly packaged in glass bottles (pickles, nata de coco, and kaong) and tin cans (coconut milk), are singled out by some major restaurants in Metro Manila to match their menus; Pancake House, Dencio’s, and UFC, to name some.

“No matter how challenging it is, we always make sure that our products appeal to the taste of almost every consumer,” Mon-telibano said. “The secret is to stay true to the ‘fresh’ and tested procedures which have since produced quality goods.”

Before GHFI, Montelibano had also established RM Poultry Dressing Plant, which offers services for Poultry
Dressing Operations and Blast Freezing and Storage. The company, recognized for four consecutive years as the Cleanest Triple-A Dressing Plant in Region VI, has been an active dressing plant business partner of Swift Foods Inc. in Negros since its inception.

On the other hand, before Cajili came up with the idea to serve what would be known as one of Bacolod’s best, Chicken Inasal was unknown to many. But when Bacolod Chicken House was founded in February of 1976, the scrumptious chicken wonder became an instant favorite.

With three branches in Bacolod City and four branches in Manila serving tastefully marinated and grilled spare ribs, pork barbecue, and lechon manok, Bacolod Chicken House continues to literally wow eaters from all the country over.

As well, at Bacolod Chicken House, the eating public does not only seek its meaty chicken but also its “pinangat” (gabi leaves with tinunuan), pansit moto, crablets, fruit punch with ubod and Napoleones (one of Bacolod’s delicacies).

Because of the warm response of the multitudes favo-ring their food, Cajili said that there are plans for his tasteful business to go global.

source (http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/opinion/22051-a-taste-of-bacolod)

Linguine

July 23rd, 2010, 03:53 PM

from Bacolod main thread...

Old Poblacion, Escalante City, Neg Occidental

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs061.ash2/36434_10150217378745381_737955380_13194991_4509003_n.jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs121.snc4/36434_10150217378755381_737955380_13194993_4672788_n.jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs061.ash2/36434_10150217378760381_737955380_13194994_3269644_n.jpg
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http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs061.ash2/36434_10150217378795381_737955380_13195001_6141890_n.jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs021.snc4/33434_10150217379455381_737955380_13195019_7897524_n.jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs117.snc4/36222_10150217380530381_737955380_13195052_8071837_n.jpg

Linguine

July 23rd, 2010, 03:56 PM

from Bacolod main thread....

Part 2

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs160.snc4/37316_10150222972050381_737955380_13353841_4884010_n.jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs046.snc4/34678_10150222979590381_737955380_13354160_1956452_n.jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs066.snc4/34678_10150222979595381_737955380_13354161_642731_n.jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs018.ash2/34280_10150222990730381_737955380_13354361_5178177_n.jpg

Linguine

July 28th, 2010, 10:47 AM

from provincial capitols thread....

Bacolod City New Govt. Center ... Night Shots ...

http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac81/greenflames/Provincial%20Capitol%20and%20Government%20Center/res_nbgc1.jpg?t=1279901238

http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac81/greenflames/Provincial%20Capitol%20and%20Government%20Center/nbgc1.jpg?t=1279901339

http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac81/greenflames/Provincial%20Capitol%20and%20Government%20Center/fountain.jpg?t=1279901394

Linguine

July 28th, 2010, 10:49 AM

from provincial capitols thread....thanks greenflare.

Facade and Entrance

http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac81/greenflames/Provincial%20Capitol%20and%20Government%20Center/res_sgc2.jpg?t=1280060248

Building

http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac81/greenflames/Provincial%20Capitol%20and%20Government%20Center/res_sagay_sgc.jpg?t=1280060371

Linguine

July 28th, 2010, 11:06 AM

BGC

http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af351/linguine16/IMG_2435.jpg
taken today....

Linguine

July 29th, 2010, 09:18 AM

park.....

http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af351/linguine16/IMG_2456.jpg

http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af351/linguine16/IMG_2455.jpg

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http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af351/linguine16/IMG_2447.jpg

Linguine

July 29th, 2010, 09:44 AM

Bacolod Polo Club.....

http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af351/linguine16/IMG_2404.jpg

http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af351/linguine16/IMG_2400.jpg

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http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af351/linguine16/IMG_2410.jpg

national guard

July 30th, 2010, 07:25 AM

Negros among EDC areas for P70B development plan (http://www.visayandailystar.com/2010/July/30/businessnews1.htm)

Negros Island will be among the beneficiaries of the Energy Development Corp.’s P70-billion expansion plans.

The five-year development scheme will include an expansion of a geothermal thermal area in Sitio Ticala, Barangay Caidiocan in Valencia, Negros Oriental, a press release said.

Valencia town is host to the Palinpinon I and II geothermal power plants.

Richard Tantoco, EDC president and chief operating officer, said the company would need to raise US$ 1.037 billion (P45.98 billion) for investments in "greenfield" or new geothermal projects and P20.6 billion for the rehabilitation of its existing power plants.

He said it was looking at a possible investment of US$ 805 million for 230 megawatt additional capacity from its greenfield geothermal projects, or at US$ 3.5 million per MW.

EDC will spend about US$ 232 million for its 86-MW wind project at a cost of $2.5 million to US$ 2.7 million per MW.

Tantoco said the EDC also needs to raise about US$ 100 million through borrowing this year to finance its equity in the Burgos wind project in Ilocos Norte.

He said that only 30 percent of the entire expenditure for expansion would be through borrowings and the 70 percent through project financing.

Tantoco also said the P20.6-billion investment is divided into below ground (for steam field development) costing P12.2 billion and P8.4 billion for above ground (investments in existing power generation facilities).

Tantoco said that the expansion plans were in line with the company’s goal to jack up its capacity over time.

He said the company planned to increase its generating capacity to 1,542 MW from 1,116 MW over a five-year period starting 2011.

In its capacity enhancement program, EDC would be putting up the 150 MW Bacman geothermal plant and the 86 MW wind farm in Burgos, Ilocos Norte in 2012; 40 MW Tanawon and 20 MW Nasulo geothermal projects in 2013; 50 MW Mindanao 3 geothermal project in 2014; 40 MW Rangas geothermal project in 2015; and 40 MW Kayabon geothermal project in 2015, the press release added.*

national guard

July 30th, 2010, 07:50 AM

Gov’t to sign MOA on environmental project
(http://www.panaynewsphilippines.com/bacolod%204.htm)
BY RANIE S. AZUE

BACOLOD City – The provincial government will sign the memorandum of agreement (MOA) on the natural resources governance project with 27 local government units (LGUs) and beneficiaries today.

The P26-million project funded by the European Union will enable LGUs and its constituents to protect the forest and aquatic resources of Negros Occidental through a legislative agenda.

Earlier, Gov. Alfredo Marañon, Jr. said despite the efforts of past administrations, there is still a need to continually protect the forests and the seas.

Marañon said the European Union’s grant is timely and will help concerned LGUs conduct environmental protection and conservation measures.

Dr. Herwig Mayer, senior program advisor of the German Technical Cooperation, will attend and witness the MOA signing between the governor and chief executives of partner LGUs.

The project is titled “Effective Natural Resources Governance through Inter-LGU Alliances” and will be spearheaded by the Provincial Environment Management Office.

Marañon said the project will “help empower our LGUs.” He also urged the private sector to get involved in the endeavor.

One of the beneficiaries of the program will be the Northern Negros Natural Park (NNNP).

NNNP, which covers the towns and cities of Talisay, Silay, Victorias, Cadiz, Sagay, San Carlos, Calatrava, Toboso, Don Salvador Benedicto, Murcia and E.B. Magalona, is the largest watershed in the province and has been the main source of water of 17 LGUs.

It was earlier reported that NNNP’s forest cover reduced by 28 percent.

Marañon said losing this “last frontier of our province” will cause the reduction of water supply.

Other beneficiaries of the project are Northern Negros Aquatic Resources Management and Advisory Council; Central Negros Council for Coastal Resources and Development, which covers the LGUs from Bago to Binalbagan; Kabankalan-Himamaylan-Ilog Integrated Coastal Management Council; and the Southern Negros Coastal Development Council, comprising Cauayan and Hinoba-an towns and Sipalay City.

The grant includes P3.9-million contribution from the provincial government and will be implemented in the next two years./PN

Linguine

July 30th, 2010, 11:34 AM

brgy. alangilan road trip.....

http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af351/linguine16/IMG_2429.jpg

http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af351/linguine16/IMG_2430.jpg

roadside fruit stands selling a variety of locally produced fruits.....bought marang for only 10 pesos per and avocado for 15 pesos a kilo....

Linguine

July 30th, 2010, 04:13 PM

USLS eco park....

http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af351/linguine16/IMG_2353.jpg

http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af351/linguine16/IMG_2433.jpg
rambutan

http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af351/linguine16/IMG_2431.jpg
lanzones

http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af351/linguine16/IMG_2375.jpg
banaba

Linguine

August 1st, 2010, 02:28 PM

USLS ecopark.....

http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af351/linguine16/IMG_2340.jpg

http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af351/linguine16/IMG_2356.jpg

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http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af351/linguine16/IMG_2361.jpg

Linguine

August 1st, 2010, 04:26 PM

USLS ecopark

http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af351/linguine16/IMG_2390.jpg

http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af351/linguine16/IMG_2362.jpg

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http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af351/linguine16/IMG_2383.jpg

c6josh

August 3rd, 2010, 08:40 AM

Zayco: We’re seeking shift
to highly urbanized status

Kabankalan Mayor Isidro Zayco yesterday said he will push for the re-classification of the city into a highly urbanizes one to maximize resources and fast-track development.

Zayco, who spoke at the public plaza during the city’s 13th Charter Anniversary yesterday, also vowed to make the city a center of trade, commerce and education in the south.

Zayco, who was mayor of Kabankalan when it was still a town in 1997, said he will check if the city meets the requirements to become highly urbanized.

Department of Interior and Local Government provincial director, Ma. Joy Marideth Madayag, said that to qualify as highly urbanized, a component city should have an annual income of at least P500 million and a minimum of 200,000 population.

Madayag added that the conversion of a component city into a HUC will only need a presidential declaration after requirements are met. However, such declaration is still subject to a plebiscite.

Zayco said Kabankalan City has an annual income and an Internal Revenue Allotment share of P604 million and he will check if their population if it has already reached the 200,000 earmark.

He said that if Kabankalan City becomes highly urbanized, it can also qualify to have a lone district, which will mean more countryside development fund allotment to carry out projects and more investors will come in.

Although Kabankalan will no longer be under the provincial government once it becomes a highly urbanized city, Zayco said Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. has already expressed his support for this development.

Aside from Marañon, also present in yesterday’s event were Vice Governor Genaro Alvarez Jr., 6th District Rep. Mercedes Alvarez, Board Members Pedro Zayco, Helen Zafra, Mae Javellana, Raul Rivera, who is the president of the Philippine Councilors’ League of Negros Occidental, and councilors of Kabankalan and city officials.*APN

c6josh

August 3rd, 2010, 08:43 AM

‘Kabankalan airport will
boost market access’

Mayor Isidro Zayco said the construction of the airport in Brgy. Hilamunan, Kabankalan City, is ongoing and is expected to be finished in three years.

Zayco said that when completed, the 105-hectare wide landing field is expected to bring more developments for Kabankalan City and will make air transportation in the province easier.

He said the airport will be an alternative landing site for aircrafts aside from the existing Bacolod-Silay Airport of international standards, and will cater to passengers from the towns and cities of Negros Occidental and Oriental.

Linguine

August 3rd, 2010, 11:06 AM

repost:

Mandalagan Mountain Range

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4124/4848407132_06352de803_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/52200588@N07/4848407132/)

more pictures here (http://byaherosnapshots.blogspot.com/)

Linguine

August 8th, 2010, 05:41 AM

cool waters....Buenos Aires Mountain resort..

http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af351/linguine16/tumblr_l6pyvfjEYY1qcbca4o1_500.jpg

Sleepwalker

August 9th, 2010, 09:26 AM

Victory: Dirty energy dies in Philippines

source : www.greenpeace.org (http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/news/features/dirty-energy-dies-in-the-phili/)

The count down to the Earth Summit is on and developing nations are proving that we can make a difference

Despite attempts by developed nations, dirty energy is being killed off in the Philippines and the country is ready to embrace a future full of clean renewable energy.

A 50 megawatt coal-fired power station proposed by a now bankrupt US company, to be built by a French/UK corporation and run on imported Australian coal in the province of Negros was declared officially "dead" by Philippine government officials. They agree that renewable energy is the solution to the province's power needs.

The death-knell for the Pulupandan coal-power project came as the Governor of Negros province, the Energy Undersecretary and several non-government organisations including Greenpeace signed a Memorandum of Understanding to provide financial and technical support to renewable energy projects and mainstream clean energy technologies such as solar, wind and modern biomass.

"The Department of Energy has already abandoned any talks, plans, whatever you want to call it, to promote the coal-fired project in Pulupandan," Undersecretary of the Philippines Department of Energy, Cyril del Callar said. "So let's put it to rest, OK? And we have to move forward - the answer is we have to use renewable energy."

Negros Governor Joseph Marañon says they are ready to embrace renewable energy and chart a sustainable energy future. "I wish to declare the full support of the province of Negros Occidental for renewable energy development. I am confident that with all of us here, united and committed towards this common goal, the quest for a greener and pollution free Negros, will soon be a reality, today and in the future," said Marañon.

Two billion people around the world currently live without electricity and developed nations are trying to push dirty and dangerous technologies such as coal and nuclear energies on these developing nations. They are promoting the very technologies their own citizens reject.

But communities in the Philippines aren't buying their rhetoric. The proposed coal-fired power plant was opposed by local community and environmental groups since 1998. Before that, three municipalities had already rejected it. Communities from around the world can look to Negros as an inspirational example of how they can demand - and get - clean energy, even if national governments or big businesses stand in their way.

And if a developing country like the Philippines can reject dirty energy, it's time for rich countries to do the same.

Later this month world governments will meet in Johannesburg for the Earth Summit. We want them to commit to providing clean and affordable renewable energy for developing nations. We also want governments to commit to converting 10 percent of their energy sources to clean, renewable energy 2010.

Governments can't let visionary developing nations down by continuing to keep the dirty energy industry alive.

national guard

August 9th, 2010, 04:34 PM

^^:okay:

Thanks bai for posting.:)

EU-funded project bats for sustainable dev’t in Negros (http://www.panaynewsphilippines.com/bacolod%205.htm)

BACOLOD City – The European Union (EU)-funded project called “Effective Natural Resources Governance through Inter-LGU Alliances in Negros Occidental” aims to develop sound and harmonized policies on sustainable development and management of natural resources in the province.

According to the Provincial Environment Management Office (PEMO), the project has a budget of P26 million – P22.1 million as a grant by the EU, while the remaining amount will be the province’s counterpart.

Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. recently signed the memorandum of agreement with EU representatives.

The project also aims to improve governance structures of local government units.

The project has the backing of the Northern Negros Natural Park (NNNP) Management Council./PN

ritche

August 17th, 2010, 07:43 AM

http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/6262/tierrah.jpg

http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/7286/tierra1.jpg

http://img716.imageshack.us/img716/5696/tierra2.jpg

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http://img716.imageshack.us/img716/5271/tierra4.jpg

http://img824.imageshack.us/img824/9238/tierra5.jpg

http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/3733/tierra6.jpg

http://img824.imageshack.us/img824/6857/tierra7.jpg

Linguine

August 21st, 2010, 06:45 AM

Danjugan Island Marine Reserve
Cauayan, Negros Occidental

http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l74katIzpX1qcbca4o1_500.jpg

http://30.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l74k5j20WI1qcbca4o1_500.jpg

http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l74k1pTfai1qcbca4o1_500.jpg

http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l74js8BiWW1qcbca4o1_500.jpg

photos from Danjugan Island facebook page

Linguine

August 21st, 2010, 09:38 AM

Mag-Aso Falls
Kabankalan

http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l7covz1hGu1qcbca4o1_400.jpg

photo by abet lagula

Linguine

August 21st, 2010, 09:39 AM

Gawahon Eco Park
Victorias

http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l76zp77Ube1qcbca4o1_500.jpg

photo by supergandol

Linguine

August 21st, 2010, 09:42 AM

Kipot Twin Falls
Bago City

http://30.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l76zehKNd91qcbca4o1_500.jpg

photo by Supergandol

Linguine

August 21st, 2010, 09:44 AM

Old Pier
Silay City

http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l76x8vtItm1qcbca4o1_500.jpg

http://30.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l76wzvgWVY1qcbca4o1_500.jpg

photos by Supergandol

Linguine

August 21st, 2010, 09:46 AM

Jomabo Island Resort
Escalante City

http://30.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l74oncWIWW1qcbca4o1_500.jpg

Linguine

August 21st, 2010, 09:48 AM

repost:

Ladlad Resort in Patag, Silay City
cvourtesy of http://bestplacesinnegrosoccidental.blogspot.com

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_w9rWJGVsfU0/So31kckDyCI/AAAAAAAAAUk/AtcknpxEumk/s320/100_1027.JPG

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_w9rWJGVsfU0/So3z6QfX4tI/AAAAAAAAAT8/YYoNxDfP0n4/s320/100_1012_edited.JPG

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_w9rWJGVsfU0/So3yaTvS5NI/AAAAAAAAATU/HId-hN63UgA/s320/100_0999.JPG

Linguine

September 7th, 2010, 06:39 AM

Gaston Mansion
Manapla, Occidental Negros

http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af351/linguine16/IMG_2542.jpg

http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af351/linguine16/IMG_2549.jpg

http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af351/linguine16/IMG_2545.jpg

Linguine

September 7th, 2010, 07:25 AM

Chapel of the Cartwheels
Manapla, Occidental Negros

http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af351/linguine16/IMG_2514.jpg

http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af351/linguine16/IMG_2518.jpg

http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af351/linguine16/IMG_2528.jpg

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http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af351/linguine16/IMG_2522.jpg

http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af351/linguine16/IMG_2516.jpg

Linguine

September 7th, 2010, 08:02 AM

Gaston Mansion
Manapla, Occidental Negros

side view....

http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af351/linguine16/IMG_2556.jpg

http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af351/linguine16/IMG_2570.jpg

http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af351/linguine16/IMG_2593.jpg

http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af351/linguine16/IMG_2574.jpg

Linguine

September 8th, 2010, 03:14 AM

Negros anti-poverty projects get P52-M aid

BACOLOD CITY -- Forty-five anti-poverty projects in Negros Occidental under the government’s Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services program had received a total of P52.035 million in grant from the World Bank from 2006-2009, the Western Visayas office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said in a recent statement.

Nearly 20,000 households in the towns of Cauayan, Don Salvador Benedicto, Hinoba-an and Moises Padilla benefited from the projects under the national government’s flagship anti-poverty program, DSWD said.

Local governments of these municipalities provided a total of P31.057 million in counterpart funds on top of the World Bank grant.

The projects consisted of roads, small bridges, health stations, community economic and service facilities, schools, day care centers, water supply systems, as well as measures for environmental protection.

Of the four towns, Cauayan had the largest number of completed infrastructure projects with 19. The town of Hinoba-an followed with 13, Moises Padilla with seven and Don Salvador Benedicto with six.

The completed projects cost P37.031 million for Cauayan, P20.032 million for Moises Padilla, P17.046 million for Hinoba-an, and P8.083 million for Don Salvador Benedicto.

"The projects, which use the community-driven development approach, earned the support of local officials and barangay residents. Their active participation contributed in the completion of the projects," the statement quoted DSWD Regional Director Minda B. Brigoli as saying. -- NLG

source (http://www.bworldonline.com/main/content.php?id=17363)

Linguine

September 8th, 2010, 03:08 PM

repost....

HI guys, share ko lang. hehe...

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs211.ash2/47455_425776737910_744722910_4993840_4065175_n.jpg

courtesy neomind...

national guard

September 20th, 2010, 09:35 AM

Negros Occidental allocates P60M for poor’s health care
By Carla Gomez
Inquirer Visayas (http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view/20100919-293193/Negros-Occidental-allocates-P60M-for-poors-health-care)
First Posted 20:49:00 09/19/2010

Filed Under: Health, Civil & Public Services, local officials, State Budget & Taxes
BACOLOD CITY, Philippines –Almost half a million Negrenses, or about a fourth of a population of Negros Occidental, will be covered starting this year by free outpatient care and subsidized hospitalization in government-run hospitals under a novel comprehensive health care program launched here Saturday.

The program is also designed to further upgrade government health facilities in Negros Occidental.

Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr., congressmen and mayors launched the Negros Occidental Comprehensive Health Care Program with an initial funding of P60 million this year, and P120 million targeted for next year.

Marañon said the program would initially cover the “poorest of the poor” but would eventually expand to the rest of the almost 2 million population of Negros Occidental.

Under the program, Negros Occidental residents will get the Negros First Family Health Cards that will entitle members and their dependents to free outpatient care. This includes consultations with full course and treatment medicines, and subsidized in-patient care in provincial government-run hospitals and at Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital, the hospital run by the Department of Health (DOH) here.

Those entitled to the Negros First Family Health Cards must be PhilHealth members with annual per capita income of below P12,500.

The family health cards would augment PhilHealth benefits of recipients to ensure free health care, he said.

The provincial government allocated P30 million and the six congressmen of the province each contributed P5 million, for a total of P60 million. The initial fund would benefit 15,000 heads of families per district for a total of 90,000 enrolled members in the six districts of Negros Occidental, Marañon said.

national guard

September 30th, 2010, 07:20 AM

Three Miss Earth beauties to visit Negros organic farms

Three Miss Earth title holders will visit organic farms in Negros Occidental October 1 to 3 as part of their organic food advocacy, a press release from organizers said yesterday.

The beauty queens arriving are Miss Earth-Air 2009 Sandra Seifert, Miss Earth-Water 2006 Catherine Untalan, and Miss Earth Philippines 2010 Kris Psyche Resus.

Before winning the international titles, Seifert had been crowned Miss Earth Philippines 2009, where she represented Negros Occidental, while Untalan was crowned Miss Earth Philippines 2006.

Ramon Uy Jr., director of Organik na Negros! Organic Producers and Retailers Association that is organizing the tour, said their visit will highlight the importance of organic farming in contributing to the food security and economic development as well as environmental protection of the country.

Negros Island, composed of the provinces of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental, is envisioned to become the “Organic Food Bowl of Asia” through a “Negros Organic Island” policy jointly launched in 2005 by the two provincial governments.

Meanwhile, the Miss Earth beauties are expected to arrive at the Bacolod-Silay Airport in Silay City early tomorrow morning and will proceed to Peñalosa Farm in Victorias City. At 8 a.m., they will travel to Sagay City for mangrove planting and a visit to Carbin Reef. After lunch, they will proceed to Museo sang Bata for a storytelling activity, and to GK Village in Sagay.

At 2 pm. they will travel to Talisay City for a tour at Nature’s Village Resort and will be treated to an organic dinner hosted by Governor Alfredo Maranon Jr., Vice Governor Genaro Alvarez Jr. and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan members.

On Saturday they will proceed to Fresh Start Organics in Silay City at 6:30 a.m. after which they will visit RU Foundry and Machine Shop Corporation in Bacolod City. At 9 a.m. they will tour May’s Organic Garden and have storytelling for kids and lecture on organic farming for mothers courtesy of Eco-Agri Foundation and INSTA.

In the afternoon they will go to SM City for a storytelling activity and the Melba’s Farm in Talisay City.

On Sunday they will visit Don Salvador Benedicto town and the Alter Trade Mill.

VDS (http://www.visayandailystar.com/2010/September/30/topstory8.htm)

Linguine

October 2nd, 2010, 11:36 AM

An off-road food trip for Bacolod bikers

By Carla Gomez
Inquirer Visayas
First Posted 21:03:00 10/01/2010

Filed Under: Biking, Food

AN OFF-ROAD eatery run by a 68-year-old woman is increasingly drawing bikers to Barangay Granada in their normal route in Bacolod City.

Lola Lilia’s carinderia looks ordinary but the delicious Filipino food she has concocted for more than 40 years had enabled her to send all five of her children and other family members through college.

When her children were still growing up, Lola Lilia (Lilia Jaime) sold banana cue and eventually set up a small wayside eatery. Her husband, Alfonso, was a taxi driver who was suffering from a chronic lung disease.

No recipes

“I taught myself to cook food I had tasted and liked. I had no recipes to follow,” Jaime says.

As a young wife juggling both work and home life, she would normally start the day at 4 a.m. to buy fresh food supplies from the market. In between cooking, she would wash the school uniforms of her children. At night, she would not sleep until after she had washed all pots and pans for tomorrow’s cooking.

Jaime never got tired of her work. “I was inspired by the fact that I had enough money to send my children to school and give them a future, and by seeing the joy on the faces of the people who eat my food,” she says.

The long workdays paid off. Lynette, now 48, her eldest daughter is a commerce graduate working in a local school. Jessie, now 45, is a teacher.

Maria Cecilia and Annaliza are nurses working in Abu Dhabi, and Lanny, the youngest, is a human resource management graduate.

“My children were honor students and none of them dropped out of school,” she beams.

Maria Cecilia is a head nurse at a hospital and also works as a special nurse for a princess in Abu Dhabi.

Lani runs Lola Lilia’s first carinderia—Gingging’s Eatery on Montelibano Street and Lynette owns Tripple J Balay Kalan-an on Medel Street, both in Barangay Granada.

Lola Lilia still cooks at and manages the Medel eatery. Among her many customers at Tripple J are bikers, many of them doctors, who would arrive in the morning and sometimes tag along balikbayan.

It is the best time to get a taste of what is available before it is all gone.

Jaime’s specialty is alimusan (catfish) cooked in coconut milk, but her other dishes are also hits—bopis, a spicy Filipino dish of pork lungs and liver; dinuguan, kinilaw, sinigang, chopsuey, bihon and longganisa.

Savory dishes
She also serves the usual carinderia fare of fish, meat and vegetables, which are best eaten with steaming hot rice.

At noon, the eatery is filled with students from a nearby school. Jaime no longer serves dinner, unlike what she did in her younger days.

Despite her age, she does not have the ailments of other people her age. “I do not think about bad things, I think about good things that happen in my life—that and seeing people enjoying my food keep me strong and happy,” she said.

And Lola Lilia has not stopped sending younger generations of her expanding family to school, through her eatery.

Her grandchildren have gone to college, too. Two are nurses in Abu Dhabi and Riyadh. She has also sent a niece to nursing school.

national guard

October 4th, 2010, 05:38 AM

Miss Earth Beauties Vow to Promote Negros as Organic Island (http://www.ndb-online.com/oct0410/negros-events-news/Miss+Earth+Beauties+Vow+to+Promote+Negros+as+Organic+Island)
By Danny B. Dangcalan

Three Miss Earth titleholders promised to promote Negros Island as an "Organic Food Bowl" in the country in their official functions here and abroad.

Miss Earth Philippines 2010 Kris Psyche Resus said she will promote Negros Occidental as having taken the lead in promoting organic agriculture when she competes for the Miss Earth title in Vietnam in December, this year.

Miss Earth Philippines 2006 and Miss Earth-Water 2006 Catherine Untalan said as executive director of the Miss Earth Foundation, she will definitely promote Negros during the various travels of their organization.

When asked what she learned from the tour, Untalan said, "That organic farming can be done (in the rest of the country) because it is being done in Negros. And because the people are benefiting from it, I believe that we should replicate this all over the Philippines. People should follow suit what Negros has already started."

As first-timers to Negros Occidental, Untalan and Resus said they "were awed by the amazing work" that "bigger" Negrenses have done in pioneering the thrust on organic agriculture and will look up to them as their inspiration in their own endeavors.

Miss Earth Philippines 2009 and Miss Earth-Air 2009 Sandra Seifert, a Negrense, said she is truly proud that the advocacy on organic agriculture has started in her province.

The three "women of the earth" toured several towns and cities of Negros Occidental from October 1 to 3, visiting various organic farms. The tour was organized by Orga-nik na Negros! Organic Producers and Retailers Association (ONOPRA), with the provincial government of Negros Occidental and SM City Bacolod as co-sponsors.

The Negros Island, composed of the provinces of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental, is envisioned to become the "Organic Food Bowl of Asia" through a "Negros Organic Island" policy jointly launched in 2005 by the two provincial governments.

Untalan said the dream to be the organic food bowl of Asia is "not far from happening as Negros is in the forefront of environmental programs." She said she will promote the organic farming in Negros because the province produces sustainable products that are healthy and very helpful to the community, has implemented the Solid Waste Management Law and has renewable energy.

"Negros Occidental is a very beautiful province and has beautiful cities, which only translates to bigger responsibility in keeping the beauty and state of its environment," she said.

She added that in the Miss Earth Foundation, they initiate their own programs, like "I love my planet earth school" program, where they have school tours. In this project, they have realized how the educational system is still lacking in terms of environmental education, but we can supplement these things.

Seifert said that every year since 2006, each batch of winners produces a legacy project. In this batch they were able to produce a short film titled "Project Noel," which is about proper waste management.

Untalan said that as citizens we should stop blaming the government for everything. "I think it should be a collaboration of our efforts. Many barangays have already successfully set up their materials recovery facility (MRF) and actually earned and benefited from it and they saw the whole community transforming before their eyes."

Seifert said, "We cannot change people, we cannot wait for the government to start acting. We cannot change others but we can change our habits and our own ways and we will be surprised of the domino effect." Untalan, "If you want to promote something you have to learn about it. Being an environmentalist is not easy but when people start to listen it can be very, very rewarding."

The three beauty queens visited Peqalosa Farm in Victorias City, held mangrove planting, visited Carbin Reef, and conducted storytelling at Museo Pambata in Sagay City, and went to Nature’s Village Resort and Melba’s Farm in Talisay City, Fresh Start Organics in Silay City, and RU Foundry & Machine Shop Corporation and Eco-Agri Foundation in Bacolod City.

They also went to Don Salvador Benedicto for organic rice and tree planting highlighting the agri-tourism program of the municipality, Alter Trade Mill and shown "Project Noel" at SM City.*

　

Linguine

October 4th, 2010, 06:26 AM

from Bacolod thread...

St. Mary Magdalene Church
Hinigaran, Negros Occidental

The Bell Tower
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4132/5049351891_fb2b147d6a.jpg

The old church bells at the Church courtyard
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4130/5049973478_e42b29d8ef.jpg

The renovated interior of the church
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4110/5049355887_5be6df6deb.jpg

Church Exterior
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4112/5049306375_7cb89a5baf.jpg

Hanging out of a classroom window of Madeline Academy (right beside the church)
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4143/5049357377_12fba33397.jpg

Linguine

October 4th, 2010, 09:00 AM

Pulupandan
Municipal Hall

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Linguine

October 4th, 2010, 09:39 AM

Pulupandan
Municipal Hall

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ritche

October 4th, 2010, 09:49 AM

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ritche

October 4th, 2010, 09:50 AM

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Linguine

October 4th, 2010, 11:28 AM

Linguine

October 4th, 2010, 02:09 PM

Part of Guimaras as seen from Valladolid boulevard.....

morning shot

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afternoon shot

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Linguine

October 4th, 2010, 03:28 PM

La Carlota
City Hall

http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af351/linguine16/30521121-1.jpg

old pic....

Linguine

October 4th, 2010, 03:32 PM

Hinigaran
Municipal Hall

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ka cute....:D

Linguine

October 4th, 2010, 04:04 PM

St. Mary Magdalene Church
Hinigaran, Neg. Occ.

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Linguine

October 5th, 2010, 09:31 AM

Our Lady of Guadalupe Church
Valladolid, Neg. Occ.

http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af351/linguine16/IMG_2979.jpg

Linguine

October 6th, 2010, 09:01 AM

St. John the Baptist Church
Bago City, Neg. Occ.

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Linguine

October 6th, 2010, 09:29 AM

Our Lady of Guadalupe Church
Valladolid, Neg. Occ.

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Linguine

October 6th, 2010, 02:36 PM

Hinigaran
Neg. Occ.

Fish Farm

http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af351/linguine16/IMG_2945.jpg

Oyster Farm

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Linguine

October 6th, 2010, 03:09 PM

Hinigaran
Neg. Occ.

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Fishing boats at the mouth of the river....

Linguine

October 6th, 2010, 03:35 PM

Hinigaran

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On the highway to Isabela

Linguine

October 9th, 2010, 05:19 PM

Cadiz City Hall
Neg. Occ.

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Linguine

October 9th, 2010, 05:28 PM

Cadiz City Public Plaza
Neg. Occ.

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Linguine

October 9th, 2010, 05:33 PM

Philippine Normal University
Cadiz City, Neg. Occ.

http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af351/linguine16/IMG_3139.jpg

Linguine

October 27th, 2010, 07:46 AM

November is Wildlife Month Negros will get wild next month.

* Bacolod City News
* Negros Forests Ecological Foundation
* Environment Issue

On November 9-26, the Province of Negros Occidental will celebrate its 6th Provincial Wildlife Month with the theme "Preserving biodiversity is a life-long stewardship."

Several activities are lined up for the month - exhibits, inter-high school contests, film viewings, tattoo painting, coloring activity, story-telling, tree planting and Animals of Negros foot parade. The island of Negros, part of the Western Visayas faunal region, is one of the biodiversity hotspots in the country.

The celebration is an excellent venue for promoting biodiversity conservation through various activities that can increase awareness and expression of commitment to preserve the unique and threatened wildlife of Negros and their remaining habitats.

Non-government organizations (NGOs), schools, public and private sector, and the Local Government Units (LGUs) will actively participate in this celebration.

The celebration is in coordination with the Negros Forests and Ecological Foundation, Inc. (NFEFI) by virtue of Provincial Ordinance No. 002, Series of 2009, "An Ordinance Declaring the Month of November of every year as Wildlife Month for the Province of Negros Occidental." Ms. Mimie M. Ledesma, Education Officer of the NFEFI-BCC and Philippines Biodiversity Conservation Foundation, Inc. (PBCFI) said that this celebration will be a simultaneous event with the province of Negros Oriental - promoting not only a wider support for wildlife conservation but also introduces to every Negrense the different wildlife species found only in the island.

The province is serious in its quest for a better environment for Negrenses and this celebration is a commitment of stewardship for its unique wildlife, it was pointed out.* (PEMO/PIA/EAD)

boy muscovado

November 5th, 2010, 05:31 AM

Today is...

AL CINCO DE NOVIEMBERE
November 5, 1898

The famous revolution in Negros Island from the Spanish Gov't in 1898 that culminated with the surrender of the Spaniards after a bluff from Negrense revolutionaries.

Thus the creation of the short lived
"Cantonal Republic of Negros"

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj75/abudominic/cincodenoviembrecover.jpg
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj75/abudominic/al_cinco_de_noviembre.jpg

IPADAYON ANG KAWSA SANG NEGROSANON!!!

pics courtesy of the Province of Negros Occidental

national guard

November 6th, 2010, 12:59 PM

NegOcc is filariasis-free – CELF (http://www.panaynewsphilippines.com/bacolod%203.htm)

BACOLOD City – No cases of filariasis has ever been recorded in Negros Occidental, according to the Coalition for the Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis (CELF).

CELF has recently listed 43 provinces in the country where filariasis is endemic. The province was not included in the list.

The Provincial Health Office (PHO) confirmed the data, saying they have no official records of filariasis cases in the province.

Two walk-in patients, however, asked for counseling and medical services from the PHO two years ago, said Dr. Jessica Fama of the PHO.

Communicable Diseases Coordinator Josephine Nonato said the patients had a traveling history in Mindanao where many provinces have filariasis cases.

Nonato said they have yet to receive reports from city and municipal clinics and from local hospitals in the province regarding the disease.

“But so far, there is none,” she said.

PARASITIC INFECTION
Lymphatic filariasis is a chronic parasitic infection that puts at risk more than a billion people in 83 countries in the world, according to the Department of Health (DOH) Web site.

In the Philippines, over 25 million people are living in endemic areas for this disease, the DOH said.

The disease is caused by thread-like parasitic filarial worms, which lodge in the nodes and vessels of the lymphatic system. These worms live for about 10 years producing millions of immature microfilariae that circulate in the blood, said the DOH.

TRANSMISSION
“The disease is transmitted when a mosquito bites an infected person, and takes blood along with the microfilariae. These microfilariae develop into the infective stage inside the mosquitoes for about three weeks and may be transferred into an uninfected individual during subsequent bites,” the agency said.

“These larvae lodge in the lymph vessels and lymph glands, which develop into adult male and female worms. These worms (male and female worms) copulate and produce millions of microfilariae. They circulate in the bloodstream and the cycle continues when another mosquito vector gets it during blood feeding and the cycle may be repeated,” it said.

The government has designated November as Filariasis Awareness Month. (PIA)/PN

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November 10th, 2010, 02:24 PM

[dp]

national guard

November 13th, 2010, 07:55 AM

Green Core offers power to 4 Negros power coops (http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=312097)
By Juancho Gallarde

DUMAGUETE CITY, Nov. 10 (PNA) -- Top officials of the Green Core Geothermal Inc. said the company is prioritizing electric cooperatives in Negros Island for its offer of the remaining 40 megawatts of power before the year ends.

The Negros Oriental 2 Electric Cooperative has earlier accepted the offer after nine months of negotiations.

Deputy Manager Manny Candelaria of the Green Core marketing group told a press briefing in Boracay, Malay, Aklan, with Dumaguete media over the weekend that the other electric coops have yet to make up their minds to get their power supply from Green Core.

These are the Victorias-Manapla-Cadiz Electric Service Cooperative, Central Negros Electric Cooperative, Negros Occidental Electric Cooperative, and NORECO 1 in Negros Oriental.

Candelaria, however, said Green Core will have no option but to sell its remaining power to other electric coops in the region, if the four other electric firms in Negros will not be able to come up with a decision.

He added that the remaining 40 megawatts is offered to interested electric coops on a first come-first served basis.

He lauded the move of NORECO 2 to finally agree with the offer, before its contract with the other power provider expires in December, this year.

Candelaria said that the five-year lock-in period is on the consumer price index only, and not on the fluctuations of the world oil prices, including the foreign exchange.

He said he hopes the contract with NORECO will be finalized in a meeting with its officials next week.

As far as the rates are concerned, Candelaria said the offer of Green Core of P4.70 is very competitive, compared to other generators in the market. He said the formula of their company considers only local inflation, and it is not affected by fluctuations of foreign exchange rates and global energy prices.

Since the power plants of Green Core are located near NORECO 2, it is assured of stable power supply due to reduced transmission line outage risk, Candelaria assured.

The 10-year contract with NORECO 2 is from December 26, 2010 to December 25, 2020.

Also present at the press briefing and exposure trip in Boracay, aside from Candelaria and members of the National Union of Journalists in the Philippines-Dumaguete chapter, were Ramon Diaz de Rivera, manager, Electricity and Steam Sales Department of EDC-GCGI, Joel Martinez, engineering department manager of Aklan Electric Coop Inc., Hermo Patacsil, manager, corporate planning and utility economics of AKELCO, Ma. Antonia Nieva, deputy manager of EDC’s corporate communications department, Frances Ariola, corporate communications officer, and Norreen Bautista, deputy manager, Community Partnerships Department of EDC. (PNA)
DCT/jfp/JG

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November 16th, 2010, 04:45 AM

PIA Press Release
2010/11/15

Negrenses celebrate World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims (http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=12&r=R06&y=10&mo=11&fi=p101115.htm&no=70)

Bacolod City (15 November) -- Twenty-five concerned Negrense roads and streets stakeholders and Project C.A.R.E.S. Program Partners / representatives gathered recntly, at the Marañon Suites of the Sweet City Captel to plan for activities to be undertaken during the 5th annual provincial celebration of the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims this coming Sunday, November 21, 2010.

The World Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims finds its origin in the UN Resolution A/60/5 dated October 26, 2005, which adopted the World Day "as the appropriate acknowledgment for victims of road traffic crashes and their families" and called Member States and the International Community for its recognition.

The World Day of Remembrance is held across the globe to "give recognition to victims' of road crashes, the plight of their loved ones who must cope with the emotional and practical consequences of these events."
This day provides an opportunity to draw the public's attention to road crashes, their consequences and costs, and the measures which can be taken to prevent them. The day also provides an opportunity to remind government and societies of their shared responsibility to make roads safer.

Negros Occidental has been recognized as the only province in the country that has displayed positive response to help promote the global call for safer roads through celebration of World Day of Remembrance since 2006.

This year's provincial World Day aims to highlight the importance of road safety and the roles of various sectors particularly the youth, the elderly, people with disabilities, and the rescue groups. Other sectors cited to play very important roles in the promotion of road traffic safety and injury prevention include law makers, police and law enforcers, educators, health care givers, and the media.

All families of victims are invited to register the names of their loved ones killed in a road traffic crash so that they can be remembered in the prayers and candle lighting on November 21. They can bring pictures of the victims. All survivors are also encouraged to become involved on World Day as a show of their gratitude for the opportunity of "second life" for surviving a tragic crash. Participating LGUs, NGOs, schools and companies are encouraged to bring white candles and balloons, flowers, their official streamer or banner, and to pre-register the names of their members which will serve as attendance. (Project CARE/PIA/cad)

national guard

November 16th, 2010, 05:06 AM

Noreco 2 exec to Negros power firms: Sign up with Green Core (http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=313040)

DUMAGUETE CITY, Nov. 15 (PNA) – The general manager of the Negros Oriental Electric Cooperative 2 (Noreco 2) is strongly recommending to the four other power firms in Negros Island to sign up with the Green Core Geothermal Inc. for assured, stable and reliable electricity for their consumers.

Engr. Ephraim Taclob issued his call as Noreco 2 and GCGI, a subsidiary of geothermal giant Energy Development Corporation, is set to sign a contract in December for a 10-year lock-in period for a 25 MW base load power supply to the electric cooperative.

Taclob said that buying power from Green Core at Php 4.70 per kilowatt hour is worth the contract considering the widespread power deficit in the Visayas grid that is resulting in frequent brownouts.

As of today, only Noreco 2 has inked a power supply agreement with Green Core as the four other Negros electric cooperatives are still negotiating with the geothermal firm on the selling rate offered to them. These power firms are saying that the Php 4.70/kwh offer of Green Core is “high” as opposed to the rates of other independent power producers.

The four others that are still under negotiations with GCGI are the Negros Oriental Electric Cooperative 1 (Noreco 1) in Negros Oriental and the Victorias-Manapla-Cadiz Electric Service Cooperative, Central Negros Electric Cooperative, Negros Occidental Electric Cooperative in Negros Occidental.

GCGI officials are reiterating that they are actually selling power at a cheaper price because geothermal energy is VAT-free and due to the proximity of the source at the Palinpinon power plants in Valencia, Negros Oriental, transmission costs and power losses will be fewer.

Taclob told reporters recently that the agreement with Green Core would help ease the power supply problems in Noreco 2’s area of coverage and would definitely minimize frequency of power outages.

Of course, there would be instances when an unexpected power interruption or rotating brownouts would be in effect, but this is mostly due to a deficit as determined by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines and not Noreco 2, Taclob explained.

Taclob also disclosed that Noreco 2 is setting aside funds for a systems upgrade to complement the GCGI contract, with the improvement of their facilities being eyed starting next year.

Also, Taclob said that there would be a projected increase of at least Php1.00/kilowatt hour for Noreco 2 consumers by 2011 although he is optimistic that there will be no opposition to this.

Earlier, businessmen and residents in Dumaguete had said they would not mind a slight increase in power rates as long as the adjustment is practical and that Noreco 2 can deliver a robust and less frequently interrupted power supply to the commercial and residential establishments. (PNA)
LAP/JFP

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November 19th, 2010, 03:28 AM

PIA Press Release
2010/11/18

Japanese students plant mangrove in various cities in Negros Occidental
(http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=12&r=R06&y=10&mo=11&fi=p101118.htm&no=83)

Bacolod City (18 November) -- Some 16 Japanese students from Maebayashi Junior High School, Sanohara Junior high school, Kamego Junior High School, Hachiman Junior High School, Meiho Junior High School together with members of Toyota Tomei Lion Club based in Japan headed by its President Tadashi Yasuda called on Neg. Occ. Gov. Alfredo G. Marañon at the Capitol, recently.

President Yasuda said that the group conducted mangrove planting in Sagay City and is scheduled to visit the Municipality of Binalbagan and the City of Kabankalan for another mangrove planting activity.
The students presented a written commendation from the mayor of Toyota City to Gov. Marañon for his valuable support to the group.

The students thanked the governor for his heartwarming accommodation that made a significant impact to their lives and helped them appreciate the importance of environmental preservation.

Gov. Marañon said that their activity is in line with the provincial government's thrust to protect and safeguard the environment. (Capitol News/PIA/cad)

Linguine

November 22nd, 2010, 09:50 AM

not so good news......:(

EDC shuts down plant

LISTED ENERGY Development Corp. (EDC) said it has closed Northern Negros geothermal plant for technical studies.

In a statement, EDC said the plant and steamfield was due for preventive maintenance.

"The technical study will last for nine months with an estimated cost of P6 million," the company said in its statement. -- Emilia Narni J. David

http://www.bworldonline.com/main/content.php?id=21610

jundem_dq63

November 22nd, 2010, 12:09 PM

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs375.snc4/45817_1574474567881_1416070477_31556576_6311516_n.jpg

HARI NG NEGROS 2010 - BILLY VILLETA OF KABANKALAN

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs021.ash2/34399_1636648362187_1416070477_31698162_160475_n.jpg

CROWN PRINCE OF NEGROS - KIM CABAHUG OF BACONG

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs400.snc4/46361_1638285603117_1416070477_31702466_5392854_n.jpg

DUKE OF NEGROS - KYLE DELFINO OF DAUIN

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs256.snc4/40151_1636648162182_1416070477_31698161_7886816_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs484.ash2/75747_1718054557291_1416070477_31852348_7735088_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs596.ash2/154880_1719222946500_1416070477_31855415_131591_n.jpg

RESULTS FOR INTERVIEW PORTION 1ST PLACE (TIED) BAYAWAN AND BACONG, 3rd - Kabankalan, 4th - Zamboanguita, 5th Place - Don Salvador, 6th Place - Bacolod - 7th - Guihulngan, 8th - Dauin, 9th - Jimalalud and 10th - Valencia

Source (http://www.facebook.com/haringnegros#!/haringnegros)

national guard

November 24th, 2010, 12:21 AM

Negros keeps close watch on bird migration
By Carla Gomez
Inquirer Visayas (http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view/20101124-304942/Negros-keeps-close-watch-on-bird-migration)
First Posted 01:20:00 11/24/2010

Filed Under: Health, Diseases, Animals, Nature, Environmental Issues, Government

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines—Officials of the province of Negros Occidental are keeping a tight watch for bird flu carriers among migratory birds following reports that the deadly disease has returned to Asian countries, particularly Hong Kong.

Renante Decena, provincial veterinarian, said Himamaylan City was tagged as one of 20 critical areas for bird flu.

He said provincial health officials have taken blood samples from chicken and ducks in six villages in Himamaylan that might have come into contact with migratory birds.

Tests made on the blood samples turned out negative for bird flu, he said. The results were sent to the World Organization for Animal Health, which keeps track of bird flu cases worldwide.

Himamaylan Mayor Agustin Ernesto Bascon said on Monday there had been few sightings of migratory birds in the city so far but officials were keeping watch.

The other areas in Negros Occidental where migratory birds flock include Sagay, Cadiz and San Carlos. Some coastal areas in the province are also known destinations of migratory birds, the mayor said.

Dr. Leriza Balopeños, regional animal health coordinator of the Department of Agriculture, said migratory birds usually flock to tropical wet lands to escape cold weather.

Worldwide concern over bird flu was revived after a 59-year-old woman in Hong Kong tested positive of the disease last week.

national guard

December 10th, 2010, 11:07 PM

Rains flood 28 villages in Negros Occidental (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/bacolod/local-news/rains-flood-28-villages-negros-occidental)
Saturday, December 11, 2010

THREE days of drenching rains caused flooding in 28 villages in Negros Occidental and forced hundreds of families to flee their homes on Friday, a disaster official said.

Dondon Hontiveros of the Provincial Disaster Management Program (PDMP) reported Friday that 103 families were evacuated in Barangay Fabrica in Sagay City as of Fruday.

The affected villages are in Victorias City, Cadiz City, Manapla and E.B. Magalona, Hontiveros said.

E.B. Magalona Mayor David Lacson ordered Friday a relief operation for the affected families who were evacuated to safer grounds.

He added the flooding happened when the high tide reached to 1.8 meters at 12:50 a.m. Friday. Another high tide happened at 2 p.m. on same day.

Hontiveros said the continuous rain was triggered by an Inter Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) and the cold front.

Also at 2 p.m. Friday, a low pressure area was spotted 200 kilometers east of Borongan, Eastern Samar province.

Hontiveros said the low pressure area is being closely monitored as it has a 20 percent chance of developing into a tropical cyclone. Once it becomes a typhoon, the 12th to pass the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), it will be named Luis.

The PDMP is closely coordinating with the respective rescue units all over the province and the members of the Negros Rescue Federation (NRF) are on standby 24 hours, Hontiveros said.

The PDMP also reminded the fishermen to avoid going out to sea if the inclement weather continues and also alerted those living in the low-lying and coastal areas to immediately leave their respective areas in case of flash floods. (Teresa Ellera-Dulla)

Published in the Sun.Star Bacolod newspaper on December 11, 2010.

national guard

December 13th, 2010, 03:30 PM

POSTED by Linguine
(from Bacolod main thread)

Negros Island, a green island

http://www.manilatimes.net/images/stories/lifecolumn/juan.jpg

I was invited to speak at the fifth Negros Organic Farmers Festival on December 4, among other Manila-based “green” people like Mara Pardo de Tavera, her son Akio Brown and chef Gaita Fores. It was wonderful being in the midst of many like-minded people like Aboy Evaristo of Aboy’s restaurant who did a demo on “Cooking with Organic Vegetables.” (Evaristo is also a member of the Slow Food Movement, whose members promote buying local ingredients and using traditional ways of cooking).

Beyond the festival’s activities, I met many interesting people. First of all, I met the organizer par excellence Ramon “Chin” Uy Jr. and his lovely wife Francine. Chin took me to their Fresh Start Organics farm near Silay airport and we compared notes on Natural Farming, or how to use plants like marigold, sunflower and other natural pest controllers. It was also heartwarming to hear Chin talk about “changing traditional ways” in Negros using small steps, such as giving farmers access to seedlings, organic fertilizers and small farm equipment, which he helped design along with his father, Ramon Uy Sr. Ramon Sr. makes shredders and other equipments that help farmers make their own fertilizer.

Negros is one of a kind. I think it is the only province that has successfully passed an ordinance banning GMOs. Because of this positive development, visionaries like Chin have great hope that the natural way of farming will be restored in Negros Island, sooner than expected. To date over 1,000 hectares are organically certified while 5,000 hectares are “in conversion,” or just awaiting organic certification.

The other person I met after my talk is Ruby Cruz of The Daily Apple. Ruby and her husband Philip pioneered the use of Ganoderma Lucidum in teas, which has so many healing properties. The Daily Apple is also into making VCO with turmeric oil and other healthy products.

A chance meeting with Dr. Harry Rajamannan, care of Nicky Matti (my co-chairman in the Philippine Coffee Board), also completed my Negros experience. Dr. Harry is an anti-GMO, anti-chemical fertilizer kind of guy.
He has brought increased production to rice, banana, coffee, and pineapple commercial farmers around the world with the use of Natural Farming techniques. I was so impressed with the numbers Rajamannan gave that I think he should get to talk to more local governments or nongovernment organizations to adopt his ways. Of course, our multinational fertilizer companies are not exactly happy with his presence.
But things are changing, times are changing, and consumers are changing. He is also a perfect fit for Negros Island, which as I mentioned has stopped the entry of GMOs through a province-wide ruling.

I could not believe the convergence of events during that one-day experience I had in Negros. The meetings I had with like-minded natural farmers. The meeting with Rajamannan, and the general atmosphere that pervaded the whole Organic Farmers event, only proves that the world is indeed changing.

And as Rajamannan said, consumers will now force farmers and producers to change their ways, back to how nature intended it to be. Consumers are now looking for organic produce and farmers will be gently persuaded to change their ways.

Young entrepreneurs like Chin have also gone into “waste trading,” something unknown to farmers in the past years. Now, manure producers can trade some of their excess wastes for other kinds of wastes like mud press from sugarcane processing, carbonized rice hull from rice millers, and manure from poultry and piggery operators. These wastes are then combined by people like Chin and his father into organic fertilizers.

Other farmers can learn from the examples being practiced by these Negros entrepreneurs to advocate Natural and Organic farming. Chin is even willing to teach others so they can establish their own organic supply chains.

It may sound technical to the uninitiated, but to a smalltime vegetable farmer like myself, I could so relate to what Negros is doing. Indeed, restaurant owners like myself become co-producers, too, because we persuade farmers to produce what we continue to use in our establishments. If we stop using natural ingredients, the farmers will stop producing them. As consumers, we have to help the movement by asking what goes into the food we eat or order from restaurants. As consumers, we deserve to know what goes into the produce we buy even if we just use it for cooking at home.

Be a locavore. Try to buy only local ingredients or ingredients sourced from within 100 miles, or 160 kilometers from your place of business. These small steps help the whole supply chain become more natural, and eventually, more organic.

The power is within you. Do your share every day. It is not as hard as it seems.

___

Chit Juan is an owner of Le Bistro Vert sustainable foods, ECHOstore sustainable lifestyle, and many other businesses promoting sustainable eating. She often speaks to the youth and corporate audiences on Sustainability, Social Entrepreneurship and the Women Empowerment through Business. E-mail her at puj@echostore.ph This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or follow her on twitter.com/chitjuan.

http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/sunday-times/34721-negros-island-a-green-island

Linguine

December 16th, 2010, 12:16 AM

Ginebra taps cassava farmers in Guimaras

ILOILO CITY -- A liquor company is tapping a farmers’ group to plant cassava in Guimaras Island to augment the company’s raw material requirements for alcohol production.

http://www.bworldonline.com/webpics/articles/image/201012151f19b.jpg

Ginebra San Miguel, Inc. requires 4,000 metric tons of dried cassava chips monthly to produce alcohol in their distillery. -- www.wikpedia.org

Edmundo D. Yongque of the Business Farming Operations of Ginebra San Miguel, Inc. (GSMI), said they need 4,000 metric tons of dried cassava chips every month to produce alcohol in their distillery in Bago City, Negros Occidental.

Mr. Yongque and Joel B. Guevara, also of GSMI’s business farming operations, outlined the project during the Department of Agriculture (DA)-Western Visayas Cassava Project Stakeholders Meeting on Tuesday.

Mr. Yongque said GSMI contracted the services of some 30 farmers belonging to the San Vicente Small Coconut Farmers Organization (SVSCFO) to plant cassava in 30 hectares of idle lands.

The farm site is located in Sitio San Vicente, Barangay Cabano in Guimaras. The DA trained the farmers on planting the crop.

Apart from Guimaras, GSMI has also planted the industrial-grade Golden Yellow, KU 50, KU 72 and Rayong 5 varieties of cassava in an estimated 160 hectares of idle lands in seven demonstration farms.

These farms, managed and operated by third-party farm operators under a Farm Operating Agreement (FAO), are located in the cities of Victorias, Bago, Talisay, San Carlos and the towns of Pontevedra Candoni in Negros Occidental.

GSMI is also exploring possible partnerships with local farmers and assemblers from Bayawan, Siaton, Sipalay and Bais in Negros Oriental.

Candido B. Damo, DA’s national project leader on cassava production, said there are vast opportunities in the cassava industry especially since demand for the root crop has been increasing.

Mr. Damo said demand for cassava in 2010 was around five million metric tons. This is expected to increase to 10 million metric tons by 2014.

In 2009, the country supplied only less than 50% of the current demand for cassava, Mr. Damo said.

The high demand for cassava has also forced processors and companies to import supplies from other countries such as Thailand.

About 80% of the country’s cassava is used as ingredient in animal and fish feeds, as well as in mixtures used in making textile, glue and pharmaceutical products.

The DA plans to develop new cassava varieties with high yield potential and faster growth rate. The department will provide post-harvest equipment such as chipper or granulator to shorten processing time. It is also conducting trainings on how to propagate cassava.

Mr. Guevara said they also invited farmer cooperatives from the eastern portion of Guimaras Island to consider the company as their possible market by either selling their produce directly to authorized GSMI assemblers and buyers or entering into a Production and Purchase Agreement (PPA).

"GSMI’s huge volume requirement for dried cassava chips alone gives farmers the opportunity to turn idle lands in Negros and Guimaras Island into a regular and profitable source of income and livelihood with the company as their guaranteed market," Mr. Guevara said.

Under the PPA, GSMI -- through its authorized representative -- will provide farmer cooperatives, through the concerned local government units, free cassava planting materials with the guarantee of buying their harvest in fresh or chipped and dried form at the agreed minimum price and specifications prior to planting.

The farmers can also retain half of the resulting planting materials which they may either replant or sell to other farmers interested in planting the root crop. They may also avail of cassava residue as organic fertilizer to be picked up in GSMI’s distillery in Bago City.

GSMI currently buys dried and chipped cassava at a farm pickup price of P7.50 per kilogram; and fresh tubers at a minimum farm pickup price of P3.50 per kilogram.
|

http://www.bworldonline.com/main/content.php?id=22930

Linguine

December 17th, 2010, 01:23 PM

Mambukal

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The Dipping Pool

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Hot Sulfur Spring

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Linguine

December 18th, 2010, 12:31 PM

Sipalay
Negros Occidental

http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af351/linguine16/100_6156.jpg
poblacion beach

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punta ballo beach

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sugar/ langub beach

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maricalum bay

@dark spirit

December 24th, 2010, 02:17 PM

POSTED by lgseccionph

Guv pushes tourism initiative
BREAKS GROUND FOR SIPALAY HOSPITAL (http://visayandailystar.com/2010/December/24/topstory8.htm)
BY CARLA GOMEZ

Let’s take the initiative to sell Negros Island as a tourism destination on our own, rather than rely on the national government for help, Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. said yesterday.

Marañon, who addressed the Negros Initiative Presentation Conference at the Capitol in Bacolod City, also stressed the importance of selling Negros Oriental and Occidental as one island.

We have a lot of work ahead of us, it is hopeless to rely on the national government for help because the bureaucracy in Manila is terrible and will only be a hindrance to our development, he added.

The conference participants were told that the Negros Initiative will serve as a guide for conservation, social responsibility and sustainable tourism best practices, meant to be a tool for community business, local government units and all tourism entrepreneurs to adopt.

Meanwhile, Marañon recently broke ground in Sipalay City for the building of a 75-bed hospital of the provincial government there, his Chief of Staff Jose Ma. Valencia said yesterday.

The two-hectare property where the hospital is to be built was donated by Merceditas Montilla, he added.

The deed of donation states that constructing should start in three months, Valencia said.

A decompression chamber will be part of the hospital because of the Sipalay dive spots, he added.*CPG

Linguine

December 28th, 2010, 05:08 AM

Highway 67
San Carlos, Negros Occidental

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Linguine

December 28th, 2010, 06:51 AM

view from Highway 67
San Carlos City
Negros Occidental

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Linguine

December 28th, 2010, 01:07 PM

La Vista Highlands
San Carlos, Negros Occidental

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Linguine

December 28th, 2010, 01:32 PM

more pics...

La Vista Highlands
San Carlos, Negros Occidental

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Linguine

December 28th, 2010, 02:37 PM

more pics...

La Vista Highlands
San Carlos, Negros Occidental

http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af351/linguine16/IMG_4776.jpg

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Linguine

December 30th, 2010, 07:12 AM

Eva's Burgers & Beer
San Carlos City
Negros Occidental

http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af351/linguine16/IMG_4815.jpg

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Linguine

December 30th, 2010, 07:21 AM

more.....

Eva's Burgers and Beer
San Carlos City
Negros Occidental

http://30.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_le6be0aR0n1qcbca4o1_500.jpg
Mexican Beer

http://29.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_le6ei05YyB1qcbca4o1_500.jpg
Bacon Cheeseburger

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_le6syf6KrQ1qcbca4o1_500.jpg
Cheese and Beef Quesadillas

http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_le6llyUY6r1qcbca4o1_500.jpg
Nachos with Picco de Galo Salsa

source (http://discovernegros.tumblr.com/)

Linguine

December 30th, 2010, 07:55 AM

San Carlos City
Negros Occidental

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view from Waddy's Place

Linguine

December 30th, 2010, 08:15 AM

Waddy's Place
San Carlos
Negros Occidental

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coffee with an awesome panoramic view of San Carlos

Linguine

January 4th, 2011, 10:05 AM

San Carlos City
Negros Occidental

http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af351/linguine16/WaddysPlacePanorama-1.jpg

view of San Carlos from Waddy's Place

Linguine

January 5th, 2011, 12:42 PM

Organic Market
Bacolod, Negros Occidental

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Organic Fruit Jams by Fresh Start Organics

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Organic Rice

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Rainforest Organic Coffee

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ldlzdd3VSp1qcbca4o1_500.jpg

Chili & Turmeric Flavored Banana Chips by Alter Trade

Linguine

January 7th, 2011, 08:25 AM

Don Salvador Benedicto
Negros Occidental

http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/21571755.jpg

Translink highway

by pickled_newt

source: (http://www.panoramio.com/photo/21571755)

@dark spirit

January 13th, 2011, 08:37 PM

Negros going organic rice (http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/298140/negros-going-organic-rice)
By ZAC B. SARIAN
January 13, 2011, 12:39am

MANILA, Philippines – The organic rice producers in Negros Occidental are upbeat these days. These are small-scale farmers who only cultivate a few hectares or even less than one hectare. But their project could be viable businesswise because organic rice is a high-value product which is becoming increasingly in demand by more and more people who are health-conscious.

Last Saturday more than 20 of the organic rice farmers from Bago City, Binalbagan, Silay City and many others met with Ramon Uy who last year put up the Ecological and Agricultural Development Foundation aimed at helping farmers to become more entrepreneurial and businesslike in their farming.

During the meeting, the rice farmers and Eco-Agri agreed that the farmers’ organic palay will be bought at a guaranteed price of P18 per kilo, payable in cash right after delivery. Eco-Agri will buy all the farmers’ organic palay which it will mill and sell through its own marketing network. Eco-Agri will also fabricate a village level mill that will be used exclusively for milling organic rice.

One of the attendees was Fr. Sol Puentespina of Binalbagan who is helping farmers by educating them to produce crops the natural farming way. This means teaching them practical ways of making their own fertilizers and pest control concoctions such as fermented plant and fruit juices, use of indigenous microorganisms, vermicompost, vermi tea and others.

Another attendee was Pastor Jerry A. Dionson who heads the Humayan Ministry in Brgy. Busay, Bago City. Bago, he said, is the rice bowl of Negros. In the last few years, he and his farmers have been converting former conventional rice fields into organic rice farms. So far, they have converted 10.5 hectares to organic rice farms now worked by six farmers.

The shift from conventional rice farming takes at least three years. No chemical fertilizers and pesticides are used. Instead, the field should be well prepared. At least five passes of the power tiller are made. The field is sprayed three times with indigenous microorganisms (IMO). Certified seeds are used and properly germinated and transplanted. After leveling the field, 2 to 2.5 tons of vermicast are applied per hectare. The rice plants are then regularly sprayed with fermented plant and fruit juices, calcium phosphate and others.

During the first year of rehabilitation, Dionson said they got only 75 cavans per hectare. By 2009, however, the average yield increased to 128 cavans per hectare. That’s a very profitable yield because the cost of production could be as low as P14,700 per hectare.

The organic rice advocates believe there is really good money to be made in organic rice farming. Especially so with the assured price set by the farmers themselves and accepted by Eco-Agri Foundation.

Linguine

January 17th, 2011, 05:31 AM

Bacolod Bredco Port

http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af351/linguine16/IMG_5027.jpg

jaywalker

January 17th, 2011, 12:22 PM

^^Certainly Bredco has bright future ahead.Vessels traffic will rise once these block of lands will be field with warehouses and light manufacturing industries hopefully semi-conductors:cheers::cheers::cheers:

Linguine

January 17th, 2011, 01:40 PM

^^

I agree mig, just one factory for a start and the rest will just follow....let's keep our fingers crossed on when that is gonna happen, hopefully soon ah...:)

jaywalker

January 17th, 2011, 02:20 PM

^^^^Sa dili magdugay Migo.Location ka attractive gid for manufacturing then for distibution regional or national..:cheers::cheers:

Linguine

January 17th, 2011, 02:28 PM

Bacolod Banago Port

http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af351/linguine16/IMG_5033.jpg

jaywalker

January 17th, 2011, 02:52 PM

http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af351/linguine16/IMG_5030.jpg

Barangay Mandalagan

http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af351/linguine16/IMG_5031.jpg

Robinsons Place, CDIP, Sanparq Square

http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af351/linguine16/IMG_5032.jpg

Lopues Mandalagan

Aerial Shots from LINGUINE

Linguine

January 17th, 2011, 03:33 PM

Bacolod and Talisay City boundary

http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af351/linguine16/IMG_5034.jpg

with the unfinished proposed Uniwide Mall

Linguine

January 18th, 2011, 06:55 AM

Negros braces for more heavy rains

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

THE Provincial Disaster Management Program (PDMP) is enjoining residents in low-lying and coastal areas in the province to be on alert as Negros braces for more heavy rains in the coming days.

Judel Carino of PDMP said residents should vacate their houses immediately if they observe that the flash floods reach a higher level to avoid endangering their lives.

Based on the weather map of the PDMT, Negros will experience an above-normal rainfall in the coming days.

Based on the latest weather update, the northeast monsoon continues to prevail over Luzon.

The tail end of a cold front also continues to affect Southern Luzon and the Visayas.

Last January 11, the PDMP monitored heavy rainfall at 789 millimeters. It affected thousands of residents in Northern Negros from Talisay City to Victorias City.

Silay City and Victorias City were declared under a State of Calamity while 9 barangays in E.B. Magalona will also be declared in the same state because of damages caused by floods.

Heavy rains are brought about by the La Niña weather phenomenon. (Teresa Ellera-Dulla)

Published in the Sun.Star Bacolod newspaper on January 18, 2011.

Linguine

January 18th, 2011, 07:15 AM

Talisay City
Negros Occidental

http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af351/linguine16/IMG_5037.jpg

Ayala Northpoint, Costa Brava subd., Ayala Northpoint Technohub

Linguine

January 18th, 2011, 08:02 AM

Talisay City
Negros Occidental

http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af351/linguine16/IMG_5039.jpg

Town & Country Windsor, Trafalgar Square

jedai_blaze

January 18th, 2011, 08:15 AM

Negros Island (Oriental side) as seen from Liloan Port, Santander, Cebu

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs331.snc3/29186_398231387349_687882349_3984800_7582109_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs340.ash1/29186_398231377349_687882349_3984799_4071466_n.jpg

Linguine

January 18th, 2011, 09:01 AM

^^

nice pics migo, wala pa gid ko da naka land travel sa cebu ah, light colored man ang balas sa Liloan gali no..:)

Linguine

January 18th, 2011, 09:03 AM

Talisay City

http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af351/linguine16/IMG_5043.jpg

http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af351/linguine16/IMG_5041.jpg

http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af351/linguine16/IMG_5040.jpg

Linguine

January 24th, 2011, 05:31 AM

Korean firm to set up $160-M solar power plants in Visayas
Sunday, 23 January 2011 19:25 Paul Anthony A. Isla / Reporter

YOUIL Ensys, Korea’s largest engineering and renewable-energy company, is set to invest $160 million to set up solar power farms in the Visayas.

Scott Kim, Youil chief executive officer, told reporters that Youil Renewable Energy Corp.—its local arm—will be putting up solar power facilities in Negros and Bohol.

Kim said that his company is planning to put up a 30-megawatt (MW) solar power farm in a 70-hectare land in Negros with a project cost of about $120 million, and another 10 MW in Bohol, which is estimated to cost $40 million.

Once they have secured all necessary government and local government permits, Kim said, they expect to put up these plants within six months.

Kim quickly added that they will also still wait for the Energy Regulatory Commission’s (ERC) approval of the feed-in tariffs (FIT) before they proceed with their planned projects.

The feed-in tariff guarantees renewable-energy developers a fixed rate due to them over a period of time.

Kim also appealed to the government to accelerate the setting and approving of the FIT, even after saying his company was willing to wait for the FIT to be finalized.

Kim pointed out that it’s already been a year and a half and setting of the FIT rates has yet to be done.

“The government hasn’t given any answer on the price so we’d like to know. We’d like to push the government [to approve it],”he said.

Kim said it is his company’s first time to infuse capital in the Philippines, adding that his company is in the environmental engineering industry that builds and operates solar energy plants. It was founded in 1980 and has headquarters in Hwasung, South Korea.

Kim expressed optimism that the government will soon resolve and finalize the FIT and that it will get to come out with the FIT rate by midyear.

“Apart from Korea, Malaysia and Thailand, the Philippines would be the fourth country in Asia to adopt a FIT mechanism.

The FIT is also being carried out in Spain, Germany and Canada. We are willing to wait. It is supposed to be out by March this year, but they postponed it to May or June. We’re eager. We already purchased the land so we have to wait, otherwise we have to resell our land,” Kim said.

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/home/regions/6522-korean-firm-to-set-up-160-m-solar-power-plants-in-visayas

jsl_bxu1206

January 27th, 2011, 06:59 AM

Feature: Negros Goes Organic
by Carolina A. Dionela

People in Negros began diversifying their economy some years back, turning some large tracts of sugar plantations into more profitable ventures such as fish ponds, farms nurturing high value crops as well as organic farming.

According to the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, the late Negros Occidental Gov. Joseph Marañon and former Negros Oriental Gov. George Arnaiz signed a memorandum of agreement in 2005, to make Negros Island as the “Organic Food Bowl in Asia.”

Negros Occ. is approximately 372 kilometers long from north to south. It has a total land area of 792,607 hectares and about 80% of the arable land is devoted to agricultural products such as sugar cane, rice, coconut, corn, banana and other crops.

Since then, an annual Negros Island Organic Farmers Festival was conducted with various themes every year such as “Organik na Negros” “Save the Earth: Negros Go Organic”, “Organic Agriculture: A key towards development.
Signing of the covenant by different stakeholders as a support to organic agriculture was held while the organic weekend market law was launched since 2006.

Almost 50 partners composed of various local government units, government organizations and associations, and non-government organizations also supported organic agriculture.

The passage of the provincial ordinance banning the entry of living GMO in the province was a great help to promote the organic project of the province.
Organic vegetables demo farms were established and pushed by the late Gov. Marañon and implemented by the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist at the back of the Provincial Administration Building.

Records from the OPA show that there are ten organic sites in the province situated in the cities of Bago, Sipalay, Sagay, Escalante, San Carlos, Himamaylan and Kabankalan and the municipalities of EB Magalona and Cauayan.

There are also existing groups and individuals with certified organic products which include three companies, five small-holder groups and nine individual farmers.

As a result of the move, certified organic products became available since 2009 like organic rice and corn, organic vegetables, herbs, and fruits.
With high demands for organic products in the local, national and international markets, the organic products of Negros are seen to go a long way. (OPA/JSC/CAD-PIA6 Neg. Occ.)

jsl_bxu1206

January 30th, 2011, 11:27 AM

Negros set on being a major organic food bowl in Asia
January 30, 2011, 3:58pm

BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental, Philippines (PIA) – Landowers in Negros Occidental have began diversifying the provincial economy some years back, turning some large tracts of sugar lands into such profitable ventures as fish ponds, farms nurturing high value crops as well as organic farming.

According to the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, the late Negros Occidental Gov. Joseph Marañon and former Negros Oriental Gov. George Arnaiz both signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) in 2005 to transform Negros Island into an “Organic Food Bowl in Asia.”

Negros Occidental is approximately 372 kilometers long from north to south. It has a total land area of 792,607 hectares and about 80% of the arable land is devoted to agricultural products such as sugar cane, rice, coconut, corn, banana and other crops.

Since the signing of said MOA, an annual Negros Island Organic Farmers Festival was conducted with such themes every year as “Organik na Negros,” “Save the Earth: Negros Go Organic,” and “Organic Agriculture: A key towards development.”

Signing of the covenant by different stakeholders in support of organic agriculture was held while the organic weekend market law was launched in 2006.

Almost 50 partners composed of various local government units, government organizations and associations, and non-government organizations (NGOs) in the province are supportive of organic agriculture.

The passage of a provincial ordinance banning the entry of living GMO in the province was a great help in promoting the province’s promotion of turning organic.

Organic vegetables demo farms were established and pushed by the late Gov. Marañon and implemented by the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) whose quarters are located at the back of the Provincial Administration Building.

http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/301567/negros-set-being-a-major-organic-food-bowl-asia

@dark spirit

January 31st, 2011, 05:04 PM

MOUNT KANLAON NATIONAL PARK (http://www.malaya.com.ph/feb01/news9.html)
Ecotourism a joint venture of gov’t, citizens, tourists
BY WINONA CUEVA
Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism

THINK OF as government on the road, or on the slopes. Mount Kanlaon Natural Park or MKNP on Negros Island is one Protected Area where the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ advocacy to conserve life in the wild is rolled out in a rather personalized way every single day, by everyone involved -- from the tour guide to the visitor, the park ranger, the porter, the local official, the civic worker, to the lawyer that litigates cases against park-law violators.

Well, why not? If what you have in your care is one of nature’s valuable geologic and habitat wonders, you would do everything to keep it at an undisturbed state so that others will not have to make do with reading about it in chronicles of lost nirvana.

Long before ecotourism became popular, Mount Kanlaon was a must destination for mountaineers and hiking enthusiasts in the seventies. Rising to 2,435 meters above sea level, Mount Kanlaon is the highest point in Central Philippines, providing an unobstructed view of the 24.5-hectare park where it sits, set against a more panoramic backdrop of vast sugarland. A memorable wilderness experience can be had here, even though only minimum-impact outdoor activities are prescribed by the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB).

A typical journey to this primeval landscape begins with a 45-minute drive along paved highways from Bacolod City to a mountain resort in the small village of Murcia, followed by a pre-sunrise hike on grassland mottled with trees that grow taller and thicker as you reach the forest line. This is the Wasay trail, one of three major trails that lead to the summit.

Here, stunning images of a tropical jungle slowly unfold. Waterfalls grope into washes and creeks momentarily disappear into lava beds, and then resurface and replenish the lower-slope watersheds that, in turn, feed three river systems. Gnarled trees peeking from behind taller dicterocarps give out an eerie feeling as they seem to guard the secrets of what is locally known as "Hardin Sang Balo," or the widow’s garden. Occasionally, there are bursts of red, blue, and yellow out of tree branches, materializing either as colorful parakeets or wild orchids.

This is home to diverse flora and fauna, including the rare Medinilla magnifica or Kapa-kapa, ribbon ferns, the Flame-templed Tree Babbler, White-winged Cuckoo-shrike, Visayan Tarictic Hornbill, fruit bats, and the Visayan Warty Pig. Deeper into Kanlaon’s jungle, small rain-fed lagoons flanked by elfin trees seem like pages straight out of a child’s storybook with Bambi prancing about…except here, Bambi is the Philippine spotted deer, critically endangered and near extinct.

Yet another scenic spot called the Margaha Valley emerges from the mossy forest to greet trekkers who have gone past mid-mountain. The valley is believed to be an old crater of Mount Kanlaon that collapsed after a series of eruptions in past centuries, evolving over time into an oval-shaped geologic wonder from which can be seen the active crater just 200 meters up. Kanlaon is a highly active phreatic volcano and knowledge of its penchant for erupting without warning would inevitably cause you to cast uneasy glances at the top and quickly step out of danger zone, but for the lure of that fleeting moment of triumph at having reached the peak. So you gaze instead into a deep gash in the earth where time seems frozen in a smoldering wall of ash and rocks.

But the real wonder here is nature’s indomitable life force, as seen on land turning verdant again after being seared by volcanic debris, on wildlife slowly but bravely propagating itself despite threats from human incursion – which was why the PAMB had to redouble efforts to step up park protection advocacy, not only among workers, but among visitors as well.

Straddling the two provinces of Negros, Mount Kanlaon Natural Park has three major ecotourism areas: the Wasay trail in Murcia, the Guintubdan Trail in La Carlota, and the Mananawin entrance in Canlaon City. Scores of hikers and mountaineers flock here during the peak months of March, April, May, October, November, and December, but one outstanding component of MKNP’s ecotourism management is its careful attention to the carrying capacity of the area and what tourism products to market relative to the natural characteristics of the park’s 1,457-hectare recreation zone. The other outstanding management feature is a well-established mountaineering, trekking, guiding, portering, and permit-issuance system.

Permits to hike can be purchased for P300 per person at key areas like the Bacolod airport; these are then checked in ecotour stations located at entrances to the major trails. A maximum of nine people per group can go up the mountain per session, and hiring a tour guide at P500 per day is mandatory.

The MNKP Law, as embodied in Republic Act No. 9154, makes hiking without permit a crime punishable by imprisonment of up to six years. Only minimum-impact activities like hiking, trekking, camping, and picnics are allowed within the park. The tour guides are not only accredited; they are also trained to be an advocacy extension and implementing arm of the government, explaining the MNKP law to visitors.

While ecotourism management at Mount Kanlaon is now well in place, there is no understating the hurdles and challenges that the Protected Area Management Office has had to go through before and after the MNKP Law took effect. To begin with, there was no budget to propel its full implementation. Local government units and peoples’ organizations filled in for much of the years when there was no funding from the national government. With initiatives at the local level, the MNKP Law was translated into four languages and posted in local and national publications, rendering it in full effect by January 13, 2006. Zoning of the park into recreation, strict-protection, and multiple-use areas was undertaken in 2007 and then incorporated in the MNKP Law’s Implementing Rules and Regulations, which took effect in March 2010.

With budget from the national government finally trickling in, Mount Kanlaon’s local management board finds itself in a better position to conduct refresher courses for its field personnel and forest volunteers, as well as to pursue legal cases against environment violators. The latter, a strong legal support system, is one component of protected-area management that serves as a key driver for success. For Mount Kanlaon Natural Park, every case filed and won by its supporters and protectors in the Green Court translates into confidence felt by every field personnel and support group, who revel in knowing that their efforts to keep the park safe from harm are not being wasted.

hakz2007

February 8th, 2011, 04:39 PM

Reminders:

1. Strong reminder on posting images: provide credit, link to source and respect copyrights! (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/announcement.php?f=585&a=1131)

This is a strong reminder to all forum users that posted images which are not owned and hosted by yourself must be properly credited, a link to the source must be provided and individual copyrights respected. Posted images which are not compliant to this are subject to removal. Thanks all for your cooperation.

2. When posting online articles/news items. (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/announcement.php?f=585&a=477)
When posting articles taken from online sources, please also take the time to provide the link as to acknowledge your source. It's only fair and just to do so. Thank you very much for your cooperation on this matter.

All images and news items/articles posted without proper sourcing or linking will be subject for deletion.

Rodel

February 21st, 2011, 10:01 PM

Talisay City
Negros Occidental

http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af351/linguine16/IMG_5039.jpg

Town & Country Windsor, Trafalgar Square

wow...nice shot. parang di sa pilipinas..

SydOZTa-Bacnon

February 25th, 2011, 03:40 AM

...::NEGROS::...
::GUIHULNGAN.SAN CARLOS.CANLAON::
http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/180715_1881005785864_1262881723_32307640_6100915_n.jpg

Rodel

February 25th, 2011, 02:44 PM

Rodel

March 17th, 2011, 11:36 PM

is there a proposal to have negros oriental and negros occidental under one region?

Linguine

March 19th, 2011, 12:55 AM

12 companies going big into organic food production in Negros Island
By MELODY M. AGUIBA
March 17, 2011, 11:54pm

MANILA, Philippines – A dozen companies and a total of 1,300 hectares in the Negros Island have obtained certification for organic farming which is making Negros island Philippines’ organic food capital.

The Negros Island Sustainable Agriculture and Devt. Foundation Inc. (NISARD) has faciltated organic farming certification of these organic farms in a vision to make the island a totally-organic farming haven.

"Our vision is for the whole island to become an organic farming area with at least 100,000 hectares in five years," said NISARD President Edgardo S. Uychiat in an interview.

While not yet ready to export as its priority is to supply the island first and then its neighbors, Negros is already swarmed by traders. Its abidance by the organic certification standards as that of the International Federation of Oganic Agriculture Movement (IFOAM) is attracting investment interest in its organic agriculture.

"We want Filipinos to first enjoy the good quality and reasonable price of organic food. Our farms are certified which means they are inspected using a protocol similar to the certification (harmonized with) IFOAM in other countries. Some people go to us because they want to export our products, but we're not yet ready," he said.

Uychiat said during the National Academy of Science and Technology's (NAST) organic agriculture forum that the Negros Island is now in the thick of expanding its organic area with an organic livestock program focused mainly on sheep and goats. The livestock program will also become a source of animal manure, a major component of organic fertilizer. Its availability is a major factor to organic agriculture's success.

"Because of the Organic law, the DA (Department of AGriculture) has a P900 million fund for organic farming. We don't know the procedure yet, but we're talking to them," he said.

NISRD data show that organic rice can yield a high seven metric tons (MT) per hectare at a lower production cost of P25,000. This is compared to non-organic's 6.3 MT yield at a higher cost of P32,000. Organic vegetable also generated a higher annual sales of P332,000 from a 1.3 hectare land that grew rice and vegetable. This was several times more than the rice monocrop using conventional system that gave only P72,000 sales from a similar 1.3 hectare area.

Organic sugarcane produced a comparable 60 MT per hectare at a lower cost of P30,000. The non-organic sugarcane produced a higher 65 MT, but with a higher cost too of P45,000.

Beneficiaries of its organic food program are small farmers through non government organizations (NGO) and people's organizations (PO). The island already has several organic food brands. These are the Rainforest Mt. Kanlaoon premium coffee (Arabica) blend, Rainforest Negrense Robusta blend, Gourmet Spices and Specialties Light Muscovado, and FreshStart black rice, white rice, and brown rice.

NISARD aims to tap a portion of the 170,000 hectares of land being transfered to Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARB) to be converted to organic farming. "Small farmers are looking at organic practices out of necessity as a result of ever increasing costs of conventional inputs," he said.

"To realize the expansion, NISARD is assisting farmers' groups through marketing and promotion of fair trade. The island has declared a No GMO (genetically modified organisms) policy to ensure the propagation of purely organic farming. Negros also discourages monocropping which is known to exhaust nutrients in the soil.

http://www.mb.com.ph/node/310022/12-companie

Linguine

March 19th, 2011, 06:48 AM

‘Ceres’ starts
Bacolod-Zambo route today

Ceres Liner, owned and operated by the Yanson Group of Bus Companies, will launch its new route today in Bacolod City and Monday in Zamboanga City, a press release from the firm said.

The two terminals in Bacolod City, Shopping (North) and Sambok (South), will serve as the focal points to all the passengers who will travel on a particular route from Bacolod City to Zamboanga City.

Two 55-seater non-aircon buses will take off separately from the Shopping and Sambok Terminals everyday.

The schedule of departure from the Shopping Terminal is 8 p.m. via Cadiz-San Carlos-Guihulngan-Bais-Dumaguete-Dipolog-Sindangan-Ipil and arrival in Zamboanga City is 7:30 p.m. the following day.

Sambok Terminal departure time is 10 p.m. via Kabankalan-Mabinay-Dumaguete-Dipolog-Sindangan-Ipil and arrival in Zamboanga City is 7:30 p.m. the following day.

Meanwhile, the Zamboanga City to Bacolod City route will take off simultaneously at 4 a.m. and will ply two different routes from Zamboanga back to the corresponding terminal at Bacolod City, where they come from.

The Ipil-Sindangan-Dipolog-Dumaguete-Bais-Guihulngan-San Carlos-Cadiz-Bacolod City, Shopping Terminal route will arrive at 3 a.m. the following day.

While the Ipil-Sindangan-Dipolog-Dumaguete-Mabinay-Kabankalan-Bacolod City, Sambok route will arrive at 1 a.m. the following day.

Teodoro Maturan, Bacolod branch manager, is urging the riding public to patronize the new route introduced by the Yanson Group of Bus Companies, through the nautical highway, roll-on, roll-off program of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the press release said.*

http://visayandailystar.com/2011/March/19/businessnews2.htm

@dark spirit

March 31st, 2011, 10:45 PM

PIA Press Release
Thursday, March 31, 2011

Northern Negros Natural Park Management Council visits Palawan (http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r06&id=25274)

BACOLOD CITY, Mar 31 (PIA) - The Northern Negros Natural Park Management Council (NNNPMC) conducted an educational exposure trip to Palawan for its members recently.

The visit provided NNNPMC members with an opportunity to gain sufficient knowledge from the management experience of Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park (PPSRNP) and venue for sharing of experiences between PPSRNP, Protected Area Management Boar (PAMB) and NNNPMC. Further, it increased the level of commitment among NNNPMC members towards the protection, conservation, and rehabilitation of the Northern Negros Natural Park (NNNP).

The group traveled around the Puerto Princesa City to observe and learn from the management experience of Palawan Wildlife Rescue Center, Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, Sabang Community-based Mangrove Ecotourism Project, Ugong Rock Community-based Ecotourism Project, Pambato Reef and Community-based Ecotourism project in Snake Island.

Among the 46 member- team that joined the trip were Mayor Lawrence Marxlen J. de la Cruz, OIC PEM Officer Atty. Ma, Aleta C. Nuñez, Barangay Captains, NFEFI, DENR and NCIP, representatives of the Technical Working Group members of NNNP and ENRG Project Staff.

“The cross training is meant to develop the capability of the NNNPMC and the Technical Working Group (TWG) members in managing the Northern Negros Natural Park” said Mr. Pierre Francis San Jose, NNNPMC-Secretariat under Provincial Environment Management Office (PEMO).

To facilitate learning process, cross training participants were provided with a “Cross-training Learning Sheets” (CLS) wherein participants were asked to assess the different aspects of the project being observed. The CLS was patterned after the Ecogov-Philippines learning sheet format.

The project is funded by the European Union through grant project entitled “Effective Natural Resources Governance through Inter-LGU Alliances” (ENRG project) and in line with the Negros First Agenda of Gov. Alfredo G. Marañon, Jr.*(PEMO/JCM/CAD/PIA6)

boy muscovado

April 5th, 2011, 02:50 AM

PANAAD SA NEGROS

"Panaad" means a promise...to come back and give thanks for all the trials and blessings that shaped the province throughout history. From the country's biggest income generator, the richest province down to its knees during the height of the sugar slump and disasters coming one after...then insurgency and poverty...but Negrenses never gave up...they believed that...HOPE SHINES IN NEGROS...Now Negros Occidental is rising once again as a properous province and it's giving all the gratitude to the heavens

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj75/abudominic/NegrosOccidentalagainstallodds.png

Garthin Dumaguete

April 5th, 2011, 06:14 PM

boy muscovado

April 6th, 2011, 04:59 AM

I thought that this route already exists. The route is Zambo to Pasay and vice versa, taking the ferries from Dipolog to Dumaguete, Bacolod to Iloilo, Kalibo to Mindoro, and Mindoro to Luzon...

...or is this a new route that termiates in Bacolod?

Iloilo is the dead-end route then it starts again from Bacolod. No buses (Ceres, Gasat, Dimple Star, Philtranco) are crossing between 2 cities pa...I saw Ceres crossing Iloilo-Bacolod in a Cubao to Zamboanga trip but I think it was just a test run before

boy muscovado

April 11th, 2011, 05:13 PM

Island-wide caravan
for life starts today
BY CARLA GOMEZ

A Church-led “Island-wide Caravan for Life” of about 80 vehicles will kick off from the Lupit Church in Bacolod City at 8 a.m. today.

Bacolod Bishop Vicente Navarra, who will bless the vehicles at about 7:30 a.m. before they depart, said the five-day caravan is being held to create wider awareness of the Church opposition to the Reproductive Health Bill.

Fr. Felix Pasquin said the bishop will join today’s caravan to San Carlos that is expected to be two-and-a-half kilometers long, with 80 vehicles.

More vehicles are expected to join the caravan as it makes various stops around Negros, Fr. Greg Patiño said.

The caravan that will head north will stop for prayer rallies in Cadiz City, Escalante City and San Carlos City today, Patiño said.

On Tuesday, the caravan participants will hold prayer rallies in Vallehermoso and Guihulngan in Negros Oriental and spend the night in Dumaguete City.

On Wednesday they will proceed to Hinoba-an in Negros Occidental where another prayer rally will be held, and on Thursday, they will make similar stops in Cauayan and Kabankalan, Patiño said.

On Friday they will hold a prayer rally in BInalbagan at 8:30 a.m. and a mass in Hinigaran at 10 a.m. with Navarra, before proceeding to the San Sebastian Cathedral in Bacolod City at 4 p.m., Patiño added.*CPG

VISAYAN DAILY STAR APRIL 11, 2011 (http://www.visayandailystar.com/2011/April/11/topstory7.htm)

@dark spirit

April 12th, 2011, 03:38 AM

Negros Oriental’s Provincial Development Council approves P46-M infrastructure projects

DUMAGUETE CITY, April 11 (PNA) - The Provincial Development Council (PDC) has approved P46-million worth of infrastructure projects for the different barangays in Negros Oriental.

Governor Roel Degamo said the projects are now endorsed to the Provincial Board to approve the budget allocation.

He said there is a total of 75 infrastructure projects that include farm-to-market roads, concreting and rehabilitation of roads, construction of multi-purpose buildings, drainage systems and spillways.

The governor said these projects were endorsed by the barangays captains as their priority projects in a meeting with them recently.

He is hoping the Provincial Board will approve the budget allocation of the said projects for immediate implementation. He is also anticipating that the barangay projects will start before the end of the second quarter of this year.

Governor Degamo said the drainage systems, spillways and road concreting projects should be implemented immediately once the budget is approved in order to take advantage of the good weather.

He is afraid that the rainy season will affect the construction of these projects, the budget of which is taken from the 20 percent of the surplus of the province. (PNA)
DCT/LAP/jfp/MA

Philippines News Agency (http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&nid=2&rid=340432)

boy muscovado

April 22nd, 2011, 09:52 AM

THE DAY THE CITY OF SMILES WEPT...APRIL 22, 1980

THE DON JUAN TRAGEDY

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj75/abudominic/MSDonJuan.jpg
Around 1:00 PM of April 22, 1980, a jampacked M/S DON JUAN of Negros Navigation (NN) carrying at least 1,000 passengers left Pier 2 at the Manila North Harbor. It was bound for Bacolod City. Within her are vacationers, students coming home after their graduation or a break in big universities in Manila, families of wealthy and illustrious Negrenses who accompanied newly bought cars in its cargo and businessmen with bulk of their goods.

The DON JUAN was famous for its cruising speed, cutting traveling time to 18-19 hours for a Manila-Bacolod trip which was usually 22-24 hrs on other vessels at that time. It featured the elegant "Admiral Class" Cabins. A signature of first class travel for NN's fleet. It was the first of its kind to have watertight cabin and compartment doors.

At 10:30 PM the vessel was traveling beneath a full-moon over the calm Tablas Strait between Tablas and Maestre de Campo Is. with most of the passengers asleep. The rest were awake having a great time with the band at the ferry's disco. But all of a sudden it was rammed hard on its portside by oil tanker M/T Tacloban City of the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC). It left a large gaping hole from its lower deck bunks to the Admiral Class Cabin decks. The impact jammed most of the cabin doors sealing the fate of its occupants. Fortunate ones were on the Economy Class upper decks and disco-goers. It didn't take long and DON JUAN took in seawater, listed hard to the portside then dipped forward. Screaming, terrified and wailing passengers even without life-jackets jumped to the sea. The crew frantically handed out life-jackets and tried to put them into lifeboats. Collapsible lifeboats were released for those already at sea. But time was too short. In 15-20 minutes DON JUAN was swallowed by the sea, with it are dozens still trapped in cabins and bunks, crew members who held to their posts and those already in lifeboats but were never released on time. :ohno:

Hundreds of survivors thrashed and called for help for in the shark-infested waters. the crew of the tanker TACLOBAN plucked out as many survivors as they could and those killed instantly buy the impact. After 2 hours, another PNOC tanker M/T LAOAG CITY arrived after DON JUAN's distress call and took the remaining survivors and more corpses. Smaller ships and fishing vessels within its vicinity also came and helped out. Most of the survivors were brought to the port of Batangas in the morning, April 23, 1980.

Bacolod City and the rest of Negros Occidental was shocked. It came very untimely when the province was currently suffering the fall of worldwide sugar prices that heralded the collapse of the monocrop sugar industry of the province.

The survivors...

Mr. JOEVAL BRODIT - came from a national dancing competition on a famous noontime TV show. he was at the disco during the collision. Jostled and was able to take a life-jacket but was grabbed off from him by a panicking passenger. While at the sea, he huddled together with a dozen more survivors on a capsized collapsible lifeboat, But he was one of those instant heroes who swam back to the sea and grabbed more survivors. One of them was Sharon Tumaliuan of Iloilo City which landed him on the front page of Manila Bulletin. It was so sad that some of those dead he took were young students, others just graduated from high school and college.

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj75/abudominic/DonJuanlifejacket.jpg
Joeval Brodit's lifejacket from the ill-fated vessel full of scribbles and signatures of those who was with him on the capsized and half-sunken lifeboat.

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj75/abudominic/DonJuanjoeval001.jpg
the Manila Bulletin Photo of Joeval being thanked by the brother of the woman (Ms. Sharon Tumaliuan of Jaro, Iloilo City) he rescued .

DR. LINDA SANSON - an OB-Gyne traveling with her 3 toddlers and two babysitters after buying stocks for her boutique in Bacolod ,they instantly got out of the cabin and grabbed 2 lifejackets in which they shared together until rescued.

MRS. ETHEL FERRER - an elementary school teacher (USLS), was pregnant and traveling with her eldest son. She got separated from his son while at sea but was miraculously reunited with him after an hour despite the panic and swimming with sharks.

JOCELYN PANISA and her twin brothers JESUS and REYNALDO - traveling home from a wedding with their uncle. Boarded the vessel as "chance passengers" and were at the economy class upper deck. Three of them survived clinging on the sides an overloaded lifeboat but their uncle was unlucky to be on a lifeboat that never came off the ship

Those who did not make it...

Mother of Atty. Renecito Novero - attended his son's (Atty. Novero) graduation from law school at UP and took the trip home

The Alunan Family - a pride of Bacolod in the field of swimming remained missing and believed to be trapped inside one of DON JUAN's cabins.

The Montalvo Family - Nora Montalvo wife of then mayor Rodrigo "Digoy" Montalvo of Bacolod their daughters Mylene (17) and Yvette (7) and mother-in-law Anicia Kilayko - were never found and were believed to have died inside their cabins. It was remembered by the Bacolodnon's that the mayor was at a sorrowful state traveling to Northern Negros, Capiz and as far as Romblon and Oriental Mindoro to look for his missing family members. As described by some "he would open every casket, body bag and blanket and call out their names"

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj75/abudominic/IMG_7957.jpg
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj75/abudominic/IMG_7958.jpg
The Don Juan Disaster Memorial at the San Sebastian Cathedral

IN MEMORY...OF THOSE WHO PERISHED WITH THE SINKING OF THE M/V DON JUAN ON THE NIGHT OF APRIL 22, 1980 AT MAESTRE DE CAMPO, MINDORO

"And the spirit of God moved over the waters"

Special thanks to Mr. Joeval Brodit, Mrs. Jocelyn Panisa-Rodrigo, Mrs. Maria Theresa Galido-Salmingo, The Eagle Publication CSAB (original article written in Hiligaynon by GDBA).

boy muscovado

June 13th, 2011, 04:15 PM

THIS IS A BIG MOCKERY OF NEGROS ISLAND!!!!!

AT THE LAST PART OF THE LATEST ABS CBN VIDEO OF LUPANG HINIRANG SHOWS A MAP OF THE PHILIPPINES WITHOUT NEGROS!

H_QBKzmtIIw

@dark spirit

June 14th, 2011, 02:46 PM

^^

The "New" Version::)

H5V9aDhA3ag

boy muscovado

June 14th, 2011, 04:42 PM

Thanks @dark spirit for always being "the bearer of good news!"

@dark spirit

July 10th, 2011, 01:26 AM

PIA Press Release (http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r06&id=42489)
Friday, July 08, 2011

BFAR offers use of research vessel to NegOcc

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, July 8 (PIA) -- Newly appointed Director of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Asis G. Perez in his recent visit to this province offered the use of the research vessel MV DA-BFAR of the bureau.

The MV DA-BFAR is equipped to determine the characterization of the larval settlements or planktonic population in the water column, throughout the municipal waters in the province.

This research undertaking will feed scientific data to the various programs of the province on sustainable coastal resources management.

Perez met with Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo G. Marañon Jr. and discussed with the governor the urgency of reducing, if not totally eliminating, destructive fishing practices in the country, going after one target area at a time.

On the third day of assumption of office in June, Perez personally led an enforcement operation against coral smugglers in Zamboanga resulting in the seizure and recovery of 13,000 pieces of black sea corals weighing around a total of 40 tons.

The bureau also recently initiated the dismantling of around 500 fish cages in Taal Lake, which unregulated fish cages have led to the loss of oxygen supply which caused the massive fish kill.

Meanwhile, Marañon who issued a memorandum recently directing the strict enforcement of coastal fishery laws and regulations urged the director to focus his attention on the Visayan Sea.

Last year, Negros Occidental initiated the collaboration and cooperation of the four provinces namely Cebu, Masbate, Iloilo and Negros Occidental to step up its conservation and protection efforts in the Visayan Sea.

Perez assured the governor that he shall work with him and the other governors on this concern.

The BFAR Director is scheduled to return next month for the Coastal Law Enforcement Training for legal officers of cities, judges, clerks of courts, province and volunteer lawyers for the environment whom the province is recruiting.*(JCM/EAD-PIA6/PEMO Negros Occidental)

@dark spirit

July 14th, 2011, 08:08 AM

Additional troops to beef up Army forces in Negros (http://www.thedailyguardian.net/index.php/local-news-2/367-additional-troops-to-beef-up-army-forces-in-negros)
By: Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – A company of an elite force of the Philippine Army is set to arrive here this month to augment government forces in the light of atrocities perpetuated by the New People’s Army in the province.

A reliable source in the Philippine Army headquarters revealed that a company of the elite Scout Ranger will be deployed in the province within this month.

This will beef up two Philippine Army Scout Ranger companies under the 1st Scout Ranger Battalion already deployed in the island.

The 2nd Scout Ranger Company is deployed in Moises Padilla in central Negros while the 1st Scout Ranger Company is assigned in Negros Oriental.

Expected to be deployed in the province this month is the 3rd Scout Ranger Company from Catbalogan, Samar.

There are two Philippine Army brigades attending to the Internal Security Operations in Negros Island, the 303rd based in Minuyan, Murcia and the 302nd Brigade based in Tanjay, Negros Oriental.

Under these two brigades are at least four regular army battalions and the 1st Scout Ranger Battalion based in La Granja, La Carlota City serving as the striking force for the two Army brigades.

The NPA recently raided the Philex Mining in southern Negros, disarmed the firm’s security guards and burned the mining firm’s equipments worth P3 million.

Aside from this, the NPA rebels also set fire to farm tractors in two haciendas in EB Magalona town.

Meanwhile, Col. Oscar Lactao of PMA Class ’84 and the Operations Chief of the Philippine Army is eyed to replace Col. Manuel Ochotorena as 302nd Brigade commander with the turnover ceremonies scheduled next week.

Ochotorena will be assigned as assistant division commander of the 6th Infantry Division based in Awang, Cotabato.

@dark spirit

July 30th, 2011, 09:12 PM

http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac138/nationalguard_ssc/PNinsidephoto3link.jpg

Negros NGO is Ramon Magsaysay awardee (http://www.panaynewsphilippines.com/mainnews%201.htm)

BACOLOD City -- A small non-profit organization based in Negros Occidental will be conferred with the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award – Asia’s counterpart of the Nobel Prize – for help workers and farmers displaced by the sugar industry collapse in the 1980s.

The Alternative Indigenous Development Foundation, Inc. (AIDFI) is among this year’s recipients of Asia’s highest honors alongside a Cambodian, two Indians and two Indonesians.

Just last year, AIDFI won the BBC World Challenge top prize for its perfected model of a hydraulic ram pump that has brought water to impoverished and remote villages in the Philippines and other parts of the world.

BBC World Challenge of world media giant British Broadcasting Co. is a competition recognizing innovations at the grassroots level.

In a statement, the Ramon Magsaysay Awards Foundation (RMAF) said, “the six Award recipients in 2011 enlarge the community of Magsaysay laureates to 290 individuals and organizations spread across twenty-two countries of Asia.”

The awardees will formally receive their distinctions on August 31, 2011 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines in Manila.

The Ramon Magsaysay Award is an annual award established to perpetuate former Philippine President Ramon Magsaysay’s example of integrity in government, courageous service to the people, and pragmatic idealism within a democratic society.

Every year the RMAF grants the prize to Asian individuals and organizations for achieving excellence in their respective fields. The awards are given in six categories:
* Government Service
* Public Service
* Community Leadership
* Journalism, Literature and Creative Communication Arts
* Peace and International Understanding; and
* Emergent Leadership.

BEGINNINGS
AIDFI is a social enterprise set up by a group of social activists because of the sugar industry collapse in the 1980s. However, meager funds and the exit of key members prompted the group to close down.

In 1997, when Dutch marine engineer Auke Idzenga, who was part of the group that founded AIDFI, returned to Negros, the organization was reinstated.

According to the RMAF website, AIDFI’s first success came when they redesigned a ram pump which uses kinetic energy of flowing water from rivers and springs to push water up to an upland reservoir.

After AIDFI’s redesign, the ram pump was able to pump 1,500 to 72,000 liters of water a day.
Since then, over 227 ram pumps had been fabricated, installed and transferred to benefit 184 upland communities in the area.

AIDFI has also brought the technology to other countries including Afghanistan, Colombia and Nepal.

Among AIDFI’s other innovations include an essential oil distiller that processes lemon grass into organic oil for industrial users, a “technopark" that showcases and demonstrates AIDFI technologies and a windmill that can generate up to 800 watts of electricity.

The RMAF added that because of their work, “AIDFI has placed the premium on small-scale, accessible, low-maintenance technology that is customized for local needs, energy-efficient, environmentally sound, and one owned and managed by the people themselves."

OTHER AWARDEES
Aside from AIDFI, Koul Panha from Cambodia is also set to receive the award. Panha is recognized for his work in campaigning for responsible voting and electoral reforms in his home country. The Committee for Free and Fair Elections (COMFREL), under Panha’s leadership, initiated a citizen parallel “quick count," the first of its kind in Cambodian history. COMFREL is also credited for pushing for an increased involvement of women in Cambodian politics.

Harish Hande from India will also be awarded for promoting solar energy in India, where nearly half of households do not have electricity. Another Indian, Nileema Mishra is honored for her work with villagers in Maharashta, India.

Two Indonesians are also recipients of the award. Hasanain Juaini is recognized for being a champion of a “holistic, community-based approached to pasentren education" in his come country while Tri Mumpuni is awarded for her work in promoting hydropower technology to communities. (gmanews.tv)

@dark spirit

August 6th, 2011, 11:43 AM

N. Negros to put up model corn farm (http://www.panaynewsphilippines.com/bacolod%202.htm)
BY LORENZO LAMBATIN JR.

BACOLOD City — The provincial government together with its partners plans to put up a model corn farm that will result to more harvest and higher income for poor corn planters in the province.

Syngenta International official Loy Martinez III said Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. has offered an area in Northern Negros where the company can pilot its hybrid non-GMO (genetically modified organisms) seeds that yield more output compared to the conventional yellow corn.

The company seeds can produce from seven to 10 tons of corn per hectare compared to the open pollinated variety inbred corn that yields only from four to five tons per hectare, he said.

“The project is in support to the province’s sustainable farming (goal) and … corn farming sector here,” said Martinez.

Potential areas of corn planting in the province include the cities of Sagay, Escalante and San Carlos and the towns of Toboso and Calatrava in the north, and Himamaylan, Kabankalan and Sipalay cities and Ilog, Candoni and Hinobaan towns in the south. (PIA-6 Negros Occidental/PN)

@dark spirit

August 21st, 2011, 05:40 AM

from Bacolod City main thread

Negros areas to rise as 'salad bowls' in the Visayas
By ELLALYN B. DE VERA
August 20, 2011, 5:44pm

BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occ., Philippines - The Department of Agriculture is set to partner with local officials and farmers to transform areas in Negros Island as “vegetable salad bowls” in the Visayas that will cater to needs of the cities of San Carlos, Dumaguete, Bacolod and Cebu.

Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala recognized the vast potentials of Don Salvador Benedicto in Negros Occidental and Canlaon City in Negros Oriental “for organic vegetable production in these areas, as well as for upland rice, coffee, cacao, tea, dairy, and for small ruminants.”

Don Salvador Benedicto, a fourth class municipality located in the mountainous regions northeast of Negros island, was established as a town in 1983. Its semi-temperate climate with temperatures ranging from 16 to 24 degrees Celcius has earned for itself the title of ‘summer capital’ of the island.

Farmers in the area raise so-called Benguet vegetables like lettuce, cabbage, sayote, potato and tomato.

Don Salvador Benedicto Mayor Laurence MJ Dela Cruz said a Korean firm has already established a vegetable farm in the area to supply the needs of Korean restaurants in the Visayas.

To support the production of organic vegetables and other crops, Alcala said the DA, through the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), will construct an irrigation project next year that will put into productive use an additional 1,500 hectares of farmland.

The DA chief said the government will help Don Salvador Benedicto farmers to engage in the production of coffee, cacao and tea.

Alcala granted the town through a counterpart scheme two hand tractors, two threshers, five carabaos with farm implements, two flatbed dryers, hundreds of coffee and cacao seedlings, and 10 four-year college scholarship grants (inclusive of tuition, books and monthly stipends) to deserving high school students who will pursue college degrees in agriculture, fishery and other related courses.

www.mb.com.ph

boy muscovado

September 6th, 2011, 05:37 PM

COMING SOON.....

M A S S K A R A F E S T I V A L 2011

27767644

17507912

"Kari Sa Bacolod!!!"
October 1-19, 2011

6607229

posted first by @jedai blaze

Christendom

October 12th, 2011, 05:19 AM

Negros seen as Philippines’ renewable energy center
(http://business.inquirer.net/25101/negros-seen-as-philippines%E2%80%99-renewable-energy-center)Island can produce power from biomass, says GBPC
By: Carla P. Gomez
Inquirer Visayas

BACOLOD City, Philippines—Negros could become a major source of renewable energy in the Philippines if its sugar mills would be retrofitted to produce electricity from biomass, said Arthur Aguilar, president of Global Business Power Corp.

Aguilar, who spoke on the Visayas Electric Power Situation during the recent 20th Visayas Area Business Conference and Expo in Bacolod City, said that if the sugar mills would be tapped, Negros could export 200 megawatts of clean, renewable energy from biomass.

Negros Island could potentially produce about 310 megawatts of renewable energy using renewable biomass, mini hydro and wind power, he added.
Sugar mills have been engaged in biomass co-generation for about a hundred years now, Aguilar said. If existing sugar mills retrofit high pressure boilers, these mills could double the amount of electricity they produce from the same volume of bagasse, he said.

“Ten years ago when I was running Victorias Milling Co., I was telling the sugar planters that in 15 years they will be growing sugarcane, not just for sugar, but for the energy it produces. It’s already 10 years and five years to go and it’s now very obvious with the high pressure boilers that the technology is there,” Aguilar said. Aguilar admitted that the GBPC was talking about going into biomass production but there’s no definite decision yet. “I am not saying we will (go into biomass production).”

Aguilar also cited other possible sources of power for Negros Occidental such as the province’s seven major river systems. The seven major river systems could yield between 50 megawatts and 80 megawatts using cascading run-of-the-river mini-hydro technology, he pointed out. Assuming a feed-in-tariff of P6 to P7 per kilowatt hour, electricity from biomass and mini-hydro could compete with coal-fired power plants, Aguilar said.
He added that some areas like San Carlos City could yield at least 20 megawatts to 30 megawatts of wind energy.

On the other hand, Aguilar said the northwestern part Negros Occidental, which has a high demand for power, could not rely on coal power.
He explained that there are a few ports between Manapla and Kabankalan City that are suitable for coal. A deep water port is needed to bring in large vessels, otherwise coal freight would be very expensive to the detriment of consumers, Aguilar said. He warned that with a six percent to nine percent growth in power consumption in the Visayas, additional power plants would be needed from 2013 to 2015. It is projected that by 2015, Negros will have a power deficit of 93 megawatts while Cebu and Bohol would have a power deficit of 248 megawatts and 44 megawatts, respectively.

@dark spirit

October 29th, 2011, 12:10 AM

^^
Mga peeps from Oriental & Occidental Negros, let's revive this thread.:)

ipur

October 29th, 2011, 12:32 AM

Guys, 13 days left to continuously vote for our Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR) as one New 7 Wonders of Nature. There are three ways to vote. Please the check below link:
http://www.filamnation.com/2011/07/vote-for-puerto-princesa-underground-river-ppur/

Sa mga nasa Pilipinas, pwedeng bomoto through text. Text PPUR to 2861 or for automatic 1 vote per day Text PPUR<space>ON to 2861.VOTE NA para hindi pababa ang trend ng PPUR natin.

@dark spirit

November 15th, 2011, 02:06 PM

Daw wala na ni gasapak nga thread haw?:nuts::lol:

RepublicaNegrense

November 15th, 2011, 07:54 PM

The Future of Farming is here in Negros
Fresh Start Organic Farm (Part A)
http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_luonrmPJtQ1qg8viso1_500.jpg
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http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_luonrmPJtQ1qg8viso10_500.jpg

RepublicaNegrense

November 15th, 2011, 07:55 PM

The Future of Farming is here in Negros
Fresh Start Organic Farm (Part B)
http://30.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_luop6eB5Sn1qg8viso3_500.jpg
http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_luop6eB5Sn1qg8viso4_500.jpg
http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_luop6eB5Sn1qg8viso5_500.jpg
http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_luop6eB5Sn1qg8viso6_500.jpg
http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_luop6eB5Sn1qg8viso7_500.jpg
http://30.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_luop6eB5Sn1qg8viso8_500.jpg
http://30.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_luop6eB5Sn1qg8viso9_500.jpg

Christendom

November 16th, 2011, 05:05 AM

Daw wala na ni gasapak nga thread haw?:nuts::lol:

ginahulat pa mig mag federal state of negros hehe...ugaling kay wala na si pgma...wala mani ginasapak ni pnoy...basta politko damo ginatiko

JuIcYdUdE22

November 17th, 2011, 01:21 AM

EDC to produce 20 MW for Negros (http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=742158&publicationSubCategoryId=530)

As early as now, EDC's marketing group is talking with the officials of the Central Negros Electric Cooperative (CENECO) to supply power to the latter in 2014 when a power shortage in Bacolod and Negros Occidental will be expected, Maxino said.

JuIcYdUdE22

November 17th, 2011, 01:23 AM

Kudos to our Law Enforcers

NPA commander in Negros arrested (http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=746219&publicationSubCategoryId=530)

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — An elusive top leader of the New People's Army (NPA) in Negros island, who is facing a string of criminal cases in court, was arrested by the police and the military in Brgy. Zone 2, Cadiz City.

Romeo Nanta, 54, of Brgy. Banago in Bacolod , was apprehended by virtue of arrest warrants for rebellion, robbery-in-band, and attempted and frustrated murder, said Col. Oscar Lactao, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, yesterday.

churvalou6900

November 23rd, 2011, 01:34 AM

photo_boi

November 23rd, 2011, 02:11 AM

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6239/6382155739_30cbd56e07_b.jpg

@dark spirit

November 24th, 2011, 09:34 PM

edited...

A TRIP TO CANLAON

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6229/6382089241_376a2b73fc_z.jpg
http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6099/6382090463_ce57ea834e_z.jpg
http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6097/6382091629_b1ea75c2ca_z.jpg
http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6034/6382093975_8ebcbbc17a_z.jpg
http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6040/6382092553_4a04d4bdc0_z.jpg

churvalou6900

December 2nd, 2011, 11:22 PM

Oriental Negros: Eco-Tourism Paradise

http://i629.photobucket.com/albums/uu16/ponsing1983/wildlife.png

^^^^

churvalou6900

December 2nd, 2011, 11:24 PM

Cool and Refreshing Mabinay Spring

http://www.dotting.me/en/images/photos/215/kt5mre3n.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iLDj8SC4Z18/TYdVo5XwxAI/AAAAAAAADMw/rA0f06pkUTI/s400/IMG_6226.JPG

http://www.dotting.me/en/photo-10673.html

http://www.google.com.ph/imgres?q=mabinay+kayak&um=1&hl=tl&sa=N&biw=1366&bih=643&tbm=isch&tbnid=fqDL-OxBqmTyfM:&imgrefurl=http://freshink.blogspot.com/2011/03/mabinay-spring.html&docid=HT1f3OD4g7wgpM&imgurl=https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iLDj8SC4Z18/TYdVo5XwxAI/AAAAAAAADMw/rA0f06pkUTI/IMG_6226.JPG&w=1600&h=899&ei=GRDZTvfkCLTXiAKa-ZmuCg&zoom=1
Negros kay ganda

@dark spirit

December 7th, 2011, 12:16 PM

Something for the Organic Food Lovers. ;)

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/386530_212626008813811_183251121751300_490580_159975121_n.jpg

You can also read about it here (http://republicanegrense.com/2011/11/22/negros-island-and-everything-organic/).

^^

bacolodchamp

December 18th, 2011, 10:58 AM

Negros Island pushes for organic products

by Lorenzo O. Lambatin Jr.
NEGROS OCC., Dec. 18 (PIA) -— Negros Occ. Board Member Miller Serondo cited the efforts of the province in producing organic products to make Negros Island the organic food bowl of Asia.

In his speech during the recent opening of the 6th Negros Island Organic famers Festival, he said there are now about 3,000 farmer-practitioners who are certified or in the process of converting to organic farming and with almost 50 partners coming from LGUs, GOs and NGOs.

There are also a total of 28 certified producers and processors of various organic products for crops and other products.

Some 81.85 hectares are now certified as organic farms and 185 hectares are in the process for certification for a total of 266.85 hectares.
Certified sugarcane areas have now reached 23756 hectares.
On herb vegetables and fruits certification, 184.84 hectares. have already been covered. About 70.84 ectares are already certified while 114 are in process.

More than 330 hectares coffee plantation are already certified with 284 hectares more are on process for a total of 579.90 hectares.

The province has a total of 1,269.15 hectares of land developed into organic farms.

The Negros Occ. government has certified 6 companies while 11 are in process and have also established 10 pilot organic villages established.

Serondo said it was the late Gov. Joseph Marañon with former Negros Oriental Gov. George Arnaiz and now Congressman of Negros Oriental who signed the MOA to make the island the organic food bowl of Asia way back in April 2005.
Incumbent Gov. Alfredo Marañon., an avid organic farming advocate, strengthened that goal by allocating P10million funding for organic projects and activities.

The Negros Island Certification Body, NICERT, Negros Island Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development Foundation, Incorporated-NISARD, the Organic Inspectors Association and the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist are among the groups that ensure organic farming is alive in the province. (JCM/LOL/PIA6)

boy muscovado

December 18th, 2011, 11:15 AM

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/400734_10150436697414290_712604289_8771601_758186086_n.jpg

Mindavao

December 25th, 2011, 05:43 AM

Malipayong Pasko NEGROS ISLAND!

:dance:
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/images/headers/25.jpg

...from SSC - DAVAO....

transporter

December 25th, 2011, 07:21 AM

Malipayong Pasko NEGROS ISLAND!

:dance:
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/images/headers/25.jpg

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December 25th, 2011, 07:22 AM

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@dark spirit

December 30th, 2011, 08:38 AM

7 local governments receive relief assistance (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/bacolod/local-news/2011/12/30/7-local-governments-receive-relief-assistance-198119)
By Teresa Ellera-Dulla
Friday, December 30, 2011

SEVEN towns and cities in Negros Oriental which were hit by Tropical Storm Sendong received relief assistance extended by the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental.

Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Liane Garcia, who headed the composite team that distributed the relief assistance, said the areas which received the assistance were Tanjay, Amlan, San Jose, Sibulan, Valencia, Pamplona and Dumaguete City.

She said the Provincial Government purchased P500,000 worth of cooking and eating utensils and other goods for the “Sendong” victims. They also distributed other relief goods which were brought to the Capitol by some Negrense donors.

Garcia said they have difficulties going to some areas which were heavily affected by the flood and landslides but were able to reach some of these areas, as they were personally guided by Representative George Arnaiz (2nd district, Negros Oriental).

Meanwhile, Capitol also extended assistance to 4,786 families who were affected by a low pressure area in the province.

Of the affected families, 1,211 were from Sagay City, 684 from Cadiz City, 132 from Talisay City, 1,140 from San Carlos City, 58 from Silay City, 200 from Calatrava, 1,174 from San Enrique and 187 from Valladolid.

Published in the Sun.Star Bacolod newspaper on December 30, 2011.